01x06 - The Wise Man Never Forsaketh an Advantage

[bunniefuu]

The Elfrieden Kingdom's

military is said to be

made up of a total of 100,000 personnel.

There are 40,000 in the Army

led by Duke Georg Carmine.

There are 10,000 in the Navy

led by Duchess Excel Walter.

There are 1,000 in the Air Force

led by Duke Castor Vargas.

However, one wyvern knight is said to

be equal to 100 Army soldiers.

The king's personal unit led by

the Royal Guard plus the private armies

of the nobles other than the three duchies

make up the 40,000 strong

Forbidden Army.

Mercenary State Zem's mercenary units

dispatched as per our service contract

also fall under the Forbidden Army,

but we've terminated

that contract already.

The reason being,

mercenaries are bound by profit,

so when they're offered a bigger profit,

they will readily switch sides.

Military power that has

no loyalty to their monarch

is nothing but harmful.

FORBIDDEN ARMY

The Forbidden Army is smaller

than the armies of the three duchies

due to this country's philosophy.

This country originally began

as a place where various races

came together.

The majority of the population was human,

so a human became the king.

But to protect the rights

of the other races,

the leaders of the three armies

managing the land, sea, and air

must be chosen from other races.

In the event that a human tyrant starts

oppressing other races, the three duchies

are prepared to resist the Forbidden Army

with an overpowering force.

At first glance,

it seems to be a good system.

But a system with multiple

decision-making bodies

is quite inconvenient when it's a nation.

In fact,

I reached out to them about the reforms,

but for some reason all three duchies

are staying silent.

While all of this is going on,

I was somewhat enjoying

the day off which was

forcefully given to me.

ORIGINAL STORY BY DOJYOMARU

No!

You mustn't, Hal!

Why don't you understand?!

Those ears…

Is she a mystic wolf like Tomoe?

No, she's a mystic fox.

You can tell by her tail.

That is a fox tail.

It… is?

If you mistake mystic wolves

and mystic foxes,

you will get in trouble with both.

I see.

This world is so confusing.

Oh, I know him.

That guy is Halbert Magna.

Is he an acquaintance?

He's the eldest son

of the prestigious Magna family.

In the military academy

he was a cut above the rest

in terms of one-on-one combat.

I'll have to see about that.

Hey, you don't have to

compete with everyone.

After graduating,

he was assigned to the Army.

Why is he in the capital?

What about the girl?

I don't know.

She is Kaede Foxia.

She's a regular here.

I believe she said she was

a mage in the Forbidden Army.

Please, Hal.

You cannot go

to the Carmine Duchy right now.

Duke Carmine is at odds with the new king.

In the worst-case scenario,

it could start a civil w*r.

That's exactly why I'm going.

If a w*r is going to start,

it's a chance to get ahead.

Hal, you're underestimating w*r.

Your father

was worried about you.

That's why he brought you back.

Dad has nothing to do with it.

He's served Duke Carmine for so long,

but as soon as the duke resisted the king,

he got scared of getting dragged in

and ran to the capital like a coward.

I don't have to listen to him.

Your father understands

that Duke Carmine has

no good cause to be cooped up

in his territory

and ignoring the king's call.

Duke Carmine is acting strange lately.

Fighting among ourselves

will only benefit our surrounding nations.

The Principality of Amidonia

wants to get back the land that was

taken by Elfrieden two kings ago.

Since most of their land is frozen,

the Republic of Turgis wants

fertile land and ports that don't freeze.

If civil w*r breaks out,

they will intervene for sure.

There's no way Duke Carmine

is not aware of all of this…

First, let's go over

our neighboring nations.

We are located in the southeastern

side of the continent and are touching

the Union of Eastern Nations to the north,

the Principality of Amidonia to the west,

and the Republic of Turgis

to the southwest.

And across the sea,

the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union

is to our east.

And to the west

of the Principality of Amidonia

is the Mercenary State Zem.

Among those,

zero are on friendly terms with us.

Four are neutral.

One is hostile.

Who knew we were so isolated.

In these turbulent times caused by

the expanding Demon Lord's Domain,

this is quite normal.

Nowadays, all of the nations

are suspicious of each other.

You'll only find friendly

relations between a suzerain state

and its tributary state.

