"Regarding the garrison quota at Yule Mountain Pass, after consultation with Great General Budo, it is set at 36,000 troops. What are the opinions of the Southwestern Defense Army?"
"Great General, this subordinate believes that such a large number is unnecessary for now... After your recent campaign, the southern tribes have already lost their strength. Setting the Yule Mountain Pass garrison at 21,000 should be sufficient. Furthermore, I suggest that our defensive line can be expanded outward, advancing by units of one thousand soldiers to gradually compress the living space of the foreign tribes."
Turning toward the voice, Selene realized that the one speaking on behalf of the Southwestern Defense Army was actually someone familiar — the officer who had once guided her southward during her expedition. Judging by his rank insignia, it seemed he had been promoted since then.
"Hmm, that makes sense... However, let's proceed by training under the 36,000 standard for now. As for your proposal, submit a detailed plan to Great General Budo within three days for final approval," Selene replied.
"Yes, ma'am!"
...
"Next, the third topic: the strategy for encircling and suppressing the southern rebel forces. This will be handled by the provincial defense troops in the southern region. Remember—follow the principle that Great General Budo and I have set: carry out simultaneous military suppression and resource blockade. Replace the former 'better to kill by mistake than let one go' approach with division and infiltration. Be lenient to those who surrender voluntarily."
"Yes, ma'am!"
...
"Now for the fourth topic: the overall re-equipment and armament renewal plan for the Imperial Army..."
...
"The eighth topic: review of all submitted promotion reports..."
...
Without exception, nearly every proposal passed unanimously. Although the meeting was described as one where all participants could freely voice their opinions, everyone knew the truth.
Big meetings were held for small matters, while small meetings were held for big matters—and the most important matters were never discussed in meetings at all!
The more people attended a meeting, the less important it likely was. On the other hand, truly important discussions were held in small circles—often behind closed doors in the offices of those in power.
Crucial issues were never discussed publicly. Instead, meetings that resolved nothing were held repeatedly. Small circles made the big decisions, while large conferences were merely for show.
This principle applied everywhere, across all times and nations.
The debriefing conference was merely a formality, meant to brief the provincial defense officers on the Empire's development priorities for the next two years—and incidentally, to gather the Empire's commanders under one roof, letting them all appear before each other as a reminder of authority.
Time passed quickly, and soon the debriefing conference drew to a close.
"The final topic concerns the Empire's main campaign objectives for the next two years. My proposal: the western frontier."
"Due to the complex terrain of the western mountains, there are numerous bandit groups wandering about. According to intelligence from the Imperial Assassination Unit, an elite detachment of the southern rebel army has been sighted within the Komodoensis Mountain Range in the west. They are to be prioritized for annihilation."
"In addition to the Western Defense Army's participation, I have decided to assign a portion of the Imperial Capital's elite forces to join the operation."
What was originally thought to be a mere formality suddenly caught everyone's attention. At Selene's words, declaring that elite troops from the Capital would also be dispatched, the legion commanders in the audience immediately perked up. This was a prime opportunity to earn military merit!
Kinshasa, commander of the Eighth Legion of the Imperial Guard, was the first to raise his hand. "Great General, I request permission for the Eighth Legion to undertake this campaign."
The hall fell silent after Kinshasa's declaration. The legion commanders exchanged glances, the air instantly thick with rivalry.
"No, no, Great General, our Sixth Legion specializes in mountain warfare. We are far better suited for this task," argued the commander of the Sixth Legion.
"I believe the Twelfth Legion would be more appropriate," another countered.
"Bah! The west is all mountains! What business does a naval division like your Twelfth Legion have there?!"
"What's that supposed to mean? You think the navy can't fight on land? We're just as strong as you are!"
"You're dreaming."
"Nonsense! I say the Fourth Legion is the most qualified. You juniors can stay in the back!"
The verbal sparring quickly escalated. Aside from the First Legion—whose duty was to guard the Imperial Palace and thus remained silent—the remaining eleven legion commanders began pushing, glaring, and shouting at one another. Though brothers-in-arms, none would yield when their legion's honor was on the line.
The scene was so heated that the provincial officers watching from the sidelines could hardly suppress their laughter. If not for Selene's timely intervention, the solemn and dignified assembly hall might well have erupted into an all-out brawl.
Annoyed by the escalating chaos, Selene expelled all of the arguing commanders from the chamber, granting each of them half an hour of free-fall punishment. In the end, she decided against sending the Imperial Guard to join the campaign and instructed the attending officials to inform Honest instead—the Imperial Assassination Unit under his command would handle the mission.
"Then... this meeting is adjourned!" Selene declared, and in the next instant, she vanished from sight.
Once Selene departed, the gathered officers began to disperse as well, chatting and laughing as they went. Among them, only Najenda wore a troubled expression.
She still couldn't grow accustomed to the Imperial Guard's tendency to rejoice at the prospect of war. To them, war seemed to be nothing more than a convenient path to glory and promotion.
Moreover, Najenda disapproved of the plan to suppress the western bandits. Those so-called outlaws were, in her eyes, nothing more than impoverished peasants driven to desperation. They could easily be pacified through negotiation—why must the Empire always choose ruthless extermination?
...
Imperial Palace — Honest's Private Quarters.
"So, Selene and Budo actually agreed to let you go? I thought Selene would keep you under her thumb forever," Minister Honest said, speaking with his mouth full as he tore into a massive slab of roasted meat.
"...Well, it's fine either way. A promise is a promise. As long as you can properly train your new legion, you can wage war against the northern tribes to your heart's content. Why, you might even earn yourself the title of Great General one day."
Esdeath remained silent. She had no interest in the title of Great General, but the opportunity to pursue her true goal made the offer worth accepting. After a pause, she nodded. "That day will come. However..."
"To organize and train a new legion, aside from funding, I'll need a number of capable assistants," she added, seizing the chance to state her terms.
Minister Honest stroked his greasy beard with one oil-slicked hand and nodded. "Whoever you need, name them."
"Hehe... those words are enough," Esdeath replied with a faint, satisfied smile.
...
Imperial Prison — Death Row.
This was where the Empire's death row inmates were confined. Ordinary criminals sentenced to death could sometimes be pardoned if someone of sufficient rank—such as a general—intervened. But those placed in death row cells were beyond redemption.
These prisoners were the ones who had offended the Empire's nobility or higher officials. Without Minister Honest's personal approval—or the intervention of one of the two Great Generals—they would languish here, tortured until death finally claimed them.
"Where is the warden?" Esdeath asked as she walked through the dim, foul-smelling corridor, her boots echoing against the damp stone.
"The warden received orders from some high-ranking official to personally grant amnesty to a death row inmate. I'm not sure about the details," the guard beside her replied nervously.
"A high-ranking official... granting amnesty to a death row inmate?"
A command important enough to send the warden himself? Esdeath's brow furrowed. A sudden sense of foreboding gripped her. "Don't tell me someone's beaten me to it..."
Her pace quickened instantly.
Meanwhile, deep within the death row chambers, before a solitary cell—
The warden stood holding a decree of pardon signed by a certain individual. "By the order of..."