Chapter 228
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
The Beginning of the Final Year
Translator : PolterGlast
At long last, this year has arrived. It is no exaggeration
to say that everything in my third life has been accumulated for this very
year.
Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, and many comrades and
citizens. Many lives that would have originally been lost at this point have
been saved and are now my support.
And new encounters not present in the previous history, new
powers, and the people who support them. Welcoming the New Year's banquet, I
first thought of these things and immersed myself in deep emotion once again.
Come to think of it, lately, I feel like I've been running
at full speed every day without even the luxury of thinking about anything. Of
course, that is for the three things needed to survive the final battle.
- Strengthening
the defense of the Demon Territory Count's domain, and replenishing
and training soldiers.
- Making
the Magic Knights a combat-ready force and strengthening the 2,000
archers.
- Continuing
to strengthen the economic power that supports defense.
Everything is consolidated into these.
Honestly, last year we held the Harvest Festival grandly as
usual, but we did not hold the Supreme Tournament. Partly because we had
notified of the postponement in advance, but there were various responses and
preparations, and we didn't have the labor to spare for it. Fortunately, there
were no complaints from the citizens.
The expiration of the armistice agreement with the Empire, and the fact that we are united
in advancing countermeasures against it, was already a known fact to the
citizens. And there was no eruption of anxiety or major confusion regarding
that.
The trust in the『Impregnable
Teigoon』from the consecutive victories until
now, and the daily improvement of the defense posture in Aegis and Ishtar,
also have a significant influence.
Conversely, volunteers visiting the reception office saying『I want to protect this land』are gathering more than expected. While spending such days,
time passed in the blink of an eye, and finally, the new year dawned.
And, for the year-end and New Year holidays, I gave leave to
related parties. I granted it equally to the Magic Knights and archers
who were conducting expedition training in Ishtar, and also permitted
temporary return to the Royal Capital and various places.
We also returned to Teigoon once and are
participating in the customary New Year's banquet, but... There were unexpected
participants.
"Her Highness Clarice, was it really alright not
to return to the Royal Palace? I think His Majesty must be feeling
lonely..."
"I'm fed up with stiff banquets at the Royal Palace.
This one is『unreserved』, right? It's very fun. I want to ask Father to let me
participate here every year."
"..."
I don't know what this tomboy princess liked, but she
continued to stay in Teigoon even during the holidays. She remained
completely oblivious to the fact that, thanks to her, I received an earful from
every concerned party and had a hard time.
The same applied to Chrisia, who
accompanied Her Highness, along with several other noble young ladies..
Originally, the young ladies who gathered admiring Yuka,
the Count's daughter who was active on the battlefield despite being a woman,
have had their orientation greatly changed by life at the academy in the Royal
Capital, despite being raised as sheltered young ladies.
Each of them volunteered as a Royal Command Mage as a
Mage exercising bloodline magic, and in terms of magic combat alone,
they have reached a point where one can expect activity surpassing men.
Why are the women in this country so strong-willed...?
And Yuka has been promoted to Baron for her achievements
leading to the formation of the Magic Knights and as an attendant to Her
Highness Clarice, and even Chrisia has been invested as an
Associate Baron.
They, and the princesses surrounding Her Highness, welcomed
the New Year in Teigoon without giving a second thought to the pleas
from their parents' homes.
Needless to say, I had to hold my head in my hands due to
various petitions, requests, and letters mixed with complaints arriving from
each family asking for mediation for their daughters who wouldn't return even
for the New Year.
"Brother, when I graduate from the academy, I intend to
live in Teigoon."
"Huh? Such a thing... Aren't you going to help with the
Count's domain's internal affairs?"
"Regarding the academy, I have already acquired graduation
credits following the example of Mary-san and Sasha-san. So,
graduation is decided. Besides, Mother has told me that taking the opportunity
of me becoming an Associate Baron, she would entrust the old territory
including Est to me. Teigoon is close, and even if I'm not in Est,
I can ask for guidance directly from Miseri-oneesama. Besides..."
"Chrisia, does Father know about that..."
"Of course he doesn't."
Seeing Chrisia with a carefree smile saying that, the
figure of Father who would be in tears floated before my eyes.
Father and the others have moved the center of the territory
from Est to a new place far north, partly due to the governance of the
new territory.
Well, I know the other reason why Chrisia wants to be
in Teigoon. My always cute little sister, I thought she was still young,
but she turns 18 this year and is already a young woman of marriageable age.
