When General Litenhark first heard about the coup, he thought it was some absurd tale.
The news that the troops in the Eastern Corps were discontented due to discrimination had reached him vaguely, but wasn’t that just an excuse to refuse the viceroy’s proposal, which could provoke the Soviev Empire at every turn?
From General Litenhark’s perspective, the Eastern Corps was not intentionally excluded for any other reason.
The viceroy probably thought it wasn’t worth investing in an army that wouldn’t listen to his commands.
On the contrary, after winning the Quernen War last year and maintaining the positions of rebellious generals, the viceroy had faithfully preserved the order.
After winning the Quernen War last year, the viceroy’s power surged within the military.
The reclaimed territories, illegally occupied for decades, were restored, and the impressive sight of the advancing army left a deep impression on the citizens’ minds.
With the establishment of military industrial complexes in the north and the creation of various new units, no one dared to defy the viceroy’s orders.
If he truly wanted to purge the Eastern Corps, he certainly had the means to do so.
Was this his final act of mercy being repaid with injustice?
Litenhark, who had served in the Eastern Corps during his time as a major, had never imagined the corps could have become so corrupt.
But Viceroy Orlando Rus III was led by Colonel Enok Revendale into the training camp.
“The camp commander… there’s an urgent message from the National Guard. A state of emergency has been declared as of now.”
“A state of emergency!? How can a state of emergency be declared without the viceroy’s instructions?”
“That’s… I don’t know.”
“This is utter madness.”
After receiving the urgent news from his aide, General Litenhark had no choice but to acknowledge it.
It wasn’t just the Eastern Corps.
Though the spark ignited in the Eastern Corps, the flames of rebellion quickly spread throughout the military.
“Immediately wake up all the recruits and close down the camp!”
“Yes, yes… Yes!”
“No one is allowed to enter, not even the National Guard or the Royal Division! This is the camp commander’s order!!”
“Yes!!”
A cacophony of noise─!!!!
“Move quickly! Issue weapons!”
“Lay barbed wire. From now on, this place will be like Petrovna Palace!!”
The quiet central Okhraine Army Training Camp transformed into a massive fortress in no time.
*
Colonel Offri Dunn of the Imperial Guard’s Royal Guard confidently entered the Okhraine Army Headquarters.
After receiving salutes from the guards at the entrance, he headed deeper into the building towards the General Staff Office.
Essentially the heart of the Okhraine Army.
Even though martial law had been lifted, if he were to seize real power without properly securing the viceroy, it would cause significant problems.
With the Eastern Corps and the Eastern and Southern branches of the National Guard moving to block the Southern Corps, neutralizing this core first would dramatically increase the chances of a successful coup.
As Colonel Dunn entered the conference room where the key generals were gathered.
Four generals were already present in the General Staff Office.
Also attending were Major General Zukov, Major General Liman Mado, and the chiefs of the Operations Bureau and Military Affairs Bureau.
This was an emergency meeting convened immediately upon receiving the news of the assassination of the Commander of the National Guard, and they were largely unaware of the current situation.
Colonel Offri Dunn saluted skillfully and exchanged glances with Major General Zukov.
“Honor to our motherland.”
“Yes, take your seat, Colonel of the Royal Guard.”
General Ernst Fael, the de facto manager of the General Staff Office and the highest-ranking military officer aside from the viceroy and the minister of defense, spoke to him.
As soon as Colonel Dunn sat down, the first to speak was the Infantry Commander.
“So, what happened? I heard Commander Siegmund was assassinated.”
“There are rebel forces stirring in the capital, Carjeff. Yesterday’s d*ath of Captain Nikolai Hilbert is related.”
Following the prepared script, the Royal Guard Colonel responded gravely.
“The prime suspect is Lieutenant Colonel Lannister Kaye.”
“d*mn it, killed by his own dog.”
Major Anton Biarichin, the Artillery Commander, sighed bitterly.
“I’ve met Lieutenant Colonel Lannister several times. To suddenly assassinate my commander? He was someone who followed Major General Siegmund so closely.”
“That’s the mystery. Perhaps their ultimate goal is Viceroy Orlando Rus III himself.”
“Viceroy Orlando Rus III…!?”
