Ch.107Chapter 107: Operation.

“Hmm… I suppose? Orcs aren’t commonly seen in the south, right? They dislike hot places.”

That’s not to say there aren’t orcs active in hot regions. Just as humans have various races, orcs are divided into many different tribes.

There has been much debate about whether orcs should be classified as humanoids like vampires or as monsters.

While vampires clearly have human forms, orcs walk on two legs but their faces differ significantly from humans.

Sharp fangs, pointed ears, and slightly upturned noses.

The only reason there was any discussion about classifying orcs as humanoids was because there had been a few reported cases of interaction between humans and orcs.

However, in most countries, orcs are classified as monsters.

First, there’s their hostility toward humans.

This extends to both humanoid races and humans of the central continent.

Orcs are extremely belligerent and ferocious, enjoying battle and frequently engaging in plunder.

They enslave humans to work the farmlands they acquire. They’ve even been known to abduct human women to use as breeding tools.

For many reasons, it’s difficult to classify them as humanoids.

Moreover, orcs possess another characteristic of monsters: the existence of higher-tier individuals.

Humanoid races don’t have higher-tier individuals, only bloodlines.

Even vampires are like this. Vampires have special bloodlines called “purebloods,” but they aren’t higher-tier beings.

Orcs, however, are different.

Starting with common orcs, they progress to orc warriors, orc knights, orc generals, and orc lords.

And exceptionally, the orc king exists as a higher being above the lords.

After listening to Lisa’s explanation, Valt tilts his head.

“Hmm… Then how strong is an orc king?”

“I’m not certain, but probably around 9th rank? The tier below, orc lords, are generally known to be at master level.”

Just a monster at Grand Master level.

Valt clicks his tongue at the incredible strength.

“This… I wonder if this is more dangerous.”

But Lisa seems unconcerned.

“Nah~ We won’t have to face the orc king, right? The Eastern Alliance won’t just sit around. Everyone will be scrambling to earn merit.”

Grace interjects at Lisa’s words.

“Lady Lisa is correct. There’s actually a secret agreement to recognize the most fertile land in the eastern neutral territory as territory of whichever nation captures the orc king.”

“Huh? Your Highness, are you allowed to tell us that?”

But Grace merely shrugs.

“What’s wrong with it? I simply don’t intend to hide information from you all.”

Valt smiles at Grace’s attitude.

He had initially thought she was an unpleasant royal who cared only about appearances, but now he saw that wasn’t the case.

Her increasingly honest demeanor made him glad he had introduced her to his sixth brother.

“Well, it would be difficult for us to capture the orc king. At 9th rank, it’s not a monster we can handle. We should aim for something else.”

At Valt’s words, Grace seizes the opportunity to speak.

“That’s what I wanted to discuss. Is that alright?”

“By all means.”

Though they were merely sitting on the training ground floor for what they called a meeting, Grace pulled out a map of the eastern region from somewhere.

*Rustle*

Thanks to the detailed map, the eastern terrain was visible at a glance.

“Oh, this must be a military map. It’s quite detailed.”

“Yes, I swiped it from the Oscar Kingdom’s operations room.”

Lisa looks at Grace with an incredulous expression.

“Is that allowed?”

“Who would question the crown princess using it? Anyway, that’s not important. Look at the map.”

As everyone began examining the map, Grace produced what looked like a long pen from somewhere.

She began circling areas on the map without hesitation.

“This is where we believe the main orc force is located. Currently, the Eastern Alliance forces are gathered here, here, and here, surrounding the orc main force.”

Looking at the map, Lisa cups her chin and asks:

“That looks good? The retreat path is secure and supply lines seem convenient. They shouldn’t have supply shortages.”

“Oh? Lady Lisa, you have military talent.”

At Grace’s compliment, Lisa scratches the back of her head sheepishly.

“Hehe, it’s nothing. I just picked up a few things watching my father at home.”

“No, that’s not something you can easily grasp just by looking at a map. You have talent. Anyway, as Lady Lisa said, the retreat path, supply lines, and terrain are optimized for stopping the orcs. The wide plains mean that even if numerous orcs advance, magic can effectively stop them. The war is expected to be a full-scale firepower battle on open ground.”

Everyone nods at Grace’s explanation.

Her assessment seemed sound. Then her pen moves again.

“But this place.”

Another forceful circle appears on the map.

“Why there?”

