Chapter 76 – 76. Duke’s Sixth Sabotage (2)

76. Duke’s sixth sabotage (2)

– One –

“Your Highness. I beg you to reconsider. If we prepare from now on, the start of the rapid march will surely be midsummer. If the plan cannot be defeated, I beg you to delay the start of the operation.”

One of the three blue lights assigned to the butler that exists in Regal’s mind is about to turn red.

“In addition to the wasteful consumption of manpower, the amount of capital invested cannot be ignored. Recruiting 200,000 soldiers, paying their monthly wages, or even counting the food that 200,000 eat per day would make me dizzy. It is, Your Highness. Not to mention the weapons, electric horse, harness, horseshoe, bow, arrow, and tent. If you pay for all these things, you might go bankrupt in no time.”

“Why do we have to pay for it all?”

“Yes?”

Suddenly, the butler’s expression goes blank.

“Isn’t there an Imperial Army, an Imperial Army?”

“Ah…”

“If it is proven that these test subjects are traitors who seek to overthrow the imperial system, and if a top-secret document stating that they plan to advance by training troops from the northern border is revealed, won’t the imperial army take the lead?”

If things went according to Regal’s words, the burden on the family would drop to less than 5% of the butler’s expectations.

Forging evidence and publishing it was not that difficult for Regal.

So, obviously it will.

“If we exaggerate their danger, mix some truths, and incite them appropriately, enough standing and reserve troops will be mobilized. It will be my role to induce the imperial army to mobilize between 150,000 and 160,000. And including them, the family Wouldn’t it be better to form a corps with the privates?”

“Then, are there only 40,000 to 50,000 private soldiers in the family?”

The butler’s expression regained his composure.

“It’s a matter of course. Even that is conceded to the Imperial Army, and they intend to volunteer to deploy in the rear. Of course, the troops to be recruited from among the privates for the dispatch will be the chaff, not the elite army. If the trained elite are regretful, , Wouldn’t it be okay to form an army of criminals in moderation?”

Regal’s smile while saying that is refreshing.

“And since I am in the position of the only duke in the empire, I am going to declare my father’s government, saying that I will also contribute to the eradication of the rebels. It would be even better if such rumors circulated in the social world.”

Tranquility dwells on the butler’s face.

The color of his desire was clear, always emitting a consistent color.

It was his desire to be rewarded for his loyalty.

That they may be abandoned without receiving such a price.

That was the source of his fear of Regal.

Neither immorality nor cruelty should be directed only towards him and other loyalists.

Such a thought was the conclusion the butler made while ignoring the cruel reality created by Regal.

Also, it was his own psychological defense mechanism.

“Then, I think the biggest problem will be how much supplies the family pays for.”

“Hmm. Only about 40,000 to 50,000 chaffs are participating, but can that hurt the family’s finances? Hey, as always, income is greater than expenditure, and even now, at this moment, income is increasing at a steep rate. What are you worried about? Even if it is difficult for a while, it will be normalized soon.

After hearing Regal’s calm explanation, the butler bowed his head deeply.

“… I’m sorry, Your Highness. I think I lost my sanity for a while because I misunderstood that 200,000 people were recruited from the population of the territory and sent to the army.”

Regal let out a low laugh.

“Have you calmed down now?”

“That’s right. I didn’t listen to everything your Highness said, and I think I misunderstood it myself, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

It was also the reason for the butler’s relief when he realized that the plan that Regal had conceived was not a plan to blindly kill those who devoted their allegiance to death.

Thanks to that, the three fires in Regal’s heart were still able to remain green.

The butler, who has regained his composure, asks Regal a question.

“Your Highness. If everything goes according to your plan, there will be no burden on the family side. But I still don’t understand why we should deploy troops in that way and carry out a rapid march.”

“This is a guess my wife and I made together, but it was assumed that the enemies have area-of-area sensing and area-of-area communication systems.”

“… It could be. No, the possibility is sufficient.”

The butler’s eyes shine.

He seemed to take pleasure and satisfaction in the fact that Regal did not suspect the traitor within.

“Ever since the declaration of the imperial faction’s participation in the war, you’ve investigated with all your might, but it’s been concluded that there is no traitor inside?”

“That’s right. None of the inspectors had ever come into contact with a stranger who was presumed to have special abilities. However, it was a conclusion we came to because we couldn’t understand why our plan reached the ears of the imperial faction.”

“It was. Anyway, from then on, I guessed that there might be people with wide-area sensing and wide-area communication abilities.”

“I put more weight on that side too. It was more realistic than assuming that the insider completely erased the traces after the insider shut off all surveillance and inspection.”

“That’s right. That’s a wiser decision.”

Regal’s gaze turns to the continental map.

