The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 287
The army of Bülang begins to retreat.
My role was nothing more than cleaning up the aftermath. This war was entirely designed and led by Juras and Kaien.
However, even cleaning up was not easy.
First, I had to recapture the territories that had fallen into enemy hands.
Along with that, I had to return the citizens who had been evacuated to Crossing back to their hometowns, and I had to take on issues like the consumption of food and daily necessities in the process.
Our internal affairs bureaucrats who had to handle this work were dying.
“Ars… Just a moment, can’t you let me sleep even for a moment?”
Olaf asked with bloodshot eyes.
“No. If we fall asleep and wake up, the work will be piled up several times over.”
“Ugh! If I knew this, I should have stayed in the Ellan Kingdom…!”
“If you have time to talk, work quickly. Meissen, please review this.”
Meissen was also working as Olaf’s assistant. With a smile, she served tea to Olaf along with documents, and it seemed the awkwardness had disappeared.
At that moment, an envoy arrived from Alvard regarding territorial distribution issues.
Crossing was in an alliance relationship, and since King Parain was giving full support, they decided to give all the territories taken from Bülang to us, but Alvard was different.
The Alvard general, Gillias Melbourn, who came as an envoy, mentioned this part with a displeased expression.
“Our King wishes to receive the territory of Balas instead of handing over Bülang’s territory.”
Balas, a neutral kingdom. It was a region that had been a major stage in the past.
Now, the name of a neutral kingdom has become meaningless, and it is virtually a colony of Crossing.
“Do you mean giving up all of Bülang’s territory?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
Although he was speaking as if doing a favor, his inner thoughts were simple.
Originally, taking territory is not just about planting an occupation flag. It ends only after maintaining the region’s security and cutting off the buds of rebellion.
Since Bülang’s territory is extremely wide, it could take more than a year just for stable pacification.
Alvard would rather give up all of Bülang’s territory and receive the already stabilized Balas territory.
“I’m sorry, but we can’t do that. Alvard must also help pacify Bülang’s territory. Gillias Melbourn, you know this too, right? A big war with the West is coming soon. We can’t be pacifying territories during that time. So Alvard must also contribute to pacifying Bülang.”
“But if Alvard annexes Bülang’s territory, the border lines will become complicated. Our territory will block Liande’s front. Are you okay with that?”
“Although it’s not specifically discussed yet, when the three kingdoms gain hegemony, gradual integration will be achieved. Border lines will become meaningless.”
“You and Crossing might be able to do that. Because you have similar institutional aspects. But Alvard is different. The aristocratic system that you are eliminating is still deeply rooted.”
“What do you want to do, Gillias Melbourn… Count?”
“What do you mean by asking that?”
“There’s no special meaning. Just that strong currents cannot be resisted. I want to say that if you try to forcibly resist this flow, you might be swept away.”
“You speak well. And yet you’re hoping for cooperation?”
“I only hope you’ll make the right choice.”
“Hmph, let’s end this conversation here. I understand your thoughts. I’ll discuss this with the King.”
With a clank of armor, Gillias leaves.
I still can’t be certain about matters concerning Alvard.
However, Alvard, Beckavia, and Crossing share a single root in the Malorn ducal family of the Fensillon Empire.
To that extent, if King Parain steps forward to persuade, a smooth merger might not be impossible.
“Whew! Even so, we have to annex Bülang’s territory. The work will increase dozens of times?”
It seemed I could already hear Olaf’s groaning.
After leaving the audience chamber, I headed to the side chamber to rest.
There, Erina was having a conversation with her father, Gilbert Saleon. His wife was also present.
Gilbert looked relieved, as if he had given up on power. He was smiling faintly while looking at Erina’s slightly swollen belly.
I was about to quietly leave them, but Erina seemed to notice and quickly rushed out.
“Sir Ars!”
Approaching with small steps, she buried her face in my chest and expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you for saving my father’s life.”
“Well… But I can’t let him stay here forever.”
To be honest, I was coveting his work handling abilities. Right now, even a cat’s paw would be urgent.
However, no matter what, I couldn’t leave the rebel leader in the kingdom.
