Episode 1058 War Readiness (2)
Now that strategy formulation was fully underway, there was no room for a separate meal.While Transcendents could go without a second thought for a few days, the World Alliance, quite naturally, had more non-Transcendents. Therefore, they proceeded with the meeting while simultaneously preparing to eat.
“Oh, the flavor is incredible.”“Don’t hog it all.”“Haha, I’ve instructed them to prepare more, so it will be served soon.”
[Keep your dignity…]
Bantoreon was strolling around tasting—no, coveting—the northern steak when he was stopped by Verden. Andes, now a Bone Dragon, let out a hollow sigh as if ashamed to be a contemporary.
Although the two obtained the right to attend the summit, they were not in a position to express leading opinions like the attendees.
This is because it did not reign over the current continent.
Nevertheless, he was an indispensable advisor; figures from the magical world, in particular, would quietly approach him, cautiously glancing around, and spare no questions, to which he wholeheartedly shared his knowledge and judgment.
Harmony between the past and the present.
The sight of legends who left their mark on history helping their juniors was not strange at all, even if it were a scene from a fairy tale.
Of course, it wasn’t that there wasn’t any noise, though.
“By the way, who devised this defensive tactic? It’s quite solid. It looks like they prepared for a very long battle.”“Ah, this—”“I can’t even begin to guess just how much of a coward you are.”“Gasp.”“……I designed this, so do you have a problem with that?”
Vantoreon, who naturally preferred offensive warfare, detested the highly sophisticated defensive strategy devised by Commander Indren.One was a battle maniac, and the other was someone who disliked drastic change. It was only natural that sparks flew when radical ideology met conservative notion.
Warning to both.
[Sigh…]
Of course, since Verden was watching, it ended in a minor verbal clash.Whether it was Indren, who was over 100 years old, or Vantoreon, whose birth year was about eight centuries ago, he would not spare the mediator’s iron fist if necessary.
Whenever the argument heated up, Verden stepped in to pour cold water on it. However, this was only a rare occurrence. Sincehe only intervened when there were signs of physical clashes or threats rather than just arguments, the number of times he had personally stepped in so far could barely be counted on the fingers of one hand.
“I will bring the Upper Beastmen tribe under my command.”“I don’t want to.”
Eventually, when Mauler-Gareth, who had been appointed commander of the Delharun subjugation legion, attempted to unilaterally form the legion, King Anthias opposed it.
“Damn… The Great Beastmen Tribe alone should be enough numbers for the Central Continent, right? By any measure, incorporating them into my subjugation legion is the most efficient.”“If you really want to do that, go get permission from the Alliance Leader first.”“Organizing a legion is my authority.”“If the person in question doesn’t accept it, then forming the legion is ultimately the Alliance Leader’s prerogative.”“So just accept it.”“No way.”
A vein bulged on Gareth’s forehead.
“Hey, you beast. I said just nod your head!”“I don’t want to.”
Boom!
Gareth, having lost his mind after three consecutive hateful moments, slammed his fist on the table. The loud noise drew the attention of all the attendees.
“Is this the time to be joking?”“I’m exercising my authority, so what do you mean by joking?”“Don’t bullshit me.”“Gareth Cyrilliad.”
Gareth, watching Verden approach, snapped his head. Heclicked his tongue and spat.
“Ah, come on. I can raise my voice a little…”“Don’t you understand that I told you to tone it down?”“I told you that beast picked a fight first!”“If he refuses to form the Legion, I’ll persuade him, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll leave the judgment to him. Instead of ruining the atmosphere of the meeting.” “……Damn it, if the Suppression Legion Commander says to do it, you just do it.”“Really?”
Gareth flinched. Since it was his first time dealing with the World Alliance, he momentarily forgot that Verden was the Alliance Commander, a rank higher than a Legion Commander.
You’re in for it.
Verden repeatedly pointed his finger at Gareth and rebuked him. It was a brutal atmosphere. Since the mood was already turned upside down, Verden decided to use this as an opportunity to impress upon everyone the authority of the World Alliance. “Are you going to act like this even in war?”Gareth trembled with rage, even going so far as to threaten the withdrawal of the punitive expedition commander.
“……Alright, alright, let’s have a meeting. A meeting.”“Don’t look over there.”
The kings turned their backs and continued the discussion, fearing that they might get caught in the crossfire.
Gareth, his eyelids trembling.
‘What… …? What, what is this fucking feeling?’
Gareth, the contractor of the Great Demon of the Parasite, was overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of pressure and was verbally beaten to the face without even being able to grumble.
Grand Duke Rivandale rubbed his chin.
Verden, you certainly have talent.
As a superior, it is important to crush the rebellious spirit of a subordinate. Look at Verden. He looks ready to kick Gareth in the shins at any moment.Recalling his days as a knight of the Arnak Empire, he was lost in memories for a moment.
Antias maintained a strict and solemn demeanor befitting a beast king. In truth, he was laughing inwardly. It was a joke, just as Gareth had said.Why did he do that?Well… because it was fun…
dump.
Gareth, having been thoroughly reprimanded by Verden just to spite him, slumped onto the seat. Bewilderment. It was evident that he was confused, as this was his first time experiencing something like this.
“Now that I’ve thought about it carefully.”“……?”“I realized it would be best to incorporate the Upper Beastmen Tribe into your Legion.”
Antias extended a glass of wine as if nothing had happened, indicating his acceptance.
“Efficiently.”“You son of a bitch.”
Gareth imagined strangling the guy. Fortunately, it remained just an imagination, so the situation where Verden sought him out again did not occur.
Tick-tock, tick-tock… … .
The hands of the clock on the ceiling of the summit hall keep moving.
