Arestia Empire'S World Domination
Chapter 7: Deadly Implications

...—Gius Square, Arestia Border - Forbrenne—...

...—21 July 1238—...

Far away in sight, a fortress composed of stacked gray bricks stood firmly on a vast expanse of grass.

Fort Gius, named after the area where it rests, was the fortress that guarded the Forbrenne from the Natrehn Army's past raids, which is now one of the obstacles for Ares if he wants to invade the Kingdom of Forbrenne.

The forces of Ares and Fort Gius were separated by a vast expanse of shady trees, a natural weapon for the garrison of the border army, which they will immediately shoot arrows and stones thrown from a large catapult after the enemy troops enter the forest.

But in contrast to the day-to-day fortress that is covered by thousands of soldiers on the move, now Fort Gius does not have a single guard even from a soldier, which is certainly caused by the withdrawal of troops to the Capital of Forbrenne as a whole.

A short blue-haired youth who seemed untidy lifted one corner of his lips. His gaze was disdainful, and the black robe clad in his black military uniform gave the impression that he underestimated the enemy he was now fighting.

Ares never thought. Even for him, he had prepared heavyweight military weaponry, thinking that the military of the Forbrenne Kingdom as well as the four princes were still defending the border.

Now it's...

Ares glanced at the small, long blonde woman riding right beside him. His gaze was fixed on his chest, which was now wearing an outfit in the modern era according to what Ares knew.

"Is that comfortable, Milly?" Ares said softly, concealing his personal interactions as there were many military nobles standing around him.

Milly von Vienna, the concubine of Ares as well as her cousin from the Rueter— branch of the family Ares family name before changing to "Aubert"— who has now become a baron-ranked noble family.

Milly is expressing hard. Despite that, his right hand caressed the silver iron armor that wrapped his chest, impressed that he was very grateful for the Emperor's gift, "Um... It really feels comfortable."

"so... Glad to hear it." To Milly's words, Ares smiled brightly.

Especially with Milly who now no longer elevates Ares position by calling him "Master"— at Ares—'s request makes Ares' relationship with his concubine more closely, apart from the two who jointly take care of Wilma, their daughter, although both still maintain formalities if attending an official event.

"But..." Milly is expressing hard.

"Yes?" Ares looked confusedly at Milly.

"Why don't you give this to His Majesty Excel?" milly asked, painting a difficult expression.

"I—it..." Ares replied agitatedly, his eyes looking in all directions, making sure no one heard the conversation between the two, "Please promise not to tell anyone, okay?"

"Pulse... Okay?" Milly made a confused face.

"Even if Excel wore it, it would just end up in vain. I can't make a size smaller than AA." Ares's voice sounded very soft, only Milly could hear him.

Although none of them understood the meaning of the measure, Ares put up a high vigilance, not allowing the slightest leak of information that the Empress could know.

"YES?" milly asked, not understanding the meaning of the word Ares.

"Do you remember when I measured you?" Ares' words immediately embarrassed Milly, her face slightly flushed, which she held back for being in military service.

"I—iya.." replied Milly.

"Your size is C. The earlier the letter is, the smaller it is. In short, Excel doesn't have to wear that" Ares replied.

"Oh.." replied Milly, astonished at the reply Ares made.

Still, I was a little surprised by Sena's 44F size surpassing Mia's.

I thought Mia had the biggest bust of them all.

Tingling back in the mind of the memories of that night when Ares measured all the breasts of the women, making him faint smile perverted, which certainly not seen by Milly.

The horse's treads sounded louder, the mark of a cavalry officer approaching them, making Ares and Milly stop his interaction.

Arthur von Certa, Ares' personal bodyguard in the past who has now been elevated to baron-ranked nobility.

Short-haired, sharp-eyed, Arthur is now one of the heads of the Arestia Empire's Regular Army division.

"Maybe" said Ares, without turning to look at Kristin.

Until it was not far from where Ares was, he pulled the reins of his horse and moved closer. Kneeling with his head bowed deeply after being right in front of Ares.

"Your Majesty, the fort is certainly empty! There was not a single shred of supplies and weaponry left!" Arthur reported after raising his head, his tone felt respectful.

In contrast to his reverence when he acted as head of state, Ares preferred assertiveness and reporting that did not flatter him in advance, unlike what the nobles in general did.

It had become the standard for soldiers and officers of all walks of life, causing nobles unaffiliated with the military to step aside and the Arestian military to undergo massive restructuring.

Now, the Arestia military is getting better. Not without reason, the nobles who liked the glorification was the figure behind the slow progress of the operation and the soldiers.

Moreover, they are also corrupt military budget class because they do not understand the importance of the distribution of military funds from the state, and, although other military nobles such as Kristin and Warren also can not be separated from corruption even though it is small-scale.

"Conditions?" ask Ares.

"The fort is partially damaged! We predict that the population will seize food supplies and weaponry after the slaves and soldiers are withdrawn!" report Arthur.

"What are you going to do, Your Majesty?" Kristin smiled wryly, mocking Ares' intention to take down Forbrenne in just 3 weeks.

To Kristin's question, Ares painted a wry smile, "Deploy troops on the three main lines of the Forbrenne border. We'll guard the border for 14 days."

"Eh?" Kristin's gaze was empty, she was so shocked that she did not expect Ares to say so. The nobles and knights could only stare strangely at Ares.

"May I know what you will do... Your Honor?" Arthur looked strangely at Ares.

"the "10,000 Mana Kingdom Army had been at their border with Forbrenne, the 20,000 Francois Margrave Army had also been guarding their border with Forbrenne. Moreover, they would be increasingly confined with 120,000 soldiers scattered to guard the border with Natrehn Region." Ares momentarily stopped his words, smiling wryly at everyone who was looking at him.

"I have stopped all access of the merchants who will enter the Forbrenne Region since the last 10 days... I think the summer in July of this year was particularly fierce for the residents and nobles of Forbrenne, wasn't it?" ares continued by maintaining his smile.

The strange feeling that the officers had after inspecting the fort was revealed.

Famine due to drought and scarcity of basic goods.

Even though the inhabitants of Forbrenne and the slaves were engaged in agricultural activities, they still needed the importation of wheat and other staples, heavily dependent on Natrehn Region and Mana— Kingdom which is an access point for traders from Lethiel— Kingdom to meet the food needs of their oversized population.

Not only that, the spice commodities that are useful as seasonings, milk, clothing, and various other basic things stopped circulating, causing the chaos of the Forbrenne Kingdom no longer covered only by the popular uprising, but also because of extreme hunger.

There is one reason why Ares began his plan by inciting the people to revolt. Of course, that they destroy and burn the food supply reserves that are in the granaries of big cities.

The common people did not predict to that extent, moreover, they were not someone who was struggling in the bureaucracy and military, causing them to release their satisfaction by burning down the mansions of nobles, knight barracks, and other people, until the wheat barns that are nearby almost in every major city of the Forbrenne Kingdom.

Milly, judging Ares as a gentleman to her family, realized the other side of Ares, who now had a crown on his head, was so shocked that his eyes were wide open.

Kristin, who also opened her eyes wide. He once again realized, the nickname "Devil King" he pinned to Ares one year ago is not a mere nonsense.

Despite that, a relief was etched in his mind. Kristin really does not regret her decision to follow Ares after the Natrehn Kingdom is destroyed.

Should I now call you an Evil God?

With uneasiness engulfing the surrounding military officers, Kristin smiled wryly, looking at the Emperor with pride.

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