Minister Maxim Tweller seemed to have firmly believed he would someday reach that position.
Even as his peers were promoted or retired unable to endure, he clearly never doubted he would eventually get what he wanted. Otherwise, he couldn’t have purged the opposing faction so swiftly and precisely.
It was a speed that could only come from having already calculated who to pull down first and who would be suitable for each position. Almost daily, new systems and personnel arrangements for the Imperial Defense Department were submitted to the administration.
“Your Highness, you seem to have grown a bit taller in the meantime.”
At the attendant’s words, Jin looked down at his shortened sleeves.
Jin without Ian was truly remarkable. He was achieving explosive growth, both physically and mentally.
Jin spread his arms to the sides, and the attendant began measuring his body circumference as if accustomed to it. Jin nodded to Xiaoshi reflected in the mirror.
“Is the Imperial Defense Department still like that?”
“Yes. Though it seems to be nearly finished, internal conflict is still quite severe. In my opinion, it should be settled within a few days.”
Volv was dead, and his close officer associates had been forced to resign en masse.
As Minister Tweller had stated in the hearing, conducting appointments regardless of background and status was causing resistance from many, even those not aligned with Volv’s faction.
But that was Tweller’s task to accomplish. Jin had made no statements regarding the Imperial Defense Department since then. This silence was direct and indirect evidence that Jin actively supported Tweller.
Knock knock.
“Your Highness. Word has come from Clifford.”
“What?”
Jin turned in surprise. The measuring tape wrapped around his body was quickly gathered up, and Jin strode over to check the note placed on the golden tray.
It remained neatly folded just as it had been attached to the messenger bird. This indicated that Jin had received the report before the Prime Minister.
Swoosh.
Jin hurriedly unfolded the note and read down the lines. It was Lord Ian’s handwriting. Neat and straight, flowing with strength. Jin was deeply pleased, as if meeting Ian through the writing.
Everyone held their breath while watching Jin’s expression. What was happening in Clifford? Could war really break out in today’s world?
Jin carefully refolded the note, placed it in his breast pocket, and ordered Xiaoshi:
“Call an emergency gathering of the Prime Minister, Romandro, and the ministers. Ah, Quintana as an exception.”
“Yes. Understood, Your Highness.”
“Finish the grooming. Hurry.”
Xiaoshi, who had been heading for the door, hesitated and turned back. This would clearly be an important external meeting. He chose a subdued color from among the clothes held by the attendants.
“Your Highness. This would be best to wear today.”
“Very well. Do we have the right size?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll prepare it right away.”
Jin nodded, understanding Xiaoshi’s intention, and the attendants moved busily. Since ministers were staying in the imperial palace in preparation for wartime, it shouldn’t take long.
As Jin adjusted his outer garment, word came that everyone had gathered in the nearby conference hall. Dozens of attendants followed behind Jin’s footsteps.
Tap tap tap!
Creeak!
“Crown Prince Jin enters!”
As Jin entered, everyone rose at once to show respect. This was the first official meeting called since Tweller’s appointment as minister. Jin seemed to feel the significance as he firmly gripped the armrest and straightened his gaze.
Perhaps knowing of the bloody storm in the Imperial Defense Department, most ministers avoided meeting his eyes.
“Word has come from Clifford. They say Burgos forces have broken through Clifford’s wall and crossed the border.”
“Good heavens. What is the King of Burgos thinking?”
“Indeed. Hah! To dare cause unrest when Bariel is watching with both eyes open!”
“That they did this despite knowing of the alliance agreement between Clifford and Bariel is sufficient cause for concern. Your Highness, what did Lord Ian say? And when did he say he would return? If I may be so bold, with no mages now, everyone’s work is rather…”
Actually, things were returning to normal. Just not easily.
Without the mages they had taken for granted, along with work inconveniences, rumors began spreading outside the palace – that all of Bariel’s mages had disappeared.
Though the atmosphere still dismissed these as baseless rumors, if this state continued, the imperial citizens’ anxiety would become uncontrollable.
“He likely won’t return soon.”
“What? Why is that?”
“Burgos is using something called synthetic monsters.”
Synthetic monsters? What were those? The ministers rolled their eyes around but few seemed to know.
Then Minister Tweller cleared his throat and raised his hand to speak. He was the only one present with experience fighting monsters.
“It refers to monsters made by combining two or more. Cases of crossbreeding are extremely rare – usually necromancers create them by stitching together corpses.”
“It’s a clear fact that Burgos has many sorcerers. If synthetic monsters are such things, it makes sense.”
The conference hall stirred.
Burgos mobilizing monsters! Such warfare had only occurred hundreds of years ago, and afterward humans had paid dearly for monster overflow.
This should be seen as Burgos being completely determined. After swallowing Clifford, they would rise up to reach for Bariel.
“Therefore, Lord Ian said he would remain in Clifford to counter the synthetic monsters. This is not simply due to conflict between nations, but rather to prevent monsters from coming down from the north. However, this creates room for Ruswena to intervene.”
Jin continued while turning to Minister Tweller.
“They ask for reinforcements – what does the Minister of Imperial Defense think?”
Tweller bowed his head slightly to show respect for Jin’s address. Being acknowledged as minister felt this intoxicating. He smiled as if there was no problem and answered:
“If Lord Ian has requested reinforcements, naturally we must go. If possible, I will go personally.”
