I know the current Emperor has declared his abdication.
So I thought he would ascend the throne at once.
Yet time passes, and still not a word.
At first I wondered why, but now I think I understand.
As Crown Prince, he must secure and finish at least one achievement.
That will be the upcoming attack on the Northern barbarians.
“Then I shall take my leave!”
Polia, now officially an external advisor to the Ordnance Bureau, sets out from the castle.
We have not even held the ceremony yet, but word has already spread quietly.
That I will marry her soon. That we are practically husband and wife already.
It is a bit funny, considering we have never even shared a bed.
But the marriage is decided as the rumors say, so there should be no issue between us.
Polia has her own path, and I have mine. I need only do what I must.
Today is the day I report as an inspector to a meeting hosted by the Crown Prince.
The general situation in the North, and the destructive power of the gunpowder I took there.
How much pressure it can exert on the barbarians.
How far we can extend our current advantage, and so forth.
I also intend to present the opinion Sedrun conveyed not long ago.
“Then let us begin.”
At the Crown Prince’s words, I bow my head and begin my account of the North.
It is true that stability has largely been achieved thanks to the Founding Emperor having shattered the barbarians.
But they are ultimately the same as us—bound to forget.
Those who suffered heavily are slowly fading, and a new generation is rising.
A generation in whom anger outweighs fear of the Empire and the Founding Emperor.
They will attack. At least once. They will stir without fail.
And as expected, they have annihilated the moderates and risen up.
“You said you witnessed their vanguard clash with the Empire’s defensive line. What did you think, Ethan?”
“I have never served in the military, so I do not know the details, but even at a glance, the momentum was no ordinary one. It lacked the extreme discipline of the Imperial Army, but they were clearly bristling with readiness, Your Highness.”
“If even you, who went as an inspector, say so, they must be determined.”
Next came the briefing on the large-scale punitive expedition the Ministry of War would dispatch to the North.
The first army sent focuses on defense; those being sent now take the offensive.
Unless the situation changes as drastically as heaven and earth overturning, they will never hesitate to attack.
They will push to the very heart of the barbarians’ territory and deliver a devastating blow.
Given how the Founding Emperor brought stability to the North, this is only natural.
A few half-hearted strikes are worse than none at all.
We must break both their legs so they can never rise again.
As if they had prepared for this long ago, the Ministry of War’s plan was seamless.
Even I, who know little of military affairs, felt their grim resolve.
Perhaps the current Crown Prince has been preparing since his days as a mere Prince.
If not, it would be difficult for everything to fall into place so smoothly at once.
“The army has finished all preparations. Supply calculations are already complete and gradually being put into motion. Then what remains is indeed this thing called gunpowder.”
At the Crown Prince’s words, everyone in the meeting room looks at me.
Hessen is probably hard at work improving gunpowder at the Ordnance Bureau even now.
In the end, it falls to me to sing its praises before them.
“Frankly speaking, gunpowder as it stands is not a good weapon for offense.”
“Hmm?”
Had they expected torrents of lavish praise to pour from my mouth?
The others, and even the Crown Prince, look slightly flustered.
The Ordnance Bureau created the gunpowder, but I was involved in the weapons that use it.
I only presented the initial concept, but even that proved helpful.
So if I wished to claim merit, I should praise it louder than anyone, yet…
thinking on it, I could not be unaware that it could just as easily become a noose around my neck.
“The power is certain. But unleashing that power requires a great deal of gunpowder, and that requires far more materials.”
“Hmm.”
“That is not all. The materials, cost, and time required to produce it are problematic, but even after production, it is difficult to manage. If it absorbs even a trace of moisture, it clumps together and becomes completely unusable.”
“Can it not simply be dried or separated, Count Montebello?”
“That could lead to an accident. It is not that methods do not exist, but it is correct to view it as practically unusable.”
As I pause to catch my breath, strange gazes fix upon me.
You, of all people. Why such a harsh evaluation?
I had heard you had some merit regarding gunpowder weapons.
They cannot understand why you would belittle your own accomplishment.
“Because it is the Ministry of War that must operate this gunpowder as a weapon going forward. I speak honestly here before you men of the Ministry. Just as a sharp spear or blade, swung poorly, can injure one’s allies, so too can this gunpowder.”
“Then you mean that despite those flaws, there is reason enough to use it.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Having spoken of the negatives, now is the time for the positives.
