Do Your Own Revolution

#062

“Armored Infantry?! No, wait, really?!”

Wow, how surprising.

Who knew Erich could raise his voice like that?

While I was thinking that, Erich, with a pale expression, immediately clutched his head.

“If it’s Armored Infantry, then that means…! The Republic’s bear that devours knights!”

“What bear? They’re just normal humans wearing armor plates.”

Population, resources, territory.

The Republic had the upper hand in every aspect of war, but there was just one thing they lacked.

Mages.

Superhumans who strengthen their bodies with magic circuits and wield supernatural abilities through magic imprints.

Human weapons who could tear people apart with bare hands, block large-caliber bullets, and incinerate trenches full of dozens of soldiers in an instant.

To create these superhumans who completely ignored all rules of the battlefield, Magic Awakening individuals were absolutely necessary.

However, the Republic’s number of magical power awakened individuals was, at best, only one-twentieth of the Empire’s.

This extreme imbalance was what maintained the power balance between the Empire and the Republic.

‘The Armored Infantry is one of the Republic’s many weapons created to bridge that gap.’

Special reinforced suits powered by hydraulics and diesel engines.

Steel giants equipped with all sorts of heavy weapons, achieving firepower and defense comparable to mages.

The 1st Guards Armored Division was the most elite among them, demonstrating exceptional performance even compared to other Armored Infantry.

‘And the one commanding them is Lieutenant Colonel Klaus Medvedev.’

The Republic’s Red Bear who, clad in red armor, took to the battlefield and butchered dozens of Imperial knights.

“So, we have to face that? Our soldiers…?”

“That’s what this unit was created for in the first place. Didn’t Lieutenant General Keiren inform you?”

“Well, yes, but…!”

The Special Magical Power Unit’s reason for existence was to replace the work traditionally handled by the Knight Order and Magic Corps.

Besides, now that we’d already declared to headquarters that we’d do it, backing out was impossible.

If a sword can’t be used, it wouldn’t have been forged in the first place.

“You said you’ve been doing steady reconnaissance. How many enemies?”

“If we count only the confirmed ones, about 120 units.”

Matt, who was in charge of the reconnaissance team, was the one who answered.

“That’s a small number considering the Red Bear came personally. Any unusual findings?”

“Yes. What they brought with them… This.”

Saying that, Matt placed a black and white photograph on the conference room table.

“This is…”

“This photo has only been reported to some commanders.”

What appeared in the photo he handed over was a four-legged beast wearing armor similar to Armored Infantry.

Three monsters, each large enough to occupy an entire train car, were being led out of the train by Armored Infantry.

“Wait a minute. These are… monsters!”

“The Republic started weaponizing monsters?”

“Those crazy bastards, to do something this insane…”

While the officers shook their heads in disbelief, I calmly assessed the situation.

“So in other words. The Armored Division’s deployment aims not only to end this front but also to test this new weapon.”

Thinking back to the original game’s story, it was quite ironic.

In the original, the protagonist would be carrying out two types of missions right now.

Either crushing magic nobles, or fulfilling requests from people while traveling through war-torn outlying villages.

And those Revolutionary Army activities would accelerate the Empire’s downfall.

‘If the Revolutionary Army crushes the magic nobles, there won’t be anyone left to counter Westraine’s new weapons. Westraine’s forces will mercilessly push back the Imperial army…’

In other words, those “war-torn outlying villages” mentioned earlier would spring up like mushrooms.

“No wonder the country’s heading toward ruin.”

Thinking about what the protagonist did in the original game, I couldn’t help but feel dumbfounded.

A vicious cycle where killing nobles gradually eroded the Empire itself.

These monsters baring their teeth in the photograph represented the dark side of revolution that the game never explained.

‘But this time, it’s different.’

Defeating magic nobles?

Go ahead.

Social reform? Revolution? Do as you please.

That’s your job, while mine is to crush Westraine and approach the core of Imperial power.

The magic nobles and Magic Corps will be worn down fighting the Revolutionary Army.

Meanwhile, the Special Magical Power Unit, allied with the Imperial army, will expand its influence on the front lines, building up personnel and growing larger.

That’s how the special magical power unit will grow into a force that replaces both the Knight Order and Magic Corps.

We’re taking away the magic nobles’ reason for existence.

These 200 people gathered here are just the beginning.

While I was organizing my thoughts, the fortification began to shake with the sound of artillery.

“This is…”

“It’s the cannon mounted on the armored train. Not Imperial artillery.”

“Erich, you can tell just from the sound?”

As the trio and Erich were muttering, belatedly, sirens began blaring from the Imperial fortification.

“Enemy raid! Enemy raid!”

“What the hell is that in the sky?!”

“What kind of airship…”

Dozens of flashes sparkled beyond the horizon.

It was artillery fire from the armored train.

The Republic’s bombing airships slowly advancing toward the Imperial trenches covered the sky, and dozens of anti-aircraft batteries installed in the trenches began spewing fire to meet them.

The Republic Army of Westraine’s major offensive had begun.

“Lieutenant! Report from the reconnaissance team!”

Reports flowed in from soldiers on the front line.

“Enemy Armored Infantry unit confirmed! About 30 in number! They’re accompanied by grotesque creatures!”

If it’s around 30, this must be a probing attack.

Quite cautious.

While thinking that, I ordered the waiting Special Magical Power Unit members.

