Chapter 29

As Viktor’s speech concluded, the soldiers’ opinions became divided.

“I’ll finally be able to see my mother again...”
“I wonder if my younger siblings are doing well.”

Most of the kingdom’s army was made up of conscripts, who had little hesitation about surrendering. Forced into service through either money or threats from the nobles, they had always prioritized survival. Their loyalty to Viktor was based on the simple calculation that their chances of survival were highest under his command.

Furthermore, the Imperial Army, aiming to reduce resistance from the people in future annexed territories, had restrained from looting or slaughtering throughout the war. As a result, ideas of patriotism or reasons to fight were never at the forefront of these conscripts’ minds. Viktor’s confirmation that the Empire treated occupied lands and prisoners humanely only cemented their decision.

“General Viktor is right. They say the Empire doesn’t mistreat prisoners or pillage occupied lands—why should we risk our lives?”
“Exactly. Besides, what if resisting only escalates the war?”

Especially among those who had been conscripted in the later stages of the Northern War or had not experienced defeats due to their time under Viktor’s command, there was minimal resentment toward the Empire, and thus no reluctance to surrender. Under Viktor’s leadership, most battles had involved ambushes and strategic retreats, and in the end, they had been waiting in the fortress, biding their time.

For many, their resentment was directed more at the nobles who had forced them to suffer, so Viktor’s claim that resistance would only serve the nobles inclined them further toward surrender.

“If only the General were staying with us, I might reconsider.”
“But he’s leaving tomorrow, isn’t he? How can we defeat the Empire without him…”

Others had simply lost hope at the news that Viktor would not remain.

Those who had felt helpless during the crushing defeats in the early stages of the war, as well as the 1st Corps soldiers who held Viktor in high esteem, were particularly disillusioned. They didn’t trust the Kingdom of Rus, now filled with unknown figures in power, and instead chose to follow the one reliable figure they could—Viktor.

Of course, though few in number, there were negative voices, particularly among former noble retainers and noble officers.

“Isn’t it possible he’s been bribed?”
“He mentioned the Emperor’s mercy, didn’t he? Maybe he was swayed by that wench.”

Some soldiers, aware that Viktor had returned from the Empire, believed he might have defected during his time there.

“Surrender to the Empire, the ones who killed Ivan? I’d rather die.”
“Better death than surrender to the Empire.”

Some soldiers, for various personal reasons, held deep grudges against the Empire and refused to even consider surrender.

“I can’t just abandon the Kingdom of Rus to save my own skin. I won’t do it!”

A few rare individuals still displayed loyalty to the Kingdom of Rus, showing signs of patriotism.

“Couldn’t this all be part of Viktor’s plan?”
“Didn’t you see Vladimir confess to his treachery? How can you believe that nonsense!”
“This is suspicious—the timing is just too perfect.”
“Remember, the General said they acted out of fear once he returned. They were planning this long before!”

There were also conspiracy theories that all of this had been orchestrated by Viktor as part of a plot to surrender. Although the evidence of Vladimir’s rebellion was clear, and Viktor’s subsequent actions as Council Chairman seemed appropriate, those who voiced such theories were quickly dismissed by the other soldiers.

Viktor did not ignore these dissensions.

“Isn’t it possible that woman, Louisa, could have seduced the General with her looks?”
“Hm, maybe…”
“…General?”

Just as he had done the day before, he spent the entire day going around the camp, meeting with soldiers and trying to persuade them.

While his direct conversations rarely succeeded in changing the minds of those strongly opposed to surrender, his efforts did have an impact on soldiers who were still wavering, moving them to support him.

“He went that far for us...”
“General Viktor took on such dishonor for our sake.”
“It must be the General who wanted to protect the kingdom all along…”

Public opinion among the soldiers rapidly tilted toward surrender, and with the majority set, even those who had hesitated ultimately decided to surrender.

The commanders of the 2nd and 3rd Corps, who saw an advantage in keeping the Kingdom of Rus intact, tried to rally dissenters, but they had to move carefully under the watchful eyes of Viktor, who was still Commander-in-Chief, and the loyal 1st Corps. As a result, their efforts had little effect.

So, when the clock struck 9 a.m., as Viktor had mentioned, an immense number of soldiers had gathered in front of the main gate of Zabinsk Castle.

---

The forces stationed at Zabinsk numbered around 28,000.

“1st Corps Commander Anna and 7,952 soldiers have arrived. In the absence of 2nd Corps Commander Yuri Igorev, I’m also leading an additional 5,184 soldiers from the 2nd Corps.”
“4th Corps Commander Alexandrov Kalichin reporting. The entire 4th Corps of 5,986 has arrived. Additionally, in the absence of 3rd Corps Commander Pavel Andreyev, I’m temporarily commanding 4,785 soldiers from the 3rd Corps.”

