Published at 3rd of September 2019 4:20 pm

Volume 1, Chapter 5: Swirling Politics

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 1

Laila Schut wakes up late in the morning.

She has low blood pressure in the morning, and is mainly a night person. She often sleeps through the afternoon. Even the maids living and working there would not wake her up unless they were asked to do so beforehand.

When she was a private, she had to move according to the strict schedule as expected, but now that she has the status of major general, she was boldly managing her own attendance at work. Her work station which is the central HQ is nearby; also, since her mansion’s facilities were fully used too, there’s many times where business is done at her own home.

Even within the strict Empire military, those acts of freedom were originally something not forgiven but--since she’s been doing her job perfectly and has been giving above-average results; no one could file a complaint against her.

“………….Hn. Hn~~”

On the day and even the day after they visited La Shii Fomalhaut, Laila woke up late.

Even when the sun was high up in the sky, she could not leave the bed and was continuously rolling around her bed while letting out groans.

She usually gives orders to her subordinates with a dignified and resolute behavior, but she looks just like a little girl when she’s hugging her favorite blanket on her bed.

Today, the person who went over to wake her up was-----

“…….nee……..chan, Onee-chan, Onee-chan, Onee-chan!”

It was her sister Alua’s shouting.

The door of her bedroom bust opened and a pale Alua entered.

“Onee-chan wake up! It’s bad! Real real bad!”

“…..Hn~~. Whaaat, Alua…..”

Laila let out a pathetic groan which is impossible to imagine from her usual awe-inspiring behavior. She’s always this low tensioned whenever she just wakes up.

“Come on! Stop covering yourself with your blanket………wait, wh-why are you in your underwear!”

Having pulled the blanket away by force, Alua shouted after she saw Laila stripped off her pajamas and was in her underwear.

“It was hot yesterday.”

“Don’t strip because it was hot!”

“It’s okay. Only I, you and the maids live in this mansion.”

“Tooi Onii-chan lives here too now!”

“………Ahhh, oh yeah. He’s here…………”

Laila mumbled that in a blank sleepy manner.

“Well, I guess being seen in my underwear by him isn’t a big deal anymore.”

“Eeeh!? Wh-wha-what kind of relationship do you two have!?”

“He saw much more amazing places anyway………..”

“Amazing places!?”

“So…..what’s the problem Alua?”

After Laila asked her, Alua was blasted in her world of imagination with a blushing face but, she immediately came back to this world.

“Th-that’s right! This is bad, Onee-chan! This morning, when I was training with Tooi Onii-chan………Corporal Frau came over”

Corporal Frau is one of Laila’s subordinates.

“It’s about the diplomat from the Lectar Republic……”

“Unnn? There’s still 2 weeks left until the diplomat comes right?”

“That’s…………..by their own convenience, they made the planned visit earlier and has already arrived to the Imperial Capital”

At that moment, Laila’s sleepy mind awoke in one go.

The Empire central HQ is related to the palace where the royalties live in.

Arludea Empire is a powerful grand country that has invaded, and seized other countries around its area. Because of that, their military organization is huge. By appearance, the Royal family controls the [Empire] but, seeing the authority that the military possesses, this country is one closer to being a military nation.

The military has always been involved even in domestic affairs and diplomacy with other countries, and if one becomes the marshal which is the top of the military then that person’s voice and influence is known to be equal to the power of the royal family.

Of course, since there are many people from the royal family, people related to the royal family through marriage and nobles in the military army, it’s hard to rule out which is [Better] between the military organization or imperial family.

“Empire military major general, Laila Schut. Now reporting for duty!”

Having reached the HQ’s reception room, Laila was giving off a dignified expression which is so perfect that it was hard to imagine she woke up 30 minutes ago; and while saluting, she looked at the people inside.

The long table in the middle had a table cloth decorated with the Arludea crest laid on top of it and many leaders such as diplomats and officers were surrounding it.

The diplomat from the Lectar republic was already sitting on the seat of honor.

It’s a middle-aged man with a military uniform attire. His shoulders were wide, chest was thick but, his waist and neck were thick, rather than calling his body athletic it’s more towards stern. There’s a thick beard growing around his mouth and his eyes had a strong light that could overwhelm others.

Several vice officers were standing by behind him.

“Sorry for the wait Mister Gaien. I apologize for being late.”

“Yaa. You’re not late, major general Schut”

Opposite to Laila who was lowering her head in respect, Gaien did not even try to stand up. His body was deeply rooted into the wooden chair while he continued talking with that cocky posture.

“Oh, please don’t mind it. It’s our fault making the date earlier by our own whim. Raise your head.”

