"Well, then there will be no war. There are many ways to kill King Anderson if only for revenge, because he killed the late King and Queen. The reason for the war must be more than just revenge, even for my parents."
"Other countries fight because of territorial expansion, control of resources or political alliances involving the throne. There is no need for war. Now, for example, I can send ten assassins to finish off that man. And the problem is solved. There is no need for thousands of lives to be lost."
"I have already spread the war decree so that we all make preparations. Whether it breaks out or not, we are ready. Before that, we must know that going to war is not an easy job. I view large-scale war as a significant risk. Also because of the high costs and the danger of defeat. Our fate seems to be determined by two sides of a coin."
"We understand, Your Majesty. But are you not... moved to avenge your parents? The enemy you have been looking for is right before your eyes. We can attack Grissham now. Wilhelmia is a strong and wealthy country. There is no need to wait for Grissham's approval." Lieutenant Bardolf said in his deep, hoarse voice.
"Yes, Your Majesty. We are ready to stand on the front lines for you. Our loyalty is unquestionable. We are men who are ready to die for the Kingdom."
"Isn't this the moment you've been waiting for?"
Adam sat in the main seat listening to the men who were full of passion and bloodlust. His spirit was burning to jump into the battlefield. Like lions that never leave their cages.
"I understand. But don't be too arrogant about something-."
"We are not arrogant, Your Majesty. This is a critical situation. Please understand." The man raised his voice a little, because he felt that the King was too long-winded. Even interrupting his words.
Not understanding that the King was a temperamental figure even though he always managed to control it. It was clear that these military leaders looked down on him. The General also realized it. Although the general view of a King was a very strong dictator figure, it seemed that did not apply to Adam. Indeed, at his relatively young age and never having been to the battlefield before, it was understandable that the military leaders were a little hesitant.
"Is that how you show your loyalty to me? Opposing my words? Answer Sir. I know very well that you all do not believe in my strength. Just because I've been soft, you look down on me." Adam said softly.
The high-ranking officials immediately knelt on the floor after the King said those words. "It's not like that, Your Majesty. Sorry for the excessive words." Said one of the men.
"We never once thought of demeaning you. We beg your forgiveness."
Trevor tried to calm the King down. Staring sharply at his subordinates, signaling them to just shut their mouths while Adam spoke. The tense atmosphere enveloped the room again, the King did not speak. Realizing that in the eighth year of his reign it was very difficult to find a loyal figure. Even getting respect was still difficult.
'Is this the face of the Wilhelmia military after my father's death? Arrogant. How that man managed them. My way of managing may be wrong.'
Trevor looked at him anxiously. "Your Majesty. Do you want to go back? I'll take you."
"Of course not." He sat up to adjust his position in the chair to be a little more comfortable. "I will not beg for loyalty from all of you. All I can do is play my part as best I can. Let's just continue, where were we?"
He leaned back in his chair, his thumb playing with a ring around his index finger. "I have personally prepared a plan for what we will do in the future. What stages must be carried out before war is declared. First is the declaration of war, second is the call to arms, third is the gathering of troops and finally the battle."
"I understand your enthusiasm for bloodshed. War will definitely happen, if I kill King Anderson with the help of assassins, they will definitely attack Wilhelmia without hesitation."
"For now, we wait for Wilhelmia's diplomat to return. And while waiting, the announcement has been distributed so the people can prepare. For military members, you know what you must do, just wait for my next order regarding the specifications of your obligations."
"In the second stage, I have determined the planned date and place of war. Although it can change at any time. The process of calling for arms will be repeated at the local level. Therefore, we still need time."
"Your Majesty? What about the response to the call to arms?"
"The deployment of troops will vary greatly by region and time period. Those who are quickest and most reliable to deploy are the retinues of the social elite. Such troops are generally balanced, such as heavy cavalry infantry and trained archers."
"The five elite Haven companies, of course, and the rest are general infantry soldiers."
