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On the last day of the first semester, I ended up having a meeting with the Principal early in the morning, even before the closing ceremony.

“I heard the departure ceremony is in a few days.”

“Yes, we’re just waiting for His Majesty’s orders now.”

I nodded and answered the Principal’s calm words.

The Northern Forces had already gathered, except for the minimal forces needed to maintain public order, and the three corps from the Western Forces had arrived at the Duchy of Havlem. The Central Forces corps and private armies from various regions had also gathered at the assembly points designated by the Emperor, so all that was left was the formal departure.

“Another war before we’ve even fully healed from the last one. What a tragedy.”

The Principal sighed softly, his tone bitter.

One might think the Principal, who stayed only at the academy, had little to do with this war. However, he was a great mage who once played an active role in the military and an educator who has taught countless students. Knowing that his juniors or disciples would be participating in the war most likely did not sit well with him.

“If it were up to me, I’d return to the frontlines myself. At least then, perhaps, a few more young ones would survive.”

In fact, shortly after the assembly order was issued, the Principal submitted his resignation to the Minister of Education for the reason he mentioned—that it might reduce the sacrifice of young people if an old man stepped up.

Of course, his resignation was rejected. It wasn’t right to send someone who had already dedicated their youth to the empire, and who was now nurturing the empire’s future, straight to war. Besides, having a retired elderly person participate in the war would damage the empire’s dignity.

“There are many experienced generals in the military to lead the young soldiers. Many of them also fought in the last war. I understand your concern, but please don’t dwell on it too much.”

I offered some words of comfort to the Principal. I understood how he felt, having probably lost many juniors and disciples in the last Great Northern War, but the Principal’s role was that of an educator. Trying to step away from that role would only be tiring and troublesome for everyone.

“Yes, I suppose so. The Executive Manager is right.”

The Principal nodded at my words. He was probably just venting his frustration, so it was best to agree and move on. After all, what else could the Principal do in this situation but complain after having his resignation rejected?

Now, all he could do was hope that the students and soldiers he had taught would not die in vain.

“Please take care of yourself too, Executive Manager. It’s hard to imagine you getting hurt, but war is unpredictable.”

“Thank you for your advice.”

I smiled slightly as I answered the Principal’s words. I was also included among the people the Principal had met. We’d been workplace colleagues for a year and a half, so we didn’t have a light relationship.

But what could I do? I had to deliver some bad news to the Principal, who was worrying about me.

“By the way, the Ministry of Finance contacted me yesterday. If the war drags on or if something happens to me, the 1st Manager will come as the academy inspector in my place.”

I saw the Principal flinch at those words. It was problematic enough to have someone else replace the inspector they’d just gotten used to, but for it to be the 1st Manager, who was in charge of torture? It must be dizzying for the Principal.

But I couldn’t blame them. To fill my vacancy, another director or minister would have to step up directly, which was impossible. So instead, they settled on someone who at least had some prior connection to my circle of acquaintances—someone the club members might be more familiar with.

“A graduate of the academy coming as an inspector. What a unique experience.”

“Haha, I suppose it is.”

For a moment, it seemed like the 1st Manager’s school life was flashing through the Principal’s mind, but I deliberately didn’t pay attention to it.

“If the 1st Manager comes as the inspector, I’ll put in a good word. We should still be able to communicate during the war.”

Of course, the best-case scenario would be for the war to end during the vacation, but we couldn’t be sure since the last war dragged on for two years. I couldn’t give the Principal false hope with careless words, so I should consider the 1st Manager’s dispatch as a given.

***

I was surrounded as soon as the closing ceremony ended.

“Carl, you must take care of yourself. Don’t overdo it, eat your meals on time… Oh, what else?”

“And get proper sleep too.”

“Ah, right. Sleep is important, too.”

My lovers and club members were about to return home. Among them, I was the one heading to the battlefield instead of home, so I was currently receiving all sorts of worries and encouragement.

But something was off about these worried words. Didn’t they sound like mothers worrying about their child?

“I take good care of myself, so don’t worry.”

They were worried, so I answered as brightly as possible. We wouldn’t see each other until the end of the war, so there was no need to make them worry with heavy emotions—

“And yet you were walking around with wounds like that?”

“Didn’t we agree not to talk about that anymore…?”

I almost became speechless at Irina’s sharp jab. Bringing that up at this timing was foul play.

Still, I instinctively lowered my head after seeing Irina with tears welling up in her eyes. Actually, wasn’t the foul play not Irina bringing up the wounds but me having such wounds in the first place? I should reflect on that.

“…We can’t do anything about your existing wounds, but you can’t come back injured again, okay?”

“Of course.”

So, I hurriedly nodded at Irina’s slightly teary words.

The only reason I had gotten those injuries in the first place was Kagan. If it had been any other situation, something like that would never have happened. Saying this might sound like a flag, but realistically speaking, how could another bastard like Kagan appear in the same era? That didn’t make sense.

I was confident that I’d return safely this time. This wasn’t foreshadowing—it was common sense.

