The carriage which left Earl Mizuho Country, safely entered Philip Dukedom.
It’s cold in the Philip Dukedom, which is the northernmost territory of the continent and it’s currently midwinter. Snow piled up on the large fields as well, but I guess it’s a blessing that it’s not to the degree of obstructing the carriage’s advance.
The carriage proceeded through the outskirts of the central city Fierin, where the feudal lord’s mansion is located, without trouble.

“Those fields are vast.”

“Even for being in the north, Philip Dukedom is a big agriculture area.” (Therese)

Their focus lies on the cultivation of produce such as wheat, barley, rye and potatoes. But it seems they are also refining sugar from sugar beets.
They probably harvest two crops a year.
In spite of it being midwinter, crops have been planted on the fields.

“But then again the efficiency goes down in comparison to the southern sugar cane. Therefore we are cultivating sugar beets on large-scaled fields.” (Therese)

As it doesn’t seem that selective breeding as it’s done on earth has made any progress, it appears to be hopeless unless they cultivate a large amount of them as the sugar beets have a low sugar content.
Even so, since it’s easier than importing due to the distance of transportation, sugar manufacture from sugar beets has apparently become a key industry of the Philip Dukedom.

“Also, fis.h.i.+ng and stock farming are popular as well.” (Therese)

“You are doing stock farming?” (Wendelin)

“There’s a large amount of soil, but it’s cold.” (Therese)

Thanks to the diligent endeavours by the Lan clan members of old, there aren’t many monster domains in Philip Dukedom.
That’s why you can call it a possible feat.
The meat of cattle, pigs and birds obtained through stock farming was an expensive good in other territories.
Since there’s a lot of land, agriculture is prospering. But as the area at the northern end of the continent will become extremely cold once the season turns to winter, they have large pigs called 『Hairy Pigs』 grazing there.

“Though they are wild boars, they are livestock slightly similar to pigs. We raise them by having them eat the squeezed leftovers of the sugar beets.” (Therese)

They are large and strong against cold. Their fertility is also full of vim and vigour. They are enthusiastically pasturing since they eat anything.
“Even the commoners are frequently eating the meat of 『Hairy Pigs』 in Philip Dukedom”, Therese explained.
By enhancing the processing to bacon and sausages and improving the ways of preservation, this has also turned into an exported merchandise.

“We are also actively breeding warhorses and horses for pulling wagons.” (Therese)

“The military affairs and the economy are powerful then?” (Wendelin)

“Tentatively I have been told that I’m the most powerful among the prince-elector lords.” (Therese)

In addition there are also many mines and the manufacturing industry is growing, too.
Certainly, the city of Fierin that gradually became visible was a metropolis that won’t lose to Breitburg.

“If it’s about economic strength and military forces, we are superior to Nürnberg Dukedom. That doesn’t mean that there’s overly much difference though.” (Therese)

Though the mixed parentage of the ruling cla.s.s, which serves as subjects of the empire, is improving, the independent spirit of the Lan people, who were the rulers of the north, is strong.
Based on the fact that having a dark brown skin is required for the family head of the Duke Philip household who should be the rulers, one can see that the empire’s north is quite the unique region.

“There’s Earl Mizuho Country as well.”

The carriage enters the city of Fierin and heads towards the feudal lord’s mansion as Therese is explaining while smiling.
Once we arrive at the mansion which is similar to a fortress, two young men with one around the latter half of his twenties and the other in the middle of his twenties appear from inside the mansion.

“You were safe, Milady?”

“What a relief.”

“It’s my bane of having bad luck. Rather than that, there are visitors from afar here.” (Therese)

By the management of the two young men, we settle down after being allocated rooms, but they receive secret instructions by Therese who was with them.

“They are mine own elder brother’s children.” (Therese)

“That sounds complicated.”

“Yep. Just what are they thinking about in their hearts?” (Therese)

Even though it doesn’t look like they have insufficient ability going by the impression I got,

they won’t be able to succeed the rank of duke due to the reason of having a white skin colour.
They probably have various emotions they are bottling up in their chests.

“What I was pondering about was the possibility of you, Therese-sama, being killed or taken prisoner due to a revolt by your elder brothers right after we arrived here.” (Armstrong)

While drinking the aquavit diluted with hot water he received in small gulps in order to warm up his body, Dous.h.i.+ mentions some dangerous things.
Even if they considered doing such thing, they would likely be stopped by Dous.h.i.+ right away though.

“Even if they plan that, it will end with everyone getting killed by Dous.h.i.+ and Earl-sama, right?” (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san’s thoughts were similar to mine.
Doing something like opposing Dous.h.i.+ with a small number of people while not being magicians is nothing more but the height of recklessness.

