The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 48

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 48

I thought he was joking.

“I didn’t know you had such a trivial sense of humor.”

“It’s not a joke. I can tell. That’s my daughter. I’m not sure exactly when, but I’m certain.”

They say animals can recognize their offspring like ghosts. Perhaps Gaspar, being a purebred beastman, has a strong tendency for this.

“Why do you think so?”

“The smell, the color of the tail… Everything! I can feel it instinctively! Hey, do you know anything about that child’s birth?”

“I don’t know the details, but according to her, she was born between a beastman gladiator and a human slave.”

“That’s definitely me. About 30 years ago, I was working as a gladiator in the arena. It was quite lucrative, you know.”

“…Really? Are you really Yumir’s father?”

“Yumir, you say. That’s a good name.”

Gaspar smiled warmly. He looked every bit like a father.

“Now, wait a moment.”

The story was so shocking that my mind couldn’t keep up for a moment.

“Even if that’s true. Judging by your behavior, it seems like you might have quite a few children. Is it really that sentimental to find just one of them?”

“Children? I had several. They’re all dead now, though. That’s what it’s like for a purebred beastman to live on this continent. Every day is a struggle for survival. I haven’t had any children since then. I didn’t want to see any more of my children die. I never expected to meet my daughter in a place like this. Especially a child I had with a human.”

“In the arena with a human slave…”

“It was nothing special. The arena owner saw my performance and wanted to receive my seed. To raise a new gladiator, you see.”

“So that’s what happened. Phew…! As for Yumir…”

She says she had to fight for survival as soon as she was born. At just six years old, she had to go into the arena, hold a dagger, and kill starving wild dogs.

“I see. That bastard. When a girl was born instead of a boy, he must have abandoned her without mercy. Damn it. If I ever meet him again, I’ll kill him.”

It seems he really is Yumir’s father.

Thinking about it that way, there was something that made sense.

The reason why Gaspar followed the protagonist and Ars.

‘It was like that in the game too. He noticed that Yumir was his daughter…’

After the incident where Yumir attempted to assassinate the protagonist, Gaspar, suspecting some behind-the-scenes circumstances, left the protagonist and came to Ars, whom Yumir originally served.

‘If that’s the case…’

The possibility of Gaspar being a traitor became slim. Under the assumption that Ars is a traitor, Gaspar could be in cahoots with him… But this part doesn’t yield an answer even if I think about it now.

“So? What are you going to do now? Are you going to reveal that you’re her father?”

“What are you talking about! What face do I have to reveal that now! It’s, it’s enough if I can just watch over her from the sidelines. You guys don’t say unnecessary things about me being her father either.”

“You’re sentimental in strange ways.”

“Well, she’s my last remaining child. At this age, I have various things to think about too.”

“You still seem vigorous, so can’t you just have another one?”

“Purebred beastmen’s fertility drops dramatically after 30. Now, there’s probably not a single seed left in me.”

“Wow. But if you’re over 70 now, doesn’t that mean you were over 40 when you were working in the arena?”

“That’s why I was surprised too. I even tried to use contraception back then because I noticed the arena owner’s intentions.”

So he never dreamed that Yumir would be conceived.

“I understand your thoughts. But it’s not possible.”

“What…?”

“I’ve made my decision after seeing how you treat my other subordinates. Disappear right now. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Yumir is happy.”

“Come on, man.”

“No way.”

As I turned away mercilessly, Gaspar spoke urgently.

“Alright! I’ll apologize, okay? I’ll apologize! And I’ll be careful with my words from now on! That’s enough, right?”

“What’s this? Didn’t you say living as you please was your creed?”

“Even so, I can’t show such an unsightly appearance in front of my child. I need to show a proper image at least in front of her.”

He seemed sincere.

“If you insist that much, let’s see you apologize.”

“Alright, watch me.”

The three of us returned to the room.

The atmosphere in the room was still tense, but Gaspar, who had been growling about biting throats just moments ago, was now scratching the back of his head with a foolish smile.

“Hey, everyone, I’m sorry. I’m not good with new people, you see. I tend to be wary of people I meet for the first time. I didn’t mean anything I said earlier, so I hope you won’t take it to heart. This mouth of mine is just too loose.”

Slap! He hit his own lips and apologized to Rutger first.

“Earlier, I called you Alvard gentlemen, but I meant to say you were that smart. I’ve always admired the Alvard Kingdom deep down. The best, the best!”

He gave two thumbs up. His expressions seemed a bit outdated, probably due to his age.

“Actually, I’ve always wanted to work with someone from Alvard. I look forward to working with you, Brother Rutger.”

“…?”

Rutger raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in attitude. Still, since he was apologizing, Rutger seemed to take a wait-and-see approach.

Next was Eonia.

“I knew the Kuravel Holy Kingdom was a great kingdom. The Holy King, is it? I’ve heard he’s an excellent person. So, well…”

“Hmph, do you think I’ll listen to your flattery now?”

