Semi-Coercive Imperialist - Chapter 116: The Meaning of Politics (2)
Translator: KJ
National University of the Republic of Prozen.
The Liberal Arts and Science campus was abuzz with talk about the Empire’s cartel purge operation, named “Path of Dreams”.
Some said it was too much, even for the Empire, an act of violence with every potential to escalate into war. Others found it satisfying, claiming drugs had been the problem from the start, that the easterners had it coming, that the Empire had cleaned up the beasts in their stead……
Amid such conflicting opinions, Professor Jean Pierre stood at the lecture podium in his lecture hall.
“A new event has been added to history.”
A newly established course: 「History Through Individuals」.
“And in the end, it is individuals who create events.”
With that short commentary on the recent incident, he signaled the beginning of his lecture.
“First, here is Sentinel’s official stance.”
A statement from the Sentinel Knight Order was projected on the screen. Sentences in the Imperial language explained that they had beheaded all key members of the cartel in a single night, as retribution for the murder of a Sentinel-affiliated knight advisor.
“‘Path of Dreams’ truly unfolded just like a dream. The Verkina government didn’t even realize Sentinel had entered their territory before it was over.”
The incompetence of the Verkina government. Its corruption, fueled by bribes from the cartel, had always been notorious, but this time was particularly special.
“External analysts predict the following timeline……”
For ninety minutes, Jean Pierre explained the background and execution of the operation in detail, weaving in some speculation.
The students were fully immersed in his lecture.
“──Now, if you’ve followed so far.”
Jean Pierre suddenly raised a finger.
“Doesn’t something seem a bit off?”
The students looked puzzled, but the professor continued speaking nonchalantly.
“This operation was like a pinch of salt.”
He opened a salt shaker he’d brought from the cafeteria and pinched some between his thumb and index finger.
“As if it were lightly sprinkled only on the festering wounds……”
Whoosh. Whoosh.
He scattered the salt into the air.
“An extremely restrained use of force. There were also zero civilian casualties. They cleanly erased only those connected to the cartel.”
Most of the students still looked confused.
Jean Pierre raised an eyebrow.
“Let me put it another way. The use of force was extremely controlled, and there were no civilian casualties beyond that. Though the knights were clearly full of rage, their judgment was thoroughly rational. That’s why quite a few civilian witnesses were left alive.”
He slowly scanned the lecture hall.
“You need to find the commonality here. Only then can you be called a student of history. The hint is─ this spring.”
A brief silence followed.
Then, someone cautiously raised their hand.
“……Could it be, Genen?”
Jean Pierre pointed at him and nodded.
“Correct.”
The suppression of the Genen Autonomous Region and the Path of Dreams.
The ‘nature’ of the two incidents was strikingly similar.
Deploy overwhelming force the opponent cannot resist, but wield it with extreme restraint and control to maximize fear.
“A commanding officer is responsible for planning and designing an operation.”
As Jean Pierre continued the lecture, a blurry silhouette suddenly appeared before his eyes. The uniform of a Sentinel knight shimmered faintly.
“But whether they try to hide it or not, the method and manner of execution always leave behind a unique trace, like a fingerprint. Thus, if you carefully trace those details─”
That figure was shrouded in darkness, but if one looked closely…….
“The one who designed and executed this operation from the start──”
A faint shape with golden hair came into view.
“──You’ll discover a historic individual.”
Jean Pierre wrote a name on the blackboard.
[ Maximilian Ebenholtz ]
The Monster of Ebenholtz.
“The Sentinel has unmistakably demonstrated the might of the imperial knight order. Not just Verkina, but virtually every criminal organization on the continent will now never dare to even think of touching an imperial knight.”
Of course, a few insane groups, like ‘Zentra’, would be the exception.
“But will Verkina or the cartel itself truly change as a result?”
Jean Pierre was skeptical.
They would not change. Human desire is infinite, and the same goes for the cartel.
