chapter_0074

74 – Winter Thanksgiving

74 – Winter Thanksgiving

The news that the coalition of six clans had been annihilated by Cron was swiftly communicated to all factions through the most direct channels.

This was only natural, as the outcome of this battle could completely alter the political landscape of the south.

In fact, the one who had the most at stake in this battle was the Duke of the North, the patron of the Ukran clan.

He had mobilized his troops to support the Ukran clan while exerting silent pressure to prevent the prince and princess from intervening in the south.

His message was clear: if they moved their troops to intervene in the south, he would take action to plunder their empty homes.

He particularly pressured the princess’s faction, which had been eager to act in the south, leading all factions to adopt a stance of watching the southern battle from the sidelines.

And the news that the coalition of six clans had been decimated without a proper battle, with most of their forces absorbed by Cron, shocked everyone.

Most of the advisors had anticipated that Cron could win.

However, it was still surprising that Cron had annihilated them without suffering significant losses in a direct confrontation.

All factions began detailed investigations through their informants and learned that an advisor named Leo had joined Cron.

Hearing this information, the prince discussed it with Duran.

“Leo Arsera… have you heard of him, Duran?”

“Yes, Your Highness. He is my junior.”

“Junior?”

Duran was from the Department of Strategy and Tactics at the Plato Academy.

Always keeping an eye out for capable talents, Duran had heard stories about a genius freshman who had entered five years ago and had been watching him closely for a chance to scout him.

However, two years ago, Leo had suddenly disappeared, claiming he wanted to become a bard, and that was the last news Duran had heard about him.

“What kind of person is this junior named Leo?”

“He possesses a terrifying intellect. He was particularly well-known at the academy for his strategies that utilized rumors and false information.”

During their time at the academy, Duran had met Leo only once.

They hadn’t spoken much, but from just a few exchanges, Duran could gauge Leo’s abilities.

He thought that Leo seemed to excel at manipulating rumors and understanding human psychology better than himself, which made Duran determined to scout him.

Now, however, seeing him in another faction made Duran feel it was a great loss.

“It’s a shame to lose such talent.”

“Yes, I apologize, Your Highness.”

“There’s no need for you to apologize.”

With the open conflict with the Duke of the North, the assassination of the Blood Clan, and the incessant rebellions, the prince’s workload had reached its limits.

Duran felt regretful that he could not be of more help as the prince’s right-hand man.

“What do you think we should do about Cron?”

“We must not allow any further expansion.”

“Indeed, that seems to be the case.”

From the prince’s perspective, Cron had grown larger than anticipated.

While it was no longer possible to let it grow further, openly opposing Cron and making them an enemy alongside the North was not a wise strategy.

The prince asked Duran.

“Is there no way to turn them into allies?”

The prince had a favorable view of Calix Crone.

He personally supported the pro-people policies Calix pursued and wanted to make him an ally.

However, Cron did not sever ties with any faction but also did not align with any, growing independently.

When asked how to deal with such a Cron, Duran replied.

“I see no immediate way to make him an ally. However, there is a way to weaken him without making him an enemy.”

“What method is that?”

Duran pointed to the North.

He indicated the territory of their greatest enemy and headache.

“The Duke of the North… we can use Your Highness’s uncle, Duke Ark.”

“Uncle?”

Duran discussed a strategy to weaken both the North and the South while preserving the prince’s faction.

The prince’s faction began to mobilize.

Since the battle with the coalition of six clans, we had been busy.

The emergence of over five thousand exiles, or rather, an exiled army, was a monumental event.

We had to secure living spaces for them and their families, integrate them into the Krone Knights, reorganize the military structure, and procure additional food and supplies—there was no shortage of tasks to be done.

Fortunately, we were prepared.

“I didn’t expect to secure this much land and food. Noah, did you know this day would come?”

“I didn’t know such a day would come. I just aimed to create ‘such a day.’”

“I see. Understood.”

Leo and Noah seemed to share some secret knowledge.

What could it be? And why do they look at me with such intense eyes?

Since the day I asked them to become emperors, Leo and Noah occasionally looked at me with the same gaze.

Each time, it sent chills down my spine.

In addition to the five thousand exiles, there were many headaches regarding the aftermath of the six clans.

Ah, of course, there was no question of holding Cron accountable.

War trials stem from the belief that victory is the divine justice bestowed by the gods.

