30 Years Have Passed Since the Prologue

“Then how do you plan to go? If Drovian is indeed on the brink of war, Banker, there isn’t much you can do alone.”

Elizaveta’s question was valid. Ivan could undoubtedly be called the finest agent of the present era, but a large-scale engagement cannot be sustained by the bravery of a single person.

In a massive war concerning the existence of a nation, sending out such an outstanding agent to be consumed as a combatant is an extremely inefficient matter.

Targeting the assassination of enemy leadership, destroying key strongholds, hitting high-value targets, and disrupting command structures are all tasks that cannot be accomplished alone but can be done countless times with adequate support from the legion.

Such operations clearly require certain support from the main forces. But is Drovian, at this moment, really a certain ally?

No. Just looking at how Einar didn’t send support when Frechenkaya was in crisis shows that. Drovian currently either has no leisure to engage with foreign nations or there is something wrong with Einar’s safety.

“I will permit it if you plan to do so after probing.”

Elizaveta shook her head and said.

At the very least, she could not send Ivan until he had a clear understanding of the current situation in Drovian.

A good operations commander should thoroughly understand the area of operation before dispatching associated agents. Betting success or failure on an individual’s bravery in uncontrollable circumstances is a proof of incompetence.

Ivan had anticipated that she would oppose him.

“I have a method.”

“Speak.”

With an expression that seemed she didn’t want to hear it at all, Elizaveta looked down at Ivan.

She wanted to command him to stay close by her side. Thus, if it wasn’t a reasonably rational plan, she was inclined to refuse at first.

“I need His Majesty’s seal.”

“You plan to go as an envoy of our nation? If we consider the worst-case scenario, Einar may already be dead. In that situation, would the envoy from Krasilov truly be welcomed by the lords of Drovian?”

“No, Your Majesty. We must send an envoy, but it will not be me, and the destination of that envoy will likely not be Drovian.”

Ivan lifted his bowed head and looked up at Elizaveta.

“Please, let our nation’s achievements be known far and wide.”

Three days later, the leaders of the Southern Six Nations would receive a letter. It was a private letter sealed with the symbol of Krasilov.

Historically, private letters sent from this country were not numerous apart from declarations of war, leading to the royal courts of each kingdom anxiously tearing open the seal.

Beyond the length of diplomatic narrative and flourish, luckily there wasn’t a terrifying sentence that read “There is a state of war between our country and yours.” It was a peace document written in an exceptionally kind manner.

[To the Royal Family of the Southern Six Nations,

We have slain the corrupt Pope.

Thank you.

If you wish to verify the authenticity of this letter, please respond using the attached format.

Attachment 1) Declaration of War.

With affection, Elizaveta Kirillovna Krasilov.]

“…????”

Setting aside the issue of diplomatic decorum to some extent (a great deal), the interpretation of this letter could be summarized as follows.

[The chaos of the Southern Six Nations was the scheme of the fallen Pope, in collusion with the Seven Dragon Lords.

Some foolish and greedy “prominent figures” dared to side with them and engaged in unlawful territorial disputes.

Taking pity on this, we marched forth, with Krasilov turning Ovidis into “the plains where the Papal Enclave once was.”

Now the suspicions toward your countries have vanished. Thank you.]

Excluding Bellacria, who directly witnessed the incident, and Equitania, which had been shouting for Saint Coin’s rise, the other four nations were taken aback.

—

At Leonor’s royal palace, in the court.

King Ramiro of Leonor read the letter once again with a calm mind, rubbing his temples. Despite already having read the document five times, he could not fathom the thoughts of these madmen.

“Is this perhaps the reason for the sudden end of the war in the south…?”

The fact that Bellacria had clearly declared an intent to attack Equitania, yet there had been no follow-up report, and the Papal Enclave’s silence over material support that would undoubtedly be begged for during a raging war could now be understood.

However, the conclusion was not understandable; rather, the process was perplexing.

“What method could they have used?”

Unless they literally flew across and crossed the border, the movements of the Krasilov legion would naturally have been detected. It was impossible for them to have passed through at least Leonor’s territory without being noticed.

Furthermore, just not long ago, Leonor had been working on the railway facilities along the northern border with Krasilov. This meant that, had they led a legion, there would have necessarily been numerous eyes stationed in the north.

As with all countries that share a border with Krasilov, Leonor had also deployed numerous defensive fortresses in the north. It was impossible to mobilize a large army without penetrating the watchlines of all those fortresses.

Thus, there was only one route through which they could have descended south…

“What if Lorensia had secretly joined forces with Krasilov…?”

“Does that make sense?”

Leonor and Lorensia had been embroiled in border disputes, fiercely unable to allocate forces to the crusade.

While there hadn’t been direct engagement, it was clear that both countries had placed their forces along each other’s borders.

In essence, a legion of a foreign country passing through one’s territory equates to a plunderer by that many.

Would the king of Lorensia have allowed the Krasilov legion to cross his country without any escort (posing as surveillance)?

“Then wouldn’t this itself be nonsense?”

“Nonsense?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Given that there are no paths for the Krasilov legion to move south, if they were able to detect the end of the war in the south before our nation, it is highly likely that they are attempting to disorient us with some ulterior motive.”

“What on earth for… No, this is silly. The very act of trying to read the thoughts of those madmen is absurd. Immediately send a rider south. It’s crucial to find out what has happened in Bellacria… No, Ovidis.”

—

King Philippe II of Lorensia was no fool, thus having arrived at the same conclusion reached by reading the same letter and applying the same logic.

When the riders from the two nations arrived simultaneously at the palace of Bellacria, what they faced was the haggard face of Carlos III.

“Krasilov has joined the fray?”

