The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 54
Teatime for key figures in the Saleon faction.
Although the snacks were tempting, I sensed it wasn’t my place to intrude.
However, perhaps because I approached too boldly, their gazes turned to me.
“Ah…!”
Erina’s eyes widened upon seeing me. In contrast, Casper frowned, and Gilbert tilted his head.
‘Since they’ve noticed, there’s no helping it.’
I hurriedly sent Erina a look asking her to come find me later, and was about to leave pretending not to notice, but Erina, misunderstanding my gaze, cautiously invited me.
“Would you like to join us, Elaine? Father, would that be alright?”
“So suddenly? More importantly, Erina. Do you know this child?”
“Yes. He’s someone I’m acquainted with.”
“That’s interesting. Very well. You, what’s your name?”
It was clearly an uncomfortable situation, but my eyes were already fixed on the rich cookies on the table. How could there be such moist cookies?
I decided to close my eyes just this once and join them.
“I’m Ars Elaine. It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Gilbert.”
“Elaine? Elaine… Who was it?”
He soon clapped his hands and said, “Are you the Baron Elaine who was recently appointed as the lord of Rainpol?”
“Yes, Baron Elaine, Max, is my older brother.”
“Hmm.”
His expression changed. If it was the Elaine baronial family, they belonged to the Hellian faction.
However, they were still just a baronial family. Not knowing when they might switch factions, he welcomed rather than being wary.
“I’ve been curious about Rainpol too. Come, sit here.”
The only remaining chair was next to Erina. As I sat next to her, Casper’s face twitched.
“Switch seats with me.”
He said that as he stood up immediately, but Erina coldly dismissed him.
“There’s no need for that.”
“But Miss Erina…”
“Lord Elaine is a guest. Father also said he has questions. It’s not for you to dictate.”
“Ugh…”
Casper sat back down awkwardly.
I was busy eating snacks regardless.
Though I was disappointed that there weren’t many snacks left, Erina perceptively slid her plate of snacks towards me.
Seeing this, Gilbert gave Erina a look as if demanding an explanation.
Erina began to introduce me on my behalf. “Lord Elaine is a promising individual who ranked first at Rainpol Academy. That’s for both the general and officer courses combined.”
“Oh ho. But I hear there aren’t many students from Calliper there. It mustn’t have been difficult to rank first. He probably couldn’t have achieved the overall top rank at our Grancel Academy like Casper did.”
“That’s not true, Father. Lord Elaine spent his first year of middle school not in Rainpol, but in Julia, and he ranked first there too. I heard he was classmates with Lord Millias at that time. Moreover, he never lost the top rank even in elementary school, so he’s quite exceptional.”
“Is that true? That’s surprising. I thought Casper had consistently held the top rank.”
To this, Casper made an excuse. “I had to miss a lot of academy days due to private tutoring, so it couldn’t be helped.”
“Hmm. But Erina, how do you know so much about him?”
I was getting goosebumps too.
‘Is she a stalker or what?’
Seeing my appalled expression, Erina waved her hands. “Ah, no! I just heard about it from Joan!”
“From Joan? Why is Joan’s name coming up?”
“You don’t know, Father? Lord Elaine participated in the butler training at our mansion about two years ago. Joan conducted the training then.”
“Butler…? Ah, that did happen. At that time, surely…”
“Yes, there was a disrespectful group trying to kidnap me. Lord Elaine protected me then.”
“You mean the incident with Prince Eldric. Come to think of it, Father did mention that. There was a brave child who shielded you.”
“That’s right. That was Lord Elaine.”Erina smiled nostalgically. Feeling the atmosphere becoming strange, I quickly made an excuse.
“Brave? I was just busy running away.”
Gilbert shook his head.
“No, the fact that you’ve become such a fine officer cadet shows you had sufficient qualities. I’d like to thank you for that incident back then.”
“I’m at a loss for words.”
My stomach was somewhat full now. I was about to get up from my seat, but Gilbert started bombarding me with questions as if this was just the beginning.
“By the way, Elaine. I heard that gold mining has recently begun in Rainpol. Do you know anything about that?”
“Regarding that, I understand it’s been decided that Crossing will develop it. Our family has no involvement at all.”
“Tsk tsk, that Hellian fellow. To hand over such development rights to Crossing so easily…”
He began to probe me about the general affairs of Rainpol.
