Ch.207Chapter 207. Return of the King (1)

* * *

Turning the clock forward, not long after the Brans Army had split into three.

Unlike the Serpina Army, which was spending time quietly without any particular invasion—the southern continent, once its balance was broken, was caught in a whirlwind of turbulence.

The Karelia Army, one of the southern nations, was also riding this massive current.

In the royal palace of Madlen Castle, the capital, Sovereign Makana Karelia was receiving a report from her strategist, Vanessa.

“The Ohana Army, you say?”

“Yes. Movements suggesting they will invade the Hesna Army have been observed more than three times.”

Vanessa bowed her head as she answered Karelia’s question.

“I see…”

The situation in the southern continent was as follows:

First, on the upper left, the Rolland Army shared a border with the Brans Army—specifically, the second Brans Army led by Kalintz.

On the upper right, the Hesna Army shared borders with the second Brans Army, the Serpina Army, and the Aeshus Army.

Among these, the one that seemed to have gained a clear advantage, at least for now, was the Hesna Army.

After all, they had swallowed up one of the central continent’s territories that had belonged to the Brans Army.

However, they now had too many border lines, and the Ohana Army appeared to be taking advantage of this to invade the Hesna Army.

‘It seems the time has come to move our troops.’

“How are the battle preparations coming along?”

“Since we haven’t experienced battle for a long time, we’ve undergone even more rigorous training that cuts to the bone. I believe we can perform well anywhere.”

As Vanessa said, they had indeed trained to the bone.

Under extremely strict military discipline, they had undergone training so harsh that anyone would consider it severe.

However, whether they could actually perform well anywhere remained uncertain—but Vanessa was confident.

“That means—”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Vanessa nodded, then looked straight at her lord with gleaming eyes.

“The time has come, my lord.”

Was war finally beginning?

Though concerned about the bloodshed coming to the southern region, which had maintained relative peace compared to the chaotic continent, this too was for the greater good.

For the sake of the territory’s people who would suffer under Serpina’s tyranny, it was time to draw swords here.

“Then I should start organizing an invasion force. I’ll need to contact Tepelo Castle.”

“My lord. If I may, there is something I would like to request before that.”

“Speak.”

“Could you convene an emergency meeting today?”

“A meeting…?”

“I wish to discuss the matter at hand.”

“…”

Discussing the matter at hand.

Karelia easily understood the implications of those words.

Vanessa bowed her head while observing Karelia’s reaction.

“My lord. Please grant me this opportunity.”

“…Very well. It would be best to gather everyone’s opinions anyway. Especially since we’re facing war.”

“I can only express my gratitude, my lord.”

The time had come.

Karelia kept turning those words over in her mind as she organized her plans for the future.

Of course, there were things to be done before that.

* * *

That evening.

By Karelia’s order, an emergency meeting was held at Madlen Castle.

It wasn’t a regular meeting where all regional castle lords were summoned, but literally a meeting just among the capital’s military officers—

Given that the sovereign and the national strategist were participating, its importance couldn’t be overstated.

Military officers experienced in central politics gathered as befitting the capital.

And the agenda raised there was—

“I plan to set a date soon to invade the Ohana Army.”

At Karelia’s words, her subjects bowed their heads without much response.

War breaking out was within the realm of expectation, so everyone felt that the time had finally come rather than expressing opposition.

After all, if they continued to do nothing, nothing would change.

Everyone gathered understood that they needed to act now to secure southern hegemony in this turbulent situation.

“I would like to hear your opinions on the best approach. I won’t take issue with any opinion, so for this moment, please speak freely without concern for rank.”

“My lord.”

At that moment.

The first to raise her hand was a graceful woman with short hair and glasses that suited her perfectly—Cecile Lohengrin, the legitimate daughter of the Lohengrin family, who was practically the financial backbone of the Karelia Army.

“I believe the most reasonable approach would be to appoint Lord Lunarian of Tepelo Castle as commander-in-chief and invade Alscon Castle on the Ohana Army’s border.”

Several officers nodded in agreement with her statement.

Karelia also seemed to think this opinion was reasonable, nodding slowly—

But then she glanced at Vanessa and thought.

Yes.

In truth, there was hardly any need for a meeting.

Karelia herself had already planned to appoint Lunarian as commander-in-chief and entrust her with troops to invade the Ohana Army.

There was no place more suitable as a forward base than Tepelo Castle, and Castle Lord Lunarian had been achieving the most outstanding results among all of Karelia’s castle lords.

Even at the official martial arts tournament held recently, Lunarian had shown remarkable performance that belied her small frame.

