In The Name Of Ingrad! (12)

Everything was good. Looking at the situation of advancing, the feeling of the Sea Fortress moving, and the stability that made it seem as if it were on land despite being on the sea, I could feel extremely satisfied, but the problem was the “gate.”

“Ha, this does not feel like I came out to war… but like I changed my workplace, does it…?”

The office had almost the same arrangement, as if the form of the office used in the castle had been brought over exactly as it was and decorated, and even the sight of my retainers lined up for reports as usual was the same.

“It will take fifteen days until we reach the place that can practically be called the battlefield.”

At Matilda’s words, I let out a sigh. I had come out with my own resolve. However, work reports remained the same, and there was even work scheduled that required me to return to the castle and use my own hands.

A gate was good, but I wondered if it was not a bad technology.

‘Does this mean I cannot go on external trips from now on…?’

What I had devised and proposed was a “mobile gate,” a so-called small gate, and there was something being designed to be installed on large carriages and the like so important people could be moved here and there according to the battlefield situation.

However, since the situation and flow of war could not be known, we also had to anticipate cases where it might have to be destroyed in an emergency or be captured, so it had not yet been produced in order to prepare a little more thoroughly.

“This is very different from what I was thinking. What does everyone think?”

“Does Your Majesty’s idea of heading to the battlefield mean leaving state affairs behind?”

At the tone filled with daggers, I awkwardly shook my head and said,

“Would I neglect state affairs to that extent? Besides… I am in a situation where I have almost finished everything I have to do, am I not?”

If I thought about the fact that I still had to build several more Sea Fortresses, and other goods that had to pass through my hands, then there was practically no end to the work, but for now, all external affairs had been wrapped up.

I appealed that point, but Matilda took a report from her chest and handed it to me as she said,

“These are the things Your Majesty told us to push forward. Many of them have only just reached the test stage as well. I know how much strength and comfort it gives the soldiers when the king personally leads them to the battlefield, but please also think of the retainers who will struggle in Your Majesty’s absence.”

“…Ugh, understood. I will keep that in mind. But… it seems Richard has produced results?”

What was written in the report was about a “tank.”

The overall size was written as four meters wide, eight meters long, and 3.3 meters high, and I could see an overall design blueprint that had been composed from the rough explanation of a “tank” I had given before.

It was somewhat different from the tank I knew, but the atmosphere definitely looked like a tank.

On top of that, it had three cannons.

“I think it is a weapon that consumes an enormous amount of iron. As it is, most neighboring countries are at war, so there are disruptions in our iron supply.”

“How are things on the mining city side?”

“There is no major problem with the amount mined, but there was a report that a dragon was slowly trying to begin activity.”

“A dragon…”

When I thought of the Demon Dragon, I could expect that the things called ordinary dragons would also be tremendous. I had asked Samual and others for advice and discussed the possibility of hunting a dragon, and I remembered being told that, theoretically, if there were two Archmages and twenty Masters, the probability of winning without casualties would be close to roughly seventy percent.

‘Seventy percent… It would be a gamble.’

If we lost someone, it would not be something that ended at a painful level. If it failed by mistake, it could become something that would tear the country to pieces, let alone maintain the current prosperity.

The judgment of an enraged dragon also could not be ignored.

I looked down at the bracelet and thought of the “Demon Dragon,” but for now, I decided it should be put on hold.

“There are limits to what we can do right away, are there not? So let us increase iron production and start operating the ore vein that was recently discovered, shall we?”

“We are doing so, but I heard it will take time.”

“What is the reason?”

“They say the ore vein extends in a difficult manner. There was also talk that a water vein might be connected from a lake in the mountains. There was a report that they must proceed carefully through various investigations.”

Certainly, there were cases where if a tunnel collapsed while opening a mine, everything would become useless. We had prepared various supports as a way to solve this safely, but I thought there were cases where things simply could not go as intended, and said to Matilda,

“Please tell them that reckless work is prohibited. But are the Hameureun siblings doing well?”

It was a question about the two people in charge of the mining city, and Matilda spoke as if she knew about this in detail.

“Yes, Tein Hameureun’s skill is tremendous. Moreover, I understand that Rubins Hameureun is also often said to be kind to his staff and capable. On top of that, the two of them are actively stepping forward and putting their hearts into mine development. I understand they have even brought in mining-related guilds from outside.”

When I recalled that guilds were owners of heavy backsides who did not move unless absolutely necessary, I could recognize that she was certainly skilled.

Moreover, if he was receiving praise from his staff, I could know that he was governing quite well, and I felt needlessly relieved that the two siblings were doing quite well.

I looked down at the blueprint again and told Matilda,

“I do not think we need to produce a large quantity at the beginning. So… hmm, would around thirty not be suitable?”

Matilda was horrified, but when she sensed stubbornness in my gaze, she let out a sigh and asked,

“Did you not say it would become useless if an Aura Expert-class enemy clung to it?”

