How long has it been since I went to the east, and now I'm going to the west.
When I delivered the news, my father stroked his chin and said, "Hmm."
"Hmm... It seems His Majesty has high expectations for you, Kael."
"I'm worried that even this might be a test."
"If it were a test, would he have sent Her Highness the Princess along with you?"
It was certainly difficult to find fault in my father's words.
Yes, if this was for a loyalty test, it wouldn't make sense to send someone with me.
It would be more appropriate to send me alone and secretly monitor my movements.
This means he expects another outstanding performance from me, as my father said.
But the Emperor clearly said the princess was to offer consolation, and I was to look beyond the western border.
There must be something he wants, and he must be thinking of something.
In other words, this is both an expectation and the Emperor's observation for judgment.
"Come to think of it, Kael, I heard that you will be given the title of Military Advisor."
I wonder if there was some talk about me going to the east without any official position.
Or did they conclude that since I had achieved merit, they should create a suitable position for me?
Whatever it was, I received such an order from the Emperor and the position of Military Advisor at the same time.
'I guess it means I should act as a Military Staff Officer in the west if there is a need.'
With this Military Advisor position given by the Emperor, there is no need to be attached to a specific Legion.
Any region, any Legion. I can give my opinions and advice.
My father considered this a great honor, but my thoughts... Honestly, I'm a little scared.
Just how much are they planning to use me, to go so far as to give me this position?
It's not like I'm attached to the Imperial Army in some region. Nor am I a staff officer of any Legion.
Isn't it just saying that I should act anywhere according to the Emperor's orders?
Just how far is the Empire's sphere of activity going to expand?
First the north. Then the east. Now are they going to the west and south?
If it comes to this, it's almost like they're aiming for continental unification?
"So. When are you scheduled to depart?"
"It will likely be next week. If His Majesty the Emperor specifically pointed out Her Highness the Princess and me, it suggests the situation in the west is as concerning as in the east?"
"...Perhaps there's a very high probability of that."
My father, who said so, handed me something.
A quick glance at the cover revealed the seal of the Ministry of War.
"It looks like very important information."
"It is."
"Is it okay for me to see this?"
"Rather, it is because you are Kael that you may see it. Consider the position His Majesty has given you."
Ah. Military Advisor. Right. It's not a position appointed by a Corps Commander, but one given by the Emperor.
If that's the case, it won't be difficult to get cooperation from the Ministry of War.
Looking at the information they provided would be no problem.
'I wonder what kind of content it contains.'
I checked each and every one of the materials my father gave me.
Each sheet of paper is densely packed with letters, numbers, and tables.
I read the contents carefully, memorizing them, and organizing them neatly in my mind.
Afterward, I returned it to my father, and he also checked it.
"Hmm."
"Father, if everything you and I have read is true, the actual situation beyond the western border may be even worse than we thought."
"It probably is. Since there is a delay before information reaches the Empire."
The Ministry of War, the Special Affairs Ministry, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Departments that are experts at gathering information.
Since they made a concerted effort to find out about the west, it's quite reliable.
And inside, it was full of information about the newly emerging power, the Kingdom of Thedorant.
[ Thedorant's Third Prince, Georg Systania, Seizes Power ]
[ A Large Group of Excellent Officers Active in the Military Declare Their Support for the Third Prince ]
[ Thedorant's King Officially Designates the Third Prince as Successor, Likely Due to Pressure, Not His Own Will ]
[ Military Spending and Strength Increase. Confirmed Troop Numbers Exceed 100,000, A Force Mobilizable for Pure Offense, Excluding Defense Reserves ]
My father explained this to me recently. Beyond the western border, Thedorant is rapidly rising.
At the center of this is the third prince, who has swept up domestic popularity with his outstanding military achievements.
Having already eliminated the crown prince, it is natural for the third prince to become the center of power.
The King of Thedorant reluctantly designated his third son as the next king.
Having heard about this before, I could have easily predicted it even without additional information.
'The problem is that Thedorant's military growth is unusual.'
It is said that they have more than 100,000 troops, excluding those deployed for defense.
If they were ordinary conscripts, there would be nothing to worry about. They would be merely a large mob.
But Thedorant is different. They are a military power recognized even within the Empire.
They have a history of shaking the western part of the continent several times, and it is still ongoing.
With such a large offensive force, the Empire cannot be at ease.
However, the problem is that it doesn't end here.
Instead, the real problem is just beginning.
[ Possibility of Atria's Annexation ]
Beyond the western border of the Empire, several kingdoms have settled.
