The atmosphere in the room right now, if I were to compare it to something, would it be best to say it’s five seconds before a quarrel starts?
There are times it’s described as a tingling or a prickling sensation, but it’s nothing so mild.
Before my ears could even pick up the president’s words and my brain could process them, an oppressive force, like a storm, assailed my entire body.
The main pillar of the war’s defense was decided for Amili-san with a single word from the president.
There were no objections to this, and it could even be said that the decision was a logical one.
Amili-san is currently pregnant, and while I can’t help but wonder if it’s appropriate for her to take such an important position, she herself seems to think it’s fine and doesn’t show any particular signs of concern.
The president probably thought this agenda item would be settled quickly, so he decided to get it over with.
He wanted to finish before everyone got tired, precisely because he knew it would create an atmosphere that made people think a battle was about to begin.
Even the maids, butlers, and the knight bodyguards present in this room could feel their bodies stiffen.
They were the cause of this tension, the cause of this volatile atmosphere.
The one who would play the vanguard, the very first to charge when transitioning from defense to offense.
As soon as the topic of who would take on that role came up, the generals spontaneously volunteered, excluding myself and Amili-san.
I, with my inhuman physical abilities, could tell.
In the span of a single second, without a sliver of a delay, five generals stepped forward to announce their candidacy for the attack.
At the same time, I felt an pressure that made me mistake the room’s gravity as doubling, no, tripling.
Even the normally docile Tree King and Giant King did not fall behind the two warlike instructors and the Dragon King.
How much do they want to fight, to have such palpable intentions of combat?
“Now, now, calm yourselves. You might be fine, but your soldiers and these people are not. Please lower your aggression.”
The only one in the world who could laugh happily at seeing such enthusiasm would probably be the president.
He lightly reprimanded them, and the generals, finally calming their aggression, were met with his gentle smile.
“I have sufficiently felt everyone’s enthusiasm. Indeed, I am thinking of two people as the primary attackers. This is possible precisely because the Human King will provide support for both the offense and defense. The rest will stand by as reserve forces and respond flexibly according to the unfolding situation.”
The president, having foreseen this, explained the deployment of the generals for the attack with a wry smile.
Amili-san would defend against the enemy’s attack, and while they were struggling, we would extend the dungeon and launch a counterattack on their territory.
Committing three generals for the initial battle plan of offense and defense was a considerable outlay.
It’s helpful that he subtly fixed my role as well.
But my problem is no longer of any consequence.
“Then, it’s decided. It’ll be me and Nōraifu. I’ll handle the physical, Nōraifu the magical. That’s a good balance, isn’t it!”
“It’s a reasonable and orthodox approach, without exaggeration, a foolproof strategy. There can be no other choice.”
Would the battle-loving Demon Lord’s Army easily give up the vanguard, the highlight of any battle, a position that guaranteed victory?
“I object to that proposal. Regarding magic, I am the one who can effectively utilize the land and am therefore crucial as the first attacker. With the spirit magic that our Dark Elves pride themselves on, it is not impossible to transform the occupied territory into a fortress in an instant.”
“There is no way the Giants would lag behind in construction technology. The army of the Giant race, capable of stable self-sufficiency, is important for establishing the foundation of the initial battle. Therefore, I am the most suitable for the vanguard.”
“Stop with all this troublesome talk. Battles are won by the strong. If I go first and sweep everything away, it’ll be settled. There’s no one who can match our Dragon race in terms of destructive power.”
The generals’ words, refuting the two instructors who immediately formed a tag team upon learning there were only two spots for attackers, are telling.
There is no hesitation, their pronouncements are so bold that there is no room for backing down.
This topic is bound to drag on.
In my opinion, the instructor duo is undoubtedly the strongest pair. They are the veterans who have been with the current Demon Lord’s Army since its formation.
Their stability is remarkably high.
Therefore, there is a sense of security in letting them take the lead. However, if asked whether that alone serves as a reason not to choose other generals, I can definitively say it doesn’t.
Even looking at them, I feel the same persuasive power from the other generals as I do from the instructors.
Although the Dragon King is a bit too brute and could choose his words more carefully, his strength validates him, leaving no room for denial.
“Hmm, everyone’s opinions are valid. Then, I will listen to each of your opinions and use them as reference. Kiō, Human King, I would like you to listen to their opinions and tell me what you feel.”
“Understood.”
“I understand.”
The final decision undoubtedly rests with the president, but I have been assigned a role that could influence even the president’s decision.
The instructors’ sharp gazes, as if to say, “Do you understand?” make me want to shrink away, Mr. President.
But if I am given a job, I will do it properly.
“Then, first, we must clarify the purpose and objective.”
“Oh?”
If I am ordered to offer my opinion, I will fulfill that proposal. Currently, what is needed is not the process of fighting, but the result of victory.
Everyone in this room understands this, but in meetings, it is subtly necessary to articulate it and establish a common understanding.
Proceeding with matters based on assumptions, thinking “they’ll probably understand,” can lead to conflict due to minor discrepancies.
It would be a waste of time to consume it.
The president laughed with amusement, as if wondering why I would say this now, and the other generals gave off an air of “What now?”
“Human King, do you have something in mind?”
“It’s not so much a thought as it is a principle, but by having a clear objective, we can proceed with matters with maximum efficiency. Even if all the generals present were assigned the same task, they would all achieve it. That would yield results for the Demon Lord’s Army. However, the costs incurred in the process, in this case, are property damage, human casualties, and time loss. I believe there will be significant differences in all three aspects.”
