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Vol 05 Chapter 155: Uninvited Guest

「For now… Bartolo, I want you to spread the new tactic throughout the country within a year. We need to decide on a name for it.」

We can’t keep calling it the ‘new tactic’ forever.

「How about calling it the Maniple System?」

「Well, that should do.」

There’s no need to overthink it. It’s better to keep it simple and understandable. Giving it a pretentious name wouldn’t make the army any stronger.

「But… while spreading it is fine, accomplishing it in a year will be difficult. We’ll need to prepare weapons.」

「We’ll procure the weapons with the money we’ve obtained this time. If we invest 300 talents, it should be sufficient.」

At this point, I don’t plan to be stingy with the money. Besides, reparation money is unplanned income. Our finances aren’t dependent on reparation money to begin with.

Moreover, I intended to distribute the war spoils gained from this war as money to the plebeians. We will probably need to allocate around 400 talents for that.

With this, they should be able to acquire new weapons and armor.

「And one more thing, I plan to establish a new unit responsible for supply.」

「Supply, huh…」

Bartolo frowned for some reason.

「Do you have any objections?」

「No, it’s just that supplies can be procured locally, can’t they? If we have the money to allocate horses and donkeys to the supply unit, I’d rather strengthen the cavalry.」

Indeed, it’s not like we urgently need a unit dedicated to supplies. In fact, we might not need it at all right now.

For the time being, local procurement has been more than sufficient.

However…

「In the previous war, we nearly ran out of food. While we might be able to sustain ourselves through forced requisition if needed, it isn’t an ideal situation. In the future, this is likely to happen more frequently. Our country will be conducting expeditions farther away in the future. I want to establish a proper supply system now.」

While it might not have immediate tactical significance, it will surely be beneficial for long-term strategy.

Regardless of any opposition, I’m going to establish a logistics unit. This is my decision.

「Well, if Your Majesty insists… I have no objections…」

Bartolo quickly backed down. He must have realized how resolute I was. Continuing this debate would only serve to irritate me, he must have thought.

For Bartolo… or rather, for the Adernians, wars typically last only a few weeks. It is rare for a conflict to extend beyond a month. Furthermore, the number of soldiers rarely exceeds ten thousand.

Thus, local requisitioning usually suffices. That’s why Bartolo doesn’t see the necessity.

However, I am aware of Earth’s history. As our country expands its territory, this will undoubtedly become essential.

Now… the problem is how to create it. Up until now, the horses and donkeys pulling the wagons were requisitioned from rural villages…

… I’ll put this matter on hold for now. Dwelling on this will prevent the meeting from progressing.

「Now then, I’ve presented my proposals and topics. Does anyone have any reports, suggestions, or requests?」

I looked around. The first to raise his hand was Raymond.

「We need additional funds for the construction in the capital. The sewage system is proving to be difficult. We’ll need an additional 200 talents.」

「Understood. We’ll allocate the funds immediately.」

This leaves us with 100 talents remaining.

「Does anyone else need anything?」

「Your Majesty, regarding the reinforcement of the cavalry, we’re close to doubling our numbers to 600. However, to increase the cavalry by another 400, we need additional funds.」

「How much do you need?」

「Preferably around 50 talents.」

Fifty, huh… We can certainly manage that.

「Gram, do you need anything? Is the settlement development going smoothly?」

「No issues here. As stated in the previous report, the development is progressing well. We’re almost turning a profit. We haven’t even exhausted the budget previously allocated.」

I see. No problems there then.

「Ron, how about you? Is the counterintelligence budget sufficient?」

「We’re currently focusing on improving coordination between the magicians and the soldiers. We don’t need additional funds at the moment. Enhancing quality over quantity is our priority now. We won’t make the same mistakes as before.」

By mistakes, he probably means the strike incident. Indeed, these matters aren’t resolved just by throwing money at them. If he says he doesn’t need more funds, then he doesn’t.

「Then, allocate 50 talents to Roswald for the cavalry.」

「Thank you, Your Majesty.」

This leaves us with about 50 talents. With our previous savings, we now have a total reserve of 200 talents.

「Any other reports?」

「We’ve gained five more mages!」

Tetra declared this with a proud expression, as if she had been waiting for the opportunity to announce it.

Tetra thrust her hand towards me, showing five fingers.

