Chapter 97 – Military Council

An Imperial Army encampment located not very far from the imperial capital.

The entire troop was fully armed, with their formations arranged, and even supply and communication had been converted to wartime standards.

If the command fell, they would push into the imperial capital without a moment’s delay.

Inside the Commander’s tent located at the center of the camp.

The gathered adjutants began to report the atmosphere of the imperial capital, internal trends, and furthermore, the overall situation of the Empire to the Commander without omission.

“The imperial capital is already chaos itself. Due to the collapsed market economy, the majority of the citizens have turned into rioters, and public authority has already lost control.”

“Even if we march into the imperial capital, we will not be branded with the stigma of a coup. Because we have a clear justification of maintaining public order.”

“The citizens of the imperial capital will also support us. It is an imperial family that cannot even provide a single loaf of bread. The hearts of the people have already departed from the imperial family.”

“I heard the recent meeting with the Guild Federation also ended without success. The Emperor is isolated, and even the noble forces that supported the imperial family are greatly shaken after the breakdown of the meeting. Now is the right time.”

The Commander asked.

“There must be quite a few private soldiers led by the nobles in the imperial capital, right? In particular, the vampire nobles will stand by the Emperor’s side to the end. They will join forces with the Imperial Army.”

“Even so, it is not a level to worry about. Even if we consider the scale or quality of troops, they cannot compare to us. We did not even consider the revolutionary army led by the Golden Age Party here. If we even factor in the revolutionary army, it is virtually a finished fight.”

The Commander nodded.

“How is it going with the other autonomous territories outside the imperial capital?”

“Hearing the news that we are stationed here, they seem to be keeping as low a profile as possible.”

“Naturally. At any moment, the master of the country might change. What about the other commanders of the military?”

“For now, they seem to be supporting us. Inwardly, they must be hoping for our success. If we succeed, will it not be the world of the military?”

The other commanders who lacked courage were keeping a low profile, and instead had contacted him secretly to indirectly declare their faint support.

“In fact, all that remains is for the Emperor’s neck to be hung on the guillotine.”

“Although the power of authority possessed by the Emperor is slightly bothersome, her support base is poor, so she will not be able to rule the entire seething imperial capital.”

“Also, having ruthlessly oppressed the citizens until now, the hearts of the people have already departed.”

Closing his eyes gently and synthesizing all the circumstances, the Commander spoke as if declaring.

“The Emperor is finished.”

All preparations were finished.

All that remained was for the Golden Age Party to lead the revolution and drag the Emperor, who was holed up in the imperial palace, in front of the guillotine.

“You said it is tonight, right?”

“Yes, they informed us that without needing to delay, they will drag the Emperor to the guillotine tonight and execute her. Soon, the Golden Age Party will incite the citizens and lead them to the imperial palace.”

The representative of the Golden Age Party.

His role was the most important in this revolution.

Because only he would incite the angry masses and kneel the Emperor in front of the guillotine.

“The affairs of the world are truly unpredictable. To think that the prisoner we released back then is leading a revolution to stand the Emperor in front of a guillotine.”

The Commander showed a complex expression.

“You said his name is Kaiser, right?”

Once the Emperor was dead, the agreement with him remained.

“What do you all think of him?”

“Do you mean the representative of the Golden Age Party?”

“Yes. I have my own thoughts, but I want to hear your opinions first.”

Among the adjutants who were watching each other’s countenance, those with strong antipathy toward him spoke first.

“His ideology is too extreme to work with. To execute all non-humans including vampires and establish an empire solely for humans.”

“To settle the chaotic political situation after the revolution, the power of the existing nobles is needed. As you know, Commander, the majority of the nobles are vampires. It reaches almost seventy percent. They will not welcome the Golden Age Party.”

Of course, there were those who thought differently.

“Although his ideology is somewhat extreme, I agree in my own way. Are not all the good positions in this country occupied by vampires? Has there been any vampire in the military? All the dangerous and hard work is taken by us humans.”

“I am similar. I do not view the ideology itself badly. However, he is not from the military, nor is he one of our people. If this revolution succeeds, he will certainly clash with us over various interests.”

“He is the representative of the political party receiving the most support at this point. To grasp the hearts of the people, we will need his support whether we like it or not.”

Although various words were exchanged like this,

everyone agreed at least on this part.

“Let’s just squeeze the sweet juice out of him and discard him. Since his ideology is too extreme, it will certainly be an obstacle in integrating the entire forces after the revolution. Then it would be poison to you, Commander, and to us.”

The Commander was also nodding as if in agreement.

For he had already reached a similar conclusion.

“I thought so as well. I acknowledge his necessity in this revolution, but I do not think he is absolutely necessary in the next chaotic political situation. As someone said, it would be best to just squeeze the sweet juice out of him and discard him. Only then will we easily gain the support of the nobles, and the chaotic political situation will be settled quickly.”

The Commander shared the details secretly agreed upon with him.

“In a meeting alone with him, he made this proposal to me. He said there is something called a President, and that he would yield it to me.”

“Did you say President? What is that? It is my first time hearing of it.”

“I also hear of it for the first time.”

The reactions were all similar.

For it was a completely unfamiliar title.

“He said it is a head of state, just like the Emperor.”

The Commander explained the details he had heard from Kaiser to his adjutants.

“He said it is a position devised because of the Guild Federation. It is practically no different from the Emperor. However, it seems an election is required.”

