Ch.30Chapter 30. Monthly Regular Meeting / Brans (1)

Monthly Regular Meeting.

The royal palace meeting in the Lunarian Army was, in name only, a meeting—it was essentially just a small gathering where four of us, including myself, huddled together to decide “what shall we do this month?”

Even then, since Monarch Luna almost completely trusted my words, the meetings often ended in less than an hour.

However, the Brans Army was different.

Every month, everyone from the most basic subordinate generals to the castle lords who handled the actual administration of surrounding castles all participated, proposing commands to Lynn and receiving missions to carry out—there were well over dozens of people gathered, so.

Perhaps I thought that I might be experiencing this “monthly meeting” for the first time at this very moment.

“First, I’ll receive last month’s reports. Castle lords, come forward and speak in turn. The order is the same as last time.”

“Yes!”

First, a middle-aged man with blonde hair from the far left of the procession stepped forward firmly.

“I am Rasion, lord of Kelstein Castle. I will report on this month’s objectives of ‘training’ and ‘military reinforcement.’ The number of soldiers has increased by 3,300, with a current total of 39,000 soldiers stationed.”

It’s nice to see a familiar face.

Rasion.

Just an average A-rank general, but someone who does his job properly no matter what he’s assigned.

He wasn’t particularly loyal and would usually surrender when captured as a prisoner, but perhaps because of that, he was a general I frequently encountered whenever I played the game.

I also utilized Rasion quite often.

His pixel portrait in the game was just that of an extra middle-aged man, but in reality, he had quite a dignified charm.

It felt like when the game world became the real world, all the pixel characters received tremendous upgrades.

“Any other special matters?”

“Two new talents have been recruited, and the small fortress that began construction in front of the castle under Kalintz’s leadership should be completed by next month.”

“I see. About the fortress defense commander, I think we should just keep Kalintz in charge. Pass that on.”

“Yes! Understood.”

After Rasion finished his polite greeting and stepped back.

The man next to him came forward and spoke.

“Daltrick of Jog Castle. First, I would like to report on the achievements of the past month.”

And so it continued—each castle lord gave their presentation.

The Brans Army’s territory was vast, with a total of nine castles including both large and small ones.

After the castle lords finished their presentations, Lynn looked down at everyone and said:

“Now. Today I’m planning to appoint a lord for Zeilant Castle, which has newly become part of our Brans territory. I’ve also selected a list of people to transfer there to work, so those who receive orders should head to Zeilant. If there are personnel who couldn’t attend this meeting, the castle lord they belong to should relay the message. Shall I call them?”

This atmosphere.

Unfamiliar yet familiar at the same time.

Yes. It felt like being a trainee waiting for unit assignments.

“I’ll appoint Aneka Lem as castle lord. Banya, Mirika, Yuz, Diaka, Bran. These five will work under Zeilant Castle.”

“Understood!”

Several voices responded.

After that, Lynn rose from the throne and spoke:

“Now. We’ll determine this month’s action plan. Does anyone have good ideas? Feel free to speak up.”

Though called an action plan, it was the same concept as the “opinion submission” we did in the Lunarian Army meetings.

As a newcomer, I decided to keep my mouth shut and listen rather than step forward directly.

Indeed, several people raised their hands and began to offer suggestions.

“I think the most important thing now is to organize internal affairs. It would be good to implement policies focused on internal matters such as commerce and agriculture.”

“Since we are surrounded on all sides by enemy nations, I propose implementing policies focused on military reinforcement.”

“Chelam Castle of the Rolland Army in the south has weak defenses, so we should prepare to attack. We should conscript and train new soldiers at Saintica Castle on the southern border, using all the nation’s resources.”

One by one, they raised their hands and presented their opinions.

I could instinctively sense it.

The people raising their hands and speaking their minds here were all decent talents who were pulling their weight in the Brans Army.

That’s probably why they could freely offer opinions to the monarch in the first place.

At that moment.

“My lord. May I also offer an opinion?”

At Farfalle’s words, who was standing next to Lynn, Lynn nodded.

“Go ahead.”

“I’ve confirmed that you’ve been focusing on the west all last month, but I recently received intelligence that the Aeshus Army in the east is planning to raise troops to punish the Allepel Army in the west.”

