235. Throwing the Spark (1)
Crows and hawks circled in the clear sky. They were the lions of the past, scabs covering the scars left by battles. Fernandez gazed down at the battlefield with a rather sentimental mood.
Below the hills, far in the distance, black smoke rose in straight lines from the flames burning corpses. The war, as sudden as its beginning, was coming to an end. Up to this point near Lavirata, they had not lost a single engagement.
-Clop, clop, clop.
A single horseman approached him. A man wrapped in thick wool slowly made his way against the wind toward him. Soon, the man stood beside Fernandez, looking down at the battlefield together.
“Have you been well?”
“You’ve endured much.”
Fernandez did not turn to look at him. They had already checked on each other from afar. When a mage enters another mage’s domain, they synchronize their magic circuits to signal no hostility.
He slowly pushed back his hood. An old beastman bared his black teeth, chuckling.
“The beastman nobility is quite discontent. In this battle, and in the last war, the Empire only preserved its own forces.”
“And what do they want to do about it?”
“Many chieftains are refusing to participate directly in the next battle. Most of them are warlords who hold a key part of the frontline, so the loss of strength is severe.”
“Let them be.”
The beastmen had shed enough blood. It was not Fernandez’s plan to completely crush their potential. The beastmen still had enemies to face in the near future.
“While we’ve sufficiently depleted Cherad’s forces in the battles so far, we will soon face Lavirata’s main force. Will the Empire’s strength be enough then?”
Partak’s concern was valid.
The Imperial Army was not proactive in the war. Once a certain level of casualties was reached, they would retreat without hesitation to focus on defense.
The long frontline stretching from the eastern to the southern wilderness was built solely by Duke Erbe and the beastman nobility.
The forces they had faced so far were a mix of Cherad’s beastman rebels and a small number of wraith legions. Thus, Fernandez, who could manipulate Cherad, easily orchestrated victories in battle.
But Cherad’s forces were now nearly gone, and Cherad, having outlived his usefulness, was eliminated by Partak.
What remained was Lavirata’s main force, an opponent Duke Erbe could never defeat alone.
“The Imperial Army will now take an active offensive.”
“Have you influenced the Imperial nobles as well?”
“No need to go so far as to manipulate them. They’ll be anxious enough now.”
* * *
Around that time, confusion swept through the tents of the Imperial nobles.
The large-scale battle that had taken place a day’s journey from Lavirata ended in a decisive victory for the Imperial Army.
Cherad’s beastman forces, shaken by the sudden loss of their command, scattered in disarray.
The opposing chieftain had gone missing. Assassinated, most likely. And Lavirata, of course, sought to suppress the chaos with force.
A mistake. The beastmen under her command, who had joined due to Lavirata’s coercive policies, now believed she was the one who had assassinated their leader.
The enemy’s internal strife was intensifying.
Lavirata’s main force was still intact. She had built a massive defensive position centered around her palace. But that meant abandoning all other territories. And the Great Wilderness, unlike before, now stretched out as fertile plains.
“The supply lines are secure, and outposts are being built one by one nearby. The Empire’s military flags are flying across the vast lands from the eastern plains to the south!”
“Who doesn’t know that? What I want to know is, why are we winning?”
The Imperial command was also in disarray.
Their tactical doctrine was to retreat with minimal losses, leaving the inevitable casualties to the beastmen and the Duke.
Thus, the Imperial Army showed no aggression in the war, holding their ground and retreating only when they sensed danger.
“Duke Erbe’s military achievements are already overwhelming. We don’t even have a chance to act! Tell me, what is going on?”
“Do we have any reason to blame each other? Shouldn’t we consider why that fool Erbe even requested central support for a war he could win on his own?”
Everard, the commander of the burning fortress knights of Guer, spoke coldly. His words brought a momentary silence to the room.
‘It can’t be a coincidence. The enemy’s forces were clearly weaker than initially observed, making it unnecessary to deploy the Empire’s full strength to the west. The Duke could have easily managed Ribue and dealt with the beastmen with his own forces.’
If this reasoning was true… Everard groaned, taking a sip from his cup. He slowly set it down and spoke.
“The supply lines are stable, you said?”
“Of course!”
Donat, the chief financial officer of the Imperial Central Command overseeing frontline supplies, responded. He was about to raise his voice in defense of his work but quickly paled and fell silent.
