Chapter 449 - Episode 432: Before Departure ②
The end of May. The night before the departure of the third wave of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army. Noein was speaking with his son, Eleos, in the living room.
"...I see. Then that means Father will be returning even later."
The third wave departing tomorrow would do so under the pretext of assisting in the subjugation of a monster rampage that had occurred in the northeastern part of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg. Only those departing and a very small number of the Grand Duke of Arqvist's vassals knew the true purpose of the expedition.
Noein had kept this a secret from his children until now. However, he revealed the truth to Eleos before the expedition. He believed that his nine-year-old son possessed enough discretion to keep this secret for the short time until the truth was revealed within the country.
Before the battle, he wanted to speak the truth directly to his son, who had reached a certain age.
"That's right. That is how it will be. It will probably take nearly half a year... though I want to return within the year."
"I understand. In the meantime, I will do my best to be of help to Mother and everyone in the manor."
Hearing Eleos's immediate response, Noein's expression softened.
"Thank you. You really are a good boy."
Eleos was intelligent and obedient. In situations like this, he would offer a response that met Noein's expectations, understanding the role required of him as the heir to the Grand Duchy without a single complaint.
He intended to return alive, but he felt that even if something were to happen to him, it would be alright as long as Eleos was there. Thinking this, he felt that he had grown old.
"Well then, Eleos, that is all for our talk. You may go and rest now."
"I understand. Ah, before I go to sleep, may I read a picture book to Philia? I promised her this afternoon. Of course, I will not mention Father's expedition to the County of Kivileft."
"Yes, of course that is fine."
Giving his father a polite bow, Eleos left the living room.
Clara, who had been watching from the dining area, entered the living room as he left, followed by Matilda carrying a tray with tea for three.
"Eleos's obedience was a great help."
"Yes. I thought there would be no worries with that child."
Praising their son's cleverness, Noein and Clara laughed together. Clara sat to Noein's left and Matilda to his right, drawing close to him.
"...Once we depart, it will put a burden on you, Clara."
Noein gave a wry smile.
The first wave had departed under the pretext of escorting an important caravan, and the second wave under the pretext of joint training with the Rhodeberg Kingdom army. If the first and second waves did not return even after the scheduled time, it would immediately become a topic of conversation among the subjects. Therefore, a few days after the departure of the third wave, Clara would have to reveal the truth to the families of the expeditionary forces.
The soldiers had not left the Grand Duchy of Arqvist for caravan escorts, training, or monster subjugation. To face the forces of the Republic of Betumia that would soon invade, to achieve a long-awaited revenge, and to protect the peace of the region to which the Grand Duchy belonged, they had gone to war. The families of the soldiers would learn that truth for the first time here.
Naturally, there would be a reaction. While the families of the soldiers would likely understand the meaning of this expedition and the reason the true purpose had been kept secret in their heads, there would surely be those who felt complex emotions. After all, it was being revealed after the fact that their husbands, fathers, and sons had been sent into a great war without their knowledge.
Everyone would likely prepare themselves for the possibility that the family member who departed as a soldier might not return alive, but the mental preparation of those seeing them off changes depending on whether they depart for mere escort, training, or monster subjugation assistance, or whether they depart for a great war against a superpower that once drove the Kingdom of Rhodeberg into a predicament.
It was Clara's role to receive the reactions of the subjects and seek their understanding and cooperation. That role was heavy. Clara, who enjoyed immense support from the subjects, especially women and children, as the Mother of the Grand Duchy, would be fully capable of fulfilling it, but it was not an easy job.
"It is only natural that I fulfill my duties as the Grand Duchess. You and Matilda-san are facing and fighting the enemy, so compared to that, my work is nothing... Please do not worry about me and just be safe."
"...Thank you, Clara."
As Clara took his hand, Noein gently squeezed it back.
"Matilda-san. Please take care of Noein-sama. Please... stay by this man's side without fail."
"Of course, Clara-sama."
Looking at each other across Noein, Clara and Matilda exchanged words.
Clara did not say, "Protect Noein without fail." Matilda did not say, "I will definitely return alive with Noein."
Matilda would stay with Noein without fail, sharing life and death. Clara would remain in the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, Noein's utopia, and protect the country.
This was the oath between Matilda and Clara. It was an absolute oath exchanged on the day Clara decided to marry Noein and decided that she and Matilda would support Noein together.
The two met eyes and nodded to each other, hugging Noein from both sides.
