Chapter 100 - 100 Preparation for Deployment
Aurora's order came out, and House Archibalt also decided to prepare for war. House Archibalt's head is Brian, and Brian falls under Margrave Sowell. Steve is technically above Margrave Sowell, but since he is not the head, House Archibalt will follow the order.
Brian gave instructions to Cody and gathered attendants to explain.
Steve stood beside Brian, facing the attendants.
"This time, the Emperor changed within the Yellow Empire, and foreign policy became aggressive. The Kingdom of Forest is currently being pressured by the Empire, so they sought protection from our country. Your Majesty approved this and decided to fight the Empire. Furthermore, they promised to lend troops to the Imperial Prince who was expelled from the country by the Emperor, and decided to overthrow the current Emperor who usurped the throne through a coup. Therefore, our house also decided to deploy to fulfill our duty as western nobility."
Hearing that explanation, Cody asked a question.
"Will you be going too, Wakasama?"
"That's right. I'll be participating, but I'll be acting separately from everyone."
"Where to?"
"I'll be acting with the Royal Guard Knights Order."
Hearing that, Cody's face and the attendants' faces darkened.
"Without your support?"
"Well, that's how it'll be, but I think we'll settle things before combat becomes necessary. Besides, I won't always be there. That's what training is for, right?"
"That's true, but once you get used to that support magic, fighting in a state where there's nothing is too scary to do. That's what I mean."
The attendants usually use Steve's support magic for vigilance duties and pest extermination. So having it is normal. Tasks without it were unthinkable. Especially with war, anxiety is greater.
Brian saw that and scolded Cody.
"Cody, since when did you become so timid?"
"That's true, I've gotten used to Wakasama's thorough support. Also, I don't mind my life now, but the young ones are different. Besides, if the conscripted villagers die, it's a problem."
Cody's words made Steve worry. Considering support magic duration, he'd need to cast it daily on his own army. But teleporting there during combat is hard, and he doesn't know how much mana it takes.
After worrying, the answer he gave was:
"Shall I have the birds I command with magic go with you?"
Through the birds' eyes, grasp the army's situation, and go to rescue if danger approaches.
Brian also approved that plan.
"Cody, is that okay? Steve will be acting with the Royal Guard Knights Order, so the mana used for teleportation magic isn't small. Constant support is difficult. Anyway, when combat starts, I'll be at the front, so don't worry."
"If you do that, I don't know what Abigail-sama will say."
For the first time, laughter occurred.
Bella asked Steve if she would be with him.
"Am I with Steve?"
"Bella, stay in the territory and protect Christina and the children. Just Nancy can't handle multiple simultaneous attacks."
Usually Bella would force herself to accompany, but knowing Steve values children, she accepts the child protection work.
"Understood. Leave this to me."
"Take care."
Explanation to attendants ended, they split to villages for conscription. Brian contacted Emmanuel Trading Company to request supply procurement.
Meanwhile Steve went to the children. In the room, Christina and Nancy watched their respective children sleeping.
There Steve conveyed the deployment.
"His Majesty decided to protect Forest Kingdom and fight Yellow Empire. Both I and Father are going to deploy."
Hearing that, Christina asked Steve.
"Will both of you attack the Imperial Capital?"
"No, first we'll eliminate the army at the border with Forest Kingdom. Well, since the Empire orchestrated the previous attack on His Majesty, they'll probably attack the Emperor too."
Hearing that, Nancy's expression turned grim.
"Sir, what about His Highness Louis and Cecily?"
Nancy worried about her sister and asked Steve.
"His Highness asked His Majesty to lend troops. That was approved, so Cecily will accompany me and the Royal Guard Knights Order."
"Safe if with Sir. What about His Highness?"
"His Highness will wait for reports at the Royal Castle. Actually, him coming to the battlefield would just be in the way."
Louis remained at Cascade Kingdom's Royal Castle. If he died, Cascade lacks power to rule Imperial territory, causing chaos. Refugees might flood in, so cannot lose Louis.
However, if only Cascade army defeats Empire, it's not Louis's merit, no record to inherit throne, so plan is for attendant Cecily to accompany Cascade army and participate in capital conquest.
"Is there a chance of winning?"
"Don't know enemy strength. Have some winning strategy, but opponent means things won't go as planned. Eventually will see how they move and respond flexibly."
"Please be safe."
"I'll come back every day to see the children's faces. I'll have them confirm safety there."