“Indeed. Even if the time is short, if the other damages are too great, it will hinder later governance. Conversely, if we are too concerned about damages and the invasion proceeds at a snail’s pace, that is also a problem. That applies to me and the other generals as well.”
However, as I explained my words and clarified what I wanted to convey, the generals also began to consider what needed to be decided.
“Mr. President, what I’d like to ask is, first of all, how far should we attack, and where should we occupy? I would like to know the ultimate objective of the first stage.”
To be honest, I find it amazing that the generals are volunteering without even deciding what needs to be done.
However, I think it would be better to at least clearly decide where to attack first.
“Indeed, the troublesome situation right now is that we can deploy armies onto the continent from anywhere. Honestly, no matter which country we attack, as long as that country holds out, other countries can attack the continent and form alliances to support the country that is holding out.”
“Then, are we aiming to dismantle that alliance first? If so, should it be the suzerain Empire, the Kingdom, or Tris, the domain of the gods?”
It’s about clearly identifying the troublesome aspect and shaping it to our advantage. It’s not necessarily bad to attack indiscriminately and turn it into a power game, but our current enemy seems to be aiming for that.
The Tree King notes that theory dictates targeting a major power if aiming to dismantle an alliance.
“No, first we will attack the surrounding small countries, those that have been subjugated by force and harbor dissatisfaction.”
However, the enemy understands this as well.
“If we are to build a solid foundation, we must first hide in the darkness. They might not think much of capturing a single small country, but what if that number increases?”
While the Demon Lord’s Army usually acts openly and clearly, who said they can’t operate in secret?
The president, with his wicked smile, truly looks like a Demon Lord.
“We have plenty of cards up our sleeve here, like Earth, which they don’t have. We’ll conquer one or two countries without a fight.”
The face of a ruler hidden behind a gentle smile. Even sweet whispers can sometimes be a weapon.
This gentleman, who proudly claims that the ability to use both the carrot and the stick is what makes one worthy of being a nation’s leader.
He truly seems capable of changing the destiny of a country with just his words.
“In that case, the furthest country would be the best. The Kingdom and Tris are positioned to the east, and the Empire to the west. So, should we aim for the north or the south, or perhaps…”
“Both.”
And then, the Demon Lord’s gaze turns. The saying goes, “He who chases two rabbits catches neither.” If one were to consider safety measures, it would be best to choose one. However, judging from the smirking faces of the instructors, it seems…
“Yes, let’s go for both without hesitation. While expanding the front lines is generally not advisable, we are pressed for time now. We want to conquer small countries as quickly as possible and increase our influence.”
The president’s choice is a simultaneous invasion of both north and south, as proposed by Instructor Kio.
“Then, this time, those skilled in strategy rather than combat power should participate.”
“In that case, it would be me and the Tree King.”
And the task at hand is covert infiltration and the preparation for a counterattack. The Dragon King and the Oni King, who love to rampage, are excluded, as is the Giant King, who is not adept at covert operations.
“No, only one side will be covert. First, I want to conquer a country with a conspicuous approach. We need to divert attention to that side while the covert side strikes from behind.”
For a moment, Instructor Kio and the Dragon King, who thought they might have lost their roles, looked crestfallen, but the president’s words revived them.
When it comes to rampaging spectacularly, there are no generals more skilled than these two.
Here, in addition to the choice between north and south, they are divided into a covert side and a rampaging side.
The target locations and objectives have been decided. Now, the question remains: who will carry them out?
“The ‘rampage’ side’s objective is to expand the front lines while considering retreat and conserving troop strength. To prevent attention from being diverted to the opposite side, aggressive action and sustained combat capability are necessary. Conversely, for the ‘covert’ side, individuals skilled in negotiation and stealth are appropriate.”
The necessary elements are as Amili summarized. Any general present here possesses the required qualities.
“I don’t want to do troublesome things like covert operations; if I’m going to do anything, it’s going to be the rampaging side, one choice only.”
“What a coincidence, Dragon King. Me too.”
“Covert operations don’t suit me either.”
However, here the preferences diverge.
“Kukukuku, I don’t care either way. In that case, I will nominate myself for both.”
“I am of the same opinion as the Undead King. I will ensure full preparedness regardless of who is chosen.”
Generals who prefer to rampage, and generals who also prefer to rampage. It is clear which ones are easier to use. However, I believe it is important to avoid consuming two such useful generals here.
“Hmm, then let’s discuss the specifics a little more. Bring the map.”
It is up to the president’s discretion who to use here, but it is not something to be decided immediately. At the president’s instruction, one of the escort soldiers brings a map of Isal.
What was brought was a world map of Isal and an enlarged map of the northern and southern regions.
Earth technology has been incorporated, and the terrain is depicted in considerable detail. At least, it is not a map like those typically seen in fantasy settings that I am familiar with.
“The south, in ancient times, is said to be a land where this continent was connected. On the other hand, the north is home to many small countries ruled by Tris, who have been historical enemies. If we are to engage in covert operations, the south would be easier, and if we are to attract attention and rampage, the north is more suitable.”
Looking at it, the question is how we will decide from here.
“Now, gentlemen, how will you attack?”
It’s time to rack my brains.
Today’s Word: Proactivity depends on time and circumstance.
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I am currently serializing another work: Pandora Pandemic Panic. The box of Pandora has been opened again, but we are fighting back with various things in secret bases and such!! Please check that out as well!!
