The Duke’s Eldest Son Escaped to the Military

Translator: Pai_

"Survival"

The word "survival" was embedded in the image sphere displaying the data prepared by the Governor-General.

The final thing the Governor-General prepared after listing the data was that one word.

And it was deeply engraved in the hearts of the assembly members who listened to the Governor-General's speech.

While everyone remained silent and stared at the word "survival" appearing in the image sphere, the Governor-General opened his mouth to bring things to a close.

"That is all I have to say. The rest is left to the judgment of the assembly members."

With that, the Governor-General stepped down from the podium and exited the assembly.

While the usually noisy assembly fell into silence, each person lost in thought, Iron, who had been waiting by the entrance of the assembly in advance, looked at the Governor-General and smiled faintly.

"It was an excellent speech."

"…I feel embarrassed."

The Governor-General spoke to Iron with a shy expression.

But in Iron's opinion, it had been a sufficiently good speech.

A good speech that was intuitive and brought all the realistic threats to mind.

Now, the word "survival" would continue to linger in the minds of the assembly members who had heard the speech.

And that would influence the projects they supported.

"We've done all we can… now all that's left is to wait."

"…Yes. Let's hope for the best."

At the Governor-General's words, Iron smiled gently and said,

"It will go well."

As Iron said that, he looked toward the assembly.

Having long since solidified his resolve through talks with the Governor-General, there was only one path left for Iron to take.

Even if it meant becoming a dictator, he was ready to push forward.

For that, he had spent the whole day treating the internal injuries he had sustained.

Because if things came to the worst, he planned to step forward himself.

Knowing Iron's determination well, the Governor-General worked even harder to ensure it wouldn't come to that.

He mobilized personnel from the Governor-General's Office to collect data and made efforts to persuade key assembly members individually.

[Today! The most important meeting in assembly history begins!]

[Survival or future!]

[Can the vested interests let go of their greed?]

In the capital, people gathered in the square from early morning for the first time in a while.

They came to see the massive image sphere installed in the square.

The image sphere, broadcasting live, showed the interior of the assembly.

And in that square, boys were selling newspapers to the people.

An old man who bought a newspaper from a boy wearing a cap looked at the front page of today's edition.

[Will the assembly oppose Governor-General and Iron?]

With that provocative headline, summaries of Iron's and the Governor-General's speeches were briefly included, along with the grounds each of them presented.

Moreover, the paper contained detailed information about the Holy Alliance's movements in the West.

Even those who were weary of life and uninterested in politics gathered in the square today.

At dawn, before people headed to work.

As the sun just began to rise, the square bustled with people.

Given that this was a matter of national interest, the assembly had intentionally scheduled the meeting at dawn so that as many people as possible could watch it.

That's why people from the capital gathered at places where large image spheres were installed from early morning.

"Phew…"

Iron let out a long sigh and looked out the window toward the assembly.

Seeing Iron waiting for the result, Faulden, who was sitting on the sofa, spoke with a disinterested expression.

"Why are you even worried?"

"What?"

"The result is already decided anyway, isn't it?"

At Faulden's words, Iron frowned.

If things didn't go as the Governor-General intended, he might have to mobilize the military.

That's why he was feeling uneasy, but Faulden seemed relaxed.

"The Governor-General's mediation proposal was fairly excellent. And the justification is leaning in this direction. In such a situation, the assembly members would oppose it? Can they really endure the wrath of the Empire's citizens?"

"Still, there's always the chance…"

"With the continent's only Grand Master glaring at them with fiery eyes? Unless they want to die, they can't possibly oppose."

With that, Faulden turned his attention to the reports coming in from the West, looking bored.

Unlike Faulden, who said the result was already decided and found it boring to wait, Iron watched the situation with a subdued expression, considering the possibility of what-if.

Meanwhile, the Governor-General was also anxiously waiting for the result at the Governor-General's Office.

If the outcome of this assembly were to go awry, it could lead to the worst-case scenario.

"If the assembly rejects it… I will move the military immediately."

That was what Iron had said to the Governor-General not long ago.

The Governor-General, too, nodded as if he had no choice.

In Iron's view, the next war was expected to be the worst kind, one that humanity would have to stake everything on, and the Governor-General had agreed with his words.

Therefore, there was no room to think about anything else right now.

'Even if I am criticized as a dictator…'

Just like Iron, the Governor-General was prepared to cast aside the honor he had built up.

While he waited anxiously, sweating from nervous tension, the door burst open and a secretary entered.

"What's the result?"

"The mediation proposal has been accepted!"

"Really?"

At the Governor-General's words, the secretary nodded with a bright smile.

At that, Governor-General Chevera wore an expression of disbelief.

To be honest, the Nobles' Faction had already privately expressed satisfaction, so there were no concerns there, and it was expected that the Merchants' Union and Artisans' Union would approve.

From their standpoint, there were some disappointments, but since the projects they were pushing for would at least begin, it was acceptable.

The problem was the Free Union.

Since they held the most assembly members, if they continued to oppose, things could either fall apart or be delayed.

Now that the Holy Alliance had begun to move, they had to act immediately, and if it dragged on, Iron might not be able to hold back and could act.

That's why the result this time was so important, and the Free Union had accepted the mediation proposal.

"The Free Union… accepted it?"

"Yes, sir."

At the secretary's words, the Governor-General smiled brightly.

Then, with a serious expression, the secretary spoke to him.

