第１０５０堀：馬鹿者たちと選択 (Part1)
### Chapter 1050: The Fools and the Choice
**Side: Hein, Emperor of the Hein Empire**
"Your Majesty, preparations are complete."
My right-hand man, General Wave, reported this to me. To think that I would be forced to deploy this quintessential man of the sea—the pride of our navy—on land. It truly serves as a reminder of how far our nation has fallen.
"Your Majesty?"
"Ah, yes. You have done well. But Wave, I am sorry that it has come to this—that I must use you in a place like this."
"What are you saying? The fact that things have reached this point is not your fault, Your Majesty. It is the responsibility of those who have been skulking in the shadows, acting like fools."
"I cannot agree. It was my own lack of foresight that failed to suppress them. And the result is the Zuraburu Great Empire, which now stands before us. Had we met sooner, perhaps there might have been a path to reconciliation... but no, it is useless to dwell on the past."
It is already too late. Too late to stop those young fools. That is precisely why I, as their predecessor, must stand as a wall before them. Together, we shall sweep away the obstacles and cleanse this land.
Even so...
"Why so pessimistic? We simply need to turn the tide from here. It is true that our nation has its faults, but that does not mean we should simply allow our country to be conquered. If we strike back with a decisive blow, a space for dialogue will emerge. We need only show them that reconciliation is preferable to war."
"Indeed. If we do that, we can wipe out the fools, which would be a blessing in itself."
General Wave has no hesitation. He believes we only need to win. To show the strength of Hein once more.
Hmm, he is right. As one grows old, it becomes difficult. Living for so long makes the desire to entrust the future to the next generation grow too strong. But no, I am still in my prime. And...
"Well, in any case, for the sake of the future, we shall use those fools up here. Understood? If any of them attempt to flee, strike them down from behind."
"Understood. They are the ones who pointed their swords at the Emperor. I shall show no mercy. Besides, the enemy is one we can defeat, and you have declared that if they achieve results in this battle, you will finally step down. I am sure they will charge in with great enthusiasm."
"It is truly regrettable that I chose such fools as my successors, easily swayed by such empty words... but first, we deal with the fools. What will you do, Emperor of Yupia?"
As I spoke with Wave, watching the direction of the Zuraburu army, it seemed those fools had already made their move. Following a roar of battle, a messenger came running toward us in a panic.
"Report! After a brief exchange with the Zuraburu army, Lord Jas ordered a charge and has pushed his vanguard forward!"
"He didn't even return to us."
Good grief. To charge immediately after a mere verbal skirmish? What kind of idiot is he? Or perhaps he was provoked and took the bait. Still...
"Hah. To not even know the basics of maneuvering an army—what on earth is he thinking? And the people following him are just as bad. Do they have no regard for coordination with us in the rear?"
"Everyone who followed that order is a supporter of Lord Jas. I suppose they want to be the first to bring back the glory."
"I see. They thought showing results here was the path to advancement."
"Likely so. Though, I suspect this has only closed the path to their advancement permanently."
"Who knows? They might actually manage to defeat the Zuraburu army."
"Haha, if they were capable of that, the Zuraburu Great Empire wouldn't have made it this far."
"True. And if they fall to such a degree, then the dream of conquering the continent was nothing but an illusion. Many nations have aimed for it and fallen before the Hein Empire. Above all... it is for the sake of my friends."
"Indeed. For the sake of the friends who stood with you, Your Majesty."
That is right. This country was not built by me alone. It stands here today thanks to the support of many friends and many people. Even if there are fools within its ranks, I will not hand it over so easily. I reaffirmed my origins and stared at the battlefield.
However, as if to confirm my expectations—or perhaps because disappointing me is their reason for living—reports arrived that the vanguard led by the fools was already being pushed back.
"What, already? To ignore our instructions and produce such a result... I am truly stunned."
"They have no reserves, either."
"Very well. As planned, swap the vanguard with the center. Have the wounded retrieved and tell the commanders to rest. And then, erase them."
"Understood."
With this, the end for the fools will be a glorious death in battle. Let them at least be useful to their fatherland one last time before they perish.
*Sigh.* Truly, how did it come to this? Has my vision clouded? Now, belatedly, I question my own stupidity for choosing those fools as my successors. Did I really choose people who would exhaust the nation like this? If I am to say that, then I am equally at fault for failing to perceive the rot in the west that had been festering for so long. Thinking of that makes me feel a bit sad, wondering if I ever had the talent to be an Emperor.
However, there are those before me who are worthy of being entrusted with the future. Perhaps that is the only thing I should be grateful for.
Just as I was thinking this, I noticed something bizarre happening at the front lines. A pillar of light had descended from the sky. And within that pillar, there were people.
"What is this? What is happening?"
The sudden event left everyone unable to react to my words, simply staring at the situation in a daze. Well, I cannot understand it either. It is only natural that everyone here is at a loss. I ordered a messenger to go and confirm what was occurring...
*Gwoooooooohhh!*
However, the situation progressed too quickly and too abnormally. An ominous, chilling sound echoed through the area. It was not just one or two voices, but a multitude. They were not the cries of soldiers, but something else—something beastly, lacking all discipline...
"Wave! Immediately recall the center that is moving to support the vanguard! And gather information on what is happening!"
"Understood! Messenger!"
This is no time to be dazed. We are in the middle of a decisive battle. One must be able to respond to any situation. Yes, things like this happened often in the past—opportunists trying to swoop in for the spoils. General Wave, though a man of the sea now, has plenty of experience in land warfare. In fact, it was his brilliant performance on land that led to his transfer to the navy.
Under General Wave's instructions, the center, the rear, and both flanks regained their composure and shifted into a defensive posture.
Now, as for the information... just as I thought this, a messenger returned from the front, breathless.
"I have a report! A woman suddenly appeared from the sky, and after healing the dying Lord Jas, she summoned a massive horde of monsters and is now attacking our army!"