Part 2, Chapter Two – Ignition Point

Legend of Galactic Heroes, Part 2 – Ambition

Chapter Two      Ignition Point

            I

            It was November of last year when Lynch was first called in front of Galactic Empire Space Fleet Commander-in-Chief, Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm. It was shortly before Reinhard decimated the Alliance Fleet that was invading Galactic Empire’s territory.

            After becoming a disgraced prisoner in El Facil Starzone (エル・ファシル星域), Lynch had been living in a correctional facility in a frontier star district (辺境星区).

            Prisoner-of-war camps did not exist in the Empire. The officers and men of the “rebel fleet (叛乱軍)” were just malicious thought-criminals who opposed the Empire, and the Empire housed them in a facility with the objective of “thought and morality rehabilitation (思想・道徳の矯正).”

            The vast facility managed to be self-sufficient when providing food. The Empire kept the border under surveillance and supplied medicine and clothing every four weeks. There was not much interference with the colony of inmates. This was not a display of the Empire’s generosity. Instead, it was more a function of the lack of budget and personnel. Even with a conscription system, there were limits to human resources. The fact was it would have been imprudent to closely control every corner of the frontier star district. If the “thought criminals” killed one another due to internal disputes, the Empire would be appreciative of the efforts that were saved. 

            Originally, the Free Planets Alliance generously received the Imperial Fleet prisoners. It was a kind of psychological warfare where they provided hands-on education to demonstrate the merits of a free social regime. However, after a century and a half of battles, the resources to afford to show-off were long gone. Recently, the treatment of the prisoners was somewhere between the treatment of the general public and that of the prison.

            Lynch and his former subordinates were clustered in one colony. When the spacemen who arrived at the correctional facility after him publicized his disgrace at El Facil, the other prisoners started to give him the cold shoulder.

            Lynch used liquor as an escape. He was so reviled and his position so inexcusable that that was all he could do. From the new prisoners, he learned that his wife had left him and returned to her parents with their two children. He increasingly drowned himself in liquor, and his reputation slipped further. Even his old crew came to look at him with blatant contempt and disgust.

            Then, a destroyer (駆逐艦) appeared to take him away to the Imperial capital Odin.

            Unlike Yang Wen-li, Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm had a remarkable appearance.

            At the time, he was twenty years old. He was sleek and tall, and he appeared to be an exquisite harmony of grace and fearlessness. His luxurious and somewhat peculiar golden hair was longer than it was last year, and it was styled in way that resembled a lion’s mane. He had pale skin that had not a single blemish, and breathtakingly elegant facial features. It was as if he was born with the exclusive love of the goddess of creation. However, the light that came out of his angelic, ice-blue eyes was too sharp and too bold. Perhaps those were the eyes of Lucifer, the Fallen Angel, who was eager to surpass even God.

            “Rear Admiral Lynch.”

            The guards allowed a man to sit down on a chair that was placed in front of Reinhard’s desk. Reinhard’s voice lacked warmth. He was aware of it, but he was unwilling to change it for the detestable recreant in front of him.

            “… You are?”

            “Reinhard von Lohengramm.”

            Lynch opened up his cloudy, blood-shot eyes.

            “Oh, you? You’re young. You’re so young. Do you know El Facil? I wonder how many years ago it was… You were probably still a kid back then… I was a rear admiral back then…”

            The blue eyes of the young, tall, red-haired officer standing to the left of Reinhard were colored by disgust and pity.

            “Reinhard, is a man like this useful to us?”

            “He is useful, Kircheis. If not, this man’s life will be worthless.”

            The young, blond haired marquis stared at Lynch. His stare resembled the stabbing of swords and ice.

            “Listen up, Lynch, because I will not repeat this. I am giving you a mission, and you will fulfill it. In return, if you are successful, I will give you the position of an Imperial rear admiral.”

            His reaction was slow but certain. In the back of his bloodshot, cloudy eyes, a tinker of light could be seen. To shake off the poisonous fog of alcohol that surrounded his brain, Lynch shook his head several times.

            “Rear admiral…. Ha ha ha, rear admiral, huh…”

            He licked both his upper and lower lips.

            “That’s not bad. So, what do you need me to do?”

            “Infiltrate your homeland, and instigate a coup by inciting malcontents in the military.”

            After a moment of silence, an out of tune laughter rippled through the air.

            “Heh heh heh… impossible, that is impossible. You, are you saying this sober?”

            “It is possible. Here is the plan. If you follow this, you will succeed.”

            Lynch’s eyes were again filled with dull light.

            “But, if I infiltrate and fail, I will die. I will definitely die. They will kill me…”

            “If that happens, just die!”

            Reinhard’s voice cracked through the air like a whip.

            “Do you think your current life has any value? You are a coward. You abandoned the civilians you were protecting and your subordinates, and shamelessly fled. There is not a single person who will defend you. Even when you have become this, you still treasure life?”

            That voice overwhelmed Lynch’s alcohol-affected dim spirit, and awakened it. There was a great imbalance between the quality and quantity of the energy of his spirit. Lynch’s entire body trembled, and he sat there, drenched in sweat.

            “That’s right, I am a coward…”

            His muttering was feeble but clear.

            “It is too late to undo the dishonor now. If so, I should become thoroughly cowardly, and live shamelessly…”

            He raised his head. Although the turbidity in his eyes did not clear up, there was now a furnace-like flame wriggling in the back.

            “Fine, I understand. I’ll do it. Is it true that you will make me a rear admiral?”

            There was a fervor in his voice that was reminiscent of over ten years ago.

            II

            “If we are successful with that, Yang will be chasing his domestic problems, and he will not have time to intervene here,” Reinhard said, looking at his red-haired friend after Lynch left.

            “Your wish is my pleasure… If their domestic peace is disturbed, the rebel fleet’s hands will probably be tied.”

