Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Stagnant Front and Missing Information
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The information that the deployed Kali army suffered a painful defeat was quickly reported to King Rudolf, who had just returned.
His reaction was swift. He immediately commanded his close aides.
“Bring Talis here right away.” (Rudolf)
Thus, Talis returned to the royal capital, barely escaping with his life, only to be bound by ropes and dragged out before Rudolf like a criminal.
“Talis. When I entrusted you with command, what did I order you?” (Rudolf)
Suppressing his anger, Rudolf asked, and Talis’ face turned pale.
“You ordered me to ‘never engage with Laplace and to hold out in the fort.’” (Talis)
“Ah, that’s correct. Now, Talis, report precisely what you did.” (Rudolf)
The optimistic and carefree Rudolf from before his disappearance was no longer there.
The Rudolf now was undoubtedly adorned with the dignity and fear of a king. Even the ministers who had secretly looked down on him as a young man could now only bow before his imposing presence.
Talis answered in a trembling voice.
“I defied the king’s strict orders and sortied to strike the Laplace army.” (Talis)
“Ah, I see. And what happened?” (Rudolf)
“I was repelled by the Laplace army, losing 10,000 soldiers. Furthermore, in that momentum, the Laplace army captured three forts and four cities.” (Talis)
After defeating Talis, Randal had launched a fierce offensive in the east. The Kali side, whose main forces had fled, had no means to stop this advance, and the fortified strongholds fell one after another, allowing the invasion to penetrate deep into their territory.
“Indeed. While I had not permitted any enemy advance in weeks while you followed my orders, the moment you defied my command and sortied, we lost many cities and tens of thousands of soldiers and allowed the enemy to advance significantly.” (Rudolf)
Rudolf stood up from his throne in irritation and began to pace around.
“If I had lost because you followed my commands, then it would be unavoidable. That defeat would be my responsibility. In that case, I would offer my own head to apologize to my subjects. However, you disobeyed my orders and suffered a great defeat. Now, Talis, what kind of punishment do you deserve?” (Rudolf)
Rudolf made Talis decide his own punishment.
Talis, with a pale face, bowed his head to the ground, adopting a posture similar to that of a dogeza.
“I… deserve a punishment of a thousand deaths.” (Talis)
“Someone. Execute Talis.” (Rudolf)
In response to Talis’ words, Rudolf simply ordered it.
The ministers were astonished. They never expected it would come to execution. Talis had been Rudolf’s childhood friend and his closest aide. One minister hurriedly stopped the soldiers who were about to take Talis away and desperately pleaded.
“King Rudolf. Talis is your greatest understanding ally. His execution would be like tightening the noose around your own neck.” (Minister)
“While Talis may have sins, for the sake of his past contributions, please spare his life.” (Minister)
“The reason he sortied was to suppress the anger of his soldiers who were provoked by the enemy. Without him, the Kali army would have fallen into internal strife.” (Minister)
The ministers all pleaded for Talis’ life.
Rudolf listened in silence, but once their pleas were finished, he finally spoke.
“If the ministers say so, then I will spare him from death. However, the sin of disobeying my orders is far too heavy. He shall receive twenty blows with a stick. Furthermore, strip him of all his official positions and imprison him indefinitely.” (Rudolf)
The punishment of beatings with a stick, while causing physical pain, was even more humiliating, providing mental suffering. Additionally, the heavy penalties of being stripped of his official positions and indefinite imprisonment were imposed. After Talis, who slumped in despair, was taken away by the soldiers, the room fell into silence.
For Rudolf, who had opposed his parents and the nobility, Talis was the closest thing he had to family. He never imagined he would impose such a merciless punishment on him.
“Minister.” (Rudolf)
“Y-yes.” (Minister)
Rudolf focused on tightening the soldiers.
“‘ Talis disobeyed the king’s orders and was punished severely.’ Spread this fact widely among the troops. And once again, give a strict order to avoid fighting with Laplace and to hold out in the fort.” (Rudolf)
Just a little longer, just a little longer, and they would be able to endure. Not knowing where the spies might be, he couldn’t speak the truth. Therefore, he would resort to forceful measures to tighten the morale of the soldiers.
—
Even Talis, who was closest to the king, had been subjected to severe punishment. Then, if he were to disobey the king’s orders, he would not be able to survive. The generals of Kali became increasingly reclusive in their forts. They did not react at all to the provocations from Laplace.
This posed a problem for Tyr and the others. The front lines had once again fallen into a stalemate.
“I thought I had finally broken through the enemy’s front lines…” (Tyr)
“Kali has once again shut themselves in their forts. Moreover, this time they won’t come out no matter how much we provoke them.” (Hal)
Tyr and Hal’s expressions were dark as they received the report from Randal.
Although they had made great progress, it had turned into a siege once again.
At this rate, how many years would it take to conquer the entirety of Kali?
“Report!” (Urt)
Urt, a member of the Sheeb Order engaged in intelligence activities in Kali, entered.
“It seems that King Rudolf, taking responsibility for the defeat, has dismissed Commander Talis and has become the supreme commander himself.” (Urt)
“The king himself is the commander?” (Tyr)
While the content of the information was surprising, it likely wouldn’t have much effect.
“Make sure to inform Randal, who is at the front lines.” (Tyr)
“Understood.” (Urt)
As Urt was about to leave the main camp, he paused at the door, as if remembering something, and turned back.
“Oh, speaking of reports, there’s one more thing.” (Urt)
“What is it?” (Tyr)
“Recently, reports from the royal capital of Laplace have suddenly stopped coming.” (Urt)
“Is it not the case that there’s nothing to report?” (Tyr)
“No, during that time, we received messages stating ‘no abnormalities.’ In fact, they had been arriving until now.” (Urt)
In other words, it seemed something had happened to the church members operating in the royal capital.
“Oh? I wonder if something happened in the royal capital?” (Tyr)
Since fast and accurate information delivered by Order members was a lifeline, this made Tyr worried. Not receiving any information was like walking down a pitch-black path. It was too dangerous to move.
“I understand. I will also use the merchant’s information network to investigate.” (Tyr)
“I leave it to you.” (Urt)
Urt bowed and returned to his intelligence duties. Hal immediately voiced her concerns.
“Is it alright? It’s unnatural for information from the royal capital to disappear.” (Hal)
“Troubles are part of war. Something must have happened. I will send someone to investigate immediately.” (Tyr)
Of course, Tyr was also anxious, but he could not show a shaken demeanor as the supreme commander. He answered, maintaining a facade of calm.
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