Chapter 92
Chapter 92 – Military Reform
[On to the next topic, we will discuss about our military movements . Shion, can you please?]
George’s words caused everyone’s eyes to focus on Shion .
[Always doing things at your own pace as usual…]
Shion smiled bitterly but complied, presenting three papers with him .
This first paper is the Military Organization chart .
[First of all, we have to reorganize the military . ]
The paper Shion presented was concise and neatly-written .
Supreme Commander – Ares Schwarzer
Chief Staff – Shion Tristan
1st Corps general – Ares Schwarzer
1st Corps deputy general – Sharon Roxietta
1st Corps deputy general – Liliana Redgear
2nd Corps general – Sigurd Dragonia
2nd Corps deputy general- Arnold Neuer
3rd Corps general – Darius Grants
3rd Corps deputy general – Dirk Winkelman
4th Corps general – Shion Tristan
4th Corps deputy general – Eckhart Grants
4th Corps deputy general – Roland Grants
[Ares-sama’s first corps will consist of Ares-sama’s own 20,000-strong private army . The 50,000 Grants army will be divided into the 2nd and 3rd cCorps, each having 20,000 as their main forces . As for the remaining 10,000, they will serve as the rearguard under the 4th Corps . ]
Both Sigurd and Darius showed no complaint .
[By the way, I would like Eckhart-dono and Roland-dono to act as my deputy generals, do you mind?]
Roland was Darius’ younger brother and Gail’s fourth son . A young warrior who worked side by side with Eckhart in the previous battle against the monsters . Roland, who was just a teenager then, was confused by the out-of-the-blue selection .
[Certainly not!]
Roland replied with a tense voice .
[To be clear, I won’t be fighting directly on the frontline . So I’ll leave that matter to you . Of course, I know it’ll be hard to work alone so I also appointed Eckhart-dono in case the matter becomes too hard for you to handle alone . ]
Darius and the others watched the scene in satisfaction .
[ [ Yessir! ] ]
Eckhart and Roland voiced their agreement in unison .
[Since there are no objections… . . ]
[W-wait a minute!]
When the decision was about to be finalized, Ares surprisingly raised a complaint .
[Well, it’s a good organization chart, but why are my deputy generals Sharon and Princess Liliana…]
[A messenger came from each the capital and Redgear earlier today . ]
As he revealed the news, Shion gave Ares a look .
[From the capital, it’s said the milord’s [Fiancees] are to depart for Heinz as soon as the preparation is over . And as for the one from Redgear, didn’t milord personally request for Liliandono? Milord has just visited there after all . ]
[That was too faaaaaaaaaaast!]
Ares unintentionally screamed .
But Shion kept going, ignoring Ares altogether .
[Alright, anyone else?]
[How about my opinion…]
[Rejected . ]
Ares dropped instantly .
[For consideration, Sharon-dono has graduated from the Imperial academy’s knight class with excellent results . Moreover… she seemed to have mastered『that thing』milord has taught her . On the other hand, the『Silver Princess Knight』Princess Liliana is also a force to be reckoned with . Because we are a bit short-handed now, we can only ask them for help . Princess Liliana is still gathering her soldiers… so it’ll not be immediately, but she will serve as Sharon-dono’s lieutenant under Milord’s command . As for… the riot that will come afterward… that is entirely Milord’s responsibility . Alright, since there are no objection,s Milord, please sign it . ]
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Regardless of his earlier complaints, Ares still signed the chart as told . Just like before, the chart began to glow soon after .
[Next is our future direction . Please have a look at these two maps . ]
Shion unfurled two maps this time around . Everyone immediately paid attention . The first one was the map of Grants region, while the other one was the map of entire Arcadia continent .
[Firstly, regarding the Grants region…]
Shion pointed at the western area of Grants, the Land of Demons .
[First of all, we have to conquer the Land of Demons . ]
Shion then started to share his view on the Land of Demons and its Demon Lords .
[The Land of Demons is actually fertile ground . It can become the foundation of a country should someone could develop it . If we can control and develop it, Grants will surely become the most prominent power in the Arcadia Empire . We must also start to deal with the barbarians . Achieve the best results as soon as possible . ]
Having said that, Shion turned to George who responded with a low voice .
[The reason why Grants couldn’t take control of the Land of Demons was because of the influence of three particular Demon Lords . ]
[Mm… exactly]
Gail admitted in a low voice .
[Darius should be capable of defeating each one in a duel… but when Darius attempted to engage one in battle, the other two would attack Heinz . The northern riders and the Aryans would also take the chance to plunder us… so that plan never really went anywhere…]
Shion then added to Gail’s explanation .
