The Extra Wants To Live

Because this is war. War is originally something more miserable than this.

It is better to chew on your resentment and reflect on it, but not harbor hatred.

Looking at those clear eyes, Carl smiled with satisfaction and nodded slowly.

"Very well, Sahal Din Topal. It is only because you can say so that you are worthy."

Topal's eyes widened at Carl's incomprehensible words.

"If you are the one who fears the shedding of your people's blood, if you are the one who can bow down and suffer humiliation under Hardion's sword, if you are the one who willingly accepts even that stigma, then I can trust you with your fear and weakness and entrust you with this land."

"… … What is that…?"

"Do it, Sahal Din Topal. As the governor of the Hardion Empire's vassal territory and Hardion's loyal dog, this is what you must do."

Carl said calmly.

He told the plan to Topal, who still didn't know anything. Topal's face, once shining with determination, became distorted in pain.

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness."

But instead of running away or turning away, Topal willingly embraced all this ugly darkness and took it upon himself.

Topal staggered to his knees and bowed to Carl, unable to control his body properly due to the loss of so much blood.

Ali closed his eyes tightly in despair and shed tears. The prisoners, who had been quietly listening from afar, also burst into tears when they saw the sight.

"Sahal Din Topal, I won't die."

Carl felt it intuitively as he looked down at Topal's back, kneeling before him.

Topal would not die even after the civil war ended.

His nobility truly shone, and those who were with him at this moment would attest to this.

The people of this land would cry out together for Topal, who gave himself up for them.

Then, Yusuf, who had made a decision for the sake of his suffering people, would also gladly accept it, restore Topal's fallen honor, and use him greatly.

He was a man worth that much.

"It's a shame. I wish I could have him, but I guess I can't."

Carl wanted to lure Topal to Hardion.

But what made Topal shine was that he loved this land and the people who lived on it.

If taken to Hardion, this shining jewel would become nothing more than a rough pebble.

Killing him was also an option, as he might become an enemy.

However, Topal was a wise man and would try to avoid war with Carl even if the order came from above.

It was better to leave him alive.

"Get up, Governor Topal."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Even though he had not yet completed the occupation and made it his territory, Carl made his relationship clear.

Carl supported Topal as he staggered to his feet and whispered softly in his ear.

"There is a secret agreement between Sultan Yusuf and me. It involves the secrets of the Kuah Hadad sect and the reptilian monsters that have been appearing in the Celle Mountains. Do you understand what I mean?"

"… …"

Carl and Topal exchanged glances.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Topal quickly understood the meaning.

He listened to the brief and got a general idea of the situation.

So he was relieved and was ready to gladly take on the infamy of being the governor of Hardion.

Carl explained that the war was to resolve the problem of the Kuah Hadad sect by joining hands with Yusuf and, at the same time, to rule over this land so that it did not fall to the monsters appearing from the Chele Mountains.

In other words, if Carl only occupied the northern part of the Tishal Mountains, he would not shed any more blood and would instead defend this land against monsters and the Qua Hadad cult.

Topal could even happily accept the stigma.

Topal took active action because he knew that division between the nobility and the commoners was inevitable.

He led those who had been taken prisoner with him to the gates of the city, shouting and persuading them that the stories about the demon Duke Hardion were false.

In the process, Topal and the prisoners had no choice but to denounce Chandar and his associates.

Topal held his tongue, but the common captives did not.

As the truth came out, the castle was thrown into chaos.

However, the fear that they would be completely annihilated if they fought Carl here was so great that they eventually decided to surrender at Topal's urging.

It was a war that was already over, and in fact, they couldn't even fight.

Because there were less than 100 troops left in the castle.

There was no need to call it a battle; Master Jaren just had to jump up, kill the enemies, and open the door.

As promised, Carl raised his flag in the castles he captured to show that he would protect them and take responsibility for them.

With that, the people were convinced that the words of Topal and the prisoners were true.

Carl continued to advance slowly and conquer, and the 2nd Central Army, which had been tied down and unable to participate in the battle, joined in belatedly, further increasing his strength.

Finally, after just over two months since the start of the war, Hardion had taken over all the territories north of Jihan.

This was before the second detachment of the Imperial Central Army arrived.

The misdeeds of Chandar and his associates were exposed one by one, yet they went unpunished.

Now this land was Hardion's territory, so there was no reason to punish him for his crimes as a rebel of Tumar.

This was part of Carl's plan to accelerate the division of northwestern Tummaria.

In fact, Chandar and other military commanders were able to enjoy their accumulated wealth without any punishment. They were careful, but that was about it.

This was enough to create a great spark in the hearts of the common people who were filled with sorrow and anger at the number of people who were drafted and died and the property that was taken to supply war materials.