Volume 12 Chapter 8 Margrave South District Military Leadership Conference
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
*Garvey’s perspective
After the General won the Beast King martial arts tournament at the Garuda Clan festival, he announced the big monster hunt called ‘Southern Expedition’ in an interview.
The Margrave South District army quickly became busy with this.
Right now, there are no conflicts with neighboring countries, and internal security is good. The army was recovering from the damage it took in the Gertroud war.
Even soldiers seen as low-level in the Capital are treated with respect by the people of the South District.
The high wages of the Margrave South District army are known all over the continent, and recruits from everywhere are rushing to Abyss Vena like a flood.
Because of that, the recent Officer recruitment test had an unbelievable 20 times more applicants than usual.
But there’s a hidden reason.
Kondrad, who recently returned to the South District after a long time, was complaining that nobles who had their military ranks taken away wanted to join the army.
The people seeking jobs in the Capital are poor quality, mostly useless as officers.
Kondrad said he would only recruit officers in Abyss Vena, so those nobles all tried to become male officers, making the numbers rise.
The male officer exam had a first round with written tests on social knowledge and war history.
The those who passed did a practical test, leading a squad in a mock combat.
The final third exam was a interview attended by Chancellor Lila and me.
About 200 people applied, but only around 10 made it through the final interview.
The ten men who passed the Officer recruitment test are on the fast track in the Margrave South District army.
If they don’t make any big mistakes, they should become Warlord-class in a few years.
Meanwhile, many women Officers were also being added.
They were graduates of the General’s Private Hunting Group, Red Valkyrie, who passed the suitability tests.
Each of them had leadership qualities, and they finished basic training and were hired as immediate assets.
With both men and women becoming Officers, the Margrave South District army began training for the southern expedition.
Also, the rearrangement of the True Demon Kingdom army was progressing well.
I heard from the General that Kondrad’s army stationed in the Capital City would return after leaving a guard for the ambassador.
It seems they wanted the strongest formation for the main force in the southern expedition, so I heard he pleaded with his father-in-law, Sergeant Arbalest, for Kondrad’s return.
I have confidence in base defense but not so much in offensive command, so having Kondrad around was really reassuring.
”You… Ahem… Excuse me, Your Excellency Garvey.”
Someone called out to me as I was lost in thought in the commander’s room.
Turning to the voice, I saw Mira Elanbit, my concubine and Secretary.
She was taking care of the pregnant Marguerite, managing my night needs, and even helping with the desk work that I struggled with.
”Is that you, Mira? What’s wrong?”
”Sir Fristoph from the security forces, Lady Ane from the Cavalry, and Lady Charlotte, along with Grand Marshal of Strategy Alfonso, are requesting a meeting.”
When I heard that the leaders of the Margrave South District army’s organizations came to meet, I thought they were here to confirm the roles of each organization in the southern expedition.
”I see… The General only gave us a rough outline of the operation, but that’s just fine. Let’s have a strategic meeting, everyone. Mira, sorry to you, but could you set up the conference room with the materials?”
”Understood. I’ll lead everyone to the conference room.”
Mira gave a nod and then closed the door, leaving.
”A large-scale monster hunt in the Southern Region… The question is how far we should expand the range… I’d better at least put together a draft strategy before Conrad returns, or he’ll probably give me an earful.”
I quickly dressed in my military uniform and left the room, heading for the conference room.
* * *
Upon arriving at the conference room, I found that Mira had already distributed the materials with the General’s rough operation plan to everyone, and they were all engrossed in the contents.
”Lord Garvey… Does His Lordship intend to completely exterminate the monsters up to the Nirei River? Hunting monsters over such a large area will take considerable time and cost…”
The leader of the Training Corps, Akebus, was surprised by the content of the materials.
I too was taken aback when I first saw it, wondering if the General had mentioned it.
But the materials stated that the Blackdagger family would be investing a significant amount of funds into this large-scale monster hunt, and with their wealth, it seemed like a feasible plan.
”The General said he’d take care of the funding… With that, there shouldn’t be anything we can’t do, right?”
”But… To completely drive out the monsters up to the Nirei River region will be quite challenging. And the most difficult part will be building the new fortress. We’ll need a huge workforce to construct it at the intersection of the road from Godard to Felward fortress and the Nirei River.”
Fristoph, who leads the security team, also furrowed his brows as he looked at the materials.
He probably wouldn’t want to mobilize his people to the Southern Region where monsters roam.
”As Fristoph said, it’s already a hassle to transport supplies to that location, and adding the construction of the fortress on top of that… Even with His Lordship’s financial support, we might not be able to gather enough laborers…”
Akebus was also deeply engrossed in the materials for a moment, but then he shook his head slightly and tossed them onto the table.
”But, we cannot stop Lord Kent’s plan, can we? I say this as a guest general, but I plan to gain glory in this southern campaign and receive new lands. Plus, no one can say no. I believe everyone here has benefited greatly from Lord Kent’s kindness…”
Charlotte crossed her arms and stared at the meeting participants.
Just as she said, everyone present had received their wealth and position from the General, who rarely gives instructions.
It’s hard to believe anyone would reject the Southern Campaign orders from the General.
”Indeed, it’s rare for His Excellency Kent to give orders for war, which means this is a goal he is very determined to achieve… Considering the newly developed villages in the Southern Region and the rapid population growth in the South District, it seems he feels the need to expand the living area.”
Ane whispered her thoughts about the General’s mind.
”However, even if we can defeat the monsters, how will we build a fort in a faraway place…”
Akebus frowned while still crossing his arms.
Just then, someone knocked on the meeting room door.
Everyone turned to watch the door.
When Mira opened the door, there stood Marietta, who was directly assigned by the General to command the supply unit.
”Ah, Lady Marietta… You would know just how serious the Lord is about this southern campaign.”
Akebus shot a question at Marietta as she entered the meeting room.
”Sir Kent is serious. He plans to strengthen the Nirei River as a second great defense line. It seems he aims to use this southern campaign as a stepping stone for that.”
Marietta sat on the chair Mira prepared and looked at the documents.
”And about the fort planned to be the forward base for hunting, I was just called and given some outrageous instructions.”
Marietta clearly said she already got instructions from the General about fixing the fort, and both Akebus and Fristoph’s faces changed quickly.
”Did you really get instructions from the Lord? And what kind of method is it?”
Akebus asked Marietta with great curiosity.
I was also thinking about how to build a fort near the Nirei River, where many monsters wander, but the only idea I had was to slowly build the fort while fighting off the approaching monsters.
However, this method would take months or even half a year to finish the fort, and considering the army we’d need to hold back the monsters, the costs would be huge.
But if the General had given instructions on another method, we had no choice but to follow it, so I was just as curious as Akebus about what instructions Marietta received from the General.
”Ah, when I heard Sir Kent’s instructions, I couldn’t believe my ears, but after thinking about it, I realized it would be cheaper.”
”What instructions did the General give?”
”Yes, we will reinforce the supply train wagons with iron plates, escort them to the construction site with the army, unload the construction materials and food, and then stack the empty wagons in a circle. By filling them with earth, we can complete the outer walls in one day without any foundation work. Once the outer wall is done, we can take our time finishing the interior.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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