LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 142
“Please elaborate.”
Kamaya and Echidna nodded at my words, and soon began to draw on the map spread out on the round table.
Following their fingertips, the military movements they personally confirmed began to appear on the map one by one.
The implications were immediately clear.
“It’s a territorial war.”
“Indeed, you are as wise as ever, my Lord.”
Kamaya replied, placing two flags over ‘Damalon’ and ‘Mathefit’.
Both were territories located to the west of the Eisenlight Mountain Range where my dungeon resides.
Damalon belonged to the Zenota United Kingdom, while Mathefit was a Count’s territory of the Arilite Principality.
And around those territories, several blue and red flags were planted here and there.
They were markings indicating the gathering of each territory’s forces.
“What’s the cause?”
“It seems a girl has died.”
Echidna was the one who answered.
A mix of calmness and indifference tugged at the corners of her mouth.
This was likely because this war, while unrelated to us, was simultaneously going to provide an excellent opportunity.
How great that opportunity would be depended on what we did from here on out.
“A girl?”
“Yes, my Lord. From what I gathered, she was just an ordinary commoner’s daughter.”
The deceased girl was a resident of the Arilite Principality’s Mathefit territory, living in a village close to the border.
It seems her body was found on the land of Damalon, across the way…
And it was reported to be so horrifically mangled that it was hard to even speak of.
Of course, just that alone—the ‘mere’ death of a commoner—would not ignite a war.
A deeper cause immediately came to mind.
“It seems the Damalon side ignored Count Mathefit’s request for an investigation.”
“You are exactly right. You truly are extraordinary, my Lord.”
Damalon and Mathefit.
The two Count territories formed the border between the Zenota United Kingdom and the Arilite Principality, and the two nations had a traditionally poor relationship.
Much like the one between the Kaisen Kingdom where I reside and the southeastern Norn Empire.
“It’s only to be expected.”
The Arilite Principality is a fief granted to a Grand Duke of the eastern Norn Empire.
This Grand Duke is married to the Empire’s princess.
The ties between the United Kingdom and the expansionist policies of the Empire were bound to be strained, and thus a turbulent relationship with the principality of Arilite was entirely natural.
“Arilite also holds a portion of trade routes, making it even worse.”
The Foile Strait, a major trade route in the central continent that links Kaisen to Arilite, provides immense economic benefits to its land.
Because of this, the United Kingdom cannot afford to raise its voice against a hostile nation.
If they cannot maintain support from the continent, they will be at a disadvantage in their fight against the Magical Realm.
I can only imagine the stress involved.
With the Magical Realm Grand Duke already bordering them, they must also worry about threats from behind.
“Tell me about the current status of the two Count territories.”
“Certainly. First, Count Rube of Mathefit has grown through the experience of battle, but is not particularly aggressive. He is known as a lord who cares for his subjects.”
“Count Aisaaf of Damalon is considered quite wise. Despite the territory being somewhat barren, he has managed to locate mines well and accumulate wealth through them.”
I looked over the map again.
According to what they had gathered, this incident would likely remain at the level of an ordinary territorial war.
“It doesn’t seem like this will escalate into something significant.”
“Do you think so? Humans are quite greedy. If they decide to devour each other’s territories at this opportunity…”
“However, indeed, they lack justification for that. Echidna.”
This event sparking a war arises from the normal sentiments flowing between the two countries and peoples.
The death of a commoner is merely a spark thrown onto the oil.
If both Counts were truly wise and prudent, as Kamaya suggested, it would hardly erupt into flames.
They themselves would serve as a fire-break, restricting the oxygen feeding the flames.
“… Unless someone intervenes, that is.”
At my words, all eyes turned to me.
I pointed to Nirvana among them.
“Nirvana. Do you have any children who can move this far?”
“Yes, Nepenthes and Jade Vine can traverse through the mountain range.”
“The two kids in the dungeon, right? What’s their level?”
“Both of them are among those I think can succeed me. I can send a few more ordinary kids as well.”
