CH 40.1

Oh and this is a full chapter in the raws. I didn’t split them so pls don’t burn me at the stake.

── Ten days later, in the Imperial City ──

“The operation failed. Your work is over, Count Barga Regus”

“── What ?”

This is the Minister of Military Affairs Zagran’s Mansion in the Imperial Capital.

In this room, Zagran was meeting with Count Barga Regas.

After completing the Monster Gargarossa subjugation in the Demon Territory Zagran returned to the Imperial capital.

When he returned to the mansion, Count Barga Regas sent him a letter requesting a visit.

So Zagran decided to call him to his mansion.

Barga Regus who came was wearing clothing for aristocrats with a showy cloak on top.

He seemed to think that he wouldn’t be going to the south anymore.

Since the operation succeeded my trip to the south would also be cancelled, he thought.

The battle of course was to also give the letter to Thor Regus and to aim for the desired effect

However, the “aim” that Minister of Military Affairs Zagran has and the “aim” that Barga Regus had were completely different.

“Your job isn’t here anymore”

Zagran told him the facts as they were.

“You couldn’t move your son at the empire’s will. The operation was a failure. You should leave as soon as possible to the south.”

“D, did Thor really …decline my request?”

“Why are you surprised?”

“… Why?”

“Did you really think that your son would move at your will?”

“What are you talking about, Zagran!”

Barga Regus shouted.

“Then why did you instruct me to write the letter? Wasn’t it to make that Thor into a spy…”

“No. It’s not.”

Military Minister Zagran shook his head.

“It was a way to sow discord in the Demon territory. It’s impossible for your son to move at your will.”

“──eh”

“As I said it before. “From now on you shouldn’t think of using your son.” Don’t you remember? Barga Regus.”

A cold voice echoed in the guest room of the mansion.

“There is no chance that your son will move at your will, but he is trusted by the Demon Territory and is hostile to the empire. It was to make the people of the Demon Territory misunderstand and make it difficult for your son to stay in the Demon territory.”

“Then, what about that letter?”

“It was to separate your son and those of the Demon Territory.”

“But! The letter did arrive at Thor!? Why did it fail…”

“Because Thor Regus read the letter out loud in front of those of the Demon territory.”

“…………what did you say?”

Count Barga Regus was at a loss of words.

Zagran understood that feeling.

Zagran himself didn’t expect Thor Regus to go that far.

The letter could have contained his personal information.

You wouldn’t be able to do it unless you truly believe in the Demon territory.

Does he think that the people in the Demon Territory are his relatives?

“It’s totally unexpected. He believed in the Demon territory and published the letter, because of that the Demon Territory also returned his trust to him.”

Zagran continued.

“And he abandoned the name of his house and declared that he would call himself Thor Canaan. That was decisive. And the Demon Territory have also acknowledged his new name and made him into their companion.”

“…Your exellency Zagran”

“What, Barga Regus?”

“What will happen to me …”

“As planned you’re going to the southern front as a captain of ten men.”

“But I followed your Excellency’s instructions!!”

“Yes. You wrote the letter as instructed, and the Count’s Guard captain brought the letter to Thor Regus.”

Military Minister Zagran nodded.

“But I should have said, “If this strategy goes well, I’ll reduce your punishment”

“──Uu”

“The operation has failed. Of course, Thor Regus did not become the Empires spy, it didn’t even create tension in the Demon Territory. You couldn’t achieve any achievements so it’s natural that you wouldn’t receive any rewards, no?”

“Failure … Then what about my count family?”

“Rest assured you will not go down any further. “

“… Oh”

“It has been decided that the Count Regus will remain as it is. It’s also to motivate Thor Regus… No, Thor Canaan in the Demon Territory.”

Hearing that Count Barga Regus Stiffened.

He held his breath and opened his eyes wide as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Thor Canaan ──To motivate the person who changed his name?”

“Yes. If there is no place for him to return he would give his all to the Demon Territory. So to avoid that we should leave a place for him to return to, and to chip off that hostility.”

“But! The head of the Count family is this Barga Regus…”

“Your role ended when you wrote that letter.”

Military Minister Zagran said,

“Because of that achievement, I will leave the count house”

“Wh, what did I do ── !?”

“You created an enemy in the Demon Territory by exiling your son. You added another enemy by scheming against the Flame General.”

“…………Uu”

“The sin of creating enemies inside the Demon Territory is great. Originally, the Count family would be crushed. You can remain a count thanks to your son.”

“… Thanks to that person … I … to him.”

“Thanks to your exiled son, you can be a count at least in name. Since you know that, you should leave for the south. The carriage to pick you up is already here.”

“Ahhhhh!!”

Barga Regus hits the floor and screams.

The subordinate of Zagran dragged him out.

A carriage should be waiting outside.

From now on, Barga Regus will be sent to the meeting place of the Southern Deployment Unit.

His destination is the battlefield to the south. As desired, he will have the position of a ten-men captain.

Barga Regus has some sword skills. On the battlefield, he should be able to achieve some results.

“Well, that is if he could lead the soldiers on the battlefield. Let’s hope for the best for Barga Regus…”

With that said, Minister of Military Affairs Zagran sat down in his chair.

“… No I can’t laugh at that person either. The operation of showing the strength of the empire to the Demon territory failed brilliantly. On top of that, it was saved by the soldiers of the Demon Territory. The princess’s first expedition couldn’t be won.”

