Translator: Aura / Editor: SaWarren

  In the Eastern Empire, the Emperor had a powerful mage army, allowing his lords to possess lands and private soldiers.

  In contrast, the Western Empire limited the possession of land and private soldiers because its main force was in the conventional army.

  In other words, the Emperor of the Western Empire controlled the military power alone, but he also had to shoulder the responsibility that this entailed on his own.

  As far as I know, there were troops stationed on the border of the Western Empire.

  Most likely Marquis Ketron was talking about additional support.

  What should we do?

  As Marquis Ketron said, if we concentrate support troops in one place, it will be much easier to defend.

  If, on the contrary, the troops were divided among six places, then the defense would be compromised.

  Dispersing troops among territories unlikely to be attacked would come at a great cost in human and economic resources.

  But even the slightest possibility remained a real threat and fear for the residents there.

  If Heinley did not provide support, residents would be upset and resentful of the country.

  “That’s what you, as foreign minister, must think.”
Before I could respond, Heinley coldly interjected.

  “How incompetent are the officials under my command that you have to ask the Empress who has been in the Western Empire for less than a year to take care of your duties?”
Marquis Ketron became angry, but immediately responded to Heinley’s rebuke with a smile.

  “Wasn’t Empress Navier renowned for her intelligence from her days as Empress of the Eastern Empire?”
Seeing his insistence on pointing out that I had been the Empress of the Eastern Empire, it is evident that I am not liked by Christa’s cousin.

  Heinley tried to say something again, but this time I spoke first.

  “We have to attack.”
Heinley looked at me in surprise. I elevated the credibility of my words by speaking in a calm voice.

  “If we don’t know which way they will come, then we have to attack first. That way, the troops will not have to disperse.”
Marquis Ketron immediately rebutted.

  “What do you think the Eternal Thousand bandits will do if we attack them?! They will invade the Western Empire! Ah, since you are from the Eastern Empire you don’t care about the situation of our Empire?”
“Marquis Ketron. Watch your tongue.”
At Heinley’s cold voice, Marquis Ketron finally kept his mouth shut. However, his eyes were still filled with dissatisfaction.

  Heinley was young and it had not been long since he ascended the throne. Moreover, when he was a prince, he preferred to wander around other countries rather than expand his forces.

  For these reasons, the forces left behind by Heinley’s brother did not appear to be very loyal to Heinley.

  If these forces were not loyal to Heinley, then I did not need to win them over. Heinley would get rid of these people at any time.

  Besides, the Marquis was a supporter of Christa.

  As soon as I finished assessing the situation, I laughed lightly as if mocking.

  Marquis Ketron’s gaze, which did not move away from me, became fierce.

  He seemed to snort inwardly, ‘Are you mocking me?!’
“Your Majesty, why are you laughing?”
“Marquis Ketron really doesn’t seem to know anything about the Eternal Thousand bandits.”
“?”
“They are bandits who are driven exclusively by profit. They don’t take revenge personally. If they deem it unprofitable, they will give up and go elsewhere. As you say, I am from the Eastern Empire, so I know very well how they operate.”
Marquis Ketron was so taken aback by my words that even his neck turned red. But instead of staying still, he continued to lash out at me.

  “Your Majesty’s words sound good, but when you analyze it, it is ridiculous. For what Your Majesty says to be possible we should deal them a severe blow to the point that they would consider it a loss to face the Western Empire again. However, the Eternal Thousand bandits are not an opponent that can be easily suppressed. And still, Your Majesty wants to deal a severe blow to them to limit their behavior? It’s like to bell the cat!”
TL/N: ‘to bell the cat’ means to attempt or agree to attempt an impossibly difficult task that if achieved, will benefit everyone.

  “Sir Koshar has fought more than 50 battles against the Eternal Thousand bandits, so he has a lot of experience when it comes to them. Sir Koshar will be able to handle it.”
I even pointed out who was going to bell the cat. Besides, he was my brother.

  Finally, Marquis Ketron could say nothing and closed his mouth.

  After that, no one addressed me again.

  ***

  Once the meeting was over. I called my brother and told him about the situation on the border of the Western Empire with the Eternal Thousand bandits, as well as the discussion between Marquis Ketron and me at the State Council today. At the end, I asked him,

  “You can handle it?”
Of course, I was sure my brother could.

  When my brother was in the Eastern Empire, even though it wasn’t his job to deal with the Eternal Thousand bandits, he stepped forward and shook the battlefield.

  It was like my brother’s hobby. Facing the Eternal Thousand bandits, he felt free.

  As expected, my brother said casually as he burst out laughing.

  “It’s been a while since I last met with those bad guys.”
I was relieved by that attitude.

  However, I noticed Mastas staring at my brother in shock.

  “Mastas?”
I didn’t understand why, so I called her name quietly.

  My brother also noticed her expression and was puzzled. No wonder, from her expression it looked like my brother had stolen her soul.

  When she came to, her eyes sparkled and she shouted,

  “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’m sorry, Sir Koshar. It’s just that I was suddenly a little curious.”
“Curious?”
“I’m curious about Sir Koshar’s ability to deal with the Eternal Thousand bandits as if they were nothing!”
Mastas really loved to fight.

  Surprisingly, my brother asked her calmly.

  “If you’re so curious, would you like to come with me?”
Mastas became excited, but then hesitated and replied, “No.”
“My duty now is to protect the Empress. However, I wish I could fight Sir Koshar another time.”
In the end, my brother laughed out loud at her direct attitude.

  ***

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