I arrived at the Imperial Army Headquarters. They had already grasped the situation in Genen, and there was widespread expectation that a suppression force would be organized. "Knight Maximilian!" I visited the office of Major General Maut, the very man who had been in charge of suppressing Genen even before my regression. “Good to see you. That regimental dinner last time was truly fantastic.” Neatly groomed blond hair parted in a 2:8 ratio, and a mustache shaped like wings. Despite the situation, he starts by talking about that banquet. Once you feed someone well, it becomes this convenient. “Yes. It’s good to see you, Major General Maut.” I sat across from him. The corner of his mouth twisted into a sly grin. "However, it seems you too have heard the news and are enraged?" I quietly looked at him. “A protest at a time like this. How dare Genen even think of opposing the Empire, tsk. That won’t do. Don’t you agree?” “It’s probably not opposition.” I casually looked around the office. It seems luxurious, yet not quite. There are plenty of decorations scattered around, but in truth they lacked real substance. It had the feeling of someone trying to look as stylish as possible within the limits of having little money. “The people of Genen likely know it themselves. How could Genen possibly oppose the Empire? They’re just venting their dissatisfaction.” “Well, I suppose......” “Do you happen to know who sparked this incident?” “Sparked it?” “Yes. The person who shot the Genen citizen dead on the street.” That incident didn't exist before the regression. It was a complete random occurrence. “Ah.” Maut awkwardly brushed his hair back. “He’s the Second Secretary of the Genen Governor-General's Office. The youngest son of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Palace’s Ministry of Interior.” The reason he was released instantly under the excuse of self-defense even after killing someone. The Imperial Palace again. If even a mere Vice Minister of Interior can manage this much, it’s beyond ridiculous. “Where is he now?” “I’ve heard he’s gone into the Imperial Palace.” I nodded. As expected, he had already fled. It doesn’t matter. I’ll definitely find him and cut off that bastard’s head. “A suppression force will be organized soon. A support request has come in from the Governor-General's Office, so we’ll have to push them down decisively.” “I see. May I accompany you as a commander?” As I made a request that wasn’t quite a request, I took out a small box. Maut’s gaze was naturally drawn to it, as if he had been waiting for this moment. “Ah, that would be most welcome. You really do seem angry as well...... But what is that?” Maut showed interest. “Ah. It’s nothing special.” A small gift I brought along just in case he didn’t listen to me. “It’s a music box.” When the box is opened, a flower bud bloomed elegantly and a beautiful melody flowed out. More than the music box itself, the components of the flower buds are what matters. They're all jewels and mana stones. Maut’s eyes sparkled. “I heard your daughter’s wedding is coming up soon.” “Oh my. You remembered something like that? I’m honored, hahaha.” Taking care of weddings and funerals is the best way to win someone’s favor. It’s also the best excuse to offer a bribe. “Thank you.” Maut carefully placed the music box on his desk. Even during the various conversations that followed, his gaze remained fixed on the music box and wouldn't leave it. He seemed to like it very much. *** Kaimri Square in the Genen Autonomous Region. Hundreds of thousands of people poured into the area. As if spewing out their suppressed anger, they marched toward the Governor-General's Office. At the very front of that wave stood a middle-aged man. The father of a woman who had been killed by a high-ranking official of the Governor-General's Office on the street a few days earlier. In his arms, he held a photograph of his daughter from when she was alive, and behind him, large written slogans surged like waves. [Clarify the truth about Adeline's death!] They were demanding the truth about his daughter’s unjust death, and punishment for the murderer. In their hands were candles instead of weapons. “Stop──!” The garrison troops blocked their path. Soldiers occupied the road and prevented the citizens from advancing. “It’s an order from the Governor-General's Office! Disperse immediately──!” It was a tense standoff. But there was no violence. The garrison soldiers were men who had lived in Genen for a long time, and therefore there was understanding and sympathy for this situation. The protesters knew this as well. From the beginning, they had no intention of opposing the Empire. They were merely demanding the correction of injustice. However, at some point. From somewhere. 'Someone' seized this opportunity to drive in a wedge-like crack. It could have been one of the protesters, or it could have been one of the soldiers. Taang—! A gunshot ringing through the sky. Screams erupted, and that single bullet multiplied into dozens. Bangbangbangbang─! The young soldiers pulled their triggers without even realizing it. Some civilians responded by releasing Mana. The unexpected gunfire, counterattack, and collision covered the area in chaos. The flustered garrison troops hastily declared a retreat and....... Clang─! “......This really turned out well.” In an old, timeworn mansion in the Genen Autonomous Region. In that place, which had stood tall in the same spot for four hundred years, imperialists clinked glasses and held a banquet. “If it’s a riot, then the justification is clear.” They laughed over the finest wine and extravagant food. “Suppressing it will be easy enough.” After suppressing this incident, they will use it as a pretext to demand even stronger inspection and the police authority from the Governor-General's Office to the Empire. Since the Genen Governor-General's Office was the stronghold of the imperialists, it could solidify the power of the Imperial faction, and that would also