Rather than calling it tolerant, it’s more towards arrogance.

Gaien has visited the Empire military several times when the Ryura Vega problem occurred at the Fior region but, his rude behavior can be described as, showing the current power relationship between the Empire and Lectar republic.

“You weren’t in HQ so where were you at?”

“While taking the role of patrolling, I headed out to observe the city. It has been dangerous recently in the imperial capital after all.”

“Observation? You, a major general of all people?”

“Yes. Us, the commanders, have been staying at home for far too long. There are many things we won’t understand from the reports heard from our subordinates. By walking with our own feet, by looking with our own eyes and by listening with our own ears. By doing those acts and getting acquainted with the appearance and voices of the streets, it will become irreplaceable fortune for our military.”

“Houu. As expected from Miss Schut. That’s an excellent thought. There’s a good reason why you gained the position of major general at such a young age, I see.”

Laila made such a fluent random speech but, it seems that Gaien did not notice that it was a lie and nodded as if he was admiring it. Having known the reason for her late appearance, everyone was showing an expression with no complaints.

After Laila reached her seat, Gaien refreshed the whole thing and brought up the topic.

“Anyway, I am glad that Major General Schut came. It’s a waste of time with the other people here.”

“And by that you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s related to the Fior region.”

Pressure increased in Gaien’s gazes.

“I have already heard the news but, there isn’t any results brought up regarding the Ryura Vega suppression case.”

“That’s………….”

“This is a problem. If you don’t hurry up and deal with that monster, our countries agrarian reform will lag behind and won’t advance.”

When Laila was finding rejections to reply,

“P-please don’t worry, Mister Gaien”

A member of the diplomat sitting beside him raised his voice in a flattering manner.

“Thanks to the repeated advances of our army, the deity is definitely getting weaker. In response, our army has not suffered any deaths when facing the deity and the battle is advancing on our favor. Next time for sure, next time we will definitely bring down the deity!”

(……….This idiot)

Laila scolded the person in her mind.

This transparent lie won’t work on Gaien. They probably is well aware of the situation with Ryura Vega since the Lectar republic has been sending scouts too.

And more importantly-----

“No deaths? This is a shock. Apparently, the Empire military, has been fighting quite lightheartedly huh.”

The face of the diplomat immediately stiffened up but, it was too late.

“Since it’s an opponent you just can’t win, I just can’t help to think that you lots are just trying to reduce the damages as much as possible. Even if it’s mistakes, I wished you all would show the fighting spirit of wanting to shower the opponent with sword slashes. Are all the soldiers all cowards that have no determination to throw their lives in the battle?”

While making an apologetic expression, Laila clicked her tongue in her mind. Because of one idiot’s unneeded comment, the bad situation turned even worse.

In the battlefield, there’s nothing better than little damages to the army.

However, for this situation----it’s a little different.

In order to free Fior Region to hand over to the Lectar republic, the Empire military is currently sending out their army. This is so that they would fulfill their role in the diplomacy.

Which means, they are just [Compensating] for the unseen circumstances; in an extreme argument, they are moving their soldiers because they are worried about their appearance towards the Lectar republic and other countries.

If they lied that they have a 1000 deaths then, Lectar won’t have anything to say, giving the Empire to maintain their reputation to the minimum standards but, if the opposite happens then, they can’t reply anything back if the other side blamed them for [Cutting corners].

“Is your side perhaps already thinking that this is someone else’s problem now that Fior was handed to another country? If that’s the case, then this is truly unsatisfactory news. We the Lectar republic will have to think of our future relations now.”

“N-nothing of the sort. We are doing our very best too but……….Since our enemy is a deity, we can’t deal with it with ordinary methods……….”

Gaien pressed for an answer as if to intimidate, after hearing such an unreliable response from the diplomat.

“How about increasing your soldier counts if you’re doing your very best? I took a look at previous records but, it looks like only about a 100 to 300 Spirit knights were deployed. If you use the Arludea Empire military strength, 1 or 2 deities is just an easy matter.”

“H-however………we can’t focus our forces towards Foir region. There are many problems within the country such as the west border and the northern bandits………..”

“That is your country’s problem. It is not related to us. In the first place, this is a problem caused because you all hid the fact that a deity would appear at Fior region.”

“It’s insulting to say that we hid her. We have said this many times before in the past but, the appearance of the deity is an unforeseen circumstance even for us------“

Even after that, the same quarrel continued causing this unproductive discussion to continue but, the Empire side was being suppressed by Gaien from start to end.

When the topic was going around in circles, Gaien’s manner of speaking got stricter and,

“We aren’t getting anywhere. Even though there’s no plan to break this deadlock, all of you kept turning down all of our proposals. It’s the same as acting like a child.”

