As the Empire's southern Legions moved south, the academy eventually went on break, not knowing how the situation would unfold. It could be called a decision made in case of emergencies.
Thanks to this, Sharlua's schedule was suddenly empty, but she wasn't disappointed.
Rather, she took this as an opportunity, using her specialty to gather information.
She hadn't forgotten what she needed to do for Novgorod.
"They say all the southern Legions are heading south. That's why the academy went on break."
"What about the Border, you ask? The eastern Legions arrived instead. Although they don't know the geography well here, they should be capable of defending the Border, easing the burden on the southern Legions."
"Did you hear the news? Benito declared war. Ha! How absurd. It seems they think they're the Demons of the north or something."
Anyway, a foreign dignitary is a White Spy who legally collects information.
The Empire also tacitly approved of Sharlua gathering information, as long as she didn't cross the line and retained her value as a hostage, to a certain extent.
"The southern War situation, you ask? It seems you haven't heard the news yet. A while ago, the 4th and 15th Legions saved the Holy Church."
"Her Highness the Second Princess persuaded the surrounding kingdoms, they say. Isn't she amazing?"
"What happened to Benito, you ask? How dare those guys try to fight against our Empire. They got scared beforehand and ran away without looking back, they say."
No. If this was the case, why on earth did they declare war? Sharlua tilted her head.
Could there have been some kind of trouble between the King of Benito and the Benito Military?
...Nah. No way. Unless he's an idiot, who would do such a thing without consulting the Military Circles?
Especially when the military wasn't even stationed in their own country but had advanced quite far.
'Right. There’s no way that happened.'
Unless the King is the world's biggest idiot. Nah. That's ridiculous.
Sharlua shook her head and focused on the next piece of news coming from the south.
"Wahahaha! A Great Victory, a Great Victory! ...Eh? What am I talking about? Ahaha! Our Empire's proud Legion completely crushed the 50,000 troops Benito boasted about! Kuhahaha!"
"Parts of the 6th and 13th Legions hit Benito from the front and back and smashed them. Less than ten thousand made it back alive, they say, so Benito is basically completely ruined."
The news reaching the people in the south was simply that the Empire's Legion crushed the Benito army.
Sharlua somehow strongly sensed Kael's presence in this.
As far as she knew, an Empire Legion consists of about 20,000 men.
The numbers might be lower than the full roster, but could never be higher.
Conversely, Benito was said to have well over 50,000, almost two to three times the difference.
Yet, the Empire's Legion suffered only 4,000 casualties, while Benito had well over 20,000.
With a similar number of prisoners taken, it's correct to view it as a virtual annihilation.
Benito will likely have to suffer like a critically ill patient for at least several years.
'No matter how well the Empire's Legion fights, what decided this victory wasn't simply the difference in combat power between the two armies. There’s definitely something more. Indeed.'
And a short while later, she learned the news from a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official who came to meet her.
"Congratulations. I heard you achieved a Great Victory against Benito."
"Ah. Hahaha! Thank you, Ms. Sharlua. It seems Lunen too was enraged by the wicked behavior of Benito. The brave soldiers of the Empire's Legion, the excellent Commanders. And an outstanding Strategist. It's a Result achieved by the harmony of those three."
"An outstanding Strategist, you say."
"I'm referring to Young Master Kael Clausewitz, who accompanied them as a Military Advisor this time. From what I hear, he used a tremendous Strategy to completely tie down Benito's army and stabbed them with a dagger from behind."
"...I see."
I can see it, I can guess. A rough scene is already forming in my head.
Kael Clausewitz. A fearsome man who wields the opponent's desperation as a weapon.
Whether the enemy falls for it unknowingly or knowingly, in the end, they have no choice but to enter the trap.
Because he guides them so that there's no other way. Because the temptation is so dazzling.
From the opponent's perspective, they end up stepping in, thinking, 'Maybe I can do this?'
Novgorod was like that, and Burkheim was like that throughout the eastern campaign.
He eliminates all other options and calls the Enemy only to the time and place he desires.
There are no exceptions. Because what must be lost if one chooses that exception is clearly visible.
'I want to ask for more details... but that would probably be difficult.'
The official before her is from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not the Ministry of War.
Therefore, he couldn't provide detailed information on how the War situation unfolded.
Nevertheless, the fact that a rough picture could be drawn just from the gist means it was truly impressive.
'It occurs to me again how our Moderates seized power at just the right time.'
Though that thought crosses her mind, showing it on her face could be troublesome.
Quickly masking her inner thoughts with a smile, Sharlua spoke to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official.
"Then, all that's left is to attack Benito, I suppose."
The places with some renown in the south were the Holy Church and Benito.
