Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 508 Rebuilding the Nation (Twenty-Four)
"Why were you captured at Maple Leaf Fortress? And why were you captured as the commander of Maple Leaf Fortress?"

Upon hearing Colonel Skull's words, many free men in the Great Council Hall were shocked to realize that the man from the United Provinces standing before them was none other than the "Red Rose Shield" who had been holding Maple Leaf Castle to the death!
Since Maple Leaf Castle was not captured until July 2nd—that is, six days ago—many freemen from other counties happened to arrive just in time for the last moments before the Red Rose Banner fell from the high walls of Maple Leaf Castle.

Therefore, even freemen from other counties knew something about the heroic deeds of the "Red Rose Shield".

However, at this moment, the people under the dome of the Great Council Hall found it hard to connect the haggard, withered, and zombie-like United Provincial Governor on the trial bench with the "Red Rose Shield," who had been tenaciously resisting the "Blood Wolf" for nearly a month.

Even Winters's reputation among free men was slightly affected by the terrible impression Old Felt left on the jurors.

"Blood Wolf was held off by this kind of guy for a month?" someone muttered to themselves. "He doesn't even look that impressive."

Many more free men in the newly established lands were greatly surprised by the overlap of the two contrasting images of "federalists" and "the shield of the red rose."

It should be noted that "Red Rose Shield" is currently the most famous Grand Council Army commander in the newly reclaimed lands.

The planning, strategic maneuvering, and details of the Battle of the Howling Valley were all unknown to outsiders.

Therefore, the public, lacking information and military literacy, can only judge heroes by their success or failure.

Given how poorly the others performed—Colonel Sanel Caroj, who had been sending out reports of victories before the battle, was defeated in a single day when they actually got into combat;

Major Sandel Capello, from a prominent family, was assuring the gentry of Vaughan that everything was under control during the day, but by nightfall, "Blood Wolf" came knocking on his door, not only making him a prisoner but also taking his ancestral sword as their spoils.

This made the Red Rose officer who held Maple Leaf Castle the only Grand Council commander in the eyes of the newly reclaimed lands whose performance was still quite outstanding—after all, everyone else was gone, but he was still alive.

Therefore, motivated by a desire to compete with the "rebels'" publication of the "Communications," some Maplestone gentry who were loyal to the Grand Council would seize any opportunity to lavish praise on the heroic deeds of the remnants of the Council's army outside the city who held Maple Leaf Castle and stood firm against the Blood Wolves' fierce attack.

They kindly withheld the explanation for why the Grand Council's army had fallen to the point of being reduced to a remnant force trapped in Maple Leaf Castle.

According to them, it was precisely because of the garrison at Maple Leaf Fort that the "rebels" were unable to immediately seize the newly reclaimed land and launch a counterattack on Kings Fort.

The massive siege drills conducted by the Tiefeng County army inadvertently "sponsored" this perception.

The story was repeatedly handed over, and the settings were gradually added.

It is unclear when exactly, but someone bestowed upon the unknown Grand Council commander who was defending Maple Leaf Castle the nickname "Shield of the Red Rose."

Because of the authority bestowed upon it, the newsletter naturally provokes a rebellious sentiment among its audience. The Paratists preferred a tragic story of being trapped in a besieged city to news of a "righteous coalition of newly established lands decisively defeating the puppet parliamentary army."

As the story spread, the name "Shield of the Red Rose" became widely known and became a banner of the Grand Council Army.

But at this moment, looking at the emaciated and lifeless provincial officials on the dock, every free man who had ever heard of the "Red Rose Shield" was greatly disappointed.

Especially since he's from a province bordering another province!

The gap between expectations and reality creates a strong sense of disillusionment in people—which is exactly the reaction Skul Mechlan hoped to see.

If it weren't for the need to tear off the last fig leaf from Kingsburg, the provincial officer brought to trial today would have been another artillery lieutenant colonel, not a mere infantry major.

Faced with the silent Alder Felt, Colonel Skull asked another question, driving the final nail into the covetous eyes of the Kingsburg supporters:

"Why? Why would a federal officer come to the newly established lands to act as the 'Shield of the Red Rose'?"