“Regarding that, how about sending him to the Ellan Kingdom?”
“To the Ellan Kingdom?”
“They also had various internal affairs issues due to the war. I’m sure my father would be helpful.”
“But…”
“If my father attempts rebellion again, I’ll repay it with my life.”
“What’s that? I don’t have anything good. Ah, fine. Instead, I’ll attach a special forces member for surveillance.”
“Thank you! Really…!”
Erina continued to follow me, seeming to have more to say. As I walked slowly matching her steps, a man in military uniform approached.
“Ars.”
“Brother Ferge!”
Ferge Elaine, the twin brother of Julia.
He, who had been on a military expedition during the Beckavia war and was staying in Crossing, had returned to the palace.
“Huh, it’s really been a long time. About 3 years?”
“That sounds about right.”
“I heard from father on the way. Julia gave birth?”
“You’ll be surprised when you see. More than that, you’ve changed quite a bit too, brother.”
If he previously had the feel of a noble’s child, now he looks like a born soldier with a rough wildness.
“I’ve had various experiences too. Recently, I trained with Crossing’s special forces. It was truly an incredible place.”
“Haha… You’ve worked hard. Are you going to return to your unit? Then you’ll need to receive a new assignment.”
“I suppose so.”
“There will be a promotion waiting. Both for not joining the Saleon rebels and for persuading the troops…”
“Regarding that, I have a request, Ars.”
“Yes?”
“Can’t you grant amnesty to General Altior Saleon?”
***
We moved to another location and continued our conversation.
Erina forcibly sat down, saying she would bring tea, perhaps because the topic of her family came up.
“Is this an amnesty for Altior Saleon…?”
“He did not command the rebel forces out of a desire for power. He was simply following the will of his family.”
“That’s exactly it.”
In the case of Gilbert, who was exiled to the Ellan Kingdom, he was not granted amnesty. He was being sent into exile while still bearing his mistakes.
The amnesty for the rebellion charges that Ferge was advocating for was difficult to accept easily.
Ferge nodded as if understanding.
“I know it’s a difficult matter. But this is the will of our military.”
“The will of the military…?”
“Our soldiers are well aware of the crimes of the Saleon ducal family. Yet, on the other hand, they also think that General Altior should not leave with this dishonor. That’s why numerous officers have asked me. Since I’m the only brother who can speak to Ars directly.”
“Hmm….”
“One thing, I also want to talk about him.”
During the two years I was in the Ellan Kingdom, Ferge talked about the discrimination he received because he was from the Hellian faction and because he was my brother.
“General Altior protected me. So that I wouldn’t suffer any disadvantages. Even when I was leading officers and soldiers who shared my views in desertion during this rebellion, he turned a blind eye. He could have easily sent a pursuit squad.”
I glanced at Erina, who was looking around, her eyes darting back and forth.
“…Understood. I’ll review it positively.”
The two knew that this answer was essentially an approval, and their expressions brightened.
Ferge sighed in relief and smiled contentedly.
“Ars, you’re still the same even as a king. You’re still my proud younger brother.”
I decided to head to the military headquarters together with Ferge to assign him a new unit.
On the way, we encountered Ryuna being scolded by Yumir and Eonia.
Apparently, Ryuna was throwing a tantrum, asking Eo to make her some snacks. Eo, with her soft heart, agreed, and now they were being scolded together by Yumir.
“Waaaah!”
“I, I’m sorry, Yumir. Ryuna said she was very hungry.”
“Don’t fall for that! Eo, it’s because you keep giving in that Ryuna throws tantrums whenever she sees you!”
Ferge’s eyes went wide at the scene.
Yumir seemed to have just noticed us.
“Young master! And Young Master Ferge…!”
Ryuna ran to me as if she had been waiting.
“Daddy! Waaaah!”
Ryuna grabbed my trouser leg and started crying, her tears and mucus flowing.
Ferge let out a hearty laugh.
“So this is the child between you two. Haha! She really takes after both of you!”
Swish! Swish! Ferge stroked Ryuna’s hair. Normally she would have shied away, but since she was already crying uncontrollably, she didn’t struggle much.
