ch 13; Preparation

"So. In summary: two kingdoms break their focus on Vedora to the southern three alliance instead, because of our intervention. The alliance, lacking strength to defend the harassment from the two kingdoms, gamble and strategize to reach us and join under our umbrella. On the other hand, the plan leaked and the two kingdoms hastily prepared their army to fully commit a conquest. Worse yet, that two kingdoms are our target for coup, you say?"

 

"Y-yes, sir…"

 

Suddenly, a wave of craving for smoke that he quit months ago glaring up inside Ludwig. The situation has escalated beyond control in just, what, under a month? No, that's not right. 

 

To be precise, the alliance itself has been pondering the Empire as a potential choice but hesitated until today. In hindsight, their decision to cling to the Empire itself is wise, since there are close allies that could reach them fast and thus solve their problem, i.e, the Vedora Kingdom.

 

It's just that, the timing was truly not favorable, for everyone involved. 

 

Vedora needs time for normalization, and we the Empire have our own busy schedule, trying to topple the regime under the cloak; not enough manpower to spare. I understand their desperation, but in the first place, they should use that wealth to built their own armies. 

 

Thanks to that, everything escalates too quickly, leaving everyone helpess without many solutions. 

 

To be completely honest, Ludwig didn't care much whether the two kingdoms swallowed the alliance or not. They won't have much capacity to digest it in a short time, and it could became the Empire's window of opportunity to launch a coup at that time. But there's two main reasons why Ludwig suffers from headache because of this. 

 

One, the possibility of a chain effect. When other kingdoms saw the great victory from the two kingdom's conquests, who could've said that they wouldn't be tempted to follow? After all, most kingdoms had already prepared their respective armies in case of any invasion. The numbers may be a little short for conquest, but quantity could be supplemented by hiring mercenaries. 

 

And second, is the fear of Vedora Kingdom growing too big. 

 

With that guy Philip at their helm, who could've predict how much the Triple Entente under the Vedora Kingdom's steer would grow? Even today, as a weak nation with limited resources, manpower, and territory, Philip has already deviated from their expectations. The guy is unpredictable. Vedora's potential under Philip's leadership is one thing, but their uncontrollable nature is another. Ludwig doesn't want to gamble on the mere hopeful possibility that Philip may blunder later. 

 

But, on the other hand, toppling the two kingdoms and creating the Triple Entente is crucial. 

 

In essence, war is an accursed phenomenon that only sucks the nation's blood indefinitely. Even for the mighty Empire, that grim foresight is finally here. Although they seem to fight with inexhaustible resources, there's an on-going calculation that if the Eastern Theater continues for a quite long time, there will be a shortage of various materiel especially in staple of any consumptional product.  

 

And if the west tempted and opened another front? The current consumption from war would double, obviously. In short, disaster. 

 

That's why the Empire placed their hope on Philip's plan; siphoning the Eastern Coalition's grains, and making them unable to continue their war effort. 

 

"Haaaaaa…" after knocking the table three times, sighing, then regained his composure, Ludwig immediately worked on whatever angle he could work on. 

 

"Anything we could do on our side?"

 

"For what purpose, sir?"

 

"Delay. If cannot, quicken the effort for coup. I'll let the agent on the field decide for themself. And, send a letter to Vedora Kingdom. Just inform them of current situation is enough." 

 

Check is check, duty is duty. His personal convictions and his obligation as the soldier of his nation is inherently different. For how much he wary and set a belief that Vedora shouldn't be leaving unchecked, they're currently in the state of cooperation. For a plan that the Empire stake its faith fully, at that. 

 

No personal reason shall cloud his judgement and sabotage the plan. If he inadvertently did such, then Ludwig thought he might as well stab himself. 

 

This letter should be the testament of our goodwill. As for the forthcoming action, I'll decide after he decides. We're in a hurry but not cornered, after all. And as an ally, I can't believe I'd say this but that man is sly like a fox, and has a lion-like decisiveness. I may have heard the answer in a short time. 

 

And just as he expected, the reply indeed came shortly after. Approximately five days later, given the messenger's account that he rested for merely one night then the next morning the reply has been actualized, Ludwig can't help but be stunned. 

 

The response… is unnaturally quick. Undoubtedly, it was good. But the rapid response left him utterly perplexed. 

 

Could it be, he's already foresee this situation? Since when? 

 

Trapped in his own preconception, Ludwig spontaneously thrown back into the first time he met Philip, fatigued from fast-walking past what his round, fat body normally endured. But the eyes mirroring his are strangely collected, and most importantly, eager. 

 

As if the plan ran smoothly… 

 

Suddenly, Ludwig's mind clicked. The sensation as if everything has finally fallen into place overwhelm his entire nerves. But no matter what, the more he thinks about it, the more it absurdly looks entirely plausible. Because if not, then how could he prepare the reply so fast, as if the answer has already been written beforehand? 

 

Preposterous…! He must've seen our Empire as a pushover! If not, how could he have such witless bravery of scheming againts the Empire?! 

 

Yet, the man just did. 

