The imperial capital of the Lamaron Empire had been plagued by continuous rain for several days, and the gloomy weather dominated the atmosphere within a chamber of the palace.
In that room, four individuals were present, two of whom were hanging their heads. Casting disdainful glances at those two, as if looking at something filthy, was the Empress Dowager of Lamaron, Lamaron Crow Raicis. And the Emperor of Lamaron, Lamaron Crow Frencs, was looking at his mother with a concerned expression.
“Lift your faces.”
The Empress Dowager uttered a cold, emotionless voice towards the two men. In response, the men slowly raised their heads. They were Madlin, the Prime Minister of Lamaron, and General Carius, the Supreme Commander of the military.
“General, you seem well?”
The Empress Dowager’s face and voice displayed no emotions. However, because of that, the seething anger within her was palpable to them. In such an atmosphere, Prime Minister Madlin, with his bloated body, stepped forward solemnly, shaking it pompously.
“Regrettably, the summer harvest is utterly despairing. Additionally, we can only expect a harvest similar to last year’s for the autumn crops. It is truly regrettable, but we humbly request the provision of the palace’s food stockpile to the people.”
“Prime Minister… is there truly no way to resolve this?”
The Emperor furrowed his brow and asked. Madlin bent his body even further, seemingly more submissive.
“Regrettably, there is no viable solution to this matter…”
The Emperor closed his eyes and looked up at the sky. Time seemed to stand still as no one moved. A brief silence ensued, broken once again by the voice of the Empress Dowager.
“General, do you have nothing to say?”
General Carius responded with a perplexed expression.
“Do you mean me? Unfortunately, I am not well-versed in political matters…”
“The Prime Minister suggests distributing the food reserves stockpiled in the palace due to the food shortage. Do you have nothing to say upon hearing this?”
“The weather, the climate is beyond our control. This is a matter for our supreme deity…”
“Silence!”
The Empress Dowager’s reprimand reverberated through the room. Time froze for an instant.
“Ultimately, isn’t it because the army we sent to Agarta failed to bring back the provisions? If that had gone well, we wouldn’t be in this situation! General, don’t you feel responsible as the Supreme Commander?”
General Carius exhaled deeply and straightened his posture, bending at the waist once again.
“Regrettably, I do not shirk my responsibilities due to my position. However, I cannot take responsibility for a strategy implemented without my knowledge.”
“Do you even… understand what you are saying?”
“No matter the strategy, if it ends in defeat, it will be recorded in history as a failure. And regardless of who devised the strategy, it will be remembered as Your Majesty’s misgovernment. Empress Dowager, I apologize for my impudence, but the failure of General Jizeu’s strategy was indeed unfortunate. Regarding Jizeu, he was executed without my or the Prime Minister’s knowledge. He paid for his failure with his life, but still, the blemish of Your Majesty’s misgovernment cannot be erased.”
General Carius was angry. Though he was a man who refrained from displaying it openly, hints of his anger could be discerned in his words. The Empress Dowager listened with wide eyes but soon returned to her usual expression and spoke quietly.
“So, what should we do to erase Your Majesty’s blemish, General?”
“I presume it would be to achieve results that surpass that blemish.”
The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction.
“Then, General, how do you propose to achieve such results?”
General Carius lifted his head and looked directly at the Empress Dowager as he replied.
“Firstly, I will reorganize the military. Afterward, I will personally lead an army towards Agarta.”
The Empress Dowager’s face displayed a look of astonishment.
“You personally going to Agarta?”
“Yes. There are 2,000 Lamaron Empire soldiers held captive in Agarta. I will go there to negotiate for their release. Once I meet with the Agartan king, I will engage him in combat.”
“General, that’s…”
Prime Minister Madlin interjected, but under the force of General Carius’ determination, Madlin was rendered speechless.
“Hoho, hoho, ohohohohoho…”
The Empress Dowager’s laughter echoed through the room. Then she returned to her usual expression.
“And then?”
