Chapter 552
Every day felt meaningless. If someone were to ask about my life, I’d be more likely to say I was stuck in limbo rather than living it.
I was living but barely holding on. Like a dog being tugged around by the fingers of those incredibly incompetent folks, I tried my best to avoid the worst outcomes, yet somehow, I still ended up facing the worst myself.
What does it matter if the country survives? What good is it if His Majesty the King is fine?
‘Look at me now.’
It’s a ridiculous situation. I prevented the worst for my country at the cost of my own ruin. I never thought I’d end up being a tragic patriot like the ones I’ve read about in history and novels.
“We have been abandoned by our nation!”
Suddenly, my mind drifted back to my subordinate’s resentful cry, and a sigh escaped my lips.
Such irreverent words, unfit for a noble or a soldier, yet undeniable. Just as my subordinate said, our expeditionary force had indeed been forsaken by our country. But it was for the greater good—so the country could survive. To relieve some of the fury directed at it by the Empire and Armein.
If only one fallen commander had been at fault, I would have applauded my country’s decision with fervor. It’s true that soldiers must obey higher orders, but that guy got the job through manipulation, flattery, and bribery. Everyone knew he was in cahoots with the incompetent former cabinet.
Not only was he corrupt, but he was also inept, arrogant, and brazen. The excuse “soldiers must follow orders” doesn’t hold water, especially when he’d acted unilaterally on numerous occasions.
‘Wasn’t that commander enough for them?’
Sadly, my country believed it needed to sacrifice not just one commander but the entire expeditionary force to prevent the anger of the two nations. Objectively speaking, it wasn’t a wrong judgment.
But the problem was that I, too, had been lumped into that expeditionary force, dragged along too.
“Are my family doing well?”
I muttered to myself while lying on a makeshift bed. I worried about my future, but I was equally concerned about how my family was holding up. Here I was, the pride of my family who had been a youngest legion commander, suddenly sold off like trash.
The only consolation was knowing that the acting minister was a reasonable person unlike others. He wouldn’t touch the families of the expeditionary force. After all, we hadn’t really committed a crime; we had merely sacrificed ourselves for the nation. If he oppressed their families, he’d face a coup itched in his own back.
Still, thinking I might never see my family again brought tears to my eyes. I said my goodbyes with the hope of returning safely, and now, that was my final farewell.
“Ugh…”
Washing my face roughly, I sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. If I’d known it would turn out like this, maybe I should have gone AWOL instead of putting that commander under custody.
No, if I had done that, my remaining family would be in danger. It’d be like selling out my family just to save my skin.
‘Should I have gotten hurt in the fight?’
No, that wouldn’t work either. Despite being labeled as an expeditionary force, we had enough medical personnel. Minor injuries heal quickly, so to escape the expeditionary force, I would have had to be wounded on the brink of death.
In the end, the moment I joined the expeditionary force, this future was already set. As long as I was soldiering under this pathetic nation, my demise was inevitable.
‘If only I could choose my nationality.’
Caught in this dire situation, such thoughts popped into my mind. I hadn’t minded being a noble of Quoronos until now. Sure, I’d suffered due to incompetent leaders, but I had made my best efforts to enjoy wealth, honor, and power.
But if I had known I would fall so low at this age, I would have lived as a commoner. Even a run-of-the-mill commoner’s life would have been better than this one.
Ah, except for Leon. Nothing beats Leon.
‘…Huh?’
Just as I was pondering whether I should make a clean break and end things, I heard a commotion outside the barracks.
Of course, had there been even a moment of silence since it was decided we’d be sold off, but this commotion felt different—full of bewilderment rather than despair or anger.
“Oh, here you are.”
?
As soon as I laid eyes on the person barging into the barracks, my mind froze.
My eyes couldn’t process the information my brain was receiving. For a moment, I doubted whether I was dreaming while wide awake.
“Oh dear, did I wake you up?”
“N-no, not at all!”
As that voice followed, my halted mind began working again.
“I greet His Excellency Count Tailglehen!”
I jumped up from my bed and threw myself on the floor.
The monster who could decide the fate of me and the expeditionary force stood before me.
The very fact that the barracks only had water and jerky made me resentful. If I had known this would happen, I would’ve wheedled the quartermaster for some tea leaves or something.
“How unpretentious. The commander set up a restaurant in his tent, didn’t he? Well, I’m glad you’re here to keep the expeditionary force alive.”
“Flattery won’t do.”
Yet it seemed this pitiful situation looked good in the Count’s eyes.
I felt like I was going insane. One moment I was in heaven, the next I was in hell, all in the span of a minute.
“Surprised by my sudden visit?”
Detecting the tension in my posture, the Count chuckled with a smirk.
Why would you even ask something so obvious?
