Translator: CinderTL
By the time Paul Grayman led the main force of the Northwest Legion to Windbreath Fortress, the Orc rebellion had already been suppressed.
All Orcs who had participated in the rebellion and survived the fighting were imprisoned, while those who hadn't participated were ordered to remain indoors.
In Windbreath Fortress's council chamber, Paul Grayman's fingers drummed absently on the long table. The acrid stench of burnt flesh and blood still lingered in the air, and Harrison's recent report had deepened the frown on Paul's face.
"As for the Orcs in the banquet hall," Harrison reported, "Major Derrick, considering the simultaneous outbreaks of unrest throughout the city, deemed it safest to execute them all."
Paul's fingers froze at the words "execute them all." His gaze swept over the two men before him—General Harrison, who offered a slight nod, and Earl Duke, whose face remained impassive.
"Without any differentiation?" Paul's voice was barely audible, yet it sent a chill through the room. Everyone present sensed an unsettling undertone in his tone—not anger or dissatisfaction, but something akin to stunned disapproval.
"Lord Grayman!" Schroeder, the Chief of Staff, suddenly spoke, his knuckles rapping on the city defense map spread across the table. "Given the urgency of the situation, I believe Major Derrick's actions were entirely justified."
Earl Duke slid a stack of interrogation records across the table to Paul, the edges stained with dried blood.
"The mastermind behind the rebellion was Kargak, leader of the Bloodclaw Tribe. All his surviving accomplices have confessed," the Old Knight said, his voice hoarse but calm. "They had originally planned to strike that very night."
Paul picked up the documents and quickly scanned them.
That evening, Kargak and his followers were preparing to launch their attack when Yuriko's sudden invitation disrupted their plans. Kargak decided to turn the situation to his advantage—a seemingly amicable banquet would be the perfect cover, effectively lowering the humans' guard. Refusing the invitation would only arouse suspicion.
He postponed the rebellion until after the banquet.
"The Orcs who grew impatient waiting for their leader acted prematurely," Duke added coolly. "Kargak clearly overestimated his tribe's patience. Rumors quickly spread among them that the banquet was a trap and that Kargak and his men had already been captured. Unwilling to sit and wait for death, the Orcs launched the rebellion without central leadership."
General Harrison pointed to the Eastern District marker on the map. "If we hadn't preemptively eliminated the plotters in the banquet hall, quelling the riot that night would have been far more difficult."
"Derrick's methods were undeniably brutal," Earl Duke said, meeting Paul's gaze directly. "But if we had let even one of them escape or contact the outside world, it would have been our soldiers and civilians who died that night."
Paul exhaled deeply, his inner turmoil gradually subsiding under their explanations. "Alright," he conceded. "Sometimes cruel choices are necessary. Besides, they were enemies who invaded Aldor, and a foreign race at that!"
As a transmigrator, his old, peace-era sensibilities had largely faded. In his current position, he was beginning to understand the necessity of such iron-fisted measures.
At that moment, the Old Knight's voice rang out again. "Lord Marquis, I further propose executing all Orc prisoners in Windbreath Fortress—indeed, all Orcs captured during this war—to prevent any recurrence of this incident."
"Lord Earl, this is where I must draw the line!" Paul firmly rejected the proposal. "I don't want Aldor's soldiers developing a habit of resolving conflicts through slaughter. We can't set such a precedent."
"Prince Yuriko has arrived," a guard announced, interrupting Earl Duke, who was about to speak.
Paul smiled. "Gentlemen, let's hear what our prince has to say. Show him in!"
Yuriko Rodney stormed into the council hall, his heavy footsteps echoing through the chamber. His armor gleamed blindingly in the morning light, and his cloak billowed like a tempestuous wave with each furious stride.
"Paul!" Yuriko's voice cracked with rage. "Look at the mess your so-called loyal subordinates have made!"
Paul gestured for a servant to offer Yuriko a seat, but the prince remained standing stiffly before him, rooted to the spot like a stubborn tree trunk.
"How much effort did I pour into preparing that banquet!" Yuriko spat, flecks of saliva flying from his mouth. He ripped open the collar of his armor, revealing a silk shirt embroidered with doves—clearly custom-made for the occasion. "And what was the result?!"
"Your soldiers stormed in so rudely, indiscriminately slaughtering all my newly recruited men! By the Heavenly Father, I had just pledged to be their protector!"
"Your Highness," Paul's voice was chillingly calm. "Given the urgency of the situation that night, Major Derrick's actions were entirely justified. Moreover, Kargak, the mastermind behind the plot, was present at your banquet. You can verify this through the testimonies of his accomplices, which are right here on the table."
He turned the arguments Harrison and Duke had made to him earlier against Yuriko.
"What damned testimonies!" The prince's fingers trembled. "Even if Kargak was guilty, what about the others?"
"It's possible they were all involved. We didn't have time to investigate each one individually!"
"But that butcher Derrick didn't even give them a chance to defend themselves! Couldn't they have been detained first?"
Yuriko slammed his fist on the table, rattling the inkwell. "I demand he be brought before the Crystal Glare court!" His roar echoed through the stone chamber. "Relieve that butcher of his command immediately!"
Paul slowly rose, his knuckles pressing against the edge of the table with a dull thud. "With all due respect, Your Highness, I regret to inform you that I cannot comply." His voice was soft, yet it silenced the entire council hall instantly.
"How dare you—!" Yuriko Rodney stared at him in disbelief.
"While Colonel Derrick's methods may not have been perfect, they were authorized by me. I granted him the authority to assess and respond to emergencies in the regions he passed through as he saw fit!" Paul declared firmly.
"If you insist on punishing Derrick, then punish me as well—but I must remind you, Your Highness, that such a decision requires His Majesty the King's approval," Paul added decisively.
The prince's face flushed crimson, his neck guard clicking open and shut with each heavy breath.
"Those generals surrendered to me personally! That was my honor!" he roared. "Yet Derrick has trampled it underfoot!"
"No, Your Highness," Paul countered, his voice suddenly rising. "He precisely protected your honor!"
He pointed to the still-smoldering eastern district visible through the window. "If even one of those Orcs harbored malicious intent—and we've confirmed that at least Kargak, the primary organizer of the rebellion, did—allowing such traitors to live and wreak further havoc would have dealt a severe blow to your reputation and the honor of the royal family."
(End of the Chapter)
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