Chapter 38 - 38 Fifteen Autumns
I was in the territory capital of Margrave Kruger.
"Is business going well, Ginji?"
"Call me Ogin! More importantly, Emu is pregnant. It's Young Master's child..."
It seems the Female Dog was named Emu. When I asked why, she said, "Because Young Master looked so happy while holding her like a total sadist." Well, her previous boss used to say he thought he was using contraception, but that he was actually impotent. Ginji said he would look after them.
"I can be both a father and a mother, right? I think it's optimal. Did you come here to worry about us today?"
Apparently, there were many instances of local thugs harassing them, so she said, "I'm going to go finish them off," and headed out. After a while, Gin and Emu witnessed several young men with arms and legs bent in the wrong directions, weeping and begging for forgiveness.
"Do you know anyone else around here who's interfering with business?"
When I asked those around me while smirking, several people immediately tried to flee. In this way, my Dick Hunter activities began one after another, leaving the thugs trembling in terror.
"How nostalgic. I lost quite a lot during Young Master's Dick Hunter days too," Emu murmured, and Gin was impressed by her words.
While building a basement in Gin's restaurant to prepare for war, I continued my Dick Hunter activities. As a result, the number of people rushing into Gin's shop increased rapidly, crying things like, "I... I was raped! Help me!" or "That moneylender kidnapped my wife! Please help me!" Thanks to that, the shop flourished.
The thugs also tried asking the Yakuza for help, but they were beaten back by me, leading to a Dick Hunter campaign starting against people other than myself, with them shouting, "Dammit! It's because those thugs gave us such a lousy request! Find them!"
I had somehow become like a professional fixer, but as for me, I was focusing on the mountain to the west of the territory capital. When I asked Gin, she said, "So Young Master noticed too? Even from a former bandit's perspective, that mountain is a place you'd want to hold, right? But it's impossible."
That mountain, despite being in this plain area, apparently no one had laid a finger on. Since you can see 360 degrees from there, if you could secure the summit of that mountain, you could monitor everything.
I had wondered why no one held it, but I understood once I saw it up close. The surroundings were all sheer cliffs, making it impossible to climb easily.
If it were me, I could use Hawk Eye and Instant Movement to reach the summit!
I casually tamed a bird to scout the mountain. It certainly looked impossible to climb. It was surrounded by almost vertical cliffs. However, there was no base more easy to attack and easy to defend than this.
I used Instant Movement to reach the summit and built a fort. If a battle ever comes, I'll put my soldiers here and rain down a storm of arrows! I also set up various traps so the enemy couldn't climb up.
I made the basement of Gin's shop comfortable to live in. Of course. To ensure they wouldn't be found by enemies once closed, I applied Perception Block to the door and placed a sturdy magic lock so it wouldn't open easily. There were toilets and baths, and since water and food were inside my Magic Box, they stayed fresh forever. The Sound Barrier was also foolproof, so even if a baby cried after being born, it wouldn't be heard outside.
"It's fine to stay here for a year."
"I don't want to stay for a year, but I don't want to be killed in the war. I'll endure it," Gin said, and Emu nodded as well.
As early summer approached.
I was summoned to the Palace. Thinking His Majesty likely wanted to know the progress of military preparations, I prepared sketches along with maps and headed out.
"You are perceptive, but that is not it."
He seemed satisfied looking at the maps and sketches I presented, but it seemed I was wrong. According to His Majesty, he thought the enemy would attack at the earliest this autumn, but it seems many things are inconvenient for an attacker when winter arrives. The intelligence agencies are apparently saying it will likely be next spring.
"The tunnel you suggested has still not been found. I hope it is merely groundless anxiety, but I also feel it may simply not be completed yet. I called you for nothing else. It is inconvenient that the Prime Minister has been absent for so long. Therefore, I am thinking of having Klaus do it. What say you?"
Even if he asks "What say you"... I was thinking, isn't it fine? Is there any inconvenience? It seems Klaus declined once. He reportedly said it wouldn't be good for him to hold both military and political power. As I stood there unable to say anything, His Majesty laughed.
"I do not fear being criticized because power is concentrated in Klaus. There are those who act like loyal subjects and warn me, asking what I would do if Klaus betrayed me, but in the last great war, the only ones who supported me with their lives were Klaus and your parents. If Klaus or your parents were to betray me... it would be due to my own lack of virtue."
In the end, he might have wanted to say that he spoke not as an Emperor, but as Morse the individual.
"We are subjects who support Your Majesty. Though our strength is meager, it is our heart's desire to support you with all our might. We would never even dream of betrayal!"
Nodding with a satisfied smile, it seemed Klaus was now the new Prime Minister.