“No, Burkhart. They are not capable of doing that in the first place.” (Therese)

“Because their skin is white?” (Burkhart)

“That’s how it is.” (Therese)

For the Lan people who ended up being ruled by the empire, a family head with a dark brown skin is an absolute condition they won’t yield on.
Therefore, even if Therese’s elder brothers staged a coup d’état, no one would follow them.

“My elder brother’s children have dark brown skins. But, even if they set up my nephews as family heads, it would be obvious to everyone who’s the ones pulling the strings.” (Therese)

Moreover, a child as supreme commander will also lose a winnable war.
“There shouldn’t exist anyone needlessly following such a child”, Therese explained.

“However, there’s the possibility of Duke Nürnberg having set up a scheme, isn’t there?”

“I can’t prevent that, but in that regard both of us are the same, right?” (Therese)

Before coming to this room, Therese had ordered her elder brothers to announce to the lords of the north and of other regions to gather their soldiers for the sake of recovering the imperial capital that has been overthrown by Duke Nürnberg.
『Do you partic.i.p.ate in the rebellion by supporting Duke Nürnberg or do you follow us, the Duke Philip household, in our attempt to defeat him?』 she asked.
She apparently dispatched them while adding quite the radical declaration.

“Together with the information 『Earl Mizuho Country will side with us』.” (Therese)

During the unification of the empire, many ethnic groups converted into retainers and adhered to its rule.
The only one among them, Earl Mizuho Country, which preserved a shape of being half-independent, was regarded with awe by the n.o.bles and their fief’s population of other ethnic groups.
Moreover, it’s the first time for them to dispatch an army for something other than defence. Coupled with their legendary strength, we will likely be able to obtain many allies, is what Therese seems to be thinking.

“The n.o.bles, who have other ethnic groups under them, are probably trembling in fear due to Duke Nürnberg’s movements. Most of them should look positively at joining us.” (Therese)

“Are there that many ethnic groups?” (Wendelin)

There were Arab-styled and Chinese-styled building in Bardiche no matter how you look at it, but what one understands immediately by looking is that their skin was dark brown just like that of the Lan people.
The Mizuho people are obvious because of their black hair and pupils and as they wear Mizuho clothes. But, as a matter of fact there are many people where you won’t know their origination unless you look properly since their outward appearance looks like that of mixed Westerns and j.a.panese halfs.

“The intermingling of different races has progressed for around 1000 years. That means that the majority of the ethnic groups aren’t that different in their outward appearance. Even the language has advanced into being uniform since the era of the Ancient Magic Civilization.” (Therese)

More or less the ethnic group which has been living in the centre of the empire since the time when the empire still named itself as kingdom, has been called Urquhart people and they have apparently transformed into being the dominant ethnic group.
Duke Nürnberg caused a coup d’ètat and is trying to advance the centralization of the empire with that ethnic group as core.

“Nevertheless, the definition of Urquhart people is ambiguous as well.” (Therese)

However, with the feeling of them being people living in the centre, their treatment around here might be similar to the treatment of Chinese people in the Chugoku

Chugoku region of western Honshu.
Biologically an Urquhart race doesn’t exist.

“In short, you are saying that he hastens a centralized authoritarian rule, but first attempts to make the Lan people and the Mizuho people, that are quite obviously a hindrance to him, submit to him?”

“If he crushes them and puts them under slavery, the groups in the east and west will likely listen to what he says out of fear.” (Therese)

Since the Lan people and the Mizuho people are an easily identifiable enemy, he will crush them.
Since they are strong, the other ethnic groups will easily yield once he makes them submit. That seems to be Duke Nürnberg’s train of thought.

“So, what will be our schedule from now on?” (Wendelin)

“I plan to dispatch an advance force tomorrow.” (Therese)

“We will carry out interceptive battles since we should be inferior in the number of military forces, but I want to prevent the enemy entering our territory and ruining it”, Therese says.

“Also, in order to prevent a separation of the northern lords, it’s strictly forbidden to fight in their territories. Accordingly…” (Therese)

Therese spreads a map on top of the table.
On the detailed map of the empire, a red circle was drawn in the middle between the northern territories and the area under the direct control of the central government.

“The 『Great Sorbid Wasteland』…?”

It won’t be seen by just following the northern highway continuing into Philip Dukedom, but just as its name 『Great Sorbid Wasteland』 suggest, it’s a vast wasteland.
It’s under the direct control of the empire, but it has a border with northern territories. You can’t secure water unless you dig up a water well. It’s dotted with mines and mineral deposits which have been abandoned. It’s a place where development has been put off.

“We will build a base here. And we will stop Duke Nürnberg’s advance to the north here.” (Therese)

“It won’t be a short, decisive battle?”

“Aye.”

Therese agrees towards Dous.h.i.+’s question.

