Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The True Center of the Continent
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Every nation in the world proclaims itself the center of this continent.
That's only natural. It's an essential part of the rationale for each ruling class.
But those in the know all understand the truth. Where the real "center of the continent" truly lies.
The Empire. Croisen. The mighty power that has swallowed up lands like Altolan.
Geographically, and in every other way, it fits the description perfectly.
That also means any incident in the Empire—good or bad—will inevitably reach the ears of every nation.
"...So it has come to this."
In the northern reaches of the continent, in the capital Beogran of the Norobogord Demon Alliance, within a certain mansion.
Sharlua furrowed her brow slightly upon hearing the report.
"A war between the Empire and the three Eastern Kingdoms."
"You don't look pleased, Sharl."
"How could I be?"
"Really? When I went to the council, the members were all celebrating."
That's because those fools only know one side and not the other.
Sharlua let out several sighs of profound disappointment.
It was understandable. They probably thought the three Eastern Kingdoms would drain the Empire's strength.
After all, humans in the East had just as tense a relationship with the Empire as they did.
The fact that those bickering rivals had banded together meant they were in for a real fight.
The councilors believed those three kingdoms could inflict real damage on the Empire.
Sure, negotiations with the Empire were ongoing now, but that could flip at any moment.
Unlike Norobogord, which was taking a breather, the Empire had no such luxury, or so they figured.
That's what allowed them to laugh and cheer about it.
'If that actually happens, we might see the moderates join hands with the hardliners for some bizarre grand unification.'
Sharlua couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
What incredibly shortsighted judgment. Were these really the councilors of the assembly?
They needed to look further ahead instead of drawing conclusions from such a narrow view.
"We should have purged those seat-warmers like the Empire did back in the day."
"Sharl!"
"It's not wrong. You say it yourself sometimes, Father."
As far as Sharlua knew, the Empire had once cleaned house in its own assembly.
Not opposition for the sake of the nation, but conflicts solely for factional gain.
The Imperial Family had intervened and tidied it up decisively.
Thanks to that, the Empire maintained healthy rivalries and debates.
Opposition not for opposition's sake, but for the national interest.
Unlike here in Norobogord.
"They're just like that because they only know one side and ignore the rest."
"That's exactly why I'm frustrated. They're all fixated on the immediate present."
"...Honestly. Ahem. Even this father feels a bit relieved at the thought of the Empire being weakened somewhat."
"No! Father, not you too. That's way too simplistic."
No matter if the three Eastern Kingdoms joined hands in an alliance.
No matter if the Empire's threats had forced them to forget their past grudges and unite tightly this time.
Even united, they couldn't compare to the Empire.
Population, territory, resources— they were inferior in every aspect.
And they'd declared war first without any real justification.
Once word spread that they'd started the fight, shaking the Empire internally would be tough.
Pulling in other neighboring states would be difficult too.
Even if the goddess of fortune smiled and the allied kingdoms won major battles.
The changes would be limited. The Empire wouldn't collapse over that.
If they could just shave off a bit of flesh without the kingdoms turning on each other for more, that'd be fortunate enough.
"On the other hand, if the Empire wins, the Eastern order will be reshaped. And the ripple effects will spread across the continent."
"...Norobogord could very well fall within that sphere of influence."
Sharlua nodded at Chairman Kalland's words.
The odds of the Eastern Three Kingdoms' alliance defeating the Empire were low.
Conversely, the Empire's chances of victory in this war were extremely high.
And what they'd gain afterward would be enormous.
Low risk, high return. What a selfish trade!
'Above all, that man. Kael Clauvitz of the Bertier Imperial County. He's deploying with the army again this time.'
Whenever she had a moment, Sharlua reviewed those events.
And the conclusion was always that he knew exactly how to exploit weaknesses.
Encountering him on the battlefield would never be pleasant.
Before laying out strategies, he seized every situation and molded it to his will.
He'd already won a psychological victory, then forced another defeat.
The meteor ploy, the arrow storm through the fog— all of it.
Thoroughly and cunningly targeting the mind, manipulating it at will.
In Sharlua's eyes, Kael was a brilliant strategist and a sly serpent.
"Ah, Sharl. Word just came in about the Eastern frontlines."
"Show me, quick! Hurry!"
"Wait a bit! Why are you acting so impatiently?!"
Pavilion Pass—a place the Empire absolutely had to capture and hold for a smooth advance.
From the allied kingdoms' perspective, it was a choke point they had to breach to halt the Imperial Army.
The Empire had deployed its elite 12th Legion there.
And along with them, the rising supernova drawing attention.
