Do Your Own Revolution

#076

“What an unsightly welcome for our guests. Welcome to the Gloucester territory.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. I’m getting quite a show thanks to you.”

“Ha! What show?”

The first step into Margrave Gloucester’s mansion.

What my group and I first encountered was the sight of the Count himself and Gloucester knights in the midst of quarantine operations.

“Raise your arms up, Your Grace.”

“Ugh, this new protective gear is cumbersome in many ways. Even moving is uncomfortable…”

“It’s designed for regular soldiers without magical power, that’s why. Thanks to that, we can deploy many more people for exploration. How’s the weight?”

“It feels a bit heavy to carry without magical power. We’ll need to train the soldiers more before having them wear it.”

“So it needs to be made lighter… I’ll relay that to the research team for now.”

Despite facing the Margrave himself, the researchers spoke without hesitation, and the Count evaluated the protective gear as if it were natural.

Seeing this, the Special Magic Unit executives seemed to experience some cognitive dissonance.

“Company Commander Guille. Is that man really a noble? To speak so casually with commoners…”

“You’re speaking quite casually to me, your superior, as well.”

“No, Commander, that’s…”

Guille, you’re quite skilled at teasing your juniors even in this situation, huh?

While the executives lined up behind me were whispering among themselves, my gaze was directed elsewhere.

“Take a look at this elbow part. It seems corroded…”

“The outer shell is damaged. Did it get caught on a branch?”

“No, it was a monster’s claw. Fortunately, the protective gear wasn’t penetrated…”

A group of knights was busy with quarantine operations on one side.

Strong purification chemicals were removing monster tissue and contamination, and the removed contamination was being collected through dedicated processing equipment to prevent it from spreading to the surroundings.

Systematic and advanced contamination removal and quarantine, along with a smoothly operating system.

Literally, it was technology and organizational capability befitting the title of “Pioneer of the East.”

“I wonder if this old man made a rash decision. To call a unit that should be making a name for itself on the frontlines all the way to this remote area.”

“We simply follow His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”

Count Gloucester, now in a simple shirt, said.

Lies.

He called us right away as soon as he detected the western front becoming quiet.

However, since I couldn’t say such things to his face, I had no choice but to use the Kalhyram noble speech style I learned from Walter.

“Haha, His Majesty’s orders.”

The Emperor’s orders.

Hearing those words, Count Gloucester opened his mouth with a low laugh.

“That’s quite difficult to hear these days. Isn’t it?”

“……”

Though he delivers it with a slight smile, his words have thorns.

Not just a few, but quite many.

“The soldiers who came with you are one company… In terms of numbers, just under 200 people, was it?”

On the way to the dining hall prepared inside the mansion.

While walking down the corridor, Count Gloucester looked at me and said that.

“That was the maximum number we could transport by airship. The remaining members have duties to attend to on the frontlines.”

“Even though you only brought part of your unit, just in numbers alone, it exceeds one Knight Order.”

After saying that, Count Gloucester looked at the executives standing at attention.

“Seeing them in person, it seems these mages aren’t just a bunch of rabble.”

“Ku, kuh…!”

“Thank you for the praise, Your Grace.”

When the executives responded awkwardly to Count Gloucester’s words, the Count grinned and looked at me.

“However, rapid growth tends to create just as many enemies.”

“……”

“Among the nobles in the central region, some have already started to be wary of you all. They’re saying His Majesty plans to replace the Knight Orders by creating a new mage group, and they’re quite poisoned about it.”

Looking at Count Gloucester saying this, I let out a small sigh.

‘So this is Gloucester’s real purpose for calling me.’

The magic noble faction beginning to shake due to the Revolutionary Army’s movement.

On the other hand, the Emperor successfully defending against the Republic’s invasion and gaining power through the Special Magic Unit.

If the armistice proceeds as is, it was inevitable that the Empire’s political situation would change drastically.

And if the Empire’s internal affairs shake, it was clear that changes would occur in the Gloucester territory he rules as well.

That’s why the Margrave brought me and my unit into his domain.

