Chapter 72 (1/2)

The Invasion Begins

Ria bestowed an army to the n.o.bles that used the be the lords of their lands, aiming to split Cordova’s territory.

Of course there was still the danger of each being defeating, but even so it would expand the war front and allow them to choose which territory to suppress all at once.

The old lords that had become her staff officers were enthusiastic about it. That was probably called for, for one to regain their ancestral lands, it would be strange if they weren’t in high spirits about it.

The army that Ria had left in their custody weren’t the ogre and Casalian elites.

It was primarily comprised of the allied forces between Manesh and the other feudal lords, so even if they failed, the expected damage would be minimized.

As a result, although there were territories this was effective on, there were also territories they failed on recovering as well.

Ria, together with her staff, studied the cause.

Well, it was probably natural. The territories that had had an effective government beforehand welcomed their former lords with open arms. As for the lords that had foolishly imposed themselves even more strongly than Cordova, their fiefs’ populations supported Cordova’s army.

As for the n.o.bles that recovered their territories with their own power, they were left to manage their territory as before. In the cases where the Ogress army was necessary, a curtailment of their territory would be done.

At this late hour, mankind didn’t have the flexibility to treat n.o.bles with extravagance.

“It looks like Cordova’s government was even more unappealing than expected.”

One of the staff officers said such a thing, but that surely was so.

Particularly the countries that had been annexed in the previous several decades, they immediately rebelled with the outside pressure on Cordova.

“All things considered, what is with the countries that continued with exploitation even worse than Cordova…”

Ria placed her hand against her forehead? Mou, are you dumb? Do you want to die? It had that kind of feeling.

Cordova had set its sights on countries like that at the start, though eventually it annexed its surrounding countries after growing its national power.

Although it seemed that their governing body was considerably intelligent, to think that they could continue with that same strategy forever was Cordova’s failing.

Ria believed that something like a country that could last in perpetuity didn’t exist.

Even the empire that boasted of its three thousand year history disappeared with an unknown cause.

There were five kingdoms, Casalia included, with a thousand years of history, but royal families that had great power—Casalia, Lemdria, Istria, Labra and the like—were on the brink of collapse.

Although Casalia couldn’t be said to be at the point of collapsing, it was definitely was a risk of it.

Being able to overcome that was mankind’s strength.

It wasn’t the system’s power. Although the system was certainly useful for ruling, when it exanps, it wouldn’t be rare for it to torment society. [1]

And for that, a prominent individual’s power was needed.

Ria didn’t put any faith into democracy. Of course, neither did she put any into socialism nor communism.

As for what seemed the best to her, it was a saint dictators.h.i.+p. [2]

By having a ruler with few failings, it was an absolute despotism. When a talented person could fill its highest seat, it would be the most efficient. [3]

Of course in truth, it was nothing but empty theory.

Ria didn’t consider herself as something like a saint and Guinevere was very skilled in things regarding politics.

However, right now, to destroy Cordova and to fight against the demon king, it seemed that Ria must stand at the top.

Even though she didn’t want to.

Although she truly wanted to be pardoned from the role, when it came to authority, pedigree, personal military might, and charisma, at least in the northwest part of the continent, there was no one more fit for the post than Ria.

“It’s about time to start our plans from Cordova’s interior as well, huh?”

Naturally, Cordova had n.o.bles other than its royal family. There was a king that was the country’s centralized rule, but that didn’t mean there weren’t n.o.bles.

Ogress would recognize the n.o.bles that were supported by the people. In other words, they planned on recognizing their territorial rules.

It would be good if they abandoned Cordova with that. It would be a very good thing for them to reach the point of betraying Cordova.

“Perform the formalities at once.”

Ria left the actual work to her staff officers. She would think about the general situation.

Although there were various minor things to consider, it was still necessary to crush the enemy’s main forces in the end.

That, and occupy Cordova’s capital. They would crush its royal family, making so that it would never stand up to rise again.

No, rather, they could recognize and support royalty that were popular with the public as the legitimate Cordovan earls.

That way the country could be divided if it went well. They would prevent having to waste resources on capturing it.

That sort of strategy was something considerably interesting so long as it was left to her thoughts. But whether or not it could succeed is another thing entirely.

Conversely, she also thought about her opponent’s stratagems.

In fact, due to Ria’s appearance, most of Cordova’s plots had failed.

What were their stratagems thus far? s.n.a.t.c.hing away their opponents’ strength through things such as pressure, conciliation, segmentation, and in the end: annexation.

The countries that they should have annexed, due to Ria’s interference, had united.

Of course, there were very likely plots instigated to break this Ogress alliance apart.

However, right now, Ogress had succeeded in victory after victory over Cordova in succession, so there was no reason for the allies to break apart.

Unlike Cordova, Ria had not demanded anything unreasonable of the countries that she gained. For now, at least.

She wasn’t pressuring them to be annexed, either. It was an alliance with nothing but advantages to it.

In fact, Shashmeer and the like continued as half-independent city-states.

Ria’s purpose was to solidify a national strategy.

To deal with the Millennium.

Ria would abdicate, turn the young prince into a puppet, and leave the regency to Guinevere to administer national politics.

She was the only one with the ability to do so, and her motivation… well, it was likely even greater than Ria’s.

Be it the Great Collapse or the G.o.d dragon’s successor, she’d think about them when the time came.

They were things a long ways off. Probably.

And so once again, Ria would leave on a journey.

How many people would come with her this time?