'The flow of battle. How did it unfold? The Empire. That man, Kael. What move did he play in this crucial opening skirmish?'
Though the daughter of the chairman, Sharlua cared more for battlefields than council meetings.
Especially after witnessing that magical stratagem firsthand— her interest was piqued.
He wouldn't have played an ordinary hand. That's the kind of man Kael was.
What would it show? What trick had he pulled to throw the enemy into chaos this time?
It was unfair for Norobogord alone to suffer. Someone else had to fall victim too.
Only then could they avoid claims that they were fools leaning on luck!
"...Ha."
And Sharlua realized her predictions were spot on.
Bait using his own reputation. The exquisite hidden deployments, of course.
And in that chaos, the wedge to drive them home. The trump card to sow division among the enemy.
But what was most shocking and terrifying was his target.
The stratagems Sharlua knew were mostly tactical. Or parts of broader strategies.
Where and how to fight. How to lure. When to retreat.
Even that alone was enough to earn a strategist’s acclaim.
But Kael was different. He focused elsewhere.
The psychology of those on the battlefield. Shaking and shattering their minds.
He executed it masterfully.
Like slicing a steak, carving pieces with the knife of stratagem.
"...That's a relief."
The words slipped out unwittingly. Such immense relief washed over her.
It wasn't because they were fools. It was because the opponent was unavoidable.
Since they'd already fallen victim once, better to lose to someone overwhelmingly superior— less humiliating that way.
Yeah. Just don't fall for it again later. That's what Sharlua thought.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Bertier Imperial County. The Clauvitz Family residence.
The atmosphere there was like walking on thin ice.
"Let me go."
Ever since the day Kael—the family's eldest son and heir— departed with the army for the East.
Kaya, the couple's precious daughter and the family's darling, had started throwing tantrums.
Where to? High society balls? Parties? No. No. To the battlefield beyond!
"Don't be ridiculous."
It was only natural for the Imperial Count to step in and dissuade his daughter.
Kaya was just fifteen. A girl, not a boy.
No one knew better than the Imperial Count how brutal a battlefield could be.
Would such a man send his underage daughter there?
But Kaya wouldn't bend her will.
In truth, she had her own reasonable rationale.
The current Imperial Count himself had gone to war at fifteen.
"You did it too, Dad. I can handle it."
"Things aren't the same now as they were then."
"Let me go."
"You little—!"
"Let me go."
Kaya wanted one thing only: to head to the Eastern front.
She hadn't explained why, but everyone in the family knew.
"Why won't you let me go?!"
"You think I don't know?! You're only fifteen!"
"You served in the army too, Dad. I can do it!"
"Your father was at least a boy! Kaya, you're...!"
No matter how egalitarian Imperial society was toward gender.
Even if merit earned respect regardless of sex.
A battlefield inevitably hinged on physical differences.
When the Imperial Count opposed her for that reason, Kaya headed to the family training grounds.
"Sorry, Captain."
A spear was in Kaya's hands. She never held a sword to the end for anyone.
But with that single spear, she broke through yet another barrier toward her goal.
"Cough!"
The Knight Order Captain—one of the top martial artists in the Imperial County— was ultimately defeated.
And not holding back or yielding. Even at full power!
"Ha, haha. Grown even stronger in such a short time, have you, Miss? What is this... hahaha!"
Though defeated, the captain grinned broadly, delighted.
Who had bested his seasoned self? None other than his lord's daughter.
If this young miss was already this capable, what would she become later?
He was curious. Incredibly so. Anticipation swelled.
He could already see it. Enemies swept away by her spear and sword.
Like petals falling in the late spring breeze, they'd all vanish!
Around then, news from the Pavilion Pass battle reached the Bertier Imperial County.
Kaya's fervor ignited, and she clung to the Imperial Count— a natural progression.
"Dad!"
"No!"
The father-daughter quarrel raged on today as well.
Finally, unable to bear it, the Imperial Count set a condition.
"Alright, Kaya. See your spear over there?"
"...Yes. What about it?"
"Hit the tip with an arrow, and your father will reconsider."
"For real?"
Kaya lit up. And the Imperial Count smirked, right on plan.
He knew full well his daughter had no talent for archery.
He'd watched her train only with the spear every day.
And the distance was absurdly far. The spear was barely visible.
A father's stratagem to keep his still-young daughter at home.
But if Kael had been there, he'd have tilted his head in doubt.
Wagering without fully grasping the opponent leads to blood, he'd think.
"There! Now you'll let me go, right?!"
"... ."
The Imperial Count could only stare blankly at Kaya, who had precisely struck the spear's tip.