What methods exist to ruin the relationships between those who are facing each other?
There are various ways, but I’d like to highlight one in particular: differences in information. Whether someone knows something or not. And the resulting conflicts of opinion.
“Please give Burkhai and Caden prisoners shorter rest periods. Give Porland prisoners longer rest times. Oh, obviously you should openly discriminate with work hours, right?”
I’m working myself to the bone while the guys next to me are playing around carefree. They’re not injured, they didn’t betray anyone—just because they’re from a different kingdom.
What do you think our prisoner friends will think when they see this scene?
“Let’s arrange the guards differently too. Around the two kingdoms’ prisoners, station the tougher, scarier-looking soldiers. For the Porland prisoners, assign the much friendlier soldiers.”
And as a bonus, I ordered the guards near the two kingdoms’ prisoners not to talk to them—just one-word answers if they must.
On the other hand, the guards for the Porland prisoners were told to laugh a lot and chat with them frequently.
We need to create two completely different atmospheres. It should feel like “these guys are prisoners” while “these are our friends.”
“Prisoner food rations. This is important. Serve the Porland prisoners the same meals as our soldiers. On the other hand, reduce the rations for the two kingdoms’ prisoners by half compared to normal prisoner standards.”
Nothing drives people crazier than discriminating through food—especially when even high-ranking officials would be hurt by such treatment. What about soldiers in the battlefield whose only joy comes from eating? To openly discriminate against them like this?
“They’ll probably go berserk. And there’s nothing wrong with assuming something’s up.”
Here’s the crucial part: they must see each other. We cannot separate the prisoners from the two kingdoms and the prisoners from Porland. Both groups must clearly see what’s happening to the other.
And now, the most important part. This is the climax.
“At night, make them sleep in the same space… What happens if they fight? Well… let’s say I’d prefer if there was a fight between the prisoners.”
When those guys see their enemies treating others kindly…
Do you think the prisoners from Burkhai and Caden will think, “They’re trying to divide us! Let’s not fall for it!”?
No way. They’ll naturally assume the Empire and Porland have something going on.
Meanwhile, the Porland soldiers, though they might feel wronged, will subconsciously feel a bit relieved. “Finally!” they’ll think, remembering how they were once oppressed by the two kingdoms.
And when they hear the complaints from the two kingdoms’ prisoners about the unfair treatment…
Will they say, “Ah, you’re right. From tomorrow, we’ll share our food and join you in your work”?
“Please don’t make me laugh.”
And that night, the news we’d been waiting for arrived.
“Lord Kael, there’s been a fight at the prisoners’ quarters. Luckily, no one died, but there are some injured…”
“Who won?”
“Uh… Well, considering the numbers, it seems the prisoners from Burkhai and Caden side.”
I see. Then our Porland buddies must feel real injustice. This is the perfect moment for our imperial friend to yell ‘You bastards!’ and make a beautiful picture.
How can anyone endure this? I can already see the chaos and I want to jump in.
“Starting tomorrow, we’ll increase the workload for the prisoners from Burkhai and Caden.”
“Ah….”
“We’ll also make the Porland prisoners rest right in front of their work area.”
“Is this… okay? They’re already openly discriminating, and the general prisoner mood…”
“I want them to fight more. Open discrimination. Yes, do exactly that.”
Our empire will continue treating the prisoners from the two kingdoms and Porland differently. This will make the prisoners from the two kingdoms annoyed enough to constantly provoke the Porland prisoners.
Initially, even the Porland prisoners might have thought of the others as fellow captives, but now they’re mad too.
And what do you think they’ll gossip about once we release the prisoners back to the three nations?
“Formally release the Porland prisoners, and only a few from Burkhai and Caden—make it look like they escaped, not a normal release.”
Given the 3-nation alliance, who will they trust more?
The group that ate well, was well-treated, and looked glowing when they were finally released?
Or the group that struggled, starved, was harassed, and barely escaped as ragged individuals?
Judging by how things are going, the higher-ups from Burkhai and Caden will probably freak out.
“…Lord Kael, there’s nothing we can say if Porland jumps up yelling about being treated unfairly.”
“Perfect! The two kingdoms will likely think they’re acting this way because they’re hiding something.”
After giving my compliments to the commander in charge of the prisoners, I immediately went to see the Legion Commander for the next plan.
“A letter?”
“Yes, Commander.”
“A letter to the commander of the three-nation alliance? Alright then. What’s the message?”
