"The truth is an obstacle to those that profit from its manipulation."
- King Fernando Eduardo Gabin Santiago Salonga II, King of Marl Kah
A quote from his memoir "False Freedom".
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
While my lord and the rest of the force was sent to the southern islands of Marl Kah to resolve the insurgency there, the mission given to me was to instead, infiltrate and investigate the root cause of the insurgency.
"This is Professor Brent Algrave from the Feudal domains of Ostadonia. He is here to learn about our university's education system and bring it back to his homeland to improve theirs'. He'll be here for two weeks, so while it might be short, be kind and understanding to him."
"I look forward to a cordial time with you, sirs and madams!"
When we just arrived here in Marl Kah, Lord Jonathan told me that the recruitment of rebels comes from universities and factories where "enlightened" students and "wronged" workers can be found. Since getting into factories would yield less leads and would garner more suspicion, I chose to fake my identity and credentials to enter a university which is rumored to be the core of recruitment among the rebels.
After I was introduced by the university headmaster, I was welcomed by the faculty members, one of which is the president of the faculty, a man by the name of Willie Pedring.
"Mr. Algrave. It's a pleasure to meet you. We weren't told that we would have a guest, so I apologize if we weren't able to give you our famous Marl Kahn hospitality."
"Please, no need to apologize. I'm the one at fault for just dropping by here without warning. In truth, my small university in the feudal domains was supposed to send a letter months ago about this visit, but it was apparently delayed and later lost after the demesne postal service became overwhelmed by letters from the recent war in Silesia."
"Ahh! That makes sense now. Hmph! I guess no matter how far we are from it, war still affects us."
I conversed with the faculty members for a while, telling them about why I am here and what I plan to do with what I learn here once I get back home. Of course, all of it is just as much of a lie as my fake identity.
"By the way, Mr. Algrave. May I ask a question about your university in the feudal domain?"
"Of course. What is it, Mr. Pedring?"
After they seem to have gauged my behavior and beliefs, which I tailored to seem like I am a "free-thinking and progressive" person, whatever that means in their understanding, the faculty president asked me something that I have been waiting for.
"How much freedom is permitted regarding political matters in the feudal domains? In my understanding, because it is still lead by nobles, there is a certain level of repression in some institutions regarding political matters."
"Ahh... that, huh? Hmm... How should I say this?" Keeping with my fake identity and demeanor, I tried to make my reply a bit evasive to make my aversion about the topic believable.
"It's mostly avoided in public and in the campus, but there has been instances where both teachers and students meet and talk about it behind closed doors. In truth, I have participated in one when we discussed the fall of the Penne Earldom of East Serafina and the war of succession that followed afterwards."
"Oh! I've heard about that too! It was the nobles that held enormous influence in the region and was defeated by a far smaller noble family, right?"
"Yes! They were defeated by the then-Bougainvillea Baronetcy which is now a Viscounty. The reason why it became the topic of our debate was that many among our students thought that the populace might rise up against the nobles that was left and create their own democratic system... However, the governing Marquisdom of House Taiga quickly filled that void and directly governed the land while the empire was trying to find a new noble to take over the land, putting an end to the possibility."
"Ah! How tragic! If things aligned properly, it might have been the birth of a new and better society!"
"Indeed, Sir Pedring... It is such a shame."
Before I even came here to Marl Kah, I already had an inkling about the things that happens in universities and colleges regarding political discussions and the like. During my time as a student in the University of Marin where as the heir of House Robinson, I was sent to study and earn qualifications to inherit our noble title as a Knight house under House Bougainvillea, I learned all about how politics works not only inside the Empire but even on countries outside of it, so in a sense what I said about "professors and students having such discussions behind closed doors" is not much of a lie.
At present, nearly 40 of the 201 countries in Promethea makes use of a democratic system of governance in the form of parliamentary, republic or theocratic systems. Of these 40 countries, the major ones in each of the three world superpowers are the Republic of Francois and Olandes in Yropa, the Association of Communes of Chi-Kohe in Atlanterra, and the Theocratic Republic of Ymir and the Monarchical Republic of Marl Kah in Ostadonia.
