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After a week passed, William, satisfied with the completed dams, gazed at them contentedly.
“Hmm… The water flow downstream has significantly decreased. Perhaps Toulouse has noticed something amiss. No reaction, though.”
In response to William’s words, Matthew spoke.
“Listen, Hani. General Zeko prefers defensive battles. He’s probably preparing for a siege in the fortress.”
Upon hearing this, William sighed, shaking his head.
“Zeko doesn’t prefer defensive battles. He’s just a coward. The ones truly skilled in defense are Adi of the Babylon Empire or Usman.”
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Remembering the struggles faced invading the Babylon Empire in the past and even suffering on their lands, William spoke, clicking his tongue.
“They said there are many people around Johannes. How could they send such an incompetent leader? I…”
In a cautious tone, Matthew replied, “Did they really expect us to use craftsmanship? Probably no one expected that.”
Nodding in agreement, William said, “Although they didn’t anticipate craftsmanship, abandoning the Ephesus Fortress was a foolish move.”
Thinking about the quick surrender of Ephesus and the incompetence of Zeko, William criticized, “In war, the incompetence of our own forces is more dangerous than the enemy’s main forces. If Zeko had deployed even 20,000… no, just 10,000 troops to Ephesus, we would have had a hard time buying time for craftsmanship.”
Indeed, swiftly capturing Ephesus and then deploying the Golden Knights to build dams quickly, William’s words were not wrong.
“Regardless, once the construction is complete today, give everyone about three days off to rest. We’ll have to deal with the remnants afterward.”
As William set off to inspect the embankment that would redirect the river to Toulouse, Matthew pondered, “The Knight Commander truly… is a blessing sent by the gods…”
***
Meanwhile, a letter arrived for Zeko at that moment.
A letter from Johannes reprimanding Zeko.
[Dear General Zeko,
Why are you acting so recklessly?
Even if they are Golden Knights, it would have been difficult for them to easily overlook Ephesus if you had fought relying on the fortress. I urgently requested reinforcements from Byzantium, so please devise a way to prevent the enemy from cutting off supplies.
As you well know, if Adriatic falls to the enemy, the allies’ supply lines will be in jeopardy.
In a few weeks, the Yala Front and the Dupol Front will converge, so do your best to defend Toulouse.]
Reading the letter, Zeko felt a chill run down his spine.
“K… This is serious. His Majesty is angry. What should I do?”
Although Zeko felt fear and worry, he couldn’t think of a way to get out of this situation.
‘I have my own thoughts. While His Majesty knows nothing…’
Zecko’s plan seems like a reasonable judgment.
Of course, he did order to deploy a thousand men to Epheso if enemies landed on the Adriatic Sea, but I think that was just a command that came out because they didn’t consider it as the arrival of the Golden Knights.
However, seeing Johannes so angry, Zecko feels disappointed.
‘His Majesty… even though he doesn’t know that I’m doing my best. It’s saddening.’
But regardless of his personal thoughts, he must get out of the current situation.
Otherwise, he might face execution for disobeying orders.
That’s why he is pondering on how to overcome this obstacle.
“Oh? Doesn’t the river seem shallower these days?”
Soldiers start murmuring as they look at the river flowing beside the fortress with puzzled expressions.
“I’ve heard the same. Could it be true?”
“Is it because it hasn’t been raining lately?”
Everyone starts whispering as they observe the decreased water level of the river.
***
Agrifa’s letter stating that the Unified Kingdom dealt a heavy blow to the navy of Nikea.
I’m troubled by the technique of hurling javelins with ballistae that have a range much longer than ours.
Hmm… Quite interesting.
It’s a naval warfare specialized tactic.
The strategy of loading heavy ballistae on ships to hurl javelins seems quite effective, but it’s not a great method to use on land.
The reason being, the Empire excels in attacks using knights.
So, if heavy ballistae are used, they will become targets for the knights, leaving them defenseless against their attacks.
In contrast, crossbowmen or mages can attack and move afterward, especially crossbowmen possess equipment that can counter knights, making it not easy for knights to attack.
While mages can attack enemies with magic, their range isn’t that long, but the reason they prefer not to use ballistae for attacks.
But it’s different in naval battles.
Because there are no knights to maintain mobility.
-Clever
“Who’s there?”
[His Imperial Majesty has arrived.]
It’s been a while.
Although it’s been quite some time since the last cabinet meeting, he finally graced us with his presence in the Grand Study, making the corners of my mouth curl up slightly.
