Chapter 7

The magnificent golden fields of wheat and rye have all been harvested, and the early autumn evening is approaching, with the quiet winter soon to descend upon the Viscount Cardia's territory. The apprentice soldier training course is nearing its end, and I have recently been less prone to vomiting. Every day, I am forced to carry tools longer than my body, such as shovels and hoes, and walk long distances, and sometimes even swing them around. It would be strange if my physical strength did not improve with such a level of exercise.

The day when I would return to my life in the manor from the barracks was just around the corner. One day, in the lord's office on the first floor of the Golden Hill mansion, which I had thought I would not enter until the course ended, I was receiving a lesson on national affairs from Count Teresa, with four maps laid out before me.

Count Teresa has reformed the laws within his territory, and all regulations concerning the territorial army have been established by his hand. Before he arrived, the territorial army was virtually non-existent, with only a dozen or so of my father's cronies brandishing weapons and lounging around.

In Arcisia, all territories are required to have their own armies. However, there are almost no countries that plan to invade Arcisia, the largest nation on the continent, and the interior has been peaceful since the kingdom's founding, so the territorial armies are often in name only. It would not be an exaggeration to say that only the border territories facing the frontier maintain proper armies. The Kingdom of Arcisia has abandoned all military aggression against other countries since the time of the Holy Arl Kusha Law Kingdom, its predecessor. Since the transition to the current kingdom, the borders have always been closed, and only those with the king's travel permit are allowed to enter and exit. The only relations with foreign countries are the Peace Treaty, which stipulates no mutual interference, and the Friendship and Trade Treaty, which allows only trade by merchants recognized by the state. It can be said that the country is in a state of near isolation.

In terms of the overall situation on the continent, the rise and fall of nations are occurring intensely day and night. The situation is such that almost all other nations are in a constant state of war readiness. The peace that the Kingdom of Arcisia maintains is largely due to the fact that other countries have not developed beyond the scale of small nations. The nations are busy with each other, and there is no time to target the prominent large nation of Arcisia.

In this context, there is a reason why Count Teresa is training the territorial army here in the Viscount Cardia's territory. It is part of the vigilance against the eastern nations.

"The Lindahl Union of Principalities, you say?"

"It might change its name to an empire."

In the eastern part of the Kingdom of Arcisia, four countries have been expanding their territories for about a century. These are the four principalities of Densel, Planates, Giograd, and Parmigian. Originally, the state that ruled the eastern part of the northern continent, known as the Kingdom of Lindahl, placed four princes to govern the north, south, east, and west, which was the beginning. As each principality absorbed various ethnic groups, they developed into independent states.

There is a movement among the four principalities to re-unify as a confederation by establishing a grand prince. Since each principality governs multiple ethnic groups, they might change their name to an empire.

While the four principalities are currently small compared to Arcisia, if they unite as one nation, they could rival Arcisia in size. If a nation of similar scale is born, the superiority that Arcisia has maintained will be lost. Depending on the movements of the Lindahl side, a war between two countries could become a realistic possibility.

"The Cardia territory is only separated from the Principality of Densel by the Kingdom of Ygvena. If a war breaks out with Lindahl, not only will an order to join the front lines be issued, but it could also become a battlefield."

While staring at the map of the northern continent, I listened to Count Teresa's detailed explanation. The establishment of Lindahl will change the power balance in the northern continent. The Kingdom of Arcisia, especially the eastern inland territories like the Viscount Cardia's territory, will be directly affected and cannot avoid taking a vigilant stance.

Since I had only received detailed lectures on domestic affairs from Lady Maleshian, Count Teresa needed to provide an overview of foreign affairs. Although I entered the office in the morning, the count did not get to the main topic until after the midday snack.

"…I had planned to tell you about Lindahl a bit later, at least after your birthday celebration. There is a reason I have expedited it."

Count Teresa introduced the main topic in this way. He first picked up a map that precisely depicted the central part of the northern continent and pointed to the border between the Principality of Densel and the Kingdom of Ygvena.

"Are you aware that the Ygvena fortress is built along the border?"

"Yes."

The fortress where the Rasyvok brothers are kept. It is located beyond the forested area known as the Monster Forest to the east and is the main destination for the grain produced in the Cardia territory. Although it is not that far away, it takes about four days to reach by horse due to the need to detour around the forest. The count moved his finger to the northeast of the kingdom, drew a circle near the southern end of the Bandisia Plateau, and tapped it lightly.

"Are you familiar with the nomadic people?"

"A people who make livestock farming their livelihood and move regularly. Is that correct?"

"Your understanding is generally correct. There is a nomadic people called the Sil tribe in the southern part of the Bandisia Plateau. They were under the rule of Altas, but after Altas fell to Densel, they have been resisting Densel along with the surrounding farming people."

The count pulled out the oldest of the four maps he had prepared and confirmed the territory of the now-defunct Altas. This was a state that once dominated the eastern part of the Black Mountains, including the Bandisia Plateau. The capital, Remesh, located in the northern part of the plateau, fell to Densel, causing the state to lose all its functions and is now part of Densel's territory. Count Teresa added that Altas was originally a nation of the Altas people, including the Sil tribe, and had incorporated the surrounding farming people into its empire.

"Densel has secured the eastern farmland, and the Sil tribe is gradually moving west. If they come down along the plateau, a battle will break out right in front of the kingdom. That area is a vast plain. There have been reports of farming people who were allied with the Sil tribe being protected as refugees in the fortress."

The chances of the Sil tribe winning are slim, and if Lindahl is to be established, it is unlikely that Densel will leave them alone. It has been five years since Altas was erased from the map. The Sil tribe, which has maintained a resistance for a long time, will not be accepted as part of Densel after their defeat.

"Densel intends to eliminate the Sil tribe, and the Sil tribe is aware of this and is resisting... Is that correct?"

"Yes. There will be no surrender at this point. However, even though the Sil tribe is a minority, they are an excellent horse-riding people. I do not think they will be destroyed before reaching Arcisia."

A decisive battle with the Sil tribe backed by the fortress is inevitable—when that happens, Arcisia cannot remain uninvolved. It is reasonable to expect that the territories bordering the Kingdom of Ygvena will receive orders to join the military.

"The lord of the territory will lead the territorial army. That means Eliza, you."

As the Viscount Cardia, you inherit the title and the obligations that come with it. The nobles of Arcisia, who were immersed in peace, granted me the title when I was two years old, four years ago, when the story of Lindahl did not even exist.

"You can entrust the command on the battlefield to General Calvin, but you will have to go at least as far as the fortress. If there is an emergency in the fortress's defense, you may have to take up arms. As soon as you return from the barracks, I will teach you how to lead soldiers and ride a horse."

There was no room for argument. The reality of war, which I had always thought was distant, was approaching, as seen in the calm eyes of Count Teresa. All I could do was nod.