“Really? If that’s true, it’s quite a good opportunity, isn’t it?”

Farfalle nodded strongly in agreement with Lynn’s response and said:

“Indeed. It’s an excellent opportunity to mobilize 56,000 troops to invade Balhart Castle of the Aeshus Army. I think it would be good to prepare for invasion as soon as the armistice ends.”

“Oh? You must have something you’re confident about?”

Instead of answering, Farfalle gave a faint smile.

Lynn nodded and then addressed us:

“Hmm… Does anyone else have different opinions?”

At that moment.

Someone broke the silence and raised their hand.

“My lord.”

A woman’s voice that was now somewhat familiar.

It was Irene who offered an opinion.

“…Speak.”

“I think the Serpina Army has been quiet for quite a long time. Rather than focusing on other areas, I believe it would be better to station more troops at Kelstein Castle in the north to strengthen our defenses.”

“Oh? The north?”

After hearing Irene’s words, Lynn spoke with an indifferent expression.

“Didn’t we just build a new fortress there? Kalintz is also there. And we already have the most troops stationed there compared to all other borders. Do we really need to send more?”

“Well…”

As Irene tried to explain, Lynn raised her hand to stop her.

“No. Well, anyone is free to express their opinion.”

Though Lynn said this with a slight smile—

Her words were clearly laced with thorns.

A strange atmosphere formed in the meeting hall.

The flow of the mood itself, carrying the will of the absolute ruler, was targeting Irene.

This pressure.

Even I, as a third party, felt intimidated… had Irene always been treated like this?

“…”

Irene did not continue speaking, bowing her head in submission.

Lynn summarized the situation:

“Now. Anyone else who wants to present an opinion? No more?”

Shortly after, Lynn summarized the opinions that had been presented.

“First. Implementing policies focused on internal affairs. Do you think this is the best approach for our Brans Army? If so, raise your hand.”

Hearing this, several people in the hall raised their hands to indicate agreement.

I think I understood this system.

In the game, generals would offer opinions, and the monarch—the player—would usually implement policies decided by majority vote.

Of course, the monarch could ignore the meeting results if they wanted, but doing so would lower the loyalty of generals except those with deep devotion, and worsen relationships, so unless you were doing a concept play, there was no reason to do so.

It seems they’re roughly deciding by majority vote here too.

Unlike the Lunarian Army, which was a small nation with very few people, ignoring results decided by majority vote would be burdensome even for the monarch here.

‘Let’s see.’

I input the question: “Is implementing internal affairs-focused policies the most efficient for the Brans Army?”

The conclusion was [No].

‘To give the impression that I’m working properly, I should choose what I think is correct here.

Of course, since these were just opinions being presented, it was possible that the answer to all questions would be [No].

In such a case, if Lynn wanted to, she could ask me “What would be the most efficient approach?” like Luna did, and that would solve the problem—

But I just wanted to be moderately helpful, not ambitiously try to earn merit.

After all, Luna would eventually unify everything anyway, so there was no need to exert myself.

So I let it pass.

“Then second. Implementing policies focused on military reinforcement would be best. Raise your hands.”

Again, several people raised their hands.

I did not raise mine.

“Third. Gathering troops in the south to prepare for invading Chelam Castle would be best. Raise your hands.”

Surprisingly, only one person raised their hand this time.

The proposer who had spoken confidently looked a bit embarrassed, but what could they do?

If they didn’t like it, they should have established a proper network of people who would follow their words.

Of course, I didn’t raise my hand this time either.

“Fourth. Mobilizing 56,000 troops to attack Balhart Castle of the Aeshus Army. Those who agree?”

And.

Many of the ministers who had been hesitating until now simultaneously raised their hands.

Farfalle observed this scene with a satisfied smile.

Farfalle.

She was the national strategist—military advisor—of the Brans Army.

In this game, a national strategist was someone who served the monarch from the closest position and could deeply influence various decisions of the monarch—in a way, it could be considered the highest position a minister could reach.

Of course, as territory expanded further, positions like corps commanders could be established, but that was for later.

Anyway, giving the impression that I agreed with Farfalle’s opinion and strengthening my relationship with her would be good politics.

I input her opinion in my mind.

‘Is attacking Balhart Castle the best opinion?’

[It is not.]

‘Hooh.’

