9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 139 - Choice and Focus (1)

“I’m nervous, so nervous…”

“Woof, woof!”

Summer was now coming to an end.

Through the window, the exotic summer landscape of the northern country was visible.

Bektim, the largest city in East Etrastan.

Only Schufaben soldiers wandered around, but the downtown area was perfectly intact.

Since the president had fled under cover of darkness, we’d achieved a bloodless entry with no real resistance.

Etrastan had split into the eastern Republic of Etrastan and the western Kingdom of Etrastan during a revolution about thirty years ago.

Both claimed to be the legitimate heirs of true Etrastan, growling at each other with several military clashes showing just how hostile their relationship was. But when the Schufaben army came rolling in, the East Etrastan president grabbed all his assets and fled to the Kashan Principality.

Kruger’s orders were precise.

It took exactly one month to occupy Batalland. Damn it.

And after crossing the East Etrastan border, fighting several battles while cutting across shortcuts, we finally entered Bektim.

“Citizens! Etrastan is safe! Everyone please rest assured and go about your livelihoods!”

In the downtown area where people had fled, leaving it eerily empty, only the president’s final speech echoed.

The president had apparently fled just one day ago. Whether to call it thorough or just pathetic.

I instructed them to first turn off the audio equipment that was buzzing painfully in my ears, then took over the presidential mansion.

“What kind of leader is that?”

I muttered while looking at a large portrait pushed to one side of the office.

Angry citizens had set fire to the mansion.

Normally it would have been solidly protected by magic, but with all the mages having fled, there was no one left to stop it.

Thanks to rushing to put out the fire, the mansion was half-burned, and I could still smell the acrid smoke even in the annex where I was staying.

“Will the western king have any proper sense? Tell me he won’t, Colin.”

“Woof! Woof!”

Colin, who was as big as a tiger, panted and spun around in circles.

“Yeah, yeah, thanks.”

I blankly stroked his glossy black fur.

From my perspective, it was better if the king or president was incompetent and foolish.

Then there would be plenty of gaps to exploit, and both sides could shed less blood.

Killing people, ordering people to be killed—it’s not a pleasant thing.

I’ve been having nightmares every night lately.

‘Should I take some medicine?’

I was about to go find the attending military doctor but shook my head. What good would it do if rumors spread?

***

When I’d grown tired of pacing anxiously around the office, news came.

“Long live the Supreme Leader, our great leader!”

Lieutenant General Rudolf Eisler saluted vigorously.

“Long live the Supreme Leader. What is it, Deputy Commander?”

“Commander, the radio broadcast preparations are complete.”

Ah, finally.

“It took time to secure mages and technicians, but we just received a report that the final inspection was completed. They say the weather is optimal for sound to carry as well.”

“Very good. Then let’s head out.”

I smiled broadly and patted his shoulder. However, Eisler seemed somehow tense.

“Do you have something to say, Deputy Commander?”

“No sir!”

“Obvious lies are worse than saying nothing.”

I slumped back into my chair and looked up at him.

Rudolf Eisler. Age 38.

Bronze skin, sharp eyes, precise body movements.

Top of his class entering and graduating from the military academy, a talent the Supreme Leader personally placed in the 1st Army Command…

So they said.

He was here to monitor me, a puppet commander, and handle everything in my place.

In my opinion, Eisler was the perfect soldier.

Smart enough to understand strategy and tactics at a glance, never rebelling against any order. A true man filled with burning loyalty to the Supreme Leader.

His attitude toward superiors was also perfect—not once had he shown any sign of disrespect toward me, someone ten years younger than him.

For me, he was the worst possible opponent.

‘Nothing I say seems likely to work on him.’

He’s the type who would die if Kruger told him to die. The type who would kill a million people if told to kill them.

“Commander, I believe independent operational execution is still premature.”

Eisler finally spoke with a firm expression. I arrogantly crossed my legs and shrugged my shoulders.

