Citizens gathered with weapons following the Emperor’s command.
However, despite their efforts to muster everyone, the number barely reached 20,000.
Moreover, most of them were either too old or too young to be proper soldiers.
There were hardly any young people’s faces to be seen.
“What is this! Did I not order for everyone in the castle to be armed? The population residing in Vienna is at least 200,000, so why do we have only this many gathered?”
“Um… um, we fetched all the weapons from the armory, but this is all we could manage.”
“Besides, most of the people have already fled. The ones remaining are just these.”
“Ugh…”
The report from the despairing minister was utterly hopeless.
At this, Emperor Sijip’s face began to swell with deep anger.
“Why… why has this happened! I am the Emperor! I have come with all my might to declare the rightful doctrine of this country, following the Will of God! Yet… yet why do the foolish people not understand my intentions! Why!”
“Your Majesty…”
At the Emperor’s words, the ministers could only lower their heads in silence.
In truth, they had a lot to say as they witnessed the Emperor expressing his despair before them.
It was all because he had committed such deeds.
His blind devotion to religion had caused bloody chaos among innocent people.
And now… the people were utterly exhausted from such meaningless turmoil.
However, none of those present could utter these facts aloud.
All those who could have spoken such truths had already been executed.
The ones remaining only thought of saving their own lives rather than giving any useless counsel.
And right now…
In their eyes, they could see the Emperor, clad in armor, unwilling to give up this meaningless fight.
“It can’t be helped; I will fight until the end. This is the time when God will grant me the blessing of a miracle. With that miraculous power, I will execute all the filthy rebels, and I shall wield my sword against those heretics in the North!”
“….”
“What are you all doing! Hurry and prepare! You all must fight alongside me!”
“Y-Yes…”
“I… understand, Your Majesty.”
Thus, in response to the Emperor’s furious command, the ministers bowed their heads and fled the scene, while the Emperor, left alone, began to ready himself as he looked at his frail soldiers.
“I am not wrong… I have fought with all my might for this country, and now I have come this far. I cannot falter now. A miracle will occur… A miracle that can defeat those filthy rebels will surely come…”
*
Under Emperor Sijip’s orders, the ministers began to arm themselves reluctantly.
Among them were a few who had actual combat experience, including some generals and mages, yet their faces remained anything but bright.
“…How do you see this? This war…”
“…Do we really have to say it out loud?”
“…Sigh…”
“Indeed… I guess that’s right?”
The initial questioner and the respondents, as well as those listening nearby.
In the minds of those present, their futures were already mapped out.
“We’re finished now…”
“How can we stop Valenshtein’s grand army with merely 20,000 old soldiers?”
“Plus, didn’t you see? Almost no citizens took up arms, even with the Emperor’s mandate.”
“Those who could run have all fled or hidden. What does that mean? It signifies that the people’s hearts have completely turned away from the Emperor.”
“The citizens no longer wish to fight for religion. It’s a sight unimaginable just a few years ago, yet it’s true. They’ve likely realized that religion isn’t as significant as they thought.”
“Right… That’s true. For them, church and heretics can’t be used as rallying cries anymore.”
“Yet our foolish Emperor remains unaware. The only one who is being swayed by this is him alone.”
“Those who cannot adapt to the times are what we call foolish…”
“We are truly unfortunate; how did we come to serve such a ruler…”
As they voiced their despair in this dire situation, one among them cautiously spoke after glancing around.
“…Well, if we stay like this, aren’t we doomed?”
“Probably… We will surely lose our heads to the enraged rebels and citizens.”
“Moreover, the Emperor might be spared for the sake of rationale, but ultimately, it’s us who will perish.”
“…Yes… that’s true. But given the circumstances, shouldn’t we try to find a way to survive?”
“Um… how do you propose we do that?”
His suggestion hinted at a possible escape, piquing the interest of everyone present.
These individuals cared more about their own survival than loyalty to the country.
To them, the notion of dying meaningless deaths was far less appealing than seeking a way to survive.
And then…
Upon hearing the plan, their reactions were…
“That… that sounds too risky, doesn’t it?”
“W-Who knows, we might lose our heads right here.”
“That’s certainly true. But haven’t you all said it? Our lives are already hanging by a thread. Since we’re going to die either way, why not gamble on a slim chance?”
“Ummm…”
“Indeed… Whether we die today or tomorrow, death is the same.”
“The Emperor has no chance of winning, so naturally, isn’t it only wise for people like us to side with the victor?”
Nodding in agreement, they soon established a plan and decided to put it into action.
They had already chosen their own safety over the country.
For those who had given up on their nation, abandoning their loyalty to the Emperor was an even simpler decision.
*
“…This is strange.”
“Indeed.”
“Why aren’t they attacking?”
Looking at the capital of the Sacred Empire, Vienna,
Valenshtein, Hestia, and Otto could only wear puzzled expressions.
Their advance guard was already within the attack range, so it was natural to expect some sort of response—be it artillery or magic.
In the past, the defenses of Vienna had been proven steadfast against invasions by the Turk Empire and the Dragona Empire.
However…
In this peculiar situation, there was no reaction from the stout castle walls of Vienna.
No defensive responses, not even the sight of soldiers guarding the walls.
Amid this incomprehensible flow of events, Valenshtein and his subordinates began to feel something was off.
Then…
“?! C-Captain! Look over there!”
“Is that…?”
They spotted a flag.
Seeing the fluttering white flag, Valenshtein and his subordinates halted their troops and began to investigate the situation further.
