Dragon’s Bloodline Chapter 68

The Conference Isn’t Dancing [1]

On the next day, the conference for the Cordova invasion’s strategy planning began.

And in the middle of all of them, Serge.

He wasn’t a formal soldier, but a low class noble. He was a young mage, but he took the seat that was directly next to Ria.

“Endure it. If we didn’t have your transportation capabilities, we wouldn’t be able to build this strategy.”

“You’ll be given a special two-rank promotion and be turned into a baron when this war is over. You will even be given a good territory. There’ll even be a great feast.”

Serge’s desires took a peek out on the surface for a moment.

A great number of people entered the large conference room.

“For assembling here, I thank you all. Though this may be quick, we shall begin creating our Cordovan invasion strategy plan.”

“First is our main goal, Cordova must suffer a crushing defeat. Is there anyone in objection to this?”

“Could we cut them off by isolating them economically through an embargo? If we invade after that, I think it would become easier.”

The man consented with a hmph, but Ria pursued further.

The room became noisy in response to her words.

“It will not be possible to fight a country like Cordova with the Millennium on our backs. For this reason, we have no choice but to crush Cordova even a day sooner.”

The one to shout that was an exiled noble from a country that Cordova had destroyed. Ria merely nodded to his shout.

That could be considered a hopeless amount. The nobles here, at most, could arranged between just 20,000 and 30,000.

Again, her words caused a stir in the conference hall.

“Then again, those are truly our last-resort measures. Only once the demon tribe attacks during the Millennium would those numbers be helpful.”

“Among Cordova’s forces are those those that are at the border, and excluding those forces stationed in its capital, its working force is about 200,000. We will defeat these.”

Ria would give them realistic numbers to the last.

Here, she purposely trailed off. To give a shock, nothing was better than putting on airs as much as possible.

The greatest amount of turmoil thus far was born in the room.

Just how important would disrupting the rear for their victory against Cordova? Ria put her strength into explaining it.

Ria ended that topic there.

“Now then, we are definitely invading Cordova, but I believe there are no less than four routes. Not that we will truly divide our army into four parts to invade, but by maintaining the possibility of all four routes, we can keep our enemy from inferring our plans.”

To be specific, they would use this route to invade. Manesh’s outskirts were grain-producing regions, so it would be suitable for collecting food.

Ria bowed deeply.

After that, with Ria having requested that of the feudal lords near the invasion points, there was the preparation of siege weapons.

Although she didn’t know what part of Cordova’s interior would turn into their battlefield, concerning the decisive battle, Ria would be counting on these three armies.

They still needed to settle the detailed, but it had been roughly decided on. When she’d asked for comments, a noble who had territory near the coast raised his hand.

“Alright. Let’s allow it. Provided that you manage it and prepare a time span for it.”

With a feeling that could be called timid, an aristocrat raised his hand.

“It is a problem of her majesty’s partner, but when thinking about the future of the dukedom, as a successor is indispensable…”

Ria sighed very, very deeply.

However, it was impossible for Ria. Thinking that, this was a good opportunity.”

This time, her statement filled the room in silence.

“Even the God Dragon Valis said it was impossible. No human could do it.”

Towards the archduke that was his lord, he shouldn’t have spoken that simply to at all.

“Yes, certainly!”

What happened for a little while after that moment about that noble sending his beautiful daughter to serve Ria… that’s another topic.

“Ah~, so worn out~”

“I think you did well! The nobles’ morale went up too.”

Irina had Maal washing her hair. She was weak to shampoo.

“Give it up. For now we have to somehow deal with Cordova, it won’t be easy.”

Although Ria was lamenting, it couldn’t be helped due to her station.

A voice came from outside the bathroom calling for Ria, who was now sinking into the bathtub and sighing loudly under the water.

“Got it. I’ll be there immediately.”

When she immediately got out of the water as she’d said, she wiped down her body, refusing the maid’s help. Still collecting her hair, Ria entered the parlor holding Nagasone Kotetsu.

Her impression from their first meeting was: ‘What’s up with her?’

Her eyes were cool and her lips shapely. Though her figure definitely fit Ria’s preference, none of those things were the problem.

She then stood up. Ria almost instinctively moved to unsheathe Nagasone Kotetsu.

So it was like that.

One who held [Natural Talent in the Sword], so it was like that.

She was level 40, but that couldn’t be it. The tiny bit of magical power that leaked out despite being restrained was, perhaps, even above Serge’s.

“Fernoss, no, is it alright to call you Ferna? Please call me Ria.”

Her usual disease.

She wanted to confirm that her swordplay was better. Perhaps, in swordplay alone, this girl was better than Carla.

“Terribly gracious, then I shall call you Ria-sama.”

With a start, Ferna stopped moving.

Despite her opponent being barehanded.

“For Black Cat… as it is a business, we have certainly invested into Cordova. Nevertheless, we have changed our plans and from now on shall be doing business with Ogress Dukedom-sama alone.”

However, Ria wasn’t stupid enough to actually pull out her katana here.

Then, Ria indicated the sofa, motioning for Ferna to sit.

“I wonder? As a merchant, information is one of my commodities…”

“Nonsense! We simply wish to earn people’s words of thanks and their smiles, we only transport luggage safely.”

“Well, I didn’t say to tell me everything. I’ll be relying on you from now on.”

Ria presented her right hand, which Ferna grasped with both of hers.

“Ah, Ferna-san, how did it go?”

“What happened? You look pale you know? Were there any unreasonable demands?”

It wasn’t nothing at that level.

She instinctively confirmed the sword was still hanging at her waist. As long as she had it, she could somehow manage to escape.

“Mou, yes! It’s a huge difference seeing her up close!”

“Well, according to other people, Ferna-san is the scary one.”

“Although the business talks were settled, there is a vast amount of arranged goods. Could Halt-san help as well?”

Seeing his natural smile, Ferna finally felt some of her nervousness ease.

On the way to head out together with Ferna for dinner, Halt looked back at the royal castle once again.

There were still a few years until the Millennium. His choice was here.

Halt felt that from the bottom of his heart, following Ferna.