Major Felt was puzzled by the colonel's question. What was the "Red Rose Shield"? The major had no idea.

He glanced behind him, because he wasn't even sure if the colonel was speaking to him.

However, he remained silent, responding to the colonel's question with silence.

Colonel Skull frowned and picked up the mallet.

Just then, Colonel Nagy spoke up to help Major Felt out of the predicament.

"Colonel Skul Mechren, can you tell me then?" Colonel Nagy retorted loudly without changing his expression, "Why can't officers from the United Provinces be present in the newly reclaimed lands?"

Colonel Najib's words caused a huge uproar among the Free Men.

People were initially astonished that a dignified colonel and corps commander could ask such a pointless question.
Then came fury, fury that Naji Modach, as a Paratist, dared to ask such a treasonous question;
Finally, confusion overwhelmed them, because although no one wanted to see soldiers from other countries—even allies—set foot in Paratu, very few people present could explain why provincial officers couldn't be in Paratu.
Colonel Skull was neither surprised, nor angry, nor bewildered.

After luring Colonel Najib into the “confrontation,” Colonel Skool immediately withdrew his aggressive attitude toward the younger members of the United Provinces and returned to his previous calm and restraint.

He put down the gavel, reopened the indictment, and read it aloud slowly and deliberately:

"On May 28th and 29th, during the Battle of Howling Valley, Ald Felt, as the highest-ranking officer of the Southern Route Detachment of the Pseudo-Parliament Army, actually commanded six infantry battalions, one cavalry detachment, and attached supply troops—a total of about 3,300 men—to launch an offensive along the line of Maplestone, Wheathill, and Green Valley, intending to cut off the Allied forces' rear."

"On May 27, Alder Felt led the southern detachment of the puppet parliamentary army to Green Valley Town, where they fought against the Iron Peak County army and were defeated. The Iron Peak County army then withdrew from Green Valley Town on its own initiative."
On May 28, Old Felt commanded the southern detachment of the puppet parliamentary army to occupy the undefended town of Green Valley.

"On May 30, Alder Felt commanded the Southern Route Detachment of the Pseudo-Parliament Army to fight again against the Third and Fourth Light Cavalry Squadrons of the Iron Peak County Army at Green Valley Town, and suffered a defeat."
"On the night of May 30, Alder Felt led the southern detachment of the puppet parliamentary army to withdraw from Green Valley Town. They were pursued by the third and fourth light cavalry squadrons of the Iron Peak County Army and were defeated. Most of their troops were captured."

"On June 2nd, Old Felt fled back to Maplestone City and subsequently occupied Mapleleaf Castle;
"On July 2, Old Felt surrendered to the Allied forces."

“Major Alder Felt.” Colonel Skull closed the indictment, looked down at the defendant who was also bowing his head, and asked emotionlessly, “This is the reason why you were ultimately captured at Maple Leaf Fortress. Do you have any objections to the above?”

Major Felt pursed his lips tightly, enduring the strange looks coming from all directions.

Even Colonel Najib glanced at the major with a strange expression when he heard the part about "the Southern Route Detachment being defeated by a mere two squadrons of light cavalry".

For soldiers, nothing is more humiliating and cruel than this kind of "trial".

Faced with the cold, accurate record, Major Felt no longer had the strength to even say "no comment."

……

[Seating area in Tiefeng County]
"Three thousand three hundred men, defeated by two companies? Two companies? Three hundred cavalry? Light cavalry, no less?" Nandor exclaimed incredulously, "Did I hear that right?"

Gerard tried his best not to look too smug, but the corners of his eyes betrayed old Dussac.

"Take care of him." He coughed lightly. "He's my son."

……

Major Felt remained silent.

After a brief silence, Colonel Skull indifferently ordered: "Clerk, record this—the interrogated person has no objection to the circumstances surrounding his capture at Maple Leaf Fortress."

The tiered seating erupted in laughter again, with the officers laughing especially loudly.

“Skoll Meklen, you have already won.” Colonel Nagy glanced at the people on the tiered seating with disgust, his face darkening as he warned his juniors, “There’s no need to humiliate us like this. Because sooner or later, you too will taste defeat.”