After saying that, he sighed tiredly.

The people from the Empire side hung their heads and could not reply back. Just when the atmosphere in the room turned heavier, Gaien suddenly changed and made a bright smile.

It’s a really bright and scornful smile.

“Well, we sympathize with you all. Ryura Vega is one of the famous [Nebulosa12 Goddesses]. Which means, if we go look back at the start of all this, this problem occurred because Tooi Cross let those monsters out into this world. There are people calling him a hero in this world but, I think he’s just a thoughtless idiot if I say so myself. He’s just pulling a prank on the world. What a useless sinner, that man called Tooi Cross----“

It was at that moment.

*Bam*! A dull sound echoed in the reception room. Laila remained silent the whole time but, she slammed the table with both her hands and stood up vigorously.

“----Understood.”

While she’s being focused with sights of shock and oddness from her surroundings, Laila talked quietly.

“For this matter, it’s clear that it was our fault for overlooking Ryura Vega’s existence. In order to wipe off that embarrassment, we will use our entire military force and present to you the repulsion of Ryura Vega.”

Uproar occurred in the room after she said that sentence with such a resolute attitude. Everyone was opening their eyes wide in surprise while looking at Laila.

Within them, Gaien was the only one lifting the side of his mouth, oozing in joy.

“Houu. Which means, you’re going to increase the number of soldiers?”

“Of course.”

“How many?”

“3000. Of course, it’s a team made focused on Spirit knights.”

The whole room turned noisy.

Within the soldiers affiliated with Arludea Empire military, there are only about 10000 of them can use the [Ray Alma] and is called a Spirit knight.

Those Spirit knights are a scare force only deployed during emergencies.

It’s only natural that her surroundings would feel shaken when 1/3 of it is being thrown in.

“If we keep wasting our time on this fight, we won’t only exhaust our forces, but also the trust from other countries. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to end this with a short term battle by focusing our forces. I promise you that we will summon our Spirit knights from every parts of the Empire and create knight brigade.”

“…….Fuu. Wahahahaha. How wonderful!”

After showing an excited smile, Gaien clapped his hands and praised her. He stood up from his chairs and walked over to Laila.

“As expected from Major General Schut. Your decisiveness and judgment is amazing. The Empire’s future is bright with you here.”

“Thank you for those kind words.”

Laila bowed deeply. Gaien *Pon* placed his hands on her shoulders before passing by her.

With his vice officers following behind him, the moment he placed his hands on the door on the conference room------

“Aah, I recalled something, mister Gaien.”

Laila raised her voice as if she recalled something.

“I forgot to ask you one question.”

“And what is it?”

“Right after Ryura Vega is dealt with, I presume that your country has plans in developing Fior region into a grand scale agricultural land so, can you please tell me the specifics on what those plans are, if possible?”

Gaien slightly raised his eyebrows for an instant.

“…….Why would you want to know?”

“For future reference. The agricultural techniques of the Lectar republic are famous within the neighboring countries. I personally am interested.”

“I see, how studious of you. The cultivation plan huh…………I am not from that field so I am not very clear but……errr, what was it again………”

Gaien has been putting up a pressuring attitude from the start but, he is now looking away and is searching his words in hesitation.

Laila did not look allow this chance to go.

“By the information I heard from, I think it was something like making water irrigation from the Mythril River flowing from the northern Fior region.”

“Aah. That’s exactly right. I remembered. It’s the irrigation first, the irrigation. We can’t do anything unless we secure the water for the agriculture. Well, I can’t say any more than this over her. Since the cultivation of Fior region is an important agriculture policy to our country, at a moment notice------“

Gaien tried averting the topic but, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly right after.

The people from the Empire brought their eyebrows closer in suspicion and started mumbling to each other, for example [……..That’s weird], [If I am correct, the Myhril river].

Right when Gaien started feeling troubled after looking at the situation-----

“Ah. Oh no. I am very sorry Mister Gaien.”

Laila purposely apologized.

“Oh stupid me, I made such a big mistake. The policy of making a water irrigation from the Mythril River, has already been done by the Empire 30 years ago and is a failed policy.”

“………………..”

“There’s many flat lands at that region and low on the amount of rainfall. Because of that, the dilution and flow of salt inside the soil takes place there; it has been proven that there is a high risk of salt accumulation if an irrigation channel is carelessly built there.”

Gaien’s sights turned grim but, Laila immediately made a mysterious expression and started talking to herself.

