On this day in the Imperial Capital, the vast plaza before the palace was opened to hold a ceremony for the dispatch of troops.
The entire Imperial Capital had its carriage roads decorated, and a band in military uniforms performed a grand parade.
This was my first campaign.
"I'm sorry, Asha. You all, please take care of Asha as well."
My father, apologizing before the palace, had given me as much authority as possible.
Furthermore, to Helkov, who had already retired, he personally bestowed a sword, granting him the authority to fight independently, and made special arrangements for Ikt of the palace guard to accompany me as well.
This was an extremely significant exception obtained as a result of the Dukes—who usually obstructed such matters—suppressing their objections, on top of my father's decision and Count Strateg's permission.
"Asha-sama..."
When I heard a tear-soaked voice and looked, among those seeing me off separately from the general populace, my wet nurse Harty was waving her hand.
She had come all the way from the countryside just to see me off.
We had been exchanging letters even after being separated, but even so, I had caused her considerable worry.
Even when there was an attempted assassination, I had placated her via letter when she said she would come alone to the Imperial Capital to see me.
After all, at that time Harty was pregnant with a child by her new husband.
Beside Harty, who was seeing me off in tears, her husband was certainly standing there supporting her thin shoulders.
While I could feel relieved that she was okay, I felt apologetic that I wished our reunion could have been with a smile.
But since I've decided to do this, I shall aim to return and report with a smile.
I rallied my motivation and began walking to depart.
"In other words, the sword given to Helkov represents the Emperor's authority as well. The actions of Helkov who holds that sword cannot be bound even by a general."
Inside the carriage parading through the Imperial Capital, I was once again confirming important matters.
Since this carriage would be used for travel as-is, it wasn't an open carriage.
Though the windows were made of highly transparent glass, I took advantage of the fact that my voice wouldn't be heard, and continued discussing with Wearrel while waving to the roadside.
"Giving horses to the two of them also carries the meaning of authority, and indeed symbolizes permission to move independently."
Wearrel was traveling by carriage with me, but Helkov and Ikt were riding horses flanking the carriage.
By the way, Nomariola had also come along.
Her official role was my attendant, but since the army was preparing one, or father was arranging personnel, it would have been fine for her to stay behind.
My younger sister had recovered, and apparently was worried about me heading to the battlefield instead.
Entreated by that younger sister, Nomariola stubbornly insisted on accompanying me.
Therefore, Nomariola was traveling in a separate carriage along with personnel dedicated to me.
"Isn't this overdoing it? I mean, from the general's perspective, he should be at the top, right? Wouldn't he feel that way?"
"This is a dispatch accompanied by the Crown Prince, after all. We can only hope that he understands and fulfills his duties."
This parade was planned by my father to show that I was not being exiled.
To convince my father who was pretending to be reluctant, the Dukes were also forcing unreasonable privileges upon the military under the name of special authority.
As for me, I just hoped that wouldn't cause friction on the ground.
"To return quickly, it is certainly necessary to avoid friction with the army. Therefore, let us first review this army."
Wearrel wasn't well-versed in military matters either.
So while being taught by Helkov, Wearrel learned together with me.
"First, the nominal commander of the legion is Asha-sama, but in reality, it will be General Rokopios Wageris of the Army."
The general I met with when the dispatch was decided was a beastman of a dark blue rat.
Yeah, no... honestly, is it okay to call that a rat?
Capybaras are the largest rodents, but why is there a capybara beastman with a body as thick as Helkov the bear?
Also, his gaze is subtly scary, and in my previous life I had an image of them relaxing in hot springs, but he's far from relaxing.
"Do you understand the general's direct troops?"
"At headquarters, there's an independent attached unit there, image-wise it's like an imperial guard maybe. Besides that, there's a regiment composed of infantry, cavalry, chariot units, magic battalion, engineering battalion, and rear support troops, right?"
"Yes, that's correct. In terms of troop scale it's a division, but here there exists an imperial guard regiment centered around Asha-sama, and independently rear support troops."
There are also units responsible for reconnaissance, communications, and medical affairs, and the band performing in the parade.
Including non-combatants, the number is roughly ten thousand.
The nominal top of that had become me.
...Emotionally, the burden is heavy.
"Let's leave it obediently to General Wageris."
I am someone with neither experience nor achievements.
In that case, it should go better if I leave it to the professional.
Regular Update
Next: The March and the General 2