“I have not insulted you, Naji Modach,” Colonel Skulr replied calmly. “I am merely stating the facts.”

The laughter from the tiered seating area grew even louder, especially the laughter coming from the officers' seating area, which was utterly unrestrained.

"Silence!" Colonel Skull shouted angrily, picked up a mallet, and slammed it down on the base.

Like pouring cold water on a candle, the Great Council Chamber fell silent instantly. Those who had just been laughing shut their mouths in embarrassment, a sense of confusion and discontent rising within them.

“Naji Modach, Alder Felt, do you think I’m humiliating you?” Colonel Skull stood up, his face cold as he looked down at the two men. “This means that you still don’t know where you’ve gone wrong!”

“And you too!” Colonel Skull looked at the officers’ seats, slammed his hand on the table with a furrowed brow: “You think I’m humiliating them? That means you don’t know what they did wrong either!”

Both the officers' and liberty officer's seating areas were completely silent.

“You!” Colonel Skull pointed casually at a regular lieutenant from Rykeshire: “Stand up.”

The officer who was called immediately stood up, but his brows were full of confusion.

"Recite it." Colonel Skul ordered bluntly: "The sacred and inviolable Charter of the Union signed by the republics, Section 2, Article 1."

For a regular officer who has spent ten years memorizing the Union Charter at military academy, the seven sections and thirty-six articles are something they know better than their own birth date.

Although somewhat flustered, the officer called upon instinctively recited: "Section 2, Article 1: The protection of the rights and powers of the people, the state and the alliance requires armed forces, which are established for the well-being of all the people and not for the benefit of any individual or group entrusted with such forces."

Colonel Skull waved for the lieutenant to sit down, then called on another lieutenant: "You, Section Two, Article Four."

The second lieutenant who was called on also recited fluently: "Section 2, Article 4, The scope of the use of force by the armed forces of the republics within the territory of the Union shall be limited to the areas owned and claimed by their respective republics."

Then came the third lieutenant: "You, Section Two, Article Eight."

"Section 2, Article 8: Without the consent of the Union Parliament and the Allies, no Republic may send its armed forces to an Allies or conclude any agreement or treaty with an Allies."

Finally, Colonel Skull pointed to the captain sitting in the first row of the Iron Peak sector: "Section Two, Article Ten."

Winters rose and answered firmly, “Section Two, Article Ten: Republics shall not wage war against their allies unless they have been invaded or are in imminent danger!”

Colonel Skul listened solemnly as the lieutenants recited the Charter of the Union. From his expression, the others could vaguely sense the sacred feelings of those who wrote these words when they forged the great covenant.

“Old Felt.” Colonel Skull looked at Major Felt, his gaze sharp as he questioned:
"Are you a soldier of the Republic of Palatour?"
"Is the newly established land an area owned and claimed by the United Provinces?"
"Have you obtained permission from the Alliance Parliament and the Republic of Palatul?"

"Or has the United Provinces Republic been invaded and is facing an imminent danger?"
"Or has the United Provinces Republic already gone to war with the Republic of Palatul?"

Colonel Skull's tone grew increasingly stern, each word striking like a hammer against everyone's hearts.

Although the colonel wasn't asking them directly, people still instinctively held their breath.

By the time the colonel asked his last question, the Great Council Chamber was so quiet that the flapping of birds' wings could be heard as they flew through the skylight.

Major Felt was speechless.

He knew the Union Charter by heart, just as the officers had memorized it. But after more than a decade of wasted time and hardship, he had long since dismissed the seven sections and thirty-six articles as empty words and nonsense.

When the order to transfer to Kingsburg appeared before him, he saw it more as a stepping stone to promotion than the mission of 'defending the Alliance' that Jason Cornelius had mentioned, and accepted it without hesitation.

Similarly, he immediately seized the opportunity to lead an independent force in the war.

Guilt? Perhaps a little, perhaps none at all.

However, no matter how many reasons he had, he was ultimately unable to answer the colonel's question.

So he could only lower his head.

“Major Alder Felt.” Colonel Skull suppressed his anger, sat back in the judge’s chair, and began his accusation with carefully chosen words: “As an active-duty soldier of the United Province, you commanded troops and participated in combat within the territory of Palatour, causing casualties and property damage.”

