I Planned a Su*cide Mission and Got Kicked Out of the Party

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There were complex reasons behind Rose’s somewhat bold and risky performance that led to the reintegration of Helmut’s army.

There was a personal feeling of wanting to reclaim the people lost due to the previous generation’s missteps and a desire to capture enemy firearms actively in use to explore their tactical value. While these were important reasons, the most crucial factor for Rose was the urgent need to diminish the Demon King’s momentum.

With Jenis’s death, the Empire faced a strategic leadership crisis akin to losing a hero for the second time. During Walter’s time leading the army, the Empire’s grand strategy was solely conceived and executed by Walter Hellhound. While it couldn’t be said that Walter’s tactical command abilities on the battlefield were superior to Rose’s, no one could match his skill in crafting the bigger picture on the map.

The sudden exit of Walter would have left a significant void in the Empire, which was filled by the newly emerged Great Sage like a comet.

Rose could not afford to let this situation lead to a collapse of leadership. While Margaret was undoubtedly the wisest in the current coalition, her delicate status as an outsider made it difficult for her to devise operations that actively utilized the Imperial Army. Even without that burden, Margaret lacked the brilliance and genius to fully replace Walter or Jenis.

Rose and Jeongjae were far less capable than Margaret. When working with Walter, Margaret often demonstrated her ability to grasp the meaning behind his words at the very first hint. In contrast, Rose and Jeongjae would only realize a hero’s thoughts and admire them after the outcome had lain clear.

If it were Jenis, she would likely have conceived the same thoughts as Walter or even surpassed him in anticipation. The Empire had lost its sharpest geniuses, and Rose had to do her utmost to make the Demon King waver.

By creating the worst possible conditions for the hesitant and fearful Demon King to act.

In fact, upon seeing Rose’s accomplishments firsthand, the Demon King immediately ordered Helmut to significantly reduce the size of the human army that was supposed to serve as the main force upon his return to the Demon King’s Castle. Jean Helmut protested that this would prevent them from properly pushing back against the allied forces, but the Demon King harshly reprimanded him, stating it was better to not attack than to send any out for battle only to surrender them all to the enemy.

While the troops that had defected to Rose on the battlefield made up merely thirty percent of the vanguard, it was still not an insignificant number. Alongside reducing Helmut’s forces, the Demon King placed a troubling condition that they must never directly confront Rose on the battlefield.

For Jean Helmut, such conditions rendered him incapable of operating his troops effectively. How could one place all his generals in areas that were guaranteed to lack the Emperor’s presence?

Rose Caprice was highly skilled in cavalry tactics, making her the world’s finest rider, capable of making surprise appearances on the battlefield despite her seeming absence at times.

The Mage Emperor Violet knew that all these actions were unfolding according to Rose’s intentions, yet she could only resort to hysteria. Naturally, Helmut’s counterattack plans were entirely upended from the draft stage, and the movements of the Demon King’s army were temporarily frozen.

Rose had managed to buy some time to attend Jenis’s funeral, taking on a slight adventure.

“Then I’ll guard this place while you go, sister.”

“No, Alex. You must come along. I can’t do without you.”

Rose shook her head as she planned Alex’s appointment as Duke. Alex Caprice asked, bewildered.

“But sister, then who will guard the front lines?”

“Bring Sally Jeffrey north. Anyway, we need to dismantle the local powers. While we’re at it, let’s give her a proper title from the army.”

“She’s just an unworldly scholar with no knowledge of the war.”

“I’m not assigning her to lead an offensive operation, so that will be sufficient.”

Though Alex bore a face that showed he was unwilling to fully understand, he did not voice any objections to the Emperor’s orders. During the time Alex left to contact Jeffrey in the South, the Emperor summoned the Southern Alliance’s vice commander, Douglas Koesernis, and said:

“General Koesernis. From now on, you will answer to Duke Sally Jeffrey, the vice commander of the Southern Alliance. While I’m temporarily absent, ensure the front lines do not falter under her command.”

“You mean Vice Commander Sally Jeffrey?”

Koesernis exclaimed in surprise. The current vice commander was indeed him, and the commander was obviously Jenis. For Koesernis, who was unaware of Jenis Harker’s death, this was an utterly confounding situation.

“Simply put: Jenis Harker is dead. The Southern Alliance is in an emergency, no, the entire Empire is in an emergency.”

Koesernis was profoundly shocked by Rose’s words, but knowing they came from the Emperor, he could not doubt their truth. The Baron, stammering, asked:

“Then, does that mean I, as the former vice commander…”

“No, I shall officially appoint Baron Park Jeongjae as the vassal commander by the Emperor’s authority.”

Koesernis understood the implications of that statement. Rose no longer permitted the Southern Alliance to operate independently and intended to integrate all forces under a commander of central troops. Koesernis, cautiously opposing, responded:

“But Your Majesty, there’s no reason for Jeffrey to be promoted to vice commander…”

“The Baron will switch to the position of the army commander. This is a command from the Emperor and as the commander of this army.”

