Chapter 3
*Unedited*
Noon, Day 3rd, 11th Month, the Year 2813, Western continent calendar .
On that day, The Royal Palace at the royal capital city of Pireaus was filled with heavy air .
The senior bureaucrats ran through the relevant department with a pale face, and the military leaders have been forced to attend meetings . The Knights were waiting in their predetermined dormitory without anyone dared to take an off-duty, they were ordered to prepare their weapons .
Within the royal palace, people moving around in hurry .
However, most of them were people performed what they were ordered to do .
As a matter of fact, only a limited number of people knew the situation .
Although it can be said that not all of them were able to grasp accurately the current situation .
Some people who passed a certain room within the royal castle they gazed at a certain room's door for a moment with a tense expression, then they hurriedly left the place .
It was a room in the royal palace closed with a thick iron door . . .
"I see . . . I understand that . . . But, It is impossible . . . "
A deep sigh leaked from Lupis .
Meltina's report had made her heart turn gloomy . -
Or rather, anxiety and sorrow were floating on the faces of the people gathered in this room .
Inside the room, there were Lupis and his two aides, Meltina and Mikhail . Elena who was responsible for the military affairs . Earl Bergstone and other influential nobles from civil servant department .
"But your majesty . . . This cannot be ignored . . . "
"I know . . . But, do you think there's such power left in this country to perform it?"
Lupis answered Meltina's words with a tone of resignation .
Even Lupis understood that she cannot leave this matter alone .
In fact, Lupis convinced that this problem needs an absolute attention .
Despite her drawback of being easily discouraged, she was not someone incompetent .
And as a royal family member, she had received the highest education money can afford .
She was someone who could see reality as it was when she did not lose her calm .
From her point of view, the current problem had brought the Kingdom of Rozeria into a state of dilemma .
"This is definitely impossible . . . Especially when we need to pay more extra attention to the nobles in our countries . . . But then . . . "
"But then, we can't ignore this request either . . . Regardless of the civil war, nearly one year had passed . . . Of course, from the viewpoint of reconstructing national strength, it will take more time, but we cannot use that as an excuse . . . "
Following Meltina's frustrated words, Earl Bergstone opened his mouth .
His gaze was directed toward the two letters on the desk .
After the civil war ended, for his merits he had been given an important post due to his high political and governance capability .
Especially, he had good sense when it comes to the political situation and power balance between countries .
From his point of view, the challenge brought to this country this time was some kind of an invitation into an endless labyrinth without any way out .
(No matter which choice we make, the future of this country is . . . )
Such thought appeared inside his mind .
Two letters were presented in front of Lupis .
One was a letter that was being sent frequently from the Kingdom of Zalda since the war with Ortomea Empire started, it was a request for reinforcement sent by Julianus .
The content of the letters was the same with the others that had been sent since the Rozeria civil war ended .
The Zalda Kingdom that was being defeated by the Ortomea Empire during Notiz plain battle had lost most of their territory .
In order to break through the predicament, it was obvious for the Zalda Kingdom to seek reinforcements from the Rozeria Kingdom and the Mist Kingdom .
Since it was impossible for the Zalda Kingdom alone to fight against Ortomea Empire who had dominated the central part of the western continent .
And yet even with that dominance . The Ortomea Empire still could be defeated if the three countries, namely, Rozeria, Zalda, and Mist bend together .
In fact, together, they had managed to prevent Ortomea Empire invasion in the past .
Although they did it not because of friendship or something such as chivalrous spirits .
They simply did it because it was necessary for their survival .
If the buffer country called Zalda disappeared, Rozeria would suffer direct invasion .
Thus, it can be said that the other two countries sent their reinforcement to the Zalda Kingdom because of their own interest .
However, for a whole year now, Lupis had declined to sent reinforcement on the pretext that her country just recovered from a civil war, and she needed time to recover her country strength .
Or rather, the truth was that she could not dispatch soldiers even if she wanted to .
