Reincarnated Aristocrat Chapter 264: War Council

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~3^rd Person Perspective~

　Canale Castle, meeting room.

　The vassals of the Louvent family had gathered to hold an emergency meeting.

　Ars is nowhere to be seen. He is resting in his room as he has not yet fully recovered from the poison.

　In his place, Lithia was acting as chairperson of the meeting.

　She had been despondent when Ars collapsed, but she had regained her energy now that Ars had regained consciousness and there was hope regarding detoxification.

　Ritsu, who had collapsed from overwork, woke up and was able to move, but his complexion didn’t look very good.

　It seemed he still hadn’t fully recovered.

　Russell had restrained him to keep resting, but he pushed himself to attend the meeting, saying that he could not rest under such circumstances.

“By the way, is the lad okay?” (Thomas)

　Thomas asked. He usually attends meetings on and off, but he was present at this one.

“He was fine for a while, but he seems to be getting a sicker again. It is quite the persistent poison, you know.” (Mireille)

　Thomas’s question was answered by his sister, Mireille.

“Moreover, if Mr. Verge stocks up on lots of poison ether, I’m sure we can detoxify the poison completely. I heard that there’s a negotiation with Sempler, and I think we already have a deal.” (Russell)

　Russell said.

　Verge has been writing letters to Canale every now and then to report on recent developments, and it seems that things are going quite well.

“Let’s get to the point. Sights has launched an invasion towards Canale. Let’s discuss how to deal with this.” (Lithia)

　Lithia began the meeting.

“I will confirm the details of the situation once more. They have begun advancing from Fort Purled in the province of Sights. The number of soldiers who marched out this time is less than 10,000, but they are quite well equipped and there seem to be a large number of magic soldiers. Although the total number of soldiers is not that large, it is a powerful force. Their marching speed is fast, and it is expected that they will reach Fort Khmer in about two weeks.” (Russell)

　Russell explained.

“Have you requested reinforcements?” (Lithia)

“Yes. I have already requested reinforcements from His Majesty, Clan, but they definitely won’t arrive in time for the first wave of the enemy’s invasion. If we can just survive this first wave, reinforcements will come, and I think we will be able to hold out.” (Russell)

　In response to Lithia’s question, Russell answered that.

“So, the plan is to take down the Khmer fortress while the chaos continues after Ars fell sick. It’s confirmed that it was Sights who hired the assassins.” (Lithia)

“…yes, we’re sure of it.” (Ritsu)

　Ritsu venomously replied.

“Let’s all fight together here so we don’t fall into the enemy’s trap. We must give a good report to Ars.” (Lithia)

　Lithia said, livening up the atmosphere.

“I will take command of the forces.” (Ritsu)

　Ritsu stood up and announced.

“Wait, wait. Teacher Ritsu is extremely exhausted, so it would be better if you didn’t go into battle.” (Russell)

“I can’t do that. I collapsed and caused trouble. I need to make up for that…” (Ritsu)

“Mr. Ritsu.” (Lithia)

　With a slightly grim look on her face, Lithia called out to Ritsu.

“If you push yourself too hard, you’ll collapse again. If the commander collapses, we won’t be able to win even battles we could have won.” (Lithia)

“Th-that’s…” (Lithia)

“I order you, as acting lord, to remain in the castle.” (Lithia)

“……I understand.” (Ritsu)

　Lithia’s words ring true. There was no point in trying to argue.

“Charlotte and I will be the ones going to battle. Don’t worry. If we play like normal we won’t lose.” (Mireille)

“Yeah. I’ll thoroughly crush them just like last time.” (Charlotte)

　Mireille and Charlotte said confidently.

“…excuse me. Please do.” (Ritsu)

　Ritsu bowed deeply and requested.

“Um, you two, don’t let your guard down. Last time we were able to win, but I’m sure the other team will be taking countermeasures. The number is small, but it is still more than the entire Canale army.” (Russell)

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. It is difficult to attack a fort, and it is not a problem. Well, Fort Khmer is an old fort, so it is a bit unreliable.” (Mireille)

　Russell gives his speech on what could go wrong, but Mireille remains as optimistic as ever.

