This Kingdom Needs a Coup

After that, it was just a monotonous series of cleanup tasks.

We tidied up the chaotic battlefield, collected the bodies, retrieved or destroyed damaged equipment.

For our fallen comrades, we held funerals with military honors right on the spot.

We took our time and handled everything we could.

It wasn’t like when we were at war with the Empire, where every day was a desperate race against time. Compared to now, the Northern Front was… ugh.

It was a bloodbath there. Even regimental and division commanders, not just low-ranking officers, died, and we couldn’t even properly prepare their bodies for burial. We just had to bury them in the snow or burn them.

…Thinking about it makes me angry again.

If it weren’t for that damn king and his crown prince, none of them would have had to die so miserably.

“Did you collect all the wills and personal belongings properly?”

“Yes, we gathered everything without missing a single item.”

“Make sure to separate them carefully so they don’t get mixed up. We have to deliver them to their families later.”

“Of course.”

We carefully loaded the wills and personal belongings they had prepared beforehand onto the carriages, just like we did in the Korean military.

In the Northern Region, even this was difficult, but now at least we won’t have to wait months for the news of their deaths to reach their families.

After managing our internal affairs like this, it was time to deal with what we had acquired.

“Wow, this guy’s crimes are quite impressive. He exercised the right of the first night on the commoners? Wasn’t that banned a long time ago?”

“As far as I know, it was abolished by law 140 years ago. Even if the lord himself did it, it’s outrageous for a mere mine manager to do such a thing…”

“His guts are really something. And what’s this? He embezzled taxes to build his own mansion?”

We managed to secure the main administrative personnel and military resources of the Duchy without much effort, but we couldn’t take everything.

It wasn’t because we lacked the capacity, but simply a matter of necessity and value.

We accepted everyone unconditionally in the positions we had limited, but not all of them could be competent and talented individuals.

Even in the Northern Front, which was full of veterans who crawled out of hell and stubborn bastards, there were occasional freeloaders. Did you think it would be any different here?

In fact, since it was a safe and prosperous rear area, the situation was likely worse.

So we conducted a thorough inspection. We investigated how they had been performing their duties, their reputations, and their achievements.

“If anyone knows about others’ corruption or past crimes, report it immediately! If you provide useful information, we will reduce your labor period by one year!”

“Really?”

“But if you spread false rumors or try to slander others, your sentence will be increased, so be aware of that.”

Just in case, we even introduced a mutual surveillance and reporting system to cross-verify everything.

The inspectors we brought from the central government worked hard. As expected, when experts handle it, things get done quickly.

And so, we compiled a list of useless idiots who were beyond redemption.

We singled out those who, if kept alive, would only harm the nation.

“Hang them.”

“Yes, sir!”

“P-please, spare me! I was wrong! I won’t do it again, please give me one more chance–ugh.”

We wiped them all out at once. We even gathered the local residents and held a public execution.

This was also aimed at streamlining administration and winning over the local populace.

No matter how justified our reasons were, to the ignorant commoners, we were just invaders.

We were nothing more than outsiders who drove out the rightful lord’s family and took their place.

We might be able to change their perception through explanation, propaganda, and education someday… but for now, that’s how it is.

So we gained the people’s favor by eliminating those who were hated and notorious.

We gave the impression that we were the good guys, punishing corrupt officials and rooting out corruption.

“I think we’ve pretty much finished all the necessary tasks.”

“That’s right.”

“Then give the soldiers some leave and time off. Give them a week to meet their families or relax.”

Since we didn’t need the soldiers for the execution anyway, we generously granted them combat leave.

Those with family here could go home and have a meal together.

Those without could go to the red-light district or hang out at bars as they pleased.

If we just let the soldiers loose, they might cause trouble, but they should have enough self-control. Those who didn’t were already dead in the North.

So what did I do during that time?

I went to the cemetery alone.

* * * * *

“Should I reserve a bar nearby? Would you like to join us, sir?”

“No, I’m fine. You guys go ahead.”

Back when I was still a newly appointed second lieutenant.

Before the war with the Empire started, when I was living the fresh life of a rookie officer in this world.

The squad I led back then was from the Duchy of Barellmont.

They were really good guys.

Quick-witted and efficient.

They helped me in many ways as I struggled to adapt to this world’s outdated military technology.

