Chapter 20

In the morning, I got up as usual, got out of bed, and let the maid squad take care of my dressing before moving to the grand dining hall for breakfast.

Several maids were already waiting in the dining hall, and they all bowed their heads almost simultaneously as soon as I appeared.

Sitting in the chair pulled out by one of the maids, the service began.

A young maid brought the dishes from the kitchen, and Zoe, another maid, received them and placed them in front of me.

The same went for drinks. A young maid brought them, and Zoe received them and poured them into my glass.

There is a hierarchy among the maids.

Zoe has served me for many years, so she holds a certain position among the maids.

I am Prince Noah.

For a maid to serve me directly, she must have achieved a certain rank among the maids—this is an unwritten rule among the nobility.

While eating the familiar breakfast, I noticed a young—rather, a still very young—maid fidgeting.

This maid, who looked a bit younger than me, who had just turned twelve, was constantly looking out the window.

"Over there—what's your name?"

"Jiji," she replied, with Zoe answering for her in response to my question.

"I see. Jiji, is something wrong with the window?"

"Well... the line outside is huge, and..."

"Line?"

I turned my gaze to Zoe for an explanation.

"Isn't it because you're about to turn twelve, and people from all over are lining up to deliver gifts?"

"I see. You've never seen something like this before?"

I asked Jiji this time.

"Well, that's part of it. The line has been going on for three days and shows no sign of ending."

"That's how it is. It's not just about receiving the gifts. We have to check them, record them, and do it thoroughly, which is why the line doesn't clear quickly. Last year, it took about..."

I turned to Zoe again.

For matters concerning the "house," I have to ask the servants.

"About a week."

"Wow... that's... a lot of birthday presents..."

Jiji, who was probably from a rural area, widened her eyes even more, but she was slightly scolded by Zoe and hurriedly returned to her work.

☆

After breakfast, I went outside the mansion.

The gift line was moved to the back gate, where it formed. Since the line was so long and continued for a week, and people kept coming until it was completely over, I could see the commotion even from the main gate.

I bypassed this scene, which symbolized the status of Prince Noah, got into a carriage, and headed to my destination.

The Ministry of Military Affairs, located on the east side of the capital, is my current workplace.

I entered the building after getting off the carriage and entering the premises.

"Where is my brother?"

I asked the middle-aged official who greeted me.

"He's in the minister's office, talking with a knight. He said to come immediately when you arrive."

"Understood."

I walked straight to the minister's office.

Standing in front of the most formal door in the building, I knocked.

"It's Noah."

"Aye, come in."

I waited for the doorkeepers to open the double doors before entering.

Inside the formal room, two men were present.

One was the master of the room—no, the master of the Ministry of Military Affairs.

Prince Henry Alaric, Minister of Military Affairs.

After the Armeria incident, my brother Henry was entrusted with the Ministry of Military Affairs by His Majesty.

The other man was also familiar.

A tough-looking man, a typical soldier, my brother's knight, Rice Cake.

"You're late, Noah."

"I'm sorry, brother."

"Good morning, Prince Noah."

"Hmm."

I only glanced at Rice and then took a few steps forward to speak to my brother.

"Brother, you said to come immediately when I arrived. Is there something you need?"

"I want to hear your opinion. Yesterday, His Majesty issued an imperial command. He ordered Rice to lead the Second Army to suppress the rebellion in the southern frontier."

"I see."

I looked at Rice.

He is a knight my brother chose about ten years ago through a knight selection process, essentially my brother's direct subordinate.

To me, he's like Shirley.

Not only is he personally brave, but he also excels in leading an army, making him one of the fastest-rising stars among the few knights my brother commands.

He is now in charge of the Second Army, one of the few regular armies in the empire.

"So, brother, is the dispatch of the Second Army already decided?"

"Yes, it's an imperial command. The southern barbarians become more arrogant when treated kindly. His Majesty wants to send the regular Second Army to show the difference in strength."

"I see."

I thought about it, and both my brother and Rice looked at me.

I am currently working with my brother at the Ministry of Military Affairs.

My brother was appointed due to his success in suppressing Armeria, and I was appointed because I had fully tamed the magic sword Leviathan. Although I am still a twelve-year-old boy, His Majesty appointed me directly, and my brother often listens to my opinions.

I thought for a moment and then asked Rice.

"Tell me one thing. What is the actual number of the Second Army?"

"Huh..."

"What do you mean, Noah? What is the actual number? And Rice, what are you hiding?"

My brother frowned and glared at Rice lightly.

Rice immediately prostrated himself, and my brother's expression became even more severe.

"Wait, brother, it's not a big deal. The regular army's budget and other expenses are allocated by the Ministry of Finance based on the number of registered soldiers."

"Ah."

"Sometimes, non-combat personnel, local merchants, and collaborators near the garrison are registered to pocket the corresponding budget."

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

Rice continued to rub his forehead against the ground.

Although there was no evidence, because I pointed it out and it was in front of his master, Rice effectively admitted to it.

"You..."

"Wait, brother. Don't be afraid, Rice. Registering non-combat personnel is within the general's authority. I don't intend to blame you for it."

"Y-Yes..."

Rice, still prostrated, raised his head, looking puzzled.

"It's fine under normal circumstances. The nominal number can also serve as a deterrent."

"Indeed, that's true. For example, it might be better to say it's a hundred-thousand-strong army even if the actual number is much smaller."

"That's what I mean, brother."

"You know this well, Noah. Impressive."

I smiled faintly and spoke to Rice again.

"But not this time. The imperial command is essentially an order to win overwhelmingly. We can't send a fake army. That's why I asked how much of the number is fake. Answer honestly."

"Y-Yes. About two thousand."

"Alright, make sure to replenish that number."

"Understood! I'll do it right away."

"Good. Brother, can I borrow a pen and paper?"

"Sure."

My brother nodded and handed me the paper and pen from his desk.

I took them, wrote something quickly, and handed the paper to Rice.

"W-What is this?"

"Go to the Ministry of Finance and get the money for two thousand more people as miscellaneous expenses. I'll give it to you."

"R-Really!"

"Take it. In return..."

I paused, and for the first time since entering the room, I glared at Rice seriously.

"Make sure the numbers are correct. And no losing, understood?"

"Y-Yes!"

Rice took my note, bowed to my brother one last time, and left the minister's office.

My brother and I were left in the room.

"Amazing, Noah. Your use of carrot and stick is perfect."

My brother looked at me with admiration.