Chapter 67
Although the demonstration was successful and the officers were persuaded with great success, the most important problem remained unsolved.
"General, when will the guns be distributed?"
"..."
There were no guns.
The guns I had secured were only three, including the one used in the demonstration.
"We plan to trade with the Anchester Kingdom in Her Majesty's name. Until the guns are widely distributed, we will conduct training in parallel with existing weapons, using the guns used in the demonstration or model guns for training."
"...I understand."
The training that can be done without actual guns was limited.
While loading actions, shooting postures, and formations can be trained with models, what's ultimately needed are guns capable of live firing.
I sent a letter containing such content to Louise, and,
[...Attend the meeting tomorrow.]
Her reply arrived quickly.
***
A few minutes before the meeting started, I arrived at the audience chamber with Anna.
"Ah, Corps Commander Viktor."
The attendants standing on both sides of the audience chamber door bowed to me.
"Have you come to attend the meeting?"
"That's right."
"You can enter right away."
"I'll wait outside."
"Alright."
As Anna naturally stepped back, I entered through the door opened by the attendants.
Inside the audience chamber, many nobles had already gathered, and Louise was sitting on the throne holding her scepter.
I approached the throne with respectful steps and knelt on one knee before her.
"I greet Your Majesty Louise Zainburg."
"Hmm, Corps Commander Viktor. You've come well, not late."
Louise responded in a somewhat welcoming tone.
"As Your Majesty has called, how could I dare to be late, it would be disloyal."
"Hmm, hmm. Good. Your opinion will be needed on the agenda to be discussed today, so wait in your place."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After finishing the brief conversation with her, I walked to the right where the pro-empress faction was gathered.
Having officially joined the empire as a corps commander, I needed to be mindful of where I stood to participate in the meeting.
Although the pro-empress faction was clearly gathered on the right, even within it, they seemed to be divided between those standing behind Theodore and those behind Gerhart.
"Corps Commander Viktor, nice to see you."
"Count Kurt Gruber, Your Excellency. Have you been well?"
"Of course."
Roughly grasping the faces of the nobles, I slowly moved towards the front while exchanging brief greetings with pro-empress nobles I had conversed with at the banquet.
As I approached closer to the front, Theodore began to watch me.
Of course, as it was in front of Louise, he couldn't openly stare at me, whom she had just mentioned 'needed an opinion'.
As Theodore didn't react much, the nobles clustered around him also made way without saying much.
I was able to approach right behind Theodore without any particular hindrance.
As he's still representing the pro-empress faction, I think this position is the best for now.
"Corps Commander Viktor of the Red Dragon Corps. Nice to meet you."
He glanced briefly at the throne and then greeted me, relaxing his stiff expression.
"Nice to meet you, Duke Oppenstadt."
"I've heard much about your achievements in the east. Duke Weissilt often mentioned Corps Commander Viktor's name. Isn't that right?"
"That's right. Without Corps Commander Viktor, it would have been difficult to completely bring the Brotan Kingdom to its knees."
Gerhart, who was standing on his right, had also approached and joined the conversation.
"Your Excellency need not be modest. Without Your Excellency, it would have been difficult for me to meaningfully support the 8th Corps."
"Haha, it makes me feel good that you say so. Duke Oppenstadt, didn't you suggest sending Corps Commander Viktor with me? I think your contribution is not small at all."
"...Thank you."
Although the success of the expedition might not have been the best result Theodore wanted, outwardly, the situation has turned into a great success as per his suggestion to send me and Gerhart together towards the Brotan Kingdom.
Theodore slightly bowed his head to Gerhart, twitching the corners of his eyes.
"Ah, the meeting will start soon. ...I'm looking forward to it."
"I'll certainly live up to expectations."
"...?"
Unlike Gerhart, who knew about the new weapon from prior conversations, Theodore, who still didn't know why Louise had convened the meeting, looked at me and Gerhart alternately with suspicious eyes.
Gerhart turned back towards Louise.
Looking closely, he was standing about half a step ahead of Theodore.
Seeing that Theodore and the nobles belonging to his faction remained still despite seeing this, it seems that the position of Grand Marshal given along with the great victory was something that even Theodore, who was close to being the leader of the pro-empress faction, had to acknowledge.