Satisfactory.
As I nodded in response, Nirvana adorned her face with a sly smile that hinted at hidden intentions.
“You plan on escalating this war further, don’t you?”
“Indeed.”
As she said, I intended to use this war to create a proper opportunity for myself.
To do so, this could not simply end as an ‘ordinary territorial war.’
“I will send my magic within the two children. They will grow stronger.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
The power of allure possessed by Alraune was formidable.
A successor to the Queen could control not only ordinary humans but even human adventurers and knights.
The potential targets…
I turned my gaze to the Harpy Queen.
“Kamaya, investigate Count Aisaaf’s family tree for the Damalon territory. Take my dungeon’s slave, Elena’s mother, and have her confirm it.”
“Understood.”
Elena, who had become a slave in my dungeon, and her family came from an illustrious noble lineage.
Though the family had fallen, the knowledge accumulated through that bloodline was invaluable.
Her mother, Josephine, would surely recall the family ties of Counts near the Kaisen Kingdom with ease.
After I turned her into a monster and freed her from the dementia she had suffered from, her loyalty to me had ranked higher than a cause for concern.
“Sonia. Are you okay with this?”
“Of course, Master.”
Working in my dungeon, Elena and her family were nominally all organized under Sonia.
Although I was her mentor, it was more appropriate to ask for her opinion.
“My Lord, the United Kingdom’s forces include many mercenary groups. We can offer them what they desire most.”
This was Evangeline’s suggestion.
“That’s precisely right.”
I nodded.
The combat strength of the two nations was slightly inferior on the Zenota Kingdom’s side, and the composition was quite different.
In Arilite Principality and its Empire, the power of knights and regular troops was strong, but the United Kingdom had many active mercenary bands.
This was because the United Kingdom bordered the Magical Realm, and due to this situation, they were allied with the smaller countries in the West.
Simultaneously, the Empire has potential enemy nations encircling it, meaning it cannot depend solely on mercenaries for military trustworthiness.
This is an excellent bloody ingredient that will deepen the conflict of this strife.
“Having many would be unnecessary. Buying off just a few to raid the Mathefit side will suffice. That should be enough.”
The evaluation of Count Aisaaf of Damalon as “wise” is closely tied with the surrounding lords’ assessment of him as “insidious.”
If mercenaries were to raid Mathefit, it would be seen as Count Aisaaf’s actions.
“Understood, my Lord.”
Evangeline bowed deeply and stepped back.
This time, I turned my gaze to the other investigator.
“Echidna.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“You will remove your gaze from this side.”
“My Lord?”
It was hard to tell due to her lack of expression, but a glint of disappointment seemed to flash across the Lamia Queen’s face.
Echidna had not shown it, but it seemed she was quite interested in presenting her merits to me.
That might simply be due to her psychological barriers toward me becoming less rigid.
As I opened my mouth again, her face brightened slightly, proving that point.
“Return east and investigate the riverside towns of the Arilite Principality. Find out what kind of people the lords and barons are.”
“What should I focus on?”
“Greedy individuals would be ideal. I plan to use them suitably, or discard and replace them.”
“Understood.”
A cold smile appeared at Echidna’s lips.
While she held a great interest in human cultures, she simultaneously kept her distance from them.
This was likely because she was well aware of the darker aspects of humanity, making her capable of detecting the more greedy individuals among them.
“And…”
As I pondered over the map for a moment, I came up with another task for her subordinate.
“Send the Lizardman Chief, Zarax, to me.”
“Zarax, you mean?”
“Yes. I want him tasked with troubling the humans in the west.”
Echidna’s face lit up, and she bowed deeply.
“Thank you for your grace, my Lord. He will accept this with delight.”
My gaze fell to the relatively large river dividing the central area of Damalon territory.
Their supply lines would invariably have to pass through either the river or the mountain pass.
‘What’s important is not to completely cut off supply routes but to merely harass them.’
Hungry mercenaries would crave war and plunder even more.