Rainpol had already surpassed a population of 300,000 in the process of mass immigration of people from Kuravel, becoming a proper mid-sized city.
As such, our family’s status was also gradually rising.
It seemed Gilbert was very interested in bringing our family into his faction.
“It was your father who chose the Hellian faction, so your older brother who inherited the title might think differently.”
“I’m not sure about that. My brother is such a clever person that it’s difficult for someone like me to read his thoughts.”
Gilbert’s eyes narrowed, as if he vaguely noticed that I was giving an evasive answer.
“Hmm, come to think of it. I’ve heard that Wade has been spotted frequently in Rainpol recently. What do you think about that?”
“Surely it must be a fake. The real Wade is here.”
It’s not a lie.
Because I’m here.
“Is that what you think? Well then…”
But that’s when it happened.
“You seem quite leisurely, Gilbert?”
It was Duke Hellian. Appearing with his entourage, he made no effort to hide his discomfort.
“What’s the matter, Regnat? I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interrupt my precious time with my daughter.”
“If that’s the case, why don’t you do it after you’ve finished your assigned tasks? His Majesty wants detailed survey data on the Madon territory. Wasn’t that… the work you said you’d complete by today?”
“About that…”
“No need to explain to me. You can report directly to His Majesty yourself. And…”
Hellian turns his gaze and says in a cold voice.
“Wade, you too. What exactly are you doing here right now?”
He was speaking while staring at Casper, but the warning was obviously directed at me.
Casper, thinking it was meant for him, stood up awkwardly, not knowing what to do.
“I-I’ll go back to training now.” Casper leaves the place hurriedly, as if escaping.
I tried to slip away discreetly, but Duke Hellian didn’t miss it.
“You over there, would you mind helping me for a moment? There’s something I’d like you to deliver to Ironheart.”
Of course, there was nothing he actually wanted to be delivered.
Once we were alone, Duke Hellian confronted me in a low voice.
“What was that just now! Are you trying to threaten me? Saying you might side with those guys?”
From his perspective, it must have looked extremely dangerous.
Gilbert and Erina were there, and even Casper. If I sided with them and the risk of pretending to be someone else disappeared, the Saleon faction would gain momentum.
“It’s not like that. I just happened to get some food.”
“Food?”
When I explained the dormitory’s meal situation, Duke Hellian held his head in his hands.
“Try to understand. There were many stupid kids who just transferred to the officer course. We’re conducting it harshly to correct their mindset.”
“Is it a screening process?”
“You could say that.”
In reality, over 50 students had already requested to return to the general course, unable to endure this lifestyle.
“Even so, it’s too cruel. You should increase the training intensity, but don’t mess with the food.”
“I understand. It’s been a week already, so I’ll tell them to ease up soon. If you have any specific food you want, just let me know. I’ll have my subordinates bring it in.”
“Oh, in that case…”
I recited the menu.
Duke Hellian chuckled in disbelief at the variety of the menu.
* * *
After the special training that lasted for half a month.
We finally took off our military uniforms, changed into civilian clothes, and entered the classroom to receive military science lessons.
I thought these military science classes would be old-fashioned, but that wasn’t the case.
It seemed the kingdom was intent on properly developing the officer cadets during this opportunity, as they had prepared a high-level curriculum.
“Greetings, gentlemen. I am Dunan Grimwood. Some of you may not know me personally, but I believe you’ve at least heard my name.”
Dunan Grimwood.
The number one figure in the military of the Calliper Kingdom and a powerful individual belonging to the 20 renowned military leaders of the continent.
Enthusiasts called him ‘Dunan of the Fierce Battle’.
“General Dunan himself is teaching the class?”
“Oh my. My heart suddenly started racing.”
The cadets buzzed with excitement at the appearance of the big shot.
Dorofei, Dunan’s son, was sighing with a gloomy face.
“Quiet down. I understand your surprise. There’s a good reason for this.”
Dunan then explained the unsettled international situation caused by consecutive wars.
“In that context, this class of officer cadets is very special.”
It’s because of admission to the Fensillon High Academy.
Fensillon Academy, located in Platon, the former capital of the Fensillon Empire, is at the pinnacle of higher education institutions.
This academy is a neutral zone not affiliated with any kingdom, with the characteristic of each kingdom sending students there.
Selected students get to spend their 2nd and 3rd years of high school at Fensillon Academy.