"Then, I'll..."
"Understood."
I stood behind Gerhart like that and waited for the meeting to start.
Shortly after.
"I will start the meeting."
Louise declared the start of the meeting in a majestic voice.
"The reason for convening today's meeting is that there is a matter to discuss regarding my Red Dragon Corps."
She got to the main point as soon as she started.
"I will import new weapons from the Anchester Kingdom to strengthen the combat power of the Red Dragon Corps. I want to hear your opinions on this."
"..."
"Corps Commander Viktor will explain the details. Corps Commander Viktor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I walked to the center of the audience chamber at her call.
The nobles shot gazes at me, each containing their own intentions.
"I am Viktor, appointed as the Corps Commander of the Red Dragon Corps by the grace of Her Majesty Louise Zainburg."
After briefly introducing myself, I began my explanation.
"As a result of the previous meeting, 9,947 troops have been organized into the Red Dragon Corps. While this is certainly not a small number, Her Majesty said it might be insufficient to widely proclaim the prestige of Her Majesty Louise and the Dragonian Empire."
"Hmm, continue."
"Yes. The Red Dragon Corps is a corps composed to eliminate threats at the border and to widely proclaim Her Majesty's greatness along with local corps. Her Majesty said she wants to introduce new weapons developed in the Anchester Kingdom so that our relatively small corps can exert powerful strength."
Having received the Empress' consent, I spoke my opinion borrowing the Empress' will.
"This new weapon is called a gun and is based on gunpowder also used in cannons. To help understanding, it's similar to the miniature cannons used by mercenaries in the western Esperia Kingdom."
"..."
"Before introducing this new weapon extensively to the entire army, Her Majesty wants to introduce it to our Red Dragon Corps to confirm its performance and efficiency."
"...Gunpowder, you say?"
"Miniature cannons... Well, well."
While the nobles of the noble faction on the left merely frowned, there was a slight stir among the pro-empress nobles gathered on the right.
"It's as Corps Commander Viktor explained. What do you think? Count Reinhardt Ulrich."
"Yes."
First, Reinhardt, who had been standing on the left, raised his hand and stepped forward.
"I think the existing spears, swords, bows, and shields are sufficient to show the empire's strength. Moreover, it could be problematic in case of emergency for Her Majesty's direct corps to import and use weapons from another country."
The nobles nodded at Reinhardt's argument, which pointed out that importing weapons from another country always carries inherent risks.
"Even if there's no problem with importing weapons, there are many other issues. The Anchester Kingdom is quite closed off like other dwarf kingdoms. If we want new weapons, they might not want to sell them, and even if they do, the cost would be considerable."
"There's no need to worry about the cost. I will bear all the necessary expenses in the process of arming the Red Dragon Corps."
"...Then the cost is not something I dare mention, but there are several other problems with introducing new weapons. Especially if the weapon is not an improved version of existing weapons, but an entirely new concept of weapon."
"Is that what you think? Ah, Count Ralph Royce."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ralph, who had been talking with Theodore, also stepped forward.
"The Red Dragon Corps is Your Majesty's direct corps. If the direct corps doesn't use imperial weapons and depends on another country, there will be those who try to tarnish Your Majesty's prestige using this as an excuse."
"Hmm."
"And although I don't mean to doubt Your Majesty's will, I have never heard of a weapon called a gun showing its power on the battlefield."
Ralph, gaining confidence from Louise's subtle reaction, continued speaking.
"Replacing the armament of all 10,000 men could cause confusion in the Red Dragon Corps, and the results might not match the investment. I humbly suggest organizing a separate elite group to operate in small numbers, and then proceeding in earnest if it proves useful."
Ralph bowed and stepped back, and Theodore nodded with a satisfied smile.
Their resistance was very cautious, as if checking whether Louise was keeping her promise well.
"I've heard your opinions well."
Louise, who had been listening with a somewhat bored expression, said,
"Both Count Ulrich's and Count Royce's words have merit. But I have thoroughly reviewed such points. Corps Commander Viktor?"
"Yes."
