Dragon’s Bloodline Chapter 64

Outbreak of the Great War

Even if they’d decided to subjugate Cordova, that didn’t mean they could immediately rouse their military.

Developing Ogress’ internal roads, as well as reclaiming farmland that had become hinterlands. Although Serge could use space-time magic for means of transportation, he was just a single person.

Manesh’s forces, Casalia’s forces, the ogre forces, and the beastkin forces had become their primary strength.

There were great expectations placed on the beastkin outside of the battlefield in particular. If humans were sent out on reconnaissance, they would fall far behind the beastkin.

“I want a budget~”

Guinevere’s golem cavalry project would require a huge budget.

But it seems that Guinevere had also more or less thought of this too.

Guinevere’s plan was something meant to help stimulate the circulation of money, which they could then levy taxes from.

Ria was wholly against it.

In fact, Serge also approved of Guinevere’s views.

“Although there aren’t any guns, this world does have magic…”

The country’s future was being decided during a tea party. Serge was taking part in this gathering.

Serge’s achievements in perfect logistical management in the previous battle had been recognized, he had become a noble.

Incidentally, his peerage was knight. It was the lowest rank of nobility, but a noble was a noble. Moreover, it was something he earned with his own strength.

Furthermore, the golems’ practical use was also thanks to Serge, as he could easily move them to the front lines.

Although they had been thinking about defensive positions so far, if they used the giant golems in an engagement—or possibly a castle siege—what kind of results would they bring?

There were various things that could be called Cordova’s strengths, and as expected their infantry’s strength as their foundation could be considered the greatest factor.

Their infantry had been neutralized. The neutralization of an enemy’s main force is the most important factor for winning a battle.

They should take defensive battles wherever they could. Perhaps, with Cordova’s defeat just before, they would soon go out for an attack.

Those expectations were entirely correct.

“An inspection?”

“Yeah, since I wanted to go and see the town’s state of affairs.”

“I’ll be bringing strong bodyguards so there won’t be any danger.”

Ria and Carla. Also with the two strongest people in the country, Irlina. With Fio as a retainer, and finally Serge.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s the same for me.”

Those three were hiding their faces within deep hoods. At any rate, even though it was inevitable since their faces were too well known, it was extremely suspicious.

There was also another person she wanted to bring along though.

Ria said that, but Carla objected concisely.

“You had better give up on that. You don’t know where you’ll be wandering to after all.”

With the sun setting, the group advanced.

Lights leaked out from street stalls and stores lit up the various people’s faces. Those people’s expressions were uniformly cheerful.

Fio murmured unconsciously.

Carla responded like that.

But the reason why Ria left the palace this evening wasn’t to see this.

A bat flew through the night’s darkness.

Because Fio couldn’t function well in the dark, Serge made a magic light.

The moment Fio began to ask that in worry, a girl appeared.

Since Ria called out, neither Carla nor Fio who were meeting the girl for the first time were cautious.

It was a beautiful girl with flaxen hair.

“Well, it’s just that relations with my colleague aren’t going too well.”

“You had a quarrel with Rei?”

And so by Asuka’s guidance, they were lead to a luxury inn in Manesh.

“Please bring refreshments for everyone.”

Asuka ordered in an accustomed tone, inviting everyone into a room.

It was the kind of luxurious room where nobles and wealthy merchants were live in.

Out of everyone present that sat down following those words, only Carla was still standing.

“Carla, it’s alright. She’s a cooperator with us.”

Although Carla wasn’t emitting any true blood thirst, she finally sat down on the sofa hearing that.

“Well then, I’ll speak about Cordova’s situation.”

“Three army corps huh.”

Although Salf was a relay trade town, that didn’t mean it was that important of a place for military aims.

Saying that, Asuka looked towards a corner of the room.

“Yes.”

It was a tiger-striped cat beastkin. He held a sharp expression.

That was most definitely right, considering that Ria didn’t notice him despite being in the same room. His hiding abilities were extraordinary.

“This child’s forces are preparing disruptive activities in Cordova. I dare say it would be given enough damage so that a war of attrition would be impossible.”

Beastkin forces certainly were suited for such activities. Ria and them had primarily been using them as reconnaissance units.

Although things related to Cordova were going well, there was a single problem troubling Asuka.

The center of the continent. There were talks about Lemdria annexing various towns that had once belonged to the former empire.

“The Great King Hollyn is at an old age. Although Lemdria should be stable, if something happened to that person it might quickly turn into a rebellion.”

(Even so, what really is the millennium? From observing Rei and Asuka, I think it’d be possible for humans and the demon tribe to live together peacefully though.)

“Then I can—”

Fio and Serge both raised their hands. They certainly were close to Ria, so the two were suitable.

“It’s Fio—Fiona. I am her majesty’s secretary.”

As so, Ria still hadn’t embraced her. Not in the physical meaning though. In the sexual meaning.

“Acknowledged.”

The cat beastkin nodded quietly.

Sending Irina and Fio back first, Ria and Serge decided to talk with Carla about everything.

Borrowing a nearby private room with a meal, Ria began to talk.

First, how she met Serge when she started her journey.

That she was originally a man, and that’s why she had no interest in men.

That Irina was the successor of the Golden Dragon Clarice, and that she herself was chosen as Valis’ successor, she held nothing back.

After hearing about everything, Carla was lost in thought for some time.

“Is there anyone else who knows about this?”

Valis had probably sent her along with Ria’s group in order to have her comprehend it.

“Because, I thought it’d be fine to talk about it if it’s you.”

But if in the case that her secrets were exposed out, it’d be different if they had the strength to cover it up. Carla had that strength.

Carla spoke with an unusually embarrassed expression.

“If Carla decides it’s fine, it can’t be helped. That’s just what trust is.”

Carla smiled at Serge’s banter.

During their meeting the next day, Cordova’s forces invading Salf was announced.

Of course they held some reservations about it, but that same information was brought in and confirmed one day later.

There were dissenting opinions of course, but she wouldn’t bend on it.

For that, the queen would personally go to the front. This would show the most extreme effect.

And apart from that, they also organized forces to invade Cordova’s own country. They also sent out directions to organize and march to each lord that was bordering Cordova.

This great war that would later be called Cordova’s Upheaval was about to begin.