With that, I sought out Internal Affairs Officers who had ability but bad personalities, or those who were lazy and loathed work, and kidnapped them one after another, applying [Skill: Adrenaline] and [Skill: Dopamine]. Depending on the case, Sera might even learn something from them. I also gave them a light threat.
"W-what do you intend to do?"
"Do you know what the bandits lost previously?"
When I reminded them of the Dick Hunter and asked, "Do you want to spend the rest of your lives as Moho?", they became people who worked desperately hard.
From that day, the kidnappings began little by little.
"W-who is it?"
"A human kidnapper!"
Sera also told me, "It'll be a problem if they come all at once, but if it's little by little, I'll have them learn from me and the people currently being raised!"
"Got it? Be kind and considerate to people! Interact with a smile! Start from there!"
In some cases, saying it would be problematic if the Internal Affairs Officers were looked down upon by the public, I had Yaris or Regias train them once a week.
"Maximum effect with minimum effort! That is Shivans-sama's motto!"
""Yes, sir!!""
And so, they were sent in one after another. I also aimed to take those who were smoldering in other territories.
When I dropped by the Cielo Trading Company, they tried to hug me, saying, "Sales have doubled! I am grateful!", so I avoided them. Our pool is, of course, making a killing since the transportation business is a huge hit. It seems the combination with the newspaper allowed for the development of various routes, and the monopoly on the sale of Viscount Gran's wine was a major factor.
"It feels like a lie that until recently, I thought my daughter had died and I would have to hang myself. I am truly grateful to you!"
He even offered to prepare about ten beautiful concubines for me, which made my heart waver, but I declined.
Returning to the Lord's Manor, I asked the three members of Shivans' Guard if there were any problems with the weapons or training, and they told me the training was going smoothly, and currently, another unit was coming for training. There were those for whom it went smoothly and those for whom it didn't; the successful ones had returned, while the ones who were still no good remained. Furthermore, Gran and Vista, being angered by this, had reportedly sent in new people and requested that those without talent be given different training.
"Those who are no good are just no good. They have no motivation themselves. Shall I send them back?"
"I suppose so. They aren't our soldiers. I'll leave it to Regias."
Even if the training costs are included, they're being quite cheeky.
"Speaking of which, His Majesty said it seems the invasion will come next spring. And here I am, a student..."
Hearing that, Vel said he had gathered some intel.
"It seems so. The Kingdom of Rhodesia has had successive bad harvests, but since they are also a maritime nation, they are apparently putting strength into manufacturing warships. And it seems several ships scheduled for completion this spring will be finished, so the surrounding countries are on edge. I personally suspect they might be invading our country."
If that's the case, I definitely want to capture them. I told him to contact the coastal guard immediately and let them know that I would be the one capturing them.
"Even if I become a student, I have Instant Movement. I'll be back immediately."
When I mentioned the mountain near the territory capital of the Margrave, Yaris immediately agreed, saying, "That's interesting!" When I said that if this went well, we could perform a pincer attack with the Klaus army and our own for the final touch, everyone was excited.
"If Father's army recaptures the territory capital, those guys will be like rats in a bag."
Since everyone knew the plan, Yaris was fired up.
"Now that it's decided, there's no time to be training other people's soldiers! We have to train our own army even more strictly!"
And a few days later. Since the appointment ceremony for the Prime Minister was finally about to begin, the nobles were being gathered again for a party. Naturally, Sera would attend from our side. And naturally, we would be visiting the Klaus family. Before that, we had to prepare summer dresses and suits.
I was caught by Klaus immediately upon arrival.
"Shivans-kun. This is partly your fault, you know!"
Klaus complained with a smile.
"Isn't it fine? It's not as if everyone thinks this country will improve. Excellency, you still have many political enemies, but if you hold power, you can avoid useless fighting, can't you?"
When I conveyed my thought that this would ultimately benefit His Majesty, he winked and said, "I'm counting on you from now on!" This man has certainly rejuvenated quite a bit. I hope he doesn't age now that he's the Prime Minister.
After dinner.
When I went to perform treatments, it seemed both Klaus and Windam were drinking Holy Water Aqua every single day without fail. Thanks to that, they said their physical condition was excellent.
"Since both of you have rejuvenated so much, your condition must be even better."
After that, I performed treatments on the Madam and Aqua.
"I examined the children just now, and there were no problems at all."
When I said that, they looked relieved. As expected, it was likely because the Madam was having a child at an advanced age. She had been quite worried about it.
That Night.
Since it was after the birth, I held Aqua gently to show care, and she rejoiced, saying, "You're so kind!"
"Because you are precious to me!"
"I feel truly cherished!"
We spent time together until the next morning to prepare.
When I naturally handed the Madam and Aqua newly prepared summer dresses, the Madam praised me, saying, "As expected of Shivans-kun!" Of course, Aqua was also happy. When I handed the men cool-looking suits, they thanked me, saying, "I'm always grateful to you."