“Personally? Would that be possible?”
The Imperial Defense Department’s matters weren’t completely settled yet? Everyone knew the situation was chaotic with purges, accusations, and resistance intermingled. Yet he would go personally?
“Yes, Your Highness. I will complete preparations to depart within three days.”
But Tweller showed confidence. This was an assurance that he could quell the disturbance within three days.
In fact, he had such means. Wasn’t turning attention outward the best option when internal matters were noisy? Taking the vanguard and achieving good results would add strength to his position as minister.
And above all, this was war between Clifford and Burgos. It was a good opportunity to gain honor without expending much effort. For Tweller, Ian’s request for support couldn’t have been more welcome.
“If Lord Tweller says so, I shall trust you.”
“I will definitely live up to Your Highness’s trust.”
“Then I’ll leave this matter entirely to Lord Tweller. What number of reinforcements seems appropriate?”
“Though detailed content isn’t written, about 5,000 should suffice. We’ll confirm the war situation upon arrival and devise tactics in agreement with the Magic Department. The priority will be the safe return of the mages.”
He smiled while looking around at the other ministers. Since everyone had been clamoring about when the mages would return, their return would also be credited to the Imperial Defense Department’s efforts.
Jin granted permission to depart with satisfaction, and each minister passed related documents to their assistants.
“But one thing puzzles me.”
“Please ask, Your Highness.”
Jin fiddled with the end of Ian’s note while picturing him. From the content, what Ian worried about was Ruswena’s participation in the war.
With two countries embracing Clifford front and back, if they attacked simultaneously, forces would be divided and the war situation could become unstable. And above all, it would spark irreversible multi-national war.
“Doesn’t it seem Lord Ian is concerned about Ruswena while facing Burgos in Clifford?”
“Hmm, yes. That’s quite reasonable.”
“Then might there be matters the imperial palace could handle?”
Jin urged the ministers to provide answers.
But opinions came hesitantly. They seemed to be holding back, likely fearing conflict with the Imperial Defense Department currently riding the flow of power.
Jin changed his question.
“Lord Tweller.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What’s most important in war? Specifically, what can we do to help Lord Ian during the course of war?”
He fell silent briefly at the child’s question.
The most important thing.
“If Ruswena and Burgos have formed an alliance, cutting off their communication network would be priority. However, finding messenger birds won’t be easy.”
Contact. Ruswena and Burgos maintaining contact.
Though sharing information would be the main purpose, they had seemed to be exchanging something desired since the appointment ceremony. Jin rubbed his temples slightly, then muttered:
“I think Ruswena will likely provide material support to Burgos’s side. I understand Burgos is short on supplies including food due to their barren land.”
“That’s also an excellent point. Cutting off supplies is also a shortcut to victory.”
“…House Hayman’s black armor. Would Ruswena’s side know about that too?”
As Jin raised his head as if realizing something, the Prime Minister answered reflexively:
“Of course. Since Lady Hayman was from there.”
“Bring the map!”
At Jin’s order, attendants spread a huge map across the table. Then he gestured to Tweller.
“When going from Ruswena to Burgos without passing through Clifford, they must cross the dead lands. If it’s Lord Ian, he would surely recognize contact between the two countries and have informed Clifford. What does Lord Tweller think?”
“Yes. That route seems correct. When we join with the Magic Department, we’ll search that area to cut off supply routes.”
Then we should increase the numbers somewhat, Tweller thought at that moment.
“…Bariel.”
“Pardon?”
“What if Ruswena, also worried about this, doesn’t go through the dead lands? If they try another route anticipating Lord Ian’s guess? The only remaining path is through Bariel, and aren’t there no walls except where border guards are stationed?”
Everyone seemed to think it impossible. No matter what, surely they wouldn’t be bold enough to supply materials to Burgos through Bariel.
But Jin remembered Eripony precisely. A woman like a blue-green snake. Aggressive, bold, and remarkably clever.
“No. I see it as possible. Blocking imports from Ruswena and blocking exports to Burgos. Yes, that’s exactly right. Listen, what level of damage would occur from temporarily blocking trade with Ruswena?”
“J-just a moment. Excuse me, Your Highness.”
Related departments moved urgently at Jin’s sudden question.
“How long a period should we calculate for?”
“Calculate by week.”
“Yes, understood.”
Quintana ran around with documents, calculating expected damages with each department’s ministers.
“Since we import a lot of grain from Ruswena there would be some impact, but fortunately it’s not winter so it should be better than expected. Hmm…”
“Burgos is our export target. We anticipate no major issues.”
“Your Highness. No matter what, wouldn’t completely blocking trade be rather difficult? When it’s not even certain…”
Jin firmly countered one minister’s words.
“Consider the damage that would occur if contact between Burgos and Ruswena expands the scale of war. Would temporarily blocking trade be greater than that?”
“…Ah, calculation error. Your Highness. We should be able to organize and report by tonight. There will be margin of error, but it should be within acceptable range.”
“Good. After review, we’ll inform Ruswena of the decided matters along with Minister Tweller’s departure.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Jin signaled to the Prime Minister. A signal to strike the seal.
Taang! Tang!
As soon as the meeting’s end was announced, the ministers rushed out, followed by attendants carrying stacks of documents.
Watching Jin’s back as he elegantly observed this, Xiaoshi felt traces of Ian.