Although the finals were canceled due to flooding in the country, it was obvious that she would have won had it continued.

However.

Karelia knew well that Vanessa had called for this meeting because she disliked this approach that anyone could think of.

“My lord.”

Vanessa slowly bowed her head, then looked at Karelia and spoke.

“Please change the castle lord of Tepelo Castle to General Gail, and reassign all officers who came with Lunarian to Madlen Castle here. We can discuss the invasion of the Ohana Army after that.”

“Just a moment, Strategist.”

The absolute rule of the Karelia Army’s emergency meetings:

During meetings, there was no hierarchy.

Anyone could raise objections even if the opinion came from the national strategist or even the sovereign.

“General Gail is certainly an excellent person, but his specialty is defensive warfare. He is not suitable to lead an invasion force. It seems reasonable to appoint Lord Lunarian, who has shown solid results and earned the trust of the soldiers…”

“Lunarian Ineanne is certainly an excellent general, but she is simply not trustworthy enough to be entrusted with such an important task. I believe appointing General Gail would be the rational choice for our army.”

“Forgive my impertinence, but isn’t your distrust of Lord Lunarian merely your personal opinion?”

“…”

“I don’t believe it would benefit our Karelia Army to have the most suitable person step down simply because you, Strategist, find her untrustworthy.”

Vanessa slowly closed her eyes.

Then, as if resolved, she met Cecile’s eyes and spoke.

“It seems to me that Lady Cecile is being overly protective of Lord Luna. Whether Lord Luna leads the invasion or not is not a particularly important issue. While I don’t dismiss the importance of excellent commanders, battles are ultimately fought by soldiers. And General Gail is also an excellent general who is not inferior to Lord Luna.”

“Not inferior, perhaps, but he doesn’t surpass Lord Luna, does he?”

“Even if his abilities are somewhat lacking, I believe it is right to give an opportunity to General Gail, who has taken on difficult tasks for us for a long time, rather than an untrustworthy outsider.”

“Wait. I’m sorry, but may I interject?”

At Karelia’s voice, Vanessa bowed her head and said.

“Please speak, my lord.”

“Why do you not trust Lord Luna?”

“…”

“I have met with her whenever she visited for regular meetings. She possesses remarkably keen insight. Moreover, her martial abilities are also of exceptional caliber. While General Gail is by no means an incompetent general, isn’t Lord Luna a far superior talent in every aspect?”

“I am not denying that she is excellent. However, it is precisely because she is too excellent that there is a problem.”

Vanessa explained calmly, but with an unyielding attitude.

“Lunarian Ineanne was once in the position of a lord. If she obtains many troops and military authority, she may reveal her hidden dark intentions again. I cannot rule out the possibility that this talented woman’s sword might one day be pointed at your neck, my lord. Please reconsider.”

“…”

“I do not think so.”

This time it was Cecile who spoke up.

“It’s true that I have a personal friendship with Lord Luna. But that is precisely why I can guarantee this. She is absolutely not the type of person with such a vile nature that she would stab someone in the back. I, Cecile, pledge on behalf of the Lohengrin family to vouch for Lord Luna. My lord, please make good use of Lord Luna. She will surely become an outstanding general for our Karelia Army like no other.”

Karelia also knew that she did not have a vile nature.

After all, there was a certain quality of character that could be felt when talking with someone and looking them in the eye.

“…What do the rest of you think?”

At Karelia’s question, the opinions of her subjects were roughly divided.

Half followed Cecile, and half followed Vanessa.

The interesting point was that most of those who followed Cecile were OBs who had served the Karelia Army for a long time, while those who followed Vanessa’s opinion were relatively new.

Karelia closed her eyes and fell into thought.

Certainly, as Vanessa said, if that sword were to be pointed at her neck, it would indeed be a great threat.

Vanessa was not a foolish woman. There was not a single strategist in the Karelia Army more excellent than her.

Although her methods were somewhat extreme, it was undeniable that since she began managing the army, the number and quality of troops had risen dramatically.

And she was an extremely objective and loyal person. She wasn’t making such claims out of simple jealousy toward Lunarian, but because she truly believed she was dangerous, which was why she argued so strongly.

‘In the end, the decision falls to me.’

After being lost in thought for a long time—

Karelia slowly parted her heavy lips.

“Vanessa.”

“…Yes.”

Having guessed Karelia’s decision from the moment her name was called, Vanessa closed her eyes and bowed her head.

And Karelia… gave exactly the answer Vanessa had predicted.

“I’m sorry, but I want to trust Lord Lunarian.”