Do Your Own Revolution

#084

The death of Count Elcryer.

And the discovery of his secret experiments.

When these major incidents that shook the entire family occurred in succession, the Elcryer branches remaining in the homeland immediately showed their reactions.

Shock, disbelief, despair.

There were countless people trying to leave the family, and some nobles had already denied their relationship with them, prostrating themselves before the Emperor.

However, here in the Elcryer territory.

Among those gathered in the conference hall of the mansion, there were none who could do that.

The direct line of Count Elcryer’s family, its branches, and the Knight Order under them.

For those who directly inherited the count’s imprint, abandoning their family was nonsense.

“The final report has arrived. Lord Martin is officially deceased. The magic imprint… was lost along with the body.”

“…!”

“Ah, such a thing…!”

At the sorrowful voice flowing from the mansion’s head butler’s lips, sighs escaped from the nobles in attendance.

“Lord Martin… Perhaps it was a mistake to elevate him as the head of the family.”

The one who spoke those words was a noble with three stroke imprint.

Following him, the ones opening their mouths were the elders of the Elcryer family.

“The Elcryer magic imprint is without exception passed down to the one with the most outstanding magical power. Isn’t that tradition the very reason he became the head of the family?”

“To think that someone who ascended to the position of family head would do such things!”

“There’s too much evidence. The Imperial family won’t stay quiet, how should we explain this…!”

“Explain? Don’t make me laugh.”

Unlike the count himself who was a fanatical researcher, they were much closer to being politicians.

However, while listening to the words spilling from the elders’ mouths, Martan, the acting head who succeeded the count, sneered.

“Do you think you can avoid responsibility by kneeling before the Imperial capital?”

“K-khm…!”

“T-that is…”

When met with the acting head Martan’s sharp gaze, the elders quietly averted their eyes.

It wasn’t as if these chattering elders had opposed the monster research either.

“Who secretly collected research data on monsters by dealing with the Republic? And who sold the count’s research to other noble families? Did you think I wouldn’t know?”

“A-acting Head, sir…!”

Foolish old men.

Looking at the elders who were flustered at his rebuke, Martan, who had suddenly inherited the count’s position, heaved a deep sigh.

However, such displeasure was merely a facade.

In reality, he saw the current situation as an opportunity.

‘…The dream I couldn’t achieve because of that Martin fellow, I’ll achieve it like this.’

Research on monsters, and human experiments.

Although inhumane crimes that were difficult to even speak of had been discovered, thanks to this, he was able to ascend to the position of family head.

If he could overcome this crisis now, it meant he could take control of the entire Count Elcryer family.

For him, the current situation had become a watershed moment for his advancement.

“So, how does the main family plan to respond to this?”

“The Imperial family has already started moving. We don’t have time!”

“There’s no need to worry.”

To the words of the collateral members who had been terrified since earlier, he waved his hand as if it were nothing.

“This experiment was possible in the first place because the Emperor’s power and authority had weakened. And this power structure is still maintained.”

The Imperial power didn’t reach the territories of magic nobles, and even if they found out, it could be crushed by the political power of the magic nobles.

There were more than enough nobles who shared Elcryer’s research data.

If they united and gathered their strength, even the Emperor wouldn’t be able to touch them easily.

When Acting Head Martan said this, the reactions of those present split into two.

“Hooh, certainly.”

“Then, we should send out contacts as soon as possible.”

The branches close to the main family and the elders were discussing detailed plans in an optimistic atmosphere.

“Y-yes…? No, wait…”

“What nonsense is this…”

The collateral branches at the bottom and some knights were doubting their ears as if they had heard wrong.

“Acting head. That view is because you haven’t seen the current might of the Emperor and Imperial army!”

“They’ve won the war against the Republic and are even expanding their own mage corps. It’s different from before!”

The collateral branches and knights continued to raise their voices.

What these series of movements showed was clear.

The Emperor was now preparing to strike down the magic nobles, and we had become nothing less than the signal flare for that!

However, to these words of those arguing passionately, the old elders seemed unable to sympathize easily.

And the one supporting them was, of all people, Martan, who had risen to the position of acting head.

“How can those who call themselves members of a magic noble house be so steeped in defeatism?”

When the voices from the collateral side became heated, he frowned as if disgusted and questioned.

“Of course, losing the seven stroke imprint is a painful loss. However, this Count Elcryer family has hundreds of knights, private soldiers, and our Knight Order commanders.”

After saying this, Acting Head Martan looked around at the knights lined up behind him.

“Five Knight Order commanders have awakened the five stroke imprint, and though insufficient, I too have awakened the six stroke imprint.”

His voice carried pride in his magic and family.

“Originally, we Elcryer are an alchemist family older than the empire’s history. We’re different from mixed families like Elcidore. Even the Imperial family, they cannot carelessly touch our family.”

“Then, what are you suggesting?”