All of them practice the democratic system, complete with national and midterm elections, as well as the mechanisms to dismiss or impeach elected leaders whenever they fail to serve the public or commit a crime.
Personally speaking, I see the advantage of such a political system. People get to decide who they want to lead them and both legally and peacefully bring down from their position someone who is not acting in the best of their interest.
However, my meager interest comes with an enormous sense of skepticism.
Given the line of work of my family under House Bougainvillea where we handle espionage, sabotage and assassinations, I have no shortage of personal stories and ones that my parents told me about where a group of people in leadership positions often fall apart when they sense an opportunity to get hold of more power and money.
If in a government system where only one person has all power and responsibility such as a monarchy or feudal system can be likened to a house with only one foundation pillar, a government system where these powers and responsibilities can be likened to a house with several of these foundation pillars.
In the monarchical or feudal system, the risk of corruption and thirst for power is indeed high as it is easy for a leader to end up holding onto that position of power and affluence out of paranoia or despotism, but in such a case, that leader only needs to be ousted or in some cases, hunted down and killed, giving way to a new leader anytime that the public wants to.
However, even if the democratic system is advertised to have an easier and more peaceful way of prosecuting and impeaching such leaders, it often ends up being a roundabout labyrinth of legal loopholes and mumbo-jumbo that ends either with the case being dismissed or someone else taking the blame for it once the topic is no longer present in the public consciousness.
If the risk of corruption in a monarchy is a rotten foundation that can either be repaired or replaced, the risk of corruption in a democracy is a rat infestation that only gets worse as time passes and cannot be exterminated no matter what is done to resolve it.
Simply put in a monarchy, the problem is one power-hungry bastard, but in a democracy, the problem is the whole f*cking system.
And because of that, I'd rather live in a monarchy where I can leave whenever I want than risk my life and future in a democracy ran by silver-tongued politicians whose bottom line is to get votes and secure their grip on power.
My thoughts was cut short when a woman approached us, looking for me.
"Mr. Brent Algrave, yes?"
"Oh. Yes, I am. You are...?"
"Ah! I'm Millie Harlan, an instructor from the history department. I saw that you specialize in the topic that I am giving and I want to ask if you're open to participating in a lecture later."
"I see! I'll be honored to do so, yes. When will you hold it, if I may ask?"
"It's the next one in my schedule so in just a few minutes. I'm sorry that this is very rushed, but is it alright?"
When she said that, her coworkers began to groan in second-hand embarrassment and complaints.
"Come on, Millie...? Out of the blue, really?"
"Our guest just arrived, you know. We have just finished introductions before you came here."
"Get a grip, will you?"
Amidst all of her seniors' complaints, the young woman seem to sink deeper and deeper into embarrassment that I began to feel bad for her. This is when I noticed that her clothes are creased and has its color faintly washed out, her hair is barely combed and seems to be tied into a ponytail in a rush and her eyes are sunken with dark eye-bags barely hidden by her light make-up.
Workplace hazing... Bottom of the barrel bullying, huh?
That was my assessment of her. As the newbie, she's been loaded with most of the busywork and every move she makes is being criticized by the others as a way to relieve their own stress... In short, she's the office "punching bag".
"...It's alright everyone. I can understand what Ms. Harlan is going through, I've been in that position myself. Besides, it seems like she does need the extra hand given that her topic is about the War of Heike peninsula. It's not easy to discuss that one even for a specialist like me."
"I-Is that so?"
"Aaah... I guess you're right, Mr. Algrave. Better leave such complicated topics to specialists, as you said."
"Indeed it is. Well then, Ms. Millie, please lead the way."
"Y-Y-Yes!"
