SWNOVELXO Chapter 117
As the year draws to a close, the war that began six months ago is still ongoing.
The newly established Chief of Staff aimed to conclude this war before the New Year celebration.
The Marquis of Consloker and the faction of staff worked diligently towards that goal.
In fact, the early Empire was riding high with a string of consecutive victories.
However, everything was merely bait and deception orchestrated by Dedorant.
It gnawed away at the Empire, causing them to make momentary misjudgments.
And at the crucial moment, they succeeded in inflicting severe damage on the Empire.
Following this, the Empire’s strategy against Dedorant underwent a massive overhaul.
At the center of this was Kael, who had been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the 1st Legion.
Kael immediately prepared for a prolonged conflict and organized everything accordingly.
Stockpiling resources, training reserves, and reinforcing each frontline.
Not only that, but he even forced Dedorant into fatigue as well.
“What a truly fascinating occurrence.”
“Your Majesty?”
At the Emperor’s sudden remark, the Crown Princess cocked her head momentarily.
Fascinating, you say? What exactly is so fascinating? Where does such an evaluation stem from?
However, the Crown Princess quickly understood the Emperor’s next words.
“It’s regarding the Imperial Chief of Staff. To anyone watching, he resembles a prophet who has been waiting for this very moment.”
So remarkable was Kael’s response that even the Emperor had to acknowledge it.
While the Empire stumbled from its major defeat, he knew precisely how to respond to the enemy approaching the gate.
Based solely on his reputation, he restored the morale of his allies.
He expanded the frontlines while positioning the most capable individuals to achieve better performance at each frontline.
And with an ingenuity that no one had imagined, he deceived the enemy, keeping their eyes fixed southward.
“And now he is shaking a bait that cannot be shaken off, ensuring the enemy cannot rest all winter.”
The Emperor pointed at the map beyond the Empire’s western border, continuing his discourse.
“The Minister of War just reported. Aside from the previously decimated 9th and 14th legions in the west, all reorganization regarding the 1st Legion has been completed, and they will now move into training for the expansion of reserves and actual power augmentation.”
“Are there individuals designated to take over them?”
“They’ve decided to utilize those who barely escaped Dedorant’s siege as instructors. The Imperial Chief of Staff suggested this, and both the Minister of War and the staff agreed to it.”
In a different scenario, they would have revived the legions around the survivors.
The absence of legions is a matter directly tied to the Empire’s authority and pride, after all.
Right now, Dedorant is bragging about annihilating the Empire’s two legions.
No kingdom has ever completely swallowed up an entire legion like this.
Seeing that spectacle would drive anyone in the Empire to madness.
However, Kael fervently persuaded the Empire’s top brass.
Someday those two legions would be resurrected, but it wasn’t time yet.
For now, the remaining troops should be redirected to more constructive tasks.
That constructive task was to help train the reserves in the rear.
“That was a very appropriate opinion. Those who faced Dedorant’s tactics head-on would know their specialties and fears better than anyone else. For the reserves who haven’t yet fought Dedorant, there’s no better teaching.”
The Emperor chuckled with satisfaction, displaying his contentment.
To speak the truth, not all of Kael’s actions are grandiose.
The plan to turn the surviving forces into instructors is something others could conceive as well.
The reason the Emperor is so impressed and fond of Kael lies elsewhere.
It’s because, despite his young age, he captures these points faster than anyone.
As if he were an aged individual who had experienced similar situations before.
Moreover, he boldly expresses his opinions even in situations that might make others hesitate.
He carries a solid conviction that what he intends to do will indeed come to pass.
He possesses an unwavering firmness and the reasons to push that stance forward.
This is something that cannot be achieved without calculating thousands, if not millions, of times in his mind.
He may speak with humility, but his actions say otherwise. Thus, he earns even more trust.
Initially considered merely a talented and outstanding youth, he turned out to be far beyond that.
He is like a beast waiting patiently with its claws hidden.
The three kingdoms to the east, Benito to the south, and now Dedorant to the west.
They all are destined to be torn apart by the terrifying beast of the Empire.
Being born and raised in the Empire, and further belonging to the Duke category, is fortunate.
Had he been in another country, what a troublesome situation it would have been!
Both the Emperor and the Crown Princess held such thoughts about Kael.
“Your Majesty, the Imperial Chief of Staff has returned to the country.”
Upon hearing that news, the Crown Princess quietly posed a question.
“Is it because of the resource support bill regarding Ross Tanika?”
“It seems so. The Minister of War and the staff are already his allies, but it appears to be quite important for him to come personally and persuade the legislature and the Ministry of Finance.”
After pondering something for a moment, the Crown Princess stood up.
“Your Majesty, I shall personally go to welcome the Imperial Chief of Staff.”