Maybe I can lighten my workload a bit now?
“Please, come in.”
I entertain the pleasant thought of being able to step away from the piles of documents.
“You came?”
Theodora nods with a cold expression in response to my words.
“Sit over there first.”
Seeing him obediently take a seat on the sofa as I instructed, I speak.
“Well, now back to official duties…”
“I’ll be going out more often in the future. I came to ask for permission.”
Going out? Permission?
Could it be that she came to seek the talent Lord Yance had mentioned?
A bitter smile creeps onto her lips at her words.
I thought she had come to share my workload.
As I ponder this, she continues speaking.
“And I will also be overseeing the Grand Affairs from now on. Just so you know.”
Oversee the Grand Affairs?
“And how do you plan to oversee that?”
At my puzzled question, she replies.
“Every report that comes to you will be reviewed by me. I need to know how the Empire is functioning.”
Her words furrow my brow.
That’s understandable. Many reports that come to me contain sensitive content, from details about Theo, who keeps an eye on her, to reports related to Amun, the cultist, and even plans for the Imperial faction to align under Theo for a stable regime. If these were to be made public, it could stir up chaos.
But as I finish my thoughts, a new conclusion emerges.
If we exclude reports from the Information Department, it shouldn’t be a problem to make the rest public, right?
All sensitive matters are handled by the Information Department.
I stroke my chin, lost in thought.
I become convinced that as long as only reports from the Information Department flow to her, there shouldn’t be any major issues. However, considering her lack of responsibility and ignorance of her duties thus far, it seems necessary to reprimand her a bit.
Shall I push back a bit for now?
“I will permit outings. However, security will be based on the Emperor’s standards during travel. As for overseeing the Grand Affairs… that I cannot allow.”
My words cause Theo to furrow her brow.
“According to Imperial law, I should have the authority to oversee the Grand Affairs, shouldn’t I?”
I casually brush off the response I anticipated from her.
“Well, that’s true. It applies to a good Emperor who fulfills their duties. It doesn’t seem fitting for an Emperor who neglects their duties due to a bad mood, like you, to say such things, does it?”
Theo’s face subtly reddens at my words.
It’s only natural. For a noble to fail in their duty implies they are unworthy of their title.
In other words, one could interpret my words as declaring that Theo is unworthy of being Emperor.
“T-That! You and Epirus and Ezip…”
I cut her off, speaking coldly.
“Duty is something that must be carried out regardless of circumstances or excuses.”
Nobles have a duty to obey rightful Imperial commands. If they fail to do so, they can’t complain about losing their titles.
Primarily, the reason I can issue orders to all nobles, regardless of their allegiance to the Imperial faction or the anti-Imperial faction, is twofold. Refusing the summoning rights granted by the Assembly and disobeying orders regarding the capital’s troops are actions that forsake their duty. If they do not follow my commands, which allow me to wield the Emperor’s privileges, they are abandoning their own responsibilities.
No matter how strained our relationship may be, nobles do not shirk their duties.
This implies that they and their families are no longer nobles.
“Ugh…”
Theo’s shoulders tense in anger at my words.
She closes her eyes gently and takes a deep breath.
After a few moments pass like this, she softly opens her beautiful red eyes and asks.
“Haah… Alright then. So, what is it that you desire?”
“I want you to assist with the Grand Affairs going forward, take care of the usual official matters, and conduct an audit excluding sensitive reports from the Information Department. Those two will suffice.”
There had been significant progress in recent internal affairs.
I succeeded in producing fertilizer.
Of course, it’s still in the experimental stage, and further research is needed for mass production. However, I’m feeling good about the significant progress in fertilizer research at an earlier stage than expected.
There are also various other achievements.
Princess Ea’s project was a great success, and I heard that they are now in contact with the guild to start producing related products.
Moreover, there have been some results in extending the shelf life of mana stones and refining mana into mana stones.
And considering the indicators comparing tax revenue and prices from the previous quarter.
It clearly shows the development of the empire’s economy.
Well… it’s perhaps natural since the government has increased spending on experiments and research using funds other than for war.
I was worried about the possibility of inflation, so I researched related materials, but apart from a slight increase in prices, there were no unusual circumstances.
So… one could say that the empire’s economy is moving towards prosperity.
Theodora nods slightly at my words.
“Alright. Then… I’ll carry out the previous duties as you said.”
And so, Theodora’s duties, excluding those of the Information Department, resumed.