Chapter 1396: Chapter 102: Rebuilding the Nation (29)

“I have never denied the merits of the old army.” Kai Morland’s demeanor turned exceptionally calm as he disdainfully responded to Gaisa’s threat: “But please allow me to tell you, Mr. Gaisa Adonis, and all the honorable gentlemen present…”

He coldly glanced at the officers in the assembly, raising his voice: “If you gentlemen only dare to judge others and not judge yourselves, then I can assert right now—this republic has no chance of rebirth! A poisonous tree cannot bear unpoisoned fruit. Your painstaking efforts would merely open another cycle!”

Having spoken, Kai Morland raised his head proudly: “I have finished my speech, you may hang me now.”

“Prepare the gallows for him!” Gaisa shouted: “Right here!”

The atmosphere in the great hall immediately became tense to the extreme, the officers of Mont Blanc County faced with Colonel Gaisa’s orders, unsure how to respond.

“Silence!” Colonel Skur Meklen knocked the gavel lightly.

Everyone in the great hall let out a long breath.

“No one will be hanged today.” Colonel Skur Meklen set the tone for the ensuing dialogue with a single sentence.

The colonel watched Kai Morland, and after a long silence, he declared, word by word: “As for Mr. Kai Morland’s accusations, I believe… they are true!”

“Hmm?”

“Hmm!”

Two hums of completely different emotions echoed in the great hall, causing an uproar among the crowd. Not only the freemen, but the officers were also surprised by this unexpected turn of events.

Colonel Gaisa Adonis widened his eyes, staring intently at his colleague on the judge’s bench.

Lieutenant Colonel Magash Colvin frowned deeply, but he did not look at Colonel Skur like the others; instead, he kept a close watch on Winters Montagne nearby, without being able to discern any clues from his expression.

“Silence!” Colonel Skur said with a stern face, knocking the gavel again.

The great hall quieted down.

“No one sees the malady of the old army system more clearly than we do.” Colonel Skur sighed deeply, asking earnestly: “But what kind of judgment do you think I should pass? Do you want me to declare the New Reclamation Legion guilty and order them to return all power to the General Assembly of Freemen? Putting aside whether this can be realized—if the judgment could be implemented, the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province would fall within three months.”

“I understand.” Kai Morland, who had just been incisive, softened his tone at the right moment, replying loudly:

“Political ideals must always give way to practical considerations, and the Alliance Charter must yield to the conditions of all countries. Even the ancients understood that when a life-and-death crisis arrives, a leader with unlimited power must be elected to lead the Republic out of troubled waters.

“At this moment, when the United Provincials have reached their hands into Paratu, it is unrealistic to demand an immediate fulfillment of the promises of the Alliance Charter. I believe that the honorable gentlemen in this great hall can understand…”

Kai Morland scanned the great hall: “Unless someone wishes to become a slave of the United Provincials.”

A murmur filled with contempt and agreement echoed beneath the dome.

In the assembly, Gaisa Adonis vaguely seemed to grasp something, while Magash Colvin continued to closely observe Winters Montagne’s expression.

Kai Morland shifted his tone, making a request neither arrogantly nor submissively: “However, I hope you gentlemen can also understand the voice of the people, extend the duration of the assembly, and allow the assembly to discuss the new constitution rather than passing it with three cheers in one morning.”

The freemen present pricked up their ears.

Kai Morland looked at the attendees and continued: “If we don’t wish to repeat the mistakes, we must learn from the lessons of the old republic and legally abolish the self-command of the old army, placing the military once again under the highest authority—even if, in reality, we cannot achieve this yet.”

“If you are willing to listen patiently to me read the new constitution,” Colonel Skur Meklen’s steely face softened slightly, a faint smile brushing his lips, he said dispassionately: “your request is precisely what we wish to accomplish.”

“Apart from that.” Kai Morland pressed on: “I have another proposal that I hope the General Assembly of Freemen can deliberate.”

Colonel Gaisa’s icy voice came from the audience: “That’s enough.”

“Quiet.” Colonel Skur knocked the gavel, a bit fatigued, and asked Kai Morland: “What proposal?”

Kai Morland took a deep breath: “Request the military to swear an oath again!”