"You, along with the United Provinces Army Command that commanded you, and the instigators behind the United Provinces Army Command, as a whole empowered by the public authority, have in fact trampled on the relevant provisions of the Charter of the Union concerning the armed forces of the republics."

Colonel Skull asked coldly, "You still have 'no comment'?"

"I..." Major Felt hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

"Skoll Mekren!" Colonel Nagy's shout interrupted Major Felt's thoughts: "Are you the only one who can recite the Charter of the Alliance?!" The attention of everyone in the Great Council was immediately drawn to Colonel Nagy.

Colonel Najib turned to the audience around him as if giving a public speech, and he also took up the Charter of the Union as a weapon: "Section 4, Article 4, The Union shall guarantee the republican system of the republics, protect the republics from foreign invasion, and, upon the request of the parliaments or chief executives of the republics, assist the republics in quelling internal strife."

Colonel Skull frowned.

"Major Alder Felt and other allied soldiers have come to Palatul at the request of the Grand Council to assist in quelling the rebellion..." Colonel Naji deliberately emphasized the word "quell the rebellion": "Why not?"

"Suppressing internal strife is the responsibility of the 'Allied Forces,'" Colonel Skull immediately retorted. "It is not an excuse for the United Provinces Army."

“Whether it’s the United Provinces Army or the Paratul Army, they are both part of the Allied Forces.” Colonel Naji retorted sharply, “Although they belong to different republics, the nature of the Allied Forces remains unchanged.”

"Absurd! The Allied Forces have long been disbanded. How can the armed forces of the various republics be confused with the armed forces of the Allied Forces?"

"The Charter of the Union does not contain any provision that the armed forces of the republics cannot be the armed forces of the Union."

The two colonels, one sitting on the judge's bench and the other standing on the tribunal, engaged in a heated debate, leaving the free people in the tiered seating area dumbfounded.

……

In the seating area of ​​Iron Peak County, Nandor nudged the people on either side: "Uh... who won?"

“The one standing has the upper hand.” Richard from Blackwater watched the debate intently.

……

Perhaps realizing that continuing to argue about the definition of "Allied Armed Forces" would be fruitless, Colonel Skulel proactively changed the subject: "You claim that Old Felt came to Palatour 'at request.' Who requested it? And who approved it?"

Seeing that Skul Mechren was backing down, Colonel Nagy pressed his advantage, shouting, "Of course it's the Grand Council's request! The Alliance government has approved it!"

Colonel Skull pressed on sternly: "What evidence do you have that the Kingsburg Pseudo-Council made the request? And what evidence do you have that the Alliance government granted it?"

Colonel Najib calmly retorted, "Then what evidence do you have to prove that the Grand Council didn't make the request? And that the coalition government didn't grant it?"

……

“The one standing is going to win.” Richard from Blackwater Town suddenly spoke up again in the seating area of ​​Iron Peak County.

"Huh?" Nandor exclaimed in shock: "That guy isn't just making excuses?"

“This is a trial!” Richard stroked his stubble and said with absolute certainty, “As long as we can muddy the waters, we’ve already won.”

……

Most discerning free men have already seen that Colonel Skull, who values ​​logic and reason, has been thoroughly humiliated by Colonel Red Rose's unreasonable and sophistry-like tactics.

As Richard of Blackwater put it, this was a trial, a trial to establish the legitimacy of the new regime.

The side sitting on the judge's bench wants a complete moral and legal victory, not simply the physical elimination of the person being judged.

If it were only for the latter, there would be no need for such a complicated process; an executioner could have handled it perfectly.

It was precisely in response to the enemy's core demands that Naji Modach, standing on the dock, launched a counterattack.

His method of retaliation was to tell a lie, a lie that everyone knew was false but could not be legally disproven.

Using this lie as a pretext, they dragged the judge, who was supposed to be spotless, into the cesspool.

If he can accomplish this, then even if Naji Motaj is sent to the gallows as soon as he leaves the Great Council, he will still be victorious in death.

