Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi

ush in Rafen seems to affect him greatly.
I’ll follow up and reassure him.

「It’s in the past now.
Don’t worry about it.」

Leopolt continues without addressing my concern.

「This critical piece of information could possibly tilt the tides of battle.」

「I see.
Don’t worry about being outwitted in Rafen.」

Leopolt continues.

「In addition, if Tebia is being established as a large home port, we can assume the enemy will be focusing heavily on their fleet in the future.
This is also important.」

「I know it was difficult to destroy each individually.
Getting tricked by the surprise attack was inevitable.
Don’t let it bother you.」

For some reason, Leopolt’s gaze seems to be getting sharper.
And I was even considerate enough to follow up.

「――this arrived from Lord Radhalde.
It’s a decree officially allowing for the cooperation with Federation reinforcements.」

Now that I think about it, Yakov and Ivanna were dispatched under the pretense of helping Goldonia.
Crap, I really screwed up by doing my own thing then.

「I get it.
Making mistakes is a natural part of life.
It’s nothing to―― mmh.」

Celia could not watch anymore and closed my mouth.

「Then let us wrap up this matter here―― Lord Hardlett, I have something to discuss with you privately.」

「Eh?」

How sudden again.

「There isn’t anybody else here besides us.」

The only people in this room are Leopolt, Celia and myself and Celia is a part of me so it’s basically just the two of us.

「No, I mean truly private.」

「Hey, I can’t chase Celia away……」

Leopolt’s gaze alternates between me and Celia.

「Privacy―― please.」

「……understood.」

Celia reluctantly answers in a soft voice and walks out of the room with a downward look.
Along the way, it’s sad to see her turn back a second and a third time.
My heart is going to break from all this guilt.

I sit unhappily on a chair after the two of us are left alone.

「Making the cute Celia sad like that.
I won’t forgive you if this is going to be a love confession.」

Leopolt doesn’t giggle at all.

「It is indeed a confession, though it’s about something even worse.
Or I guess, depending on Lord Hardlett’s mood, something better.」

「What does that mean?」

Leopolt checks the window, then closes up the keyhole of the door before sitting opposite to me.

「A South Yuguria spy came in contact with me.」

「Heeh.」

I pretend to give an interested reply as I drink some water.

So what?
“Switch sides, your social standing will be guaranteed if we win”―― is a line they commonly use.
They probably tried to lure not only me, but also the other commander-level personnel.
And I’m sure nobody took the bait.

「Lord Hardlett’s name is well-known even in the reaches of South Yuguria.
They offered unparalleled favorable conditions―― specifically, extensive rights of autonomy to rule over Trisnia and the South Central area of Goldonia, which includes Arkland.」

「That’s incredible.
I’ll give you a reward of 1 million gold for the achievement of letting me know.」

Conditions mean nothing.
If they have no intent to keep their promise, they can talk as big as they want.

Leopolt nods.

「They are aware we don’t trust them.
That’s why they said, if Lord Hardlett accepts an invitation to talk, they can send proclamations in the name of Empress Wilhelmina all throughout the country in advance.」

If Wilhelmina’s name is used to announce an alliance with me, they can’t simply offer empty promises.

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Otherwise, they would be making light of her words and that would create problems for her rule.

「By going that far, I guess they’re now standing at the base of negotiations for the first time.」

South Yuguria are engaged with too many betrayals and plots after all.

「Then, are you considering it?」

I refill my cup with the pitcher and drink more water.

「I’m not accepting.」

The time I took to pour my water was enough time for me to consider it.

「If you look solely at the conditions, you will be ascending to greater heights as a feudal lord.
Is the reason you don’t seem to care regardless because South Yuguria is ultimately lacking integrity? Or perhaps you are loyal to Goldonia?」

I take a brief moment to think this time.

「If I have to say…… it’s for my own self-satisfaction, an obsession, I guess.」

My final goal is to become king.
Whether I’m a noble of Goldonia or a self-governing lord of South Yuguria doesn’t change anything.

On the other hand, I’m not fine with doing absolutely anything in order to become king.

Loyalty to the country and all that isn’t very important to me, however Erich is a nice guy and he’s helped me out a bunch.
There’s also Agor and lots of others in the military who I’m close with.

I can’t obtain a country by stabbing my friends in the back and greet Lucy proudly.
In that case, it would be better if I declared independence of my current territory and appoint myself as king.
The reason why I haven’t done that is because I think it’s really uncool.

I want to feel unashamed when I reunite with the woman I love.
Taking a cowardly way out is not what I want to think of.

「An obsession?」

「Something like that.」

I don’t tell Leopolt that my final goal is a woman or he’ll probably abandon me.

In any case, South Yuguria is an enemy.
That doesn’t waver.

Leopolt goes into thought and peers into my eyes.
I wouldn’t mind if it was a lady, but I’m not going to fall for you if you do that.