“Since this is a civil war, a short, decisive battle is desirable if possible, but…” (Therese)

Therese thinks that we are at more of a disadvantage than Duke Nürnberg, who is currently suppressing the centre after having completely seized the south. Since it’s not like she has gathered all northern lords as of yet, she can’t advance her soldiers towards the imperial capital that easily.

“The method of delivering a blow to Duke Nürnberg by defending against his attack in the Great Sorbid Wasteland will cause cracks in his foundation.” (Therese)

Their loyalty is strong. They will be able to deliver a blow to the southern feudal army and the imperial forces which partic.i.p.ated in the coup d’état. Once that happens, they will be unavoidably able to cause unrest among the lords who are obeying Duke Nürnberg.

“Him having gained control of the imperial capital is a strong point, but on the other hand it’s also a weakness.” (Therese)

Especially that device, which jams the activation of spells and magic tools of the communication and movement category, wasn’t good.
Since it causes damage to the circulation of good and the traffic, Duke Nürnberg’s side suffers damage from holding the imperial capital instead.

“He’s a Duke-sama that doesn’t do anything decent, I guess.” (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san says so, but thanks to that device, the kingdom can’t take part in the civil war.
Since the device’s effect should be reaching the kingdom’s north as well, it’s impossible for it to take advantage of the civil war and dispatch soldiers.
Even if they sent soldiers across the ropeway that serves as temporary bridge over the Gigant Crevice, the imperial army on site and the n.o.bles would likely resist against the invaders.
Even if they were able to occupy the area, it would become necessary to govern that area next.
For a while they would continue to exploit the area, but they wouldn’t be able to use magic airs.h.i.+ps to transport the goods.
War isn’t as easy-going that you can win while having a serious shortage of supplies.

“If the kingdom meddles unskillfully in the civil war, it will get exhausted in exchange.”

The ones who would be happy about it are probably only some of the merchants who consider it as beneficial if they can sell goods to armies and soldiers who want to raise war accomplishments.

“An extension of the civil war will ruin the empire, but at the current situation a short, decisive battle is impossible. I don’t have any intention

any intention to cause our downfall trying to do the impossible. But then again I will likely give up and defect once we lose since I’ve got a bad character.” (Therese)

Therese’s thinking isn’t particularly wrong.
Something like being gallantly destroyed might be deeply impressive in records of historic tales, but in reality that’s nothing more than foolishness.
Even defecting to another country is to wait for the next opportunity.
This might be something said by a normal, influential person.

“Since I will be likely worn out if something like that happens, I will become your concubine, Wendelin, and leave the rest to our children.” (Therese)

In case the kingdom advances north, the Philip household might be restored by using her child, grandchild or later descendants.
In the end that’s no more than one possibility, but n.o.bles form connections with other families for such possibilities.

“It’s the same as usual with Therese-sama…”

Luise is fed up, but there’s another important matter besides that story.

“So, what’s our job?”

“Of course the securing of the Great Sorbid Wasteland and the construction of a permanent field camp in preparation for a protracted war. It’s a suitable task for you, Wendelin, who is called Construction Works Adventurer.” (Therese)

“That nickname has spread even as far as the empire?” (Wendelin)

Since the schedule was decided, it will be bad if we don’t depart quickly tomorrow.
As we can’t use 『Flight』 and 『Teleportation』, everything takes time.

“That’s a big horse, isn’t it?”

“It’s a northern special breed called 『Dosanko* Horse』. It isn’t overly fast, but it’s power and stamina are splendid. It also endures with frugal food.” (T/N: A horse breed native to Hokkaido)

On the morning of the next day after we arrived in Philip Dukedom, we immediately headed south on the northern highway towards the Great Sorbid Wasteland.
Our military forces are the Duke Philip household’s feudal army and the feudal armies of several n.o.bles who prepared their troops ahead of time after sensing the unusual events in the imperial capital. It’s a total of 5000 soldiers.
The military goods necessary to keep an army moving are completely carried in magic bags by me and the magicians who have been employed by the Duke Philip household and the other n.o.ble households.
Since more than half of the army consists of foot soldiers after all, the scheme we have come up with to hasten the travelling speed after mobilizing a large quant.i.ty of horses and wagons, is to only allow them to wear clothes against the cold and to hold their weapons.
All of the heavy armour is on the wagons and inside the magic bags.
If the road in front is blocked by enemy forces, we will get rid of them with magic.

“Even if we hurry as much as possible, it will take two… no, three days?”

We have been given horses, but those horses were more than twice as big as normal horses.
If they are this big, they might also be regarded as different animals, but these horses are traditional northern horses.

“Even if we move by horse, it’s not possible to have them gallop at full power. Since that’s the case, these slow-paced horses pose no problem either.”

They seem to be horses used for agriculture or to pull heavy load, but even then they walk faster than people.
They were prepared ahead of time by Therese’s elder brothers for the sake of pulling the wagons which transport the goods.