“Don’t you understand why I gathered all of you here?”

Saying this, Martan opened his mouth while looking around at those present.

“I’ve already gathered the Knight Orders under each Knight Order commander. All preparations for the siege have been completed.”

“Are you saying we should now be hostile to the Imperial family?”

“Nonsense. Rather, I’m saying we don’t even need to go as far as hostility.”

Saying this, Acting Head Martan looked at the pattern on the round table behind his seat at the head.

The emblems of each magic noble family engraved in a large circle.

Looking at this, Martan spoke with a voice full of conviction.

“No matter how much the Emperor’s faction and Imperial army have grown their strength, it’s nothing compared to the power our Round Table has accumulated all this time. The Emperor must know this well too.”

Then even if the corruption was exposed, there was a high possibility they wouldn’t take active measures.

It hadn’t been long since the armistice with the Republic was signed, and the suppression of rebels had just gotten on track.

What would they gain by touching us magic nobles in the midst of all this?

Demonstrate resistance with the Knight Order.

Somehow prevent the Imperial army from invading the territory.

“Then we hold out until we can create an opportunity for negotiation at the appropriate time.”

“N-negotiation…?”

“Upon internal investigation by the family, it was found to be the doing of some factions in collusion with Elcidore. The Knight Order directly expelled these elements, and we express deep regret for this tragic situation.”

The acting head Martan continued speaking.

“And if we choose appropriate sacrificial lambs to hand over to the Imperial family, it will save face for the Emperor too. This incident will be concluded at that level.”

After all, that’s how the Round Table had always responded when the Imperial Knight Order uncovered similar corruptions.

The acting head and the knights who agreed with him had never left the territory.

Watching their appearance, the collateral members who had experienced the battlefield until recently couldn’t find any more words to say.

‘Are they insane?’

They’re saying such crazy things because they don’t know what kind of presence the Imperial army commands on the battlefield now, or what kind of people these Special Magic Unit members are!

Just because the Knight Order withdrew from the front lines doesn’t mean all knights left their posts at once.

The collateral nobles who had to maintain connections with both the Round Table and Emperor, and their subordinate knights.

And the minority of nobles who remained on the front lines due to personal conviction stood with the Imperial army and clearly saw their changed capabilities.

The daily improving soldier formations, changed tactical doctrine, and the existence of the Special Magical Power Unit at their center!

That’s why they could only be terrified watching the acting head’s pie-in-the-sky talk.

‘The Imperial power is weak? Not even half a penny’s worth of truth!’

While the territories of magic nobles belonging to the Round Table were plagued by rebels almost daily, the Imperial direct territories had regained their original strength without any hindrance.

Just as the Emperor’s power couldn’t reach us, the power of magic nobles also couldn’t reach the Emperor anymore.

And now that Emperor is preparing to strike down the Knight Order and magic nobles in the empire!

‘No matter how little interest Elcryer has in central politics…’

‘There’s a limit to being complacent…’

‘How could the current Imperial family and army possibly miss this golden opportunity…!’

Many rebuttals rose to the tips of their throats, but none of them easily opened their mouths.

They were collateral branches.

Compared to the main family members and elders who inherited the orthodox imprint, they were infinitely lower beings.

“L-lord! My lord-!”

While they were thinking this, one of the knights burst into the conference hall.

His appearance was drenched in sweat.

Although the unseemly behavior of a knight was displeasing, Acting Head Martan asked him with patience.

“What is it?”

And the answer that came to those words…

“I-Imperial army armored trains and airship fleet are approaching the territory!”

“…What did you say?”

The conference room buzzed at the sudden news.

They came this quickly? Although Martan frowned as if displeased, he hadn’t lost his composure yet.

‘Right. Under Imperial law, research related to monsters was a crime equivalent to treason.’

It’s understandable that the Emperor’s side would react sensitively.

But a show of force with nothing but military might?

Don’t make me laugh.

No matter how much their prestige has risen, the empire’s true strength is the Knight Order.

And it’s we magic nobles who hold that Knight Order in our hands.

The Imperial army, made up of non-awakened ones, are nothing but rabble compared to the hundreds of knights gathered here.

How could the likes of you hope to suppress us, there’s no way you could be our match!

“Let’s go!”

With a resounding voice, Martin rose from his seat, and the knights immediately followed behind him.

Five commander-level knights, and himself with six stroke imprint.

And hundreds of knights following behind them.

With majestic strides, they went outside the mansion and…

“Uh, uh?”

“Wait a minute, that’s…”

At the scene that unfolded next, several knights let out puzzled voices.

Gooooo…

Dozens of airships surrounding the territory, and armored trains that had already occupied the station with their cannons deployed.

Thousands of fully armed Imperial army troops in formation, and soldiers in black uniforms gleaming their eyes between their ranks.

Something was wrong.

The air of battle emanating from the soldiers’ eyes.

The cannons aimed at different locations.

