Chapter 59：Boredom

"Ahhhh... George... so we meet again. Please take a seat. Care for a drink?"

"It would be a pleasure."

A brief moment of silence passed as George and Michelle took their seat opposite each other within the parlour of Michelle's private mansion. It was only after they had finished their drinks did they finally begin their conversation. Out of the two, it was Michelle who spoke first.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of having the taxmonger visit me for a second time?"

"Tch."

George could not help clicking his tongue in irritation as soon as Michelle referred to him with that distasteful moniker. However, like the last meeting, Michelle was technically his superior and as such he needed to show respect to her, no matter how much he actually hated it inside.

The only difference between this meeting and their first meeting is that George now has some experience in dealing with this enigmatic noble lady. After all, how could he possibly forget those crazed eyes she displayed when she referred to life as a 'mere game.'

Although George was aware of Michelle's inlying insanity, she still held the favour of the Breetish king and was a royal admiral, with a significant portion of the royal navy under her sway. If George wanted to get out of this alive, he would need to play his cards carefully.

In a calm composed manner, George answered Michelle's question.

"Once again, I've arrived on behalf of the king. He wanted me to make you aware that he appreciates your efforts and that he is planning to reward you sometime in the near future. However, he also has something that he wants ask of you."

A look of slight irritation appeared on Michelle's face when she responded.

"Again? What is it this time?"

With a sarcastic voice, Michelle made George aware of her concerns.

"Doesn't he realise that being forced to keep the entire Panish navy at bay with only a mere fraction of the Breetish fleet is already taxing enough? Or does he feel that I'm not working hard enough? After all, if it's not like the Paniards will be free to invade Breeton if I fail or anything."

In response to Michelle's cynical response that had clear undertones of insolence, George could only do nothing but continue to keep his calm composure. In a dignified manner, George made his reply to Michelle.

"That... is none of my concern. However, you will be glad to hear that you may relax, the only thing his majesty currently wishes from you is your opinion and counsel for another matter."

"Oh? Is that so?"

When Michelle heard George's response, she once again put a fake-pouting expression like she did in their last meeting.

"Now instead of feeling used and overworked, now I just feel under-appreciated."

George was astonished by Michelle's response. However, Michelle spoke up before he could even say anything.

"You can relax as well I'm just joking. I find that it helps to release my stress every now and then. Now, what is this matter that is so important that his majesty had to send you all the way from Landon to my humble abode just to obtain my 'counsel?'"

Seeing that there was no point in reprimanding the young royal admiral, George sighed solemnly before he started to explain the reason behind this second meeting.

"It's about the most recent crus-"

"We don't need to concern ourselves about it."

George was interrupted by Michelle before he could even finish his sentence. With a somewhat surprised voice, George questioned Michelle's answer.

"Why do you say that?"

Michelle only shrugged slightly in response before answering in a slightly sarcastic voice.

"Isn't it obvious? There's no doubt that the Imperium of Drussia will clean up that mess long before we can even send reinforcements, let alone let themselves get taken over by that squabble."

With glazed eyes Michelle calmly yet boredly explained her point of view.

"Sure there may be a 250,000 man strong crusade bearing down on the Drussian capital but if I ask how organised and coordinated they are, what would you say?"

Surprised by how the conversation was turning, hints of surprise leaked in George's voice as he spoke.

"Well... I would say that they are no-"

"Not very organised right? Like the more recent crusades, this crusade consists of soldiers from virtually every katholic kingdom in the Eurrelpeon continent. Apart from the Porrish who requested for the crusade, there are also Paniards, Ostrians, Fench and Hongarians, just to name a few."

Once again, Michelle spoke in a condescending tone that was a mixture of boredom and sarcasm as she explained her thoughts to George.

"Typically this can be offset by a military genius or even a competent commander but with that buffoon designated as the crusade's leader, I'm surprised they didn't bumble themselves to their deaths before they could even cross the border."

"If that is so, then why did the church even designate Stefanie as the leader of the crusade? I would understand for political reasons because it is her country after all but the Pope could have appointed a bishop as the head with Stefanie as the second. Why risk things with Stefanie?"

Michelle only shrugged when she responded to George.

