Chapter 202: Acquiescing to the Imperial Army’s Retreat (2)
As Levidian said, since the construction of the barrier, monsters have never invaded the Empire. Of course, there are records of a few individual instances crossing over, but there haven’t been any large-scale attacks.
For reference, no matter how high and sturdy the barrier is, and no matter how long and sharp the spears of the Eastern Army guarding it are, they can’t do anything about those flying in the sky.
Anyway, around the time Pelasion was built, monsters weren’t overflowing as much as they were during the pre-Imperial era.
Now, this is where the dilemma begins.
“In the case of the Orknesia Eastern Barrier, you can see monsters all year round. To exaggerate, monsters appear as often as we eat. Therefore, repairs, maintenance, expansion, and reconstruction of the barrier are always carried out under strict supervision. The supervisors, the constructors, and the military units in charge all know that if this collapses, it’s the end. However, the situation in Pelasion is a bit different.”
Monsters don’t appear, and there’s no need to risk your life defending the city. And there’s no sign of that happening either.
For almost 300 years since its construction, this place has become a white elephant with unnecessarily high walls. How else would Pelasion be listed as a tourist destination in the Azot Kingdom’s Imperial travel guide?
Ultimately, the descendants who inherited the city after its creation could only manage it more lazily than their ancestors. With the budget constantly shrinking, they would rather embezzle it than use gold coins on walls that wouldn’t even be used.
In the end, Pelasion became a place where the strictness of the distant past, the laxity of the recent past, and the current negligence are all beautifully intertwined.
Levidian nodded at this explanation.
“I see. So that’s why the Imperial Army is carrying out repair work now.”
“That’s right. It would be great if we could interrupt this, but it’s difficult because they’re across the river. The range of the catapults is only enough to prevent the Imperial Army from crossing the river or establishing a base on the riverbank.”
Currently, all of the Kingdom Army’s long-range strike units are gathered on the north side of the Pelasia River, throwing fierce glances and lazy cat yawns towards the other side. (The former are the lower-ranked soldiers, and the latter are the higher-ranked soldiers.)
It hasn’t been long since the confrontation began, but it seems the Imperial Army has already given up on the plan to build a defense line close to the river. It seems that almost all of their manpower is either building barricades in front of the castle or has begun repair work on the walls.
Although it’s about 1 kilometer away across the river, seeing the dust rising every day suggests that the construction is still ongoing.
I poured tea into my cup and brought it to my lips, saying,
“Right now, both sides are preparing for battle. It would be nice if we could make the first move, but we also need to think about a way to cross the river, and Kun hasn’t arrived yet. We’re not ready either.”
“Hmm. I understand. You’re planning to confront Artshever head-on, right?”
“To tell you the truth, yes.”
Actually, this Pelasion strategy ends when I find out his real name. But he only said that it was a name I knew, and he didn’t give me any hints at all.
If you ask me if I have no idea at all, that’s not true either.
First of all, I also have several suspicions and things I’m thinking about. But I don’t want to prematurely reveal them and make them a reality.
In times like these, do I really have to trust my intuition? Surprisingly, my intuition is not very reliable.
I shrugged and said,
“There are a few things to think about. So, I’ve decided not to rush into battle for now. Plus, the soldiers need some rest after the fierce battle. Is it true that rest on the battlefield is better treatment than a priest’s touch?”
Levidian looked at me with a meaningful expression. Ugh, isn’t that the expression Aila used to make? She took a bite of an apple and said,
“Alright. You have some internal issues, but you mean you’ll talk about it later, right? If you’re struggling with something and think it’s a bit difficult, feel free to tell me.”
Anyway, you’re in my hands, so don’t even think about running away.
I felt like I had heard the unspoken words she didn’t say. She’s gradually becoming a monster. She’s beyond my control now, so should I just quietly surrender?
“Yes…… I will.”
I had no choice but to nod reluctantly.
But seeing how even this side of her is as refreshing and tempting as an apple makes me think I’m head over heels for her.
Ignoring the report that Aila and Lucy are happily throwing stones by the river, I started my work.
First, I received a report that Girmina Asin Seondo, the commander of the 2080th Division, would arrive in two weeks with 1,500 reinforcements. Then, I received a report from the search team that had gone upstream of the Pelasia River.
In the meantime, I sent an order to the captain of the 1024th Cheonbyeongdae, who had requested pepper attached to an arrow, telling him to stop playing around and get to work. I also reviewed the prisoner transfer and supply plans.
I always think this, but really, being at the bottom is the easiest. Do what your superiors tell you to do, go where they tell you to go, sleep when they tell you to sleep, and when they tell you to buy something, haggle first…… Is that not right? Anyway, unlike those at the bottom who only need to do what they’re told, those in command aren’t actually in such a comfortable position.
Despite this, I sometimes feel sorry for those who strive to climb the ladder. Well, I was born into the privileged class, but the responsibilities that come with being in the privileged class are always directly proportional to the stress.
Sigh, really, trying to climb the social ladder is nothing special, but it’s so hard it makes you want to die.
“That’s why the salary is high.”
“As always, you’re sharp.”
“You’re welcome.”
Levidian grinned and teased me as she sipped her tea. Sometimes I get angry at my lover at times like these. I’m working hard, and she’s just sitting there watching!
Caw! Instead of helping!
“Sispa told me to take care of my backlog. Oh, she said the 3392nd Legion’s deployment situation isn’t very good, so take care of that first.”
“Yes.”
For your information, the 3392nd Legion has a lot of female officers, and Levidian is drinking tea with a tea set they gifted her. The soldiers’ ability to understand the power dynamics is truly amazing.
The reason Levidian is here is because of a special request from the military command.
