Side Hall Conference
Side Hall Conference.
The side hall conference was attended by the key vassals of the Lupert Grand Duke's household. There was Holland Count, the supreme commander of the Lupert Grand Duke's army and an advanced Master swordsman. Trieschef Viscount, the deputy commander and a beginner Master swordsman. Calib Count, the prime minister. And the three legitimate sons of the Lupert Grand Duke: Borann, Ivan, and Lutz, among others.
Among them, the one who caught my eye was undoubtedly Erisa. No matter how exceptional her strategic talents were, it was surprising to see someone her age already attending a meeting like this. It seemed that becoming a Guardian after acquiring a 2-tier Divine Relic last spring had greatly boosted her career.
"His Grace the Grand Duke is entering."
At the chamberlain's announcement, the Lupert Grand Duke entered the side hall. He acknowledged the vassals bowing at the waist and took his seat.
The Lupert Grand Duke beckoned me over.
"Grand Prince Karl, come here."
My seat was specially prepared right next to the Grand Duke's, a gesture of consideration acknowledging me as an allied force rather than a vassal.
I offered a brief word of thanks and sat in the chair overlooking the assembled vassals.
The Lupert Grand Duke addressed everyone.
"The Yosrahim Emperor has sent his final ultimatum. If I and Grand Prince Karl here do not present ourselves at the imperial capital within a fortnight, he threatens to send a great army to subjugate our Lupert territory. What are your thoughts?"
Holland Count stood immediately and reported.
"I oppose it. If Your Grace and Grand Prince Karl go to the capital, their fate is as clear as day. You must not comply."
"Indeed. It's the empire's scheme to capture Your Grace and break the will of our Lupert Grand Duke's army. We must not fall for their plot."
The other vassals reacted with fierce opposition as well. The Lupert Grand Duke nodded in agreement.
"I share the same view. The vile Yosrahim Emperor is a faithless, shameless wretch. In my youth, I fell for his honeyed words and swore loyalty, only to be used and discarded. There's no question of negotiation. Between the Yosrahim Empire and our Lupert Grand Duke's house, only a final showdown remains."
And so, war was declared, and I became the grand prince of rebellion. It hadn't been long since I'd shaken off the "depraved" label, and now this shit-tier prefix was stuck to me again. Looked like this was my fate for life.
Honestly, though, I kinda liked the old "depraved grand prince" title. It had a nice ring to it, stuck right to your mouth.
Calib Count spoke up.
"Your Grace. When do you plan to begin the war of independence?"
"The moment the imperial emperor dispatches his army."
Erisa stood.
"Grandfather. I believe we should strike first."
"Why do you think that?"
"Our forces are few, while the emperor's are vast. The best strategy is to launch a surprise attack in the initial battle, seize the Yosrahim capital before the emperor's army fully assembles, and end the war."
I groaned inwardly. If Erisa's proposed short-war strategy passed, this whole conflict could wrap up before I even had a chance to act.
Of course, things might not play out exactly as she envisioned, but it was better to block it anyway. A short war favored the Grand Duke's army with its concentrated small force over the emperor's scattered legions across the empire.
No matter how massive the emperor's army, gathering troops from across the nation took time. Provincial forces needed preparation, and marching to the capital would take days.
That's why my uncle the emperor, having sniffed out the Lupert Grand Duke's rebellion, kept issuing summons instead of striking immediately. He was pretending mercy while buying time to assemble his forces.
I stood and opposed Erisa's opinion.
"Grand Duke, a short war is far too risky. Rushing forward leaves us vulnerable to supply disruptions, and if other provincial forces raid our flanks, we'll suffer heavy losses. We have no reason to take such risks."
Erisa shot back immediately.
"Senior Yan. The emperor's army numbers nearly a million. For us to win, we must draw out and crush the central army before they assemble, then seize the capital swiftly."
"Erisa, do you think the Lupert Grand Duke's army is weak just because our numbers are small? Wars aren't won by numbers alone. Ninety thousand isn't weak, and a million isn't invincible."
"But the troop disparity is over tenfold."
"That's because you don't know. In this war, troop numbers mean nothing."
At that moment, Ivan, the Grand Duke's second son, chimed in supportively.
"Your Grace. I believe Grand Prince Yan's words hold merit."
"Why is that?"
"As Your Grace knows, this is a war we cannot afford to lose. We have no need to overextend ourselves."
The third son, Lutz, also backed our view.
"Yes, exactly. With the advantage on our side, there's no need to risk a bold short war. Isn't that why Your Grace waits for the emperor to move first?"
The Lupert Grand Duke nodded vigorously.
"Well, yes."
"Moreover, if the emperor strikes first, the justification for war falls to us. The empire is the aggressor; we're merely rising to defend our land."
I gave Ivan and Lutz a meaningful glance. They must be the ones with Chronos's power. That's why they exuded such confidence despite the overwhelming numerical disadvantage.
Makes sense—even blood is thicker than water when power's involved. No matter how ruthless, you'd trust your own kids with something like Chronos's might.
