episode_0094

“If you say someone you like…”

“I heard from my sister. There’s an opinion that’s been coming out recently.”

“What is that?”

“Making Kael marry Lady Charloa.”

… Yes? No, wait a minute. What?

“Are you talking about a political marriage?”

“Yes. Kael.”

“This is my first time hearing about this.”

“That’s right. It was just a very brief mention.”

It’s embarrassing. No, my father didn’t even say a word about that.

There’s no way you would keep such an important matter from me, especially if it’s something related to my family.

In other words, as the princess said, the idea of a political marriage is something that has only recently come up.

“That’s embarrassing. Even the person involved doesn’t know what it’s saying.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t worry about it. It won’t happen.”

When asked how she could be so sure, the princess responded as if it were only natural.

“Kael is the one who has recently established our empire’s overwhelming position. You’re going to waste him for a political marriage? Is His Majesty the Emperor really the kind of person who would do something like that? It’s absolutely impossible.”

“But if it’s a political marriage with Novogord, the Empire would gain a lot… .”

“Does Kael like Miss Charloa?”

I feel like something is off with the conversation. Am I wrong?

I had to answer first, even though I was suddenly wondering why such a question was being asked.

“I think he is a person who is helpful to both the Empire and Novogord.”

“… So?”

“But to Her Highness the Princess’s question of whether I like it… I will answer no.”

It is certain that he is a good person. He is smart and has excellent political sense.

Who would have thought that she was the daughter of the chairman of the council? Her brain works very quickly in that regard.

But do I like her? I don’t know yet about that question.

It’s not that I don’t like it, but it’s not a rational feeling of liking.

So, this is… yeah. Should I say it’s a feeling of affection for people of the same type as me?

We communicate well and think in similar ways, so to be honest, it’s fun to talk to each other.

“I mean, that’s it.”

“Tell me, Kael.”

“If I have someone I like. Someone similar to Her Highness the Princess… Oh, I don’t mean Her Highness the Princess.”

Should I say this? Won’t it just make the atmosphere weird?

But the emperor is like that too. And the current situation is like that too. It seems like they’re pushing this.

But, from a truly rational perspective, I can’t help but like the princess.

The people are nice, the hearts are kind, and above all, they always try to improve.

He is a person who possesses all the qualities that deserve to be evaluated positively.

It may be a bit strange to say this, but you are beautiful, right?

“… .”

“… .”

Damn it. I said it for nothing. What am I going to do with this atmosphere, you crazy bastard?

Me and the princess too. We just avoid eye contact without saying anything.

How long did that uncomfortable silence last?

“… Let’s talk about this.”

“I will do so, Your Majesty.”

Because I wanted to get out of this atmosphere quickly.

I argued very passionately about the current situation.

“The number of troops sent from Novogord is expected to be at least 30,000.”

“There are a lot.”

“Yes. And the three eastern kingdoms will send about 30,000 people in total.”

“Wasn’t it hard for you because of the flood? You sent that much?”

“Rather, it may be that they send that much because of that.”

They had previously served in the military, but after the Empire’s great victory, they lost their place.

There is a flood there and the country is reeling, so I cannot remain in the military.

In the meantime, if you are drafted under the pretext of support, you can at least receive supplies from the empire.

Therefore, from the eastern kingdoms’ point of view, there is no loss since they can maintain troops and receive food.

“They say they are sending reinforcements from the south too… .”

“To be honest, you shouldn’t expect anything, right?”

“If we look at it objectively, yes.”

That Benito was the strongest among the southern kingdoms. That says it all.

Even if the remaining kingdoms side with the Empire and send troops, from the Empire’s perspective, they are inferior to reserve forces.

Still, it’s better than not having any at all, so it might be okay to use them as escort troops for the Chijungdae.

“Then, the reinforcements would be almost 70,000 strong.”

“The important thing is that the 70,000 must be fully under Imperial command.”

“I’m worried that it will be like that. Command authority is a sensitive issue.”

“They must be worried that the Empire will push them into a corner.”

Novogord made it clear that he would cooperate with the Empire.

