Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 234: Volume 4, Chapter 23, Betrayal (3)

Russell and Bernadotte, who hurried back to the capital from the front line in Lucerne, exchanged a glance and thought simultaneously, ”It’s here...”

After receiving the joint order from the Supreme Command Department and the President’s Office, Russell and Bernadotte discussed the possible situations they might face. The options were limited; the President’s request for the two front-line commanders to return is naturally related to the conflict between the front-line war situation and domestic political affairs.

This matter had already been discussed between Russell, Bernadotte, and President Hamilton before the front command was relocated to Lucerne. As the saying goes, compassion does not command soldiers; casualties in war are merely an indicator of the battle situation. The most important thing is that the war must achieve the pre-planned strategic goals and serve political objectives.

Take Miloke Planet for instance: even if the post-war statistics show that Federation Army casualties far exceed those of the Gazalin Empire Army, ultimately, the Federation Army completely expelled the Imperial Army from Miloke, reclaimed the massive base of Miloke Main Star, and cut off the Gazalin Empire’s jump point to the Newton Star System, forcing the Gazalin Empire to fully retreat from the Newton Star System to preserve its strength.

The victory in the Miloke Star System also signified a strategic shift for the Leray Federation from defensive to offensive against the Gazalin Empire. Whether it be domestic morale, the economy, international opinion, or trust among allies, all soared with this victory. More importantly, the Federation Army gained the experience, preparation, and confidence of victory, which cannot be measured by casualties.

Since Russell and Bernadotte’s last special report on the Lucerne war situation to the Supreme Command Department and the President’s Office, Hamilton had indeed unconditionally supported all front-line demands as he promised. And the front line responded with a series of victories, creating a harmonious and tacit cooperation. However, with several major countries in the Western Alliance proposing a peace resolution at the Human Supreme Council, things became no longer simple.

The Human Supreme Council’s proposal for an immediate ceasefire, and the phased withdrawal of the Gazalin troops from the Galileo Star System over three years under international supervision, has turned into the opposition party’s peace advocacy, garnering considerable support, especially from families who lost loved ones at the front lines, who abhor the war. They gathered, hoping to influence the ruling authorities to make appropriate adjustments to the war strategy, instead of continuously fighting as they are now.

The unavoidable high casualties in the recent Lucerne battle have deeply grieved these people, who yearn desperately to return to their former lives and want no more Federation children sacrificed in this war.

However, the people do not realize that this war cannot end in a peaceful way. Neither is this the end of the war, it is merely the beginning for the entire human society. The Leray Federation too cannot escape this fate; the war fire sweeping across the universe is on the verge of erupting, and those major countries show no sign of dialogue or restraint. On the contrary, they are fully preparing for war.

The seemingly at-hand peace is actually just a phantom. Once the war begins, this phantom will turn into a shadow, casting over the Leray Federation’s head, bringing even greater pain to everyone. Without achieving a decisive victory, sufficient political benefits cannot be gained, and the so-called reluctantly accepted peace will only result in worse consequences.

The absurd clamor for peace has begun to strengthen, shown by the recent proposals aimed at increasing military funding and front-line recruitment, all of which were jointly resisted by opposition party members and passed by a narrow margin. The current passage is due to the ruling Leray Republican Party’s absolute majority in parliament, but with the parliamentary elections in two months, letting the current anti-war sentiment become mainstream could jeopardize the Republican Party’s seats. If they suffer a crushing defeat in the elections, just imagining the critical moments of war being stalled by unresolved emergency decisions would send chills down everyone’s spine.

By that time, it would mean the ruling Republican Party has lost the people’s trust, leaving an incapable President with the only option of resigning.

Russell and Bernadotte could almost confirm that Hamilton’s summons at this time is because the so-called peace advocacy is becoming increasingly rampant, and Hamilton no longer has the firm resolve he used to have regarding subsequent political and wartime affairs. The situation isn’t that bad currently, but if front-line battles continue this way, what happens in two months is hard to predict.

If the President withdraws support, this war will turn into a farce criticized by future generations, which is unacceptable for Russell, who is determined to use Federation power to overthrow the Morton family regime. Hearing Hamilton vaguely broach the subject, Rassen smiled and said, ”Yes, such a thing wouldn’t happen in Gazalin, but...” He nodded to the President’s secretary who placed the coffee in front of him, waiting for the secretary to leave the office and close the door, then lifted the coffee cup and smiled, ”This doesn’t seem like a good thing for that self-proclaimed wise dictator.”