Section 138: Preparing for war

"Her name seems to be Rhodia. Someone replied.

"Whose daughter?" asked the Prime Minister, frowning, "or whose wife?"

"It seems to be ......" The ministers exchanged glances with each other, and one of them spoke. "She is also a commoner, without any titles, titles, or titles. ”

"Then why can she be by Her Majesty's side?"

"We don't know that she's Master Ashrufat...... Introduced. What we can know is that she is a native of Eagle Falcon City, and she is temporarily the queen's ...... by the introduction of Lord Ashrufat Tutor. ”

"Ridiculous!" said Marquis Ellinn in a hateful voice. "How could that kid ......?"

"After all, he is a newly crowned nobleman. Someone sighed. "As an upstart, it's easy to understand that this kind of thing would be done. ”

"Hmph, no wonder Her Majesty the Queen would remove him from the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer. ”

However, because of his previous loyalty in the rebellion, he still had a great deal of influence over Her Majesty. Someone said. "And I'm worried that maybe he's not falling out of favor. And, that Ashrufat ......"

"What?" asked Irynne.

"He's a ...... Fearful people. The one who spoke had a worried expression. "He gives the impression that he is...... Not so much like an ordinary human, on the contrary, more like ...... More like ...... Well, I can't describe it, but it always gives me the feeling that he's not human. And the middle level below is also very afraid of him...... Because of that thing. ”

"Is that the rumor that hasn't slept for a month?" Irene naturally scoffed at such ridiculous remarks. "I'm afraid it's just a deliberate play by our Count Ashrufat. It's probably like a street juggler, it's just a performance, and it can't be taken seriously. ”

"Whatever you say," said Prime Minister Ellene. "At present, this matter can only be endured by my colleagues. Your Majesty should have considered this matter as a transitional period...... Although I don't know what the road is for......"

"Is it related to debt? According to rumors from various places, it seems that we owe ...... Very large amounts of debt. And now, apart from the Queen and Count Ashrufat, I'm afraid no one knows how much money is left in the treasury of the Dao Dao. ”

“...... That shouldn't be the point. Wait until after the queen goes on the expedition...... As Prime Minister, I'm sure I'll know the details of this......"

"Huh...... Hey...... Lord Ellene, the queen is on a campaign, is this true? I thought it was a rumor......" A man interrupted Prime Minister Erynn in surprise.

"Of course it's true. Last time, Her Majesty the Queen mentioned this to me personally. She will personally lead the army into battle! But the exact time is ...... Well, she didn't say it, but I guess it should be in a month or two. ”

"It's incredible...... someone whispered.

......

"I don't know what to do...... Appointing Ellen as Prime Minister was not the right choice. The little girl looked at the back of the departing Marquis of Irynn and replied thoughtfully.

"Well, in my opinion, it's the right choice. Rhodia said with a grin.

"Ah, is that so?"

"Well, I guess so. Because our Prime Minister has already entered the state as quickly as possible. Rhodia replied. "Well, he's only here...... Two or three days, right? But now it has been recognized by many ministers, and has become a real prime minister, the head of all ministers. This is what happened just now...... Well, I don't think the Prime Minister, who had just arrived in the royal city, should have had a source to know about such a thing, but he did. So someone must have officially informed him about this. It's the kind of very formal information, so he will come to His Majesty for confirmation as soon as possible. ”

"This ...... I remember you saying that this is a kind of exploitation. Use others to do what you want to do but can't or dare to do. It should be those who wish to get the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer. ”

"Although there are elements of utilization, being able to be used, being recognized as 'one's own person' for the first time, and being able to consciously take the initiative to stand up for these actions in themselves shows that our Prime Minister is expected by everyone. And," Rhodia gently touched the little girl's nose with her hand. "It's important to remember that there isn't just one, it's many, who want to be chancellor of the exchequer. At the moment, no one can think that Shirley will be able to become Chancellor of the Exchequer herself. Therefore, those who informed the Prime Minister of this matter did not have the intention of becoming the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but with the purpose of asking the Prime Minister for merit and reward, or in other words, showing favor. ”

"Ah, that's ......"

"So, be sure to look at the essence of things. Make no mistake. Rhodia said with a smile. "Speaking of which, do you know the way of the devil but don't know the way of the devil, the four fiancées of Ashrufat...... It's all Shirley's look. Ah, that Fana is an exception, but it's not too outrageous. ”

"What...... What? You mean, Ashrufat...... Really ......"

