chapter_0069

69 – Bard Advisor ‘Leo’

69 – Bard Advisor ‘Leo’

“Leo Arse”

A strategist character essential in the latter half of the World Archive when the scale of war expands, like Zhuge Liang from Romance of the Three Kingdoms or Han Xin from Chu-Han Contention.

In the main story, he demonstrates his incredible intellect by leading his lord to victory with various strategies.

The only one who can match wits with him in war is Duran, the prince’s right-hand man. Almost all opponents start at a disadvantage in battles of intellect against him.

His characteristic is that his second job is a minstrel, and he wanders the continent before taking office.

And there was one more characteristic.

That was…

“Ah♫ Beautiful world♪ Ah♪ Beautiful empire♫”

“Oh my…”

“How can someone sing… so badly?”

He really couldn’t sing.

His singing, with wrong pitch and rhythm, was truly appalling.

How can he play instruments perfectly but sing so terribly?

Everyone passing by looked at him once before moving on.

Another mother and daughter passed in front of him.

[Encoded text omitted]

The young girl pointed at Leo and said:

“Mom, I think that mister is sick.”

To the girl’s eyes, Leo looked like someone who was ill due to his bizarre singing.

Hearing her words, the girl’s mother said:

“Kara, that mister isn’t sick. He’s living life more earnestly than anyone. You shouldn’t criticize someone who’s trying hard. Understand?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Then, go apologize to the mister.”

“Yes! I’m sorry, mister.”

Saying that, the girl put the money her mother gave her into the basket in front of him.

While it looked pitiful to those around, Leo steadfastly continued singing.

Leo didn’t think he was a bad singer.

He just thought many people had different artistic sensibilities than him.

As he was singing earnestly like that, Leo spotted Margrave Calix’s group.

The reason Leo was singing here was to have his first meeting with Margrave Calix.

According to Leo’s information, Calix was scheduled to pass through this road after finishing talks with the southern margraves.

Here, Leo planned to have his first meeting with Calix as a minstrel.

‘I wonder how Margrave Calix will act.’

Leo had predicted 174 possible behavior patterns for Calix.

And he had thought of ways to respond to all of them.

Leo’s plan was to form a connection with Calix, give him advice, show his abilities a few times at Cron’s main castle, and ultimately become Cron’s advisor.

The initially estimated time required was about 3 months and 7 days, but it was expected that it could be shortened to about 2 weeks if he resolved the conflict between the Crones family and other southern families.

Calix, who discovered Leo singing like that, stopped his horse.

And he walked towards Leo.

‘I can’t believe he’s doing action 167. He seems to be much more interested in art than I thought.’

Action 167 – An art-loving margrave.

It was the action Leo wanted most but thought was least likely – Calix approaching on his own, moved by Leo’s singing.

Leo felt a small sense of appreciation that his singing was being well-received.

As Calix approached, Leo stopped singing and took his planned action.

“Noble margrave, I humbly request a coin for my song. Then I shall tell your future…”

“You!!”

Leo couldn’t finish his planned words.

Because Calix grabbed Leo’s shoulders tightly and came close before he could finish speaking.

Leo was flustered for the first time in his life at Calix’s unexpected action.

And Calix’s next words made Leo even more flustered.

“Would you consider becoming an advisor to our family?”

“…Pardon?”

Initial estimated time: 3 months 7 days,
Shortened estimated time: 2 weeks,
Actual achievement time: 1 minute,

Leo achieved his goal while feeling the greatest bewilderment of his life.

No, he was made to achieve it.

Leo and Calix were sitting alone in the reception room of Cron’s main castle.

Looking at the shabby minstrel with black hair, Lana asked Azel:

“Who is that person, Azel?”

“That’s… the minstrel we saw on the street. And he’s said to be the one who will become Cron’s advisor.”

“…I don’t quite understand. Please explain again.”

Lana couldn’t comprehend how a shabby minstrel suddenly became Cron’s advisor.

Lana asked Azel to explain again.

“So, the margrave brought this minstrel from the street, asking him to become an advisor.”

“…I still don’t understand. Is my comprehension lacking? Or is Azel bad at explaining?”

“I-I tried my best!”

Azel felt truly wronged.

He had told everything truthfully, so why wouldn’t Lana believe him?

