Chapter 273: Carrots, Sticks, and Swords.
‘Tsk tsk…’
I had to say that it was intentional.
I definitely remembered that there had been no visit to the Imperial Knights on her schedule.
It was no different from a local candidate from the precinct coming here to campaign for the same place, so it was reasonable to think it was ridiculous.
As opposed to the First Princess, whose position was narrow, the Second Princess’s camp and support were indeed solid.
When I saw the influential nobles who had come with her, I thought about having brought more people, too.
Charlotte made a welcoming expression as if she had been waiting for us, and slowly began to walk toward us.
Charlia wasn’t stupid enough to not figure out why she was here, so she was also was staring at her with her bloodshot eyes and trembling hands.
“You can act, as usual, Your Majesty.”
As I whispered to her in case she might do something unexpected, I saw Charlia nodding quietly.
However, her face still looked as if she wanted to tear apart and kill the woman in front of her.
‘I don’t know if she can stand it.’
When she thought about her half-sister, she shed blood tears at her jealousy, so it was natural that I felt anxious.
The Second Princess, Charlotte, may have bad feelings for her sister, but she at least did not reveal it on such an occasion. She was quietly nodding with a smile on her face.
Seeing her, Charlia began to speak.
“W-What are you doing here?”
“I heard that you would visit the Imperial Knights and praise their hard work. Since it’s not a common occasion, I came to see you in case I could be helpful. I’m sorry for not being able to contact you in advance.”
“…”
‘Help, my ass.’
“Okay… Thank you.”
Charlia replied, quietly nodding at her embarrassing words, but anyone could see she was in a bad mood.
I wanted to compliment her just for not showing off.
‘The picture is not bad.’
“The First and Second Princesses visited the Imperial Knights together” would indeed be good news.
If it went well, both could produce very good results, which could be considered a win-win.
Of course, the Emperor would nod, and it was clear that the imperialists, who knew nothing, would also raise their voices about the sister’s friendship.
The problem was only one risk factor of not knowing when Charlia would go crazy, but at least the behavior she was now showing was quite normal.
In any case, these sisters, without further conversation, began to enter the knights’ training ground.
The Second Princess glanced at me and not at the First Princess, and she still seemed not to like me.
‘Of course, she wouldn’t.’
She must be thinking that I was one disloyal retainer.
Every time Charlia did something, she whispered to me, so it would be weird not to notice that I’m controlling her from behind.
Since I was managing her actions and schedules, she’s not wrong…
‘I don’t want her to look at it too badly…’
Small citizens’ honest feelings were that they didn’t want to look too bad to the powerful, even if they were enemies.
When we entered the training hall, the Imperial Knights’ vice commander and the person-in-charge of this event bowed and greeted us, but he looked disconcerted as if he didn’t know that both sisters would be coming.
“I am very happy that you came like this, First Princess and Second Princess.”
“I’m worried about whether we are bothering the knights.”
“No. They would be very pleased just with the visit of Your Majesty Charlotte.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
Charlia was also trying to say something, but it felt like Charlotte had stolen her march.
‘I knew this would happen…’
In contrast to her, who skillfully led her mood as if she was familiar with this, Charlia’s position was somewhat unclear.
She must feel that she had openly become a folding screen.
“Ah…”
Looking at her hesitating was a spectacle.
She seemed to want to take back the initiative to herself, but the vice commander and Charlotte were already having a conversation on a subject that she couldn’t interrupt.
It seemed that our Second Princess had extensive knowledge in this area as well.
“So, did you solve the problem of restructuring your troops?”
“Yes. Of course. The Imperial Knights indeed consist of cavalry-oriented troops, but I thought it would be better to increase the proportion between common infantry and shields.”
“Definitely, these days, it’s impossible to operate troops with only cavalry…”
“Yes. You are right. It’s indeed impossible since there are some limitations. And the supply of knights’ personal potions you promoted is also highly expected.”
“I think it would be better to talk about it with Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung here.”
“Come to think of it…”
“Yes. The potion supplied to the Imperial Knights will be brought directly from the Blue’s alchemy workshop. The best alchemist on the continent is in the Empire, and there is no reason not to use it.”
“Haha. I see. In fact, I have used the high-quality potion distributed by Blue. It is indeed hard to purchase with the salary of ordinary knights, but the potion is incredibly effective.”
‘Look at this…’
I had my eyes wide open at the sudden carrots that were thrown in.
