The Knight Orders’ Joint Exercises (3): The Troublemakers Ponder

“Roa, what is this relay box? What kind of box is it, and what does it contain?”

Zackhart-sama asked me on everyone’s behalf.

After the second day of the joint exercises, I asked Raiz-sama to arrange a meeting over dinner with the commanders of the various knight orders.

That was where I proposed the relay boxes.

“I just came up with the name because it sounded right, so the box itself doesn’t really matter. We could just as well call it a courier relay station or a courier post. I’m imagining something on a much smaller scale—specifically, a hut where two or three cavalrymen could nap or wait at a time.”

“Hmm... And what would be the point of stationing cavalry there?”

“Of course, we’d use them to exchange information between the knight orders. We’d set up relay boxes at various points along the highways. For example, if something happened in the royal capital, messengers could be sent from one post to the next to notify people in each area.”

“Hmm? That would certainly be convenient, but wouldn’t it be a bit of a waste to use valuable cavalrymen? If we need to send a message, wouldn’t it be better to have each knight order send a messenger as needed?”

Zackhart-sama’s way of thinking was probably the most natural among the knight orders. After all, that was how they’d always done things.

But I saw a serious problem with the current system.

In fact, both the Fourth and Sixth Knight Orders had wanted to hear about the situation in the capital when our Roa Unit visited. That happened because information wasn’t being shared adequately under the current system.

And this weakness in the information network led to the future I knew, where even after the royal capital was engulfed in flames, the regional knight orders remained unaware of the situation and were picked off one by one by outside forces.

Why had no one tried to reform things before now? Part of the reason had to do with the culture of the knight orders. Rudek’s knight orders had always been highly independent. Their commanders were given a certain degree of discretion, and they also worked with the lords of the territories where they were stationed, deciding for themselves how to assist with local administration and the like.

There had also been plenty of cases where knight orders simply didn’t get along, like the First and Tenth Knight Orders. And when an order had a commander of exceptionally high standing, like the Ninth Knight Order, the order might take great pride in its status and struggle to coordinate with the others.

But that wouldn’t do going forward.

Not for me. And not for the nation of Rudek.

The first to say, “That sounds good,” after hearing me out was Beckstatt-sama. Zackhart-sama, on the other hand, looked unconvinced.

Zackhart-sama traveled frequently between Geadland, which he protected, and the royal capital. He even came to see Lufa so often it seemed almost pointless. So I imagined Zackhart-sama didn’t feel the lack of information as acutely.

By contrast, it must have been a pressing concern for Beckstatt-sama. The difference in their circumstances was plain to see.

So I explained another benefit to Zackhart-sama.

“If we set up relay boxes along the highways, bandits won’t be able to do as they please in the surrounding areas. That should improve public safety, so residents and merchants alike will be able to travel the roads with peace of mind.”

“I see... That’s a good idea.” For Zackhart-sama, who was responsible for Geadland, the gateway for merchants, this seemed to be the more persuasive reason.

“That said, introducing them to every knight order all at once would be too drastic. If possible, I’d like to set them up on a trial basis along routes used by the knight orders represented here, but only where their commanders have given their approval...”

That was only half the reason. If we introduced the system to every knight order, we might end up giving unnecessary information to the Second and Ninth Knight Orders, which could be connected to the First Knight Order. I wanted to avoid that as much as possible.

I was fairly certain the Second Knight Order was almost entirely on the First Knight Order’s side. My reason was something Hock-san had said.

I’d once asked Hock-san, “Have you ever struggled with pledging your loyalty to King Zeurasia?” Hock-san had replied without hesitation, “No.” There hadn’t been a trace of doubt.

Normally, if someone you’d just met asked you such a rude question, you’d be suspicious or offended—or at the very least, you’d ask why they wanted to know. What their intentions were.

And it wasn’t the sort of question a commander in charge of a knight order could answer without thinking.

Yet Hock-san had answered immediately. It was as if the answer had been decided from the start.

That was why I was certain Hock-san had something to hide.

Given the circumstances, I couldn’t help but think it had something to do with the First Knight Order’s betrayal. If there was some entirely different reason, that was fine, too. I was simply acting with the worst-case scenario in mind.

Hock-san was a good person. I’d rather not make an enemy of Hock-san, but that didn’t mean I could trust them under the current circumstances.

That was why I’d intended from the outset to limit the relay boxes to southern Rudek. It was also fortunate that the Fourth Knight Order had twin commanders. If I could limit this to a trial run between knight orders whose commanders had approved, I could avoid setting up an information network in the north.

“Will the Tenth Knight Order be providing the cavalrymen?”

Nelfia was the one who asked.

Today, Nelfia was here as the king’s secretary. Nelfia would report on the discussions at this meeting.

“That’s the plan. Unless anyone has a particular preference, we’ll have the Tenth Knight Order provide them. Raiz-sama has already given his approval. I’m thinking we could have our new cavalrymen take turns on the job as part of their riding training.”

That would let us provide the personnel from the Roa Unit. I’d proposed it, figuring no one else would have any objections.

But then an unexpected suggestion came up.

“Riding training, huh... Not a bad idea. Then I’d like to send personnel from the Seventh Knight Order, too. Would it be all right if we provided them for the routes through our territory?”

After Toru-sama said that, the Third and Fifth Knight Orders made similar offers as well, since the Sixth Knight Order hadn’t yet been assigned an area of responsibility.

“Of course. I’d be grateful if you did.”

I had no objections at all. If anything, I was glad to have their help.

“All right, then. We’re all agreed to move forward with this, correct?” Raiz-sama, who had listened silently to the discussion until then, looked around at the knight commanders and made sure no one objected.

“Then let’s move on to the specifics. I’d like the knight commanders to work out where to place the relay boxes. Nelfia, could you bring me the map I asked you to get?”

“Here you are.”

Under Raiz-sama’s direction, the knight commanders gathered around a map of Rudek spread out away from the dining table and began discussing where to place the relay boxes.

I watched the knight commanders from behind and took a sip of fruit wine, feeling as though I’d finished a major task. I hadn’t realized it, but my throat must have been parched. The fruit wine really hit the spot.

I happened to notice someone looking at me. Rapiria-sama was smiling with a slightly exasperated expression, as if to say, “There he goes again, doing something strange.”