“After defeating the Agartan king, the imperial forces will swiftly invade and occupy Agarta. We will then seize their food supplies…”
“That’s enough!”
Once again, the Empress Dowager’s reprimand resounded in the room.
“Who would entertain such absurdity? Even if by some miracle it succeeded, what do you intend to do with those who are captive in Agarta? Surely you don’t plan to bring them back to the empire? Will you allow those who willingly joined the enemy’s ranks to return shamelessly? That would become a disgrace to the empire, a blemish on his Majesty’s reign. Already, there is a shortage of food within the empire. If the captives were to return, the need for food would only increase. Such a proposition cannot be accepted.”
Prime Minister Madlin took a step forward.
“With all due respect, Empress Dowager, how would accepting the return of the captives constitute a misgovernment? It would rather be seen as the virtue of a benevolent emperor, honored for all eternity.”
The Empress Dowager stared intently at Madlin’s face.
“If the Prime Minister speaks so strongly, then you may proceed as you wish. However, doesn’t it seem a bit challenging to execute such a plan while reorganizing the military? General, wouldn’t it be better for you to focus your efforts on the military reorganization?”
“But, Your Majesty, if I were to do so, the overall command of the entire army would be neglected.”
The Emperor finally interjected. The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction and nodded.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. You have noticed it well. In that case, appoint a commander to oversee the entire army.”
“Empress Dowager, who would be capable of overseeing the entire army?”
“Fear not, Your Majesty. We have a truly suitable candidate.”
The Empress Dowager clapped her hands, and the back door opened, revealing a young man dressed in splendid military attire.
“I have been summoned. I am Duke Konig Raffente.”
The handsome young man named Konig knelt down, bowing respectfully. The Empress Dowager sent him a satisfied gaze. The Emperor, with a smile on his face, exclaimed,
“Oh! Duke Konig! The commander of the Imperial Capital Defense Army will oversee the military. I can rest easy now.”
The Empress Dowager nodded gracefully.
“Duke Konig is related to me through my niece, so to speak, he is my sister’s grandchild. It is indeed audacious, but both his Majesty and the Duke share the same bloodline. I am certain that the Duke will understand Your Majesty’s intentions and work accordingly.”
“As expected of you, Mother. Duke Konig, I appoint you as the Supreme Commander of the Lamaron Empire. I entrust the future to you!”
“I humbly accept.”
Duke Konig respectfully bowed.
“May I ask, Duke, did you hear the discussion about General Carius earlier?”
In response to the Empress Dowager’s question, the Duke replied firmly.
“Yes. I believe the strategy proposed by the Supreme Commander is magnificent. As per your orders, I suggest General Carius focuses on the military reorganization.”
However, the Empress Dowager shook her head slowly.
“No, no, I am not knowledgeable about the military. You should make the judgment.”
The Duke smiled cheerfully.
“I understand. In that case, I will decide that General Carius should concentrate on the reorganization of General Jizeu’s unit, which is currently without a successor. Afterward, General, you may proceed with your strategy. How does that sound?”
When the Duke turned to face him, General Carius glanced at him and responded without displaying any emotions.
“Very well, I agree. Let it be so.”
The Duke smirked and said, “I will also consider a plan to shake Agarta. It is not my intention to starve the people. We share the same goal. Let us cooperate and move forward together!”
“Hohohohoho! Indeed, Duke, well said. The Lamaron army must be like this. With this, the imperial army will be united. Your Majesty, in that case, may we provide the palace’s provisions to the people?”
“Oh, yes, Mother. Prime Minister Madlin, you are allowed to distribute the food stockpile in the palace.”
“…I am grateful.”
Madlin bowed his head slowly.
“What a compassionate Emperor Your Majesty is. This benevolent reign of yours will be remembered for eternity. Hohohohoho!”
“That is correct, Empress Dowager.”
The Empress Dowager, Emperor, and Duke exchanged beaming smiles. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Madlin and General Carius continued to hang their heads expressionlessly.
Outside, the rain grew stronger, and the raindrops pounded fiercely on the palace roof.
