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Douglas Koesernis was noticeably surprised to see Jenis Harker appear, accompanied by his wife. The Baron quickly served tea after welcoming the Harker viscount in his mansion’s reception room.

Just because Jenis Harker had become somewhat of a political pariah within the Southern Alliance didn’t mean his importance had diminished. The Great Sage of the Magic Tower was still considered one of the most significant figures on the continent, and many believed she was a far more powerful entity than Sally Jeffrey.

Koesernis was no different, either. The Harker viscount casually entered Koesernis’s residence, taking a seat across from him while sipping his tea and seemingly unfazed by Koesernis’s astonished demeanor.

“Well, it seems things aren’t going as expected for either of us, huh?” Jenis said outright. Koesernis frowned, his expression demanding an explanation.

“I’d appreciate it if you could be more specific about what you mean, Viscount.”

“Everyone thought that the Imperial Assembly would immediately rally to attack the Hero, right? Isn’t that so? Jeffrey and Koesernis have joined forces, and with a shared political agenda, they shouldn’t have any reservations. The royal faction is practically a puppet in the Assembly now. Even Rose Caprice can no longer dominate the Assembly. When is a better opportunity going to present itself?”

Koesernis held his tongue. It was an open secret that Jenis Harker leaned closer to the royal faction politically than to the local lords. This was a crucial reason behind her defeat in the power struggle with Jeffrey.

“There’s a reason for remaining still.”

“If there’s a reason for staying put, surely there’s a clear reason to act, Baron? I won’t beat around the bush. I know what you want, and I have it. If I topple Sally Jeffrey with your support, I can hand you precisely what you desire.”

“And what is it that I want most, Viscount Harker?”

“An army!”

Jenis stated simply, and Koesernis’s eyes widened in shock.

“You want an army, huh…? That’s an interesting thought. The truth is, these days, there isn’t a noble who wouldn’t want an army. Everyone wants the power to protect themselves in this era. Especially since… even the Count, of the highest standing, is not safe from the enemy’s attacks, it’s only natural for nobles to feel uneasy about their retainers and crave formidable military strength.”

“Let’s not play dumb among ourselves, Douglas Koesernis. What you want isn’t merely the power to protect yourself. It’s the power necessary to push the enemy away from a leading position!”

Koesernis stroked his beard, momentarily silent.

“Please elaborate, Viscount. Share with me what you’re thinking and what you intend to propose.”

“I’ve considered it. Why did Douglas Koesernis support a notion like rebuilding the empire—a concept that doesn’t suit you? It’s not that the Baron agrees with Jeffrey’s principles; that would have been impossible. Koesernis, you’re a man dreaming of being a war hero. And Jeffrey implies ten years of rest followed by another ten years of war. He laid out a hostile agenda that requires at least twenty years of conflict. Sally Jeffrey might be young enough to handle that, but you? Will you be young enough to become a war hero in twenty years?”

“It won’t be easy.”

Koesernis nodded.

“So, that’s why you needed more troops than the thousand elite troops you currently have. What you witnessed in Jeffrey’s faction wasn’t the time required to rebuild the empire, was it?”

“That’s correct.”

Koesernis agreed, realizing it was pointless to hide any longer.

“What I wanted was the army that Walter Hellhound borrowed. The only appealing part of Sally Jeffrey’s scheme was that the Southern Lords could regain their independence and strengthen the Southern Alliance’s military.”

“And at the right time, you intended to leverage your position as the sole military expert in the South to push Jeffrey out of the power struggle and ascend as the leader of the alliance, correct?”

“Mm.”

Koesernis neither confirmed nor denied it. However, the lack of response to such a blatant revelation meant a tacit acceptance.

“You dreamed of becoming the king of the South, leading tens of thousands of troops, and defeating the demon race as a celebrated general. Well, that’s fine! I consider it somewhat of a pathetic greed, but let’s say it’s good as it is. But you made one mistake. Sure, let’s say you can defeat Sally Jeffrey. But are you prepared to overcome another mountain?”

“Another mountain?”

“That would be Jenis Harker, Baron.”

Jenis pointed to herself, wearing a confident expression.

“Do you really think I would just sit back and allow Koesernis to rise as the king of the South? Even at this moment, I hold the thoughts of the Baron in the palm of my hand and can see them clearly?”

Koesernis seemed slightly irritated at having his pride tested, but he couldn’t refute Jenis’s words and merely bowed his head, making a sound of acknowledgment. Jenis smiled slyly and continued.

“You need to suppress Jeffrey, incite a war, and then gain military authority recognized by the heroes and the central faction. That’s where it all begins. Even if everything goes perfectly and you manage to get an army, the forces you could command would at most be 60,000 or 70,000. Isn’t the price you pay for the power struggle too small?”

“So, what are you saying I can offer this foolish Baron?”