Everard shook his head.
“The supply lines were secured through nearby trade, right?”
“…Yes.”
“And that trade is conducted primarily in Ribue and its surrounding territories?”
“Correct.”
“Damn it. It’s a trap.”
Everard clutched his forehead, muttering.
“He used the central forces to revitalize Ribue’s economy.”
“But why… If Duke Erbe isn’t a fool, why would he do something so simple… Did he think we’d just quietly retreat after the war?”
“So? Are you suggesting we attack Duke Erbe now? On what grounds? Erbe has achieved more military success in this war than anyone else. His name has already spread beyond Ribue to the entire western electorate of the Empire.”
If the Emperor were to attack Ribue now, would the other electors stand idly by? Probably not.
The electors think there are too many electorates in the Empire. But… strictly speaking, the Imperial Palace is also an ‘electorate.’
Rather than restraining Ribue, which has just begun to rise after complete collapse, wouldn’t it be more profitable to pressure Guer, which is entering a golden age with the activation of trade routes to the Eastern Kingdom?
“Damn it. Whose idea was this?”
“Duke Erbe’s scheme…”
“If it were his scheme, there’d be no reason to act now, and that bear-like man couldn’t possibly devise such a delicate strategy. Duke Erbe was in such decline just a few months ago that he couldn’t even maintain the loyalty of his court and border nobles.”
Who could it be? It’s not a scheme concocted with other electors. If it were, the Emperor would have noticed. But what’s more frightening is the skill to create a situation where the electors’ reactions are inevitable without any direct contact.
‘It can’t be the beastmen. They can’t possibly understand the Empire’s political dynamics. It’s not the Duke either. If he could do this, he would have acted before Ribue’s decline.’
Everard stroked his chin, lost in thought. Then, Bernard set his cup down with a thud and spoke.
“Isn’t the identity of the mastermind behind this less important right now? We’ve fallen into Duke Erbe’s trap…”
“First, we must see what is to be done. What do you plan to do now? Will you retreat?”
“No, retreat is not an option, Baron Bernard. The Emperor needs victory.”
The prestige of the Imperial family had already plummeted due to the exhaustion of the 50-year war. At a time when the Emperor himself needed military achievements, retreating with Lavirata in sight would surely result in the heads of everyone here being displayed in the Imperial courtyard.
The fall of Lavirata must be achieved by the Empire’s own hands. I will cooperate up to this point. Everard closed his eyes tightly and said, “To capture Lavirata, we must all give our full effort. Fortunately, the losses of the Duke and the Beastman forces in the last war were severe. No matter how weak the enemy is, they cannot achieve greater merit than our main force.”
“What do you plan to do after capturing Lavirata?”
“I will assassinate the Duke.”
“…The Duke?!”
The assembly was struck with shock. No matter how fallen, and no matter how high the authority of the central nobles, the Duke was an Elector, a position just below the Emperor.
This is not a simple matter of insubordination. The act of assassination itself is not noble, and if discovered, it would not end well.
If rumors spread that central nobles attempted to assassinate an Elector, the other Electors would immediately move to depose the Emperor.
“Isn’t it too dangerous?”
“If the war ends like this and we retreat without incident, we will die. His Majesty the Emperor needs ‘definite’ military achievements.”
“Ugh…”
If the conquered lands were distributed as rewards, Ribue and the Beastman Nobles would take over more than half of this vast wilderness.
Our forces are depleted, and we must give up all gains. In such a state, even if we retreat, would the Emperor spare us?
“Baron, didn’t you say Iron Side is lurking somewhere in this camp? How about contacting them to plan the Duke’s assassination?”
“Understood. I will do so.”
Iron Side are masters of assassination and sabotage. Hearing this, the nobles’ complexions brightened slightly. Bernard nodded heavily and declared the meeting adjourned.
* * *
Ignoring Partak’s dazed gaze, Fernandez watched a crow pecking at a dead soldier’s corpse.
“The greed of the Imperial nobles is already well-known. Their instinct for profit is like that of beasts. I don’t even need to lift a finger; they will speculate and scheme on their own and advance.”
“If they actively aim for Lavirata, and ultimately take the southern wilderness, wouldn’t that be tragic for us?”
“Are you worried about the safety of the Beastman Nobles now?”
“After all, they are my subordinates. If those useless beasts get hurt or die, it would mean the loss of my assets.”
