Chapter 1394: Chapter 101: Reforging the Nation (28)

Awake, because they have personally experienced round after round of conscription and levies, the pillaging by the Herd Barbarians, the roaming bandits, the blocked roads by the army, the corpses of travelers abandoned on country lanes—they are acutely aware that everything around them has undergone a tremendous change.

However, for these squires scattered in the frontier regions, far from the political center, the outside world remains vague.

Roads blocked, communication cut off, and occasionally a resilient guest visits, bringing nothing but bad news: this one has started fighting with that one, then that one started fighting with this one again, Kingsfort’s office sent troops to fight the Herders, Kingsfort’s office then took over Maplestone City…

The major events that have occurred in the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province over the past two years, when spread to most of the newly reclaimed people, usually only leave behind fragmented phrases and sensational rumors.

The regular announcements the people of Iron Peak County receive are indeed a happiness unimaginable to the people of other regions.

Now, finally, someone has reached out, pulling the free people of the Newly Reclaimed Land from the ‘clear yet vague’ stream, detailingly explaining to them ‘what happened over the past two years’.

For the New Reclamation Legion, the testimony of Kai Morland is equally important, as many of the inner details of the Second Republic that he described were originally unknown to the officers—especially the junior officers.

And this is exactly what Kai Morland and his sponsors want.

Because whoever can control the right to define the past can control the right to explain the present, and can exert influence on the future.

If you want to exert influence on the free people of the Newly Reclaimed Land—the richest and yet most politically oppressed group on this land—there is no better occasion than the General Assembly of All Free People.

For the free people of the Newly Reclaimed Land, the words uttered by Kai Morland are far more convincing than the announcements posted by the New Reclamation Legion.

However, even Kai Morland and his sponsors haven’t accurately realized what kind of echo their actions will produce.

Through Kai Morland’s narration, the chaotic, contradictory, and unclear ‘memories’ scattered in everyone’s minds present are being reshaped into consistent, coherent, and clear ‘history’.

This history begins with a tragedy, pushed by ambition, which has led to more tragedies.

This shared memory will be taken back to their hometowns by the free people, and through spread, repetition, and mutual verification, it will continuously reinforce itself, finally shaping every individual’s understanding of ‘history’ in the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province—or even the Republic of Palatu.

But these are matters for later.

At present, Kai Morland is still standing at the trial stand, just one step away from the gallows.

Skur Meklen listened earnestly to Kai Morland’s testimony, having already decided that if Kai Morland’s statement contained any fabrication or entrapment, he would immediately apprehend him.

Yet, contrary to Skur Meklen’s expectations, Kai Morland’s statement was fairly objective and impartial, even Skur had to acknowledge it.

Even regarding the actions of the New Reclamation Legion against the Kingsfort government, Kai Morland defended them considerably, not simply defining it as a rebellion, but honestly informing the free people present that Grof Magnus had decided to wipe out the New Reclamation Legion early when Kingsfort sent troops to ‘co-defend’ the Terdun Tribe.

Unfortunately, Skur Meklen didn’t intend to ‘forgive’ Kai Morland’s interference just because of this.

“Since you have admitted the crimes committed, Kai Morland.” Colonel Skur tapped the gavel head, pronouncing solemnly: “I declare…”

“Wait.” Kai Morland immediately interrupted Colonel Skur’s speech, loudly defending: “When did I plead guilty?”

“Everything you said just now is a confession of your crimes.”

“I was merely narrating everything I participated in.” Kai Morland retorted sharply, word for word: “Colonel Skur, what crime do I have?”

Richard of Blackwater Town and many free people felt their heartstrings instantly tense. The brows of the officers present also furrowed more and more.

Everyone realized that the most critical moment had arrived.

“You joined Grof Magnus’s conspiracy, participated in the Kingsfort coup, and assisted Grof Magnus in forming a puppet government.” Colonel Skur asked harshly: “Are you innocent?”

“I am innocent!” Kai Morland did not back down: “Joining Grof Magnus’s plan, I am innocent! Participating in the Kingsfort coup, I am innocent! Forming the Second Republic, I am innocent!”

Kai Morland leaned forward, his hands heavily pounding on the railing of the trial stand, raising his head arrogantly to sweep the hall: “My only crime is not doing this sooner! For not being able to save the Republic from the hands of Alpad Duyome and his crazy crowd before they dragged the Republic into the abyss!”

“Nonsense! Utter nonsense!” Colonel Gaisa could no longer tolerate it, slamming his palm on his knee, standing up abruptly, cursing Kai Morland: “General Alpad Duyome has fought for the Republic for over twenty years, countless military merits established, how dare you, this bastard, speak such absurdity! Drag him down!”

“Fought for the Republic? That talk is utter nonsense!” Kai Morland turned his head, glaring, blood rushing to his cheeks, like a lion staring fiercely at Gaisa Adonis, roaring like thunder:

“Gaisa Adonis, then dare you tell me, who bore the costs of ‘fighting for the Republic’?!

“Who shed blood for ‘fighting for the Republic’?!

“And who seized the benefits of ‘fighting for the Republic’?

“And who made a fortune in ‘fighting for the Republic’?”

His words shocked the entire hall.

The free people present felt both incredibly delighted and anxious because Kai Morland spoke the words they dared not say, while also harshly tearing off the New Reclamation Legion’s mask.

Gaisa Adonis was so furious he was trembling, bluish veins bulging on his scalp, yet he was at a loss for words.

In the brief silence, three junior officers from Mont Blanc County rushed towards the trial stand, grabbed Kai Morland’s shoulders, forcefully lifting him up, about to drag him out of the Grand Chamber.

But Kai Morland held onto the railing of the trial stand with all his might, refusing to let go.

The scene instantly turned highly unsightly, and the Grand Chamber became chaotic.

The free people watching were extremely indignant, clenching their fists, lifting their bodies off the seats, anxiously licking their lips, wanting to speak but dared not, only able to anxiously look around, hoping for a brave soul to step forward first.

At that moment, a calm and authoritative voice smoothed all the noise within the Grand Chamber, halting everyone’s actions.

“Stop—let him finish his speech.”

Everyone turned towards the voice, finding its owner sitting at the very front of the Iron Peak County Seating Area, fearlessly meeting the gazes from all directions, none other than ‘Blood of the Wolf,’ Winters Montagne.

The three junior officers from Mont Blanc County stopped their actions, standing unsure.

Then Colonel Skur heavily struck the gavel, regaining control of the situation: “Quiet!”

Then he gestured to the three officers from Mont Blanc County: “Step down.”

The three junior officers from Mont Blanc County, as if granted amnesty, immediately released Kai Morland, saluted Colonel Skur, and returned to their seats.

The development of the situation has exceeded many predictions, and the free people present had no idea how today would end.

But Kai Morland was not prepared to let it end quietly; he kicked open the railing of the trial stand with force, straightening his clothes that had been grabbed and wrinkled:

“Aren’t you going to conduct a trial?

“Aren’t you going to cut ties with the old regime?

“Aren’t you going to remake the Republic?

“Then fine!” Kai Morland panted heavily, exerting all his strength, roaring at every officer in the Grand Chamber: “Put yourselves on the trial stand!”