IWBNAM Chapter 2 (Part 2)
by Brie“It would’ve been nice if the two who went to the front lines could be here.”
Valois said with a friendly smile as he looked around at their colleagues of one rank lower. Of the eleven senior generals, nine smiled in agreement, excluding only Alberto Bertuccio and Ramón Lopez.
August Hoffmann, Ferdinand von Werner, Wilhelm Zimmermann, Johann Meier, the other Johann Meier, Christian Renaud, Viktor Sergeyev, Gérard de Morel, Mikhail Baum.
Most were lower nobles or commoners, but all were evaluated as young and capable talents.
“Except for one marshal, it seems everyone worth gathering has gathered.”
“Hm. If that fellow showed up here today, that would be the strangest thing of all.”
Valois joked lightly. Looking over the colleagues gathered here, he suddenly felt once again how much of an outlier Azani truly was. He came from a hereditary noble family, was mixed with East Asian blood, and he was a soldier whose work had little to do with field command. Those differences played a large part in his inability to blend with the rest, though his twisted personality certainly didn’t help.
“Well, let’s at least eat. Didn’t everyone come rushing here without even having dinner? There’s no urgent matter to discuss, so you could’ve finished your evening plans and come later.”
“Impossible. What if something interesting was said while we were dawdling?”
There were occasional clashes, but the high-ranking officers gathered here generally had smooth relationships with one another. They enjoyed their dinner while chatting comfortably and laughing. The real discussion began only after the meal was finished. With a glass of whiskey or wine in hand, the generals observed the atmosphere for a moment before finally giving in to their curiosity and bringing up that name.
“Does Marshal Azani truly wish to retire?”
The taller Johann Meier asked. Since there were two men with the same name, they were commonly distinguished by height as the tall Johann and the short Johann.
“Everyone has been in an uproar over the news. People are eager to know what his intentions are.”
“Not a word until yesterday, and now suddenly he has some change of heart? Who can guess what happened overnight.”
“Did he perhaps become deeply inspired by the values of Admiral Lee Daniel of the Union? That man never stops saying he wants to live off his pension and relax for the rest of his life.”
“If this is the case, the personnel assignments for high-ranking officers will have to be reorganized completely…”
Sergeyev said as he stroked his thick, overgrown beard. They were only repeating the same discussions they had already had with their own aides earlier, but among officers of this rank, none gave up the hope of hearing some new information, and they paid close attention to one another’s voices.
“He could be trying to assert his importance, or.”
“A sign of dissatisfaction regarding the empress, perhaps…”
“All of a sudden? Marshal Azani is the one who arranged proper adoptive parents for her.”
“That was by His Majesty’s order…”
“I suppose we’ll need to wait a bit longer to know for sure. His Majesty may reject his resignation.”
Graim, the current commander of the Imperial Capital Defense Forces and the designated Minister of Military Affairs, answered in a deep voice. The next Capital Defense Commander had not yet been firmly decided. The right of recommendation belonged to Marshal Graim. The ambitious fleet commanders watched him closely, eyes shining with subtle anticipation as they awaited his comments.
“Marshal Azani is not someone who says things lightly. In the end, he may become the marshal who retires the quickest in history.”
“Or who knows? He might already have spies planted among us, preparing a list of those hoping for his retirement. Once he officially becomes Chancellor, he might chop all our heads off.”
“Don’t say such creepy things.”
When a startled Renaud scolded his colleague, the rest burst into laughter. In any case, today’s fresh piece of news sounded warm, hopeful, and beautiful to all of them.
“We may not know why he wishes to retire, but once he steps down, he won’t be able to return quickly.”
“That’s right. People won’t say anything good about him afterward.”
Those who secretly wished for his downfall wouldn’t miss this chance. They would do everything they could to prevent him from ever regaining power.
Even the people gathered here were already mentally prepared to see it through. Imagining Azani continuing to remain in position as the emperor’s closest aide and shadow made one thing clear: he was undeniably dangerous. He would constantly doubt the loyalty of his subordinates, weave subtle schemes, and trim away potential threats. None of them could confidently say they would not eventually be caught in his net.
“What do you think, Marshal Kranaha? You have been quiet for some time.”
The others stared at him curiously. Normally, he would have already been mixing in crude insults and criticism, yet today he was unusually silent.
“It’s just irritating.”
“What is?”
Valois asked.
“Everything. From start to finish.”
Kranaha answered shortly. He had been annoyed from the moment he heard the news.
“I thought you’d be pleased.”
