Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
Long Talks
"The Dea Democracy began to deploy their Knights to support its imperial army Moskov. They had departed from the capital towards Kiev. There were 15,000 Knights sent. That's just the beginning. They seriously supported the Moskov empire to attack it the kingdom."
Aurellia listened to all the reports of Issac carefully in the palace. It's just the two of them now. Her son, Arnold, had just finished breastfeeding and was now fast asleep.
"Does the temple know about this?"
"Fortunately, not yet. Even if they knew, they couldn't do anything. Which is, maybe we'll just be bothered with it."
The temples in the kingdom with other places were already different than they used to be. Along with the growth of the population coming from other races, it means that diversity is also increasing. Culture, including religion.
The temple officials were initially very angry about this. But the more progressive youth have replaced them all today and are holding other religious leaders for peace.
Perhaps with this, Aurellia thought that the temple could help her. They would negotiate with the higher-ups in the Dea Theocracy but Issac did not think so.
What is, they might make the conditions even more chaotic. One of the reasons why the Theocracy of Dea helped the Moskov Empire was because of the assumption that the temples of the twelve holy Goddesses in the kingdom had committed unforgivable sins.
They had been considered complete heretics and were no longer part of the Temple and were, in the end, exiled. Pathetic indeed. At least in the view of the leaders. But apart from the main force they made the temple in the kingdom have its own power.
'Their strength is useful in other ways.'
Well, Aurellia handed the matter over to Issac. Of course, he would make arrangements for this matter immediately.
"Next is.ah right too! I heard you captured one of the spies from the Moskov Empire while in Savoy! Don't we? Did you get any information from him?"
Also true. At that time Issac was in the Savoy region. That night, he goes undercover and happens to find a bar that becomes a hangout for the royal army.
Of course he can't be flashy. Luckily, he meets James and one of the soldiers named Eugene. They were indeed wary of Issac's unrecognizable disguise. But they do not put hostility.
The food there is also quite delicious even though the meat tastes tough. Well, they're short of food. So there's no other choice.
After eating, he spoke to them for a while and finally left. The trouble began when Issac was walking to a place where he had no strict guard. He wanted to return to Lilianne Mansion with teleportation magic.
Issac himself did not know if he was apes or lucky when a group of 20 people attacked him. Issac thought he was their main target. So he slaughtered most of them and left only one to live.
Issac took the man and gave it to the royal police. He was held in prison until he regained consciousness and was interrogated by the RIS afterwards.
"Well, they were part of the Moskov imperial spies. They call themselves Black Scorpions. Their range of information is quite extensive and membership is highly classified."
Aurellia sounded very interested in it. But the new Issac will provide the real important information.
"They are assigned to infiltrate the territory of Savoy that has been captured and melded into the population. The mission was pretty horrible. The Black Scorpion will incite the inhabitants to put up a fight on the royal army.
"In addition, they were also tasked with sabotaging vital facilities in the Savoy region. One of them is poisoning the source of clean water so as to cause disease among the population."
Issac took out a small bottle of black liquid from his suit pocket and showed it to Aurellia. It is very black and smells very bad. Issac himself wondered how the black scorpions could carry such a disgusting object during their journey? Just imagining it made her feel creeped out.
"All I hold now is a sample. There were three more bottles and they were all handed over to them for further investigation and to uncover the contents inside."
Aurellia simply sighed and patted her forehead. Issac who saw Aurellia smiled. He took a box and opened the lid. Inside, it contained a map and documents regarding their next plan.
"As Lia requested, we have stopped this expedition for a while. At least until spring. Right now, the minister of military affairs is busy making various preparations for the next step."
Issac began to explain the details to Aurellia.
"First, we obviously need more supply. Food, weapons, tents, etc. Please read the details listed here. The minister of military affairs has also been negotiating with finance ministers and parliament to add war funds."
"Is the kingdom's finances burdened with this?"
"To be admitted, yes. Taxes to be paid by the people must be raised. Parliament and the finance ministry have pressed the minimum limit to keep taxes from going up.
"But the problem has been slightly resolved. Various trading companies and bankers have been willing to give us fresh loans at low interest rates. Creditor confidence is increasing and we are optimistic to return their debt within a period of ten to 20 years."
Aurellia nodded in satisfaction at hearing the information from Issac. To unlock weapons, provide rations, feed war horses, and hire soldiers, the Kingdom needs money. Issac has even invested his own funds for this with a considerable amount.
"We have also hooked up some food companies and blacksmiths to provide supplies for us. The ranchers who were previously given capital by the kingdom's national money institutions have also succeeded in producing high-quality horses on their farms.
"That means, we don't have to worry about supplies right now."
Next, Issac opened the sash of a large map. This time it was about strategy.
"Savoy has fallen and we have a foothold to go deeper into the Moskov region. There were some noble territories that were about three to five days away from the Savoy territory. This, this, and this."
Issac marked some places. It was the territory of the nobility who had previously been the Vassal of Savoy but had given up their allegiance to other high-ranking nobles.
"You mean, if we conquer this region, it will pose a strategic advantage for us? Then it doesn't matter. We'll take this territory once spring comes.
"Right, the enemy is not stupid. They must have gathered their strength here. We have to anticipate this."
"Let's leave that to the commanders on the ground, Lia. Those who know better the conditions of the battlefield and the characteristics of the region there."
The soldiers must have sent scouts from now on. Military intelligence has also been demoted to report on any activities of enemy nobles from the back line. Within a certain limit, they must have anticipated that the destination as long as these places.
"Then, what about sending additional troops? We are obviously unlikely to advance any further with just the remaining soldiers right?"
Issac nodded. With that, he opened another sheet.
"The production of magic firearms and magic cannons is getting more intense. Various new entities have been formed to provide for them. The first and second firing divisions as well as the cannon squads have been dispatched directly as assistance to the Savoy."
This conversation took place in the afternoon. Who would have thought that this would take up until the next morning. With rest only when little Arnold woke up hungry.