#80
“Father, only the cavalry unit will be directly involved in the war. While a large force may be needed to check Monta from the rear, there’s a high possibility that direct combat will rarely occur. The current cavalry unit itself is an organization armed and trained with military equipment and horses received from Ruben. If they gain real combat experience, won’t they grow into an even more powerful force? This agreement has absolutely no downsides for Shamier.”
Enrique, noticing his father’s desire for revenge, spoke in a somewhat firm tone.
No matter how hard one looked, there were no apparent drawbacks to Ruben’s proposal. Even if there were some minor disadvantages, the rewards after victory were too great. It was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up.
“But Enrique, our Shamier has been a country that has advocated for peace and engaged in intermediary trade. If we form an alliance with the Ruben Empire like this, we’ll become known as a pro-Ruben country. Also, as you said, the cavalry unit is an important force for Shamier right now. If such a force goes to war, our defensive capabilities will significantly decrease. We must also consider the possibility that some country might take advantage of this gap to invade Shamier.”
The King of Shamier spoke in a calm voice. Enrique, seeing his father maintain his composure even with the enormous benefits offered by Ruben right in front of him, thought that he still had a long way to go.
“We can dispatch the cavalry unit and deploy all troops to the border to prepare for any contingencies. Once we form an alliance with Ruben, we’ll have to enter a state of war until the conflict ends anyway.”
“Your Majesty, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We must not miss it.”
The ministers clamored again. Excitement and joy rippled across their faces.
Enrique tried to calmly suppress the excitement and ambition swirling in his chest. He was not just a subject of Shamier. He was the one who would eventually succeed to the throne. He needed to have a broader perspective on the situation.
“We’ve already discussed all the advantages of forming an alliance with Ruben. Now it’s time to point out the disadvantages.”
Enrique spoke calmly, standing beside his father. As he slowly scanned the ministers, they too seemed to be trying to compose themselves.
“Viscount Jares, please speak about the possible situations that could arise if we participate in this war.”
Enrique addressed Julian’s husband, Viscount Jares. His eyes, still young and vigorous, were still rippling with excitement. But upon being called by Enrique, he quickly calmed his gaze and after a moment’s thought, began to speak.
“The most dangerous situation I can think of is Baron and Monta attacking Shamier first instead of Ruben. There’s a considerable possibility they might try to gain the upper hand by striking us, their ally, rather than facing Ruben, a military powerhouse.”
At Viscount Jares’ words, everyone’s faces stiffened slightly. Some faces showed they hadn’t thought that far.
“As Viscount Jares said, this war is not just an easy game of putting money down and picking it up. We need to make decisions considering the worst-case scenarios. Honestly, I personally agree with this agreement. Since Ruben has officially stepped in, victory is certain. However, I think we need to carefully calculate and prepare for how much loss Shamier might suffer in the process.”
As Enrique finished speaking, everyone nodded. The overall atmosphere had become calmer. After confirming that they had regained their composure, Enrique spoke again.
“And we must also consider Shamier’s national prestige. If we don’t want to appear like a shrew mouse picking up fallen crumbs by relying solely on Ruben’s military power, we should commit more forces and supplies than Ruben has requested.”
The assembly grew even quieter at Enrique’s words.
By now, everyone had calmed their excitement and began discussing with composed eyes. Enrique, seated in a chair led by his father’s hand, listened carefully to each of the ministers’ words.
The meeting dragged on. They meticulously examined the draft agreement handed over by Theovan, discussing all the possible repercussions that could hit Shamier and their countermeasures.
While focusing on the meeting, the King of Shamier did not forget to check Enrique’s condition from time to time. He urged Enrique several times to return and rest. Enrique, of course, refused. He couldn’t miss this crucial moment.
The meeting went on for so long that tea and light meals were brought in repeatedly. Though everyone must have been tired, they adamantly refused to continue the meeting the next day. No one could leisurely rest or sleep with such a massive issue at hand. The same was true for Enrique.
The meeting continued late into the night. No one showed signs of fatigue or exhaustion. Even the aging King of Shamier was no exception. Enrique could see the desire for revenge gradually intensifying in the eyes of his father, who had previously unconditionally pursued peace. Thinking that he could finally avenge the loss of two children due to the country’s lack of power, the King of Shamier’s eyes grew clearer as time passed.
After long discussions, one thing became certain: they would form an alliance with Ruben and commit the requested cavalry unit to the war. They also decided to concentrate a large force at Monta’s border to begin full-scale containment. Even the King of Shamier, who had hesitated between peace and revenge, finally agreed to this.
What remained were detailed analyses and countermeasures for the situations that could arise as a result. With the tentative conclusion to participate in the war, summons were issued to important figures excluding the ministers present. The Duke of Dubain, Kisha’s husband, was one of them.
It was already deep into the night when the long meeting ended.
Enrique, his body stiff from sitting for so long, was helped to slowly rise and headed to his quarters. Although he had organized his thoughts to some extent during the meeting, he couldn’t help feeling unsettled.
For a long time, Enrique had dreamed of Shamier’s revival by using himself. For that, he was willing to endure multiple marriages and even separation from his own children. And now, such an unexpected, unimagined opportunity had come to Shamier. Truly, a Shamier that absorbed Monta’s territory would… prosper beyond his expectations and achieve brilliant glory.
However, this was not the method Enrique had envisioned.
If things had gone according to Enrique’s plan, war would not have broken out. Shamier could have accumulated wealth peacefully without any sacrifice of soldiers or knights. Enrique could see that this new plan devised and presented by Anture wasn’t so bad. It was even greatly advantageous for Shamier. But… he couldn’t be entirely happy about it. After all, Shamier’s soldiers and knights would shed blood because of this. It could even affect the common people.
Resentment towards Anture welled up. If only he hadn’t pulled out the war card, the continent would have remained peaceful. Shamier’s people wouldn’t have had to shed blood. Shamier could have maintained peace while only gaining benefits. Knowing exactly what Enrique wanted, Anture had unhesitatingly shattered Enrique’s plans and wishes with the war card.
While anger rose at the fact that all of this was Anture’s ploy to monopolize Enrique, on the other hand, his efforts were touching. Enrique wavered between these two emotions, unable to easily find his bearings.
When he arrived in front of his quarters after walking down the long corridor, he saw a familiar figure standing waiting. It was none other than Lord Theovan, the envoy from Ruben.
“Your Highness.”
Theovan, spotting Enrique, paid his respects.
“What brings you here at this late hour?”
Enrique asked as he approached him.
“I apologize for disturbing you so late when you must be tired. If it’s alright, could you perhaps offer me a cup of tea?”
He was certainly tired. His eyes were strained and his body was stiff from sitting for so long. But coming at such a late hour surely meant he had important business. Enrique nodded without hesitation.
As they sat facing each other in the reception room, Pol brought in tea and warm milk. The tea was placed in front of Theovan, and warm milk with honey in front of Enrique.
Enrique first took a few sips of the milk. As the sweet and warm milk entered his system, his tense body relaxed a bit. Theovan also took a sip of tea and set down his cup.
“So… what is your business?”
Feeling fatigued from the long meeting, Enrique asked directly. The elderly Theovan smiled with his eyes and began to speak.
“His Highness the Prince is very worried about you.”
Enrique snorted at those words. The one who’s supposedly so worried hasn’t sent even a single letter of concern? It wasn’t something to be said by someone who left without even saying goodbye.
