Chapter 38: King Raymond

Chapter 38: King Raymond

Shadowfall Kingdom

The road back to Vincent

Week 2 of 3

The 3 girls are riding in the carriage behind us, me and Lord Kaijuu began to discuss our next steps regarding the war.

"3 Months"

"3 months?"

"I need 3 months king Raymond, Then name me the general of your entire army."

"Tell me, what will you do in those 3 months." 

"I will train Roka, Felmina and Myself along with some research and development. I'll need a massive laboratory. I'll need intelligence from the East Empire and the Shadowfall Kingdom to be sent to me during this period as well, including the number of forces their specialties. Profiles on commanders any and all information regarding this war."

"Understood, but what do we do in those 3 months."

"King Raymond, have you ever heard the expression, survival of the fittest?"

"Yes Roka's mother used to say that, It's a saying from your old world is it not?"

"A few things need to happen if we are to win this war, but let me ask this of you first. According to you or Management do you need me to just repel the East Empire's forces, or are we to conquer the East Empire in its entirety?"

"According to Management only one of us must remain at the end, So we need to conquer them completely."

"I see. Please tell me if I am overstepping my authority here but I believe if we are to succeed a few things need to be in place."

"Like what Lord Kaijuu?"

"For the first 3 months you will start recruiting soldiers, and all your current soldiers will be tasked with Running, Pushups, Sit ups, Flutter kicks, 8 second bodybuilders, for 3 weeks everyday from 06:00 until 18:00. If anyone drops out from that training they are unnecessary, especially the new recruits. Unless they show an apt talent in archery or magic. Once they pass this basic course. They will start combat training in addition to the exercises, hand to hand combat, swordplay for foot soldiers, magic for mages etc. At the end of the 3 Months, I'll take on all the current commanders of your army one at a time until they give me the position of general. Your whole country is going to war so start stockpiling food for the soldiers. Then 9 months before battle place the Entire Kingdom on rations, 3/4 per person, and 1 and 1/2 for any enlisted soldiers. Once I am general I'll take it from there with the training and tactics."

Who the hell is this guy, I thought I got used to all the surprises he had in store, but this. 

This is insane. I feel like we might actually win this war.

"Very well Lord Kaijuu, I am quite pleased with your dedication to our cause. Is there anything Else?"

"Yes, do you have any executions of criminals coming up?"

"I already know the answer, but why do you ask?"

"Me, Felmina and Roka need to get used to killing, so I would like to prepare us for the worst."

"Denied, by order of Management"

"Management huh? May I ask why king Raymond"

"Management said that if you are forced to kill someone in the coming war, that is fine but to kill someone for the sake of preparation is dangerous for your future. Monsters are one thing but killing people..."

I stopped talking. He got the point.

We set up camp and continue the following day.

"Lord Kaijuu, do you mind explaining your first 3 months to me in a bit more detail."

"Regarding?"

"The fitness training as you call it."

"I see. Well I figured that if our troops can keep fighting for longer than the enemy, we will prevail. Also the food thing-"

I stop him

"An army marches on it's stomach"

"Yes, I'm glad we agree"

"And if I may ask what will you be researching and developing in the 3 months?"

"I cannot say, If I succeed it can become a really dangerous technology."

"I see. Then I won't pry further Lord Kaijuu"

We stopped talking and the conversation fizzled out. I start to think about Managements continual involvement with Lord Kaijuu.

It all started 2 Years and 6 months ago when a literal filing cabinet popped into existence over my desk one morning. When it fell on the desk, the noise scared the ever loving shit out of me. 

I fell off my damn chair. I was alone in the office at the time thank heavens. I got the key for the first of it's 3 drawers and a note from Management that said. Every morning you will check the relevant folder for instructions marked with the date. They warned me not to try and look ahead. When I got my first order that told me to take 8 knights along to the Shadowfall forest and attack an Orc of level 120-130. It named the knights by name, and ordered me to make Shanon watch the carriage as I and the other 7 went in. These knights ranged from level 55 until level 75 all greenhorns except for Shanon, including me at the time, I was level 65. 

There was no way we could win. I thought that I would disobey them just this once and check the following report to appease my mind.

When I opened the folder, there was a blank document inside. 

When I picked it up my entire hand turned to salt. 

I had to have it amputated in the hospital then took some HP potion and went to sleep restoring my hand at last. 

That was the last time I disobeyed. Management never even mentioned the incident.

Don't they even care. So to see Lord Kaijuu go against what they suggested fills me with fear and hope. They left most things to me but intervened a lot when it came to Lord Kaijuu.

So from the beginning.

I was told to send Rebecca away for 7 months the following day, the day we where to leve was the next day. 

Then came the morning of the first ceremony, I was told to present my daugters for marriage, if he refused I was to at least force one wife on him. 

That's when he met Roka. Management said the more the better so when Felmina started asking after him I didn't hold back. 

Management also ordered me to send Roka the documents of the seal and convince her to go through with it. And to also to send Felmina with the message to summon Roka. They also told me about Felmina under the table and to let her listen in, then afterwards swear her to secrecy and convince her too. Then I was tasked with making preparations for Sir Kaijuu at the time to become a lord and take over for the recently deceased lord of the Moonlight District.

Management has impeccable timing, no divine timing. 

When Sir Kaijuu fell into a coma, Management ordered me to force the marriage through and put on a show for the kingdom, also to use the Force Awake Stone on him on the specified date, no sooner. The first drawer of the cabinet was now empty. 

And 6 weeks ago, the key to the second drawer appeared on my desk. It contained instructions again same as the last with pre-marked dates. The first of which was to make preparations and send word to the other areas of the Shadowfall kingdom to recall my forces to the capital. Then to prepare for departure to go and fetch Lord Kaijuu personally for the coming war, I was given a list of names and supplies to bring along with some relevant information to share with Lord Kaijuu, I was told to follow a few scripts, I was told when to lie and how. I was given a basic plan for defense of the kingdom, but was told to entrust the kingdom to Lord Kaijuu as general. 

When I arrive at the palace again I can't wait to see what management will send me next. 

My relationship with management has been good to me and mine, I don't think that is likely to chance in the 8 years I have left.