Steve intended to sleep at home at night. Previously did to avoid night attacks, but this time purpose of returning to see children is bigger.
Christina then asked Steve.
"Is there anything to do here?"
"Just tell me about the children's condition when I return."
"Understood."
After couple's conversation, Steve teleported to factory. Spoke with Nick about factory operation.
"Nick, I'm participating in war. So can't participate in factory management for a while."
"That's tough. Where this time?"
Nick thought "here we go again". Used to Steve fighting foreign wars. Thought he'd win quickly and return, but next words surprised him.
"The Empire."
"Seriously?"
"It's His Majesty's order. I'm not starting war voluntarily."
"I know, but will it be long?"
"Depends on opponent, might not come back."
"So, does that mean dying?"
Nick's face turned grim. Steve had serious face. Nick intuited this isn't a joke.
"Facing the Empire, I'm prepared for that. Before, without Nancy I would have died."
"Do the young ladies know?"
"Only said I'll come back every day to see children's faces. If there's a day I don't come back, I won't come back after that."
Realized Steve isn't joking, Nick's face became even grimmer.
"It's really, really true."
"Unfortunately. If you want anything, say now. I'll make what I can with magic."
Nick pondered.
"Then make stainless steel material for M40 bolts and nuts. One by one is fine."
"Requesting rare things. Why again?"
"When Wakasama returns, we'll process together. I'll wait years. Stainless won't rust."
Steve thanked Nick's consideration. Made material with magic, handed to Nick.
"Must finish this."
"That's right. Leave factory to me. Won't let it go bankrupt due to poor management when Wakasama returns."
"Say hello to Barney. Thank you for everything."
"When you return, thank yourself. I'm not intending to deliver last words."
"That's true. But I'll pass this on."
Saying that, Steve made many glass glasses with magic. Imitation Edo Kiriko sold at high price to nobles.
"What's this?"
"Sell this when management gets tough, use as working capital."
"I won't do that. Also, stop assuming death."
Nick looked at Steve with face mixed anger and sadness.
Seeing that, Steve reflected he might have been too weak.
"Well, hope it's unnecessary worry. Maybe worried too much."
"That's true. Can't go to war casually, but preparing with death assumption is problematic too."
After, Steve made authorization document for Nick and signed. Brian also deploying, so Nick becomes top for factory.
"Residents conscripted from this village too, shift management might get hard."
"Operation will drop."
"Railway military priority affects logistics, might not reach sales even if made."
"For importing food, isn't that harder?"
"Yeah. Now self-sufficiency reached 100%, shouldn't starve, but just eating for now. If prolonged..."
Due to such circumstances, Steve wanted to end war ASAP.
Conversation with Nick ended, teleported to Aurora. Purpose is Cecily.
Spoke with Aurora and Cecily.
"Cecily will sleep at home with me daily. Nancy is there, that's fine, right?"
"That's fine, but what's the point heading to battlefield?"
"Don't want attacked while sleeping. Well, wanting to return to see children's faces is big. If attacked while I'm not there and something happens to Cecily, sorry to His Highness Louis. Actually want to bring all Royal Guard, but want to conserve mana. Also Royal Guard Commander is with us."
Steve's plan: Cecily and Daphne brought home daily, sleep at his mansion. Daphne strong request from House Stuart. But Daphne opposed special treatment for commander, agreed to report daily status to His Majesty then move to Steve's mansion.
Cecily forbidden to step in Royal Capital, so return to mansion first.
Cecily can use teleport magic, once guided to mansion can return alone. But if mana left, Steve teleports.
At this time, Steve told by Aurora: if something happens to Cecily, Louis alone, so must protect Cecily. Aurora's real aim: look to post-war, Cecily must survive.
"Knowing sister and my conflict, still proposing that?"
"Nancy doesn't hate Cecily, rather worries."
"But I can't forgive what sister did. Suppressed before His Highness, but heart is different."
Cecily couldn't forgive Nancy yet. So resisted being under same roof.
"Understand feelings, but for war. If prioritizing Cecily's feelings, Louis will join persuasion."
Steve thought persuasion hard, mentioned Louis's name.
Then Aurora intervened.
"Endurance needed for purpose. But holding thoughts bad. If time at night, talk with Nancy. Don't want to kill immediately."
"Yes, well."
"Ah, raising kids busy, take it easy."
Aurora looked at Steve.
"Children are priority."
Eventually Cecily persuaded by Aurora, accepted Steve's plan.
Thank you always for typo reports.