I had successfully carved out a slice of Parcion’s territory.
As a result, I now had to maintain patrols along our newly established border. Given our limited resources, I couldn’t exactly send a grand procession for every scouting mission, so I kept the teams small. I gave them strict orders: if they spotted anything, they were to report and retreat immediately without engaging.
Our combat units would be ready to move the moment a report came in. If the enemy fled upon their arrival, we wouldn’t bother with a deep pursuit. We simply couldn't afford to overreact to every instance of territorial border violation doorbell dashing.
Finding the right balance for these things was always a headache. One option was to cater to the domestic crowd by systematically sinking every group that tried those doorbell-dashing tactics. We could even run breaking news bulletins every time, boasting, "We have once again emerged victorious in our latest clash with Parcion!"
That was certainly a valid strategy. However, my fear was that it would whip the citizenry into a frenzy, making them think, "Parcion are the villains! Let’s go crush them once and for all!" If that happened, a full-scale war would become unavoidable.
My own intentions wouldn't matter anymore. The collective will of the people—even those who didn't understand the complexities of the situation—would drive us toward total war. In that kind of atmosphere, Chronos’s own options would be restricted. Our only remaining card would be "Wipe out Parcion."
It was far better to approach them with a smile and a friendly "Let's get along" while keeping a blade hidden behind my back, gradually stripping away Parcion's choices. Then, if their only remaining option became "Wipe out Chronos," I would strike them across the face at the moment they were most vulnerable. Once I’d pinned them down and beaten them to a pulp, it would be much easier to propose a ceasefire, a peace treaty, and the return of territory.
It was exactly like a Yankee brawl. You just had to beat them into submission at the most advantageous moment and turn them into your underlings. After that, it was business as usual. I’d tie them down through commerce until they were relegated to the role of "the customer who’s a pain in the ass but too important to lose."
Now that Lepsitol was a protectorate, Chronos finally had the economic weight to pull that off. The same logic applied to our side as well. If people’s daily bread depended on trade with Parcion, then even if they held a grudge, they’d eventually resign themselves to it: "I guess we just have to move on..."
All that would be left was to use education to hammer home the point: "Even if there’s a painful history, let’s strive to get along (while keeping a blade ready)."
This was truly vital work.
...Wait, that was right. I was finally in a position where I could actually choose this path. Chronos had become a major power capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Latarnia and the Taikyoku Nation.
As I was soaking in the moment, someone sauntered into the dining hall. It was Melissa.
"Yo, Captain."
"What’s up, Melissa?"
"Training's over and I’m bored, so I came to play. Give me some attention!"
Melissa, who held the title of Martial Consort in Chronos, was busy teaching the Tachibana Style to the Chronos soldiers. While Chronos had its own traditional martial arts, there were very few schools left with actual, recent combat experience—save for perhaps the military’s own close-quarters techniques.
As a result, Melissa and her "I-live-for-melee" attitude had been a hit. Participation was technically voluntary, but so many people had signed up that she’d had to implement a lottery system for the training slots. I’d thought about asking for instructors from Melissa's family home, but there was a limit to that; most of the masters had died in the line of duty during the Zork War.
"By the way, what was Katori-sensei doing during the Zork War?" I asked.
Melissa’s expression turned solemn as she answered. "Katori-sensei... He actually owns a small planet, and he was pinned down there. An attack happened right on the day of a children’s athletic meet. He couldn't leave because he had to protect his students and the kids."
I knew he’d bought a planet from a lord, but still. Katori-sensei could take down pirates on his own, but against the Zork, surely resisting with just a katana was impossible.
"He said he liberated the entire planet with nothing but his katana," she added.
He really wasn't human.
"The local lord’s army was completely wiped out, though."
"I think I’m going to stop trying to make sense of that!" I declared. It was just too absurd.
I looked at her again. "By the way, Melissa... were you really okay with not becoming the First Consort?"
"Ugh, no way! There’s no world where I could handle that! I’m happy to leave all that boring paperwork to Claire."
Fair point. I couldn't exactly picture Melissa buried under mountains of documents.
"I see. Sorry for asking."
"It’s fine, it’s fine. Right person for the right job, you know?"
"Want me to whip something up?"
"Something with protein. And sweet, if possible."
"Guess I’ll fry up some okara doughnuts then."
I already had the dough ready in the fridge. All I had to do was fry them. As the oil began to sizzle... I knew they’d be arriving any second.
"Is it snack time, sir!?"
One-oh-one and her crew practically burst in. Their high-precision snack sensors had clearly done their job.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm making them now," I said.
Tatiana and Shiyun trailed in shortly after. I finished them with a dusting of sugar... and since I had a massive supply of chocolate sprinkles, I loaded those on too.
"Here, Melissa. Help me pass these out."
"You got it!"
As Melissa started serving, the rest of the group arrived. Wifey and her entourage joined the fray. The only ones missing were Kevin and Rikochi. Kevin was likely still on shift. Her instructor physician had called her an "extraordinarily useful medical resident." Considering she was a nurse who’d been forged in the fires of the battlefield, she probably had more practical skill than anyone realized.
I decided to set aside a portion for her. I handed the plate to one of the court ladies who was clearing the empty dishes. "Make sure Kevin gets these. And please, have some yourselves later."
I worried for a moment that handmade food might be unwelcome, but the court lady gave me a grateful smile. Apparently, my cooking was trustworthy. Good to know.
Having cooked for everyone, my thoughts finally felt settled. Yeah, I’d just give Parcion the cold shoulder. Since they were the ones refusing to communicate, I’d simply ignore them in return. I’d wait for them to get anxious and initiate contact on their own. If they tried to pick a fight, I’d just carve out more of their land.
We were the ones with time on our side, so I could afford to be cold.
"Are you planning something wicked again?" Melissa asked with a smirk.
"Do you hate bad men?"
"I love them."
Suddenly, a loud clattering echoed through the hall. It was Rikochi, looking frantic.
"Leo-kun, it’s a disaster!"
"What’s wrong?"
"We just got word from Lepsitol! The Parcion Consulate there was attacked and set on fire!"
What?
I scrambled to turn on the news. A live feed showed the Parcion Consulate engulfed in flames.
"Who did it?"
"The thing is... it looks like the perpetrators were Parcionian."
A headache began to throb behind my eyes. Why did everyone have to screw up, one after another?
"Any casualties?"
"Only minor injuries. The perpetrators were shot dead out of necessity."
Well, that was unavoidable. If you didn't want to get shot, you shouldn't be attacking a consulate. They couldn't exactly use this as a pretext for war.
"And... how is Karen-san holding up?"
"She said she'll call as soon as her emergency meeting is over."
"What about Saijo-kun?"
"He’s already out in the city trying to keep the peace."
"Why does it always have to be like this!?" I groaned.
"Maybe it’s just fate?" Rikochi offered bluntly.
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!