As a result of getting rid General Hodram who held the military power for many years, reorganization of the chivalric order was put in motion, and as a result of that, significant military strength was reduced .
(As expected, we should've eliminated Duke Gerhardt back then . . . Ah I forgot, he is a Viscount now . . . Anyway, it does not matter for Gerhard even if his rank dropped . In fact, he had taken up the situation quite plainly . . . )
Such thought appeared inside Earl Bergstone mind .
In actuality, despite he got his rank lowered, from Duke to Viscount, Gerhardt influence on the nobles did not disappear .
In fact, because princess Ladine was officially recognized as royalty, the aristocrats that stand against Lupis began to form a solid unity .
Because Lupis wanted to create her own power structure, many nobles were being forced out of their position since the civil war ended .
Even if it was reasonable in her eyes to cut off people who took Gerhardt side, for those who were being cut off, they did not understand that .
Nevertheless, if Gerhardt had died, even if they felt dissatisfied, they won't be able to unite .
With Gerhardt ability, and Ladine name as a cause .
They managed to block Lupis path at every turn .
(Even if we sacrifice Mikhail Banashu . . . Ah I guess it was too late even if I think of this huh . . . ??)
Earl Bergstone directed his gaze at Mikhail who was silent since a while ago .
That was his regret .
They should have managed to achieved complete victory back then .
If only, at that time, they did not accept Gerhardt capitulation .
(Having no other option aside, Mikoshiba-dono should have thought of something back then . . . )
Earl Bergstone also understood what had happened back then .
He himself had participated in the conference and he also received a proper explanation from Elena after that . -
When he understood it, he thought that it cannot be helped .
But, even under such circumstance, he ended up holding a small anger against Mikoshiba Ryouma who let Lupis fell under Gerhardt mercy without being able to argue back .
Or at least, in the Earl's point of view, if Lupis did not let Gerhardt getaway, Ladine would get executed, and half of Rozeria Kingdom's problem would have been solved .
And as a further result of that act, even if it was only superficially, those who did not like Lupis would still follow her .
If that happens, they should be able to dispatch soldiers to Zalda .
"There's also another big problem, that is the trend of movement within the Mist Kingdom . Their reinforcements are already close to our border, and as soon as we approve their passage, they will immediately be able to cross . . . And my country cannot refuse this . . . If we refuse this one, we will have to fight against the Mist Kingdom . If that happens, it would lessen the possibility of the Zalda Kingdom survival . . . "
Bergstone's words caused the air within the room grew heavier .
He said those words while looking at the second letter . -
The Mist Kingdom definitely won't pull back from this .
Since if they abandoned Zalda kingdom, the Ortomea Empire army would run through the Eastern countries like an avalanche . -
In reality, if the three countries fought individually, there won't be any chance of winning .
All three countries individual strength was far smaller compared to Ortomea Empire .
With how Rozeria had been acted up all this time, one could say that both countries have been patient in dealing with Rozeria .
"I have no choice but to sent reinforcement huh? . . . "
Lupis murmured those words while shaking her head .
There was no other option . -
"The question now is how many troops we can send, but from the perspective of our current domestic situation, dispatching one order of knight is all we can do . "
Disappointment spread across the room when they heard Meltina's words .
"2,500 . . . "
Earl Bergston spoke on behalf everyone's feeling in the room .
The number was too small to be called reinforcement .
At least they should send 5,000 .
10,000 should be the minimum looking at the current situation .
Of course, it did not mean one had to use the knights under the kingdom direct control alone, but cooperation from the nobles seemed to be unlikely right now . -
Everyone felt restless and air of anxiety covered the entire Rozeria Kingdom . Right now, all of the people anticipated and paid more attention to Gerhardt movement .
In this case, faction was not the problem .
Even Earl Bergstone and Earl Zeref who held the position close to the queen could not muster any soldiers .
Since if civil war broke out once again while they were being dispatched to another country, their noble territory would turn into ashes .
