The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 139 Part 1

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 139 – Part 1

As spring was in full bloom, the academy was also becoming more lively.

This was due to the events taking place alongside Platon’s spring festival.

The festival here was directly inherited from the imperial era.

Its official name is the Platon Celebration Festival. It’s an agricultural festival that originated from irrigation works to use the river flowing near Platon for agricultural water.

As it developed into the continent’s largest festival due to being in the capital of the Fensillon Empire, various events were derived from it.

The military department competition at the academy was one of them.

It’s a contest where the 16 military departments, combining first and second years, each command a simulated force of 500 troops to compete against each other.

It was quite a significant event in the game as well, where the protagonist plays a major role as a key figure in the 3rd military department.

‘I think Ars was present too.’

If I remember correctly, he was in Calliper’s 7th military department.

Now that I’m in Beckavia’s 8th military department, things won’t proceed according to the original story.

From the beginning, the detailed storyline was already broken. Only the major flows were approaching like a tsunami.

“──Elaine. Are you listening? Elaine!”

While I was lost in thought, Sophia pressed me. “Please focus. You’re the key to this mock battle.”

“That’s why I’m saying to do it without me. If I participate, it will dampen the excitement.”

“That might be true, but… You stay for a moment. Let’s talk separately. The other students may leave.”

It felt like being called to the faculty office.

Once we were alone, Sophia speaks as if making a plea. “You know it’s not just about you. Your classmates are expecting you to participate.”

“Isn’t that all the more reason not to? It’s not right for them to rely on just one person for such an important event. It’s not good for them either.”

“Sigh, you’re right, but still! You should know how to compromise a little. This is why you don’t have any friends.”

“…”

That was a low blow, hitting a sore spot.

The only same-sex friend I could say I have is Dorofei. Even Bannings, who I was somewhat close with, became awkward after finding out I was Wade.

“Can’t you be a little gentler with others? If you just loosen up a bit, you could make plenty of friends. People sometimes need to let loose and act silly.”

“Hmm…”

When it comes to sociability, I wasn’t bad. Even in Rainpol, I got along well with most of the kids.

I just didn’t deal with those who acted calculatingly.

Sophia was saying that I should learn to embrace even those people.

“Hmm…”

The advice itself wasn’t wrong. Since she went out of her way to advise me, I decided to give it a try.

“Then let’s do this. Sophia, you command the mock battle. I’ll assist.”

“Me?”

“I heard teachers can participate in the mock battle too. Am I wrong?”

“That’s true… Alright. Then you better work hard too!”

“Yes, teacher.”

“Hehe, good answer. Shall we have a meal together to discuss strategy?”

Lately, it feels like she sees me as a prickly younger sibling.

I didn’t mind it. I wondered if this was what being sociable felt like.

Returning home, I mulled over Sophia’s advice.

The fact that it wasn’t wrong advice pricked at my mind. Only fools don’t take the right path when it’s available.

‘Friends, huh…’

During high school academy, I didn’t want to make friends if it meant catering to immature kids.

I actually knew. That very immaturity was the privilege and common ground of that time.

I had intended to change my attitude when I came to Fensillon Academy, but that became difficult after Wade’s identity was revealed.

Now it has become hard for me to form any relationships on my own.

But I couldn’t just give up.

Now, making friends directly led to making vassals.

Because most of the talented individuals in the academy were peers, I couldn’t make them vassals without starting as friends first.

‘If it’s difficult for me to create relationships on my own, I’ll have to ask others to introduce me.’

The friends I have are Estelle, Erina, Beryl, Dorofei, and Melodie.

Just five people. It’s a bit sad.

It was then.

“Haah! Haaah!”

I saw Lysithea training martial arts in the mansion garden.

Thinking it was a good opportunity, I decided to ask her for a favor.

“What did you say?” Lysithea furrowed her brow. “You want me to set up a connection with Ash?”

“Is it difficult?”

“It’s not difficult, but for what reason?”

“To try and build a friendship.”

“You…?”

“What? Is there a problem?”

“Umm… Alright. I’ll try to set up an appointment.”

Perhaps due to the long time we’ve spent together, Lysithea’s attitude has become quite flexible. It seems she’s getting along well with Eo lately too, bickering in a friendly way.

If we succeed in recruiting Ash, it seemed she would automatically remain in our faction as well.

* * *

On a weekend holiday, I saw Yumir off as she left the mansion.

She decided to go to Rainpol for about two weeks to tell our family about her pregnancy. I wanted to go with her, but I couldn’t due to the academy schedule.

After Yumir left with Master Ilya, I changed clothes and headed to the city square, our meeting place.

Ash was waiting there with a sullen face.

