Chapters Chapter 18. A declaration of war (1/2)

The enemy’s military doesn’t seem like much, but I don’t know why I feel so uneasy.

Timothy was in a dilemma.

Although he’d sent seven scout hawks over the last two days, Laputa’s military force looked mediocre at best, if not a joke.

If military power was the only factor, the victory of the Burrows would be a given.

The basic specs of the Burrows were overwhelmingly better than Laputa’s.

Kang Chul-In’s territory, Laputa, was composed primarily by humans, but the Burrow lands comprised of ants, moles, centipedes, mole crickets, and others that lived primarily in the soil. If a war broke out, an overwhelming victory was to be expected.

But he felt uneasy.

In Kang Chul-In’s territory, it was hard to find any big threats, but this was commonly called “having a bad feeling”. Timothy did not feel too good about this impulsive and reckless battle.

“It is difficult. Very difficult.”

Timothy let out a long sigh.

It was understandable because Timothy’s specialty was [Administration], and so he was an Secretary best suited for paperwork. Thus, he was not too competent regarding war tactics.

Even so, he could not leave things to Lord Kimura either.

Kimura knew nothing.

He was immersed in role-playing and wanted to be king, labeling himself “Shogun”, “Great Warrior”, and other things Timothy could not understand. He was a typical tyrant, a young tyrant at that.

“Sigh… my fate!”

A long sigh came from the old Goblin’s mouth.

They definitely had the upper hand terms of military force, but he could not shake the uneasiness that overcame him. It was as if he was about to poke a beehive.

However, there wasn’t any solid excuse for him to convince Kimura to give up on war either. If he had a good enough excuse, it would be worth it to manipulate and convince him. However, their superiority in numbers was so clear that there wasn’t any foundation in telling Kimura to give up on battle.

It was then.

A pretty good idea crossed the old Goblin’s mind.

“That’s it!”

It was quite a good idea.

This will do! I could make a reasonable argument!

Timothy smiled widely and went to seek his Lord, Kimura.

“Bastard! How dare you shoot an arrow at me?!”

Kimura was drinking honey water in the Lord Hall located deep underground and was grinding his teeth thinking about Kang Chul-In.

“Shogun!”

“What, Goblin.”

“Could you send me as a diplomat?”

“What?”

Kimura tilted his head as if asking him what kind of a dumb question that was.

“Why would we send something like that? We can just invade!”

“There are rules in battle as well.”

“Rules?”

Kimura squinted and furrowed his brow at Timothy.

“Although he is the enemy, there are basic rules that one needs to follow.”

“Stop saying things that are difficult to understand, you stupid Goblin!”

“I’m sorry.”

“So, what’s your point?”

“As the old saying goes, the best victory is won without a fight.”

“Hmm… yes, that is true.”

Kimura nodded.

What Timothy said, anyone heard at least once, and it was a line from “Art of War”. Although the world was different, it seemed that a victory acquired without a fight was valuable in both worlds.

“If you send me as a diplomat, I will offer the Lord who wronged you the chance to surrender.”

“Surrender?”

“Yes, Shogun. If you offer them the chance to surrender and they accept, wouldn’t we be able to win without shedding any blood? It won’t be easy, but since our military strength is much greater, there is a chance.”

“Hm…”

Kimura seemed half-convinced, so Timothy took the opportunity to continue.

“Even if the opponent does not agree to surrender, wouldn’t it be an advantage for me to go as a diplomat anyway?”

“Advantage? What advantage?”

At that moment, Lord or not, Timothy was about to scream, “Why do you live with a head if you have no brain!?”

This was not just an issue of age.

The human himself was just stupid and did not think much.

In the Secretary’s position, his patience was tested again and again.

I must endure it. This is my Lord… I must…

Timothy persevered with all that he had and held in his anger. With a gentle and polite tone, he spoke to Kimura.

“First, sending a diplomat shows that our Burrow lands are civilized and will not just use force. It is a show of sorts.”

“Is that it?”

“Of course not, my Lord! A diplomat is a legal spy. While I ask for surrender, I will also gather intel on the enemy. Wouldn’t it be more accurate to see it with my own two eyes instead of using expensive scout hawks?”

“Hmm… I guess you are right as well.”

When Kimura seemed to agree, Timothy showed a relieved expression.

“And also, war is not just invading whenever you want but making a declaration first. It is a savage thing to do to just wage war without any warning. Aren’t you a good and wise leader, Shogun?”

“Hmm… yes, that is also true.”

“If you trust and leave it to me, although I cannot guarantee surrender, I will at least bring back good intel.”

Kimura was manipulated by Timothy’s words and allowed him to leave.

“Ha. You make sure to tell that Lord. If he does not surrender, he will face hell.”

“Yes, of course. Hehe~ Then, I will be back, Shogun.”

Timothy cheered on the inside after finally getting approval.

It is done!

Honestly, Timothy did not want this rash, unprepared war. Therefore, saying that he would offer a chance to surrender was just to convince Kimura.

Timothy’s intention was as follows.

He would go but would then come up with an excuse to make Kimura give up on war such as saying that the enemy had a secret army or weapon that they were concealing.

Timothy knew that war was not child’s play.

In addition, he wanted to visit Kang Chul-In’s territory and relieve the unknown uneasiness that was consuming him. However, his delight was short-lived.

Sorry, Shogun, but Timothy is prepared to sin if it’s for the safety of the Shogun and the land!