Semi-Coercive Imperialist - Chapter 114: The Path of Dreams (3)
Whooooosh──
The rooftop of a building where winds blew in the dark.
I stood gazing at the Empire’s night skyline. The atmosphere of a nation that had endured for a thousand years, slowly rotting from within. The lights of a fortress that had unknowingly become humanity’s bulwark.
Suddenly, I sensed someone approaching from behind.
“……Max.”
It was Chiron.
“Will you be alright?”
He was a man well attuned to the political climate. As ambitious as he was cautious.
Now that the operation had been set in motion, he must be worried about the Imperial Palace’s reaction.
“They have to watch their step around the Sentinel too. They have no choice.”
At my resolute words, Chiron let out a sigh.
“However, the Imperial Guard─”
“Before that.”
I cut him off and closed my eyes.
“I simply cannot bring myself to endure it.”
There are many things I asked Johann to prepare for me to say. Once this operation ends, I will unleash all of it through the Jemion Daily.
“The knights of the Sentinel. Those bastards who tarnished the spirit of Aran in such a way. All the rot eating away at the Empire…….”
Feigned fury, meticulously calculated justification.
The genius of propaganda, Johann Goetze, is now my man. As long as I have a proper justification, there’s nothing I need fear.
“I cannot possibly forgive them.”
“…….”
Chiron fell silent for a moment. In his deep eyes, it seemed a multitude of calculations were passing through.
“Maximilian.”
As the night breeze swept in like moonlight, brushing against our clothes, he called my name.
“It’s already the tail end of summer.”
Nearly two years had passed since my Regression, and before I knew it, it was already the second October.
“I remember when I first met you.”
With a faint smile, he continued.
“Back then, I thought you were just a frail young master, as the instructors at Empire Point had described. I wondered if you’d even live up to the Ebenholtz name.”
It was an unusually candid remark from him.
“I was completely wrong.”
I gave a faint smile.
An unbelievable miracle called Regression. The final conversation I had with Edmon.
My purpose that I must never forget, not even for a single moment—humanity’s survival.
That is what brought me this far.
“…….”
Chiron looked at me for a while, then slowly came to stand beside me.
But not quite on the same line.
One step behind.
A subtle but unmistakable distance.
“I will stand behind you.”
Chiron’s words… honestly, were almost laughable. The ‘present’ him was of little help to me.
However, Chiron’s sincerity seemed genuine, and more importantly, the Chiron of the future would be of great help to me.
Because he is a man with abilities that match his ambition.
“……Thank you.”
***
The cartel’s money laundering operated like clockwork.
First, the drugs smuggled by the cartel into the Empire spread across the eastern, central, and western borders. The profits are then laundered through shell companies scattered throughout those regions.
During this process, the funds are split and mixed dozens of times. They’re disguised under plausible pretexts such as payments for auctioned artworks, deposits for real estate investments, or overseas trade settlements, transforming into clean, untraceable Imperial dollars.
The refined funds first flow into the secret accounts of the Imperial Guard.
“…The transfer has arrived.”
In the office of Goebel, commander of the Imperial Guard.
At the report from his adjutant, Goebel smiled in satisfaction. After checking the account records, he closed the file.
“By the way, Commander, what do you think about that place? The bank that’s been getting famous in Canilan lately……”
“You mean Kronen Schatzinsel.”
“Yes. The Imperial Bank is a bit risky now. Who knows when that monstrous man will pull something strange again.”
The adjutant spoke with a voice laced with concern.
That monstrous man, he meant Maximilian Ebenholtz.
Sebestian was the Emperor’s eternal loyalist, and thus he never laid a hand on the Imperial Guard, which was the extension of the Emperor’s power. But Maximilian was different. He has been cherry-picking corporations that had caught the Guard’s attention, all while empowering the regular army instead.
“……Don’t call him a monster.”
Goebel adjusted his monocle and said quietly.
“He’s just a twenty-two-year-old young knight. There’s no need to assign unnecessary narrative to him and fear him. He’s nothing more than a lucky brat born into the right bloodline.”
The adjutant nodded quietly.
“Canilan is still premature. We’ll observe a little longer and move then. Focus on wrapping up this matter first.”
Goebel immediately gave the order to transfer funds to the next stage.
“Yes, understood.”
Half of the funds tributed from the cartel and various other sources were used for the operational expenses of the Imperial Guard and the dignity allowances of its officers. The remaining half was offered up to higher places.
The Imperial Guard was a pipeline connecting the imperial palace and outside society.
──The mansion of the prestigious Bertem family.
A powerful noble favored by the Emperor, one that rivaled Ebenholtz, Kandel, and Runsellot. Kentz Bertem, the second son of the Bertem family and one of the pillars of the Imperial Guard, picked up an envelope full of cash placed on the tray.
“There’s especially a lot today, huh?”
Kentz asked with a tone of curiosity, gauging the thickness of the envelope.
