292 - Rianne-san
――While Lariel and the others were arguing over pudding.
Rianne, who had eaten three of the puddings that caused the dispute, had her pink hair tied back and a pen held in her mouth. The tip of the pen moved up and down; before Rianne's eyes were documents. She was processing a massive pile of paperwork one after another.
Because she read the documents using speed-reading, she would confirm the contents in an instant and utter a single phrase.
"This one is no good."
She checked the name of the civil servant who had written the document. She looked at a vast amount of paperwork every day, and this was a name she had seen several times. Thinking that she wouldn't notice, the official had been inflating the purchase costs of supplies.
Rianne had a grasp of most of the prices, and there were parts she had overlooked to some extent. It wasn't necessarily the case that every civil servant knew the prices, and there were times when prices rose during purchase. They were gathering supplies in a hurry, so it was acceptable for the prices to be somewhat high.
However, cases of obvious fraud were a different matter.
"Even for someone committing fraud, their ability is quite limited if this is all they can manage. It would be a nuisance even if I just used them up as a low-level lackey... I wonder if this will suffice?"
In the office.
Calling for the automaton Valkyrie, who had been preparing tea, Rianne took the pen from her mouth and spoke.
"A civil servant needs to be made an example of for the sake of discipline. Could you arrange for this person to be placed in a suitable position?"
Rianne was smiling as she handed the document to Valkyrie. Having received it, Valkyrie inferred the general contents from the document.
"...Suitable, is it. I shall make the arrangements."
Then, as Rianne picked up the next document, she confirmed the contents in an instant and signed her approval.
She continued processing them one after another, though she occasionally stopped to fall into thought.
"...Was it Clara-san? She requested this here because the budget wouldn't pass in Beim. Honestly, improving the efficiency of the transport units is essential."
The document she held was from Clara. It was also noted that Adele had rejected it; it was a document for the porter units—that is, the units concerned with the transport of supplies. Rianne immediately performed calculations in her head, and could only conclude that securing the necessary budget would be difficult.
"Basically, there is no tax revenue. We are managing with the wealth extracted from Beim and provided funds."
Valkyrie placed a cup of tea on the desk.
"Provided funds? The merchants seem to think they are lending them."
"That doesn't matter. I intend to offset various things by providing reasons. Lariel is soft from the start. Developing South Banseime for free, handing over the port rights... it would be problematic if everyone took our cooperation for granted. Was it Vera-san? He's keeping a woman from a merchant family close, so I understand why he's soft. But you see, the demands of merchants are limitless. We must tighten the reins."
Lariel was giving quite preferential treatment to the merchants of South Banseime, represented by Fidel. However, to Rianne, that felt like nothing more than being soft.
"Even if there's a sense of inferiority, there's a limit. He has a strangely ruthless side, yet he's soft in places. I wonder how he's made it this far."
Judging that securing the budget was possible, Rianne hurriedly drafted a document. While she needed to issue orders to the relevant departments, she also began drafting a document for Adele in Beim.
The reason she went so far as to stop her hands for this was that Rianne believed improving the efficiency of the transport units would become essential from here on.
Reducing the frequency of horse use meant that horses could be used for other things. Horses for the cavalry. Farm horses, and various other surpluses would be created.
"I wish Adele-san would broaden her perspective a bit more. It might be fine on the scale of a single lord, but a whole country might be too much. Well, she'll just have to get used to it."
Rianne processed work faster and more accurately than even Lariel.
She was a more necessary asset for Lariel and the others right now than making the Fanbailes their allies.
However.
"...More importantly, how are Lariel and the others doing? There were only enough puddings left for the number of people."
Without stopping her work, Rianne let that slip, and Valkyrie, who was in the room, opened her mouth to answer. She replied flatly.
"After fighting over the puddings, it seems they smashed one into Aria-san's face. They are currently making a racket in the hallway. I have received several reports from the sisters. Or rather, they are the lowest of the low."
As she relayed the reports from the Valkyries stationed within the castle, Rianne began to giggle.
"Oh, how terrible. I certainly ate a few extra, but I left enough for everyone. Monica-san also said I could eat them since she made extra. The fact that they're making a fuss is Lariel and the others' problem. Well, I suspect it's Shannon-san? When I left the room, she was eating her second pudding."
Valkyrie questioned Rianne.
