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The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 142

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 142

The atmosphere of war began to permeate as the army moved.

I could feel that atmosphere on my skin.

‘The military security for Platon has become stricter.’

This is because troops from other kingdoms are stationed here in Platon.

Each kingdom has 1,000, totaling 8,000.

These are soldiers also used in military department competitions.

If the Alvard forces stationed here were to attack the royal palace, Balas would be in a difficult situation.

It’s just a stone’s throw from Platon to the Balas royal palace.

Now that Alvard and the Western nations have begun their invasion, it would be appropriate to immediately restrain them and take them prisoner, but there’s the issue of diplomacy.

Platon, divided into eight zones, is both Balas territory and non Balas territory. Suppressing the troops stationed in that zone would be no different from Balas attacking Alvard.

Moreover, if that happens, the ongoing Platon Boundary Festival would also be disrupted.

Balas is a kingdom that maintains a neutral position through symbolism.

A situation where that symbolism is shaken would be fatal for them.

‘That’s why they deliberately invaded during the festival period. They used their heads quite well.’

Already in the Balas royal palace, key diplomats from each kingdom were engaged in verbal battles over this matter.

It’s no coincidence that key figures, including Juras, made an appearance at yesterday’s party.

However, unlike such a tense atmosphere, the academy was peaceful.

This was because Alvard and the West’s invasion had not yet been made public.

Rather, the festival was heating up even more as it entered its second day.

I also had an important event today.

It was the day to release the sequel to ‘Their Circumstances’.

Just like I had released the first volume at the Rainpol Festival before, I decided to release it during this festival period.

For that, I rented out an entire banquet hall at the academy.

‘I wonder how many will sell today.’

Before, I was completely unknown, so I had to put in the effort myself, but now it’s different. I have a fan base. I heard that many young ladies are coming to buy books with my personal autograph for this new work release event.

I didn’t have much passion for writing novels, but it didn’t feel bad since everyone seemed to like it.

I was humming as I headed towards the banquet hall where the event was scheduled.

Then, Sophia Veron stopped me with a stern face.

“Elaine.”

“What’s the matter, Teacher Sophia?”

“What do you mean what’s the matter… You know, don’t you?”

As expected of the Chief Military Officer of Beckavia. It seems Sophia was also aware of the situation.

“This is not the time to be doing this!”

“Then what should I be doing?”

“Well…!”

“Calm down. There’s nothing we can do right now.”

If we were affiliated with Balas it might be different, but since we’re not, we had to watch the diplomatic battle for now.

Depending on the result of that diplomatic battle, it will be decided whether I intervene or not.

‘That Juras fellow, he asked me to play along with the drama he orchestrated.’

He didn’t tell me about the contents of that drama. Either he wasn’t sure himself, or he simply wanted to surprise me. It must be one of the two.

Whatever it is, all I could do now was wait.

I could decide on Calipper’s diplomatic strategy through King Gareth, but I didn’t have much interest in Balas either.

If we save them, we save them, but it doesn’t matter much if they fall.

“So until the diplomatic negotiations are settled, we should enjoy the festival.”

Sophia nodded as if she somewhat understood.

“Looking at it coolly, you’re right. So… Is that the new book you’re releasing?”

“That’s right. Have you read the previous one?”

“Well, yes. It’s so famous among the young ladies as a pure love novel published by Wade. Though the content wasn’t much.”

This is a normal evaluation. It’s just an ordinary book that became famous for being famous, suitable for young ladies to read lightly.

“But you can look forward to this one.”

Maybe because it’s the second volume, my skills have improved quite a bit.

There was also Erina’s active proofreading, and it was my confident work.

When I arrived at the banquet hall with about 300 books, there were clearly more than 300 people waiting eagerly.

Nobles, commoners residing in Platon, women from other kingdoms who heard the news, and even merchants trying to get the first edition for illegal copying.

“Wow.”

I couldn’t help but exclaim.

As soon as I showed my face, shrill cheers erupted. But since there were many young ladies who valued etiquette, no commotion occurred.

“So… Thank you all for coming today.” After delivering my prepared greeting, I began selling books in earnest. “As I’ve said many times, this book is written by me as Platina, an ordinary author, not as Wade. So please don’t make any unnecessary assumptions or misunderstandings. Now, could the person at the very front please come forward.”

The first in line was Erina.

As the number one contributor to the sequel’s production, she was set to be the symbolic first purchaser.

“It’s finally out…! Irina’s false accusation will finally be cleared!”Erina couldn’t hide her excited expression. She had been determined to avenge the humiliation her self-insert character, Irina Paleon, suffered in the first volume.

The next in line to purchase was Estelle, who had been in charge of the story for the first volume.

She had a puzzled expression. After receiving the book from me, she whispered quietly. “Lord Ars? What do you mean by sequel? This is the first I’m hearing of it. What’s it about?”

“That… You’ll know when you read it.”

“Hm? I understand for now.”

The banquet hall was even prepared for a reading club. Except for the merchants whose only purpose was money, everyone immediately found a seat and started reading the book.

Right next to me were Erina and Estelle, who had bought the books first.

