I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 256

< Propaganda (2) >

A traitor is executed.

A deserter is executed.

Disobedience is executed.

The military discipline of Russia, the self-proclaimed second strongest power in Europe, was strict.

Still, there was no country where soldiers and officers were treated the same.

Generals who lost in battle were not unconditionally punished.

Defeats that were beyond their control sometimes ended with light penalties, and those who were close to the Emperor often received no punishment at all.

However, there were defeats that could not be avoided. Defeats caused by the incompetence and negligence of the commander, or defeats that would have a decisive impact on the course of the war, resulted in at least a career-ending punishment.

Since this was a different era, executions were rare, but being forced out and then dying in an unexpected accident was no different from being executed.

Therefore, there were not many Russian generals who didn’t know what kind of words awaited Gennady, whom Britain had agreed to repatriate.

“In this situation, a prisoner exchange? Should we consider this fortunate or unfortunate?”

“It probably means his condition is critical. That’s why they’re sending him to our fortress as soon as possible.”

“To ask us to take a prisoner to a fortress they are currently attacking is absurd.”

If this place falls, will Gennady become a prisoner again?

Since he is in critical condition, it will be difficult for him to escape. In some ways, his life is truly twisted.

Admiral Pavel Nakhimov, the commander of the Sevastopol Fortress, had mixed feelings.

Due to Russia’s poor intelligence network, he did not know how the Asian front had collapsed.

How could he know the situation in that distant Asia when support from the homeland was already reduced and he was surrounded by the enemy?

All he had heard was that the Northeast Asian countries and Britain had allied to attack Vladivostok, and the commander had been captured by an Asian country.

Of course, it was not difficult to predict his fate from this alone.

‘To be captured by an Asian country of all places. And to be defeated not only by Britain but also by Asia, there is no excuse for this.’

Nakhimov was confident that even if the war ended in defeat, he would not receive severe punishment.

Before the Anglo-French allied forces intervened, he had completely crushed the Ottomans, and even after being defeated at sea, he had stubbornly defended the fortress until now.

Without this desperate fight, Russia would have already lost Crimea and Ukraine and been defeated in the war.

However, Nakhimov knew that even if he managed to escape, not all the other generals would be able to do the same.

“Admiral! As soon as Commander Gennady arrives, we must start intensive care.”

“That’s right. We can’t let our Russian commander die in the British camp.”

“…That’s true. But I’m worried about whether our fortress facilities can handle a critically ill patient.”

“If necessary, we can ask the British to provide medical supplies. Commander Gennady’s condition deteriorated because they mismanaged him, so they won’t be able to refuse to provide medicine.”

“You’re right. I’ll make sure to say that before the repatriation takes place.”

Such deep emotion…like the camaraderie of Russian comrades rushing to help a compatriot who fought for his country in Asia…was not felt.

What a load of crap. It was too transparent and direct to guess why the generals in the headquarters wanted Gennady back so badly.

No one expected this war to end in victory.

Even if they pretended otherwise, they were all frantically trying to figure out how to save their own skins after losing the war.

However, there was no way there would be an ending where everyone was happily forgiven.

Someone had to take responsibility for the defeat, and someone had to go to jail in their place.

However, there was a limit to blaming the brigade commanders.

A scapegoat was desperately needed to take the blame and be crucified, receiving concentrated fire for ruining the war!

And who would be better suited for this than Gennady, who had been defeated so miserably by the Asian army?

This man must come back alive and become a shield to bear the Emperor’s wrath.

The fact that most of those who insisted that he should never be allowed to die in the British camp were generals who had made major and minor mistakes proved this better than anything else.

Even if a commander was incompetent, it was customary not to hold them excessively responsible if they died fighting the enemy, so they could never be allowed to die.

Nakhimov shook his head and clicked his tongue openly at the headquarters’ almost frantic fuss.

The guys in the headquarters were already taking the defeat for granted and only thinking about their own safety.

It was disgusting, but he couldn’t just blame them when the war situation was already objectively tilted.

‘Why did His Majesty the Emperor start this war…’

He swallowed the words he couldn’t bring himself to say.

How did things get to this point?

All a general who had fought his best could do was watch the slowly sinking ship of the Russian army with a heavy heart.

* * *

The war called the Crimean War, also called the miniature World War, felt like it was heading towards its end.

Everyone, both allies and enemies, was exhausted from the prolonged war, and dissatisfaction with the national leadership was slowly building up.

In fact, many of the reporters gathered there had expectations that this prisoner exchange might be an opportunity to end the war.

“Your Highness! To carry out a prisoner exchange at this time when the war has not ended can be seen as a signal to extend a hand of reconciliation to Russia. Could you please say something about this?”

“The Russian reporters are here to ensure objectivity, but was there really no prisoner abuse?”