            “Peace? That thing called peace, Kircheis. Are you referring to the blissful era where incompetence is not the greatest sin? Just look at those aristocrats,” Reinhard’s remark was caustic.

            The Empire had been in a continuous state of war with the Alliance; however, among them, the aristocrats had enjoyed “peace behind the rampart.” While spacemen fell wounded, and trembled with the fear of death in the darkness of the void that spanned several thousand light-years, magnificent balls were being held under the royal palace’s crystal chandeliers. The best champagne, red wine marinated venison roast, and chocolate bavarois. Pure white Persian cats, blue pearl hairpins, amber wall decor, centuries old white porcelain, black sable furs, jewel studded dresses, and brilliantly colored stained glass…

            Was this comical contrast between decadence and misery reality?

            Yes, this was reality.

            Therefore, reality must be changed.

            This was what the young man with the ice blue eyes felt the first time he went to a ball.

            This soon became his firm belief as he matured. Thereafter, balls and parties became a place for him to observe enemies to defeat. After repeated observation, Reinhard reached the conclusion that all the exquisitely dressed nobles were not enemies worth guarding against.

            He only confided this impression in Kircheis. “I think there is no need to fear the aristocrats.”

            Since then, Kircheis adopted a humble demeanor towards Reinhard.

            "But, we should be cautious against the aristocrats as a whole.”

            After Kircheis said that, Reinhard looked at his best friend in surprise.

            The unified intention of a group – even if it was not unified, one could not afford to downplay the alliance formed from their selfish hatred against a common enemy. When Reinhard was crossing swords with the enemies in front of him, someone else might be stabbing him in the back.

            “Alright, I’ll be careful,” replied Reinhard.

            Reinhard’s slender, sword-like edges had always been enveloped and rounded by his best friend.

            The other person who was able to envelop his sharpness and fierceness was his sister, Annerose, who was five years his senior.

            She was taken into the late Kaiser Friedrich IV’s harem at age fifteen. At that time, she had given up on the possibility of her own future. After the Kaiser bestowed upon her the title of Countess Grünewald, she took Reinhard away from their father, whose personality was nearly bankrupt, and became a supporter of Kircheis, who was like a brother to them. She became the greatest protector of the two.

            Now, the once protected grew much taller than her, and they were riding through the battlefields of space as admirals. However, in front of her, the two instantly reverted back to the boys that they were in the far gone past. – They were able to return to the glistening days that were wrapped in sweet translucency.

            Since Late Kaiser Friedrich IV’s unusually disordered life came to an end due to his sudden death, the Galactic Empire’s ruling class had been hit by intermittent crustal deformation.

            First, the five-year-old toddler, Erwin Josef, became the new Kaiser. Although he was the lineal grandson of the late Kaiser Friedrich IV, since his coronation, he had attracted the jealousy and anger of two great nobles.

            The two great nobles were Duke Otto von Braunschweig (ブラウンシュヴァイク公オットーと) and Marquis Wilhelm von Littenheim (リッテンハイム侯ウィルヘルム). They had married the late Kaiser Friedrich IV’s two daughters and fathered his granddaughters. They both had been harboring the ambition of installing their own daughter as the Kaiserin, and ruling the Empire as regent.

            When that ambition collapsed, they joined hands against a common enemy, and vowed to retaliate. Their enemy was the two senior statesmen who supported the young Kaiser Erwin Josef II: seventy-six-year-old Imperial Prime Minister, Duke Klaus von Lichtenrade and twenty-year-old Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm.

            In this manner, the ruling class of the Galactic Empire was forced to split into two factions: the Pro-Kaiser faction of the Lichtenrade – Lohengramm axis, and Anti-Kaiser faction, or  the Braunschweig – Littenheim coalition.

            Worrying about the Empire’s future and wanting to protect themselves, many wished to remain neutral, but the insidious situation would not allow them to remain bystanders forever.

            Which side should one ally with for survival? Which side was just in their cause? Who had the better chance of success? For them, their abilities for insights and judgments would be tested.

            While emotions initially made them inclined to support Duke Braunschweig, they also knew the fact that Reinhard was a genius at war. It was not a decision that could be easily made. They were desperate to verify the wind’s direction in the valley of emotions and calculations.

            “The aristocrats are running about in confusion. Which side is it more advantageous to ally with? They really cannot squeeze out any wisdom. This is the famed comedy of recent times.”

            The person Reinhard was speaking to at that time was Imperial Space Fleet Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Paul von Oberstein.

            “I probably would not call it a comedy if it does not have a happy ending.”

            Oberstein was not an impetuous man, and it was generally believed that his sense of humor was completely missing. While he was still in his mid-thirties, his hair was already half gray. His left and right ocular prostheses had built-in optical computers that gave off a cold light. His lips were tight and thin, and his expression was not something that commanded love and respect. The person in question was also unconcerned that he had this type of reputation.

            “In any case, Your Excellency needs only to wait and watch the enemy struggle.”

            “Yes, I will wait, and I will take my time.”

            Reinhard, of course, did not only wait. He used a number of harsh tactics to strand the nobles in a blind rage at the odds being against them, so that they would surrender. Their hysterical outbursts were just what Reinhard had hoped for. Moreover, he used these tactics like a boy chasing a beautiful butterfly. He accomplished them with pure passion.

            “It is not necessary to corner the aristocrats,” Reinhard said as he toyed with his best friend’s red hair with his supple fingertips, “It is enough if they believe that they are cornered.”

            As a matter of fact, if the nobles were unified, their military and financial strength would far exceed Reinhard’s. However, in spite of that, they were worried that a counterattack would ruin what they had accomplished until now. Reinhard found their eager reaction that lacked a sense of balance to be laughable.