Noein met the eyes of the two in turn. They exchanged smiles and kisses. Then, he stood up to move to the bedroom. He headed toward the bed as if being pulled by the two.
From tomorrow, for a while, the three of them would not be able to sleep together. That is why they shared their love on the night before departure.
.....
"Your Majesty the King. The coordination of the various armies to intercept the Republic of Betumia's army has been completed. The final decided details are as follows."
Oscar received the documents presented by the Minister of Military Affairs, Count Ragnal Burkhard, and looked through them. The documents orderly listed the organization and chain of command for the Central Army, Western Army, and Eastern Army of the Rhodeberg Kingdom side.
First, the commander-in-chief of the entire army and the general of the Central Army was, naturally, King Oscar Rhodeberg III.
As generals of the Central Army, Count Burkhard, Marquis Siegfried Bechtolsheim, Marquis Reinold Staufenberg, Count Edmund Marcel, and Count Nordlingen, among others, were listed. The planned total strength was forty thousand for the time being. A plan had been drawn up to begin assembling simultaneously with the invasion of the Republic of Betumia and to have the forces ready by the time the enemy reached the royal capital, Lichthagen.
And the general of the Western Army was, nominally, Marquis Lubomir Gardwin. However, since he was still in his teens and lacked experience, Count Ahatz of the Southwestern faction and the eldest son of Count Frederick Koenitz's house from the Northwestern faction would serve as staff officers.
The Western Army centered on the noble territorial armies of the Southwestern faction, with some Northwestern faction nobles such as Baron Wikander and Baron Oggoren also joining. The total strength was planned to be slightly under twenty thousand. Furthermore, five thousand from the Lancel Kingdom army were scheduled to join as allied forces.
Finally, the general of the Eastern Army was Marquis Bronislav Bittenfeld. Additionally, Grand Duke Noein Arqvist was placed as a guest general, nominally equal to the general (though in practical operation, under the general's command).
The core consisted of the armies of both generals, plus the forces of the Southeastern faction nobles, starting with Count Kivileft. And the forces of some nobles from the Northeastern faction. The total strength was approximately twenty thousand plus. Of those, five thousand would be allocated to secure the border with the Pallas Empire.
Additionally, the Rhodeberg Kingdom Navy, based in Laden, the capital of the County of Kivileft, would also be deployed into actual combat. It would be commanded by flag officers seconded from the Kingdom army and Count Julian Kivileft. They would take the Republic of Betumia's army by surprise and obstruct maritime transport.
In addition to these main armies, many small units would be placed to pressure the enemy's transport network, which would likely be laid from Ostraich to Lichthagen.
The Holy Order of Knights led by Baron Minerlien, the Levrant Kingdom army which had surprisingly offered assistance from far away in the north of the continent, and even the beastman units of the Rhodeberg Kingdom organized experimentally—beastmen and demi-humans with superior physical abilities were planned to be assigned.
A massive army that exceeded the Republic of Betumia's army in total strength. It would be a mobilization for the history books of the Rhodeberg Kingdom.
"...Very well. There should be no way we lose with this. Minister of Military Affairs, good work."
"Yes."
Count Burkhard, having received words of appreciation from Oscar, bowed quietly.
"Even so, we'll be pushing Marquis Bechtolsheim and Marquis Bittenfeld in particular. If it weren't for this war, they probably would have retired this year. It's a pity."
"But Your Majesty. War is the honor of the nobility. Why not consider that the two Marquises can gain glory before their retirement?"
"Hahaha, true. It's all in how you put it... For you as well, will this be the last great war?"
"Personally, that is what I hope for."
Count Burkhard nodded at Oscar's question. He was no longer young. He was at an age where it would not be strange to appoint the next Minister of Military Affairs and retire from the front lines in a few years.
"Hope for it, huh. Truly, these last dozen or so years have been a succession of upheavals. I wish for peace hereafter."
Under Oscar's reign, the Rhodeberg Kingdom had fought large wars against the Lancel Kingdom under the rule of Cadne Lancel, the Pallas Empire, and the Republic of Betumia. This was the second war with the Republic of Betumia. For a span of only about fifteen years, it was too many wars.
The first half of Oscar's reign had been spent exhausting national strength on war and reconstruction. He wanted to enjoy peace and development in the second half of his reign. For that purpose, he had to win the war that was about to begin.
"Make sure things proceed according to this organization plan. I'm counting on you."
"As you wish. Please leave it to me, Your Majesty the King."
Oscar watched Count Burkhard as he saluted and left the room.