"The third stage is the gathering of soldiers. Giving them instructions on who to be whenever war calls. Since Wilhelmia's army is sufficient, there is no need to involve civilians. Since the first and second stages are complete, they are just waiting to be deployed to the battlefield."
"What about your mercenaries and personal retinue, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed, mercenaries have been professionalized over the past few years. They would usually be subcontracted to smaller professional army companies. But the five Haven companies themselves are already large in number."
"That also requires cooperation with other countries, who are ready to become contributors of troops. The reason for this war is very sentimental, I do not wish to involve other countries."
"Are you saying that the rule of conscription does not apply to this war?"
"No. Besides, that policy was only enforced during the reign of the late King. I even planned to abolish it. With Haven, it opens up a good opportunity for all Wilhelmian to become soldiers of the Kingdom. The students' numbers are increasing significantly every day."
The high-ranking officials nodded in agreement with the King's idea.
"The final stage is the battle. When the troops have gathered. All of you who have the status of leaders officially sign the post placement. The soldiers who have received their commanders will be your full responsibility, gathered and camped together."
"Like setting up posts on the border, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, like that. Leaders must always maintain the discipline of their subordinates while waiting for the assembly of troops to be completed throughout the country. These camps are usually located on the border to facilitate the movement of soldiers. For Grissham, it seems they will be preparing at the port."
"On the other hand, General Trevor will try to meet the logistical demand by requesting supplies of war weapons and transportation under the authority of the kingdom. The factory in Atkins is one of the vital places that must always be guarded, because it is the country's arsenal."
A handsome and masculine young man raised his hand, "If we may ask where is the place you chose to be the battlefield?"
"One of the reasons the country lost the war was the wrong choice regarding the battlefield. They let the enemy come to their land, let their cities be destroyed, vital locations damaged, houses looted. So I try to keep them away from Wilhelmia as much as possible."
"Somewhere halfway between Wilhelmia and Grissham. That is fair, we also can't let Grissham bring his infantry troops far away. And vice versa. Everything must be balanced between Wilhelmia and Grissham."
One by one the men nodded and said that they agreed with the King's thoughts. "What about your personal troops? Would you be so kind as to appoint?"
"I will go down. I myself will lead you on the battlefield. The Nifilus Company will escort."
That statement made the atmosphere a little noisy. It was clear that they did not agree with the idea. "There are so many things that Your Majesty must consider if you want to go down to the battlefield."
"I understand. But how can I wait quietly behind the castle, while I send you to your deaths? Moreover, I want to face the killer of the late King and Queen directly."
"But Your Majesty?" Trevor also spoke up. "If something happens to you. What should we do? Especially considering the incident last time, you almost died. Grissham can be considered a country that is good at making poisons, what if they make one that has no antidote yet."
Adam smiled, sighing seeing the General who looked so worried. "I understand. But I will still come along anyway." He stood up to leave the headquarters, "I will call you all for the next meeting. In the near future of course. Right now Trevor will arrange the availability of Kingdom logistics. Please prepare the Wilhelmia soldiers as best as possible from now on."
"Then start building an evacuation route for the people, at the foot of the mountain or around it, in case something goes wrong. Announce to all Wilhelmia people, the situation is now in an emergency situation."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Now all that remains is to wait for the declaration of war to gather all the troops. I will talk to the government officials and aristocrats regarding the retribution units and soldiers who will provide protection at the local level."
"That's all I'm going to say today. Any questions?"
"None, Your Majesty." Said the Lieutenant.
"Then, good afternoon." His feet stepped out of the room, passing through a row of doors and wooden hallways. His hands quickly became a barrier to the sunlight that greeted him outside. Trevor escorted him back to his palace on horseback.
"Your Majesty..."
"I don't want to argue." Adam stared closely at Trevor's dark eyes that were so calm. Like the color of the deep and cold sea.
From a distance, both of them saw the figure of the Knight standing in front of the palace entrance. Adam turned his head, "Anthony has gone to see off the Princess this morning?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Tivius took Robin with him. While escorting diplomat Willhelmia."