[The Demon Lords… not only that, there are also senior demons amongst those dwelling in the land of demons… I heard that they are called the Eight Arch Demon Lords and their members are particularly very strong demons . Although we may be able to beat them if only one attack us, we’ll be in trouble if more than one attack at once . ]
Shion then turned to Sigurd, Darius, and Ares .
[Therefore, I’d like to have the first, second, and third corps to engage the three demon lords in battle at the same time . ]
[Ares-dono, Sigurd-dono, and Darius are certainly warriors of peerless valor . They may be able to defeat their adversary . But what about the northern riders and the aryans that may attack us in the meantime…?]
In response to Gail’s question, Shion replied without any ounce of hesitation .
[Ah, I’m sure they won’t though?]
[They will only hurt themselves if they go to battle now . The northern area is currently busy with their livestock . It’s the season where horses and lambs bear their young and they will not survive for long without great care . I don’t think they have room to attack now . ]
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Shion continued after taking a short breather .
[Meanwhile the Aryans are currently locked in a conflict with the dwarves . They won’t be attacking us… and even if they do, there are many ways to repel them . So please rest assured . ]
Shion once again turned toward Ares .
[Therefore, it can be said that this is the greatest opportunity to take the land of demons . We can’t afford to miss it . ]
Everyone seemed to be convinced with Shion’s strong argument . After confirming the situation, Shion proceeded to talk about the strategy to capture the land of demons .
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[Let’s capture the land of demons, and develop it to be our foundation . If we proceed accordingly to George’s plans, we should rise to be a great power in three years time . And with that power, we can then start to take control of the northern riders, the Aryans and the dwarves . ]
[What should we do if we are attacked during those three years of preparation?]
[We’ll soften them up with either our financial power or by force . ]
Shion kept going .
[The first 3 years is important . We must complete the reform before three years and after that, we’ll deal with all the external problems such as the barbarians . At the same time, the continent will undergo a major change . When that time comes, we must already have enough power to even compete with other『nations』 . ]
[But will the emperor wait for that long? I heard that he’ll launch another eastern campaign next year…]
To Darius’ question, Shion replied .
[Most likely, there won’t be any more campaigns to the east . ]
Everyone gasped .
[The Thracians in the west are making movements . And the Kingdom of Sindora in the south is also up to something . Soon, a large battle will commence in the south and west…]
Shion pointed at the Arcadia continent map .
[Although they will probably ask Milord to lead the expedition… you can afford to decline since you’ve already been tasked with conquest of the frontier . ]
[They won’t leave the Schwarzer territory alone though . ]
[Indeed they can’t refuse . Probably Rouen-dono or Alberto-dono will have to take to the field . Well, there shouldn’t be any problem if it’s those two . I will send a secret letter to the Archduke soon . ]
However, Shion also added .
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[There are also movements in the east . The Byzerd Principality and the newly-emerged Kingdom of Dormadia are taking down their surrounding countries . It’ll be troublesome if a super power threatened us when we are not ready yet so we must send the Dragon’s Eye to sow discord and make the two countries go at each other . We must also send messengers to nearby small countries like the former Redgear such as Fern Principality and Istrea Queendom . We need them as our allies . ]
[Sending a messenger to other countries without the emperor’s consent… wouldn’t that be regarded as an act of treason?]
In response to Gail’s question,
[The status as 『Lord of Frontier』allows us a great amount of autonomy . It’s actually a very ambiguous position… but we must make use of it to the fullest . ]
Shion brushed his hair with his fingers, then continued .
[I repeat, 3 years . We must make preparations as best as we could during those 3 years . And after that… we will change the world . ]
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Thus the meeting to discuss both politics and military matters came to an end . Those that exited the meeting room left with a tense look .
All who remained in the office were Ares, Shion, George, Sigurd, Darius, Elan as well as Gail, Bergan and Ramires .
[We’ll be busy from now on . ]
Shion sighed and sipped his tea .
Listening to that remark, Gail asked Ares out of curiosity .
[Ares-dono… what are you actually aiming for?]
Listening to George and Shion on the meeting, Gail was surprised at the scale of their operation .
Isn’t it almost like policy and military strategy planning for a country?
Ares replied without changing his expression .
[Changing the continent . ]
[I want to end the era where Kings and Emperors rule without contest… that’s what I think . ]
[Ares-dono… that means, are you aiming to take the throne…]
[I don’t know yet . And not that I’m interested in it . I’ll just do what I do best until a『Heavenly Opportunity』shows itself . ]
Ares smiled quietly as he said so, rolling the map back .