The Conference Doesn't Dance

Starting from the next day, the conference to plan the Cordova invasion operation began.

The attendees were led by Archduke Ryuke Riana and Regent Guinevere, followed by the cabinet ministers of each department, the various corps commanders, and the great nobles of each nation — now territories of the dukedom.

And among them was Serge.

Among them was Serge. This is so important it bears repeating.

A boy mage who wasn't even a formal soldier and held the lowest rank of nobility was occupying the seat right next to Ria.

"Somehow, I really feel out of place here…"

"Deal with it. We can't even plan this operation without your transportation abilities."

"But I'm just an ordinary guy…"

"Once this war is over, I'll give you a special two-rank promotion to baron. I'll give you good territory too. You can have a pool of wine and a forest of women."

"Well, I only need one girl… no wait, as a noble's duty, maybe I need a few?"

Serge's desires were starting to peek through a bit.

A large number of people entered the great conference room.

Normally, time would be wasted on greetings between acquaintances, but Ria would not allow such things.

"Thank you all for gathering here. Without further ado, we shall begin planning the Cordova invasion operation."

A rough map of Cordova appeared on the wall behind Ria. Several points had already been marked on it.

"First, as a major premise: Cordova must be crushed. Are there any objections to this?"

Ria's Dragon Eyes were activated. Despite that, there was one brave soul who raised his hand.

"Would it be possible to isolate them through economic blockade? Even if we do invade, wouldn't it be easier afterward?"

"That won't work. First of all, Cordova is a country capable of self-sufficiency in food production. And as long as they have access to the sea, controlling smuggling is nearly impossible. If we take our time, the Millennium will arrive."

The man was satisfied with a thoughtful hmm, but Ria pressed further.

"I'll say this now: the Millennium will arrive within eight years. I heard this directly from the master of the labyrinth."

Her words threw the assembly into an uproar.

There were no fools here who would underestimate the person called Ria. However, believing everything she said was difficult even for them.

"We cannot fight a war with a country like Cordova at our backs when the Millennium comes. This is the reason we must crush Cordova as soon as possible."

"We will stake our lives to liberate our homeland from Cordova!"

The one who shouted this was an exiled noble whose country had been destroyed by Cordova. Ria merely nodded in response.

"Cordova is a large country. Even though their mobilizable forces were reduced in our recent battle, they should still be able to deploy around 450,000."

That seemed like a hopeless number. Every noble present could only muster between 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers at most.

"Against this, the dukedom's total military strength exceeds 3,000,000 on paper."

Her words again caused a stir in the assembly hall.

Did they really have such forces? In truth, it was Ria's bluff, but only Guinevere and Fio knew that.

"Of course, this is truly a last resort. These numbers will be useful when the demon race attacks during the Millennium."

Ria calmed the disturbance with both hands and returned to the topic of Cordova.

"Of Cordova's forces, excluding those stationed at the borders and in the capital, their active forces number approximately 200,000. We will defeat these."

Someone audibly swallowed. Even 200,000 could be called a sufficiently hopeless number.

What Ria presented were realistic figures to the end.

"Reinforcements from Casalia: 50,000. Manesh's army: 50,000. The ogre army is…"

Here, she deliberately paused. When delivering a positive shock, nothing beats building suspense.

"100,000."

The greatest commotion yet erupted in the room.

"And it looks like the beastkin army will also be able to muster 100,000. While they lack power on the battlefield, they will prove useful in disrupting Cordova's specialty — information warfare — and destroying their supply lines."

Ria emphasized just how important disrupting the rear had been in their victories against Cordova so far.

"If we add the forces of each lord to this, you can understand from these numbers that defeating Cordova is not impossible."

Ria concluded that topic there.

"Now, regarding the actual invasion of Cordova, I'm considering four or more routes. This isn't to actually divide our army into four to fight, but by maintaining four possible routes, we prevent the enemy from discerning our intentions."

Three points were marked from the southern tip to the northeast to the northern tip. And the largest point was at the border nearest to Manesh.

The actual invasion would proceed along this route. The area near Manesh was a breadbasket, making it suitable for gathering provisions.

"I want the other three positions defended to the death. The aim is to divide Cordova's forces."

Ria bowed deeply, saying she was counting on them.

After that, what Ria asked of the lords near each invasion point was the construction of siege weapons.

While they would also contribute some troops to the actual fighting, the core of their military strength was the armies of Casalia, Manesh, and the ogres. By giving them combat experience, true elites could be trained.

Where the battlefield within Cordova would be was unknown, but for the decisive battle, Ria would rely on these three armies.

The details still needed to be worked out, but the general framework was decided. When she asked for other opinions, a noble with coastal territory raised his hand.

"What if we issued letters of marque targeting ships trading with Cordova? Even if Cordova is an agricultural nation, it's not as if they don't trade. It might be effective even just to unsettle their people."

"Very well. I'll permit it. However, set a time limit and manage it properly."

"Also, Your Majesty…"

A timid-looking noble raised his hand.

Despite his demeanor, the fact that he didn't flinch from Ria's gaze suggested considerable courage.

"On the matter of Your Majesty's spouse, when considering the dukedom's future, isn't an heir necessary…?"

Ria sighed very, very deeply.

She understood that his thinking was common sense not just for nobles but for ordinary people. You could even call it the common sense of living beings. Leaving descendants.

But it was impossible for Ria. Come to think of it, this was a good opportunity.

