186 Lesson 8: Duke's Conference ②

"We shall now hold our regular annual Dukes' Meeting. Now, this main agenda goes to the war we refrained from in three years' time, as regards the work we share in each house. The chancellor will let Diorc Forster do it."

When the emperor also arrived and sat each, the Duke's meeting began by the words of his father.

"From Your Majesty, then"

"Gentlemen, thank you all the way. As I informed you in advance this time, specific requests for support for the war are the main agenda… Before we do so, let me explain the war operation"

"Operation? Why don't we just protect it on the western border?

Sure, you might need some fine maneuvers, but what kind of maneuvers do you want to keep talking about here in a simple defensive battle?

"Right...... it would be best to stop the kingdom on the western border if it were. However, it is unlikely that the repair of the damaged walls will be made in three years to become a defensive base. Besides, there is no food stockpile in the old Philippine territory. In this situation, it is counterproductive to fight near the border"

"I see… indeed, there is a considerable cost when it comes to transporting food near the border…"

That's right. Even the shortest part of the country is my place. There is very little room for food in the Filiberian area.

then......

"You think you're going to lure the soldiers of the kingdom all the way to Murdine territory?

Jose's father asked the Emperor instead of me.

Perhaps the Emperor would consider Murdine territory as a defensive base.

"That's the thing. If the kingdom were to attack, I think the lowest goal would be Murdine territory. The kingdom doesn't taste good when you take the rough old Philiberian territory. Sure, they're coming on this invitation."

No way...... I didn't know the vandalism I went here would work.

What future would have awaited me if I had driven my kingdom soldiers back with different hands?

"In addition, this invitation has other aims. Travel to Murdine territory exhausts soldiers in the kingdom. Keep them alert by ambushing them multiple times on the move. If we can deplete the enemy's food in front of Murdine territory, that's your word."

Well, I guess so. An expedition where even fatigue builds up over long distances.

If we didn't give him time to rest, a bunch of shepherds would come out.

If this succeeds, you don't have to let your opponent bring you into a long fight.

"I see... then we must also prepare an ambush unit"

"About that, but I want to leave that to Leo. The skills of metastasis are more effective than any other by surprise."

Whoa, it's me. Well, is there any particular problem with metastases?

Because you can build demons and make them attack.

"I see...... but isn't Lord Leons going to be burdened more?

Don't worry, it's about using a little magic.

"Operation Surprise wants Leo to walk four days from Murdine territory until the soldiers walk, and then leave it to the rest of the house"

Nothing, I'm fine......

Well, doesn't it taste good not to have a commander at the defense base just before the boulder crashes?

"Then I'll leave that job to us. Dangerous work should be done at the Forster family, where soldiers can afford it."

"Right. Then let's ask the Forster family."

"Next, I want to entrust the replenishment unit, which envisages a long-term battle, to the Boardrail family, which is relatively close to Murdine territory"

I don't want it to be a long fight, but I won't fail to prepare for it, will I?

From what I can tell you about the kingdom, you're a really dependable leader.

"Yes, you can have the supplies here as well"

Hmm? That's the equivalent of supplies in war, isn't it?

"Are you sure?

"Yes, Lord Leons owes me."

No, no. I'm not making a big deal out of it.

Thank you, Frank.

"Right. Then I asked for it."

"Finally, the remaining Le Fable families would like to ask to secure a supply route"

Securing supply routes? Oh, to keep them from targeting you during the war?

Hmm? Suppose...

"Excuse me. Forgive me for speaking."

"Never mind."

"It's about supplies, but I was wondering if you'd mind if I carried them directly."

With my bag and transfer, it'll be over soon.

You don't have to risk anything.

"No, I thought about that too, but there's no way the commander is leaving the battlefield. Maybe there's a time when Leo won't be able to get out of command. War is inefficient because we don't know what's going to happen, but we have to do it in a certain way."

If you ask me, yes. This time, I need to be aware that I'm a general.

"Is that what you mean...... excuse me"

"Never mind. So, is the Le Fable family okay?

"Yes, that's right... we'll take care of your request for cooperation with the neighboring aristocrats who are likely to be your supply base"

"I appreciate that... but wouldn't that make it more burdensome?