My reply that was slightly angled to spite her seniors for their maltreatment of her seem to have made them step back a little. Trying to cut the tension before they can realize it, I stood up and asked Ms. Millie to lead the way for me.
As we walked through the corridor, I remembered something that Martha told me before she left for home...
"Jonathan-sama has enemies everywhere here. I know he'll always be careful and you guys will protect him even in exchange for your life, but there is something that I want you to remember while you're still here..."
Something about Lord Jonathan that she entrusted me to keep tabs on...
"...Trust no one. Not even the royal family."
Although I am the eldest among us siblings and the heir of the House, Martha is better than me in some aspects of our line of "work".
"U-Umm... Mr. Algrave, is everything okay? I-I-I-I'm not being a burden, am I?!"
Martha's words are worth its weight in gold and her instincts has never ever betrayed us...
"Say, Ms. Harlan..."
"Y-Y-Y-Yesh!?"
Which is why I'm willing to bet that there is a reason why of all the people they can ask for it, Royal House Salonga asked for our help.
"Do you happen to know someone that I can talk to about this university's society groups?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
While Jonathan and his forces are heading to the south-west insurgency frontlines of Marl Kah and Renzo is infiltrating the depths of the socialist recruitment centers in the universities, huge changes has been happening in East Serafina where the Bougainvillea Viscounty is about to be audited for a peerage promotion.
In the new feudal government building made to separate the Bougainvillea manor from the viscounty's seat of power, Joshua is receiving reports from his assistant about the developments they are making in the territory.
"A majority of our towns and their outskirts leading to villages and trading routes has their roads already paved and regular militia and Knight house patrol schedules has been set to guard them, my lord."
"Excellent. What about our production centers and transportation routes?" he asked.
"It has already been taken care of by Lady Spica and her specialists. They say that the dedicated routes of the transportation carts has been set and our open market in Paddleton has been registered with 3 Feudal Mercantile guilds."
"Three? What are the names of this guilds?"
"Umm... There's the Leeroy guild from Marin that has been our partner for a long time, then there's the Feng Gui guild from Qima that we have just partnered with regarding the sale of nephrite jade which our miners found a vein of recently and lastly, there's the Plue guild from the Imperial capital that we contracted to resell our magisteel in the world market. Ah! That reminds me, we have to show the permission slip from the Marquisdom to the auditor regarding the Plue guild, my lord."
"Alright, I'll handle it. Anything else to report?"
"Nothing anymore, my lord... But there is a letter that we just received recently from the Marquisdom. It's not really for you, sir, but with the young master gone, I believe it should be you who will receive it."
After saying that, the maid took out an envelope with a wax seal of the Marquisdom from her clipboard. She gave it to Joshua who upon seeing the name of the sender, wordlessly signaled with his hand that the maid is dismissed for now. After the maid left, he opened the letter and found its contents... a bit worrying, to say the least.
"I told him to be careful... Damn it, Jonathan. What the hell did you just do?"
Even with only a passing knowledge about the relationship between his younger brother and the current fiancee of the Marquisdom's heir, Joshua understood what is being demanded through this letter that was sent for him.
The letter was written by Kazuto, stating his concern about the closeness of Jonathan and his fiancee Chiori during their time in the academy. While the two was never in a romantic or "physical" relationship, as the latter is often an open secret within the academy's walls, this fact is meaningless to tattlers and busybodies who are always twisting stories and forming scandals.
To these people, a simple friendship can be shaped to the most impassioned romantic entwining, and a brief conversation about a mundane topic can become a lust-filled tryst.
Basically, the letter is nothing more than a superior ordering a subordinate to publicly deny something that is causing him shame, letting him wash his hands of the mess by forcing the other to take on all of the attention.
While he is thinking about how to resolve this while his younger brother is away, Selena entered his office and asked what's happening.
"What's wrong, Joshua? You look like you swallowed a bug."
"I didn't, it's worse. Look at this. It came from the Marquisdom's heir and it's about his fiancee and Jonathan." Joshua replied and handed the letter to his mother who after a few seconds, had a sour look on her face from reading it.
