Chapter 142

142 . Strategy Plan

Let’s decide our strategy plan .

I’ve gathered a lot of information at the party of a naval house the other day . So, let’s make a basic strategy plan .

Until now, I just went around looking here and there for the sake of collecting information . I’ve yet to decide our course of action from now on . But we have to decide the direction as soon as possible .

The first priority is the safety of me and everyone in the Yamano Viscounty . The second priority is the safety of Bozes family, the people of the country, and everyone I met on our journey to seek alliance on the old continent . The third priority is the safety of everyone I met on the new continent .

The problem is that the basic policy of Vanel Kingdom of the new continent seems to be [discovering and exploiting new continents] . Right, if our country were to be discovered, invasion or exploitation can take place, conflicting the first, second, and third priorities .

Hmm…… .

I guess I can only pull the string behind the scene .

Any form of government would not want to be put in an equal treaty with a country whose civilization is clearly inferior to its own and which could easily be conquered and exploited . At least in this world and in this age . Even if there is such a peculiar politician had expressed his opinion, he would be sacked by other politicians, aristocrats, merchants, and the public .

Therefore, it is impossible to take such course of action . At least, until we have the equal ground .

… In the end, I have no other choice but to penetrate straight to the bones . Just like the old saying [If you keep meddling with it, you’ll be hurt and suffer a huge loss] . In other words, warfare is inevitable . So, my aim when the time comes is to make sure to keep the casualties as low as possible, and that the defeated do not become too miserable .

… That means, it’s about making our country win the war .

Even if I say win, we don’t have enough power to cross the ocean and invade the new continent . Therefore, our condition of win is, to repel the enemies . At best, we can demand compensation and ransom for POWs . If we lose, we will be deprived of our gold and silver treasures, taken away as enslaved citizens, and will continue to be exploited as a vassal state, forever . We can’t afford to lose .

And something like preventing the battle is impossible . In fact, such a thing would be impossible with the power of a little girl, even with the power of our king, no, even if it’s the king of this Vanel Kingdom .

Therefore, naval battle is inevitable .

By that time, single column bombardment by ship-of-the-line-class galleons might be the common tactics . Or it’ll be the first stage of that…

Well, anyway, we have great advantages in naval battles .

Because, [it doesn’t involve civilians] . Soldiers won’t complain, because the risk of death is a part of their profession . They went on a long trip just to kill the opponent after all, they don’t have the right to complain if we decided to hit back .

What about the sailors who was forcibly recruited, you say? No, the moment they arrived on the battlefield without the intention to escape, they already lost their right! The only one who can show mercy to the enemy is, those who can afford it or… just an idiot .

So, what I need to hear from the bigwigs that I met at the party is, Information to identify those who are likely to incline into peace after their crushing defeats and hints that can be used as a starting point for getting into those people . So, of course, my main target is senior nobles from naval factions .

A common soldier wouldn’t have any political influence, even if they have a little higher position, well… they still have their use as my secondary target…

Well, anyway, the first stage, [Anything is fine, just build a bridgehead] is clear! What’s left is, gathering the information that decides the objective!

(Note: Bridgehead = advanced position secured in hostile territory)

(Narator’s POV)

“…very interesting…“ (King of Vanel)

A house of marquis and a house of count were summoned at different times . The appraisal results of the pendant and the necklace they brought were astonishing .

“Both are national level treasures, no, they’re beyond that level…” (Appraiser)

Several top-notch appraisers in the kingdom of Vanel, who identify themselves as great powers, have said the similar thing . The king himself has to admit it .

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Of course, there is no way for the king to seize the artifact . If he does that, he’ll be a target of criticism, and public opinion of him will plummet .

“What do you think?” (King of Vanel)

“I don’t know if it was produced in our kingdom or bought in another country, either way is the same thing…” (PM of Vanel)

The King nodded to the Prime Minister’s words .

“The parent gave the child several of national treasure gems, and the child easily gives it to someone she met for the first time . Then, what kind of gems and how much does the parent have…” (King of Vanel)

Then the king ordered the Prime Minister .

“Anyway, find out about the child’s homeland . However, definitely don’t do anything rough . Just do it the friendly way . Keep an eye on the building that the child rents and follow every visitor whose identity is unclear . Of course, have several people to follow the child every time she leaves . Eventually she will come in contact with the agent from her homeland . ” (King of Vanel)

“Also, get as many agents as possible into the parties where the child is likely to appears . We should strain our ears on her, she would inadvertently leak her native language sooner or later . Once we know which country, the rest is easy . Trade, political pressure, use of force . Whichever way we take, nothing will be able to change the fact that we will have our hands in a vast treasure . Well, if it can be done with a peaceful means, we will not go beyond that…” (King of Vanel)

“Do you think how many days have passed since then! Why there is still no report!” (King of Vanel)

“Th-There is no information that can be reported…” (PM of Vanel)

The Prime Minister had no other answer to the question of the King .

“The customers who came to the store opened by that child were all from our own country, and there are no sign of those people having rear connection . There is no visitor other than costumers, and that child only leaves to go shopping or visit a noble residence . Other than that is just a quick stop by the bank… Also, there are several cases where she keeps her store closed for many days…” (PM of Vanel)

“What about the information gathering at the party!” (King of Vanel)

“She wasn’t caught by our suggestive questions and when she was told to speak her native language or name of places, she only spoke something we can’t decipher, such as [Kanagawa Prefecture] or [Television]…” (PM of Vanel)

“In some countries, each region has several different languages, and some languages are used only between priests or royal families . There are simply too many unknown languages…” (PM of Vanel)

In other words, there is no point in doing this .

The king finally ordered the Prime Minister to end this nonsense .

“…include Count Wonrade and Viscount Efred as attendee in the next party that child will attend! It doesn’t matter which party is from!” (King of Vanel)

“Eh? No, that is…” (PM of Vanel)

The Prime Minister shot his eyes open out of surprise, but the King ordered it without any care .

“No objection, just do it!” (King of Vanel)

Once the king had said so, he could not refute anymore . The Prime Minister had no choice but to obey this .

“U-understood…” (PM of Vanel)

Count Wonrade and Viscount Efred .

The two of them are the bearer of royal titles .

When the royal family wants to go to a place where they shouldn’t be . They want to attend as a regular participant, not as a royal . It is incognito rank used in such cases .

In spite of being incognito, of course, the nobles all know that, so they don’t have to disguise themselves and pretend to be others . In the first place, there is no way for the nobles not to know the faces of royals, so there is no way they can pretend to be another person .

Although everyone knows their identity, when they claim the said titles, everyone should threat them as nobles, not royals . That was implicit understanding between the nobles .

… Of course, it wasn’t considered rude to treat them as nobles . In such cases, it falls under the category of common sense .

And, the real identity of [Count Wonrade] is the King, and [Viscount Efred] is the crown prince .

(Note: That identity reveal is just… )