Chapter 143: The Study King Ferdinand
Castilia Kingdom, Royal Capital Castilia
In Castilia lies the grand palace where the ruling king resides. Castilia, situated in the heart of the Castilian Peninsula, stands as one of the world’s renowned metropolises.
The history of the Castilian Kingdom spans over two centuries since its founding.
Once torn apart by foreign invasions, its territory nearly shattered and on the brink of bankruptcy, Castilia found salvation through maritime trade across the Siren Sea, reaching the distant Afri continent. The resulting immense wealth elevated its national prestige, and it became a formidable power, boasting an invincible navy aptly nicknamed the ‘Invincible Armada’.
Having successfully developed state-of-the-art galleons and triumphed over the emerging Britannian Navy in a great naval battle to the north, Castilia now extends its reach toward the Kingdom of Silesie. And at the heart of this strategic maneuver lies the study within the Castilian King’s palace.
Amidst an array of rare tomes from all corners of the world and stacks of reports gathered globally, there sat the Castilian monarch. His right eye, perhaps weakened, was adorned with a silver-chained monocle. Clad in a quilted doublet with gold-lined accents against a black backdrop, his auburn hair swept back, the young king appeared unassuming and reserved.
At first glance, one might mistake him for a diligent bureaucrat engrossed in official duties. His slender, expressionless frame concealed a pair of crimson eyes that blazed with intensity only when poring over documents.
This man was none other than Ferdinand Castilia Asturias, the King of Castilia, whose dominion extended across the entire Castilian Peninsula and even to the distant Afri continent. His seclusion within the study earned him the moniker of the ‘Hikikomori Study King’.
His governing style revolved entirely around paperwork.
King Ferdinand’s purview consisted solely of documents—through them, he grasped the vast expanse of his realm and orchestrated its every facet. And now, as he sat secluded in his study, a new missive arrived, a plea for aid from the Southern Noble Alliance.
「Hmm, a rescue request from the Southern Nobles, you say?」
He muttered to himself. Though bureaucrats occasionally brought documents, they knew better than to interrupt the king’s soliloquies.
Within this study, only the king spoke. The room remained tranquil, with letters alone traversing the desk arranged on three sides.
「Honestly, those Silesien nobles are utterly useless. Well, I suppose I’ll send them ‘that’ as reinforcements.」
He penned the letter and dispatched it.
Soon, a reply arrived at the king’s desk.
「I know, ‘that’ must be throwing a tantrum, refusing to fight the Silesien hero. But you see, the one invading the Marquisate of Nant isn’t the hero—it’s his beloved mistress. If he’s up against a peasant girl, it should suffice.」
He murmured, writing another response.
Shortly afterward, yet another reply reached the king.
「Very well, understood. Quite the challenging piece, indeed. However, ‘that’ possesses undeniable strength, we can’t afford to leave it unused. The recipient may struggle with handling it, but it should serve as a sturdy hindrance to our enemies. If it moves skillfully, we might even obtain the card to topple the King General.」
Again, he murmured, penning his thoughts.
「As for the Southern Noble Alliance’s reinforcements, that will suffice. Now, since Silesie’s troops have likely dispersed in all directions, let us commence a new strategy. I wonder how Silesie’s brilliant military strategist will defend against it.」
With these words, he wrote and sent the missive.
King Ferdinand, having received the reply, adjusted his monocle with a fingertip and returned to his books.
※※※
The Third Corps of Zawa Haruto, bolstered by an emergency conscription of a thousand soldiers and the addition of the Sarah-chan Royal Guards—five hundred elite guards—now stood reinforced by two thousand volunteer soldiers. This force, aimed at countering the ‘Local Nobles’, advanced all the way to the Marquisate of Nant, capturing the northern town of Otan as a foothold.
Under Acting General Sarah’s rule, discipline grew severe.
「Those who sided with the local nobles—nobles, knights, and wealthy merchants—shall have their assets confiscated and serve as a public example through execution!」
「Acting General Sarah, isn’t that a bit too harsh?」
Milk attempted to reason with Sarah’s extreme methods, but his words fell on deaf ears.
「Well, if we don’t take such measures, we won’t have enough funds for rewards, and we need reserves for tax exemptions. It’s fine, let’s eliminate them all.」
「But won’t this incur the wrath of the former ruling class?」
「I’ll handle that. Our territory isn’t related to the Sawatari Company, and our esteemed teacher’s book advised starting by eliminating anyone obstructing governance and gradually soothing the people afterward.」
「Still…」
Alan Mortar, leader of the second battalion of volunteer soldiers, applauded enthusiastically.
As always, this affable young man had quickly become Sarah’s devoted yes-man under her command.
「Ah, truly remarkable, Captain Sarah… I mean, Your Excellency, Acting General. Your decisive actions leave me in awe. I shall carry out your orders immediately.」
「Ufufufu, it’s nothing much. I haven’t seen you since the Battle of Silesie, Captain Alan. You’ll be in good hands again.」
When it comes to sucking up to those in power, there is no one better than Alan.
It’s safe to say that Alan Mortar understands the immense power of Sarah’s connection better than anyone else in the volunteer army.
「Yes, this one is very pleased to serve Your Excellency Acting General again. This Alan will work hard for Your Excellency Sarah.」
「Ah, yes yes. Flattery won’t get you anywhere. Get it done.」
In a swift motion, the local nobles in Otan faced the guillotine.