"Do you dislike the Master? Well, judging by the flow of the engagement, I feel it might be impossible to ask you to like him."
At that, Rianne made a slightly puzzled face. She took a sip of the served tea.
"...I don't dislike him. I can't say I love him, though. Even so, since I was previously engaged to him, I can't switch men that skillfully. Well, the seat of the Empress is attractive, and my family will likely support me for that purpose, so I will aim for it."
Hearing about the seat of the Empress, Valkyrie tilted her head.
"Is it truly that attractive? For a woman, wouldn't happiness be being able to marry the man she loves?"
Valkyrie was originally based on the core of an automaton created by the ancients, and her standards of completion were also based on ancient standards. Hearing Valkyrie's opinion, Rianne laughed.
"That's certainly true. But things don't always go as one hopes. However, if I had truly loved Lariel from the start... I would move to eliminate the other women by any means necessary."
Valkyrie looked at the laughing Rianne with an expressionless face. However, perhaps thinking she shouldn't be misunderstood, Rianne offered an explanation.
"There were other women from the start. Moreover, he seems to have little interest in me as an individual. I'll make an effort to love him, but it's a one-way street. In that case, isn't it fine to at least aim for the seat of the Empress?"
Then, Valkyrie spoke.
"...Is that how it is? Hmm, in that case, I, Valkyrie No. 34, shall act as a matchmaker for the two of you. Leave it to me. Honestly, it doesn't matter to me who becomes the Empress. As long as the Master is happy, I had little interest in other things. However, serving by your side like this is a twist of fate! I promise to provide as much cooperation as possible. First, to take a lead over the other women... why not have a physical relationship? I shall show you that the lock to the Master's bedroom can be opened."
It seemed Valkyrie... No. 34 had become motivated. No. 34, who had her long black hair tied with a ribbon near the tips, expressionlessly thrust her right fist toward the heavens.
"...Eh?"
Rianne looked at Valkyrie and was left bewildered—.
――The Walt family estate.
Maisel, who was writing letters, was writing to his wife Claire and daughter Celes. The content was an apology for being late in going to Central.
However, in each letter, he wrote, "I will bring a souvenir that will surely please you." Looking at the content of the letters, one could generally guess that the souvenir was Lariel's head.
While waiting for the ink to dry after finishing, he prepared envelopes. He prepared different envelopes for his wife Claire and his daughter Celes.
Then, there was a knock on the door.
"Enter."
The one who entered the room was Bale. He was a knight in the position of Maisel's excellent adjutant and a man who was reliable even on the battlefield.
"Lord Maisel, preparations are complete. We can depart at any time. ...Letters?"
Looking at Maisel's desk, Bale spoke, and Maisel nodded.
"A letter came from Celes telling me to come quickly. Claire also tells me to come to Central first. It would be terrible to make women angry. I had letters and gifts prepared."
Letters asking him to come to Central had arrived many times from Celes and Claire. Normally, the only people Celes would do such a thing for were her parents. If anyone else kept Celes waiting, they would be disposed of by those around her, or execution and torture would await them directly from Celes.
That was how important Maisel was to Celes. While Celes believed other humans were equally worthless, her parents were the exception.
"Humoring the ladies, are we? Even Lord Maisel is like this; it makes one feel that the position of a man is quite narrow."
Maisel laughed at Bale's joke.
"I think it's scarier when they stop showing a reaction. Now then, shall we go? Also, what happened with the Landburg Family's participation?"
As Maisel stood up, Bale's expression tightened.
"...They say they cannot send troops. They cite damages from the bandit subjugation as the reason, but it is a pathetic story for my own family. My brother has grown old. Even my nephew Baldor was injured by mere bandits."
Seeing the apologetic Bale, Maisel spoke.
"Depending on the situation, perhaps I'll have you inherit the Landburg Family. Well, we can decide after we return."
The two left the room.
Finally, the Walt family began their march toward Lufence—.
Inside Lufence Royal Castle.
The main members had been gathered in the conference room. However, the only ones who could be gathered quickly were General Broa, Baldor, Rianne, and Monica. The other members were operating outside and would not be able to return for several days.
I spoke to the members gathered in the conference room.
"...Word has arrived. It seems the Walt family has started moving. They've mobilized nearly eighty percent of their vassals, and furthermore, they've moved the surrounding lords. The number is fifty thousand. I'm told the pure military force is around thirty-five thousand."
