Chapter 477 (2/2)

「――let me get straight to the point then . Are you willing to become the commander of the entire army for the upcoming decisive battle in place of Zaphnes, Maestus? Your quick wits are needed . 」

「I respectfully decline . 」

It was an immediate reply without a shred of hesitation .

Wilhelmina’s smile doesn’t waver and neither does Maestus’s grin .

In the brief moment of silence where both people were staring at each other, it felt like an imaginary blizzard of the Federation’s coldest winter was blowing in between the two radiant smiles .

「Could I ask why?」

「My wits are not superior to His Excellency Zaphnes’s . I don’t have the capacity to lead the entire army . 」

Wilhelmina takes a sip of tea .

「I don’t think that’s true . You have enough talent to lead a large army . And you can be ruthless in your pursuit for victory when necessary . Isn’t that a perfect quality of a general?」

「Please forgive my rudeness in disagreeing with you . It’s just that I believe His Excellency Zaphnes is suitable for the job and I am not . 」

The snowstorm grows stronger .

「The one who decides that is not you, the concerned party, but me, the appointer, isn’t that right?」

「Yes, it is . But don’t forget that the one actually leading the soldiers will be me . 」

The first one to break the standoff was Wilhelmina, who looked down with a smile .

「I’m already in trouble by being stubborn . Please don’t pick on this young girl anymore . 」

Wilhelmina grips Maestus’s hand .

「The commander-in-chief on the battlefield is like an emperor on the front lines, so to speak . You deserve to have a suitable reward . ――what do you want?」

Maestus’s eyebrows move .

「A mountain of gold enough to buy a country, a position of power second only to me, or perhaps fame that would resound throughout all of the Central Plains…… or better yet, I can have the people praise you as a hero for the next hundred years . 」

A white hand rests on top of the man’s sun-tanned hand .

「I apologize if this upsets you . However, I have heard rumors about how much of a womanizer you are . If you so desire, I can deliver all the nation’s most beautiful women to you . That naturally includes anybody in management, any n.o.ble or any town girl you set your eyes on……」

Wilhelmina leans close .

「Or maybe you want……me?」

For the first time, Maestus appeared fl.u.s.tered .

Wilhelmina did not miss that fact .

「Do you not think I’m beautiful? A young Empress unaccustomed to men being bedded by an experienced man like you…… writhing and panting helplessly under you like a small boat stirred around by a raging stream……」

Maestus grabs Wilhelmina’s shoulder .

「Please refrain from making such jokes when drunk . Because I’m a timid person, banter of that nature will make my heart stop . 」

Maestus gulps down the rest of the alcohol in his gla.s.s and then performs a tidy salute no one can complain about .

「Your Majesty has evaluated me too generously . It moves me deeply even with the knowledge that it is encouragement on the battlefield . And so, I will remain under His Excellency Zaphnes, working alongside my fellow soldiers to become steel and fight the decisive battle!」

「Alright, I have great expectations as to what you contribute . 」

She smiles, not showing any signs that she’s displeased, embarra.s.sed or angry .

Once again, Maestus’s face flinches .

「Your Majesty, before I leave, I would like to revise an incorrect rumor . 」

Wilhelmina’s face lights up with surprise for an instant .

She didn’t think the man would talk about any unnecessary topics .

「There is no denying my promiscuity . Whenever I have a chance, I seek out women and often take pleasure in having many serve me . 」

「Oh my, how naughty . Great men have a great fondness for sensual pleasures, I guess . I’m sure women naturally flock to someone as handsome as Maestus-dono, although they might resent you if you play around too much . 」

In comparison to Wilhelmina, who giggles with a hand over her mouth, Maestus erases his fake smile .

「I adore the female body more than anything, however, I hate women more than anything . Now, if you will excuse me . 」

Wilhelmina also removes the forced smile once the door closes .

「I see, so he’s that type of man . 」

Wilhelmina bites her neatly trimmed nails and places her leg on the desk, not caring that her underwear can be seen .

She spoke in a soft tone, but it was clear she was irritated .

「My apologies, Your Majesty . 」

Visitacion emerges from the shadow of the curtain .

「It’s fine . More importantly, we have to think of the next move . I’ve already played several, but what will the outcome be?」

「In regards to that……」

Visitacion suddenly kneels on the spot just as he was about to speak .

