The Duke’s Eldest Son Escaped to the Military

Translator: Pai_

Iron's first destination after reviewing all the materials handed over by Faulden was the Governor-General's Office.

Hearing that Iron had come, the Governor himself came out to the door to greet him. Seeing this, Iron entered the governor's office with an awkward smile.

While drinking tea and exchanging small talk with an overly enthusiastic welcome that was almost burdensome to accept, Chevara's eyes lit up as he asked,

"But what brings you to the Governor-General's Office?"

At Governor Chevara's words, Iron stopped smiling and quietly looked at him.

"I have something to tell you."

With difficulty, Iron began to explain everything that had happened to him so far.

He explained how he had first met the Chairman of the Merchants' Union, then the Chairman of the Artisans' Union, and eventually had also been approached by the Nobles' Faction.

After hearing Iron's explanation, Chevara gave a bitter smile.

"……Did you already know?"

"Rather than knowing, I expected it."

At Governor Chevara's words, Iron gave a small nod.

It was something anyone could have predicted, that those wanting the Military's support for their factions would come looking for Iron.

"So, sir Iron, which side are you leaning toward?"

At Chevara's question, Iron shook his head and said,

"I'm not sure yet. However… I simply judged that what the Merchants' Union and Artisans' Union are advocating is all necessary."

"……That's right. The order may differ, but eventually, these are things that must be done for the benefit of the Empire."

Chevara nodded as he let out a deep sigh.

He also knew that the claims of both groups weren't wrong.

But it was difficult to side with either group. On the surface, he was bound to the reformist faction, yet in truth, he barely maintained these forces in a neutral position.

From the Governor's perspective, taking one side meant making the other side an enemy.

Perhaps sympathizing with this situation, recently, even the noble faction had sometimes supported him.

Moreover, the issues raised by the noble faction to Iron were also serious.

Despite knowing all this, he had no choice but to handle other matters first and put this on hold, because it was not something he could touch carelessly.

This was why he prioritized the temporary warp project and the redevelopment of old buildings in the capital.

"The conflict between the nobles and the common citizens of the Empire is also a serious problem."

"Yes. In the central region, it hasn't escalated much due to the strong presence of the reformist faction, but in the provinces, most bureaucrats are still of noble origin."

At Iron's words, Chevara pressed his head with his fingers as if he had a headache.

No matter how many capable imperial citizens there were, there was no way there would be an overflow of talents able to break through the class system and demonstrate their abilities.

Most of them were difficult to even recruit into the central government, so there was simply no capacity to pay attention to the provinces.

Iron also understood this issue to some extent.

After all, even those assisting the Military's administration were mostly of noble origin.

"That makes sense."

"Sigh… That's the problem. To carry out future wars without difficulty, the bureaucratic system must function properly…"

Although Chevara himself came from the reformist faction, he didn't believe nobles were inherently bad.

Among them were many capable individuals.

In fact, there were far more capable people among the nobles than within the reformist faction.

Most of the talented individuals who had developed their abilities with the Empire's full support were of noble origin.

Thus, their help was necessary, but because of backlash from the reformist faction, they couldn't fully benefit from it.

"Now that the Holy Alliance has invaded, it seems we can't delay this issue any longer."

"……Yes."

At Iron's words, Governor Chevara lowered his head and let out a sigh.

"It may sound strange coming from someone who expected the Holy Alliance to act only after the battle with the Ancient Species had ended… but if the Holy Alliance is on the move, we'll need to rally the reserves centered around the Capital Defense Force to resist. However, at this rate…"

Governor Chevara lowered his head at Iron's words and sank into deep thought.

He, too, was fully aware of how difficult the current situation was, but there was no clear solution.

Because there was no way to overcome the situation smoothly, his worries only deepened.

'There is a way.'

Chevara recalled one method he had kept deeply buried in his mind, but he quickly shook his head to deny it.

Yet unlike someone in despair who had lowered his head because he had no answer, Chevara's eyes burned with intensity.

Was that why? Even though it was not visible, Iron could feel it.

'There is a way.'

Thinking this, Iron's eyes glinted.

"If you have something in mind, please tell me."

At Iron's words, Governor Chevara raised his head.

"Yes?"

"I don't know much about politics. I've been in the Military all my life, so I know war, but when it comes to politics, you are far more of an expert. However, I do know how to distinguish between trustworthy people and those who are not."