“Your Honor……”

After a short knock, the door opened and his adjutant entered the room.

“We have been contacted by the Imperial court to attend the meeting 2 hours later.”

“Oh, good work”

“And is Count Barga Regus okay? It seems that he was screaming until the end.”

“I can hear him scream. He’s a prideful aristocrat.”

Zagran smiled.

“It must be unbearable that the only reason he gets to keep his title is because of his exiled son. However, he also cannot let the house past down from generation to generation end on his rein. He must be in a dilemma”

“It’s an ancient house but what a shame …”

“There are so many cases of aristocrats disappearing in the history of the empire. Well … we should move on too.”

Military Minister Zagran stood up.

he put on his formal clothing, his cloak, and his monocle.

“I’m going to the meeting now, get the carriage ready.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. They’ll only reduce my salary. Even though we were saved by the Demon territory, we still subdued the monster. Besides, I was able to confirm the ability of the Demon King’s territory.”

“I am well aware.”

“There are a few things I’ve learned. The magic used by the Demon Territory is terrifyingly powerful and has a long-range. Most importantly, they didn’t direct their power to the empire.”

Zagran mutters quickly as he walks down the corridor.

“The Demon Lord does not seem to be hostile to our empire, but we cannot relax our vigilance. They have powerful magic, and there is a mysterious alchemist. The alchemist may be Thor Canaan, but … in any case, new measures will be needed.”

“Then … Your Excellency”

“I’m going to propose a new strategy at the meeting.”

Zagran and his ladjudant left the mansion.

A carriage with the coat of arms of the empire was waiting in front of the gate.

It was only allowed to be used by high-ranking Imperial officials. The destination of the carriage is the Imperial Palace. His Majesty the Emperor and high-ranking officials of the empire were waiting there.

While the Minister of Military Affairs, Zagran resolved himself for the meeting, he was making up a new plan.

Princess Liana is still growing.

She shouldn’t make any more mistakes until she can fully utilize the power of the Holy Sword.

Also, it is not a good idea to show the Holy Sword to the Demon territory anymore.

We should show our power in a different way.

Then, the strategy that should be taken is──

“Your Excellency, we will be arriving soon.”

Eventually, the palace came into view.

Looking out the window Zagran, said

“… I have been instructed to come.”

He threw a short phrase to the guard.

“I have been told, Your Excellency.”

“As soon as His Majesty’s permission is obtained, I should use the [Precedent Royalty]. List those who are likely to move.”

(TL: Dunno what the “Precedent Royalty” mean so I translated it by how the characters meaned)

“… I understand.”

“… I can’t laugh at Count Regas. If I make a mistake next, I won’t be the Minister of Military Affairs. I can’t make a mistake anymore.”

Military Minister Zagran laughed bitterly.

“I spent my time and money as an educator and invested in Her Highness Liana. We have to think of new measures to restore our honour.”

“… Yes, Your Excellency”

“High-ranking officials who know the power of the Demon territory should not be able to leave that land alone. They will definitely do something. If I go with the flow and propose a safe measure, it should be relatively low risk ── “

They talked in a whisper that people outside wouldn’t be able to hear them.

It was such a short time so that they wouln’t be suspected of having a secret talk.

After the conversation, Minister of Military Affairs Zagran got off the carriage.

A few hours later, the Imperial court of the Dolgarian Empire decided that:

・ Minister of Military Affairs Zagran’s salary will be decreased.

(However, Zagran will be given the reward of protecting the princess, offsetting it)

・ The third princess, Liana, will be prohibited from going out of the imperial capital for a month.

Meanwhile, the princess will be trained.

・ A strategy to prevent the Demon Territory from being too confident will be executed.

The plan will be made by the Minister of Military Affairs Zagran and a person selected by the Upper Echelon.

・ A lookout tower and castle wall will be added to the town near the Demon territory.

All such arrangements shall be made by the Minister of Military Affairs Zagran.

“Our empire will not attack the Demon territory, but we still have to be cautious of it. We want the Minister of Military Affairs Zagran to plan a quick operation. Depending on the situation, the royal family will also participate.”

── That was the conclusion of the meeting of the empire.

“… Is this enough?”

After the meeting, Minister of Military Affairs Zagran dropped his shoulders and sighed.

To be honest, he was prepared for a demotion of being fired.

However, it seems that it was evaluated that he did not dispatch the runaway soldiers.

It is also significant that the Demon Territory officially admitted that “the successful subjugation of the Monster Gargarossa is the result of a joint operation between the Demon Territory and the Empire.”

A least the strongest Imperial army and the Holy Sword Princess at least wasn’t defeated.

Since they were not been defeated, there was no reason to dispose of those who participated in the operation.

“I was … helped by the Demon territory …”

Minister of Military Affairs Zagran had a headache.

By now, the Demon Territory must be laughing at us thinking that we’re not a big deal.

I can’t forgive that.

After all, we need to show the strength of the empire.

However, Zagran cannot participate in the next operation.

It’s regrettable that I couldn’t recover my reputation but, there’s nothing that I could do. As a military minister, I too was one of the good tools for the empire.

Thinking that Zagran boarded the carriage to pick him up.

“In any case, the Demon territory is tough. I have to maintain the authority of the empire and strengthen the defence of the country without being hostile to them.

While heading back to the mansion, Minister of Military Affairs Zagran muttered such a thing.