Chapter 155: 155

The Duke’s Eldest Son Escaped to the Military (155)

Translator: ChubbyCheeks

51 A New Phase (5)

Iron felt their gazes on him as he spoke awkwardly.

“Where will I go?”

They were all surprised by Iron’s answer but they still looked at him suspiciously.

“You’re really not going?”

Even Billie squinted at Iron after Lintel asked him again.

“I’m really not going.”

Everyone couldn’t help but tilt their heads at Iron’s firm answer.

“It’s not like you can be the Northeast’s commander… what are you going to do?”

“It will be good if you can go and take care of your future.”

It wasn’t only Lintel, but even Carl Gustav, piped up. They were all worried about Iron’s future.

Even though ordinary people weren’t aware of Iron’s abilities, all of them knew that he would only shine if he went higher and swam in bigger water. And this fact was glaring, more so during this period.

“Then… Am I supposed to go to the Center?”

All of them shut their mouths at Iron’s question.

However, Iron remaining in the Northeast as he was would pose a lot of problems. After all, he was recognized by all of the Imperial masters as the new master class individual. Even if he declined and returned the promotion to general and just remained at a lieutenant general rank, there was nowhere for him to go in the Northeast. There was still a long way to go for the corps commanders to retire and it would take a huge number of troops to create a new corps. But it was also problematic for them if they replaced the Northeast Commander.

The best solution was for Iron to lead the Capital Defense Corps. However, even if he was here, he truly did not want to stay in the current capital. Everyone knew what Iron felt.

“Hmm… I’m at a loss.”

Crimson was slowly looking at retirement, that was for sure. However, Iron was just growing too fast.

Everyone had believed that Iron would become the next Northeastern Commander. However, the problem was that he made such a huge contribution and was recognized as a master at the age of 20. This meant that he was bound to be promoted and become a general.

In fact, the fact that he recaptured Soren territory and stabilized the Center’s northwestern region was already a tremendous contribution. But he also saved the Central Army and played a tremendous role in saving the capital. Promoting him to the 1st rank was something that could not be overhauled and ignored.

“Well… You can tell them that you won’t go but I don’t know if they will just let you go.”

Everyone nodded in agreement with Lintel’s words.

In fact, their worries immediately came true the very next day.

“I’m here to see Brigadier General Iron Carter.”

“Is Brigadier General Iron here?”

“I’m from the Central Merchant Association. Call Brigadier General Iron Carter…”

Everyone visited and asked to see him at least once. However, he refused everyone on the pretext that he was still not officially recovered and he was still tending to his injuries. Because of this, he couldn’t go out freely. But recently, he had no choice but to just stay cooped up in his own room since the princes began to visit and ask for him too.

“This is so annoying.”

Iron grumbled in annoyance. However, there wasn’t anything that he could do until the victory ceremony was held. He needed to finish the funeral ceremony and the victory ceremony in the capital for him to go anywhere and be at ease in his heart.

To prevent confusion and chaos in the entire Empire, the current masters had agreed to attend the victory ceremony. With the masters’ presence in the capital, the capital was able to regain stability as they began to work on restoration.

It was not possible for anyone to remain in sorrow for so long, especially when they needed to restore the Imperial Palace and do a lot of post-war processing. In order for the confusion and chaos in the capital and the Imperial Palace to be resolved, they needed to recruit as much new personnel as the officials who died but the remaining manpower had no choice but to double their efforts while they tried to fill in the vacancy.

Even the Imperial Family was not staying still either. The rise of the new Emperor to the throne could be postponed for a bit due to a lot of political reasons but the most urgent and pressing matter was for them to expose their sins and apologize. If this was not done, then the people of the Empire might not recognize the current Imperial Family’s authority. If that happened, the Empire’s collapse would only be a matter of time. So they had no choice but to endure the disgrace and calm the anger of the public.

The princes moved about in their own way. They brought supplies and helped the affected. They also even directly and personally dispatched more people to help them. But the ones who moved were just their subordinates.

But unlike the other princes, the Crown Prince moved himself.

“Crazy shit…”

The 4th Prince cursed as he looked at the Crown Prince in the collapsed square. The Crown Prince was kneeling and apologizing to the public.

“I’m sorry. As the Crown Prince, I apologize to you for the crimes that the Imperial Family had committed.”

The 4th Prince clicked his tongue. Seeing the Crown Prince apologize to the people made him think that he had given up his authority as a member of the Imperial Family. He frowned, seeing him use honorifics and kneeling down for the commoners disgusted him.

However, the others were impressed.

Just like what the scholars had assessed, the Crown Prince’s abilities and qualities were limited to his ‘acting’. And his appearance right now made him seem like he was truly admitting their sins while sincerely apologizing. Those who knew his usual appearance could easily recognize that he was just acting. But at this very moment, the commoners who saw him doing that, thought that the Crown Prince was sincerely repenting.