「I heard about that last night…」

「Five more have joined!!」

She said it again… It seems she is very excited about gaining more disciples and comrades. Usually, she is cool and reserved, but in moments like this, she is very cute.

Oops, now’s not the time to gush about my wife.

I turned my gaze to another woman who seemed eager to speak.

「Julia, how is the development of Rozel’s magic formulas coming along?」

「Heh! We’ve completed 70% of the analysis! Isn’t that impressive?」

Julia puffed out her chest proudly.

As expected of a genius magician.

「Does that mean it’s already usable?」

「Partially, yes. Lulu-chan and Soyon-chan have mastered about 40% of it.」

I looked at Lulu and Soyon. Both are assisting their husbands in their respective duties as magicians.

Lulu is working with Gram on the concealment of Romalia Forest’s development. Soyon is working with Ron on domestic counterintelligence and narcotics control.

Both hold important roles. If they can use Rozel’s magic formulas, it will yield significant results…

「Well, to some extent, Your Majesty. The number and types of animals that I can control have increased.」

Soyon smiled. She has always been the best at controlling animals and her abilities have further expanded.

Lulu also proudly puffed out her modest chest.

「I’ve also increased the variety of curses I can handle! Right now, I’m working with Julia-sama to place a curse that makes your back itch if you enter Romalia Forest!」

…That might actually be more effective than a more severe curse.

「Anything else?」

I looked around. It seemed there were no further reports for the moment.

Alright, it’s time to start the discussion on what laws we are going to codify and the specifics of how to get the patricians to return their lands and the power over the plebeians.

「Then, after this…」

As soon as I opened my mouth, I heard the voice of a guard from beyond the door.

「Pardon the interruption during the meeting.」

「What is it? If it’s not urgent, report it later.」

I replied, intending to continue the meeting. This discussion is important and should not be interrupted.

「W-well, there’s a woman claiming to be the witch Merlin requesting an audience…」

Merlin? Why is she here… Well, fine. It seems best to pause the meeting for now.

「Understood. Let her in.」

◇

「Well, Your Majesty, congratulations on your victory. Ah, this is green tea imported from the East.」

Merlin strode in confidently, offering me a jar. When I opened it, I found green leaves inside. The smell is definitely that of tea.

「Your Majesty, I’ll taste it for poison.」

「Are you sure?」

「I’m a spider. I can analyze and break down toxins the moment I ingest them.」

Alice said this and then put some of the tea leaves in her mouth. Her face immediately scrunched up.

「It’s incredibly bitter.」

「Well, it is tea after all.」

It seems it’s just bitter and not poisonous… Wait? Alice’s face is turning bright red.

「Ugh, I feel dizzy…」

Alice suddenly collapsed towards me. I hurriedly caught her.

「Hey, are you okay?」

「Y-Your Majesty… there are three of you… five of you!! This is an illusion…」

I quickly drew my sword and stepped back from Merlin. Ron, Raymond, Julia, and Tetra also drew their weapons or readied their staves, surrounding Merlin.

「Hey! What kind of poison did you use!?」

「Sigh… What are you talking about? That girl is half spider, right? It’s natural she’d react strangely to caffeine.」

…Come to think of it, I remember seeing images of webs made by spiders given various substances. The spider that ingested caffeine made the most erratic web.

…So, Alice’s reaction was due to the caffeine?

「Someone, bring a slave here!」

I commanded the guards, and a servant was brought in promptly.

The servant girl hesitantly put some tea leaves in her mouth.

「How is it?」

「It’s… bitter…」

But it seemed that it was only bitter; she did not display the same symptoms as Alice.

So it was just Alice then.

「Ugh, the ceiling is spinning… Y-Your Majesty, be careful…」

Alice’s head drooped as she fell asleep, wearing a peaceful expression.

I instructed the guards to carry Alice away and sheathed my sword. Seeing this, Ron and the others also returned their weapons and staves to their respective places, though they kept them ready to draw quickly.

「Isn’t there an apology in order? I didn’t do anything wrong, yet weapons were pointed at me.」

「…I apologize, Merlin-dono. What brings you here? At the very least, a prior notice would have been courteous. Moreover, you are not the diplomat assigned to our country.」

I questioned the uninvited guest cautiously, probing for the reason behind her visit.

「Rozel has nothing to do with it. I got fired.」

「Fired?」

I heard no such information.

「I got fired three days ago. The diplomat you are friends with got me. Quite troublesome, really.」

Merlin shrugged, as if to say ‘how troublesome’ but she didn’t seem troubled in the slightest.