Sera was helping Aria with her dress.
"Shivans, you always have such good taste! Sera's dress is the same, isn't it?"
"Of course! This time, we finished it with a more mature feel!"
I went to pick up my own parents.
Heading to the Palace, when the ceremony began, no one from the old Namibia faction was present, but if you asked if the people currently there were truly the Klaus faction, they couldn't be fully trusted. Looking at it this way, I thought it would be better if things were as simple and clear as a game. Even the people clapping with smiles might revolt if the Kingdom of Rhodesia launched a war.
People who are blatantly enemies, like Namibia and the others, seem more trustworthy.
Klaus was sick of the people lining up with blatant flattery.
In the midst of that, when the party began, my father Butler said, "I don't think Excellency can handle politics," and Klaus laughed, saying, "I intend to work the bureaucrats and Internal Affairs Officers to their absolute limit!" To which he replied, "That is good. Excellency, please remain steadfast," and Klaus nodded with a smile.
I thought the bureaucrats and Internal Affairs Officers participating in the party must be feeling a chill down their spines, and as expected, Arist told me they were already trembling with fear.
"Hey, Shivans? You like training more than dancing, right?"
My father Butler, who could tell I didn't care about dancing, extended an invitation. Fortunately, Klaus stopped him, so the matter was avoided. In the end, I enjoyed dancing with the Madam and Aqua and the appointment ceremony concluded safely.
After the appointment ceremony, I sent my parents back to the territory and returned Sera to the territory as well. In preparation for the war, I went around checking various locations for traps and conducting detailed meetings, providing thorough reports.
"However... there is still no certainty that we can win..."
"How are the soldiers in Excellency Klaus's lands?"
If they gathered all the farmers and slaves, they could apparently move up to 50,000. However, their morale and proficiency would be low. They were apparently training every day to be able to deploy 30,000.
I ran various simulations, but ultimately, it all depended on my Instant Movement. If a gear slipped somewhere, it could become a fatal blow and cause many deaths.
This isn't a game anymore. I just want to avoid any unexpected situations!
And so, summer passed busily. Since Aqua was enjoying being held by me every day, I had Windam make a small sacrifice as well.
"Shivans-kun... I'm sorry, but please, a health drink..."
"Windam! You... you aren't doing much work, are you?"
I couldn't tell him that he was losing his vigor every night because of me.
"Father... I am also... making efforts day and night..."
He appealed earnestly with a face that looked like he was about to cry. Now that Klaus had become the Prime Minister, there were many times he couldn't return home.
Since I had established a relationship with the Madam in the commercial capital, our skinship had increased. And she would ask when no one else was around, "Shivans, do you want to hold me again?" It seemed that through sex with me, she burned with naughty feelings and a sense of immorality, and her body had learned the joys of a woman.
However, while I had been enduring it because I felt bad for Klaus, I learned that when he didn't return, he was having relationships with other women. He seemed to have held a grudge about being told when courting women that "I don't feel like holding an old hag," which is why he had approached me.
I wouldn't make a blunder that would get me caught by Klaus.
The Madam had likely chosen me because I was safe and could make her feel good.
"Hey? I heard you aren't coming home tonight. What will you do? I'll be waiting tonight!"
She whispered in a low voice during my treatments. In this way, I would do a double-header with Aqua, satisfying the Madam first, then spending the time with Aqua until morning, and then flying around various locations to hold strategy meetings; a month passed like this.
When I returned to the territory, I went around inspecting the fields to check the cultivation status. Using Appraisal, I would apply Spirit Magic to activate fields where the cultivation status was poor, and the farmers would rejoice, saying, "As expected of Young Master!"
As autumn arrived, I would temporarily buy up all the crops produced by the farmers. This was to prevent prices from collapsing. The farmers also brought their goods out knowing that I would buy everything and that prices wouldn't collapse.
"With taxes at 10%, being able to live a life where we can save enough for next year's food and seeds and still have cash left after selling everything... it's like a dream!"
Since I was running my own business, taxes weren't actually that necessary, but since it was a commercial capital, the tax revenue from the consumption tax was large. Occasionally, there were merchants who tried to cheat the books to evade the consumption tax, but they didn't because they knew they would be exiled. Furthermore, if they continued to run a deficit, they could go to Sera, show her their books honestly, and there were relief measures available.
"It can't be helped. Why don't you be more sociable? Or, maybe being an artisan or a farmer would be better than business?"
Sera, who gave advice very sincerely, had high favorability among the townspeople. When autumn came and Aqua's pregnancy became known, Windam seemed to say, "So it was then..." I wasn't sure about the Madam, though.
I returned Gran and Vista's soldiers and headed to their respective territories to report.
