Chapter 57 Western Command Office II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Alfred, who had received the message, immediately stopped working and headed to one of the rooms in the Western Command Office. It was just 3 rooms away from his desk, though.
He stood in front of the door to the room, glanced up at it, and saw the words “Room of the Director” written on it. After tidying up his hair and clothes, Alfred took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
”Who is it?”
A man’s voice with a hint of roughness came from the other side of the door.
Director of the Administrative Office, Vajiza. He was a genius in politics.
As the crown prince, Alfred had received exceptional education from a young age to prepare him to become the emperor. This education included politics.
This was based on the principle of Hulnerian I, the last king of the Kingdom of Ravendora and the first emperor. Born as the third son, Hulnerian I had no connection to the throne and worked as a government official. However, after his older brothers died from an epidemic, he unexpectedly became the king.
With his experience, he believed that “you can’t govern without knowing the work of government officials, who are the foundation of the empire.” This became the principle of the Ravendora Empire, where the future emperor would work as a government official before ascending to the throne.
That’s why Alfred, too, had started working in politics a few years ago, earlier than usual. He felt that Director Vajiza’s exceptional abilities surpassed those of even the top 3 government officials in the feudal kingdom.
The Western Supervision Office has been entrusted with the governance of the entire Western region. As a result, Lucia, who was previously in charge of the governance office in the old capital, has taken over the role, but the form of governance is completely different from before. That’s because the role of the Head of the Office is essentially the same as that of a governor, and if you include the delegated authority, it’s even higher than that–you could even say it’s on the level of a lord.
”Alfred here.”
After saying his name, there was a pause of a few seconds.
”…Enter.”
”Excuse me.”
Vajiza didn’t move, still staring at the documents, even after Alfred entered. This is a rule that exists in the empire: you must wait for the superior to speak first. Although it’s rare for the Crown Prince Alfred to be on the receiving end of etiquette, in this situation, Alfred is the inferior.
Alfred stood at the door, waiting for about 3 minutes, before Vajiza’s gaze, sans monocle, turned to him.
”I have a question, so I called you.”
”Yes.”
”Take a look at this map.”
Vajiza pointed to the map on the desk, and Alfred walked over to take a look. It was immediately clear that it was a map of the Western Region.
The map spread out on the desk wasn’t a full map of the region, but a zoomed-in version of a specific area, with the name “Es-Cara Fortress” in one corner, indicating that it was a map of the Western border region.
But what surprised Alfred was the level of precision. The shapes of the mountains and forests, the routes of the city roads, and the locations of the rural areas and cities were all accurately recorded, as if a bird’s-eye view of the landscape had been directly transcribed onto paper.
”…This is the Western border, isn’t it? Amazing map.”
And just as Alfred was about to express his admiration for Babellion’s technical prowess…
”Yes, that’s correct.”
When Alfred was suddenly spoken to from behind, he let out a loud shriek and jumped up in surprise. As he turned around, feeling embarrassed, a monster’s figure came into view.
The monster was covered from head to toe in a black robe, making it impossible to see its body shape. However, its body was tall and slender. A raven-like mask peeked out from the deep hood of the robe, which was all black with no other colors.
There was almost no information to be gathered from the monster, but its voice hinted that it was likely a woman.
”My name is Cloris. I work in the Intelligence Department.”
”I’m Alfred. Nice to meet you.”
The black-clad monster, Cloris, bowed her head slightly, and Alfred hastily returned the bow.
”So, Cloris-dono, please explain to Alfred.”
”Yes, Alfred-san. I have a question for you.”
Cloris pointed to a spot on the map with her black leather-gloved finger.
”There’s a castle at this location on the map.”
”A castle, here…?”
”It’s actually an abandoned castle. I have a picture of it.”
Cloris took out a piece of paper from her pocket and placed it on top of the map. The paper showed a half-ruined castle, blending into the surrounding trees.
Alfred had never seen this abandoned castle before, but the location pointed out by Cloris reminded him of only one place.
”This is the old Suals Fortress.”
”You should continue explaining.”
”Yes. The old Suals Fortress was established 3 hundred years ago, and it was an important fortress that protected the national border back then. However, with the Western Region being pacified under the Empire’s rule, its role came to an end, and around the same time the Es-Kara Fortress was built, it was abandoned about a hundred years ago.”
Alfred spoke as requested, providing the information he had. However, the old Suals Fortress was a long-forgotten castle, and it was not something that would be taken care of by Babellion now.
”The old Suals Fortress is…”
”I received information that this fortress is currently operational.”
Alfred’s eyes widened in confusion.
”I don’t know who the people are that are in this abandoned castle. But if they’re bandits, I’ll need to apply to have them eradicated.”
”…That’s a difficult thing to consider, isn’t it?”
Alfred shook his head with certainty.
”You should continue explaining.”
”Yes. There are mainly 2 types of bandits… those who are starving farmers who turn to thievery, and those who are former soldiers or mercenaries who become thieves.”
Alfred began to share his thoughts with Cloris and Vajiza.
”Firstly, this Western Region is a fertile and abundant land. Therefore, it’s unlikely that farmers would starve.”
Unlike the northern regions with many mountains and heavy snowfall, the Western Region had a mild climate, flat land, and was suitable for agriculture, making it an extremely rich land. As a result, customs like mouth-shrinking or abandoning the elderly didn’t exist.
”I’m sure that in the past, this Western Region was a fertile land that people fought over nonstop. However, after the empire pacified the area about a hundred years ago, the Es-Kara Fortress was built, and there haven’t been any wars since then.”