"Robin? What's wrong with him?"
"The child asked my permission because Lord Tivius personally asked him to come along."
When the two men arrived, Weithia immediately saluted. His appearance was neat and dashing as usual. The King only smiled slightly when he remembered Weithia's silly behavior a few moments ago.
"Are you awake?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Running on the field is 10 laps because I woke up before you."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Weithia agreed and immediately ran to carry out the order. Trevor only frowned at his subordinate's behavior.
"Do you have a problem with Weithia?" Both of them watched the Knight who started his first lap. Trevor remembered the mistake the young man made last time. His annoyance had not gone away. But His Majesty himself said that no one was allowed to beat him again. That only made the General even more curious.
Adam shook his head, "No."
"Really? You look... different. Usually when someone makes a mistake, you never play around when it comes to punishing them."
"Never mind, I don't want to talk about it anymore. It's not important."
"Your Majesty. If his attitude is incompetent, a Knight who cannot maintain his image deserves to have his title revoked without honor or all the property that has been given taken back. Then you just said that the child woke up later than his Master." Trevor was a little impatient from his tone.
"I've talked about that night with him, he looked very regretful. He cried and said he didn't remember anything. That's weird, I think. It could be the influence of magic or something. My illness came so suddenly that I didn't predict it."
"Weithia said he didn't remember anything?"
Adam nodded.
"Is it my fault? I chose the wrong person for you, Your Majesty?" Trevor returned to his usual worried self.
"It's not your fault, but mine. I made her drink a bottle of wine last night."
Trevor didn't really believe that statement, "Really? But why?"
Adam just laughed, "Stop asking. Weren't you the one who insisted on giving him this job, you said he had such great talent. Why do you want to throw him away now."
"Has Weithia prepared for the war?"
"I haven't told him yet." Adam said without guilt.
"Your Majesty! He's a Knight. How could he not know!?"
"Patience... of course I'll tell him later."
Trevor crossed his arms over his chest, "I'm confused. About your attitude that's so soft towards him. So pampering him. Always defending him and being warm." He said curtly.
"Soft?"
"Yes. Soft!" his voice was suppressed.
The man cleared his throat, then whispered in the King's ear. "Ackerley told me that you and Weithia were..... in love. Is that true?"
Adam immediately cast a cold gaze on Trevor, making the man shudder. "Then why?"
"So it's true!?" his eyes widened.
"Trevor." The King pulled the man's collar closer. "Don't let this news spread without my permission." He said coldly.
Trevor was forced to nod, but then a smile spread across his face. Like a rose whose crown bloomed. "No wonder all the love letters from those noble girls were left to gather dust. It turns out your tastes are so... different. Weithia? Really? Your eyes aren't a problem?" he said mockingly while laughing.
Thankfully the place was completely empty, making Trevor not hesitate to tease the King. Like a father who found out that after decades of living, his son finally got his first lover.
"Don't make me cut your salary, Trevor. Oh! Or should I ask Miss Elizabeth to come here to see you before you go to war?"
"No. No need, Your Majesty." The smile disappeared.
"I would be happy to invite her to dinner."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty."
Adam smiled, "You danced last night with that woman at the harvest party. The glittering ballroom seemed to belong only to the two of you. I was like a mere guest. But isn't that... that woman too young for you Trevor? How old is she? Fifteen or ten years younger?" Adam replied in the same tone.
"Your Majesty, you don't have to repay me many times over. I already apologized earlier." Trevor laughed crisply.
The King fell silent and patted the man's shoulder a few times casually. His left hand was still controlling the horse's reins. "Weithia and I have never done anything like lovers. I've never even touched his skin under those clothes. Not yet."
"I only care about him. As if my past self or my future reincarnation is Weithia's lover. I just feel like I've met someone so... strange... foreign but close at the same time."
"Do you understand?" Adam's horse stepped away towards the wide field. While Trevor just silently watched the man leave.