To gauge with his own eyes how much power the Special Magic Unit had to counter the magic nobles.

“For now, they can’t move openly because of the rebel problem. However, after they’re dealt with…”

“You mean my Special Magic Unit will be the next target.”

There was no point in beating around the bush; it was impossible to escape this cunning old man’s grasp.

If that’s the case, it would be better strategy to reveal the Special Magic Unit’s intentions, the Emperor’s will, without any pretense.

Taking up the Count’s words, I opened my mouth slowly with a hardened expression.

“That’s what we hope for.”

“You mean to say you’ll face the magic nobles head-on?”

When I nodded, the Count asked me with an interested smile.

“The magic nobles are like pillars supporting the Empire. They’re the real power of the Empire, with double-digit seven-stroke engraved mages and Knight Orders under their command.”

“……”

“Do you think you and those novice mages can defeat such people?”

It was a clearly provocative, but at the same time natural question.

Although the Special Magic Unit was certainly gaining power at a rapid pace, it still lacked in many areas to face the Knight Orders.

The power gap was large, and their vested interests were deeply rooted throughout the Empire.

However, I answered with an unconcerned expression.

“Yes. I believe we can win.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because it won’t be us who brings them down, but the rebels stirring throughout the Empire.”

At my answer, the Count’s eyes deepened.

“The rebels will triumph over the magic nobles? Even so, that’s…”

“From my perspective, I rather think Your Grace and the other nobles are underestimating the rebels.”

Low-grade engraved pretenders playing at being mages.

Half-baked fighters who can’t properly fight without the crutch of magic bullets.

Trash relying on the Republic’s support.

This was how the knights viewed the Revolutionary Army’s mages.

They thought of them as inferior beings not worthy of their level.

However, unlike them, I knew the ending of this game.

“No matter how corrupted they may have become by foreign powers, the anger the people hold towards them is real.”

“……”

“Moreover, the magic forced out through magic bullets is actually killing magic nobles, and in the end, many houses have withdrawn their Knight Orders to deal with this situation.”

To stop the Revolutionary Army they had so despised, they called back their knights who were on the frontlines to their houses.

Concentrating all their house’s capabilities to root out revolutionary elements, they’re oppressing more people under the pretext of involvement with the Revolutionary Army.

And the people, enraged by this oppression, will seek out the Revolutionary Army as a means to punish them.

Because they won’t change, the flames of revolution will devour the Empire.

No matter how weak their power may be.

No matter how their anger is manipulated by malicious black hands.

Unless the Empire changes, revolution will become an unstoppable calamity that engulfs the Empire.

“Parasites who deny reality, cling only to their old authority, and feed off the Empire’s veins. They will fall not by our hands, but by the contradictions they themselves have created.”

“H-hey, Eugene…!”

“Even so, to go that far…!”

“And when their foundation crumbles at that time.”

The executives’ faces turned pale at my outrageous words.

But regardless of that, I continued speaking with a composed expression.

“His Majesty’s spear that I have perfected will sweep them all away in the name of the Empire.”

“…!”

“Both the magic nobles and the rebels.”

When I finished speaking, Count Gloucester’s eyes widened for a moment.

What would his next reaction be?

Anger? Bewilderment?

Margrave Gloucester, who had been looking at me with a complicated expression, finally…

“Khahahahaha–!”

Burst into laughter towards the sky as if feeling refreshed.

“That Freddie, he’s finally decided to do it! He’s trying to perform surgery on the entire Empire! Khahahahaha–!”

“Y-Your Grace…!”

“We’ve warned you so many times about watching your words in front of outsiders…!”

Freddie.

When he shortened Emperor Friedrich’s name, this time the faces of the knights guarding the Count turned pale.

However, I had no particular intention of making an issue of it.

I’m not even sure if that would be possible anyway.

‘But this confirms it.’

I recalled the profile of Margrave Gloucester that I had reviewed on the airship.

A figure who spent his youth and adolescence with the Emperor, who rebuilt his house in the eastern wasteland after it was destroyed in connection with treason.

A pioneer who turned the small village he first built in his twenties into virtually the only city that doesn’t depend on the Empire’s railways.

