I. CHAPTER 14: THE KING-MAKERS

***The Malacañang Palace…***

Underneath the palace complex was an extensive maze of a bunker system meant to safeguard the emperor and his family should the necessity arose. After all, the capital city was only a few kilometers away from the nearest frontline—one that faced the borders of the other Imperial enemy, the so-called ‘Republic of Pasig.’ First excavated when the threat of the Japanese invasion during the Second World War became credible, the Malacañang bunker complex was expanded throughout the centuries…from the Philippine Commonwealth to the Empire of the Pearl of the Orient. It served as the main command center of the Fifth Republic during the South China Sea War, back when the original command center in Camp Aguinaldo was regularly bombarded. Long after the Philippine defeat, the Oriental emperors turned it into their ‘coordinating node,’ as the main command center returned to its former site.

And the regent, Lord Axel, Duke of Cavite, had no plans to change the system from the first emperor’s times. Together with his most trusted aides, he reactivated the coordinating node just as the three-month ‘lull’ in the new Ilocano-Oriental conflict ended.

“Milord,” one of the military aides of the regent approached him the moment his entourage entered the war room. He gave the duke reports from the 1st Regiment’s commander, Gen. Juan Ariza. “The general says his command is ready to commence hostilities. They are just waiting for your orders to attack.”

Axel glossed over the preparation reports. Being the nearest Imperial army unit in the area, it fell on the 1st Regiment to drive out the Ilocano incursion in Palayan city. Their ‘quick reaction forces’ already stemmed the advance, preventing further damages and casualties among the locals. However, the confusing orders sent overnight put the bulk of its men and equipment in disadvantageous positions, effectively preventing them from mounting a counter-attack until after lunch the next day.

“Is the Filipino ambassador notified of our movement?”

“Yes, sir. They offered to join the offensive should we fire the first shot.”

“Good. Has the 2nd Regiment deployed in Zambales?”

“The advance elements of the 2nd are in place, milord,” the aide confirmed, showing their dispositions on a tablet map. “General Maranan is still redeploying most of his forces to Iba. But he assured us the advance battalions are ready to attack, and his regiment will finish the deployment at exactly 1600 hours.”

The duke glanced at his watch. It was five minutes to two in the afternoon. The 2nd Regiment’s redeployment would be done in two hours. He surmised that General Maranan’s command was around 50 to 60 percent transferred to Iba. “Well, we can’t wait for until 4 p.m. The Ilocanos are digging in the land they took from us with each minute passing. And I want my four-kilometer buffer zone, so they won’t do this raid again. Send the permission signal.”

The aide bowed and spoke the command to radio. “Operation Gothic Raider is a go, over!”

-----

On the monitors set in front of the war room’s table, drone footages of the different sectors of the operation were transmitted. The offensive began in 1st Regiment’s line; a squad of helicopter gunships fired rocket barrages on Ilocano positions. This was followed by a creeping artillery barrage from the ground units, the last salvo of which were composed of gas canisters meant to conceal the Oriental advance.

Within the first few minutes, the Ilocano forward positions were overrun. Smoldering wrecks of burning armored vehicles, minced human flesh, and destroyed houses dotted the landscape. But the enemy was determined to hold on to their gains, for the territory they captured drove a wedge between the Orientals and their Sixth Republic Filipino allies. Reinforcing each other would present difficulty to them, as the Ilocanos could intercept their armies and threaten to cut the Sixth Republic into two, should they drive to Aurora and Quezon provinces.

The Ilocanos, led by their elite ‘Black Jaguars,’ fought with tenacious courage. They threw everything they had against the advancing Orientals, decimating many of the latter’s infantry units. Scores of anti-tank rockets rained on the Oriental tanks and other armored vehicles, forcing many of the assaulting teams to dismount and charged at their foes on foot. The network of Ilocano anti-air missiles and guns made life difficult for the Imperial pilots and drone operators.

The regent and everyone else in the bunker watched in tense silence while the military switched views once the observing drone was shot down. It happened several times, that soon, the Lord Axel called for his chamberlain and whispered, “We must acquire the same or better drone warfare capabilities than these creeps. It won’t do well for us to keep wasting drones just to observe our army’s progress in real time.”

The chamberlain took notes, then bowed. Almost immediately, another military aide came to report to the regent. “Milord, news from the 2nd Regiment’s sector: the Ilocanos took the bait and is moving at least two columns of reinforcements to consolidate their gains in Palayan.”

