Chapter 74: She-Devil (3)

Unlike the surprised Milton, Princess Leila was calm.

Do you find that odd? Even if I sit on the throne, Ill need an heir, and for that, I need a husband.

No, thats

Youre competent and we have a good relationship with each other. But above all, you didnt want to take over the Capital or the country youre my first pick for husband material, Count Forrest.

Milton was dazed for a moment. He never thought he would hear something like this, and so suddenly at that.

You look very confused. Dont overthink it. I wont ask for you to love me.

Youre saying you would be alright with a loveless marriage, Your Highness?

Yes. Not only am I tying a strong ally like you to my side, Count Forrest, but Im also fulfilling the politically mandatory marriage requirement at the same time. And, Count Forrest

What would I be gaining out of this, Your Highness?

You would get a beautiful woman. Congratulations.

Milton looked a bit reluctant.

Youre saying youre enough? Thats some amazing confidence you have, Your Highness.

Is there any reason I shouldnt be confident?

Princess placed her hand on her waist and lifted her chin arrogantly.

Seeing her posture, Milton couldnt help but admire her.

Its a bit annoying, but her self-confidence is well deserved.

Princess Leila was beautiful enough to burn away all the sorrows of all the men in the world. Any man who says he doesnt want to marry such a beautiful woman is either a liar or gay. Milton wasnt either. To be honest, he was fascinated by her, but

Its a bit sudden.

Is it?

As Milton took a step back, Princess Leila sighed as if she had run out of energy. Standing a bit apart from Milton, she spoke in a small voice holding a glass of wine.

Did I push too hard?

Your Highness? Did you say something?

For a second, Milton thought she had said something that didnt fit the dignity of a royal family.

No, its nothing. Hm. Anyway.

Princess Leila straightened her posture.

Ill get to the main point. As I said, its a difficult war. So, I intend to send you an assistant in order to help you.

An assistant, Your Highness?

Yes. Along with Duke Palan, its one of the trump cards I have in my hand.

Her words surprised Milton a lot.

Shell send someone who is second only to Duke Palan as an assistant?

Exactly how much was the princess hiding? Milton shook his head as though it couldnt be helped.

Then, since our business has ended, its time I head back.

Very well. Ah! After the war, lets positively celebrate our wedding.

That death flag is a bit

Count Forrest?

Never mind, theres just something like that.

?

No matter how smart that she-devil of a princess was, there were words that just couldnt be understood.

So, when will you be introducing this person youve been hiding away till now, Your Highness?

That person isnt in the capital right now.Theyll[1]be arrivingin a few days, so Ill introduce you once they arrive.

And Im guessing the name is a secret, Your Highness?

You know very well it is.

Milton shrugged at her.

I understand. Then, in the meantime, Ill begin making preparations for the war, Your Highness.

* * *

Even if he was making preparations for deployment, he could order someone else to handle the small details. But, there were some things that had to be done by Milton himself. For example, hiring a new person to join his staff.

Viscount Sabian, wont you lend me your strength?

During a war, the existence of a competent staff was more valuable than gold. Viscount Sabian, with his 91 Intelligence stat and many war-specific traits, was the number one pick for Milton. In the previous war, Milton had utilized Sabians strategy and had reported his achievements without any lies once the Ceremony of Triumphant Return had concluded. Because of that, his goodwill towards Milton had increased, but Sabians Loyalty was still at 61. It was a very awkward number. While he was leaning towards Milton to some extent, Sabian still wasnt Miltons loyal man. So, Milton had boldly offered him a position, but Viscount Sabian looked troubled.

Im sorry, Count Forrest. While you honor me with the offer, unfortunately, I have to say no.

Milton sighed at Viscount Sabians polite refusal.

Can you explain why?

Thats My Master has passed away.

Master? By Master, do you mean Marquis Trauss?

Yes, thats right, Count Forrest.

Marquis Trauss, a remarkable teacher, had personally taught Viscount Sabian tactics and strategies. While Viscount Sabian had surpassed his masters abilities, he didnt choose to become independent and instead, followed his master into the First Princes army. Viscount Sabians affection for his master was remarkable. And such a master had died.