“Yes. From what I’ve heard, there was an especially large amount of presented tribute this month.”
At the butler’s cautious response, he let out a small chuckle.
“Hmm. How diligent of them.”
He didn’t wonder too deeply. There was no need to. The origin of this money had nothing to do with him.
Whether it was squeezed out of someone’s lifeblood or stained with blood, it was all good as long as his wallet grew fatter and his vault filled up.
“By the way, that guy Maximilian has been a problem lately. Acting like he’s a king or something.”
Kentz grumbled as he placed the money in the safe.
“……His Majesty seems to be fond of him.”
“He’s just being amused by the antics of a young cub. The brat got his hands on one mana vein and now he’s acting all high and mighty.”
Sebestian of Ebenholtz was certainly a man deserving of respect. A hero of the Empire and a general who had never lost a battle.
But even Sebastian was merely a general, and Maximilian was not Sebastian.
“Just a insolent brat who looks like a squirrel…….”
Kentz Bertem crossed his legs and swirled his wine glass.
…….
A secret airfield hidden deep in the mountains. Three transport aircraft lined up on the foggy runway.
Around them, Sentinel knights in plain clothes gathered. This was thanks to Chiron’s implementation of Maximilian’s order that “It’s time to let go of the uniform obsession.”
“Looks like everyone’s gathered.”
Maximilian and his attendants began distributing the gear first. It was a suit with a sleek black texture.
“These are the latest model wingsuits.”
The knights curiously examined the wingsuits.
“They’re made of special fibers with maximized mana conductivity. Not only do they drastically improve aerial mobility, but they also resonate with the wearer’s mana circuits to ensure stability during flight.”
An invention created by the brightest minds of Lorenzo Academy working together. However, Maximilian had added one condition.
‘Knights place great importance on appearances, so make sure they look cool when worn. They must not end up looking ridiculous like flying squirrels.’
Thanks to that, the wing suits excelled not only in functionality but also in design. The knights seemed satisfied.
“These wing suits have been meticulously custom-made to match your body sizes and mana characteristics. Additionally, if you infuse mana into this specific part, they will compact into a portable size. After the operation, you’re free to keep them as personal gear.”
At that, everyone folded the wingsuits tucked under their arms a bit more carefully.
Immediately after, Chiron stepped forward.
“The main unit will split into five. Three will drop into the cartel capos’ hideouts and behead the targets.”
He pointed to the key strongholds on the operation map, Fellier, Costa, Kunta. These were the hideouts of the capos, known as the three heads of the cartel.
“The remaining two units are special strike teams. They’ll strike the mid-level officers, who are spread throughout Verkina like a spider’s web, simultaneously. Since each knight is equivalent to a company on their own, the detailed tactics are left to individual discretion.”
The doors of the three transport ships opened. The knights boarded the aircraft in perfect order.
“However, remember the rules of engagement. Injuring innocent civilians is strictly forbidden. But anyone who collaborates with the cartel or aids them─consider them enemies, and you may execute them on the spot.”
Kwaaaah──!
The engines beneath the wings roared, moving through the thick fog. The transports took off like birds, soaring into the night sky.
A very quiet and concentrated drop of lethal human firepower, to utterly crush the cartel that dared lay a hand on an Imperial knight.
The “Path of Dreams” forged through Egilon’s death, would stain the streets of Verkina red. And the wreckage left behind…
‘They’ would devour it.
…….
Kalian Ross. He was quietly awaiting the moment in an underground bunker in Verkina. Calming his pounding heart, preparing for the battle to come.
“Do you trust them?”
Suddenly, Julian asked him from across the room.
“……Pardon?”
“I’m asking whether you trust the ones under your command.”
“Yes. I do.”
Kalo answered without hesitation.
The members he had gathered were those who had lost their families to the cartel, whose lives had been trampled. He had intentionally embraced people driven by the strongest motive of all, revenge.
“The cartel bastards don’t realize it. They forget, drunk on immediate pleasure, that their crimes will one day return as blades aimed at their own throats.”
There were more than enough people in Verkina’s underworld holding such grudges. Enough to build an army with them alone.
“What I’m asking is, can you really trust all of them?”
Julian pressed him persistently.
Trust is the most difficult thing. In this world where betrayal is routine, not every man you trust will turn out to be a loyal one.
Kalo fidgeted with his fingers, then gave a faint smile.
“……Actually, I have a secret.”
“A secret?”
“Yes. I can tell truth from lies… at least when it comes to these bottom-dwellers here, it’s not that hard. Though it doesn’t work on someone like you, Sir Julian.”
A thought suddenly occurred to Julian, and he asked again.
“Are you Yaken?”
For a moment, Kalo’s face stiffened. His brow twitched as if his secret had been uncovered.
He answered with a sigh.