The head of the butler’s gaze also follows the direction of the continent.

“All the specimens whose traces were discovered headed north.”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s assume that even the undetected or lost subjects are all gathered in the north. Of course, this is the worst case scenario, but optimism is the reason why 10 operatives, including a special combat agent, are senselessly lost. , The last loss is enough.”

“… I have no face.”

Regal shakes his head.

“I’m not blaming you. Didn’t I make a mistake too? So this time, I’m assuming the worst, excluding the optimism that the test subjects will be separated as much as possible.”

The butler ended the ceremony by ignoring.

Regal had enough of that.

“Let’s assume that a test subject capable of manipulating plants, a subject capable of strengthening the body, a subject capable of wide-area communication, and a subject capable of wide-area detection are all gathered in one place. Even that is kept to a minimum. I can’t be sure that the test subjects are gathered.”

“That’s right. In the worst case scenario, we cannot rule out the possibility that even a saintess who disappeared nearby joined us.”

“That’s right. Then let’s say we send a small number of elite combatants, prototypes, and all units of first-generation superpowers. Can we subdue them and succeed in capturing them?”

The butler shook his head with a heavy face.

“It seems difficult.”

“Honestly, it’s not difficult, it’s probably impossible. I can’t imagine that the test subject that single-handedly killed 10 combatants, including my first-class combatants, has blossomed into a phase lower than level 4. Isn’t there even a male and female together? Assuming that as long as they are together, they will exert stronger powers than combatants with special powers who act alone, is it an excessive guess?”

“It is a phenomenon that has been proven before. Your Highness’s assumptions are by no means excessive.”

Regal also nodded.

“For stability, we limit the status of all members of the unit with special powers to the normal level 3. Of course, I heard that there are individuals with powers comparable to those of special combat agents depending on their characteristics, is that correct?”

“Yes. Exactly four instances possess such powers.”

“Hmm. I saw and received it sometime, hmmm. I remember.”

“Your Highness, where are you uncomfortable?”

“No.”

Apparently, Chiba was protesting against the protracted meeting by caressing Regal’s genitals with her mouth.

But it was impossible to tease it.

“Anyway, no matter how strong they are, they’re only level 3. In an emergency, it’s arrogant to imagine that a male and female can overcome the amplified ability just because they approve the lifting of limits. In fact, even if I only have one test subject that can control plants. , If everything in favor of it is a prepared battlefield, it seems that our troops will be annihilated rather than overcoming it.”

Regal’s prediction left the butler speechless.

“So, dispatching a small number of troops is no different from saying that we will throw them all away.”

Silence falls between the two.

Regal takes a moment to drink her tea.

“Let’s assume that there is a powerful group that doesn’t respond to attacks even with our operatives and units with special abilities. They have perfect karate skills because they have a well-balanced blooming special ability, and let’s say that even a saint joined them. In that case, Their combat endurance is at an unbelievable level. They will raise the record that at least 100 times the number of people can do.”

Gulp.

The butler swallows dry saliva.

“By the way, add the assumption that they can detect our approach from afar and even communicate with each other in real time, even if they are far apart. How would you catch them?”

“… No matter how large the army is, it is absolutely impossible to catch it with a normal advance.”

“Yes, it becomes impossible to catch up with them. No matter how much capital I have, I don’t think that the strength of a unit that constantly marches and disintegrates after years of operation does not decline. They are a minority. Let’s say it runs away without stopping, killing only a few troops and then disappearing. Can the unit be maintained?”

“Perhaps there will be deserters constantly, and even commanders will ask for withdrawal.”

“Then what should I do?”

Woo woo woo woo.

Chiba remained agitated despite the lengthy meeting.

This is because he was on the verge of being acknowledged for his own reasoning, having his opinions articulated, and being realized.

“Before they can escape, we have no choice but to block the escape route by rushing in at once.”

“What if they stiffen their defenses and hold on?”

“Keep pounding the defenses from a distance, and insist on delaying. A head-on collision is too costly to trade.”

“Then, do you understand now why your wife and I made such an opinion?”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

The butler eventually agreed.

The butler immediately got up and was about to begin preparations for the execution of the plan.

As the scale of the work to be promoted is enormous, it seemed that we had to hurry and run as fast as possible.

“You don’t seem to be very happy to have a conversation with me, butler.”

“Yes? No. I was just trying to get things done in a hurry.”

Sweat beaded on the butler’s forehead.

It was hard to categorically deny his words, saying he had never had such thoughts in front of Regal.

In front of someone who could see into his innermost desires, it could have been the desires of the depths of his consciousness that he unconsciously emitted.

“If you hurry so much, you might make a mistake this time too. Shouldn’t you deliver the exact plan to the commanders so that the right orders are given to the entire army?”