The generals’ expressions twisted. They weren’t just hinting; they were essentially saying they were planning to assassinate the leader of Okhraine.
However, there were too many suspicious points to simply believe it.
“For what purpose? And who could have planned such a thing?”
An individual lieutenant colonel couldn’t have orchestrated this. There must be higher-ups involved.
Moreover, simply assassinating Siegmund wouldn’t paralyze the National Guard.
If they truly intended to assassinate the viceroy, wouldn’t they have first recruited as many National Guard personnel as possible before eliminating Siegmund?
In response to the growing doubts among the staff, Major General Alexander raised his hand.
The Operations Bureau.
An intelligence agency modeled after the Soviev Empire’s Information Bureau, currently involved in espionage and covert operations in Okhraine.
Unlike the Special Response Brigade under the viceroy’s direct command, the Operations Bureau was a covert unit under the General Staff Office, capable of operating independently within the army.
“It’s the work of Major General Sony Chepelin and her cronies.”
“…Major General Sony Chepelin?”
The sorceress Sony Chepelin.
Could there be anyone in the Okhraine Duchy who doesn’t know her name? This eccentric woman always brought storms to the military.
“If power is her goal, why bother threatening the viceroy? She already enjoys numerous benefits as one of his closest advisors.”
General Ernst seemed perplexed.
“I share your doubt.”
The Infantry and Artillery Commanders also held similar views. At that moment, Major General Liman Mado slammed his desk and stood up.
“Enough! Haven’t you seen? This madwoman has ignored my orders as Major General and acted recklessly!”
Major General Liman, who had always had a poor relationship with Sony Chepelin.
As the Major General, he should have had command over all magic soldiers in the Okhraine Army. However, he was outshone by the unique position of Major General Sony Chepelin.
There were rumors that Major General Sony Chepelin would be promoted to Major General next year, further fueling his reaction.
The heavy silence fell over the General Staff Office.
“So, what do you propose we do?”
Seeing General Ernst Fael wince, Major General Dmitri Zukov of the Capital Guard raised his hand.
“We don’t know whether Sony Chepelin ordered it or if it was the actions of her subordinates, but the viceroy’s safety must be our top priority.”
“I agree. If they harm the viceroy, the foundation of the nation will be shaken!!”
With the Capital Guard Commander and the Cavalry Commander voicing strong opinions, the Infantry and Artillery Commanders, along with the General Staff Chief, could no longer remain passive.
If these statements were true,
They would have to bear full responsibility for any issues concerning Viceroy Orlando Rus III.
“Who is currently commanding the National Guard?”
“Colonel Paldikov, the Chief Inspector of the National Guard.”
“Did the viceroy give the order for self-imposed martial law?”
“Yes, he did.”
The Royal Guard Colonel nodded.
In the current situation, they had no way of knowing. The Capital Guard’s troops must have tightly surrounded Petrovna Palace, and communication lines laid as a precaution were cut off.
Moreover, once the General Staff Office was surrounded by the Royal Guard troops,
At this point, where all personnel were gathered, the General Staff Office, considered the highest command structure of the military, was completely subdued.
“…We endorse Colonel Paldikov’s declaration of emergency rule.”
“We will enforce a nighttime curfew and civilian control order in the Carjeff area.”
“Do it.”
“In addition, a thorough investigation will be necessary to uncover those behind this heinous terrorist attack.”
“That falls under the jurisdiction of the National Guard. Use your investigative authority to thoroughly expose the details of this situation.”
The General Staff Chief said, rubbing his forehead.
The temporary emergency rule has now been officially confirmed by the General Staff Office.
Moreover, the authority to make arrests has effectively been transferred to them.
Upon confirming that everything was proceeding according to plan, the Capital Guard Commander and the Royal Guard Colonel subtly smiled.
Of course, even without permission, the National Guard’s Southern Branch troops had already been dispatched to suppress the Southern Corps and the Special Response Brigade units in the southern part of the duchy.
If they successfully suppressed these forces,
Sony Chepelin and Colonel Enok Revendale would lose all leverage.
Then, they could slowly bring things under their control without rushing.
The viceroy was practically under house arrest in Petrovna Palace, so the only remaining task was to eliminate all forces that might interfere with their plans.
But…
The reality was far from smooth sailing.
