Chapter 26

Violence

At this moment, the Brittany Administrative Palace had truly become the operational center of imperial power.

It had gathered over ten dukes, more than twenty marquises, and over a hundred counts.

Among them were many ancient noble houses with centuries of history, as well as a wave of newly risen nobles from recent decades. Especially during this thirty-three-year-long war, many old noble lines had died out on the battlefield, while many new ones had risen through the fires of war.

The transformations brought by war were all-encompassing. It had fundamentally reshaped society. Everyone understood that to cope with future conflicts, centralization of power and a more efficient military were unavoidable. This was the tide of the era—something no man could resist.

The nobles were, of course, well aware of Count Raxem’s true purpose in hosting this banquet.

But—

As parts of this vast imperial structure, they naturally would not sit by and wait for the changing times to sweep them into the dustbin of history.

The war had now entered its thirty-fourth year. Everyone knew it couldn’t continue much longer. That meant all had to prepare for the world that would come after the war. In that future, their enemies would not be Fontaine, nor Count Raxem, and certainly not Ning Luo.

Their true enemy—was themselves.

The Empire's interests were finite.

So many nobles had died. So many had been promoted. Once the war ended, all benefits would have to be redistributed. In that light, having more nobles die was beneficial to everyone.

Count Robert Frederick Pe Raxem, the Prime Minister, had only one real goal: to make the nobles turn on each other.

And Ning Luo was the Damocles' sword hanging above everyone’s head.

Ning Luo could kill them, or he could kill their political enemies. One could say Ning Luo was pure violence, entirely disconnected from the formal structure of imperial power. It was war itself that had given Ning Luo such uncontrollable authority.

Of course—

If the nobles had united to oppose Ning Luo, he could never have obtained such immense power. A single act of Parliament could depose Prime Minister Raxem on the spot. But getting them to cooperate? One might as well just kill them all.

Instead, the nobles had become part of the apparatus that upheld Ning Luo’s power—transforming him into something even more terrifying than he was to begin with.

...

When Ning Luo entered the banquet hall—

Every gaze instantly turned toward him. Everyone knew the title Tyrant of Brittany. But what terrified those present the most about Ning Luo was that he did not belong to the imperial power system. His authority had been given to him by the war itself.

When the Tyrant of Brittany set his sights on you, you had best understand—it was war that wanted you dead.

Some tried to use Ning Luo.

Others couldn’t run from him fast enough.

For example—

Sir Austin, the Empire’s Minister of Military Production.

This position was a cabinet-level post, with significant authority. It served as the rear counterpart to the Frontline Logistics Department—responsible for the Empire’s production, resources, and finances.

Upon seeing Ning Luo, Sir Austin immediately retreated to a corner of the banquet hall.

He hadn’t really wanted to attend. But this was a war conference summoned by Prime Minister Raxem, gathering all the Empire’s high-ranking officials and nobility. As Minister of Military Production, how could Sir Austin possibly make an excuse not to come?

Ning Luo walked up to Sir Austin.

“Lord Austin, come to think of it, you’re technically my direct superior. I’ve yet to formally pay my respects.”

Sir Austin was already drenched in sweat.

In terms of official position, Ning Luo was the Chief Logistics Officer of the Logistics Planning Bureau. As Minister of Military Production, Sir Austin ranked just below General Allenby, the Quartermaster Director. Even so, General Allenby himself had little authority to command Sir Austin. So technically speaking, Sir Austin could be considered Ning Luo’s direct superior.

However, if one judged by military rank alone, Ning Luo held nothing more than the rank of second lieutenant—meaning that just about any officer could be counted as his superior.

But not only did ordinary officers dare not command him, even Army Grand Marshal Asfled, the Chief of General Staff and the highest-ranking officer in the land, had never once received deference from Ning Luo. So what could a Minister of Military Production like Sir Austin possibly expect?

“Lieutenant, you're too polite. We all serve the Empire—there’s no such thing as superior or subordinate.”

“You seem nervous around me.”

“No, not at all! I’m just a little excited to meet a hero from the frontlines. When I was young, I too dreamed of becoming a hero like you.”

That was a lie.

Sir Austin had never been this nervous in his entire life.

It was laughable to think that the position of Minister of Military Production could be clean. Not even ghosts would believe that. Even if Sir Austin himself had done nothing wrong, the degree of embezzlement in the Frontline Logistics Department was notorious. To say he knew nothing of it—that alone would be enough to have his head taken off.

At worst, Prime Minister Raxem could strip him of his position. But the young man standing before him—he could take his life.

“Please rest assured, Lord Austin. I only have access to frontline documents, nothing from the cabinet. So I’m not well-informed on anything that happens within the cabinet.”

What Ning Luo said was true.