It felt strange, like I had a date appointment with a man, but since it was a connection Lysithea had set up, I decided to try my best.

“Ash.”

“…!”

Ash flinched at my call. Then, licking his lips, he says, “…I heard from Lysithea. What’s your business today? If you’re asking about Balas’s underwater movements or about the Saint, I don’t know much either.”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t come here to discuss that.”

If it was about Alicia, things were progressing behind the scenes, as Ash had said.

While the city was extremely peaceful in anticipation of the festival, the surrounding situation was not.

Intelligence came in that the West and Alvard were secretly gathering armies, and there was also noise within Balas.

You could call it the calm before the storm.

“If you didn’t come to talk about that, what business do you have with me?”

“Just, you know. I thought I’d try to build some camaraderie.”

“…”

“…”

“Are you joking?”

“How I wish it were a joke.”

I felt like I was going to die of awkwardness too.

“I’ve told you before. Ash, I’m interested in recruiting you. I’d like you to see today as part of that effort.”

“What if I just spill those intentions right away?”

Ash nodded while looking dumbfounded.

“Well, alright. If Lia went out of her way to arrange this, I guess it’s not a bad thing. You seem to be treating her well.”

“The work environment is pretty good.”

“But… What are we going to do to build camaraderie?”

“I’m not sure.”

“You should have thought about that before coming!”

While Ash and I were in the position of taking dance lessons together, we weren’t in the same class due to the large number of participants.

This was the first time I was having a conversation with Ash like this.

Ash thought for a moment and then nodded.

“In that case, I have an idea.”

And with that, Ash suggested we go hunting (for women).

“Are you crazy?”

Those words just came out.

No, it’s not strange. Ash was a playboy character in the game too.

“Are you going to tell Lysithea?”

“Th-this is unavoidable!”

“What do you mean unavoidable?”

“Because it’s acting.”

Ash, the hidden prince of Tunkai. He couldn’t stand out.

If his outstanding abilities became known, he could be eliminated.

Acting like a playboy was part of that. It was to show that he was frivolous and lacking.

“I see… But that expression doesn’t look like acting at all? I can see you’re dying to do it.”

“Heh, if it’s something I have to do, shouldn’t I enjoy it?”

“…”

“Well, don’t tell Lia. She doesn’t know about this.”

“You scumbag.”

“Say what you want. More importantly, are you in or out?”

Going hunting while having a pregnant wife seemed wrong, but I thought it might be okay since it wasn’t about having a serious relationship. It’s just about hanging out.

When I showed my agreement, Ash said we shouldn’t just be standing around and called over another comrade.

“Senior! Over here!”

It was a man with a mountain-like build.

He looked to be easily 2m tall, and it seemed like sweat could start pouring out of his brawny muscles at any moment.

I knew him.

‘Gunther of the Iron Fist!’

He was a character that appeared as an SR in the game, a warrior with a mere 84 in military power.

However, that didn’t mean he lacked talent in martial arts. His military power of 84 was achieved without using aura.

He was the one who recorded 84 in military power using only strength and martial arts skills.

He was a minor character who played a role as a guest when the protagonist was pacifying the Beckavia region.

He came running over with a good-natured smile.

“Ash! Are you finally setting out!”

“That’s right, senior!”

“But who is…”

He narrowed his eyes and stared intently at me, immediately showing wariness.

“Wade…!”

“Nice to meet you, Senior Gunther.”

“You know me!?”

“I heard from Sophia Veron. She said there was a bear-like man among the second-year students of Beckavia.”

“The princess…”

Only after Sophia’s name was mentioned did Gunther lower his guard. Curious about this, I asked, and Gunther explained.

“Princess Sophia gathered the Beckavia students and told us. Not to resent Wade too much. She said the defeat of Beckavia in the Carrington battle was entirely due to her own inadequacy.”

“Hmm.”

When Sophia, who should have hated Wade more than anyone, said so herself, the Beckavia students reluctantly accepted it, he said.

“Anyway, nice to meet you. I’m Orlean Gunther.”

“I’m Ars Elaine.”

“So? Are you joining today’s expedition too?”

“If picking up girls on the street is called an expedition, then yes.”

“Heh, it might be harder than war. At least for me. It’s not something to brag about, but I’ve never even held a girl’s hand before.”

“I see…”

“In fact, I’ve never even had a proper conversation with a woman except my mother! Hahaha!”

Still, his enthusiasm was impressive.

And so, the three of us immediately began our expedition(?).

TL NOTE:

Schedule: Everyday

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you would like to support me or read up to 30 chapters ahead, you can do so via patreon.com/ChibiGiant. OR by unlocking chapters.

You can also Rate this series in your free time @NovelUpdate.