“This is an emergency report.” (Ben)

　Suddenly, a person entered the conference room and reported so. Without warning, everyone looked a little surprised.

　It was Ben, a member of Shadow, who entered the room.

“In the city of Canale, it seems that information is spreading that Lord Ars has been poisoned. Many of the people of the territory already believe it, and unrest is spreading.” (Ben)

“Eh… Huh!?” (Russell)

　Russell hears the report and speaks up in agitation.

“…I see that it’s a ploy by Sights. The fact that it’s not a lie at all gives it credibility. In fact, the lad probably hasn’t been outside at all since he was poisoned.” (Mireille)

“That’s right… Ars was usually out scouting for talent, so… it’s a problem. If rumors spread that the lord had died, the soldiers would be unsettled, and their morale would be affected.” (Russell)

　Russell said with a troubled look on his face. Most of the soldiers are Canale’s citizens. If rumors spread, there was a high possibility that morale would suffer.

“Why didn’t Shadow stop these rumors from being spread?” (Ritsu)

“Currently, the search for the assassin is being led by our leader, and I am the only one operating in the city of Canale. We simply did not have enough personnel and were unable to stop them. I am extremely sorry.” (Ben)

　Ben apologized, but his expression still didn’t change much.

“There’s nothing we can do about what happened, but it was a little careless of us to put all our energy into finding the assassin.” (Russell)

“It’s my fault because I gave the orders…” (Ritsu)

“N-no, it’s not your fault Teacher Ritsu! I also don’t think we’d be able to find an antidote unless we catch the assassin.” (Russell)

“Even if that’s the case, I should have changed my orders once I realized detoxification magic would work.” (Ritsu)

“Well, it can’t be helped since you had collapsed.” (Russell)

　Russell comforts the dejected Ritsu.

“Anyway, since it has happened, we need to think of a solution. Who is responsible is irrelevant at this point. Does anyone have any ideas?” (Lithia)

　Lithia asked, just as the conversation was about to lose control.

“Even if I say it’s a plan… hmmm yes… I don’t think there’s any other way except to show the lords that Ars is walking safely… even if it’s a lie, If Ars doesn’t show up, they might not believe us, or they might get suspicious. There is a way to prepare another person who looks like him… but such a person would not be found immediately.” (Russell)

“I agree that revealing himself to the people of the territory would be the most effective thing to do. The question is, though, whether or not, the boy, has the stamina to do so.” (Mireille)

　Mireille agreed with Russell.

“Ars right now… there’s no doubt that he’s in poor health, but I think he’ll be able to walk. I think it will be a bit of a strain on him, though.” (Lithia)

“It pains me to say this, but if there’s nothing else we can do we’ll have to ask him to do his best. Let’s ask him about it.” (Mireille)

“That’s true…” (Lithia)

　Lithia nodded gloomily.

　She was worried that if they did something reckless, Ars would collapse again and be unable to move.

“Showcasing the boy in good health will have the effect of calming the people of the territory, but at the same time, it will let the Sights side know that the assassination attempt has failed, so if all goes well, we might not have to fight.” (Mireille)

“Th-that’s true! If it’s Sights who is spreading the rumor that Ars was poisoned, then Sights spies must have infiltrated Canale. In that case, Sights will also receive information that Ars is alive and well… Originally, the reason they went with an assassination was because they thought it would be difficult to take Canale with a normal attack, and if the assassination failed, there’s a good chance they’ll withdraw their troops for the time being. If we can avoid fighting, that’s better.” (Russell)

　Russell understood what Mireille wanted to say.

“In any case, it’s up to Ars. Shall we ask him how he is feeling?” (Russell)

“……I suppose.” (Lithia)

　Hearing Lithia’s words, Russell nodded.

“If the lad can’t move, there’s no need to chase them away. We’ll have to fight with our soldiers in a state of chaos. I’ll prepare to move my troops quickly.” (Mireille)

“Please do.”  (Lithia)

“Oh, I’ll go too!” (Charlotte)

　Mireille and Charlotte went together to prepare for battle.

　The future course of action was decided, and the war council came to an end.

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