Chapter 142: Approved
Elder Seraya remained silent for a few moments.
The weathered hawk Beastwoman slowly folded her hands atop the table. The leather around her wrists creaked softly as she shifted, and somewhere outside the open window, the cry of a distant hawk drifted through the warm afternoon air.
"I like your signal towers." She nodded once.
"Very much, in fact. They’ll save lives."
Her scarred fingers traced a slow line across the polished tabletop.
"But they’re only the beginning." She looked directly at Mirabelle. "A signal tells you that danger exists. It doesn’t stop it."
She leaned back slightly.
"Let’s imagine a Rogue warband crosses our northern border. They’re spotted immediately. The nearest tower lights its beacon. The next tower answers. And the next."
She raised a hand, illustrating the wave as though the fire were racing from one tower to the next.
"Within minutes, the warning reaches Steinstein." Another nod. "Excellent."
Her expression hardened.
"But now your soldiers still have to assemble. They have to move. And while they’re doing that... the Rogues keep moving."
Silence settled over the room.
"The first village they encounter will still stand alone."
Mirabelle felt a chill run across her shoulders. She understood immediately.
The warning arrived long before the help.
"I would build another ring. Not around Steinstein. Around the borders."
She spoke more slowly now, carefully choosing every word.
"A chain of fortified watchtowers, positioned where our territory is most vulnerable. Each staffed by trained soldiers. Not enough to defeat an invading force.
That isn’t their purpose. Their task is time."
She tapped the table once with a calloused finger.
"If they can drive away a small band of thieves... they fight. If they face an enemy too large to overcome... they run."
Her gaze swept across the other Elders.
"They warn the nearest villages. And those villages warn the next. Like ripples spreading across water. Every family receives precious minutes.
Minutes to hide.
Minutes to flee.
Minutes to gather weapons.
Minutes to prepare an evacuation."
Her voice softened slightly.
"Most battles are decided long before the claws ever cross."
She glanced back at Mirabelle.
"Preparation wins wars. The battlefield merely reveals who prepared better."
Mirabelle listened without interrupting.
Seraya continued.
"But warnings alone aren’t enough. Every village should have its own emergency plan."
Her sharp eyes moved from Elder to Elder before returning to Mirabelle.
"One Beastman.
One Beastwoman.
Trusted by their community.
They carry responsibility when danger comes. They know who gathers the children. Who escorts the elderly. Who organizes supplies. Who counts the villagers afterward."
She inhaled slowly.
"And they shouldn’t learn those responsibilities while arrows are already falling."
A faint smile appeared.
"They should practice.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Hold regular drills. Invite volunteers. Teach anyone willing to learn how to defend themselves, extinguish fires, organize evacuations, or care for the wounded."
She shrugged.
"Not everyone will become a soldier. But every citizen can become useful."
Several of the Elders exchanged thoughtful glances. Even Elder Brina gave a slow, approving nod. Seraya wasn’t finished.
"You also mentioned building inns. I support that idea. But I’d place some of them very deliberately. Along the main roads. At regular intervals. Where travelers naturally stop before nightfall. And each of them should house a small military detachment."
Mirabelle raised an eyebrow.
"Like a guard post?"
"Exactly." Seraya nodded. "If merchants are robbed... They shouldn’t have to ride another full day before finding soldiers.
If a child disappears...
If Rogues are sighted...
If a bridge collapses...
There should always be someone nearby who can respond immediately."
She rested both hands on the table once more.
"Those inns become more than places to sleep. They become islands of safety. A frightened traveler should know exactly where to ride. And our soldiers should know exactly where to gather."
The hawk Beastwoman finally leaned back.
Her chair gave a quiet creak.
"You have an excellent vision for making Luchsenstein wealthier, young Duchess."
Her stern expression softened by the smallest degree.
"My task is simply to make sure your people live long enough to enjoy that prosperity."
DING!
[Military Chain Quest Updated
A wise ruler does not command alone.
She listens, learns... and grows stronger through the wisdom of those around her.
Progress Updated!
✓ Establish a network of Signal Towers throughout the duchy.
✓ Construct a border ring of fortified Watchtowers.
✓ Develop emergency response plans for every village.
✓ Train civilian volunteers in defense, evacuation, and disaster response.