"What a pansy... Did he never get a thick skin for things like after this all this time? Even Syrene isn't this sensitive."
"M-Mother...!"
"Oh, shut it! I'm not lying here! Why should he care if the maids and tabloid reporters are talking about this pig swill? I know Jonathan, he'd tell us if he fancied her or she's just a friend."
"I know that. But this is still—"
"Shush now! I'll handle this. That brat has to learn to dismiss rumors with grace instead of addressing them and worsening it further." Selena spoke firmly and hit her folding fan on her hand. "I'll speak with the Marquis about our audit and slip in this topic. He needs to talk to his son properly about this."
"I-Is that really alright? Whether we like it or not, they're still above us in rank."
"Listen, Joshua. This is not a matter of noble rank, this is about parents and children. Marquis Elmor will understand where I'm coming from once we begin talking about this. As the heir to not only House Taiga of the east but also House Regalia of the west, Kazuto will unite the Serafina region that has been split for the past 500 years. If something like a rumor about a girl that he isn't even married with yet is bothering him this much, and instead of breaking off the engagement, he's forcing his subordinate to take on the work of addressing the public, he's not worthy to take on that position and responsibility."
Selena's words silenced Joshua. He understood what she meant and saw her point clearly. While he already felt a bit concerned about having his younger brother take on that burden of unwanted public attention for Kazuto's sake, he thought that it was tolerable for the sake of maintaining a good relationship with the Marquisdom. It was only after Selena gave her words about it that he understood that if Jonathan complied, it would not end as a one-time thing.
"So you're saying that if we obeyed, he'd likely see it as a sign that we can be easily ordered around?"
"Indeed... For instance, look at the relationship between your father and the marquis when Joseph was still alive. Even though their noble peerage are worlds apart and the same goes to their finances and influence, whenever they are together as friends, they are equals. This is because your father never stooped down to gain favor with the marquis, nor did he show any sign that he'd do anything that was asked by the marquis that is outside their working relationship or friendship." Selena spoke with vigor and proved her point with a grave example. "For instance, did you know that the Penne Earldom repeatedly protested to the marquis to invalidate my marriage with your father after I refused the proposal of its then heir, Kaltka, and who has later dishonorably lost a pistol duel with Joseph?"
"Wait, what?! This is the first time that I heard about this! When and how did that happen?!"
Joshua jumped up after learning about that fact from his father's past.
"When we were still in the academy, Kaltka kept courting me, going as far as approaching my family and offering them all kinds of riches and influence in exchange for my hand. At some point, my clan's elders and the earldom reached an agreement for my dowry and things seem to be headed to me becoming "Selena Penne"... that was until your father and I ran away from the academy, went to Marin, and after Joseph beat him in 3 rounds of rapier fencing, the Marquis officiated our marriage. Ahaha! That reminds me, we weren't even lovers when that happened, I just told him about what was happening and with no further questions, Joseph did all of that. Even to this day, I wonder if back then, he's just a naive and stupid countryside hick or he did have feelings for me that didn't care about the difference in the rank between our families."
"Wow... I didn't know dad was that reckless and ballsy. Then what happened with the Earldom and the Hoshimiya clan?"
"What else? My entire clan was infuriated and threatened to disown me if I didn't divorce Joseph and come back. Kaltka went back to the Earldom and pleaded to his father to do everything to get me. Just as they always did for their spoiled heir whenever he's wants something or someone, the earl protested to Marquis Taiga that Joseph kidnapped me and that there is a mutual agreement between House Penne and the Hoshimiya clan that I would be given to Kaltka. Marquis Taiga denied their protest, stating that he himself witnessed that I willingly married Joseph and that as someone of age, I'm the one who has the final say about who I want to marry in accordance with the law of the Feudal domains."
"Given what happened last year, I believe he didn't take that easily?"
