I, who was eager to retire, became an Imperial General.

Chapter 285 The nascent seeds of belief have been sown; false accusation leads to release from prison

"..."

Upon hearing John's words, Krauser did not reply immediately. Instead, he looked at John with an extremely complicated expression and then fell silent.

Based on John's words, his wisdom had already made him understand the other party's position.

Before this, he had never imagined that John's true goal would be like this.

Or rather, it's not just him; currently, countless high-ranking officials within the Empire are paying close attention to John, the newly promoted lieutenant general.

Neither the conservatives nor the reformers, and even His Majesty William himself, likely anticipated this.

John, raised by the royal family and considered by many to be an unquestionable staunch reformer, did not truly aim to assist the reformers in helping His Majesty William achieve the unification of power, nor did he engage in partisan strife like the conservatives to protect the interests of his own group.

The other side's real goal is to establish its own political party and completely overthrow the current two parties in the empire!

This goal can no longer be called ambitious; it's practically wishful thinking!

Through his own reasoning, Krauser almost instantly saw through John's true intentions.

As the heir to the Valendner family, his aristocratic education and his own conservative party affiliation were constantly reminding him that he had to use force to eliminate the other party immediately.

Only in this way could he ensure that the other side nip this potentially fatal danger in the bud before forming a party targeting the privileged class represented by the nobility.

But his pride as a self-proclaimed genius, and the fact that his heart was now pounding uncontrollably at the grand vision the other party had previously painted.

But it made Krauser realize that he could not be driven by the base fear that he might lose everything he had in the future.

And then they attacked the figure before them, a figure who could lead countless people forward and lead the empire to unprecedented glory.

I am the heir of the Valendner family, someone who has received and been accustomed to aristocratic education since birth, whose values ​​have long been solidified like those of the other members of the faction, and who are, as you previously criticized, an absolute representative of the privileged class.

Even though I know my identity means I can't join your side, even though I know I'm someone you need to defeat, even though you know that revealing these visions to me will...

It will only cause your vision to change, or even be completely destroyed by despicable assassinations and sabotage.

Yet you were still willing to reveal these secrets to me with absolute trust and without reservation, telling me everything that you shouldn't have told me in the first place?
Is it because of that rumored arrogance that allows one to control everything?

Or do you have absolute confidence in your goals?
"So, you anticipated all of this, knew that I would never attack you, and that you would reveal your true intentions to me knowing that I would not make a move against you, and that you would not reveal these treasonous declarations you made today?"

Looking at John, who was smiling but silent, Krauser's feelings were filled with complex emotions.

There was anger at the other party's disdain, helplessness towards the other party, and amazement at the other party's goal.

But what it conveyed most was respect and awe.

"...Sir John, my conversation with you today has indeed been very insightful and beneficial."

After a long silence, Krauser spoke to John in a hoarse voice, then took John's hand off his shoulder and stopped looking directly into John's calm but deadly eyes, which seemed dangerous to him like a venomous snake, capable of drawing people in and making them fall for him.

Then, as if to convince himself to abandon that terrible thought, he added to John again:

"Your belief is certainly awe-inspiring and great, but in my opinion, it is tantamount to courting death."

"The nobles will not agree with your ideas, His Majesty William will not agree to such a self-destructive act, and the conservatives and reformers will not tolerate your attempt to...sever the existence of privileges."

"Therefore, for your safety's sake, I think you'd better give up this terrible idea."

“I will pretend I never heard anything you said today. You are still the top graduate of the 59th Imperial First Military Academy, the newly promoted lieutenant general of the reformist faction, and the capable minister in His Majesty William’s eyes, ‘John ​​Maslow’!”

"...Klaus, I want to ask you a question."

Despite Krauser's well-intentioned warning, John did not respond. Instead, he returned to his seat, rubbed his slightly chilled coffee cup, and smiled at the other man, saying:

What do you believe is something that will never disappear from this world?

"..."

Upon hearing this, Krauser's gaze froze for a moment, and he was also somewhat puzzled, seemingly not understanding why John would ask him such a question out of the blue.

Before he could even ponder the deeper meaning behind it, John raised his index finger and wagged it at him, then added:
"I'm not in a hurry to answer this question."

"As a hint, I've used similar terms in my previous discussions of beliefs, and if you have some knowledge of world history, you should be able to find the answer by considering the reasons for changes in many countries and the process of historical evolution."

Therefore, you can think about it carefully before giving me your answer.

Something that can never disappear from the world?

And, was it mentioned before?

This……

Klaus frowned, his mind racing with thoughts.

Time passed slowly and silently. Apart from the occasional soft sip of coffee by John, there was no other sound in the interrogation room.

After a full ten minutes, through constant thinking and reverse reasoning, and after peeling back the layers, Krauser vaguely felt that he had found some clues.

It was only when he suddenly recalled that His Majesty William was unable to tolerate the unrestrained tyranny of the late Perus XII, and was even seeking a so-called opportunity to become a god.

And then they began to persecute countless citizens of the empire, even children as young as seven or eight.

At that moment, Krauser's pupils constricted, and then he looked up sharply at John, who had put down his coffee cup at some point and was now staring at him with a smile.

Then, the other person slowly revealed the answer he had just guessed:
"That's right, that's resistance!"

"Where there is oppression, there will be resistance. This stems from human instinct and is an existence that cannot be erased or disappeared."