I was helplessly held by Ryuna, unable to do anything. I couldn’t go to the military headquarters like this.
Then Anton appeared and took Ferge to the military headquarters in my stead.
“Ah, showing the crying baby first. I wonder what Ferge thought.”
“I am ashamed….”
“I know you want to scold her for eating snacks arbitrarily, but don’t be too harsh.”
“Umm….”
This was the first time Yumir had been scolded, so she looked somewhat unsettled.
Her tail drooped, and she looked dejected.
Ryuna, who was crying, was startled by this.
“Mommy did nothing wrong!”
“What?”
“It’s Ryuna’s fault! Mommy did nothing wrong!”
She stood up for Yumir instead.
Her eyes were welling up, as if she would cry if Yumir was scolded more.
“Well, then you won’t throw tantrums to other mothers asking for snacks in the future, right?”
“…Yes!”
Though it took quite a while to decide, she eventually nodded her head.
“Okay then. I won’t scold mommy.”
Ryuna seemed relieved and grabbed Yumir’s skirt. Yumir smiled happily and hugged Ryuna tightly.
Eo was looking at the scene warmly when suddenly something came to mind and spoke to me.
“Lord Ars, have you heard about that person?”
“That person?”
“The one-armed man captured together with Gilbert Saleon. Casper Millais, wasn’t it? Have you decided on his disposition? If he’s to be executed, I’ll make arrangements.”
“Ah, that guy… That’s not under my jurisdiction.”
“Not under your jurisdiction? What does that mean…?”
“It’s just like that.”
If anything, he would have been executed if it were possible.
For that would be his only rest.
***
In the military prison, Casper could not hide his misery.
“Damn it! Damn Bülang!”
He believed that this defeat was entirely Bülang’s fault. In reality, the western army had been defeated after being devoured, but Casper thought that everything happened because of a spy who had infiltrated Bülang and leaked information.
“If I had known, I would have directly commanded the western army myself…!”
If he had done so, he would not have suffered such humiliation.
Casper was watching for an opportunity to escape by any means possible.
“Hey, did you hear that story?”
He listened to the conversation between the prison guards. Since this was a place where important figures were imprisoned, the guards were also key military officers.
“What story are you talking about?”
“Apparently, Ferge Elaine is being promoted to military rank!”
“Well, he is the king’s brother. He’s quite capable, after all. Didn’t he lead his companions and raise a banner during the rebellion? Honestly, he’s a good guy. That’s why he went to see the king this time, at the request of the officers, to petition for General Altior’s amnesty.”
“Amnesty for a rebel leader?”
“Truthfully, Gilbert was the leader. General Altior was just swayed by his son’s ambitions. Would he be the type to start a rebellion?”
“Well, that’s true. But isn’t amnesty impossible no matter what?”
“That’s where the story changes. Do you know Erina Saleon?”
At the mention of Erina’s name, Casper’s eyes widened.
“Erina? Of course! She was called the youngest daughter of Grancel.”
“Apparently, she is pregnant with His Majesty Ars’ child.”
“Really!? So, does that mean the Saleon noble family is being resurrected?”
“It might not be that, but at least the punishment might be lighter. The amnesty for General Altior might not be such an unrealistic story.”
“Phew! That’s fortunate. I was worried about General Altior carrying such dishonor. …Oh, is it time?”
“…Yes, let’s go.”
Trembling! Casper clenched his fist so tightly with humiliation that it almost drew blood.
He felt an illusion that his vision was wavering.
It was then.
“Casper, Casper!”
“…!?”
Casper looked in disbelief at the man who had suddenly come to the prison.
“Pedro!? You’re alive! More importantly, how did you get here…!”
“I luckily escaped. More importantly, let’s get out of here quickly!”
“But the guards…”
However, the guards who were chatting earlier were now nowhere to be seen.
Pedro speaks urgently.
“They’ve left to hand over to the next guard, now is our only chance to escape!”
Casper had no time to think coldly about the situation.
He could only think that his trusted subordinate Pedro had risked his life to come and rescue him.
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