            Although the brain of Reinhard was not that of a boy, there still remained some sensibilities of a boy. He single-mindedly hated his adversaries, but if he was able to find personalities in the other party’s speech or conduct, even if it was not something that could be called beautiful, he would become curious. For now, such a thing was not seen in the aristocrats, and Reinhard found that to be somewhat disappointing.

            III

           

            Count Franz von Mariendorf (マリーンドルフ伯フランツ) was a gentle and sensible person whom his county residents were confident in.

            He was at his wit’s end in regards to making up his mind about how to deal with the current situation. If possible, he wished to remain neutral, but would that really be feasible?

            This day, his eldest daughter, Hilda, came home from her university in Odin.

            The count’s daughter, Hildegard von Mariendorf  (ヒルデガルド・フォン・マリーンドルフ), or Hilda (ヒルダ), had just turned twenty.

            Her dark blond hair was short and sporty, and she had an angular but beautiful face. If it were not for her vividly shining blueish green eyes, one might feel that she was not of this world. Intelligence and vitality burst through her eyes, giving others the impression of a richly adventurous boy.

            “Miss Hilda, you seem to be in good spirits.”

            An old man with shiny pink cheeks bowed his obese body and welcomed her into the house.

            “You look well too! Hans  (ハンス), where is my father?”

            “In the solarium (サンルーム). Would you like to be announced?”

            “It’s okay, I will just go in myself. Ah, may I have a cup of coffee?”

            Except for the pink scarf tied around her collar, the way the count’s daughter dressed was no different from that of a man. She walked down the hallway in a rhythmic pace.

            A sofa was placed by a window in the large solarium, and Count Mariendorf was hunched over in thought under the sunlight. He raised his head at the sound of his daughter’s voice, and motioned her over with a smile.

            “Father, what are you thinking about?”

            “Hmm, nothing, it is no big deal.”

            “That is reassuring. The fate of the Galactic Empire and the future of the Mariendorf family are apparently no big deal.”

            Count Franz von Mariendorf involuntarily shook his large body.

            He looked at his daughter with a stern expression. Hilda looked back at her father mischievously, but it appeared that she was looking for her father to elaborate.

            The housekeeper, Hans, came over with coffee on a silver tray. After he left, the silence continued, until it was broken by the daughter.

            “So, have you arrived at a decision? Father?”

            “I hope to remain neutral. However, if I absolutely must choose a side, I will choose Duke Braunschweig. I am an Imperial noble, and…”

            “Father!” With a sharp voice and expression, the daughter interrupted the father. The father looked at the daughter, surprised. Her bluish green eyes were shining vigorously, like flames dancing among gemstones. It was peculiarly beautiful.

            “There is a fact that most nobles have avoided. In this world, things that were born will surely die. Nations also must face death. Since civilization was born on the surface of the tiny planet named Terra, there was not one country that did not face destruction. Why will the Galactic Empire’s Goldenbaum Dynasty become the only exception?”

            “Hilda! Whoa, Hilda…”

            “The Goldenbaum Dynasty had already been in existence for five hundred years,” the audacious daughter using past tense to describe the dynasty. “During that time, they were indulged in power and wealth, and dominated all of mankind for more than two hundred years. They also killed people, robbed other families of daughters, and enacted laws that were convenient to themselves…”

            She was so passionate she almost slammed the table.

            “They always did only what they wanted to. If their time were to come to an end, who could they possibly blame? No one! What they should do is to give thanks to the five hundred years of prosperity, and it is only natural for them to lose it all.”

            The gentle father was stunned by the revolutionary-like violence of this impeachment, but finally, he woke his energy and countered.

            “However, Hilda, do you have a reason for me to support Marquis Lohengramm?”

            “I do.”

            “What is it?”

            The tone of the father’s question was full of suspicion, and there was a muffled call for support.

            “There are four reasons. Will you hear me out?”

             The father nodded, and the daughter began to explain the following:

            One. Marquis Lohengramm supported the new Kaiser. He therefore had a justification to subjugate those who transgressed against the Kaiser and disobeyed his commands. On the other hand, Duke Braunschweig and Marquis Littenheim’s faction was only trying to raise war to further personal ambitions.

            Two. Duke Braunschweig had rallied the majority of the aristocrats, and his armed force was mighty. If the House of Mariendorf were to participate, it would be taken lightly. By contrast, the Lohengramm camp was outnumbered. If the House of Mariendorf joined in, not only would the Lohengramm force be enhanced, there would also be a political effect; therefore, he must treat the Mariendorf family generously.

            Three. Duke Braunschweig and Marquis Littenheim only joined forces temporarily, and they lack the intention to cooperate. Above all, what was critical was that their fleets’ chain-of-command was not unified. By contrast, Lohengramm’s camp was mobilized under a unified chain-of-command and intent. Whatever transpired along the way, the inevitable outcome was apparent.

            Four. Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm was not born a noble. The popularity of him and his subordinates among commoners was high. The spacemen of both camps were commoners. This was not just a war of officers. On the contrary, the result of the spacemen’s collective resentment towards the noble-birth officers may spark riots and rebellions within Duke Braunschweig’s camp, and there may even be a possibility that the camp would collapse internally…

            “How about it, Father?”

            When Hilda finished, Count Mariendorf just wiped his sweat in silence. He was not able to refute his daughter.

            “I think the House of Mariendorf should support the winner, Marquis Lohengramm. As a proof of our loyalty, we should offer him our territory and a hostage.”

            “It is fine if we have to concede the territory, but we cannot put up a hostage. Such a thing…”

            “What if someone volunteers?”

            “But who would…?” After he said that, Count Mariendorf was taken aback.

            “No way, you…”

            “Yes, I will go.”

            “Hilda!”

