Chapter 214: Because That’s You (4)
The Herduke Kingdom sent a letter saying they were too busy handling prisoners to worry about anything else. In the end, the pacification of the area south of Pelasion was left to the discretion of the Conquest Force.
I thought for a moment and decided to follow the same procedure as the previous strategists.
Disarmament of surrendered or occupied territories.
By the book, the occupying forces should be in charge of maintaining public order, and in the occupied territories, all bladed weapons exceeding 30 centimeters should be confiscated, leaving only one per household.
However, the Herduke Kingdom has no intention of instituting a reign of terror, and oppressive policies only breed resistance. I ignored the objections of the general-grade officers and opted for a more lenient approach.
The details are the same as what the 3099th Legion Commander announced a while ago. In other words, it’s a gesture of compromise, saying, “We have our own position, so wouldn’t it be better for both sides to compromise at this point?”
The results are quite satisfactory.
There has been no outcry from the occupied territories, and no resistance forces have emerged.
In wartime, the freedom of travel and migration is restricted except for merchants, but with the message that they can continue with their daily lives as usual, the residents of the occupied territories are likely going about their days as if the war is someone else’s problem.
Well, from their perspective, it’s fortunate that we’re not rounding up the remaining people for conscription or plundering them under the guise of requisition.
“Ah, just in case, I’m saying this, but there aren’t any guys acting like an occupying force, are there?”
“Of course not. We are strictly regulating that.”
“Hmm, good. Carry on.”
In fact, conscription and requisition are commonplace and common sense in wartime, but this war is a little different.
It would be nice to supplement our manpower, but how much would our combat power increase by gathering civilians who were farming here and there? And the Kingdom Army’s supplies are not so scarce as to require requisition.
The key is public sentiment.
A country cannot exist without its people. Kings, queens, and high-ranking officials need people to support them.
This is a war between people who belonged to one nation, and they will be united as one after some time. Whether the Herduke Kingdom wins or the Empire wins, they will become one.
Looking at the current situation, it’s highly likely that the Herduke Kingdom will unify the territory that was once the Empire. Even now, the path to the Imperial Capital is steadily being opened.
After listening to all the reports, I concluded the meeting with the same conclusion as yesterday.
“Avoid unnecessary sacrifices. Once we take the Imperial Capital, this war will be over. Restart will automatically be incorporated the moment we overthrow the Emperor. So, gentlemen, good work. Let’s set the date for our departure to the Imperial Capital in a week. Dismissed.”
The generals all saluted and left the conference room.
I stretched and went out through the door behind my seat and looked down from the window.
Although soldiers were quite visible, the citizens were not particularly afraid and were going about their daily lives. Occasionally, I saw the desirable sight of soldiers apologizing first after bumping into passersby.
The soldiers are well aware that this war is a civil war. Therefore, they are also refraining from acting like an occupying force as much as possible. However, there are people in Orknesia who have lost family and friends to the Kingdom Army.
Therefore, I had to issue an unofficial order to actively retaliate if provoked.
Even if this war ends quickly and the number of casualties is minimized, the emotional rift between Orknesia and other regions will not be easily resolved for the time being.
It will take at least three generations for the wounds of war to be buried in time and disappear, and about six generations for it to be remembered solely as a historical event.
Well, in the end, it means I won’t see it in my lifetime.
I took a cigarette out of the desk drawer and lit it. I can’t help but smoke when I’m worried. Levidian hates this.
Lately, I have something to worry about.
If I defeat Artshever and win the war, then I intend to do what I’ve been putting off until now. I’ll have a wedding ceremony with Levidian, start a family, and rule my territory.
Living like that, when I close my eyes, wouldn’t I live a third life?
And after the third, wouldn’t there be a fourth, a fifth, and even further, a 1,611th life?
Worrying about what happens after death is something others would laugh at as absurd, but at least I have to seriously consider it.
I’m living the best life right now.
This very moment is my best life.
Although there are hardships, adversity, and enemies that erupt like an active volcano, I have a beloved woman who promised me a future, and precious friends I would risk my life for.
If this is the best life, I’ll be able to close my eyes with satisfaction at the final moment.
But what if I live a new life again after that?
Would I be able to enjoy it then as well?
No one can guarantee the future. Even I, who am now in a position to create history as it has already changed so much, cannot guarantee it.
Wouldn’t I live a new life again? And wouldn’t I become like Artshever, just as Artshever is me?
I can’t guarantee it.
“Artshever…… what was his beginning like?”
Was he the second son of a Duke? Or the second son of a farmer? Or, who knows, he might have been born as a second daughter or an eldest daughter. Since he lived thousands of lives, gender itself is meaningless, but I’m still curious.
How did he feel when he went back in time, when he woke up in a parallel dimension very similar to the one he lived in? Was his death a natural one? Did he love Levidian there too?
