Episode 86: The Speech

　It was a time when the chill of dawn still lingered in the air.

　At the Eastern Front Army’s encampment, more than 10,000 soldiers had gathered in the vast open field spreading along its outer edge.

　This was because an order had come down from headquarters for the entire army to assemble.

　Before the soldiers stood a massive wooden platform set up for speeches.

“…What the hell is this all about, so early in the morning?”

　One soldier grumbled, stifling a yawn.

　The soldier next to him chimed in.

“Maybe they’re planning a large-scale invasion into Serodonia or something?”

“Haha, no way…”

“…Yeah, right.”

“It’s probably just an announcement about last night’s fire.”

　The Eastern Front Army and the Serodonia Kingdom’s forces had been locked in a standoff for a long time, but no full-scale combat had broken out yet.

　That situation had dragged on for years.

　By now, the idea that a real clash with the Serodonia Kingdom could happen felt impossible—the soldiers were thoroughly convinced of that.

　――clang, clang.

　The bell tolled twice in succession. It was the signal to direct attention to the platform above.

　As the soldiers turned their gazes forward, the figure that appeared on the platform was—a man with a frog-like face. It was Vice Commander Almants.

“Huh? It’s not Commander Bertram…?”

　A soldier muttered softly.

　Whatever the announcement was, they had naturally assumed it would be Commander Bertram standing there.

　Almants opened his mouth with a grave expression.

“I must convey tragic news to you all. Our Eastern Front Army’s commander, His Excellency Bertram… passed away in the early hours this morning.”

““――What!?””

　A murmur rippled through the soldiers like a wave.

“In the chaos of last night’s fire, Commander Bertram was… assassinated by soldiers from the Serodonia Kingdom who had infiltrated our ranks.”

“No way…!”

“It can’t be true…!?”

　Voices of shock gradually spread wider.

　The thought that someone could pull off something as audacious as sneaking deep into enemy territory and assassinating the commander—it was beyond anything they’d imagined, even in their dreams.

“Everyone… this loss is a tragedy for our entire army. Please, offer your sincerest prayers for Commander Bertram’s eternal rest.”

　With those words, Almants stepped down from the platform.

　A single tear glistened in his eyes.

　――And the soldiers’ reactions were―.

“Ah… so he’s dead, huh.”

“I can’t say it too loud, but… honestly, it’s a relief he’s gone.”

“Hey, if an officer hears you, you’ll get smacked around…”

　The soldiers exchanged glances and whispered to each other.

　Not a single face among them showed any sign of sorrow.

“I heard from a guy in headquarters— even during food shortages, they’d prioritize delivering the commander’s fancy wine over the soldiers’ rations.”

“Figures. He turned a blind eye when villages suffered from requisitions.”

“…I’m from a village nearby, you know. Hearing about my hometown getting requisitioned and my acquaintances struggling… it was unbearable.”

　The soldiers didn’t know Bertram’s true crime—namely, his collusion with the enemy.

　Even so, the fact that he was a man unworthy of respect was etched into their daily experiences.

　A man who ignored the suffering of the common people, drowning himself in wine and art—no one shed a tear over the death of someone like that.

　――clang, clang…

　The bell tolled once more.

“…What now? Is someone else going to speak?”

　The soldiers turned their gazes back to the platform.

　The man who appeared was a stark contrast to Almants, who had just been up there.

　A young noble with silver hair—his figure stood out strikingly under the morning light.

“Siegfried von Kreving. One of the commanders in the Eastern Front Army.”

　Siegfried introduced himself succinctly.

　――So this is Count Kreving.

　Several soldiers muttered that to themselves in their minds.

　The man who had condemned Gregor for his reckless requisitions.

　And since his arrival, word had spread about his notable actions in various matters.

　By now, fewer soldiers were unfamiliar with Siegfried’s name.

　Watching the platform from close below was a man—Almants.

(…What are you planning to say, Siegfried?)

　Harboring unease deep in his chest, he swallowed hard.

　What he had been ‘asked’ to do was gather all the soldiers here and give Siegfried the chance to speak in this setting—.

　With his weakness in Siegfried’s grasp, Almants had no choice but to comply.

　But he hadn’t been told what exactly Siegfried intended to say.

(Could it be… he’s going to denounce me right here…!?)

　Exposing Bertram’s collusion with the Serodonia Kingdom and condemning him as the collaborator.

　If that happened, the soldiers’ anger would turn toward him.

　In the worst case, he could be lynched and killed by 10,000 soldiers.

　But what Siegfried began to say was somewhat different from what he’d anticipated.

“As you just heard, Commander Bertram was attacked by Serodonia soldiers and lost his life. ――This is quite a predicament.”

　Siegfried’s voice reached the ears of the assembled soldiers clearly.

“I’m sure you’re all struck with profound grief… Or am I wrong?”

　In response to Siegfried’s words, one soldier muttered quietly.

“…Hah, I’m not sad at all that a guy like him died.”

　It was a voice low enough to be heard only by a few around him. ――There was no way it could reach Siegfried.

　Or so he thought.

　However, Siegfried’s ears didn’t miss it.

“――You there, soldier. You just said, ‘I’m not sad at all that a guy like him died’… didn’t you?”

　Siegfried’s gaze fixed on the soldier who had muttered it.

　The surrounding soldiers also focused their attention on that spot.

“Eh… ah…?”

　The soldier’s throat tightened, and his heart pounded fiercely.

　――He never imagined he’d be heard.

　And now that he had been… this wouldn’t end well. It was an insult to the commander.

　In the worst case, execution was possible.

　But―Siegfried let out a soft… chuckle.

“What a coincidence. I―don’t feel sad either.”

“Eh…?”

“To be honest, Bertram’s death means nothing to me. If anything, it’s something to welcome. An incompetent fool who exhausted the surrounding villages with requisitions and achieved nothing but a standoff with Serodonia―I’m glad he’s dead. That’s my true feeling. …Don’t you all feel something similar?”

(What are you saying, Siegfried…!?)

　Confusion swirled in Almants’ chest below the platform.

　He couldn’t grasp Siegfried’s true intentions. Perhaps he planned to pivot from here to Bertram’s collusion.

　Meanwhile, the soldiers’ gazes were drawn to Siegfried.

　What was this man about to say next?

　At the very least, it was clear he wasn’t going to offer any perfunctory sorrow over Bertram’s death.

　And then, Siegfried declared.

“…Well, what I want to talk about isn’t mourning Commander Bertram’s death. But even so―let me say it anyway. This is quite a predicament…”