            The father was anguished, but the daughter was impassive as she added generous amounts of sugar and cream to her coffee. She was confident that she did not have a predisposition to obesity.

            “I am grateful to you, Father. I think you have raised me in an interesting era.”

            “……”

            “Although I cannot change history, I can ascertain how history shifts and how people live and die in it.”

            Hilda finished her coffee and stood up. She held her father’s head, and nestled against the luster-less brown hair.  

            “Father, please do not worry. I will protect the House of Mariendorf by any means and at any cost.”

            “I will leave it in your hands,” the father said, calmness returning to his voice. “Whatever the result, I will not regret it. It is not necessary for you to sacrifice yourself for the House of Mariendorf. Rather, consider using the House of Mariendorf as a tool to expand the paths of your life. Okay?”

            “Father…”

            “Take care of your health…”

            The daughter changed the angle of her face, planted a kiss on her father’s forehead, and then left the solarium like a fluttering butterfly.

            IV

            After a six-day journey, Hilda arrived on the capital planet Odin. From her perspective, it was more accurate to state that she had returned. She had been living in Odin for nearly four years.

            Hilda went directly from the space port to Reinhard’s fleet admiral’s mansion in an automated vehicle. She was in an uplifting mood, which was probably why she did not feel fatigued. After all, she could rest for as long as she wished to after this.

            “Fraulein (フロイライン), do you have an appointment?” (Note: Fraulein is milady in German.) A boyish young officer wearing a name tag of Sub-lieutenant Lücke (リュッケ中尉) asked.

            “No, I do not, but this is a matter that concerns the lives and hopes of a lot of people. I believe His Excellency the fleet admiral will definitely see me. Will you please help me notify him?”

            The beautiful woman’s desperate expression – although thirty percent of that was from acting – seemed to arouse Sub-lieutenant Lücke’s chivalry. He asked her to wait, and then contacted several places. Eventually, he returned with a joyous smile as if it was a matter of personal importance.

            “It seems that he will meet with you. Please take the fourth elevator to the tenth floor.”

            “Thank you, thank you for all of your help!” Hilda said this with sincerity. She then boarded the weapon-detecting elevator.

            On that day, Reinhard had been waiting for a report, and the report had not shown up after a long time. When he learned that there was an attractive woman visiting, he became interested, even though he had never valued beautiful women. Still, looking at the makeup-less, natural born beauty Hilda, who was unexpectedly unlike most noble’s daughters, he was just a little impressed.

            “It is regrettable that Kircheis is not here,” Reinhard said after sitting down on the drawing room sofa.

            “He has some relationship with the Mariendorf family. Did you know?”

            “Yes, of course. He saved my father’s life during last year’s Castrop Rebellion (カストロプ動乱). Although, we have yet to meet.”

            “Right, so how can I be of service?”

            Reinhard carried over the coffee tray like a military preparatory school student, and when he picked up the creamer, Hilda said, “During this civil war, the House of Mariendorf will ally with you, Marquis Lohengramm.”

            Reinhard’s hands stopped for only a moment, and then he casually finished the series of motions.

            “This civil war?”

            “The one you are having with Duke Braunschweig tomorrow.”

            “You are an audacious person. If that were to happen, I would not necessarily win. Even then you wish to side with me?”

            Hilda adjusted her breathing, and then repeated to the young fleet admiral the explanation she had given her father. Reinhard’s ice blue eyes beamed.

            “You have stunning insight. Good. If what you mentioned were to happen, I do want an ally. I will certainly repay your kindness. Of course I will treat the Mariendorf family well, and I also promise to treat every family that shows me goodwill generously.”

            “With Marquis Lohengramm’s generous words, we will easily be able to persuade our relatives and acquaintances.”

            “I am glad that you want to be my ally. There is not much that I can do for you, but it is a matter of course that I will reward you for your hard work and your courage. If there is something that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.”

            “Well, by the grace of your words, I do have one wish.”

            “Please go ahead.”

            “’As a reward for the House of Mariendorf’s loyalty, I hereby grant them their family property and their territory.’ We would like to receive an official document with such a guarantee.”

            “Oh? An official document?” Reinhard’s tone became cautious. He looked at Hilda a little differently than he had up to this point. Fearlessly, the daughter of Count Mariendorf looked back at the young authority.

            After a short consideration, Reinhard said, “That is fine. I will have the document delivered today.”

            “Thank you very much.” Reverently, Hilda lowered her head, “The House of Mariendorf pledges absolute loyalty to Your Excellency. We will strive to serve Your Excellency with everything in our power.”

            “I look forward to it. By the way, daughter of Count Mariendorf, Fraulein Mariendorf.”

            “Yes?”

            “Will the other nobles that you persuade need similar guarantees?”

            “For those who ask for it independently, you might want to, but I see no need to provide it to the others,” the tone of Hilda’s voice was not listless.

            “Well, well…” Reinhard laughed.

            His intention was to wipe out the old regime that supported the Goldenbaum Dynasty (ゴールデンバウム王朝). The nobles had indulged in over five centuries of privileges, and he was not interested in allowing them to survive under the new regime. When he held absolute power, except for those who were exceptionally useful, the other ones must be purged, or they would be tossed out to the populace who sought their blood. Those without the ability to survive must perish. This was the belief of Rudolf whom their ancestors served. It was karma.

           

            Hilda came to request a signed official document from Reinhard because she had recognized that. Unlike a verbal agreement, an official document could not be scrapped. If he were to disregard the document, not only would his honor be damaged, it would also cause distrust in the power structure itself.

            What Hilda was stating was that the terms were only requested with respect to her own family, and “with respect to other nobles, they are at your mercy.”  This was not simply a case of “as long as I’m well” egoism. It was to express that she had no intention to stand in solidarity with the old aristocrats.

            This woman’s sharp political and diplomatic sense was terrifying.

