Many Problems on the Central Front (1) (NSFW Illustration)
Many Problems on the Central Front (1) (NSFW Illustration)
【Basic Budget 8,000,000 Disbursed】
【Special Strategy Budget 2,000,000 Disbursed】
【Current Budget: 12,007,500】
At last, after receiving my Lieutenant Colonel rank, the first budget arrived.
Thankfully, I didn't touch the 2 million saved budget I had resolved never to touch. It was really a close call.
"Piel Supply Commander-nim! The flour warehouse stock is about to run out."
"Ah, just a few days ago supplies arrived from the main family."
"Excuse me? But you clearly said just yesterday they hadn't arrived, didn't you?"
"It's a security measure. If the arrival date of supplies is specified, the list of candidates for who might be the secret courier can be narrowed down, can't it?"
"Ah! I see! Understood!"
My main family (my maternal family is now the main family) delivers supplies enchanted with Storage Warehouse Magic to me through a food procurement unit soldier who commutes daily to the farmland.
...and nobody suspects this setting.
"Then let's go fill the flour warehouse first."
"Yes! Supply Commander-nim!"
Supply Commander isn't my official position. It's what Hildea jokingly called me at my Lieutenant Colonel promotion ceremony, and it stuck with the soldiers.
As we approached the flour warehouse, the soldiers who had come out for work saw me and shouted.
"The Supply Officer-nim is coming!"
"Shh! The Supply Commander-nim hates being called that shortened way!"
I just said if you're going to call me Supply Officer, call me Lieutenant Colonel-nim instead.
【Requesting supply of flour.】
【Requesting supply of corn soup.】
【Current Budget: 9,507,500】
2.5 million budget vanished in an instant.
One month's pay for my direct unit, corn soup for the 3rd and 4th Armies to eat for a month, and other consumable food added together, I spent 2.5 million.
'Phew, just eating costs 2.5 million a month. Truly, the military spends money just by breathing.'
A magic where 10 million came in and a quarter was deleted.
Currently, I have under my command a combat unit of 5,000 soldier-farmers and a food procurement unit of 1,000.
Besides that, there are Luna Unit's 202 personnel and 2 orderlies.
Of course, the budget is only disbursed for 2,000 people (Lieutenant Colonel standard), but since I don't know when I'll be promoted to Colonel, I expanded my direct unit size in advance.
And anyway, since I have to steadily supply food to the County as daily wages, it's not a wasted expenditure.
'Still, this month might be a bit more comfortable? The knights are getting used to shooting, so we're conserving shells too.'
I'll save an additional 2 million, so this month I can spend 5.5 million.
Corporal Baren, the top A-grade in the Supply Department, gave organizing instructions to the soldiers and then came to me.
"Supply Commander-nim, with the number of soldier-farmers at six thousand, distributing flour every day is consuming a lot of administrative effort."
"From now on, I plan to give payment in military scrip. I'll set up flour storage points throughout the County so they can exchange it for flour when needed."
"Then both the supply soldiers and the soldier-farmers will have an easier time."
"But if we give military scrip as payment, will the soldier-farmers show any resistance?"
At that, Corporal Baren denied it as if jumping up.
"You are to become the real power of the territory—who would dare harbor such impudent thoughts?
Even a passing son of a bitch knows how much enormous personal wealth the Supply Commander-nim pours into the territory every month!
On the contrary, getting scrip makes receiving daily wages easier, so everyone will like it!"
They'll actually welcome military scrip more than physical flour. All that hard work building trust has been worthwhile.
'Should I request a printing press and print designs?'
But I realized a much cheaper and simpler method: request a shitload of the <board game Monopoly> and use the paper money.
It's the original work of Burumabul that everyone knows.
'I can get a shitload of these and just take out the game money to use.'
The new 2025 edition currency design is almost real currency level. They even applied anti-counterfeiting technology. They are dead serious when it comes to game production, at least.
'I prefer video games, PC games, and Blu-ray movies over board games, though.'
I wonder from what rank/position I'll be able to request those.
'If it's just for unit screenings, it's possible from Lieutenant Colonel and above. But to officially designate them as US military-wide supply items, at least Lieutenant General approval was needed.'
My gut tells me I'll need at least a star on my shoulder to get them. Like a private's military life, the future is pitch dark.
