225 Comming back to one's senses

15th July 1574

"Fuck… It can't be happening all at once…"

Hearing Kalen's words, for the first time since I was moved to this timeline, I realised what pressure of being a lord meant. Should I prioritise the safety of the entire country over my own lands and subjects? Or should I just ignore the greater picture for now and make sure to secure my own power base?

Even if I were to go with the second option, should I ignore Tarnow and protect the main source of my power, the mining town? Or maybe pull all available troops away and rush to help lift the siege? How about splitting the forces to both have someone protect industrial areas and have something to fight with?

Overwhelmed with the insane number of possible choices that I had to choose from while knowing that every single decision of mine would result in the cost in human life, I could only rest my bottom against the railing on the boat as I immersed myself in thoughts.

"Dear, is everything okay?"

Noticing my plight, Elia almost instantly moved to my side, hugging my arm and trying to force me into looking her in the eyes. Regretfully both for her and me at the same time, with all the order that I took for granted collapsing all at once, gathering back my quick wits and modern thinking wasn't something that I could just snap my fingers and do.

"Mike, snap out of it!"

Taking an entirely different approach, seeing the state that I was in, Kalen ignored his own exhaustion that was written on his face and actually dared to slap me right through my face!

Shocked by this developed and purely physical abuse, I couldn't stop myself from raising my stunned gaze while holding my own cheek, only to be met with Kalen's serious stare.

"You do not have the right to act like that! If you can't decide on the course of the action, then just pick a commander that will do it for you. There is nothing wrong with doing so, and it would allow you to focus on finding the ways to turn your funny toys into tools that your soldiers could use! Decide!"

Maybe due to it being the first time when someone dared to treat me like that in this timeline, or maybe with how similar it was to some of my… more personal supervisors back in my original life, I somehow managed to get right back into my business mindset. After all, war was no different than moving one's assets and subordinates around to prevent your competition from achieving their targets!

"Give me a map."

With my voice back to its normal, commanding tone, I could see the relief on both Elia's and Kalen's faces. Little did they know, that what I was about to decide would put both of them in the situation that a madman would be jealous of.

"Yes, sir!"

Yet even before the loyal sailor of mine could return I already looked back at Kalen with a mix of self-satisfaction and pity.

"I'm glad that you took the time and effort to find me personally. Hearing the news from anyone else I would ignore them. But sadly, I can't let you rest. As soon as we will get to the Sandomir, both you and El will have to travel east, as far as you deem necessary to confirm the rumours. Once you will be able to bring enough evidence or witnesses to convince anyone daring to put the war into doubt, head back to the Sandomir and then to Capital. We will need any help we can get."

In the end, even if Ostros aggression was confirmed, I couldn't say the same about the war with Russia. While I had no doubt that if one of the Polish major noble households could go against the entire country in their bid for power, then Commonwealth major rival would have the guts to do the same unless I could provide sufficient evidence that the war was actually already ongoing, some of those old fuckers at Senate would be sure to put that into doubt.

"On the other side, Elia, dear. I hope you won't mind the two of us going down the annals of history as a pair of bloodthirsty demons."

With the plan already formulating in my head, I looked back at my Fiancee, trying to gauge whether such a title would bother her. Yet even if she were to be against it, there wasn't that much that I could do to prevent others from calling the two of us like that, if what I had in my head were to come into fruition.

"As long as it will let you regain what we already lost, and protect what still remains in our hands, I'm down."

Contrary to my worries, there wasn't even a hint of hesitation on the face of my beloved. Maybe it was the effect of seeing the reaper guns in actions? If that was to be the case, then she surely wouldn't mind watching them tear through the lines of those who dared to antagonise us either!

"Wait a moment, while I'm all happy that you are back to your senses, mind telling me what rumours are we supposed to check? Did something huge happened while I was away?"

Seeing the look of curiosity on Kalen's face, I only now realised how his earlier, quite disrespectful actions came only from how he thought I was unwilling to go and defend my own lands. If that was the case, then it was no wonder that he got so angry!

"You see, there is a huge chance that Muscovites attacked… No, swarmed Commonwealth borders and are burning our lands already."