Midnight (2)
“So the expeditionary force occupied the northern part and safely established a defensive line.”
“… … Right.”
King’s office.
Father’s face as he received the report showed a very complex emotion.
A sense of pride that he completed his mission brilliantly without any injuries?
Or the joy of capturing the North with minimal losses?
They also contributed to that expression, but above all, what remained deeply in his father’s feelings was a sense of bewilderment.
“… … Just like when you really go, you have the ability to act quickly.”
“Is there any reason for delay?”
I returned home leaving all forces in the forefront of the newly bordered area. There was no reason to be there anymore, so it was a natural story.
However, the discussion of return was the story of this morning.
Arriving at the royal castle in less than a day, it seems that my father was quite embarrassed.
“Kuhm! He must have said he would prepare a grand improvement ceremony for your return. But if you come here so suddenly, won’t it go against your schedule?”
It was.
If it is a normal war, welcome and non-work will follow.
It seemed like a normal procedure.
However, this case is a bit unusual.
“father. The reason they haven’t moved yet is because of the war with the Federation Empire.”
“hmm?”
“That’s why we have soldiers and knights waiting in the north. It means that it is still too early to celebrate the victory.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
It is still in a lull.
You should never overlook that point and let your guard down.
“… … But wouldn’t that mean that your achievements won’t be praised either?”
“It will be so.”
My father spoke cautiously but softly.
In conclusion, that was the gist of what my father was worried about. The achievements are not revealed in detail due to lukewarm improvement.
But it didn’t matter.
‘I don’t need any more proof.’
I responded with a shrug.
It has already proven itself through several incidents over the past year.
From the appearance of the first prince who was weak and swayed, to the appearance of the next monarch who can lead state affairs and make profits.
Literally, there is no point in showing yourself anymore.
‘It’s just a troublesome show off as long as the power is solidified in the first place.’
Currently, Esteban is divided into the 1st Prince faction that follows me, and the 2nd Prince faction that moves around Albedo.
After the death of Asus, the faction of the 2nd princes grew rapidly as a reward, but their power gradually lost power due to a series of events.
But it has been maintained to this day.
In other words, the forces of the 2nd Prince faction that remain until now are said to have nothing to fall away from, no matter what happens.
“The news of the war and exploits will spread quickly anyway.”
“It is, but… … .”
“If so, it would be a good decision to think about the future rather than holding a triumphal ceremony now.”
“… … If that’s what you think, it can’t be helped.”
My father said while hiding his sad expression.
With that, the tidying up was over.
As long as the person himself was saying this, there would be no way to push ahead with the improvement ceremony.
“But what exactly is that artificial sun?”
“As I said, it is a treasure trove of magic used by ancient mages. It is, to be exact, a remnant of it.”
“I get it. But I wonder what you can do with it.”
An artificial sun installed in the sky of occupied territories.
It emitted magical energy and illuminated the land in the north day and night.
Even during the day when the two suns rose, the melting of the frigid ground could be seen.
“I heard that thanks to that, the cold in the north has eased, but that alone doesn’t explain why you installed it.”
From noble mtl dot com.
“no. That could be reason enough.”
“hmm? Did you mean just warming your body?”
My father’s expression changed to that of a child full of curiosity.
I replied with a small smile.
“The strength of barbarians in the North is that they have adapted to the environment.”
“… … Are you saying that being able to withstand the bitter cold itself is a strength?”
“Why not? It’s true that they are strong, but even so, those who use auras are similar to us. Even so, being able to fight like that… … It cannot be said that there is no influence of the weather.”
What was the reason why Arendelle, with the Commonwealth Empire in between, collapsed so easily?
It was partly because of the conspiracy of the Federation Empire, but more than anything else, it was because they jumped on the bandwagon in the cold of winter.
Cold causes muscles to atrophy, slows down their reaction, and also affects the clothing worn.
But they don’t.
Warriors rushing in despite the cold!
After all, for the barbarian warriors, the harsh environment was an absolute advantage.
“If the soldiers’ bodies melt under such circumstances, that alone will be able to close the gap with the opponent.”
“surely… … Then, along with the topography of the preoccupied defense line, it will make the defense easier.”
“Of course, that’s not the only reason.”
I took out a blue jewel from my chest and handed it to my father.
“Would you like to take a look?”
Then, my father took out his glasses and looked at the jewel.
“Looking at the color, it must be an artificial magic stone created in the Mage Tower. Was it just made?”
“Yes, this is the item that was the first contributor to the construction of the defense line.”
“I’m sure you said you used these to move the fort.”
The magic tower master used this to move the three forts.
Mana, which was lacking due to excessive use of authority, depended on magic stones.
In the process, it was confirmed that mana, which was artificially pooled, could also be used, and its applicability was proved.
“But there is something that my father said wrong.”
“hmm?”
“This was created in the Magic Tower, but it is also a Magic Stone that has already been used.”
“… … what?”
Father hurriedly took the magic crystal and started to turn it around.
It was clear that the bright blue light was full of magic power.
That, too, is different from the normal purple magic crystal… … .
“It is a magic stone charged by the northern sun.”
“What, what… … !”
My father, who had been sitting the whole time, stood up.
What I just said was just that shocking.
“I can recharge the artificial magic stones I used once!”
It wasn’t something that could be called innovation.
Right away, it was a crucial matter that changed the game of magic power itself.
