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150,000 troops from the central army, 100,000 from private armies, and six nobles appointed as marshals. It was the kind of force that would send the eastern kingdoms into a frenzy if deployed along the eastern border.

Looking at these numbers, it was clear just how terrifying nomads are to settled countries. The nomadic forces were estimated to gather 70,000 troops at most, but the empire had amassed 250,000 troops, far exceeding three times that number. If we take the lower estimate of 60,000 troops for the nomads, then it was a force four times larger. At this point, it was fair to say that we’d won before even fighting.

This would be a guaranteed victory if only the enemy weren’t nomads...

Damned horse-riding bastards.

The problem was that all 60,000-70,000 of the nomad forces would be cavalry. Those dog-like nomads... wouldn’t it be proper to fight fairly on foot?

Still, there was a silver lining. While this cavalry power difference was an annoying problem, it wasn’t an impossible issue to overcome. After all, it was unlikely that the Emperor or the military had overlooked a problem that even a non-soldier like me was concerned about.

...In addition to the special forces belonging to each corps and private army, 14 knight orders, 8 mage units, and 16 other combat units from the Special Service Agency are participating.

This was listed at the end of the final expeditionary force roster. A total of 38 elite units nurtured by the emperor himself were joining the expedition.

This should be enough.

Just looking at the numbers was reassuring, making me nod instinctively.

Cavalry overwhelms infantry, but special forces were monsters that transcend mere troop classifications. No matter how skilled the horsemen were, they might as well be training dummies against well-trained knights or mages. The empire might lack cavalry, but it certainly wasn’t lacking special forces.

Of course, the North also had its own knights and mages, but most of them died in the last war.

Why does everyone have a flaw?

Thinking about it, it was funny. The empire’s cavalry was crippled, while the North’s special forces were decimated. Both sides were going to war with a broken limb.

Someone once said that war was a contest between cripples, where the less crippled side wins. I didn’t know who said it, but it was true. And thankfully, the empire seemed to be the one with fewer injuries.

***On the day of the departure ceremony, I barely managed to handle the bare minimum of my work and visited the territory. Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere in the territory wasn’t good at all.

From the family’s perspective, both the Patriarch and heir were joining the military, and looking at the entire territory, a considerable number of subjects were participating as private troops. Bluntly put, family, friends, and neighbors were going off to die—wouldn’t it be stranger if the atmosphere was bright?

“Come in. It’s hot outside—are you feeling alright?”

“I’m always healthy, Mother. I’m fine.”

Despite the gloomy atmosphere, Mother greeted me with the brightest face possible as if she couldn’t show a dark expression in front of her son who was about to go to war.

“A familiar face has come, too.”

“I-It’s been a while, Mother.”

The 4th Manager hurriedly bowed her head at Mother’s gentle greeting.

Seeing her tense appearance, Mother gently smiled and patted the 4th Manager’s shoulder. The 4th Manager bowed even lower as if overwhelmed, but I decided not to say anything since it just showed how much she respected Mother.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, but to think that it’s for a pre-war greeting.”

Mother muttered bitterly towards the 4th Manager.

And she had every right to be upset. From her perspective, another one of her daughters-in-law was heading to the battlefield. First her husband, then her son, and now her daughter-in-law as well. What cruel fate was this?

But it couldn’t be helped. With Special Service Agency forces being deployed en masse, there was no justification for the Masked Unit alone to be left out. Moreover, the Prosecutors’ Office’s 4th Division, the predecessor of the Masked Unit, was active in the last Great Northern War. Its symbolism was enormous, so it would be stranger if they didn’t participate.

“Please don’t worry too much. Penelia won’t be directly fighting, just like me.”

At least, there was some comfort I could offer.

Although the Masked Unit was participating due to its symbolism, that same symbolism also meant they’d be sticking with me. Officially, they were assigned as my guards in my capacity as military inspector. In reality, it was a move designed to increase the psychological pressure on the nomads by attaching them to me.

Therefore, the Masked Unit was more likely to be on standby at headquarters rather than on the front lines, like me. Of course, they’d come with me if I was deployed to the battlefield. But honestly, the chances of us getting hurt were slim unless Dorgon himself showed up.

“Not going to war is best, but... still, that’s a relief.”

Mother’s voice sounded a little lighter, as if my words had eased some of her worries.

“Just... please, just come back safely. That’s all I ask for.”

Then she hugged me and the 4th Manager, whispering softly. It wasn’t something a noble who valued dedication and duty to the empire would say, but right now, Mother was embracing us not as a countess, but as a mother and mother-in-law. Just like the Patriarch did last time.

“Yes, we will do that.”

The 4th Manager answered firmly to Mother’s concern. As someone who lost her parents, she seemed deeply moved by the way Mother worried over her like she was her true child.

“I’ll return without even a small scratch.”

“Yes, please do so.”

Mother smiled at her determined words. But as an observer of their conversation, I couldn’t help but notice a small misunderstanding forming between them.

