Do Your Own Revolution

#042.

“That child never ceases to surprise me.”

In the Emperor’s office.

The Emperor, who had been reading documents all along, put them down and spoke to Keiren standing across from him.

[Special Magical Power Unit]

This plan proposed by the boy to Keiren was an extremely radical and dangerous one.

“A mage unit directly under imperial control, free from magic noble oversight. Recruitment based solely on magical power aptitude, disregarding all disqualifying factors like background and criminal history…”

“……”

“Just hearing it sounds ominous. Lieutenant General Keiren, do you think you can control such a unit?”

“It won’t be easy. However…”

A skeptical response.

But Keiren immediately added a word.

“If we utilize the spell formula engraved in this magic imprint, it might actually become easier.”

As he said this, Keiren took out a pattern that hadn’t lost its blue light.

An imprint with seven strokes still vividly alive.

Seeing this, the Emperor’s eyes flickered with interest.

“Rider of the Ice Prison… So Count Elcidore’s magic imprint is in your possession?”

“To be precise, it was Eugene who had it, not me.”

After saying this, Keiren showed the magic imprint to the Emperor.

The magic imprint that passed from Andrei to the Emperor.

Looking at it carefully, the Emperor soon understood what Keiren meant.

“Mark of Control. A spell formula that dominates one’s mind.”

“I heard it was the spell formula Lupeon used to operate his assassination unit. When the infiltration reaches its final stage, they supposedly don’t even fear death.”

“Indeed. Even to my eyes, this spell formula is designed with extreme precision.”

After examining the magic imprint, the Emperor looked at Keiren with serious eyes.

“So, is that the child’s plan? To create puppets that obey orders and strike at the magic nobles?”

Though his voice carried a slight rebuke, Keiren slowly shook his head.

“Regrettably, that’s impossible.”

“Impossible?”

When the Emperor asked again, Keiren immediately answered.

“This magic imprint will be the foundation for the standard magic imprint used by the Special Magical Power Unit. However, the ‘Mark of Control’ engraved here has too many side effects to be distributed to soldiers.”

“That would be true. Unless one has exceptional qualities, their mind would be consumed by the spell formula.”

Rather than becoming puppets, there was even a possibility of their minds dying completely.

To implant such things in children.

Once again, he felt his teeth grind at Lupeon’s inhumanity.

“Moreover, if a newly established imperial special unit were to use the magic imprint of the deceased Lupeon…”

“Who knows how the magic nobles would protest.”

The Emperor understood well what Keiren wanted to say.

To utilize this magic imprint publicly, it would need to undergo careful modification.

And in the empire, only he, who inherited the blood of House Franz, could perform such work.

After all, the magic imprint of House Franz, a long-standing imprint family, was set to fade away with his generation.

“Not an army of puppets that absolutely obey orders, but a loyal army given proper rewards and honor. That’s what the child is telling me.”

“And in exchange for handing over the magic imprint, he also asked for command of the newly created unit.”

A satisfied smile spread across the Emperor’s lips.

To dare propose a deal to the Emperor of a nation. What an audacious fellow.

Though he might have felt offended, the Emperor merely chuckled with interest.

“I will personally perform the imprint alteration. Particularly this ‘Mark of Control’ will be the final safety measure. I won’t leave any function beyond that.”

“Eugene would have wanted that as well.”

Is this a pastime for my twilight years?

Thinking thus, the Emperor caressed the magic noble’s magic imprint that the boy had handed over.

‘Special Magical Power Unit. If completed according to plan, there won’t be a more threatening card against the magic nobles.’

“Keiren.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Provide all necessary support without restraint. You…”

“I need to develop magical equipment and weapons for the new army, and gather personnel for experimental operations. Everything is already proceeding without issues.”

“I’m counting on you.”

An independent mage unit free from magic noble control.

Once completed, the imperial family could directly purify monster nests and contaminated zones that had long been considered the nobility’s domain.

This meant no more imperial army being reduced to Magic Corps’ support, no more extortion of imperial finances under the pretext of monster subjugation support projects.

‘When this army that I create and Keiren nurtures falls into that child’s hands…’

The Emperor closed his eyes and thought of the distant future.

When this army is given to the boy after he completes his growth, and when the boy begins to move to fulfill his intentions.

‘The empire will face an unprecedented upheaval.’

The Emperor’s clenched fist tightened.

A long-forgotten fighting spirit was slowly raising its head.

“Your Majesty.”

“I know, Andrei. We can’t focus solely on this.”

He must not lose his composure.

Though it was an exhilarating plan, this was a matter for years in the future.

What he needed to do now was check the magic nobles and protect the empire from external forces.

“Intelligence came in from the western front. They say Westraine is deploying troops forward to the border region.”

“……”

“And simultaneously, reports about rebel forces are coming in again from various parts of the capital.”

Rebel forces.

The Emperor’s expression looked complicated as he mentioned them.

Despite countless efforts to appease public sentiment over two years, the revolutionary spirit was once again rearing its head.