“An election… That is the method used in the Guild Federation.”

The Commander continued speaking with a somewhat heavy expression.

“Looking back, the reason the Empire turned out like this is also because the Emperor persisted stubbornly to the end. If she had listened to the words of the Guild Federation even a little, it would not have turned out this way.”

His heavily settled gaze fell upon the adjutants.

“Gentlemen. I have no intention of following the same path as the Emperor.”

The adjutants, who understood his intention, showed their compliance all at once.

“I agree.”

“That is correct. Practically, we cannot ignore the Guild Federation. Without the support of the Guild Federation, it will be of little meaning even if we seize the imperial palace and the cabinet. A chaotic reign like the current Emperor’s would continue.”

“Therefore, I view the position of President he proposed quite positively. An elected Emperor. It is not bad. The Guild Federation will naturally support it as well.”

The adjutants did not raise objections either, as if they agreed.

For the support of the Guild Federation was absolute to lead a stable political situation.

“However, if an election is held after the revolution, the public must support me. Even then, we will need the support of the Golden Age Party. The most harmless way would be to join the Golden Age Party and run in the election.”

“Are you planning to join the Golden Age Party?”

At the voice mixed with concern, the Commander showed signs of contemplation.

“He also made this proposal in secret. He said he would yield the position of President, but asked me to give him the position of Prime Minister instead. Saying he would form the cabinet.”

The adjutants protested all at once.

“That cannot be! What kind of position is that, to hand it over to him?”

“We can never yield that position.”

“That is an absurd notion.”

The head of the cabinet.

Virtually the number two of the Empire.

The Commander, taking the adjutants’ protests for granted, showed a bitter expression.

Although it was not being discussed yet,

they were all people who would ask for a position after the revolution.

In other words, the representative of the Golden Age Party forming the cabinet would be touching their core interests.

“Then that means I must run in the election and become that President without the support of the Golden Age Party. But right now, I do not even have a political party supporting me.”

In fact, he had no political foundation whatsoever.

For it was a situation where he had to start from scratch.

“Then is there any other alternative besides the Golden Age Party?”

At the Commander’s question, the adjutants also began to search for a way.

However, it was not an easy answer to find.

Because there was no political party that could rival the Golden Age Party right now.

Looking at the silent adjutants, the Commander spoke.

“That is why I am contemplating. It seems you all do not particularly know the answer either.”

Then, one adjutant made an unexpected proposal.

“Why don’t we create a new political party instead?”

“We create a new party?”

Everyone’s gaze gathered on the adjutant who made that proposal.

“Yes. If we do that, we can just handle it ourselves without having to watch anyone’s countenance. First, if the revolution succeeds, the power of our military will become the strongest. Since we are strong, it would also be possible to push a specific party.”

Although there was a hint of concern,

it was also an irresistible proposal for them who wanted to monopolize the interests.

“And we can grow the party quickly and run in the election. If it is a party supported by the entire military, its power will grow in no time. Then there will be no reason to join the Golden Age Party, and we won’t need to care about him.”

The Commander expressed concern.

“If that happens, he will also run in the election, won’t he?”

The popularity and prestige possessed by the representative of the Golden Age Party was by no means a level to be taken lightly.

He had strongly engraved himself in the public’s mind, calling himself the Immortal Revenger, and was also the representative of the Empire’s number one party.

“No matter how great he is, he will not match your reputation, Commander. Aren’t you, Commander, a living legend who saved the Empire in the Gray Morning? No one among the people of the Empire will look down on your achievements.”

“I agree as well. Although his popularity is concerning, even so, it will not reach yours, Commander.”

“That is correct. He will not match your reputation, Commander.”

Since they were the adjutants who followed him, it was natural for the evaluation to be good.

Unlike their evaluation, the Commander seemed to continue to be bothered by the Golden Age Party.

“We cannot be too optimistic. The support shown by the public at this point is firm. And I heard his ability to incite the public is quite something. He is not someone to be taken lightly.”

His words continued.

“Also, the Golden Age Party is the undisputed number one party in the Empire. Even after the revolution, its power will not die easily. That is why I ask. Is there no way to keep the Golden Age Party in check after the revolution?”

One of the adjutants proposed suggestively.

It was extremely dirty and petty, but there would be no surer way than this.

“In the past, I heard stories that they suppressed other political parties by force. They are called a revolutionary army in name, but I heard they were political thugs before.”

Everyone’s gaze focused on him.

The Commander showed a surprised expression.

“Did such a thing happen?”

“Yes, I heard that is how they grew. Then is there anything we cannot do? We can just push through with guns and swords.”

The Commander, who was contemplating, wore a bitter expression.

Although it could not be called a good method,

since it was already the method they had shown, he thought there was nothing particularly bad about it.

“Then what would be a good name for the new political party we will create?”

“How about the Iron Blood Party? Isn’t Iron Blood your symbol, Commander, and also the symbol of our military?”

“The Iron Blood Party…”

“It will certainly establish itself as a new political party that will beat the Golden Age Party. The entire military will support the Iron Blood Party, and those who know your reputation well, Commander, will naturally support it as well.”

“I heard there are also quite a few who harbor antipathy toward the ideology held by the Golden Age Party. In particular, the vampire nobles will strongly support us.”

The Commander nodded.

It was finalized.

The name of the banner they would set up in front of them.

“The Iron Blood Party it is. Let us discuss this story again after the revolution succeeds tonight.”