I Reincarnated as a Villain of an RPG, But I Want to Survive - CH 69

However, now I have a job and a family

I must fulfill my work duty first

That’s why I’m currently at the imperial castle, as a Twelve Apostles

「For the agenda of today’s meeting……」

I was wondering why the twelve of us are called here……

It’s just for a meeting, huh?

Maybe a new enemy-ish enemy appeared after we united the continent, and this meeting is to discuss some kind of plan about it?

「……it’s about the Resistance」

「Ah, it’s them」

Resistance

That is a familiar name for me, who had played 『Beast Fantasy 4』 in my previous life

I think it’s not necessary to refer to them as 『rebel army』 anymore. It’s a term refers to the resistance movement against an influential person or an army, or the group who do that

『Beast Fantasy 4』 is the game depicting the battle against the empire army, so it’s natural to have a force that opposes it

The one who directly destroys the empire is the protagonist Sero. Resistance is the indispensable group that supports Sero from behind

In the game, if you don’t know what to do, they will usually tell you if you visit the Resistance’s headquarter

You can also receive sub quests there

As those who aim to destroy the empire, the protagonist Sero and the Resistance have a thoroughly cooperative relationship

「After receiving your urgent summoning, I was wondering what is going on, but isn’t it just a silly matter?」

Said the rank tenth of the Twelve Apostles, Gashiep

It’s Gashi-kun

In the span of two years, he becomes more dignified after receiving more combat experience

He established an orphanage in the slum where he was raised and became its director, so he is popular with the masses as the guardian of the city

He has the boss-like look from the beginning, so it’s quite appropriate for him

「After defeating Bresden kingdom, our empire doesn’t have any enemy any more. After that, we concentrated our effort on domestic and solidified the control of the empire. In such situation, should we be bothered by a small fry like the Resistance?」

「I agree with Gashi’s opinion」

Said Rei while raising his hand

Or, the ninth rank Reinight

He, who is originally an imperial noble, stands in the position of the noble class

Gashi, representing the common folk and Rei, representing the noble

Since those two are sworn friends who shared their hardships together since the days of being common soldiers, the social status conflicts which is common in various countries is softened here. That is very good

「Looking out for the unseen enemies is indeed important. But if we evaluate the weaklings too much and are afraid of them more than necessary, we will be criticized as cowards. Us Twelve Apostles are the symbol of strength of the empire. We must be composed enough to match that image」

「Aren’t the “hiding in the basement” Resistance just a bunch of weaklings not worthy to mind?」

「Your will」

By the way, the one who arranged this Twelve Apostles meeting is the first rank Grey Ryuuga

Well, it’s natural since he’s the first rank

In the previous Bresden war, he left behind multiple achievements and became famous with the story of him destroying the enemy’s most elite force, the Sapphire chivalric order, by himself

Thanks to that, he lived up to his name as the strongest of the Twelve Apostles, and his failure of being defeated by me at the beginning was forgiven

After gaining sufficient war record, his hidden position as the prince was officially announced. The setup for him to succeed the country is being arranged steadily at the moment

「In fact, those guys weren’t just being formed yesterday or today. Their actions were clearly confirmed in four or five years ago」

「During that time, they were unable to visibly damage our empire even once. They are just a bunch of barking dogs without power」

The evaluation of the Resistance from the Twelve Apostles was harsh

In times like this……

「Seki」

The real name of the rank eleventh of the Twelve Apostles, Sekito was called

His rank is low, but his senses were sharpened with the power of Beast demon, so he is able to pick up all information

Particularly, his rabbit ears can catch any secret talks, no matter how small it is, and was nicknamed 『Rabbit ears of hell』

In a sense, he is the most terrifying among the Twelve Apostles

「How do you see the Resistance?」

When you want to hear from a different perspective, Seki is the best narrator

The amount of information he has is just that different

Based on what we don’t know, he can show a surprisingly worthy analysis

「The leading members of the Resistance are the remnants from the towns or countries what were destroyed by the empire. They have lost, yet still resist. Their purpose is to overthrow the empire and revive each of their motherlands」