So, is the hostile nation Amidonia?

Or Zem? Or Turgis?

First of all, it is not Zem.

Of course, the fact that we terminated

their service contract

didn't leave a good impression.

But it won't go as far as being hostile.

Although, if our rival Amidonia

requests backup,

they may dispatch mercenaries.

They can get back at us

while doing their job, huh?

During winter, Turgis becomes

covered in snow and ice.

So from a geopolitical standpoint,

they're focused on northward expansion.

Northward?

Oh right, in this world,

it gets warmer as you go north.

I'm sure they're keeping an eye out

for opportunities.

But that means, as long as you don't

give them an opportunity,

they won't take decisive action.

So we're left with Amidonia, huh?

They offered us assistance, didn't they?

Yes. "The stability of Elfrieden,

our neighbor,

is directly related to

our national defense.

Upon request, we will send reinforcements

to subdue the three duchies."

That was their offer.

And I'm sure they said something similar

to the three duchies as well.

Something like, "Let's defeat Souma,

the false king who usurped the throne."

It's obvious that

they want to exploit the rift

between us and expand their territory.

They will enter our territory under

the pretense of sending reinforcements

and occupy a few cities.

Whether those reinforcements

are for the king or the duchies

will depend on which side

is more favorable at that moment.

And they'll find

some kind of excuse to gain

effective control over the occupied cities

and make them their own.

It's a typical tactic,

but it works to some extent.

What a headache.

Well, I'm sure the three duchies

can see Amidonia's motives.

Just because they don't like me,

they wouldn't let Amidonia

take advantage of them, right?

I hope so.

Then why…

Why would he unnecessarily

oppose the king while

our neighboring countries

are lying in wait?

What is he thinking?

That's what I'm wondering…

We're talking about Duke Carmine here.

He must have his reasons.

You're trying to side

with Duke Carmine even though

you don't know what those reasons are?

Many nobles have already given up

on the king and have gathered

under Duke Carmine with their forces.

Most of those nobles

are people who are unhappy about having

their injustices exposed

and personal assets seized.

I highly doubt Duke Carmine has

a just cause for

harboring people like that.

That's… well…

Please, Hal.

Don't go to Duke Carmine's place.

Placing yourself among the people

who are defying the king is dangerous.

A shady little punk like that

has got nothing against

the battle-tested Duke Carmine--

You've misjudged him!

I can tell… That man is scary.

Why do you think that?

In the military, you prioritize

the quality of the soldiers and supplies.

It's the same for a nation.

That's why he did a wide search for talent

and worked on the food…

Um… What is this about?

Did you perhaps come here to arrest Hal

for his rebellious attitude?

It's a misunderstanding!

Hal is just a little dumb.

He can't possibly rebel.

No, that's not it.

Then why are you here?

I suddenly got a day off,

so I just stopped by Juna's café.

Oh, is that right?

Are you Kaede's friend?

No, I'm not.

Then why are you butting in?

Now, now, Hal!

Shut up!

You stay out of this!

Hey, you don't have to yell at her.

She's a girl, you know.

Shut up. Whose fault do you think it is--

Aisha, it's fine.

Damn it! Who are you?

I may never get another chance like this.

Maybe I'll say that famous line.

Halbert, did you forget my face?

What? No way… Your Majesty?!

I guess he's not the type to say,

"There's no way the king would be here."

Kaede, you knew?

Then why didn't you tell me?

Your name is Halbert, right?

Do you plan on siding with Duke Carmine?

That… is…

I don't plan on reprimanding you.

Just as a ruler chooses

which officers to appoint,

I believe officers have the right

to choose which ruler to serve.

What is your relationship with Halbert?

-We're childhood friends.

-Yeah.

Childhood friends, huh?

Halbert, as I said earlier,

I won't stop you from

siding with the three duchies.

But when the three duchies

and I part ways for good,

you two will be on opposing sides.

Do you understand that?

I heard that she is a mage

in the Forbidden Army.

Which means she's in a unit

that is directly under my order.

When you meet on the b*ttlefield,

will you be able to raise your sword

against her, as her enemy?

Even if you don't k*ll her personally,

people fighting alongside you

may take her life.