While Lana and Azel were suffering for different reasons, the conversation continued in the reception room.

Leo asked Calix:

“May I ask a question, my lord?”

“Ask anything, Advisor Leo.”

Though his goal was achieved, Leo wasn’t happy at all.

He couldn’t predict what was going on in Calix’s mind at all, as he had appointed him advisor immediately without verifying his skills or purpose.

It was the first time in his life that his predictions had gone so far off.

“What made you entrust me with the position of advisor like this?”

Calix was equally flustered.

He had hastily hired him because an SSR strategist character was right in front of him.

Now that he couldn’t say he wanted to slack off and have an easy time by dumping the thinking work, Calix referenced what the prince says when appointing him as advisor in the World Archive:

“You seemed like someone worthy of the task.”

Leo deduced from Calix’s words.

And he came to one conclusion.

‘Margrave Calix knows information about me.’

As a genius from the Department of Strategy and Tactics who had received love calls from numerous lords, it wouldn’t be strange if someone still knew about him even though he thought he had been forgotten after 2 years as a minstrel.

“Or perhaps you lack the ability to take on the role of advisor?”

He couldn’t stay still when such words were added.

When it sounded like “You can’t do it? Scared?”, Leo as a genius strategist couldn’t remain silent.

“My lord, you are more mischievous than I thought.”

But at the same time, it was also one of the predicted patterns.

Action 42 – Stimulating pride to induce a vassal’s desire to challenge.

Leo decided to implement the prepared response method.

“Advisor Leo, as the lord of Cron, I need your wisdom.”

Calix went straight to the point.

He didn’t go into details.

He thought the Leo he knew would have investigated everything in advance.

“I believe you are aware of the situation our family is in. Do you have a solution?”

At his words, Leo began playing the lute.

Playing while thinking was his habit.

Tralala- ♫

“If by solution you mean a peaceful method, there is none, my lord.”

“I see…”

Calix had expected it, but it saddened him that Leo confirmed it.

Leo continued his explanation:

“Yes, Cron has already created an unstoppable flow. A flow that turns the hearts of the people into food and money, making them its strength.”

The freemen who migrated to Cron produce food and money from the expanded farmland, mines, and salt fields.

Those resources in turn make Cron stronger, and hearing those rumors, more freemen head to Cron.

“At first, the southern allied lords will only take issue with the compensation for freemen. But if that doesn’t resolve it, they will gradually demand other things.”

The flow won’t be resolved by simply restoring people’s compensation.

When they realize that, the allied lords will demand the next thing.

“Dreyhart’s specialties, cheap wheat from Klaus’ territory, numerous treasures obtained from dungeon conquests – if there’s no reason, they’ll create one and keep demanding new things, continuously trying to weaken Cron.”

The core of the problem isn’t the compensation issue.

The situation was that Cron had become too strong, and Cron’s ideology was becoming a catalyst for rebellion that united the people.

At Leo’s words, Calix asked with a worried expression:

“Then what should we do?”

“You have no choice but to fight. The only way for Cron to survive is to fight, win, and become the true ruler of the South.”

Calix acknowledged Leo’s words.

He had vaguely felt that was the only way too.

But until the end, he wanted to remain a beloved ally to everyone if possible.

“If I give you military authority, can you achieve victory?”

“I don’t need military authority.”

Leo raised one index finger.

One finger? What does that mean?

“Are you asking for one knight brigade (1000 men)?”

The enemy’s estimated numbers were between 10,000 to 15,000.

If so, with Leo’s skills, he might be able to handle it with one knight brigade.

To Calix’s words, Leo replied:

“One person. If you lend me one magician of average skill, I will bring victory to Cron.”

Not even Sharen, but one average magician?

What kind of plan is this?

Calix was curious about what was going on in Leo’s mind, but he gave up trying to understand since he couldn’t fathom a genius’s thoughts.

Instead, he decided to watch the victory Leo would bring.

The time for popcorn was approaching.

Author’s Note:

Thank you Bravo MyLife!!

I’ll release the sweet reminiscing scenes with the heroine as a side story!!!

Thank you for your interest!!!!

I’ll keep writing well!!!!!

??: “What can we do while the genius advisor is active?”

???: “Let’s just eat popcorn together.”