She seems to think I haven't noticed, but frankly, it's
obvious. Surely she wants to be even a little close to him whom she met in Ishtar.
Well, even as a brother, I don't mind entrusting Chrisia
to him.
I called him over, who was chatting with the Commander and Christoph
at the next table. And after exchanging a few words, I moved to the planned
action.
"Now then, let's leave this to the young ones, and I
shall retire. Foffoffo."
"O-Oh, Brother!"
Leaving Chrisia flustered and blushing bright red, I
moved tables.
Her Highness Clarice has already moved to another
place surrounded by Yuka and other noble young ladies. Her Highness will
probably be fine left to them from here on.
Now, you two take your time and enjoy a healthy conversation
between a man and a woman.
"Is it alright? You slipped out of the precious flower
garden."
"Commander, it's fine. It seems I'm more comfortable
here."
"Even so, we've finally come this far."
"Yes, I believe this is all thanks to the support of
the Commander and everyone."
"I never dreamed that I, who was a wanderer over ten
years ago, would now be a Baron leading 2,000 cavalry."
No, originally the Commander should have become a Corps
Commander leading tens of thousands of troops and uniting the generals of the Griffonia Empire, so from my
perspective knowing that, there is a slightly shameful feeling.
"But, the mercenary corps has really grown too. When I
first met you, Commander, there were 30 people, but including those being
incorporated into the Frontier Knights, it has now become the Kingdom's
largest mercenary corps holding over 500 people."
"Hahaha, this is also thanks to someone. I just
accompanied the path that person advanced on. The total military force of the Demon
Territory Count's domain is 4,600; it can't be called sufficient yet, but
we should be able to fight reasonably well."
Yes, our troop
numbers have finally reached this level. The garrison force—comprising both
professional and part-time soldiers—is still 200 men short of the planned quota
of 800, but it currently stands at 600. When combined with the 1,000
Longbowmen, 200 Farmer-Soldiers, and 200 full-time members of the Mercenary
Corps, that makes 2,000 men. Adding to this the 600 men selected from the
Vigilante Corps to serve as combat personnel during defensive operations, along
with the Frontier Knights, our total
military strength has risen to 4,600 men.
And the garrison army continues to increase daily, so it
will likely increase a little more by the start of the war.
Demon Territory Count Domain
Military Situation
- Frontier
Knights Branch: 2,000 cavalry
- Demon
Territory Count Domain Garrison:
600
- Longbowmen: 1,000
- Farmer-Soldiers: 200
- Mercenary
Corps: 200
- Armed
Vigilante Corps: 600
- Total: 4,600
We will confront the Empire's
left wing unit with 6,500 troops, adding the 2,500 troops of neighboring lords
to the 4,000 deployable to the front lines.
"With the two of you here together, it seems as though
flowers have blossomed in this war council. May I intrude?"
"Yes, Father-in-law, please do. Even so, I am impressed
by your skill in gathering a total force of 2,000, and 1,500 as dispatched
forces in this short period."
Count Gorman also entered the circle of conversation.
Come to think of it, was the first time I conversed with the Count the night of
the First Supreme Tournament? Thinking about it now, it's nostalgic. Or rather,
at that time I couldn't even imagine this situation.
" Oh, think nothing of it. I merely wished to offer
even a small amount of assistance to the son-in-law I personally selected, and
to my daughter. Even so, I was no match for the Demon Territory Count
who gathered 4,000 frontline troops in this short period. As expected, your
skill always goes above my imagination. I was just admiring that."
Count Gorman laughed as he said this. To be
honest, considering he is already busy enough with the management of his new
territory, I found myself wondering how on earth he managed to attend this
banquet. That was my initial thought when I received the advance notice of his
visit.
As it turns
out, Count Gorman held the New
Year's banquet in his own domain spanning from the end of the year through the
beginning of the new one, and then reportedly hastened here to attend our
banquet, which takes place three days into the new year. Historically, the
schedule for the New Year's banquet in Teigoon
has been shifted to be slightly later than usual, specifically to avoid
clashing with the banquet in Est. It seems he utilized that well to
participate.
"This year my daughter (Yuka) isn't there, so
it's a bit lonely..."
Seeing the Count say that and smile shyly, thinking that if
Father or those from the Margrave camp were here, they would surely be
astonished, I almost burst out laughing.
