The Extra Wants To Live

It took nearly ten days to get to Palton Ridge. There was no complaint even though the march was heated from the territory adjacent to Palton Territory. The atmosphere was too tense for any complaints.

"It seems like you're coping well."

Most of the nobles of the military seemed relieved by the atmosphere, which was so strict that it was difficult to breathe. Upon hearing news of the commoners' rebellion, the surrounding territories spared no expense in deploying troops and completely blockading Palton Territory. Armed troops were deployed to patrol the cities and towns to prevent the common people from having any frivolous ideas.

"We must firmly press this opportunity so that the commoners will not dare to act presumptuously," the nobles said openly.

"If you suppress it too much, there will be a big backlash," Carl's voice was filled with concern.

The atmosphere became somewhat serious as some nobles agreed with his words. No matter what, each territory is recognized as having autonomy, so they cannot interfere with the lord's policies. In the end, the central army, including Carl, passed through the territories without any problems and crossed the border of the Palton Territory.

"I will divide the army into three."

As previously announced, Milione divided the central army into three. The 1st Army, led by Milione himself, headed to Sambison, the heart of the Palton Territory. On the surface, the 1st Army would be the main force, capturing Sambison and putting an end to the rebellion.

The 2nd Army immediately moved quickly north and occupied the upper reaches of the Bilkia River, which runs through the Palton Territory. Rivers are an inseparable supply link for the military. By seizing and blocking the river, they could prevent supplies and support from reaching the rebels. If there's a gap there, they might be able to take the river and join up with the 1st Army.

The last 3rd Army would continue to move west to attack the southern part of Palton Territory, then move north to stir up Palton Territory and confuse the enemy.

Splitting the force of only 500 men into three seems dangerous. However, the central army consists of the best elite soldiers of the empire and is also equipped with a large number of skilled knights and officers. There's no need to be concerned about commoner rebels. Even if the troops were divided into three, the troops of the 1st and 2nd armies, excluding the 3rd army, were not that small.

Because the 3rd Army needed overwhelming mobility to complete its mission, their numbers were relatively small.

"Then I'll be going now. Next time I see you, I guess it'll be Sambison."

"Good luck, Your Highness."

Charles, who was in command of the 3rd Army, separated from the Laurel Corps, which consisted of only 50 men, and began to move immediately west. The numbers were so small that it seemed dangerous, but no one seemed worried.

"Master Jaren, this will be your first battle since becoming a Master."

"Yes."

Because Master Jaren is with Carl.

"Aren't you nervous?"

"It's not possible."

"Well, I guess that's not necessary. But I hope you don't let your guard down too much."

"… I won't let my guard down."

"If that's the case, then that's fortunate."

"… ."

Knowing that Jaren was killed by an enemy who wasn't even a master in the original, Carl poked Jaren with a mysterious smile. Because of this, Jaren had no choice but to tense up his guard so as not to get caught by Carl.

Unlike the mission of suppressing a rebellion, it was a relatively peaceful journey. Less than ten minutes after Carl broke away from the central army and started moving west, someone appeared in his path.

A man in ordinary attire and bearing jumped out of the grass by the side of the road, stood in the middle of the road, and waved a small hand flag. There were two red lines drawn horizontally above and below the black flag. An agent of the Intelligence Bureau who gathers information throughout the empire under the orders of the imperial family.

"Report."

As Carl stopped and spoke, the man approached, took out a rolled-up piece of paper from his bosom, and spoke.

"Last observed in Ishul, northwest of the Palton Range."

"Ishul? Not Sambison?"

"Yes, this is Ishul."

Carl unfolded the paper, looked at it, then raised his head with a heavy face and looked around.

"Is there a problem?"

Jaren frowned at the sudden turn of events and asked. Catherine and Billford kept their mouths shut, having already heard the inside story from Carl.

"Master Jaren, our mission is not to suppress the rebellion." Carl spoke in a low voice, then slowly lowered his head to look at the intelligence agent.

"… ."

"… ."

"Suppressing a rebellion? Then… what… ."

Jaren, who had been speaking to the silent Carl, slowly closed his mouth. His face, which had seemed confused, suddenly calmed down. Carl's clear, green eyes. They pierced through and exposed each and every one of those who stood before them, just as they did when they scolded Jaren for his past shame and frustration. How could Jaren forget those eyes?

"Did you say Ishul?"

"… ."

The intelligence agent licked his lips at Carl's soft voice. But not even the sound of wind came out of his mouth. His breath caught in his throat and his heart stopped as if it were frozen.

"Why aren't you answering?"

Crunch.

Carl spoke in a soft and affectionate voice, lifting the chin of the intelligence agent who had dropped his head to the window. The blade brushed the man's neck, and he felt a burning sensation along with a tingling feeling. The blood flowing down his neck soaked his clothes. The man's trembling eyes met Carl's clear, green eyes. Carl's eyes, which were as still as the sun, slightly squinted.

"Tell me, what did they promise you?"

"… ."

The suffocating intelligence agent clutched at his own throat, but Carl's spear was aimed at him and he gently squeezed his hand down, as if squeezing the hand of a mischievous child. That brought a sense of creepiness and faint fear to Jaren, who was watching from the side.

Carl saw through the human mind and revealed everything about it with kind and gentle words. Just like he did to Jaren. Now, Carl realized in an instant that the intelligence agent he had just met had betrayed the Imperial Family long ago. Just by exchanging a few words and making eye contact. Because his intuition was fiercely warning him that he absolutely must not go to Ishul.

If you go, you will definitely die.

"… a new world… ."

The intelligence agent whispered faintly with a handful of breath left in his chest. Carl nodded slowly, lowering his spear and resting the blade against his collarbone.

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"What's in Ishul?"

"The doctrine of universal equality… ."

The agent whispered with his last breath, but the words that followed were muffled for lack of air.

But Carl could tell by the shape of his lips. Priests of the Church of Universal Equality.

The agent of the information agency was unable to move, as if his soul was caught in the clutches of the devil, and was babbling along following Carl's orders.

The mind became confused, and things became blurry and clear at the same time, as if they were moving away or approaching.

The intelligence agent discovered something among the scattered rubble. It was his shattered ego.