But Borann, sitting silently, was suspicious. As the eldest and heir, he should know something, yet he wasn't engaging. A normal person, I wouldn't worry, but in my past life, he'd won decisive victories against the emperor's forces during the civil war. Definitely worth probing.
I addressed Borann.
"What do you think, Grand Prince Borann?"
Borann finally spoke.
"I believe the timing of war holds no meaning in our current situation. What's important is a significant victory that boosts army morale and impresses upon all the strength of our Grand Duke's house."
"So, you're saying we should start the war first?"
"Yes. But not against the emperor's army."
"Then who do you intend to strike?"
"The Townzent Duke's forces seem suitable. There was a near-skirmish clash with their army at the border recently, so we have ample justification."
The Townzent Duke's house had been part of the Lupert Kingdom until its fall, but they collaborated in Cloud Grandpa's conquest war, betraying and dooming the kingdom.
Now, they kept the Lupert Grand Duke's house in check right under their noses. Borann seemed intent on provoking the emperor's army while warning nobles from the old Lupert Kingdom and surrounding regions.
A move worthy of the famed general Borann. He'd already targeted the prime foe and lined up the justification. Once war began, eliminating the dagger at your throat was basic strategy.
"What's the current strength of the Townzent Duke's forces?"
"Around thirty thousand, we estimate."
"No need for the full army, then."
"Exactly."
"So, who will lead the strike on the Townzent Duke?"
"Anyone would do, I suppose. Everyone here is an excellent commander."
It even felt like overconfidence. Ivan, Lutz, and now Borann too—what massive power did they wield to ooze this much assurance?
No choice. To gauge their power, I'd have to join this battle myself.
I stepped forward and addressed the Lupert Grand Duke.
"Your Grace, send me."
"You? But Grand Prince Karl has no army under your command."
All the more reason for me to go.
Without an army, I'd need time to assemble one—buying the emperor's forces time as a bonus.
"Don't I have those volunteer troops I recently gathered? Give them to me."
"But the volunteers lack proper training. Do you really think you can defeat Townzent's elite forces with just them?"
"Of course it's impossible. That's why it looks feasible enough to suggest."
My cryptic response drew murmurs of confusion from the vassals. Holland Count, especially, seemed irritated, coughing repeatedly.
Understandable—with the Grand Duke and princes exchanging loaded words about this war, the supreme commander felt like a fifth wheel, clueless and sidelined.
As I noted Holland Count's discomfort mentally, third son Lutz boldly stepped up.
"I also believe Grand Prince Karl leading the volunteers into battle would be best."
"Why?"
"If Grand Prince Karl commands the volunteers to victory, we gain immensely."
"Gain?"
"Yes. First, it elevates Grand Prince Karl's value. As allies are scarce for us, he'd be a great asset."
"And?"
"Second, our regular army will be spurred by the volunteers' exploits, boosting combat will. Third, provincial nobles will waver upon seeing the imperial army's weakness."
"But that's if we win. Defeat would bring great shame to our forces."
"If I lead a detachment to support Grand Prince Karl's army, we won't lose."
The Lupert Grand Duke's lips curved into a sly smile.
"You?"
"Yes."
"Very well. I did promise Grand Prince Karl before, so honoring that by sending you isn't bad."
"Thank you, Father."
Holland Count urgently intervened.
"Your Grace! Grand Prince Karl is a vital ally. Even with Lutz's aid, how can you send him into battle?"
"No need for concern, Commander. With Lutz, victory is assured."
"But..."
"I said it's fine. Put your worries aside, Count."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Under the Grand Duke's sharp rebuke, Holland Count relented. His compliance despite displeasure showed clear loyalty.
The Lupert Grand Duke looked at me and Lutz.
"Then, Grand Prince Karl, take Lutz and strike the Townzent Duke's army."
"Understood."
Afterward, during army reorganization, I gained command of 13,000 volunteers. Ragtag and untrained, but no issue.
Lutz would help.
I couldn't help chuckling at being assigned to hit the Townzent Duke, but what could I do? I needed to buy time for the emperor's army and confirm the Grand Duke's power with my own eyes.
Only by knowing that power could I devise ways to sabotage this war. And if it proved useful, I'd bring the tech to Kara.
As the meeting ended and I stepped out, Zekt Viscount approached. He glanced around before asking bluntly.
"Grand Prince. What on earth was said in that side hall meeting? Our Grand Duke's army stronger than the emperor's? I can't make sense of it."
"The Grand Duke gave you no hint?"
"No."
"I don't know the details either."
"Come on, why play coy? You must know something, or why volunteer those ragtags against the Townzent Duke?"
I shrugged.
"Well, I've heard bits."
"What is it?"
"Beats me. I'm joining this expedition just to see what that power is."
"Ah, got it."
I eyed Zekt Viscount subtly.
"Curious yourself? Join as a guest officer. I'll make room."
"Then I'm grateful. Looking forward to it."
Just then, Holland Count passed by, shooting us a glance. He was curious too but maintained his dignity and left without a word.
I watched his retreating figure with a faint smile. I'd found a useful crack. Just a hairline fracture now, but with the right work, it could shatter the Lupert Grand Duke's army from within.
Cracks only widen with time and pressure.
End of Side Hall Conference.