Water Magician

Chapter 383: Intermission – Empire Unrest (1)

Let’s turn back the time a little.

The Duchy of Rubin has territory from the eastern to the southern part of the Empire.

During the era of the Former Emperor Rupert VI, many powerful nobles were wiped out, so the current nobles hold quite vast territories.

When the current Emperor Helmut VIII ascended the throne, it was one of the ducal houses created.

A ducal family established by the 14th child and 11th princess of the Former Emperor Rupert VI.

That is the Rubin Duke household.

The head of the family is Fiona Bornemisza, Duchess of Rubin.

The former commander of the Emperor’s Magic Division.

Currently, the Emperor’s Magic Division has been disbanded.

Due to Helmut’s military reforms, there are only 20 armies, 10 magic armies, and the Imperial Guard Knights.

Although the Emperor’s Magic Division was disbanded, its members were now members of the Rubin Duchy’s Magic Division.

After it was decided that the division would be disbanded, 600 members came to Fiona, who had established a ducal household and asked for employment.

Of course, Fiona hired them all.

Some of the most elite members of the Imperial Army came to offer their services... and moreover, they were subordinates that she had taken care of and raised.

There was no reason not to hire them.

In the first place, if she opens a ducal household, she would have a duchy army anyway.

To maintain public order within the territory, military power was necessary... that can’t be helped.

If so, those with it are far better than those without!

In that way, the former Emperor Magic Division became the core force of the Duchy of Rubin’s army.

“Master, did you hear that Brother Konrad was accused of high treason?”

“Fiona... that method of addressing me. Well, it’s fine. I read that report too. I wonder what His Majesty the Emperor is so anxious about...”

Oscar answered Fiona’s question.

He is Fiona’s husband.

Even so, he is sometimes called ‘master’...

It seems that long-held habits are difficult to break.

“Ah, sorry, I just.... Anyway, I’m going to the Imperial Castle.”

“I’ll go too. I don’t think anything will happen... No, if Konrad-sama was imprisoned, something might happen. Marie, tell Jurgen. While we’re gone, he’ll have full authority over the Duke’s army.”

“Understood”

Marie, Fiona’s chief maid and adjutant, responded to Oscar’s words.

Konrad Bornemisza, Duke of Stein.

The third son of Former Emperor Rupert VI. He is the half-brother of the current Emperor Helmut, and also Fiona’s older brother.

During the attack on the Knightley Kingdom Whitnash Garden Party, he was once targeted along with Fiona.

At the same time as Helmut ascended the throne, Konrad was also converted to a noble and founded the House of Duke Stein.

Konrad was now suspected of rebellion against the Emperor and imprisoned.

That was unusual.

However, it was also a common occurrence historically in the Debuhi Empire.

Former Emperor Rupert VI himself caused the death of many of his brothers after ascending to the throne in his twenties.

There was a possibility that they would rebel, so I took the first step... that’s what Rupert says, both then and now.

However, Fiona could not accept it so easily.

As soon as Fiona and Oscar arrived at the Imperial Castle, they requested an audience with the Emperor.

“I’m sorry. His Majesty is currently busy and unable to meet with you.”

“That’s ridiculous!”

Fiona cried out in response to Helmut VIII’s consul Martina Doner’s answer.

“Fiona.”

Oscar called softly, deliberately speaking slowly and calmly.

With that, Fiona regained her composure.

“I understand. Please tell Brother Helmut... His Majesty that Fiona will return to her territory.”

“Understood”

That was all there was to that exchange.

However, that was enough information for those who had survived many death threats.

“Helmut-niisama seriously intends to kill Konrad-niisama.”

“Yeah”

“Brother Konrad’s territory, the Duke of Stein, is the territory of the former Count Wallatal and Count Gemunten. In other words, it is the northwest corner of the Empire. Although it does not directly touch foreign countries...”

“Aside from the north, it is a very important territory as a check on the west. Even if His Majesty is planning to kill Konrad-sama, it is not a good time to do so now.”

Linus’ rebel army numbered around 700 people.

In comparison, the 15th Army had 15,000 soldiers... and it was a regular army.

The equipment and training were top-notch.

There’s no way they would lose!

But that happened?

“This is an unconfirmed report, but there was information that traitors emerged from the 15th Army...”

“Impossible...”

Helmut VIII was speechless.

Traitors emerged from the Imperial Army?

How could something so outrageous happen?

He hadn’t heard anything like that in decades.

But...

Isn’t it true that the Imperial armies still do not completely obey him?

Two years on the throne.

If you asked him if he has confidence that he has complete authority over the military...

It was certainly not as good as the previous Emperor.

If that’s the case, traitors emerging...

No way, what about the other Imperial armies...?

That doubt gradually gnawed at Helmut’s heart...

Two more days later.

“My apologies. I would like to report that a rebellion has broken out in the southwestern part of the empire, led by Rolf, the orphaned son of the former Duke Mollgrund.”

“No way......”

Helmut VIII responded with a disgusted expression to the report from Consul Martina Doner.

The Linus Warner rebellion that occurred earlier was still unresolved.

The Empire’s 2nd Army stationed in the capital had just been sent to suppress it...

Duke Mollgrund was the last of the great aristocrats, killed by Former Emperor Rupert for plotting a rebellion within the Empire at the end of the invasion of the Kingdom.

His territory was in the southeastern part of the Empire, and part of it is now within the Duchy of Rubin, which is ruled by Fiona.

“Which army should we send?”

“I think the 9th Army of the Empire would be appropriate...”

Martina answered Helmut’s question.

In her head, the location and inner workings of the entire Empire and magic armies were recorded in detail.

“Then, send in the 9th Army.”

Information about Linus’s rebellion, the destruction of the 15th Army, and even Rolf of Mollgrund’s rebellion had all accurately reached the captive Konrad.

“Hmm, that’s not bad. If the situation becomes this unstable, he won’t be able to kill me that easily.”

“That’s great.”

Aide Rand nodded happily to Konrad’s words.

Under these circumstances, if Konrad were to be executed... Konrad’s territory, the Stein Duchy, would definitely rebel.

In the duchy, there are many subordinates Konrad brought up from young.

There was no way they would just obey if their beloved master was killed.

They would probably actively cooperate with Linus and Rolf’s rebel forces.

As expected, Helmut VIII would want to avoid that.

No politician wants to create more problems when there are so many problems.

He probably won’t mess with someone who is not making any moves, at least until the situation calms down to a certain extent.

“I’m sure that’s the end of the first act. Now... how much can my brother’s heart endure?”

The smile on Konrad’s face was very innocent.

“Report! The 9th Army has disappeared!”

“......Hah?”

Helmut couldn’t help but give a sloppy reply to the incomprehensible report.

“Disappeared?”

“Yes. The entire army scattered... there’s no one left...”

“I guess it’s possible...”

Helmut completely lost faith in the Imperial Army.

Traitors, vanishing...

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