'The sequels to Rogue One have come out all the way to the end. I want to get them and watch them quickly. I also want to play Civilization 7 soon, but there aren't that many video games officially registered as supplies.'
***
Hildea, having fully enjoyed the unforgettable addictiveness of the Geisha Coffee's flavor, set down her cup.
In front of her, Head Butler Andrea was sitting neatly, reporting on the territory's current situation.
"Thanks to the public bakery, the territory residents have been liberated from cumbersome meal preparation... With generous pay, they are all enthusiastically engaged in military provision... Starving territory residents have disappeared..."
After a string of pleasing reports, Head Butler Andrea concluded with a smile.
"So, they say the dream of the territory's children is to grow up and join the Penal Unit."
"Pfft!"
Hildea almost spat.
Head Butler Andrea's smile deepened.
"Because it has spread throughout the entire territory that if you join the Penal Unit, you can enjoy the most luxurious meals in the kingdom."
"Ah, well... that is true, but..."
"Count-nim, the territory is coming back to life."
The old butler's passionate expression overflowing with fervor.
"This is the first time the territory has been filled with such hot vitality. The fact that it's only just beginning makes this old man's heart flutter. Dreaming of the day the great Marshall family officially moves here, I work every day until my body breaks."
Hildea pleasantly concluded the meeting with the Head Butler.
Just then Piel returned to the official residence, and the Head Butler bowed as politely as if addressing the master of the household.
"Head Butler-nim, soon the payment will be unified with military scrip, and we'll operate flour exchange stations throughout the territory."
"Understood. I will announce it in advance so there is no confusion."
Hildea chuckled to herself as she watched Piel 'issue' various orders.
'Piel is good at managing the territory too. There was a reason Carlton Marquis coveted him.'
The Head Butler politely took his leave and went out. As Piel sat down opposite her, he took out 10 Marshall Burgers wrapped in thin paper from his Subspace Bracelet.
"Let's talk while you eat first."
"I'll eat well."
Hildea happily reached for a burger.
She chewed on the patty wrapped in thick, savory bread, along with thin brisket, bacon, cheese, and salad, and opened her ears.
"First, Commander Hildea-nim."
"Too long. When we're alone, just call me Hildea-nim."
"Understood. Anyway, it's a good thing that Hildea-nim became the overall commander of Ainshvan."
The orders conveyed by the Military Inspector General who died in Marquis Oltain's territory also included that Hildea would become the supreme commander of the North.
"Even though it's really a thieving intent of the Noble Council to make us plug the collapsed 1st and 2nd Armies without giving reinforcements, from our perspective it's good. Since about 30,000 from the 2nd Army have joined."
"I also didn't inform His Majesty the King about that fact. It could leak to the Noble Council."
"Well done."
Despite becoming the commander of Ainshvan, Hildea didn't feel pressured.
Back when she was the 3rd Army commander and had to coordinate with the poorly controlled 4th Army, every day was stress.
To the point of thinking, 'Is military management always this easy?' Hildea was feeling freedom and liberation these days. All thanks to the young man in front of her.
"First, I think we need to send Vice-commander Basel to the 1st and 2nd Army regions to rebuild the barracks."
"Understood. And what else?"
"We are currently sending continuous relief to the territory of the deceased 1st Army commander, but the distance is too far. How about instead receiving the territory residents into the County?"
After the annihilation of the 1st and 2nd Armies, all the residents of the 1st Army commander's territory almost starved to death. The search party sent to find the 2nd Army unpacked the food they carried in their respective 1-ton bags and prevented mass starvation. They are still continuously sending relief food.
"Hmm... it's a territory with a clear heir, so it could become a problem later..."
The men of the lord's family died honorably. But if you look closely, a distant branch of the collateral line might exist somewhere.
"We can just accept them as wandering refugees. If you permit, I'll handle it."
"But can our territory handle it?"
"We can fully handle it."
"Then let's do as Lieutenant Colonel wishes."
"Thank you."
As she held the burger with both hands and chewed, her eyes met Piel's.
Seeing his gentle smile, suddenly her heart tingled again.
'Lately, why do I get like this whenever I see Piel?'
Then a commotion outside.
"Commander-nim! Urgent message from the capital!"
