Chapter 81: Before Spring Comes (4) The rules of engagement issued to the military for the suppression of Genen were as follows:
[Threats using suppression batons are permitted, but striking vital points that may be life-threatening or firing directly at civilians is prohibited. Tank shelling is also limited to the most conspicuous surrounding structures, rather than human targets.]
The logic was simple.
The Imperial Army was an elite organization under absolute control. Therefore, they were not to wield martial force indiscriminately. Excessive violence would only diminish the dignity of the Empire.
However, the punishment for the protest leaders remained consistently severe.
As the situation grew desperate, the 'subversive elements' were forced to take risks to contact one another, only to be caught in the dense web of surveillance laid out by the Genen Annex. The moment their coordinates were identified, investigators descended upon them like wolves.
Their ultimate fate would be decided later, based on their status, origin, and the severity of their reactionary acts.
Rumble—! Rumble—!
Tanks patrolled the streets of Genen morning and night. The thunderous vibration of their treads became the city's only noise.
Shops and businesses closed their doors, and factories ground to a halt. All economic activity in Genen ceased. The city was thoroughly blockaded, a lonely island cut off from the outside world.
Like a tightening noose, like being submerged in water, the suppression was slowly drowning them...
* * *
In an interrogation room where pale lights flickered and swayed, I looked at Elias, who sat across from me.
"Elias."
His grandfather was a fallen Imperial noble, and his grandmother was a local. A native born and raised in Genen, he had lived there his entire life with his parents. He was a primary surveillance target for Zendo, the student council president of Genen Central University, and a talented individual with elite-level insight despite still being a student.
He was a prime candidate for a political criminal, but he was not Izenheim.
"Do you know why you were brought here?"
Elias quietly lifted his gaze. I placed the note found on his person onto the table.
[ There is urgent information to deliver. To Rendezvous Point 3. ]
"Someone betrayed you. Likely one of the people closest to you."
He bit his lip hard, his eyes trembling minutely.
"It was probably the work of someone who wants to escalate this situation even further. If you are killed in any fashion, you will become a martyr for Genen, igniting an even more vast wildfire here."
"...What is it you're trying to say?"
I looked deep into his eyes.
"I'll ask. Do you want independence for Genen?"
"Ha. You Imperialists always say things like that."
Elias snorted as if the question were absurd.
"Most people in Genen aren't interested in something as grand as independence. Everyone knows that as long as the Empire exists, it's impossible. In fact, many people look down on the independence faction's protests as pathetic. But..."
He took a moment to catch his breath.
He began to vomit out the words he had prepared, words he had kept buried in his heart for a long time.
"The so-called nobles of the Empire buy up high-ranking positions in the Governor-General's office as if they were at an auction. Those who secure their positions with money exploit Genen's industries and commercial districts to recoup their investment and line their pockets during their term. The people of Genen are constantly paying taxes of dubious origin."
I listened in silence.
"Genen was once a republic, but we have used the Imperial language as our official tongue since ancient times. The roots of our cultures are intertwined. That is why, when the Empire proposed annexation, the Imperial Family explicitly stated they would treat the people of Genen as 'Friends of Aran,' not as a conquered people."
Heat seeped into Elias's voice.
"At the time, the Empire needed stability in the rear due to the Western War, and Genen joined the Empire to provide rear garrison troops in exchange for the promise of an autonomous region and citizenship. That is the historical basis and the contract of the annexation. That is why the slogan 'Keep your promises' always appears in Genen's protests."
I had heard he handled most academic subjects at a scholarly level, and he certainly knew his history.
It was an accurate account.
"But no one treats a friend like this."
Elias glared at me. His gaze was filled with a characteristic spirit—the kind of look corrupt nobles hated most.
I gave a small smile and asked back.
"Then, do I look like an enemy to you?"
"A friend doesn't bring hundreds of tanks with him."
"No. You're wrong."
I leaned forward quietly and looked into Elias's golden eyes.
"Your real enemy is the one inducing meaningless resistance and trying to drag external forces into Genen."
Suddenly, Elias's expression stiffened.
"The one who sees this procession of tanks and still insists on turning Genen into a bloodbath."
Clearly, a certain face had come to his mind.
"Those people are your enemies."