“Aren’t they doing their job properly? I thought that they would look for alternatives such as betrayal though.” (Wendelin)

“Dear, as expected, that might be going to far…” (Elise)

Although Therese said that it was impossible, I suspected her two elder brothers.
It was possible that they would be instigated to turn traitor by telling them 『White skin is preferable for the new Duke Philip. If you work well, you will be a.s.signed a responsible post in the new empire』 according to Duke Nürnberg’s plans.

“My cousins aren’t that stupid. They know that the ones who will be purged next by Duke Nürnberg will be them, even if they succeeded in the betrayal.”

I mounted a horse together with Elise and a young, dark-brown-skinned man was sitting on a normal horse that was running next to ours.
As Therese’s cousin, he’s the family head of a branch family. He is the leader of this advance unit and his name is Alfons. He seems to be still 20 years old.

“The skin’s colourold.

“The skin’s colour is important.”

“Yes. It might be something stupid if seen from the viewpoint of other people though.”

Although they yielded to the empire, the blood of the Lan people has to run thickly within the family head of the Duke Philip household.
That’s an absolute requirement. There were cases where someone with a white skin forcefully became the family head, but it never turned out well in the end.

“Besides, the children of both of my cousins have dark brown skin.” (Alfons)

If she defeats Duke Nürnberg, Therese should become the next empress, if going by the circ.u.mstances.
Since it’s impossible for her to hold the seat of d.u.c.h.ess Philip and empress at the same time, she will naturally pa.s.s the duke t.i.tle to her children.

“I see. In that case I’m relieved.” (Wendelin)

“Right?” (Alfons)

Rather than belief, that never declines, and fanatic loyalty, that’s something I can depend on.

“At any rate, what surprises me is that you can’t ride a horse, Earl Baumeister.” (Alfons)

“As eighth son of a poor Knight, I didn’t have time to practise horse riding.” (Wendelin)

In the former Baumeister household there were only a few warhorses.
Even so, that doesn’t mean that we had bought and kept a private warhorse like other n.o.bles.
A good one was chosen from among the farming horses and I was only shown how to put a harness on it.
The fief’s population, that didn’t know the world outside, regarded it as a beautiful warhorse with only that much.
Actually, compared to the warhorses possessed by the Margrave Breithilde household, it can only be seen as a saddening packhorse.
However, even that one packhorse was apparently useful for the past Demon Forest expedition.
As it was a farming horse, it put up with frugal fodder. And even though it was slow, its stamina was good.
Also, it seems like there were also survivors among the expeditionary force who stilled their hunger by killing this horse.
In my childhood there was no time for the eighth son to practise horse riding during a shortage of horses.
Besides, as a magician, horses are unnecessary if there’s 『Flight』 and 『Teleportation』.
In my previous life I at least experienced horse riding in establishments belonging to amus.e.m.e.nts parks and farms when I went there on school trips.
As often is the case, that was me riding one round while being led by the person in charge after successfully mounting the horse.
With such a level of experience, you can’t expect me to get on such a large horse all of a sudden.
Therefore I’m currently just clinging to Elise’s back while she’s steering the horse.

“Wife-dono, you are skilled at handling a horse.” (Alfons)

“That’s because this horse’s docile. Even if I was taught about it just a bit, it’s alright.” (Elise)

She’s saying that modestly, but Elise is good at horse riding.
It seems she learned it since it was necessary as there were also cases where she had to leave into the vicinity of the capital during her voluntary activities at the church.
As she was able to pick it up with just that, Elise is a perfect superwoman after all.

“Since it’s right now a good opportunity, I will have Elise teach me in the breaks.” (Wendelin)

“Good idea. Horse riding is indispensable for upper n.o.bility.”

As movement magic and magic airs.h.i.+ps aren’t things that can be used that easily, horses are the most convenient for travelling normally.
However, the maintenance and training of horses costs money.
Especially for horses that become warhorses the costs rise exponentially. Getting on a horse skilfully was also proof of high ranking n.o.bility.
Even that Margrave Breithilde who was generally acknowledged to have very bad reflexes, can ride a horse after getting proper training.

“For a man it’s wonderful to mount a horse and stick to you, Elise.” (Wendelin)

I won’t go as far as telling her, but it’s mostly the sensation of her b.u.t.t.

“I know that feeling, but I believe it will be even more fantastic if you learn horse riding and have your wife ride in the back, Earl Baumeister.” (Alfons)

Indeed, it’s certainly as Alfons says.
Even while being from a different country and ethnic group, he was a splendid guy who understands a man’s romance.

“Alfons, you are a great guy.” (Wendelin)

“Earl Baumeister, no, Wendelin. So you were a man understanding it as well?” (Alfons)

Alfons and I exchange a pa.s.sionate handshake from atop the horses.