Unlike other magic nobles, this man was not an enemy of mine and the Emperor’s.

‘Count Gloucester’s goal is the stability of the land he built. And non-interference.’

If that could be guaranteed, we could recruit him to our side.

As we reached the end of the corridor, the mansion’s iron door opened, revealing the prepared banquet hall inside.

“Through our conversation just now, you and your army have earned the right to be invited to my banquet.”

If you had been worthless chaff, I was planning to send you straight back to the airfield.

Adding that, the Count guided me and my subordinates with the bearing of the mansion’s master.

Count Gloucester, seated at the center seat of honor.

With his chin resting on both hands, he looked at me and opened his mouth.

“I understand His Majesty’s thoughts. In the coming period of upheaval in the Empire, he wants to have me and Gloucester under his feet.”

“……”

“However, this old man’s judgment has grown clouded. It’s been long since I lost the wit to distinguish between real power and empty show.”

“You mean if we want Gloucester’s cooperation, we should present what we can offer in return.”

“Correct.”

Saying that, the Count picked up his wine glass and asked me.

“As the lord of Gloucester, I ask. In exchange for betraying the Round Table I’ve been part of for decades, what does His Majesty intend to offer?”

“Honestly, I think whatever we bring would have little meaning.”

Hearing my words, the Count tilted his wine glass without answering, as if telling me to continue.

“Promises without substance. Proposals bordering on bluster. That’s all we can offer right now.”

No matter how much I boast about crushing the magic nobles, my words are all about a future that hasn’t happened yet.

Asking him to betray the faction he’s been part of for decades based on that was unreasonable.

The reason he, as a member of the magic nobles, doesn’t actively cooperate with them is simply due to his loyalty to the Emperor, his childhood friend.

If we want to become allies, we need to show something worthy of that.

Therefore.

“So as a start to our cooperation…”

My army and I needed to scratch his biggest itch.

“We will eliminate the threat to the Gloucester territory.”

“Threat? What suddenly…?”

“The anomalies occurring in the contaminated areas.”

“…!”

Count Gloucester’s eyes widened immediately at my words.

His expression asked how I knew about that.

Along with the sense of achievement at surprising him for the first time, I opened my mouth towards the Count.

“We, the Special Magic Unit, will uncover its cause.”

***

Northeastern contaminated zone.

In the middle of a space thick with monster slime and poison, an unidentified life form was moving.

“Haa… Haa…!”

The one breathing heavily and trembling was a boy who appeared to be in his mid-teens.

However, the numerous tentacles and teeth on his back showed that he was not an ordinary human.

“Please endure it, Reilly. Just a little more. Just a little more and it will be done.”

And a gentle voice speaking to such a boy.

A voice that didn’t match the horrific scenery spread around them embraced the boy’s shoulders.

“F-Father…! I…!”

“Yes. I’m here. So don’t worry, just a little more. Understand?”

“Ugh, urgh…!”

Hearing the man’s voice, the boy gritted his teeth and endured the pain.

The more the boy’s body trembled, the more actively the tentacles on his back began to move.

“Ku, kuaaak–!”

Along with the boy’s terrible scream, something began to appear in the center of the fully spread tentacles.

Poison gas and slime, and animal corpses and blood in test tubes.

All of it began to merge into one massive lump.

“Ooh…!”

“Count. This is…!”

Other observers watching the boy exclaimed in admiration at the sight.

Mages wearing protective gear and gas masks.

Receiving their cheers, the man standing in the center slowly opened his mouth.

“Yes. We’ve succeeded.”

The Black Sun revealing itself in the sky.

The otherworldly energy pouring out from within it, and monsters appearing through tears in space.

Everyone gathered knew.

They had just artificially created a Great Rupture.

“My proud alchemists of Elcryer.”

He called out to those looking at him.

Boiling sense of achievement.

Desire for new knowledge.

Everyone here shared the same feelings.

My proud disciples.

Feeling that abundant enthusiasm to his heart’s content, Count Elcryer smiled pleasantly.

He had now taken one step closer to the origin of this world.