Volume 4 Chapter 22 Aftermath
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Yes, there are about 3 registered with the same name: one male and 2 females, both of the females registered with the Majin Clan.”
In these times when living without an ID is nearly impossible, it’s hard to believe they aren’t even being issued… Or maybe she is living comfortably with her mother?
”Does a girl named Delprius live in the official residence?”
”No, reports from infiltrators say they have not seen her.”
If she’s not at the official residence, she is likely living elsewhere or traveling with her father, Clayd.
”I see. Then, find the whereabouts of her father, Clayd. She may be with him.”
”Sir Gwain, what will you do if you find the daughter?”
”Eliminate her.”
Those who bear malice towards His Majesty cannot be allowed to live.
The next Demon Lord must be succeeded by the grandchild born of my child.
If the Black Dragon Dukedom takes hostile action, I want the entire army of the kingdom mobilized to destroy them.
”Yes, understood. As you command. Also, it seems that your younger brother in the south has been doing well lately. He even sealed a large-scale crack of time and space recently.”
”Ah, I just learned of that through Gertroud’s letter. Since it’s about Arbalest, he might ask for something in return for this achievement.”
It seems Arbalest successfully completed the sealing of the crack of time and space that Gertroud failed to do, sending a quest to the son-in-law, Kent.
Following the subjugation of beast monsters and the defense against large invasions, this young man named Kent has been achieving great feats.
The person mentioned in Gertroud’s letter, Kent, can only be read as a womanizer and a fool for love.
”Sven, what do you think of this young man named Kent?”
”It appears there are quite a number of capable individuals under General Kent. The army might be small, but many officers are competent, and the Hunting Group, led by him, has competent Monster Hunters.”
”Capable individuals, huh… do you think he is merely a womanizer and a foolish boy?”
”I can’t believe Lady Miriallia would marry a mere womanizer and love-struck brat. He must have some secret.”
I was unsure about putting Kent under surveillance.
Because it’s not a good idea to give his father-in-law Arbalest any unnecessary misunderstandings or trouble by doing that.
”Sven. Should I put Kent under surveillance?”
”Considering the matter with Sir Arbalest, an obvious watcher might cause misunderstandings, so I think it’s better to secretly send an infiltrator in a secondary group to blend in with Lord Kent’s army or Hunting Group.”
It was also written in Gertroud’s letter that Kent received personnel pulled out by Arbalest, so Sven’s plan seemed like a good idea.
”Alright, let’s go with that. A low level of surveillance should be fine.”
”Yes, for now, there seem to be no hostile actions.”
”Then, I’ll count on you.”
”Yes, sir!”
Sven bowed and left the office.
* * *
After that, as expected, Arbalest sent a letter requesting the rewards for this subjugation.
He even politely mentioned that Gertroud had been rescued and is currently under protection, stating that he is looking after the western garrison.
”Damn Gertroud! To be rescued by Arbalest… That wasn’t mentioned in the letter!”
In my frustration, I broke the pen in half.
I had thought Gertroud was gathering the remnants and returning to the garrison, but I never expected he was literally under destruction and under Arbalest’s protection.
The secretary who brought Arbalest’s letter let out a sigh.
”Unfortunately, it seems to be true. It is said that Lord Gertroud is staying at the mansion of Lord Arbalest.”
”Moreover, the requests for rewards are far too excessive. He is demanding approval for the appropriation of the western garrison and the burden of costs for this battle, and he is also asking for the salaries of the officers who have been transferred. Also, he is including the recognition of his son-in-law Kent’s army as regular troops for salary payments.”
”That, that is a bit too greedy…”
Arbalest is clearly trying to extort money from me using Gertroud and the western garrison as collateral.
”But I can’t give up the western garrison… Gertroud will send a letter to demand the ransom himself. It’s frustrating, but I have no choice but to pay it.”
”Yes, I’ll issue that notification.”
If I can cover this blunder with money, that would be for the best.
If I think of it as hush money to keep this from His Majesty, it’s not too much.
Still, there are no talents in the military.
Gertroud, who I thought was capable, turned out to be a mediocre general once his subordinates were poached.
I picked generals based on loyalty, but I never thought I’d find only such low-ability people.
The southern region is dangerous… it seems only a significant talent can really handle military duties.
For now, I have no choice but to reappoint Gertroud as a form of punishment.
If he can learn from this defeat, he should grow a bit.
The secondary dispatch team is made up of lower-quality unemployed volunteers and officers with loyalty issues, so I wouldn’t regret their annihilation.
However, the garrison is a city built with a massive architecture cost and the only stronghold of the kingdom’s army in the south, so I can’t abandon it.
If I abandon the western garrison, I will lose the base to suppress the south from becoming the Margrave State.
Those who have lived in the south for a long time often do not follow central control, having stirred up trouble many times in the past, so I can’t let my guard down.
”Discuss the funding for the Arbalest with the Minister of Military Affairs; just call it the establishment of the southern army’s core unit.”
”Yes, I will have them issue the funding from the military.”
”Also, make sure to expedite the increase of the security forces in the royal capital.”
”Yes, I will inform them.”
The Secretary ran off.
”Honestly, it just causes more trouble…”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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