THE SAME DAY, THE IMPERIAL CAPITAL
It didn’t take long for news to reach the Imperial Empire.
A telegram was placed on the desk of Zettour, who was enjoying a pleasant smoking break with Counselor Conrad at the time.
A large puff of smoke escaped his mouth. He held one of Rudersdorf’s tucked-away cigars in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other while discussing diplomatic matters. It was Colonel Uger who would have the misfortunate of having to barge in during the conversation.
“Sir, there’s urgent news.”
Colonel Uger slightly knit his brow as he waded through the thick fumes permeating the room to hand the general a sheet of paper. General Zettour took the sheet and, without looking at it, asked the colonel.
“Have we lost the Ildoan capital?”
The colonel gave a small nod, which caused Zettour to smile.
“Thank you.”
“Yes, sir.”
The general watched as his subordinate left the room before folding his legs where he sat. He smoked in glee, occasionally looking up at the ceiling and laughing to himself—a scene that may never appear in any history books, but will certainly be described in novels.
“What, was this meant to be your Christmas present for the Alliance? You really are a criminal.”
“It wasn’t something I planned.”
“Maybe not the date, but maybe the event.”
“Counselor Conrad, it makes me sad to hear you say that.”
General Zettour rubbed his chin and squinted his eyes while he bragged.
“The world wants to dream.”
“And that makes you a nightmare, I presume?”
Counselor Conrad murmured this to Zettour, which warranted a wry smile from the general as he nodded in agreement.
“You’re probably right. I feel the same way, after all.”
“So why did the so-called Alliance fall for this?”
“It is the opposite, you see. I didn’t trick them, but it is they who wish to be tricked. Everyone desires simplicity.”
General Zettour took the cigar out of his mouth and held his hands out.
“It’s as simple as this: Justice will prevail over the evil Empire. Pretty simple, eh? Which is why…they fooled themselves and fell for it, too.”
Don’t you agree? The general smiled. A gentle smile, so filled with glee. General Zettour was so happy, in fact, he was practically singing when he spoke next.
“And if the world so desperately desires to be fooled, then I shall fool them.”
(The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Volume 12:
Mundus Vult Decipi, Ergo Decipiatur, fin)
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