To that question, I flashed a smile and handed him the prepared letter.
“…Lord Kael?”
The Legion Commander, upon reading the letter, tilted his head in confusion.
He must’ve been shocked. It’s only natural—he wasn’t holding a ‘letter.’ This… wasn’t a letter.
“Is this a mistake? There’s no real content—just random pleasantries, and half the sentences are smeared so they can’t even be read properly. Did you bring the right letter?”
“Then I must’ve brought the correct one, Commander.”
Doubt may be a powerful weapon, but if you don’t keep feeding it with fuel, it eventually dies out. So, tirelessly and unwaveringly, we must pump doubt into them until the day these collected doubts explode between them.
“Once the prisoners’ treatment and release created suspicion, what would the commander think if he receives this letter and the content is like this?”
“In a normal context, they’d assume the enemy is using a divide-and-conquer tactic. But given the current situation…”
“Once a fire of suspicion is sparked, there’s no mercy.”
Burn. Burn it all down. You should all burn yourselves.
Did Cao Cao, who pulled off such brilliant tricks like this, not share similar thoughts?
“Then, it’s best to send this letter secretly without much fuss.”
By now, the Legion Commander was truly catching on. I’m impressed!
*
“The Imperial Army treated our soldiers very well.”
“They weren’t mistreated at all, had little work, and the guards were very kind.”
“I doubt the soldiers from the two kingdoms know, but the stories about the Porland soldiers have already spread widely.”
Commander Bethel of the Pavilion faction had to clutch his head in frustration. It would’ve been better if they had at least had a straightforward, all-out fight and broken everything.
The Porland soldiers came back looking nothing like prisoners. They were so well-fed and well-rested that their faces gleamed with health. Trying to calm down the foaming-at-the-mouth officers from the two kingdoms was a nightmare.
Meanwhile, the Empire was continuously stabbing daggers at them.
The soldiers from Burkhai and Caden, allegedly ‘escaped,’ were clearly released on purpose. Their return lit a wildfire in the allied camp that became uncontrollable.
“Is it just me, or is the Empire excessively caring for Porland’s prisoners? Although, I mean no accusation.”
“Our prisoners deserve better treatment! Give us some of your provisions, Porland.”
“Hmm. Since Porland’s soldiers were treated so well, they might fight more passionately. Anyway, they’ll be released if captured again.”
At first, when everyone was shouting, “This is a trap by the Empire!” But once whispers spread among the soldiers, they all turned and eyed each other with suspicion.
Even when we tried reasoning with them or yelling at them for what they’re doing, it was hard to stop the tide.
Ultimately, Pavilion’s forces calculated their involvement in the alliance’s failure. So now, all they care about is who’s to blame for the loss.
As it turns out, they chose the weakest link—Porland.
Commander Bethel must’ve thought it was ideal since he’s the commander with the prisoner issue as a reason.
They’ll use this as leverage to squeeze resources out of Porland but won’t hand over any command authority.
Typical. The two kingdoms have always treated Porland this way.
Not allies, not friends—just a punching bag to exploit whenever they need something.
At this point, the resentment toward the two kingdoms outweighs even the hatred for the empire.
“Idiots…”
Just then, one of Porland’s officers cautiously entered Bethel’s tent.
“A messenger from the Empire arrived.”
“A messenger? But why is the camp so silent?”
“They quietly approached our Porland side, delivering a letter. What do you wish to do about it, commander?”
“…Fine, bring it to me.”
It’s hard to k*ll a messenger. And since they’ve brought a letter, it needs to be checked.
Bethel, upon receiving the letter, couldn’t help but frown.
“Was that messenger really from the Imperial Army?”
“Yes? The messenger carried the flags of the Empire and a white flag.”
“Then what is this?”
Bethel handed the letter to the fellow Porland officer. Scribbles and erased texts everywhere, and the rest is just pointless niceties.
Just as they were about to continue their conversation…
“Commander!”
Suddenly, the tent flaps were thrown open, and a group of officers stormed in. They were from Burkhai and Caden. Their energy was tense and aggressive.
“We heard there was an Imperial messenger. Why did they enter so stealthily?”
“What do you hold in your hands? Is it from the Imperial Army?”
“Why are you, Commander, reading it alone without even telling us? Aren’t we an alliance!?”
…What kind of nonsense is this? An alliance? An alliance???
Bethel barely resisted the urge to throw the letter in their faces.
