Chapter 64 (1/2)

Outbreak of the Great War

Even if they’d decided to subjugate Cordova, that didn’t mean they could immediately rouse their military.

They first had to prepare their logistics.

Developing Ogress’ internal roads, as well as reclaiming farmland that had become hinterlands. Although Serge could use s.p.a.ce-time magic for means of transportation, he was just a single person.

There were four main routes being considered for the invasion of Cordova. Three of those had the goal of thoroughly dispersing Cordova’s forces.

Manesh’s forces, Casalia’s forces, the ogre forces, and the beastkin forces had become their primary strength.

There were great expectations placed on the beastkin outside of the battlefield in particular. If humans were sent out on reconnaissance, they would fall far behind the beastkin.

“I want a budget~”

In the meeting, Guinevere moaned just like a spoiled child.

Guinevere’s golem cavalry project would require a huge budget.

Where those funds would come from was a problem. As Ogress was a new country, it didn’t have organizations that had swelled up uselessly. Even the former Manesh had its center of political strength destroyed by a dragon beforehand, so its organizations had slimmed down.

But it seems that Guinevere had also more or less thought of this too.

“A trade route plan!”

Guinevere’s plan was something meant to help stimulate the circulation of money, which they could then levy taxes from.

“That would cause problems for the land reclamation though.”

Ria was wholly against it.

“The reclamation won’t take long. The golem unit is absolutely necessary. They would change this world’s wars.”

In fact, Serge also approved of Guinevere’s views.

This world’s golems would play the same role on the battlefield as tanks did in his previous life. If they fought against Cordova, whose main strength was its infantry, with those, it would become a very powerful countermeasure.

“Although there aren’t any guns, this world does have magic…”

Something to one-sidedly trample over the enemy from long distance wasn’t readily available. Even so, the number of magic soldiers sent from Casalia would become a threat for Cordova.

The country’s future was being decided during a tea party. Serge was taking part in this gathering.

Serge’s achievements in perfect logistical management in the previous battle had been recognized, he had become a n.o.ble.

With the upstart of a lifetime, and moreover in this age full of exceptional cases, such a position was necessary in order to converse with Ria’s group.

Incidentally, his peerage was knight. It was the lowest rank of n.o.bility, but a n.o.ble was a n.o.ble. Moreover, it was something he earned with his own strength.

“Since the circulation of magic stones and magic crystals from labyrinths have increased, I can also do more golem operation experiments~”

Furthermore, the golems’ practical use was also thanks to Serge, as he could easily move them to the front lines.

Although they had been thinking about defensive positions so far, if they used the giant golems in an engagement—or possibly a castle siege—what kind of results would they bring?

There were various things that could be called Cordova’s strengths, and as expected their infantry’s strength as their foundation could be considered the greatest factor.

They were truly surprised by their obstinacy when they fought them.

Their infantry had been neutralized. The neutralization of an enemy’s main force is the most important factor for winning a battle.

“I’d like to turn it into a huge fight as suddenly as possible. Although it’d be great to decide the victory in one go, I want to examine how practical my golems are~”

They should take defensive battles wherever they could. Perhaps, with Cordova’s defeat just before, they would soon go out for an attack.

Those expectations were entirely correct.

“An inspection?”

Fio asked with a dubious expression.

“Yeah, since I wanted to go and see the town’s state of affairs.”

“That’s… it certainly might be important, but isn’t it dangerous?”

“I’ll be bringing strong bodyguards so there won’t be any danger.”

The lineup to perfectly remove danger. It was complete.

Ria and Carla. Also with the two strongest people in the country, Irlina. With Fio as a retainer, and finally Serge.

“It somehow keenly feels like I’m out of place here.”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s the same for me.”

Serge was secretly speaking with Fio behind them. To be frank, the two of them were the representatives of mediocracy compared to the three in front of them.

Those three were hiding their faces within deep hoods. At any rate, even though it was inevitable since their faces were too well known, it was extremely suspicious.

If they were questioned by some sentries, Fio would deal with them. That’s why she was taken along.

There was also another person she wanted to bring along though.

“I really wanted to bring Guinevere along too…”

Ria said that, but Carla objected concisely.

“You had better give up on that. You don’t know where you’ll be wandering to after all.”

With the sun setting, the group advanced.

Manesh’s population didn’t stop being active when the sun went down.

Lights leaked out from street stalls and stores lit up the various people’s faces. Those people’s expressions were uniformly cheerful.

“What a good country…”

Fio murmured unconsciously.

“By winning against Cordova, Ria brought hope back to the people.”

Carla responded like that.

But the reason why Ria left the palace this evening wasn’t to see this.

A bat flew through the night’s darkness.

Accordingly, Ria went to a remote path separated from the main road.

Because Fio couldn’t function well in the dark, Serge made a magic light.

“Um, where are we…”

The moment Fio began to ask that in worry, a girl appeared.

“Ooh, how are you doing?”

Since Ria called out, neither Carla nor Fio who were meeting the girl for the first time were cautious.

It was a beautiful girl with flaxen hair.

By the way, Fio thought that this girl might also be one of Ria’s lovers, but kept that to herself.

“Well, it’s just that relations with my colleague aren’t going too well.”

Asuka was honest as usual.

“You had a quarrel with Rei?”

“No, it’s a guy you all don’t know about. Well, that aside, how about we move to somewhere else?”

And so by Asuka’s guidance, they were lead to a luxury inn in Manesh.

“Welcome back, Ojou-sama.”

“Please bring refreshments for everyone.”