Chapter 164

After the final exams, Ivan summoned the group once again. It was the usual dinner gathering at Isabelle's, as usual.

"Eugene, any news on the quest?"

"Nothing yet, Brother."

Well, if the situation was urgent enough to warrant a disruption in the usual routine, he would have reported before being asked.

Ivan nodded thoughtfully, lost in thought.

'Does this mean that the quest's warning is meaningless unless it's just before the event?'

This was a major issue. Eugene's role was deemed akin to an early warning system. But what meaning did a warning system have when it warned only when the situation became so urgent that it was difficult to handle?

Having the powerful advantage of accessing others' real names and information might be beneficial, but it seemed more like the realm of espionage rather than early warning systems.

'Situations like the Tylesse rebellion can't be responded to even if they're recognized right before.'

Events like the rebellion of the three Counts were the kind that needed to be prevented from the start to finish without casualties.

"I should go to Kalion during the winter break."

Ivan finalized his thoughts and looked at the group. Except for Elpheira, no one seemed pleased.

It didn't matter. The number of people he could take was already decided anyway.

"Isabelle, Oscar."

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

First, the companions from Tylesse.

To calm the uneasy sentiments in Tylesse that had worsened since the civil war, they needed to return to their homeland. The daughter of Maximilian and the son of Jil Ber, their names carried weight at this critical moment.

"I need you to contribute to stabilizing the situation in Tylesse."

"What difference does it make if I go...?"

"Ugh, I want to go to Kalion too!"

Ignoring the grumbling pair, Ivan turned to Ecdysis.

"And you, you have an important role."

"Are you telling me to teach real music to those spoiled brats in Kalion?!"

"No. Return to your homeland."

"Huh...?"

Whatever the next major episode would be, it would happen either in Kalion or Drovian. While Ivan could respond effectively in Kalion, the same couldn't be said for Drovian.

If something happened in Drovian while he was absent, they would miss the opportunity. Such situations needed to be prevented.

"Yuri, Eugene. Act with Ecdysis."

So Ivan planned to keep Yuri close. Among the current companions, she had the highest 'power.'

In the first year of the knight department, there was a Huscal. However, Yuri remained the top practical student of the first year of the knight department. Its meaning was simple.

At just two years into her incarnation, she already possessed stronger power than Huskal.

Ridiculous growth. If one assumed that all incarnates had some kind of 'incarnation bonus,' then her bonus seemed to be the most understandable form.

It's a 'talent.' Overwhelming and brilliant. It seemed like the level of the protagonist of a growth-type light novel.

Therefore, the plan was to keep her with Ecdysis. In any situation, they should be able to make Ecdysis safe.

"Wouldn't it be better for me to go with you, sir?"

"It's too risky."

"What? But where isn't it risky?"

"No. Your mental barriers are too weak."

Even a simple 'courage enhancement' made his personality change. Eugene was unusually vulnerable to mind sorcery.

And Kalion was the place where the most adept people in mind sorcery in the whole world gathered. While he could respond to physical attacks, Ivan had no means to protect his comrades from mental attacks.

On top of that.

"We need personnel who can respond directly on-site when the quest erupts. I can handle it in Kalion, but you'll have to do it in Drovian."

Someday, Eugene would need to replace him. His talent as an infiltrator was truly overwhelming.

"If I respond... I wonder what I can do if something like the Tylesse incident happens..."

"Contact Patricia through the school and request military support from the intelligence headquarters. Drovian is closer to Tylesse."

At the point when Ivan thought of this world as an academy setting, the first adventurer party he contacted was Ecdysis.

Being the first person to cross the border for admission was also a factor, but the fact that Drovian was physically closer couldn't be ignored.

After hearing Ivan's words, Eugene nodded quietly.

He now scanned the remaining members inside the mansion.

Elpheira. Essential personnel if they were to go to Kalion from the start.

Oswald. The son of a councilor, engaged to the daughter of the councilor.

Lucia. Supported Eugene during the Tylesse incident, and now he will support him.

And then Rundis. The only person capable of holding the vanguard in the current group, which lacked frontline fighters.

Thus, he formed the party with these four as the foundation.