Of course, the public’s anger did not subside easily despite the Crown Prince’s sincere performance. After all, the brutal acts that they had secretly carried out throughout the years couldn’t be solved with just this.

But among the members of the Imperial Family, the Crown Prince had the best evaluation among the public.

If he stopped at just doing it once, the people of the Empire could have thought ‘So, you’re doing another show.’. But the Crown Prince did not do this performance only once.

With the majority of the Central nobles dead, the only thing that the Crown Prince had after losing the base of his force, was his body and his legitimacy to the crown. If he wanted to add something to his already secured legitimacy, the only thing that he could do was to run on his feet, lower his head and apologize.

The Crown Prince instinctively felt that this was his only way to survive. So, he went outside everyday to apologize to the public and listen to their grievances. Even if he was just acting, the effect of his actions were sufficient for his survival.

With his daily apology, more and more people believed in the ‘illusion’ that the Crown Prince was sincerely apologizing.

Because of ‘this’, the 2nd Prince, who sent enormous amounts of supplies from the black market, the 3rd Prince, who brought in supplies from abroad, and the 4th Prince, who sent support for the reconstruction of the capital with the help of the provincial nobles, all of them were pushed back. The Crown Prince’s move had pushed all of their contributions away.

In that situation, the victory ceremony for the huge contributors in the capital’s defense had no choice but to be held under the Crown Prince’s name especially after he cited his legitimacy.

Since the funeral for the late Emperor was already done, the only thing left was the victory ceremony. The Crown Prince made sure to praise the people who had contributed greatly to the safety of the capital and represented everything on behalf of the Emperor as he persuaded everyone to do it under his name.

The 4th Prince protested loudly but his efforts were meaningless. The nobles had no other choice but to let the Crown Prince be since he was considered as the best candidate among the Imperial Family by the public, especially after excluding their legitimacy to the throne.

From the Central Defense Corps, who defended the capital with their lives, to the Central Army, to the chosen ones, who chose to help them, until the other-worlders, these people attended the victory ceremony held by the Crown Prince. Representatives of each group came up and received their rewards from the Crown Prince.

Meanwhile, the 2nd and 3rd Princes, who were watching the scene from afar…

“…We’re doomed.”

“Hoo… Do we have to find another way to survive?”

The 3rd Prince spoke bitterly when he heard the 2nd Prince talk. They did not have any other justification and legitimacy to fight for the throne especially with the Crown Prince holding both the Imperial Seal and the Crown. These two items were enough justification for the person holding it to become the first in succession to the throne.

The only thing that they could do now was find ways to live and survive on their own. Now that the authority of the Imperial Family had fallen to the bottom, something that was completely different from before, they needed to find a way to survive.

Fortunately, they were able to make some investments back when the Imperial Family was still at its peak.

The 2nd Prince had dominated the underworld and the 3rd Prince had important companies and businesses in every country. Unlike the 4th Prince, who allotted almost all of his time to get the position of the Emperor, the two other princes had been preparing just in case. And they felt glad that they had made a good choice in preparing another path for survival, especially after they heard the horrendous truth about the Imperial Family.

While the princes were all busy trying to think of ways for them to live and survive, the people who had contributed the most to the Empire finally took to the stage.

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The first to stand on the podium was Leopold, the commander of the Central Army.

“I will not forget your sacrifice.”

Leopold bowed lightly as he listened to the Crown Prince’s words while he personally attached the Central Army’s highest medal inlaid with bright red jewels on his chest.

“We have acknowledged your contributions and achievements. As of now, I will raise your family to a ducal family. In addition, the Leopold Family will be exempted from taxes over the next five years…”

The Crown Prince rewarded the Leopold Family by promising him enormous benefits. Then, he whispered something to his ears as they shook hands.

“Even if the Central Army Command is relocated, I hope that you can still be connected to the capital as much as possible.”

“I will discuss it with my officers.”

“…Thank you.”

Leopold did not give the Crown Prince a definite answer but the Crown Prince smiled brightly as if his words were already enough.

He was best at wearing a mask so he just smiled brighter. Besides, his real goal was not Leopold.

Finally, Iron Carter climbed up the stage. He was wearing the Northeast’s military uniform that was pinned with the highest medals from the North and the East as well as the Iron Cross Medal inlaid with all of the jewels possible hanging out of his neck. Just by looking at his medals, anyone could see why he was considered as the best hero of the North.

Then, the official began to list all of the contributions that he had made.

“He has saved the Western Command when it was in crisis, helped with finding and targeting the weaknesses of the Death Corps and has recaptured some areas of the Center with his insufficient troops. He has also made great contributions in saving the Central Army during its time of crisis. With all of his contributions he will be granted a special two-step promotion and the Central Army’s highest medal.”

The document had been prepared in advance by the late Emperor while he was still alive in recognition of Iron’s contributions. The official, who read the document, brought the stars to the Crown Prince so he could attach it personally on Iron’s shoulder together with the medal.