“Haha.”
It seems Partak is deeply connected with the Federation of Beastman Nobles. Not bad.
Fernandez nodded readily.
Whether it’s the desire for control or greed, he won’t make choices that negatively affect the future of the Nobles—like siding with demons.
Is this some form of redemption? It’s not a word he likes, but Partak seems to have lost much of his former venom.
“The Imperial nobles will probably speculate like this: since the battles can be won with the strength of Erbe and the Nobles, perhaps there’s another reason they were called here?”
“…”
“Intoxicated by their victories so far, they will think Lavirata is just another insignificant warlord. And they won’t be pleased to hand military achievements to Erbe. This much is plausible speculation. Even a fool could think of it.”
Fernandez turned his gaze to the tents spread across the hills below. The sight of the legion organizing their troops and preparing for battle came into view.
“Those fools think everyone in the world thinks like them. They set standards based on their own logic. Now, how do you think they view Duke Erbe?”
“Probably, they think he’s securing battle lines and supply routes for the development of the Principality.”
“Correct. Then, what will their future actions be?”
“Even if the war ends, they won’t have a direct reason to attack the Duke. They will probably devise another plan.”
Fernandez nodded. Partak’s insight was more impressive than expected. Once just a player in the internal politics of the Beastman Nobles, he was now learning to think like an Imperial noble.
He learns quickly. Perhaps it’s based on survival instinct. If you don’t adapt, you die—that’s the fate of dark mages who have seeped into society.
“Yes, that’s right. They have two options left: assassinate the Duke or win him over.”
“Either way, my lord, you will attack the Imperial Army.”
“Correct. With the forces depleted from the battle with Lavirata, we cannot stop the Beastman Nobles.”
Fernandez turned his horse. Partak followed behind him, his attitude even more respectful. Fernandez spoke as he rode towards the military tents.
“Tell your subordinates. There’s no need for further bloodshed. Turn all forces to the rear and attack the Imperial Army as soon as the war ends.”
“What about Duke Erbe?”
“The Duke will become a hero. To create a hero, a villain is needed. The Imperials will summon a demon.”
Fernandez chuckled as he said this. From this battle, the Duke will claim independence. The birth of the Karvelier dynasty. This will, of course, provoke the Electors. For better or worse.
And that flow will soon fall into his hands. The north’s Gur, the direction of Princess Karvelier and Prince Robert, and the east’s Dane.
The Empire will collapse. After it is completely destroyed, it will be rebuilt anew.
“Will we end up establishing sovereignty over the wilderness?”
Partak’s words implied a desire for greater gains.
Implicitly, as the Sultan and the Emperor abandoned their claims over the wasteland, the wilderness fell into the hands of the Beastmen. Thus, strictly speaking, this war was one where the Beastmen’s blood was demanded due to Fernandez’s needs.
Fernandez chuckled at the words. He’s grown bold. I like it.
“Burn the Empire.”
“…What?”
“The Empire’s fragmentation has begun. The various lords will attack each other without knowing who their true enemy is, and some ambitious ones will raise their banners to expand their territories. A chaotic era is coming, and the battles of that time will give everyone a cause. You will burn the Empire and make its lands and castles your own.”
Since resolving the northern issue, Fernandez no longer considered the intervention of the Great Demon.
Based on his past life, the only major event left was the great invasion from the distant southwestern plains.
The northward march of Great Kagan Karadskar is an event that will happen at least 20 years from now. Originally, Erik’s invasion would have intertwined with the chaos and decline of civilized society, but that period has quietly ended, and society is recovering rapidly.
Of course, the strengthening of civilized society is beneficial to him. But those growing fat in peace are corrupting themselves. The cracks forming as the future changes are not a welcome situation for him.
Before greater events, unexpected calamities, and the inevitable corruption of those who should be righteous occur, a chaotic era is needed to cut out the rotten parts. The chaotic era will be the crucible that tempers heroes. Among it, the heroes of his past life will rise.
There are still three Great Demons left. Although the order and timing of their invasions can be predicted, variables always exist. In such a situation, he cannot handle everything alone.
“If a peaceful world becomes a problem, create chaos and rule over it.”
If the corruption of heroes stems from peace, then chaos will trigger the birth of heroes. And in creating chaos, from his past life to now, Faijashi has shown unparalleled talent.
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