Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 80

The King’s Sons

After I finished thinking alone, I went to meet Rays-sama.

“Gorber might move soon.”

“Your reasoning?”

Ah, that tone. He already knew something.

“As I’ve said before, I believe that the battle in Eren Village and Hakusha was a series of plots by a strategist named Sakuri. Both are plans to gain an advantage over Rudek in a war. Since we thawed both of his plans, I don’t think he will stop here.”

“I see, continue.”

“If the two plans are ‘prelude’ to gain some advantage over us, then I believe he must have also planned the ‘main event’, a large-scale war against us.”

“Why did you think that ‘main event’ will happen soon?”

“It’s going to snow soon. Piled up snow will restrict an army’s movement, that’s why I think that if he were planning to do something huge, it would be around this time before the winter truly starts and the most likely place he will make a move is the Zetta Plain.”

“I agree that Zetta Plain is the only suitable place for a large army, but will Gorber make a move after failing twice?”

“I think there’s a possibility that they are working out another plan for that.”

After saying all that, Rays-sama mutters, “Well, I guess that’s about it,”

“I also felt that they wouldn’t just stop after failing twice. If I was the strategist, I would have prepared one or two more moves. I also thought that if something were to happen, it would be before the snowfall. I’ve already sent out scouts to the area. From the scouts’ report, it’s true that Gorber seems to be preparing to make a move.”

“Then, shall we move too?” Grantz-sama, who had been listening to our conversation, said.

“No, let’s take them by surprise. Let’s act as if we’re unprepared, then attack them. Are the 4th Division currently in the Kitsar Fortress and the new fortress in Eren?”

“I believe so,” Grantz-sama nodded.

“The 2nd Division is in the Yufe Fortress, right?”

“Yes, they are in Yufe Fortress,” I answered.

Rays-sama brought out a map and placed pieces at the locations of each fortress. Kitsar Fortress was a large fortress overlooking the Zetta Plain. The new Fortress in Eren Village was located north of Kitsar Fortress. Yufe Fortress also wasn’t far from the two fortresses.

“We will send a letter to the 4th and 2nd Division to warn them so If something happens, they can gather at Kitsar Fortress immediately. I will also send people from our division to the various small forts around Kitsar Fortress secretly. Wait until the snowfall. If until then Gorber doesn’t move, that’s fine, the operation will end. The Roa Brigade will go to Kitsar Fortress first. Since your brigade only has a few people, Gorber won’t be alarmed. When Gorber makes a move, use your brigade’s excellent mobility to send a message to small forts around Kitsar Fortress.”

“Understood”

“Okay. I’ll ask for the King’s permission. Your brigade will immediately depart as soon as I get the permission, so make the preparations. Inform both Luzel and Frein’s units too.”

“What about Rufa?”

“Rufa will move with the main army… No, wait, take Rufa with you. With this, even if something unexpected happens, she can stay at the fortress.”

Rays-sama’s instructions determined the actions of the 10th Division for the time being. That was the end of today’s strategy meeting.

The next day, me and Rays-sama and I were summoned by the King.

“Roa, it’s been a while. I apologize for the canned food project. There was just an offer I cannot refuse.”

“Ah, no, it is fine….”

“I think you already heard it from Nelfia, but I do understand Roa’s request. If you have anything you want, just tell me. I’ll do what I can to make it grant it,”

Ah, right, I was given the right to directly propose something to the King.

“I understand. May I ask why I have been summoned today?”

“Ah right, the other day at the new recruits’ welcoming ceremony, you were evenly matched against Rays, right?”

…I guess from the outside it looked like we were evenly matched? In reality, I had already lost before the fight.

“It was far from being evenly matched. It was my complete loss.”

“Don’t be humble. Usually, when Rays was in charge, he dominated the opponents too easily so it was always boring. This time it was worth watching. It was quite fun.”

It seemed like Rays-sama never held back, even though he was against a fellow knight…This guy really hated losing, didn’t he?

“I have a favor to ask. I heard from Rays that you are going to go to Kitsar Fortress. I have also received the news that Gorber has started to move so I do think Rays and your decision are right. But before you go, can you spare some time for me?”

Huh? A favor? I turned to Rays-sama but he ignored me with a stoic face. I then turned to Nelfia who was also in the room, but she didn’t even make eye contact with me. It seemed that for today, she was the King’s secretary and nothing more.

“If Rays-sama gave his permission then I don’t mind…”

After hearing my approval, King Zeurasia clapped his hand as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Good. Then, let me introduce them to you. Come in!”

Introduce? Introducing who? Before I could understand the situation, the door of the throne room was opened.

Then, two boys came in.

The taller boy was looking at me with a cheeky expression.

The other, smaller boy, lowered his eyes and didn’t even look at me.

The only children who could come to this place were…

“Let me introduce you to my two sons, the first prince, Zeland, and his younger brother, Ural.”

I smell trouble.