"You're damn right, he didn't. He hired a bunch of mercenaries, dressed himself and his crew as bandits and traveled here to wreak havoc. However, he didn't even get to step inside our territory. Sir Abel was already stalking his group two territories away and by the time they arrived near the border, Sir Huey and Joseph ambushed them in the woods. They spared no one save for Kaltka, who they claimed was "kidnapped" by the bandits and gave back to the earldom for a hefty sum as a sign of thanks for saving him. Of course, everyone knew the truth and Joseph just gave him a golden ticket out of trouble, but as usual, Kaltka didn't take it lightly."
Selena sighed for a moment as if reminiscing about a distant memory before chuckling lightly.
"During a meeting of lords in Marin, a drunken Kaltka appeared in the meeting chamber just after the meeting ended and challenged Joseph to a pistol duel. Even Earl Penne, his father, was against it given that he is drunk enough to not even be able to walk straight, but Kaltka either threatened or bribed a few lords to support his duel and eventually, they stood at the marquisdom palace's courtyard at sunset, watched by the other noble lords and the palace's staff, carrying a single-shot pistol and a white cloth around their necks. They stood 60 paces apart and shot at each other, Kaltka missed because of drunkenness and Joseph missed willingly. Then it became 40 paces with the same result and the same went when they are 20 paces apart. With that, Marquis Elmor declared it as a "no contest" given that Kaltka is drunk and Joseph stated that he doesn't want to fight someone in that state. This is when Kaltka, infuriated with the result of the duel and a shattered ego, grabbed the pistol of a nearby marquisdom soldier and shot Joseph on the back."
"Hold on, is that the reason why father has a—"
"Yep! That's the reason why he has a wound on his right shoulder blade. After hearing that Kaltka took a gun and in his drunkenness, slipped his aim and fired it towards me, Joseph shielded me from the gunshot and with his still loaded dueling pistol, shot Kaltka at the throat, right at the thyroid which didn't heal properly and later caused him to gain weight uncontrollably... In any case, Kaltka was punished by his father for what he did and married him off to as many women as he wanted except for me whom he ordered to never be pursued anymore even after his death. As for me and Joseph, him saving me back then made me realize that I did love him and what he did so far was all for the sake of being "worthy" for me. After asking Marquis Taiga to find a church and an organizer, and pooling some funds from my friends and our two Knight houses, Joseph and I had a proper wedding ceremony, this time, out of love and not for the sake of escaping our circumstances."
Hearing all of this made Joshua to have some newfound respect and admiration for this late father.
"Jeez... you should have told us this story before. I would've liked to see dad puff his chest with pride after hearing that awesome story of your past."
"Oh please, he'd probably stop me the moment I mentioned the fact that he eloped with me and dueled for my hand. You know your father, he's a humble man. He has the spine of a lion but also the meekness of a bunny. None of you would probably ever know this if he's still here with us."
"I guess you're right... He does have that stubborn humility of his."
Just as their conversation ended, the maid from earlier knocked on the door and spoke.
"Master, head maid Lady Martha Robinson has returned and requests a courtesy visit with you and the madame."
"Understood! Receive her and lead her here."
Learning that Martha has returned from her trip and would be giving her report about what happened so far, Selena and Joshua nodded to each other that their casual conversation has to wait for now.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
True to the words of Lady Leonor, war in Marl Kah is nowhere similar to the kind of war that I have known or experienced so far.
"Enemy sniper position at 5 o'clock-south! Strike it!"
"Everyone match my fire! We're having overlaps in our fire!"
"6th Wing retreating for resupply! Requesting for another group to cover our area of operation!"
"Hold your positions, 6th Wing! The 3rd is still refueling their CCUs!"
In the Ghost of Fenris, my personal aerial warship, a battalion of Marl Kahn Wizards was assigned to use my airship as their launch and landing platform. In the airship's bridge, ManaCom chatter filled the air as the battalion split into Wing groups, provided air support and cover for the army as they battled against an insurgent stronghold deep within the island we're currently in.
