He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 171

I Became the Crazy Emperor – Episode 171

I Became the Crazy Emperor 171

“Flying in the sky, that sounds quite interesting.”

“You probably don’t believe it, right? I’ll tell you in advance, it uses mana, but it’s not magic. It’s an airship!”

“Hmm…”

Airship refers to a blimp. In modern times, only airplanes remain, but even on Earth, airships were actually used during World War I.

Compared to airplanes, the required technical knowledge is simpler, and thanks to its unique style, it’s a more common piece of equipment in steampunk fantasy than airplanes.

“The thought of flying in it already makes my heart flutter. This is a big challenge for us dwarves. Of course, we don’t have much connection to the sea, so ships themselves are unfamiliar, but a ship that flies in the sky has romance!”

The Dwarf King couldn’t hide his excitement. He was already prone to oversharing (TMI), but mentioning romance immediately led to a lengthy explanation.

“Well, unfortunately, even this can’t be made unless we reclaim the lower sector. Either way, if we don’t retake it, there’s no future.”

“Then shouldn’t we attack right away without hesitation? You seem quite relaxed about that.”

“Hmph, it’s not like that at all. We are constantly strengthening our military, and we actually have a legion. But there’s a problem, as you just experienced.”

From that, I quickly realized what he was referring to.

“Was there a surprise terror attack like that before?”

“There were many. They are launching terror attacks even with our troops stationed. In that situation, if we recklessly empty our forces…”

“This capital becomes vulnerable.”

“That’s right. It’s a strategic stalemate. So we can’t move the army.”

I nodded, understanding the situation.

They must have gathered the forces to counterattack. If they hadn’t, they would have been destroyed a long time ago.

But they had special mobility to dig tunnels and launch surprise attacks from all directions.

Because of this, the capital could be in danger the moment they emptied it and advanced.

What if they left behind a half-hearted defense force? That defense force could be swept away, so they would have to leave a large number of troops.

Then the intensity of the offensive weakens again. It’s a vicious cycle.

“Unless that problem is solved, it’s impossible to advance.”

“I’ll solve that problem.”

“You? Haha, you’re always so confident. So how?”

“No need to overthink it. I’ll lead a small elite force and launch an offensive against them.”

Except for that small number of troops, everyone remains in the capital to strengthen defenses.

Of course, while I’m launching an offensive, the enemies will assume that the capital is empty and try to launch a surprise terror attack.

Or they might launch a large-scale aerial offensive, like dropping bombs.

But the capital can repel the enemy in a fully prepared state.

“And once I start retaking bases with my offensive, they can no longer use the same tactics.”

Their tunnel operations can be blocked as bases are recaptured. Even if that’s not the case, if they switch from offense to defense, the tunnel strategy naturally becomes a self-defeating move.

Localized terror attacks may still be possible, but the more they allocate resources to that, the more their base defense capabilities will decline.

Unless it’s a guerrilla-focused strategy like the Vietnam War… In a situation where they clearly have bases to protect, like the lower sectors, it’s a difficult strategy to maintain once the game shifts to a defensive phase.

“That’s certainly true. You have a good strategic mind. However, that’s only if you can truly retake bases with your own independent force.”

“I won’t try to persuade you with long words; trust me. Wasn’t that why you already tested my strength?”

“Ha, hahahaha! I really like you! Good! I’ll give you an elite force. They’re crazy bastards, but they’re the best troops besides the Royal Guard.”

The Dwarf King laughed heartily and grabbed my hand.

“Then let’s do it with a bang!”

* * *

And the Dwarf King kept his promise, for now.

He provided the troops as promised.

“Is this the guy who came as the commander?”

“Where did this bastard roll in from?”

And the crazy bastards part was also true.

He didn’t have to keep that promise.

“Hank! How dare you insult the knight sent by His Majesty!”

“That’s funny. Since when have we taken orders from humans?”

“The Royal Guard guys are washed up. Are they okay with taking orders from humans now?”

“You bastards-”

They were clearly more rebellious than other dwarves. Just looking at their mohawk hairstyles, standing up like rooster combs, showed it.

“Stop. I’ll deal with them.”

“Heh, you’re going to deal with us? A human-”

Thwack!

Well, it’s just fake madness anyway.

“Ugh, y-you bastard!”

Thwack!

I kicked the Dwarf Commando soldier who was resisting. It was a strong kick that made his heavy body fall backward, but as soon as he got up, I kicked him again.

“You bastard, how dare you hit Hank!”

They were about to rush at me, reacting to the violence inflicted on their comrade. They seemed to have loyalty, but it was no match for me.

“From now on, anyone who interferes will be summarily executed.”

“……!”

So I warned them coldly. Thanks to the sharp, cold aura in my voice, they were forced to stop as if frozen.

“So, you’re saying you’re tough guys with some guts? You can’t take orders from humans?”

Thwack!

“But you seem happy with the situation where you’re watching the rat bastards, even though you can’t take orders from humans!”

Thwack! Thwack!

“Isn’t that right? Your homeland is being raped by rat bastards, but all you’re doing is acting like undisciplined thugs. Do you think you’re some great heroes?”