 

And based on the current tracks of events, his daring undertaking has proven bullseye by the center. Total success for him, Ludwig has no doubt. 

 

…are we, perchance, the ones underestimating him? Tsk, what a scary man. 

 

Granted, Ludwig's back was rained by cold sweat, realizing the happenstance was, in much consideration, a calculated move from the start. Taking a deep breath, he quickly consoled himself into repose. The matter of his own realization is factless and merely a product of his own conjurement. 

 

He would report it to the Supreme Commander, but the matter of current operations cannot be delayed. In swift and trembless manner, Ludwig slashed open the wax-sealed letter with a fruit knife. 

 

His eyes scanned the paper-ridden-word, skipping the opening to reply sequence, instanly landing on the main course, Philip's manifesto. 

 

Yes. A proposal. Again.

 

Three seconds—one to read, two to re-read. 

 

"Ha, hahaha…" 

 

The cunning. The slyness. What a brilliant man. 

 

Ludwig hollow laugh could be heard from his room. 

 

*** 

 

Indifferent to my wish, the meeting today has been in motion for about five hours straight. Not even a biological relief could be done outside this has-it-all vast room. The servant outside has been instructed to bring food and refreshment at a certain time, regularly. Keeping the occupant busy-free aside from the immediate task of discussing reorganization.

 

That aside, I was pleasantly shocked by how full our ministers are with vitality. There are many instances when I had almost lost the wordfight with the opposition. And it's not just the four excluded in my soon-to-be clique, but also the six who simultaneously reveal their desire for submission. 

 

Even though I've already issued a backroom deal with them several days earlier, their resistance over several of my designs over the last five hours indicates that they, too, cannot afford to lose ground over me or other ministry. 

 

Honestly, it pisses me off a bit. 

 

But then again, much of the proposals that they oppose are excluded from the backroom deals. And most of it was decoy, meant to soft-fall the real draft which contains my true intent.

 

Still. Some of their defiance included the true draft which is absolute for normalizing this kingdom. Seeing them deviantly said 'no' to what's already been discussed beforehand is truly something else. I almost cursed them in the open. 

 

Fortunately, with me going feral most of the time when they oppose, their little naughtiness did not last long. Perhaps it's just a temporary adrenaline boost after seeing everyone deviantly standing againts me. If so, that makes sense. They bark once and immediately lower their heads once I threaten to club them. 

 

"Next agenda," at this point in time, even I—no, especially, me, who initiates much of the fuse in this powder keg cannot kept my mouth wet. Of course, talking for five hours straight would dry anyone's mouth regardless. Well, at least I'm not alone in this predicament. Who's to say those ten ministers didn't feel the same as I, knowing we all had been talking back and forth quite fericiously. 

 

After wetting my inner mouth with a sip of water, my resolute gaze glanced at every bloodshot eyes in the room, numbered twenty—all of them. 

 

Spectators might be confused, asking 'why are they keep biting even after their own ministry reaches conclusion several batches ago'. 

 

Well. What can I say, it's kinda my fault to be truthful. 

 

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs." 

 

"Kuh..."

 

Including now, six. A total of six ministries shaken, sometimes rearranged to the gut, and we're still not done yet. I could totally understand the feelings of Count of Tylass. Witnessing such hardboiled political wrestling up-front still won't help him when it was his turn. 

 

At least he has an expectation on what's to come. 

 

Challenge it, on the other hand, is a completely separate work. 

 

At my signal, an adjutant with equally downtrodden visuals as us, began to distribute the ready-made materials. 

 

"Open page 6. We'll start from the basis." Simultaneously, the sound of paper rustling echoed in this tall chamber. "As always, the strong basis for your re-organization is the bloated and overarching duties. Your ministry was both responsible for clandestine operations and diplomatic missions. I understand both are necessary but as the old saying goes; never put your egg in one basket. I'll do main surgery on these parts. Separating the light and the shadow. Now, let's move to page 10." 

 

The Count made a face as if he stepped on dog shit when I opened with firm vocals. And further distressed after reading the materials on page 10, clutching his head. Why? Because the basis and reasoning is entirely valid, but the surgical execution must be a tad bit excessive on his part. 

 

He must be thinking along the lines of: this isn't what weve discussed beforehand…no, it's even worse for me. At least everyone had their reason to invalidate this surgery, but I have none. Worse still, the underlying tone is sharp. That means he won't accept much concession, or even none at all…!

 

It's all obvious from his face. 

 

"Minister of Foreign Affairs. Now I've said my part, are there any objections?"

 

But don't worry. It may be different from our underhanded deals, but you'll work as my ears from now on, so I'll let you save face and compromise a bit. 

 

"Um, there's one… Your Majesty. This here says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be split into two, separating the underground work and diplomatic mission. That part, I had no problem with. But, Your Majesty, isn't cutting 70% of the overall budget for the new Ministry of Intelligent capital too much? Between 67 and 65 would already be sufficient. Aside from that, this personel reduction for our Ministry of Foreign Affairs… I can't help but think that this is too much."

 

Wha—this bastard?