It is now mid-April, and warm breezes are finally blowing, reminding us of spring.
From the palace of the Imperial Capital of Lamarong, one can see the whole view of the sea. A ship can be seen sailing on the sea.
There is a tall man on board, dressed in a black bolero. He was looking up at the palace of the Lamarong Kingdom standing on the cliff top, blocking the sunlight with his hand as if he was dazzled by it. He thinks that spring is later than usual this year, and starts to prepare for disembarkation.
In the salon of the imperial palace, Duke Koenig, dressed in formal attire, awaits the arrival of his guests. This salon was a room for entertaining dignitaries, a long and narrow room made of stone with a beautiful marble-like sheen.
"Your presence has been received."
Hearing his subordinate's voice announcing the arrival of his guest, the Duke straightens his posture. Shortly thereafter, the guest enters the room at the right moment.
"Well, well, well, Bishop Alisgard. Thank you for coming all the way from afar.
"Mr. Koenig, I am glad to see you in such good health."
The man called "Arisgard" bends his tall frame and bows reverently.
"I am surprised that you could come to the palace on the same day you arrived by ship. I am very grateful.
No, no, no. I had hoped to tell you about this report as soon as possible. I, too, am sorry to have intruded upon your business.
Saying this, Arisgard reverently takes out a letter from his pocket.
It is a letter from His Holiness the Pope, Jove Ansel.
"Let me see it."
Koenig stared at the letter and smiled.
"Your Holiness is indeed the Pope," said Koenig. Please let him know that I am at his service.
Koenig squeezes Alice Gard's hand tightly with both hands.
"We of the Klimiana religion are always and forever on the side of the Kingdom of Ramallon," Koenig said. May the Lord Goddess Klimiana bless us all.... Please wait for us, for the necessary items will be arriving soon.
Aisgard smiled gently at Koenig as he took Koenig's hand in both of his own.
A few hours later, in a room of the palace, the Emperor of Ramallon and the other principal figures were gathered. The Dowager Empress Lacis was naturally standing right behind the Emperor, and the Prime Minister Madeline and the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army, Caries, were also present.
The door to the conference room quietly closes, as if everyone has arrived. After a moment of silence, Duke Koenig stands up, bows to the emperor, and looks around at those seated.
"Your Majesty's presence, my lords and ladies, is the only reason why I have gathered here. We would like to discuss the defeat of Agartha, which has been troubling us since last year.
Hearing these words, the faces of those assembled, including the Prime Minister, hardened. However, the Empress Dowager is still smiling softly. Glancing at the Empress Dowager, Koenig continues to speak.
Most of the snow has already melted. Even though it is a mountainous region, the snow in Agartha must have melted by now. I think that now is the time for Agartha and I to decide who has been the better man for the past year. I would like to hear your opinions, my lords."
Madeline, the vizier, responds to Koenig's proposal with a twinkle in her eye.
"Duke. With all due respect, the spring harvest is not yet complete. And the spring harvest alone will not be sufficient for an attack on Agartha. Are you saying that we will attack without food?"
"That would be very difficult to do."
General Caries defends Madlin's statement. In response, Madril continued to speak.
"Duke, I don't know how many men you will need for an attack, but if you attack with 10,000 men, you will need at least two weeks' worth of food. But even with 10,000 men, the spring harvest will only provide enough for one day. That is not enough..."
"Stop such useless arguments!"
Koenig interrupts Madeline with a strong tone.
"How many times do we have to repeat the same argument! There are no rations, there are no rations, etc...! If you don't have it, why don't you try to get it! We are deprived of the land of the Jukas, remember? Can we just continue to be defeated? If it is taken from us, we will take it back! Isn't that the stance the imperial government should take!"
The room goes quiet as if it were water. Koenig looks at the assembled people and continues to speak.
I despair of the lords. Have the lords no loyalty to you! Did not Your Majesty say so last year! Attack Agartha! It has been a year since that order. What have the lords been doing all year? They have refused to carry out His Majesty's orders. They say there has been a bad harvest and a bad harvest. They even ask for the food reserves in the palace to be given to them. His Majesty has given us food through his mercy, and yet he does not return the favor! Today I thought I had made an opportunity to return the favor to the lords, but the discussion is as sterile as ever. I have no more patience! This is far better than the late Commander Zizeu, who still tried to attack Agartha, even though it was a huge failure!"
Koenig looks around licking his lips at the assembled lords. The queen mother looks on with a satisfied nod.
"So... do you have a plan for the Commander-in-Chief? If that's the case, I'd like to hear from you."
