Starting with Fireflies, Speedrun the World

The resistance alliance advanced faster than Clara had anticipated, so the final battle was also coming much sooner than expected.

This was not only due to the absence of Esdeath's threat and the robot army clearing the way, but also because the Revolutionary Army's high command had won over many disgruntled prefectural officials, allowing the anti-Imperial army to enter the Empire unscathed.

The only obstacles the alliance encountered along the way were some prefects and garrisons who refused to surrender, but these obstacles were no match for the alliance forces of the revolutionary army, the three major ethnic groups, and the Anning Church.

Of course, it wasn't that the empire was completely incapable of fighting; it was just that General Bud had concentrated his true strength outside the capital.

It seems the empire has decided to abandon other regions and is determined to defend the core capital.

Thus, the major allied forces, once inside the empire, passed through the checkpoints swiftly, as if entering an uninhabited land, all the way to the outskirts of the imperial capital.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the imperial court was extremely oppressive.

Apart from a few military officers who were protected by General Bude, almost all other officials and military officers in the imperial court were eliminated by the ministers if they did not show them respect or join their camp.

But at this critical juncture that would determine the fate of the empire, even the officials who had pledged allegiance to Minister Ernest began to feel uneasy and waver.

Some have even lost faith in the empire and have begun secretly communicating with the revolutionary army, attempting to survive under another regime after the empire's collapse, or even maintain their current status.

They would never sacrifice themselves for the empire; apart from a few generals around Bud, all such loyal ministers had been ousted by the ministers.

Therefore, those still in the imperial court are not the most loyal and righteous men who would sacrifice their lives for justice.

All they care about is their own interests.

The empire is over, so be it. It just means a new master will rule, and the new country will still have to rely on these former officials to maintain it.

"Minister, has the empire reached a critical juncture of life and death? Why has this happened...?"

Above the imperial court, the young emperor sat on the dragon throne. He had learned some of the situation in the capital, even though he had been kept in the dark by his ministers.

This was completely different from what he had imagined. The ministers had always told him that the empire was flourishing under his wise and powerful rule, far surpassing that of his predecessors...

Why have the anti-imperialist forces already reached the outskirts of the capital?

Is the country going to perish at our own hands?

But he had always done as the ministers said, and in his eyes... the ministers were never wrong.

"Your Majesty need not worry. It is those rebellious forces who do not understand Your Majesty's good intentions and do not understand how much Your Majesty has sacrificed for this country. They have even committed the heinous act of rebellion."

Even at this point, Minister Ernest still didn't seem too worried, and was openly eating a piece of meat in the court.

She only stopped what she was doing after hearing the young emperor's words, and casually responded to him.

Although he felt confident, the minister was also somewhat agitated. If Esdeath were still alive, things wouldn't have turned out this way.

How dare those resistance forces be so audacious...

Pity.

But it doesn't matter. At most, the interests of the empire will be affected, but I will still be happy.

Moreover, with that thing, there's absolutely no way we can lose.

"But the scale of the rebellion is so large, is there something wrong with my rule?"

Although he felt somewhat relieved after hearing the minister's words, he still understood some things; there must be a reason for all of this.

However, ever since he came to power, he has been controlled by his ministers, and all the information he has to the outside world is what his ministers say, so he is not very clear about the actual situation.

"No, even though Your Majesty lost both parents, you have always governed the country wisely and effectively. Moreover, I have always been by Your Majesty's side, so Your Majesty cannot be wrong."

The ministers, of course, could not say that the emperor or their own rule was wrong, so they directly blamed the rebels.

If they're wrong, it's their fault; how dare they rebel and defy us...

Chapter 61 Legend has it that he possesses abilities comparable to those of gods.

"The current situation is simply that the people have been misled by rumors and incited by the revolutionary army. We must make the rebels bear the consequences of their choices. Although there will be bloodshed, this is the dignity of a monarch that Your Majesty must possess."

"Once these rebels are dealt with, the empire will return to peace and prosperity under Your Majesty's rule."

The ministers reassured the young emperor, downplaying the situation, even though it was clear to everyone that the foundation of this thousand-year-old empire was already shaken and could collapse at any moment.

But the young emperor, who was like a puppet, seemed unwilling to think about these things, and naively believed them under the sway of the other courtiers.

"Yes, Your Majesty, those rebels will soon be wiped out. We still have General Bud."

"The Grand General has already gathered troops from across the country and stationed them outside the capital. With Grand General Bude's abilities, those resistance forces won't be able to cause any trouble."

Other courtiers, who were in cahoots with the ministers, also hurriedly joined in deceiving the young emperor, though what they said wasn't entirely false.

That general's prestige had remained unshaken in the empire for a long time, and the empire would indeed not be overthrown until he fell.

