Leopolt and Myla are doing an analysis on the current situation .
「The kingdom isn’t going to act . There is only one army corp of 15 000 stationed at the border to keep up appearances . 」
Myla says with a bitter face .
「I heard this from my father, who said His Majesty apparently received the rare incense, high quality musical instruments, and vintage wines . His Majesty had never gotten involved with music or alcohol until now…… so this is probably for Rosario-sama’s preferences . 」
Gretel informs me in a serious tone .
Her dad is a traditional high-class noble so it’s easier for him to attain information about other nobles .
If I were to ask, people would either not want to answer or be too scared to tell me anything .
Myla is looking at her scornfully .
Maybe it’s because Gretel forgot to take off her dog ears? No, maybe it’s because her dog tail is jammed into her asshole .
「I asked the Commissioner of Military Affairs in Lord Hardlett’s name and they have not made full preparations . If we think about the mobility of the South Yuguria army, they will force us into quite a disadvantage at the outbreak of war . 」
Leopolt pretended to be me and sent a letter to Erich .
I looked at the copy and saw that a few words were written messier and spelling errors were made on purpose .
Just remembering it now gets me annoyed .
「The situation is bad as predicted . 」
I stand up straight away .
「I’ll leave the particulars to you guys . Let me know if you need me . Everything else, you can do as you see fit . 」
Leopolt and Myla nod slightly, then see me off .
Rather than me wracking my non-existent brain, it’s better to let them act freely .
Letting them do what they’re good at is the best option .
As for me, I enter a certain room with a stern face .
「So you’re finally here . I’ve been doing it by myself all this time so I’m ready . 」
「Fuck me from behind like a dog . Be as rough as you like . 」
I embrace the body primed by her prior masturbation and proceed to dominate her three holes .
Claire and Laurie explain the grand plan to increase production of weapons .
They have already talked to Leopolt and Adolph in advance .
「All existing and new furnaces will be in operation . We will show you the production ability developed in Lintbloom . 」
「With the termination of the markets in Libatis and around the head office, we can secure more than enough personnel and fuel . 」
There are currently way more arms prepared than the number of troops in my army .
Having more arrows is a good thing, however the amount of weapons and armor go above what is necessary, even if we were to increase the number of troops or keep some for spare .
「There is an abundance of spears especially . Actually, they look different than the long spears being used now……」
「It was Leopolt-sama’s order . He wanted to prioritize light weight and ease of handling over strength . 」
Unlike swords, spears can be used by amateurs and still become somewhat of an asset .
I can kind of see where he’s going by decreasing the weight of the spear and making it easier to wield .
「I hope it doesn’t come to that if possible . 」
I smile wryly and return the inventory to Claire .
「With this many spears, I’m sure the price will be considerable, right? Let me pay it now」
As of this moment, we have gold like no other .
Once war starts, it’s hard to predict what will happen .
「I will collect the total sum after everything is over . I’m sure you have other needs . 」
Although Claire smiles, her eyes reflect how serious she is .
「……are you sure? If I lose, you won’t be able to get anything . 」
「Fufu, I will be praying for Aegir-sama’s victory . I have bet everything on you . That means if Aegir-sama sinks, I will be finished too . 」
「We will ensure the fee is paid after your victory . If no money remains, you may pay in installments at the fair annual rate of interest of 30% . 」
Claire and Laurie smile .
With Lintbloom’s weapon production in full swing, we won’t have to worry about a shortage .
The two of them are also supporting me with all of their efforts .
「Thanks, it must be hard work . That’s why I’ll try not to let you fall into ruin . 」
「Fufu, sure . 」「I look forward to your success . 」
I exchange a light kiss with Claire and Laurie .
That was what I intended, but Laurie secretly slipped her tongue in .
「Alright, time for me to do what I can . 」
I wipe my mouth moistened by the kisses and compose myself .
「You came as promised . I’m glad . 」
Leah was in the room waiting for me .
She welcomes me with a smile, then playfully screams and starts running away .
「Oh noo~ I’m going to get violated~ Save me~」
I chase Leah to the window, pin her up against it and ravage her three holes .
Tristan drinks his tea and lazily explains the new weapon to me .
His voice can’t be changed, but the way he yawns in the middle of his sentences really makes me want to beat him up . I have to endure or else the conversation won’t go anywhere . I’m an adult after all .
「Even if you tell me the details, I don’t get it . What are you trying to say?」
「In other words, we want a cannon that can be used in an open field battle . 」
Tristan isn’t familiar with the construction specifics of the cannon either so he sums it up roughly .
「A cannon on the fields……」
I sigh and rest my elbow on the desk .
Cannons are extremely powerful weapons capable of displaying their might on offence and defense, though that is limited to siege situations . In other words, they can’t be used in field battles .
Because of how heavy they are, they take more time and effort to move .
During a chaotic melee where ally and enemy are fighting, there isn’t much leeway to carry around such a weapon .
It might be a different story if several hundreds of cannons could be lined up to launch a barrage like the Olga Federation or the Garland Empire, but no nation in the Central plains can do that . Of course, it’s impossible for me too .