In the void left by the eradicated evil, smaller and more vicious ones will spring up, flooding the streets with drugs.
“That is your assignment. After this incident, how will Verkina, now devoid of the ‘individuals’ that made up the cartel, and its ecosystem change? Write about it from your own perspective.”
Having finished his lecture, Jean Pierre turned around.
The moment he opened the door and stepped outside.
“……!”
He stopped in his tracks without realizing it. Standing right in front of the hallway was a blond-haired student. A young man of similar height to Maximilian.
“……Professor? Are you alright?”
The student asked with a puzzled look.
Jean Pierre shook his head, sweat beading on his brow.
“Ah, uh, yes. I’m fine.”
Even now, the memory of that day was vivid.
The chill when the man reached out for a handshake and introduced himself. The terror of sensing the “darkness” lurking beneath his outstanding and beautiful appearance.
His blond hair had somehow left behind a sort of PTSD in Jean Pierre.
He walked down the hallway with a bitter smile.
***
Anton, the Deputy Knight Commander of Sentinel, gazed out the window. The line of vehicles stretching toward the knight order’s main gate was long.
Every last one of them had been called in by summons.
“It’s a great development.”
It was Chiron who spoke.
“Sentinel has eradicated the Empire’s corruption and the drugs in the East. The prestige of the Knight Order is higher than ever.”
Anton turned to look at him. Sitting across the desk were High-ranking Knights Chiron and Adria. Anton responded with a bitter smile.
“I suppose so.”
“…….”
Chiron didn’t seem pleased with Anton’s lukewarm response.
“Deputy Commander. What exactly is it that worries you so?”
“Because only the tails will keep getting chopped off. Isn’t that right?”
Adria cut in, answering in his place. A faint smirk played on Chiron’s lips.
“Tails? You think Goebel is a tail?”
“Goebel hasn’t even responded to the summons. Even if he had, who knows what kind of deals would’ve gone down inside.”
It was a sharp hit, but Chiron kept smiling.
“Are you jealous? There’s no need for that.”
“There’s no reason to be jealous. You guys never share information anyway.”
“‘You guys’?”
Chiron furrowed his brows.
“Since when did the Sentinel become divided into ‘you’ and ‘us’?”
“Don’t make me laugh. Chiron, you were the first to…”
“Adria.”
Anton stopped her in a stern voice.
“…….”
Adria bit her lip and bowed her head.
“Both of you, leave. Commander Eberich has also instructed us not to let this incident slide, so make sure it’s wrapped up properly.”
Anton waved his hand. Chiron and Adria rose from their chairs side by side. After a polite bow, they left the deputy commander’s office.
Thud.
As soon as the door closed, Chiron let out a quiet laugh.
“……Adria. Don’t cling to meaningless illusions like factions.”
“You were the first one to create a faction, Chiron.”
“Still, we’re all the same Sentinel. I even shared a few pieces of data from this incident, didn’t I?”
Chiron had willingly distributed some of the entries recorded in the cartel’s ledgers to Adria’s side.
Of course, it was only the lower-level information, barely worth calling a contribution.
“You’ve got some nerve. You staffed the whole operation with only your own people. Did you think I wouldn’t notice? That case was Julian’s from the start─”
“How many times do I have to say it was because of concerns about information leaks? Oh, and by the way, do you know what this is?”
Chiron pulled a piece of equipment from inside his coat, compressed like nonwoven fabric.
“It’s a wingsuit. A cutting-edge wingsuit. Used it in the recent operation.”
“…….”
“One push of a button, and it’s equipped instantly.”
“…….”
“Want me to show you?”
Adria stared at him with a blank expression for a moment.
“……Are you seriously showing off?”
“……Ahem.”
Chiron awkwardly cleared his throat, seemingly embarrassed.
“Just thought you should know. Since you weren’t there that day.”
“Hah. That’s so childish. You haven’t changed one bit.”
Shaking her head, Adria turned and walked off toward her own faction, Jerome’s side.