This must more than make up for all the problems raised moments ago.
“Gunpowder is different from any weapon used until now. Burning arrows, haystacks, oil-soaked cloth—the tools commonly associated with fire attacks. These cannot compare.”
“The barbarians are famous for their fearlessness, but I recall hearing that even they were terrified. Is this true?”
“Yes. Those who took the vanguard, speaking of thunder and flame, fled with their tails between their legs.”
In any nation, in any army, the bravest are placed in the vanguard.
The barbarians are no different. Rough, bold. Men who do not retreat.
That such men swallowed their fear and fled surprised everyone.
“I too saw the power of gunpowder at the Ordnance Bureau, Ethan. But that alone seemed insufficient.”
“While in the North, I created various weapons based on gunpowder. Among them was one that loads dozens of arrows with gunpowder, ignites them, and fires them all at once. For further details, you may hear more from Hessen at the Ordnance Bureau, Your Highness.”
In places where rapid movement is required, gunpowder may not demonstrate its strength.
But. An opportunity will surely come, in one form or another.
At that decisive moment, pour it out at once to break the barbarians’ morale.
There is no need to use it every time. In any case, we lack the quantity and conditions for that.
If we seize the opportunity and spew forth what they call thunder and flame,
we can greatly shake the minds of the barbarians, who are not yet accustomed to it.
“I know that battle is a matter of momentum. To barbarians who believe courage and strength are everything, this gunpowder will become a decisive move.”
“Hmm.”
“It is easier to display mobility against a cowering foe. After that, it is the same. Rout the enemies whose momentum is broken. That is work for the Ministry of War gathered here.”
That is all. There is nothing more for me to do as an inspector.
The rest will be decided by the Crown Prince and the Ministry of War.
After leaving the meeting room, I wait outside for a moment.
And soon after, I hear that a conclusion has been reached.
Despite the inconveniences, they would take the gunpowder and the weapons that use it.
*
Perhaps because I have been wandering foreign lands constantly, this time I am truly resting in the capital.
Of course, rest does not mean playing and eating.
There is plenty that can be done while remaining in the capital.
For instance, keeping company with the envoys from the Urut tribe?
It happens that I have formed quite a good relationship with the eastern steppe tribes.
Not merely through my betrothal to Arte, but also through receiving the Wolf’s recognition.
Thanks to that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemed relieved of a burden.
If problems arose carelessly, it would be no ordinary nuisance.
But by chance, I, who get along well with them, had arrived.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly came with an official request.
As it happens, I am not one to rest idle, so I accepted immediately.
“Ethan of the Empire. I knew you were the Wolf, but I am impressed.”
“Surely one who is insignificant could not have caused such a stir as an envoy?”
“I hear good evaluations from the Imperial nobles. Could you not move east and continue to serve as a bridge between our Urut and the Empire?”
“That is not something that happens simply because I wish it.”
Above all, my family is currently established in the capital.
It is not impossible to leave, but returning would be difficult.
To avoid withering away, one must remain near the seat of power.
Yet if one draws too close, one burns; so I must be careful.
“Come to think of it, the Crown Prince showed us this thing called gunpowder.”
“Is that so?”
I thought it would be treated as a secret, yet he revealed it openly.
Perhaps he told them first because the rumors would spread anyway?
He could posture before the Urut tribe, saying, “You alone receive special treatment.”
And at the same time, claim that the Urut tribe is receiving special treatment.
“We saw the fire burst. Is it truly so great?”
Ah. So he did not show them everything after all.
By calling it a new weapon, he conveyed pressure while also lulling them into some complacency.
So that if they harbored other intentions, they could be thoroughly burned.
“Soon, you will hear news that the Northern barbarians have been swept away.”
“Hmm. Then we shall remain in the Empire until then. Beilleo also told me to stay as long as possible.”
“Is Beilleo well?”
“He seems eager for Ethan to formally come and claim his daughter.”
“Hahaha. After a brief rest, I shall certainly go.”
“Ethan is welcome at any time. A wolf recognizes a wolf.”
If Beilleo went out of his way to leave such words through an envoy,
then he truly intends to send Arte to the Empire.
To send his daughter means they firmly believe in the Empire’s friendship.
I hope this trust is never betrayed.
It was a way of emphasizing the bond of friendship unique to the steppe tribes.