74 Episode 73 Lion and Pig (1/2)

--When Leon Glantz entered the reception room, his meeting partner, Polk Nadar, was already looking annoyed.

...... Polk Nadar.

You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

Even so, the flesh protruding from every part of his body can be described as utter laziness.

Flabby cheeks.

Eyelids crushed and narrowed by flesh.

The face is stained with sooty blackness, as if the internal organs have been compromised.

He looks like a fat pig or a bullfrog with a bad appetite.

The flabby flesh stored in front of him gives the impression that he is leaning backward, which adds to his arrogance.

He is currently sitting on the sofa in the reception room, receiving a report from his subordinate.

He is blowing wildly on his cigar in front of his retainers who are kneeling down to bow to him.

The room was filled with cigar smoke, probably because he was enjoying cigars so much that ventilation was inadequate.

He may be reaching for a cigar to cover up his frustration, but it seems he still has the same attitude when things go wrong.

”...... Seiran got away with it. Lucky bastard.

And... He is currently returning to Rastinel and calling on the lords to gather there. They will probably invade the territory as soon as they are ready.

”I suppose you're right. His breach of trust has been exposed. They won't even listen to me anymore.

Poluk Nadar exhaled a mouthful of cigar smoke, further polluting the air in the room.

Meanwhile, his subordinate, hit by the smell, choked lightly a couple of times and continued talking.

”Sir. I have something to say.

”What is it?

If the Dauphin is going to raise an army, isn't it essential to attack and destroy it before it's ready? I'm not sure what to do, but as soon as the organization is in place, I think it would be a good idea to attack from here.

Poluk Nadar's subordinate suggested a plausible plan, but Poluk Nadar did not agree.

”Hmph!　I'm not afraid of Ceylan!　It will be easier for our men to fight if we take our time to prepare.

But won't the longer we wait, the more the enemy will gather?

I am aware of that. But this order to assemble was not given by the King, but by the Crown Prince Ceylan. Lords do not gather so easily. Besides, we have the Empire on our side. As long as we can count on the support of the great powers, we should just take the siege. --Isn't that right?　General Glanz.

Poluk Nadar opens his eyelids and turns his goggle-eyed gaze at me.

The expression on his face is one of confidence in the Empire's generous support.

But.

”No, I wouldn't do that.

”No?　Why the hell not?

”The Empire has decided not to send reinforcements to this battle.

The Empire has decided not to send any reinforcements to this battle. Poluk Nadar slams the reception desk with both hands as hard as he can.

The expression on his face is one of impatient anger.

Then he came at me with a frothing-at-the-mouth attitude.

”How can you do that!　If the Empire sends reinforcements here, they can certainly take out Siran!　Why would the Empire want to ruin such a great opportunity?

”Count. Currently, the Empire has no intention to fight the Kingdom. We already have two fronts in the north, further expansion of the fronts could strangle us.

”So you're abandoning me!　You know how many dangerous bridges I've crossed for the Empire so far!

Indeed.

Well!

Count. This has already been decided. I'm only a general, I can't overrule the Emperor's order.

Ugh. ...... Oh, no, no, no. ......

Polk Nadar grunted like a squashed frog and held his head.

But make no mistake about it. The Empire is not abandoning you. The Empire is not abandoning you, and we are prepared to pay you back for your subservience to the Empire.

That's only meaningful if we win the war!

Then win it you will. You can take Ceylan's head as planned. If you can do that, the Empire will be ready to receive you with the same count status as now. And just because the Empire can't send an army doesn't mean I won't help you.

As he announced the good news for Poluk Nadar, his blood color visibly improved.

Then he let out a mouthful of anguish with a huge breath of relief.

”General ......, you're being mean.

”I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I thought it would be better to give you the bad news first.

So how many reinforcements can you provide?

Part of the army ...... is about five hundred, give or take.

”Only ...... five hundred?　General Gruntz should be in a position to command a lot more troops!　Why are there so few of you?

”I am entrusted with the Emperor's army. It's true that I can lead an army of 10,000, but only under orders from above. I can't move them all at will. This is the best I can do. Please bear with me.

”Ugh, .......

As Polk Nadar's face darkens, his subordinate looks at his master as if to cling to him.

”What can I do for you, Count ......?

You can't go on fighting a siege with no hope of ...... reinforcements!　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I have.　The only way to find a way out is by opening up!　My squire, Vair Elun!　Hurry up and prepare!

”Haha!

Poluk Nadar's subordinates received the instructions and promptly left the reception room.

He must be in a hurry to raise an army and organize his troops.

I can only imagine the hardships involved.

If he did not do so, he and his master would be killed or captured and hanged.

He would have to do it.

But it's unheard of for the Dauphin to start an army without waiting for the King's orders.

At about the same time a young woman's voice rang out.

The smoke from the cigars that had been drifting around the room like a haze dissipated as if nothing had happened.

Aryus, the woman in the white mask, suddenly appeared in the room.

As if a black tinge had been peeled from the shadows in the corner, a black garment stood behind Poluk Nadar.

The way she spoke made it seem as if she had been in this room for a long time.

The sudden appearance startled Poluk Nadar, but he quickly exhaled as if he understood.

”Lord Aluas?

”It's been a long time, Count. I've been away for a long time, Count, and I hope you'll forgive me for being a lowly fool.

”Yes. No problem.

A brief greeting is exchanged between Aluas and Poluk Nadar.