How to Start a War (2.4)
The negotiations were moving forward.
“However, we would like to continue discussions regarding the requested compensation for a little while longer.”
“… And by that, you mean?”
“As for Camelot’s existing vested interests in Elfynd, even if we were to attack, win, and begin governing the territory, we are to preserve them. That is His Majesty’s express command.”
“… Hmm.”
Isabella made a show of falling into thought.
That was what she wanted as compensation.
Being a merchant, she expected a return on her investment—naturally.
“Oh no, there’s no need for concern. When it comes to Camelot’s vested interests, the original trade volume wasn’t all that significant, was it? After all, Elfynd has a national policy of not being particularly enthusiastic about foreign trade. From their side: medicinal herbs, furs, certain types of timber, processed fish products like cod and salmon. From Camelot: daily necessities, iron and steel, railroad cars, warships, and firearms. That’s the extent of it. And the only portion that should have gone through your hands was the former.”
“—Yes.”
“Once things get started, there will be jobs the military will commission as well—”
He was alluding to the procurement of logistics and supplies for the campaign against Elfynd.
“We do have an alternative prepared. The Gew-61 rifle is becoming outdated. Naturally, we can’t hand over all of them. But how about seventy thousand units? I’ve heard they’re still a popular and high-priced item across the seas. The local retail price is around 60 Lang apiece. That comes to a total of 4.2 million Lang. Since this would be a surplus sale, the profit margin will be small… but for now, perhaps that could be enough to appease you—just for now.”
—Soldiers really are simple-minded.
Though she put on a slightly displeased expression, saying they would revisit the matter later, Isabella Farlens couldn’t help but let out a wry smile as she stepped out of the General Staff Headquarters and boarded her carriage.
That deputy director.
He was said to be a genius when it came to military strategy. But he clearly looked down on those outside the military.
That expression of his—
—Isn’t this a great deal? More than you deserve.
That’s the vibe he gave off.
He didn’t understand.
No—when it comes to that, neither did that gentlemanly, sincere, and capable Major General Rottenberger.
They think Isabella has been spying just for business gains.
Well, that’s only natural.
She made sure to act that way.
“… Wait for me. It’s almost time.”
Not even bothering to take in the passing scenery outside the carriage window, Isabella muttered to herself.
—My beloved. My one and only husband.
My dear, who used to be a kind, honest man, just a hardworking little sundries merchant.
And yet Elfynd…
The Light Elves…
Just like they did to the other Kobold merchants, they revoked his business license and made him hang himself!
They stole him from me!
They destroyed the little shop he worked so hard to protect!
Do you have any idea how many years—how many decades—it’s taken to get this far?
Elfynd…
I will destroy them. Without fail.
This is my war.
—A merchant’s war.
“Madam, is something the matter?”
Her secretary looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“It’s nothing. What’s next on the schedule? Wasn’t there a meeting at the Industrial Federation?”
—
Deputy Director of the National Army General Staff and Head of Operations, Major General Erich Greben, was an undisputed genius.
Especially when it came to devising military operations, his brilliance truly shone.
What enabled him to do so likely stemmed from his childhood.
His parents were deeply devoted to his education—not in the conventional sense of worrying about school grades or hiring tutors, but in the form of a loving, compassionate, and tolerant approach that let their child pursue whatever piqued his curiosity, no matter how unorthodox it seemed to others.
During Greben’s childhood—or rather, what counted as childhood for him, since his demonkin race was long-lived and slow to mature, and he was already past twenty at the time—the Dutone War took place.
Greben was captivated by the stories told by adults and among children about the series of victories their homeland had achieved.
He began to desire the finely crafted metal soldier figurines displayed at the local toy store.
These were expensive pieces, each one hand-made by artisans, depicting infantry, cavalry, and artillery in matching sets. His parents bought them for him.
At the time, Orcsen had just repelled an invasion from Growal and was still in utter turmoil, and his family was by no means wealthy—so this was a significant sacrifice.
Greben took the figurines to the backyard of their home, used sand and trimmed hedges to build miniature plains and forests, lined up his troops and cannons, and played out war games.
That battlefield, this battle. One siege, another encirclement—
By the time he was halfway through his compulsory national education, he had memorized the battlefields of the Dutone War and could reenact them in detail.
Not only did he recreate them faithfully, but he often imagined how he would overturn the tide of battle if he were the general or staff officer.
What he fell in love with wasn’t just armies or tactics.
—There isn’t only one answer in the world.
—Nor is there only one way to arrive at an answer.
It was that very mode of thinking that captivated him.
And so, his grades at school—particularly in mathematics—rose rapidly.
What do you think about this chapter?