The imperial capital of the Lamaron Empire had been plagued by continuous rain for several days, and the gloomy weather dominated the atmosphere within a chamber of the palace.
In that room, four individuals were present, two of whom were hanging their heads. Casting disdainful glances at those two, as if looking at something filthy, was the Empress Dowager of Lamaron, Lamaron Crow Raicis. And the Emperor of Lamaron, Lamaron Crow Frencs, was looking at his mother with a concerned expression.
“Lift your faces.”
The Empress Dowager uttered a cold, emotionless voice towards the two men. In response, the men slowly raised their heads. They were Madlin, the Prime Minister of Lamaron, and General Carius, the Supreme Commander of the military.
“General, you seem well?”
The Empress Dowager’s face and voice displayed no emotions. However, because of that, the seething anger within her was palpable to them. In such an atmosphere, Prime Minister Madlin, with his bloated body, stepped forward solemnly, shaking it pompously.
“Regrettably, the summer harvest is utterly despairing. Additionally, we can only expect a harvest similar to last year’s for the autumn crops. It is truly regrettable, but we humbly request the provision of the palace’s food stockpile to the people.”
“Prime Minister… is there truly no way to resolve this?”
The Emperor furrowed his brow and asked. Madlin bent his body even further, seemingly more submissive.
“Regrettably, there is no viable solution to this matter…”
The Emperor closed his eyes and looked up at the sky. Time seemed to stand still as no one moved. A brief silence ensued, broken once again by the voice of the Empress Dowager.
“General, do you have nothing to say?”
General Carius responded with a perplexed expression.
“Do you mean me? Unfortunately, I am not well-versed in political matters…”
“The Prime Minister suggests distributing the food reserves stockpiled in the palace due to the food shortage. Do you have nothing to say upon hearing this?”
“The weather, the climate is beyond our control. This is a matter for our supreme deity…”
“Silence!”
The Empress Dowager’s reprimand reverberated through the room. Time froze for an instant.
“Ultimately, isn’t it because the army we sent to Agarta failed to bring back the provisions? If that had gone well, we wouldn’t be in this situation! General, don’t you feel responsible as the Supreme Commander?”
General Carius exhaled deeply and straightened his posture, bending at the waist once again.
“Regrettably, I do not shirk my responsibilities due to my position. However, I cannot take responsibility for a strategy implemented without my knowledge.”
“Do you even… understand what you are saying?”
“No matter the strategy, if it ends in defeat, it will be recorded in history as a failure. And regardless of who devised the strategy, it will be remembered as Your Majesty’s misgovernment. Empress Dowager, I apologize for my impudence, but the failure of General Jizeu’s strategy was indeed unfortunate. Regarding Jizeu, he was executed without my or the Prime Minister’s knowledge. He paid for his failure with his life, but still, the blemish of Your Majesty’s misgovernment cannot be erased.”
General Carius was angry. Though he was a man who refrained from displaying it openly, hints of his anger could be discerned in his words. The Empress Dowager listened with wide eyes but soon returned to her usual expression and spoke quietly.
“So, what should we do to erase Your Majesty’s blemish, General?”
“I presume it would be to achieve results that surpass that blemish.”
The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction.
“Then, General, how do you propose to achieve such results?”
General Carius lifted his head and looked directly at the Empress Dowager as he replied.
“Firstly, I will reorganize the military. Afterward, I will personally lead an army towards Agarta.”
The Empress Dowager’s face displayed a look of astonishment.
“You personally going to Agarta?”
“Yes. There are 2,000 Lamaron Empire soldiers held captive in Agarta. I will go there to negotiate for their release. Once I meet with the Agartan king, I will engage him in combat.”
“General, that’s…”
Prime Minister Madlin interjected, but under the force of General Carius’ determination, Madlin was rendered speechless.
“Hoho, hoho, ohohohohoho…”
The Empress Dowager’s laughter echoed through the room. Then she returned to her usual expression.
“And then?”