There are no defeated soldiers or mercenaries in a land without war. In other words, it’s unlikely for bandits to emerge in the Western Region.
”There’s a big city road that runs through this Western Region. I can’t guarantee that bandits won’t target merchants traveling on that road. However, since my sister Lucia led an elite unit and became the governor of the old capital, the public order in Western Region has improved even further. So, it’s unlikely that a bandit gang would settle down in an old castle like this.”
”What do you think is the true identity of the thing that’s nesting here?”
This question didn’t come from Cloris, but from Vajiza.
Vajiza’s yellow eyes fixed on Alfred, as if appraising him. Alfred quickly understood that Vajiza was testing his abilities.
From Vajiza’s standpoint, there was no need to ask Alfred for his opinion. If Alfred had the ability to create a precise map like the one in front of him, he could easily deduce the answer to that question.
However, even Father King Fredlin I before and the head of the office had asked Alfred questions like this. The reason was that they were measuring Alfred’s abilities based on the kind of answer he would give.
”The first thing that comes to mind is a group of Goblins or other monsters, but…”
But Alfred swallowed his words halfway. This was because he realized that Babellion was a country of monsters.
”Continue.”
”Yes. The Carnad mountain range stretches across the western region.”
Alfred pointed to the mountain range in the southern part of the Western Region. The Carnad mountain range was a series of towering peaks that reached the clouds and also served as the border with the neighboring country.
”The land in the Western Region is fertile because the rivers flowing from the Carnad mountain range carry rich snowmelt water. However, the Carnad mountain range is a dangerous area inhabited by many ‘wild’ monsters, such as goblins, orcs, and large beast-like dragons. In fact, monsters that come down from the mountains often attack villages, causing regular damage.”
Babellion, being a country of monsters, was home to goblins and orcs, so Alfred emphasized the wild part, casting a sidelong glance at Vajiza’s face.
Green skin, a hooked nose, pointed ears, and a height slightly shorter than Alfred’s… That was Vajiza, a goblin.
Of course, Vajiza, dressed in fine attire and with an intelligent expression, was a far cry from the low-intelligence goblins that only followed their instincts and swung clubs. However, Alfred chose his words carefully to avoid being seen as looking down on him.
Nevertheless, despite Alfred’s inner anxiety, Vajiza showed no signs of being particularly bothered by Alfred’s words.
”Even though such harm was done, why didn’t you guys take action to stop it?”
”Yes. In reality, there’s another side to this Carnad mountain range that’s help us. You see, there’s a country called the Melcina Kingdom on the other side of the Carnad mountain range, and this Melcina Kingdom has been eyeing the Western Region for a long time.”
Alfred stroked his chest slightly and continued to spin his words.
”Before the Western Region became part of the empire, there was a small country called the Gohland Kingdom here. When the Gohland Kingdom fell into civil war, the empire sent its army and annexed the Western Region. During that war, the nobles of the former Gohland Kingdom escaped to the Melcina Kingdom across the Carnad mountain range. And their descendants still remain in the Melcina Kingdom, claiming to be the rightful owners of the Western Region.”
The Western Region, which is now a peaceful area, was once a land of constant conflict. Even the empire fought for control of the fertile plains with military force.
”That’s why, on the surface, the Melcina Kingdom and us are on non-aggression terms, but that agreement is not absolute. The monsters in the Carnad mountain range are like a double-edged sword, functioning as a natural fortress.”
The same goes for the Fris Kingdom, which shares a border with us in the west. There’s no such thing as absolute trust in international relations. You can’t be too careful, no matter what. People’s hatred never truly disappears, and the empire knows that from experience.
”So you think there are Goblins and Orcs nesting in there, huh?”
”I think that’s a natural assumption.”
”Is that so…”
”Was my prediction correct, I wonder?”
”We haven’t conducted an investigation yet. We just gathered information that there are biological traces in the old castle, and I’m sharing it with you before the investigation begins… but there have been multiple sightings of Goblins in the surrounding area. No damage has been reported yet, though.”
Vajiza gazed at the map, stroking his chin with his finger.
”You seem to be well-versed in geography and current events. This is valuable information. His Majesty will be pleased.”
”Thank you.”
Alfred bowed deeply, feeling relieved that he had somehow managed to pass the test. But Vajiza’s next words made him stiffen up again.
”The job is far from over.”
”…is what you’re saying…”
Alfred’s face twitched as he wondered if he was being told to go to the actual site and take care of the Goblins and Orcs himself.
”This Western Command Office has considerable authority, but to mobilize the army, we need His Majesty’s permission. That’s why we need to submit a detailed report.”
Alfred’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected order.
”Is that so?”
”You’re the director, after all. If you’ve sworn loyalty to His Majesty, then you should fulfill your duties.”
It was true that Alfred was the director and the top of the organization, but in reality, Vajiza was the one in charge… and Alfred had thought that Vajiza would be the one submitting the report.
However, the title of director might hold more power than Alfred had imagined. Meeting with His Majesty was intimidating, but it was also a great opportunity to directly report on his work… and so, Alfred thought, and bowed deeply once again with a determined response.
Only Cloris’s name has been mentioned so far, so it’s time for her to appear. She’s a Plague Mask character, but don’t worry, she’s not that important. There are tens of people in the Information Department, but if I add too many characters, it’ll get too confusing, so only Shiki and Cloris’s names will come up. If you just remember Shiki, it’s fine.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.