“N-no… Ugh… How dare you…”

Thwack!

“Keuk!”

“No? Then what is your current state? I heard you’re all gathered from criminals? You fight to the death when charged? That’s great. But in my opinion, you’re no different from a penal battalion.”

No, it probably has the characteristics of a penal battalion. It’s just that the dwarves have a strong sense of kinship and treat them almost like regular soldiers.

“I don’t care what merits you’ve achieved so far, or what abilities you have. I was going to treat any troops the Dwarf King gave me equally. But now you’ve broken that standard of equality. I didn’t know they would give me such trash.”

“Y-you bastard…!”

“What do you think we are!”

The Dwarf Commando, the Crash Hammers, were furious at my harsh words. I kept shouting at them.

“Are you angry! Is your rage overwhelming! Then prove it! Prove that you are not trash! Kill the rat bastards, kill them again and again, and prove that you are truly valuable!”

“……!”

“You will go with me to prove that! Our goal is the Steel Gate, which was once your pride! Only you and I will recapture that place!”

“T-the Steel Gate?”

“No way! Isn’t that place now completely fortified by the enemies?”

“T-that’s suicide…!”

Even those who were furious until just now showed a cold reaction as soon as they heard the mission given to them.

Seeing that, I, who didn’t expect anything in the first place, felt disappointed.

But I wasn’t too disappointed. As I told them, I didn’t really have high expectations for the accompanying troops.

The reason I asked the Dwarf King for troops was simply because I needed support for the troops to occupy the base after retaking it.

The offensive itself was something I could do alone.

“Everyone! Get a grip! Is that all you are, Crash Hammers!”

It was then. Someone rebuked them.

It was none other than Hank, the dwarf who was being assaulted by me. He staggered to his feet and shouted at them, covered in blood.

“Are you going to stand still after being insulted like this! If so, it’s a disgrace as dwarves and as Crash Hammers!”

“T-that’s right! This is a complete disgrace!”

“W-we’re not trash!”

“Damn it, yeah, how long are we going to live in fear of the rat bastards! Let’s smash their heads first!”

Their morale rose at once. I thought they were just trash, but they certainly had guts. I liked that point.

“Your name is Hank?”

“Sergeant Hank of the Crash Hammers. Your punch is incredibly strong for a human.”

“I’m Franz. As I said, I’m the one who will lead you and kill the rat bastards. Will you follow me now?”

“Heh, of course. How could I show my face after making such a provocation and backing out? Even if it’s a suicide mission, I’ll jump in, so don’t worry.”

I chuckled at that and said.

“It won’t be a suicide mission, so you don’t have to worry.”

“You don’t have to say such obvious things. More importantly, when are we going?”

“Today.”

“Huh?”

“We’re leaving today, right now. Sergeant Hank, prepare for departure immediately.”

Hank’s expression stiffened, needless to say.

It’s too late to make that expression now.

* * *

The Steel Gate was actually closer to a unique name given to a lower sector that had to be passed before reaching the capital, Anvil City, rather than a real gate.

But its defensive power was comparable to a military gate. No, it was clearly better than other places.

However, there was originally no defensive wall built towards the capital, but now, quite a long time after it was captured, a solid wall and gate had been erected for a long time.

“As you probably know, this attack is impossible. I’ll charge if you order me to, but it’s impossible to break or cross that wall or gate with this force.”

Sergeant Hank said grumbling even now, after going down from Anvil City and arriving there.

A force at the level of a regiment, not much different from a company in size, was clearly an elite force with high firepower, but it was definitely impossible to face this siege alone.

“If we go back now…”

“No, we don’t retreat.”

But I had no intention of backing down.

“We will recapture this place today. That’s not the end. We will liberate all of the first lower sectors.”

I don’t know for sure, but the rats will also be caught off guard. The dwarves, who had been focusing on defense, probably didn’t think they would attack.

Because reconnaissance is difficult in the underground terrain and not much time has been given yet, they will mistake it for a large-scale attack.

So, as we intend, they will be planning a surprise terror attack – no, a large-scale tunnel attack – on the capital by now.

“If we can do that, we can surround the rat bastards who will hit the capital while we attack here. We can completely exterminate them and save the capital.”

“T-that would be a good thing, but it’s not possible…”

“I’ll make it possible.”

[Imperial Soul Stage 3 Release]

[Drawing additional Imperial Soul from the Abyss Heart.]

[Silvatein Deployment]

[Silvan Cannon Firing Preparation Complete]

“Follow me, and you will become heroes!”

[Fire!]

KWAHHHH!

The Silvan Cannon, drawing out full power.

The wall, made by the ratmen using dwarves enslaved by them, collapsed easily as if it were powerless.

“H-huh!”

“W-what the hell…”

“What happened!”

The dwarves, the Crash Hammers, were shocked.

But I said calmly.

“Charge, Crash Hammers.”

After saying that, I took out Silver Rose and charged first.

“A-anyway, it’s a chance! Charge!”

“WOOOOOOO!”

The Crash Hammers also followed me.