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Side Story Chapter 85

Silence immediately fell upon the area.

“Why aren’t you answering me? Count Andes? Are you currently in charge of the western rebel army?”

“Th-That is correct.”

“I see.” An enigmatic smile danced on Joshua’s lips that Andes found highly unsettling. “If I could do as I please, I would shred you and the other people in charge to death and feed the pieces to the dogs.”

Andes paled.

“But then the other rebels would become annoyingly persistent and scream that they’ll fight to the end, just like you said.”

“Y-You’re right. We have to put out the biggest fire first, right?”

“Still,” Joshua said, tilting his head thoughtfully. “I’ll lose face if I spare you.”

Andes desperately put his brain to work trying to survive Joshua’s horrifying mind game.

“Supposing that I also forgive everyone in charge, the Imperial Family’s dignity would end up in the gutter. People would call us idiots who can’t even properly punish rebels even though they came after my throne,” Joshua said.

“No one would ever think so! Never!”

“Why do you think that?”

“When the rebellion took place in Avalon, you were away, Your Majesty, but you’re back now! I believe it’s a good chance to increase your reputation not only within Avalon but also in other countries!” Andes fervently shouted.

Joshua’s smile deepened. “Well, the continent did change a lot while I was gone. Avalon is being treated like dirt, and the Hubalt Empire is the new king even though they weren’t able to look me in the eyes when I was around.”

“If you show mercy here, the citizens of Avalon will become united and work themselves to the bone to make this country flourish!”

“Do you have anything to back up your claim?”

“Ever since the powers called authorities have started to manifest in people, even the nobles didn’t have any choice but to join the rebels. I don’t know if you’ve met them in person, but that is how remarkably powerful the people with the Four Guardians’ authorities are. Who could have said no to them when our lives were at risk? No, we at least have to save our families, don’t we? Please show mercy!”

The rebel leaders went down on their knees.

“Please reconsider this matter, Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty! We’ll devote the rest of our lives to the Avalon Empire!”

“Please give us a chance, Your Majesty!”

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. From the emperor’s perspective, he would want his people to prioritize the good of the state over their families, but no one could force them to make sacrifices—it was human instinct to survive.

All the troops waited for Joshua\'s next words. What he said next would decide the fate of everyone there.

The rebels, already tied up and with no other recourse, screamed at the top of their lungs.

“Honorable Martial God! Your Majesty Joshua Sanders! Please have mercy!”

“Please spare us! I have children!”

“My widowed mother is waiting for me! If I’m gone, there will be no one to… Hic, hngh!”

The sound of weeping came from all sides.

Ranger peered at them and quickly sidled up to Cain.

“Didn’t he already decide to spare them?” Ranger whispered.

“If he forgives them too easily, the same thing will happen again.”

“It’s not like he’s letting them off the hook unconditionally, is he? He’s going to immediately send them to the east.”

“How can I know the depth of His Majesty’s wisdom? Just trust him and watch,” Cain said, taking his own advice..

“Is there a guarantee that history won’t be repeated when I spare you?” Joshua asked.

“Absolutely not! You’re back, Your Majesty, so how can we—!”

“What if I disappear again?”

Andes flinched but quickly answered, “Since you have executed the rebel, Turtler, I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

“Do I matter to you people that much?”

“O-Of course…”

“I didn’t ask so I could hear you flatter me. I genuinely want to know if Avalon means nothing to you.”

All the rebel officers’ expressions darkened.

“Life? Family? Don’t be ridiculous. When your leader was acting like a tyrant, none of you were able to stand up to him, you got dragged around. So how can I be sure that you’ll never do this again?”

“Y-Your Majesty—”

“Let’s say someone shows up again and threatens all of you after I’m gone. Are you sure you’ll fight back, knowing it may cost you your lives?” Joshua asked.

The rebels choked on their words, instantly blanketing the area in silence.

“Count Andes,” Joshua said.

“Y-Y-Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are you sure?”

“…If you give me one more chance, I will repay you with my loyalty.”

“Then I’ll let you go.”

For a moment, Andes couldn’t believe his ears. Joshua was going to let them go? That easily?

“A-Are you sure?” Andes asked.

“Isn’t that what you wanted?

Andes’s face instantly brightened when he realized that he’d heard correctly. The other rebels were practically glowing as well.