“… I’m sorry. The scale of the work is large, so I was in a hurry.”

“Heh. You’ve been apologizing to me more these days.”

Regal gives a loose smile.

But it was never because of the butler.

It was because of his wife who carefully expressed her satisfaction with her tongue and hands under him.

“As far as I can see, the northern frontier is the only place on this continent where my surveillance network has a hole. Do you agree?”

“That’s right. It seems natural now that the test subjects are gathering there.”

“Now, let’s go further on the assumption that all the previously mentioned specimens gathered there against me. They built a fort there and greeted us. Just knocking on the defenses there, we can’t capture them all. Can I succeed?”

The butler fell silent.

After a long thought, he shook his head.

“There are many variables, but I think it’s difficult. It is judged that the most realistic situation is to just spend time in a fixed state.”

“That’s what I think. Then, how should I solve the problem?”

The butler is in trouble.

Regal shakes his hand immediately.

“Chief Butler. Instead of just thinking in your head, let’s talk while looking at the map. Imagination alone won’t solve this problem.”

Look at the map

North of the forest on the map, there were no figures representing the topography.

Only the coastline appeared far to the north, and there were no signs.

Because it was a place where no terrain was marked on the map, a place collectively referred to as the unexplored land was in front of their eyes.

Took.

Regal’s finger points to the nameless forest at the far north.

“Look. This is the forest presumed to be the home of the test subjects. It’s quite vast.”

“Yes. Approximately 500 km2 is likely to exceed.”

“What’s more north of here?”

“All we know is a vast barren, rocky desert plain.”

Regal nodded.

Took.

Regal’s fingers move to the north.

“More north of that?”

“I heard that there is a huge rocky mountain.”

Swoop.

Continue to extend your fingers all the way to the northernmost point.

“As far as I know, everything in between is a rocky mountain.”

“That’s right. I heard that there is a coastal cliff after crossing the rocky mountain, and there is a high cliff that leads straight to the sea.”

“You know exactly. Earlier, we concluded that, assuming that there are other test subjects working with plants in this forest, there is a high possibility of deadlock.”

“That’s right.”

“As predicted before, it was said that it would be difficult to capture the specimen even with 100,000 troops on a prepared battlefield. And now, there is a high possibility that other groups have joined, so it is impossible to guarantee capture with just 20.”

The butler nodded.

“Then would it be possible to push them out of the forest?”

The butler shook his head.

And, as always, answer honestly.

“If the Imperial Army prepares a large amount of inflammable materials and firearms, and if we invite legion-level wizards and shamans to fire at once, we can push them back enough.”

“That’s right. If you light it with flaming darts and incendiary material, and if wizards and sorcerers control the flames, then there should be no problem in sustaining them.”

“That’s right.”

“Presume that they were pushed out of the forest and driven out into the barren land. They must have no choice but to consume plant seeds to create a forest.”

“And they will burn again.”

The butler’s eyes shine.

“Are you going to keep pushing them all over, into the rocky desert, into the rocky mountain like that?”

“That’s right. My plan is to force the test subjects to decide whether to commit suicide by jumping into the sea or to surrender.”

The butler’s voice lowered.

“In the process of pushing the test subjects through the collision, more than 100,000 imperial soldiers may be killed.”

But there was a strange tension in his voice, no guilt or fear.

The borderline of his guilt seemed firm.

“Well, there will be a little gap in troops at the Imperial Garrison, but there are no external enemies and no internal enemies, so it doesn’t matter much, right? Wouldn’t it be better to get it?”

“That’s true, but… I don’t know if I can use such a rare murderer externally after it’s been processed.”

Regal’s smile deepens.

The butler’s spine grew chilly as a result.

“As always, you’re soft.”

“Yes? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

The head butler shuddered for a moment as he felt the chill seep in.

Regal, who laughed for a while, answered in a languid voice.

“Isn’t it all right if there’s not a single one left who knows that the test subject is alive?”

“…”

The butler was at a loss for words.

“Four, four, all of our surviving soldiers…”

“Didn’t I tell you? We’re going to send out only the chaff that we’re going to throw away anyway. It’s not such a waste. Besides, in my opinion, if the Imperials are left alive, it will only hinder the capture of the test subjects.”

“Uh, why is that?”

Regal smiles softly.

Beads of sweat form between his brows.

“In the case of the Imperial Army Particles, immediate execution is a reasonable solution. Isn’t it unreasonable that the traitor who slaughtered countless Imperial troops was spared and brought back to the capital? I’m going to pick it up and take it with me.”

“Ha-ha-ona, aren’t there any commanders on our side?”

