Evade The Hero and Flee!

Chapter 293

Chapter 293

Chapter 293

Side Story – Memories of a Certain Princess (44)

After bringing the imperial order to Ast allowing him to take any action he wanted in this war, Ast really started going wild.

“What? If that place gets destroyed, will the people’s food supply not become insufficient? What does that have to do with us? Rather, wouldn’t it be very good if future enemies become hungry and have no strength left to fight?”

When the others began objecting to his plan to turn the enemy’s major food production area into a sea of fire, Ast tilted his head with a twisted posture.

“Oh my, these stuffy people... We didn’t come here to play or not to fight a war, did we? It would be great if everyone could become happy, but we should take care of ourselves first. It’s you before others, isn’t it?”

Even when Renia argued that he was going too far, Ast cleanly ignored her. No, he started pushing even harder.

“Officer Renia, what a good point. As expected, you are different from me who only has a honorary knighthood in name. You are an excellent knight who knows the virtues of a true knight. But you know what? Anyway, if a war drags on, the war fighters are bound to go crazy. An army is not a normal group. Think about it normally. Other than assassins or evil organizations, where else officially kills people? Say it proudly. Nowhere. The only ones who can legally kill others in broad daylight are soldiers and executioners who execute convicts.”

Ast sat down at an even more twisted angle in his chair.

It was a rude attitude and posture that made strangers want to hit him even if they didn’t know him.

But because of the imperial order with his words written on it, no one could point fingers at Ast.

“Hmm... Was I too harsh?”

The Emperor, my father, gave him permission to do whatever he wanted, and he’s really putting that to use, huh.

I really want to hit him but I have to hold back because of the imperial order. My subordinates who don’t know must feel a bit sorry.

“The military is a group that is legally allowed to commit murder only in wartime. Well, it’s similar for the magicians of the Magic Tower or the knights of the country, but they have different pursuits. Knights are taught to protect something, and the Magic Tower approaches magic through scholarship. However, the military is different. To protect the country, they are taught how to kill something. While monsters may be the goal during peacetime, they also learn how to kill people in preparation for times like this when war breaks out.”

Despite the serious topic, Ast spoke with a smile.

With Renia and the other military officials rendered speechless, another general spoke up in Renia’s place.

“I understand Ast’s point well. However, is there a need to specifically burn the enemy’s foods? Wouldn’t the enemy troops starve enough if we just destroyed their granaries?”

“Yes, that’s true. If we occupy that area, we may obtain agricultural produce from the fertile land. But that is uncertain. Rather than leave a threat for uncertain gains, I suggest we eliminate the threat and give up the uncertain gains.”

Ast’s words silenced the others. It was such a logical argument... Or at least it seemed that way.

The words were full of logical gaps, and the excellent generals before him could not have failed to notice them.

However, in war, there was something called momentum. And right now within the military, Ast had the best momentum out of anyone.

He had crushed the enemy’s vanguard alone and earned my father the Emperor’s recognition, allowing him to carry out imperial orders.

With Ast speaking so confidently, it was difficult to put on the brakes.

“Everyone remains silent, so can we proceed according to Ast’s opinion?”

The silence continued for over a minute.

There were no more useless meetings than those that wasted time in silence.

And so I suggested ending the meeting, and the other generals did not object either.

That was how Ast’s scorched earth tactics were approved.

“Good. Everyone rest up and prepare for war.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Ast, stay behind.”

I held back Ast who was among the generals bowing their heads before leaving.

“What is it, Your Highness?”

After sending out even my attendant Renia for a bit, I faced Ast alone with all the others gone from the room.

“Why are you trying to employ this kind of tactic?”

Scorched earth tactics. It was certainly not a bad tactic.

It meant destroying everything that could be used favorably by the enemy – Not just food, but roads, capital within the land, industrial foundations, etc.

“Didn’t I already explain earlier?”

“I heard it. That long-winded explanation filled with sophistry. We’re not at the stage where we need to use scorched earth tactics yet.”

There were two major cases when scorched earth tactics would be utilized.

The first was when a country’s military carried it out within their own territory. It was a strategy utilizing the military’s overwhelming scale.

It was an effective tactic for countries with vast territories or special geographical features and characteristics – frigid regions with bitter winters like the North, or deserts where procuring food was difficult.

Here are some key points about scorched earth tactics.

But knowing the implications behind them, it was a chilling performance.

“What if he fails to manage the people? As you know, the General is a typical villainous noble. Among nobles who treat commoners like trash and slaves, he’s unmatched even in the Empire!”

Would someone like that really save citizens who lost everything?

I highly doubted it.

“That’s where we as kingmakers – No, Commander makers – Must take action.”

“...We create his power base in a foreign nation? Is that possible?”

Even domestically, building support was difficult.

Duke Reliqius was labeled a useless fool squandering his ancestors’ legacy by nobles, and outright human trash by citizens. Changing public image would take ages even for an Imperial.

No, his reputation was so horrendous that even the imperial might couldn’t transform it.

“I really think this is impossible.”

Changing perceptions seemed too difficult. Even if that succeeded, nothing would change if his personality remained rotten.

“It’s possible. No, considering the General’s usual conduct, it may be easier.”

Yet Ast showed no trace of such worries, wearing a refreshed expression instead.

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly as I said. The General is irredeemable trash without military strength, talent, or basic diplomatic skills expected of a high noble, unlike former Generals.”

“Right. So he can only suppress others by relying on his family’s achievements and authority.”

“Yes. Thus he’s surrounded by sycophants, not talented people.”

“Precisely why we planned to make him Commander-in-Chief.”

“And that makes him easy to use.”

Trash can’t be recycled. The solution is separation and collection.

Unlike me who thought that way, Ast insisted trash could be utilized outright.

“He may be trash but he’s no fool. He likely understands others gossip about him despite his delusions of grandeur.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because only those fully aware of their own worthlessness rely on money and power to oppress people.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes. It stems from lacking personal ability, so they keep up appearances through other means.”

His words resembled conviction.

“You seem to grasp those feelings well. Could it be that you think that way about me too?”

“How could that be? For someone of Your Highness’s caliber and talent...”

Ahem!

After a small cough, Ast continued.

“Your...Your beau...Tiful High...ness?”

“Isn’t that more unpleasant to hear? Wouldn’t speaking your mind clearly be better?”

“Still, openly insulting royalty in their presence is going too far.”

He just admitted he almost openly insulted me to my face.

“In any case, General Reliqius is petty trash. Such a trash suddenly turned hero would surely strive to appear impressive.”

“And if not?”

“Oh, um... Then I guess all the citizens here starve to death?”

Ast’s words indicated utter disinterest in that outcome.

They were thoughts that made me doubt he possessed humanity at all but...

“Right. Anyway, the enemy’s circumstances are none of our concern.”

It may be terrible to say, but nowhere does Ast’s personality shine more than in war.

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