This doesn’t look like a simple show of force, but rather like they’ve come to wage some kind of war?

“Y-young master!”

“T-there!”

And simultaneously, parting through the dozens of airships floating in the sky, three airships revealed themselves.

“That’s…”

The black-colored gas bags, and the silver emblem engraved on them.

“A snake… coiling around a sword?”

An unfamiliar, yet somehow eerie emblem.

“N-no…”

Seeing that emblem, several collateral knights trembled with terror, their faces turning pale.

“Th-they’ve come. It’s them…! The Devils of Magic Bullets are h-here…”

“Devils of Magic Bullets? You mean they’re that Special Magical Power Unit?”

Martin hurriedly asked back upon hearing that alias.

But during that time.

Ah, ah.

A low voice flowed from the airship floating in the sky.

– Announcing to all territory residents and non-combatants in the current area.

Business-like.

A man’s voice that might even sound languid at first glance.

But the puzzlement was only momentary.

– At 07:00 hours this morning. His Majesty Emperor Friedrich Franz Kalhyram of the Kalhyram Empire, master of the empire, has declared all members of Count Elcryer’s family and its subordinate groups gathered in this area as enemies of the empire.

The voice flowing from the airship instantly threw him and the knights into a state of shock.

“W-what’s happening!?”

“Enemies of the empire? W-what is this nonsense!”

“Acting head…!”

The knights fell into instant confusion.

Even amid this, the distinctive languid voice continued to flow from the airship.

– Members of Count Elcryer’s family, collaborators, subordinate knights, and equivalent private soldiers. All legal, moral, and ethical rights granted to them as Imperial citizens are hereby revoked as of the current time. They are no longer nobles, no longer knights, no longer Imperial citizens, no longer human.

As the voice continued to flow, the blood drained from the faces of the knights and soldiers.

Of course, Acting Head Martan was equally shocked.

“This is… i-impossible…”

He had anticipated that the Emperor would move.

The collateral knights had also warned that the Emperor would respond with unprecedented resolve.

However, even that had its limits.

How did they come so quickly?

Moreover, what? Enemies of the empire?

Us, Count Elcryer’s family?

They declared one wing of the 12 Great Magic Houses that have supported the empire as enemies of the state?

What kind of madman would do such an insane thing…!

“L-lord Martin…!”

At that moment, a communications officer spoke with a trembling voice.

“The… the telegrams… aren’t getting through.”

“W-what?”

Following that, more bad news flew in from among the knights.

“We sent magical power communications outside the territory but… there’s no response. Someone is intercepting our communications!”

Communication interference?

This quickly, without any warning?

Which means…!

“We’re now completely isolated in this territory…!”

“…!”

What should we do?

If the airship fleet and Imperial army have already surrounded us, doesn’t that mean escape is impossible too!

Even as they thought this, the voice from the airship didn’t end.

– Therefore, by the august command of His Imperial Majesty, I, Colonel Eugene Lorentz, acting commander of the 667th Imperial Regiment and Special Magical Power Unit battalion commander, hereby declare the following.

After a brief pause, a voice like death’s proclamation flowed from the black airship.

– Death sentence is hereby pronounced upon Count Elcryer and all related parties who conducted heinous monster experiments using Imperial citizens as test subjects.

– Furthermore, for swift execution of the sentence, scorched earth operations will commence on all facilities in the area at 18:00 hours tomorrow, 24 hours from now.

– All civilians and personnel unrelated to the concerned parties residing in the current area are advised to evacuate the territory within said time period and receive protection from the Imperial army reserves standing by at the train station and outskirts.

– This warning broadcast will be maintained for 24 hours from the current time, and all personnel remaining in the territory when the broadcast ends will be considered enemies of the empire or their collaborators and summarily executed.

Business-like. Yet to those listening, it was like a bolt from the blue.

And simultaneously with this, what poured from the airship was the Imperial newspaper.

Newspapers explicitly reporting the monster experiments conducted by Count Elcryer and the horrors of his laboratory filled the territory’s sky.

Corpses of people with their stomachs ripped open, monsters eating them, even scenes of those monsters killing people.

When he picked up the newspaper with such explicit photos on the front page, Martan crumpled it and screamed out.

“Y-you crazy bastards—!”

He mulled over the contents that flowed from the airship.

The Emperor declared them enemies of the state at 07:00.

They led their army here and completely surrounded this territory at 18:00.

In just 11 hours after the Imperial order was issued, they had surrounded the entire territory with an Imperial army brigade and Special Magic Unit.

“This is… this is…!”

There was never any time to respond from the beginning.

Countermeasures? Compromise? Political deals?

The other side hadn’t even considered such things from the start.

Their purpose was just one.

Complete annihilation without leaving a single ant alive.

Fear belatedly crept across Acting Head Martan’s face.

When he realized that the enemy’s gun barrels had reached right in front of his nose, everything was already far too late.

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