episode_0207

* * *

Turn the clock forward, not long after the Brans army was split into three.

Surprisingly, unlike the Serpina army, which spent its time quietly without any major invasions – once the balance was broken, the southern continent was engulfed in a vortex of turbulence.

Karelia, one of the southern countries, was also experiencing a huge trend.

In the castle of the capital, the Madeleine Castle, Monarch Makana Karelia was listening to a report from Vanessa, the treason.

“You mean Ohana-kun?”

“That’s right. Movements that appeared to invade Hesna County were observed more than three times.”

Vanessa bowed her head and answered Karelia’s question.

“So that’s what you’re saying… … .”

The situation on the southern continent was as follows.

First of all, in the upper left, the Roland Army was facing the border with the Brans Army – to be exact, the second Brans Army led by Kalinz.

In the upper right corner, the Hesna army was bordering the second Brans army, Serpina army, and Aethus army.

Among these, the one that seems to have clearly won is the Hessna army as of now.

In any case, it was a situation where one of the territories in the central continent that belonged to Brans’ army was swallowed up.

However, there were too many borders, and the Ohana Army seemed to be trying to take advantage of this opportunity to invade Hesna County.

‘It looks like the time has come to move the troops.’

“How are you preparing for battle?”

“Because I had not experienced combat for a long time, I went through intense training that involved even more blood and flesh. I believe I can be active wherever I go.”

As Vanessa said, the blood and flesh were cut.

Under the ever-stronger military discipline, the training was repeated to the extent that it was as harsh as anyone could see.

However, there was still uncertainty as to whether she would be able to perform anywhere, but Vanessa was confident.

“That means-”

“Yes. Yes.”

Vanessa nodded, then looked straight at her master with her eyes shining.

“The time has come, my lord.”

Will the war finally begin?

I was worried about bloodshed in the south, which had maintained peace for a relatively long time compared to the chaotic continent, but this was also for the greater good.

It was time to draw the sword here, at least for the sake of the people of the continent who were suffering under Serpina’s tyranny.

“In that case, I guess we’ll have to organize an invasion force soon. I’ll have to contact Tepelo Castle.”

“Master. I’m sorry, but before that, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“Tell me.”

“Could you convene an emergency meeting today?”

“Meeting means… … .”

“I plan to talk about this issue.”

“… … .”

Talk about the relevant agenda.

It is not difficult for Karelia to understand the implications of those words.

Vanessa lowered her head, looking at Karelia’s thoughts.

“Master. Please give me a chance.”

“… … I understand. If possible, it would be better to collect everyone’s opinions. Because we’re about to go to war.”

“I can only thank you, my lord.”

The time has come.

Karelia continued to think over those words and organized her future plans.

Of course, there was work to be done before that.

* * *

That evening.

By order of Karelia, an emergency meeting was held at the Madeleine Castle.

Although it was not a regular meeting where all the castle lords from each region were called, it was literally a meeting held only among the military officers of the capital city –

Its importance was bound to be very high given that the monarch and state officials participated.

As it was the capital, militants with deep experience in central politics gathered here.

And, the agenda that came out of there was-

“I plan to set a date soon and invade Ohana County.”

The subjects bowed their heads without much response to Karelia’s words.

Since war was something that was expected, everyone felt that the time had come and no one expressed opposition.

If you keep doing nothing in the first place, nothing will happen.

It was a gathering of people who knew that they had to act now to seize the hegemony of the South in a turbulent situation.

“I would like to ask your opinion on which method is best. We won’t take issue with any of your opinions, so please feel free to voice your opinion without thinking up or down for this moment.”

“Master.”

at that time.

The first to raise her hand was Cecil Lohengrin, an elegant woman with short hair and glasses that looked great on her, and the legitimate daughter of the Lohengrin family, who was the equivalent of the Karelia county’s money holder.

“It seems that the most reasonable way would be to invade Alscon Castle, located on the border of Ohana County, with Prince Runarien of Tepelo Castle as commander-in-chief.”

At those words, several military officers nodded in agreement.

Karelia also nodded slowly, as if she thought that opinion was reasonable, but-

Soon, I glanced at Vanessa and thought.

okay.

In fact, there was no need to even hold a meeting.

Karelia was planning to invade Ohana County right away with Runarien as the commander and entrusting the troops.

There was no other place as suitable as a forward base than Tepelo Castle, and the castle lord Runarien was performing the best among all the castle lords in Karelia.

At the official martial arts competition held not long ago, didn’t Runarien achieve excellent results that were not befitting of her small body?

