第２９７堀：協力体制整う (Part1)
**Chapter 297: Establishing a Cooperative Structure**
**Side: Inis, First Princess of the August Kingdom**
I am currently issuing official orders based on the directives I have just laid out.
Honestly, I thought my junior had come to visit, but then this happens.
No, calling it "this" is an understatement; it’s a full-blown crisis. This is a problem that could shake the very foundations of the nation.
However, in a sense, one could say I’ve been saved...
"…Teacher Feigel. I intend to request the cooperation of the Dragon Knight, Amanda-dono."
I speak to the teacher, who is processing documents just like me, while my pen continues to race across the paper.
"Dragon Knight Amanda-dono, you say… Indeed, if it is that Dragon Knight, she would be able to grasp the situation relatively safely and quickly. However, to what extent do you intend to ask for her cooperation? You aren't thinking of having her rescue His Majesty, are you?"
"Even if a Dragon Knight is powerful, she’ll be a sitting duck the moment she touches the ground. I’m not thinking that far ahead. Honestly, even Father might not have realized the situation yet—it’s at the point where I’m not even sure if the letters have reached him. It’s dangerous even to land in friendly territory. Considering that, it would be a blessing if she could just handle enemy reconnaissance and locate Father. I will, however, have her carry the August flag to signal that she is an ally. If the opportunity presents itself, perhaps she could rescue him."
"…Well, that is reasonable."
Teacher Feigel says only that, continuing to move his pen.
"…You aren't going to object?"
"I cannot afford to. The current situation is one step away from the worst-case scenario. If word spreads that His Majesty has been defeated, the Royal Capital will fall into a panic. If that happens, our movements will become even more sluggish. If the rumors spread throughout the country, bandits will run rampant, and public order will deteriorate everywhere. That would require us to divert troops, further weakening our combat strength. It’s a vicious cycle. However, with Dragon Knight Amanda-dono present, we can grasp the situation early. Even in the worst case—if His Majesty has been defeated—having the Dragon Knight on our side will boost morale and allow us to declare to the citizens that August has not fallen. The name of the legendary Dragon Knight carries that much weight."
"You’re being blunt. You aren't going to say that Amanda-dono will be useful in battle, are you?"
"Naturally. Amanda-dono and her husband, Eoid-dono, are still students. They have no experience in full-scale warfare. Furthermore, they are commoners by origin. Judging by our conversations thus far, they have never stood in a position of command. While her individual combat power is undoubtedly exceptional, that is merely an assessment based on past performance, not on the realities of war. Once on the battlefield, it is common for those who pride themselves on their strength to be struck by a stray arrow and die in an instant."
As the teacher says, war between humans is completely different from defeating monsters, dueling at the academy, or hunting bandits.
You are facing a single, organized group—an army.
This is no trivial matter.
No matter how much individual strength one possesses, if they cannot coordinate, they become nothing more than a hindrance.
Conversely, it is common for that lack of coordination to be the very cause of defeat.
That is why I didn't expect the teacher to agree with my decision to involve my junior, Amanda, in the war, even if only for reconnaissance.
"I thought you would oppose sending young people to the battlefield."
"…In a normal war, I would have opposed it. But the current situation is different. His Majesty, who is skilled in the art of war, is personally commanding the defense, fighting with the assumption of a siege and eventual withdrawal. I cannot believe the opponent is of mediocre skill. It is best to assume that the rumors of magic swords and staves of fire are true. Against such a powerful enemy, the name 'Dragon Knight' is reassuring. I actually didn't bring it up because I thought Your Highness would dislike the idea of Amanda-dono and her group participating."
"I wouldn't have thought to involve my junior, Amanda, in a normal war or a minor skirmish. But as you said, Teacher, I realized I shouldn't take the situation lightly. So, I thought that even if I don't put her on the front lines, I could at least utilize that mobility…"
As we talk, I look over the documents, sign them, and pass them to the attendants waiting nearby to ensure the instructions are disseminated.
Good, the majority of the paperwork that needs to be done right now is finished.