「No matter how powerful they are, if we can’t move them, the only way we can use them is in an ambush . That’s why we’re thinking of making them smaller, lighter, and easier to carry…… cannons small enough for several people to carry and mount on carriages . 」
「Hey now, is there any point to that?」
The strength of a cannon is proportional to its size .
Making them smaller and lighter will reduce power .
What’s the point of carrying a cannon after destroying its greatest point of advantage?
「I guess there isn’t a point if we use them normally . Ballistae are lighter and easier to use after all . Which is why I discussed with the dwarves if we could do something about the projectiles . 」
「Are we going to fire triangular shells?」
Tristan thinks about how to explain it to me and gives up .
「Since we’re using them on the field, we don’t need to blow up walls or gates . We only need to defeat armor-wearing soldiers . The dwarves are working on prototypes right now, so I’m sure that when they have a clear idea, someone other than me will thoroughly explain it to you in an easily understandable manner . 」
I use the timing when Tristan gets a second helping of tea to get up from my seat .
「I’ve already arranged it with Claire to bring a wagon full of alcohol the next time she comes to Lintbloom . 」
「For the dwarves? I was planning on rewarding them . 」
I give Tristan’s head a flick .
「Dwarves don’t want money . They want food…… and most importantly, booze . 」
I stare proudly at Tristan, thinking that he still has much to learn, and see him in anguish on the floor .
「Uuuu…… you’re going to split my head open! The Margrave has monstrous strength, so I’d appreciate if you think of yourself as an orc and act carefully . 」
Who are you calling an orc? For saying that, I’m going to steal your girl .
「Then you would really be an orc . Gosh, I’m going to take a nap…… I did a month’s worth of work in these last three days . 」
Tristan’s working hard in his own way .
He probably understood that he couldn’t loaf around too much this time .
When I get to the halls, I see Myla walking with her shoulders perked up .
She’s also huffing angrily . It’s pretty much confirmed who she’s angry at .
「Lord Hardlett! Do you know where that idiot Tristan is!?」
I knew it, he incurred the diligent Myla’s wrath by cutting corners somewhere or shirking his duties again .
「He’s taking a nap over there . 」
Myla rushes into the room the moment I told her .
Unfortunately, he’s not going to get a chance to sleep .
I can hear Myla’s angry yelling and Tristan making his excuses .
I’ll at least make sure he gets proper nutrients in his food .
I tell the chef to add more peas to Tristan’s soup before heading to a certain place .
「Welcome, ah! ……Sharon, put up the ‘closed’ sign for today . 」
This is Leticia’s and Sharon’s shop .
I wrap my arms around the two of them and head to the bedroom .
As we climb the stairs, I throw my clothes off and the two of them also do the same .
For some reason, Sharon didn’t take off her underwear until the lights were out .
「I have to make a decision soon . It’s going to get harder when my body matures……」
「Your sister will support whichever choice you make . 」
I enjoy Leticia’s three holes and Sharon’s two holes .
Sharon still hasn’t let me use her front hole yet . I guess she isn’t ready yet .
Adolph sighs and unwillingly briefs the domestic affairs department .
「……as per the aforementioned, we will halt flood control and cultivation of new land . All labor will be directed to the construction of simple forts and encampments . 」
The rest of the members are just as unhappy as Adolph .
To them, stopping development isn’t something they want to do, however they don’t have much choice now .
「The grain we have in reserves will be distributed under the assumption that the roads are going to be cut off . All the sales of grain to stabilize the price will also be cancelled . 」
While we have a sufficient amount of grain in storage, most of it is in the warehouse in Rafen . If the roads are cut off, it’s possible that we won’t be able to send food to the frontlines .
That’s why Leopolt suggested that we divide the total into several portions and keep them in several locations .
「If I may…… problems in the facilities will arise such as bugs and rats . The value of grain will decrease and the length of time it can be preserved will be shortened . 」
One of the members timidly comments .
We don’t have the same level of storehouse anywhere else besides Rafen .
But now is not the time to worry about the selling price of grain .
「I am aware . We are ultimately officials who serve the feudal lord so it can’t be helped, no matter how nonoptimal it might be . 」
He didn’t have to say it like that .
Blame South Yuguria, they’re the ones who are attacking .
「In any case, we’ll do all we can . If we do this, the feudal lord will surely protect the citizens . 」
Adolph and the other domestic affairs officials look at me .
If Leopolt were here, I could have used his iron mask . Oh well, I have to accept everyone’s gazes this time .
「I’m counting on you guys . 」
Crap, with all these people looking, the nervousness is making my stomach―――― not hurt exactly, I’m getting an urge to fart .
Hm, is that a new female domestic affairs official?
The size of her clothes is off and her chest area looks so tight it’s about to burst open .
Not good, the front of my pants is going to bulge before I let out a fart .
「Hardlett-sama, will there be peace after this fight is over?」
Adolph whipsers softly so only I could hear him .
「I don’t know . Maybe there will be at least one more war . 」
I leave it at that and exit the room .
I felt Adolph’s gaze on my back until the very end .