Neighboring Lords Dispatched Forces
- Count
Gorman: 1,500 (of which 300 dispatched to Frontier Knights)
- Count
Solis: 1,200 (of which 300 dispatched to Frontier Knights)
- Viscount
Cornell: 550 (of which 150 dispatched to Frontier Knights)
- Note: Actual dispatched force total 2,500 (Excluding
Frontier Knights dispatch portion)
"By the way, Demon Territory Count, how is the
completion of the three secret weapons you spoke of before?"
"Yes, of the two that received the Count's assistance,
one is complete and operation is on track. This has been implemented in the
Western Sector, Magic Knights."
"Hoh? That is amazing. I don't understand the principle
well, but will it become a shield to protect Her Highness?"
"Regarding the first weapon, mastery by the Sound
Mages entrusted to us is complete, and they are now active as instructors
for the Magic Knights. This is planned to be utilized on the Southern
Front, Western Front, and Northern Front."
"Hahaha, that is reliable."
"Regarding the second weapon, it is also proceeding
smoothly thanks to Father-in-law's assistance. The Magic Knights'
operation is also somehow taking shape."
"Hoh? It is a mechanism I don't understand well, but...
I am happy it is useful."
"However, the third one is facing difficulties. If
successful, it would astonish the enemy army, but... However, this could also
become a spear pointed at ourselves. So development is being done carefully,
and its use in actual combat will likely be in limited situations."
"Indeed, if it brings effects equivalent to a Mage
even without Mages, it is a frightening story..."
"Yes, I intend to operate it carefully. If development
makes it in time, that is... By the way, regarding the second one, do you know
any trustworthy Lightning Mages, Count? If possible, I would like to
keep a few on the Southern Front as well."
"Fumu... Lightning Mage, is it? It's rare in the
Kingdom's southern frontier, and an attribute with few numbers. However, I hear
there are a reasonable number in the center. Many are bloodline Mages,
but when it comes to trustworthy ones, the number becomes somewhat limited.
Viscount Kyrias family's bloodline magic is Lightning attribute,
but..."
"Our left wing camp is already short on manpower.
Therefore, I want to refrain from asking Viscount Kyrias for assistance.
However, I am trying to invite from elsewhere, but I have no connections and am
struggling somewhat."
"Understood. We shall try asking around as well."
At this point, none of us even imagined that this
conversation would develop in an unexpected direction later.
Thus the fateful year began, and the Kyle Kingdom was
to face its greatest crisis.
We had no luxury to celebrate the New Year thoroughly after
that.
Early in the New Year, there was the Fifth Regular
Conference in the Royal Capital, and after that, we turned back and
continued training in Ishtar. We are still a long way from turning the Magic Knights into a viable fighting
force.
We have little time left, and we must win the battle against
the remaining time.
Kyle Year 512 Beginning of Year
Budget Balance
Personal Owned Gold Coins
- Carried
Over from Previous Year:
14,500
- Period
Income: 1,000 (Personal sales,
others)
- Period
Expenditure: ▲4,500 (Royal Capital
stay expenses, each Mage dispatch cost, church countermeasure cost,
others)
- Balance: Approx. 11,000 Gold Coins
Territory Owned Gold Coins
- Carried
Over from Previous Year:
208,300
- Development
Expenditure: ▲54,000
- Expense
Expenditure: ▲87,000 (All employee labor
costs, expenses)
- Others: ▲500
- Manufacturing
Outsourcing Cost: ▲30,000 (Ordering arms etc.)
- Magic
Knights Expenses: ▲7,500
- Sales
Revenue: 40,000 (Arms)
- Temporary
Revenue: 5,000 (Land sales etc.)
- Temporary
Revenue: 3,000 (Empire trade related)
- Temporary
Revenue: 2,000 (Event income)
- Sales
Profit: 4,000 (Monster materials
etc.)
- Merchandise
Revenue: 19,000 (Honey, sugar, others)
- Gold
Mine Grant: 6,000 (Rights money from
Kingdom)
- Magic
Knights Consignment Fee:
9,000 (Training, accommodation etc. consignment fee)
- Territory
Tax Revenue etc.: 65,000
- Tax revenue includes poll tax, trade tax, rent,
commodity exchange sales profit, public ranch sales profit, agricultural
products, mine revenue, etc.
- Balance: Approx. 182,300 Gold Coins
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