“You must not be outdone by those from other kingdoms. Try to win even in the smallest things. Prove that you are the most excellent.”
As the political situation was turbulent, there was a battle of wills between kingdoms even in these small aspects. It is said that the cadets are direct subjects of comparison since they are talents who will go to the battlefield.
So to cultivate the skills of the cadets, Dunan, the top expert in the military, took up teaching himself.
“Still, I’m not too worried. That’s because you guys are now being called the golden generation of Calliper.”
As he said this, Dunan gazed intently at Ruan Chase, Casper Millias, and me.
The military science class began in earnest.
Dunan described practical situations and demanded answers from the cadets.
“The battle in this Periton swamp was particularly harsh. The enemy tightened their encirclement using their numerical superiority, and our supplies kept running low. In the midst of this, the worst misfortune occurs for our army. What do you think it was? Dorofei Grimwood. Tell me.”
“Me, me…?”
“Who else is there?”
“Well… Did reinforcements arrive for the enemy?”
“Wrong. Didn’t I say that the frontline was fixed and reinforcements couldn’t come for us or the enemy!”
“Ugh….”
Dunan thundered. It seems he’s being harsher because it’s his own son, to avoid suspicions of favoritism.
“Next, Ruan Chase. You tell me.”
“…I don’t know.”
“Good attitude to admit you don’t know. Much better than pretending to know. Next, Casper Millias!”
Casper wracked his brains and then, “Could there have been a dramatic change in the terrain? I’ve heard that the natural environment is particularly harsh in the Periton swamp.”
“Hmm, it’s abstract, but close.”
Then, here and there, exclamations of ‘As expected of Wade…’ ‘That’s amazing’, were heard.
It would have been nice if he had just accepted that as the correct answer, but Dunan insisted on turning to me.
“Ars Elaine. You tell me.”
“What a bother…”
“What did you say?”
“It’s nothing. If there’s an event that could be described as the worst misfortune in that battle situation, it would be a problem with the supplies, right? As you said, if there was a standoff in the Periton swamp from May to June, it overlaps with the period when the Periton eating bugs are active as adults. These eating bugs, when they’re larvae, use their small bodies to burrow into places where there’s food, and after a certain period, they grow into adults and eat up all the food there. I think there was damage to the supplies because of that.”
“That’s exactly right.”
Exclamations of amazement flowed from here and there.
I was evaluated as one of the most skilled among my peers.
It’s because I ranked first during my time at Julia Academy, and I’m also at the top at Rainpol Academy, so rumors were bound to spread.
Among male cadets, I was considered third after Casper and Ruan.
Dunan wrote something on what looked like a scoring sheet and continued speaking. “We, unfamiliar with the local geography, failed in managing supplies. So, before the supplies ran out, we quickly broke through one point of the encirclement and escaped. But this became an unexpected variable that allowed us to catch the enemy off guard. Thanks to the bugs, we were able to catch an opportune moment for attack. We thought they were damn bugs, but they turned out to be lovely creatures. My adjutant, Gerald, even bowed naked to the bugs.”
Hahaha! Laughter passed through the classroom.
I thought it would be stiff, but it was unexpectedly a witty lesson.
“Such random elements can occur on the battlefield. And we must be able to control even these aspects. After this battle, at least in the units I commanded, supplies were never eaten by bugs again. Well done. Sit down.”
“Yes, sir.”
As I sat down, gazes from here and there pierced me.
Among them, some female cadets looked at me as if they wanted to devour me, so I had to cover my face by resting my chin on my hand.
Afterwards, Dunan kept throwing questions at me, trying to probe.
Because of this, the attention on me had become quite high.
After the class, some cadets gathered around me, most of them female cadets. And they were commoners.
“Sir Ars. Could you spare a moment? We’d like to discuss the contents of the class…”
“You can call me comfortably. I’m just a low-ranking noble anyway.”
“Then… Ars?”
This is why they cling to me like this. It’s the same context as when maids showed interest in me during my butler training.
Due to the law that states if the father is a noble, his child becomes a noble too, low-ranking male nobles were popular among commoners.
There were so many benefits to having a noble title that there were even cases of strategic marriages.
Of course, it was highly despised among nobles who adhered to pure-bloodism.
“…Hmph. Lowly creatures.”
This was also why Casper was giving me a look of contempt.
I wonder what expression that guy would make if he knew I had royal blood.
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.