138 – 142
A report from the Intelligence Department.
“Hmm…”
Reading the contents stating that Nicaea, from the Babylon Empire, plans to hire additional mercenaries to transport by ship, he is lost in thought.
Until now, they had covertly recruited mercenaries in Babylon, but now, openly and on a large scale, they are hiring, which makes him ponder.
Have they finally realized they are trapped?
Gradually, the noose around Johannes’s neck is tightening.
It seems they are aiming to hire Babylon Empire’s mercenaries to exert every effort to untie the noose, but…
It could turn into a handshake of doom.
From Noble mtl dot com
Mercenaries are an unreliable force.
Even within the same continent, they might fulfill contracts to some extent for their reputation, but if it’s across continents, they don’t pay much heed to their credibility.
Mercenaries’ main customers are active continents, so rather than caring about the reputation of another continent, it’s more profitable to make a big move.
“Well, whatever. The Duopol side is still strong… They wouldn’t be aiming for Duopol, right?”
Hiring on such a large scale as if to establish a new front, is it towards Yal’s side?
Nicaea’s fronts are Epirus, Ezip, Duopol, and Yal.
Sending troops to Epirus and Ezip to launch an offensive is absurd, so the only option left is Yal.
-Tock… Tock…
Tapping the desk with his fingers, lost in thought.
Should I instruct Martin to prepare defenses on the Yal side?
With only 10,000 troops of the Empire protecting vast Yal plains, it’s inadequate.
It seems this is a matter for Martin to handle, not me who is far away.
“Well, let’s trust Martin on this… Lucius!”
Calling out to Lucius outside, he enters as the door opens.
“Your Highness, did you summon me?”
“Yes. Is the carriage ready?”
In response to my question, Lucius nods.
“Yes. It’s already prepared.”
“Then, I’ll be on my way.”
With that, he rises from his office and heads towards the Roman prison.
The current location where William and the Golden Knights are imprisoned, the Roman prison.
They may be prisoners in name only, with no women there… I have ordered to provide them with everything they desire.
They are knights soon to go to the battlefield, so they should be well-fed and rested.
In a way, it’s their brief vacation period.
Now, it’s time for that vacation period to come to an end.
-Creak…
Before he knew it, he arrived at the Roman prison.
Looking at the grand prison, he contemplates.
Although he had been to the Huang Palace prison before, he had heard that the Roman prison was much larger, but this was his first actual visit.
An official from the Information Department greets him.
“Your Highness, we’ve been informed of your visit.”
“Alright. Where is Sir William?”
“I will escort you to Sir William’s chamber. Please follow me this way.”
Guided as such, he heads towards Sir William’s chamber.
Satisfied while observing the strict security measures scattered around.
This should be enough to avoid unnecessary rumors.
Entering the prison interior,
– Halt!
– Agh!
Rough breathing and the sound of firm footsteps echo.
Wow… Are they training inside the prison?
Fully armed, the Golden Knights are seen training.
Is this really a prison?
Although a bit uneasy at the thought that if they turn slightly malicious, even the palace could be in danger, William remains unaware that things have soured between me and Theodora.
Come to think of it… Theodora hasn’t shown up for our studies since that day.
I heard from the intelligence department that she spends most of her time in her room in a daze, lately with her mother-in-law…
I hope she hasn’t done anything foolish.
Anyway, once we eliminate only the demon worshippers, I’ll leave without any regrets.
They wouldn’t send assassins out of resentment towards me, would they?
With such groundless thoughts, as I arrive at the room labeled with the title of Prison Warden, I let out a hollow laugh.
“Sir William… is using the Prison Warden’s room?”
“Yes. He is indeed a figure of great importance… so this room within the prison is the best available.”
It’s not an incorrect statement… but still… really?
I had asked to accommodate them as much as possible, but this situation is somewhat perplexing.
-Knock knock!
“Sir William, His Highness the Duke is here to see you.”
[Summon him in.]
Hearing the voice of the loyal knight, I open the door and enter.
Seeing the familiar face of William inside, I speak.
“You’re looking rather well.”
William, without any reaction to my words, simply gazes at me.
Then he speaks.
“Your arrival… signifies that we will soon be heading to the battlefield.”
At his words, I nod.
“Yes, indeed.”
He slightly smiles at my words.
“Well…, I realize I may not have known you well until now. You seem dependable, unlike your father.”
Dependable… I’m not sure if I truly am.
If I were dependable, I wouldn’t have married Theodora in the first place.
“You flatter me.”
At my words, William nods and says.
“It’s not an exaggeration. They say it’s quite noisy outside because I’m confined? I’ve only lived diligently for the empire. People here have suffered because of you and me, they say.”
