Chapter 69 : Louise’s Proposal
My lord, why dont we go get orichalcum weapons?
Louise came to me, whos working in the office, and proposed something.
To be exact, shes inviting me to capture the legendary White Tower of Trials. It is rumored that adventurers who have cleared the harsh trials were given with orichalcum equipments.
Thats too sudden, Louise. Why did you suddenly decide to challenge the White Tower of trials?
Its not sudden, Ive been thinking about it for a long time. If I have an orichalcum sword, Takeru would no longer have to fight.
Mou, I feel like Louise has become strangely overprotective since the last battle.
I wouldnt say that an orichalcum sword equipped Louise could beat Crowned Prince Freed.
If it is the present me, I think I can win against Freed by using my hidden ace neutral sword as a surprise attack.
I dont want Louise to take my place.
However, Im also certain that she had always wanted a strong weapon for a long time.
Since the war was interrupted, it wont be bad to strengthen the equipment well be using.
If Louise gets a weapon made of the worlds strongest metal, orichalcum, she will become even more reliable.
I think thats a nice suggestion but not now.
In front of me are Lyle-sensei and Sherry. They are in the middle of an endless discussion regarding the logistics plan so were stuck.
On the desk, there are scattered documents, maps, parchments, and so on. All of them have incomprehensible figures written.
I can summarize the twos arguments after listening. There is no problem even if the volunteer corps is promoted as a regular force, we can even increase their number if we want to. The problem is what to do with the mercenaries who are more than 5000 people.
The atmosphere in the room stagnated because of that problem then, Louise suddenly proposed to go and capture a dungeon.
I dont mind talking to Louise about it but we dont have the time to talk about something else now.
No, captain Louises proposal is not bad. The White Tower of Trials is near the trade city of Lanct Dukedom. Umu, that might be a good idea.
Lyle-sensei gracefully put his hand on his cheek and think.
The slightly smiling face when he thinks of something bad shows up.
I dont know whats good about that proposal but Sherry seems to have figured something immediately.
Sherry rakes up a bunch of paper with her little hand and smiles at me.
Master, food prices are stable in big cities. I think you can even procure food for 5000 people there. Considering mass transportation, having them to go through Marquis Ests territory will be quick too.
No, what are you even talking about? Is it about logistics or is it about capturing a dungeon?
To me who dont get what they are saying, sensei points his short stick on the map and says here-desu.
The White Tower of Trials, which Captain Louise proposed to go to, is located in the duchy of Lanct, a territorial state of the Germania Empire.
Isnt that a territory of our enemy country?
According to the map, Lanct duchy is just next to our countrys Lauren Knights territory. It is a territorial state that borders the kingdom and the empire.
Its close so the trip wont be long but I think it is a problem to step into an enemys territory.
Rather than that, we can simply call the power of diplomacy. Our purpose is to capture the White Tower of Trials and not war. While advertising it like that, well take along 5000 mercenaries near the border and break in Lanct duchy.
Sounds like a crazy plan.
I dont care if we capture another dungeon through military force again.
However, since it is the territory of an enemy country, I wouldnt find it strange if there will be an immediate war.
The Lanct duchy is a trade territory. It would definitely avoid war between the empire and the kingdom in their territory so they will reluctantly accept the passage of our army. You can get plenty of supply from the enemy city while putting pressure on the empire.
Fumu.
Lyle-sensei nods after winning my approval.
We can use the mercenaries while there is a truce, we can get supplies on the enemys territory, and we can get orichalcum equipments from the White Tower of Trials. Three birds in one stone.
The size of our army when we captured Oracles Great cave was about 1000 people. This time well attack another dungeon with 5000 people.
Were going to go big this time. Were going to use a war level force to capture a dungeon.
Many of the mercenaries are ex thieves, ex adventurers, and ex dungeon explorers.
It is a good idea but above all, I dont want to waste Louises suggestion.
All right. I understand. Lets go to the White Tower of Trials.
It is decided then. Issue an official notice to the Garan Mercenaries at once, were going to battle!
Lyle-sensei and Louise left the room to have the military move.
By the way
Sherry, do you want a souvenir?
The great city of Lanct seems to be quite rich. There should be a lot of unusual things there.
Sherry has been working hard for a long time so I think its better to give her some reward.
Shes stoic and doesnt even have any eating habits. Im troubled because she only asked for quality paper and books.
Master, please drink and eat as much as you want in the City of Lanct. You should also buy a huge amount of preserved foods, their price will surely soar soon. Thats the biggest souvenir you can give me.
That said, Sherry smiled evilly not inferior to sensei.
As expected, maybe having a child near sensei is not very good for emotional education
Scene Change
With my personal guard corps in front, Im traveling with over 5000 knights.
From the Ox Castle, via the City of Spike in Oracles territory, we move to Lauren Knights territory.
This is the first time Ive come to Lauren Knights territory.
When I crossed the Mona mountains and entered the territory, there was really nothing there. It was a lean land with wide wilderness and a small swamp.
Strategically speaking, Lauren City is only a road that connects the empire and the City of Spike.
Of course, thats a joke. I dont have any intention of waging a war of invasion.
