Episode 173 Discussion
Talks with the Imperial Army were not resumed until a few days later.
Lieutenant Caleriara arrived in front of the fort. The guards around me are the same as yesterday--no, it doesn't seem like anyone burned the secret letter.
“Is Prince Milimos here?”
Since I was called by name, I had no choice but to go.
Just like yesterday, I jumped out from the top of the outer wall and landed with a body strengthened by divine magic.
I started a conversation while approaching Lieutenant Caleriara.
“Lieutenant Carreriala. I told you yesterday that the letter requesting military exercises was a fake. Since you are not withdrawing?”
"Regarding that, I would like to state that there are some things we cannot compromise on."
When I tilted my head wondering what he meant, Lieutenant Carreria continued to explain.
"The previous letter must be a fake 'because Prince Milimos says so.' There is no doubt that our actions are being carried out based on the wrong judgment."
"If you know that, why don't you retreat?"
"Even if the letter is false, I have already received an order to 'conduct military exercises with the Nonette country.' Returning without fulfilling that order would be a violation of the order."
I think that's an absurd argument.
However, when I read more deeply, I could somehow guess Lieutenant Carreria's position.
"Even if it's just a formality, you want to conduct military exercises. Instead of entering Nonette Country as originally planned."
“Not only will it save our face, but it will also avoid creating unnecessary tension between the two countries.And there is no doubt that military exercises with our army will be a valuable experience for your country.”
Lieutenant Caleriara's statement is correct.
And, keeping the imperial army out of the country will also lead to crushing the intentions of factions that are hostile to Funseroa.
There is little reason to refuse.
"I understand. However, just in case a situation arises, we should stop any exercises that involve direct combat between soldiers of our country and soldiers of the Imperial Army."
It would be unbearable for Nonette country to be attacked under the pretext that it was retaliation for an injury sustained in an exercise.
When I suggested this cautiously, Lieutenant Caleriara just nodded and said, ``That makes sense.'' However, several of the guards around him showed bitter looks on their faces, as if they were about to click their tongues.
It seems that there are still people who are influenced by factions that are hostile to Funseroia.
It's okay to eliminate it now, but there's a possibility that it will go out of control if you keep it away from it, so I guess it's okay to leave it as it is now.
"Then, Prince Milimos. What kind of exercise do you think would be good?"
Oops, I need to get my attention back to Lieutenant Caleriara.
"That's right. I think the best thing for us would be for everyone in the Imperial Army to show us their magical skills. For example..."
I paused, looked around, and pointed at the outer wall of the fort.
"--I'd like you to show me attacks using attack magic and magic tools against that wall."
Perhaps my proposal was a surprise, as not only Lieutenant Carreriala but also the guards, who saw that the enemy faction was at stake, looked suspicious.
“Does Prince Milimos himself wish to take down that fortress?”
"No way. You'll need a target for the exercise. That wall is the only suitable target in this place."
He implicitly tells them, ``I won't use the attack on the fort as an excuse to ask for help from the knightly kingdom.''
Lieutenant Caleriara's face becomes a little awkward and he even folds his arms.
“In exchange for us showing off our magical skills, the Nonette country wants to prepare a target and conduct an exercise under the same conditions.”
"That's the thing. You can carry out exercises as ordered, and you can make your soldiers truly understand the threat of the Empire. It's not a bad deal, is it?"
When I told him that this area was the best place to lose, Lieutenant Caleriara nodded in approval.
"Okay. I'm fine with that condition. I'll check, but you don't mind if I tear down that wall, right?"
"It doesn't matter. I think it would be better for the soldiers if you destroyed it."
In my opinion, a siege battle against the Imperial Army is meaningless. It becomes a useless asset against the Imperial Army.
However, the soldiers of the Nonette country are proud of the outer wall that they poured their heart and soul into building, as it has a track record of holding back invasions many times.
Here, it should be worth mentioning that the outer wall is useless against the Imperial Army, even considering the cost of repairing the wall.
On the other hand, the imperial army also has an advantage.
The empire's national policy is territorial expansion. And the method of expansion revolves around the empire's enormous military and economic power.
If we can use this exercise to show Nonette Country the threat of the Imperial Army and make the people of Nonette Country believe that fighting with the Empire is foolish, we can use this as a stepping stone to acquiring new territory.
