The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 114
Prepared Work, Forgotten Land (1)
The northern lands are months removed from a massive barbarian raid.
Even though the Sun Knights and the royal family were able to prevent the country from being trampled with quick help, the damage was not completely non-existent.
On the contrary, the scale of the initial attack was on a different level than in previous years, so the damage was enormous.
But in the meantime, recovery has been progressing steadily.
The northern settlers gradually regained their land and were now able to lead normal lives.
Of course, this would have been possible because there was royal support, but above all, it would have been difficult without proper leadership.
And the one in charge of all this command was the Romert family, which held the status of count.
“We have enough supplies now.”
The young man, the grandson of the Duke of Chang, spoke.
He was working on behalf of the Romert family to help repair the damage in the north.
Although his vassals might not have trusted him with such a big job at such a young age, there was no complaint about the Count’s words that he was better than other northern lords.
But it was not in vain that he said he was better, for he made full use of his abilities and successfully led the recovery of the North.
It was impossible for a puppy to fly under a lion.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
The old count nodded and received the report.
“And, did you tell the other lords about this?”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
“Now all we have to do is check our troops and watch for barbarian raids.”
The expression on the Duke’s face relaxed significantly.
In particular, the border area suffered such severe damage that it could be called catastrophic, but it was fortunate that even that had been restored.
“But you shouldn’t let your guard down like this. You should be prepared. You should be able to move at any time.”
“Are you telling me to wait until he contacts me?”
“Okay. You’ll hear from me soon.”
Count Romert had one wish for a long time.
I hope that Esteban’s lands will no longer be threatened by barbarian attacks.
… … that impossible but ideal wish.
That’s why I clearly remembered ‘that’ message that the first prince had sent me someday.
So that I can follow his will at any time and any place. So that I can run towards hope without any delay.
“hmm?”
That was the moment.
As he continued his conversation with his grandson, he looked out the window and a familiar carriage began to appear.
“… … I guess I won’t have to wait long.”
“yes?”
A faint smile appeared on the lips of the muttering Count.
It was a smile so faint that it was barely visible, but the grandson could sense it.
“The time has finally come.”
“I see.”
Flutter-!
The thick cloak of the changeling count followed his movements. It was a step to welcome a guest from the palace.
“We must inform the people who are leaving immediately and prepare them. Time is of the essence, so move as quickly as possible.”
“All right.”
As his grandson bowed his head, the faint smile on the Count’s lips disappeared.
And what remained was an infinitely serious look in his eyes.
Just like when I defended the walls with the Knights of the Sun.
* * *
“Your Majesty, I have an urgent message!”
Such urgent action was by no means common, especially when it took place in the King’s office.
The king put down the document he was reading and answered at the voice of the nobleman who had come in hurriedly.
“Marquis Walter, what is it?”
“I have heard that the soldiers in the North are starting to arm themselves and prepare for war! It must be true, judging by the requests for supplies!”
“North. That must mean north of Esteban.”
“Yes, that’s right!”
Of course, it was possible that the North, which had some control over the operation of troops, would increase its military strength.
The threat of barbarians was always lurking, and the troops in the north were always insufficient.
But the story of gathering supplies and preparing for war was different.
“The barbarian raids have probably decreased due to the war with the Federation Empire! And the North should be working on recovering from the damage, so why are you raising troops?”
There must be a reason. There is no reason to raise troops without a reason.
But why now?
It’s like… … a rebellion… … .
“I checked to see if there was any news, but there was no communication from the north.”
“I see.”
But the King’s expression, which was still somber, did not change.
“I guess that means preparations are already complete.”
“……yes?”
Suddenly, the Marquis’ expression turned blank as he heard such an incomprehensible answer. Thinking about it, it wouldn’t have been strange if he had sent a message to the north a long time ago.
But the king did not do so. Rather, he believed that there must be some reason for his actions, and unconsciously indulged himself in guesses.
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This series of events was a very familiar flow that had been seen so often.
dripping-
That was when.
The King and the Marquis turned their heads at the sound of a knock on the office door.
The king asked softly in a low voice.
“Who is it?”
“I’m going.”
“hmm.”
It usually takes time to figure out who is saying ‘I’m going to do it’.
However, there were only certain people who could say that to the king of a country.
‘Have you heard the news, His Majesty the Prince? …!’
You must have come here to talk about that.
The Marquis was delighted to hear permission for an audience from the King’s mouth. However, he couldn’t help but harden his eyes at the sight of someone behind that familiar face.
“You?”
It was a familiar, yet very rare face.
Old, but firmly closed lips. A long, white beard.
Surprisingly, he, who should not be in the capital, was entering this place with the First Prince.
“Greetings to His Majesty the King, the beacon of all knights and the leader of the Kingdom of Esteban.”
“… …Count Romert.”
A great lord in the north who confronts the barbarians head-on.
