Chapter 27 - Proposal
I had already thought of the proposal. In my mind, a picture began to take shape. What needed to be done, the necessary conditions, my granduncle's actions in response, and the schemes to thwart those actions—all of it came together to form the plan.
"I will send a letter of disownment to Granduncle's household, declaring that they have committed high treason against the knightly family's control. As for his subordinates, their past honor and loyalty will be taken into account in their punishment. They may either remain or follow Granduncle."
"Are you mad? If you do this, we will lose the entire garrison, which makes up thirty percent of the knightly family's military power. The main force has already been weakened by thirty percent in this recent turmoil. If you proceed with this, nearly half of our elite forces will be lost—don't you understand?!"
Of course I understood. Even a child could grasp such simple arithmetic. However, that wasn’t the issue here. Father, I believe, must also understand this... Regrettably, as he was taught by the very same relative, it seems like he’s been paralyzed in his thinking, as if he has stopped thinking critically…
I had expected that he would particularly focus on that matter. The countermeasure was already part of the plan. If I hesitated here, there would be no hope for the future of our knightly family. We would slowly fade away... losing the power to protect those we hold dear. It was difficult. Truly regrettable. Therefore, I would crush Father’s objections.
"As for the garrison, each person will act according to their convictions. There are those who harbor resentment toward Granduncle, so not all of the three-tenths will be lost. Eldest Brother has been gravely wounded. That, I believe, is an undeniable fact. His abilities as a warrior have certainly diminished. He will no longer be able to lead the main force. However, now that I have returned to our homeland, we will be able to reorganize the knightly family’s military structure."
"You speak as if you understand. Then, show me."
"First, I will give command of the garrison to Eldest Brother. Yes, I intend for him to take over Granduncle's role. The main task of the garrison is to maintain order in the town, guide the evacuation, and serve as the final reserve in case of emergency. The required ability for the commander is the power to support the main force and the guerrilla unit from behind. It was too much for Granduncle, who was solely focused on martial prowess. He might not have even understood his role properly. On the other hand, Eldest Brother’s Skills were Arithmetic, Swordsman, and Robust. Of course, as a warrior, he also had the direct combat ability to protect the people from threats, which is why he had been entrusted with the leadership of the main force. ...But, sadly, due to the recent incident, his personal combat abilities have been severely diminished. However, I realized that this could be a positive turning point."
I paused and cast a glance at Eldest Brother. What I was about to say could be considered an unorthodox way of thinking within our knightly family. But after witnessing what I had in the capital, I had developed a new value system, one that connected to the memories of my previous life. I continued calmly.
"Eldest Brother possesses an extraordinary ability for coordination. If this could be applied in military affairs, it would become a rare talent. As you are well aware, the central army in the capital has a position known as staff officer. Some of these staff officers may not even be able to wield a sword, let alone engage in direct combat. However, the role they fulfill is vital to the foundation of the kingdom’s military. Their responsibilities include planning operations, logistics, patrols, military governance, and intelligence gathering. It is a position many brilliant minds aspire to. I would like Eldest Brother to take the position of Chief of Staff for the knightly family."
"...So you’re saying it’s no different from the knightly family's duties?"
"Since he is your heir, Father, it is only fitting that he refines that responsibility, as it is necessary for his succession. Furthermore, I would like Second Brother to lead the main force. I recall that his Skill was Battler. He would be wasted in the guerilla unit on the front lines, which primarily focuses on reconnaissance. Not only is he skilled in combat and fighting at the tactical level, but he is also adept at strategic-level thinking. Even in this recent incident, he quickly assessed the situation at the frontlines, recognized the difficulties Eldest Brother was facing, rushed to his aid, and even struck the monsters' flanks, pushing them back. If the remaining forces from Eldest Brother’s main force and Second Brother's guerrilla unit were combined, we would have a very strong main force."
"What about the garrison that the heir will command?"
"We will establish those injured in this incident as the core personnel. Furthermore, from the guerilla unit led by Second Brother, we will assign personnel involved in logistics, supplies, and medical care, including medics, to this group. If coordination with the main force is required, I believe it can be arranged under Eldest Brother’s orders. Logistics and medical personnel are crucial for the garrison."
"Hmm... What about the guerilla unit?"
"They are agile, specialized in reconnaissance, assessing situations, and reporting. By nature, a guerilla unit is an organization capable of handling light combat, but its primary purpose is reconnaissance in force, not full-scale combat. It’s only natural that the nimble troops should be tasked with this. Although I am young, I believe it is only logical for me to shoulder this responsibility. If I am allowed to freely organize the guerilla unit, I would be fine with a team made up of only new recruits. At the Kingdom's Magic Academy, Knight Department, I have learned the Kingdom Army's training methods. These 'new recruits from the frontier' can already be considered first-class soldiers. I believe they can be trained in a short time."
"Wait! You’ve thought all of this through...?"
The doubts and issues my father might raise had already formed in my mind. At first glance, this proposal may seem reckless, but I had a fair amount of confidence in its potential success. Thus, even Father's counter arguments had already taken shape as a picture in my thoughts. However, the difficult part would come right after I proposed the proposal. It was one thing to lose nearly forty percent of the knightly family’s combat personnel in one go—it was a difficult pill to swallow. Yet, my secret plan was within my chest. If executed well, the kill rate against monsters and magical beasts would improve. It was possible to overturn the reality of losing forty percent of our troops.
The research and experiments I had carried out in the Alchemy Tower—dismissed by my classmates in the Knight Department as "just a hobby"—would soon become the lifeline in the frontier. That’s why I had to press my father to make a decision. At that moment, Eldest Brother, who had been silent, finally opened his mouth. His words carried weight, even a sense of intimidation.
"...Father. My younger brother’s bold proposal will undoubtedly place a heavy burden on the knightly family for the foreseeable future. While it’s true that tolerating Granduncle’s actions might allow us to maintain the status quo... I cannot accept it. It is not because of the insults I have endured. What, pray, do we consider the essence of the Knightly Marquisate to be?! What regard does that man hold for our homeland?! How far will his pursuit of personal glory and boundless arrogance extend?! There is no doubt in my mind that his ambition to usurp the knightly family is beyond question. Therefore, I... declare my support for my younger brother's proposal."
It was Second Brother who continued. His voice carried the unmistakable tone of resolute determination. With his stern demeanor and the commanding presence of a demon capable of silencing even a crying child, he confronted Father head-on, his words delivered with unwavering conviction.
"What Brother says is the truth. And the way Younger Brother has seen through my own nature is also the truth. You said earlier that I might become the heir while waiting for Younger Brother. But I do not have the capabilities of an heir. Absolutely none! Though I have received the education necessary for it, I just can’t... Mother understands as well. My abilities extend only as far as assisting my elder brother and managing the warriors at best... but when it comes to the mind needed to protect our homeland, I fall short compared to my Younger Brother. Therefore, after much thought—even considering the harsh future that awaits—I wish to place my trust in Younger Brother’s proposal."
My brothers' words struck deeply in my heart. Both of them possessed an unparalleled love for our homeland. They deeply understood, as a lived truth, that to bring light to the future of our homeland, we must endure and overcome a painful darkness. Yes, before the bright morning comes, we must first endure an unyielding, dark night. It was a courage I did not possess in my previous life. But as myself who lived in the now, I had to face this with courage. That would be my only way of repaying the love and care my family had given "me."
--- Father's heavy lips remain sealed.
His conflicting emotions were surely swirling inside him. To cut off Granduncle, whom he had treated like family through both difficult and joyful times, would be no easy task. But it had to be done.
However...
--- If he is the head of the knightly family, then this is the moment of decision.
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