"They're unusually resilient today..." I mused to the Wizard battalion's commander before taking a sip from my coffee.
"Aye-aye... Must be from hidden fox holes and log bunkers out there. They set up a meat grinder for the army and camouflaged positions against our Wizards— 6th Wing! You're clear to retreat!"
The battalion's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Avelino, skillfully commanded his men and coordinated with the commander of the Marl Kahn army that they are supporting from above.
"I understand that you don't want us to be too excited for battle, but I've been told by my men that they want to deploy out as well. Even just providing aerial gunfire should raise their spirits."
"Well, I understand your men's desire to help and the boredom of staying behind. But for now, please understand that we have to get the first victory here... After all, it wouldn't be good to have outsiders involved when there are "eyes" and "ears" who will talk to the thousands of "mouths" back home."
"...I guess you're right, commander."
When Avelino turned his eyes to the side, Jonathan followed and saw a group of men and women wearing arm bands and holding notebooks while incessantly demanding answers from the soldiers of both the Bougainvillea and Marl Kahn forces.
"How many casualties has the rebels incurred? Is this really the only way to defeat them?"
"Has the military offered the rebels a period of time to surrender peacefully? Previous reports said that the navy bombarded them out of nowhere without any advanced warnings."
"Answer my question, dammit! You're a Marl Kahn soldier paid by our taxes! We own you!"
The reporters, embedded into the Marl Kahn forces to cover the conflict, demanded answers to their questions that both Avelino and Jonathan recognized to be done to annoy their subordinates to either make them give up vital information or be confrontational against the journalists.
"Sir, should we stop them?" Gunther asked, looking at the group of journalists that kept on harassing both Bougainvillea and Marl Kahn soldiers. "I can understand wanting to be answered so they can give reports back to their news stations, but this is borderline harassment."
"...Even if I want to, we can do nothing, Gunther. Marl Kah is a republic with Freedom of Press included on their constitution and further reinforced by their laws. As outsiders, we can neither go against it or ignore it."
"What should we do then, sir?"
Jonathan pondered for a moment before an idea popped on his mind.
"I remember that you guys have that native language of yours from the dungeon, right? The one that you got from staying down there isolated for hundreds of years?"
"Oh! Palran dialect... We do have that. Are you saying that we should—"
"Right. Use the language barrier. Engage with them but never speak in the Common Ostadonian or Marl Kahn language. Annoy the f**k out of them."
"Roger that!"
A few minutes later, a shout broke the relative silence of the bridge after a Bougainvillea ManaCom officer was thrown down to the ground by a man wearing a blue armband.
"Quit f*****g with me, you bastard! Speak properly or I'll fit my fist on your mouth!"
One of the leaders of the reporters shouted towards the Bougainvillea soldier with a frustrated expression on his face. He then stomped towards him, winding up one of his feet to kick him while his fellow reporters tried to force him to stop.
"Benny! STOP!"
"Calm down, you idiot!"
"That's not a Marl Kahn soldier! Stop already!"
As he is taller and stronger than his fellows, the frustrated journalist easily pushed them back, determined to reach the subject of his anger. However, he was stopped by commander Avelino who pointed a gun to him.
"Whoa there, buddy... Cool your hot head before I blow a hole through it."
In not even a second after he did so, the reporters around them snapped pictures and recorded videos about the altercation.
"We're on the bridge of a Marl Kahn airship right now where battalion commander Avelino is currently accosting our fellow reporter Benny for simply doing his job."
Some of them misrepresented the story, labeling the hot-headed reporter as someone threatened with violence by the commander while doing his job.
"Good heavens, these people are insane..." Gunther spoke beneath his breath after seeing the commotion.
"To them, so long as a lie sells, it's "good" news... What happened there?"
"The reporter was demanding our ManaCom officer to let them have one console so they can have access to the communication lines. He followed the orders and continued to speak in Palran while denying them access to the ManaCom console until the reporter got annoyed and shoved him to the floor."