The frontlines and the cabinet were completely separate. Reports from the front were occasionally sent to the cabinet, like the military files Isabella once gave to Ning Luo. But cabinet files were never sent to the front. All of Ning Luo’s reports came from the General Staff, not from the cabinet.

Sir Austin let out a long sigh of relief, though he still tried to maintain an appearance of indifference.

“If the lieutenant is interested in cabinet affairs, I could have someone put together a set of documents for you. After all, we both serve the Empire—there’s nothing we can’t share.”

“No need for that. I only have one question for you.”

“What is it?”

“In your opinion, which individuals are absolutely essential for the Empire’s continued operation?”

Sir Austin felt a chill run down his spine.

“Every citizen of the Empire is extremely valua—”

On the surface, Ning Luo appeared to be a young man not yet twenty, attending this banquet with a beautiful companion. It would be a perfectly normal sight—like the heir of a noble house attending a social ball.

Only when one looked directly into Ning Luo’s eyes could they understand where that terrifying pressure came from.

Sir Austin could only respond:

“The greatness of the Empire lies in the fact that it can continue to function no matter who is lost.”

The Albion Empire was one of the largest empires on this continent.

Its strength lay in every aspect of its vast machinery. No matter who was lost, the system would carry on. Just like the Minister of Military Production standing here—if Sir Austin were to die, there were countless others already eyeing his position.

Ning Luo replied:

“Thank you for clarifying that for me.”

...

Before Sir Austin could say anything more—

The voice of Prime Minister Count Raxem rang out from the center of the banquet hall.

“Dear dukes, marquises, counts, viscounts, barons, and esteemed members of parliament. It is an honor to have you all here for this banquet. I trust you are all aware that the Empire’s war has entered a most critical stage. It requires our full cooperation to endure these difficult years. I have faith in your dedication to the Empire.”

Count Raxem swept his gaze across the entire gathering.

“The soldiers of the Empire have proven its glory by holding off the fiercest offensives from Fontaine. For the Empire, for the soldiers of the Empire—we must do everything in our power to support them.”

“Thus, the war bonds have been created for the Empire. Now, let us have Lieutenant Ning Luo explain the war bonds to everyone.”

The Prime Minister gestured toward Ning Luo.

All eyes once again fell on Ning Luo. The crowd parted to make way for him, and Priscilla released his arm.

When Ning Luo stepped to the center, Count Raxem moved aside and allowed Ning Luo to take the front of the stage.

“It is my honor to explain the war bonds to you. To make them easier to understand, I will divide the explanation into four steps.”

“Simply put, war bonds are a promise from the Empire to all its citizens. The Empire borrows a portion of your funds to support the army and war expenditures. After the war is won, the Empire will repay you with interest. It is a chance to invest in the Empire’s future together.

Step one: The Empire will set unit values for the bonds, divided into high, medium, and low tiers. The highest tier is prepared specifically for all of you. Each will come with a clear return rate and repayment schedule, ensuring no harm to the finances of our citizens.

Step two: The Imperial Royal Family and the Cabinet will guarantee the war bonds, with Parliament providing clear legal statutes to ensure lawful protection.

Step three: The issuance process will be streamlined. For example, through promotional campaigns and establishing purchasing stations in major cities and towns across the Empire. This part will require the cooperation of you lords.

Step four: A completely transparent fund management system. The war bond funds will be overseen by a special committee to ensure every coin is used strictly for the military, arms production, and logistical support. Every use of funds will be made public to all citizens of the Empire.”

At that moment—

Count Raxem, standing below the stage, raised a question.

“Lieutenant, I understand your explanation. But I do have a concern. The Empire has many conservative believers who find lending and borrowing morally unacceptable. Do you have a solution for that?”

“The Empire will consider the needs of every one of its citizens. For conservative believers, the Empire will not return their principal but instead provide long-term interest payments, continuing until the total surpasses the original amount with interest. In addition, the Empire will offer parcels of land as compensation. In this regard, I hope all of you will serve the Empire well.”

Of course—

Anyone with a shred of sense could see that this was a coordinated act between Prime Minister Count Raxem and Ning Luo.

Not only did they want money, but they also wanted power—and land.

However—

The meeting had only just begun. No one came simply to hear Ning Luo recite an already overfamiliar pitch about war bonds. What they truly came for was the postwar division of power.

“What the lieutenant says makes perfect sense. As loyal members of the Empire, naturally we will support it. But those who take advantage of the Empire’s hardship for personal gain—if they are not punished—would that not chill the hearts of those who truly serve the Empire?”

Count Ellis was the first to speak.

Among the hundred or so counts present, his rank was practically insignificant. Precisely because of that, no one saw value in investigating him—at least not in the grand scope of the war. Count Ellis was simply too trivial.

Anyone else trying to raise such an issue risked becoming the first target.