be beneficial to the Empire── “This is such a good thing that happened at just the right time.” Erio, the Department Chief of Internal Affairs of the Governor-General's Office, lit his cigar. “Those bastards who kept babbling about independence, autonomy, promises, and whatnot will all die out this time. It’s perfect weather for thinning them out.” Smiles spread across their faces. Lips chewing and swallowing the finest steak glistened with grease, and their greedy faces flushed red, intoxicated with wine. “Let’s call it a night here.” "Let's do that." “It was very~ entertaining. Hahaha.” Tap, tap. Department Chief Erio crushed his cigar into the ashtray. The executives of the Governor-General's Office rose from their seats one by one. After they all left and he remained alone in the room. The Department Chief took out a vibrating terminal from his pocket. As he listened to the code transmitted through the receiver, the corner of his mouth twisted into a deep smile. ....... Genen Central University. That place, which had shared the republic's history since before the autonomous region, was now the headquarters of the resistance, with many university students and people gathered there. Bonfires blazed up all over the campus, and classrooms had become temporary clinics for the wounded. “We have to strike back too! How long are we just going to take it?” 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮 In the student council room, heavy with shadows, student council executive Kasim shouted as he slammed the desk. His eyes were bloodshot red from days of sleeplessness and rage. “Do you know how many people are dying outside right now? Those guys from the Secret Police Bureau or whatever are smashing kids’ heads in! Just yesterday, my friend......!” “And what if the Empire flies into a rage? What if the Emperor brings in a suppression force? Are you saying we should all die, right now?” Student Council President Elias let out a sigh. “Who said we’re all going to die? That’s the only way negotiations even become possible. If we stay still, we’ll just die like dogs!” A fire was being lit. The spark that began with the unjust death of a woman named Adeline is now gathering together the anger over discriminatory treatment of the Genen people and the exploitation by the Governor-General's Office, threatening to blaze out of control. But can they really win this fight. No, before that, can they even survive. Elias looked around the meeting room. All of the executives wore exhausted expressions. “......Let’s make one thing absolutely clear.” Elias said firmly. “We must not accept help from the Revolutionary forces. If we take their hand, we become terrorists. That’s exactly what the Empire wants. We have to remain citizens of Genen to the very end.” The other executives seemed to agree with his words. Kasim quietly bit his lip. That was when it happened. Bang! The door flew open as a messenger unit rushed in. “President! An urgent report!” Terminal communications were completely dead due to the Mana barrier, but this was a letter smuggled in from outside through a courier. “A suppression force has been organized. It even includes the roster!” Their worst fear had come true. Elias took the document. As he read through the names revealed under the lamplight, his face turned pale. “The suppression force commander is Major General Maut. And.......” His voice trailed off. Kasim hurriedly asked. “Who is it? Who’s coming?” It was a name that no Genen university student could fail to recognize. The knight who had cut down 'Sage', a former executive of the Genen Independence faction, in a single stroke. The owner of the Genen Branch, and at the same time one of the most notorious imperialists on the continent. (TL: Sage was killed in Chapter 17) “......Maximilian Ebenholtz.” The monster of Ebenholtz. He was coming here. ....... The protests in Genen were growing worse by the day. It was utter chaos. Among the protesters, especially the more violent ones—whether they were even truly protesters was unclear—have injured soldiers of the Governor-General's Office, and due to the soldiers’ ruthless suppression, the number of injured kept surging. The problem was Mana. From the moment people capable of wielding Mana suddenly appeared, responses and suppression intensified, and pointless skirmishes increased exponentially. It almost feels like guerrilla warfare. Leaving behind the city center that was becoming a chaotic mess, Zendo returned to the Central Police Bureau. The monitors in the situation room reflected fires blazing throughout the city. “......It’s fucking chaotic, Zendo.” The Deputy Director approached and placed a hand on Zendo’s shoulder. Zendo let out a small snort of laughter. “It really is.” Since Maximilian's order was only to wait, he was just waiting. Bang──! At that moment, the main entrance of the police bureau opened as if it would break. Agents in plain clothes rushed in en masse. Reeking of the Empire—the Secret Police Bureau. “Wh-what is this!” “Who are you people!” “Quiet──!” The police officers stood up in alarm, but were overwhelmed by the pressure and retreated backward. The leader of the Secret Police Bureau presented some documents to everyone. “An Imperial Special Security Act has been issued. As of this moment, command authority and all investigative powers of the Genen Central Police Bureau fall under the jurisdiction of our Secret Police Bureau.” It was a unilateral notification. “That means from now on, you’ll be following our orders as well.” From among their group, someone stepped forward. With his hands shoved into his pockets, he swaggered up and stopped right in front of Zendo’s nose. "......So it's you. You were here." It was a familiar face. The bastard he had run into in a back alley, the one who told him to watch his back at night. "You anteater-looking bastard. I told you, didn't I? That I'd remember your face." The man poked Zendo’s shoulder, tap, tap, grinning mockingly. It was an unpleasant