Sarah’s rigorous and unwavering approach left nearby local commoners, fully aware of her immense power.
The rumor of peasant girl Sarah Rod, who arrived as a general, executing rebellious nobles and granting tax exemptions to the commoners, spread throughout the entire Marquisate of Nant. This triggered defections and uprisings among the peasant armies.
Unable to maintain order, fleeing nobles and officials hastened the disintegration of the Marquisate of Nant even before the battle began.
…Yet, despite all this, the letter that reached Sarah in the town of Otan from the capital was a caution against further advancement.
While she appreciates the confirmation of her appointment as acting general and wartime authority, being told not to proceed poses a challenge.
Acting General Sarah, along with her staff—Deputy General Milk, Baron Zawa Haruto, and Battalion Leader Alan—convened for a meeting.
「Why would they discourage further advancement during such a crucial opportunity? Is it the will of Takeru, or perhaps Lyle-sensei’s opinion?」
「Your Excellency, the words of King General hold deep significance, surely there’s profound reasoning behind this.」
Though Milk offered this, Sarah remained unsatisfied, tilting her head as she inquired.
「Hmm, and what profound thoughts does Takeru harbor?」
「Given that it’s King General’s decision, it likely involves intricate considerations beyond our comprehension.」
「Oh, come on. Isn’t it just another one of his incomprehensible hunches about impending defeat?」
「Ha!」
Milk, who had once served as Takeru’s secretary at Ambazac Castle, knew that Takeru often acted based on enigmatic logic only he understood. So, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
「Well, never mind. Milk opposes further advancement, I see.」
In response to Sarah’s glance, Milk nodded earnestly.
While King General’s directives occasionally seemed eccentric or baffling, Milk understood that, in hindsight, they were generally correct. It was no laughing matter.
「Acting General Sarah, I am in favor of advancing. Currently, my subordinates are encircling the entire Marquisate of Nant, issuing proclamations of tax exemption. The local nobles have lost the people’s trust in various regions, so our enemies are like a rotten tree at its core. A light tap should make it crumble.」
「Alan, you’re quite capable, aren’t you?」
The affable Alan spread his arms and showered Sarah with flattering words.
「Ha! It’s all thanks to the benevolent rule of Acting General Sarah. With her stern treatment of haughty nobles and kindness toward the vulnerable populace, the commoners sway like leaves in a refreshing breeze.」
「Your clumsy flattery aside, let’s move on.」
Sarah’s attention shifted to Baron Zawa Haruto, who sat lost in thought.
「I, um…」
「Baron Zawa Haruto, you’re always indecisive at crucial moments. As a corps leader, you’re competent, but that personality of yours needs some adjustment.」
「Hahaha, you’re harsh, Acting General. If only I were as young as you, but at my age, changing one’s character is quite the challenge.」
With a wry smile, Zawa Haruto remained neutral, unable to definitively choose either side.
When faced with indecision, sometimes saying “I don’t know” is an opinion in itself.
「One in favor, one opposed, and one neutral. Understood. Let’s proceed with the attack, then.」
「Acting General Sarah!」
Milk attempted to interject, but Sarah gently halted him with her palm.
「I get it. We’ll proceed cautiously.」
「Acting General Sarah, I…」
Milk clutched his magical rifle against his chest.
「Ah, Milk, what’s that? Isn’t it the latest weapon?」
「Actually, Regent Lyle instructed me that this would protect you when Acting General Sarah acted unilaterally.」
In a separate delivery from the one sent to Sarah, Regent Lyle had loaned Milk his own magical rifle. Milk had also received other items, such as a magic-resistant cloak, but he was instructed to keep these secrets from Sarah. The usual secrecy.
Currently, Lyle couldn’t move from the capital, and this was likely the best contribution he could make.
「Hmm, so the Regent knew I’d act unilaterally. Well, I suppose I can’t win. But as his disciple, I’ll eventually stand shoulder to shoulder with him…」
「So, Acting General Sarah, where are we attacking? Are we still aiming to swiftly capture the enemy’s stronghold?」
Alan seemed eager to join the offensive, his face filled with anticipation.
Even cautious Baron Zawa Haruto, who observed the young man’s impatience, desired recognition for his achievements.
For these ambitious individuals, this battle was a chance to rise through merit.
Only Milk, the worrywart secretly infatuated with Sarah, genuinely fretted over the Acting General’s safety.
「Our target for the attack is the port of Nant.」
「Ah, I see. So, we’re prioritizing seizing the capital of the Marquisate of Nant?」
Alan chimed in, echoing Sarah’s sentiments.
「Not only that. The Southern Noble Alliance, cornered, will likely seek reinforcements from Castilia. Before that happens, we’ll occupy Nant’s port, effectively dividing Castilia Kingdom from the local nobles.」
「Ah, I see. Blocking their supply route makes sense. A well-thought-out and splendid strategy.」
Baron Zawa Haruto, with some war experience, marveled at the tactical map Sarah presented.
Indeed, one should never underestimate children. As expected of the treasured child of Lyle.
However, Sarah’s judgment was slightly delayed.
Unknown to her, Castilia’s strongest warrior, ‘that’—in a sense—was already aboard a relief ship headed for Nant’ port.
At this moment, Sarah remained blissfully unaware of ‘that’ warrior’s presence.