"Don't worry. Like the Boardrail family, I just want to pay my personal debts."

So I'm not doing a big deal...

"Right. I asked each one of you to get ready."

"Let's get to the next agenda. I would like you to explain the current state of the kingdom. Lord Barus, who infiltrated the kingdom until six months ago, can you ask?

Are you finally here...... Please, don't make the emperors as uncomfortable as possible, okay?

"Yes. First, the kingdom seems to be investing in siege weapons. It's a quick drill into the walls and an attack inside."

Hmm? Who?

When I looked back in surprise, Balls did speak seriously.

Can this guy also talk in a normal way...

"What kind of siege weapon is that?

"I was inventing a big demon gun that could shoot out advanced magic called demon cannons. It's just that there's so much magic that you need, even if you can shoot it for the next three years, it's five shots."

As I've been able to confirm lately, the passage cannon the master was talking about sounds like a hell of a lot less fuel efficient.

Still, the power of being able to drill holes in the walls in one shot is horrible.

"Well... then you're also an ant to let them run out near the border"

Yeah. I guess that's good.

If you're going to lure me inside originally, I'd appreciate it if you could just use a few shots of light resistance.

"Right. I'll be the only one who can do that."

You're not qualified for this other than me.

"Just the Muldeen family? Isn't that impotent?

"No, it's me (...) Ke (...). I'll let you run out of cannons by yourself."

Whatever, it might be a good idea to reduce the number of enemies there as well.

"No, to the boulder. It's..."

"It's okay. I have an undead Golem soldier."

Now, suppose I keep more Red Golem stock for three years from now?

The material is fine. The dragon was randomly captured last time.

"I see... ok. The Empire will pay for it."

Copy that, sir.

At the same time, I can't get it.

The cost of the dragon's massive amount of material would bankrupt the empire on the boulder.

"And can you explain the brave man?

"Yes. At present, the brave are steadily stronger. That's right... I was wondering if I'd be with Lord Damien in three years."

"I see... then what if Leo fights? No, it's not good for a commander to be on the front line."

"It's okay. Because my knight can be as strong as my uncle in three years. And you don't have to fight one-on-one."

I'm ripe for Hell's special training every day. In three years, the Hermans can fight.

I turned a blind eye to Hellman, who was diagonally behind me.

Herman nodded forcefully, a little surprised.

"Right. And what happened to the question of the successor to the kingdom?

Oh, is that the topic... I should have talked to the Emperor alone about this first.

"For that, I thought I was almost certain with Princess Elemenane. Eight months later, they're celebrating their wedding with the brave for their eighteenth birthday."

"Well... then, as a messenger, the royal family... do we need to send Sherry? You can't say no to a boulder before there's a war."

Yes, it is... Kingdom, you definitely deliberately let me marry you at this time.

Just harassment... any thoughts? To the boulder, I don't think I even knew the valves that far.

"Then... is it best to accompany Lord Leons as an escort? Because if anything happens, they'll be back soon with a metastasis. However, there is a possibility that the Murdine preparations for war will be hindered…"

"It's okay. I'll see what I can do. There will be no one but me..."

I can't leave Shelly to someone else.

I should accompany you here, even if I can't...

"Right. Sorry for the strain."

"No, never mind"

On the contrary, it's a chance to know what a brave man is like.

Plus, there's a lot more I can do if I go directly myself.

Rats...... it's been a while since I've had a mass production.

"In fact, the kingdom seems to want to confirm Master Leons before the war. I just told you I was curious if Master Leons was as strong as rumored."

Like I care about the brave, the kingdom cares about me too...

"Again. I have no choice. With regard to this, I can only think that I have been done to the kingdom. I'll leave it to Leo to show his power to the kingdom and intimidate him, or to hide his power and alarm him."

Copy that, sir.

I guess no-plan is fine now.

Let's go over there and then think about it.

"Now, this concludes the discussion for the war. Next, about the Empire's budget…"

And then I didn't participate in the discussion, and I listened to the other four.

There's nothing I can say about the country's budget to a boulder.

If I thought so, it was decided that 30% of the Empire's budget would be used to subsidize Murdine territory for the next three years.

I feel like I'm getting too much, but honestly, I guess I'd appreciate it.