“Master, here is the Pendren Lake Secretariat Strategy Headquarters.”“Hmm.”
Verden personally reviewed all documents drafted by dozens of leaders, and Isabella moved swiftly like Verden’s hands and feet.She grasped the context and practicality of operational plans, alternative proposals, and corps organization; if she could make an immediate judgment, she passed them, and if supplementary explanations were needed, she held a meeting.
“Focus on the maximum reserve fund, not the minimum. We can secure additional funding with the resources of Eon and the Alliance of Transcendents.”“You can spend more than this? Are you serious?”“Yay! Ah, y-excuse me.”
The development of magic has changed the landscape of warfare. The problem is that modern warfare, utilizing cutting-edge magical technologies, is prohibitively expensive.
How much is just one medium-sized seaplane?
Even if the Magic Tower only mass-produces magic items, money must be spent lavishly. This was especially true for artifacts that activate by consuming specific materials or magic stones.
Artisan, the second-ranked Master of the Magic Tower, was sincere about complaining about the budget every day. The Ten Great Magic Towers have always felt chronic fatigue from managing funds.
So, when Verden declared that there was no need to worry about money, I couldn’t help but rejoice.
If things go well, we might even be able to experiment with new magic techniques that we have only been conceptualizing until now.Of course, there is the condition that we must produce results, as Eon will personally reclaim the budget if we waste it like that… but after all, those who give up cannot enjoy glory, and those who take on challenges are beautiful.
The moonlight spread coldly from beyond the window.
The Andes settled atop the Nordwald Fortress and were bathed in the colors of night. Bantoreon spent time beside them telling old stories.
Everyone knew that the emergency summit would discuss war in great depth.Representatives from each country had already arrived fully prepared with their own countermeasures and necessary knowledge. With the addition of the intuition of the transcendents, the discussions accelerated, and one by one, attendees began to emerge with all their proposals approved.
“Very well. Let’s wrap up the Demon Realm Suppression Corps here.”“……Thank you for your hard work.”“Phew…….”“Finally.”
The numerous meetings presided over by Meia as the Legion Commander had now come to an end. She slammed the hundreds-of-pages final draft 3.8, completed with her overwhelming speed, onto the table to organize it.
Verden is reviewing the Elf-Serendaa agenda with Beta, so you can take a rest and wait a while before delivering it.
Hmph, not bad. Though he’s a bad guy.
Meia rated Verden’s capabilities quite highly. Of course, the actual match would be different. Because if you expect the best, you will collapse the moment you face the worst.
Just as the primordial wizard felt despair…
Meia was also curious about what would become of Verden. Curiosity. She, too, was already paying attention to Verden just as much as Deus did—
“Seeds of Resistance.”“……?”
Suddenly, Tearel poked his head out and surveyed Meia’s surroundings.Meia’s expression remained unchanged.The other attendees soon tilted their heads or blinked their eyes.
“Uh-huh…?”“Seeds? Are you perhaps referring to food supplies, Lord Tearel?”“No.”
Tearel rolled his eyes like a paranoid patient, lingered on Meia for a moment, and then quickly stepped back.
Tearel, who had moved silently to another group of attendees, whispered again.
“Seeds of Resistance.”“……What???”
Saint Ersetia suddenly raised a question mark on her face, as if asking what was being said.
Meia’s mouth opened slightly.
‘Surely not… are you trying to gauge my reaction like that right now? Trying to figure out who the seed of resistance is?’
Tearel occasionally glared at Deus, Meia, and the members of the Lefragium Magic Tower, then scurried around searching for seeds.
Even Deus looked inwardly bewildered, as if he hadn’t anticipated such a method.
She’s a crazy bitch.
* * *
It was getting endlessly close to midnight.
Ss
Finally, Verden elegantly signed the cover of the compiled edition of the Demon Realm Suppression Corps in his own handwriting and concluded all the reviews.A pile of verified documents lay stacked like a hill next to Verden.
Good job.
He got up.
“Former Corps Commander, forward.”
Commander of the Pendren Corps – Black Sea, Tearel.Commander of the 1st Corps of the Southern Eastern Continent – The Oathbreaker, Yurion Hairos.Commander of the Mirrored Realm Corps – The Executor, Meia.
There are three legion commanders in charge of attacking the most important gates.
Delharun Legion Commander – Mauler, Gareth Cirilliard.Prohas Legion Commander – King of the North, Eres Eindgel Prohas.Ternetia Federation Legion Commander – Heavenly Sword, Adrian Chambers.Southern Eastern Continent 2nd Legion Commander – Pope, Romanus.
There are four Legion Commanders who will launch an offensive against the Four Gates, the next in line for attack.
Western Continent Legion Commander – Emperor Arnach, Xeracle Dian Sereanor Arnach.Central Continent Legion Commander – Control, Indren Piercia Reit.Eastern Continent Legion Commander – Understander of Death, Reindel Nexreon.
There are three legion commanders to oversee each continent.
A total of 10 corps commanders.
The Beast King, Saintess, Provider, and the Seven Great Demon Kings who were not named as Legion Commanders will move directly under Verden and respond organically to the Xerion Empire, andthe other Transcendents will serve as important forces as members of their respective Legions.
Tick-tock.
The clock struck midnight.
We are switching to wartime readiness starting now.
As Verden made his declaration, the world was enveloped in the atmosphere of war. If he were to order an advance at any moment, the legion commanders would command their armies.
“As soon as this meeting concludes, all Legion Commanders are to organize the subjugation forces as planned and report to me using the communication devices.”“…….”“All strategies and tactics will be shared with each Legion Commander as soon as they are finalized in Eon. If further discussion is necessary, we will do so at that time.”
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Verden tapped the space three times without adding any unnecessary details.
The emergency summit is concluded.