            It seemed that from the thousands of Imperial aristocrats, there finally appeared one talent who was worthy of praise. The person was only twenty years old, and moreover, she was a woman, although Reinhard was only a year older than her.

            Reinhard thought of the iconic people of the time. The era where old men dominated was coming to an end, and it was not just ending in the Empire. Admiral Yang of the Free Planets Alliance only just turned thirty, and the Dominion of Fezzan’s Landesherr Rubinsky was also only forty years old.

            Nevertheless, this woman…

            Reinhard stared at Hilda again, and was about to speak.

            At that moment, a noise was heard from outside the door, and a senior officer rushed in, his face flushed with excitement. His enormous body was nearly blocking the door.

            “Your Excellency! The dissenting aristocrats finally moved!” He said with a voice as loud as his body was large.

             Karl Gustav Kempff (カール・グスタフ・ケンプ) was an admiral who belonged to Reinhard’s fleet admiral’s mansion. A former ace, these days he was renowned as a brave commander.

            Reinhard stood up, as he had been waiting for this report. Hilda could not help but watch his supple movement.

            “Fraulein Mariendorf, it was a pleasure meeting you. We should have dinner together some time.”

            For a moment, Kempff, who was trailing Reinhard gave Hilda a curious look.

            V

            The aristocrats who opposed the Lichtenrade – Lohengramm axis were gathered in Lippstadt (リップシュタット) Forest on the grounds of Duke Braunschweig’s villa in Odin. The reason for the gathering was a garden party and an auction of ancient paintings, but in the underground chamber, a “patriot petition” against the tyranny of Marquis Lohengramm and Duke Lichtenrade was being gathered.

            This was known as the “Lippstadt Treaty (リップシュタット盟約),” and the aristocrat-comprised military that was born to this event was referred to as the “Lippstadt Aristocrat Coalition (リップシュタット貴族連合).”

            Three thousand seven hundred forty aristocrats participated. The sum of the regular fleet and the private fleet totaled twenty five million six hundred thousand spacemen.

            The coalition leader was Duke Otto von Braunschweig, and the deputy leader was Marquis Littenheim.  

            Nearly four thousand aristocrats’ names were on the petition that fiercely condemned Duke Lichtenrade and Marquis Lohengramm, and loudly sung that the sacred mission to protect the Goldenbaum Dynasty had already been given to the “chosen people,” the traditional aristocrats.

            “Our God Odin will protect us. There is no doubt that the victory of justice will be ours,”      the document concluded.

            “Well, will Our God Odin really protect them?” Reinhard asked sarcastically upon hearing Kempff’s report, and scanned the faces of his subordinates who had gathered.

            Siegfried Kircheis was present. Oberstein was present. The other admirals that were present were the preeminent, talented commanders of the entire Imperial Fleet.

            “To ask for God’s protection from the very beginning! Even God probably feels disgusted with them.”

            “If they offer up a beautiful virgin as sacrifice, then it is different, but Duke Braunschweig will probably seize her himself.”

            Mittermeyer, Reuenthal, and Bittenfeld roared with laughter.

            Wolfgang Mittermeyer had a petite stature, but he had an agile physique that was fit and well-rounded. He had badly tamed honey-colored hair, and grey eyes that were rich with vitality. There was not a person who was able to match him in his speed in utilizing a space fleet. During last year’s Battle of Amritsar, while he was pursuing an escaping enemy fleet, because he had gone too far, the vanguard of his fleet ended up intruding into the enemy’s rearguard. Thereafter, he was honored with the nickname, “Gale Wolf (Wolfe der Sturm, 疾風ウォルフ, ウォルフ・デア・シュトルム).”

            Oskar von Reuenthal was a tall man with nearly-black, dark-brown hair. Although he was quite a handsome man, what amazed others was that the colors of his two eyes were different. He had a genetic condition called “heterochromia,” where his right eye was black, and his left eye was blue. He was nicknamed “demon eye (金銀妖瞳).” He had earned many deed-of-valors during Amritsar and other battles, and his operational command capability was highly appreciated.

            Fritz Joseph Bittenfeld had long, orange hair and thin brown eyes. His narrow face contrasted with his burly physique, and it gave people somewhat of a sense of incongruity. He was a fierce admiral. Just hearing the name of his fleet, “The Black Lancers (Schwartz Lanzenreiter, 黒色槍騎兵, シュワルツ・ランツェンレイター),” frightened his enemies. However, he somewhat lacked flexibility when it came to fleet utilization, and it was a disservice to his allies during Amritsar.

            Besides them, there were admirals Cornelius Lutz (コルネリアス・ルッツ), August Samuel Wahlen (アウグスト・ザムエル・ワーレン), Ernest Mecklinger (エルネスト・メックリンガー), Neidhart Müller (ナイトハルト・ミュラー), and Ulrich Kesler (ウルリッヒ・ケスラー). These were the commanders of the Reinhard Fleet. Their personalities were different, but they were all young, and they were the most valuable assets Reinhard had.

            Speaking of assets, the country had been in a financial crisis due the prolonged war and political chaos, but Reinhard said, “The financial crisis can be resolved in one fell swoop.”

            Reinhard did not state this irresponsibly. In the Empire, billions of Imperial marks of financial resources outside of Imperial properties remained untouched.

            Properties of aristocrats…

            An estimate had already been done. If the assets of Duke Braunschweig, Marquis Littenheim, and the aristocrats who supported them were confiscated in their entirety, and appropriate taxes such as inheritance tax, fixed asset tax, and progressive income tax were levied on the other aristocrats, the amount of money that would roll into the national treasury would be slightly over ten trillion Imperial marks.

            However, once an aristocrat became an ally, there would be a political need to provide leniency. From this perspective, it was a blessing that most aristocrats supported the enemy.