"..."
He shook his head as if trying to deny it.
"The idea that we must become a bloodbath before we can finally sit at the negotiating table isn't necessarily wrong either. Because our opponent is you—someone like you."
Elias's voice trembled.
He was feeling fear as he faced me. He was forcing himself to endure his wavering heart as he dealt with me.
I let out a short laugh.
"Since you've dragged me into this, your resistance has already succeeded. Thanks to you, I've learned of the incompetence of the trash in the Governor-General's office. This incident will serve as an excellent pretext."
"...A pretext, you say?"
"Yes. A pretext's outcome changes depending on who interprets it and how."
Pretext. The most important, yet arbitrary, value in this Empire.
I watched Elias with the poise of a high noble.
"One person might use this riot as an excuse to strengthen the authority of the Governor-General's office and tighten the noose around Genen even further. Another might emphasize the office's incompetence and use it as a reason to tear them down and start over."
In the end, everything goes according to the will of the strong.
"In your eyes, what kind of person do you think I am?"
My reflection was mirrored in Elias's golden pupils.
"Do I look like someone who would act for the convenience of those fools in the Governor-General's office?"
Ebenholtz. A family far grander and more noble than some provincial office in Genen.
I spoke nonchalantly—as if describing my daily routine.
"I will cut their throats. I don't even need to explain their crimes one by one. In an era where incompetence is a sin, their incompetence caused this situation."
Elias swallowed hard without a word.
"I will also be deeply involved in the vacuum left by their disappearance. As the commander who suppressed this riot."
Genen was like a honey pot to the corrupt nobles of the Empire. Everything Elias had just said was true.
"But, who would dare try to bribe an Ebenholtz? What kind of bribe could possibly work on an Ebenholtz?"
The very idea was laughable. No one would even dare suggest a bribe to an Ebenholtz.
When the new Genen Governor-General's office was formed, I would establish my own standards.
"Elias."
I stared at him with a faint smile.
"I am Maximilian of Ebenholtz."
A true noble, qualitatively distinct from all the fakes you've seen until now.
"If you trust me, Genen will be filled with better people."
However, Elias still could not let go of his suspicion. It was only natural. Too many pieces of trash had committed too many atrocities.
"Now, return to where you came from."
However, I was willing to wait.
I had more than enough patience for that.
"By now, the ones who betrayed you are likely claiming you were kidnapped or killed under torture, inciting a fight to the death. They are probably praying more fervently than anyone that your corpse is found in the most gruesome state possible."
Thud.
I took out an artifact box and placed it on the table.
"They'll be quite flustered when you return alive. They'll become very desperate. In fact, if you speak about me there, they'll try to turn you into a real corpse, even if it's late. I guarantee it."
Inside were a silver necklace and a terminal.
"The necklace is an artifact containing an Aura Shield, and the terminal is equipped with a signal transmitter. Just press the button, and my people will come to you."
"..."
I was certain. Izenheim, on the other side, would try to kill Elias by any means necessary.
"The choice is yours. If the people around you are truly the righteous comrades you wish to believe in, you won't need to use this."
I stood up. I reached out and helped Elias to his feet as well.
"But—listen well. Elias Walter, son of Ernst Walter."
Walter was an Imperial surname.
Therefore, I placed my hand on his shoulder. I looked closely into his face.
"The blood of an Imperial noble flows within you."
Though he was from a fallen house, he was still one who bore the traces of the Empire.
"An enemy of the Empire can never be a friend of Genen."
With my own hands, I smoothed his disheveled clothes, straightened his collar, and whispered softly.
"I believe you, of all people, will know the true path for the sake of Genen."
* * *
Elias stepped out of the car.
Step.
As his feet hit the pavement, Zendo spoke to him.
"We'll be nearby. Signal us if anything dangerous happens. Don't forget."
"..."
As Elias walked unsteadily, his eyes suddenly caught the line of tanks blocking the university's main gate. He stared up at them blankly before finally lowering his gaze.
Instead of the main gate, he entered the university grounds through a pre-arranged crawlspace and approached the entrance of the main building.
"Who goes there!"
Students standing guard raised their swords and guns, aiming at him. Their eyes were filled with murderous intent, but they were soon startled upon recognizing Elias's face.
