Published: July 3, 2025
"The Imperial Army is leaving the royal capital..."
Abel murmured as he read the report.
"Are they heading to the Eastern region, I wonder?"
Ryo was lazily sprawled on his usual sofa, reading a book while giving a nonchalant reply.
However, he suddenly closed the book and stood up.
"Wha-what's wrong?"
Even Abel was surprised by Ryo's unusual behavior.
"Abel, I have a suggestion."
"If it’s about sending Ryo to the Eastern region, it’s rejected."
"How did you know…"
Abel was initially taken aback by Ryo's sudden stand, but quickly regained his composure.
He mostly had a clear understanding of Ryo's proposals.
"You're probably just itching to mess with that blazing flame mage or something like that."
"Messing with? How rude. I just want to end his life…"
"Rejected."
"Ugh… The tyranny of King Abel has reached its peak!"
"Stop saying random things…"
Ryo succumbed to the oppression of the powerful, and Abel hung his head tiredly.
Ryo understood the situation as well.
It was for the same reason that his solo infiltration into the royal capital and the plan to freeze the Imperial Army had been rejected.
While it might be impossible to rally the entire populace, it was necessary to make many citizens aware that "we took back our country with our own hands" in order to liberate the country.
If the plan were to invade and conquer an enemy nation, then sending a strong force like Ryo to freeze the entire enemy army, and subsequently invade to claim victory would be, in a sense, ideal.
This approach would minimize the wear and tear on military strength, and it would also allow for the acquisition of the defensive structures such as castle walls and royal castle without damage.
However, for a war of liberation or independence, that simply wouldn’t do.
The war of liberation itself carries symbolic significance, and that’s the reason.
What does that mean?
To be precise, it is not for the sake of waging war but rather to smoothly rally the citizens when recovering or gaining independence for the nation after the war, that it is necessary to make the citizens recognize that "they also participated in taking back the country."
By fostering that recognition, the integration of citizens following the war of liberation as well as the governance of the nation will proceed smoothly.
This becomes a discussion not of tactics or strategies, but of a larger political strategy.
If one is a unit commander, they need only solve tactical-level issues.
If one is a general, they need only solve strategic-level issues.
But when it comes to political strategy... it requires a 'capable' politician to resolve.
Abel was already capable of thinking like a politician who governs the nation as a king... that’s how it is.
On that morning, Ryo's tranquility was suddenly shattered.
The one who broke it was Neville Black, the commander of the knight order of the Barony of Run.
"Lord Ryo, the formation for the outdoor drills has finally been completed."
Entering the office, Neville told Ryo.
Upon hearing this, Ryo visibly panicked.
"W-wait, Commander, I have an important job as Abel's bodyguard..."
"Of course, that's true. But it will be boring while His Majesty is in the manor, right? As you said before, please train the knights during the outdoor drills."
"W-wait, training should happen in the training grounds…"
"We need something more practical."
Ryo looked to Abel for help.
"Sometimes such things are necessary. Yes, go stretch your legs outside."
"Abel, you traitor~"
It seems there are traitors in various places throughout the kingdom...
Curiously, both are claiming to be 'kings'.
After that, Ryo would find himself going out for outdoor drills once a week...
On the same afternoon, in Abel's office.
"Phew~ I'm tired~. I need something sweet and coffee~."
A new mage had occupied the sofa where Ryo usually lazed around.
She was a wind attribute mage, accompanied by a remarkably strong shield user.
"I thought Ryo had gone to work, but now it's Lin..."
After glancing at her, Abel returned his focus to the documents, muttering.