.if sensei pleads seriously, I might consider it.
When I was contemplating in silence while watching the lively highway, a commotion broke out in the front row of the mercenaries.
Maa, theres a large number of mercenaries coming from the enemy territory. It is normal for a big city like this to react. When I walked towards the front row, I heard a familiar lovely voice.
You have come to invade my country. Am I a joke to you!
A female knight in blazing fiery armor. Her luxurious mantle with the scarlet hawk emblem of Lanct Duchy is fluttering with the wind. Shes angry and her fist is already raised towards heaven.
Right, if you think about it, the Lanct Duchy is the territory of the father of the princess knight Eleonora.
The leader of the Garan Mercenaries is leading the crowd. Hes troubled since the blonde, blue-eyed princess knight is picking a fight.
The strong looking Garan Dodol takes off his black chainmail helmet and shows off his skinhead. His dark face has countless old wounds that he got from the wars he participated in.
With their commander Garan leading them, the five thousand members of the Garan Mercenaries did not step back. He put his hand on the saber on his waist getting ready to slash anyone at any moment.
The arrogant princess knight Eleonora was not bothered at all. Shes really a mantis ax.
TN: a mantis ax is a weak person that confronts a strong person without thinking of his own ability.
Instead of Garan, whos at loss on how to deal with the princess knight, Lyle-sensei steps forward to Princess Eleonora.
Greeting, Duke Lanct daughter, Eleonora Lanct Am-main-dono. Will you tell us why you are interfering with our travel?
Senseis tone is awfully gentle and polite. Hes also wearing the state secretarys formal clothes before we enter the Lanct Duchys territory. It can be said that hes well prepared in terms of diplomacy.
However, Lady Eleonora, along with her heavy shield infantry, seems to dont know anything about diplomacy.
The hero of Silesie brought you scoundrels here to invade my country. You often attack my city but with me here, you wont succeed in a hundred years!
However, your highness princess Eleonora, we did not come to attack your country but to clear the white tower of trials. Given our purpose, I have already reached out to your father Duke Lanct formally and obtained permission to go through your territory.
Thats just an excuse! You came here to invade my country and you wont deceive me!
I wonder if this reckless her highness the princess knight knows that if shell do anything aggressive here, the war will resume.
Even if you have a heavy infantry with you, they are only around 30 so youll be annihilated in no time.
Behind her, the heavy infantry holding heavy shields are trembling with tense expressions.
If youre a normal person, youll know when it is good to fight and when not.
However, Im sure no one can defy this skipjack princess.
I can already feel the pain of serving in their court.
Butler knight Kato-san, come early!. Did everyones wish come true? An old silver-haired gentleman is rushing his horse towards us.
The old blackmailed butler jumped off the horse and dashed towards Princess Knight Eleonora.
Princess Eleonora, what are you doing!
Old man, Im trying to protect my country
As expected, the princess knight seems to be a little weak against the silver-haired old gentleman.
Her voice toned down a lot.
What and how do you protect it with this number of soldiers?
Since the Silesies hero attacked, youll inform the imperial capital.
Upon hearing that, Kato-san was so angry that his frown made his eyebrows become one.
Princess, do you even understand what it means to start a war here? The daughter of the lord is right to protect this beautiful city and its citizens but remember to not jeopardize their safety by exposing them to the danger of war!
Ugh..
As expected of sensual Kato! Someone finally able to scold this tyrannical daredevil princess knight.
You have my admiration!
The smiles both returned to the mercenaries on our side and the heavy infantry on their side.
Kato-san is wonderful.
Any further than this will go against the will of our lord, Duke Lanct, so even if you are the princess, this Kato will not stay silent!
Understand, I understand. Ill pull back..
The princess knight Eleonora went away with a very dejected face.
The heavy infantry bowed happily and left with the angry princess.
Silesies hero-sama, the princess of our country, I apologize for the inconvenience she caused. Please forgive her with these.
As expected of the old knight Kato. He brought a bag of gold coins on his horses saddle.
Solving trouble with money. I dont think its a good idea but since Im in the role of receiving it, its a completely different story.
Now, apologies for being presumptuous but let me guide you to the city. Of course, it is okay to replenish your supply in the city but please dont cause any trouble.
Ah, of course, thank you.
Normally, a group of mercenaries, especially this many, is prohibited to approach the city for security reasons.
It is a good thing that were with Kato-san. He talked to the guards and even arranged accommodations for everyone to stay. He considered everything perfectly.
We follow him to the red brick highway until we reach a magnificent semi-circular gate. We use that to enter the great city of Lanct.
It feels like a different world jammed with people and full of a variety of things as if theres a festival.
So this is the trade city of Lanct..
While Kato-san is guiding us through the city, I can see the resentful gaze of the princess knight Eleonora. Shes been following us from a distance.
The princess knight, as long as were with the butler knight, she cant do anything.
By the way, this great city competes to be either the number one or number two top city in the continent. Though capturing the white tower of trials is important, it is also good to sightsee in this city.
This trading city is a hub of product circulation so there surely be rare commodities.
Item Cheat TOC