I often used to slack off when I was alone, and the strong military spirit that couldn’t stand to see a superior slacking off dispatched a supervisor.
Who’s the Grand General? I won’t forget. Damn them.
With the heart of a private soldier who has become a soldier of interest to the supply officer, I had to finish my work quickly.
Just because Levidian is here, I sometimes have tea time with snacks, call officers for a chat, take naps, and so on. I can’t do anything befitting a Grand General.
Moreover, I lost two valuable helpers this morning. I desperately need the administrative processing ability of my friend who’s probably still skipping stones with Lucy. Damn it.
Anyway, I grumbled like this while working, and Levidian sipped tea, ate snacks, occasionally stretched, and even took a light nap, committing all sorts of atrocities that made me furious.
Thus, the time I finished all my work was five hours after I started. Even then, it seemed like Aila and Lucy were still throwing stones. If they keep at it, they might even build a stone bridge.
“Are you done?”
“I’m done. Phew, I’m tired.”
“Good work. As always, you look best when you’re working.”
“Is that so? Hahaha. I should have worked harder.”
I forced a cheerful laugh. Hmm. I’m quite satisfied with today’s work, having shown a good side of myself to my lover. Ah, the nature of a sad man.
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Please. I like the tea Levidian makes the best.”
“Oh my, even if you say that, I have nothing to offer but plain tea now. It’ll be a while before it gets dark, right? Hehe.”
She let out a seductive laugh, and I felt my mouth water. Oh, dear. No. Let’s save our desires for the night. But wouldn’t that make me even more tired?
While she hummed and prepared the tea, I rested my chin on the back of the sofa and watched her graceful movements.
She’s wearing a rough leather outfit because it’s wartime, but leather truly moves beautifully. Watching her swaying back, I suddenly felt my mouth water……! Ah, no!
Fortunately, I was able to control my desires. So, I didn’t betray my friend twice.
“I’m back.”
“Oh, Lucy, welcome back. Levidian, one more cup.”
“Okay. Welcome back, Lucy.”
In the meantime, Lucy seemed to have aged considerably. If he went a little further, I might even believe he’s Silvan Harcian. He plopped down without even brushing the dirt off his robe.
He let out a huge sigh.
“Sigh……”
“How are you? Feeling a little better?”
“Better or not…… This was bound to happen. Yeah, man. You’ve become an adult too. A true man knows how to celebrate his friend’s happiness. I’ve decided not to be petty anymore.”
It seemed like Lucy had also gained enlightenment and become more mature. Although the part about gaining enlightenment is quite difficult to describe.
He gave a gentle smile that only an enlightened person could give.
“Congratulations. You two really look good together.”
“Thanks. But where’s Aila?”
“She’s determined to break the record by skipping stones 32 times.”
I smiled faintly. It’s the best expression you can make when you have nothing to say. He continued,
“I was a little out of it this morning. I was really shocked. But thinking back, I already knew about women in my mid-teens. I realized there was no reason for me to spoil my friend’s happiness just because he was late compared to me. Truly, Mother Nature teaches me a lot.”
“You were by the river, right?…… Did you realize that by watching that?”
“Yeah. The ripples of the stone skipping 32 times resonated in my heart. I realized it at that moment.”
Someone please tell me. The correlation between skipping stones and enlightenment. Preferably in the form of a thesis. Just then, Levidian brought the tea at the right time, and I was able to appropriately hide my face. I said appropriately,
“Thanks for understanding. I’m sorry for shocking you. But why did you come this morning?”
“Oh, that. I was thinking if we could make an ice bridge like we did when we attacked Hanah City before, but it seems like the magic interference would be severe. It might be possible if we mobilized all the mages in the army, but the old man is a bit of an issue. I think it’ll be difficult. Back then it was a surprise attack, and now it’s a full-fledged war. If the magic is dispelled, the soldiers would drown in the middle of the river.”
“Indeed, that method would be difficult.”
I stroked my chin with a regretful expression. I didn’t expect it to work, but it’s still a shame to hear that it’s not possible. It seems like we’ll have to find another way for the river crossing operation.
Anyway, the mage who came to give me such valuable information, was shocked, fell into despair, and then gained enlightenment by watching a stone skip 31 times asked me,
“Is there another way?”
“Not yet. I think I need to think about it a little more.”
“I see. If you need any help, let me know. I’m your friend, and I can always help you. I’ll never forget the enlightenment the skipping stone gave me.”
“Thanks for that.”
So please tell me what the relationship is between the skipping stone and enlightenment. Is it an inappropriate relationship? ……My sense of humor is broken too.
Lucy surprised me by drinking his tea in an unusually calm and quiet manner. Is this really the same cheerful and loud Lucy?
Then, another person who had calmed down came in. Aila’s hair looked golden as she appeared with the setting sun behind her. She said with a calm smile,
“Lucy is here too. Risel, may I come in?”
“Yeah, come in.”
Since when did you need permission to come in? But Aila entered with a composed and calm demeanor and sat next to Lucy. Levidian tilted her head but still handed her another cup.
After taking a sip of tea in the quiet atmosphere, Aila smiled with an extremely peaceful expression.
“Ah, it’s warm. I’m sorry for running out suddenly during breakfast. I’m sorry, Unni.”
“No, it’s okay. But did you eat lunch?”
“I wasn’t hungry. I’ll eat dinner later.”
Well, she ate everything she could and even took some with her, so she wouldn’t be hungry……
Aila was extremely calm and peaceful, almost to the point where she could be mistaken for Lucy. Did Aila also gain the same enlightenment as Lucy?
She said,
“As expected, Mother Nature seems to be everyone’s teacher. Don’t you think so, Lucy?”
“That’s right. She shows us a lot.”
Show me too.
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