Among them, the Holy Church was completely crushed by Benito, then saved by the Empire.
And Benito was crushed by that Empire and became virtually paralyzed.
If things go this way, following the East, the South too will fall under the Empire's direct order.
At that, Sharlua thought of the Hardliners back in Novgorod.
It's truly unfortunate for them, but the gap with the Empire is expected to widen even further.
If the East and South stabilize, fighting the immense Empire head-on would be suicide.
Perhaps, it's absolutely impossible for them to ever regain power...
"Hmm. Probably that won't be the case."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, fiddling with his teacup, cautiously continues.
"Since the news will circulate soon anyway, it wouldn't be a problem if Ms. Sharlua knew."
"...Has something happened?"
Instead of answering immediately, he takes a sip of tea.
Sensing a serious atmosphere from that action, Sharlua stiffened as well.
"Thedorant has intervened."
"Thedorant, you mean the kingdom that's said to be gripping the west lately?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"But how did Thedorant intervene?"
"Literally, they stationed their Military near Benito."
Instantly, Sharlua's head started spinning like crazy.
First, Thedorant. She knew they had recently annexed Atria, the country above them.
Before that, in the war with Dregali, they first took the Jugel region. Then the western Territory.
They are a powerful nation in name and reality. Not just because of simple Territory or population numbers.
Their elite troops, hardened through countless actual combats, number well over 100,000.
However, that's an evaluation based solely on 'western' standards.
Even if they annexed Atria and occupied parts of Dregali's Territory,
Even if they hold the highest level of combat troops in the west,
If the Empire starts getting serious, they too would have to risk everything.
And quite obviously, the Empire's Winning rate is not just high, it's Overwhelming.
'Even if Thedorant devoured Atria, Dregali, and Rostanica entirely, they wouldn't stand a chance against the Empire. The disparity in Supplies production from population and land fertility is already drastic.'
Meaning, whether Thedorant intervenes or not, the Empire can just say, 'So what?'.
If they puff up their chests and charge, the Empire can simply smash the whole thing.
'And yet the Empire reacts like this to Thedorant's Intervention?'
She wanted to know the more detailed reason, but digging deeper than this is cutting it close.
The first condition for not being ostracized as a foreign dignitary is not crossing the line.
And to not cross the line, one needs good sense and the ability to read the situation well.
Even this Ministry of Foreign Affairs official before her is, ultimately, just an errand runner for those high-up people.
The conversation held here, the words she spoke, the questions asked, everything will be reported.
"You must have a headache."
"Don't even mention it. Thanks to that, it's complete chaos."
Watching the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official finish his teacup, Sharlua was lost in thought.
Surely, Thedorant wouldn't be crazy enough to try and intimidate or stand stiffly against the Empire.
If they were that foolish, they couldn't have grown so large in such a short time.
They must have used a clever trick to tie the Empire down and buy themselves a moment to breathe.
'The path they'll choose is, undoubtedly, to prostrate themselves and seek the Empire's consent.'
Sharlua had learned so much from the Council and its Members.
Unlike other Demons, she didn't possess outstanding Military Force, but she had another weapon.
She was better than anyone at discussing and predicting the next move in the political landscape.
'The Empire must be in a difficult position in many ways too.'
How will things unfold? Sharlua began to speculate on the next steps herself.
*
"Kael!"
"Your Highness."
As soon as she saw me, the Princess rushed over and grasped both my hands.
I was slightly surprised at first, but happy to see her, so I smiled.
"You worked hard. It was truly amazing!"
"Thank you. Your Highness also did extremely well."
"What do you mean? I just did as Kael told me."
The Princess said, looking embarrassed. I immediately shook my head at that.
Doing exactly as someone else tells you is actually the hardest thing in the world.
The fact that she pulled it off without mistakes is undoubtedly a great result.
"More importantly... aren't you disappointed? What will you do?"
"Ah. If it's about the advance into Benito, I'm alright."
"It's okay. You can speak honestly. I'm also brimming with anger towards Thedorant."
It's true that Thedorant is acting a bit arrogant.
However, they have justification. Aren't Thedorant and Benito allies?
They secure their own justification while bowing their heads to the Empire to avoid conflict.
So, from their perspective, it means they'll just take what's appropriate and won't cross the line beyond that.
'Those kinds of guys are always the scariest.'
Seen from that angle, the Empire's withdrawal of its military from the south is an extension of that.
It's not that we folded. It's not that we showed mercy. It's not that we conceded.
Thedorant's size grew considerably in the blink of an eye.
Unlike the East or South, there are quite a few things holding us back from striking immediately.
Thus, it meant our Empire would also catch its breath for a moment, then strike.