Bear School Astartes

The Niflgaard intelligence officer proceeded with the report.

”Sintra is the nearest Northern Country to us...”

”Ha, a country? The north is nothing but a bunch of uncivilized savages.”

Before Vatier could finish, Duke Adal Epp Darcy let out a low scoff.

He has always looked down upon the north; to be precise, the only ones he respects are those ’pure Niflgaard people’.

But following Enshir’s raised gaze, the scoff on the duke’s face gradually disappeared.

”Duke Darcy.”

”I am here, Your Majesty.”

Under the emperor’s gaze, the duke lowered his noble, gold head.

”We are discussing military actions. You can despise the north in your villa, in front of your daughter; that’s immaterial, and I don’t care. But as a military commander, I demand that you must not underestimate the opponent due to prejudice.”

”Do you have a problem with that?”

The muscles in the duke’s jaw clenched under his facial skin.

”No, no problem, Your Majesty.”

The emperor nodded and buried himself in the documents again.

”Continue, Vatier.”

The intelligence officer nodded calmly and continued his report.

”We previously mentioned that Sintra is the nearest Northern Country to us and the starting point for our conquest. Our soldiers are unstoppable, moving swiftly and with strict discipline. Thus, in the early phase of conquest, we need not concern ourselves with the thoughts of Codwin and Yaden.”

”Both are situated in the eastern part of the north and separated by the Mahakan Mountains; reaching the western side where Sintra is situated is not simple. Hence, initially, we only need to concern ourselves with two countries.”

Vatier extended two fingers, retracting them into a fist as he named each.

”Temeria, Redania.”

”And the most attention needs to be paid to Temeria. Among the four major northern countries, they are the closest to Sintra. Additionally, Veltrest is also the ruler of the Sodden Region, which is exceedingly close to Sintra. He can easily claim he is threatened and intervene in our actions in Sintra with military force.”

Another man, who had remained silent, interjected at this moment.

”If Veltrest finds legitimate reasons for military intervention, that would be troublesome for us.”

The speaking man wore a pencil-thin mustache and donned the armor of a Niflgaard general, his full black plated armor gleaming as if glazed, with its gold-lined edges and the golden sun with a human face on the chest being particularly ornate and precious.

Meno Kuhorn, a general deeply favored and trusted by the emperor. The emperor hadn’t yet designated the command for this military operation, but all informed individuals were certain his name would be on the candidate list.

”If Veltrest acquires a legitimate excuse to deploy troops...”

The general cautiously deliberated his words, speaking.

”It will be very difficult for us to use diplomatic, espionage, and other low-cost but effective means to divide their internal forces and prevent him from assembling an army. Legitimacy will be an unassailable good reason for Veltrest to consolidate internal forces.”

”By then, we’ll have to fight for real...which would indeed be costly, Your Majesty.”

In the eyes of war’s high command, war is indeed just an activity concerning ’worth and unworth’ socially.

”Precisely for this reason.” Vatier continued calmly. ”We decided to deploy troops in the fall.”

Meno Kuhorn looked at the head of intelligence, puzzled; they hadn’t communicated much prior. Being in the military and intelligence agency, frequently mingling together was indeed risky.

They also needed to avoid suspicion.

”Count Steza of Temeria was slain by a Demon Hunter, as you all know. Our investments in him are now being voraciously consumed by Veltrest, which originally put us in a passive position. However, misfortune does not necessarily mean things can’t turn around.”

Vatier showed a slightly self-satisfied smile.

”One of my operatives is expected to become a close advisor to Baron Cloer by the end of summer.”

”Cloer?” Adal Epp Darcy recalled the name, ”I remember he was under Steza?”

”Yes, besides Veltrest, Baron Cloer inherited Steza’s largest estate. Craft workshops, estates, mills, company shares, technology patents, and a multitude of things. Protected by us, his king can’t find a shred of evidence against him and thus has no excuse to act.”

Vatier spread his hands.

”But by the late summer, I will provide my operative with crucial and undeniable evidence, proving Baron Cloer has long been involved with us and has committed acts of betrayal. That operative will then offer belated loyalty to their king.”

”Veltrest will pounce on Cloer like a mad, starving dog, tearing him apart and devour him. This brutal process might very well extend from late summer into winter since that piece of meat is indeed sizable.”

”But simultaneously, the rabid dog with meat in its mouth won’t be biting for a while.”

Vatier smiled as if envisioning a mad dog before him, clutching meat while wishing to bite.

No threats, just a farce.

”Well done, everyone.” After a brief silence, the emperor at his desk nodded. ”Report this schedule to the senate; those old guys won’t utter half a ’no’. Adjourn.”

The three filed out of the emperor’s office, followed by Palace Steward Chilak leading Deuula Treffen Brony inside, and soon emerging alone.

The beautiful woman left inside was Count Broni’s wife, full-figured, lithe, with striking golden hair.

She was also Emperor Enshir’s third mistress.

Seeing her, the three knew this meeting had pleased the emperor, who sought relaxation.

”Such a pity.”

As the trio made their way out of the palace, Adal Epp Darcy quipped jokingly.

”His Majesty continues to expend his valuable vigor on mistresses, unwilling to form a marriage with a noble girl worthy of him, to birth a high-blooded heir.”

The two beside him remained stern, not wishing to delve into the subject.

Neither of them were considered old nobility; the emperor’s marriage was irrelevant to them.

But they understood well that many, including Duke Adal Epp Darcy, were already dissatisfied with the emperor because of this.

The marriage of the Niflgaard emperor to a noblewoman of ancient lineage was a sacred empire tradition.

Satisfying desires with mistresses was inconsequential. Yet, the emperor’s reluctance to express intentions of matrimony was problematic.

Following the topic, Meno Kuhorn and Vatier departed right away, showing their stance of not wading in murky waters, focused solely on work.

Adal Epp Darcy observed their hurried silhouettes, revealing a condescending smile.

Perhaps in his eyes, the avoidance of the newly privileged to discuss the emperor’s marriage issue might be considered a form of self-awareness.