NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26
Every nation in the world shouts that they are the center of this continent.
Of course, it’s natural. It’s a necessary part for the ruling classes to assert their reasonable justifications.
After all, those who know already know where the true “center of the continent” is.
Right, it’s the Empire. Croysen. The powerful kingdom that reaps all the benefits of the land called Altoran.
Geographically and in every other aspect, it truly is a place that deserves the title “center of the continent.”
That means, whenever something happens to the Empire, whether good or bad, all nations will inevitably find out.
“…So this is how it ends up in the end.”
In the northern part of the continent, in the Demon Tribe alliance Nobogord, in a mansion located in the capital, Beograd, Charlua frowned slightly as she received the news.
“A war between the Empire and the three eastern kingdoms.”
“Your expression isn’t good, eh, Shaar.”
“How could it be good?”
“Really? When I went to the Council, the lawmakers there were all cheering.”
That’s because those fools only know one thing and don’t know the other.
Charlua sighed repeatedly, sounding quite pathetic.
They can understand. The three kingdoms in the east probably think they’ll weaken the Empire.
Aren’t the humans in the east also in an awkward relationship with the Empire like them?
The fact that the bickering individuals have come together means they’re serious about having a proper fight.
The lawmakers believe that these three eastern kingdoms can cause injury to the Empire.
Right now, they’re discussing negotiations with the Empire, but that could turn upside down at any moment.
Unlike Nobogord, which is taking a moment to catch its breath, the Empire surely thinks they don’t have that luxury.
With those thoughts, they can laugh about how good things are.
‘If that truly happens, could we witness such a bizarre scene where the moderates join hands with the hard-liners for a sudden unification?’
Charlua couldn’t help but burst into silent laughter.
What a short-sighted judgment! I wonder if those lawmakers truly belong to the Council.
Shouldn’t they be looking further ahead instead of jumping to conclusions from such a close perspective?
“We should have swept away the lawmakers who only occupy their seats just like the Empire did back in the day.”
“Shaar!”
“That’s not wrong, is it? Father sometimes says the same thing.”
As far as Charlua knew, the Empire had once tidied up the Council in the past.
Not for national opposition but mere conflicts for their own factions.
It was the Imperial Family that intervened when they couldn’t stand it any longer and cleaned it all up.
Thanks to that, the Empire could maintain healthy oppositions and conflicts.
Not opposition for the sake of opposition, but for the sake of national interest.
Unlike here in Nobogord.
“That’s because those damn frustrations only know one thing and not the other.”
“I’m saying the same thing! I’m frustrated to death! Just seeing what’s in front of you is too narrow-minded.”
“…Honestly. Hmhm. This old man is somewhat relieved that the Empire is losing some of its strength.”
“No! Why are you, Father, thinking so simply?”
No matter how much the three eastern kingdoms formed an alliance, even if the Empire threatened them and they forgot the past this time and became close.
Even if they gather together, they can’t compare to the Empire in the end.
In terms of population, territory, and resources, they are at a disadvantage in every aspect.
They even declared war without any valid justification, just making their intentions known first.
Since they will be known to have started the war, it will be difficult to shake the Empire internally.
It will also be hard to drag neighboring nations in the east into this.
Even if the goddess of fortune smiles and the three-country alliance wins in major battles.
Still, the changes would be limited. There’s no way the Empire would collapse just from that.
If they remove a bit of flesh, it would just be fortunate if the three kingdoms didn’t end up fighting each other!
“On the other hand, if the Empire wins, the order in the east will be restructured anew. And that will have various effects across the continent.”
“…Our Nobogord could also fall under that influence.”
At the Chairperson Caland’s words, Charlua nodded her head.
The probability that the three eastern kingdoms will win against the Empire is low.
In contrast, the chances of the Empire winning this war are extremely high.
Moreover, the benefits that can be gained afterward would also be quite significant.
Low risk, high return. What a selfish exchange rate!
‘Above all, there’s that man. Kael Clausewitz, the Duke of Bertier Empire. He said he would enlist this time as well.’
Even now, Charlua, if she has time, recalls the situation back then.
And what she gains is that this man knows exactly how to hit the weaknesses.
Thinking of encountering him on the battlefield, the conclusion was that he is absolutely not a pleasant opponent.
Before revealing his strategies, he wants to seize and manipulate all situations into his hands.
He’s already achieved great victory in psychological warfare and made others taste defeat once again.
Both the shooting star-like arrow and the frost of fog tactics.
He painstakingly and cunningly targets people’s hearts and manipulates them as he pleases.
In Charlua’s eyes, the man Kael is an excellent strategist and a sly serpent.
“Ah. Shaar. I heard the news about the eastern war situation has just come in.”
“Quickly, quickly show me! Now!”
“Wait a bit! Why are you rushing me like this?!”
For the Empire’s smooth advancement, they must occupy and hold the Pavilion.
From the standpoint of the three-country alliance, it is also the place they must break through to stop the Imperial Army.
In such a location, the Empire reportedly deployed the elite 12th Legion.