In the middle of a battle,

even if you see that

her life is in danger,

you are not allowed to help her

since you belong to the enemy force.

Halbert Magna,

the path you are about to choose

will possibly lead to a future like that.

Before you make a rash decision

based on a rush of emotions,

try to remember

what it was that you desired.

What was it for and who was it for?

What was it for… Who was it for…

REPUBLIC OF TURGIS

TOMOE INUI

She said she'd take a quick break

but she fell asleep

the moment she lay down.

I bet she's having a nice dream.

Hey, Souma…

Back there, you were trying to

convince Halbert, right?

You didn't mince your words

because you didn't want them to get hurt.

I guess.

All I did was tell him

what may realistically happen.

Do you want to sleep on my lap?

What? Why?

What do you mean?

This is supposed to be a date, right?

Well then, I'll take you up on that.

I wonder if we look engaged now?

Although it's in name only.

In name only…

You don't have to worry about that.

I am just borrowing the throne for now.

In a few years,

I won't be the king anymore.

Souma, do you not want me as a fiancée?

Asking that isn't fair.

Really?

Well then, are you okay with me

being your fiancé?

I don't mind.

Y… You know,

I feel like you are more

fit to be a king than me.

Just because he's fit to be a king,

you'd get engaged

to someone you don't even like?

That's how royal families work.

I'm not part of the royal family. Plus,

I prefer marrying for love.

Then do you dislike me?

Will you never fall in love with me?

Um…

How long must I pretend to be asleep?

How's that? It's great, isn't it?

You're moving that

using your Living Poltergeist, right?

I guess I used it enough to level up,

so now I can separate my consciousness

and manipulate four things.

I see,

but is it necessary to use it

on something like this?

Your Majesty.

The head of the Magna family,

Glaive Magna,

along with his son, Halbert,

and a mage from the Forbidden Army,

Kaede Foxia,

is requesting an audience with you.

You may look up, all of you.

Yes, Your Majesty!

Halbert,

you look so much more handsome like that.

I beg for your forgiveness

regarding my son's misconduct!

By misconduct,

are you talking about yesterday?

I heard the details from Kaede.

Not only did he insult the king,

but he even declared to side with

the three duchies.

It is unacceptable!

There is good reason for your anger.

But please let me pay for his sins,

for I am the one who

did not bring him up right.

According to that reasoning,

I am also to blame for making

an officer of mine say such things.

I'm not going to punish him.

Your Majesty…

Plus,

it appears that he already got

what he deserved.

I am so grateful for your gracious words.

Once we return to our mansion,

I will waste no time in

teaching my son a lesson myself!

Well… don't overdo it…

Besides,

if Halbert's face gets any more messed up…

I mean, any more handsome,

that would make Kaede sad.

Let's see…

I was thinking about doing it soon,

but since we're all here,

I'll get it over with now.

Forbidden Army mage, Kaede Foxia.

Yes, sir.

Your talent

is too good to be kept as a mere mage.

I appoint you as a staff officer

for Captain Ludwin of the Royal Guard.

Yes, sir.

A… A staff officer?

Prioritizing the quality of workers

and supplies.

You said that yesterday at Lorelei.

I think we can get along.

I am honored.

And Halbert Magna.

I transfer you from the Army

to the Forbidden Army.

Me? In the Forbidden Army?

Yes. You will become Kaede's adjutant.

Stay by her side and assist her. Got that?

Yes, Your Majesty.

All right then…

Your Majesty.

I hate to take up more of your time,

but there is one more thing

I would like to tell you.

What is it? Go ahead and say it.

Well…

It's not something I would like

many people to know about.

May we speak in private?

So, what did you want to talk about?

Yes…

Thank you.

It's an honor to be invited for tea

by you, Princess Liscia.

It'll be boring to wait and do nothing

until Glaive is done anyway.

Let's chat over some tea.

That is a good idea.

Why not take this chance

and ask them for tips on how

a young and intimate couple

can strengthen their relationship

on a day-to-day basis?

I believe it will be

very helpful for you, Princess Liscia.

Serina!

Well then, if I may--

You don't have to take her seriously!

What do you want me to do

by your telling me about this?

Nothing.

I just wanted you to know about this fact.

That is heavy…