Courage (1)
"Your Majesty, a third of the Central Army? That is absolutely out of the question."
Count Donald's voice rang through the chamber. Alberto, seated on the throne, pressed hard at his temples.
"But Baron Veritati's information is quite specific. If the number of monsters coming down from the Peer Mountains is truly that great, we may need to send a third—or even more."
It was Count Cedric who spoke in favor of the reinforcements. He had always held Ellen in high regard among the nobility.
"Ugh."
A pained sound escaped Alberto's lips.
Not long ago, a summons had gone out to all the high-ranking nobles of Prode. They were ordered to attend a state council. The agenda was whether to approve the request for reinforcements Ellen had sent.
Withdrawing a large portion of the capital's forces was a highly unusual decision. Following Prode tradition, Alberto had convened the high nobles, and so every ranking noble who could attend had gathered in the royal palace. Even Prince Romiu and Princess Cernel were present. It was a gathering of Prode's greatest powers all in one place.
And they were locked in fierce debate over Ellen's request. The opposing and supporting camps stood in nearly equal force.
"Cedric, are you saying we should strip Harryford of its strength on the word of some lowly baron?"
Donald's tone was sharp as he turned on Cedric.
"Have you forgotten his achievements? Was it not he who first noticed the anomalies in the Kenipra region? Northwestern Edgar failed to report anything, true enough—but until then we did not even know the Little Gate had been breached."
Cedric's defense was firm. At his words, Alberto's gaze shifted toward Edgar.
"Hic!"
Edgar pulled his neck in like a turtle. He was the one who administered the northwest of Prode. He had kept the situation in Kenipra from the reports in order to score well on the noble evaluations—a fact that had only come to light because of Ellen's request for reinforcements.
I can't stand either that Hugo Bacler or that Remi Veritati.
Edgar felt no remorse for his own failings; he merely cursed them. Yet, conscious of Alberto's scrutiny, he arranged his face into a look of contrition.
To think a man like him became head of the Edgar house, once called a family of scholars.
Alberto sighed as if resigned.
But I am torn as well.
He too was caught between the two camps. He held boundless trust in Ellen. Yet removing the Central Army was a matter that demanded equal caution.
"Someone said we should conduct a thorough investigation? Remi already investigated everything thoroughly. What more is there to look into?"
It was Akard—standing at the pinnacle of the Prode army, one of the Seven Swords of the Continent.
"Th-that is..."
At Duke Akard's irritated words, Donald clamped his mouth shut. He lacked the courage to oppose him. The other nobles knew that fiery temper as well, and none of them dared speak.
"Duke Akard, of course I am aware of Lord Veritati's exceptional abilities. But as stated in the petition he sent, he has not confirmed it with his own eyes. It is mere conjecture."
It was Orlando Chedelton who broke the silence in the chamber. At his appearance, Akard's pressure eased slightly.
"By contrast, withdrawing the Central Army is a very real matter. If the Gosen Empire selects elites and infiltrates Harryford while we are depleted, how will we stop them?"
The overwhelming presence Akard had been projecting visibly waned. But Orlando did not stop.
"If Lord Veritati's words prove true, then of course we must send reinforcements even at that risk. Therefore, does it not make sense to investigate thoroughly first?"
Orlando finished with a gentle smile. To a man who had walked only the path of the sword all his life, a type like Orlando was far too difficult.
Damn that fox-like bastard.
As Orlando restored the atmosphere, the opposing nobles regained their momentum.
Lord Akard, you were too hasty.
Alberto shook his head at the sulking Akard. To a pure military man, Orlando was a natural enemy.
"Father, may I say a word?"
Cernel, who had been watching the council, raised her hand and requested the floor. The nobles' eyes turned to her as well. Unlike the indecisive Romiu, she was true king material. And since this was her first official statement, interest was inevitable.
"Very well. Speak."
"Lord Veritati's merits are beyond question. He has rendered great service to the royal family as well. But we must not trust his information on that background alone. Would that not itself be a malpractice? I believe the royal family must remain impartial at all times."
Her voice was not loud, yet it reached every ear with perfect clarity. The opposing nobles voiced their agreement at once.
Indeed, Cernel. She understands politics.
Among the opposing nobles, many already supported her. And she had just strengthened her own faction. At the same time, by invoking the principle of royal neutrality, she preserved her justification against backlash from the supporting side.
Political sense, cool judgment, outstanding eloquence. She was most suited to the virtues of a king. Yet Alberto could not stop thinking of Romiu.
If only Romiu had received the talents Cernel possesses.