taunt. “Well, now that it’s come to this, let’s try working together properly. You'll have a hard time crawling under me though." Smack! He struck the back of Zendo’s head hard. Zendo clenched his eyes shut and swallowed his anger as dozens of agents streamed in and occupied the Central Police Bureau. “Haa.......” For now, he waited. Because waiting was the order. *** An order came down from the Regular Army Supreme Headquarters—that is, from ‘Sebestian’. The Genen suppression operation was finalized. The Imperial Army moved swiftly. All land and water routes leading into the Genen Autonomous Region were thoroughly sealed off. Checkpoints were set up at every major junction, and heavily armed troops were deployed. "It's an honor. I'm Operations Officer Major Osman. I'll begin the briefing." The temporary operations situation room. I sat there in my capacity as a suppression force commander. Originally, knights are the sword of the Empire. Therefore, in terms of rank hierarchy, they receive the treatment of a major, but in any situation, authority befitting the role can be delegated. “The current situation in Genen is extremely unstable, and.......” However, the air in the conference room was strangely warped. Those seated around the table were generals with stars on their shoulders. Brigadier Generals and Major Generals. They were officers who had already achieved quite a bit within the military, yet their gazes were fixed on my face, which bore not a single star. Even as the operations officer delivered the briefing, and even when someone voiced an opinion, they kept glancing over, gauging my reaction. When I furrowed my brow, they changed the subject, and when I nodded, they looked relieved. I understand. To them, suppressing Genen is merely a 'job', and my name, my 'connections', are a tangible reward. “Knight Maximilian. What do you think?” Suppression force commander Major General Maut finally asked me. All eyes in the room focused on me. “A half-baked suppression will only backfire. To prevent unnecessary clashes, we must completely crush them as a whole.” "Mm. What's the specific method?" I thought of the ‘Genen's Spring’ before my regression. Back then, the Imperial Army had entered mainly with infantry. As a result, protesters and soldiers became directly entangled, and eventually the soldiers began firing indiscriminately, turning the scene into a hellscape. After that came a chain of retaliation. As Ezenheim had desired, a massacre erupted in Genen. “We will deploy tanks.” To prevent that horrific spring from coming, I assert my will. “Deploy tanks?” Maut asked back in puzzlement. Even before my regression, tanks had been included, but there had been only three or four at most. Even those were not for intimidation, but reserve forces waiting in the rear. The Empire has always overestimated human power. “Right now, violent protests are breaking out in Genen. Citizens who have lost their reason do not feel fear even when they see soldiers. They only see enemies in uniform.” It was the wrong approach. Human anger cannot be calmed by humans. If you try to suppress it with guns and swords, all you do is ignite an even greater blaze. “Perhaps it’s because we don’t look as massive as we think we do.” Therefore—one must not face them human to human. “And also because we are not sufficiently vicious or terrifying.” The generals held their breath and watched me. "Coincidentally, my factory, Aternum's new model tanks are waiting to be deployed." Tanks are a core asset of modern warfare, and especially effective against ordinary crowds. My factory’s facilities had been designed around tanks from the beginning, and the skilled craftsmen of Gigantes quickly adapted and produced them day and night. “Oh ho, that will also serve as publicity for the new factory. Then how many do you plan to bring along? Would one or two companies be enough?” Maut asked positively. The other generals also seemed to be expecting at most around ten to twenty units. “At present, there are about 200 tanks at our factory that can be deployed immediately. If we also make use of the older tanks under headquarters’ command.......” I calmly threw out the ‘minimum’ number. “We should be able to mobilize around 300 tanks.” “......?” “Th-three hundred?” The generals were momentarily struck dumb. Their eyes went unfocused, their lips parted wordlessly. Some even fidgeted with their ears. Normally, three tanks make up a platoon. Ten make up a company, and a single knight is evaluated as having power equivalent to a company. In other words, a force of 300 tanks is equivalent to thirty knights, or, when converted into infantry strength, more than several divisions of tens of thousands of soldiers combined. “T-that many?” “Yes. Is there any need to be stingy? We should use this opportunity to demonstrate the Empire’s majesty.” Deploying such an enormous army to Genen. For mere riot suppression, it borders on insanity—an excessive show of force—but I know how this protest will end if we do not go this far. “We must instill overwhelming fear in them.” No matter how many people gather, people are still just people. Beings made of flesh and blood will instinctively shrink before steel that is larger and harder than themselves. If hundreds of such colossal machines line up, merely seeing them will instill a sense of powerlessness, the feeling that 'we cannot resist them'. At the very least, the souls of ordinary people will be broken. As for those who are not ordinary—the Ezenheims—I will personally kill them. “That is the Empire’s way.” I looked around at the generals and smiled faintly. “Do you all agree?” They exchanged glances. Their expressions were quite amusing. Fully grown men suddenly become like little children. But I did not expect any objections. After all, my father Sebestian was present in this headquarters. "Please answer." At last, they all nodded. Stronger than the strong. Before spring even arrives, I will subdue them by the most powerful means.