“However……this is weird. Your side should be well aware of the risk of salt-air damage occurring in the Fior region. To think that the Lectar republic would repeat a mistake that the Arludea empire caused 30 years ago even though they possess agricultural techniques far more advanced that other countries……..”

“……..Fu-fufu. Sorry. It looks like I was the one who made the mistake. I have been tired recently so, it’s making my memories chaotic. I think I’ll rest for today. I will prepare the documents regarding the cultivation next time.”

While making a stiff smile, Gaien left the room with his vice officers. Strong anger was in the glare he directed to Laila when he left.

The moment the door closed, Laila’s social smile disappeared from her face, before she made an expressionless face mixed with slight tiredness and anger.

She extended her hands to her shoulder and *Pan**Pan* dusted off the place where he touched over-familiarly just now.

Because of Laila Schut’s bold and fearless independent decisions, the high officials fell into chaos in the reception room but, she left the place right before she got dragged into the chaos.

(Well then, what now………..)

While walking down the HQ corridor, Laila was in thought.

She pondered over the behavior Gaien displayed, the condition of Lectar republic of the past few years and the agreements when they handed Fior region to them, for a full on analysis.

(Now that I think back, this matter from the first place is----)

She formed several hypotheses in her mind and while repeating reinforcement of her theories and discarding implausible ones until she was left with the best explainable one.

Like that, after she analyzed future and past events,

“Ah. Major General Schut.”

Her sister Alua came from in front and talked to her.

“How was the meeting with the messenger from Lectar?”

Unlike her usual tone, her current tone was polite and adhered to formalities.

When Alua is working and when other military personals are around, she would correct her speech patterns. No matter if they are sisters, they would set bad examples for others if a superior and subordinate have an overly familiar relationship.

“Alua……….umu. Actually, the situation changed a lot. If possible I want to have a discussion with him but, is he in the mansion now?”

When she meant him, it was obviously referring to Tooi. It’s best to not mention the name Tooi Cross in the public because of its fame in many aspects.

Regarding that point, the will of the sisters are in sync even without an arranged meeting.

“He’s out for a while.”

“He’s out? Did he go to a brothel?”

“There’s no way he would go there! Don’t say such weird things, Onee-chan!”

Alua’s face turned red and she retorted back with her real tone.

“Iyaaa, but you know. He was quite interested in brothels since 10 years ago you know? I saw him many times hesitating on whether should enter the entertainment district or not, and the color of his eyes changed when I told him that it’s possible to enter the shops at the age of 16 in this country.”

“R-really……….?”

“Yeah. He even said [I’m not really interested] with a cool face. He should just honestly admit it. That closet pervert.”

“………………”

Alua looked down while her face was red. The story was a little too stimulating for her.

While exposing Tooi’s embarrassing and making it a little too overly exaggerated, Laila enjoyed looking at the embarrassed Alua before, returning the conversation back to its original track.

“Alua. Stop talking about brothels openly in the daylight and answer my question.”

“You started it Onee-chan! Mouu!”

Alua raised both her hands up and was steaming up.

“So, where did he go? If possible, I want you to immediately call him.”

“Err……..i think it will be quite hard to call him immediately…….”

“Why? Is he outside the Capital-----“

Right when she reaches that far in her sentence, Laila suddenly remembered something.

It was the sentence Alua said when she came to wake her up this morning.

“……….You, if I remember correctly, you said that Corporal Frau came to the mansion when you were training with him this morning right? Did you say what training?”

“Err well, this morning, Onii-chan asked me to---“

After sprinting like slicing through the opposing wind, a motorbike stopped right when it reach a slightly elevated hill. The grasses were pressed down when it passed by and a straight line was formed on the grass plains.

The sun was slightly setting and it’s about time the curtain of night to fall.

“……Fuu. I am tired.”

After getting off the motorbike, Tooi let out a light sigh.

In order to loosen his stiff body caused by long hours of driving, he performed stretches and twisted his hips.

“Unn. Well, it has the same outlines of a scooter once I got the hang of it.”

While mumbling to himself, Tooi parked the motorbike behind a nearby big tree. Apparently there’s no lock but, there’s probably no worries that anyone would steal it in a place like this.

Since it’s a place treated as an off-limits holy land and is steered clear from normal humans.

Once he lifted his face, a soaring castle entered his view.

It has a beautiful white silhouette with the night sky as its background. The castle is not exactly considered big and, it just can’t seem to get rid of the snugly impression but, the exterior is covered with elegance. The sense of solemnity is being brought out by the delicate ornaments placed everywhere and the castle does rival or even surpass the palaces in grand countries.

A pure while castle so beautiful that it made him admire it by reflex.

That’s the shrine that Ryura Vega lives in.

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