"I do not menstruate. In other words, I cannot bear children. Setting aside my preferences for the same sex, there cannot be an heir who inherits my blood."

This time, her words silenced the assembly hall.

"There are skilled doctors in our country…"

"Even the divine dragon Valis, who can easily resurrect the dead, said it was impossible. It is not within human ability."

This time, the noble was truly at a loss for words.

He had made his sovereign, the archduke, say something she should never have had to say.

"Well, don't worry about it. I don't mind either. Rather, if you have a beautiful daughter, send her over to attend to my personal needs."

"Y-Yes, certainly!"

What happened some time later when that noble sent his beautiful daughter to serve as Ria's attendant is another story.

"Ahh, I'm so tired～"

Ria groaned as she slowly soaked in the bathtub. Her twin peaks bobbed gently in the hot water.

"I think you did well. The nobles' morale was raised too."

In the bathtub that could be mistaken for a pool were also Guinevere and her prince, as well as Irina and Maal.

Irina was having Maal wash her hair. She was bad with shampoo.

"I just wanted to leisurely adventure around the world and fight various monsters…"

"Give it up. Once we somehow deal with Cordova, things should ease up a bit."

"I'd rather wage war than deal with domestic affairs～"

Ria lamented, but given her position, it couldn't be helped.

A voice called out to Ria from outside the bathroom as she sank bubbling into the tub.

"Ria-sama, a merchant named Fernasa has arrived. I've shown her to the reception room."

"Understood. I'll be right there."

True to her word, she immediately rose from the bath, dried herself without the help of the maids, and — gathering her hair up as her only concession — entered the reception room with Kotetsu in hand.

Her first impression upon meeting was: What is this person?

A girl in male attire with chestnut hair cut at the shoulders.

Cool eyes and well-shaped lips. The figure was quite to Ria's tastes, but none of that was the issue.

"Thank you for selecting our company this time. I am Fernasa Christoll, director of the northwest branch."

When she stood up with that slight movement, Ria nearly reached for Kotetsu instinctively.

So this is what it's like.

This is what someone with the [Gift of the Sword] is like.

Her level showed as 40, but that couldn't be right. The magic power that leaked out despite being carefully controlled was probably greater than Serge's.

She fully unleashed her Dragon Eyes. What she could see then was first the protective charm equipped at her chest. That was probably the magic tool causing recognition interference.

"Fernasa — no, may I call you Ferna? You may call me Ria as well."

She desperately wanted to fight the girl before her.

The usual affliction.

She wanted to confirm whose swordsmanship was better. In swordsmanship alone, this girl was probably superior to Carla.

"How gracious of you. Then I shall call you Ria-sama."

"So Ferna, is that charm on your chest what's hiding your true abilities? Or is it some kind of magic?"

Ferna froze with a twitch.

Her center of gravity lowered. Seeing her shift her weight, Ria took hold of Kotetsu.

Despite her opponent being unarmed.

"Black Cat has… as it was business, certainly invested in Cordova. However, we have changed our policy and intend to do business exclusively with Ogress Dukedom-sama from now on."

Ferna was tense, but not afraid. Did she believe she could handle things even if Ria drew Kotetsu?

However, Ria wasn't foolish enough to actually draw her katana here.

"I have high expectations for Black Cat's transportation capabilities. We shall also offer favorable treatment."

Ria then indicated the sofa, having Ferna sit down.

"What I want to say is… let's see… that among the unknown, there exists a practitioner like you. What level is your swordsmanship? 8? 9? Surely not 10?"

"Who can say? As a merchant, even information about myself is merchandise…"

"Hmm… Black Cat controls the distribution across the continent… do you intend to dominate the world from the shadows through the power of money?"

"Absolutely not! We simply aim to deliver packages safely and securely, motivated only by everyone's smiles and words of thanks."

Those words alone seemed to come from the bottom of her heart.

"Well, I won't ask you to reveal everything. I look forward to working with you."

Ferna clasped Ria's outstretched right hand with both of hers.

"Ah, Ferna-san, how did it go?"

Leaving the royal palace and seeing Haruto's usual gentle face, Ferna nearly collapsed on the spot.

"What's wrong? You look pale. Did she make some outrageous demand?"

No. It wasn't that.

It wasn't on that level at all.

"I felt like my life was in danger…"

She instinctively checked the sword hanging at her waist. With this, she could at least manage to escape somehow.

"Was the queen really that scary?"

"Absolutely! Seeing her from afar and feeling her presence up close are completely different!"

She had watched the battle with the Dragonslayer, but when she actually got close, the killing intent was different. The dignity was different. There was no way this could come from a fifteen-year-old girl.

"Well, when you put it that way, Ferna-san, other people find you scary too, you know."

Finding that offensive, Ferna bonked Haruto lightly a few times.

"The negotiations themselves were concluded, but since the amount of supplies to prepare is enormous, could you help me, Haruto-san?"

"Yes, I was originally planning to focus on Ogress anyway."

Watching his natural smile, Ferna finally felt her tension ease.

On the way to dinner together with Ferna, Haruto looked back at the royal castle once more.

The labyrinth conqueror who had even defeated the Dragonslayer. And now displaying genius talent for war, opposing the military nation of Cordova.

Only a few years remained until the Millennium. That choice lay with them.

(I really don't want to fight…)

Haruto felt that from the bottom of his heart as he followed after Ferna.