Episode 332: I express regret over the recent policies being implemented at McLane. I am concerned that this may have a negative impact on the friendly relationship between the two countries…
The meaning of the long words sent by the imperial family was simple.
– Do you mean to fight with us? Do you really want to go to war? If you don’t want to do that, stop building a fortress right now.
The McLane royal family also quickly sent a reply.
– It’s not? Are we just cracking down internally? It will be helpful for you too. So don’t worry.
Even though the leaders of both countries were tentatively aware of the fact that they were hostile to each other, it was nothing short of blindfolded.
Naturally, the empire sent an official letter with even harsher content.
Words that clearly reveal the intention.
Moreover, not only was the official message sent to the McLane royal family, but a proclamation was also issued in the name of the imperial family in the eastern part of the empire. The empire blatantly showed its teeth.
In response, appeals from nobles poured into the royal castle of McLane.
– Please stop building the fortress. In order to avoid conflict with the empire…
– The current empire boasts the greatest prosperity ever…
– A small country should follow the wishes of a large country…
“A small country? A large country? Who posted this? “You’re out of your mind. Is this guy from the Empire?”
Logan laughed as he held up one of the appeals, but the expressions of those standing in front of him were stiff.
Damien, the intelligence officer, and Dwayne, the Minister of Finance, Count Roberts.
The swordsman who came running after hearing the news, and the corps commanders Luther and Wicken who were training with him.
And now, Viktor and Bourdel, the escort knights and secret weapons, have started following Logan to his left and right.
At a gathering of all the powerful figures of the current kingdom, excluding the heads of the horse corps that were involved in the construction of McLane territory and fortress, Geomgong spoke as a representative.
“It is said that the Empire’s eastern 3rd and 4th corps will soon conduct training on the northern border. If anything goes wrong, it could really lead to war.”
But despite those worrying words, Logan’s attitude was firm.
“Our 2nd Corps is also conducting training in the north. It would be fun to train facing the imperial army.”
“your majesty!”
“Ah, just kidding. Just kidding.”
“Is this something to joke about now!?”
It’s rare for a swordsman to raise his voice.
“Yes. You’re still fine. Right Damian?”
Logan just kept smiling and looked away.
“Yes, Your Majesty. According to Philip Sangju, there is no significant change in the flow of war materials such as food, armor and iron ore.”
“You mean…?”
“Contrary to the official document, the empire has no intention of starting war right away.”
“Huh… Is it possible to judge simply based on that?”
“It is quite possible. It is not a small kingdom, but the size of an empire. And now, our kingdom is not at a level where we can do anything with just one or two imperial corps.”
As Logan gave strength to Damian’s words, Damian grinned at the swordsman.
“Prince Philip said this: Words and writing sometimes tell lies, but there is no lie in the flow of money.”
“Hmm.”
Although he is often evaluated as being tight-lipped, he is not a dull person, so he acknowledged that Damian’s words had a point.
But acknowledging that, another question arose.
“Your Majesty. Your Majesty declared that the Empire would invade our McLane at any time. Wasn’t the fortress also part of the preparation?”
“Of course.”
“But it’s a bit strange that the Empire also knows this and only reacts this way. Maybe the Empire has no intention of starting a war…”
At those words, Damian and Dwayne’s eyes focused on the swordsman.
The theory of imperial invasion advocated by Logan was solidified as a fait accompli by the current McLane leadership, and all policies were being established accordingly. Even if there are people who question that judgment, who would dare reject Logan’s instructions?
Since this swordsman was the only one capable of tackling that proposition in the first place, the curious gaze of the subjects shifted back to Logan.
“Isn’t there any reason for the empire to react more violently? It’s not like we are preparing to invade the empire.”
“yes?”
“Isn’t the fortress blocking the entrance to the canyon ultimately just for defense? If they attack from our side, it will just become an inconvenient obstacle.”
“That’s true, but…”
Although he agreed to those words, the swordsman still tilted his head.
Logan smiled bitterly and continued.
“The internal reorganization may not have been completed yet. The crown prince’s installation as well…” “
But Your Majesty, your current reaction is…”
“More than anything, the emperor will not think that our kingdom is a big threat.”
“yes?”
“Whether you build a fortress or organize an army, you would think that you could easily trample it anyway. It would be a little more annoying.”
Logan’s voice was filled with confidence as he recalled the behavior of the empire he had seen in his past life and the face of the emperor he had seen in his current life.
‘I guess we just think it’s going to be a little more troublesome no matter what we prepare.’
In fact, considering the difference in power as seen by a third party, it was natural for the emperor to think so.
However, Logan thought that McLane’s actual power was completely different.
Perhaps, due to the nature of the current war history on the continent, the power of vigilantes that the Empire knows but ignores.
Artifacts and Liberatio are doing their best to prevent the rumor from spreading widely.
And even superhumans and great magic circles that are absolutely confidential.
Since there is a newly built fortress there, they are confident that they can sufficiently block the empire.
‘Of course, even in the Empire, the power of the central army is a secret.’
If you think about it, there is no end to it.