"Send in the messenger."
A moment later, a messenger covered in dust with a pale face handed over the orders and an image orb.
"An image orb too? What's going on?"
"Commander-nim! It would be faster to check the image first and then see the orders!"
At the messenger's report, Hildea played the image orb.
An image of a quality that made Piel inwardly mutter 'It's worse than a hologram...' spread out in the air.
A giant lake reminiscent of a beach. A herd of Ivory Whales filling the horizon, and the Ancient Tree Legion riding on them.
"How can this be! The Ancient Tree Legion?"
The image cut off at the scene where the Ancient Tree Legion landed on the shore and advanced, shaking the ground.
"Where is that?"
"Viscount Potashu's territory."
Then Piel sharply asked.
"If my memory is right, isn't that the territory right north of Count Anbelrum's territory?"
"That's right."
"What happened? The scale?"
"The Elf Plant Legion bypassed through the Great Ivory Whale Lake and invaded south! At least over a thousand monsters!"
"Ah, then there's no problem at all."
"...Sorry, I misheard?"
As Piel leisurely crossed his arms and completely changed his expression, the messenger asked again, flustered.
"Isn't there the punitive force that pacified Marquis Oltain's territory? They faced 2,000 Ancient Tree Legion, scared 1,000 into fleeing across the Baltics River, and annihilated the other 1,000."
"Th-that's..."
"With such an elite punitive force, what's there to worry about a mere 1,000 Ancient Tree monsters?"
Seeing the messenger become even more agitated, Piel was convinced inside: he belongs to the Noble Council, not the Royalist faction.
"Excuse me, but may I know the Lieutenant Colonel-nim's position... Kyaaak!"
Hildea shot up and kicked his shin with her combat boots (PX Naike manufactured product). The messenger screamed and toppled over.
Hildea looked down at the rolling messenger with icy eyes.
"Do they teach that kind of thing in the South? How dare a mere Major confirm the Name and Rank of a Lieutenant Colonel? The military is running just splendidly, I see."
"I-I'm sorry... please forgive me..."
"Return to the messenger quarters. Now!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
The messenger limped out of the residence. Only then did Hildea smile and turn back to Piel.
"I was going to kick him, you know."
"I saw. So I stepped in."
"Oh, did you steal the opportunity for me to kick his shin?"
"Because if you kicked him, that bastard wouldn't have felt any pain at all."
"I see. I guess if I kicked a mana-trained body, it would only tickle."
"I've roughly grasped the situation. Shall we check the orders together?"
Hildea naturally sat close beside Piel, pressing her hips against his, and unfolded the orders.
The orders bearing the King's seal. Praise for the North's current situation, encouragement for Hildea's hard work, hope that future central supply will become more abundant, etc. After all that flowery language, the main point that emerged was so long-winded that you'd wonder 'What are you trying to say?' But it could be summarized in exactly two points.
1. The rear is completely fucked.
2. Send reinforcements immediately.
....
Piel said nothing, and Hildea quietly waited with her cheek resting on his shoulder.
"Will you send reinforcements?"
"Our Supply Commander's judgment is important. To send reinforcements that far to the south-central region, supply is what matters in the end."
"If you can handle the supply, will you send them?"
"No."
Hildea chuckled and crumpled the orders.
"These aren't orders written by His Majesty. They were written by those Noble Council bastards."
"But it bears the King's seal?"
"His Majesty may have checked and stamped it, but his true intention isn't contained at all. He couldn't help but stamp it because he had to watch the Noble Council's mood."
Hildea grinned brightly and looked Piel straight in the eyes.
"Lieutenant Colonel Piel, do you know what command His Majesty gave me as my last order five years ago when I received my fief and left for Ainshvan?"
"I'm curious."
"It was an order: From now on, distrust all commands issued by His Majesty, and make judgments solely for the sake of my territory and Ainshvan's wellbeing."
Closing her eyes, Hildea recollected the past.
"He said that was his last command as King."
"...."
"So, these are not His Majesty's orders."
The orders were torn to shreds.
<***Beware of the Rear***>
Rebecca Deborah Carlton
Height: mid to late 170 cm
Title: Marquis
Position: 4th Corps Commander (2 Star)
Traits: Heiress, Active, Blonde, Tanned, Archer