「Fumu, that is not a hard to understand motive……」

「However, I can’t deny the feeling of mish-mash. In the front, they gathered together with a big purpose like 『overthrowing the empire』. But in the back side, lots of conflicts are caused due to the difference from various profit objectives. The countries which were enemies before their downfall also joined the Resistance, so saying they are united is……」

As expected of Seki

Making his own analysis and combining with concrete facts

「Tsk, in short, they are a bunch of mobs, isn’t it? We have more reason to not take the first move」

「Depending on the situation, there is a chance that they will self-destruct. Let’s calmly watch over while silently applying pressure in both domestic and foreign. The important thing is to not give them the gap they can take advantage of」

If the empire’s governance is firm then the rebels won’t have the chance to shake it

「Tracking the Resistance was previously the job of the military police, right? Can’t we just leave it to them now?」

「Umu, is that so……?」

Grey Ryuuga, the one making the proposal, was beaten more than expected and dropped his shoulders

That is not the dignity of a prince. Shall I give him a help?

「The enemies aren’t just what you can see」

Everyone’s gaze gathered at me as I spoke

「What inside each of us……, negligence or self-conceit, are also powerful enemies. There are lots of examples about powerful people being ruined by them」

「I understand that much, but why suddenly?」

「That is what Grey Ryuuga-sama wanted to say, right?」

I made up the explaination

「For us who don’t have any enemies nearby, the most frightening thing is the loosening of the heart. In order to remove it and make us focus, the prince is using problem of the still smoldering Resistance as an example」

「……!?」

Even though it’s just made up, everyone looked like they have been enlightened

「It’s certain that the enemies are weak, but they haven’t given up their wish to oppose the empire. If we don’t have a gap, they are small fries that can’t do anything, but on the contrary, they will jump at us without hesitation if there is a gap. Even a small wound can eventually become fatal」

「Isn’t that being worry too much? I said many times already, but those guys don’t have such power……!?」

「It’s not the problem of that side. It’s the problem about our readiness. No matter who or what kind of hindrance occurred, we must not be waver……Is that so, Grey Ryuuga-sama」

The empire’s strongest makes a 『eh?』 as he’s being mentioned

「U,……umu! That’s right! To be able to property catch what I mean, as expected of my right-hand Jirat!」

Somehow I was made up to be his right hand

「Jira is stealing the show as usual……!」

「But Jira’s point is correct. Because there is no big, visible enemy, our heart becomes our biggest enemy」

However, is this fine for an evil empire’s meeting?

Normally, in such cases, sarcasms and objections would fly out from all sides from the beginning, and the atmosphere would be strained

The Twelve Apostles’ meetings are always harmonious

「Selen, you want some candies?」

「Yes」

It’s like this

「Then, the countermeasure for the Resistance will continue to be given to the military police. Sekito, I leave it to you」

「I got it」

Sekito, the eleventh rank of the Twelve Apostles, as well as the commander of the military police

「May the rest of us continue our duties without slacking. Then, we will disband today」

「Well, it’s over! Jira, let’s go back quickly to make children!」

Saraka, don’t say something like that so loudly

However……

「Grey Ryuuga-sama」

「Umu? What’s up Jirat? You feel like receiving the peerage award?」

That reminds me, I need to talk about that too

But it’s wrong

「In fact, about the Resistance, there is something on my mind so I’m thinking of moving on my own. I just leave a word to you」

「……All members of the Twelve Apostles are allowed to act and judge on their own. You can do as you please. However, that 『something on my mind』 is……?」

「It’s something personal」

With this, approval for taking independent action has been obtained

For now, let’s move as I like

「What! Then how about us!?」

「I was thinking of making out with Jira all afternoon!?」

It was troublesome to soothe my two grumbling wives