Damn it. This is ridiculous.
It really turned out just like the ancient sages said?
He who conquers himself will conquer the world.
If there’s a guy like this who directly confronts himself, how would the sages’ expressions change? Haha!
Aila chided me for my worries. As if a smart and clever daughter was pointing out her father’s slight shortcomings, she said there was no need to worry at all.
She said that everything would be resolved if I just killed Artshever. Brandiego just recently told me how to kill him.
Now, there’s nothing left to do but go to the Imperial Capital and have the final showdown.
However, there’s still a knot in my heart. I’ve missed something. It’s something very important, but I can’t even remember the clue properly, so it’s just a faint memory.
I have to think. It could be a question, or it could be an important clue. I have no idea what it is, but I’m sure it’s important.
“Phew, damn it. This is driving me crazy.”
I put out my cigarette and ran my hand roughly through my hair. The perplexity that I usually feel when I don’t know where to untangle a tangled thread came over me.
As luck would have it, that perplexity always comes to torment me when everything is going well. Will I never have peace of mind?
Caw! This is unfair! While others are worried about their relationships with other people, I’m only worried about how to fight myself! I admit that this is a truly rare concern, but that doesn’t mean I should be happy about it!
“You have a look on your face like you’re thinking about something terribly strange.”
“Eek? Levidian?”
“Levidian is correct, but what’s with the ‘Eek?’ before that?”
As if she had just washed up, she was wearing comfortable clothes with a towel around her neck. The downside is that the clothes are excessively comfortable.
She quietly walked up to me and locked eyes with me. I haven’t done anything wrong, but I feel like avoiding her gaze. In front of her, I can’t help but feel small.
She said,
“Tell me.”
“Pardon?”
“Tell me. What were you worrying about this time? If you’re thinking of keeping it to yourself like last time, I won’t let you off the hook this time.”
“Ah, well, you see, that is……”
I hesitated. Should I tell her this? But I don’t want to cause her unnecessary worry. However, I also promised to tell her whenever I have concerns, and I hate being hated even more.
While I was thinking that, she put the towel around my neck and pulled me close. I almost headbutted her, but fortunately, such a mishap didn’t happen.
However, I had to look at her face from close range and face those black diamond-like eyes without being able to avoid them.
She said,
“Tell me, quickly.”
“Well, Ibi, that is……”
“Are you going to hate me?”
She’s being unfair. No, about half the people in the world are unfair. Because they have the magic to make the other half of the world say anything.
I don’t know which god it is, but anyway, it’s unfair.
I spoke with a feeling of resignation.
“I hope I don’t get hit after telling you, but would you please untie this first?”
After being released, I told her about the whole story of my worries. However, I left out the part about missing something. I think I need to think about that a little more slowly.
After listening to my story, she nodded.
“That’s a pointless worry.”
“As always, you’re very insightful.”
“Don’t mention it. Of course, if you really live about 1,611 times, you might become Artshever. I’m not Risel, so I don’t know how you feel. But I do know this one thing.”
She placed her hand on her chest. As if feeling her heartbeat with her hand, she lowered her eyes slightly and then smiled brightly.
“Live in the present.”
Her expression was full of confidence.
“And live gratefully for the present. Risel, even if you live a third, fourth, and even a 1,611th life, you won’t be twisted like Artshever. Because you know. You know how precious what you have now is.”
Ah, of course, I do. I know it very well.
I look forward to something better, but I can be content with the present. The reason I say I have a petty bourgeois personality is because I don’t crave endless ambition or aspirations.
I couldn’t say anything. She placed her other hand on her chest and folded them. And with her hands clasped in front of her chest, she said,
“And even if I live 1,611 lives and meet you, jaded……”
“What……?”
“I can confidently say this.”
“What……?”
“I will love you. I believe in you, who have a grateful heart. You won’t lose that. Because that’s who you are.”
I was speechless. She believes in me, even though I don’t quite believe in myself. With a slightly flushed face, Levidian said softly,
“So…… believe in yourself. That won’t happen. And even if it does, don’t worry.”
“Can I not worry?”
“Yes. It will be alright.”
My lady spoke to me with firm conviction.
“Because I’ll be with you then. No matter what time, no matter what dimension, I’ll be with you. And I’ll make sure you don’t lose yourself.”
Ah, I’m definitely a happy man. Because I have her love.
I decided not to suppress the hot emotions welling up in my chest. So I hugged her tightly.
That’s right. Even if I live a third, fourth life, she will be with me. I may not remember her, but I will meet her and love her.
So…… what do I have to worry about?
I spoke to her with all my sincerity. The best words I could say.
“I…… will meet and love Ibi even after an eternity. I love you…… Because that’s who you are……!”
She nodded slightly.
It’s a good thing to have someone you love.
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