            The dispossession of the aristocrats’ properties was not just to meet the financial needs of the country. The aristocrats who possessed enormous properties, paid no taxes, and lived opulently, had amassed the commoners’ anger and antipathy over the last five hundred years.

            Reinhard had to calm and utilize that anger.

            Reinhard certainly intended to reform the political and social environment, but those would come as a by-product of Reinhard overthrowing the Goldenbaum Dynasty. The Goldenbaum Dynasty must not be revitalized as a result of political and social reform.

            The Goldenbaum Dynasty that was built by Rudolf should perish through bloodshed and inferno. That was a sacred pledge he had made as a young boy when an old and ugly ruler deprived him of his beloved sister, Annerose; and that was a pledge that Siegfried Kircheis also shared.

            Eugen Richter (オイゲン・リヒター) and Karl Braque (カール・ブラッケ) had been seen as the leaders of the Reformists or the Enlightenists. Although they were aristocrats, they voluntarily omitted the preposition, “von (フォン),” in their names as a representation of their conviction.

            Reinhard summoned the two of them, and ordered them to plan a very progressive, “Social Economic Reconstruction Plan (社会経済再建計画).” That was early March, approximately a month after the Lippstadt Treaty was signed.

            After leaving Reinhard, the two could not help but to look at each other.

            “Marquis Lohengramm’s intention is clear. He plans to gain popular support as a Reformist, and use that as a powerful weapon against the nobles,” Richter said, and Braque nodded.

            “True, and we are being taken advantage of to further his ambition. It is not a pleasant thing to say. We cannot refuse him, so should we sabotage him?”

            “Just a minute. In this case, even if he is taking advantage of us, I do not think it matters. If the reforms we want can be implemented for a long time, who cares about whose name it is being done under?”

            “That is true, but…”

            “From a different perspective, we are the ones who are taking advantage of Marquis Lohengramm. We have ideals and policies, but no power nor armed forces to implement them. Marquis Lohengramm has them. At least, he is much better than the reactionary magnates like Duke Braunschweig. Is that not true, Braque?”

            “Certainly. If Duke Braunschweig is to seize power, the political and social digression will be plainly seen…”

            Richter patted Braque on the shoulders.           

            “In short, Marquis Lohengramm and we need each other. With this understanding, we should cooperate and work together. Even if it is a little, we should move society in a better direction.”

            Braque cocked his head at Richter’s words.

            “But, while it will be good if Marquis Lohengramm can maintain an enlightened attitude somewhat after he comes into supreme power, there is no guarantee that he will not change radically and turn into a despotic dictator.”

            Richter nodded solemnly, “Yes, and for the sake of that time, we must continue to promote reform. We must keep raising citizens who can criticize and resist Marquis Lohengramm when he abandons his posture as a Reformist.”

            VI

            The aristocrats who were allied by the Lippstadt Treaty had a large number of assorted armed forces that were in dire need of organization. A unified command center, a unified strategic initiative, and a unified management and supply replenishment system were indispensable if they wished to challenge Reinhard’s genius.

            In terms of order, firstly, the commander-in-chief of the combat forces must be determined. He would then determine the organization and the arrangement of the forces based on his design and initiative. 

            Originally, Duke Braunschweig was going to assume the position of the commander-in-chief himself, but Marquis Littenheim argued that the position should be given to a combat operations expert.

            “High Admiral Merkatz has the experience and is well respected, so he should be the commander-in-chief. I do not think it is good for the coalition leader to show up on the frontline himself.”

            It was obvious that Marquis Littenheim’s intent was to not allow Duke Braunschweig more deed-of-valors than himself, but because his argument was sound, it was not possible to reject it. 

            “High Admiral Merkatz should do it,” the other aristocrats agreed. Duke Braunschweig silenced his dissent to demonstrate that he was a tolerant person. He courteously extended his invitation to Merkatz, and appealed for Merkatz to become the combat-commander-in-chief of the aristocrat coalition force.

            High Admiral Willibald Joachim von Merkatz (ウィリバルト・ヨアヒム・フォン・メルカッツ) was a nearly fifty-nine-year-old veteran who possessed glorious deed-of-valors and adroit, reliable, and air-tight combat operations skills. He had fought the Alliance Fleet alongside Reinhard during the Battle of Astarte, and he was known to be one of the first people to recognize the prodigy.

            Merkatz did not easily consent to the position after Duke Braunschweig made the request.

            He opposed this pointless battle from the onset, and when conflict became inevitable, he attempted to defend his neutrality.

            Merkatz refused, but Duke Braunschweig did not give up. The leader had personally negotiated, and was refused. Merkatz’s act harmed the authority of the leader.

            The duke preached genuine loyalty to the Empire and the royal family, and his words became increasingly tinged with the color of intimidation. When the contents of their discussion touched on the subject of family safety, Merkatz finally yielded.

            “In that case, in spite of my lack of ability, I will undertake this duty. However, I would like the lords to be aware of two conditions. As far as combat goes, I will be entrusted with full authority, so the chain-of-command is centralized. In accordance with this, no matter how high a person’s status is, he must heed my commands. Those who disobey my commands will be punished by military law. It is imperative that you have this understanding.”

            “Sure, I am aware,” Duke Braunschweig nodded, and provided a banquet to entertain the new commander.

            The guest of honor, Merkatz, returned to his office late at night after the feast, extremely heavy hearted.

            His adjutant, Lieutenant Commander Bernhard von Schneider (ベルンハルト・フォン・シュナイダー少佐), wondered, “Your Excellency just became the commander-in-chief of the coalition force, and did the leader not consent to both conditions? I also think that leading a large fleet to fight against a formidable enemy is the dream of every military man. Then, why the somber expression?”