* * *
News of the occupation of the north was spreading to the nobility.
Of course, most of them said that they had already successfully occupied certain areas, or that they had not yet penetrated the defenses of the barbarians, etc. It was just speculation.
It was a natural reaction since there was no known information about the origin and the northern expedition itself was a major event.
However, when the news announced by the royal family came this time, those speculations disappeared as if washed away.
[The northern army has successfully occupied the land of the barbarians.]
[Therefore, discussions are underway on the use of the occupied land, and subsequent management will be directly managed by the royal family as a direct control.]
… … It was easily unbelievable news.
How could the expedition, which was initially expected to take several months, proceed so quickly?
In the first place, the expansion of Esteban’s land was something they could not have imagined even in their dreams.
That would be the case, and there was no territorial expansion except for the first king, and even that was only to defend.
That’s why the merits of the first prince, who recently gained the plains through diplomacy, shined even more.
Even the northern barbarians were by no means a weak force. Isn’t that Federation Empire still enough to go head-to-head with them?
however.
-I thought it would stop at reducing the number at best, but… … !
A new border area is established in the north and the royal family manages the occupied land?
Not anywhere else, but in that land of barbarians?
Since they were aristocrats who were well aware that a separate meeting was called every year because of the damage they heard about, the contents were all the more shocking.
Even that wasn’t the end.
Even more surprising was the news that followed.
[The royal family decided to designate the occupied area as a special military zone and develop facilities for training troops.]
About 20% of Esteban’s territory.
It was declared that the entire occupied territory would be used exclusively for power enhancement.
And if you were even a little interested in the situation, you could notice it.
What did it mean when he said he would train soldiers in that land… … .
“I’m going to make a means to confront them in earnest.”
I said satisfactorily and looked at the newly created map of the North.
Esteban’s borderline marked in red.
It cut through the land of the barbarians and contained a vast land as if to announce that it had become ours anew.
“From the point of view of the Federation Empire, it must feel like there is a thorn in the tooth.”
“It will be like that.”
Originally, it was impossible to move troops through barbarian lands.
However, he occupied the northern part of Esteban and said he would raise an army there.
It was like they had more things to worry about.
Esteban’s main army and northern part.
The forces coming from both locations would have forced them to redefine their basic strategy.
Of course, there was another part that I was really satisfied with.
“Esteban will develop in an instant with endless magic from now on.”
The artificial sun was originally a failure.
The ‘Fountain of Glory’ that ancient wizards hoped for only brought ruin, and their aspirations collapsed.
but.
‘It’s been a long time. Some are lost, but some are newly developed.’
Continent’s magic power concentration is lowering. In order to survive there, wizards devised countless magics, and we knew the answer.
agglutination.
In other words, a new ‘condensation’ magic circle was carved into the concentrated magic power.
‘I referred to the structure of the magic imprint that automatically absorbs the surrounding mana.’
In addition, he added the mana condensation skill acquired while researching artificial magic stones.
Thanks to that, the artificial sun really came close to what the ancient sorcerers wanted.
A treasure trove of magical energy that makes condensation and discharge more efficient.
Although it is not a permanent organ, it has been able to faithfully perform its function.
In fact, it can be said that it is a non-stop power.
‘Of course, in normal times, I’d have to reserve that much magic.’
Such disadvantages were already meaningless.
Because the advantages revealed are so enormous and shocking.
This will lead the development of Esteban rather than just managing troops.
“You have accomplished so much this time.”
Baron Vidor, who was listening to the story, smiled gently.
At first glance, it seemed that he felt a sense of pride similar to what he saw in his father’s emotions.
‘Come to think of it, I left all the affairs of the castle to the baron.’
It wouldn’t have been a big problem. Most of the work has already been taken care of.
However, he was also curious about what had happened in the royal castle, so he shrugged his shoulders and asked.
“But what happened while I was gone?”
“Nothing much happened. Oh, first of all, Roel’s condition has improved a lot.”
“What if?”
“I must say that I have become more emotionally expressive.”
Roel after the kidnapping incident. Occasionally he traveled to Baron Vidor and interacted with the Baron’s daughter.
Is it because of the strong influence of a girl around her age? The baron did not hide his satisfaction, saying that he seemed to be growing smoothly.
Of course, pride for my daughter would also be mixed in there.
I nodded sullenly.
“Right.”
“And there are other things… … .”
That was the moment when the baron’s report was about to continue.
With my eyes resting on my chin and looking out the window, I suddenly began to see something strange.
I raised my hand and interrupted the baron.
“for a moment.”
“yes?”
“But what is that?”
“If that… … ah!”
Baron Ilsun’s gaze moved to where my eyes were headed.
Then he smiled in a bizarrely awkward way.
There was a series of chickens toddling around the castle gardens.
“Why is something like that in the royal castle?”
“hahahaha, that… … .”
To the question I asked while making a goal between his eyebrows, the baron scratched his head and answered.
“This is what I was going to tell you just now… … That’s a griffon baby.”
“… … griffon?”
I got up from my seat at that embarrassing answer and narrowed my eyes.
Then, in the Sword Master’s clear vision, they began to see their details.
“I was worried that you wouldn’t recognize me, but it’s true. Scholars were also very surprised by that appearance.”
“… … .”
I thought it was a chicken, but it was really a griffon.
I suddenly felt absurd and murmured.
“But why is the size like that?”