Although it was canceled due to flooding in the country ahead of the finals – if it had gone ahead, she would have been the one to win.

but.

Karelia knew well that she had called the meeting because she did not like this method that anyone could think of.

“Master.”

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

“Please change the lord of Tepelo Castle to General Gail, and assign all the officers who came over with Runarien to Madeleine Castle. The invasion of Ohana County can be discussed later.”

“Wait a minute, Detective.”

Absolute rules of emergency meetings of the Karelian military.

There is no up or down as much as during a meeting.

Even if the person who raised an opinion was a state official or even a monarch, he or she could freely object.

“General Gail is certainly an outstanding person, but his specialty is defensive warfare. He is not fit to be the commander-in-chief of an invasion force. Here, it seems reasonable to hire Lord Runarien, who has achieved solid results and is gaining the trust of the soldiers… … .”

“Lunarien Inian is certainly an outstanding general, but he is someone who cannot be trusted to entrust large tasks to him. Here, hiring General Gail appears to be a reasonable choice for our military.”

“It may be presumptuous to say this, but isn’t it your personal opinion that Lord Lunarien cannot be trusted?”

“… … .”

“I do not believe that it would be a beneficial decision for our Karelia military for the most suitable person to step down simply because in the view of the commander, he is not trustworthy.”

Vanessa slowly closed her eyes.

As if he had made up his mind, he looked into Cecile’s eyes and spoke.

“I feel like Prince Cecil is overly protective of Luna. Whether the invasion was initiated by Lord Luna or not is not a very important issue. This does not mean to ignore the importance of excellent commanders, but ultimately, battles are fought by soldiers. And General Gail is also an outstanding general who is not inferior to Lord Luna.”

“You’re just not behind Luna Ball, but you’re not ahead of Luna Ball, right?”

“Even if he is somewhat lacking in ability, I think it is right to give a chance to General Gail, who has taken on difficult tasks for us for a long time, rather than an untrustworthy outsider.”

“Wait a minute. I’m sorry, but do you mind if I interrupt?”

Vanessa said, lowering her head at the sound of Karelia’s voice.

“Please speak, my lord.”

“Why don’t you trust Lord Luna?”

“… … .”

“I visited Lord Luna every time she came for a regular meeting. She had great insight. Plus, her martial arts skills are at a very high level. I’m by no means saying that General Gail is a bad general, but isn’t Lord Luna a much better talent in every way?”

“I’m not denying that she’s outstanding. However, it is a problem because it is so excellent.”

Vanessa explained calmly, but as if she would not back down.

“Lunarien Inian is a woman who once held the position of feudal lord. If you gain a large number of troops and military authority, there is a possibility that your hidden dark intentions will be revealed again. I can never rule out the possibility that the tip of the sword of that woman of outstanding ability will be aimed at my master’s neck. Please reconsider.”

“… … .”

“I don’t think so.”

This time it was Cecil who spoke.

“It is true that I am personally acquainted with Lord Luna. But I can assure you that it is. She is by no means a person with a mean disposition to the point of hitting people in the back. I, Cecil, represent the name of House Lohengrin and vouch for Lord Luna. My lord. Please use Luna Ball carefully. She will definitely become an outstanding general that our Karelia army will never have again.”

Karelia also knew that she did not have a mean disposition.

Because there was a personality that could be felt when talking together and making eye contact.

“… … What do you think?”

Karelia’s words roughly summarized the opinions of her subjects.

Half of the people followed Cecil and half followed Vanessa.

An interesting point was that most of the people who followed Cecil were OBs who had been serving in the Karelia Army for a long time, while those who followed Vanessa’s opinions were those who had just joined.

Karelia closed her eyes and was lost in thought.

Certainly, as Vanessa said, if the tip of that knife were pointed at her neck, it would definitely pose a great threat.

Vanessa was not a stupid woman. At least in the Karelia army, there was not a single strategist better than her.

Although her methods were a bit extreme, it was an undeniable fact that the number and level of troops increased dramatically after she began managing the army.

And she was a very objective and loyal person. He was not saying such a thing simply because he was jealous of Runarien, but he was making such a strong claim because he really thought she was dangerous.

‘In the end, the decision is mine.’

After thinking for a while longer, Karelia-

Soon, he slowly lifted his heavy lips.

“Vanessa.”

“… … Yes.”

Vanessa seemed to have noticed Karelia’s decision from the moment she called her name, and closed her eyes and lowered her head.

And Karelia… … Exactly, the answer was exactly as Vanessa had predicted.

“I’m sorry, but I’m trying to trust Lord Lunarien.”