Queen of The Scalpel - Chapter 96
Four hundred thousand
That is humongous number.
“I don’t know what’s on Mr. Nicholas’ mind.”
Simon Nicholas.
The man who ruled the Fracoen Republic for more than 30 years.
As a matter of fact, the Republic was a Malman Republic, and President Nicholas, bloody dictator, has private possession of it.
“Maybe he is going as far as preventing us in South Black Sea of Crimean Peninsula from moving into the sphere of influence.”
“But that is a bit too much. I am expecting 150,000, 200,000 are even too much to be honest.”
Then Prince Linden, who remained still behind them, said something.
“I think it’s because they felt the sense of crisis.”
“Crisis?”
“Yes, the 2nd Army, who are currently on an expedition to Crème is winning without that much damage. Thanks to Lady Clorance, the intervention of Monsel Kingdom, who are the ploy of the Republicans, was prevented without too much severities and the epidemic ended in less casualties. If the expedition continues, the Crème Peninsula will fall into our empire. We can’t turn the tides with just minimal and decent army support. We believe that this is what caused them to feel pressure and sent a great amount of army.”
It was an accurate deduction that was based on the information sent by an informant who had slipped into the Republic’s government.
“We can’t just back down just like that. But it’ll spark into an all-out war if that’s the case.”
“Yes, it’s going to be a big war.”
It was such a shallow job.
The only reason Elise had advised for strategy in the past was to minimize the damage of the war, but it came back like a boomerang and became an excuse for massive expansion.
“Only moneylenders would love it. Everyone would want to borrow a lot from here and there. Don’t you think those people like their job? Lending money and taking interest in case there is a war.”
“I know right.”
Marquis Elle smiled bitterly.
Money-maker.
It refers to the second son of a nobleman. No, to be exact, it refers to the family of Childe, an international financial conglomerate which he managed.
The Childe family wasn’t just in the Britia Empire. They are also influential in Republic of Francoen, Supenia Kingdom and Froscien Kingdom.
They have great influence in the Western powers, and are running numerous banks.
Those who are influential, hold the purse strings of the West.
With such money and power, Minchester, the emperor, is utterly helpless.
“Chancellor”
“Yes, your majesty?”
“How many standby armies can we put out?”
“They are about 150,000 soldiers under the Romanoff order is in the jurisdiction of north of the Western continent. But it’ll take a lot of time for the troops of other continents to mobilize.”
“That’s what thought so.”
Minchester sighed.
He didn’t like the situation, but he had no choice either.
Minchester looked at his old friend, Marquis Elle, who also briefly turned into his friend’s eyes.
“In every noble family, at least two people will have to fight. Will you be okay, Elle?”
“…!”
The face of the Marquis hardened when he realized the meaning behind the question.
But he shook his head firmly.
“Why bother asking me that question? Fighting for the country is the greatest honor of the noble people.”
“Yes, thank you for saying that. I’m sorry for that. May the God’s house be in Clarence.”
Two war veterans.
That means that the two sons of Marquis Elle, Len and Chris, should all join the war.
In the worst case scenario, if both of them would be killed in action, they are cutting the line of duty.
However, no matter how noble they are, there are not exempted in fighting for their country. No, they are high-ranking noblemen, so they had to set an example like a reference book.
Noblesse Oblige.
Because that is the long tradition of the Britia Empire, and the honor of the nobility.
If their sons are all killed in the war and their families are cut off, they have to adopt a relative to continue their family lineage.
‘Please don’t let that happen. I hope both of them will come back healthy. Please.’
Marquis Elle prayed eagerly within his heart.
The emperor is also having mixed emotions just as him.
“Linden, you must be careful, too. Even someone like you who have ability won’t be able to avoid bullets.”
The emperor said with his father’s heart.
The imperial family is no exception to the military service duty.
No. He must take the lead for each and every one.
-The army fights for Romanoff, and the Romanoff imperial family fights for their motherland, Britia!
This was the principle of the Britia Empire.
As a matter of fact, two years ago, during the Angelli War in the Dark Continent, the first, second and third princes all participated. Among the three, the first prince was killed with a gunshot by the Republicans.
When he saw the body of the First Prince who was not properly taken care, Minchester couldn’t even she tears in front of others because he is a king and kings shouldn’t falter and show his shaking face. But he didn’t know how many times he cried secretly.
No matter how thick blooded he is, he is still the father of the country. The death of his son feels like there was a drove nail right into his chest. Fifteen years ago, it was the second major event since the tragedy of the imperial family.
After that, he never wanted to see his own lineage die again, but now he couldn’t help it.
And then again, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince will participate again this time in order to fulfill the imperial duty.
“—.”
He looked back at the Crown Prince, who is looking at him silently.
His son, who is superior to anyone else, had lost his emotions after the tragedy on that day.
‘It’s all my fault.’
The emperor laughed bitterly.
He knew everything. The one who hurt Linden the most is what happened on ‘that day’. Even now, he is still feeling pained, what about when he was still young?
If only it can be reversed just like that.
No, even if we go back to that time, will we be able to prevent it?
Minchester stood up from his seat and walked to the window.
In the open view, I could see the view of the capital, Londo that is habituated of 2.5 million citizens.
“It’s a fine day.”
The panoramic view of his beloved capital. I devoted my whole life for this foreground and the citizens too. So that’s why he received praises for being part of the monarchy.
But was his life even meaningful enough? What is the life of this person called Minchester de Romanoff?
“What a lovely day.” He muttered.
Is it because the sky is dazzling and clear?
There was a sudden gust of wind.
‘I’d like to see Linden get engaged to that child Elise before I ascend.’
But then, there was something that Minchester is not aware of.
In addition to Francoenian war, there is another sinister that will befall upon Londo and that is the Second Londo epidemic.
On Elise previous life, it is a plague that killed more than 100,000 people in the downtown Londo. And at this very moment, each hospital in Londo, deaths are slowly occurring.