At his words, Governor Chevara silently looked at Iron.

"In my view, Governor, you are someone I can trust. So, tell me. Whatever it is, I will do my best to help you."

At Iron's words, Governor Chevara's pupils trembled.

With Iron's full support, Chevara slowly began to reveal what he had long kept hidden in his heart.

"What can I help you with?"

As Iron asked again, Governor Chevara finally opened his mouth.

Perhaps it had been something he had planned long ago, as he explained it without hesitation.

And as Iron listened to that plan, he realized that his choice had been the right one.

'The Governor is definitely a good man.'

Even though he had continued to doubt until the end despite receiving Faulden's report, Iron finally let go of even his last thread of doubt and decided to trust Governor Chevara.

With a massive threat approaching, the Empire had to unite as one.

To support the soldiers locked in a bloody battle with the Ancient Species on the frontlines, Iron resolved to swiftly settle matters with the central government and prepare for the fight with the West.

Iron's thoughts and Governor Chevara's thoughts aligned to a certain extent.

'If they interfere, I'll wipe it out myself.'

Iron made this vow as his eyes gleamed.

With Governor Chevara, the central axis of the central government, at the core, reforms would be implemented, and Iron would stand behind him to mediate.

This idea seemed to be mutual, as Chevara's plan was also centered around Iron.

Even after hearing a plan that thoroughly used him, Iron still nodded.

"This is the plan… are you really alright with it?"

"Yes."

"But… your reputation could take a hit."

"I don't care."

To the Governor's concern, Iron answered as if it meant nothing.

A crack in his reputation?

Compared to the massive war that was about to unfold, that was nothing.

If he could patch the Empire's fragmentation with a reputation he could discard at any time, it was a worthy trade.

"Then proceed as planned. I'll wait until you call for me, Governor."

"……Yes."

Watching the Governor reply with difficulty, Iron stood up.

"Thank you for making such a difficult decision. I will definitely… make it succeed."

As the Governor bowed his head in gratitude, Iron bowed in return.

"I should be the one saying that…"

After saying that, Iron turned to leave the governor's office but stopped in his tracks.

Just as he was about to exit, Iron turned back to look at him, and the Governor, who had been about to follow him out for a send-off, gave a puzzled look.

"How much do you trust the Vice Minister of the Government Department?"

At Iron's question, the Governor's face stiffened.

"……So you knew."

"You already knew he was a puppet, didn't you?"

When Iron asked with wide eyes, the Governor gave a bitter smile and nodded.

"Why...?"

"In the broader sense, he is also just one of the reformist faction. And he's capable."

"But his intentions are impure. No matter how capable someone is, keeping a person with impure intentions close is dangerous."

At Iron's warning, the Governor let out a deep sigh.

"We're short on personnel. Even now, most of the central government's bureaucrats are being worn down, working day and night. To dismiss a capable person just because their intentions are questionable... that's a luxury we can't afford."

At the Governor's words, Iron closed his mouth like a clam.

Seeing him like that, the Governor spoke with a bitter smile.

"Even if he's a puppet of the Free Union, as long as he's competent and doesn't cause major problems, we have no choice but to keep him. So... sir Iron, I ask that you turn a blind eye as well."

At the Governor's request, Iron stood in silence for a moment, then quietly asked,

"What kind of place... is the Free Union?"

"It's not a bad place."

As the Governor said this, he let out a small sigh.

"Right now, it may look like a gathering of troublemakers, but their core beliefs are quite decent. In fact, it's fair to say they carry on the original ideals of the reformist faction."

At Governor Chevara's words, Iron tilted his head.

"Their belief is to completely abolish the class system and create a society with minimal discrimination. They have many professors and scholars among them, so they don't want extreme reforms. They advocate for minimum human rights protections, rest systems, and welfare infrastructure."

"Hmm..."

Their claims weren't wrong either.

They just didn't fit the current time.

"In the present era of Destruction, their ideals simply don't align with the situation. Unfortunately, in the current context, their demands are bound to be pushed down the priority list..."

"And that's led to growing dissatisfaction."

"……Yes."

At the Governor's response, Iron looked at him with concern.

"If your plan moves forward, they may resist even more fiercely. And... the most dangerous target might be you, Governor."

They couldn't touch him.

Which meant their next best option was to target the Governor.

But the Governor seemed prepared to take on that risk.

