Chapter 56 - Start of Imperial Territory Stabilization
Early morning. Outside the west gate of the Imperial Capital, the heart of the Krantz Empire. The spot that would normally be wrapped in morning quietude was today teeming with imperial troops incorporated into the subjugation army.
The imperial soldiers waited only for the command to depart. For them, who had endured passively for 50 years, this mobilization was a monumental event.
"Whoa! Subjugation! Real subjugation!"
"Total subjugation! Pour everything into it!"
"Is it time?! Do we head out nowwww?!"
Everyone gathered here was drooling with joy. Their appearance wasn't exactly dignified. But it was the first counterattack by the continent's intelligent beings, who had been helplessly pushed back by otherworldly invaders.
Falcken, assigned to the southern army group, could only let out a hollow laugh at the madness. But even though it was absurd, he couldn't just stop them outright. Because all the soldiers here were farmers' sons. Even among the knights, there were no small number who had been born as farmers' sons and become knights. Unless they were mages requiring systematic education, most had farming experience.
But duty was duty. Falcken commanded the soldiers under him.
"Not yet. Wait."
"Waaait..."
A deflating response, like air leaking from a balloon. Seeing the drool dripping from their mouths, Falcken prayed this expedition would end without issues.
The Gallery clock showed 08:49. Departure was imminent, so just a bit more restraint was needed. Falcken kept watch to prevent any rash actions from the soldiers and shifted his gaze to the platform.
The crown princess's speech was about to begin.
Clack-clack-
The sound of iron-armored boots ascending the stone platform. The empire's little sun, Crown Princess Eleonora, took her place on the stage. With that, silence fell over the scene outside the west gate.
Confirming the quiet, Eleonora began her speech.
The Drachenkrantz bloodline, freely wielding mana. Those noble words infused with mana reached even the soldiers at the very back, as descendants of dragon-blooded heirs.
The outcome of the subjugation. Though the empire hadn't officially stated it, everyone gathered here vaguely anticipated that hope. Eleonora began speaking of a hopeful future.
The hordes of undead and magic beasts that had been inevitably left alone because they multiplied faster than they could be exterminated—and because there was no capacity for large-scale operations like this one. How many citizens had died horrific deaths because of them? If they could maintain the results of this subjugation, their hometowns would regain stability too.
Just recently, how many had starved to death without even daily bread? Thanks to the minimal food from the Gallery shop, starvation was averted. But having escaped hunger, now it was time to fill the granaries. More harvests were essential for a hopeful future.
50 years of only enduring. Decades of endless retreat, relying solely on greater powers. Now, they wouldn't just be protected—they could prepare counterattacks under that protection.
Eleonora's speech grew impassioned. In rhythm, the clash of weapons. The soldiers began to resonate with her emotions. Confirming it, Eleonora added her closing words.
At the speech's end, Eleonora raised her weapon, and """Loyalty!""" The soldiers saluted in unison. After receiving the salute, Eleonora descended the platform. Though the speech ended sooner than planned, the knights knew it was time to depart.
Falcken immediately ordered his subordinates.
"Prepare to march! We're mobilizing! Fulfill your duty!"
"""Yes, sir!"""
The drool seemed dried up; only sharp eyes remained on the imperial soldiers. They swiftly joined the marching formation as ordered.
The empire's subjugation plan, starting a bit earlier than scheduled, began as smoothly as could be.
Roll roll roll roll roll roll
Goroll-goroll-
In the bunker housing three furballs and one human, I was reviewing currency issuance plans while enjoying the drifting black and white fur in the room. Chatting with Gallery merchant Gonic 'ClatterClatter'.
Moderator: So you're saying we need currency with less value than 1P?
ClatterClatter: yeah exactly. 1P isn't huge value, but in trades, you're bound to have awkward leftovers.
The opinion of a capable merchant leading large-scale trade in this medieval fantasy apocalypse world. I'd only been thinking high-value currency, so this was completely unexpected.
Moderator: Then maybe 1/10th of 1P?
ClatterClatter: hm... yeah, that should be fine? No need to split it too finely.
Moderator: ok got it. So currencies: 1P, 10P, 100P, and 0.1P. That work?
ClatterClatter: yeah. Down to 0.1P should cover most cases.
Moderator: thx thx. This'll go smooth thanks to you. Anything you need? Wanna give you something for the help.
If you get help, you pay for it. That natural law didn't change even in another world.
ClatterClatter: ooh, can I get magic wands? Like 50 for five bundles.
Moderator: weapons are iffy;;
ClatterClatter: bummer. nothing else really lol. but if inter-gallery remote trading gets added, lemme know way in advance...
Moderator: lololol got it. I'll leave the chatroom open, hit me up if you need help. cya.
After bidding farewell to ClatterClatter, who feared inter-gallery remote trading, I curiously asked Sora if it actually existed.
"Sora Sora, does inter-gallery remote trading exist?"
A feature I'd never considered. No way it does, right?
[Yes, it exists. Add to upgrade list?]
Why does this exist? Teleporting items? Mana or not, this was revolutionary.
"No no, just curious. Does it deliver items exactly as the seller listed to the buyer?"
[No. Converts to mana then regenerates. Low chance of regeneration failure.]
Revolutionary but iffy. Activating it would enable instant inter-gallery trades, booming commerce. Even with low failure risk, normal trade has transport losses anyway. The benefits are clear, so galleries would use it.
But the downside: stagnating transportation. No need for safe trade routes means traffic decays. First interspecies, then intra-nation city links sever. People trapped in walls or villages forever.
Pros and cons too stark for hasty decision. And mana conversion regeneration—is it even the "same" item?
Add it for now?
"Sora? Add it to the list for now. Might need it someday."
[Understood. Added to upgrade list.]
Added for my use only first, test it, then decide. Plus, ClatterClatter asked. If activated, give him new business ideas. Jotted it in my notebook so I wouldn't forget, then checked the Gallery.
Nonstop subjugation posts. Not even half a day since departure, and everyone was going wild already. Most eye-catching: the subjugation post dominating real-time popularity.
Clicked the top one to check progress.
Author: PleaseMakeMomHappy
(GIF: Knight charging at orc horde)
(GIF: Mage blasting plant-type magic beast swarm)
(GIF: Soldier carrying mage on back)
(GIF: Crown Princess watching fondly)
Subjugation! Real subjugation! Total subjugation!
(Cheering human emoticon)
Likes: +9999
Dislikes: 177
GIFs everywhere of drooling, laughing, wildly jumping. Confirmed subjugation going well, I quietly hit back. Too much madness for me yet.