She passed the baton to me with a smile in her eyes.
"I understand Count Reinhardt Ulrich's concerns. However, this is a problem that arises because it's the initial stage of introducing new weapons. Rather, with Her Majesty's support, it could be seen as a more favorable situation than other cases."
"..."
"We will use weapons provided by the dwarves for several months, but later we will directly produce guns by the hands of imperial craftsmen. Are you going to say that the empire's craftsmen will find it difficult to catch up with dwarven technology?"
"That's not it. But..."
"And the Anchester Kingdom is already a friendly country that has traded various tools in exchange for minerals and large quantities of alcohol, and their economy depends on us in many ways. If Her Majesty shows sincerity, they won't be able to refuse."
"Hmm. A delegation selected by me, including Corps Commander Viktor, will directly head to the Anchester Kingdom."
"..."
With Louise's appropriate help, I was able to silence Reinhardt.
Next was Ralph.
"Count Ralph Royce said it would be safer to organize on a small scale and then confirm the results. Is that correct?"
"That's right."
"However, proper utilization of firearms requires changes in the existing tactical system. If operated on a small scale, it's rather difficult to verify the tactical effects of new weapons."
"..."
"I have already demonstrated the power of guns to the Red Dragon Corps, and the officers have confirmed the formidable power of guns. The soldiers are training strategies and tactics with a small number of guns and models that have been brought in advance. We will quickly adapt to the changes."
After refuting their arguments, I knelt on one knee again towards Louise.
"Your Majesty Louise Zainburg. Please allow the Red Dragon Corps to become the vanguard of the imperial army. And please allow me to take on the honorable role of conveying Your Majesty's will to the Anchester Kingdom."
There was a moment of silence in the audience chamber, and,
"Grand Marshal Gerhart Weissilt. Speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gerhart opened his mouth as Grand Marshal.
"The way of war has been constantly changing. From throwing stones to using tools for projectiles, from javelins to bows and crossbows. At the end, those who changed first always survived. If Your Majesty's Red Dragon Corps wants to be the beginning of that change, I think this is an unparalleled opportunity for the empire."
"Oh ho."
"Corps Commander Viktor's competence has already been proven many times in the war with the Brotan Kingdom, and the soldiers of the 1st Provisional Corps and the 10th Corps I led are elite soldiers ready to change at any time according to Your Majesty's orders. If Your Majesty commands, they will follow to the best of their abilities."
Gerhart's declaration following my rebuttal drove in the final nail.
"...If it's Corps Commander Viktor."
"He's taken on a difficult role."
Even the pro-empress nobles,
"Since Her Majesty will bear all the burden, I suppose it can't be helped."
"Hmm. If this weapon called a gun is really good, we should prepare to secure it too."
Most of the noble faction nobles also talked in an agreeing atmosphere.
"Good! I will arm the Red Dragon Corps with new weapons, and for this, I will send a delegation led by Corps Commander Viktor to the Anchester Kingdom! Are there any more objections!"
"We will follow Your Majesty's orders."
As the nobles fell silent, Louise's agenda was passed.
I shouted loudly that I would follow the order, and,
"Now I will announce the second agenda to be discussed."
After returning behind Gerhart, I listened attentively to the meeting conducted by Louise.
Theodore, who had been exchanging glances with the nobles of his faction, was looking at Louise with his fists clenched so tightly they turned red.
---
After all the meetings ended.
Louise met a blonde woman in the lounge.
"Do you know why I called you?"
"...I heard you have a mission for me."
"That's right."
She handed a notebook to the woman who slightly bowed her head.
"I'd like you to join Viktor's delegation heading to the Anchester Kingdom and record his every move. Without missing anything."
At Louise's instruction, which showed her firm will, the woman bowed her head and respectfully received the notebook.
"Understood, Your Majesty."
"I heard you've been studying hard lately."
"...I've only tried not to be a burden."
Louise smiled faintly.
"I'm counting on you, Erika Bauman."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Erika, who had previously been tasked with bringing Viktor to the empire and had been waiting for an opportunity to carry out missions with him since then, raised her head.
Her sapphire-colored eyes were shining as if showing the expectation she held.