“The 40,000 troops currently possessed by the South, with guaranteed command over an operation for that entire army!”

Koesernis found this intriguing.

“What’s the price?”

“Impeach Sally Jeffrey in the Assembly.”

Koesernis’s expression turned to one of surprise. He thought the only offer was to counter Jeffrey’s argument when he presented his rationale for the Jeffrey faction.

However, this young Great Sage boldly proclaimed that she would remove her rival in the Assembly outright. That was a significant political act that inevitably carried substantial risk.

“On what grounds?”

“We will fabricate the reason she hesitates to hold this meeting.”

“Fabricate? Are you talking about falsifying?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“To falsely accuse the Duke of the Empire in the Assembly—how blatantly criminal! That’s incredibly risky!”

“If you follow my lead, I, as the head of the Southern Alliance, will guarantee the baron a position as a vassal lord. And the promise will stand. I’ll give you the independent authority to utilize these 40,000 troops for any operation you desire. I’ll even lend you the strength to execute it. Do you not wish for that glory? It’s a glory you could gain by just telling one lie in the Assembly.”

“Let me think for a moment. Is it okay if I step out?”

As Koesernis stood up and placed his hand on the door handle to collect his thoughts, Jenis gestured for him to go comfortably.

Jenis knew she had successfully persuaded Koesernis. The Baron wanted to consult with his wife, who was waiting outside, about his decision.

“What should I do, Jeminia?”

Douglas Koesernis inquired. The Magic Tower’s mage remembered her promise with Jenis. Were it not for that, Jeminia would have likely compelled her husband to follow Jenis’s words.

“Before being Harker’s viscount, she’s the great lady of the Magic Tower, you know.”

“Mm.”

“If our Koesernis family were to reject such a request from her, I might find myself awkward with the Magic Tower. While mages can get by without the Tower, I don’t want to give up on what I can gain by belonging to it just yet. Please maintain a good relationship with her.”

Jeminia used a bit of cunning to appeal to her husband’s decency.

“Well, Gedis, it isn’t such a bad proposal. Present what’s been on your mind. Depending on her response, we can assess whether the promise from the Great Sage is sincere or just bluster.”

“If that’s your wish, I will proceed as such.”

Koesernis swung the door open and returned to the room. Jenis watched him take a seat across from her with an air of confidence.

“Have you made a decision, Baron?”

“Did you not say any operation would work, Viscount? If it’s even one operation, does that mean Koesernis is willing to accept any objective for deploying troops?”

“Well, I’ll listen and make a decision, but as long as it’s not something reckless, I’m thinking of keeping the promise.”

“In that case, let me present an example. There’s a large-scale operation I’ve long dreamed of but couldn’t implement due to its pragmatic issues.”

“What is it?”

“An operation to launch from the eastern coast of the continent, traverse the Eramenia waters, and land a large-scale force in the eastern territories occupied by the Demon King’s army, thus seizing control of the coastal area! Can you lend me the necessary forces for such an operation? And can you also provide the ships required for it?”

At those words, Jenis leaped to her feet.

“Now that’s precisely what I wanted to hear! Just tell me, Baron. How many ships will you need?”

“It’s likely not as simple as that…”

“Jeminia! The blueprints!”

Jenis shouted back over her shoulder toward the door.

Jeminia Koesernis quietly entered the room as per the command of the Magic Tower’s Master and handed Jenis the blueprints for ‘HMS Victory.’

This weapon was a secret project being developed by the most outstanding mages from the Magic Tower. It was no coincidence that Jeminia Koesernis, who boasted exceptional skills among the Tower’s researchers, was involved in this plan.

“Look it over. This weapon will instantly resolve the concerns the Baron has.”

Koesernis received the plans for the ironclad ship from Jenis with a disconcerted look. After skimming through the ship’s blueprints for a moment, Koesernis raised an eyebrow and nodded.

“So many Dragon Killer-class cannons… But how will this ship move without sails?”

“I’ll operate it myself. This ship moves solely by magical power, thus it can’t function without Reyna’s red eyes. With this ship, the Kraken will pose no threat. Baron, do everything you wish. Jenis Harker will board the Victory and support the Baron.”

“But if that’s the case, won’t the Viscount’s reputation soar?”

“Do you think yourself so remarkable that you can alone build a reputation as a great hero without any assistance? You should have a bit more self-awareness, Baron.”

At Jenis’s sharp remark, Koesernis snickered in disbelief.

“This may be the best opportunity you’ll get. The six thousand troops gained through a struggle against Jeffrey for southern supremacy is far less valuable than the 40,000 troops supported by manufacturing capability.”

“Viscount.”

Baron Koesernis made his decision.

“What allegations should I lay upon Sally Jeffrey?”

A smile appeared on Jenis’s face. She had won. The flow of the times was beginning to shift in her favor.

 

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