It wasn’t unusual to see the two of them, who usually stuck together like sisters at the academy, but today the atmosphere was particularly tense.

“Phew! They’re all sold out.”

By the time all 300 copies were sold, Estelle, who seemed to be reading the middle part, was muttering while emitting a dark aura.

“Hmm, so that’s how it was. That’s what it was about. Not bad, Erina. You hid it perfectly.”

Reactions burst out from other young ladies as well.

“Oh my…! To think Irina had such a pitiful circumstance!”

“I feel ashamed for thinking badly of Irina!”

“Irina!”

Irina Paleon, the villainous young lady who committed evil deeds by tormenting Ertel Dionte and the knight Elnia Pentabel in the first volume.

However, there was a mastermind behind those evil deeds.

It was General Paris, Ertel Dionte’s father and the protagonist’s superior.

Paris, who was worried that the protagonist Wilson might take his position, tries to demote the protagonist, but Irina was using her family’s power to prevent this.

During this, Paris accidentally gains a weakness of the Paleon family to which Irina belongs, and Irina commits evil deeds as Paris orders to protect her family and the protagonist, swallowing her tears. All the while, she makes various behind-the-scenes moves to get back at Paris.

“…”

Estelle was silent for a moment at that part.

“…Is it okay to mess with family?”

“E-Estelle? Family? You know this is just a novel, right?”

After reading to the end, Estelle let out a complicated sigh.

The story was too good to just blindly get angry at Erina.

In the end, it’s revealed that Paris is not Ertel’s real father, but rather the enemy who killed Ertel’s real father and pretended to be his father. The protagonist, Irina, and Ertel join forces to drive out Paris.

After everything is over, it ends with a promise of friendly competition for the protagonist. Estelle seemed to have lost her hostility, perhaps realizing this was the message Erina was sending.

The reactions from other young ladies were explosive as well.

“It’s so touching!”

“To think such a story was hidden…!”

“I can’t keep this to myself. I’m going to tell my friends right away!”

The second volume, which perfectly tied up the loose ends from the first volume, ended with an Irina & Ertel ending.

Just as ‘Their Circumstances’ seemed to have reached a splendid conclusion… That night.

“…Lord Ars.”

Eo came to me with a gloomy face to protest. “Didn’t you say the protagonist would end up with the female knight?”

“Uh…”

Seeing her desolate expression as if I had lied, I reflexively blurted out,

“No, no! The content with the female knight comes out in the third volume.”

Without realizing it, I had promised a sequel.

* * *

Day 3 of the festival.

By this point, even ordinary citizens began to notice the situation.

The large-scale invasion by Alvard and the West.

That a war that hadn’t occurred in the 30 years since Balas was founded had broken out.

Because of this, the quarterfinals of the Military Department Competition scheduled for today were canceled.

I secretly thought that Balas might force the festival to continue for the sake of outward appearances, but it seems the diplomatic situation was worse than expected.

After the diplomatic negotiations that took place in the morning, Anton, who received news from Juras, came to me.

“Lord Ars. It doesn’t look like this matter will end simply.”

He says that in today’s diplomatic negotiations, there were heated arguments about the justification for war.

There, Alvard argued like this: Balas, a neutral kingdom that should be mediating wars between kingdoms, wasn’t fulfilling its role.

– Balas has played no role in the recent major wars.

– And Crossing was involved in most of those major wars.

– Isn’t Balas intentionally turning a blind eye to Crossing’s behavior?

– Balas has already been co-opted by Crossing and has lost the purity of a neutral kingdom.

It was a forced argument, but there was logic to it.

It was true that the first trigger that plunged the continent into chaos was the Three Lions War started by Crossing.

“Alvard came prepared. But with that logic, isn’t Svenner also not free from blame? They’re the ones who started the Chimera War.”

“Yes, that’s why the Svenner side admitted it.”

“They admitted it…?”

“The fact that they had planted their own forces within Balas. They confessed that they had taken measures through those forces to prevent Balas from intervening in the Chimera War.”

“Oh ho. So they’re sacrificing themselves to drag Crossing down with them as a water ghost. They used their heads.”

Because of this, Svenner themselves also received criticism, but Alvard’s forced justification gained strength.

“How did they explain the Western invasion?”

“They said it was something the West did on their own. While saying they can’t reveal it now, they claimed the West also has a justification.”

“The West’s justification…”

I was certain that it was the protagonist Cassius.

Cassius is the prince of Fensillon.

It would be natural for him to reclaim Platon, the old capital of the Fensillon Empire.

‘I see. So that’s how they planned to overthrow Balas.’

Saint Alicia probably has a connection with the protagonist. They intend to promote the protagonist as the new king of Balas and have him side with the West and Svenner.

In that case, the West and Svenner would gain a strategic advantage.

Balas is a kingdom located in the center of the continent.

In other words, it’s a strategic point from which one can march in any direction. It’s not for nothing that they say whoever conquers Balas becomes the master of the continent.

Svenner was trying to swallow up Balas with the help of the West.

‘Things are getting difficult.’

At the same time, Svenner is attacking Europe.