He had been an old man to begin with, but had suffered a great mental shock from the First Princes death and had died himself because of it.

Believing that the First Prince had died because he hadnt properly counseled and advised him, Marquis Trauss fell ill from the guilt, until eventually, he closed his eyes, never to open them again. Marquis Trauss had stubbornly stayed single his whole life and didnt have any children or family to hold his funeral. So, Viscount Sabian, the beloved disciple of Marquis Trauss, decided to wear mourning clothes for a while and hold funeral rites for his master.

I hope youllbe understanding, Count Forrest. Marquis Trauss was more than just my master, he was like a father to me.

Asking for patience, Viscount Sabian politely bowed to Milton. It seemed as though Viscount Sabian felt guilty for refusing to participate in the war for personal reasons. In face of those reasons, Milton was calm.

Raise your head, Viscount Sabian.

Once he did, Milton held his hand.

I understand you. I also lost my father a few years ago.

Count

Send him off politely so there are no regrets on his lasttravel.

Viscount Sabian looked greatly moved at Miltons understanding.

Thank you. I might not be able to follow you to war this time, I will pray for Count Forrests success from afar. And

Viscount Sabian hesitated for a moment before making up his mind.

As soon as my masters funeral rites are over, may I join your advisor staff immediately?

Milton immediately checked his stats. Viscount Sabians Loyalty went from 61 to 81.

It went up 20 points all at once?

Milton was very satisfied.

His charisma trait seemed to have overflowed.

Ill be waiting.

Thank you, My Lord.

That day, Milton failed to bring a competent advisor to war. But, he succeeded in recruiting said competent advisor into his own staff.

The day before departure.

Just as Milton was all set, the talented person that Princess Leila had spoken about, arrived.

Upon hearing that, Milton immediately went to find her.

Come in, Count Forrest.

Greetings, Your Highness.

After officially greeting Princess Leila, he turned to look at the person next to her.

Who is that?

The person had wrapped their whole body in a robe and pulled the hood down low, making it difficult to see their face.

I will formally introduce you, Count Forrest. This is the person Ive been getting a lot of help from, Bianca Cornelius.

As Princess Leila introduced her, Bianca took off her robes.

Woah

Milton exclaimed in his head.

When she took off her robe, Bianca revealed a different type of beauty from Princess Leila.

She was maybe in her mid-20s with red hair and golden yellow eyes. She had an hourglass shaped figure that had been hidden by the robe but what drew the eye were her proud eyes. While she was arrogant, that arrogance wasnt awkward at all. The more she looked confident, the more she exuded competence and sex appeal.

Cough

As Princess Leila signaled at him, Milton got himself together.

Youre very beautiful. Without my knowledge, I was captivated by your beauty.

Looking at the dazed Milton, Bianca frowned.

Ya a man, why are ya so cheesy[2]?

Southern continent dialect?

Contrary to her appearance, she was a beauty with a folksy accent.

Are you from the Southern continent?

Without any shyness, Bianca answered him clearly.

Thats right. But why?

Its a bit difficult to understand. Can you speak the standard language?

Cant. Ya got a problem?

Putting aside the words, her argumentative personality was a tad annoying.

Princess Leila. Were you serious when you said this person was second to Duke Palan?

Princess Leila smiled at Miltons doubts.

She is a magician.

Magician?

Milton was shocked, then immediately looked at Biancas stats.

[Bianca Cornelius]

Magician LV.6

Strength 07 Command 45

Intelligence 99 Politics 22

Loyalty 00

Special Traits- Magic, Enchantment, See-through.

Magic LV.6: Ability to use magic. The higher the level, the more magic you can use.

Enchantment LV.3: The ability to craft items with magical effects.

See-through LV.6: Innate observational power, gives the ability to grasp the truth of the conversation partner's words.

Woah Ive never seen an Intelligence stat at 99 before.

When Milton had heard she was a magician, he had some exceptions, but Bianca truly was skilled.

You must really be amazed?

Princess Leila spoke as she saw Milton continue to stare and subtly admire Bianca.

Yes, Your Highness. A magician

Milton continued to look at Bianca in admiration.

Milton didnt care that Biancas facial expression seemed to be asking him, whatre you looking at?

