Chapter 219
(Kyle Calendar Year 512: Age 19)
The First Royal Capital Regular Meeting
Translator : PolterGlast
Spring having arrived, I came once again to the Royal
Capital with some of my guards for two purposes. One was to attend the
regular quarterly meeting.
Previously, when I reported back as a Special Envoy, it was
decided that the same members would gather quarterly to share the latest
information and report on progress.
"Now then, let us begin the First Regular Meeting. Not
many days have passed since the Demon Territory Count's last report, but
are there any new reports?"
With a word from the Minister of Foreign Affairs (the
Old Raccoon), the meeting began. The regular meeting was to be held with
the members gathered previously, excluding His Majesty.
First, the Minister of Commerce raised his hand.
"Let's see. Since then, we have been tracking their
movements through the Commerce Department, and the comings and goings of trade
merchants have increased. They are all uniformly connected to the Margrave
of the West."
"Hmm, I have received reports of that as well. Fire and
Water are moving actively, Ice rarely shows its movements, and Thunder seems to
be waiting and watching, is that it?"
"Impressive. It is exactly as the Minister of
Foreign Affairs says. Regarding Fire and Water, since their daughters and
aunts have married into prestigious families in the Principality, they
are nominally exchanging goods as parents and relatives. Under that guise,
people and goods are moving semi-openly, fully aware of our surveillance. Ice
seems to be plotting something, but he rarely lets us catch his tail."
"Among the four, Ice is the fondest of conspiracies and
the most cautious, so he likely won't show his tail easily. Minister of
Military Affairs, I apologize for the trouble, but could you inspect the
military readiness of Ice and his surroundings under the pretext of arranging
reinforcements for a rematch with the Empire? Implying the possibility
of extracting troops from the relatively safe northern part of the Kingdom."
"Understood. In accordance with my duties as Minister
of Military Affairs, I shall dispatch trustworthy personnel to the north.
So... how shall we deal with Thunder, who appears to have decided to wait and
watch?"
Everyone looked at Duke Klein (the Old Raccoon),
the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this meeting, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs acts as His Majesty's proxy and effectively leads the flow
of the conference.
"Indeed. There is no need to prod unnecessarily and
force him to the other side. We will remain vigilant while observing. For the
time being, that should suffice. By the way, Demon Territory Count, do
you have any new reports? I heard you established a new connection within the Principality?"
Tch! The Old Raccoon already found out. As always, how does he get his information?
"As always, I cannot beat the Minister of Foreign
Affairs... It's not quite an intelligence base, but I have secured a
dedicated trade merchant so that I can regularly know the state of affairs
within the Principality. Although there will be some time lag, if any
major movements occur within the Principality, information seen through
a merchant's eyes will come in.
Regarding the Empire, Viscount Kampfer seems
to hold the reins of the merchants quite firmly, so it is rather difficult
going. However, if permitted, I would like to visit the Empire side
once. Strictly for the purpose of checking them."
"Isn't that dangerous? The Demon Territory Count
is the keystone of the southern defense. If something were to happen..."
"I think the Minister of Military Affairs'
concern is valid. However, through past invasions, trade, and the recent visit
of their envoy, the Empire side has visited here and seen quite a bit of
our internal situation. While we have no intention of invading, it is necessary
to show the will that should we be invaded, we would counter-attack into the Empire.
Well, even if I go, it would only be as far as the former Margrave Goth's
territory across the border, which that man controls. I believe this is a
necessary step with an eye to the future."
"Hmm... regarding that, we will confirm His Majesty's
will, but gentlemen, let us assume the basic policy is approved. Being you, I
assume you will make various arrangements to ensure nothing untoward
happens?"
"Of course. Since there are specialty products from my
territory that the other party desires, I plan to visit bringing those
along."
"Then, shall we end the information sharing here for
this time? Unless there is any additional content to discuss."
After the other participants finished sharing information
related to their respective duties, the meeting was adjourned.
Even after the meeting ended, I requested time with the Minister
of Foreign Affairs. Therefore, only the two of us, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and I, remained in the conference room.
"Now then, a consultation specifically from the Demon
Territory Count. What is it about?"
"Yes. From here on, I would like to speak to you not as
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but as the Headmaster. Is that
acceptable, Duke Klein?"
"Hmm, if it is a consultation I can handle."
"Of course. As for the content of the consultation... I
am thinking of posting recruitment for Mages and soldiers, mainly within the Royal
Capital and the Academy, to strengthen our military power. I would
like to receive your permission for that."
"Hoh? Mages, is it?"
Yes, the Mage candidates in my territory have already been
mostly exhausted. The only ones left are those yet undiscovered, those too old
or too young to be expected to perform on the battlefield, and those excluded
due to character issues.
I wanted to gather town Mages and noble children capable of
using Bloodline Magic—specifically the promising ones among them.
Honestly speaking, I feel the Magic Corps of the Principality
of Fearalt is quite a threat. A group tactic of 500 people composed
mainly of Fire, Thunder, Water, and Ice Mages is too much of a 'cheat'.
The Academy has also shifted its focus significantly
toward combat operation of Mages for several years now, but the only ones
operating them in significant numbers as a collective force are myself and the Royal
Capital Knights.
Even so, the number of the Principality's Magic
Corps is an order of magnitude different.
"I see. Measures against the Magic Corps, is
it?"
"Yes. In the worst-case scenario, there is a
possibility that 500, or at least 300 organized by nobles rather than the
Imperial Guard, will turn into enemies. If over 100 Fire Mages rain down fire,
do we have a concrete method to deal with it?"