“Hopefully, we’ll see you again before the year is over. Wishing you the best, advisor.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Meanwhile, I was touched by the normal and ordinary greeting that came out of Rutis’s mouth. I shouldn’t be moved by something like this.

“I’ll say goodbye later at the territory.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Erich, who subtly reminded me to visit the territory before I left.

I was planning to go anyway, but hearing something like that meant that I absolutely had to go now.

***

Following the Emperor’s orders, I appointed marshals to command the private armies. The Count of Tailglehen and former Count Horfeld, already decided by the Emperor, along with Count Sapri from the North and Marquis Lavirge from the West.

They’ll be easy to work with.

I knew why the Emperor suddenly handed over the right to appoint marshals to me. It must mean he wanted me to appoint them directly and put my own color on them.

That was why I chose Count Sapri and Marquis Lavirge. Their territories were strategic points, bordering the Duchies of Havlem and Cheness respectively. Gaining their support would only strengthen my influence.

Moreover, Count Sapri and Marquis Lavirge were enthusiastic enough to participate in the war personally. They were also nobles who maintained a somewhat neutral stance in social circles. Wouldn’t it be impolite not to appoint them at this point?

There’s no need to worry about the central forces.

Unlike the private armies where I had to find marshal candidates directly, the central army was straightforward. The 8th Corps’s Commander had already been appointed as marshal from the Western Forces, and the Northern Forces’s Commander would take direct command.

The only one left was the Central Forces, but even this was no problem as the 2nd Corps’s Commander, the most senior, had decided to lead. He also had abilities befitting his age.

There are a lot of high-ranking officers.

I let out a small sigh. Including the Northern Forces’s Commander who would essentially act as a marshal, there were seven marshals. The empire that ended a war just three years ago was now mobilizing an army large enough to deploy seven marshals once more.

Of course, the purpose of this large army was not to seriously exterminate the nomads but to intimidate them with its mere existence. There were over 250,000 troops, combining the central forces and private armies. For the nomads who numbered only 60,000 to 70,000, this would be a huge burden.

And as if that weren’t enough—the Executive Manager was also joining the military. We had deployed all elements that could shake the nomads’ morale.

“If the nomads fear the empire, then the Executive Manager is the symbol of that fear. Even the Invincible Duke can’t pressure them by just existing.”

The Emperor’s words suddenly came to mind.

He said that he appointed him as a military inspector because of his symbolism rather than military power. While we should use force decisively if necessary, only the Executive Manager could lead the best strategy to win without fighting.

He’s right.

As long as the nomad tribes continued to exist, the Rebel would be an unforgettable existence to them. Meanwhile, the Executive Manager was the calamity who defeated that Rebel. The nomads’ fear of the Executive Manager would grow as much as they admired and revered the Rebel.

I hope his presence will have an even greater effect than we predicted. The faster the war ended, the better.

…Would it be too much to wish for this war to end before the imperial heir is born?

As a father, I’d be saddened if my first child’s birth were stained with blood and war—but forcing an early end to the war would only lead to unnecessary casualties among the soldiers.

So let’s leave it to Enen and the Great Emperor. If they watch over my child, then perhaps he would be born not in blood and tears but amidst cheers and congratulations.

***

I went to work at the Prosecutors’ Office as soon as I arrived in the capital with the Mage Duchess. With our departure imminent, I needed to take minimal measures as the Executive Manager, and information about the expeditionary force might have arrived while I was away.

It just arrived.

And as expected, documents about the expeditionary force had arrived just this morning—fresh and hot off the press.

Finalized Northern Expedition Forces

The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Corps are under the Central Forces.

The 8th, 11th, and 12th Corps are under the Western Forces.

The 7th, 15th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, and 26th Corps are under the Northern Forces.

A total of 12 central army corps are participating.

Additionally, a combined force of 100,000 private troops from the major lords of the Central, Western, and Northern regions will participate.

The expeditionary force will have Duke Richter Nuren of Havlem, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army and Grand Marshal, as its Commander-in-Chief.

Baltharas Winters, Commander of the Northern Forces, will command the corps belonging to the Northern Forces.

Viscount Raman Mogens of Nudril, 2nd Corps Commander, is appointed as Marshal to command the corps belonging to the Central Forces.

Evert Bonatra, 8th Corps Commander, is appointed as Marshal to command the corps belonging to the Western Forces.

Imperial Council member, Count Wilhelm Krasius of Tailglehen, is appointed as Marshal to command half of the Central local troops.

George Hiden is appointed as Marshal to command half of the Central local troops.

Count Patrecia Keilon of Sapri is appointed as Marshal to command the Northern local troops.

Marquis Maramento Digo of Lavirge is appointed as Marshal to command the Western local troops.

…

Oh.

Seeing the fully confirmed expeditionary force, I couldn’t help but be impressed. I had guessed it after the Emperor’s flashy performance at the assembly, but he had indeed mobilized a force comparable to the previous war.

Moreover, there were seven marshals or equivalent figures led by the Invincible Duke, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army.

He’s really determined.

For the first time in days, the marquis seal resting in my pocket felt light.

***

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