While everyone was still talking, the Dauphin opened his mouth.
I see what you mean. Sir Werner, you want to mass produce this.
“If possible, I would like to leave it to the Knights and the Royal Guard to implement it.”
I told him that I wanted it to be practical as soon as possible, but it would cost a lot of money. My father laughed and the rest of them looked at me strangely. What? Did I do something wrong?
“The equipment wasn’t from the Zehrfeldt family?”
“We’re confident in the performance, but we’re not confident in the operation.”
Especially the bow. You have to be trained with a bow. Aiming at a target that doesn’t move you might be able to do it on the fly… but in a real battle it’s really hard to hit a target. There’s a funny story that in a siege battle with untrained soldiers… a thrown stone had a better hit rate than a bow and arrow. And the Zehrfeldts did not train archers very actively. It’s more like they didn’t need to. It’s not enough time to train them now.
So, except for the crossbow crossbow and bullet crossbow barrette crossbow, which are much easier to hit than the bow, I do not think that the implementation of the Zehrfeldt will be able to make the most of it.
“Sir, you’re not greedy.”
General Seyfert opens his mouth with a somewhat dismayed expression on his face.
I may be less greedy now that I don’t have to work as hard as I did in my previous life… but it’s a little disconcerting to hear it said in such a dismissive tone. I’d like to eat good food and drink good wine if I can find it. I’m not really into art or anything. It’s not because I’m a bad painter.
I can understand the general’s reaction. It is true that in a world where individual valor is so important, military officers are valued more highly than civilian officers. Some families might want to give priority to good equipment for their own houses.
But our priority is practicality. Zehrfeld’s army is a dime a dozen compared to King’s Landing’s. I don’t know the exact numbers. But even if we had the strength we do, we wouldn’t be able to cover all of King’s Landing. Then we’d better hope for an upgrade of the entire regular army. The Dauphin seems to be aware of that as well.
“Okay. I’ll take the tech from you. I’ll consult with the Duke and arrange for a foundryman here. Thank you for your help today.
“Ha.”
Uh, sir.
As I bowed to His Highness the Dauphin a voice called out to me from the side. His Royal Highness Prince Luwen. You sound as if you’ve been itching to get here.
“Is there something wrong, Lady Luwen?”
No, I wanted to ask you about Finoy.
This conversation has caused some of you to look at each other subtly. Oh, so that’s what this is about. Lily just told me about that, too.
Well, let’s see…
Your Highness, I have a request.
I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m going to break the ice. Lady Luwen looked at me with a puzzled look on her face. She doesn’t seem to know. But it’s certainly not a good idea.
Your Highness, a royal does not address his subjects in that manner. I beg you to do as you command.
“Yeah, but…”
Now he’s hesitating. You didn’t grow up with royalty. I don’t know what it’s like in the game… where all you see are death reports… and I’m not interested in this world at all. Well, that doesn’t matter now.
“For example, the Dauphin’s father commands the senior Prime Minister. You should talk to him like that on a regular basis.”
Uh…
I told him that, but he still looks annoyed. Hmm. We’ll find a compromise here.
“Then why don’t you practice with me?”
“Practice?”
“Yes. You’ll be in a position to give orders to others in time. I suggest you get used to it while you still can.
“Okay, okay.”
I finally nodded. You’ll get used to it. I don’t want to be too bossy, but there’s a minimum standard of decency. I don’t think he’ll turn into a tyrant or a tyrant. Or rather I don’t want him to be.
So, Viscount, I want to hear about the battle of Finoi. I heard you took the enemy by surprise.
No, who said that? I’m cursing inwardly because there’s a rumor going around. I’ll have to deny it.
I did not play you for a fool. I merely acquiesced to my enemy’s wishes.
“The enemy’s desire?”
“The general rule of thumb is that the other person has a hope or a desire for this to happen. If you give them the hope that their hopes and desires will be fulfilled, they’ll be caught off guard that things are going well. That’s where we set the trap.”
Well, it’s a trap because of Mazel. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her, and I stopped imagining. I’m glad it worked out.
“Is that what it is?”
“As with any martial art, the moment you think you’ve won is the most dangerous.”
The old man says, “Win and you shall have your helmet. I came to my senses with my own words. I think we got rid of a lot of demons in King’s Landing. But I think we’ve let our guard down. I think if anyone’s going to do something it’s going to be at this moment.
I looked at them and the crown prince and princess looked at me and nodded. It seems we’ve reached an unexpected consensus.
I see. You’ve caught them off guard.
I’m afraid so.
I’m not sure what to do about it but I’m not sure what I’m going to do about it.
I talked with His Royal Highness the Wang Tai-sun for a while and then returned to my office, but my father had not returned yet. I passed the time by doing some paperwork and dealing with some greeting cards that he had written to ask for some time. Soon after he came back and gave me an indescribable look.
“First of all, thank you for your hard work on the prototype. I also submitted a proposal and was asked a lot of questions about that as well.”
“Thank you.”
At least give me a bow. He looks like he’s trying to say something, and I nod my head.
What is it?
That’s what I’d rather say. What do you want?”
That’s a very philosophical question. Survive for now? I’ll think about what comes after that… or maybe I’m just thinking survival first. I’m not sure I can honestly say that.
Though I think it’s time to mention the possibility of an attack on King’s Landing. My father sighs with a dexterous mixture of smirk and mortification.
“Well, well. You’d better brace yourself, Werner.”
“Yes?”
I don’t know what happened, it just came out of nowhere. But he didn’t seem to want to talk any more, so I bow my head and go back to my office as he looks down at the pile of papers. Hmmm… I don’t know what’s bothering me.