Since it was a mutually beneficial proposition, there was no reason for Lieutenant Carreria to refuse.
"Then let's destroy that wall and take a look."
“Hopefully, they will destroy it in a wide variety of ways.”
Now we have talked about the exercises. Now we will make detailed arrangements regarding the date and time of the event.
As I was thinking about this, one of Lieutenant Carreriala's bodyguards raised his hand. He was one of the people who had previously made contact with a faction hostile to Funseroia.
"I have something to ask Prince Milimos!"
"Hey! Don't hold back!"
Lieutenant Caleriara exclaimed. However, the male escort in question did not lower his hand.
I became interested in what he wanted to hear, even if it was against the orders of his superiors.
"I don't mind, Lieutenant Carreria. So, what do you want to ask?"
“Thank you! There is only one thing I would like to ask you! I would like to hear about the current situation of Spisk Nomeratspeik!”
Spisk Nomeratsupeik?
I tilted my head to see who the unfamiliar name was, and then I remembered that it was the name of Salcasimo's wife.
Come to think of it, before the imperial army arrived, the letter from King Chorex also mentioned about Spisk.
“If I remember correctly, Salkajimo was suspected of betrayal, and if I tried to ask him about it, he would have holed up in a room in the royal castle and not come out.”
"That's it! Mr. Spisk, you're so annoying!"
As I looked at the guard who was exaggerating and lamenting, the other guards started to make a fuss.
“I don’t think someone as kind as Spisk-sama would try to make our country and Nonette country fight!”
"Something is wrong! I request you to release me immediately!"
Seeing their desperation, I saw through their intentions.
Originally, the imperial army was supposed to enter Nonette country through this fort and enter a state of war for some reason. Part of that plan probably involved rescuing Spisk, who was the driving force behind the operation, from the royal castle of the Nonette Kingdom.
However, after a discussion between Lieutenant Carreria and I, it was decided that the Imperial Army would not enter the country of Nonette.
If that happens, we won't be able to rescue Spisk at this rate.
If they continue to abandon important members of the same faction, their lives, not to mention their path to career advancement, will no doubt be in jeopardy.
They may be worried that Spisk might be caught and leak information to the Nonette country that would put the Empire in a bad position.
I quickly think about it and figure out what to do here that will be most beneficial to me.
“Well, regarding Sister-in-law Spisk, I think it is necessary to discuss it with Lord Funseroa, the first consul of the empire.”
When I mention Funseroia's name, the guards look blatantly disgusted.
I guess so too. From the point of view of the opposing faction, it would be as if the plan they had devised had failed and they were asking their sworn enemy to clean up the mess.
“W-why are you here, Mr. Funseroa?”
One of the guards asked me a question while sweating, and I answered with a grin.
"Out of all the people in the Empire, he is the person with the deepest connection to our country. In fact, he is the only one who knows the point of contact with the Empire."
I won't say it in words, but it's a great opportunity to get a product called ``Weaknesses of the Hostile Forces'' that will definitely sell in Funseroia. There's no way I'll miss it.
When I showed with my attitude that I wouldn't change my words, the guards looked like they were worried about what to say.
At this point, Lieutenant Carreria interjected.
"Why don't you stop it! I understand your concern for a noble princess married from our country, but this is a military field and we are soldiers. That kind of talk is probably the province of politicians!"
With a shout from Lieutenant Carreria, the guards seemed to realize that the situation had changed and retreated. However, there were signs that he was thinking about breaking through the fort, even if it was by force.
Considering their feelings, I decided to provide them with something that would give them peace of mind.
``You don't have to worry too much, we have soldiers surrounding her to prevent her from escaping, but we have delivered food and water to her room, and it seems that Sister-in-law Spisk is doing well. Yo"
The guards seemed to have calmed down, probably understanding that there would be no danger to Spisk in the near future.
Now, they won't do any reckless imitations.
“Well then, Lieutenant Carreria, let’s go over the details of the exercise.”
"I understand. However, I cannot reveal the secrets of the secrets during the exercise."
"It doesn't matter. I would rather our soldiers know how much of a threat they pose even if they can disclose the information."
Then Lieutenant Carreria and I talked about various things about the content of the military exercise targeting the outer wall of the fort.
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