However, it was interpreted that they had not just suffered a simple defeat but had been annihilated by a natural disaster, suggesting that they had been abandoned by the gods and faced divine punishment.

Moreover, most of the main soldiers and knights of the six clans were either dead or had become exiles, rendering them incapable of fighting, and the matter was concluded by installing a new lord and placing loyalists to Cron in key positions.

Here, Hart’s sixty years of connections proved invaluable.

Lately, I began to understand a bit of King Sejong’s mindset, who had not allowed Hwanghee to retire until death.

If he worked that well, I too would find it hard to grant permission.

As the loyalists’ efforts began to resolve the issues, I too was leading a busy life.

Because I was preparing for something important.

Namely…

“Alright! Everyone, let’s do our best to hold the best Winter Thanksgiving Festival!”

“[Yes! Lord!!]”

I had to prepare for the Winter Thanksgiving Festival.

Just as there are holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving in the world of my past life, there was a ‘Winter Thanksgiving’ here.

It was one of the biggest holidays in the Novarens Empire, started as a way to express gratitude for being able to welcome another winter.

I couldn’t let such a festival pass by, so I poured my own funds into preparing the Winter Thanksgiving Festival, which has now become one of Cron’s trademarks.

I walked around Cron, checking the festival preparations, and as I did, Lana and Azel remarked.

“It seems this year’s Winter Thanksgiving Festival will be grand as well.”

“Of course, as the number of people increases, the festival grows larger; that’s common sense.”

“It’s humiliating that I, as a perfect maid, didn’t know such common sense. I will make sure to never forget it.”

“I… I won’t forget it either.”

Teaching Lana and Azel a piece of incorrect common knowledge, I continued to walk around Cron, which was busy with festival preparations.

On the streets, everyone was frantically preparing for the festival.

Street vendors were setting up carts and small stoves, getting ready to cook food.

And people who looked like performers were practicing various tricks, preparing to earn a penny from the crowd.

I also saw merchants preparing a festival similar to bursting balloons from my past life, aiming to hit targets with arrows.

Suddenly, a small girl ran up to Lana.

“Teacher Lana!”

“Mai? Isn’t it time for you to study at school?”

The little girl, who seemed to be one of Lana’s students, rushed to her.

The girl named Mai smiled brightly and said.

“We’re participating in this festival too!”

Is that so?

Anyone from Cron could participate in the festival.

Naturally, it was possible for children to join as well.

Proud of her students’ actions, Lana patted Mai’s head and said.

“Excellent. They are indeed my students.”

“Hehe! Thank you. It’s all thanks to you, teacher.”

Hearing that the children had set up a booth, I couldn’t help but smile like a proud father.

I said to the girl Mai.

“It’s wonderful that you all set up a booth together.”

“Thank you! Lord!!”

“What kind of booth did you set up? I will support you.”

Considering it was a booth set up by children, it would probably be something like a food stall.

There would surely be many things lacking, and I intended to help the children even if it meant using my own funds.

In response to my words, Mai answered.

“A maid café.”

“…What?”

For a moment, I thought I had misheard.

What kind of booth are the children setting up?

“We’re trying to open a maid café where we serve customers to the best of our abilities.”

“Ah… I see. Huh… that’s impressive.”

“Please come too, Lord! I will do my best to serve, just like Teacher Lana taught me!”

“Y-yes… understood.”

Now that I looked closely, Mai was wearing a maid outfit.

I can’t believe I’m seeing this.

After Mai ran off, I asked Lana.

“Just to be sure, Lana, you haven’t taught the children anything inappropriate, have you?”

“…I can’t guarantee that.”

Lana’s night skills were no joke.

Naturally, the level of those skills was also no joke.

When I expressed my concern that teaching such skills to children might be problematic, Lana began to sweat profusely and avoided the question.

Could it be that she taught them such things!?

Even in the medieval era, is that acceptable!?

As I pondered this, Azel shouted.

“Something inappropriate… are you referring to that XXX we did together last time?”

“Shh! Shh! Azel! Keep your voice down!!”

“Yes, that’s right. Azel, and that’s XX.”

“Lana!”

Talking with the two of them often felt like a conversation between a married woman and her husband, which was quite bewildering.

My inner Confucian dragon kept trying to awaken.

It was winter.

A word from the author (Author’s note)

To commemorate the arrival of summer, I started the winter festival.

Let’s all survive this year’s heat as well.

Fighting!