Mob No. 86: [Oh dear . Well, that saves us one trial. Now, what about the rest of you? I’d be more than happy to save you the trouble of the trial…]
Rebel Separate Team Side: Third-Party Perspective – Continued
The Duke raised his eyebrows in astonishment at the Count’s words.
The Marquis had said that with the Duke on their side, reform would surely succeed.
Yet now, why was the Duke looking at him with such cold, discerning eyes?
He could not understand.
“Your Grace! What is the meaning of this?! Were you not our supporter? No, our leader?!”
The words spilled out unthinkingly, and the Duke calmly responded.
“I listened to what the Marquis of Vastog had to say, and agreed the situation was troubling. However, that was because there were far too many of you with regressive ideals that hamper the nation’s progress, and who take actions that weaken the country. I never intended to be your leader, nor have I given any instructions. Yet you rode on the Marquis’ words, gathered forces, and came this far. Now…”
The Count could only tremble, unable to respond to the Duke’s words.
Then, the young Earl of Scad, in his late twenties and sharing the Count’s convictions, daringly attempted to argue with the Duke.
“But we can no longer maintain the lifestyle befitting nobles! The taxes from our people decrease monthly, and some even dared flee our lands!
Did you not just say, Your Grace, that ‘It is only natural that imperial citizens and colonial peoples should work diligently, revere their superiors, and happily offer up their wealth’? Are you denying your own words?”
The young Earl Scad looked smug, staring at the Duke.
But the response came from a different person.
“An impudent whelp who doesn’t understand the Duke’s words dares to get cocky!”
The stern, bearded face of Fleet Admiral Sorlock Mauston appeared on the hologram.
“It is natural that citizens and colonists should diligently work, revere their rulers, and properly pay taxes. Which means rulers should ensure citizens and colonists live prosperous and safe lives, and will naturally be revered!
Yet you bleed them dry without making their lives prosperous, hoard luxuries, easily kill them over trivial matters and moods! Who would revere such lords? You are no better than parasites! Mosquitoes sucking people’s lifeblood!”
Mauston yelled furiously at Scad and the rebels, rage writ on his face.
Then the Duke cut in, his expression in contrast calm.
“Sorlock. That was rude.
Mosquitoes mainly feed on flower nectar and fruit juice. Only female mosquitoes suck blood before laying eggs. They help eliminate dangerous creatures, and are prey for other animals. They play a role in the food chain and ecological balance.
Not like these people, who don’t fulfill their roles yet suck the wealth built by others’ sweat day and night.”
The Duke chided his longtime friend Mauston for the rude metaphor against mosquitoes.
He continued:
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“However. There may be some here who came against their will, unable to defy their superiors. To them I say, signal surrender now, and fully halt all ships under your command. Do so and I promise lenient treatment.
Here and now, you need not obey the orders of those who have long exploited you and forced your hand against your will. Prove you are more than mosquitoes.”
At the Duke’s words, about 60% of the rebels surrendered and halted all ships under their command.
“Hmm. It seems quite a few were unwilling participants in this.”
The Duke stroked his chin, satisfied with the result.
Seeing their servants – poor minor nobles – betray them, the Count was shocked speechless, collapsing to his knees.
But one person reacted with visible anger.
“Forget the spineless traitors and cowards blown by the winds of cowardice! They will serve as shields! And there is nothing ahead! Advance while bombarding the capital planet Hyne!”
It was the young Earl Scad in his late twenties.
With an insolent grin, he ordered his men to advance.
The moment Scad’s fleet began to advance and the turrets took aim, a series of small explosions occurred on his flagship. Finally a large blast erupted on the bridge, and amidst screams, the young Earl’s figure disappeared from the other ships’ screens.
In the shock, none of the rebels noticed the red and blue fighters jettisoning from the massive dust cloud that was once a ship.
“Oh dear. That’s one less trial to deal with. Now, what will the rest of you do? I’d prefer to avoid the hassle of trials, you see?”
The Duke calmly, as if asking for more tea, sought a response from the [“nobles seeking to restore the imperial throne to the hands of legitimate nobles”].
“We surrender…”
The Count, on his knees, and the other rebels meekly surrendered.
Side Story: Rebel Splinter Group – 3rd Person POV – End
About 1 hour after combat began.
Frankly, rebel morale isn’t very high.
On top of mistakenly equating status with ability, they seem fixated on seizing others’ achievements, so their offense is weak.
Also, some units seem to be waiting for something.
Still, we definitely have the advantage, so as long as we maintain our lines, we shouldn’t lose.
But that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. We have to remain vigilant.
Major General Earlyhenge understands this and is instructing the troops and mercenaries not to be complacent.
In light novels, something would definitely happen at times like this, but in reality that almost never happens.
Still, I recalled the saying “Good things don’t last long.”
Maybe unrelated, but a proximity alarm I’d set for anomalous movement from the direction of an uncharted satellite fortress-like object 18 billion km from Planet Gatohaga sounded.
TLNOTE : If you enjoyed this novel and want to read more, I’ve started translating another work by the same author titled: “[Snail] – The Cargo-Passenger Ship Operations Log.” Please check it out!
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