            Merkatz chuckled mournfully, “Lieutenant Commander, you are still young. Indeed, Duke Braunschweig agreed to the conditions, but only verbally. Soon, he will intervene in combat operations. Additionally, even if you attempt to subject them to military law, they will not submit obediently. When that happens, they will probably hate me more than they hate Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm.”

            “No way…”

            “Privilege is the worst poison that can rot the spirits of people. Grand nobles like them have been fully immersed in it for dozens of generations. Justifying themselves and blaming others have become their instinct. I was the same. Although my status is low, I am still an aristocrat. Before I came into contact with the junior spacemen in the military, I did not notice that either. I hope they realize it before Marquis Lohengramm’s sword falls over their heads, but…”

            After the faithful, young, smoky blond haired officer left, Merkatz turned towards his desk, and clumsily began to operate the word processor. He wanted to write a letter to his wife and children.

            It was a farewell letter.

            VII

            Among Duke Braunschweig’s subordinates, there were people who were attempting to avoid a full confrontation between the Reinhard camp and the anti-Reinhard camp. This notion did not come out of absolute pacifism. It was due to them recognizing that they had no chance of success if they were to battle Reinhard.

            Commodore Streit (シュトライト准將) was the first among them. He requested an audience with Duke Braunschweig, and abiding temporary stigma, he argued that they should attempt to assassinate Reinhard in order to avoid battle.

            “Do not say something that stupid!” the Duke dismissed it with one sentence.

            “But, Your Excellency…”

            “I have gathered here a military that is several million spacemen strong. I am going to nobly defeat that blond boy head on. This will demonstrate my righteousness and merits to Marquis Littenheim and the rest of the Empire. And you suggest that I assassinate him? Do you intend to drag my honor through mud?”

            “Your Excellency, this is difficult for me to say, but Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm is a combat operations prodigy. Even if we were to win fighting him, our sacrifices will be significant. Moreover, if we scorch the entire Empire with war, we will harm the public. Therefore, please reconsider.”

            Duke Braunschweig answered Streit’s appeal with anger. He angrily shouted, “What do you mean by ‘even if we were to win?’ I have no use for those who do not believe in our victory. If you treasure your life so much, you should retreat to a frontier planet to grow vegetables!”

            After Streit disappointedly excused himself, a man by the name of Captain Fellner (フェルナー大佐) also submitted his opinion to Duke Braunschweig. He passionately preached terrorism by the few, “There is no need for a military of several million spacemen. We just need to train three hundred spacemen to sabotage them. If you lend me these men, I will put an end to Marquis Lohengramm.”

            “Silence! Are you saying that I cannot win against the blond boy?”

            “Your Excellency, please consider that if the Empire is bisected and falls into a civil war, the devastation will be tremendous, and the winner will undoubtedly also sustain loss. Marquis Lohengramm aims to destroy and rebuild, but Your Excellency is supposed to have an obligation to maintain the regime. Therefore, the issue is not limited to whether or not you will win.”

            “Do not speak impertinently!”

            After being showered with Duke Braunschweig’s bellow of rage, Fellner retreated, but he did not abandon his ideas. Although he despised his lord’s perversity and circumlocution, he did not give up like Streit.

            “If this is the case, I will have to do it on my own. Even if I cannot kill Marquis Lohengramm, I should have a plan to take his sister, Countess Grünewald, hostage.”

            He gathered firearms and three hundred of his direct subordinates. While keeping it a secret from his lord, he attempted to attack Reinhard’s residence overnight.

            However, he was unsuccessful. Leading an armed troop of five thousand men, Kircheis already had Reinhard and Annerose’s residence, Schwarzen Mansion (シュワルツェンの館), under tight security. Fellner had no opportunity for a sneak attack.

            “As expected from Marquis Lohengramm’s confidant. He is not an opponent who uses cheap tricks like me…”

            Fellner gave up, disbanded his troops on the spot, and disappeared, because it was evident that Duke Braunschweig would be furious about him mobilizing the troop without the Duke’s permission.

            When Duke Braunschweig learned about this from the spacemen who came back empty handed, he was furious. He punished the insolent subordinates, and attempted to discover Fellner’s whereabouts.

            However, Fellner could not be found.

            “Heh, that is fine. In any case, there will not be a place for him anywhere in this universe. This will just end with his slow death. Let him be.”

            Rather than investigating Fellner’s whereabouts, since the situation had rapidly deteriorated, it was their top priority to escape Odin and return to their territory. A man named Commodore Ansbach (アンスバッハ) came up with the plan. He spread the news that they were inviting the Kaiser to a garden party that they were hosting, and he sent out many invitations. On the eve of the garden party, the Duke and his family would then escape secretly, accompanied by only a few subordinates.

            When Reinhard learned of Ansbach’s plans, he realized that the opportunity to implement his long-held plan arrived.

            Upon receiving Reinhard’s orders, Bittenfeld led eight thousand armed spacemen to occupy the Ministry of War. In addition to detaining the Minister of War, Fleet Admiral Ehrenberg, he also took control of the ability to dispatch documents to command the entire Imperial Fleet.

            Most of those who opposed Reinhard had left the capital, Odin, so Bittenfeld encountered very little resistance. There was one captain who stood in front of the door to the minister’s office, but Bittenfeld shot him with a gun and seriously wounded him.

            The white-haired fleet admiral wore an old-fashioned monocle, and even though he saw Bittenfeld strode through his door, he showed no reaction. His stoic attitude was almost arrogant.

            “You snobby greenhorn! Who gave you permission to enter? I do not know what it is that you are seeking, but I can see that you have no knowledge of the civility that should be protected.”

            Bittenfeld sneered. He put away his gun, and politely saluted the fleet admiral, “I apologize. My request, Your Excellency, is for everyone to recognize that the era is changing.”