"Indeed... In terms of the total number of Mages
including Bloodline Magic, this country far surpasses the Principality.
However, when it comes to group battles between Mages, we would likely be
helpless... I will report this matter to His Majesty and ensure we can meet
your intentions. Regarding the Royal Command Mages, we will impose new
regular combat training and make it so their operation can be entrusted to you."
Yeah... Although
it is what I wished for, I feel like a new role was pushed onto me in the
confusion...
But one must prepare to brush away falling sparks. I will
follow the examples of Mary and Sasha and utilize this
effectively.
By the way, though it wasn't even brought up as a topic,
simultaneously with my graduation, all the students in the Knight Course who
idolized the Commander
also graduated.
So, it was expected that significant personnel replenishment
from this year's graduates couldn't be hoped for, which added to my impatience.
Currently, not only the Demon Territory Count Solis,
but also Margrave Hastburg, Count Solis, Count Gorman, Viscount
Solis, and Viscount Cornell are constantly recruiting soldiers,
hiring not only civil officials but military officers rapidly.
Although the Academy has significantly increased the
capacity of each course in the last few years and become a major supply source
of personnel, the reality is that the number of applicants has not yet caught
up with the number of job openings.
"Even so, it's strange for me to say this, but you
really have no time to settle down in one place, do you? Though for the future
of the Kingdom, it is a fine thing."
"I also certainly have high expectations for the Headmaster's
skills that Mary and Sasha showed me, for the future of the Kingdom.
I look forward to working with you."
Yeah, it's definitely not jealousy. But I just wanted to say it a little.
"Hmm, one should be kind to the elderly, but I shall
make an effort. Since you are here, you will be meeting your wife and sister,
correct?"
"Yes, after this."
Answering thus, I took my leave of the Headmaster and
headed toward the Academy in the Royal Capital.
Even at the Academy, I have requested the pre-emptive
recruitment of excellent students through Yuka and Chrisia.
However, they each bear the mission of securing personnel for Count Gorman's
territory and Count Solis's territory respectively, so I can't rely on
them completely.
After leaving the Royal Palace, I showed up at the Academy
and visited the salon where they usually are.
"Takuhir-sama! I heard you magnificently
fulfilled your role as Special Envoy, and I was rejoicing with Chrisia-san.
I am so happy you stopped by here this time too!"
"Brother, thank you for the souvenirs from the Principality!
This time, you naturally have that as well, right? Both Yuka-sama
and I have been feeling lonely all this time."
I was hugged by the two alternately. I dared to ignore the
small voice I heard from somewhere saying 『Explode! 』.
On the way back from the Special Envoy mission, after
reporting at the Royal Palace, I hurried home so fast that I passed right by
the Academy and the residence in the Royal Capital. Of course, I
did have souvenirs delivered to their respective residences.
"I will be staying in the Royal Capital for only
one day this time. I have a request for you two regarding something a bit
political, so could you give me some time?"
Telling them this, I gave each of them a lot of the usual
small bottles. Wait, the two of them are immediately sharing the small bottles
with their friends around them... will they demand more later?
Hey! Chrisia!
"I love my big brother who is sweet to his little sister."
You're saying that while scattering them to your friends, but there are no more
extras!
Well, actually there are... They've probably seen through
that too.
Once we were alone in a separate room, I told them part of
the concerns I held. Of course, I couldn't tell them everything.
- Regarding
the anxiety factors the Principality holds.
- Regarding
the possibility of confronting the Principality in the future.
- Regarding
the Principality's Magic Corps.
- Regarding
the content requested of the Headmaster.
"So, the disgruntled nobles of the Principality
will join forces with the restoration faction and engage in a two-front
strategy in conjunction with the Empire's invasion, is that it?"
No, Yuka-san, there are things I can't say, so I
didn't say that much... Ah, right!
She was present at the meeting with my brother and the Headmaster.
"So even if the Kingdom as a whole is superior
right now, we will be defeated individually by the Principality which
excels as a group, is that right?"
Chrisia, since
when did you start using such words? As a brother, I'm a bit happy about my
sister's growth.
"I'm surprised you're so sharp, but keep this strictly
between us. Understand that this is content you cannot tell even our respective
fathers. We must move internally to crush the enemy nation's intentions."
"So we should provide support from behind so that it's
easier for you, Brother, to rally the Royal Command Mages, right?"
"And to send trustworthy Mages, including noble
children, from the Academy to Takuhir-sama's side."
The two of them have also volunteered and become Royal
Command Mages.
Both Yuka and Chrisia have already completed
the Magic Tactics Research Course, but they seem to be involved as instructors
while still enrolled, so they have influence.
Furthermore, I heard Yuka was requested by Knight
Commander Gouras, who saw her activity in the previous team battle, to
serve as an instructor for the Royal Capital Knights and concurrently as
an advisor for the shooting range established by His Majesty's imperial order.
Good grief, how amazing are they...
According to Chrisia, Yuka and the three women
selected as her attendants (all participants in the previous top-tier
tournament individual and team battles) are driving the shooting boom at the Royal
Capital shooting range, and excellent female shooters are being born
explosively.
Because of that, a unit composed solely of women, though few
in number, was apparently born within the Royal Capital Knights' Third
Army...
My jaw dropped so hard it wouldn't close.
I successfully got their consent for the request, but
unfortunately, I understood very well that I absolutely cannot keep up with the
changes that happened after I left the Royal Capital.
However, it is no exaggeration to say that these things are
steadily beginning to move in the direction I desire. We are walking the steps
to change the future.
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