Moreover, they also placed an emerging supernova among them.
‘As for the flow of battle. How has it progressed? The Empire, that man, Kael, what sort of moves has he thrown into this crucial skirmish?’
Charlua, the chairperson’s daughter, is more interested in the battlefield than the Council.
After all, having witnessed that magical strategy right before her eyes has only heightened her interest.
Surely, he wouldn’t throw out an ordinary move. Kael is that kind of person.
What will he show this time? What tricks will he use to surprise the enemy again?
It’s unfair for just Nobogord to suffer. Someone else should suffer too.
That way, we wouldn’t have to say we were foolish or that he was just relying on luck!
“…Ha.”
And Charlua realized that her predictions were not wrong at all.
A fishing strategy using her own reputation. Of course, the intricate placement that had been hidden until the end.
And to drive a wedge into that confusion, a trump card aimed at causing division among the enemy.
What is especially astounding and frightening is what he’s aiming for.
Most of the strategies Charlua knew had dealt with tactics or to some extent, strategies.
Where to fight, how to lure, and how to retreat.
She thought anything less than this would not suffice to earn the title of a strategist.
However, Kael was different. He focused on other things and paid attention.
The psychology of those who engage in battle. Acts that shake and break their hearts.
He is doing this quite adeptly.
As if carving with a knife of strategy like slicing steak.
“…Thank goodness.”
Unknowingly, a mutter slipped out. To that extent, a great sense of relief filled her.
It wasn’t that we were foolish and caught off guard. It was because it was an opponent we couldn’t help but fall to.
Now that we’ve already fallen, it’s rather less unfair to fall to someone overwhelmingly superior.
Yes. As long as we don’t get caught again later. Charlua thought so.
*
The Duke of Bertier Empire. The residence of the Clausewitz Family.
Currently, it had an atmosphere akin to walking on thin ice.
“Let me go.”
From the day the eldest son and heir, Kael, left to head with the forces towards the east.
The precious daughter of the Duke and the family’s darling, Kaya, started showing her stubbornness.
Where to? A social gathering? A party? No, no. Beyond that, to the battlefield!
“Don’t you dare speak such nonsense.”
It was only natural for the Duke to step up and stop his daughter.
Kaya is just now barely fifteen. Not a man, but a girl.
Who knows better than the Duke how harsh a place the battlefield is?
Would he send his teenage daughter, who hasn’t even reached adulthood, to such a place?
But Kaya didn’t back down from her resolve.
In fact, she had her own reasonable reasons.
After all, the current Duke had also stepped onto the battlefield at the age of fifteen.
“Dad did it too! I can do it too.”
“Things aren’t the same now as they were then.”
“Let me go.”
“This brat really!”
“Let me go!”
Kaya only desired one thing: to go to the Eastern Front.
She didn’t explain her reasons, but everyone in the family already knew.
“Why won’t you let me go?”
“Do you really not know? You’re only fifteen!”
“Dad also fought in the war! I can do it too!”
“This old man even did it as a man! Kaya, you…”
No matter how much the Empire society has less of a discriminative vibe, even if it acknowledges abilities without gender distinctions.
The battlefield inevitably brings up discussions of physical differences.
Because of that, when the Duke objected, Kaya headed for the family’s training hall.
“I’m sorry, Commander.”
A spear was in Kaya’s hands. She hadn’t put it down for someone else.
But with just that one spear, she broke through yet another gate for her purpose.
“Cough!”
The commander of one of the top knight orders in the Empire had ultimately lost.
And he hadn’t even gone easy or passed on the fight. He exhausted all his power!
“Ha, haha. Have you grown again in that short time, Miss? What… Haha!”
Despite losing, the commander was actually smiling brightly.
After all, the one who managed to conquer his trained self is none other than the daughter of his lord.
If that young lady can already pull that off, how will things turn out later?
He’s curious. Really, very curious. Looking forward to it.
He can already see it. Enemies swept away by her spear and sword.
Like petals falling at the end of spring in the wind, they will all vanish!
At that time, news from the entire Pavilion reached the Duke of Bertier Empire.
Later, it was only natural for Kaya’s excitement to cling to the Duke.
“Dad!”
“No way!”
The arguments between the father and daughter continue as usual.
In the end, unable to hold back, the Duke decided to set a condition.
“Alright, Kaya. Can you see that spear over there?”
“…Yes. Why?”
“If you can shoot an arrow that hits the tip of your spear, I’ll reconsider.”
“Really?!”
Kaya rejoiced. And following the plan! The Duke was smug.
He knew full well that his daughter had absolutely no connection with archery.
He had seen her practicing only spear techniques with his own eyes.
Even the distance is exceptionally far. The spear is barely visible now.
Literally, this was a scheme by a father to keep his still young daughter at home.
However, if Kael had been present, he would have tilted his head and thought, “Huh?”
Because he understands that if you bet without accurately gauging the opponent, you’ll end up with blood.
“Got it?! You’re letting me go now?!”
“…”
The Duke couldn’t help but be left in a daze, staring at Kaya, who had perfectly struck the end of the spear.