Not bad. Since their lineup barely overlapped with the last Tylesse incident, they could evenly distribute growth among all party members.

"Elpheira."

"Oh, yes!"

Elpheira looked startled at Ivan, then quickly lowered her head back to the table.

Attempting to understand a teenage girl in her rebellious phase was foolish. Perhaps her face wasn't to her liking or something similar.

Of course, such things were meaningless. What mattered was utility and usefulness.

"We should prepare a smuggling ship heading to Kalion."

"Uh...?"

Elpheira blinked in confusion. A smuggling ship? All of a sudden?

"Can't we just go to one of the Tylesse ports and take a boat in? If we hurry, we could still arrive within ten days."

"No, we can't."

Krasilov was a nation serious about domestic intelligence, and currently, Tylesse was arguably the most unstable land in the United Kingdom.

If they were to use a train heading to Tylesse, they would inevitably be detected by the intelligence network of the espionage headquarters. Elizaveta would notice the moment he boarded the train.

Then there would be a threat of being ambushed by a train before crossing half of this country.

"Until there's an achievement, my movements in this country shouldn't be noticed."

"...Yes? What... what does that mean...?"

Elpheira was lost in confusion.

Ivan nodded silently. It was an answer even without words. Elpheira sighed and gripped her forehead.

"This man is really crazy. He's a government official... no, a soldier. Isn't this mutiny?"

"If we fail, it might seem so."

But if we succeed, it's an accomplishment.

"In the first place, the Cleanup Unit wasn't just any ordinary unit acting under the authority of a higher unit."

"If I were the commander of a higher unit, I would have taken care of it sooner..."

"That's right."

"Oh."

The group lowered their heads at Ivan's response.

The Cleanup Unit was a rear infiltration unit. It was a unit that received pre-approval for action regardless of the situation. Since they operated in areas where there was no way to disclose operational outlines to headquarters in the first place.

Therefore, the competence and loyalty of the field commander determined almost everything about the unit.

If they were moderately unsuccessful and moderately incompetent, they might have been treated as a somewhat special unit. However, the Cleanup Unit was a blade that was too sharp.

A sharp blade that never listened and could turn in any direction at any time. It was only natural for the Cleanup Unit to be disbanded. Even if Kirill had been in his right mind, the Cleanup Unit would surely have been disbanded.

But Elizaveta would never do such a thing. It was because of the trust that had been passed down from those days. She was a commander who trusted the judgment on the ground.

So it's fine. This isn't mutiny; it's just a somewhat bold operation.

"No, sir. If the princess didn't come to rescue us in Tylesse, wouldn't we all have died there together?"

"This time is different."

"...How so?"

"Because Veolgrin is alive."

It's different from when Jil Ber, who had almost no real power and bore almost all of the political burden, was in charge.

"Kalion is a nation where the state is run by decisions of the councilors. The monarchy is so weak to the point of being faint, and the authority of the parliament is of paramount importance.

Therefore, it wouldn't be an overstatement to say that it's the most political nation in this world. And politicians never put all their eggs in one basket.

Excessive concentration of power in one person is never tolerated in parliamentary politics.

Although most of Kalion's power dynamics are not well known abroad, there is one thing you can be sure of.

Veolgrin's power within Kalion is likely to be limited. Even if it exists, it's not beyond honorary positions.

That means, Veolgrin's autonomy is greatly ensured.

A party of free-roaming adventurers is a disaster in itself. Ivan found it difficult to even think of a way to kill such a Veolgrin.

If a disaster of that magnitude were to occur, if there were no room for intervention, then surely a quest would appear.

'Just the fact that Eugene is remaining silent means there's a level of preemptive response possible.'

So, assistance from Krasilov is not necessary for this operation. As long as contact can be made with Veolgrin, there should be few problems.

If he can transfer Alexander and return home.

'Finally.'

In front of the graves of many fallen comrades, he could stand tall and pay his respects.

Ivan quietly raised his cup to his lips.

With superhuman patience, he was able to steady his trembling hand.

It was finally time to put an end to the postponed mourning. It wouldn't be long now.

Three months until the end of winter vacation. It's only a short time, not even 100 days.