Underestimating the enemy is fatal, but overestimating it is also a big mistake.
so.
“We just need to keep making our preparations. If we prepare like that and a war breaks out… well, wouldn’t that be a good thing?”
“…That’s right. I understand it well. Right, you guys too?”
When the swordsman turned his head in response, the giant who had been standing silently laughed and let out a loud voice.
“I have never doubted your words.”
“Me too. You’re worried for no reason.”
It was only when he saw Luther Kyle and Wicken Callia smiling and nodding that Logan realized what his teacher meant.
A time of heightened tension. The question was intended to remove even the slightest confusion that might exist between them right now.
Logan responded with a smile, grateful for his mentor’s consideration.
“Of course, even if it doesn’t start a war right away, checks will definitely come in. There could be a significant blow to the upper level or trade-related side of the empire.”
“…That’s the problem.”
Geomgong’s complexion becomes serious again.
“But we already have a solution in place.”
“Already?”
“There was unexpected help.”
The audience’s eyes followed Logan’s gaze and focused to one side.
“Dwayne. How are the preparations going?”
Then the furry minister smiled and continued speaking.
“The Eastern Wangbu’s cooperation is quite active. Could this really lead to internal strife in the empire?”
The eyes of the swordsmen, who had no idea what was going on, doubled in size.
* * * [Keep staying in the royal castle?]
“That’s right. That way, you can make an excuse for your engagement.”
Gerard von Aserian smiled at his daughter Luisa’s response in the communication zone. Although he had a very affectionate expression, as if he was dealing with a lovely daughter, the words he spat out were just cold.
[This would be a direct violation of the imperial family’s sanctions. I’m already worried about the consequences of doing that.]
“How can you do that if you directly disobey? The merchants who trade in the name of our king are not MacLine merchants?”
Luisa narrowed her eyes at Gerard’s joke.
[Wouldn’t the imperial family know about such a shallow number? It won’t last long.]
“So, to prepare for that time, let’s use the marriage engagement as an excuse. All I can do is guarantee the identity of the trading partner. That’s for my daughter’s sake. Isn’t that a good excuse? Even in the worst case, I’ll at least get a warning. ji.”
[under. You’re really using everything.]
“Oh, you’re using everything. Don’t you need time anyway?”
[What does that mean?]
“The tower owner gave an unreasonable order, so I have to stay there because of that.”
[How could that be… Father, even inside the tower right now…!?]
“Don’t worry. You know full well that I will never cross the line that I must follow.”
I just wander around that line and look at the liver.
Gerard chuckled to himself and swallowed the last of his thoughts, but my smart daughter seemed to understand.
Luisa, with a stiff face, spoke in a calm tone.
[Be careful. Don’t just step forward and ruin everything.]
“Of course, I’m paying attention to everything, so you don’t have to worry.”
[The Master is a scary person. Maybe even more than the emperor. So please don’t be offended.]
When his daughter emphasized it again, Gerard shook his head.
“Is that possible?”
[Knowing that, the person in the tower…]
“If that person had been scarier than the emperor, he wouldn’t have held his hand.”
[….]
Luisa was left speechless by the unexpected answer.
The serious face of my father that I rarely see.
For Luisa, who had never met the emperor in her life, this comment itself was surprising.
[Do you think so highly of the emperor?]
“I think highly of him? Well, it could be the opposite. He is the worst human being that makes me shiver just thinking about it.”
[….]
“So, be careful and be careful. Don’t trust anyone from the imperial family. That’s why I’m still alive. And I’m struggling like this to escape that leash.”
[…I’ll keep that in mind.]
A smile appeared on Gerard’s face again when his daughter, who had been disobedient for some time, showed agreement to what he said for the first time in a long time.
“If you knew, that’s fine. Oh, and you’ve had some trouble recently, right?”
[…Is it a little troublesome that ghosts came to visit my daughter?]
Despite his daughter’s irritated expression, Gerard just smiled.
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t go wrong. What can you do with just that much work…”
[I wonder who is the worst at this…]
Gerard continued with a smile, paying no heed to his daughter’s cold reaction.
“So, I think I’ll send you a gift.”
[No need.]
“Oh my. Are you going to do that in such a sad way? Without even hearing what’s going on?”
[Because your father always judges only by your standards. I didn’t care about how others would feel, and even when my mother was like that, she only
did what my father wanted.] Gerard’s face hardened for a moment at Luisa’s cold voice, but he then grinned as if he had never seen such an expression before.
“Then, like I always do, I’ll give you the gift I want. I’m sure you’ll like it this time.”
[What…?]
“You’re a little angry because of Baros, right? So this is a consolation gift from your older brother, Clid, to you.”
Luisa couldn’t tell who Gerard’s chilling smile was directed at.
The construction currently underway is aimed at stabilizing public order in the northern part of the kingdom. The main purpose is to protect merchants traveling between the two countries, but rather to further strengthen the friendly relationship between the two countries… We
express ‘strong’ regret for the act of defining our country as a potential enemy. We make it clear that if you do not stop, force may be used and your country will be responsible for it.