……

"All resolutions passed by the Grand Council must be published in the official gazette and made public. You say that the pseudo-Council of the Princes' Castles made a request, so why is there no record of it in the recent official gazette?"

"The official gazette is sent quarterly. Just because it wasn't in the previous issue doesn't mean it won't be in the next one," Colonel Naji replied fluently. "Besides, after the New Reclamation Army suppressed the New Reclamation Corps headquarters, Fort Zhuwang stopped sending the gazette to the New Reclamation, didn't it? How do you know what's in the latest issue?"

“You claim that the false council of Kingsburg made a request.” Colonel Skull wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to the details: “When was the request made?”

Colonel Najib smiled and said, "I'm old and can't remember the exact time."

"Can't remember the exact time?" Colonel Skull narrowed his eyes, seizing the fleeting opening in the other's mind, and asked in a deep voice, "So there is a specific time, but you just can't remember it."

Colonel Najib also became cautious: "I said I don't remember clearly."

“You should at least know the approximate time,” Colonel Skull pressed on.

This time, Colonel Najib did not answer immediately. After pondering for a long time, he gave an answer that could not be disproven: "After March, before April."

Colonel Skull compared the timeline with his memory, and after a moment, he sighed: "What a coincidence. The official gazette is published quarterly, but December, January, and February are one issue, and March, April, and May are another. You assume that I only have the gazette from the previous quarter, so you say it was after March; the coup occurred in Guitu City on April 1, and Alder Felt and others received their transfer orders on April 3, so you say it was before April."

Colonel Najib responded casually: "If what I said is false, just look at the official gazette for the second quarter, and it will be easy to prove."

"Stop pretending, Naji Modach." Colonel Skull's gaze pierced Colonel Naji's eyes: "After the Second Coup of the Kingsburgs, the official gazette was completely discontinued, and the second quarterly gazette simply does not exist."

"So," Colonel Naji laughed, unbuttoning his shirt and opening his arms to expose his chest to everyone present, "you might as well just bring your swords right here; it's much easier than this trial charade."

“Skour Mekren,” Colonel Nagy turned to his old classmate, speaking calmly, “Putting us on trial was a gamble. Last time we faced each other, I lost. But this time…”

Colonel Najib was confident of victory: "You've lost!"

Colonel Skull remained expressionless.

The Great Council was completely silent; the freemen dared not even breathe, for fear of angering Colonel Skull and becoming victims.

After a moment of silence, Skul Mechren began to applaud.

“From the day you entered the school, you’ve always beaten me.” Colonel Skull removed his judge’s mask and reminisced about the past. Then, he suddenly changed the subject: “But this time, you’ve lost twice in a row.”

Colonel Najib was slightly taken aback. The free people under the dome were equally astonished, and even many low-ranking officers were puzzled.

“I can’t find the official gazette that Naji Motaj mentioned,” Colonel Skulr said loudly to the free men. “But I have more conclusive evidence.”

Having said that, he picked up the gavel and struck it hard, ordering the military police: "Bring the witnesses to court!"

Soon, the military police escorted the witness into the main council hall.

It was then that people realized that the witnesses Colonel Skull had mentioned were not one or two people, but two entire groups of prisoners, one long and one short.

The shorter team consisted of strong and capable young men who, despite being scrutinized by hundreds of eyes, showed no fear, though their movements appeared somewhat awkward due to their shackles.

The longest line included men, women, and children. No one was shackled; they were only bound by ropes. Many of them were so frightened that they cried as soon as they entered.

"Silence!" Colonel Skull warned sternly, his words silencing the tears of the witnesses.

At that moment, a gasp erupted from the tiered seating area, as if someone had recognized the "witness."

Then came a series of exclamations, followed by whispers and murmurs. Clearly, the appearance of the witnesses had greatly excited the free people of the newly reclaimed land, making them eager for more information.

"Silence!!!" Colonel Skull warned again.

This time, the Great Council Chamber fell into complete silence.

“Let me introduce you to the witnesses.” Colonel Skull stood up, pointed to the shorter group of witnesses, and called out their names and identities directly: “Lieutenant Rainier Bauer, Second Lieutenant John Felt, Second Lieutenant Axel Orange, Second Lieutenant Jan Cohen…”

The free people were first confused, then they realized something, then they were shocked, and finally their anger overwhelmed everything.