However, these were just for his contributions before everything happened in the capital.

The Crown Prince personally read his achievements and contributions since the late Emperor’s death. From defending the capital to protecting the white crystal. All of these were announced in accordance with the current Crown Prince and the nobles’ decisions.

“In addition! He made great contributions in protecting the capital and the white crystal that the Imperial Family had wanted to protect so much. The silver eagle, the highest medal of the Empire, will be given to this person, who protected the Empire with his contributions. We have decided to bestow this on you in recognition of your achievements.”

The Crown Prince brought out a small silver medal in the shape of an eagle.

“I heard that the Northeast has a custom of leaving their medals empty in the middle for the silver eagle.”

Then, the Crown Prince placed the small silver eagle in the center of Iron’s Iron Cross Medal.

The soldiers of the Northeastern Military began to cheer loudly the moment the silver eagle, created after consulting with the Northeast, was embedded on Iron’s medal.

Despite sacrificing a lot last time, the Northeast was still ignored by the people of the Center and the other regions. However, one of their people had received the highest medal in the Empire, the medal that no one had received before.

[ You have become the Empire’s Hero. All of the effects of your hero titles will become stronger. You have also made the greatest achievements in the Empire! ]

― This title will triple the effects of your current existing hero title effects.

[ You are not yet fully recognized in the West and the South. The title effect will become stronger if you can be recognized in both regions. ]

[ Your will, which has not been broken by anything, has made the people call you the ‘Steel Hero’. Unlike your existing titles, this title will only symbolize you. No one will be able to use the moniker ‘Steel’ until you die. ]

― The title effect will increase your steel mana.

― Someone had received their own title for the first time. The title effect will double.

Perhaps it was because this was the very first silver eagle medal in the Northeast’s history? Some of the Northeastern executives, who witnessed the emotional scene, shed tears.

In that situation, the Crown Prince quietly opened his mouth.

“I’m well aware that this alone is not enough for someone who has protected the Imperial Palace and the capital. So, after consulting with the nobles, we have decided to promote Lieutenant General Iron Carter with a special one-step promotion and raise your rank to General. We would also like to promote your position and place you in the empty general position of the Capital Defense Corps’ command. In addition, we would like to bestow you the empty land in the Center and bestow it upon you along with the title of Marquis.”

Most of the nobles’ had their mouths wide open upon hearing the Crown Prince’s words. Although most of the Central nobles knew of the content of the document, the others had no idea at all.

In fact, they could understand why they would offer him the position of commander and promote him to the general rank. They thought that it was understandable mainly because he made great contributions and was acknowledged by all of the masters as a new master. But they never expected that they would give him land and the title of a marquis. After all, this was something unprecedented. Even if the person was a master or a commander, who achieved these great contributions, the highest reward to be ever given to them the position of a count. However, the custom was broken.

Surprisingly enough, the shock did not end there.

“Your Highness, please allow me to refuse the position of the commander of the Capital Defense Corps and the title of a marquis.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes widened at Iron’s words. The same was true for everyone witnessing the victory ceremony.

Iron calmly continued to speak under everyone’s astonishment.

“This subject belongs to the Northeast. I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to suddenly jump up and move to become the commander of the Capital Defense Corps.”

The Crown Prince’s well-maintained poker face had been broken down by Iron’s words. He could only speak after a moment of daze.

“…Then, if we talk with the Northeastern Commander later…”

“If you reach an agreement, then I will happily accept it.”

“…I see.”

The Crown Prince nodded heavily.

“Then, we will think about this more later and tell you about our decision. I hope you don’t refuse by then.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince smiled bitterly at Iron’s answer.

It was very rude for someone to immediately refuse, especially at a victory ceremony. Usually, people would receive it customarily and reject it at a later date. This was something impossible during the days when the Imperial Family was still at its strongest.

It might have been very rude but the Imperial Family’s power was at its lowest and Iron was a powerful new master and was honored as the best hero of the Empire. This made it possible for him to reject the proposal outright.

‘I heard that the Imperial Family’s authority and power is down the slumps… this seems to prove it.’

This thought flashed in some of the provincial nobles’ heads as they watched the central nobles struggle to smile, albeit bitterly, despite Iron’s rude behavior. Some were furious and some were sad at the fact that the Center’s prosperity was finally over.

The victory ceremony ended just like that.

The shocking victory ceremony ended somehow while giving a shock to everyone. All that was left now was the festival.

The festival was held with the intention of forgetting the pain of the past and starting anew. But the festival did not last that long either.

[ The Defeat of the Southern Allied Army. ]

[ The Western Kingdom Army has been occupied by the birdmen! Will the rest of the army unite under the name of the Divine Nation? ]

These two news spread during the Empire’s festival.

Hearing these two terrible news, the people suddenly felt an ominous hunch.

The end of the Empire’s crisis is the beginning of the continent’s crisis…

***

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