Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 144

The Knights’ Joint Training (3) – The Pondering Troublemaker

“Horsebox? What kind of box is that?”

Likely on behalf of everyone, Zackhart-sama asked me.

After the second day’s joint training was finished, I asked Rays-sama to arrange a dinner meeting with the Knight Commanders all to suggest the idea of a horsebox.

“I just named it that since it sounds good. We can even call it just a horse station or horse barrack. I’m thinking of making a small place to station two or three cavalry.”

“For what reason?”

“To facilitate information exchange between various divisions. We will set up several horseboxes along the main road so if something happens in the capital, a messenger can be sent from the capital to those horseboxes, then the cavalries stationed in the horsebox can bring that message to various divisions.”

“That will be convenient but isn’t it a bit of a waste to use our precious cavalry for that kind of thing? We can just send messages we received from the capital directly to other divisions if needed.”

The majority of the knights would probably agree with Zackhart-sama’s words. That’s how the order had operated until now.

But that way of doing had a big problem.

When we, the Roa Brigade, visited the 4th and 6th Divisions, they all wanted to hear about the situation in the capital, which meant the transmission of information from the capital to the two divisions was severely lacking

Thus, if the capital went up in flames, the knights outside of the capital wouldn’t be able to react and they would be destroyed one by one by an outside enemy. That was exactly what had happened in my previous life.

The reason no one had tried to fix this lack of information flow between various divisions had something to do with the trait of Rudek’s Knight Order. The knights of Rudek were highly independent. The Commander of each division was given a high amount of autonomy. They were also free to cooperate with lords in their jurisdiction to make their own decisions about their affairs.

Due to their highly independent nature, cooperation between various divisions outside of war was quite rare. In addition, there were also cases where two divisions simply didn’t get along, just like the current 1st and 10th Division, or cases when the Commander of one division was someone of a particularly high rank, just like the current 9th Division Commander, so their members simply refused to cooperate due to their pride.

But letting the current situation be would be problematic for the future.

Not only for my future but also for the future of Rudek.

After hearing my explanation, Bekstadt-sama was first to react, “That sounds good.”

But Zackhart-sama still looked a little unconvinced.

There was a lot of traffic between Gedland, Zackhart-sama’s jurisdiction, and the capital. So much so that Zackhart-sama constantly made pointless visits here just to see Rufa. That was why he didn’t understand the feeling of lacking information.

On the other hand, Bekstadt-sama must be happy with my idea. Just by looking at them, the difference between the situation of the two divisions was evident.

Turning to Zackhart-sama, I started explaining from a different perspective.

“If we built horseboxes along the road, it would be difficult for thieves to do as they please in the area. This will improve public safety. Travelers and merchants alike will be able to use the road with peace of mind.”

“Hmm…you’re right.”

For Zackhart-sama who was in charge of Gedland, the gateway for foreign merchants, this seemed to be a more convincing reason.”

“However, if we introduce this new system to all divisions, it might become chaotic, so I’d like to build some horsebox only along the road leading to the barrack of divisions belonging to everyone present here as a test, with your permission.”

This was just a pretense. Actually, I just didn’t want to give unnecessary information to the 2nd and 9th Divisions, both of which might have a connection to the 1st Division. That’s why, I didn’t want this system to be implemented in the entire order.

Because of Hogg-san, I was mostly convinced that the 2nd Division was working together with the 1st Division.

Back when I asked Hogg-san, ‘Have you ever had any reluctance with swearing loyalty to Rudek and King Zeurasia?’ he answered immediately, ‘No’

Without any hesitation, pause, or doubt.

Normally, when someone you’ve just met asks such a rude question, you would become suspicious of them or become offended. At the very least, you would question their intention.

It wasn’t a question that anyone, especially a Knight Commander, should answer without thinking.

Yet, Hogg-san answered immediately, as if he had rehearsed it.

That was the point I’d become suspicious of him.

Considering the current situation, I had no other choice but to think Hogg-san’s suspicious behavior had something to do with the betrayal of the 1st Division. If the reason was anything else, that was also fine, but I would act assuming the worst-case scenario.

I think Hogg-san himself was a good person. If possible, I didn’t want us to become enemies. But for now, I couldn’t trust him.

So, when it came to the horsebox, from the start I’d plan to limit its usage to the southern part of Rudek. Good thing that it was the twin who came here on behalf of the 4th Division’s Commander. If I could bring out an excuse to limit the creation of horsebox as a ‘trial system between the divisions in which the Commanders had agreed to participate’ I could avoid setting up an information network in the north.

“Will the needed cavalry come from the 10th Division?” Nelfia asked.

Today, Nelfia was here as the King’s secretary so she would report everything discussed here to the King.

“Yes, it will, as long as everyone here has no objection. I have also received permission from Rays-sama. I’m thinking of making the new knights take turns in doing the job so they can train their riding skills in the meantime.”

This means the needed cavalry could be sent from my brigade. Since the manpower would come from my own brigade, I could minimize the chance of my plan being rejected.

“Training riding skill…not a bad idea. Then, I’d like to also send some people from the 7th Division. Will that be fine?” Thor-sama suggested and The 3rd and 5th Divisions also suggested a similar thing. Only the 6th Division stayed silent since their current post hasn’t been decided yet.

What an unexpected development.

“I’d appreciate it if you could do that.”

I wouldn’t mind. On the contrary, I’d be grateful.

“Then, everyone is on board with this plan?” Rays-sama, who’d been silently listening to the discussion, looked at each Commander to make sure they had no objection.

“Let’s discuss the specifics, like where to build the horsebox. Nelfia, can you please bring me the map I requested?”

“Of course.”

Under Rays-sama’s leadership, the Commanders looked at the map of Rudek which was spread out at a different location from the dining table, as they were pondering about the suitable location to build a horsebox.

With the feeling of having finished my role, I sipped my fruit wine as I looked at the back of the Commanders. I’d just realized that my throat was parched. The fruit wine stings.

Feeling someone’s gaze, I turned and saw Lapilia-sama’s slightly amused smile as if saying, ‘This guy did something strange again’