“No. The way he suddenly says he wants to quit on a whim irritates me even more. We all got our hands bloody just the same, so why is he the only one acting noble, saying he’s fulfilled his duty and wants to retire? Once you choose a path, isn’t it right to walk it to the end? I don’t understand why he’s trying to throw it away halfway and run.”
Finishing his words, Kranaha downed the rest of his drink in one gulp and began crunching the ice violently with his teeth. The others exchanged glances, surprised at his reaction. The Kranaha they knew was the type who would normally shout in excitement for Azani to hurry up and retire instead of dragging things out.
“Are you saying you oppose his retirement?”
Senior General Morel asked quietly. Kranaha shook his head, indicating no. He offered no further explanation, only showing a face full of displeasure, and his colleagues decided not to press further.
“Well, let’s think positively. Isn’t a warm breeze blowing across our empire right now? This seems like a sign that things will turn out for the better.”
When Marshal Zérodel neatly wrapped up the discussion, the others nodded in agreement.
“During the coronation, I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t say a word. And the imperial wedding is just a month away. Good news keeps coming one after another.”
“They say the Union bastards cursed that the empire, after five hundred years of history, would soon decline. I’d really love to check how they’re feeling these days. Probably watching with a face like they’ve bitten into a bug.”
“Isn’t the Union the one falling apart instead? I heard their political scene is a complete mess. What good are great generals like Lee Daniel and Wendy Hamilton if the politicians themselves are rotten?”
“Compared to that, our empire is…”
As always, the conversation ended in praise of their young and brilliant sovereign. Those gathered here were immensely proud that they had been recognized and elevated by the most radiant ruler of all. They were certain a glorious future awaited them and that they would share in that glory alongside their emperor.
“Long live Emperor Sirius!”
“And long live His Highness the heir, who is growing strong in the womb!”
Joyful laughter filled the officers’ club. The empress was currently four months pregnant. Whether it turned out to be a boy or a girl, having an heir brought peace of mind. The new Imperium would prosper forever.
Just a few more days, and this damned slicked-back white hair would finally be gone. Lee Juwon frowned slightly at Azani’s reflection in the mirror. He truly disliked this hairstyle. Slicked back without a single stray hair left loose, perfectly fixed in place, it just looked greasy and old-fashioned by the standards of a 21st-century Korean college student.
But he understood why Azani kept it that way. It was to hide his East Asian baby face as much as possible.
If he let his hair down comfortably and relaxed his facial expression, Westerners would barely see him as anything more than a high schooler. In 21st-century Korea, looking young would be a compliment, of course, but in the world of Western military machismo, it was only a weakness. It made it hard to project authority as a superior.
“Sigh.”
A sigh escaped him naturally. What was the point of being possessed as an Imperial Marshal? Life after possession was nothing but stress.
The difficulty of the work was murderous, and dealing with people was just as grueling. That was why he immediately decided to retire. He went to the protagonist and, pretending he had made a difficult decision for the sake of the nation, expressed his wish to step down.
“I’m even offering to retire on my own, so why are they making such a fuss.”
Lee Juwon was fed up. Very few people believed his words as they were. Most stared at him with suspicion, wondering what hidden motive Azani had. Considering Azani’s usual behavior, it was a natural reaction, but from his perspective, it felt deeply unfair.
“They don’t even know how Azani lived until now…”
Azani’s life was far too heavy.
Lee Juwon stared blankly into the mirror. Living in this body, he had experienced a life far too harsh and difficult for an eighteen-year-old college student to endure.
Waking up at dawn and moving through a packed schedule all day like he did during exam season was fine. But relationships?
Just a month ago, he had been chatting several times a day with his friends about meaningless things. Everywhere he went, people praised him for being surprisingly polite and kind for someone his age. Now? That was no longer the case.
A sigh escaped him naturally. What was the point of being possessed as an Imperial Marshal? Life after possession was nothing but stress.
The difficulty of the work was murderous, and dealing with people was just as grueling. That was why he immediately decided to retire. He went to the protagonist and, pretending he had made a difficult decision for the sake of the nation, expressed his wish to step down.
“I’m even offering to retire on my own, so why are they making such a fuss.”
Lee Juwon was sick of it. Very few people believed his words as they were. Most stared at him with suspicion, wondering what hidden motive Azani had. Considering Azani’s usual behavior, it was understandable, but from his side, unbearably unfair.
“They don’t even know what kind of heart Azani lived with all this time…”
Azani’s life was simply too much.
Lee Juwon looked at the mirror again. The life he had experienced in this body was far too harsh and far too demanding for an eighteen-year-old student to bear.
He could handle waking up at dawn and living rigidly according to a tight schedule like he did during entrance exam season. But relationships?
