The Wealthy Chain-Smoking Boss (10)
Late into the evening, the lights still blazed in the royal palace's strategy room. With the queen and the defense minister at the head, high-ranking officials gathered as the legion commander delved into his operational briefing. The operations board, tilted at an angle, depicted the kingdom's entire terrain in a three-dimensional model crafted from clay and various materials. Directly ruled territories were marked in blue, noble fiefdoms in red. Tiny flags represented the legions and noble private armies, their sizes varying by troop strength. The largest flags belonged to the capital legions encircling the city and the eastern border legion. Among the fiefdoms, ducal and marquisate flags dominated. Though some regions varied slightly, red and blue maintained a rough balance across the kingdom.
The legion commander pointed his baton at a specific area in the kingdom's southwest. "The 3rd Legion will arrive at the target within two days. Upon arrival, they'll immediately begin sealing off these fiefdoms—here, here, and here."
Elua, chin propped on her hand, gazed indifferently at the board with her serpentine eyes. A fresh white bandage wrapped her left wrist tightly, marred by thin streaks of blood.
"What if they refuse to swear fealty even after the blockade?"
"If they miss the notified deadline, we'll seize their lands and facilities sequentially by priority."
The defense minister handed Elua the detailed plans. She skimmed them and tossed them forward with a flick.
"Operations like this drag on forever and just give them ammunition to paint our legions as invaders."
The defense minister, legion commander, and the intelligence chief across the table exchanged uneasy glances. Their carefully crafted plan had been shot down, leaving them flustered.
Elua, wearing a faint smile, spoke up. "Do we have any special task forces ready for immediate deployment?"
"Special task forces... you mean...?" The defense minister echoed in surprise.
The special task forces were the palace's third military arm, alongside the legions and guards. But they differed sharply in nature. As the name implied, they handled only special missions, and no one knew exactly what they did or their size. Suddenly mentioning them for a blockade? The defense minister swallowed hard, a bad feeling rising.
"You mean the special task forces..."
Elua confirmed with a chilling smile. "Yes. The special task forces."
"We do have a unit on standby, but..." The defense minister trailed off, glancing at the intelligence chief. The chief, equally thrown, averted his eyes.
"After the blockade, if they exceed the deadline, deploy the special task forces. Kill the lords and their families."
Elua's order paled every face in the room.
"Your Majesty... If that happens while the legions have the fiefdoms blockaded, it's as good as advertising to the world that the palace did it!"
"That's exactly what I want."
"Pardon...?"
"The chaos from everyone knowing the palace did it but finding no proof. The fear that opposing the palace puts you next. That's the reaction I expect from the nobles."
Chaos and terror. Elua's lips stretched into a long, gruesome grin. Cold sweat beaded on the attendees' brows at that horrifying smile.
"Emphasize to the 3rd Legion: once they arrive, launch the operation immediately and seal it so tight not even a rat escapes."
The attendees bowed their heads at the queen's icy command.
"Understood."
Elua smiled in satisfaction, eyes on the 3rd Legion's flags marching across the southwest. I'll never let the noble council control me like Father did. I won't tolerate anyone challenging my authority. And... when I reach the top... he'll finally acknowledge me and return. The world's most perfect man deserves a fitting woman.
As the queen fell silent, the meeting continued. Then the door opened silently, and the chamberlain glided in.
"Your Majesty."
He whispered low, offering a sealed envelope.
"What's this?" Elua asked indifferently.
"From Balder."
Elua's serpentine eyes widened and trembled for a split second.
"What's it say...?"
"Read it yourself. He threatened to kill everyone if opened midway—childish stuff."
"Did he come to the palace?"
"Yes. He tossed it to the gatekeeper and left."
Elua gripped the armrests as if to leap up, but the chamberlain added, "He rode some monster off in a flash. Too late to catch him now."
Elua half-rose awkwardly before composing herself and sitting back. The chamberlain proffered the envelope; she snatched it, ripping it open. Her sharp serpentine eyes slowly scanned Bertrand's letter.
To Her Majesty the Queen, whom I revere,
Bertrand Balder of Rosens sends his regards.
I continue running my inn here in Rosens, living peacefully as ever.
However, something strange has been disrupting my quiet days lately.
Galia Grancis, acting head of the Grancis Merchant Company, suddenly showed up and offered me a job with them. The reason? Apparently because I'm handsome.
After I refused several times, the acting head threatened massive economic retaliation against Rosens to break my will.
Even threatening to turn Rosens from a direct territory into Grancis fiefdom if I don't 'serve' under her.
Thus, I presumptuously write to Your Majesty. I humbly request your leniency if I smash the Grancis Merchant Company, and some assistance if issues arise later.
Also, I reported their attempt to bribe the Rosens administrator to the Audit Department, but it was rejected. Please look into that.
— Bertrand Balder
Having read it all, Elua murmured softly. "So he's asking me to watch his back while he wreaks havoc, Balder?"
Her serpentine eyes bored into the name Galia Grancis.
"But that won't do. I've taken a sudden dislike to this bitch."
Forcing a cold smile, Elua spoke. "Halt the operation. Redirect the 3rd Legion to Rosens immediately."
"What...?!"
The attendees, deep in debate, turned in shock.
"Your Majesty... suddenly... what do you mean?"
"Redirect the 3rd Legion to Rosens. Now."
"But from their current position, it'll take nearly a month to reach Rosens..."
"Then move another legion near Rosens."
As the defense minister and commander floundered, the quick-witted intelligence chief asked, "Has something arisen in Rosens that requires a legion?"
"I plan to teach some arrogant merchant company a lesson in manners. Immediately and thoroughly."
A merchant company now, of all times? The commander and minister stared blankly at each other while the intelligence chief's mind raced. For a merchant company, why send a legion...?
"Your Majesty, mobilizing a legion costs too much. How about this instead?"
South of Rosens, in the Grancis Merchant Company's vast encampment—the largest tent. Tiger and leopard pelts carpeted the floor, golden candelabras blazed. But the luxurious interior reeked of thick tobacco smoke.
Galia Grancis, in black lace lingerie over her undergarments, lounged diagonally on the bed, puffing her cigar contentedly.
Rosens had resisted harder than expected. The administrator rejected the bribe and reported it to the palace; the stiff-necked guard captain didn't budge either. But with the palace in the company's pocket, who was reporting to whom? Rosens was crumbling economically as planned. No matter how much that Bertrand Balder postured or threatened, what could change? Rosens would become another economic colony like the other direct territories. A metropolis was a first, but this opened doors to Bue, Fribourg, Interlaken, and more.
Still... was that innkeeper really planning pointless resistance? She'd truly guaranteed everything if he joined. A capable, fit, handsome subordinate—what wouldn't she give? Galia Grancis loved women, of course, but handsome men piqued her interest too. Pretty and handsome transcended gender, after all.
If only I could snag the innkeeper and that big-titted dimwit together. That girl seemed brainless enough to obey anything. Collars on both, doing them at once... what would that feel like?
The thought sent a thrill through Galia; she clenched her thighs.
Suddenly, a bright blue vortex swirled in the tent's air. Stunned by the surreal sight, Galia stared blankly, cigar dangling from her lips.