“Hmm.”
“Having restored the devastated battlefield and having pressured the enemy’s breath, it would not be strange in the slightest if I were to go.”
“Is that all?”
Don’t you have something more to say? The Emperor’s eyes wore such a question.
To that, the Crown Princess added another phrase as if to say it was obviously not so.
“I wish to discuss the resource support bill for Ross Tanika in detail. I would like to know precisely how much and to what extent we intend to support them.”
“And?”
The Emperor’s counterquestion prompted the Crown Princess to silently gaze at her father.
Indeed, despite giving her all and studying various aspects, she couldn’t shake off the awareness that she remained within the Emperor’s palm.
“…I wish to confirm.”
“Confirm what?”
“If by any chance the Imperial Chief of Staff were to align with someone other than the Imperial Family, how much should we amend all that we have established and calculated so far, and from where should we begin?”
A figure who has accomplished enough to be among the top three in the Empire’s history.
If he were to join forces with someone outside the Imperial Family, what would occur?
Her loyalty remains unchanged, but politics is never a simple arena.
It was only natural for the Crown Princess to be cautious.
In fact, she had been somewhat at ease for a while.
Kael and Isabelle’s relationship seemed exceptionally good.
The Imperial Family was subtly, if not overtly, supporting the two of them, so it is not surprising to be aware of this.
However, upon further observation, there is nothing beyond that of a like-minded friend or colleague.
In such a case, one must inevitably consider contingencies.
*
After a few months, the atmosphere within the Empire was surprisingly decent.
Even though they had entered a total war, the sensation of being completely drained did not loom heavily.
The Ministry of Finance was making evident adjustments considering the domestic climate, and the situation felt like it reflected that.
‘…Even if the Ministry of Finance tries to kill me, I can’t complain.’
Already, it’s said that the Ministry of Finance has had very little time off since I suggested a prolonged conflict.
Rumor has it that even the Minister of Finance spends the entire week working with minimal breaks.
At this point, if an assassin were to visit me at midnight, I might think they were a Ministry of Finance person.
“Imperial Chief of Staff.”
“Your Highness the Crown Princess?”
What the? Why are you here suddenly? Taken by surprise, I bowed my head.
Regardless, since I am directly under the Imperial Family, I simply wanted to inform you of my return.
With both the Emperor and the Crown Princess so busy, I thought we would meet only when I report later.
Yet the Crown Princess comes out to greet me personally. Is there something going on?
“I heard you returned briefly. You’ve certainly endured a lot out there.”
“It’s not as tough as the soldiers on the frontlines.”
“I certainly understand the struggles of those who bear the burden of responsibility. Let’s walk for a moment; I want to say a few things.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
There must be something going on. What is it? Could it be about the resource support bill?
The Empire is tightening its belt and sending materials to the frontlines.
Are they actually considering diverting resources to Ross Tanika and just giving them a boost?
Is this a concern meant to make me anxious?
“Regarding the resource support bill for Ross Tanika, I’m going to persuade the members of the assembly in person.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Hang in there. For the record, I’m wholeheartedly in support. We must provide war supplies to those who can’t even receive troop support and are standing their ground against Dedorant to preserve the Empire’s honor.”
That’s a relief. Or rather, it should be obvious, right?
Surely someone of the Crown Princess’s stature wouldn’t merely be concerned about anything trivial.
After that, the Crown Princess and I discussed the current situation a bit more.
We talked about lying low until winter and then gradually moving in the next year.
Strengthening Ross Tanika would force Dedorant into fighting on four fronts.
“Speaking of which, I’ve heard that Bel has been assigned to the southern theater.”
“Yes? Oh, yes, Your Highness. It seems that such a move would draw Dedorant’s attention better. I did so with the authority granted by His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I see. I was somewhat worried that there might be something awkward between the two.”
Something awkward? Surely that can’t be the case.
I’m a noble of the Empire, and the Princess is literally the Emperor’s daughter.
If I don’t wish to die, I better conduct myself properly!
“That will not happen at all.”
“Really?”
“Indeed. Before we parted, we shared tea and enjoyed a brief conversation.”
“Hmm.”
“My heart, which had grown somber due to the ongoing battlefield, felt brighter. The Second Princess is indeed a wonderful person.”
So please don’t harbor the slightest doubt.
That princess absolutely isn’t a threat to the position of the next Emperor.
Neither she nor I have engaged in any conspiracy or anything like that!
“…I understand your intentions well. Good luck in the assembly, and now that you’ve returned, make sure to rest a bit.”
“Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
“I’m glad.”
Glad? What exactly is there to be glad about?
I wanted to ask about that, but I didn’t.
The expression on the Crown Princess’s face was graced with a very bright smile.