Just a month ago, he’d been casually exchanging pointless conversations with friends several times a day. Everyone always said he was unusually polite and well-mannered for someone his age. But now?
The marshals and senior generals, his so-called coworkers, got along perfectly fine with one another, yet when it came to Azani, not a shred of goodwill could be found. Was it only the military officers? Even among civil officials, not a single person could be called friendly with Azani. Lee Juwon was only barely holding on because he had already decided to quit and run. He had long reached his limit.
“Why do I have to give up all personal happiness and sacrifice myself? Why should I make devotion that won’t even be rewarded? Tell me, Azani.”
He pressed his face close to the mirror and asked. But no answer came. Of course not. The original Azani was dead. And the one occupying this body was Lee Juwon. A university student raised in comfort in a middle-class family in 21st-century Korea, someone who had no concept of silent devotion to the state or self-sacrifice for great ideals, nor any desire to understand such things.
“I don’t want to.”
This isn’t even my real life. I don’t want to live like that. Don’t force it on me.
Just endure a little longer. Then he would enjoy the leisurely retired life of a former marshal. Just a few more days. Only a few more.
Once he attended the imperial wedding as a retired marshal, he wouldn’t have to show his face at the palace ever again. Goodbye to this damned slicked-back hair, the suffocating military uniform, the hostile stares, and the endless flood of work.
After one last look in the mirror, Lee Juwon hardened his expression and left the bedroom. His aides were waiting on the first floor of the mansion, standing upright and saluting. He returned the greeting with a slight nod and headed outside.
The treatment is pretty nice, he thought.
He was still a citizen of a democratic republic from the 21st century, but he honestly enjoyed the taste of power’s perks. It was nothing like the service you got at a high-end restaurant.
Whenever he approached the door, someone among his subordinates would open it respectfully. A black luxury vehicle waited at the entrance. Security escorts stood in front and behind, and the roads would be partially controlled during his commute.
This was the taste of power ordinary rulers could never give up. They clung to it so desperately because the life admired by others felt so intoxicating.
Once I retire, I can enjoy the sweet parts and spit out the bitter ones.
People who hated Azani would surely sneer, saying he was leeching benefits without serving the nation as a marshal, but it wouldn’t be the first time he was insulted. He wouldn’t care.
“What’s today’s schedule?”
Lee Juwon climbed into the official car and asked in the original Azani’s dry tone. The secretary riding with him opened a tablet and began reporting the schedule, packed tightly down to the minute.
Azani was disliked by nearly everyone, but with his direct subordinates, he at least had something vaguely resembling a human bond. When he first announced his intention to retire, a few of his aides had been shocked and tried to dissuade him, and Lee Juwon realized they respected Azani far more sincerely than he had expected. But he couldn’t take his words back. Feeling guilty inside, he repeated that he intended to retire.
Since they knew exactly what kind of man Azani was, his closest aides couldn’t strongly oppose him and instead answered that they would respect his decision. Some still grumbled. His chief aide Briand Gilbert, his head of security Matthias Hessler, and his personal secretary Gaspar Garcia, all proud to be among his closest circle, were unable to accept it and continued trying to persuade him until the very last day.
“Just give up already, will you? The resignation has already been accepted.”
“But, sir.”
“I’ll remember your loyalty. Every year on your birthday, I’ll send you a fine bottle of wine.”
“Is that all my sincerity toward you was worth in your eyes?”
“Two bottles of wine.”
“Sir.”
“Three bottles of wine.”
“Please make sure they’re top grade.”
“As you wish.”
Briand Gilbert. Truly the man had nerves of steel. Lee Juwon clicked his tongue inwardly, though he kept a completely calm expression as he walked down the corridor. Seeing their conversations go like this made him think that Azani could have maintained smooth relationships if he had wanted to, so why had he shut himself off completely? If Azani had kept normal social ties, the possessor, himself, might not have reached the point of wanting to flee.
“If I invite you to a meal later, don’t treat me coldly just because I’m a retired marshal. Make sure you come.”
Lee Juwon softened slightly when speaking to this sociable subordinate. Unlike the head of security and the personal secretary, who would continue serving him even after his retirement, Gilbert would remain in the Ministry of Defense. He wanted at least one former subordinate he could maintain good relations with.
“Yes? When would that be? Please give me an exact date and time.”
Ah. He’d forgotten Western habits for a moment. In Korea, “Let’s grab a meal sometime” was just a polite expression, but Westerners didn’t understand it that way.
“That’s undecided. I’ll give you a definite notice later.”
“Whenever you call for me, I will come. Please do not forget my loyalty.”
“Mm…”