"Orpheus! What on earth is going on?"
Grand Duke Novak sternly questioned the noblewoman before him, his brow furrowed as he demanded in a serious tone, "Explain to me why the Caesar Royal Guard is on the battlefield?!"
Or rather, why does the Caesars Royal Guard still exist after the merger?
Why not?
The one who answered him was a girl named Orpheus, who was gently sipping her tea... She really fit the image of a noble girl, even the stereotype.
A knitted silk coat, beautiful felt, a scarf, a pretty gemstone necklace, slender hands elegantly holding a teacup, beautiful chestnut curls, and a pair of petite pointed boots.
Of course, we can't forget... skin as white as milk, eyes that sparkle like pearls, like those of an innocent little girl.
However, her real age is highly questionable, just like the very young-looking Grand Duke Novak... she must be a fake loli.
"Since it is a war, then naturally all troops need to participate to protect the country... that is only right."
Upon hearing Orpheus's words, Grand Duke Novak slammed his fist on the table and roared, "You should know that this war is nothing but a pretext! We only need to weaken the remnants of the former Duchy of Caesar!"
After all, those old men who fantasize about restoring the glory of the Duchy of Caesar basically do nothing but rely on their age and seniority all day long... They don't engage in production, they are unwilling to take up official positions, and they have no money but put on airs all day long.
I've heard there are already many
That's why this war happened.
They could either face reality and establish their new status in the Duchy of Hazard through their achievements in the war, becoming new nobles... or they could obey orders and die on the battlefield.
The empire cooperated readily, as they were indeed able to gain new territories, and even acquire them relatively easily... However, it was impossible for the empire to relinquish what it had swallowed.
Therefore, the principality also needs to strike a balance.
"That's very frank... This isn't some secret worth revealing."
As Orpheus spoke, wearing black stockings, she pushed an empty teacup toward Novak and said, "Would you like a cup of Golden Apple Tea? The dried fruit is in the bag over there."
"..."
Novak could only suppress his anger at the unhurried Orpheus, take out a few dried golden apple slices from the bag, and brew himself a cup of fruit tea.
"Add some water for me too."
Grand Duke Novak's brow twitched at being ordered around like this, but he still poured her water and then asked, "What exactly are you planning to do? Why don't you disband the Caesar Royal Guard?!"
This is a perfectly reasonable choice. Whether it is troops surrendering on the battlefield or troops recruited by an enemy nobleman, if you want to bring them into your own service, the first step should be to break them up one by one and then distribute them evenly among the existing troops.
Grand Duke Novak originally thought that Orpheus did the same, but that was not the case.
“If you do not give a reason, I will propose to all members of the general council at the next general council meeting that you be removed from your position as speaker and stripped of your position as a member of the council.”
Despite Grand Duke Novak's statement, Orfilus remained unperturbed. She gently shook her head and said, "Because we cannot be separated, Novak... you are just a councilor."
The underlying meaning of this statement is... Orpheus is the Speaker, so there's no need for her to explain too much to Novak.
Seeing Novak's tightly furrowed brows, Orpheus calmly sipped her tea, then elaborated a little more: "Let the Royal Guard kill indiscriminately on the battlefield, until they die in battle or achieve glory... as a declaration that the war has officially begun."
"..."
These words plunged Grand Duke Novak into an icy abyss.
It's not because of [allowing the Royal Guard to kill indiscriminately on the battlefield], because that's understandable. If there really is no way to make the Caesar Royal Guard feel a sense of belonging to the Duchy of Hazard, then they can only die fighting alongside the Caesar nobles.
But what did Orpheus say next?
"Has the war officially begun?"
Novak repeated Orfilus's words, a flood of thoughts rushing through his mind. His eyes widened as he asked, "Are you saying that this war between the duchy and the empire is going to continue?"
Originally, Novak and the other councilors believed that... at some point, the war should have ended in agreement with the Empire by exchanging several cities.
The empire gained land without losing any troops.
The duchy has resolved its internal conflicts, but the controversy has yet to subside.
This should be a win-win situation!
"The duchy has been divided for far too long, Novak."
Orpheus spoke with an air of composure that seemed to remain unfazed by anything, saying, "Caesar will not come to an end. Our only path is merging, but that is far too difficult."
Now that I heard that, Novak understood the purpose... Shifting the conflict to the outside and using an external enemy to promote integration is a classic, yet still effective, tactic.
However, it's probably not just that...
"Anything else?"
Novak said this, staring into Orpheus's eyes and questioning her, "In the end, we certainly won't just give up like this, will we? Even if we suffer losses, are you going to let the war escalate?!"
That's natural, because...
"The Empire's strength is no longer as formidable as it once was... The millennium-long war between monsters has severely weakened both the Empire and the monster-controlled territories, which presents us with an opportunity."
As she spoke, Orpheus tapped the table lightly with her delicate fingers, saying, "Novak, the Empire's hegemonic status, which has lasted for thousands of years, is about to come to an end... You know, the situation within the Empire is not good."
Not many people noticed this, but Novak and Orfilus were two of them—within the Empire, because of Ira's defection, the situation was like a time bomb that could explode at any moment.
The Imra faction... is truly an unstable factor for the empire.
“But as long as Yinla speaks, King Yinsabella can still control Yinla’s faction.”
Orfilus glanced at Novak and smiled, saying, "Is there anything you can do, Novak? With your relationship with Illa Elkaras?"
Novak could only shake his head at this. At most, he could only be considered someone Imra "knew," not a "friend," or even an "acquaintance"... However, Orpheus had anticipated this.
Orpheus: "Then, let's use the second option..."
Novak: "May I ask what the plan is?"
Orpheus: "I heard... Inla Elkaras likes lolis?"
Novak: "...Give it a try, it won't hurt."
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