The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 138

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 138

Alicia Oren.

The reason she came to be revered as a saint was not only because of her character and deeds, but above all because of the existence of the Grand Cathedral in Platon.

As a result, Platon had become the center of faith. It was also one of the reasons why Balas was able to maintain its position as a neutral kingdom along with the Fensillon Academy.

Students with deep faith take a reverent attitude while looking at her.

“I apologize. The noon prayer at the cathedral ran long, and I ended up being late.”

Alicia gracefully bowed her head. The male students gasped at her beauty and dignity. The female students exclaimed at her loftiness.

‘She really is amazing.’

It was an intensity that could make one fall in love at first sight if you let your guard down even a little.

Although it’s not particularly relevant now, she used to be my favorite character. Even her ambiguous performance was right up my alley.

Her rank was UR, the highest grade, but her power rating was only 88, and she didn’t show any particularly intelligent aspects.

However, one of her unique skills, ‘Divine Guidance’, was quite overpowered. It’s a kind of agitation skill, and in the special situations where this can be used, she’s a character that reigns beyond tier 1, at tier 0.

“I’m truly delighted that this year too, many people interested in art have enrolled. I hope you will hone that noble quality and become the light that illuminates the continent.”

As she began her speech, everyone was listening intently as if being drawn in. I was closely observing her every move.

Estelle was doing the same, frowning deeply.

I thought she might be jealous seeing me show interest in Alicia, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just…”

Has Estelle’s radar activated again?

The reliability of that radar had dropped considerably, with claims like the protagonist being empty or harboring goodwill towards me, but I still wanted to hear what she had to say.

“If something comes to mind, tell me without holding back.”

“It’s just that she seems to be wearing some kind of mask… But everyone does that. It’s normal.”

“A mask… You say.”

Everyone wears a face to show others. I do too.

Here, I treat those around me with a prickly attitude, but it’s different with my vassals. With Yumir, I’m even accused of being so warm it’s almost flirting.

‘Well, this isn’t really pretense though.’

Anyway, it’s not strange at all for someone to put on airs. That’s what ordinary people do.

The problem is that the one putting on airs is a saint. A saint is revered for having no discrepancy between their inner and outer self. If a saint is only proper on the outside but rotten on the inside, then they’re no longer a saint. They’re just a fraud.

“Don’t worry too much about what I said. Like with that man earlier, it’s just my intuition.”

“That’s true.”

I had also somewhat disregarded what she said about the protagonist.

But the saint was different.

I had been suspicious of her from the beginning.

‘The likely traitor among the Seven Vassals.’

I had already verified most of the other Seven Vassals.

Master Ilya, though from the West, had Guderian’s guarantee. The verification of Gaspar and Rutger was also complete.

Maisen and Olaf were a set, and Master Artisan Luke was dead.

If there was no traitor among the Seven Vassals, there would be no problem, but if there was one, by process of elimination, there was only one answer.

‘Hmm, this is a good time to make a preemptive move.’

I’ll gauge the opponent with this one shot.

After Alicia’s speech ended, I approached her when I saw an opening.

She too waited, holding her breath, as if she had business with me.

As the distance closed, she spoke to me.

“You must be Wade, who’s been causing a stir at the academy recently. Pleased to meet you. I’m Alicia Oren.”

“I’m Ars Elaine.”

I stared intently into her eyes. She too stared back, not backing down, as if trying to figure me out.

This was the chance. A trump card that couldn’t be used twice.

“There’s something I’d like to ask the esteemed saint.”

“Something you want to ask? What could you possibly…”

“How is your communication with the West progressing?”

“…!?”

She took the bait.

Usually, when faced with such a sudden attack, the opponent shows one of two reactions.

If they have no connection to the West, they would express displeasure, asking what nonsense I’m talking about.

On the contrary, if they are related to the West, they would react in some way. A surprised reaction is typical.

Of course, she might have been surprised by my statement itself, but if that were the case, she would have immediately shown displeasure.

But Alicia was flustered. “What absurd nonsense are you spouting?”

She regained her composure in a few seconds, but it was already over.

‘I see. So Alicia was indeed a Western puppet.’

She might not necessarily be a Western spy. She could be a pawn of Svenner or Bülang. Whatever the case, it seems she’s not pure. She’s planning something inside.

If that’s the case, her actions in the game make sense too.

The claim of being Ars’ lover is probably a false relationship. She’s a spy monitoring Ars from close by.

‘…Wait a minute?’

Then that means Alicia is on the good side.

Well, Ars is the villain after all.

But would a good character go as far as using seduction to spy? This is more like something a villain would do.