“Thank you! Once word spreads throughout the Empire, the other rebels will also be impressed with your decision and surrender!” Andes yelled, delighted.

“Is that so?”

“Of course!”

“I’ve felt this way for a long time, but I’m really lucky.”

“Pardon?” Andes tilted his head in confusion.

“Because I was away, I’m now able to have a man of talent like you by my side.”

“Wh-What…?”

“You have the courage to speak up for your subordinates even if it means putting your life on the line. Not just anyone can show that kind of bravery, so I’ll forgive you all.”

Andes trembled in uncontrollable excitement and goosebumps rose all over his body. The fact that he was recognized by the great Martial God and the rosy future he foresaw made him choke up.

‘I-I can’t believe he’s this magnanimous…’ Andes thought.

In fact, this was practically Andes’s first time meeting Joshua in person. Even though Andes was a count, he was born and raised in the west, leaving him far from central politics. On top of that, he was Marquess Turtler’s vassal, so he rarely left his land as he had to fill in for Marquess Turtler if he headed to the capital to take care of business.

Even without that, Andes had secretly looked down on Joshua with contempt. Andes had been the head of his family for a long time, but the emperor in front of him was the lowly bastard of a duke.

‘…I’ll be unfailingly loyal to this man and devote the rest of my life to him.’

Andes bowed. “Thank you for the undeserved compliments… You have my sincerest gratitude, Your Majesty.”

“There is something I want you to do,” Joshua said. “Can you do me a favor?”

He gestured behind him. Cain quickly caught on and untied Andes.

“Untie all of them,” Joshua added.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Years of the rebels’ efforts were slipping away, leaving them with a mire of mixed emotions.

“Y-Your Majesty…!”

“Th-thank… Sob.”

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

No one told them to, but every single one of the rebels dropped to their knees.

“What do you mean, a favor? Preposterous—I swear on my life—no, my soul—that I will carry out your order!”

“Thank you. Have you heard any news from the east by any chance?” Joshua asked.

“Ah…” A memory flashed across Andes’s mind. Not long ago, he had received news from the opposite side of the Empire that was just as unbelievable as Marquess Turtler’s death. Marquess Drenius, of all people, had lost to a young man who was just over twenty years old. When Andes had first heard the news, he’d sneered. Even if that young man was the Martial God’s son, he was still just a greenhorn.

“Yes, I heard it. As expected from His Highness! He defeated Drenius, the owner of the Azure Dragon authority, one of the Four Guardians’ authorities!”

“But the First Prince failed to capture Drenius, so isn’t his victory just half-good?” Joshua mused.

“Not at all! You weren’t even in the battle—His Highness did everything with only his Black Knights! The eastern rebels’ morale must have been crushed!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Then can I put you in charge of tracking him down?” Joshua finally asked.

“Pardon…? Are you talking about Marquess Drenius?” Andes asked.

Joshua nodded. “It won’t be easy, will it?”

“No, not really, but won’t His Highness feel uncomfortable with it? He already finished the war; it might look like we’re taking all the credit…”

“It’s okay. I already sent Selim back to the Palace because I have another job for him.”

“Then the east is…” Andes trailed off.

“Iruca is in charge right now, but she lacks manpower. And I think the western army is going to be perfect for the job…”

Even before Joshua finished speaking, Andes’s eyes sparkled as he realized that that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“If you leave that to me, I’ll bring Drenius in front of you whatever it takes!” Andes shouted.

“Once you capture him, no one will be able to object when I pardon you. No, that isn’t it—if any of the soldiers or knights who contribute in capturing Drenius wish, I’ll personally write them a letter of recommendation to join the Imperial Knights.”

The rebels gasped.

“Ah, the same goes for the officers. I’ll not only preserve your noble titles but also bring you to the capital, providing you with a chance to join central politics,” Joshua added. Although what Joshua was really saying was that he was going to keep them close where he could keep an eye on them, there was no way for Andes to know about that, so he was amazed once again.

“Thank you! Thank you! Every citizen of Avalon will praise your mercy!”

“Then I’ll take that as a yes.”

Joshua turned away from them, but Andes—no, all the rebel officers raised a round of cheers for him.

“Hurray for His Majesty! Hurray for the Martial God!”

The cheers spread to the entire rebel army.