“According to Oscar Kingdom scouts, a separate force of 30,000 orcs was confirmed moving toward this location.”

Lisa couldn’t help but be surprised at those words.

“A separate force? Orcs?”

“Honestly, we don’t know if they’re a detachment from the main force or a different tribe invading on their own, but 30,000 troops is certainly not a small force.”

Looking at the terrain, Lisa notes it’s not suitable for large-scale troop movements. Though the eastern lands are fertile, they naturally include various terrains like forests and mountains.

“Hmm… This is a bit of a headache, isn’t it?”

At Lisa’s words, Grace smiles brightly.

“In what way? I’d like to hear Lady Lisa’s insights.”

Lisa looks at the map and freely shares her thoughts.

“The terrain is problematic. Only a small elite force can enter this area. I don’t know how well the orcs will utilize this terrain, but there’s a limit to how many human forces can enter.”

Grace continues to question Lisa, who had immediately grasped the terrain from the map.

“Hmm, and so?”

Lisa continues her explanation without hesitation.

“The problem is the elite forces. Right now, the East can’t withdraw elite troops from the main orc force.”

“Why is that?”

Now Grace is openly soliciting Lisa’s opinion, almost as if testing her insight.

“It’s obvious. Of course they want to crush the orcs, but each country needs to earn merit now. If they want to destroy the orc main force and take the orc king’s head, they can’t afford to withdraw elite troops. This region being invaded by 30,000 orcs will be in danger.”

*Clap, clap, clap*

“Excellent! The Valentine family is truly exceptional!!”

Even Valt was slightly surprised. He knew Lisa had talent as an adjutant, but combined with the map, she visualized the battlefield situation vividly.

Moreover, she had inferred the current situation based on Grace’s information.

“We should go here!”

Grace now looks completely satisfied.

“Correct! Lady Lisa. I would like you all to head in this direction.”

Valt questions Grace’s request.

“Just us? Is there a reason for that?”

It was Lisa who answered, not Grace.

“This isn’t the only such place!! The orcs are heading in multiple directions. Princess Grace wants us to handle this area while she eliminates orcs elsewhere and then joins us! Yes, here and here! These are also terrains where orcs might gather. And we’ll meet up here!”

*Bang!*

As Lisa slaps the map with her hand, Grace’s expression changes from joy to amazement.

Lisa had completely understood Grace’s strategy with just contextual information.

“Y-yes. Everyone is so focused on earning merit that it’s difficult to deal with small villages or tens of thousands of orc troops. That’s why we’re requesting help from adventurers and the academy.”

Lisa appreciated Grace’s intentions.

Not waging war for merit, but to protect people.

Lisa was beginning to like Grace for this.

“That’s wonderful, Princess!! Valt!! Valt!! Let’s go this way!! This area is the most vulnerable, and if we break through, we’ll have to meet Princess Grace here. We’ll be protecting civilians!”

Arias also smiles as she looks at Lisa.

“Heh, the weakest one loves protecting others so much.”

Grace now looks truly impressed.

Having military ability allows one to recognize strategy and tactics.

But Lisa had even discerned Grace’s heart.

As a ruler, Grace couldn’t ignore such talent, and she unconsciously blurted out:

“Lady Lisa, do you have plans after graduation? Would you consider working under me?”

Until just moments ago, Grace had remembered that Lisa Valentine was from one of the Empire’s three great families, but a ruler’s instinct couldn’t resist headhunting.

“I’m a Valentine, you know…?”

“Ah…! Oh right… I apologize for the rudeness…! I think we’ve covered the operation, and it would be better to discuss the details tomorrow.”

If it became known that the Oscar Kingdom’s crown princess tried to recruit someone from the Empire’s Valentine family, it would be quite troublesome for Grace.

After Grace left, Valt chuckled and gently patted Lisa’s small back.

“Our adjutant has quite the talent. I should take you to Gerunto.”

“Huh? You too, Valt? How could I possibly go to Gerunto? It’s impossible unless we get married.”

“Hmm… that’s true. Well, let’s leave it at that for now.”

“I… want to be Valt’s adjutant, not marry you…”

“Hahaha, alright, Lisa. I respect your preferences.”

Lisa’s feelings for Valt were admiration, not romantic love.

But unaware of this, Arias and Lilith’s gazes pierced Lisa’s back as she walked cheerfully toward the dormitory.

Regardless of their misunderstanding, Valt was pondering which of his brothers might be suitable for Lisa.