“……Yes. I’m a half-blood. Fortunately, my appearance doesn’t give it away, so I’ve been able to hide it until now. But how did you know?”
“Yaken usually have one of those peculiar tricks up their sleeve.”
Julian’s eyes dropped to Kalo’s wrist. A strange bracelet, as if carved from human bone, was wrapped around it.
“If it’s not just a bad hobby, it must be a Yaken tradition.”
“Ah…”
Kalo fiddled with the bracelet and gave a bitter smile.
“May I ask you to keep it secret? I’m well aware of how the people of the Empire view subspecies…”
“It’s fine.”
Julian shook his head.
“Maximilian. He despises the eastern races and is a figure of fear among various minority groups, including subspecies. He believes in racial hierarchy more than anyone else.”
His gaze deepened.
“But in some ways, he’s tolerant. A Yaken, in fact, might be able to become his friend.”
“……Is that so?”
“Yes. That man likes competent dogs.”
Julian looked up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes, seeming lost in thought for a moment, then lowered his gaze again.
“Kalo.”
“Yes.”
“This place will soon become your domain, but remember one thing.”
He didn’t consider the operation failing.
Because Julian trusted Maximilian.
“Improper control, or corruption driven by blind desire, will turn us into your enemies.”
Julian’s voice carried weight.
“The reason he’s let you live is because you’re useful and controllable. The moment you cross the line, you’ll die a death more miserable than Eshton’s.”
It was both a warning and a piece of advice. Kalo nodded with a serious expression.
“Don’t worry. And besides─”
Facing Julian, he replied,
“I fear and trust you more than I do Sir Maximilian, whom I’ve barely even met.”
“…….”
Julian looked at him silently, without a single shift in expression. His gaze remained dry and inscrutable. Silence served as his only reply.
***
────.
The interior of the transport ship was relatively quiet. The sound of wind striking the steel hull rippled like white noise.
Eight knights, awaiting deployment, sat in silence, each calming mind and body in their own way. One bobbed his head to a rhythm, another took deep breaths with arms crossed.
I watched them as I waited for the moment.
“We’ve reached the point.”
The pilot called out.
The ramp opened, and
Kwa-da-da-da-da───!
A blast of wind and noise rushed in. A torrent of air whipped through the interior. My shout pushed against the pressure and rang out.
“──Jump in designated order!”
At the designated drop point, one by one.
“Raynel. Jump!”
One more.
“Zionne. Jump!”
Another.
“Royce. Jump!”
They descended one by one. At a glance it seemed meager, but the moment they touched down, they would unleash firepower equivalent to dozens of tanks.
Swooooshhhhh──.
The knights vanished into Verkina’s night sky.
Now, only Chiron and I remained inside the transport.
“Sir Chiron.”
Facing the wind, I called out to Chiron. There was something I wanted to say to him.
Chiron turned to look at me.
“I’ve been thinking carefully about what you said to me that day.”
Whoooosh──
The gale swept through, rustling our clothes.
“That you would stand behind me.”
“……Yes.”
Chiron nodded solemnly. He had decided to align himself with Maximilian.
More than the background of Ebenholtz, he had staked his ambition on the individual potential of Maximilian.
If that was the case─
“I will temporarily suppress my rage, for your sake. Though I want to rip apart the filthy Imperial Guard and the bastards of the Imperial Palace along with the cartel……”
I spoke as if I were restraining myself.
I have to maintain some level of relationship with the Imperial Palace─for now. Until my power grows. Until I could be certain of cutting their throats.
“At the scene, I’m sure we’ll find plenty of evidence, likely in the form of ledgers. But I will stay silent about the bribes they’ve accumulated and the corruption they’ve committed. I’ll endure it.”
In exchange for offering a path to survival to the Imperial Palace and the Guard, the price we’ll extract must be clear.
“What we will gain is─”
The thing Chiron desires most.
I looked straight into Chiron’s eyes and said it.
“Unconditional support from the Imperial Palace for the position of Knight Commander.”
In that moment, Chiron’s eyes widened. In the pupils of a man in his mid-to-late thirties, starlight poured in brightly.
It was an overwhelming sight, but it only meant his dream was that grand.
“……Alright. If that’s your wish.”
He placed a trembling hand on my shoulder. I looked up toward the sky again.
“Yes.”
My father, Sebestian, was a knight who abandoned the knight order. All to be loyal only to the Emperor.
But I will make the Sentinel my foundation. I would grasp the Empire’s sharpest blade.
How far I can go using this foundation as my means…
“Let’s go.”
…I didn’t know yet.
But one thing is certain─
That I’ve come to look just a little farther than before.
“Jump!”
I shouted and threw myself out of the transport ship. Following the currents of air rushing toward me, I glided elegantly through the sky.
When I turned my gaze to the side, I saw Chiron following right behind me.
~~~
TL Note: As I mentioned last week, the author took a one-day break, so there will be no chapter tomorrow.