With such domestic situation within the Rozeria Kingdom, they could not afford to participate other country's war .
"The nobles could not move . We might conscript commoners but . . . I honestly think the number won't be big enough . . . Of course, we can threaten them to join but . . . "
"By doing that, they will only pull our legs instead . . . "
Hearing Meltina's suggestion, Lupis shook her head in disagreement .
If they conscript soldiers, they could meet the numbers they needed .
In fact, they could easily recruit 20,000 or 30,000 men .
Even 100,000 was possible .
However, one could not clearly expect them to be a proper fighting force .
And on the contrary, they might be ended up as a baggage instead . -
That was because this war was not invasion war .
If this was an invasion war, people would be willing to fight for their country .
Because they would be allowed to loot villages, or even to rape women .
While the enemy captured citizen can be sold as slaves . -
There were certain sufficient merits enough to bet one own life .
However, this war was a reinforcement to help another country .
They could not loot or assault the people they defended .
If they were allowed to do such thing, then it won't be counted as helping .
Certainly, food, clothing, and shelter were guaranteed, but that was only the minimum .
It might change if they managed to capture the enemy's commander during the war, but such fortune should not be expected .
They would only get paid a small amount of gold .
With such amount, one could say it was not enough to bet one own life for it .
That's why, conscripting the commoners would only cause the soldiers' morale ended up low, while also increasing the troubles as well .
And the scariest thing was that those 'commoners turned into soldiers' might accidentally attack Zalda citizen out of frustration .
Even if it was a short-term operation, it would be hard to sent reinforcement compiled of conscripted soldiers .
"There is no other choice but to sent commanders whom the other two countries could accept . "
Everyone nodded toward Earl Zereff words .
They absolutely could not lose .
If Zalda ended up being defeated here, Ortomea Empire would turn their fangs toward the Rozeria Kingdom .
Thus, this war was something that Zalda, Mist, and Rozeria could not afford to lose .
But if Rozeria only sent small reinforcement, they might not be regarded contributing to the victory .
In fact, for such lack of support, the two other countries might demand big concession in term of trades instead .
"I will go . . . "
Elena finally opened her mouth . -
And hearing what she said, everyone fell in silence .
"Are you sure? Elena?"
Finally, Lupis asked for confirmation .
On her face, a sense of guilt can be seen .
In a sense, it was natural for her to feel that way .
Since she could only give her 2,500 men to command as reinforcement .
Furthermore, this was not only a matter of reinforcement . They needed to persuade the other two countries when it comes to war merits later .
To put it bluntly, Elena was about to receive the short end of the stick .
"Of course, your majesty . "
Inside Elena's heart who nodded her head, strong will to fight can be felt .
Since she realizes that there was no other choice to save the Rozeria Kingdom .
Even when it comes to Lupis closest associate, Meltina or Mikhail, they both have not yet made their name known around the neighborhood countries .
No one would be convinced that Rozeria had sent reinforcement if these two only bring 2,500 soldiers .
It was obvious that friction would happen .
In that respect, by sending [Rozeria's white goddess of war], along with the small reinforcement, it should have been enough to convince the other two countries that they were truly a reinforcement .
"In that case, since Elena-sama would be the commander-in-chief, there should be another person who needs to act as her adjutant . "
Everyone nodded hearing Meltina's words .
"Indeed that is true . But, who are we going to send as her adjutant, is there anyone competent enough for the job? Should Mikhail-dono go? Or Meltina-dono?"
Earl Zereff question was natural .
In the present Rozeria Kingdom, only a small amount of military official present .
Not only that, those two people had work which substitute could not do .
And once they dispatched as a reinforcement, it would be six months later until they returned to Rozeria . While depending on the war situation, it might actually take years for them to come back .
Thus, they could not afford to sent them .
However, they also could not let Elena go by herself to a battlefield that equal to a suicide mission either .
Everyone fell silent, and a short time later, a man broke the silence .
"How about we asked Mikoshiba-dono to go?"
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login