Looking down at the two fools, Carlos felt his stomach churn.

What the hell is this foolishness? Oh right, they were too busy fighting among themselves. Damn it.

Only three weeks had passed since the Ovidis incident. The time frame to gather information from two countries to grasp their situation was somewhat tight.

However, Carlos was unwilling to accommodate that fact. Half of his territory had already been seized by Albina, and all influence towards Elserous had been taken by Equitania. Half of his legion had evaporated.

The fate of the defeated nation is this grim. Moreover, the forces deployed across Ovidis were always mutinous, saying they had “seen the will of God.”

In such a chaotic scenario, how could he possibly respond pleasantly to the visit of those incompetent pigs that had been supposedly allied?

Carlos answered coldly.

“That is correct.”

“…What? Then…?!”

“Do you want to know how? Dwarves. Damn it. Dwarves!! They dug tunnels and snuck in under your feet!!”

At Carlos’s words, the faces of the two envoys turned pale.

The fact that there hadn’t been any detection until the grand legion had crossed the borders, no, across the entire nation to penetrate the rear implies…

‘If Krasilov wants war, the very concept of front lines disappears…!!’

The notions of the front and rear, as well as supply and obstacle lines. Even the concept of the end of an offensive would vanish.

While desertions might occur in the plains or mountains, noncombat losses and extended supply lines could diminish the ability to sustain a war.

But underground, within confined tunnels, those situations wouldn’t arise. Thus, Krasilov would mean the longer they optimized their supply lines within manageable levels, the greater their conquering capacity would be.

With the Pope to mediate eliminated, and now everyone knows that the Saint belongs to Krasilov…

There will be no more peace conducted under the authority of the Church. Territorial annexation will continue, and while minor border disputes persisted, the previous impossibility of “conquering” at a national level has now faded into history.

‘The news of Ovidis’s destruction was surely bound to be revealed at some point.’

Leonor’s envoy quickly glanced beside him.

‘To publicly declare this at this very moment…’

The envoy from Lorensia also turned to face him, their expressions mirroring each other like reflections in a mirror.

‘A threat.’

In the future, whenever we try to do something, whenever we try to make a demand, or even when we try to speak, we may have to seek permission just to breathe.

A kind of threat.

‘But what is the intention…?’

To inform about an incident that will inevitably be revealed someday “now” is likely implying that they plan to do something “now”.

—

Elizaveta, after hearing Ivan’s explanation, sadly nodded, as this was an extremely plausible plan.

“The whole world will now learn of our nation’s cooperation in the war with the Dwarves. Indeed, that way, the lords of Drovian will also have to look over their shoulders.”

After all, everyone would find out eventually. But the important thing has always been the timing.

Every piece of information has an expiration date. Depending on when and under what circumstances it is published, it could serve as a weapon or become useless gossip.

If more time passes until all the powers of the world realize this situation, it will be too late. By then, Drovian would likely have perished, and the powers would begin to conspire to check the excessively prominent Krasilov.

So, it is set off before that. Spread chaos before they “think,” mix false information with truth and scatter it among the populace, sow suspicion among them to make it difficult to easily unite.

And make use of Krasilov’s external image. Act without thought, like a beast that bites when angered.

Wrap fear like a shroud, and block all information sources heading this way for the time being.

To ensure no one even knows what they are thinking. That no one can guess why Krasilov suddenly intimidates the Southern Six Nations. They must act as if they are about to start the next war.

“I will dispatch all Counterintelligence Command to the borders and strengthen border inspections.”

“Along with that, all envoys should be refused and the embassy closed.”

This season, the foot entry into the urban area is blocked due to the Rasputitsa. Accessing Krasilov’s major cities will require trains, and inspecting trains is clearly the specialty of the Counterintelligence Command.

Thus, information from within Krasilov will be completely concealed.

“In the meantime, we will organize the northern front.”

“In the meantime, I shall contact the lords of Drovian.”

And after that, once the region is clearly delineated…

Finally, eradicate the demons.

That would be good enough. Sending Ivan would not be to her liking, but at least the current situation did not necessitate sending him alone to the front.

In fact, it could be safer to visit Drovian as an envoy. That man might suddenly desert, claiming he would assassinate the Seven Dragon Lords when he accompanied them to the northern front.

Elizaveta, with a considerably lighter heart, asked with a smile.

“By the way, what justification will you use to contact the lords upon entering Drovian? Those fools likely wouldn’t listen to you directly.”

Assuming every plan succeeds, leading the lords of Drovian to fear Krasilov’s capability in warfare.

Would they really heed you if you go and say, “I am sorry, could you lend us your army?” A foreign king cannot issue a mobilization order.

It was evident they’d be all too eager to say, “Then let’s refer you to our king.” Likely giving time while wishing for Einar to die.

“Oh, don’t worry about that part.”

Ivan, satisfied with this clever and astonishing plan, proudly lifted his head.

“I will go as a son-in-law.”

“A son-in-law?”

“Yes, I plan to enter as Einar’s son-in-law.”

“A… son-in-law?”

“Ecdysis Einaradotir is currently staying in our nation, and considering the relationship between me and Einar, it wouldn’t be a difficult excuse at all.”

Drovian reveres strength. Einar is respected not for his sharpness but solely for the achievements he has built with power alone.

Thus, from the position of being Einar’s son-in-law, any wrongdoing committed would not be considered a “diplomatic dispute.” There would be no talk of foreign interference in internal matters.

It’s simple; just break everyone down who challenges them. In Einar’s style.

Pretending to be ferocious and ignorant wouldn’t be too hard.

“…Son-in-law…??”

Elizaveta repeated to Ivan with vacant eyes.

   

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