“Government offices, security bureau, and medium to small-scale detention centers… Though significantly smaller in scale than before, their numbers are steadily increasing.”

“Hmm……”

“What do you think, Lieutenant General? The unusual signs from Westraine and the resumption of rebel activities. Do you think this is coincidence?”

“Absolutely not.”

Keiren answered immediately.

“Creating internal chaos while launching an offensive. It was a frequently used tactic in the last war.”

“You mean?”

“The emergence of rebel forces is likely a diversion coordinated with Westraine. Then the republic forces gathering near the border……”

“The long armistice will break.”

Since it was an armistice that could have broken at any time, no sign of bewilderment could be found on the Emperor’s face.

The reason for his sigh was the fact that imperial citizens would suffer once again because of this war.

A war at this time when reforms should be initiated.

As always, the timing was as precise as if measured with a ruler.

“Lieutenant General Keiren.”

“Command me, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor commanded Keiren with a stern face.

“At tomorrow’s imperial council, I will appoint you as commander of the western front.”

“…!”

Keiren’s shoulders tensed.

Front Commander.

It was the highest position he had ever held.

Immediately saluting, Keiren opened his mouth.

“I will bring victory to Your Majesty.”

One side tells him to create a new army that has never existed before, the other side tells him to crush Westraine.

It seemed like days where even having two bodies wouldn’t be enough.

***

Dazzling magical power light shook the training ground.

Red magical power still leaving afterimages.

The attack magic had broken through the barrier and completely subdued the opponent.

“Duel over!”

“N-no! It’s not over yet…!”

“No. It is.”

Despite the whistle, my classmate tried to get up, but I gently pressed my wooden sword against his chest.

Mock battle end.

Looking at my score displayed on the scoreboard, I let out a sigh of relief.

‘First in year rankings. At least the first step was successful.’

No matter how important talent recruitment was, a student’s primary duty was studying.

Especially in cases like mine with problematic backgrounds, grades became even more important.

After all, my origins were fundamentally low-born, even though I had become Keiren’s adopted son after saving the Emperor’s life.

‘If my grades fall, they’ll say the low-born blood shows itself, and if my grades are moderately good, they’ll just gossip about a low-born trying too hard.’

There was only one way to shut such people’s mouths – being top of the year.

Since Keiren’s honor was also at stake for enrolling me, the title of top student naturally became the first goal of my school life.

And today’s mock battle test results were the final hurdle of the comprehensive ability evaluation conducted twice per semester.

Having secured first place here, this semester’s top position was as good as confirmed.

‘I didn’t know what I learned at Knifehead would come in so handy.’

Compared to the training I received at House Elcidore, the various training conducted at the military academy was little more than leisure sports.

‘They give safety equipment for rock climbing?’

‘They give water during physical training to prevent exhaustion?’

‘What is this? Heaven?’

While my classmates all looked like death warmed over saying they were dying from exhaustion, I alone was like this, so how could my grades not be good?

As an example, the classmates watching me from across were looking at me like some kind of monster.

“He fought eight people in a row, and just ended it after taking a few deep breaths…?”

“Just where did this guy come from and what has he been doing…!”

My mood improved as I received their gazes mixed with shock and envy.

Being hated was better than being ignored, after all.

As I sat down on one side of the training ground wiping away sweat, Irene, who had been waiting in the corner, handed me a water bottle.

“Young Master! Here’s water!”

“Thanks. But drop the Young Master.”

“But Mrs. Maybelle told me to…?”

“Don’t.”

Around the time I had drunk about half the water in the bottle.

“How pathetic. Is this how the freshman top student spends time, fooling around with such a maid?”

At the voice of a boy who had approached me, I deeply furrowed my brow.

“Kyle.”

The one blocking my path was Kyle Raikard.

As the heir to Count Raikard, the sixth seat among magic nobles, he wielded absolute power among this year’s freshmen as the leader of the noble faction.

But why was such a person blocking my path?

The reason was simple.

I was top of the class, and he was second.

Such is the fate of second place – forever destined to envy the one at the top.

“Though I fell behind this time, next time won’t be so easy. I, the heir to House Raikard… Hey, hey! Where are you going?!”

I could probably memorize his speech after hearing it just two more times.

Since the mock battle evaluation was over, I got up and started walking toward the dormitory.

“Wait, Eugene! I’m not finished…!”

While deliberately ignoring Kyle’s voice as he tried to follow me.

I bumped shoulders with a group of students walking from the opposite direction.

“Ah, excuse me. I was in a hurry…”

“……”

…Wait.

Something was strange.

Looking at their build, they were clearly not freshmen or sophomores, but appeared to be upperclassmen.

But shouldn’t the upperclassmen be away on front line observations right now?

Thinking this, I looked up at the young man I had bumped into.

“…!”

In an unbelievable situation, I could only freeze in place.

‘Claude Elcidore…?’

A face glaring at me with an unbelieving expression.

Though his features had roughened from countless battlefields, it was certain.

Claude, who should be with the Revolutionary Army, had infiltrated the military academy wearing a school uniform.