Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 664: The King’s Decision
Chapter 664: The King’s Decision
TL: Rui88
Vice-President Anderson and the two chemists took their leave.
Mariana said with great worry, “Paul, I hope you can calm down. The birth of one or two new technologies won’t change anything. The power you command is too small.”
Paul retorted sharply, “Oh, then that means it’s still too little. As long as quantitative change accumulates to a certain amount, it will produce a qualitative change.”
Unable to persuade her son, Mariana’s heart was filled with complex emotions.
She stared at Paul, her tone somewhat stiff. “Alright, then you can test your abilities in this orc crisis. And as your mother, I have only one request—do not put yourself in danger.”
“I have always cherished my own life!”
Paul replied with a smile.
Mariana was silent for a moment. “In that case, then tomorrow… no, the day after tomorrow, your brother and I will be leaving.”
Her voice was somewhat sad.
“So soon…” Paul was somewhat astonished.
“We still have very important things to do.”
“Alright, you are always welcome here.”
In a sense, they were now on opposing sides, and the atmosphere between them was somewhat awkward.
But Paul no longer had the idle mind to deal with family matters. He had to focus his energy on the orcs.
As for Mariana, besides worrying about her son’s safety, deep down in her heart, she did not completely oppose Paul’s choice.
She was even a little proud of the courage Paul displayed.
After all, the orc attack on Ordo was not part of the Arcane Society’s plan.
It was just a deal, in exchange for the King’s Tent not continuing to harass Gabella’s northern sphere of influence—of course, for the time being. No one was naive enough to think that the orcs would not be tempted by the fat piece of meat so close at hand. The empire had to use this time to emerge from the chaos of the succession struggle.
…
A piece of news from Northwest Bay shocked the court of Ordo.
The orcs were going to attack the northeastern region of the kingdom!
After just opening the letter, the king’s hands were even trembling slightly.
Rodney XVIII held the thin piece of paper. The content on it was personally written by his future brother-in-law, Paul Grayman. It was by no means a joke, and its accuracy was beyond doubt.
It was truly a case of the roof leaking when it was raining. Rebellious vassals in the south were eyeing them covetously, and now orcs were coming from the north.
The high-ranking officials of the kingdom’s government were quickly summoned to the palace.
“This is impossible!”
The king’s brother, Yuriko, said, “The orcs can only enter the kingdom by conquering Watcher’s Fortress, and Watcher’s Fortress is impregnable!”
“There is no impregnable fortress in the world!” Lord Chamberlain Rupert said with a grim expression. “And, in the great mountains of the north…”
“Are you talking about those dwarves who are as stubborn as rocks? They would never cooperate with the orcs! Besides, we have fortresses inside the northeast corridor specifically to watch them.”
As high-ranking officials of the kingdom’s government, many of them had some knowledge of the non-human races living in seclusion in the northern mountains.
“Count Grayman said he learned this information from merchants. Is this source of intelligence reliable?”
“I believe it is reliable. Merchants are often the most sensitive to such matters!”
The crowd was in a heated discussion.
The king’s father, Prince Jassim, suddenly said, “We cannot be careless, no matter what.”
He stood up and bowed slightly to his son. “Your Majesty, I suggest we dispatch an experienced general to garrison the northeast corridor, integrate the military resources there, and fully prepare for the orcs.”
Rodney XVIII stroked his chin. “I think so too. Who do you think we should send?”
Prince Jassim seized the opportunity to suggest, “Why not let Catherine go? Her status as a member of the royal family can effectively restrain those unruly military leaders.”
Lord Chamberlain Rupert shook his head. “I object. Princess Catherine just got engaged not long ago…”
Prince Jassim looked at his niece. “Catherine, what do you think yourself?”
As soon as he said this, everyone looked at Catherine.
Since her engagement to Count Grayman, the princess had rarely taken the initiative to express her opinion.
She slowly stood up. “In the face of national crisis, my personal life is nothing. If Your Majesty entrusts me to go and resist the orcs, I am willing to accept this task.”
Everyone was waiting for the king to make a decision.
After thinking for a long time, Rodney XVIII slowly said, “In that case, I will dispatch Catherine to garrison the northeast corridor.”
Prince Jassim nodded in satisfaction, but his son immediately added, “And take her subordinates with her.”
The prince’s face immediately filled with astonishment. “Her subordinates?”
Not only him, but everyone was very surprised.
Including Catherine; she had thought she would be going alone.
“Yes,” the king nodded in confirmation. “I have always heard that the orc cavalry is very formidable. I think we should have an elite force on horseback to counter the orc cavalry, and Catherine’s knightly order is the best choice.”
Rupert’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed, while a flash of displeasure crossed Prince Jassim’s face, but he quickly returned to his calm and collected expression.
“But… but,” Yuriko’s expression was a little flustered, “that is Crystal Shrine’s most elite force. If they leave, what if Jars in the south suddenly makes a move?”
His father had once promised him that after Catherine left, he would take over this army.
Rodney XVIII was full of confidence. “Don’t worry, we will soon have a powerful army to defend Crystal Shrine.”
The king once again raised the letter written by Count Grayman.
“In addition to the warning of the orc invasion, my dear brother-in-law has also brought me good news. The first batch of military scrip has been printed and shipped. It is now sailing south along the kingdom’s west coast and should arrive at Crystal Shrine in less than a month.”
“With military scrip, we can recruit a large number of soldiers and build a powerful army.”
Hearing this good news, the gloom that had long hung over everyone’s hearts finally dissipated.
For a long time, insufficient military funds had been a headache for the kingdom’s government, until Count Grayman proposed his so-called “military scrip” suggestion.
Using thin paper to replace precious gold and silver, at first everyone thought this was an idea as idiotic as it could be. But after Count Grayman explained his somewhat complex theory in the royal council, everyone unexpectedly felt it was a little bit feasible.
Since the finances were already in such a state, why not give it a try.
“I am initially preparing to establish an army of up to fifty thousand, and it will be a standing army, one that can be summoned at a moment’s notice and is ready to fight!”
Rodney XVIII announced his ambitions to the ministers.
“Of course, at this stage, we can first adopt a semi-establishment—just like Count Grayman’s army!”
AN: Sorry, I haven’t been feeling well these past few days.
Chapter 664: The King’s Decision
Comments