Left alone, Chiron was soon joined by Fried, Raynel, and Zionne.
“……What did she say?”
Raynel asked with a serious expression. Chiron let out a brief laugh as he slipped the wingsuit back into his inner pocket.
“Ignore it.”
It was only a matter of time anyway. The moment Anton was ousted, their backing would collapse, and the core of the Knight Order would shift firmly toward “us”.
…….
Using the ledger evidence I had analyzed in Canilan, I invoked the knight’s authority of “summons” in rapid succession. I started by rounding up the parasitic minor nobles of the imperial palace who were especially heinous, along with their associates, parliamentary officials, and high-ranking bureaucrats from the eastern territories.
Those who lived in the palace but weren’t royalty, nor part of the central power, parasites who hovered around the powerful, living off scraps. Nobodies who acted like tyrants toward civilians.
Their reactions were a spectacle.
“Th-this money, I can explain it! I swear it’s not a bribe!”
“This is a legitimate profit from my personal business! Please recheck the ledger!”
I listened to everything they had to say.
“I-it’s money from a relative! An inheritance, an inheritance!”
“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry! Please forgive me just this once, Sir Knight!”
I quietly listened to them barking like dogs.
“Ah~ It could be confusing, but if you look here, it’s a bit different. The source of the funds, I mean.”
“I-I didn’t know it came from the cartel! Really, I didn’t!”
To all of them, I gave the same response.
“──You will be referred to the Knight Court.”
The Knight Court.
In that moment, their faces turned pale.
Some gasped, lips turning blue, some fell to their knees shaking before fainting altogether, others foamed at the mouth and convulsed…….
All sorts of disgraceful scenes.
“Take them away.”
“Yes, sir.”
The administrative officers detained them in Sentinel’s underground prison.
As I organized the paperwork, I asked,
“What about Goebel?”
“Ah, we just got word. He’s requested a few days’ delay due to urgent official duties─”
“Not even for a second.”
It was clearly a ploy to buy time, but I had no intention of accommodating it.
“It cannot be postponed. If he does not appear by 3 PM on the 30th.”
I tapped the summons document with the tip of my pen.
“Tell him I’ll come and bring him in personally.”
…….
“You. Do you know who I am?”
Sentinel, Knight Interrogation Room. 0-year knight Hannah stared at the nobleman across from her, pressing her fingers to her temple.
“I do. You’re Verssen von Dredic.”
“Then change the officer in charge. We’re not on the same level.”
“I’m a knight too, you know? I was part of the Path of Dreams operation.”
The man snapped his head away and snorted.
“Get out, commoner. I won’t speak with you.”
“…….”
He’d been pulling this crap from the start and it was getting on her nerves. Steam was practically shooting from her head. Stuffing his face with bribes and having the audacity to act that high and mighty.
“I said, get out!”
“……Ha. What the fuck.”
Hannah eventually walked out of the interrogation room. Her desk was right outside the door, and around it, administrative officers and clerks were huddled close.
It was a bit cramped being a 0-year knight.
“Ma’am. How did it go?”
“He won’t talk at all. I’m going to step out for a bit and get some air.”
Muttering in frustration, she stepped outside to find the place packed. Summoned nobles, officials, lawmakers, and even their families.
“Ugh, this is pissing me off…….”
She had come out to the knight order’s rear courtyard and was contemplating whether she should take up smoking, when.
“Hannah? Is something wrong?”
Just then, Tiana approached. The only comforting presence in this suffocating Sentinel.
“Oh, ma’am. It’s nothing really, and I’m not trying to complain, but…….”
Hannah sighed and explained what had just happened. Tiana gave a soft smile.
“Ah, I know what that is. Nobles have their own persecution complex, you know.”
“……Nobles have a persecution complex?”
“I’m technically a noble too, but yeah, it’s kind of pathetic. They’re the ones who look down on commoners first, but then they assume all commoners will hate them, so they don’t want to be investigated by you. It’s not just that they look down on you, they’re scared of you.”
