Translator: CinderTL
The red wine in the crystal glass swayed in the candlelight, reflecting the slightly contracted pupils of Harrison Abbott.
He sat silently in a corner of the banquet hall, the lively chatter of the generals echoing in his ears. But his thoughts were like a storm-tossed sea, churning with turbulent waves.
He had underestimated Paul Grayman.
No, it wasn't just an underestimation. Harrison even felt a twinge of fear.
He had initially believed Northwest Bay's strength was solely due to a few elite legions, advanced firearms, and Paul's dazzling inventions.
When the New Royal Army trained in Crystal Glare, he had been awestruck by the volley fire of the Flintlock Muskets, humbled by the cannon's precision range, and thrilled by the value of linear tactics.
He had assumed this was the full extent of Northwest Bay's military might.
But now, he had witnessed firsthand what a true war machine looked like.
In the armories, firearms, artillery shells, and uniforms were produced at an astonishing rate, seemingly without end. Ordinary farmers, after just two or three months of training, could pick up rifles and become competent soldiers. Steam trains ran day and night, transporting troops and supplies, unleashing a vast surge of war-making power.
Even more terrifying was that Marquis Grayman's war strategy extended far beyond the purely military realm.
Harrison's gaze drifted involuntarily to the map. The control of water sources in the Northern Grassland, the assimilation and utilization of the Forest Orcs, the long-range deployment of the naval fleet... This wasn't a mere battle; it was a complete strategic annihilation. No matter how valiant Abal's Orc warriors, they were merely struggling futilely within a meticulously woven web.
He took a sip of wine, his throat tightening slightly.
If Paul Grayman so desired, he could topple the entire kingdom of Aldor at any moment.
The thought struck him like lightning!
Giles had held sway over the Southern March for years, and Vibern had carved out his own domain in the Paradise Basin, yet before Paul, they wouldn't even be worthy of tying his shoes.
The New Royal Army had defeated Giles thanks to the instructors sent from the Northwest. The King had secured his throne in Crystal Glare because Paul had chosen to support the legitimate line of succession.
Now, Harrison finally understood why Rodney XVIII had placed such immense trust in the Marquis of the Northwest, even going so far as to marry Princess Catherine to him.
It was a wise move.
"General Abbott?" Paul's voice suddenly cut through the air beside him, laced with a faint smile. "Doesn't the wine suit your taste?"
Harrison snapped back to reality, realizing Paul had somehow moved to stand before him, his black eyes fixed on Harrison's.
He immediately stood up, his wine glass raised slightly. "No, Lord Marquis, the wine is excellent... I was simply lost in thought about the battle situation."
Paul nodded gently, an unerasable smile playing on his lips. "With a general as dedicated as you, His Majesty the King must rest easy. I look forward to the New Royal Army's brilliant performance against the Orcs."
Harrison's heart skipped a beat. He nodded firmly. "We will not disappoint your expectations, Lord Marquis!"
The banquet continued. Yuriko Rodney, holding his wine glass and wearing a concerned expression, intercepted Catherine as she was about to approach Paul.
"My dear sister," he said, bowing slightly. His silk sleeve cuff gleamed luxuriously in the candlelight. "Are you settling in well in Northwest Bay?"
Catherine's lips curved into a faint smile. "Thank you for your concern. Mother, Eileen, and I are all doing well."
Yuriko sighed, a touch of worry in his voice. "To think of you three women, so far from the Royal Capital's splendor, in that rural backwater... Uncle in Heaven must be scolding us brothers for not taking better care of you."
"Rural backwater?" Catherine chuckled softly, tapping her finger against her wine glass. "My brother, when was the last time you visited Alden Town?"
Yuriko froze, then a nostalgic look crossed his face. "About five years ago, I went with my brother to discuss military supplies with Paul. Back then, Alden Town was just beginning to take shape as a city. Construction sites were everywhere, building this and that, a chaotic mess."
"Now, Alden Town..." Catherine interrupted, her eyes sparkling with pride. "It boasts the largest library in the kingdom, the most advanced schools, and a theater staging plays that rival those of Crystal Glare. And," she leaned forward slightly, "Frand Port nearby is bustling with merchant ships from all over the world. The 'countryside' you mentioned is actually making history!"
Yuriko's smile was strained. "Is that so? It sounds... quite impressive."
"As for us!" Catherine continued, her tone gentle yet firm. "Paul is incredibly considerate, and our bond is strong. Mother and Eileen have also found their callings—Mother is establishing a music academy, while Eileen teaches at the Weiss Academy. In short, our lives are both fulfilling and comfortable!" She gave Yuriko a meaningful look. "You really should visit Northwest Bay sometime to broaden your horizons."
A muscle twitched in Yuriko's face as he nodded. "I'll try to find time to visit, but affairs in the Royal Capital are so busy. I also lead the Royal Knights. Perhaps... in two years?"
Catherine shook her head gently. "What a pity. You'll miss so much—like the newly built observatory, or the railway that's about to open. Not the crude tracks hastily laid for war that you saw earlier, but a proper railway built for long-distance travel."
"Then I truly must see it!" He raised his glass in a toast. "May you find happiness, sister."
After his conversation with Catherine, Yuriko was about to pour himself another glass of wine when Emerson Wilde materialized beside him like a shadow.
"Your Highness," Emerson murmured, his lips barely moving, the wine glass in his hand concealing his sinister expression. "Did you see Grayman's face just now? As if this victory was all his doing."
He let out a cold laugh. "A mere rural lord dares to be so arrogant before the royal family? And look at our General Abbott, how he grovels before Grayman, reducing our glorious Royal Army to a subordinate position."
Yuriko's fingers tightened slightly, causing ripples to spread across the surface of the red wine in his glass. He glanced at Paul, surrounded by a crowd of generals not far away, who was calmly discussing strategic deployment with an infuriating air of self-assurance in every gesture.
Sigh... Though it truly irks me...
"Emerson!" Yuriko hissed, his voice barely audible. "Watch your words!"
His tone held a hint of rebuke. While Emerson shared his tastes, couldn't the man be more mindful of the occasion?
Perhaps because he was accustomed to Yuriko's casual demeanor, Emerson failed to notice the subtle displeasure in the prince's voice.
"Your Highness, you are the rightful prince of Aldor, heir to the noble Rodney Family. But Grayman..." He curled his lip disdainfully. "He's just a lucky upstart. How can we entrust such a crucial matter of national destiny as the war against the Orcs to such a man?"
"Shut up!" Yuriko grabbed Emerson and dragged him into a corner.
(End of the Chapter)
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