“This isn’t working… Then… Oh, oh! Now that I look at it, you match really well with Wade! Wow, it’s amazing. Isn’t it beyond an ideal master-servant relationship, to the point where we could call it a match made in heaven?”

“M-match made in heaven!? Me…?”

“Yeah! I’m telling you, you really go well together. I’ll be cheering for you, so do your best, miss.”

“He-hehe. Is that so? Thanks. I’ll try my best.”

He may not be eloquent, but he seems skilled at grasping people’s tendencies.

After finishing his apologies to everyone, Gaspar glanced at Yumir and said, “And to the beastwoman over there. Don’t take what I said earlier to heart. So, I look forward to working with you from now on.”

“…Yes. I look forward to working with you too.”

“Ha, hahaha…!”

Yumir’s expression was unreadable.

‘I guess we can consider this a successful recruitment…?’

I’d have to keep an eye on him for a while, but Gaspar’s attitude seemed genuine.

This guy. He talked big about taming him, but he ended up taming himself.

***

With Gaspar’s recruitment, the aftermath of the war was wrapped up, and a relaxed time began to flow in Rainpol.

I, who had decided to return to the academy soon, decided to give my vassals a vacation as well.

“There won’t be much going on for a while. I think it would be good for everyone to do what they want.”

At my words, Master Ilya speaks as if she’s been waiting.

“Then I’ll go to the northwest.”

“By northwest, do you mean the Kingdom of Europe?”

“Yes. I received a message from Master Guderian saying he wants to meet. He seems curious about my involvement with Wade. It’s a good opportunity, so I should go pay my respects.”

“About me…”

“I won’t talk about Wade. But I plan to talk about you, Ars. I’ll say that I’ve gained a disciple who’s too good for someone like me.”

“You’re praising me too much. If anything, I’m the one with a master who’s beyond my level. But is it okay if I don’t go? If it’s your master, wouldn’t that make him my superior as well?”

“It’s fine. He’s not particularly hung up on formalities. However, you’ll have to meet him when there’s a Chester-style promotion test.”

“You mean the one divided into A-class and B-class?”

As far as I know, master is currently an A-class Chester-style instructor.

“Originally, there were more ranks. They reduced it to two ranks as the disciples disappeared. Ars, you’re currently B-class. When you move up to A-class, you’ll have to take the test in front of Master Guderian.”

“Is there any merit to moving up to A-class?”

I didn’t want to struggle and sweat just to get a name that was only a formality.

“Of course there is. When you become A-class, you can take on disciples. And the Mercenary Association also considers this and often assigns a higher mercenary rank.”

“Ah…”

“Huh, you look like you don’t need it. I thought so. Well, let’s think about that part gradually.”

“Yes, master. Have a safe trip.”

I asked  if there is any one who wish to take a vacation, but everyone had blank faces.

I thought it would be a waste of manpower to let them just idly rest.

“Oh well, alright. Then I’ll make vacation schedules for you myself. First, Eo!”

“Huh? Me? I was thinking of just staying by your side, Ars.”

“But then you won’t develop yourself. You’ll help out under Ms. Bisketa for the time being.”

“Under Growth?”

“She’ll be very busy with the mining issue and the Rainpol immigration. Go help her out.”

“Ugh… Understood.”

“Next is Rutger. Please take charge of training the regular troops stationed in Rainpol.”

These were the soldiers from Kuravel who had worked under my command.

Even after being freed from slavery, they decided to continue on the path of soldiers, and impressed by that battle, they wanted to work under me. So they came to Rainpol with the Kuravel immigrants and were organized into regular troops.

“What kind of training do you want specifically?”

“Hmm… They’ve already received basic military training, so it would be good to give them detailed military training.”

“I understand. I’ll organize elite archer and infantry units.”

“What about cavalry?”

“If there are enough war horses, we could try training, but right now in Rainpol, most horses are used as pack animals. The conditions for raising war horses aren’t there.”

“I see. Then please organize a heavy infantry unit among the elite infantry. It will be the unit you’ll directly command in the future, so please put your heart into it.”

“I will do so.”

I could trust Rutger’s troop training.

With this, I too would have elite forces.

“Next… Anton. Please deliver this proposal to Juras and conduct detailed negotiations.”

It was a proposal for establishing elementary and secondary academies for the Kuravel people.

Right now, only adults who could be immediately deployed to the front lines had immigrated, but in the future, many children would immigrate too. Their numbers were quite significant, and since they were slaves by status, various problems would arise.

So I decided to build a new academy for them, but I didn’t have the money.

“This is a guideline for negotiation, so please refer to it.”

“Yes, I’ll bring back the best results possible.”

“Next… Gaspar.”

The guy who had been watching Yumir’s reactions frowned deeply, asking if I was giving him work too.

“I’ll assign you a guard unit, so please manage the public safety. It seems like the number of ruffians has increased quite a bit recently as the population has grown.”

