Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Eve of the Expedition
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It wasn't hard to track down the paupers who had started splashing around suspicious gold coins with their markings erased.
A few days later, Theodore wrapped things up by disposing of the people he'd made contact with.
"...It should be fine."
Sitting in his office, he trembled at the inexplicable wave of anxiety that washed over him.
The letter had been written on cheap paper commonly used by commoners, and he'd even used his left hand to disguise the handwriting.
All he wanted was for at least one of the recipients to take it seriously without realizing it came from him—and for it to cause some harm to Victor.
"Yeah, there's no tail on me or anything. Mm. Mm."
But since this was, of course, an act of betraying the empire, he had to keep reassuring himself of his safety to calm his nerves.
"It'll be okay. Mm..."
Stroking the frame holding Luise's portrait, he tried to imagine a hopeful future.
Judging that the situation hadn't ripened yet and that the letter's authenticity couldn't be verified, they hadn't made Theodore's missive public.
It didn't contain any specialized military knowledge, either.
Unless they could immediately prepare guns and cannons, knowing the letter's contents wouldn't give the enemy much they could actually do.
Instead, they analyzed the letter in detail for potential use.
"...Hmm."
I focused more on the letter's form than its content.
The handwriting was a complete mess, it was written on commonplace stationery, and there was no sender listed.
Yet the recipient was named as Sancho Gonzalez, a noble of the Esperia Kingdom.
Nobles receive several letters a day.
Unless the recipient didn't need to receive it, there had to be some mark guaranteeing the letter's authenticity somewhere.
So I flipped the letter over, read the first letters of each line, held it up to candlelight, read it sideways...
"...No clue."
No matter how I dissected the sentences, nothing stood out.
I wasn't a cryptography expert, but at least the vocabulary and phrasing didn't seem off.
No hidden patterns or symbols, and the words used were all common terms.
Was the blatantly disguised handwriting, cheap paper, and envelope itself the clue?
"..."
Or maybe it was just a "fire and see what sticks" approach.
Theodore had contacted more people than just the guy I caught, so he might have mass-mailed it to Esperia nobles hoping one would bite.
I wanted to use this letter to spread fake intel and sow chaos in the Esperia Kingdom.
But it seemed like I needed more time to exploit it properly.
If the contents got through accurately, the Esperia Kingdom would react somehow.
Until then, I'd hold onto it carefully and wait.
I left Theodore under light surveillance and threw myself into preparing the Red Dragon Legion for deployment.
On Earth, once both sides had guns, heavy armor lost its meaning, ushering in an era of light infantry prioritizing mobility over protection.
-Click, click, click.
"Reload complete!"
"...Hmm. Not bad speed."
Our enemies still relied more on traditional cold weapons than guns, so we had no need to sacrifice armor for mobility.
On the contrary, since only we could pierce their armor, our mobility just needed to not lag too far behind theirs.
The Red Dragon Legion infantry trained in dense formations while wearing full armor, handling rifles and bayonets.
-Boom boom boom!
"Good! Cavalry charge again!"
The cavalry saw major changes too.
Half of the 2,000 cavalry kept their traditional heavy cavalry tactics, but the other half, who wanted guns, switched to lighter-armored dragoons.
Matchlock muskets were too cumbersome on horseback, so they rode to the target, dismounted, and fired.
"Final training exercise complete. Everyone, watch for injuries and take thorough care of yourselves!"
"Yes, sir!"
After the pre-deployment final inspection, I dismissed the troops.
"...I can already picture the Esperia Kingdom waving the white flag."
Anna, standing nearby, shared her impressions of the Red Dragon Legion.
"No room for complacency, but I'm not bracing for defeat either."
We had prepared thoroughly enough.
To counter our heavy armored riflemen and cavalry, they'd need guns—but the Anchester Kingdom hadn't sold any to other nations since trading with our empire.
10,000 wasn't enough to topple a kingdom alone, but if they were all armored riflemen, it changed everything.
Add the 5th Legion, and losing would be harder.
"Still, we need to show such overwhelming dominance that the enemy loses the will to fight."
"Understood."
"Just like how Ildmar and Kaen quieted down after Brotan fell—crushing Esperia will silence Paris and San Bastian too."
Of course, our goal wasn't mere victory.
With the southeast in turmoil, we needed to wrap up the west as quickly as possible to free up resources.
If the elves just wanted war, it wouldn't be a huge issue—but it could be a harbinger of 'Forest's Wrath' or 'Black Dragon' crises.
"We need to double-check the supplies."
"Didn't you just do that yesterday?"
"It's not just for our legion, so we have to be even more thorough."
"...I'll help."
I meticulously prepared for the impending expedition.
"Legion Commander Victor!"
"...?"
That evening, Erika suddenly visited my tent.
"By His Majesty's order, I've been assigned as the expedition's chronicler! Looking forward to working with you!"
"...Mm."
"Here's His Majesty's letter!"
She'd been temporarily attached to the Red Dragon Legion.
According to Luise's letter she brought, she wouldn't interfere—just record my actions.
"...We'll be charging right into the heart of the battlefield, so let me brief you on precautions first."
"Yes, ma'am, Anna!"
Anna's lips twitched upward as she spoke firmly, so it might not be so bad.
Her cheerfulness could lighten the battlefield's heavy atmosphere a bit.
Before the Red Dragon Legion set out, Gerhard summoned Victor alone.
"Deployment tomorrow, eh."
"Yes, Your Excellency Grand Marshal."
Gerhard approached Victor, dressed in his black uniform, and patted his shoulder.
"Shoulders not too heavy? You're representing His Majesty's will directly, after all."
"...My shoulders are always heavy. One more load doesn't make them feel particularly heavier."
"Hmmm..."
He let out a small groan at Victor's weighty reply.
"Not a bad answer, but not quite what I wanted to hear."
"I'll correct it."
"No, that's not what I meant. Just... you seem too tense."
Victor, who had been stone-faced while looking at Gerhard, cracked a grin.
"I know what you're getting at. Excessive tension harms the body, but the right amount boosts performance. I'll manage that balance."
"...Got it. You know it all already, so no need for heavy talk from me."
That smile felt oddly off, so Gerhard—who wanted Victor to stay in the empire long-term—didn't pry and changed the subject.
"This being the Red Dragon Legion's first expedition, lots of folks are expecting great things."
"Is that so?"
"Plenty volunteered to support personally. His Majesty turned them down, though."
"Hmm, probably because His Majesty favors us and Your Excellency pushes so hard."
"Hahaha! I'll say the same to the other nobles—no need to worry."
Gerhard laughed heartily and clapped Victor's back.
"Like His Majesty always says, I'm expecting big things too. Watching your preparations, honestly, I can't see you failing... but..."
After pondering his words, Gerhard continued.
"Sorry to say this from a position where I can't help more, but I want the kind of overwhelming victory you showed in the east."
"..."
"The kind where Paris bows its head and San Bastian grovels on the floor. Think you can manage that?"
He tilted his head to check Victor's expression.
Victor's face was as stoic as ever, but his eyes burned with resolve.
After a moment's pause, Victor replied.
"I'll make it happen."
He met Gerhard's gaze firmly.
"I believe you."
After some more casual chat, Gerhard sent Victor off.
"..."
He fiddled with the pre-prepared recommendation letter bearing Victor's name.
If he racked up merits again, Gerhard planned to push for a fitting title.
His symbolic successor would need one.
"...Can't wait for the day the title comes down."
Gerhard reviewed the half-empty merit list one more time, pocketed it, and turned to other duties.