“I never imagined Your Excellency would come to see a sinner like me.”
I couldn’t possibly respond that way, so I toned it down as much as I could while answering.
At the same time, it was the truth. Drenched in the Empire’s grasp, the expeditionary force could be only slightly distinguished from prisoners, yet here he was, coming to meet me in person. He could have sent a messenger or called for me, yet he came himself.
“Apologies. I actually have a proposal for you.”
“A proposal… you say?”
“Indeed, a proposal. If I’m going to bother to come all the way here, I should at least show my sincerity.”
With that, I stared at the Count in a daze. His apologies and his claim of missing me felt incredibly awkward.
It dawned on me just then that the way he referred to me had shifted from ‘you’ to ‘you’ while addressing me formally.
‘Is this even the same person?’
When I’d expressed my intention to surrender to the Empire and Armein, the Count had been unyielding in his pressure. Now, could that person and this one be the same?
‘Could he possibly be a split personality?’
I know it sounds rude, but how desperate would I have to be to entertain that idea? If he isn’t a split personality, then what even is it?
“Let’s cut to the chase since I’ve dropped by suddenly. First of all, the entire expeditionary force will be sent back to Quoronos.”
“…What?”
However, the Count’s next words quickly shoved aside any thoughts of multiple personalities.
“Quoronos has decided to leave the treatment of the expeditionary force to the Empire, so sending you back is also the Empire’s decision. His Majesty the Emperor has ordered your return to your homeland, taking pity on you poor souls who traveled far.”
“I-I am at a loss for words for His Majesty’s grace.”
“However, I would like you to stay.”
Continuous shocks left me dazed. Just a moment ago, he announced we’d be sent back, so why was I being singled out?
‘Why me?’
I desperately wracked my brain. Why did he want me to stay? Was it because I had cheekily suggested surrender before? If that was the reason, that felt way too cruel.
“Quoronos is too small a pond for someone of your caliber. You should swim freely in the vast ocean of the Empire.”
Fortunately, it wasn’t due to grudges, but still, the shock left me wondering if it would have been better to have just had a grudge.
I was being offered asylum from the true powers of the Empire.
*
Recruiting Alfonso was easier than tempting the Margrave.
“You needn’t feel guilty. It was Quoronos that first abandoned its trust. Didn’t they discard you when it was convenient for them?”
“Are you worried about your family? If so, I can ensure that your family in Quoronos will be brought over to the Empire as well. That’s an easy task.”
“Why is it you? It’s just that I would like your skills and loyalty to be directed toward the Empire. Beyond that, there’s no particular reason.”
“Oh, and feel free to bring your subordinate or any companions. The more talents, the better. I’ll even bring along their families, so don’t worry.”
By swiftly resolving the factors a defector might ponder, Alfonso began to tilt toward the Empire.
After all, here I was, the first impression of a nasty bastard who had been abandoned by his nation, now approaching him softly. In a mentally unstable state, a solid lifeline appeared before him; it would be stranger if he didn’t reach out for it.
“I’ve got quite a few territories now. Although the title of Grand Lord has an owner, the ones beneath him don’t. I’d like to assign some of those to your family.”
“…I will become a citizen of the Empire.”
The decisive blow was the practical compensation. If he defected, not only would he benefit, but his family too could be in the noble ranks—who would turn that down?
“I will serve the Empire with my life—no, with my whole being…”
Then, with the declaration of his defection, it seemed Alfonso’s long-held tension had vanished, leading to tears.
He looked so pitiful that I felt an involuntary sense of sympathy. What would I feel like if I were pulled into a foreign land, sold off against my will at the Emperor’s demand? I’d have trembled with betrayal while tearing the heavens apart.
“Just do as much work as the Empire gives you. No need to overextend yourself.”
So I consoled Alfonso, patting him on the shoulder.
“Don’t go telling anyone about what I said.”
“Yes! I will keep that in mind!”
Along with my flesh-and-blood advice.
There’s no such thing as blind loyalty. You work only as hard as you’re compensated for. If the Empire hasn’t given you anything and demands sacrifice, it’s completely justifiable to desert.
‘It’s finally over.’
Anyway, with lightened steps, I left the encampment of the Quoronos Kingdom army.
I had established a new royal family, collected a decent amount of territory, given a position to a suitable person, and discovered unexpected talent. Even I thought it was a fruitful mission.
Next time I had to journey to another country, I hoped it would be at least at this level. Of course, the ideal situation would be to avoid work trips altogether.
‘Soon, no more long travels are left.’
Stretched, I set my sights towards the castle of Leon. Now I only needed to wrap up a few loose ends, and my workplace would finally be beside Rizie.
At last, I could enjoy my newlywed life, just like a proper newlywed.
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