“Public safety? Giving me something that kids do…”

“Hey Yumir, actually, this person…”

“Aaah! I get it, I get it!”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Everyone had their own expressions at the vacation schedule(?) that was decided.

“Lastly, Yumir.”

“Yes, young master. Please order me.”

“What’s this, when you say it like that, it sounds like I’m the one giving out work.”

At my words, Gaspar and Rutger silently protest, looking dumbfounded.

If they’re upset, they should have requested a vacation like master.

“You’ll act with me. When we have time, I want to visit that place I mentioned before.”

It was my birth mother’s grave. It’s not that her body was buried there, but her belongings were buried, they say. Yumir nodded deeply, as if knowing this was coming.

“…Yes. Lady Rizna will surely be pleased too.”

The past related to my bloodline.

The time has come to face it gradually.

As everyone entered their joyful vacation schedules, I decided to return to the academy first.

‘It feels nice to come to this boring place after a long time.’

Perhaps because I’ve been too busy lately, I was looking forward to the relaxed life at the academy.

However, the academy I returned to after a month was in quite a chaotic state. This was due to the large influx of transfer students from Calliper refugees who had moved to Rainpol.

‘Come to think of it. The last document I approved was the completion of academy transfers.’

As soon as the final permission from Crossing came through, the transfer students found their classrooms today.

The Calliper students who joined stood there looking tense. One of them.

Beryl came forward, lifted her skirt hem, and bowed her head.

“I’m Beryl Milstein. I humbly ask for your kind consideration, both Calliper folks and Crossing classmates.”

After greeting, Beryl looked at me and smiled. She seems glad to see a familiar face. I waved my hand lightly.

‘I did Beryl wrong.’

After all, the destruction of Rosbel, the territory of the Milstein baronial family, was in a way my fault.

Besides Beryl, Bannings, who was a Julia Academy classmate, had also transferred here to Rainpol.

“…Lord Ars. What kind of relationship do you have with that young lady?”

“Huh? Ah.”

Another protagonist of the commotion.

Estelle, who was the center of attention, asked me. As she opened her mouth, the surrounding male students glanced at her.

Estelle’s condition had noticeably improved through continuous treatment. It was completely different from when I met her in Grancel two weeks ago.

The biggest change was that the hideous scars on her face had all disappeared.

They had cleanly removed the scars on her face by cutting out the affected areas with a knife and then regenerating the skin through treatment by priests.

Previously, she had been postponing this treatment out of fear, but for some change of heart, she received it immediately upon returning to Rainpol.

As a result, Estelle was able to regain a part of her beauty.

‘Rutger has reason to be anxious.’

It wasn’t an exaggeration that her beauty was enough to cause a stir in the territory before she became ill.

Although her hair hadn’t fully grown back, so she couldn’t be considered completely recovered, it was still enough to catch others’ attention.

There was still an odor, but it had also reduced significantly, and by now it could be understood as a level of strong sweat smell.

“Ars?”

“I’m sorry. I found myself staring without realizing it.”

“At, at me?”

“Not just me. Other boys are also stealing glances at you, you know.”

“I don’t care about other men. What you think is most important to me, Ars.”

“Yes, you’ve become really beautiful.”

“Uh…! Uhh…! Th-thank you.”

Estelle, not knowing how to react to my straightforward comment. But soon realizing that I had changed the subject, she smiles and pressures me.

“More importantly, you haven’t answered yet. What kind of relationship do you have with that young lady?”

“Well…”

Fortunately, Beryl explained this part herself.

As we ended up having lunch together, Beryl began to lead the conversation with her unique sociability. Estelle, who initially showed wariness, soon let her guard down after hearing about Beryl’s love life.

“Oh my, a fellow student from the same academy…”

“Yes, Ruan Chase. He’s in a world I can’t reach. More importantly, Estelle, speak comfortably.”

“Well, is that okay?”

“Of course! If it’s because I’m a noble, don’t worry. I’m just from a lowly baronial family after all.”

Estelle hesitates. It seems this kind of closeness feels awkward, probably because she didn’t have friends.

“Then… Beryl. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise, Estelle.”

It seems it’s about time I hand over the best friend position. I had already separated Yumir from Estelle yesterday.

Estelle struggled a bit with adjusting the distance at first, but soon started conversing without reserve.

“That Ruan Chase must be blind. Not noticing the favor of someone as honest as you.”

“It can’t be helped. Ruan seems to like Lady Erina.”

“…Erina? Are you talking about Erina Saleon?”

“You know Lady Erina? Well, I guess she is famous among our peers.”

For a moment, Estelle’s eyes seemed to change.

“Beryl, can you tell me more about that person?”

“Uh, sure. I don’t mind.”

Even Beryl hesitates, seemingly overwhelmed by that spirit.

Fearing that unnecessary arrows might come my way, I decided to slip away quietly.

---

TL NOTE:

Schedule: @5PM UTC Everyday

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you would like to support me or read up to 20 chapters ahead, you can do ao via patreon.com/ChibiGiant. OR by unlocking chapters.