Given that Zarax is a loyal one, he will cast aside his desires and carry out my orders faithfully.
This will also provide him an excellent opportunity to clear the burden in his heart.
Echidna’s gratitude stemmed from her gratitude towards her master for considering the troubles of her subordinate.
‘And… there’s another thing.’
“Nirvana.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
I turned my gaze back to Nirvana.
“Release some of the Green Skins you control.”
“Will they be used to disrupt the east?”
Her cleverness sparked a satisfied smile on my face.
“Excellent. There is a possibility they requested heavy equipment materials from the Empire’s homeland or the principality, so you should find and destroy that.”
War requires being prepared for all possibilities and making fewer mistakes.
If the Count were truly experienced, he would have already attempted to procure siege equipment from the homeland.
After all, they might actually end up engaging in a siege.
‘The mercenaries should be greedy. And the army, chaotic.’
By stirring the chaos in the southwestern region, I could seize a portion of the human trade routes as a stepping stone amidst the turmoil.
This would prove to be a significant advantage for me in the long run.
‘Have I selected everything I can do right now?’
As I continued my line of thought, Lan stepped forward to address me.
She had come to point out something I hadn’t considered.
“Master, what will you do about Elena?”
“Oh, right. Lan. Contact her and let her know she has contributed.”
“Understood.”
If this turns into more than a mere territorial dispute, the Outskirts Duke of Ironfield in the north might swallow a few territories of the United Kingdom.
If I coordinate the timing of the invasion with Elena, most of the credit will naturally fall to her.
Of course, while this would worsen relations between the Kaisen Kingdom and the United Kingdom, that was of no concern to me.
‘Speaking of which, there was Agarest too.’
After Lan pointed that out, my thoughts turned to other possibilities.
There could be at least one, perhaps two individuals who would benefit from this war.
The Grand Duke of “Violence,” Eligoth in the east, and the Grand Duke of “Corruption,” Agarest in the south, being on either side of me, could benefit each other by plunging the human territories into chaos.
It’s a thought I need to keep in mind.
Lastly, I turned my gaze to Orea.
“Orea, while the other queens are keeping an eye on the southwest, you must pay close attention to the northern border.”
“Understood, my Lord.”
Orea’s expression brightened as she monitored me.
This loyal one must have been worried about having no role. My words must have stroked that concern.
“Especially watch the northeastern Guless Count territory’s movements. If an opening arises, there may be an opportunity to seize that place. Since you hold mercenary duties, sending Etna would be a good idea.”
“Me? But I…”
“Well, that may be true. I will leave it to you as you see fit.”
Orea, diligent and reliable but lacking agility, was offset by her sister Etna, who was quite clever.
Though she hadn’t had much experience dealing with military matters…
“You’re more than capable. Etna. Give it a try. Even if you fail, as long as you hide yourself well, it won’t be a big issue.”
“… I understand. I won’t disappoint you.”
“I trust you.”
As I spoke, she nodded with a resolute expression.
She, too, was a Muirmikian—type who steels herself to respond faithfully when orders are given.
“For now, this will suffice. Everyone, do your best.”
“Yes!!”
After this, I decided to bypass the regular reporting system for a while and gather immediate reports through my close aides.
Everyone would be busy from here on out.
Originally, I had intended to target the Guless Count family first, but with this new opportunity presenting itself.
To seize it properly, this war must create significant chaos for at least two, or even up to three nations.
“The smell of blood is in the air.”
“Indeed. Quite a bit will flow.”
Even if this war escalates to a great war, it wouldn’t matter to me.
If the Kaisen Kingdom gets embroiled, it could instead become a far greater opportunity for me.
As numerous corpses pile up and blood flows like a river…
“And if the chaos expands uncontrollably.”
Ordinary citizens will no longer care who protects them, as long as they can find someone.
“It could even be monsters.”
The eyes of my subordinates sparkled at my words.
They were eyes filled with intrigue and ambition, ready to weave plots and conquer.