“Give General Maranan the green light. Order his advance battalions to cross the border from Zambales now. Destroy any convoys they find.”

The aide saluted, then relayed the regent’s instructions. On the monitor observing the frontlines of the 2nd Regiment, the Oriental attack began with a massive helicopter-borne infantry assault deep behind enemy defenses. The Ilocano units manning international borders had no time to deal with the helicopters, however. Almost simultaneously, the Oriental units advanced and besieged their positions. A few minutes since the 2nd Regiment attacked, they reached the convoys trying to reinforce the Ilocanos in Palayan.

The enemy was caught completely off-guard; they tried mounting fierce resistance against the Oriental ambush. Yet, everything was in vain. The units the infantry couldn’t destroy were finished by the helicopters. Those that saw the carnage in front of them broke and attempted a mad dash to the rear. However, they only delayed the inevitable. The Imperial fighter jets sortied and bombed every retreating Ilocano.

For each explosion, the bunker erupted in cheers. However, the regent himself remained calm. While others focused on the Oriental victories, the Lord Axel kept an eye for aspects the military could improve upon.

“…”

First thing in his mind was the ‘rayadillo’-style uniforms of the Imperial armed forces. The uniform’s light-blue hue stood out against the trees, and dark terrain, yet it endured since the time of the first emperor…which resulted in horrific casualty rates in wars. It was something that bothered him for years until he served under the emperor Arthur. The army’s reason? The rayadillo was a sign of bravery, and a legacy of the first republic. The Lord Axel had a different take though. After the disaster at Lingayen, he was even more convinced that courage and traditions alone would never win wars.

Second was the destruction of the Imperial Guards. That elite regiment of hand-picked men from the army, navy and air forces supposedly guaranteed the safety of the emperor. Nevertheless, Axel was well-aware of the history of the Roman emperors, and their relationship with the Praetorians. Similar to them, the Imperial Guards had always been antagonistic towards him; hatred that eventually worsened after Lingayen—the war strategy that he developed. Well, while it was truly a tragedy, Axel believed that no one should blame him for its failures. After all, it was the emperor Arthur who pushed him for a ‘decapitating strike’ meant to knock the Ilocanos off the new conflict, instead of the gradual push across the Ilocandia land borders.

Now the Guardsmen are working to remove him from his office. Disunity is the last thing a nation in war needs…

The chamberlain returned to him. “Cardinal Jose and Mrs. Chong are in the reception hall. Should I tell them to wait for you, milord?”

Taking that as his cue to return to civilian matter, the Lord Axel excused himself from the bunker. Fixing his clothes, the regent smiled. In his mind, only one thing remained…

It is time to consolidate the regency and yank this empire from the pool of stagnancy and rot.

-----

Cardinal Rufus Jose was a fat, near-balding man in his late 50s. He was appointed as the Archbishop of Manila when he was 45, often praised for his charitable work towards children’s organizations. He was also the church official that crowned the emperor Arthur six years ago. And just before he turned 57, he received the honor of becoming a cardinal from the Pope himself. With all these achievements, Cardinal Jose wielded powerful sway among the common folk, many of which adhered to the Catholic religion, and also among the nobility, whose claim to power stemmed from God’s providence.

“…”

Seated across the cardinal was Erika Chong, the founder and CEO of the Digital Works company. She also headed the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, having been elected to the position when she was 55. At the age of 26, she had already built an economic empire based on digital world, to which Digital Works was a central part. Her business flourished through her development of several AI-assisted platforms, many of which were sought-after by other big companies and some international conglomerates. The Imperial government eventually saw the potential in her products and services, that soon they gave her lucrative contracts. These raised the portfolio of the Chinese-Filipino Chong family, that led to her election in the chamber of commerce.

It was for those reasons the Lord Axel invited them over. “Thank you for coming,” he greeted while he gestured for the chamberlain to bring them snacks. “Your support is much needed in these trying times.”

“As always, Your Grace,” Mrs. Chong smiled and bowed. The cardinal followed her lead. Then, the chairwoman asked, “However, it has come to our attention that there was a coup-de-etat yesterday. It alarmed our investors; the ongoing Imperial war also didn’t help us in the eyes of the business world. Is everything alright?”