When I’m out of the room, I see a maid waiting on standby .
I’ve never seen her face before so she must be new .
「Pardon me, are you free?」
She tugs my sleeve meekly . What’s going on here?
The room I am taken to is a spare storage room in the basement .
Since the main storage is large enough, this room should be fairly empty .
「What are we doing in a place like this? If we make love in the basement, the smell will be trapped and we’ll be found out right away . Rita will get mad . 」
When Carla and I did it in a food storage one time, Maria scolded us severely, so it’s been tested .
I take my eyes off her for a second and now the maid disappeared .
The next thing I know, I hear the sound of a door closing shut and it becomes pitch black in the warehouse .
「Hey, what’s the meaning of this?」
I try looking around, but my eyes aren’t used to the dark yet and I can’t see anything .
We can’t make love like this .
That was when I heard Celia’s whispering voice .
「Uu……got completely baited in . 」
I hear Carla’s voice next .
「Of course Aegir is going to follow if a woman seduces him . Hand it over, five copper . 」
What are you girls betting on?
「So easily taken in by a maid with an unfamiliar face and started working today…… what would happen to Aegir-sama if the maid happened to be an assassin?」
「Reform is necessary after all . At this rate, Aegir-san will be killed by a woman . 」
Now I hear Mel’s voice . How many people are here?
And what’s this farce about?
「Starting now, Aegir-sama will――」
Candles get lit one after the other .
「-learn how to be strict with women!」
Oh, I can finally see around me .
When I observe my surroundings, I see a sight I never expected .
「……we aren’t going to be killed, right?」
「……the wives are here so I want to think we’ll be fine . 」
That vampire from before who Brynhildr made into her servant is laying emotionlessly on her back on a desk in the basement .
That’s strange in itself, but she is stark naked, and her limbs are being held down by Gido and Kroll in a way that her precious place is exposed .
In a certain room underground, one could hear the pleasant laughter of an interrogator and the sorrowful cries of Christoph .
「Eeh! There’s a person like that!?」
「You’re lying, I don’t believe you!」
「I’m serious! And that place gets like this……」
「No way, no way! It gets like that!?」
「Eew, impossible…… it definitely smells . 」
Christoph’s interrogator Zillia and two others…… are interrogating together .
Zillia’s rather cruel methods has caught the attention of others .
「Hey, I’m in charge of this guy . Why don’t you two go do your jobs?」
「Who cares, besides you’re not doing any interrogating either . You’ll just go back to laughing and eating snacks with him . 」
「This guy is interesting . I can understand why Zillia didn’t get rid of him . 」
Zillia unhappily turns away and starts tapping her foot restlessly .
She didn’t find it amusing that the other interrogators were spending time with Christoph .
Apparently she was told that her torturing lacked the ability to make him divulge information .
「Now that I look at him, he’s got a nice face . It would be a waste to kill him . 」
「I hear he’s weak too? We’re free to do as we want to him . 」
「Hey now, I’m a man too . If you’re not careful, you’ll be bur…… aah, please stop! Don’t poke me!」
The two interrogators poke Christoph’s cheeks from both sides and start the harsh torture .
He could only blush and writhe in the face of the pain and humiliation .
「Hey Zillia, want to switch? I’ll give you the old man I’m in charge of looking after . His balls were crushed yesterday so he’s pretty obedient . 」
「No way! I don’t want some dirty old man!」
The three-person torture lasted a while and it wasn’t until the sun went down that Christoph was finally freed .
「I’ll come again tomorrow~」
「Maybe I’ll buy you cake next time~」
「Don’t come anymore! Get the hell out!」
Christoph’s day did not end there .
Zillia’s torture has yet to finish .
「And you, acting all lovestruck……」
「W-what are you angry about…… uwah!」
Handcuffs were locked tightly around Christoph’s wrists .
「How cruel! Putting something like this on me is too much…… I’m practically being treated as a prisoner . 」
「Shut up! Everybody here normally wears these!」
Christoph cries anguishedly, however the interrogator shows no signs of mercy .
The handcuffs were just the beginning .
「Here is tonight’s dinner . Bread with beef and potato soup, spring vegetable salad and strawberries for dessert . 」
「There is so little…… I wanted to sink my teeth into a juicy piece of meat . 」
Prisoners don’t get to eat a satisfying meal . All sorts of methods are being used to corner them .
「Meat is expensive! How much do you think I’m getting paid here!? ……if it isn’t enough, I’ll boil some pasta for you, so eat as much as you want . 」
A trace of happiness appeared on Christoph’s face, but his hope instantly gets crushed .
「I can’t eat with handcuffs on . 」
「That’s right . You’ll need somebody to feed you if you want to eat . 」
She takes a spoon and scoops some of the soup .
「If you don’t like it, then no food for you today . 」
Prisoners are humiliated even during meal time .
That’s the South Yuguria style .
Soup pours into his awkwardly opened mouth .
Zillia did not relent after that, using her own hands to cram the bread, the salad, pasta and strawberries for dessert into Christoph’s mouth .
Christoph’s mind is nearing its limit .