In the next moment, the door was opened with a knock .

「I’m coming in――! Mu, someone was here before me?」

「It is an insignificant matter, Zaphnes Your Excellency . I will leave immediately . 」

Visitacion politely lowers his head and exits the room .

「I heard about the navy’s defeat! d.a.m.n, I don’t know what kind of magic was used…… but we barely made it in time . 」

Zaphnes excitedly spreads some doc.u.ments on the desk .

「I was upset when you said you were going to recruit mercenaries from the Imperial territory, but now I see, barbarians in a remote area won’t know our faces . The home nation is also in rough shape after the defeat . Reducing the number of mouths to feed is an optimal solution . With this, we’ve secured 30 000――」

Wilhelmina nods slightly .

Her decision was made because she knew all of this, after all .

「In addition, they use monsters trained for battle . Goldonia, who has never seen them, are in for a surprise! Let’s see, the monsters are……」

「600 land type monsters and 300 aerial monsters . They also have food prepared . 」

Wilhelmina rests her elbow on the desk and speaks .

She was also aware of the trump card which Zaphnes wouldn’t talk about, but did not feel the need to bring it up now .

「Now, all we need is a squad of magic users . We’ve had some trouble training together, but we’re finally at a level where they can hold their own in battle . Then, we need to get Alteria’s main army――」

「They joined two days ago and have already started to march . 」

Zaphnes nods, almost like he was reminded .

「Last is…… the young male soldiers . I feel it’s not the best idea, but we can’t be very picky in this situation . Not a big deal, once parents and siblings are given a reasonable amount of standing or gold, they won’t complain as much . 」

「Just like I did a month ago . 」

Zaphnes nods in content, looking at Wilhelmina with eyes burning with fighting spirit .

「If we win the decisive battle, all the mistakes up to this point will also be cancelled out . Leave it to me, I have yet to lose a final battle as important as this . 」

As Wilhelmina watches the enthusiastic Zaphnes walk off, she heaves a heavy sigh .

「You ran to the Central Plains because you lost at a crucial point, didn’t you……」

「So we have to push forward in that direction after all . 」

Visitacion emerges from the shadow of the curtain again .

「And the result?」

「Excellent . The a.s.sa.s.sin……Benel has been captured as planned and turned into source of amus.e.m.e.nt . Information is being sent, albeit irregularly . 」

Benel’s capture was determined from the start .

The medicinal pill she was given actually contained a minute amount of poison, which wouldn’t kill her even if she swallowed a tiny bit .

「She’s a woman perfectly fit to Hardlett’s tastes . He will surely show her plenty of affection . 」

「Based on the information collected, we’ll be setting up a secondary plan . There is no guarantee……but there will be benefits even if we catch one or two . 」

Wilhelmina skims the information in a few seconds and nods .

It was a rather disinterested reaction towards the information obtained via a two-stage scheme .

「By the way, you and Benel were both in the same year during training, right?」

「Yes . She was skilled in her own right and I believe she ranked third in the cla.s.s . 」

The corners of Wilhelmina’s mouth raised when she heard Visitacion’s answer .

「And what about you?」

「Please don’t tease me . I am a “failure” . 」

Visitacion furrows his brows and refills Wilhelmina’s tea .

「Congratulations on pa.s.sing . It was a narrow gate . 」

That’s right, the only ones who really pa.s.sed the conspiracy training agency were the ones who disappeared midway through .

The others, regardless of their ranking, were judged to be “nothing more than sacrificial p.a.w.ns” .

Honestly speaking, any form of personal records will act as an obstacle to those involved with conspiracies after they graduate anyways .

「Don’t get me wrong, she’s competent . However, she has a fatal flaw . 」

Wilhelmina remains silent, urging him to continue .

「She is too emotional . She is probably acting like a s.l.u.t drowned in pleasure to cozy up to Hardlett right now, but over time, as she continues that relations.h.i.+p, there’s no mistake that she will become emotionally invested . The only thing that kept her from being disqualified was a certain training . 」

Visitacion picks up a mewling cat by the window .