"Thanks to you, we might be able to pull through somehow too!"
Viscount Gran welcomed me with a smile and poured tea. I wondered how Viscount Gran's navy was doing. When I asked if they had many ships, he gave me information I had never heard before, looking reluctant to say, "Actually, I have a younger sister... she... under my grandfather's influence, she commands the navy..."
"I see. In that case, wouldn't you be happy if the Kingdom of Rhodesia's new ships arrived and we could capture them?"
Then the door slammed "Bang!" and a woman said, "You... is that story true!?" I nodded honestly; I thought she would know since I had notified the soldiers we had trained this time... but it seemed the land troops and the marines had a bad relationship and didn't share that kind of information much. Is the Viscount family okay like that? Your reporting and communication are terrible.
"So, when are they coming? How are you going to capture them? I won't forgive you if you damage them! Spit it out, kid!"
She shook me so hard I thought I might get a concussion. The woman's name was Rose, and she was 19. When I introduced myself as Shivans and said I was 15, she complained, "You're just a brat!" but there wasn't much I could do about that, was there?
"Let's continue the conversation after we've introduced ourselves."
There, I decided to talk about the contents of the strategy meeting held at the Klaus family.
"The contents I am about to discuss are strictly strategies we have formulated based on our estimates from the intel."
I spoke after giving that preamble. We had obtained intel that the enemy would likely be prepared for a somewhat long-term war, so if they were to come, it would likely be next spring. Naturally, the first to be attacked would be Margrave Kruger's territory. However, with the current situation in this country, there was no way to send reinforcements.
"Why? Is the Imperial Army just going to let them be slaughtered?"
"It is not that. But it is just as Rose-san says."
When I told them that they would have to pass through Kaoz's territory, which holds the main roads, Gran, her older brother, immediately said, "I see. That is reckless." When Rose made a puzzled face, Gran explained, and her face turned bright red with anger.
"Big Brother! Why doesn't His Majesty punish such scoundrels?"
"Don't be unreasonable! There's no evidence... we can't punish them based on circumstantial evidence alone!"
He turned to me and bowed, saying, "Forgive my muscle-brained sister," so I continued the story.
"From here on, this will be based on predictions."
The enemy will send troops over the border mountains and also send troops from the sea. Since Margrave Kruger has no navy, the ports will be occupied immediately and they will likely send in the Marine Corps. The troops that crossed the mountains and the naval troops will merge, occupy the territory capital of the Margrave, and use it as a bridgehead.
"Is everything okay so far?"
"It's fine. Continue."
The main force, with Kaoz's troops at the vanguard, will head toward the Imperial Capital. The Marine Corps will take Kruger's soldiers prisoner and use them as the front line. I told them that they would likely use the prisoner soldiers at the front to head toward my father's territory and here, the Gran Territory.
"And so, the navy will strike our ports first, you mean..."
"I believe it is just as Lord Gran says. They will strike before the Marine Corps arrives, right? And then, I think they plan to move toward Vista-sama's place next."
At my words, Rose shouted, "How dare they look down on us! Are they planning to rape me? They're dead wrong if they think it'll be that easy!"
"Forgive my stupid sister. So, what will we do?"
"I will use my magic to run only the new ships aground and capture them. For the rest of the ships, it will be enough to just crush them with our trained soldiers and weapons. Please, annihilate them!"
Then, "Run them aground!? That's no good!" Rose said.
"I am not actually going to run them aground. We just have to make them think they have run aground!"
When she asked how, I laughed and said, "It's a secret." She started getting angry, but when I said, "I've shared such precious information with you for free, haven't I?", Rose asked, "How much do you want?"
"It is not a matter of money."
"What! Is your aim my body?"
When I made a look of blatant exasperation, Gran looked like he was about to cry, saying, "Truly, this girl is an idiot... I can't marry her off anywhere..."
Since I had something more important to ask than that, I asked.
"If we wanted to remodel the captured ships, is there a place?"
"If they are large ships, it's impossible for us. If it's Vista-sama's place... it might be possible. We could manage medium-sized ships, but..."
Rose pleaded, shaking her head reluctantly.
"I want large ships! I definitely want them! Don't give them to anyone else! Please, Big Brother!"
"Where is the shipyard? Don't make unreasonable demands!"
I couldn't say anything for sure without seeing it, but...
"Wouldn't it be better to think about it after we discover them and capture them? Besides, you can't just say you gave them to the Gran family without His Majesty's permission, right?"
My words brought her back to her senses. That was true.
"I apologize for losing my composure. It is as you say."
"First, we have to win! I think we can manage once we win."
"Is that true? You'd better win, absolutely! If you lose, I'll kill you!"
This certainly would make marrying her an extremely difficult task... Gran was bowing to me so much I felt sorry for him... well, we have to win, after all.