Among these western countries, four major ones lead the region.
Thedorant, currently causing a stir, and Dregali, under active attack by them.
Rostanica, which is said to be watching the situation from the side.
Finally, Atria, located above Thedorant.
There are other countries, but they are mostly subjugated, so we will move on.
Anyway, in the midst of this, the possibility of Thedorant annexing Atria has been raised.
The reason the word annexation is used, rather than conquest or vassalage, is probably due to the royal relationship.
Thedorant and Atria, though their royal families are distant, are nevertheless relatives.
They also have many similarities and are said to have been on relatively close terms.
But half a year ago, the Crown Prince of Atria died suddenly.
Not long after, the king also passed away.
The two most important figures in the monarchy disappeared in an instant.
With no suitable successor, Atria immediately fell into chaos.
"Kael. If Thedorant truly desires annexation, what do you think Atria's Reaction will be?"
"The nobles may resist, but in fact, the people of the kingdom will not show much resistance. From the beginning, Thedorant was a place that had a relatively good relationship with Atria."
And honestly, the resistance of the nobles? That can be dealt with in an instant.
"In addition, Thedorant can deal with a few of Atria's nobles as an example and distribute their land and property to the people of the Atria kingdom. If that happens, they will be able to win the public sentiment in an instant."
"This father thinks the same. They will surely do so."
The information gathered by the three departments only discusses the possibility, but they must be anticipating it as well.
While still uncertain, it's a possibility, considering various circumstances, annexation is almost a foregone conclusion.
However, from Thedorant's perspective, they clearly need to assess the reactions of their own country, Atria, and neighboring countries, so they are taking a moment to catch their breath.
[ Dregali and Rostanica, Declare an Alliance from Existing Non-Aggression Pact Due to Thedorant's Rise ]
If Thedorant grows like this, the country that will be terrified is, of course, Dregali.
They have fought countless wars with Thedorant and have inflicted bitter defeats on them.
The relationship between them is undeniably bad, regardless of one's optimism.
From Dregali's perspective, Thedorant, which can almost be said to be a clear enemy, is growing crazily?
'They probably won't be able to sleep well at night. They'll only have nightmares.'
The method they came up with was to form an alliance with the neighboring country, Rostanica.
If the two kingdoms unite, they can sufficiently deal with Thedorant.
However, if there is a problem...
"They might be able to deal with Thedorant as it is now, but if it absorbs Atria, the situation will change."
"Dregali and Rostanica are also kingdoms known for their military power in the western part of the continent. Even so, will it be a problem?"
"I heard that Dregali has already lost the Jugel region. The most important place."
Thedorant and its third prince cried out for the liberation of the Theian People in the Jugel region.
They said that this place originally belonged to Thedorant and was forcibly taken.
But that was just an excuse. In reality, they coveted the usefulness of the place.
The Jugel region was a buffer zone for Dregali and a defensive line to protect the Dregali mainland.
For that reason, various military facilities were concentrated there, but this entire area was taken over.
It's impossible not to be shaken. The Dregali royal family. The nobles. And the people of the kingdom.
'War is a battle of Morale. If Dregali doesn't have an advantage from the start and is even pushed back in terms of Morale, they're already losing more than half the battle.'
The original defensive line has already collapsed. Morale is at rock bottom.
If Thedorant eats Atria and bulks up, Dregali is also in danger.
Then, naturally, Rostanica will also be thrown in front of Thedorant's maw.
[ Thedorant States They Have No Intention of Opposing the Empire's Order Existing on the Continent ]
This is the problem. Is this genuine? Or is it a lie for a brief reprieve?
What Thedorant should fear most now is the intervention of our Empire.
If a too powerful country appears somewhere, the order established by the Empire will be shaken.
It's obvious that they will try to become a new Empire, so it's right to block them in advance.
That's why our Empire is painstakingly maintaining a large force of 400,000.
"If the Empire begins to project its full power, it will be a burden, even fear, for Thedorant, which is just organizing its internal affairs. That's why they are publicly bowing their heads."
"Or they could be pretending to bow their heads. So, perhaps His Majesty seems to have chosen you, Kael, for the task of observing Thedorant."
You, who have been the most active recently.
At my father's last words, I unknowingly groaned, "Ugh."
I'm not a diplomat or a spy. Honestly, it is too difficult a task.
In the end, I can only rely on the information transmitted from beyond the border.
Will I be able to do well? All sorts of worries are already flooding in.