I never thought Id see a real live magician with my own eyes.

It wasnt unreasonable for Milton to be like this. After all, magicians really were rare. At one point in time, there were a lot of magicians in this world. Every country had an institution to train magicians as well as a guild where they could gather and practice with each other. It is said that at that time, magic was deeply entrenched and magical artifacts were casually used in everyday life. This was the ancient era, and it is said that not only magic, but human civilization itself was developed beyond comparison to the present times.

The reason is lost in history, but that era collapsed and the number of magicians gradually decreased as they increasingly became secretive and closed off from society. The magicians didnt involve themselves with the world around them and only paid attention to cultivating magic hidden from the rest of the world. Thats why a country would treat any magicians discovered in their country extremely well. However, there were very few magicians and they themselves hated being affiliated with one country, so their rarity was on par to that of a Master.

To think you had such a talent under your command, Your Highness.

But Princess Leila shook her head.

Shes not under my command, Count Forrest. She, like you, is allied with me.

Ah, I see. My apologies.

At Miltons immediate apology, Bianca nodded.

Its fine. If yadintknow, it couldvehappnd. Eh. Anyway

Bianca smiled and stretched out her hand towards Milton.

Lets work hard together, ya?

Ah yes, lets work together.

Milton was bewildered, but he shook her hand. This was the first time he had shaken hands with a woman in this world. Was Bianca just straightforward or was the Southern Continents culture different?

* * *

With all the preparations completed, the Southern Army led by Milton, and the Strabus Kingdoms army led by DukeBransbegan to advance North. Of course, this news had already reached the ears of Siegfried in the North.

Siegfried immediately called for a meeting.

Secretary Siegfried, the enemies are coming in two different directions, from the East and the West.

And what are the compositions of the enemys troops?

Coming from the East is Strabus Kingdom with a total of 50,000 men and led by Duke Derek Brans, Sir.

So a Master is commanding 50,000 troops?

So the Strabus bastards have finally decided.

While watching his staff members loudly debating, Siegfried calmly turned towards the messenger.

And what is the composition of the army coming from the West?

Sir, The West is the Southern Army led by Count Milton Forrest with a total of 20,000 troops.

Siegfried seemed surprised at the report.

20,000? Youre sure about that?

Yes, Sir, Im sure.

How odd.

Siegfried doubted the messengers report. According to the information he had,LesterKingdom currently had up to 40,000 troops. Then, even if 10,000 were left to defend the Capital, at least 30,000 troops were still available. Seeing how important this battle was, Siegfried had assumed they would mobilize as many troops as possible, but it seems as though that was a mistake.

Are they trusting their allies that much to leave so many men behind? Itd be great if they were that foolish, but

Several possibilities ran through Siegfrieds head, but it was too soon to decide upon any one of them.

It cant be helped. I have no choice but to be careful as much as possible.

Having come to a decision, Siegfried organized what he knew of the war so far in his head.

The enemys total men was 70,000.

The Republican military force, including the reinforcements sent from their country, was currently 50,000

Thats more than enough.

Having decided the overall strategy in his head, Siegfried began to conclude the meeting.

Captain Alfred.

Yes, Secretary Siegfried.

Ill give you 30,000 troops. Take them and defeat the Southern Army coming from the West.

Yes, Sir.

Ill take care of the Strabus Kingdoms army coming from the East.

One of Siegfrieds staff spoke up.

Secretary Siegfried, the Strabus Kingdoms troops are stronger. Are you planning on fighting them with only 20,000 troops?

Why? Does that seem risky?

Actually Yes, I do think its risky.

Siegfrieds staff members thought his orders went beyond risky, they thought it was reckless.

Seeing their expressions, Siegfried smiled.

The enemies will probably agree with you.

Is it a military feint, Sir?

Just trust me. If you do as I say, I promise Ill give you DukeBransgoods and valuables as spoils of war.

At his generous promise, all of Siegfrieds staff stood up.

Yes, Sir!

They had no further doubts. His staff knew that Siegfried was a man who kept his promises.

1. in the raws, it was an ungendered noun

2. I tried to make it nonstandard English to reflect the dialect used in the raws