The one making the comment with a half-amused look on his face is Almond, the commander of the Third Army Corps. Koenig looks at Almond coldly and opens his mouth.
"All of the Imperial cavalry, 50,000 men in all, will raid the city of Agartha. Once occupied, we will quickly take the various parts of Agartha. We will use the mobility of our cavalry to attack them like lightning and wind!"
"...I think it's a brilliant plan, Your Highness, but... But more importantly, how are you going to feed your troops?
It was General Caries who spoke in a calm voice. Koenig laughs at him.
Food, food and food.... That's all you people say. Can't you talk about anything else?"
"It's the most important thing. You can't fight a war on an empty stomach.
"General Callies is an old geezer, isn't he? You think I am planning this operation without solving the food problem, don't you? The food problem is solved. Food for 100,000 people has already been sent to the capital from the port. It is taking a long time to transport the food because of the quantity, but it will arrive this evening."
The Prime Minister, Madeline, rolled her eyes in amazement.
"Well... how did you manage to get that much food...?"
Koenig looked at Madeline with an expression of "Oh my God.
"We've asked for the help of the Klimiana cult."
"What? Crimianism?"
"Yes. Our national religion, the Crimiana cult. The Great Demon King who appeared in Juka is still alive, though he has changed his name to Agartha after the Heedata took over. Ramalon is going to defeat him. Therefore, we have asked the Pope for support in the form of food. The Pope immediately sent us food. So there is no need to worry about food. The Imperial Kingdom can fight the imperial battles as long as it likes.
"Please wait! What is the Crimiana cult..."
Madeline's voice is raised as she throws her large body onto the desk. But the slow but dry clapping sounded as if to drown out his voice.
It is the Empress Dowager clapping her hands.
"Wonderful. Isn't it wonderful! That's the Duke of Koenig. You are the only one who truly thinks of yourself, Your Majesty. Pillar of the state is a word that is reserved for you, Duke."
"Ha ha. What a waste of time."
Koenig bows reverently to the Empress Dowager.
"And now, Duke. How will you invade Agartha?
Yes. First, we will reach the foot of Mount Banzavi, absorbing troops from all over the country. Then, after crossing the Irbezi River, which is the border with Agartha, we will attack the capital on horseback. It takes only a day and a half from the border to the capital by horseback. If we advance in the cover of night, we will be able to capture the city without giving the enemy time to prepare for battle.
"I see... If we occupy Agartha this spring time, we will have the rich crops of Agartha in the fall.... It's a very efficient and brilliant plan. The Duke has done well to devise a plan that will suit His Majesty's will. I'm very pleased.
"Haha, thank you!"
The Empress Dowager continued her speech as she looked around at the assembled lords.
I thought the Duke's plan was excellent. Can we discuss its merits or demerits here? Well, I think it's appropriate to go ahead with that plan, but I'm an amateur... ohohohohoho."
The emperor slowly turns his head to look at Empress Dowager, perhaps sensing her concern.
"Mother. "Don't worry about it.
The emperor declares to the assembled lords and ladies.
"From now on, let us discuss how to proceed efficiently with Duke Koenig's campaign.
"Oh... I'm sorry, Your Majesty. How will you defend the capital, Your Highness?
One of the ministers speaks up fearfully. Koenig nods in agreement.
I see, you are right to be concerned. The protection of the capital is.... General Caries, I leave it in your hands.
"..."
Caries gazes silently at Koenig.
"The unit you are entrusting me with is the most cowardly unit in the Imperial Army. They will be of no use to you on the battlefield, so I ask you to remain calm and protect this imperial city."
At that moment, the Empress Dowager immediately opened her mouth.
"Oh, by the way, didn't General Caries once tell me that he would stab the King of Agartha in the back? Where did that story go? Don't tell me you forgot? You can't do what you said you would do. How can a force commanded by such a coward be trusted with the protection of the Imperial City?"
The Empress Dowager glared at General Callies with a sideways glance and a blatantly disgusted expression on her face. But Caries does not make eye contact with her at all and continues to look at Koenig with cool eyes.
"Dowager Empress, I assure you that this Imperial City will never, ever be attacked. Since last year, we have captured and executed every rebel child who has stood up to the Crown in any part of the country. Therefore, even a coward can fulfill his duty. Since you have been given the title of Shogun, you should be able to accomplish at least one feat.
"Well, how merciful. You are indeed the Duke of Koenig."
Ho-ho-ho-ho," the Empress Dowager's good-humored laugh echoed through the room.