"Pre—President?!"
"You're alive!"
Their reaction was as if they had seen a ghost. It must have been because rumors were circulating that he had been kidnapped and killed.
"Where are the other executives?"
"They're in the main building's conference room right now. We... we all thought you were taken and killed..."
Elias entered the main building and climbed the stairs.
Outside the conference room, heated voices leaked out loudly.
—It must be the work of the Secret Police Bureau, those Imperial bastards!
—If the President doesn't return...
—...We still can't confirm his location, goddammit!
Elias gently pushed the door open.
Creeeak.
Instantly, all voices cut off. Dozens of eyes fixed on Elias simultaneously.
Surprise, joy, or bewilderment.
Among those standing with their mouths agape, Elias sensed a few whose reactions were uniquely out of place.
Vender, Loren... and Kasim.
"President!"
"Pre—President! You're alive!"
Everyone rushed toward Elias. What happened? Why did you suddenly disappear? Amidst the deluge of questions, Elias patted their shoulders.
In his ears, Maximilian's voice echoed coldly.
'The one who sees this procession of tanks and still insists on turning Genen into a bloodbath. Those people are your enemies.'
Elias shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"...Everyone."
Taking a deep breath, he made a clear declaration.
"Prepare to disperse."
A heavy silence fell over the conference room.
"What?"
"We must not shed any more blood. Stop the rally and vacate the school."
Elias looked at the student council executives. They all seemed to have much to say, but he did not allow it.
"By the authority of the Student Council President."
This was not because he trusted Maximilian.
Rather, it was because he trusted those beside him.
It was to save them.
"I'm asking you to disperse the rally. If we don't leave, more people will die tonight."
They had been together. They had united for the solidarity of Genen, for a better tomorrow.
That was why he hoped. He hoped their intentions were still pure, that they could stay together longer to plan for the distant future...
"Trust me and follow me."
...
Night deepened.
While the students prepared to leave, Elias sat in the student council room, his face buried in his hands, as a candle flickered.
"Sigh..."
Knock, knock.
The sound of a knock overlapped with his sigh. Elias stood up as if he had been waiting and opened the door. Kasim was standing there.
"Elias."
Kasim stepped inside and closed the door.
"No, seriously. Who on earth did you meet?"
Elias looked at him intently.
There was a hint of haste in his tone. His eyes wavered anxiously.
"I didn't meet anyone."
"What? Then you just suddenly disappeared and reappeared?"
"Yeah."
Elias gave a bitter smile.
"I was hiding for a bit to see what you guys would think without me."
Kasim blinked, then let out a hollow laugh.
"Ha. Are you kidding me right now? Tell me the truth."
In him, Elias saw an overlap with the Kasim from a long time ago, from their childhood.
"Kasim. How many years has it been since we've known each other?"
"...About thirteen years."
"It's been a very long time."
Thirteen years. It was a long time. He had now known Kasim for more years than he hadn't. They were likely no different from brothers to each other.
"I'll only tell you."
Hoping that Kasim felt the same way, Elias lowered his voice.
"I received a promise. That the current Governor-General's office will be held responsible for this protest and completely purged."
Kasim froze instantly.
"From whom?"
"...From Knight Maximilian."
"..."
The light in Kasim's eyes turned cold. His nose twitched, and then his lips twisted.
"So you went and met Maximilian?"
"Yes."
"...I see."
Kasim reached into his coat. Elias did not try to wipe the smile from his face. It was because he didn't want to doubt him—his comrade and friend.
"You believed the words of that monster-like noble."
Suddenly, a fragment of a cold sneer bloomed on Kasim's lips.
"How filthy."
"...What?"
Shink.
He pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Elias's heart.
"Elias."
It was a handmade firearm. The kind often used by Secret Police Bureau agents—likely a ruse to frame someone else.
"You should have died a hero."
* * *
The magic bullet fired from the silencer struck his heart. Elias collapsed with a groan, curling his body into a fetal position.
"You turncoat bastard."
Kasim looked down at Elias with cold eyes before stepping toward the window.
"Come in."
He gestured toward the interior, and just as his 'comrades' waiting outside were about to burst in—
Click.
Elias pressed the button on the terminal.
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