Even though 30 years have passed since coming to this world, only three months seem significant. Ivan was in the Cleanup Unit, and the Cleanup Unit specialized in waiting, lurking, and silence.

Trained operatives can lurk motionless for over ten days. Three months is by no means a long operation.

If lucky, it could be even shorter.

Ivan smiled quietly.

"A smuggling ship is my specialty, after all! Remember? Cohenulf once practically smuggled herself in! And she did say she'd be returning home this winter."

Let's launch the airship!

Elpheira shouted confidently.

*

"Your Highness."

"Yes?"

The trade routes to Tylesse are in chaos. It's not just one or two, but many railway lines and trade routes have been disrupted since the rebellion of the three marquises. Therefore, even acquiring essential supplies for winter is difficult. While famine can be barely avoided with stored food, if logistics aren't stabilized, the winter will be harsh.

Fortunately, the military industry is thriving, so it won't be difficult to secure funds for Tilles and the entire United Kingdom.

Great, the country is gradually stabilizing.

With the submission of the First Legion, the regime has finally been completed.

"Now, if only Alexander can be dealt with definitively, then we can hold the coronation..."

No one would dare to oppose the absolute monarchy. Under the guise of constitutional monarchy, where all responsibility is delegated to the parliament while authority is retained, finally...

"No one can stop me from marrying whomever I choose."

Even if she had devoted herself to the state solely for this day, it wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Recently, Elizaveta had been unusually joyful in life. In this month, Ivan quietly listened, shaved his beard, the First Legion obeyed, and the colonies expanded!

Even the notorious pirates of Kalion wouldn't dare to attempt a military demonstration under the aerial battleships of the dwarves.

"If we get through the winter well, we might attempt military diplomacy next spring."

If it's confirmed that Alexander is in Kalion, pressure could be applied by mentioning the rudeness of sending Koenwulf to the last tournament.

Power stems from military strength. And from the moment the aerial fortress is ready, Kalion cannot afford to underestimate Krasilov.

After smoothly transferring Alexander's recruits and neutralizing Kirill in front of the Oktyabryskaya Throne. Only then will the succession to the throne be secured.

And at the coronation, proudly in front of all the people of this country—

"Would March be good? Hmm. But I'd prefer to wear sleeveless in April, wouldn't it be better? Thinner dresses look prettier. Yes, yes. Perfect."

Elizaveta smiled contentedly as she organized the documents.

Come to think of it, Dmitry had requested an audience. About Tilles-related reports, perhaps.

"Yes? What is it?"

"Um, uh, um. Your Highness. That... "

"Speak quickly. Your time is limited."

"Yes, Your Highness. Um... Your Majesty... Um... Yes, Your Majesty. Sir Yermov is missing."

-Drip.

The fountain pen I was holding without realizing it bent. Dmitry hastily knelt and shouted as he slapped his knees on the ground.

"I swear, I swear, I really don't know. Perhaps, it's Pavel, maybe it's that man? I-I have no idea!"

"Fetch Pavel."

"Yes, yes!"

"And release the agents. No, not flyers. Release the agents. How many agents are left in Frechenkaya?"

"There are about a hundred and sixty."

"Release them all. Deploy agents on all land and sea routes to Kalion... Release Pavel, and have him report on the smuggling route! I'll give you 30 minutes!"

"Yes, yes!"

Trembling, Dmitry fled as if he were running away.

Elizaveta shook with anger and threw the inkwell.

"Mutiny! Mutiny! It's mutiny... treason!!"

After a while, Pavel, who had hastily searched the chaotic room, quickly prostrated himself on the floor.

"I'll do my best to bring the traitor back. Your Highness."

"...Once you catch him, make sure to hear his testimony."

"Understood."

"I will strip him of his rank and prepare for his return home with a lifelong pension. So be it!"

"I humbly accept the marriage in advance."

"You're dismissed! Go!"

"As you command. Your Highness."

Pavel smiled slyly as he stepped back.

Now that the commander is finally becoming a married man and retiring from military service, Counterintelligence Command is in Pavel's hands. So..

"I'll give him a generous gift. Yes."