Seeing that, Iron gave a small nod.

Just as he had thrown away his own honor, the Governor too was prepared to bear the danger.

Moved by this, Iron shook his hand and expressed his support before leaving the governor's office.

After Iron left the office, the Governor immediately began implementing his plan.

First, he addressed the parliament, asserting that with war against the Holy Alliance imminent, the Empire must shift into a wartime system and focus all its strength on the West.

Naturally, the parliament resisted.

Under a wartime system, most factories would have to prioritize arms production, and the government would control the majority of the workforce.

From the Merchants' Union's standpoint, resistance was inevitable, and the Artisans' Union opposed it due to their ongoing research.

The Free Union also pushed back when most of the minimum allocated welfare funds were redirected to the war effort.

The Nobles' Faction likewise joined the opposition.

Because taxes on the upper class were scheduled to increase further.

In response to the parliament's resistance, the Governor continuously attempted to persuade them.

He disclosed everything except the most critical information in an effort to convince them, but each faction dragged things out due to their own positions.

They agreed on the major framework of preparing for war but endlessly nitpicked over the details.

Eventually, the Governor, exhausted by the delays, stormed out of parliament.

[Governor storms out of parliament!]

[Governor Chevara states, "I will no longer consider the parliament."]

The Governor's interview sparked backlash from the parliament, and it looked like a confrontation between the central government and the parliament could erupt at any moment.

However, the situation passed rigidly without further incident.

Both the Governor and parliament refused to back down, and tensions continued in an uncomfortable stalemate.

And so, a few days passed...

The Governor-General's Office announced the next policy.

[In response to the threat of the Holy Alliance, a national emergency system is declared.]

1. As this is an emergency system equivalent to martial law, all reservists must be ready to mobilize at any time.

2. All personnel, except for the minimum necessary to run the nation, will prepare for war.

3. From now on, all national plans will be focused on the West.

The parliament immediately objected to these three key directives.

The Holy Alliance had yet to show any clear threatening actions, and yet the Governor had unilaterally declared an emergency system equivalent to martial law.

Naturally, all factions protested, calling it a unilateral decision by the Governor, but the Governor-General's Office responded with just one line.

"This decision was made after consulting with sir Iron. For reference, sir Iron represents the opinions of the entire Military."

At the Governor's reply, the parliament fell into panic.

A unilateral decision made with Iron's backing.

The parliament had never expected Iron to take such a stance, and the shock was considerable.

He had not given in to the persuasion of the Emperor or the Crown Prince.

Even after the Age of Revolution, he had shown no interest in politics, yet now, he was making such a move.

Reformist faction officials were disappointed by Iron's actions, and many imperial citizens also tilted their heads at his seemingly unilateral behavior.

Eventually, with strong public demand and unanimous agreement from all factions, the Governor was called upon to explain the situation, and he appeared before the parliament.

"I understand that many of you are questioning why such a unilateral decision was made. Before I explain this situation… please watch this footage."

As soon as the Governor finished speaking, the large video orb installed in the parliament began displaying the photos Iron had seen, one by one.

"Th-that's…"

"The Holy Alliance has moved. And the scale of their movement… is enough to immediately collapse the Empire's western front."

At the Governor's words, all the members of parliament fell silent.

A fortress so massive that even large airships looked small by comparison.

A massive floating fortress, like an entire island suspended in the sky, flying in with an overwhelming number of airships.

Moreover, it appeared they had formed an alliance with the birdmen, as the beings that had long tormented the Western Army were now flying alongside the airships in a protective formation.

Just then, a representative of the Free Union stood up and spoke.

"Preparing for war is fine! But shouldn't at least the minimum welfare budget be preserved? And among the reservists, those who are heads of families with dependents should be exempted!"

At Free Union Chairman Lenin Kimosia's argument, the Chairmen of the Merchants' Union and the Artisans' Union also stood up.

"We must build a railroad to the West immediately!"

"No, we must focus on golems to strengthen the fortresses! With golems, we can install more powerful magic cannons and build sturdier fortresses!"

As the two chairmen made their claims, the Governor silently looked toward the Nobles' Faction.

But they merely observed the situation and did not assert any particular opinion.

Then, as the factions argued among themselves, asserting their views, the Governor spoke in a low voice.

"There is someone here who can answer all of this."

With that, the Governor stepped back a step, and a man began walking in from behind the parliament chamber.

***

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