This is why they are still able to stand properly in the imperial court; otherwise, they would have run away long ago.

"Yes, I also have General Bude."

"The General can surely wipe out those rebellious forces and restore the empire to normalcy."

Thinking of General Bud's existence, the young emperor felt much more at ease. Although General Bud hadn't made a move in a long time, he didn't doubt his strength.

"good......"

"With General Budo here, nothing will happen. Even if General Budo can't stop it, Your Majesty, don't forget that you still have that supreme Imperial Arm."

"As long as that guardian divine strategist appears, even the worst things can be swept away."

The ministers stopped eating meat and smiled as they spoke to the young emperor.

Compared to General Bude, the key to truly quelling all rebellions was the young emperor himself.

That was the greatest trump card that the first emperor of this thousand-year-old empire left for his descendants in order to ensure the longevity of his country.

The supreme imperial weapon, the guardian divine machine, which can only be controlled by members of the royal family.

That was the first and strongest Imperial Arm, the origin of all Imperial Arms, and the pinnacle of all Imperial Arms, known as the "Supreme Imperial Arm".

Legend has it that it possesses abilities comparable to those of gods, but unfortunately, only those with imperial blood can use it.

"A Supreme Imperial Arm?!"

The young emperor was taken aback upon hearing this, and then he remembered something.

Yes, he possesses the Supreme Imperial Arms, and compared to General Budo, he himself is the Empire's most powerful trump card.

"...So Your Majesty has nothing to worry about."

Seeing the reaction to his words, the minister smiled even more broadly and picked up the meat in his hand to continue eating.

So what if the rebels cause a huge uproar? When it comes to the very end, he won't lose.

Despite his imposing appearance, he is actually quite capable and shrewd, contrary to his outward appearance.

As the person who helped the current emperor stand out from many successors and ascend the throne, he actually killed the current emperor's biological parents with his own hands.

The young emperor, however, trusted him implicitly and never doubted him.

......

The troops stationed on the outskirts of the capital.

At this time, all of the Empire's elite troops and imperial guards were mobilized, numbering around 400,000. Although this was less than the million-strong army of the rebel alliance, it was still a huge number.

At this moment, a tall man was standing among the garrison.

His aura intimidated the surrounding soldiers. This man was none other than General Bude, the empire's other "strongest" figure, who commanded the palace guards.

Bud was an upright and rigid man who served the empire wholeheartedly. He was even ruthless towards his ministers. However, he was somewhat rigid because he followed his ancestral teachings and believed that military generals should not interfere in politics.

Therefore, although he was aware of the corrupt practices of his ministers and others, he did not intervene, but instead used his authority to protect the officials and military officers who were of conscience.

However, the minister's probing went too far, and apart from a few people he had protected, everyone else died at his hands.

Although these were all the work of the assassination organization, and the minister acted as if it had nothing to do with him, Bud knew very well that it was the minister's order.

Now that the empire has deteriorated to this point due to the ministers' actions, he has reached his limit of tolerance.

However, compared to eliminating ministers and their cronies at this time, the worst thing right now is the attack by the rebels. Therefore, he decided to wait until the rebels were annihilated before personally eradicating these sources of national unrest.

General Bud looked ahead, his face grim, never imagining that the empire had fallen to such a state...

"Is the family tradition I've followed for so many years really right?"

"If I had been able to stop the ministers and others in time, things might not have escalated to this point."

Bud couldn't help but sigh.

However, his expression soon turned serious again. Even so, this was not a reason for these rebels to revolt. Anyone who dared to overthrow the empire would be buried here.

The empire has always been the most powerful regime in the world. The surrounding small countries, except for the remote western kingdoms, have some strength, but they cannot compare with the empire.

But now these rebels have actually joined forces with three different ethnic groups to rebel against the empire, which is unforgivable.

The reason why Bud summoned troops from all over the country to the capital to prepare for a decisive battle with the rebels was that the Empire did not have an advantage in fighting in a dispersed manner.

Moreover, he had the responsibility of protecting the royal family and could not stray too far from the capital.

There was nothing he could do; even he hadn't expected that one day he would lead troops to quell a rebellion. His duty had always been simply to guard the capital.

Now that the main force of the rebels has gathered in the capital, it's the perfect opportunity to take them down in one fell swoop. Once the main force of the rebels is eliminated, these anti-imperial forces will be unable to continue their rebellion for a short period of time.

Let the empire have more time to change...

"Generals, obey the order!"

"exist!"

The military officers around him responded immediately upon hearing this.

"Follow me in this battle to annihilate the rebels..."

Bud looked around at the soldiers, all of whom were his followers or generals who had been saved by the ministers and were absolutely loyal to the empire.

Completely trustworthy...

......................................................

Chapter 62 Thor's Wrath [Admiral]