Chapter 56: The Beginning of Civil War
Duke Warung Raises His Army!
The pce wasnt surprised when this news was brought to the capital in May 468, because Lord Warung and the Chancellor have been at odds with each other since the days of the previous Emperor. The Chancellor was on very bad terms with Lord Warung and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies because they were both respectively in charge of military affairs and politics.
He could have revolted at any time. Or so most aristocrats believe. In fact, some even asked why he had kept quiet about everything until now.
As expected, the so-called punish those who secretly plot against their lord n was notified to aristocrats in every region. He stated that the ession ceremony that had yet to take ce was the cause and that he would destroy the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies, who are monopolizing the government and liberate His Majesty, the Emperor.
In response, the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies put aside their political dispute for the time being and agreed to hasten the ession ceremony.
The problem was which one of them would ce the crown on the Emperors head; this was the reason why the ession ceremony was dyed for so long.
They decided topromise, so both will hold the crown and put it on the Emperors head at the same time.
If youre both alright with that, then you should have done it at the start.
People wont do what they can unless theyre cornered.
Is that all youve decided at this point? Well, I dont feel rushed.
Three dayster, the pce was in an uproar as if it had poked a hos nest when it received word that Lord Warungs army was passing through Marquis Dzrans fief unscathed.
Marquis Dzrans fief was located in the southern part of the Empire, just north of Lord Warungs fief. Its feudal lord, Marquis Alowa le van Dzran is a former royal, just as his name van implies.
His ancestor was Rene, the 5<sup>th</sup> son of the 3<sup>rd</sup> Emperor, Charles I. Renes oldest son, Charles was adopted by the 4<sup>th</sup> Emperor, Edward IV, who had no male children, and ascended the throne as the 5th Emperor, Charles II. He was the father of the Imbecile 6<sup>th</sup> Emperor, Edward III and Duke Aquicurl. I was descended from them.
It was a prestigious family lineage (in the Bungdalto Empire), but lineage and ability are two different things.
The fief ruled by the current Marquis Alowa le van Dzran had fallen to the size of a Counts estate since half of his fief was ceded to the neighbouring Ada Kingdom during 3<sup>rd</sup> Appas War when my father was assassinated.
Marquis Dzran was seeking to reim his fief. He approached the Chancellors faction with bribes in hopes of using Lord Rauls army, thergest army in the Empire.
But Marquis Dzran was never in the Chancellors faction because the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies took advantage of his eldest son, Manbel le van Dzrans ambition to oust his father and take over his title as soon as possible. Manbel seized part of the Marquis Dzrans power with the support of the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies, which caused the father and son to be divided between the Chancellor and Regent factions. They were <em>on neither side</em>, so they became known as neutrals.
Incidentally, Marquis Dzran doesnt know that Lord Raul, who was wary of Marquis Dzran because of his noble lineage, was the reason why he had to give up a part of his fief.
He <em>was </em>a pitiful man from an outsiders perspective.
Of course, their family quarrel was a proxy quarrel between the Chancellor and Regent factions in the capital.
But the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies agreed to suspend their political strife and deal with this rebellion together since Lord Warung had raised an army.
So, there was also a temporary truce between Marquis Dzran and his son, and a notice was issued for them to fight Lord Warungs army.
But
Impossible! They were instructed to buy time.
Are you sure they battled them at all?
Theyre advancing too fast! We wont be able to draft soldiers in time!!
I was taking a nap when I was dragged out by the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies and made to sit on the throne where I was forced to watch the panicking aristocrats for hours on end.
It was very amusing.
I knew what was going on as Id been informed of the situation by Count Ptine Vedett. Apparently, Marquis Dzrans second son, Anselm le van Dzran, had sowed discord between his father and elder brother and seized control of the army. Then, he allowed Lord Warungs army to pass through his fief.
I dont know if Anselms actions were part of Lord Warungs ns or if he did it on his own but I suspect it was thetter.
Anselm had given Lord Warung permission to pass through his fief, but he did not lead his army and join him. If he had a prior connection to Lord Warung then he would have sent his troops to assist him.
Calm down! Calm down!!
The Chancellor yelled. It must be tough.
Its toote to make a move, you guys. You should have acted swiftly when Lord Warung raised his army. Most of you probably looked down on Lord Warung and believed him to be nothing more than a musclehead.