“Yes, Madam. I am well-aware of the sentiments of the investors. As of now, everything is under control, and we are working to secure our state while fending off the Ilocanos.”

“Your Grace,” it was Cardinal Jose. “What about the Duke of Batangas? What on Earth is he saying about the Baroness Pauline Maria of Lemery succeeding the emperor? Why are we not preparing for a coronation ceremony?”

“Your Eminence, Madam Chong,” the regent paused for a bit, before continuing. “I believe that this isn’t the time for such things. Lavish coronations in the midst of a national emergency wouldn’t endear us and the institutions we represent to the people. An inexperienced emperor ruling over us will only lead to our ruin.”

“What are you implying, Your Grace?” Cardinal Jose’s voice rose. “Are you planning to usurp the throne from its rightful heir?”

“I would never do such thing!” the Lord Axel countered. “I am but just a lowly servant of the Imperial Bamboo throne. Still, my heart yearns for the glory and victory of our beloved empire. Hence, I am just saying that we should postpone crowning a new emperor until we bring this conflict to a successful end.”

“Is this why there were Imperial Guards that were arrested?” Mrs. Chong asked.

“Yes, Madam. I am but a caretaker of the Bamboo throne. And because of such duty I will do my best to destroy the mutinous and treasonous scums of our society.”

The cardinal, though he was not smiling, was nodding his head while the chairwoman took notes. Seeing that they needed more convincing, the Lord Axel added, “Your Eminence, Madam, right now our brave soldiers are driving the enemy from their incursion zones in the city of Palayan. I know and I have faith that we will prevail in this war. But our army wants a strong, experienced leadership to bring this matter to a satisfying end. A succession in the middle of the war will never serve our interests, as the army will have to adjust on the whims of the new emperor. It will also hurt us more if the new ruler is sympathetic to our enemies; a fact that is still under the investigation of our agencies, since this Ilocano attack happened just as some of the Guardsmen are trying to topple my leadership. Don’t you think postponing the coronation is right in this situation?”

“So you will remain as the regent?”

“Yes Madam, but only for the duration of the war,” the Lord Axel reiterated. “After a peace agreement is signed, I will relinquish my post.”

“Sounds fair,” the cardinal mused. “I always trusted your wisdom, Your Grace. You proved to be a leader this country desperately needs.”

“Rest assured, Your Eminence, we are doing our best to end this conflict. But I will need your help.”

“Please speak, Your Grace.”

“We all know the press conference of the Duke of Batangas, right? Because of that, rumors that may harm our national unity is spreading among the people.”

“You want us to counter that?”

“Exactly, Your Eminence. To our people, your voice is near-equivalent to that of God’s. Even I look upon you for guidance and wisdom. So, I’d like to request that you support me and convince the possible rebels to my authority that to fight you is to fight the institutions established by our Lord.”

“That’s…” There was smirk on the cardinal’s lips. “That’s not how it works, Your Grace.”

“Of course, Your Eminence’s efforts won’t just be repaid in gratitude. I will always be thankful to the guidance of the church, and this request is no different. You will have my house’s support in everything you wish, be it moral or financial help.”

At that moment, the cardinal fell silent, weighing his options. Mrs. Chong took the chance to ask the regent. “And what is your request from us, Your Grace? Surely you didn’t invite me here just to reveal your intentions.”

“I request that the business people keep on investing in our economy,” the Lord Axel pointed out. “I understand their fears, but without money, we can’t run an economy. Their worst fears will come true. Please convince them not to withdraw their investments.”

“It’s good as done, Your Grace,” the chairwoman took notes. “But of course, with requests there are compensations. We are business people after all.”

“Yes, and I offer you tax cuts and preferential treatment, Madam.” The regent handed her his proposals. “For you Madam Chong, more lucrative and exclusive contracts from the government. I’m sure my chamberlain had already briefed you on the need for more specialized drones for the armed forces?”

Mrs. Chong didn’t think much of the proposals offered to her. She immediately sealed the deal by shaking the Lord Axel’s hand.

Author's Notes:

Camp Aguinaldo - is an Armed Forces of the Philippines base in Quezon City, which is a part of Metro Manila region.  This base serves as the main headquarters of the Philippine military, and has witnessed many historical events, particularly the First People Power in 1986.  The name comes from the first Filipino president, Emilio Aguinaldo.

Pasig - is the name of a city in Metro Manila, and also of a river that flows through the region.