"Is that so...? Hmm..."
Jonathan paused for a moment to think before approaching the two who are in a stare down.
"B-Baron..."
"What? You're gonna speak in gibberish too, you damn outsider?!" the reporter, being taller than Jonathan, loomed over him and stepped his foot forward forcefully to intimidate Jonathan, but he remained unmoved.
"You can't hurt me, b***h! None of you "tough men in uniforms" can touch journalists like me—"
Before he can even finish his words, Jonathan grabbed the reporter's shoulders and pushed him down to the floor just like how he did earlier to his soldier.
"What the f**k!? How dare you—"
"You're right, Marl Kahn soldiers can't lay their hands on you because their mandate is to serve and protect their people, which includes you folks..."
After Jonathan's next move, the cocky look on the reporter's face was replaced by one filled with fear as Jonathan drew his rapier from its scabbard and placed it right in the gaping mouth of the reporter, its sharp edges a hairbreadth away from the walls of his mouth.
"But I'm not one of you, so I don't give two shits about any of that... All that I know is the fact that you assaulted one of my men, and you're being an annoyance in my ship."
For a moment, Jonathan hardened his grip on his sword, posturing to thrust it through the reporter's head, only being stopped by two other ringleaders of the journalists who pleaded for mercy to their fellow man.
"B-Baron Bougainvillea! Please pardon him!"
"He simply didn't know that he isn't talking to a Marl Kahn! Please don't kill him!"
Upon hearing the request of his co-workers, Jonathan took out his rapier from the man's mouth, making him sigh in relief. However, Jonathan then punched him on the face, sinking his fist on the reporter's cheek and knocking him unconscious.
"Benny!"
"Quick! Get a photo!"
Not missing a beat to cover this incident, his fellow reporters raised their cameras to snap a picture of the scene, but just as they pressed their shutter buttons, a flash of light came out from behind Jonathan and rendered all of their photo equipment useless.
"What the hell?!"
"T-The films are all streaked!"
In an instant, all of the photo films they have on their cameras was damaged by the flash of light that Jonathan shot out, destroying evidences to their misrepresented actions. Before they can raise their voices, Jonathan spoke to the Marl Kahn military officer beside him.
"Commander Avelino, I have a suggestion to make for our unruly guests."
"...What is it, Baron Bougainvillea?"
"Since they're so interested with what's happening on the ground, why don't we let them have a front-row seat of all the chaos that is happening down there?"
Hearing that, the reporters gulped down in fear as they awaited the response of Avelino.
"That... seems excessive, sir. I believe it would be more fitting to just send them to a different vessel in exchange for what happened here." he spoke up, giving a milder suggestion. However, the reporters raised a complaint after sensing that they're being sent to the rear of the battle lines.
"T-That's obstruction of the press, commander! This is where we decided to do our jobs and we will not be sent away just so easily!"
"And this is my ship, you knaves! Who told you that you can stay here without my permission?!"
"Khh!"
"After one of you assaulted my soldier, I cannot let you remain in my ship anymore. You will either go down there on the ground, right in the thick of the fighting, or you will follow commander Avelino's suggestion and do your job in the rear! Gunther!"
"Yes, sire!"
"Lead the reporters to their room and tell them to gather all of their belongings. Coordinate with the captain of the supply ship in the rear to take them in. I want them gone before lunch time!"
"As you command! Ladies and gentlemen, please comply with our instructions."
"S-So you can actually speak Marl Kahn?!"
(T/N: The italicized words there are spoken in Marl Kahn, hence the surprise of one of the reporters)
After all of that ended, Jonathan sat back on his seat and continued to watch the happenings on the ground until the evening when a lull in the fighting started as both sides regrouped and rested.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
In Marl Kah, the evening news was filled with the usual reports of Marl Kahn soldiers slaughtering rebels in inhumane ways.