“Hmm? Ah. It’s up to the commanders to properly select the paddles to throw away. Shouldn’t it be organized only with those who create incompetent or useless factions and stir up trouble? I’ll leave that up to you.”

“Yes, yes. I understand…”

The butler shivered.

Watching him shudder, Regal smiles heartily.

This time, even though he is consumed with fear, he does not raise an objection or distort Regal’s thoughts.

Pass

The flame for the butler is still blue.

“Immediately after the surrender or capture of the test subject, my enlisted men waiting in the rear will attack the Imperial Army at once. I’ll be able to.”

Regal’s smile deepens.

The butler wondered why there were beads of sweat on his face.

However, his face was almost covered in cold sweat, so the butler didn’t show any signs.

No, I couldn’t

“No matter who wins, 3 prototypes and the members of the special power unit will suffice to wipe out the reduced soldiers. They plan to use this opportunity to put all of them in and test their performance. Hmm. I hope they are more satisfied than expected.”

“Her…”

The butler exclaims.

It is ambiguous whether the exclamation came from admiration or lamentation.

“I understand how you feel, but I still have a story to share, so put it aside for now.”

However, Regal confirms it with admiration.

“Did you say that it takes about six months just to move 200,000 people secretly, form a front, and deploy a corps?”

“That’s expected. It’ll probably end just before the rainy season.”

Regal wears a beard.

“If we start a rapid march right after the rainy season, we’ll have to do a night march to avoid the scorching heat.”

“That’s right.”

“If we were to make a rapid march at the speed of the 15-day distance as much as possible, how much could it be shortened?”

The head butler swallowed dry saliva and calculated in his head.

According to his own words, the number of enlisted soldiers and imperial soldiers who will die during the march is determined.

After a while, his mouth opens.

“… If we order a forced march without considering the dropouts and deaths, we can shorten the time by up to 5 days.”

“Hmm. Anyway, the goal of forming a siege after the first line deployment is to prevent the test subjects from escaping. Therefore, the battle won’t start immediately after the rapid march. Considering this and shortening the time, How much shorter can it be?”

“It can be shortened by one more day. However, if deaths from heatstroke continue to rise within the unit, there is a risk of contagious disease.”

“Discard the body, and tell them to retrieve it when they return.”

Those who will retrieve the corpses will also become corpses anyway.

Realizing that fact, the butler asked with a slightly tired expression.

“After it cools down a bit, can’t we march in the fall? The number of meaningless deaths may increase excessively before the battle even begins.”

“If we give it more time until autumn, we could have more deaths while pushing to the cliffs by the sea. Maybe we’ll fail to push.”

“Why is that?”

Regal looks at the calendar for a moment.

It will be February soon.

“I heard that last year, a 400km2 forest was created in the middle of winter with the seeds collected by the experimenter who handles plants. Didn’t you guess that from the previous report?”

“That’s right.”

“If that’s the case, he must have consumed most of the seeds he collected during the year. Even in the forest created at that time, he couldn’t replenish much of the seeds because he ran away in a hurry to avoid the latecomers.”

The butler nodded and agreed.

“And while you will be able to replenish some seeds in the coming spring, you will be able to acquire numerous seedlings and seeds in the fall. According to the data on the vegetation distribution in the northern part of the empire, most of the plants around the unexplored regions produce seeds in the fall. Spread it. So wouldn’t it make sense to strike before the enemy replenishes their weapons?”

“Ah…”

“But you can’t go to war in the winter, so after all, the best time after you’re at least ready is midsummer. If that time passes, you never know when another opportunity will come. Isn’t it?”

The butler had no further objections.

“They’re all soldiers to be slaughtered anyway. Because of the heat, there’s no need to worry about a few dying in the middle, so just do it. Besides, if you capture only the plant-handling test subjects, you’ll get more benefits both militarily and economically. , What are you worried about?”

“… All right.”

“Let’s go out.”

The butler steps down.

Swoop.
Click.

The door closes.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…”

Regal let out a long sigh.

He was pushed to the limit because his glans was toyed with by Chiba’s tongue.

“Madam, it was quite a prank.”

However, in Regal’s rebuke, only joy was confined.

It was because he was enjoying the thrill enough.

Now is the time to indulge in the fun.

“My erection doesn’t go down during the entire meeting with the butler, and now it’s almost painful.”

Chiba let out a bewildering eye smile.

Churrrr.

Chiba noisily licks Regal’s genitals.

Slither.
Jurrrr

Regal ran the top of her foot around Chiba’s pubic bone.

The tops of his feet are soaked with the juice that Chiba poured out throughout the meeting.

“Hmm, hmm. Where would you like to taste it? Do you prefer my beloved Chiba’s mouth or vaginal mouth?”

Chiba refused to get up from her seat.