「Students were given kittens . Then, after a couple months of living with them―― they were ordered to kill them . 」

Visitacion pulls out a dagger and thrusts it at the cat, stopping just short of its eye .

The startled cat hastily jumps out the window .

「She couldn’t do it . Her clever use of subst.i.tution with an already dead cat’s body was impressive, but…… the training agency is not naive enough for petty tricks to work . 」

「Fumu, and you――do I have to ask?」

Visitacion gives a small bow and stows away his dagger .

「Benel will fall in love with Hardlett not long from now . Information will either be delayed or it will appear suspicious . 」

「But, that’s fine . Because――」

Visitacion continues .

「Benel’s very existence is a scheme . Hardlett is known as an unmatched womanizer, so if she falls for him, he’s bound to also fall in love with her . Furthermore, injuring Hardlett on the battlefield is as difficult as slaying a dragon, however……」

「The same can’t be said for Benel . If we call on her during the periodic contacts, she will come in front of our spies by herself . 」

Benel was never expected to complete her duties as an a.s.sa.s.sin from the start .

She was not expected to fulfil the role of a spy pretending to a.s.sa.s.sinate either .

This was all a three-stage scheme that she had no knowledge about .

「If we a.s.sa.s.sinate Benel at the appropriate time, and in front of Hardlett if possible……」

「Hardlett will be shaken or he’ll lose his composure . If I can disrupt Goldonia’s most prominent army with a scheme, I’ll happily give up the number three ranking . 」

The tea was being consumed at a rapid pace .

「Don’t let the third level be noticed . Set up a plot based on the information sent to you . Whether it succeeds or not…… we’ll take a look if there’s time . 」

「Understood . 」

The decisive battle was approaching soon .

Protagonist: Aegir Hardlett . 25 years old . Autumn .

Status: Goldonia Kingdom Margrave . Great Feudal Lord of Eastern Area . Mountain Legend .

Friend of the Dwarves . Friend of the King of Aless . Dragon Slayer Hero .

Elf Mediator . s.e.x King of White City .

Condition (Evil G.o.d Mode)

Subordinates:

Myla (rest), Celia (dead drunk), Irijina (rest), Luna (rest)

Gido (complete recovery, insane), Pochi (in construction), Leopolt (rest), Tristan (cleaning), Agor (excuse)

Yakov (enraged), Mack (disturbed), Jim (confused), Christoph (opposed), Guigue (sc.u.m)

Altair (small happiness), Remia (climax)

Others:

Sekrit (training), Ivanna (bliss), T-99 (observing), Brynhildr (searching)

Natia (research), Felteris (vomiting, glad), Ijaris (vomiting), Yularen (vomiting)

Annette (conviction), Piris (house arrest), Baroness Rukino Escaote (bashful), Seika (♪), Naesys (playing), Nasis (playing), Busco (low-life)

Zillia (astonished)

Army – Southern Goldonia

Under Protagonist:

Escort Unit: 55

Infantry: 4500

Cavalry: 540

Archers: 580

Cannoneers: 360

Bow Cavalry: 7100

Independent Celia Squad: 400

Conscripts + Security Unit: 9700

Cannons: 40, Large Cannons: 21, Dwarven Cannons: 15, Field Artillery: 15, Chariots: 35

————————————————————————————————

Reinforcements / Allied Forces

105 Army Corps: 3700

Elves: Black: 200, White: 200

New Penal Unit: 200 ⇒ 250

G.o.d Altair’s Army: 230

Teries Fleet: Battles.h.i.+p Suvorov, Battles.h.i.+p Leviathan IV (temporary), Large Combat s.h.i.+ps: 3, Medium Combat s.h.i.+ps: 7 (all temporarily repaired)

————————————————————————————————

Ally Forces:

Western Front:

Royal Army: 39 000

Conscripts: 46 000

Eastern Front: ???

Enemy Force: Regular Soldiers: 20 000?

Conscripts: 70 000? + Young Male Soldiers: 30 000

Cavalry Army: 10 000

Frontier Mercenaries: ⇒ 30 000

Land Beasts: 600, Air Beasts: 300, ???: 1

National Volunteer Corps: ⇒ ∞

a.s.sets: -10 000 gold

s.e.xual Partners: 796, children who have been born: 69 + 567

Current Location: Outskirts of Alteria