“I thought so at first, but I found a way to compensate for that.”

“…May I know what it is?”

“It seems he took inspiration from the fact that iron ingots worked on with Construction gain tremendous durability. Richard requested a portion of iron ingots from me before.”

After the explosion incident, Richard had come to me only a few days later, saying he had found a point to improve its security. Then he talked about this and that, and said that if it were iron ingots using Construction, it seemed possible to resolve the chronic problem, separately requesting a set amount of iron ingots.

Thanks to that, Gilbert was shocked about taking some away when iron was already in short supply, but it was somehow resolved well, and a certain amount had been delivered.

And the result that came out was shown in the blueprint.

“If this becomes practical, we will be able to face many troops with a small number of people. Moreover, in the case of this ‘tank,’ there are many parts where mana stones and magic circles can be engraved, so Hare also viewed it as an acceptable item because various options can be added. So… is it not right that we should make even a small quantity and try using them?”

Matilda, who let out a sigh to the very end and said she understood, was followed by Jeliko, who trotted forward next and gave his report.

“Your Majesty, we have received word that the war situation in the Briden Kingdom has reached its final stage.”

Jeliko was mainly in charge of diplomatic issues, and when I received and read the report he delivered, the civil war certainly seemed to be ending with the victory of the Briden Royal Family.

All of Onellia’s uncles who had caused the civil war had been unable to avoid beheading, and although a small number of rebels who were Onellia’s cousins had not yet been captured, their army itself had collapsed, so the situation had effectively reached its end.

“What do they say about the damage?”

“They say armies totaling around five million clashed, and a little over two million died. They say the whole national territory was swept up in the flames of war and is currently suffering hardships. Quite a large number of war refugees have appeared, so they are estimating that resolving that alone may take several years.”

“More people died than I imagined… Have you thought about the direction of support?”

I had received word from Briden before and replied to it. I said I would provide food support. So, since I thought I might take this opportunity to handle matters related to that, I first asked Jeliko, and as if it was a question he had expected, he answered immediately.

“I think it would be right to actively use potatoes and sweet potatoes, the crops being used by the Relief Group, to provide support. Moreover, through the abundant timber resources in our Ingrad, I think we can support the Northern Continent, which seems to lack resources itself, in many ways, and further, in the long term, we may even be able to secure profit as a trading partner… That is what I cautiously thought.”

When I told him he had done well, Jeliko’s expression brightened rapidly, and when he stepped back and took his place behind Matilda, another person came forward this time and gave a report.

“While we are at it, how about the Information Guild Master also joins our Ingrad?”

The Information Guild Master politely bowed his head and said,

“Is Ingrad not separately preparing an intelligence organization? Once they fulfill their role, we will be able to be more faithful to our own role… so please do not tell us to belong somewhere.”

“It sounds unkind, but I understand. So, how is the war?”

What I had to hear from the Information Guild Master was the state of the war. I had already heard that the advance party led by Ulde had advanced to the foremost front and was playing an active role.

So I had called the Information Guild Master for detailed information, and he came to the office in the same appearance as always and laid out what he knew.

“It is said that Lord Ulde and the five thousand whale beastkin performed brilliantly and repelled a Demonic Tribe army of over fifty thousand. When examining the Demon Tribe horns and the like they sent separately as spoils of war, the number of Demonic Tribe members killed is estimated to be about thirty thousand, and they conveyed that they weakened the Demonic Tribe’s strength by eliminating quite a few nobles.”

“Mm… Is that the report?”

The Information Guild Master handed over the bundle of documents he was holding, and there were detailed contents about this war written there.

“Mm, I do not know the intention of the Demonic Tribe. What do you think they want?”

“Before I answer… Forgive my insolence, but I wish to know what Your Majesty desires.”

“What I desire?”

“That is so. I mean the reason you sent them not merely as escorts for the Relief Group, but to the foremost front line.”

At first, it had been for the purpose of blocking things in advance. The Relief Group had many things it had to do. Moreover, since we had even sent blocks to build a fortress, if they settled in a suitable place and carried out fortification work, would it not display quite tremendous defensive capability in the long term?

After thinking that, I said to the Information Guild Master,

“It is because I am worried that the war will continue for too long. It would be good if I could actively participate with what I can provide and push back the Demonic Tribe, but since I cannot do that, I am trying to conduct a ‘war of protection’ as the next best option.”

“A war of protection… Is that not an extremely difficult war?”

Protecting allies from an invading enemy was more difficult than invasion. He asked based on that fact, and I said to such an Information Guild Master,

“I pride myself on being very good if it is only protecting. No… perhaps what I can do may be nothing but protect.”

The Information Guild Master bowed his head as if satisfied with the answer and said,

“It is an honor to be able to assist Your Majesty from your side.”

“What do you mean, honor…”