Hannah scratched the back of her neck.
“So I was just going to ask for a switch like he wanted. It’s too disgusting to deal with.”
“Hmm…….”
Tiana hesitated for a moment, then her eyes sparkled.
“So, you’re just going to run away?”
“I mean, I’d give it a shot if he’d at least pretend to listen. But he won’t even do that.”
“If talking doesn’t work, you shove it right back in his face.”
“Shove it?”
“Yeah.”
She pulled out a notepad and pen and scribbled a single line.
“Here. My signature. Go show him this. Since he doesn’t want you investigating him, tell him you’ll escalate the case to someone ‘higher up’.”
Hannah took it in her hands.
“He’ll probably beg you, saying ‘Please, please, let me be questioned by you~’ on his knees.”
「Case Transfer Request」
Hannah looked at the bottom of the short, seemingly insignificant sentence.
The recipient of the case transfer was ‘Maximilian Ebenholtz’.
***
The Knight Court was different from the regular court. Based on the evidence and opinions gathered by the assigned knight, a judge issued a summary judgment without the aid of a defense attorney or a jury.
In essence, the knight’s will was the ruling itself.
Because of this, the imperial palace was quietly thrown into turmoil. They couldn’t cause a scene since they had to mind the imperial household’s watchful eye, but behind the scenes, screams were erupting.
What if the money they’d received under the table happened to be drug-tainted? What if, without even knowing, they had taken bribes from the cartel?
Even Goebel, the Commander of the Imperial Guard and closest to the Palace, had received a summons, along with all the guards under his command.
Naturally, the next target would be the Palace itself.
──Reutern II’s private residence.
“……Reutern. I heard you have some connection to Maximilian.”
Thanks to that, Reutern II had recently been suffering a headache, while also feeling a bit smug.
“Well…… I suppose?”
“That you two chat now and then, something like that…….”
The nobles of the Imperial Palace were coming to him, begging for help.
It wasn’t just one or two. If he cracked open his door right now, nobles and officials alike were lined up without distinction.
“If that’s true, then maybe……”
Reutern II crossed his legs with deliberate haughtiness.
“Please! Then please, just once, help me out! I was blinded for a moment and made a mistake. I didn’t even take much! It’s really just a few coins!”
“Well, Max, you see. That guy Max… he’s not exactly easy for me to handle either. You know that. He’s not the kind to listen just because I say something……”
He deliberately emphasized the name “Max”.
“If you say something, Reutern, I’m sure he’ll listen! I believe in you─!”
“But you know what, more than that.”
Suddenly, Reutern II’s brow furrowed.
Surprisingly, Reutern had never received any cartel money.
Not because he was clean.
It was because those fucking lunatic bastards had secretly taken it all for themselves. They didn’t say a word to him and just divvied it up behind his back.
“……Why wasn’t I told? About something as critical as dirty money flowing into the imperial palace.”
“Uh, uh-huh?”
“Why didn’t I know?”
“……Huh?”
“I asked you.”
“Uh……”
The other man stammered, breaking into a cold sweat.
“Answer me.”
“I-I’m sorry. It’s all Roel’s fault. That guy said you were─”
“The reason.”
Reutern demanded, his expression dead serious.
“I’m asking for the reason. Why I was the only one left out?”
“……Roel said, it was what Roel said. That you have loose lips…”
“What!!!”
Reutern II trembled with the sting of betrayal. A sudden wave of dizziness hit him, and he leaned back against his chair.
How dare they call him, the imperial palace’s foremost information broker, loose-lipped?
“……I have loose lips? Me?!”
“No, no. I certainly don’t think that, of course. It was those people! That Roel, and the Imperial Guard, they dragged us all into this!”
“Enough. Get out!”
“B-but Reutern!”
“Before I go tell my father everything.”
With a solemn face, Reutern firmly rejected the plea.
“Get out!”