            There was a half-century difference in age between the two. The old man stood by and carried on tradition, while the young man belonged to the camp that was attempting to destroy tradition.

            After a brief standoff, the old fleet admiral’s shoulders drooped…

            Subsequently, the Supreme Command Center (統帥本部) was overtaken by force, and the Imperial Military Grand Commander, Fleet Admiral Steinhof was detained.

            At the same time, the satellite orbit above planet Odin’s atmosphere was completely secured by Kircheis’s fleet. Meanwhile, Kempff and Reuenthal’s fleets had initiated battle readiness in the outer spacezone.

            After finding out that the Reinhard faction had conquered Odin, some of the aristocrats tried to escape, but the ones who ran to the spaceport were detained by guards under Mittermeyer’s command. Those who flew via private ships found it impossible to escape Kircheis’s surveillance network. Although Kircheis treated the captive aristocrats courteously, the aristocrats’ sense of defeat was by no means diluted.

            A clever few rushed to Count Franz von Mariendorf’s mansion to seek protection and intercession with Reinhard. Hilda attended to them, and won their trust by speaking clearly and confidently. She successfully made them feel like they were not being intrusive, yet they undoubtedly were indebted to her.

            Commodore Streit was among those who failed to escape. He was left behind when his lord left Odin clandestinely. Those of the House of Braunschweig did not do this intentionally; instead, he had been forgotten.

            Streit was arrested, fitted with electromagnetic handcuffs, dragged before Reinhard, and interrogated.

            “It is rumored that you had advised Duke Braunschweig to assassinate me. Is that true?”

            “It is true.”

            Although it was his idea, Streit was unapologetic.

            “Why did you advise him so?”

            “Because it was obvious that if we let you be, a situation like the one today would happen. If my Lord was decisive then, the one in handcuffs now will be you instead of me. The current situation is regrettable not just for Duke Braunschweig’s family, but also for the Goldenbaum Dynasty.”

            Reinhard did not become angry. Rather, he looked at his adversary with praise for his bravery. Soon after, Reinhard ordered his subordinates to remove Streit’s handcuffs.

            Rubbing his sore wrists, Streit felt surprised.

            “It will be regrettable to kill a man like you. I will issue a travel permit for you to return to Duke Braunschweig. You can fulfill your loyalty.”

            This generous offer was not met with unconditional gratitude.

            “Actually, if you will entertain my selfishness, then please allow me to remain in Odin.”

            “Oh? Are you saying that you do not wish to return to your lord?”

            “Yes, I have my reasons…” Streit’s voice was filled with bitter weariness.

            If he alone was to leave Odin safely, then even if he was to rush back to Duke Braunschweig, the Lord would not be pleased. Instead, he would cross-examine and doubt Streit, and believe that Streit was permitted to leave because he had betrayed the Duke and made a deal with Reinhard. Streit might be imprisoned or even sentenced to death. When Duke Braunschweig escaped Odin, he left many of his subordinates and servants behind. It could be seen that he tended to downplay the loyalty of his subordinates.

            “He is this kind of person. Although, he is not an imbecile…” The commodore said with a sigh.

            “I understand. In that case, do you want to become my subordinate? I will give you the rank of rear admiral.”

            “I thank you, but I cannot bring myself to turn my lord today into my enemy tomorrow. Please forgive me.”

            Reinhard nodded, granted Streit his certificate, and returned him his freedom.

            Meanwhile, Captain Fellner was also too late to escape. He had been hiding downtown. Although he was spared being arrested, it did not change the fact that he was now between a rock and a hard place. After giving it some thought, he turned himself in to the gendarmerie (憲兵隊). He wanted to determine his own destiny by meeting Reinhard in person.

            He was better than Streit at negotiating. He stated directly that he had abandoned Duke Braunschweig, and wished to become Reinhard’s subordinate. He did not even hide the plot where he mobilized troops on his own.

            “Then, I want to know how you decided who to be loyal to, that led you to abandon your long-time lord.”

            “Loyalty should be devoted to someone who understands its value. If I am loyal to a lord who cannot recognize good people, then it will be like tossing gemstones into mud. Do you not think that is a loss for society?”

            “What a bold statement.” Reinhard shook his head, amazed.

            Recognizing that Fellner’s words and behavior were not malicious, he allowed Fellner to become a member of his staff. With nerves as thick as these, they might not atrophy even under “iceman” Oberstein. 

            Oberstein was not a man who would intentionally bully his subordinates, but since he was too pointed and too calm, he inadvertently created an atmosphere where his younger staff felt uncomfortable making jokes.

            At first, when Fellner joined in, he was faced with eye rolls, but he rapidly established his foothold. He knew well his position and his role. He had to be the antidote, and when the need were to arise, he would become a powerful drug.

            Reinhard now served as the Space Fleet Commander-in-chief (宇宙艦隊司令長官), the Minister of War (軍務尚書), and the Imperial Military Grand Commander (帝国軍統帥本部総長). He held the military in full dictatorship.

            Kaiser Erwin Josef II (エルウィン・ヨーゼフ二世) bestowed to Reinhard the title of Imperial Fleet Commander-in-chief (帝国軍最高司令官). Of course, this was not the design of a six-year-old; it was that of the person receiving the title.

            At the same time, a royal command was issued to Reinhard. He was charged to subjugate Duke Braunschweig and his followers for treason against the Kaiser.

            It was now April 6, and the news of the series of unrests in the Alliance had reached Reinhard.

            The opportune moment had arrived. Reinhard and Kircheis shook hands over their temporary parting. Kircheis was given a third of the entire fleet to act as a detachment.

            “It is just around the corner now, Kircheis. Soon, the universe will be ours.”

            Reinhard knew no fear. This expression. These eyes. These were what Kircheis considered most precious from their boyhood.