✓ Establish military outposts along the main roads.
New Optional Objectives Unlocked!
□ Appoint a Village Warden for every settlement.
□ Conduct the first territory-wide emergency drill.
□ Reduce average military response time across Luchsenstein.
Reward:
+75,000 Development Points
+40,000 Legacy Points
Pebbles’ Notification:
"Excellent decision, Host. The greatest rulers are not those who possess every answer... but those wise enough to recognize good advice when they hear it."]
Suddenly, the translucent Chain Quest window appeared before Mirabelle. Without missing a beat, she dismissed it with a thought, keeping her full attention on the hawk Beastwoman.
"Elder Seraya..." A warm smile spread across her face. "Those are exceptionally well-considered suggestions."
She inclined her head respectfully.
"I can clearly see the many years you’ve spent serving in the military. I’d like to implement every one of them. And I sincerely hope you’ll help me do so."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Elder Seraya’s mouth.
The lynx female smiled to herself. The Elders had believed they were evaluating the future Duchess.
They weren’t wrong.
But they hadn’t been the only ones conducting an evaluation.
Mirabelle had come here intending to discover which of these remarkable women she could one day rely on.
And with every answer they gave...
...she found herself trusting them a little more.
The Elders nodded in quiet satisfaction at the way Mirabelle had approached the matter.
The hawk Beastwoman inclined her head ever so slightly.
"It would be my pleasure, young Duchess."
Again, Mirabelle took a long drink from her glass, which was now almost empty. The cool liquid flowed soothingly over her dry throat. She really did feel as though she’d already spent far too much of the day talking.
"I truly appreciate how openly you’ve shared your concerns with me." She looked at each of the Elders in turn. "Because when I eventually succeed my mother that’s exactly what I hope will continue.
I don’t want people standing before me, softening difficult truths or hiding their concerns. If something worries you... I want to hear it."
Her gaze drifted around the table once more.
"Is there anything else you’d like to discuss with me regarding the plans my mother shared with you?"
Elder Nara cleared her throat and shifted slightly in her chair.
"Mirabelle...
I’m delighted by the concept you call a school." She folded her hands in her lap.
"And I don’t have a concern. I have a request. I would like to oversee the establishment of the first school here in Steinstein."
She smiled a little wider.
"I believe I have the necessary experience, and I trust my judgment when it comes to selecting the right teachers. I also remember very well what parents hope for their pups...
...and what pups themselves truly need."
She paused for a moment.
"So far, I’ve been imagining a system where the pups arrive early each morning, have time to settle in, play, and burn off some energy together before beginning their lessons.
I’d like the day to include both theoretical and practical instruction, with regular breaks in between. And I think it should end with physical exercise. Self-defense training.
Not because every pup must become a soldier... but because young Beastmen have an astonishing amount of energy."
A few quiet chuckles spread around the table.
"They’ll go home pleasantly tired."
She smiled knowingly.
"And I suspect many parents will appreciate having a quieter evening afterward."
Her expression grew thoughtful again.
"As you know, pups are among the most closely protected members of every family. I expect that many families will initially insist on having one of the males accompany them to watch over their child.
Perhaps, over time, enough trust will develop that only a few fathers choose to remain.
But until then... I’d like to make use of their presence."
She folded her hands once more.
"While they’re waiting, we could allow them to observe parts of the lessons from the back of the classroom. Or perhaps offer lessons of their own. What those should look like...
...I’d like to discuss together with a few other capable minds."
Mirabelle considered everything she’d heard. She couldn’t find a single objection.
Nor any reason why Elder Nara shouldn’t be entrusted with such a responsibility.
She nodded.
"Elder Nara. I see no reason why you shouldn’t take on that task. I’m truly happy that my ideas inspire you so much.
And I sincerely hope you’ll turn them into something even greater together with others."
She smiled.
"You should speak with my mother. I believe she already has a few people in mind who might be interested in helping."
The raccoon Beastwoman beamed and clapped her hands together excitedly.
"That makes me very happy."
For a brief moment, the Elders exchanged glances with one another.
Then they all nodded.
Finally, Elder Brina, who seemed to speak on behalf of the group, turned back to Mirabelle.
"Duchess Mirabelle..." A gentle smile rested on her weathered face. "We’re looking forward to the years ahead under your leadership."