Mother probably meant for us to return safely without fighting, a hope that we’d come back with our limbs intact even if we didn’t achieve glory.

But looking at the 4th Manager’s steely resolve, it seemed that she interpreted Mother’s words a bit differently.

If I kill them before they can hit me, I won’t get hurt.

An oddly pragmatic, if slightly twisted, conclusion. She had essentially taken her mother-in-law’s blessing as an encouragement for total victory. No wonder she looked so resolute.

...That said, it wasn’t exactly wrong. There was no problem if you eliminated the threat before it could harm you. It did make sense.

“Madam. Wouldn’t it be troublesome to keep the newly arrived guests standing outside?”

“Ah.”

At that moment, the head maid whispered discreetly from behind Mother, making her flinch.

Come to think of it, we had only just arrived. But all the hugging and well-wishing felt like we were already being sent off.

“W-well, come in first. Ah, have you eaten?”

“No, not yet.”

Actually, I had, but it felt like saying no in this situation would make her feel even more embarrassed.

***After a quick meal, we headed straight to the expeditionary army’s assembly point near the capital. The Patriarch was already preparing for departure in the capital, and Mother didn’t seem to want to hold me back for long. She just wanted to see my face one more time before I left and have a meal together.

I was worried she might cry during the meal, but she seemed fine this time, perhaps because she had cried it all out last time. I suppose that was a relief.

“Come back safely. Knowing you, I’m sure you will, but still... be careful.”

“Thanks. Oh, and if you have time, try reaching out to Countess Horfeld. The former count is joining the war too, so she’s probably feeling uneasy.”

And right after the meal, I gave some appropriate advice in response to Erich’s sincere encouragement before leaving.

Giving relationship advice to my younger brother right before the war was admittedly absurd, but this wasn’t really for him—it was for Countess Horfeld. She already had enough on her plate, being in love with someone as hopelessly oblivious as Erich. And now, on top of that, her father was being sent to war. She must be sick with worry.

This was advice to save a person... I hope Countess Horfeld would be happy to receive Erich’s contact.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Just wondering how many nieces and nephews I’ll have.”

The Minister’s gruff voice cut in as I quietly worried about Countess Horfeld’s mental state, so I instinctively responded.

It was a strange answer, but not entirely wrong. After all, the number of nieces and nephews I had would depend entirely on Erich’s cluelessness.

“Huh, I’m more curious about the number of your own children.”

“Well, it’ll be either over twenty or under, one of the two.”

The Minister burst into laughter at my nonchalant reply, but I ignored him.

“Well then, come back in one piece. If something happens to you, we’ll lose twenty future civil servants.”

“Hey, don’t decide my children’s careers on your own!”

But I couldn’t ignore that one.

Who did this lunatic think he was, turning my children into slaves? My kids were going to be wealthy freeloaders.

“Seeing the brave and loyal soldiers before me, I am assured of the empire’s unshakable Mandate of Heaven.”

Just as I was about to unleash a string of curses filled with fatherly fury, the emperor’s voice rang out across the assembly grounds from the podium. His voice, probably amplified by an artifact, boomed powerfully across the vast plain.

I hurriedly closed my mouth as the formal departure ceremony was about to begin. Damn it, I should have cursed a bit faster.

“The empire has never been in a position to challenge, but to be challenged. Throughout the empire’s 300-year history, the empire has faced countless challenges.”

The Emperor stood proudly on the platform, flanked by the Crown Prince, the Minister of the Imperial Household, and the Invincible Duke. The ruler of the empire was now recounting its history.

“For 300 years, the empire has faced countless trials. Our great ancestors overcame every challenge. No hatred, no fury, no pleading could halt the march of the empire. Those who dared to challenge the empire simply disappeared, trampled under the giant that is the empire.”

The Emperor emphasized the proud history of the empire that had always been victorious, albeit in a calm manner. At those words, the atmosphere in the assembly area quietly ignited.

“Now, it is our turn to follow in our ancestors’ footsteps. Just as they did, we shall trample the empire’s enemies and prove that our divine mandate remains unshaken.”

Seemingly noticing this atmosphere, the Emperor raised his right arm. It was a very rare performance for an Emperor who usually just says what needs to be said.

“March forth, march forth! From the southernmost shores to the northernmost peaks, to every corner of this continent where the light shines.”

The Emperor gestured with a verse from the national anthem that every imperial citizen would know. It was just a simple act, but it was enough to make the already excited soldiers explode.

““March forth, march forth! From the southernmost shores to the northernmost peaks, to every corner of this continent where the light shines.””

““Rule, rule! From the towering Gariond Mountains to the vast oceans! Over all who bow before the Mandate of Heaven!””

A chorus of voices about to go to war.

Whether it was a testament to their burning patriotism or just a desperate cry to mask their fear, I couldn’t tell.

Of course, it didn’t matter which it was. The Emperor had commanded, the nobles had followed, and the soldiers had cheered.

That was all there was to it.