「Are you satisfied with your current standing in Goldonia?」

「That’s another question out of nowhere.」

I thought this was only about the spy from South Yuguria.

All of a sudden, I feel the tension in the air.
I’m not sure what this is about, but this point must be extremely important to him.

I shouldn’t lie.
But I’m not obligated to answer.

I don’t say anything and simply stare back at Leopolt.
There was a probably smile on my face, a very small one.

「I understand.」

「I didn’t say anything.」

Leopolt gets up from his seat.
The tension dissipates.

「In the first place, turning coat after coming this far is out of the question.
Even if they guarantee your status, they could easily force an interpretation of what they said after the war and dismantle what they promised.」

「Then why did you ask? Are you mocking me?」

I pick up on what Leopolt was trying to do as I complain.
Everything was for the sake of this final question, nothing else mattered.

And he was satisfied with my answer―― well, he was satisfied with my silence, I guess.
Thinking back, it’s kind of gross that Leopolt and I could communicate with each other through eye contact.

「I also confirmed Lord Hardlett had the minimum level of intelligence.」

Damn him, it’s annoying how he says it with no expression.

「You don’t have to say anything unnecessary.
Besides, why did the spy come to you if they wanted to entice me to betray Goldonia? Isn’t that strange?」

「That just shows how excellent the enemy’s information network is.」

「What’s that supposed to mean?」

Wait, did Leopolt just smile…… no, it must be my imagination.
He’s wearing his usual iron mask.
Anyways, the confidential talks are over.

After I give permission to come in, Celia enters partially in a huff and clings to my side.

「Good, everything’s fine.」

Why did she check whether my clothes were disheveled?

「Regardless, I’m sure the spy will come again.
If Lord Hardlett changes sides, the war will be over.
From what I’ve seen so far, Empress Wilhelmina isn’t a person who chooses her methods as long as her objective is achieved.」

「I won’t be lured by sweet temptations.」

「That’s Aegir-sama for you!」

I put my hand under my chin and strike a cool pose.

「Lord Hardlett’s weakness is widely known by enemy and ally alike.
If the Empress overs her own body in exchange――」

「Wilhelmina’s body……you said?」

I recall the beauty of Wilhelmina that I once saw before.

Her body lays naked on the bed…… her long black hair spread out and her slender frame trembling slightly as she waits for me.
The moment we become one, her green eyes that draw me in wavers and her pale neck bends back――

“Become…… my ally, please.”

「Nuu……」

「You’re already starting to think about it!? Aegir-sama, please come back! This is all Leopolt-san’s fault!」

Celia shakes me back to reality and blames Leopolt.

Realistically speaking, there is no way a single person can infiltrate an enemy nation during war, so he can rest assured.

「Err, is the little play over?」

The troublesome-sounding voice is Tristan.

「What are you whining about? If you’re a commander, hold yourself with more dignity!」

Ivanna, who has become a mother, is also here.

Yakov is here with a rather refreshed face.

「Let us begin the strategy meeting regarding the results of the scouting.」

The thorough Leopolt aligns the documents like he usually does.

「Just the other day, coordination with the Military Commissioner has also been completed.」

I didn’t hear about anything.
Seriously, you need to stop.

I didn’t hear about anything, so I couldn’t do anything, but the strategy meeting proceeds without a hitch.

The first stage of the strategy involves leaving all of the enemy on land to Erich’s Royal army, while we aim to defeat the enemy fleet.
Because the difference in the sizes of our fleets is so large, Ivanna had to come up with a scheme besides running straight at them.
Once completed, the enemy western army will be isolated on the west coast area and can be left alone without being annihilated.

In the second stage, we regroup with Erich and work together, along with support from the fleet, to defeat the enemy central army.
Apparently, this is the time when the recruits of both sides start gathering and it’s predicted that a large scale fight will unfold with battles on multiple fronts going on simultaneously.

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Then the third stage is split into two parts.
In the case we defeat the enemy, we’ll connect Arkland, Trisnia and the major cities, which will allow us to take back towns and villages one by one.

However, if the enemy army fully collapses in the process, we’ll conduct a forced march straight to the south centered around the Royal army, where we can also aim for Tortoent and the city state Meldora.

If we take back Trisnia, we can recover most of the wetlands, and Tortoent is an extremely important city to the enemy.
If this place falls, it’s safe to say the battle will turn.

「I understand the western strategy, but what about the east? Myla should only have the recruits.」

When I interrupt, Tristan answers me.

「There won’t be reinforcements.
Goldonia is already stretching out as thin as they can.
They don’t have anything to spare when they have to maintain the defense line in the capital.」

Leopolt continues the point.

「But the same applies to the enemy.
All the elite soldiers have been directed toward the capital, and only the bare minimum of recruits can be sent to the east.
Lady Hyuutia has also sent notice of the war situation……」

Like I said before, why does the communication go to you and not me?