“Still premature? How convenient of you to say, Deputy Commander. The East Etrastan president abandoned his country and fled. How to handle this situation—is it written in Supreme Leader’s orders?”

“No sir!”

“Then are we Schufaben forces such babies that we can’t do anything without Supreme Leader’s instructions?”

“No sir!”

“If that’s not it either!”

I shot up and jabbed my finger into Eisler’s chest while shouting.

“Deputy Commander, are you a traitor?”

“Wh-what are you saying?!”

“Wait for orders? It takes over a week by train from here to Schufaben. With the air force already returned to the homeland, should we throw a party while repairing the communication lines that this country’s idiot president cut, wasting supplies and twiddling our thumbs waiting for who knows when an opportunity might come?!

You bastard who wastes Supreme Leader’s time and tramples on the people’s aspirations—if you’re not a traitor, what are you?!”

“But Commander!”

Even though I deliberately provoked him, Eisler remained perfectly calm.

“Commander, you intend to turn their hearts with words. Isn’t that contrary to Supreme Leader’s intentions?”

“Hahahaha!”

Hysterical laughter burst from my mouth. This part wasn’t acting—it was genuine.

“His intentions! Eisler, how dare a mere nobody like you presume to imitate Supreme Leader based on speculation?! Arrogant fool! Immediate execution is the answer for traitors!”

Blood rushed to my face. With trembling hands, I drew my pistol and pressed it to Eisler’s forehead.

Brief silence filled the ornate office. I breathed heavily, then lowered the gun and spoke dryly.

“This kind of wasteful argument is unnecessary, Deputy Commander. You’ll be reporting on my movements separately anyway. This time is no different—I’ve informed you of my plan, so we wait for his next instructions. Isn’t that right?”

“…No sir.”

Eisler’s expression and voice were as usual, but a moment’s hesitation revealed the truth.

He really wasn’t cunning. Troublesome as well.

“Yes, he probably told you not to get caught. But Deputy Commander, you know one thing but not two. Do you think the Supreme Leader couldn’t predict my actions?”

Eisler’s eyes widened slightly before returning to normal.

“Then why does he use me despite that? Because it serves Schufaben’s national interests! So please shut up and follow along, unless you want to object to his decisions. Understood, Deputy Commander?!”

“Yes, Commander.”

Eisler finally submitted and withdrew obediently. Now it didn’t matter what he reported to Kruger.

***

When Etrastan split, the territory was divided in a very strange way.

The western kingdom took the capital Donel, while the eastern republic took Bektim, the largest industrial city.

And the two cities were very close together. About three hours by carriage?

With so many important facilities, neither side could bear to abandon their city, so they maintained tension while watching each other warily.

When we arrived at our destination, the sun was already setting.

The endless barbed wire fence separating the two countries.

Beyond the barbed wire gleaming ominously in the sunset light, Donel, the capital of West Etrastan, was visible.

In the clear air, light reflected off high-rise buildings sparkled. There were also shadows of large dragons flying around on air defense duty.

And the massive audio equipment installed facing the border.

It was a scene with an almost tragic beauty.

‘Like loudspeakers aimed at North Korea.’

I chuckled and entered the broadcast booth, receiving a microphone from Captain Himmel. Outside the booth, Eisler watched me expressionlessly.

“Well, let’s get this over with quickly.”

I nodded to the technicians. Shortly after, my voice began carrying across the border.

***

“Citizens of the Kingdom of Etrastan, good evening. I am Lucas Redan, Commander of Schufaben’s 1st Field Army.

I inform you that 18 hours ago, the Republic of Etrastan was occupied. The republic’s president abandoned his country and people, fleeing to the Kashan Principality, and all republic territory has fallen into Schufaben hands. All the republic’s resources and military forces as well.

Citizens of the Kingdom of Etrastan, and Your Majesty the King. I, Lucas Redan, dare to propose.

Surrender to Schufaben.

