Meanwhile.

The only castle in the territory, Fort Blackstar.

It was already dark outside the window, but Eusta still hadn't rested. In the absence of the town, the lowly nobleman became the supreme ruler of the Yolanta region.

For an entire week, Eusta lived a busy life of sleeping less than four hours a day in Blackstar Castle. Sometimes I was so sleepy that I lay down on the table and rested for a while.

The soldiers of the Five-Nation Alliance must be fully assembled within ten days. The original professional soldiers could have been directly reorganized and set out, but the difficult thing was the conscripts who had just settled down and had to take up arms immediately.

Eusta did not want to recruit the elderly and young people who were not yet physically mature, and families who had already lost their families in the war should avoid it as much as possible. In addition, the upcoming spring ploughing must also leave a minimum of manpower.

Military rations and equipment also need to be carefully calculated. Allowing each conscription to carry his own rations meant draining every household's stockpile, let alone the poor who really couldn't get it.

Blackstar Castle's food barely lasted for several months for a professional soldier, but with the addition of temporary levies, Eusta would have to commit all of his estate's inventory to support it. The horses, cattle and mules of the territory have been gathered, but the overall situation is still very tight.

"Three months...... Half a year at most," Eusta frowned, "If you can't end the war before the summer, or if you go deep into the heart of the Five Nation Alliance, you won't be able to guarantee supplies." ”

The only thing that is fortunate is that every family has a weapon after years of war. Eusta didn't want to see the "army" carrying hoes and pitchforks. Each person brings their own weapons, plus Blackstar Castle's reserves, which are enough for most short-term operations.

Three hundred professional soldiers, fifteen hundred conscripts, and seven hundred civilians in charge of transportation and logistics, for a total of 2,500 men, this is the number that Eusta finally pieced together for this war, barely reaching the bottom line set by the Speaker.

Eusta put the women who were willing to accept the call-up in the logistics. They can't provide much combat power, but their bellies will one day give birth to new children for the territory.

"I hope the speaker will be satisfied." Finally, the last name on the list was decided, and the elderly Eusta rubbed his dark circles and muttered to himself.

Eusta heard rumors that the Speaker was preparing to take action against the French state of Elrios. The old nobleman thought it was a ridiculous joke. Even the weak Five-Nation Alliance would consume Okade's national strength, let alone a behemoth like Elrios.

Among the nations of the clouds, only the great Elrios did not want to recruit the populace on a large scale during the war. Now that the standing army alone has more than 50,000, well-equipped and well-trained, even if Okad can gather several times the number of troops, he will only be defeated on the frontal battlefield. If the mages make a move......

Eusta shook her head. He couldn't help but laugh at his imagination. This is not something that should be considered by him. There was always only one thing he had to do: to be wise and loyal to his only sovereign.

The female general hadn't been seen in her territory for nearly half a year. Eusta took over all her day-to-day work without complaint. Rumors have begun to rise in the realm that Eusta will soon become the rightful Count of Yolanta, replacing the original town commander. It's just that Eusta himself seems to be dismissive of this.

Suddenly—

With a squeak, the door behind Eusta opened.

"Who?" Eusta looked back dissatisfied. He told his subordinates not to break into this office if they were fine.

But then, the old man's eyes moistened.

The old nobleman stood up and nearly knocked over his chair. He wanted to kneel, but remembered the other party's past instructions, and in the end he just bowed deeply.

It's not an illusion, Eusta thought excitedly. That man...... The true guardian of the land, she is truly back.

On the opposite side of the room, Melia, a stunningly beautiful girl with long aqua blue hair, was smiling at Eusta in a short black robe.

"Welcome back to Yolanta...... Mistress Melia. ”

……

The news that the town will be back has spread throughout the castle. Eusta announced that Brigadier Meria's first order was to give an additional month's salary bonus to all the guards and servants in the castle. The castle was filled with jubilation, and thought of another condition set by Lord Meria: if news of the castle came out before the morning, all of them would have to deduct two months' salaries, and all the servants would not tell their relatives and friends about it.

In the castle's dining room, Melia and Eusta sat opposite each other. The cook prepared a simple meal for the two of them, but it was clear that they were not in the mood for the meal. Eusta reported to Melia what he had been doing these days, and Melia listened attentively.

“…… I know," Meilia nodded slightly after listening to Eusta's statement, "I have advised Your Excellency the Speaker to postpone sending troops to the Five-Nation Alliance, but Your Excellency the Speaker has made up his mind. I have prepared 2,500 gold coins for this military expenses. All the families of the expedition were given five silver coins, and the rest was counted towards the military merit award and the bereavement of the dead. ”

"Yes." Eusta was grateful. The Federation provided them with no more than five hundred gold coins, and he managed to raise less than a thousand gold coins himself. And now, the Yolanta region ranks at the top of many territories, at least in terms of military spending.

"If necessary, I will pay for additional food purchases." Melia smiled.

"May I ask Your Excellency General, do you want to lead the troops yourself?" Eusta said respectfully.

"Of all the generals in Okade, I'm afraid I'm the most mediocre," Melia said gently, "and I'm afraid it's not the soldier's luck to be led by me." ”

"How can you say that!" Eusta exclaimed, "Who doesn't know that you are one of the best in Okad?" ”

"We can't always rely on luck," Melia shook her head slightly, "and this time I'll do what the Speaker has instructed me to do diplomatically as a member of the Church." As for the troops of Yolanta's headquarters, I will recommend one of my friends to lead the soldiers to make great achievements. Of course...... If all goes well, we will win without a fight. ”

"The battlefield of diplomacy is also an invisible bloody storm," Eusta said, "but you have to be careful. ”

"I understand." Melia said solemnly.

"And you're going to win." Eusta said.

Melia was silent for a few seconds.

"By the way, Mr. Eusta, I have one more thing to ask you......" as if suddenly remembered, Melia said.

"You just have to speak." Eusta didn't understand why Melia was suddenly so polite.

"Mr. Eusta, the 'lady' on your manor has been ...... lately Not? ”

There was a sound of footsteps: a maid approached briskly. Melia stopped talking and looked at her suspiciously—she should have told ordinary people not to disturb. The maid's eyes flashed with excitement, she had never seen so many "big people" in her life.

"Mistress Melia, Mistress Eusta," said the maid respectfully, "there is a visit from your distinguished guest. They don't know you're back, you're looking for Master Eusta. But since you're ......"

"Who's that?" Melia asked. She frowned slightly. I just came back, and the servants shouldn't have leaked the news, so someone visited immediately?

"Yes......" the maid paused, "First of all, Admiral Lijie, she said she was your friend......"

"That's right." Melia said. I didn't expect her to come back from the empire so quickly...... Melia said to herself.

“…… There is also a gentleman who calls himself 'Eternal Blood'. The maid said.

“……”

No matter how calm Melia is, she can't help but be shocked at this moment.

“…… They are indeed my friends. Invite them in. Hiding her thoughts as much as she could, Melia instructed gracefully. Her expression didn't change, but Eusta still read a different kind of gloom in her beautiful eyes.