‘……’

I felt that the slim possibility I had been considering all along was becoming increasingly likely.

That’s right, the hypothesis that Ars is the real protagonist of the game.

However, there’s one obstacle here.

The existence of the protagonist. As long as the existence of the protagonist doesn’t crumble, the theory of Ars being the protagonist doesn’t hold up.

Regarding Alicia, if we say she’s a villain separate from the protagonist and Ars, it’s complicated but can be understood. Or even if Ars was just a traitor and Alicia was on the same side, it could somehow be comprehended.

“I’ll ask again. What nonsense are you talking about?”

“You think pretending to be calm will help? What’s your purpose?”

“That’s why I’m asking what you’re talking about!”

I lightly formed a hypothesis.

The Fensillon Academy that collapsed for unclear reasons in the game. It’s not hard to infer what would happen in that case.

“Are you trying to make Balas deviate from being a neutral kingdom?”

“…!”

Although she tried not to show any more gaps, she reacted again when I hit the mark. It’s quite interesting.

“Indeed, they can’t maintain neutrality forever. If they insist on being neutral, the kingdom’s future isn’t bright. There must have been such an internal judgment. I don’t know which kingdom you’ve drawn in, but you’re supporting one of them.”

It seems I hit the mark again.

“I… I can’t listen to this anymore!” Alicia turned away and left as if fleeing.

Her retreating figure exuded an undisguisable impatience.

‘She’s more of a simpleton than I thought.’

To think this was my favorite character. Indeed, you don’t know people until you meet them.

‘Even so, to think the saint was plotting a conspiracy. This is no small matter.’

The traitor among the seven vassals, found unexpectedly easily. But that’s not the end. I had a hunch that the event she would bring about was the core of this incident.

* * *

Thud! Thud! Alicia moved with hurried steps.

Her destination was Platon’s office where Duke Reginald was working.

Bang! As she flung open the door, Duke Reginald stood up startled.

“What’s the matter, Princess?”

“We, we have a problem.”

Her expression was completely broken.

“A problem? Please calm down first.”

“How can I calm down! Wade has noticed our plan!”

“What…!?”

Alicia told him about what had just happened.

Duke Reginald’s eyes widened more than ever. “Is that true! How on earth…!”

“He, he’s a monster! I felt it. Those eyes that seem to see through everything…. He knew from the beginning!”

“There were such stories. Mercenary Wade. They say he’s a monster on par with the invincible Juras…!”

It was something Ars would hate to hear, but such rumors had already spread secretly.

“What do we do now? If he noticed, it means Crossing and Calliper have noticed too!”

Moreover, Ars said it all loud enough to be heard. The surrounding students looked confused, but rumors will eventually spread. Even if it’s nonsense, it was Wade who said such things. It can’t be just ignored.

Duke Reginald clutched his forehead. “Ugh, um…! If other kingdoms learn of our plan, it will cause problems.”

There was no way other kingdoms would like Balas shedding its neutral status.

To begin with, the independence faction was only a minority within Balas. The moment they’re discovered, they’ll be immediately hunted down and eliminated.

Alicia might be able to avoid death due to her position as a saint and being royalty, but not Duke Reginald.

He could lose everything.

That’s what power was like.

If you succeed in a coup, you become the most powerful figure, but if you fail, you lose everything.

He knew this and took the gamble.

His eyes were full of determination.

“In this case, we have no choice. We’ll start the plan immediately!”

“But, but!”

“It’s alright, Princess. Due to the recent war, everyone’s response speed to war has increased. The forces that will help us should be able to prepare troops quickly.”

“What about Wade?”

“Assassination is impossible. The only way to eliminate him is to use the army, but we don’t have the authority to use the army within Platon right now.”

Even if they use the army, they’d need to use close to 2,000 troops.

That’s because there are 2,000 soldiers from each kingdom stationed in Calliper and Crossing’s areas, 1,000 each.

In an urban warfare scenario, if such a large-scale battle occurs, the chances of missing Ars are too high. It would just be stirring up a hornet’s nest for nothing.

“There’s nothing we can do about that. If he intervenes, we’ll have to deal with it somehow.”

“I’m, I’m scared. What that guy might do. What he’s doing right now…!”

That’s how strong the first impression was. She felt a kind of fear towards Ars who had read her inner thoughts and grasped her plan.

She was trembling in fear, imagining what kind of scheme Ars might be plotting right now.

However, contrary to her imagination, Ars was enjoying a happy moment.

***

Cheers! The glasses went around.

The vassals had come to my mansion after sunset to celebrate Yumir’s pregnancy.