“We would appreciate it if you could tell us your opinion on how long this war will last!”

Ahem, as expected, bringing a bunch of reporters turns this place into a marketplace.

That annoying noise pollution, which would normally be annoying, now sounds as sweet as Bach’s melody.

“Her Majesty the Queen and our generals of the British Empire are all doing their best to end this war as soon as possible. As I have said many times, Russia started this war. If Russia acknowledges its mistakes and comes to the negotiating table, we are ready to participate at any time.”

“You mean the attitude of the Russian side is the key.”

As the reporters from the Allied forces furiously scribbled with their pens, the Russian reporters, looking clearly displeased, poured out questions.

“What do you think about the allegations of prisoner abuse? Currently, there are constant speculations in the Russian army that Commander Gennady has been severely tortured and his health has deteriorated.”

“That’s a ridiculous slander. Isn’t this the reason why we arranged this meeting in the first place, to clear up such speculations? Commander Gennady will be here shortly to state his position, so you can ask him more questions then.”

“Then, I’m curious to know if the British Empire thinks it has no responsibility for this war.”

“War is said to be evil once it starts. Countless blood has been shed, and peaceful, harmonious families have been broken one after another. Who is free from responsibility? There is only a matter of degree, and I also deeply feel responsible. I would like to answer all the remaining questions, but this is still a time of war, and we cannot keep the Russian officers waiting, so I will take additional questions later.”

After hearing my answer, the Russian reporters scribbled something in their notebooks with complex expressions.

Although they are called news agencies, Russian reporters in this era were like trumpets of the government, subject to strict censorship and control.

However, paradoxically, it was fortunate for me that present-day Russia could not achieve perfect censorship and control due to technical limitations.

Even if it’s not anywhere else, this is a battlefield.

Those who have come to the battlefield in this era must be seen as having some kind of journalistic spirit or sense of duty.

At least a third of the people here will try to write down and spread what happens today.

As I led the reporters to the promised repatriation site, I saw a crowd of Russian officers already arrived inside the temporary tent.

Admiral Nakhimov did not come separately, but instead, there were several wide-faced generals and brigade-level figures who looked like useless stars.

Of course, both sides had thoroughly inspected for weapons, so no one had brought guns or knives into the tent.

“It must have been difficult to come all the way here while the battle is still raging, thank you for your hard work.”

“No, it’s nothing to bring back our Commander Gennady. But where is the commander now?”

“He’s on his way here right now.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Gennady Nevelskoy, with a gaunt face, pushed aside the tent flap and came in, supported by people.

The faces of the Russian officers naturally frowned when they saw him, his face clearly saying, ‘I’m in a lot of pain.’

“Your Highness. No matter how you look at it, the commander’s health doesn’t look good, so we can only see this as a problem with the British Empire’s prisoner management.”

“That can’t be. Rather, the commander’s condition has improved a lot. When he first fell from his horse, he couldn’t even walk with support like that.”

“Even so…”

The Russian general glanced at the reporters lined up next to him and continued to nitpick.

He probably wanted to use them to get even one more negative article about the British Empire.

I understand. Since they are already cornered, they want to try everything they can.

But I don’t know if they’ve heard that saying.

Originally, the world is even worse for those who have it.

As I subtly lowered my right arm, Gennady, who had received the signal, opened his mouth with a voice full of phlegm.

“Since everyone here is curious, I’ll say a few words.”

“Oh! Commander, how much hardship have you suffered? We will take good care of you from now on, so don’t worry too much. The facilities in the fortress are not very good, but we will do our best to help you recover.”

“Thank you for your concern. But before that.”

Gennady looked back and forth between this side and the Russian army, and then slowly continued.

“There is a truth that must be told about this war.”

“Wait a minute, Commander. I didn’t hear that you were going to talk about the war. Here, we are only talking about the prisoner exchange…”

As I hurriedly intervened as if embarrassed, the Russian side immediately shielded Gennady.

“Where is the guarantee that you only have to say what has been agreed upon? Your Highness, or is there a truth that you have to hide from us?”

“No, it’s not that, but it would be better to say only what has been agreed upon in order to avoid a situation where discord arises. This is not a negotiation or a meeting, but a prisoner exchange.”

“Then we should say what we have to say even more. We don’t know what kind of hardships the commander has suffered here.”

I clearly told them not to, but since they insist on listening, there’s nothing I can do.

I scratched my head and sat back down.

The Russian side had the hope that Killian Gore, who had the tongue of Satan, had dug his own grave, and waited for Gennady’s mouth to open.

And as they wished, Gennady shouted in a determined voice, like a warrior going to the battlefield, as if spitting out blood.

“Our Russian soldiers…are being unilaterally sacrificed because of the Emperor’s stubbornness!”

“……?”

On the day of the prisoner exchange ceremony. A gate opened from Gennady’s mouth.