If they win all the wars and destroy Europe and Balas, Svenner’s forces will occupy half the continent.

I’m not sure what Alvard thinks, but at least Alvard is hostile to Crossing. The chances of them becoming allies are low.

“How is Juras responding?”

“They’re trying to draw Tunkai, Svenner’s ally, to our side.”

“Tunkai…!”

“They’re arguing that if Europe is destroyed by Svenner, Svenner will attack Tunkai next.”

“Indeed, it’s quite a difficult situation for Tunkai.”

Although Svenner is an ally, they probably didn’t expect them to forcibly attack the neutral kingdom of Balas. Seeing such an aggressive move naturally leads to such thoughts.

The thought that after Europe and Balas, they might be attacked next.

“Yes, so we’re trying to draw Tunkai to our side as allies to deal with the situation.”

If Juras had decided that, there’s no way they couldn’t persuade Tunkai.

I thought the results of the diplomatic battle were already out.

An alliance of Balas, Tunkai, Europe, Crossing, Calliper, Beckavia versus an alliance of Svenner, Alvard, some Bülang and Balas forces, and Western nations.

Looking at the numbers alone, we seem to have the advantage, but the geographical situation is not good.

Calliper and Crossing are blocked by Alvard and cannot send reinforcements, and Tunkai and Europe are struggling just to deal with Svenner alone.

That’s why that night, such a conclusion was reached.

To send skilled officers to Balas to assist in the war.

* * *

The biggest weakness of the Balas army was, of course, their complete lack of real combat experience.

Even their training wasn’t good.

Even the officers who directed that training had no real combat experience.

Therefore, Balas requested the kingdoms that agreed to help to dispatch capable officers as guest commanders.

It was a natural course of events that I became one of them.

I had a high reputation, and above all, I was already inside Balas.

Balas, which had to defend both east and west, divided the guest commanders into two groups.

First, for the command of the eastern army, 2nd General Salar Oreon, urgently dispatched from Europe, was assigned. He was a general belonging to the 20 Great Heroes, well-balanced in both offense and defense.

The 30,000 Alvard troops invading from the east were not only few in number, but it was also difficult to expect a battle as Calliper and Crossing were attacking the eastern part of Alvard.

Balas requested defense with 15,000 regular troops.

The greatest battlefield was expected to be the 70,000-strong army of Western nations invading from the west.

To this end, Balas formally requested me to take on the role of Commander-in-Chief.

As I headed to the royal palace to receive this appointment, I could sense the ominous atmosphere within the palace.

‘It’s completely divided.’

As if internal strife had broken out, there were few vassals by the king’s side. Moreover, 10,000 troops were thoroughly guarding the surroundings of the royal palace, showing signs of being wary of a coup.

I couldn’t help but speak up.

“Even 10,000 troops are precious in the current situation. I understand the concern about a political change, but for the victory of the war, I’d like you to reduce that number by half.”

“T-That’s impossible!”

The King of Balas shouted with a haggard face.

This guy. I think he shouted at me boldly to take off my helmet during the previous ceasefire agreement.

‘The betrayal of his daughter must have been quite a shock.’

According to intelligence, Saint Alicia seems to be in the south where the territory of Duke Reginald is located. She’s probably preparing for a coup there.

‘The situation is getting much worse.’

I could understand why Alicia chose Duke Reginald as her ally.

The southern territory of Balas means it’s adjacent to Bülang.

‘They’re planning to secretly receive troops from Bülang there and attack the royal palace together with Cassius.’

The army of the Western nations is a kind of decoy. A decoy to make us deploy most of our army to the west.

The king seemed to know this part well, as he was reluctant to give me many troops. Rather, he was planning to deploy 10,000 more troops around the capital.

If that happens, the remaining regular army will be only 45,000. Roughly 5,000 need to guard the supply depot and supply routes, so that means facing 70,000 with 40,000.

“What are you trying to do? If you come out like this, I have no intention of taking command.”

“We have urgently conscripted militia. We’ll quickly prepare 10,000 for you.”

“Even with that, I’m telling you it’s not enough.”

“What, has the great Wade gotten scared? You should be able to face 100,000 with just 10,000 troops!”

“Such provocation won’t work on me. The basis of war is the number of troops. I’m requesting the maximum number of soldiers allowed within the limits of supply. If not, I won’t take command!”

The king visibly flustered at my firmness. The chancellor beside him hurriedly whispered.

Judging by the looks, he seemed to be saying, ‘Your Majesty, there is no guest commander like Wade.’

The king closed his eyes tightly in contemplation, then eventually nodded.

Thus, the scale of troops I received was 60,000: 40,000 regular troops and 20,000 conscripts.

Even with this, we were still 10,000 fewer than the enemy, but since we only needed to defend, I judged that we could manage.

After receiving the troops, I immediately convened a military council meeting.

I entered into strategy discussions with the new faces from Tunkai and Beckavia who had newly joined.


TL NOTE:

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The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road

Score 9.2
Status: Completed Type: Author: Released: 2022 Native Language: Korean
I ended up possessing Ars Elaine, a supporting character in the game. Struggling to prevent my death, I pave my way.

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