"This kind of oppression does not only refer to the oppression of the privileged class, but can be applied to all scenarios of oppression."

John slowly extended his right hand, raising his index finger under Krause's watchful gaze:
"When a nation is invaded by an enemy and subjected to the violent slaughter of the enemy army, the people will fight back against the enemy out of resistance to this oppression, even if they know they are no match for them, they will fight to the death." "When faced with the bottomless exploitation from the lord, after enduring it for a long time and realizing that there is no way to change it, the people will also choose to take risks and smash their hoes on the head of the greedy lord out of resistance to this oppression."

"When faced with bullying from childhood, in order to protect themselves from further threats, even children will dare to throw their fists at those who bully them as a form of resistance against such oppression."

"The reason why these resistances occur is that this spirit stems from the human instinct to abhor injustice."

"With just a little guidance and education to fully awaken this instinct, it can be transformed into the sharpest weapon in the world, capable of defying all so-called privileges, and unmatched by anything else!"

"Boom!"

John slowly raised his finger and tapped it on the table, making a dull thud.

But when the voice reached Krauser's ears, it sounded like a tolling bell, sending chills down his spine.

Because only after John said those words did he truly realize the power contained within the other man's seemingly suicidal belief.

As long as John's plan is fulfilled and this spirit of resistance is spread, then even if the opposing party is destroyed in the empire's factional struggles, even if all those involved are arrested and executed by the nobles, even if John Maslow himself is hanged.

However, once this ideological weapon is successfully disseminated, under the guidance of these ideas, it is likely that within a century, one, or even countless, 'John Maslows' will be born again.

And as time goes by, one day, these instinctive resistances against oppression will, under the leadership of an outstanding leader, be swept into the dustbin of history by the shouts of countless people that will make the world tremble!

Is this your source of confidence? Is this the real reason you dare to make such a crazy move that almost challenges the entire old world?
It's not just about worrying about one's own life, not just about being fixated on the fall of a dynasty, and not just about being confined to the present era.

Instead, they've set their sights on the future?

It's just like...

"A god who can control the future!"

The sentence suddenly popped into Krauser's mind, but he quickly forcibly erased it from his mind, while suppressing the surging emotions in his heart. His gaze toward John began to brighten uncontrollably.

However, just as he was about to ask the other party about their next plans, a faint sound of footsteps slowly reached Krause's ears.

Judging from the frequency of the footsteps, Klaus instantly recognized that the other person was his deputy. He immediately knew that this long and shocking night was probably coming to a complete end with the conclusion of the three-way cabinet meeting.

"Dong dong!"

"Enter!"

"despair!"

"Reporting to Team Leader Krause, just three minutes ago, we received a confession from the whistleblower, who stated that the accusation was a frame-up based on personal grudges and that all the evidence submitted was fabricated."

"The accuser was executed on the spot by the first-level interrogator two minutes ago. His body will be hung on the execution platform at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow and exposed to the sun for a month to appease public anger."

"After confirming that this incident was a false accusation, Secretary Amanda just made a personal phone call and ordered the immediate release of Lieutenant General John Maslow. Furthermore..."

The young man, dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Prosecutor's Office and carrying a storage box, calmly reported to Krause after arriving at the interrogation room.

Then, as if remembering something, he turned his gaze to John in the chair.

Upon noticing that the other person was not only unshackled but was also leisurely sipping a cup of coffee from who-knows-where, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

However, considering that his superior and the other party had alumni ties and that this imprisonment was actually a political game between the two leaders, he felt a little strange but did not question it.

Instead, he kept this detail in mind, intending to report it to the minister later for a decision from his superiors.

Then, he gave John a perfect smile and slowly said:

"Lieutenant General John Maslow, Secretary Amanda has asked me to convey her apologies to you. We are deeply sorry for the false accusations you have suffered and have prepared a corresponding compensation for you, which is expected to be delivered to your current hotel at around 9:10 tomorrow. We hope you will understand."

"Also, this is your personal property, and you can take it with you now."

"Thank you."

Upon hearing this, John didn't say much, but simply thanked the other person calmly.

Then she retrieved her own items from the storage box.

After putting his general's hat back on and adjusting his attire, he...

John ignored the scrutinizing gaze of the young man who appeared to be Krauser's second-in-command, and instead focused his attention back on Krauser in front of him, a subtle, enigmatic smile slowly spreading across his face:
"Interrogator Krauser, I am surprised and honored to see you tonight after so long."

"Thank you for not treating me unfairly due to our past alumni relationship, even with insufficient evidence."

"Although you tried to induce me to confess to treason on several occasions during this conversation, I can understand that psychological manipulation is a common tactic used by interrogation departments."

"Your professionalism and rigor are commendable. After this matter, I will focus on tonight's interrogation and send a 'thank you letter' to your department to express my appreciation!"

John deliberately emphasized the words in his thank-you note, creating the illusion that he was particularly unhappy with the interrogation.

Then, meeting his deputy's probing gaze, John first pretended to rub his wrist uncomfortably, then forced a smile and said:

"Of course, the location where we met today was not very elegant, so if there is a next time, I hope we can meet in a better place, as alumni!"

John paused slightly, then saluted Krauser, whose eyes were gleaming, and said:

"Finally, may the glory of the Empire be with you, Second-Class Investigator Krauser!"

"I will consider it carefully. May the glory of the Empire be with you, Lieutenant General John!"

"Ta~"

……

(End of this chapter)