“Your Majesty, this cannot be! This position… my position—”

Rose silently raised her gaze to Koesernis’s face. For a moment, the baron, having unconsciously raised his voice, trembled and stepped back. Douglas Koesernis bowed deeply and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’ve greatly overstepped.”

“If you understood, that suffices.”

Rose simply accepted his apology.

“Baron. Let me inform you, it seems you’re slow to grasp the situation: the area you’ve been governing is no longer even the border region. Following the full armed setup of Eramenia and the Northern Expedition, the influence of the Demon King’s forces in the uninhabited mountain ranges has vanished. Additionally, Eramenia is no longer entirely foreign, meaning the southeastern region of the continent no longer serves a practical border role. I am thankful for your contributions in protecting the Empire’s border. However, the status of the County Territory will be adjusted quite differently from before.”

“My title… will disappear?”

“The title will remain. But from now on, instead of pondering how to expand your power within your territory, it would be wise to think about how to distinguish yourself and earn favor in the eyes of the central authority. I believe you understand this much.”

It was a blatant declaration of intention to unify all powers under the central rule without regard for local forces now that Jenis Harker was gone.

Even the Emperor could not take such violent measures against the Imperial vassals without considerable justification, unless that Emperor was the great Rose Caprice.

By military merit, strength, or popularity, local power holders had no advantage over the central royal family. This was perhaps the next logical step. Rose, as an example, demoted Koesernis while elevating the politically astute Jeffrey. Perhaps Sally Jeffrey was expected to swiftly judge the situation and prostrate herself before the royal family.

“Anyway, the title will remain, so respect will follow. I hope you continue to serve the Empire well, commander.”

The baron saluted respectfully with both feet together before turning to leave. Rose let out a deep sigh, her expression one of deep contemplation. From now on, she would have to engage in countless such battles. If even Jenis Harker demanded complete centralization from Rose, then they had to proceed without ambiguity.

If one lacks power, it would mean making compromises and recognizing the rise of regional powers, or if one felt sufficiently strong, absolutely crushing them to not allow distinctions in power. Choosing the latter path while remaining half-hearted was the quickest road to national ruin.

Realizing that Rose expected Jeffrey to assume the position of deputy commander of the allied forces, he immediately grasped her intentions and chuckled.

“Well, at least I’m glad I’ll have an excuse in history.”

Duke Jeffrey mumbled.

“It seems I can say that the end of my family’s dominance in this region after centuries is not due to my incompetence, but rather an unavoidable flow of events. Regional factions or whatever, it’s all over now. The alliance structure will be disbanded soon, so what’s the point of a vice commander?”

“But even the royal family couldn’t pursue such rapid changes.”

One of the Duke’s retainers said. Jeffrey shook his head.

“Something must have happened. Harker’s baron must have resolved to fully cooperate with the Emperor or decided he could no longer command the South and would remain as Tower Master. Regardless of the reason, the Harker family has withdrawn from the South. And they’ve wholly given their territory to the royal family. It wouldn’t be possible for the Emperor to take such drastic measures without at least this level of situation. If the Harker family has forsaken their independence in the South, then it’s over. They’ve held on for long enough. Now the Empire must reunite in the true sense…”

While a fairly accurate judgment, she could not even conceive of the situation where Jenis Harker had died. It had only been a brief time, yet during that time, Jenis had successfully ingrained in those around her the impression that she was nearly immortal.

Even the most realistic politician, Jeffrey, could not imagine her death, suggesting the extent of turmoil that would spread through the Empire once news of the warrior’s demise was made public.

The Northern Expedition must continue. Not even a moment’s rest; they must keep pushing. This heavy burden was akin to a game of hot potato.

Neither Rose, Margaret, nor any extraordinary individual wanted to bear such a burden. Under Rose’s orders, Jeongjae had laid Jenis’s body inside the Imperial Palace and wandered the halls, pondering and pondering, troubled and vexed.

Ultimately, after much deliberation, he reached a conclusion he never thought he could come to.

“I must take charge.”

“What do you mean?”

His partner, Margaret, walking beside him, asked. Jeongjae swallowed hard and turned to the face of the Elf Lord.

“I should be the one to lead this Northern Expedition operation, not Rose, from now on.”

“Is that sincere?”

“It is sincere.”

Margaret clenched her eyes shut and took a deep breath. Jeongjae watched as the fairy princess solemnly removed the laurel crown from her head.

“Wearing this crown, I am no different from the Great King of Eramenia. So, let’s talk without it.”

Then, Margaret folded her feet together and bowed her head before Jeongjae—a gesture of respect towards a superior that was acknowledged across the continent.

“If this is finally your conclusion, then I, Margaret, will absolutely submit to your will as an individual, not as the ruler of Eramenia. Hero, now you can finally lead the world.”

Margaret lifted her head, her blue eyes sparkling with a light of joy she had hardly shown before.

“And finally, seize the world.”