“That’s right, they are all officers of the United Province Army.” Colonel Scully lifted the last veil in the hearts of all the free men: “They secretly infiltrated the new settlements, cooperated with those with ill intentions, armed the rogues and bandits in the counties, and waited for an opportunity to cause trouble.”

Colonel Skull then pointed to the longer line of prisoners: “That group of witnesses are their collaborators, and it seems that some gentlemen present have already recognized them.”

"And these spies and agents were sent to the newly reclaimed land in late summer or early autumn of last year!" Colonel Skull turned to Alder Felt and Naji Modach, and said sternly, "Long before the Battle of Howling Valley! Long before the Maple Leaf Fortress Massacre! Long before the April 1st Coup in Guitu City!"

With each sentence Colonel Skull spoke, he slammed his fist on the table, a blow that seemed to strike the hearts of every listener.

Even before the New Reclamation Expeditionary Force entered the New Reclamation Area! Before the Hards of Teldun raided! Before every one of your lies!

“Even before we became enemies, you were already plotting an attack on us! You even planted daggers in the newly reclaimed land!”
"Whether it's the Grand Council of the Kings' Castle or the United Provinces government far away, you've never thought of resolving the issue peacefully!"

"Force has never been your backup plan, but your first choice!"

“From the very beginning, you intended to conquer the newly reclaimed land by force! You came with swords and guns, showing no mercy or remorse even if it meant bloodshed.”

Colonel Skull slammed his fist on the table and roared, "The evidence is irrefutable! What else do you have to say?!"

After a moment of silence, Najib laughed: "The victor is king, the loser is villain; we just lost."

Naji Modach laughed as he surveyed the free agents around him: "The victor is king, the loser is villain! We just lost!"

“You and Sanel are birds of a feather,” Colonel Skull retorted. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like if you had won.”

"Hang him! Hang the provincialists!" The familiar shouts rang out again in the Great Council Hall. The newly established freemen, recovering from their shock and disbelief, were even more furious than before: "Hang them!"

"Silence!" Colonel Skull raised the gavel high and slammed it down on the base.

With a cracking sound, the hammer handle broke, wood chips flew everywhere, and the hammer head flew off somewhere.

The shouts from the Great Council Hall vanished without a trace, like a broken mallet.

"Take them away." Colonel Skull waved his hand wearily, rubbed his monocle, took a deep breath, and gave an order that surprised all the free men present: "Take the next group of interrogators."

……

In the Iron Peak County sector, Nandor was already parched: "Huh? More interrogations? Who else will be interrogated?"

Richard from Blackwater had three deep lines appearing between his eyebrows, and he looked at old Dusac with surprise and suspicion.

“I don’t know who to interrogate either.” Girard shook his head at Richard, then muttered to himself, “But I’m afraid this is the hardest one.”

……

Major Alder Felt and Colonel Naji Modach were taken away by the military police.

The third group of defendants was brought in.

There was only one person, dressed in a military officer's uniform, forty years old, handsome, with a full head of silver hair styled into a beautiful ponytail.

[Because the era depicted in the book did not have a legal system as comprehensive as today's (and of course, today's legal system is far from perfect either), many crimes could not be applied, and many behaviors were not clearly criminalized.]
[For example, the crime of endangering national security—didn't anyone endanger national security in the 16th and 17th centuries?]
[Of course, there were such cases, but back then the categories of crimes weren't defined very precisely. Someone might commit a crime endangering national security and be executed for "treason," "major treason," or even simply "murder."]
[It's not that people in the past didn't value procedural justice, but rather that the procedures themselves were not mature enough, so outcome justice was easier to achieve—take whether he was hanged or not.jpg]
[Therefore, for Skull, killing was easy, but achieving a moral, procedural, and legal victory was the most important thing.]
[However, this also sowed the seeds of new conflicts, allowing the subsequent plot to unfold.]
[Thank you to all the readers for your collections, reading, subscriptions, recommendations, monthly tickets, donations, and comments. Thank you everyone!]