Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
Marina The Malang Girl

While at the command center of the Garlin royal forces, a huge uproar was brewing. News from the capital has arrived. Much of the southeastern part of the Garlin kingdom had fallen to the Heinz kingdom within a short period of time.

The voice split into two. Continuing the war with the Heinz kingdom in the western region of the Garlin kingdom or returning to the Pesa to consolidate the re-power and recapture the southeastern region.

Boabdil himself preferred to return to the Pesa but his strategists had the opposite opinion. Not because Boabdil wants to lose, but he has his own considerations.

"In Pesa, we still have enough troops to defend themselves. If we win the war on this front, the Heinz kingdom has no choice but to withdraw their forces from the southeast while we continue to advance deeper and deeper into the territory of the Heinz kingdom."

It makes sense, but if they can win the war. In the end, Boabdil took the middle path. He sent 20,000 of his soldiers to return to Pesa while the remaining soldiers at the border would continue the war.

It's actually a bad decision. The 20,000 soldiers sent to Pesa did not necessarily arrive in time. Meanwhile, the superiority of the number owned by Boabdil was reduced because the troops were divided and automatically, the number of enemy soldiers was superior.

"Marina, do you have any complaints in my decision?"

The girl who kept Boabdil together, Marina, shook her head. He had many complaints but given Bobadil's stubborn nature and easy to play with, he decided to lie.

"It's not good to keep important things to yourself, Miss Marina. His Holiness Boabdil went to great lengths to fulfill the ideals of our ancestors. If you have something to say, you better just say it, right?"

A young man joined in their conversation. He was a man of normal height. Her hair was snow-white with cat ears. He wears glasses with a lens on his left eye. He may be at 25 years old. Three years older than Marina and five years younger than Boabdil.

"I'm not hiding anything from your majesty, Hans. If anything, I will support your majesty to go ahead and fulfill her ideals."

Hans is his name. He was an ambitious man to stand beside Boabdil. He did not hesitate to get rid of those who stood in his way. And the biggest barrier to her was Marina.

"The decision of the noble king Boabdil is correct. Although the Pesa had the ability to hold on, they needed many soldiers to defend the capital from the impious aggression of Heinz's kingdom."

"But our superiority is the sum of being reduced! While they have plenty of chances to beat us!"

"Enough! Don't fight in this mood! Marina, your job as my strategist is to find a way to win in the middle of a limited number. And Hans, make sure that our troops do their job well."

Boabdil is harder on Marina but softer to Hans. Marina is indeed competent but she is often a bully for Boabdil despite being from the same tribe.

Because it was night, the troops were resting. Some people stay awake to make sure there is no ambush. All night nothing happened. The Garlin royal army took turns resting and before the sun rose, they prepared again.

But just as they prepared, a bang sounded from the distance and an explosion erupted in the middle of the Beastmen's camp. At first only one. But over time, their camp continued to be rained down by explosions.

Finally, the royal army took out its flagship weapon. Cannon magic. But this cannon has been developed. Its range is further and its destruction power is greater with more practical reloads.

The Garlin royal army did not have time to react quickly. Because they were strangers to magic cannons, the Garlin kingdom army became extremely reactive and could not think clearly.

While magic cannons bombarded the Beastmen's camp, the infantry and cavalry began advancing to attack them. Due to this surprise attack, many casualties fell on their side.

Once one of the troops entered the command tent, all that was left there was Marina who had a flat gaze. It seemed he was stalling for time to let the king of Boabdil run.

With the retreat of the king of Boabdil and some of his princes and the elite soldiers who escorted the king, this war ended with the defeat of the kingdom of Garlin and the victory of the kingdom of Heinz.

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Aurellia, Margaret, Anna, and Issac were visiting the battlefield. The bodies of both sides have been cleared. But the rest of the former war is still a lot left. Blood was still visible everywhere. Shrapnel from the cannonballs were also scattered.

Lieutenant General Charles Hill approached them and saluted them and reported everything that happened in this place.

"The King of Garlin, Boabdil, has left the battlefield along with his top brass and elite soldiers. Maybe they are still on their way. Should we go after them?"

Aurellia, Margaret, and Anna turned towards Issac. He was thinking. Finally, Issac decided not to pursue them.

"No need to pursue. Let them get to Pesa. However, bring the troops to go deeper and conquer the territory around Pesa. Make sure our soldiers don't commit looting and robbery once they occupy the Beastmen's territory."