I will give you three days. If you express your intention to surrender by midnight on September 1st, we will not harm a single life or fire a single bullet. We will preserve both Your Majesty’s throne and the citizens’ daily lives intact.

But after midnight on September 1st, we will advance on Donel, and your historic and beautiful city will be reduced to ashes.

Everyone, please make a wise choice.”

The phonograph stopped and the resonant voice cut off abruptly.

Silvia Bertrand, Prime Minister of Rubellia, looked at the queen sitting on the splendid and delicate golden throne.

Marianne I sat quietly with her eyes closed, lost in thought. A slight wrinkle appeared on her pale, taut brow.

“Ahem, ahem!”

When the silence grew long, Silvia cleared her throat.

“Your Majesty, that speech… was delivered on August 28th at 7 PM.”

“Three days have passed. Why are we only receiving this now?”

The queen opened her eyes and began walking, gripping her scepter as she rose. Silvia followed behind her.

“Etrastan apparently kept it secret. It seems to have been policy to prevent public unrest, but Donel is already in chaos.”

“Of course. They couldn’t have silenced all those people.”

Silvia glanced at her pocket watch. The hands pointed to 11:30 PM.

Today was September 1st.

Only thirty minutes remained until the time Lucas Redan had warned.

“Your Majesty, the West Etrastan ambassador just came to convey his homeland’s intention to fight to the end. They need assistance.”

“Assistance…”

The queen walked over and threw open the terrace window. Fragrant night air rushed in.

Completely unrelated to foreign turmoil, Le Chapen, Rubellia’s capital, looked peaceful.

But that was just an illusion.

The aftermath of high-intensity economic sanctions against Schufaben had caused massive damage to capitalists and workers in related industries.

Young men volunteering for military service were increasing, and their mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters were gradually filling the manpower shortages in fields and factories.

That’s what war is.

Winners and losers alike must shed blood.

“Silvia.”

The queen quietly called her prime minister.

“I want our people to be hurt less, to suffer less, and to achieve victory.”

“You are wise, Your Majesty.”

“But at the same time, I hope they realize that the world we live in is never paradise, and that Rubellia is not particularly more moral or beautiful than other countries. I want this strange patriotism and sense of superiority to disappear.”

“Your Majesty…”

Complex emotions crossed Silvia’s wrinkled face.

Is this the right path?

“We will not save Etrastan.”

The queen gave her order.

“Same for Cortana. Deploy all gathered forces for defense. One great victory. Only after that can we speak of salvation.”

“But Your Majesty, if Etrastan falls, it’s only one step to Pontinelle. If Schufaben occupies even Pontinelle, they’ll be free from the mana stone problems that at least held them back. After that…”

Silvia knew too.

That they currently had no capacity to stop Schufaben.

The front was very long, and Rubellia’s army and navy weren’t ready yet.

But if Schufaben swallowed up all the northern and western lands, it would certainly become even harder to stop them then.

Marianne smiled faintly.

“Silvia, there’s no need to play devil’s advocate just for the sake of it. You know how countries that fought on multiple fronts throughout history fared, don’t you? And you too are hoping for a greater victory?”

It was words that knew Silvia all too well. The queen had been watching her since she first entered politics.

After Silvia withdrew, Marianne took a deep breath of the night air.

‘Lucas, don’t break. Even if you do break, don’t die by my hand.’

Marianne seemed to hear Lucas’s trembling voice in her ears.

“I failed to prevent war, Your Majesty. So I will fan the flames even larger. So that Kruger can achieve swift victory, and so that he can fall just as devastatingly.”

***

It was midnight.

I stubbed out the cigarette I’d been smoking in the ashtray. Despite inhaling nicotine, my head felt foggy.

West Etrastan ultimately chose the path of resistance. Expected, but a slightly sad thing.

I commanded the motionless Deputy Commander Eisler.

“Begin.”

Shortly after, artillery fire covered the earth.