Burkhay, Kaden, and Forland now have no choice but to go with the Empire.

The Southern Kingdoms have also abandoned Benito, so there is no other option but the Empire.

Nevertheless, command is still a problem that they find difficult to give up.

There is the matter of pride, but you also have to be concerned about public sentiment within your own country.

Honestly, who would like it if I suddenly handed over the command of my army to another country?

“But you don’t plan on giving up that command, do you?”

“Of course. Because I eventually bowed my head under the imperial order. That’s why I made that decision, and it’s only natural that the reinforcements be placed under the imperial control.”

Novogord through Charleroi. The East through the mercy of the Empire that has been shown so far.

Finally, the South can easily be used under the name of the Holy See.

Well, to be honest, I don’t need anything else, I just need Novogord.

The human resources are incomparable to those coming from the south, let alone the east.

Even when compared to our Imperial Legion, they are not lacking in combat at all.

In my memories from my previous life, I remember the demons as a savage race that would attack and attack with horns growing from their heads.

It was at a similar level, but the demons here are a bit different from that.

First of all, the horns on the head. There is a similar story in the Empire.

But that is a distortion due to the horns on the helmets worn by the demons.

Besides that, although they are combative, they do not charge in a reckless manner.

Rather, it values full armament with high-quality iron, almost like the Empire.

‘What should I call it? Hmm. A heavily armed Viking? Something like that.’

The inhuman physical abilities of a demon. And an incredibly heavy armor.

Just looking at it this way, it seems like a branch of military service that military commanders would really covet.

Who would refuse the opportunity to command such a unit?

“… Or maybe a political marriage would be better.”

“What did you say?”

“Yes? Oh. No, Your Majesty. Just talking to myself… .”

“The content is too unusual to be called a monologue.”

Say it again quickly. Under the pressure of the princess, I finally had to open my mouth.

“I don’t know about other things, but Novogord’s troops are definitely great, right? In particular, their proud heavily armed infantry showed many strong performances even against the Imperial Legion.”

“I won’t deny it. But it’s not that it’s hard because they’re not there, it’s just a pity. I think Kael is much more important.”

As expected. As expected, the Imperial Family. That heart that loves talented people.

I’m so touched. If I were someone who had no blood or tears, I would have thought, ‘Oh. Is this a political marriage that’s so profitable?’

As expected, my judgment was not wrong. Our princess is truly a good person!

“… If you still feel sorry, ask for a favor.”

“Your Majesty?”

“If it’s Lady Charlois, she might listen to Kael’s request. She’s the one who gave them advice, and she knows that they’ve decided to join hands with the Empire, so she’ll have to give something up.”

I almost reflexively replied, “That’s a good idea!”

But soon the Emperor’s face came to mind and he began to say something else instead.

“Hmm. It’s a very tempting offer, but I don’t think there’s a reason to do it.”

“Why?”

“As the princess said, it would really give more reason to talk about a political marriage. It would also seem strange for me to meet Lady Charlois and have some kind of secret meeting.”

In social circles and politics, the moment you say, “Huh?” the story spreads everywhere.

It would be nice if it just spread out, but all sorts of strange things get attached to it and it expands.

And people gradually start to believe it’s real, and it actually happens.

“… If Kael says so. What.”

The princess’s expression is a bit strange. She seems indifferent.

Also, if you look at it this way, it looks like he’s smiling slyly. Hmm. I’m not sure.

dripping-

Just as I was about to speak to the princess again, the door opened and a maid from the Imperial Household Ministry spoke.

“Your Highness the Princess. Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household. Both of you are under imperial command to enter Daejeon immediately.”

“Your Majesty? What’s going on?”

“According to the current situation on the continent, His Majesty the Emperor will personally reveal the Empire’s will.”

For a moment, my gaze and that of the princess met in the air.

In this day and age, the Emperor himself is stepping forward to state the Empire’s will?

If this is the case, it is possible to predict what the ‘meaning’ will be.

“It looks like it’s finally starting.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It seems that you are finally ready to start a war in the name of the Empire.”

Declaration of war. It was the judgment offered by the Empire.