Price of Management

“If the Horn Empire has no food.... ”

“Then we won! ”

Roy and Joey cheer as they look at each other. The rest of the party brightens up.

“So you must flee to a safe area. There's Concern territory, the head of the treasury in the northwest, and that should be fine. Don't let the Horn Empire rob you of food and supplies. ”

Friends rejoice at the news that their victory is assured. But only John still had a serious look on his face.

Evan questioned this question.

“What is it? Is there still something on your mind? ”

“That's not it…. I will send my party to the place you mentioned. But I should probably get back to the mansion. ”

“I heard the royal school with a secret passageway has already been taken over by the Horn Empire. There's no reason to take that risk at the end of a fight. ”

“I do.”

John insisted.

“ ……? ”

“Consider what the next option would be for the Horn Empire, when it becomes impossible to invade the Kingdom of Leaden. ”

“…… lane? ”

That said, Evan was flawed.

I thought that if I lost the odds, I would definitely retreat. It is because there is no benefit for the Marquis of Juden to draw a fight that cannot be won.

But there's a lane?

Evan thought of a bear, and something came to mind.

Battlefield variables you couldn't have anticipated! The person who created the variable was John Spa, the child in front of his eyes.

“The Marquis of Ligand Mansion, the Royal School students…… damn it. ”

Evan was insulted.

The Royal Academy's cautious students guarding the mansion were all members of the noble family. Sufficient value as a hostage

Earl Juden, who had failed to attack the Kingdom of Leaden, which was the initial strategic goal, was likely to take students hostage in order to make up for his defeat.

Not to mention the outcome if all 70,000 troops who attacked King Leaden were concentrated in the mansion. Haven't you even discovered the secret passage?

John bows with a bitter face.

“I'm sorry. This is what happened because I went along with it. Even if we hadn't stepped up, I could have defended the Duke of Ledon……. ”

Evan sighs and taps the shoulder of dead John.

“It's not like that. It's a result, after all, because I'm sure you guys put up a big ball. But that doesn't mean you have to risk going back to the mansion. I'll do what I can about the mansion. ”

“Do you have a plan? ”

“Well, for now, we have to get into Leaden Castle and inform the royal court. ”

“The Kingdom of Ledon is also surrounded by the Horn Empire. ”

“The Kingdom of Leaden is huge. They don't surround all the walls, and I have a bone to pick with that. At least it's safer than you going back to the mansion. ”

“Then do that. But I should probably get back to the mansion, too. ”

“Why?”

“Because there's no escaping the battlefield with your allies as commanders. I will definitely go back and fight. I look forward to welcoming the moment of victory with my comrades. ”

“Ugh…. ”

Evan looks at John, amazed.

Right-minded. Shining talent. He realizes he's witnessing the birth of a born master.

Evan said.

“You'll be the one after this fight. But let's not be the lucky ones. ”

“ ……. ”

“Go, go where you need to go. Leave the rest to me. ”

John chuckles.

“Yes! Thank you! ”

After that, the group follows Evan on the road to the northwest, and John rides up to the royal school.

The battle of Leaden Kingdom was coming to a close.

* * *

Nigel confirmed that John Spain was the man who stole the horse and escaped the Royal Academy.

However, as soon as I tried to chase after the cavalry, I received a payment. It was an order from my father, the Marquis of Juden, to return immediately.

‘Dammit. What a moment! What's this all of a sudden? ’

Nigel gave up tracking indefinitely. Instead, 500 cavalry were left at the Royal Academy for surveillance and returned alone to the real estate in front of King Leaden.

And I heard some shocking news.

“Retreat?! ”

Since the battle has been going smoothly so far, Nigel was unable to accept a sudden retreat decision.

His father, the Marquis of Juden, said.

“We lost contact with the merchants who were supposed to hand over the food. ”

“Yes? Could it be treason? ”

“I sent soldiers to check, but they were attacked, not betrayed. The Merchant Guild official said the food was burned or missing. The 5th Merchant Guild has already been hit by the same thing, so the enemy may have noticed your strategy. ”

“If we can't replenish... we'll have no choice but to retreat." ”

“Yes. I have no choice but to renounce King Leaden and join the legions of the Grand Duke of Meutt to aid in his attack." ”

“Ugh... ”

Nigel grips his fist and grips his teeth.

I thought the strategy of King Kars, who ignored Duke Meutt and went straight past King Leaden, was no less a brilliant one. I thought no one would be able to endure the ghost of the Emperor. Even the famous Caroc Ligand.

But I can't believe there's someone in the House of Leaden who has figured it out!

I felt frustrated because I thought my efforts had become a foam.

"You just need to take one more step! ’

Finding the entrance to the secret passageway is also a matter of time, and if you give it a little more time, the mansion will fall into your hands. John Spay, the enemy, could have been on his knees.

But I can't believe I have to back off like this.

The young Nigel, who met the enemy and burned with determination, was not easily convinced of this futile end. But he also knew that there was no answer except retreat, unless there was no food.

“In three days' time, we'll be gone. ”

“Very well. Until then, I'll be ready for the Iron Armies." ”

“I know you fought well. ”

The Marquis of Juden comforts Nigel's disappointment.

“But no matter how well you prepare, how well you fight, when you go to war, you get unexpected variables. That's how the world works. ”

“Yes…. ”

Nigel leaves the Marquis of Juden's barracks, feeling distressed. Nigel is thirsty as he looks at the remote house of the late ligand writer.

I've never had a better chance! ’

There was currently no John Spain in the mansion. The defenders of the mansion without John Spain were merely misfits. None of the students will be as good as John Spain.

“…… students? ”

At that moment, Nigel's mind flashed. It matched exactly what rival John Spain was concerned about.

“Students! Yes, students! ”

Nigel ran to his father, the Marquis of Juden, screaming for joy.

“Father! We need to raid the mansion now! ”

“We need more details. ”

“All the students who are guarding the mansion are from the noble families of the Kingdom of Leaden! It is more advantageous to capture them all and gain valuable hostages than just retreat without income. It's not a defeat, it's a specialized fight! ”

The Marquis of Juden who chewed on his son's explanation thought it was right, then nodded.

“You make sense. I will use all my forces to take over the Marquis of Ligand's Manor. ”

“With all the knights and wizards in our army, one day will be enough. ”

‘John Spay. It was your decision to gather the students and protect the late ligand writer, right? But now we have a hostage. I don't know how the world works, just like you said. ’