His gaze went to Romiu. The prince still kept his mouth tightly shut.
Brother Romiu, the one fit to be king of Prode is me.
Her first statement in an official setting had been a success. Cernel lifted her chin and looked at Romiu. The sight of that soft boy hesitating was quite pleasing.
"Your Majesty, of course Princess Cernel's words have merit. But her opinion is incomplete."
At the slightly trembling voice, the nobles, Cernel, even Alberto all looked on in surprise—for the owner of that voice was none other than Romiu.
I'm shaking.
His heart felt ready to leap out of his mouth. Everyone was looking at him. It felt as though they were swallowing words laden with insult and cursing him with their eyes. He wanted nothing more than to take back what he had just said and flee from this place.
Your Highness must speak everything you wish to say. Not giving an answer looks far more inadequate than giving a wrong one. Especially before the Princess.
Ellen's words came back to him. It had been when he asked how to overcome his inferiority complex.
Clench.
Romiu clenched his fist tight. He suppressed the trembling in his arm.
"Your Majesty, the Princess said she considers the safety of the royal family—but that is only possible when there is territory and people."
His voice cracked from how hard he was shaking.
"Heh."
He saw Cernel sneer. Romiu's face flushed, but he did not stop speaking.
"If the Kenipra Gate should ever be breached, the entire northwest will fall to the monsters. Then what becomes of the people there?"
Alberto could not believe the situation. His son, who had always been so timid, was now stating his opinion before everyone.
"In maintaining a nation, the people and the territory are as essential as the royal family and the nobility. If we abandon them, which of our people will trust us?"
Romiu felt his heart gradually settling.
"Regardless of the numbers, losing territory to mere monsters will be a disgrace to the kingdom. And the intelligence organization Lord Veritati operates can rival even the royal special forces in accuracy."
At his words, the supporting nobles began to nod. Seeing them, Romiu gained more confidence.
"There can be no royal family without people and territory. If Lord Akard of the Seven Swords of the Continent and the Tower Master of the Magic Tower protect the royal family, and a minimum force remains garrisoned in the capital, the enemy will not dare move lightly."
Having poured out his words like a machine gun, Romiu sank into his seat as if his legs had given out. Silence settled over the great hall.
"Prince, is that truly your will?"
It was Alberto who broke the heavy silence.
"Yes. It is."
"Hoo."
The king let out a sigh—one filled more with relief than regret.
"Your opinions are nearly evenly split and opposed, so I too found it difficult to decide. But hearing the prince's words, spoken with sincerity, I believe I can now make the decision."
The royal scribe dipped his pen in ink. He had to draft the king's decree.
"The Magic Tower shall form a reinforcement force for Kenipra that includes three high-ranking mages."
The opposing nobles made to prostrate themselves and cry out that it must not be.
Sss.
But they could not. Akard's killing intent was clamping down on them.
"Lord Akard, send a third of the Second and Third Armies' forces, and half of the Fourth and Fifth Armies' forces, to Kenipra."
"I shall obey the command."
Akard and Orlando knelt on one knee and paid their respects.
"Prince, come see me as soon as this council ends."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Alberto's trust in Ellen grew even firmer.
To think that assigning him would have such a great effect.
Behind them, Cernel ground her teeth, but the sound did not reach Alberto's ears well.
Still no response. What on earth are the royal family and those nobles doing?
Ellen was growing increasingly anxious. He had prepared several contingencies in case the request for reinforcements was rejected. But the best move was for the reinforcements to come. A week had passed without word of the council's result.
I heard it went through the state council, at least.
After that, no information had come through Argon.
"Lord Remi, it's here. It's arrived."
Gavin climbed in through the window. He held a single sheet of paper. Ellen realized at once that it was the result of the state council.
"How did it go?"
"Huff, huff."
Gavin was too out of breath from running to answer. Instead he unfolded the paper and showed it to Ellen.
"It succeeded."
The first thing that caught his eye was the news that the reinforcements were departing—and on a scale nearly matching what Ellen had requested.
Hm? This kid?
Below was a summary of the state council's result. It stated that the request for reinforcements had passed thanks to Romiu's performance.
Grin.
A smile touched the corners of Ellen's lips.
So all the effort I put in paid off.
All the work he had done to raise the prince's self-esteem had finally borne fruit. At the same time he felt proud of Romiu—almost like a father watching his son grow.
Anyway, now I can plan on the premise that the reinforcements are coming. Things are proceeding according to plan.
Ellen headed straight for Hugo's office.