Chapter 510


    Chapter 510: The Manifesto


    We, who had fled the capital, had now taken refuge in the territory of Baron Grandi, located on the western side of the Albatro Duchy.


    Baron Grandi was one of the few pro-Empire figures. However, his territory was small, and his influence minimal.


    "ording to the Baron, even if we gather all possible forces, it''s doubtful we''ll reach two hundred soldiers."


    "The Duke has over two thousand troops in the capital... ten times our number."


    After hearing the report from Julio, who had just finished a meeting with the Baron, I couldn''t help but sigh. We were constantly on the defensive.


    "Duke Pastore, who entered the capital, insists that he''s acting solely for the good of the country. He argues that siding with the Empire means no future for the Albatro Duchy and that aligning with the kingdom is the only way to ensure its survival. Thus, he ims to be a loyal vassal correcting the king''s mistake."


    "Bringing an army to take over the capital and then calling himself a loyal vassal... Everyone should see through this lie."


    "That''s where it gets tricky. The Duke has been issuing manifestos to the nobles all over. I''ve seen the content. It''s very well crafted."


    It''s definitely not something the Duke could have created. The contents go as follows:


    The Albatro Duchy has long been allied with the kingdom.


    Now, as the empire and the kingdom are in conflict, factional disputes have emerged.


    But if we ally with the Empire, the Albatro Duchy will be cornered.


    What the Empire needs is naval strength to capture the kingdom''s fortress. They intend to seize the fortress they''ve never been able to before, borrowing the power of the Albatro Duchy.


    Consider this:


    Pro-Empire individuals argue we should join the Empire because we share a border. We shouldn''t provoke them.


    But where is the guarantee that the Empire, victorious over the kingdom, won''t attack the Albatro Duchy?


    Historically, the Empire is an aggressive state. Particrly after settling imperial session disputes, they tend to expand abroad once domestic stability is achieved.


    Once the fortress is captured, they no longer need the Albatro Duchy''s power.


    On the other hand, the Kingdom needs the Albatro Duchy to resist the Empire.


    From the Kingdom''s perspective, it is purely a defensive battle. Even if victorious, they have no intention of destroying the Empire.


    As long as the Kingdom stands, the Empire cannot invade both east and west. Just as it has been until now.


    Therefore,


    We should form an alliance with the Kingdom, and those suggesting forming an alliance with the Empire are leading the country towards destruction.


    This must have been Marcel''s work. It''s clever to refer to the historical Empire rather than the recent one.


    "No, they''re just spinning it to suit them!"


    "But they''re not lying. Historically speaking, the Empire was an aggressive state, and they do need the Albatro Duchy''s naval power to capture the fortress. Even if victorious against the Kingdom, they would gain thetitude to invade south."


    "If they had territorial ambitions in the south, they could have sent an army during the Sea Dragon incident! The Sea Dragon was defeated by the hero of the Empire, and our country couldn''t refuse!"


    "That''s why it''s so clever. They don''t touch upon recent events. It''s a very persuasive text unless the reader realizes that the recent Empire is different."


    And most probably won''t realize.


    For the Albatro Duchy, until recently, the Empire was almost an enemy.


    They''ve gone to war with the Kingdom, their close ally, multiple times.


    A major power that could invade from the south at any time.


    They also had ties with Rondine.


    Fear and suspicion of the Empire still lie deep in the roots of the Albatro Duchy.


    I was sent to dispel that, but I was spectacrly outmaneuvered and ended up having to y by their rules.


    "So, Your Highness... what should we do...?"


    Julio looked anxious, but his face was also filled with expectation. As if to say, "You''ve got a n, right?"


    "There''s nothing we can do. We can only call for our supporters to gather. And try to hold out if they invade."


    "That''s... all we can do?"


    "What do you think I am? A genius military strategist? A mage who can do anything? Regrettably, there''s hardly any move we can make right now."


    "So, do we just... overlook their tyranny...?"


    "It''s not about overlooking them, it''s that they won''t overlook us. They''ll probably try to crush us with force eventually. That''s our only chance."


    "A crisis? You''re saying that''s our chance...?"


    "Trickery won''t turn the tables. However, if an opponent who resorts to force loses on the battlefield, the tables can be turned. If they take the field, we can turn the tide."


    The problem is whether they''ll give us enough time to turn the situation around.


    At the moment, they''re overwhelmingly superior.


    They probably wouldn''t want to risk a single decisive battle. They could just wait for us to surrender.


    It would help if they did that.


    We''veid a few groundwork strategies.


    However, if they rush into battle, these ns won''t work.


    "Then, let''s gather our troops immediately!"


    "No, there''s no need to rush. We can take our time."


    "But what if the enemy arrives!?"


    "Rushing would only induce a sense of crisis. What we need is time."


    "They are the kind of opponents who will take the initiative! They won''t give us time!"


    "That might be the case if Marcel were themander. But themander on their side is Duke Pastore. When your father ascended the throne, the Duke refrained from resorting to force until the very end. To be precise, he couldn''t. Despite having the military force, he couldn''t make the decision, even though it was his chance to be king."


    "I have heard of that..."


    "People essentially don''t change. I''m sure Duke Pastore is a cautious, or rather, a timid person. No matter how much Marcel persuades him, I don''t think he would go to the battlefield unless he is in an overwhelmingly advantageous position."


    "What if he learned from his past experiences...?"


    People learn from the past.


    Julio is no different.


    That''s how people change.


    However, they can''tpletely be different people.


    "He took over the capital because he learned from the past. Courage is not something that can be summoned over and over."


    I''m sure the Duke won''t move.


    Time will most likely be on our side.


    The rest depends on those who will serve as our groundwork.


    Previous Chapter


    More chapters on Patreon: /user?u=38972968