第９５３堀：本当の狙い (Part1)
Chapter 953: The True Objective
Side: Eupia Zurable
"Heh, my sides are splitting. My, it’s rare for me to laugh so hard I can barely stand."
I rolled with laughter, recalling the look on the face of the Great Imperial Strategist, Show, just a moment ago. I never in my wildest dreams imagined I could see that genius look so utterly bewildered. It was absolutely exhilarating!
"…Your Majesty. If you tease the Great Imperial Strategist too much, you might find yourself in a painful spot later."
"It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s good medicine for him once in a while. It’s true that his mind is far sharper than most. However, that doesn't mean he can predict everything. He just experienced that firsthand, didn't he?"
"That is certainly true, but… is it really alright to deduct the costs of Yuki-sama’s land leveling from his salary?"
"He himself said from the start that he would bear those costs. He should be grateful it ended with just that. Besides, if we are talking about responsibility for failure, it was the Great Imperial Strategist who devised the raid on Aurelia Port in the first place."
I stopped laughing and spoke with a serious tone. That’s right—if I didn't turn this into a laughing matter here, I would have to punish Show, the architect of the Aurelia Port strategy.
"I see. With this, you intend to treat the failure of the Aurelia Port campaign as if it never happened?"
"Indeed. It has been made clear and widely known that he was dealing with something even the Great Imperial Strategist could not predict. With this, there will be fewer people blaming Vol."
As a nation grows, there will inevitably be those who push others aside and trample on them to seek promotion and glory. That spirit of aiming for the top is fine, but it is meaningless if it harms one's own allies. I intend to use this situation to keep them in check.
"Well, it was a blessing in disguise that we formed a connection with Weed and Seasifo through this. Now, I’ll have those two turn the tide."
"If that battle hadn't occurred, there is a high probability that Weed and Seasifo would have been absorbed by the Gusdo Kingdom."
"Indeed. It sends shivers down my spine to think of the damage that would have caused. To have avoided that worst-case scenario and forged a bond is a stroke of fortune. If they had simply visited without any incident, I would have turned them away at the gate. As the Great Imperial Strategist said, no one would have believed such an absurd story."
"Naturally."
My adjutant agreed with my words. Yes, honestly speaking, this battle wasn't just a "blessing in disguise"—it was pure, unadulterated luck. Under normal circumstances, if Weed and Seasifo had visited, they would have been turned away. Then, they would have sided with the Gusdo faction—the old royal family—and we would have suffered immense damage. Who would believe in the existence of such magical tools?
"The day will come when we are grateful that only 80,000 troops were lost. It will come soon. The Great Imperial Strategist surely understands that now. If he continues to say strange things after this, I will have to dismiss him for the sake of the country. You have no objections, do you?"
"None at all."
Well, I know he isn't stupid enough to go that far. Just as I was thinking this, the door burst open without a knock, and Show, the Great Imperial Strategist, stormed in, breathing heavily. I really should issue an order to the guards to stop anyone, no matter who they are. I thought to myself.
"And now, what is it? Or rather, Show, have you forgotten your manners? If those in high positions ignore the rules, it sets a bad example for others. You know that well yourself, don't you?"
"My apologies. However, there is a law stating that in times of extreme urgency, formalities may be omitted. I ask that you apply that rule in this instance."
Was there such a law? I glanced at my adjutant, who nodded…
"It is permitted in wartime reports during emergencies. Even for a common soldier acting as a messenger."
"Ah, I see. So, is this a matter of such extreme urgency?"
"Precisely. It concerns Weed and Seasifo. Surely you aren't going to tell me that this matter has low priority?"
"I wouldn't say that, but I doubt it warrants ignoring etiquette. Well, fine. I take it you will behave properly in the future?"
"Yes. If I were to ignore etiquette, I would be disqualified as someone in a position of leadership. Now, may I proceed with my report?"
Hmm, he is certainly in a rush to talk. I suppose I should stop picking at his faults and listen.
"Very well, Show. You have been discussing matters with Weed and Seasifo, and you have come to report and seek my approval regarding them, is that correct?"
"Yes, that is correct."
What could he possibly have to report after less than half a day? I was tilting my head inwardly when Show began to speak.
"First, regarding the alliance with Weed and Seasifo, I believe it was a magnificent decision."
"Oh? You honestly admit that?"
"Of course. It was truly not just some absurd excuse fabricated by those who had been routed. In fact, I am surprised you, Your Majesty, believed in and recognized Weed and Seasifo in the first place."
"We were half-doubting at first, too. However, Vol insisted so strongly, even offering his own life. I thought it might be worth listening to, at least a little. Besides, Vol wouldn't tell such a trivial lie, even if he had suffered a crushing defeat."
That’s right—the only reason I didn't treat Weed with contempt was because of Vol. Without Vol’s achievements and the trust we have built, I wouldn't have made such a judgment. Hearing that, Show nodded as if convinced.
"I see. It was a life-or-death recommendation from a loyal subject."
"Indeed. If things had gone poorly, he could have been cut down on the spot as a foolish, defeated coward. That would have been a disgrace for generations to come. But he was prepared for that when he appealed to us directly. It was magnificent."
"Yes. General Vol’s judgment was by no means wrong. No, if he had made even one mistake, our country would have been in a dire situation… The national power of Weed and Seasifo is immeasurable."
It seems Show has reached the same conclusion as we have.
"First, this magical tool called a 'radio' that you have borrowed from Yuki-sama of Weed—as you know, it is a small-scale long-distance communication tool that our country has failed to develop. This alone speaks to the high level of technology in that country."
"Indeed. And there is an even more advanced one that can transmit the scenery of the location as well."
"I have confirmed that as well… If that were provided to our country, it would become easy to grasp the status of each front line, and communication would literally become intimate."
That is true. They didn't lend us the magical tool that can see the scenery of remote locations, but they entrusted us with the radio quite easily for communication in case of emergencies. Still, Show’s bewildered face from earlier was truly amusing.
"Was there something to laugh about?"
"Hm? No, I was just thinking that even just this radio will cause our country’s strength and unity to leap forward."
"…I felt a more sinister smile than that. Well, we have suspicious elements within as well, so I shall assume you were gloating over the prospect of exposing them."
Oops, that’s bad. He saw through my reminiscent laughter. He really is a man you cannot let your guard down around. Nevertheless, Show is correct. If we use this radio, it will likely be possible to drain the pus from within Zurable.
"It is a joyous thing for the nation to become healthy. Especially for our Zurable."