Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

An elder quickly reacted, "Isn't this the Mad King's tactic against the United Provincials?" The previous Emperor of the Empire, "Madman" Richard the Fourth, also borrowed money from the banks of The Federated Provinces—back then, they weren't called The Federated Provinces but the Duchy of Forthland. When out of money to pay the debts, the Mad King just spread his hands and issued the "Bankruptcy Decree," declaring debt restructuring. The bankers of Forthland were beaten black and blue by this combination of punches. On the surface, their claims were not canceled, but in reality, it was as if the Mad King had frozen all their capital with very little money. If they wanted to sell these bonds, they would have to take a severe loss. Many people from Forthland went bankrupt and even committed suicide, and the financial landscape of this continent changed accordingly. When the news reached Paratu, the bankers of Vineta were furious, "They think they can just not pay?!" "3% interest? Those fucking bastards sure dare! The Mad King gave 5% interest!" "What the fuck gives them the right?!" "[Expletive]!" … Let's set aside the merchants' anger for now. In the "Throne Room" of the Vineta Army headquarters, the officers focused on another matter. "What exactly is going on? How did the fighting start?" someone asked, baffled. "Sekler and I joined at the same time, he's a sensible man, how could he allow such a thing to happen?" "What matters is how the battle went, who won, who lost? We sit here doing nothing, knowing fuck all," Layton—now a lieutenant general—muttered with irritation. "Alpad used to be my squad leader! I'm not surprised he could pull something like this." "What about General Yanosh? Couldn't General Yanosh control those two?" another asked. "General Yanosh is said to have suffered a stroke," another voice answered softly. General Zio, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly spoke up, "Do you know what Alpad and Sekler are?" The officers looked at each other, unsure how to respond to the military regent's remark. Still, it was Layton, the lieutenant general, who boldly asked, "What... What are they?" "Alpad and Sekler are two of the best hounds, strong, loyal, fierce. But only Yanosh is the hunter," Zio said slowly, answering his own question. He looked much older compared to when he had been planning the archipelago campaign two years earlier, "Now that the hunter is gone, the hounds will tear each other apart... And no one can pull them apart anymore." Only someone of General Zio's standing could make a comparison between hounds and a hunter; the others at the meeting weren't in a position to comment. "So what do we do?" Layton said, smoking and speaking gloomily, "The Third Corps faces off against The Victory Goddess in the islands, and the Fourth Corps against the Torrent River, both unable to move. Should we call up the reserves again?" "Give me a break!" someone immediately objected. "We haven't even fully assimilated Tanyria yet! How can we mobilize the reserves this frequently? Shouldn't we figure out our goals first before discussing the call-up of reserves?" Stung by the rebuke, Layton grew heated, "The military attache in Paratu is fucking useless! What kind of intelligence is being sent back? It's all over the place, can he even understand it himself? How can we make decisions without knowing anything?" Zio opened his eyes and sat up straight. The officers in the Throne Room knew the regent was about to speak and all promptly straightened up, adopting a respectful posture. "Send an observer officer over." … … Pierre Mitchell had become a deserter. Anglu, Vashka, and others from Wolf Town had fled with him. Pierre didn't consider himself a coward. He had bravely fought his way back to Paratu through the wilderness, never once faltering. Pierre just didn't want to work for them anymore. "Let's go," he told his companion, "Let's go home." Home, the word seemed to hold magical power, bringing tears to every weary eye. "Alright," everyone murmured, "Home." When the troop departed from Shuangqiao Main Camp, they seized the opportunity and slipped away. Deserters, execution... they didn't care about any of that anymore; they just wanted to go home. The people of Wolf Town deliberately took back roads, avoiding villages and towns, even going through uninhabited areas. Thirsty, they drank from streams; hungry, they ate dry rations. After enduring countless hardships, Big Horn River—the boundary of Wolf Town—finally came into sight. They had made it home. They all cheered, rushing toward Big Horn River like madmen. They kissed the river banks and scooped up water from the river to drink deeply. Pierre sniffled and softly called out to Anglu, "Hook?" "What's up?" "My dad told me about it when we were back in the north. Dusacks serve the emperor for seven years and then are sent home. They carry their clothes, knives, and belongings on horseback, walking in groups. When they walk all the way to Bowback Bay and the Dusacks see the Don River for the first time…" [The Don River: The Dusans' homeland within the borders of the Empire] The other Dusacks listened quietly. "…'By the gods! Just look!'" Pierre mimicked his father's tone, "Everyone as if mad shouts and runs to the riverbank, 'The Don! Quiet Don! My parents! My benefactors who raised me! Hurrah! Ahhhh!'" Pierre couldn't help but laugh, his eyes reddening. The non-Dusack people from Wolf Town, hearing this, had wet eyes and sour noses too. Pierre continued, "They throw their caps, uniforms, pillowcases, and boots all into the river. They had returned home safely, and so they rewarded the Don with these offerings. The parents, wives, and children downstream, seeing the caps floating like swans from upstream, knew that their loved ones had come home…"