According to the reports from the assembled commanders, 23,907 soldiers had complied with my order to surrender.

My goal had been to secure at least half to establish a dominant stance, and this number far exceeded that target.

It seemed that, aside from a small group of dissenters, everyone else had gathered. With over half of the 2nd and 3rd Corps moving with us, it appeared that the Corps Commanders’ influence had been weaker than expected.

“…Thank you. With the courage you’ve shown, I will do my utmost as well.”
“…”

“Today, we will march to a point about 20 kilometers from the Imperial encampment. Prepare your weapons, rations, and tents, and we’ll depart immediately.”
“Understood.”

To minimize confusion among the soldiers, I had set our departure for the next morning to avoid giving dissenters time to sway others. However, with so many following my lead, there was no need to rush or carry the full burden of supplies.

The distance from Zabinsk to Josef’s encampment was around 40 kilometers. To ensure a manageable pace, I had written in the letter that we would camp halfway and continue to the camp the following day.

With gentle terrain along the route, covering 20 kilometers in half a day of marching should be straightforward.

“Prepare enough carts so the soldiers need only carry a single canteen.”
“Yes, sir!”

Aware of the hardships of a full march, I opted to lighten the soldiers’ load as much as possible. Though this would take some extra time, with so many now on board, any delay was not a major concern.

If I were to call upon their loyalty later, it was essential to treat them well now.

---

Two days earlier, news of the rebellion at Zabinsk Castle and the assassination of the king had reached Josef Steiner’s encampment.

Since then, there had been no further updates, but Josef saw this as an opportunity and was discreetly preparing to mobilize his forces.

Josef planned to wait for Viktor’s return and then, with the negotiator—the king—gone, declare the negotiations void and launch an attack on the Kingdom of Rus.

In Josef’s eyes, this rebellion was a chance for the noble faction to regain power.

With the kingdom weakened by the rebellion and the Imperial forces reorganized, Josef believed victory would come easily. Once they claimed victory, his influence would greatly expand, and any backlash from breaking the truce would fall on the Emperor, who had declared the ceasefire.

While he was wary of the risks of this plan, he initially increased the troops guarding the kingdom’s border, framing it as a response to potential unforeseen circumstances.

Then, last night, Viktor’s letter reached Josef. The letter informed him that the army of the Kingdom of Rus, represented by Commander-in-Chief Viktor, had decided to surrender to the Dragonia Empire and would begin marching to the Imperial camp with the surrendering soldiers the following morning.

When Josef first received the letter, he didn’t believe it.

The notion that only the army, not the kingdom, would surrender seemed odd, and Viktor, who had barely spent a week in Zabinsk, was the one who had sent the letter.

No matter how much of a hero Viktor was, Josef found it impossible to believe that he could lead the entire army to surrender. Observing from outside the castle, he hadn’t seen any suspicious activity, so he dismissed the letter.

Instead, he assumed that the situation had become so chaotic due to the rebellion that Viktor had fled in disgrace.

Since he had already bolstered his security, Josef took no additional measures. He expected that if Viktor did bring any troops, it would only be a small retinue.

However, around 1 p.m. that day…

“General Josef! Viktor is advancing with soldiers carrying white flags toward the Imperial camp!”
“The size of the force?”

A flustered guard rushed into Josef’s tent.

“The line stretches endlessly! There are at least 20,000 of them!”

“Are you sure... No, never mind.”

Suppressing his doubts, Josef stood immediately to organize a response.

“Deploy all available temporary encampments and request additional supplies. Lieutenant, prepare a letter to His Majesty, the Emperor!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood!”

With Viktor and his army on the move, they would arrive at Josef’s camp the next day. Both the Emperor and the nobles emphasized the respectful treatment of prisoners, so Josef could not afford to neglect them.

As he prepared

 to receive the unexpected prisoners, Josef quickly filled out his letter to the Emperor.

With the kingdom’s army surrendering, the credit would likely fall to Josef, who guarded the border.

Resuming the war was risky, but accepting these surrendering forces presented a promising reward, so Josef worked with a cheerful heart.

“And increase the guards watching Zabinsk Castle! Keep monitoring the responses of those who remain!”

“Yes, sir!”

Recognizing that Viktor had nearly acted unilaterally, Josef made sure to bolster his defenses in case the kingdom showed any signs of resistance.

“…I won’t sit idle.”

Josef did not stop there.

According to Viktor’s letter, his army would camp halfway between the camp and Zabinsk Castle, then continue to the camp the next day.

To solidify his claim over the surrender and make it appear as though he was leading the surrender process…

“Prepare my horse!”

He decided to personally go out and meet them before they reached the camp.

“The marching troops are setting up temporary encampments.”

“Good. Let’s head out!”

That evening, as Viktor’s army halted their march.

Josef, taking only a few officers with him to avoid provoking suspicion, set off toward the temporary camp.