And he was the main character of this northern troop deployment commotion and the man leading the northern recovery effort.
* * *
‘That’s a good thing.’
I nodded, looking at the Marquis in my father’s office.
War and supplies. And budget were inseparable. My plan also needed a sufficient budget, so if he was there, the story would be quick.
“As you may have heard, the northern soldiers are ready to go.”
“Not yet. We are not ready for distribution at this time.”
“It’s not too late to do it later.”
Step by step – step by step –
“Because we have the power of the Archmage.”
“hmm!”
His father’s deep, deep voice echoed in the office. The Marquis’s mind only came back after that.
However, he looked dumbfounded, perhaps because he had not yet grasped the situation.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty? What are you talking about all of a sudden, about expeditions and supplies?”
“The soldiers will march north.”
“……yes?”
“Esteban means to send a second expedition to the land of the barbarians.”
“… … !”
The Marquis’s body froze.
I can confidently say that it was a story I had never heard before.
The look in his eyes as he looked at his father seemed to be asking for an explanation, but his father, too, seemed to pay no attention.
Chook-!
Of course, I don’t care either.
I left that question aside and opened the map. There were already tiny lines drawn in a row on the map.
I’m sure my father already knew what it meant, but it felt necessary to mention it at least once.
“This is the route of the northern expedition that took place last summer.”
“We split into advance and retreat groups to see as many places as possible, although it was limited.”
“Yes.”
I nodded and continued.
“We have already figured out the internal structure of the barbarian lands. Also, as expected, the Federal Empire’s defense line has been breached by the barbarians.”
“I guess that means now is a great opportunity.”
“Yes, if that is added to the experience gained from the previous raids, things will be different from last year.”
“But it’s not easy to distribute it using space travel. Even if you’re a great wizard, you wouldn’t be able to handle that much.”
My father’s sharp question permeated the conversation.
The amount of items that could be sent via teleportation was limited. Also, the amount of mana that could be used was limited, so it was impossible to supply it indefinitely.
Ultimately, this is not a problem that can be solved in a day or two.
And the answer to that came not from me, but from an aged voice.
“That’s not a problem. Most of the supplies are already prepared in the North.”
“… … Are you saying that it was already prepared in the North?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It was several months ago.”
“her.”
My eyes, curved curiously, looked straight at my father.
The second expeditionary force, the plans to send it had been piling up for a long time.
Because I wasn’t satisfied with just saving a dwarf.
“Okay, just wait a minute!”
At that moment, the Marquis, who was sweating profusely, jumped up from his seat and looked at me.
“An expeditionary force… … Where on earth has something like this happened so suddenly? I can never remember hearing about it!”
“It’s not sudden at all. I’ve already discussed it with my father.”
“Ha, isn’t that even stranger?!”
It was an expeditionary force that went into the land of the barbarians. It was clear that this was a topic that should have been discussed first with the royal family, more than anywhere else.
But I smiled and answered, as if to tell her not to worry.
“The Northern forces are given discretion in their operation. Even if it is an expeditionary force, it will proceed only with the Northern forces, so there is no problem, and there is no reason to discuss it with the royal family.”
“Th, what is that… … .”
“To be exact, it means a battle between individuals in the Romert domain, not the royal expeditionary force.”
“… … !”
The Marquis’s eyes opened wide.
He seemed to be moving his lips again as if he had a lot to say, but no further rebuttal came out.
This was because there were no problems at all with the laws of the kingdom… … and the continent.
“The land of the barbarians is not a country recognized by the continent. It is only called ‘Forbidden’ because of its danger.”
“that…….”
Barbarians who forcibly occupy ownerless land.
There was no problem with invading that land, even if it was a subjugation on a territorial level.
The only reason they haven’t done so until now is because they were just too strong.
‘Well, it’s a kind of shortcut that takes advantage of special characteristics.’
Especially since it is the Romert territory bordering the barbarians, no one will say anything about invading that land.
Because it was an exploitation of the rights given to them.
… … But it was still not enough.
Without a clear and definite purpose, the expedition was nothing more than a self-destructive attempt.
Rather, it means that it may overshadow previous successes.
‘Well, it’s not like it has no value at all.’
I shrugged and drew a line on the map.
A single line extending northward from the border of Esteban, as if extending the territory of the country.
“… … Your Majesty, what is this?”
“This is where Esteban’s new territory will be.”
“Th, those words… … !”
The Marquis stammered, unable to hide his embarrassment.
On the contrary, my eyes were gradually becoming crescent-shaped.
Yes, this expedition will not bring about only half the success of the previous ones.
They would show movements that were truly worthy of the name of an expeditionary force, and would achieve more perfect results.
“We will expand Esteban’s territory and build a more secure defense line.”
That’s why I’ve been waiting for this day.
Now, a situation has arisen where no one can interfere with Esteban.