Yumir’s tail twitched nervously, seemingly not used to the atmosphere, but when I lightly embraced her with one arm, her tail relaxed as if she felt reassured.

“Hahaha! On such a joyous day, we must get thoroughly drunk! Aggert! Pour me another!”

“Oh! Certainly, Master Gaspar!”

The alcohol poured generously. Gaspar downed it in one shot. He had already had a drink with Aggert and Rutger at lunch, so he was already half-drunk.

Watching this, Aggert expressed a genuine question.

“But Master Gaspar, why are you so happy?”

“Wh-what!?”

“Well, it just seems like you’re much happier than everyone else.”

For a moment, Gaspar’s pupils shook.

“W-well, that’s because Ars is like a real brother to me!”

“Hmm. Is that so? I thought there might be something between you and auntie Yumir.”

“Y-you rascal! Shut up and pour the drinks quickly!”

Yumir’s ears perked up at being called ‘auntie’. However, it seemed she was no longer affected by it as she soon smiled.

On the other hand, Eonia was different.

“Aun…tie?”

Eo gave Aggert a terrifying look.

Dorofei, sitting next to Aggert, tried to stop him.

“Aggert! You shouldn’t say such things carelessly!”

“What’s wrong, Captain Weakling? What’s wrong with calling an auntie an auntie?”

“That’s why I’m saying shush!”

Lysithea sneered, seemingly quite pleased with Eo’s shocked expression.

“What can you do, Mirabel? The kid says so.”

“You…!”

25-year-old Lysithea wore the smile of a victor.

Aggert says to her, “Auntie Lia! If you’re not going to drink, pass me that bottle!”

“What did you say, you little thunderbolt?!” Lysithea stood up abruptly, revealing her killing intent.

“What? I just asked for the bottle!”

“That’s not it! Did you just call me auntie!?”

“Well, you are an auntie, aren’t you?”

Lysithea was at a loss for words.

Although Aggert’s standards were a bit off, he wasn’t entirely wrong. After all, people in this world marry quite young.

Well, from my perspective, both Lysithea and Eo still looked to be in their prime.

Gulp! At that moment, Estelle swallowed dryly and asked cautiously.

“Um, Aggert?”

“What is it, Sister Estelle?”

“…Heh.” Estelle smiled the smile of a victor, claiming an obvious victory.

Lysithea bit her lip and shouted, “I-I have someone I’ve promised a future with! So there’s no problem at all! I’m different from Mirabel!”

Eo reflexively exclaimed, “M-me too!”

“Me too, what?”

“M-me too…” Eo clenched her fist tightly.

“Just watch what happens when I take first place in the merit award!”

“Why are you suddenly talking about first place in the merit award…? Besides, I heard you’re always second place?”

“Ha-hah! You’d better watch and see!”

Eo forced a victorious laugh at Lysithea, who looked dumbfounded.

Although the direction was a bit strange, the party atmosphere was pleasantly ripening.

As it was approaching midnight, Olaf and Anton, who had gone on an urgent business trip to Karten, returned. Having pushed themselves hard, changing horses continuously, both looked tired.

Olaf looked regretful at the winding-down atmosphere, but brightened up seeing Gaspar still drinking.

“Oh, oh. Looks like I can still have a drink? Sir. Gaspar, pour me one too! I’ll be right back!”

As he said this, Olaf gave me a meaningful look.

I quietly slipped out of the dining room and headed to the reception room.

After briefly congratulating me again on the pregnancy, Olaf got straight to the point.

“The situation seems more serious than expected.”

“Did the upper echelons of Crossing know about this?”

“Well, I’m not sure how much that Juras Pamilion fellow knew. He’s completely unreadable. Such an ominous and… Unpleasant guy, I never want to meet him again.”

“That’s an accurate impression. Still, his ability is outstanding.”

Whatever kind of person Juras was, one thing was certain.

He’s unbelievably competent. His abilities are unparalleled. This was the reason I decided to work with him.

The fact that I could enjoy this party so peacefully was also thanks to him.

He would handle everything perfectly.

If it weren’t for him, I would have been anxious about what might happen when, and how the opponent might move.

This was the merit of having a capable partner.

The only worry was that this partner was too cunning, but at least until the division of the world was accomplished, he wouldn’t stab me in the back.

“Juras probably knew that Alvard Kingdom’s alignment with Svenner in the last war was for the conquest of Balas. That means he must have made some predictions.”

“Yes, he said as much. But it seems he didn’t expect things to move this quickly.”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, the level of enemy involvement seems to be beyond expectations.”

“Exactly where?”

“Alvard. And the Western tribes.”

So, the Western tribes were eyeing Balas from the left, and Alvard from the right.

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