Count Ellis, on the other hand, could use this opportunity to attach himself to a more powerful noble, picking a side in the looming postwar struggle for power.

Ning Luo asked:

“Is the count suggesting there are people present who have profited from the Empire’s misfortunes?”

“I said no such thing. But such people surely exist. If they do, I would willingly offer up my land to be divided among the soldiers. But I will not see my land handed over to parasites!”

Count Ellis emphasized.

“To accuse without evidence or proof—are the nobles of Albion nothing more than lawless country bumpkins with no concept of legal process?!”

Count Cameron immediately seized on Count Ellis’s words, rebuking him with fury.

“I never named names. If Count Cameron is so quick to jump out, what is it he’s afraid of?”

“I’m defending the Empire’s law and dignity—not spreading slander and false accusations! Since you’re so eager to investigate, Count Ellis, why not start with you?!”

“Fine! Investigate me first, then investigate you! Let’s establish a Ministry of Oversight and launch a thorough investigation into every noble in the Empire!”

...

As more and more nobles joined the argument—

This was essentially a parliament in all but name, and like all such gatherings, it eventually devolved into a zoo. Yet for the participants, that was actually a good thing. Let the quarrel drag on—without months of shouting, there would be no outcome.

And by then, it’d all be irrelevant.

“Enough—”

Ning Luo’s voice rang out as he slowly raised his right hand.

It was as if it carried some kind of irresistible force.

The entire banquet gradually fell into silence.

Only then did Ning Luo speak:

“I understand how you all feel. But I am a frontline officer—I don’t have time to manage affairs behind the lines. Let our Prime Minister handle the specifics.”

The sudden statement left everyone baffled.

Even Count Raxem hadn’t expected it. If Ning Luo didn’t handle the matter himself, the implementation of the war bonds could be indefinitely delayed.

As the nobles tried to guess what Ning Luo was planning—

He continued:

“One more thing—I must apologize. Due to the urgency on the front lines, this banquet has almost no security measures. It’s possible that assassins from Fontaine have infiltrated. I urge everyone to be extremely cautious.”

With that—

Ning Luo turned and walked away.

At that moment, all the nobles stood frozen in place.

Everyone knew the Empire’s intelligence network was as leaky as a sieve. That both sides were aware of this was no secret.

An event involving hundreds of nobles like this could never be kept under wraps. Naturally, these high-ranking nobles would have brought enough bodyguards. Even if there were assassins, they might only manage to get one or two unfortunate souls.

But—

The problem was: this warning had come from Ning Luo.

If you ended up dead at this banquet—then it must have been the work of a Fontaine assassin.

Regardless of how it happened—

Once Ning Luo pointed this out, the shadows lurking within the Empire began to stir. They seized the opportunity to draw blades across the throats of certain nobles.

When Count Chatteris’s body collapsed heavily to the floor—

Blood soaked the carpet.

Aaaah—

A scream followed.

“Guards!”

“Guards!”

The nobles’ elegance had vanished; the banquet hall became utterly chaotic.

For Ning Luo, he truly had no time to handle the power struggle in the Empire’s rear. Just like Major Stewart believed, the battlefield was a purer place—Ning Luo loathed the wars behind the lines and had to devote more time to this year’s campaign.

When Ning Luo stepped outside the banquet hall,

Priscilla Cavendish Pe Beaufort-Fitzroy was already waiting there: silver-white hair, snow pale skin, a pure white evening gown, moonlight falling upon her.

If she had worn a circlet, she would have looked like a princess, like Isabella.

Only the pure white dress was stained with bright red blood, giving an impression of catastrophic splendor.

This era had left no time for Priscilla to attend society balls.

When Ning Luo walked up to Priscilla, it was time for them to return to the front. Ning Luo paused briefly and issued his final order.

“Stewart, burn them!”

...

The war that had lasted thirty-four years had been too long and too painful.

It had finally spiraled out of control. The cause of the war had been so absurd that no one remembered it anymore, but no one could end it—everyone kept escalating it, until the war itself became the greatest monster on this land.

All the violence inflicted upon this land would in the end be reclaimed by each person.

Ning Luo was the embodiment of that violence.

A Red Flying Dragon circled the sky; Major Stewart rode upon its back. He belonged to the Empire’s most powerful Dragon Cavalry; he was the Empire’s glory and symbol.

His golden pupils scanned the banquet hall, and he held a cavalry lance more than two meters long.

When the judgment descended,

Major Stewart did not know how many people would die, just as no one knew how many would die in the next battle.

Now,

the judgment would be delivered by Stewart.

He stood upon the Red Flying Dragon’s back and raised his cavalry lance high.

“I, in the name of John Theodosius Pe Stewart, hereby beseeched the Lord for mercy!”

“Have mercy!!”

“Have mercy!!!”