Is she pretending, or does she truly not care about the Rozel Kingdom anymore?

「There are two reasons for my visit. The first is to see my beloved disciple, Lydia.」

「Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to want to see you.」

Julia responded quickly. Currently, Lydia is under Julia’s care.

It was as if Julia was saying, ‘I’ll protect Lydia’.

「Has being called ‘big sister’ stirred your maternal instincts? Or perhaps you’ve discovered a new affection for the same sex?」

「……」

Julia’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Merlin shouldn’t know that Lydia called Julia ‘big sister.’

This means… she was either eavesdropping with magic or still has some connection to Lydia.

「Well, no matter. Just let Lydia know that I’m not angry with her.」

Merlin smiled at Julia, who frowned in response.

Then, Merlin turned back to me.

「The other reason is that I have a question for you.」

「A question?」

「Do you know anyone by the names Kurosaki Airi and Kurosaki Mea?」

… No, I don’t. Not at all.

「I’m sorry, but I don’t. Are they acquaintances of yours?」

「They are my sisters. My real name is Kurosaki Mari, I am the second daughter. Airi is the eldest, and Mea is the youngest.」

Hmm.

…

「Why are the names of the eldest and second daughters normal, but the youngest one’s name is slightly strange?」

The name of the youngest is a little… you know…

「Perhaps my parents’ naming sense changed over time. Honestly, I feel sorry for her… My big sister Airi is a 20-year-old university student, and Mea is a 14-year-old middle school student. If you find them, let me know. I will pay you.」

「I’ll contact you if I learn something, don’t worry about payment.」

It’s not like I don’t hold any grudges against her. She caused me quite a bit of trouble. But then again, we were enemies at the time. But right now, we aren’t in direct conflict.

If my friends or the children from the orphanage were to end up in another world, I would search for them desperately. They could even end up as slaves.

Given that, it’s only natural to protect her sisters and help reunite them if I happen to come across them.

I’m not heartless.

The fairy may want us to fight, but at the moment, I have no plans to engage with her. Unnecessary battles should be avoided.

Of course, I’ll remain cautious and won’t trust her completely.

「I see… Thank you. Well, since my business here is done, the hated one will take her leave.」

「Alright… where will you go next?」

I asked Merlin as she was about to leave. She turned back and gave a sly smile.

「I’ll be heading to the southern continent for a while. There’s something I’m looking for there.」

AN:

Bonus Tidbit 1

Fairy: 「Marilyn is an enemy.」

Marilyn: 「Beware of the fairy.」

Almus: 「Damn, I can’t trust either of them…」

Bonus Tidbit 2

Airi (20 years old): 「Magical Girl, Airin!」 in a frilly light blue outfit.

Mari (17 years old): 「Magical Girl, Marilyn!」 in a frilly pink outfit.

Mea (14 years old): 「Magical Girl, Mearin!」 in a frilly yellow outfit.

Three Sisters Together: 「When combined, we are Lin Lin Lin!!!」

Rumor has it that there exists a secret home video with this in it.

Bonus Tidbit 3

Reactions to Watching the Home Video:

Almus: 「…How should I put this? Her aura is completely different.」

Julia: 「Wow, you can’t always trust appearances.」

Tetra: 「So that grandma was young once…」

Bartolo: Pffft! (spits out wine)

Raymond: 「Uh… what?」 (confused)

Iarl: 「Well, everyone has parts of their past they don’t want unearthed…」

Alexios: 「All three are really beautiful… Wait, no, no one is more beautiful than Melia…」 (sweating)

Melia: 「What’s wrong, Alexios?」 (angry)

Ainz: 「Come one, come all! Check this out, it’s footage of the witch Merlin when she was young! It’s incredible in so many ways! Only one talent for a limited time! Don’t miss this chance!」 (burning with purpose)

General Kuryuu: 「Magical Girl Mary-san is as beautiful as ever.」 (still gets the name wrong)

King Rozel: 「I’ll apologize, I’ll even get on my knees! just introduce me to this Airi-san.」 (quick to change opinion)

Diplomat: 「Mea-chan is so cute… Please, let me call you ‘big sister’!」 (also quick to change opinion)

Marilyn-san (500 years old): 「Forget about it right now! Or I’ll break you so thoroughly not even your mothers would recognize you!」 (extremely angry)