Chapter 48
(Kyle Calendar
Year 505: Age 12)
A Different
History and Ominous Signs
Translator : PolterGlast
"Huh? This is
wrong..."
I
was slightly shaken by the news from my father. Two things were written there
that were not in the [previous history] I knew.
- My elder
brother (Darek) had been accepted to the academy in the royal capital.
- There was a
possibility that the Gryphonia Empire would reinvade with a large army.
Within the kingdom,
the children of powerful nobles usually attended the academy in the royal
capital when they turned 15.
There, they received
specialized education in their respective fields: knights, mages, bureaucrats,
internal affairs, and so on.
Except for the eldest
son, who was the heir, they would use this education to make a living in their
chosen paths in the future.
Basically, the
students were mainly from families with the rank of viscount or higher, but
some children from powerful baronial families, baronet families, and knightly
families who wished to join the Royal Capital Knights also attended.
By the way, in the
previous history, neither my brother nor I attended the academy in the royal
capital.
This time, my brother
was accepted thanks to the recommendation of Frontier Earl (Margrave) Hastburg,
and as the son of a powerful baron equivalent to a viscount.
Had history diverged
in a different direction?
Next year, when he
would be 16, my brother, who had been in the Estol territory, would be in the
royal capital for at least three years if he went to the academy.
If that happened,
perhaps he wouldn't die in the next war. I could even have such expectations.
However, I couldn't
let my guard down. Judging from past examples, I could imagine history trying
to balance things out.
Another piece of news
to be wary of was a letter sent by Frontier Earl Hastburg to my father.
『It appears that the Gryphonia Empire is planning a
large-scale reinvasion within the next few years. Do not neglect preparations
for dispatch.』
That was the gist of
it.
Apparently, the First
Prince of the Empire was furious about the crushing defeat of Frontier Earl
Goth, his subordinate, in the campaign two years ago, and was eager to lead the
battle himself to avenge the loss.
In the previous
history, Frontier Earl Goth had maintained his honor by defeating many enemy
soldiers during the invasion two years ago. In the next border invasion,
Frontier Earl Goth should have been the central figure, attacking with the same
strength as before.
In this world,
Frontier Earl Goth had suffered a crushing defeat, which had a considerable
impact on the First Prince's faction as well.
In the previous
history, the Third Prince's faction, which had won in the battle on the border
opposite to the Kyle Kingdom and held an overwhelming advantage, was now
struggling in this world, with the battle lines stalemated and the succession
dispute becoming a close contest, with both factions lacking a decisive move.
The First Prince
apparently planned to use this opportunity to achieve remarkable military
exploits and advance his position in the imperial succession race.
Hmm, could this be...
my fault after all?
Weiss, the commander
who was supposed to be a peerless general under the Third Prince of the
Gryphonia Empire, is here.
Furthermore, the
outcome of the Southern Gate annihilation battle two years ago had also changed
significantly due to my intervention.
Could history be
trying to recover the lost ground from that time? On the way to being summoned
to the town of Est, I pondered while shivering.
"Takuhir, once
Darek leaves, we don't know when the next regular meeting where we're all
gathered will be. Let's begin," my father said, and everyone took their
seats.
The participants were
my father (Daren), the Baron, my mother (Chris), my elder brother (Darek), the
Baronet, myself, my younger sister (Chrisia), and the Baronial family steward
(Raymond)—six people in total.
In addition to these,
Sara, my mother's attendant who was also helping with the development of the
town of Teigun, my personal maid Anne, and Claire, who now demonstrated talent
in internal affairs and was one of Miseri-san's right-hand women and was
participating to learn, were present as observers.
"First, report on
the development status of the town of Teigun."
I gave a brief report
on the progress of the town's development, the results of the agricultural
experiments, and the utilization of oyster shells.
"The first phase
of construction for the town itself will be completed within this year. From
next year onwards, we plan to complete the castle walls and moats, further
strengthen the two checkpoints, and proceed with the development of the
surrounding settlement areas.
The number of settlers
is also steadily increasing, and we expect to exceed a permanent population of
1,000 within five years, putting us on par with other towns. Beyond that, we
aim for the scale of the town of Est."
"Hmm, how are the
crops mentioned before?"
"The agricultural
experiments are also progressing smoothly, and the growth of wheat and
vegetables is good thanks to the utilization of oyster shell lime.