"The Chairman of the Free Union wishes to meet with you, sir."

"With me?"

"Yes. He also said he would like to meet together with Commander Iron."

At the secretary's words, the Governor-General gave a small nod.

And that night, as midnight struck, he immediately contacted Iron and arranged to meet at a pub in the square.

When Iron, wearing a black hood, arrived at the pub and looked around, the Governor-General, who had already arrived and was waiting, greeted him warmly.

As Iron approached the Governor-General's table and sat down, Lenin Kimosia, Chairman of the Free Union, quietly appeared from a side door.

"Hmm…"

Iron slightly furrowed his brow and looked around.

Before he realized it, everyone else in the pub had disappeared, and only Iron, the Governor-General, and the Chairman of the Free Union remained.

'A secret base of the Free Union?'

As Iron thought that, Lenin Kimosia, standing behind the bar, personally poured handcrafted beer for Iron and Governor-General Chevera.

At his action, Iron and the Governor-General looked at him with slightly surprised expressions, and when he gestured for them to try it, they each took a sip.

"Oh!"

"Hmm…"

Both looked at Lenin with surprised expressions.

As they were amazed by the incredibly tasty beer, Lenin smiled and said,

"I've been brewing beer for 15 years. Though it's a secret base now, this used to be my shop once."

Saying that, Lenin brought out some light snacks and looked at the Governor-General and Iron.

The two, now sipping and enjoying the unexpectedly delicious beer, turned their attention to Lenin.

"This mediation proposal… to be honest, I didn't want to pass it."

At Lenin's words, Iron and the Governor-General quietly looked at him.

"Even though the royals have collapsed and many nobles have been purged, our society is still cruel to the vulnerable. Ordinary imperial citizens spend their days so busily they can't even enjoy leisure. Children are thrown into the job market early instead of receiving care."

At Lenin's words, Iron and the Governor-General remained silent.

Just as he said, the current Empire was forcing brutally harsh labor upon ordinary people.

Due to a shortage of labor, even children were entering the workforce.

The sight of ten-year-old children being drafted into factories was clearly a sign that something was deeply wrong.

"But… the people said this. That surviving comes first."

At Lenin's words, the Governor-General lowered his head heavily.

"An old man with an ailing body came and said we should prepare for war. A little child said it's okay if they suffer a little, as long as more people can survive. A woman raising a child alone said she could endure and urged us to accept the mediation proposal."

Lenin, his voice trembling, spoke to the two of them.

Despite being worn down by grueling labor, people came to him and told him to prepare for the war.

Even while being part of the lower class themselves, they insisted on giving support to Iron.

Seeing such people, Lenin and the rest of the Free Union had no choice but to change their minds.

"The Governor is right. Survival… that is the most important thing. At this point, there's no other way."

Lenin nodded, acknowledging it.

"But… that doesn't mean we should think this is normal. If we do that…"

Lenin couldn't finish his sentence and looked at the two sitting in front of him with teary eyes.

"Then we would be no different from the past, would we?"

"……"

"……"

At Lenin's words, Iron and the Governor-General fell silent.

Just as he said, even though the royal family and nobles had fallen, if a new wealthy class began to exploit the imperial citizens, it would just be a new class system.

It would be packaged as a new era born through a revolution, but the lives of imperial citizens wouldn't improve.

"Just promise me one thing."

"Please speak."

The Governor-General responded with difficulty to Lenin's words.

"When the war ends… you must! You absolutely must accept our proposal."

At those words, the Governor-General looked at Lenin and gave a small nod.

"If I'm still in the position of Governor-General then, I will do so, even at the cost of my life."

At Governor-General Chevera's words, Lenin turned this time to Iron.

"Will you help us as well, Commander?"

"I will. If the era of Destruction comes to an end… absolutely!"

At Iron's words, Lenin finally smiled in satisfaction.

At the very least, the two men before him had always shown that they kept their promises.

He could trust Governor-General Chevera, who had worked to guide the Empire in a better direction, and Iron, who had stood at the forefront of war and always promised victory.

"I will trust your promises."

At the moment Lenin said that, members of the Free Union began entering the pub one by one.

"From now on, the Free Union will fully support both of you."

As Lenin spoke on behalf of the Free Union, the gathered members of the Free Union assembly all bowed their heads in unison to express their respect to the two men.

Thus, with the promise of full support from the Empire's largest faction, the meeting between the three ended, and the next day arrived.

The promise from Lenin and the Free Union was fulfilled immediately the following day.

"The Free Union expresses its support for all of the Governor-General's plans until the end of the war."

With Lenin's declaration, both the assembly and the imperial citizens were astonished.

But their support didn't end there, one more was added on top.

"Our Nobles' Faction will join in this noble will to protect the Empire."

At this statement from the Nobles' Faction, the public was stunned again.

Of course, it wasn't that they supported the Governor-General.

They couldn't support Governor-General Chevera, who had always stood in opposition to them.

Instead, they threw their support behind Iron, a hero of the Empire and the eldest son of a prestigious family.

With the justification of his noble lineage and the cause of preventing the age of Destruction, it was enough reason for the Nobles' Faction to unite.

As these two massive forces pledged their support to the Governor-General and Iron's plan, the remaining two factions had no choice but to read the atmosphere and also express their support.

***

To support me for my translations, you can check out my Patreon here –>https://patreon.com/Pai_

If you enjoy this novel, please review and rate it at NovelNexts. Thanks! 😊