Charles nodded and was about to launch the campaign tomorrow after his soldiers had rested sufficiently. This time, the first army was returned to the capital and a portion of the fifth army returned to the city of Laverde.

"But is it necessary to continue conquering the territory of the Garlin kingdom? Isn't beating them back enough?"

"By conquering the territory of the Garlin kingdom and seizing a strategic position, they would think ten times to launch another invasion of the kingdom."

That's one of the purposes. But of course there is another purpose. The Garlin Kingdom had lands that contained many materials such as gold, silver, Mithril, even Orichalum.

Issac's other goal was to secure those resources and ensure that Heinz's kingdom had sufficient ore reserves in its exploration. Moreover, after he looked around, the Garlin kingdom had a fertile land and a large population.

After all, as proof that the kingdom was not a discriminating force, Issac needed the Beastmen to open the eyes of the world. That way, it was possible that he could gain the trust of other demi-humans like the elves and dwarves.

"Right, I heard they got a valuable prisoner. How about we go there. There's a lot I want to ask him."

Issac took the others to a tent. There, a fire fox girl named Marina is being guarded by several officers. Issac gestured and the guard came out of the tent.

"Welcome to the kingdom of Heinz miss.ah right, miss Marina. What's your impression of the government, great isn't it?"

Marina didn't say anything. But his face looks very angry. Aurellia, Margaret, and Anna shuddered. That was because the killing aura was extremely powerful in this tent.

"Don't put on a face like that. You're in front of the Queen, the prime minister, and one of the most important officials in the kingdom. If you do, an international incident could happen. Ah, I forgot, from the beginning you guys have been looking for trouble right?"

It sucks! The method he had in interrogating others was still just as annoying. Even Aurellia and the others wanted to hit Issac on the head to make him stop like that. But they also know that the Issac method is effective. So yes, let it go.

"Blessed because the person interrogating you is the chief of staff of the palace. So, it's better to be together.....Ow hell! Hey queen, please don't hit my head!"

"Stop joking around or else it won't finish with just a punch!"

"Huh.mau how else, right. All right let's get straight to the point, Miss Marina. I knew that the king of Garlin, Boabdil, was an ambitious man. But he was not the only one who tried to make the federation a kingdom.

"My question is, who exactly was the one who breathed out Boabdil's ambition? I'm sure he must be an amazing man."

The girl was silent. Maybe he was looking for the best answer. But apparently, he had no idea who that person was either.

"Let's go. I don't know. But he promised many things to the noble king Boabdil. Financial aid, weaponry, and the need for another war. He also promised victory if the king of Boabdil was willing to cooperate with him."

Issac nodded. But this was all still gray for Aurellia and the others. Including for Marina herself. He followed the king of Boabdil because they were childhood friends. Whatever the man's dream, he will help to achieve it.

"Well, I have a clue who did that but it doesn't matter now. But thanks. Thanks to that man and the king of Boabdil, the kingdom of Heinz has reason to expand Garlin's territory and force you to end isolationist politics."

Everyone, including Aurellia, was shocked. What exactly did he say?

"Well let's forget about that. It didn't go according to plan anyway. Who would have thought that Garlin would move even when you weren't ready for battle?"

Marina gritted her teeth. Was he planning from the beginning to make Heinz and Garlin fight? Maybe yes, but this time the war was beyond his plan.

"You're getting a lot of valuable information, right? What if instead, you join us? You yourself have realized that your Boabd king will not save you?"

"That kind of thing is not necessary. It was the duty of a subordinate to make the king safe. It is my pride to be a shield to the noble king Boabdil."

Issac grinned. He was more stubborn than he thought. Then how else. There's nothing he can do.

"Well, what a pity. A king like him doesn't need a martyr like you. How does it feel, your first love runs away for her own safety while you're in danger? All right, it's decided.

"You are competent. But your talent became useless while standing next to him. Tomorrow, I will send your body to be buried in your homeland."

Marina started to waver. He shook and his eyes glazed over. Issac's gaze turned cold. But he still wanted to give Marina a chance.

"So, think about my offer carefully if you want to survive. Even with a cute and pretty girl like you, I won't hold back."

Issac came out of the tent. While Aurellia, Margaret, and Anna looked at Marina with sorrowful expressions. He's smart and talented. From Marina's style of speech, they knew about it. In the end, before coming out of the tent, they persuaded Marina to join the Heinz kingdom.