It was true that Charlotte holding the stick was unpleasant, but the carrots were sweet.
‘Should I see it as an apology gift?’
Upon looking at the supply potions that had been in circulation in the Empire, it was undeniable that the quality was poor.
Considering the knights’ survival rate and safety, it was, of course, right to use the potion that was being mass-produced in the Blue’s alchemy workshop.
I thought it was time to make a direct contract with the Empire, but I couldn’t even imagine that they would be doing it in advance.
‘I don’t think so… There must be a reason.’
Anyway, if I were to think about it in terms of stability, it would be correct to supply them with this potion.
It was common sense in both the Earth and the continent to bring good quality goods to soldiers.
Of course, there must be some countries where this common sense doesn’t work, but at least the Empire was not stupid enough to neglect the knights and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for them.
That was to say, from Charlotte’s point of view, this was just thrown bait.
If I were to take it, it would be good, but there was something she could get even if I didn’t take it.
‘To drive a wedge?’
My guess was probably right.
When I saw Charlia being openly uncomfortable, I was also forced to flinch.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing to get in between their conversation. Of course, Charlia, who was completely alienated, had to be brought here with me.
“It’s true that it is expensive, but you won’t need to doubt the quality,” I replied.
“I will pay special attention to the items to be delivered to the Knights, who are working hard day and night for the Empire. Actually, Blue is not economically good because of some things, but…”
Actually, it was.
“We’re going to make a contract with a much lower price than what’s on the market.”
As it was an opportunity, it was natural that I should take it as much as possible. There was no special discount.
“In fact, the First Princess Charlia had mentioned similar thoughts with the Second Princess… Hahaha. This is a coincidence.”
Of course, I had never heard anything like that.
Many lies had popped up in less than a minute, but I’m not uncomfortable as they are good-intentioned lies.
As I pushed Charlia, she nodded and went ahead.
‘Just roughly go along with me.’
“I see. Your Majesty Charlia, too…”
The vice commander of the Imperial Knights, who smiled and nodded, still looks proud.
Charlia also seemed to be going along with this. “I’m embarrassed.”
“Hahaha. I see. Hahaha. I didn’t know you two would think of the Knights to this extent.”
“The country must be safe for it to develop. To do such acts for the Imperial Knights, the best-armed group in the Empire, it’s probably something that anyone living in this country would think.”
“Thank you for your words, Your Majesty Charlia. Hahahaha.”
‘Good. She is doing well.’
It had worked that she read my note beforehand. Charlotte herself was calm.
Seeing that Charlia took a step back from the place she went in and narrowed the distance to me, it seems I was right.
Since she couldn’t embrace me, she must be determined to at least drive a wedge between us.
During the conversation, Charlotte and Charlia gave words of encouragement to the Imperial Knights, who were performing their show-off training.
I felt that most of the knights were showing favor to Charlotte, but it certainly seemed that they were showing off who was the strongest.
It was the first time that I had also entered the Imperial Knights training hall, so while I was constantly paying attention to Charlia, I was busy checking the Imperial Knights specifications with my Mind’s Eye.
‘The knighthood level is quite high.’
It was not shameful to say that it was indeed the best power of the Empire, as Victor Hart was raising it with his best.
Seeing that most of them have high endurance and stamina, their destructive power when riding on a horse was truly unimaginable.
I bet that any small and medium-sized guilds would be wiped out at once. Obviously, however, the First Princess wasn’t thinking about that.
She was busy following the actions and movements that I had given her.
‘However, she’s doing pretty well.’
She expressed words of encouragement and praised their military exploits.
Anyway, this kind of tour was mostly insignificant and was only for show. The Second Princess, who was also good at swordsmanship, showed better performance from there, but it was fine if Charlia didn’t show that much.
‘Because she only has to do what she can.’
She didn’t have to be so loud.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“I will do my best to protect the Empire.”
‘Very good.’
“It is thanks to you that the Empire is safe.”
“Thank you! It is an honor, First Princess.”
‘Yes, you just have to do that. All you have to do is do what you can for the moment.’
In fact, it was difficult enough just to shake hands with knights with high strength.
Even though they controlled their strength, it was inevitably painful for people like us who had weak endurance.
She had already shaken hands dozens of times and still managed to keep her smile even when she had swollen palms.
Just that was enough.
While nodding satisfactorily, Charlotte approached us and opened her mouth.
“You think this will change something?”
Her tone was very calm.