“First platoon follows me. Guille! Get your troops ready and standby! Erich, contact the artillery unit. Tell them to provide fire support as soon as I signal!”

The officers who received my instructions moved in perfect order, and the platoon members who completed their preparations gathered around me with their weapons ready.

My army that I had been preparing since entering the military academy.

This was its monumental first deployment.

***

“To think the Imperial army… had prepared such numbers.”

Western Front rear area, Sutherland Knight Order temporary headquarters.

On a train heading to the territory of Count Sutherland.

Watching knights boarding the train with smiling faces, Viscount Backford wore a displeased expression.

‘This situation isn’t good. Originally, I planned to use the Knight Order’s existence as leverage to force the Imperial army to retreat…’

Instead, the Imperial army refused the Knight Order’s help and sent them back to their territory.

Eugene Lorentz.

That single junior officer’s words had completely twisted the situation.

“200 two-stroke imprint mages… That can’t possibly be true, Viscount.”

“It’s equivalent to the strength of an entire Magic Corps division appearing out of nowhere. How could the Imperial army have such resources…”

The knights under his command seemed optimistic about the situation.

They thought it was just an immature junior officer who had gathered a ragtag group of mages to form a unit.

However, Viscount Backford had a completely different thought.

‘If that were the case, Major General Beckier would never have approved this.’

The viscount recalled the face of that youngster Eugene.

While his background as Lieutenant General Keiren’s adopted son couldn’t be ignored, would they withdraw the Knight Order based on the boasting of some lowly junior officer?

The Major General Beckier that the viscount knew wasn’t that incompetent.

Then, there was only one conclusion he could draw.

‘Did the Imperial army really create their own mage unit? And in such a short time?’

“Viscount.”

Just as he was thinking that, one knight approached Viscount Backford and whispered.

“As you ordered, I investigated the Special Magical Power Unit’s barracks. However…”

While listening to the knight’s words with a serious expression, Viscount Backford’s face grew increasingly grave.

“It’s not a hastily assembled unit?”

“Correct. The standard equipment, uniforms, and even the imprints…”

“Imprints? You mean they’re not the general-purpose imprints supplied to the Magic Corps?”

The knight immediately nodded at the viscount’s question.

“As Lieutenant Eugene said, they were two-stroke imprints. Moreover, their design was something I’d never seen before…”

“They created… new imprints…?”

Other supplies were somewhat understandable.

But hastily creating imprints? That was impossible.

“Even for low-grade two-stroke imprints, it would have taken at least several years to research and create them. Then, during that period, someone who could lead this and control the information…”

While he was pondering, another knight beside him added.

“Wouldn’t it obviously be Lieutenant General Keiren? I heard that lieutenant youngster commanding the Special Magical Power Unit is his adopted son…”

“No. That’s not it.”

The viscount slowly shook his head.

“Lieutenant General Keiren is certainly a central figure in the military. However, his position within the Buckenheim family is weak. He couldn’t possibly have the funds to create a new army.”

“Then who on earth could have led this?”

At the knight’s question, Viscount Backford gritted his teeth.

There was only one person who could pull this off.

And this situation was the worst possible outcome for them, the magic nobles.

“His Majesty the Emperor.”

“P-pardon?!”

While several knights were shocked at those words, there was no other way to think about it.

Making Keiren his confidant and the military’s leader, creating the Special Magical Power Unit to block the Knight Order’s intervention.

The only person who could envision such a blueprint and actually realize it had to be the Emperor himself.

“Since when… Just how long has this coordination been going on?”

He had known for a while that the Emperor favored Lieutenant General Keiren as his confidant.

But for the military to move as one body?

To the extent of driving out both the Knight Order and Magic Corps and creating an entirely new organization?

Just when did this…!

“Send a telegram to Count Sutherland. This is urgent.”

After finishing his thoughts, Viscount Backford immediately called a knight and said so.

This war. To be in a situation where they’re being swayed by mere rebels…!

“Viscount Backford. Is that correct?”

At that moment.

Hearing an unfamiliar voice behind him, Viscount Backford turned his head irritably.

“Who dares to speak a knight’s name so casually…!”

However, that didn’t last long.

Seeing the men in black clothing standing before him, the viscount’s eyes filled with bewilderment.

“We’re from the Imperial Intelligence Department Investigation Division. Currently, His Majesty has ordered your transfer to Intelligence headquarters on charges of embezzling Imperial army funds and abuse of authority.”

“W-what?”

Along with those words, what the man presented was a document bearing the Emperor’s seal.

At that order carrying the same authority as an imperial edict, the faces of the knights beside the viscount turned pale.

“T-this is nonsense! To suddenly arrest the Knight Order like this, this is…!”

“I apologize, but we are merely carrying out His Majesty’s orders. If you refuse to comply…”

It could be considered treason.

Thinking that, Viscount Backford felt a chill run down his spine.

‘Information control…!’

The telegram he had ordered to be sent would never reach the count.

Since the Imperial Intelligence Department managed all of the Empire’s communication networks, intercepting telegrams would be child’s play.

What shocked the viscount wasn’t that, but the fact that the Emperor had directly used his schemes against him.

‘This is different from before.’

The Emperor, who had been silent as a mouse until now, had begun to exercise his influence outside the palace.

He had drawn the sword that had been sleeping all this time and begun cutting away at the branches of the magic nobles himself.

That very fact made Viscount Backford shudder.

In this Empire that had been considered the country of magic nobles.

Something was about to happen.