General Broa placed a hand on his chin.
"That's a bit high. I thought if it were fifty thousand, the pure military force would barely reach thirty thousand. The Walt family should be putting considerable effort into rear support as well."
Monica relayed the contents of the report to everyone.
"They are using the porters developed in Alamsars. They are well-equipped in terms of personnel, and it seems they've achieved considerable efficiency regarding transport."
Rianne spoke while listening to the report.
"We are proceeding with that here as well. Well, assuming the opponent invades, the place where we fight will be our territory, so we are advantageous regarding supplies and replenishment... but I'll ask clearly. Are the preparations complete?"
What Rianne was asking was of the military. Whether our preparations were ready.
I was slightly dissatisfied, but I stated the facts.
"Since we'll be fighting near the border, preparations are underway. Even so, it's only about seventy percent. The grasp of the terrain and preparations for the welcome are done, but there's a slight problem with the unit organization."
Baldor took over my explanation.
"There is a shortage of armaments and horses. Our military force is higher than the opponent's, but it's not an overwhelming difference. The pure soldiers we can mobilize are fifty thousand."
Rianne spoke flatly.
"We win in numbers, but we don't reach double. If we suffer casualties carelessly, it will be a major problem even if we win. It's difficult for us to replenish military forces."
Yes. It was difficult for us to secure military forces. Lufence, having been destroyed, had no people. Beim was also quite exhausted. Whether we lost, or won while taking heavy losses, there was a problem with securing military force.
General Broa let out a sigh.
"Beyond the simple difference in numbers, there's also the issue of quality. The Walt family... there's a reason they are called the strongest in Banseime. How should I put it. Even among the soldiers, there are many who are stronger than an unskilled knight. I find it hard to understand why there's a need to train them to that extent."
Then, from within the jewel, the voices of the Third and Seventh generations were heard, sounding as if they didn't think they were doing anything wrong.
'Sorry, Broa-kun. See, the Second generation told us to do that. We just followed those orders. Sorry for being strong.'
'...The fact that Central relied on the Walt family, and know-how accumulated, is also one of the reasons. Well, it is the Walt family army that we raised. There's no way they're weak!'
The army that started from the First generation and was inherited by the Eighth generation, my father Maisel Walt.
I knew it, but it was troublesome.
The group of dead soldiers led by Bread was one thing, but this time, in addition to the dead soldiers, the opponent was the Walt family army. Moreover, it was a situation where skills could not be used.
Rianne spoke to us.
"At the very least, if we are to bring it to a decisive battle with Banseime, a military force of one hundred thousand is necessary. You all are likely more knowledgeable about the fighting, but the problem is that the surrounding countries will despise Lariel, the leader, if his military force is small."
It wasn't a matter of simply winning. Under such circumstances, I was to fight my father.
I looked at everyone.
"Conversely, if we achieve victory here, the overthrow of Banseime will draw near all at once. Because we'll be able to easily invade the capital of Banseime—Central—which is surrounded by enemy nations and unable to move. Banseime also lost military force in the previous battle. If we crush the Walt family army here—"
General Broa shrugged his shoulders.
"—Rebellions will follow one after another within Banseime. The number of lords who cooperate with us will increase all at once."
In a sense, this battle held the light and shadow of the war with Banseime. Once it tilted, it would be difficult for Banseime to recover. Even if that person were Celes.
Then, Baldor spoke to everyone.
"The Walt family is a threat, but the participating lords are also a threat. As a former insider, I believe we should be sufficiently wary of the Foxus Family as well."
Rianne heard the name of the Foxus Family.
"That was Novem-san's family home, wasn't it. Are they that much of a threat?"
I remembered the Foxus Family. Novem—the clan of the Evil God. While the powerful Novem was by my side, members of that clan were also among my father's forces.
Baldor spoke.
"Naturally. Their relationship with the Walt family is almost like master and servant, so they are underestimated... but from my perspective, having seen the Foxus Family several times, they are a sufficient threat. In particular, the successive heads of the family are all first-rate when it comes to magic. I believe you'll understand if you look at Novem... sama's ability."
On a battlefield where skills cannot be used, magic becomes important. In such a case, the Foxus Family, who were adept at handling magic, were a considerable threat.
(I wonder what Novem thinks about fighting their own family)
Thinking that, I decided to give instructions to everyone.