"How should I know? Or more importantly, why should I care? For all I know, the katholic church could just be testing the Imperium of Drussia. While it is lead by a buffoon it would still take a military genius to come up on top against that crusade. It is still a 250,000 man strong crusade after all."

"You would really believe that the Church would waste 250,000 lives on a 'test?'"

When Michelle heard George's reply, she laughed for a few short moments before she responded.

"I also believed that supporting a tiny rebel state against two powerful kingdoms, one of which was the most powerful in the world mind you, would lead to the birth of one of the most powerful empires to date? But what do I know? I might just be getting lucky on my guesses."

George could not help silently gritting his teeth behind his calm smile in response to Michelle's mockingly sarcastic reply. Nevertheless, he decided to allow Michelle to continue speaking.

"Besides, it's not like the annihilation of that crusade will cost the Church too much. Have you ever heard of 'birds of a feather flock together?'"

Although George opened his mouth to answer, it would seem that Michelle never intended to let him answer as she interrupted him.

"Don't answer that. The point is, everyone participating in that crusade, including the knights and nobles are very likely to be as thickheaded as Stefanie is. I don't believe anyone who isn't suffering from brain damage would bring themselves to work under that buffoon."

Without warning, Michelle suddenly broke out into laughter as she spoke, leaving a stunned George speechless as he listened to the maniac admiral go on a tangent.

"In fact, I'd say that the Imperium is actually doing the Church a favour! They're going to wipe out all of their incompetent assets for them! Perhaps I give the Church a lot less credit than they actually deserve! If that is their plan, I must commend whoever conceived it!"

However, Michelle soon abruptly changed tones once again. This time, she spoke in a methodical, calculating manner, which was completely unlike her cynical attitude before.

"Anyhow, that is my perspective on the crusade. So in my honest opinion, the Porrish crusade is nothing his majesty should really concern himself about."

"I see. I will relay this to his majesty when I return."

Once again, Michelle swapped tones as she spoke. However, to George's annoyance, she returned to her original cynical tone.

"You understand? Then please, when you return to Landon, would you kindly tell his majesty that I appreciate the gesture of sending someone as famed and renowned as the noble taxmonger to to speak to me on his behalf."

"Tch."

Although George was able to keep his calm composure, some of his bitterness leaked into his voice as he spoke.

"I would also appreciate it if you didn't call me such a degrading name..."

"Oh but of course. Please excuse my lack of manners."

Like before, Michelle put on a fake pouting expression while speaking.

"It's just that it has been awfully boring lately. All I've been doing recently is sit on the sidelines and watch others have all the fun without me."

George's eyebrows rose in slight confusion when he heard what Michelle had to say.

"Sitting on the sidelines? Watch others have all the fun? What do you mean by that?"

To George's surprise, Michelle seemed to sigh genuinely before she responded.

"I mean that while Maxwell and the Drussians have were off conquering a few nations, what have we done? Nothing but protecting our borders and making sure that our trade routes are safe. While I do enjoy the good show that Maxwell is putting up, I would also rather prefer that we go on an offensive soon."

"Don't be ridiculous. The king may tolerate your eccentric tendencies but this is out of the question. I apologise if that sounded rude but it is simply the truth."

George didn't know what sort of response to expect Michelle but to his pleasant surprise, Michelle replied in a calm, almost benevolent tone.

"It is as you say. Well. It was a pleasure having this moment with you for a second time George."

Glad that he can finally leave this cursed mansion, a genuine smile grew on George's face as he made his response.

"Oh please, the pleasure is all mine."

Before he stood up, bowed courteously and left.

...

"The king may tolerate your eccentric tendencies but this is out of the question."

Those words from George still echoed inside Michelle's head even after he was long gone.

All that Michelle did after he left was stand up from her seat, and glance out the window. She stared out onto the ocean and at her personal fleet that lay before her. A battle-hardened fleet that consisted of dozens of warships, all of which are at Michelle's beck and call.

Although, Michelle was previously fine with being subservient to the Breetish king, she had no real ambition apart from having fun after all, it has started to become apparent that if Michelle truly wanted to have fun, then she can no longer accept the restrictions of serving under a monarch.

Soon, a malicious smile grew on Michelle's face as she spoke to herself.

"The king doesn't need to tolerate my eccentric tendencies... if he's no longer king..."