But well, its easier for me to make my move when the aristocrats are panicking.
Fortunately, Count Ptine Vedett took Nadine into custody when he detected suspicious movement from Lord Warung. We can buy ourselves a lot of time if we negotiate with her as the hostage. In the meantime, we must gather our troops. We can start by gathering mercenaries.
The aristocrats became excited at the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremoniess announcement.
Ah, the Chancellor was sulking since the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies stole the spotlight.
Me? I was just watching the scene in a daze like always. Did I really need to be here for this?
Count Chamneaux, one of the generals, is already on his way with his army! We will surely be victorious with him inmand, even if it is against Lord Warung!!
The Chancellor mentioned Count Chmnaeuxs name as if he was taking a dig at the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies! The aristocrats were overjoyed. Lord Aquicurls face was twitching!
This is surprisingly fun.
Count Chamneaux Vera-Sylvies father willmand the army?
Im sure Count Ptine Vedett contacted him some time again and got him to be on my side
I nced at Count Ptine Vedett and he chuckled silently.
. I see, you have the Chancellor wrapped around your fingers.
He was working on another task for me When did he put these ns in motion?
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One week ago.
I received a report from Count Ptine Vedett. The three men present were Count Ptine Vedett, Timona and Salomon de Valverde.
Your Majesty, Lord Warung <em>seems like </em>he will be raising an army.
Seems like? So, he hasnt yet.
He has not, but I hear he has <em>decided </em>to.
I see. So, Count Ptine Vedett knows exactly what Lord Warung is nning to do.
Alright. Then, always keep an eye on Nadine. If she acts suspiciously in any way, then arrest her and put her in jail.
Oh Is that alright with you?
Yeah. I want her to act as a messenger between me and Lord Warung. She is suitable for this role, is she not?
Hmm, indeed.
Lord Warung doesnt know that Im not just a puppet, so he might not believe that I have seized real power in the capital. But thats the thing that has been troubling me. I want Lord Warungs army to remain unscathed.
Look after her and make sure she doesntmit suicide. Hmm Get one of the spies to act as Lord Warungs ally from early on and get them to contact her. Tell them to tell her that theyre looking for an opportunity to let her go and keep her informed of whats happening. They should preferably be a woman.
Hopelessness kills, but on the other hand, people can survive if they have some hope.
Understood, Your Majesty. But you are being very attentive.
Do I sound unusual?
No, I am impressed.
Why, thank you.
Well, I admit Im a little excited. After all, Im just one step away from being rewarded for more than 10 years of patience. Its hard to stay calm in a situation like this, right?
Tell Fabio to raise an army just before Lord Warung enters the fief. If he can raise an army, then he should take a different route to the capital instead of joining up with Lord Warung.
As you wish.
Worst case scenario, Ill need the LMitedeau army to storm into the capital. And
How many <em>decent</em> knights are in the Imperial Guards? I want them on my side. Can you prepare a ce and select the men, Timona?
Please leave that to me.
Timona, whose voice had started to break before mine, responded. By the way, I cant do anything against him with a sword anymore I guess that hasnt changed.
Your Majesty, please give me an order.
I guess that will do for now, I thought, and Salomon spoke.
Is it alright for you to move under mymand?
Salomon is an active Marquis in the Belbe Kingdom, and I was nning a coup detat.
Yes, it is what Her Highness Rosalia wishes. And if we can get involved at this stage, then the Belbe Kingdom will be safe and sound.
So, its fine for you to act on your own as long as the results are good? Decisive.
But Im sure the Sealing Barrier will be up during the coronation.
That was why I was nning on making my move then. I had an overwhelming advantage since I can still use my magic even within the Sealing Barrier.
What is Rosalia nning to do?
Her Highness will be returning to her Kingdom for the time being. She will return under the pretence of the change in circumstances but her purpose is to prepare additional forces for Your Majesty.
Hmmm, I havent asked her to do anything yet though. But if she can prepare reinforcements then that would be a great help.
Is it alright for you not to go with her?
She is worried about you, Your Majesty. I will stay behind with my men.
Well, alright. Ill just think of it as me having reserve forces. It will be easier for me to move daringly if Rosalia is away from the dangerous capital.
Be prepared to be deployed at any time.
I dont have much time left. I need to be as prepared as I can.