The teacher seems to have finished as well; he puts down his pen and looks at me.
"Then, is it decided?"
"Yes. Call Dragon Knight Amanda-dono and the others. I will speak to them myself."
I say this and instruct another person to go fetch my juniors.
I feel sorry for Yuki-dono and the others, who are currently busy with their own investigations, but it cannot be helped.
"However, those mercenaries will follow as well. How do you intend to win them over? They are Amanda-dono's escorts. They won't agree to anything dangerous."
"But if we can get them to agree, they will be a very powerful force. Don't you think?"
"If my assessment is correct, yes."
"Your assessments have never been wrong. That is why I will make them agree, no matter what. I have a plan."
"Oh? Those men are the type to be loyal to their work. No matter how much gold you pile up, they will prioritize the contract they signed with the Academy Director. If anything, that stance is exactly why they are reliable as mercenaries."
"That is true. That is precisely why, if I say that my junior Amanda is participating, they will have to join as escorts to protect her. Don't you agree?"
"I suppose so."
"That is why I intend to use Cleena."
"Use Cleena?"
"Yes. I apologize to you, Teacher, but I will conscript Cleena as part of our nation's military strength. She may be married to Yuki-dono, but in terms of status, she is still a citizen of August."
"That could lead to hostility with Yuki-dono. I have no objection to Cleena participating, but…"
"That is exactly why. My junior, Amanda, seems to be on good terms with Cleena. Considering her relationship with Yuki-dono and Cleena, she will likely agree to participate. Besides, I am not asking her to stand on the front lines. In exchange, once this war concludes, I will officially recognize their union and promise no further conscription. What do you think of that?"
"Hmm. So, the conscription of Cleena is merely a means to encourage Amanda-dono's participation. Well, Amanda-dono will likely bite at that bait, but Yuki-dono will not look kindly upon Cleena being put in danger or the security of Amanda-dono's escort being compromised. And how will you explain this to the Academy and the Director afterward?"
"For that, I will first bow my head and apologize with the utmost sincerity. However, if we do not manage this situation, Amanda-dono will eventually be sent to the front lines as a Dragon Knight, not for reconnaissance, but in the literal sense. Don't you agree?"
"Indeed… There is also the objective of spreading the name of Dragon Knight Amanda-dono. In the end, there is a benefit to the Academy as well."
"Well, since I am using them without permission, I will try to manage the situation by supplementing our apology with increased financial support. If the country continues to be ravaged, we won't even be able to do that. Besides, we can manage by selling off some of the castle's art pieces. Director Popuri is not so malicious in times of emergency. She is the type to use this opportunity to build up a debt of gratitude."
Director Popuri is shrewd, but she is someone who understands time and place.
She wouldn't make demands that would cause August to collapse.
It will likely just increase the number of favors owed on paper.
"Now, regarding Yuki-dono, we should assume that man has already read through all of our intentions. Therefore, there is no point in hiding it clumsily; I have no choice but to ask for his cooperation. Regarding the matter of Amanda-dono's escort, I will simply tell him that I will speak to the Director myself to show our sincerity."
"…That is the only way. Well, if Yuki-dono cares for Cleena, he should be willing to lend a hand."
"Yes. In fact, if Cleena were not Yuki-dono's partner, the very idea of utilizing the Dragon Knight this time might have collapsed. In that sense, one could say Cleena chose a wonderful partner."
Just as we finished talking, I received word that my junior, Amanda, and Yuki-dono's mercenary group had arrived.
That was faster than I expected.
For now, I head to the same room as before with the teacher.
"I apologize for calling you here and making you wait."
As I enter the room, I say this to Yuki-dono and the others, who are drinking tea, and offer a light apology.
"No, we were actually coming back to speak with Princess Inis as well. Sorry to interrupt you while you're busy."
Yuki-dono says.
I take a sip of the tea that was poured for me before opening my mouth.
"A talk, you say? I apologize, but before I hear what you have to say, would you mind if I spoke first?"
"Yes, that is fine."