One of which has a picture of a half-naked man with his head covered with cloth and a man wearing a Marl Kahn army uniform pointing a gun on the back of the other's head.
"Darned murderers..."
"I wonder how they are still able to recruit new soldiers every year..."
"Probably from the ignorant mountain dwellers. They're killers ever since they're young. This is the only way they can shed blood without consequences."
"I hear some of them eat dogs and even humans too."
"Savages, I swear..."
These words came from people who watched the news report while eating at a high-end restaurant where they ate medium rare steaks and drank wines that costs more per bottle than an average worker's monthly salary.
In one of these tables, a group of six people was gathered, eating high-quality pasta and drinking sparkling wine.
Among them is no other than Renzo Robinson, keeping his fake identity of Professor Brent Algrave after he was invited to dinner by an affluent alumni of the university that he met while listening to a public gathering of the Marl Kahn College Students Coalition.
The half-naked man isn't showing any signs of starvation and hard labor that should be normal for someone stuck in the middle of nowhere and fighting against soldiers... the other is wearing his rank insignia the wrong way and his gun isn't even loaded. Obviously a fake picture meant for propaganda...
Renzo quickly found inconsistencies on the picture and knew it was faked, but he kept his calm while the other people around him cursed the military openly.
A week and a half after he infiltrated the university to investigate the more professional yet sinister side of the insurgent movement, Renzo managed to learn about a certain extent of the movement's hierarchy and beliefs.
He learned that each university has at least one or two rebel factions, totaling to about 31 distinct groups that all fall into the Marl Kahn College Students Coalition which is the official face of the rebellion's front in the academia. These groups are led by a committee of prominent professors and students who oversees public demonstrations against the government and recruitment and resupply efforts whenever their military arm is losing men and supplies.
Renzo even learned that during the reign of late King Fernando II where the Marl Kahn royal army used to kidnap protesters and dissenters to interrogate them about bombings and assassinations that they are usually connected to, the reason "kidnapped by the military" became the standard excuse that the rebels used to justify why a certain student or professor suddenly disappeared when they were actually sent to the battlefields as reinforcements.
Because of that, he knew the truth and how to lie to them during this meeting.
"Professor Algrave, this is disconcerting news, is it not?"
"Yes, it is. That image sure proves the brutality of the military... though I do wonder why we don't sue for peace when the conflict is already in full swing?"
Renzo's question, which he intentionally asked to elicit a conflicted expression from the others, was addressed by the same university alumni that invited him.
"Sir Algrave, this is not a simple matter. You're right with being worried about the blood that is being spilled, but the fact remains that if we sue for peace now, the government, especially that despicable despot on the throne, will never understand what we are truly fighting for."
"I see... But is it not worrying that we are further antagonizing the parliament with this as well? While it's true that the king has a huge influence in the military, in the end of the day, it is still the democratic government that commands the army to fight the rebels."
"Ohhh... I see now where you're confused, dear professor. You're wrong about thinking that the parliamentary system will remain after the revolution."
Hearing that, Renzo flinched for a moment but he covered it properly by pretending to adjust his sitting position on his chair. He managed to uncover the rebellion's ultimate goal all of a sudden.
"What is the objective then, sir Armando?"
"What else than the transformation of these isles into a communal utopia... where everyone belongs to everyone else and none owns anything. A nation of brothers, sharing and understanding each other in unity of heart, mind and soul!" He then stood up with a wineglass on his hand and shouted loudly.
"My brothers and sisters! We shall soon lead this nation out of the foolishness of the old ways! Viva communiste Marl Kah! Viva la revolucion!"
"""VIVA!!!"""
Everyone in the restaurant raised their glasses to the toast and shouted their praises for the coming conflict against the government.
"Now then, professor Algrave... I desire to hear your answer to my question earlier."
"..."
"As fellow men that desire nothing but the fall of the old world and the beginning of a brighter tomorrow, would you be willing to be our fellow revolutionary brother to the feudal domains?"