“After defeating the Agartan king, the imperial forces will swiftly invade and occupy Agarta. We will then seize their food supplies…”
“That’s enough!”
Once again, the Empress Dowager’s reprimand resounded in the room.
“Who would entertain such absurdity? Even if by some miracle it succeeded, what do you intend to do with those who are captive in Agarta? Surely you don’t plan to bring them back to the empire? Will you allow those who willingly joined the enemy’s ranks to return shamelessly? That would become a disgrace to the empire, a blemish on his Majesty’s reign. Already, there is a shortage of food within the empire. If the captives were to return, the need for food would only increase. Such a proposition cannot be accepted.”
Prime Minister Madlin took a step forward.
“With all due respect, Empress Dowager, how would accepting the return of the captives constitute a misgovernment? It would rather be seen as the virtue of a benevolent emperor, honored for all eternity.”
The Empress Dowager stared intently at Madlin’s face.
“If the Prime Minister speaks so strongly, then you may proceed as you wish. However, doesn’t it seem a bit challenging to execute such a plan while reorganizing the military? General, wouldn’t it be better for you to focus your efforts on the military reorganization?”
“But, Your Majesty, if I were to do so, the overall command of the entire army would be neglected.”
The Emperor finally interjected. The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction and nodded.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. You have noticed it well. In that case, appoint a commander to oversee the entire army.”
“Empress Dowager, who would be capable of overseeing the entire army?”
“Fear not, Your Majesty. We have a truly suitable candidate.”
The Empress Dowager clapped her hands, and the back door opened, revealing a young man dressed in splendid military attire.
“I have been summoned. I am Duke Konig Raffente.”
The handsome young man named Konig knelt down, bowing respectfully. The Empress Dowager sent him a satisfied gaze. The Emperor, with a smile on his face, exclaimed,
“Oh! Duke Konig! The commander of the Imperial Capital Defense Army will oversee the military. I can rest easy now.”
The Empress Dowager nodded gracefully.
“Duke Konig is related to me through my niece, so to speak, he is my sister’s grandchild. It is indeed audacious, but both his Majesty and the Duke share the same bloodline. I am certain that the Duke will understand Your Majesty’s intentions and work accordingly.”
“As expected of you, Mother. Duke Konig, I appoint you as the Supreme Commander of the Lamaron Empire. I entrust the future to you!”
“I humbly accept.”
Duke Konig respectfully bowed.
“May I ask, Duke, did you hear the discussion about General Carius earlier?”
In response to the Empress Dowager’s question, the Duke replied firmly.
“Yes. I believe the strategy proposed by the Supreme Commander is magnificent. As per your orders, I suggest General Carius focuses on the military reorganization.”
However, the Empress Dowager shook her head slowly.
“No, no, I am not knowledgeable about the military. You should make the judgment.”
The Duke smiled cheerfully.
“I understand. In that case, I will decide that General Carius should concentrate on the reorganization of General Jizeu’s unit, which is currently without a successor. Afterward, General, you may proceed with your strategy. How does that sound?”
When the Duke turned to face him, General Carius glanced at him and responded without displaying any emotions.
“Very well, I agree. Let it be so.”
The Duke smirked and said, “I will also consider a plan to shake Agarta. It is not my intention to starve the people. We share the same goal. Let us cooperate and move forward together!”
“Hohohohoho! Indeed, Duke, well said. The Lamaron army must be like this. With this, the imperial army will be united. Your Majesty, in that case, may we provide the palace’s provisions to the people?”
“Oh, yes, Mother. Prime Minister Madlin, you are allowed to distribute the food stockpile in the palace.”
“…I am grateful.”
Madlin bowed his head slowly.
“What a compassionate Emperor Your Majesty is. This benevolent reign of yours will be remembered for eternity. Hohohohoho!”
“That is correct, Empress Dowager.”
The Empress Dowager, Emperor, and Duke exchanged beaming smiles. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Madlin and General Carius continued to hang their heads expressionlessly.
Outside, the rain grew stronger, and the raindrops pounded fiercely on the palace roof.