“Hmm?” Colonel Skur slightly raised an eyebrow.

“I, Kai Morland, propose a motion—the military should swear anew, swear allegiance to the Republic, swear allegiance to the Republic’s legitimate representative, the General Assembly of Freemen, swear…” Kai Morland carefully controlled his breath, ensuring that his subsequent words were clear and resonant: “When the time is ripe, truly return power to the legitimate representatives of all citizens of the Republic.”

The great hall buzzed with a “buzz.”

Many freemen were still digesting Kai Morland’s series of clauses, but people already instinctively realized the extraordinary significance of this third vow.

“Quiet.” Colonel Skur again knocked the gavel, resting his chin, intrigued as he regarded Kai Morland on the judgment seat: “Young man, I’ve only heard that a crisis can spur reform, I’ve never heard of someone paying debts while winning.”

“We are already pushing for reform, are we not? Sir.” Kai Morland fell silent for a moment, speaking a truth from the heart: “I’ve always believed in you.”

Colonel Skur was taken aback, scrutinizing Kai Morland for a long time, ultimately unable to come to a conclusion.

“So be it,” Colonel Skur thought to himself; the appearance of this Kai Morland, a troublemaker, had instead relieved him of a burden. For deep down, Skur Meklen had never agreed with the previous plan to forcibly pass the new constitution under a guise of warmth and deception.

“Gentlemen, please be quiet.” Colonel Skool forcefully struck the gavel: “Now, the assembly will vote on Kai Morland’s proposal. Proposal one, to postpone the adjournment date of the Free People Assembly until all necessary work is completed.”

Colonel Skool repeated the proposal three times in succession, then asked: “Who agrees?”

“AYE.”

The first voice of agreement was sparse, as many had not yet reacted.

“AYE!”

The second voice of agreement was louder, as many had come to their senses.

“AYE!!!”

The third voice of agreement was deafening, as even the freemen who hadn’t heard the proposal’s content were shouting along with their companions. In the Iron Peak County Sector, Richard from Blackwater Town was particularly enthusiastic.

“Who opposes?”

No one spoke.

Skool heavily struck the gavel: “Passed.”

Next was the second proposal, “to allow the new charter content to be resubmitted for discussion by the Free People Assembly,” likewise repeated three times.

Then, “Who agrees?”

“AYE!!!!”

“AYE!!!!!”

“AYE!!!!!!”

The cheers rose wave upon wave, shaking the accumulated dust from the dome of the grand assembly hall, making many feel as if the great hall itself was trembling along with the shouts.

“Who opposes?”

No one spoke.

Skool heavily struck the gavel: “Passed.”

Lastly was the third proposal, “to require the New Reclamation Legion to swear anew.”

“AYE!!!!!!!!!!!”

“AYE!!!!!!!!!!!”

“AYE!!!!!!!!!!!”

The cheers for the third vote were even more fervent than those for the first vote, the thunderous cheers pouring out of the assembly hall, flooding the streets and alleys, causing passersby within the city to stop and gaze, even startling the water birds in flocks outside the Water Gate.

Richard from Blackwater Town almost screamed until his vocal cords broke. Such a highly coordinated collective activity easily gives participants an illusion, making them feel as if they possess endless power, being not only a member of the collective but also its master.

“Look! Look!” Richard from Blackwater Town thought, immensely excited: “See what incredible things we can accomplish when we unite! The New Reclamation Legion, the United Provincials, no one can stop us, look!”

Colonel Skool patiently waited a moment, until the echoes faded, the dust settled, and the exhausted freemen caught their breath, then he asked:

“Who opposes?”

The great assembly hall was silent as a grave.

Until a cold, powerful voice shattered the silence.

“I oppose.”

The freemen, who had just been immersed in the satisfaction brought about by collective action, were startled, looking around in panic, trying to find the source of the voice.

All eyes in the assembly hall instantly focused on a figure walking towards the judgment seat.

The figure was none other than.

The lord of Iron Peak County and Vernge County, the champion of the Paratu Expeditionary Force, the conqueror of the Terdon Tribe, the so-called rebel by Kai Morland:

Winters Montagne.

Blood of the Wolf.