I know her intelligence stat is over 90.

So I was planning to casually raise my hand for her opinion. High intelligence usually means correct statements.

But it seems that wasn’t the case this time.

If you agree with an opinion, your favorability with the general who proposed it increases.

If the advisor Farfalle’s opinion wasn’t absolutely correct, I should just agree with Irene’s opinion to increase her favorability.

I was really taking this matter very lightly.

“It’s pretty much decided.”

Lynn added an unnecessary comment before opening her mouth again.

“Lastly. Adding more troops to Kelstein Castle in the north to strengthen defenses and prepare for invasion by the Serpina Army would be the best approach. Those who agree?”

And this time.

Except for the proposer Irene, not a single person supported her opinion.

Irene had fallen out of Lynn Brans’s favor. Only her talent allowed her to participate even in meetings like this.

But it seemed that in organizational life, people with enough loyalty to side with someone who had fallen out of favor with the leader were hard to find in this world too.

‘If I raise my hand alone, will her favorability increase?’

At that moment, I casually input her question in my mind.

‘Is it right to gather troops at Kelstein Castle to prepare for invasion by the Serpina Army?’

And the result came.

[Very close.]

‘…Huh?’

What?

Not “No,” but “Very close”?

‘What’s happening in the north?’

Honestly, I was thinking of supporting Irene’s opinion—

But as Lynn said, they were already building a fortress there, and the most troops were already stationed there.

It seemed unnecessary, but does this mean her opinion is actually the most efficient one?

“No one?”

I hastily raised my hand at Lynn’s words.

At my action, the eyes of every general in the room turned to me.

Their gazes were quite diverse, but could ultimately be summarized as one:

‘What are you thinking, taking her side?’ was the general meaning.

Even Irene seemed a bit surprised that I would raise my hand, as she was looking at me with slight shock.

Lady Irene. Hold your head high. Surprisingly, your opinion is the most efficient among these.

At that moment.

“Hooh.”

Lynn, seemingly amused by the situation, slightly raised the corner of her mouth, then pointed at me and said:

“Swen. You raised your hand for Irene’s opinion?”

With Lynn’s words, the attention already on me became fixed on my face.

It would have been natural to feel intimidated, but compared to when Lynn once held a knife to my throat, this was nothing.

“Yes.”

“Hooh? Why?”

“Because I agree with her words.”

“So you think we should send troops to the north? To a place that’s already building a fortress and has the most soldiers?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Heeh.”

She smiled as if finding it amusing, then looked at Farfalle beside her and said:

“That’s what he says, Farfalle? What do you think?”

“Well, umm…”

What was Lynn thinking?

At this point, I had one guess.

‘Could it be.’

“Farfalle. Would you like to have a debate after a long time? Don’t you want to hear what the newcomer thinks?”

“…”

Debate.

More commonly known to users as a “war of words”—a 1:1 debate within the game.

It was the intelligence version of the 1:1 combat where generals with high power compete against each other.

As this world was based on the game world, it seemed that system existed at least formally.

Farfalle nodded as if she understood something after hearing those words.

“I see. Understood.”

Lynn, satisfied with that answer, now looked at me and asked:

“What do you think, Swen? It’s okay if you’re scared.”

It seemed she wanted to test me.

Why?

Because I took the side of Irene, whom she didn’t like?

Or perhaps she recognized my ability to some extent and conversely wanted to be persuaded?

Either way, I couldn’t back down now.

The more enthusiastically I defended Irene’s opinion here, the more her favorability toward me would increase.

Thinking only of that, I said:

“If you put it that way, I dare to try to persuade my lord, the advisor, and everyone here in the Brans Army.”

“Ahaha. How interesting!”

Lynn laughed heartily, seemingly pleased with my bold attitude.

Then, Farfalle slowly walked forward to face me.

I also took a slight step to stand before her.

“Is this alright, Advisor? I would like to request a lesson from you.”

I spoke in a very respectful tone with my head bowed.

Hearing my words, Farfalle slowly nodded and said:

“I should be the one requesting a lesson. I welcome it anytime. If you can persuade me, I will follow General Irene’s opinion.”

“Then.”

I slowly walked to the center.

She too walked from beside the throne to face me.

Facing each other—

I began my first 1:1 debate.