If this can be
expanded, we expect a dramatic increase in food production. Even in soil where
only potatoes grow, we plan to see decent harvests if we improve the soil with
oyster shell lime and compost.
However, since it's
before harvest, I can only give estimates, and the amount of oyster shell lime
to use is still being verified and is uncertain.
I believe we need to
repeat the experiments, and I would like to share the results each time, but
currently, the method of obtaining oyster shells themselves is limited, so I
must say that expansion to other regions is difficult.
In Teigun, the
currently mobilizable military force is 50, and about 30 can be dispatched.
The Twin-Headed Eagle
Mercenary Corps currently has 80 members, and 60 can be dispatched at this
time, leaving a reserve force."
Next, Raymond-san gave
a report regarding the entire Estol territory, or rather, shared information
with us who had left the town.
"The
entire Estol territory is booming with a favorable economy. The factors
include:
- Special
demand from the development of the frontier region (Teigun) and new mines.
- Active
movement of merchants, and thriving logistics and commercial transactions
within the territory.
- An increase
in settlers moving into the territory, boosted by the favorable economy.
The population of the
Estol territory is approaching 10,000, and based on this, an expeditionary
force of about 500 soldiers (200 Iron Cavalry, 50 Cavalry, 250 Archers) can now
be formed."
My elder brother,
Darek, also gave a report.
"The
strengthening of the military force is also remarkable.
The Iron Cavalry Corps
has improved its training through Demon Realm exercises and has reached a high
level within the kingdom.
However, it has not
yet reached the level of Frontier Earl Goth's Iron Cavalry Corps, and in the
future, at least about 500 riders will be needed for operation as a striking
force.
Also, when I go to the
royal capital, I would like to take Kran, a light mage with the same attribute,
as my attendant."
Huh? What did he just
casually say at the end?
"Brother, I
haven't heard about Kran..."
"Yeah, that's why
I'm telling you now."
Even if you give me a
"tehepero" face, I'm still troubled.
Well, originally eight
mages belonged to the Solis Baronial family, but I've taken all ten of them to
Teigun for the time being... I don't like it, but I have no choice but to
accept it.
My younger sister
Chrisia, who was participating for the first time (officially), raised her
hand.
"Yes, please
allow me to report as well.
This year, I also
became able to use the unique earth mage skill, just like Mother.
Regarding
Takuhir-oniisama's farmland improvement earlier, I think my earth magic could
be helpful even in lands other than Teigun."
Saying this, my sister
looked at me and smiled.
"So, please give
me permission to go play in Teigun... I mean, to go on an inspection
immediately.
I'll go even if you
say no."
Both Father and Mother
were very flustered by this.
My younger sister
(Chrisia)'s unique earth magic skill had manifested very recently.
After I left for
Teigun, she had been taking care of the potato and turnip fields in the garden.
This soil-tilling,
something not typically done by noble children, had sparked a high level of
interest in her, and as a result, her earth magic skills had blossomed.
My parents, well aware
of her stubborn personality since childhood, hurriedly tried to dissuade her,
but... it was probably impossible.
"With Aniki
(older brother) absent, what concerns me most is the movement of the Gryphonia
Empire."
"As Takuhir says,
if it's a large-scale invasion, Frontier Earl Hastburg and we alone won't be
able to hold them off," Father said, expressing his concern with a serious
expression.
"We'll probably
end up waiting for reinforcements from the royal capital at the Southern Gate
fortress. I will rush there from the royal capital."
"Even in a siege,
we should be prepared for a considerable number of casualties..."
"Takuhir, it's
still too early for you," Mother interjected in our exchange.
"Next time, the
power of the mages will also be necessary. We cannot send them to the
battlefield alone.
And there is an
agreement with Father. In accordance with that, I will join the battle and take
command of the mages."
"Hmm..."
Father pondered, while Mother glared at him, as if to say, "You're the one
who caused this!"
"My younger
brother (Takuhir) will be the same age next year as I was for my first battle.
I believe he is prepared as a man of the Baronial family."
Thank you! My brother
is very reliable at times like this.
The family conference
was tumultuous, but permission for my first battle was granted conditionally,
with the condition that it would be next year or later.
All that was left was
to steadily prepare with the mages.
While surviving the
training of the drill sergeant (ogre)...
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