“hahahaha… That can’t be helped. Thanks to you, Jonas will probably be erasing the Golden Knights from his mind. It’s actually a benefit.”
In reality, many people opposed my tyrannical behavior.
I had a lot of complaints about how William and the Golden Knights were treated. I’ve said enough, especially with the Kadu march happening.
So when the Golden Knights appear in Adria, they will surely be terrified.
Perhaps soon, the news of an alliance between the Empire and the United Kingdom will reach Jonas’ ears.
But well…
Even if they prepare for it, Adria will likely have very few troops left by then.
According to recent intelligence reports, I heard there are not even 3,000 soldiers, so we could easily occupy it and block the supply route to Dupolo.
Meanwhile…
If Agrifa leads the main force and captures the capital of Nicaea and Nicomedia, Jonas will be rendered helpless.
There’s nothing a king who’s lost his land can do.
“First, I will provide you with a 40,000-strong army to take control of Adria and cut off the enemy’s supplies.”
William hesitates as he responds to me.
“It won’t be easy, but we’ll do our best relying on the terrain and fortresses.”
“Of course, in case of danger, the United Kingdom’s ships will be stationed at the port of Adria. You have more war experience than someone like me. If necessary, you can join the main force by boarding a ship.”
Since we’re drawing the enemy’s attention to Adria and engaging in looting empty houses.
“Don’t worry. I will definitely guard that place.”
No… It seems like he didn’t understand my words…
“That place is important, but if things turn unfavorable…”
William vigorously shakes his head at my words, raising his palm.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be overwhelmed by the valiant ones of Nicaea.”
No… If things turn unfavorable, retreat… Don’t risk your life to protect it…
If William just dies in this state, a riot might really break out.
He was a hero who faced persecution from me and died in battle…
I try to explain with a worried expression, but William just smiles.
“I know your worries well. So don’t worry. So… When are we boarding?”
The ship will arrive at the Roman port tomorrow.
They will be sent to the port at dawn.
“You will probably board the day after tomorrow at dawn. And today, I will prepare the luggage and move it to the port in a carriage.”
Even if it’s dawn, it feels burdensome to walk around in that sparkling golden armor.
“Give me the luggage in advance.”
I nod at William and bow my head.
“Well then, I will take my leave.”
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yes. I’m truly sorry, but I have urgent matters to attend to… I’ll make sure to have good wine ready for our next meeting.”
That’s unlikely to happen.
Probably Theodora will be the one calling them to Rome.
“hahahaha… I see. Looking forward to that time.”
William, who breaks into laughter, is seen as Mary leaves the room.
***
Mary and Joy are close friends.
Perhaps if Joy wasn’t there for Mary, she might have gone crazy in the boring palace.
She is having a good time in Rome with the affectionate, bright, and cheerful Joy.
If you ask why Rome…
“Mary unnie! Here! This is the most popular lingerie store in Rome!”
The two of them sneak out of the palace and wander around Rome.
Although it hasn’t been a year since they became sisters, Joy seems to find Mary more comfortable than Theodora?
Perhaps because she can say things to Mary that she can’t say to her sister.
Moreover, their reading tastes(?) are somewhat similar, so they quickly became close friends.
The two of them buy provocative lingerie and visit delicious dessert shops.
From Noble mtl dot com
Especially for Joy, who usually can’t move around freely, this moment is too happy.
It’s the first outing since the incident with Devian and the subsequent secret outing.
Moreover, if she goes out with Mary and the Empire’s best armed guard, who can say anything if they get caught later?
“But Joy, doesn’t the atmosphere in the palace seem a bit ominous these days?”
Upon hearing this, Joy, with a thoughtful expression, says while biting her fork.
“I’m not sure? Unnie, try this! It’s delicious!”
Seeing Joy’s eyes light up as she looks at the layered crepe cake with cream, Mary frowns and says,
“Don’t you… gain weight even if you eat like that?”
Is it because they’ve been eating a lot together in recent weeks?
‘I’ve already gained 3kg since coming here… but… her…?’
Is it because it’s a wealthy city?
Fascinated by the delicious food that is different from Win, she couldn’t help but gain weight.
However, Mary, who eats a little less for the upcoming meeting with Agrippa, wonders if Joy, who eats similarly or even more, doesn’t gain weight?
Ignoring her concerns, Joy carefully eats the cake with a fork, and Mary, curious, asks with a questioning expression,
“But Joy, you eat like that and don’t gain weight?”
Joy chuckles in response to Mary’s question.
“Both you and I take after Mom, so we don’t gain weight no matter how much we eat.”
Mary has lived without any envy until now… but now she envies Joy’s metabolism too much.