"He likes girls who look very young...... I like poor milk. Rhodia said seriously. The little girl suddenly remembered what Rhodia and Shirley said before, and couldn't help blushing and heartbeating, and couldn't help lowering her head. "As far as men are concerned, hobbies are a bit special. But it's not unusual. So you see, when he looks at me, he never fakes his colors. Speaking of which......" she sighed, "let me down." ”

"Luo ...... Rodia, do you like Ashrufat too?" the little girl asked in surprise.

"What's not to like? If a good man is a good man, no matter what a woman likes. Come to think of it, our Mr. Ishrufat is a perfect man. Do you think he has any shortcomings?" Rhodia said, holding her hands. "He is not very old, he is good-looking, he is full of energy, he can read and write, he can speak well, he has a lot of money, he is brave, and most importantly, he is a considerate man. ”

Rhodia looked at the little girl with a grin. Her expression seemed to be a little ambiguous, which made the little girl lower her head again.

"I've already stopped missing it, though. A man like him who is arrogant should not look down on me. Rhodia sighed suddenly. "And the famous flower has a master...... I also have a bit of pride. It may be a little ridiculous, but I may be okay with other women, but I would never allow myself to be a side room. ”

She tapped her hand on the table. "It's called 'fate without separation'. ”

"That's right," Rhodia said suddenly to the little girl. "Do you want to learn the secret of seducing a man?"

"Ah...... Yes...... This one...... This one...... Yes...... Yes...... Learn?"

"I'm your governess, and I can teach you anything I know about the Tao as long as you want to. Rhodia said. "Don't forget...... Soon, you'll have a chance to get along with the two of them......"

"Ah, this...... Is it war?"

"That's right. Didn't Ashrufat say that this time he couldn't bring any servants and maids, and he had to eat and live like ordinary soldiers...... In other words, he will take care of you on his own. Rhodia said with a smile.

"This ......" Rhodia's words made the little girl's heart flutter for a while, she didn't dare to think about it anymore, and immediately changed the topic. "So, you said we were going to attack...... Will Byron know the truth?"

......

"Sure enough...... Is that little girl going to do something?" Byron put down the letter and rubbed his forehead with his hand.

"Well, Lord Duke, I'm afraid this matter will not be fake. Or rather, it's almost time in time. The subordinate who sent the letter replied respectfully.

"Well, it's going to be when. There is no mention of this in the intelligence. ”

"The little queen's finances...... It shouldn't be very good. The subordinates tried to pick up what the Duke liked to hear, and although most of the year had passed, the financial crisis and the fall of the rule they had expected had not happened at all. "From what we know, she has to risk a win or risk her debts...... It will not be able to be cashed out. If you estimate it from the point of view that she will have to pay off her debts in the coming months...... She will send troops in two months, fight us in three months, and must win. ”

"That's what she's attacking us now. Byron nodded. "The donkey skills are exhausted, so I can only make a desperate bet. He smiled. Finally, before his patience ran out, it was all over again.

"How many troops can she muster?"

"There were only the Guards Corps, and a small number of garrisons in several cities...... However, considering the situation of Eagle Falcon City itself...... The maximum number of troops should not exceed 30,000. ”

"How many troops do we have?" said Byron, turning his head to look at the other man. Although he was wearing civilian clothes, just from the look and temperament shown by this one, he could know that this was a soldier.

"Lord Duke, the number of troops directly under you is 37,000 men, if you can mobilize the troops of the other lords...... Plus mercenaries...... Remove the necessary rear garrison...... There can be an army of 60,000 for you to drive. ”

"Sixty thousand, two to one......"

"Other than that, as long as we go on the defensive. The subordinate introduced. "We have two fortified castles on the border. It is only necessary to base the troops on the castle to form a formation that echoes each other...... We'll be invincible. ”

Byron nodded. He had no military experience, but he knew how much advantage these two front-line castles would give him.

"Very well, then immediately strengthen the castle's defenses. Byron said. "In the meantime, gather all those lords and bring all their troops here. Well, you can tell them directly, and bring your family members to Fornoros as well. Let them not have to worry about the territory itself, as long as we win, the territory will naturally be taken back. If that fails...... If even I fail, will they be able to hold on to their territory?"