They were all so capable that I thought they would surely succeed if they went into civilian life.

But they all died.

Less than a year after the war started.

“…So you’re all buried here.”

I still remember everything.

Their faces, the causes of their deaths, the dates, everything.

Even though enough time has passed for the mountains and rivers to change, I can’t forget them.

Otto was swept away by a landslide while on guard duty.

Bairek had his brain pierced by an enemy sniper.

Kastin was caught in a grenade explosion during combat.

Oscar was skewered like a kebab by a spear.

Trowi froze to death due to defective winter clothing.

Beken starved to death because of a corrupt supply officer.

At that time, the country still had some leeway, so we could send the remains of the fallen to the rear for proper funerals.

Well, it wasn’t really their bodies, just locks of hair they had left before the battle.

But even that allowed us to create a cemetery for the war dead like this.

“While you guys were buried here, I made it to general. I’m not even 30 yet, and I have four stars on my epaulettes. Can you believe it? The guy who used to drink beer and crack dirty jokes with you is now called ‘sir.'”

A bottle of the finest beer from the village and several glasses.

I poured a drink for each of them and had one myself.

In a light drunken haze, I told the guys in the afterlife about my recent life, and I rambled on, drunk on nostalgia.

“Do you remember that fierce-looking company commander from the 3rd Battalion? His name was Hector or Walter or something. He died after four years. He made it to regimental commander but got his head blown off by a shell while charging, just like me.”

“Our kind administrative officer didn’t last long either. I thought he’d live longer since he was in a rear position. But he got stabbed by a sudden enemy infiltrator. He died of tetanus two weeks later.”

“…Come to think of it, out of the guys who were here from the beginning, I’m the only one left. The one who lasted the longest died a year ago from a grenade in the trenches. The North was really a hellhole.”

“Oh, and by the way, Baden, who was commissioned when Trowi was still alive, is now–”

I vented my frustrations and poured out my regrets in a place where no one could hear.

Whether the sun set or the day grew dark, I kept going for hours. Even when the alcohol ran out and my body shivered from the cold, I didn’t stop.

Only when my mouth grew tired and my energy was nearly spent did my complaints and life updates finally come to an end.

“I’ll stop here for today. I’ll come back tomorrow, so rest well.”

After spending five whole days like this, the stories I had accumulated over ten years finally came to an end.

If I were to go into more trivial details, it would never end, but there’s no need to share all that.

“Have all the soldiers on leave returned?”

“Yes! All personnel are accounted for.”

“Then let’s head out. We need to finish up the remaining tasks and return quickly.”

Mid-January.

Leaving behind past connections and memories, we set out to wrap things up.

* * * * *

“We’ll give you the territory and the title. Please, just spare our lives!!”

“W-we didn’t participate in the war! We only provided financial support, can’t you show us some mercy?”

“If you need sincerity, we’ll give you plenty. Please, have mercy…”

As expected.

The process of sweeping away the noble families allied with the Duke of Barellmont was quickly over.

It wasn’t the kind of task that would take long anyway.

Their main forces were already wiped out by us in the field battles. What resistance could they possibly have left?

At best, they could scrape together a peasant militia, but everyone knows that’s meaningless.

“No. No mercy. I have no intention of showing any, so get lost.”

They begged for mercy, but mercy is only possible when the other party has the heart to forgive.

There was no way their pleas would work on us, who were busy figuring out how to wipe them out without any side effects.

“Hang them.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Ugh!”

This time, we followed the same procedure as in the Duchy.

The Blue Bloods were all arrested, and their servants were appropriately culled to be used as administrative slaves. We also held a public execution.

We decided to turn all the territories we secured through the civil war into royal lands.

After all, we attacked them under the pretext of defying the royal command, and it’s easier to handle things later if we unify them under the monarch’s name.

Once the country stabilizes and the war ends, we plan to convert them all into state-owned lands.

“Now we can finally return to the capital. It took a while.”

“Do you have someone to meet? You’ve been keeping track of the time.”

“Someone to meet… yes. Both professionally and personally.”

“Hmm, I think I know who you’re talking about. Arsha–eep.”

“Stop talking, it’s exactly who you’re thinking.”

When I return, I’ll have to discuss our future plans with her. Maybe over a drink, taking it easy.

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