「Lady Hyuutia is steadily recapturing the territory.
Although the enemy army sporadically counterattacks, the fight eventually results in victory for her.」

「That person’s tactics are excessively cautious after all.
She might not have the power to overturn the entire battle, but she doesn’t show any openings for the enemy to exploit.
Those kind of people are precious.
Oww, what are you doing!? I’m going to end up like Adolph-san!」

I pull out one strand of hair from the cocky Tristan…… no, I guess it’s more like ten strands.

「The point is, Lady Hyuutia is steadily progressing as planned, while not leaving the range of the main front.
Besides that, is there anything else?」

When Leopolt concludes, Yakov, who kept silent until now, raises his hand.

「I have one, although it doesn’t have anything to do with the strategy, it is important for leadership.」

「That’s fine.」

Yakov stands up when urged by Leopolt.

「The previous reconnaissance operation was drawn up by you, right?」

「Indeed.」

Yakov glares at Leopolt and his tone becomes harsher.

「Rumors are spreading among the soldiers that returning home from that operation was difficult from the start.
The rescue barely made it in time and it was because the general…… commander was there, that reinforcements were dispatched reluctantly.
I know those are just rumors, but if it’s false, I want you to deny it clearly.」

That’s right, the 105th division were up in arms.
How will Leopolt respond?

「It is true.
Although survival was intended, there were plenty of chances for total annihilation.
If Lord Hardlett wasn’t there, the combat ships would not have been discovered..」

「Hmp, treating a group of thugs like sacrificial pawns is generous.」

There it is.
Leopolt is that kind of guy.
Ivanna said something meaner though.

「――bastard!」

Yakov stands and charges at Leopolt.
He’s not going after Ivanna after all.
He’s scared of her.

If they quarrel, the number of troublesome things to deal with will increase.

「Don’t fight.
Use your words.」

When I calmly speak from my seat, Yakov drops himself angrily back onto his chair.

「We’re used to being treated like sacrificial pawns.
But there is no trust between us.
No soldier will die obediently for someone unfamiliar!」

「Doing something about that is your job.
Is that all you have to say?」

In the end, Yakov exited the room furiously.

「Rumors…… huh? Is it fine to leave them alone?」

Celia asks worriedly.

「It’s too late already.
The news has circulated throughout the 105th army corps.」

Tristan states jadedly.

Leopolt is not fazed at all.

「It’s not a problem.
If I was commander, the distrust would be an issue, but as long as their confidence in Lord Hardlett doesn’t waver, there should not be any impact on leadership.」

He’s that kind of guy.

I’ll leave Leopolt and attend to Yakov later.

「Alright, let’s end the meeting――」

「Wait.」

The most important suggestion to me is still yet to be discussed.

「Wah! What is it?」

I grab Celia and put her on my lap.

「Celia has shown remarkable quick wits during the operation.」

When I pat her head as I praise her, she goes soft.

「I have something to bring up at the same time.
Of course, the one who made the final decision was me.」

Celia tenses up on my lap and her hair stands on end.

「But grasping the state of the enemy fleet was due to Celia’s advice.」

Celia sticks out her chest proudly.

「To fully utilize her talent, I want to permanently entrust a special unit ―― of 1000 to her!」

「Eeeeh!?」

「……」

「Ahaha.」

「Stupid……」

All four of them have their own reactions while I loudly declare the formation of Celia’s squad.

Protagonist: Aegir Hardlett.
25 years old.
Summer.
Status: Goldonia Kingdom Margrave.
Great Feudal Lord of Eastern Area.
Mountain Legend.
Friend of the Dwarves.
Friend of the King of Aless.
Dragon Slayer Hero.
Elf Mediator.
Sex King of White City.

Subordinates:
Celia (squad captain), Myla (has won), Irijina (sleeping), Luna (commander), Sekrit (dead drunk)
Leopolt (staff officer), Tristan (staff officer), Gido (escort unit), Yakov (injured, really angry), Brynhildr (vampire, free), Ivanna (fleet commander, shocked), Annette (princess of the 105)

Army:
Under Protagonist: 42 000

Escort Unit: 120
Infantry: 11 230
Cavalry: 1200
Archers: 1300
Cannoneers: 450
Bow Cavalry: 8700

Aless Soldiers: 14 000
105 Army Corps: 4940
Cannons: 60, Large Cannons: 30, Dwarven Cannons: 16, Field Artillery: 20, Chariots: 50

Battleships: 1, Large Combat Ships: 5, Small Combat Ships: 20, Transport Ships: 20

Stationed in Port City, Patena

Enemy Force: Confirmed
Western Army: Approx.
50 000, Magrado Local Army: Several Tens of Thousands
Fleet Stationed in Tebia: (Battleships: 3.
Large Combat Ships: 10, Medium Combat Ships: 50, Small Combat Ships: Approx.
100)

Assets: 0 gold
Sexual Partners: 783, children who have been born: 69 + 565