37-113

EP.113 War Preparations (1) 

Prinz stayed in Yuno’s territory for several days, not only learning about the military but also admiring how Yuno managed the territory in agriculture, commerce, and financial administration. 

On the day before his return, the two brothers soaked in the open-air hot spring behind Yuno’s manor set up by Kurimu and Miruku with the help of spirits and shared drinks, deepening their brotherly bond. 

“Wow~ This place is really great. And thanks to Isabella’s soundproofing magic, there’s no worry about noise leaking beyond the manor, right?” 

“Yes, that’s right. That’s why I suggested we talk here, brother.” 

Yuno and Prinz had a few drinks and discussed how to govern the empire after the war. 

“Yuno, I’m convinced again that you’re the only one who can be the next emperor of the empire. I was never fit to sit on the throne. So please become emperor and make the whole empire as prosperous as you’ve made this territory.” 

“Yes, brother. I understand. I may be lacking, but I’ll do my best. But first, I have to win this upcoming battle.” 

After days of persuasion from Prinz and his own women, Yuno finally decided to accept the succession. 

‘...I thought I’d just live an easy life after reincarnating in this world... but maybe this is my destiny. And above all... my heart is pounding.’ 

The ambition that had made his heart race during Rachel’s previous briefing was growing, and as Prinz spent days persuading him and laying out his vision for the empire, Yuno felt the royal blood in his veins stirring with excitement. 

The cost of that excitement had to be borne by his women, but in any case, Yuno promised to realize that vision in Prinz’s stead and to pursue his own dreams as well. 

‘Now that it’s come to this, I will win at all costs! And I’ll achieve the dreams I couldn’t in my past life this time, as emperor!’ 

Not knowing Yuno was excited in a different sense, Prinz looked at his brother’s ambitious eyes with a satisfied smile and clinked glasses with him. 

“You’re right. First, we have to stop Heinrich’s invasion. But are you really sure about this? When I asked you to be supreme commander, I didn’t know your army was this large. If you want to command your forces directly, I don’t mind.” 

“No, brother. I trust Mayer, Cordelia, and Ajin. They can disrupt the imperial army’s supply lines and harass the rear before joining up with our army before the battle. They’re more than capable.” 

“Trusting your subordinates is important. Once you give your trust, keep it to the end. That’s how you earn their loyalty. Of course, you already know that.” 

“Speaking of subordinates... if I suddenly appear and take the throne instead of you, won’t your followers object? After all, they followed you and looked only to you.” 

“Yes, I know that very well... I still feel sorry to them.” 

Thinking of his loyal subordinates, Prinz gave a wry smile, drained his glass, and spoke again. 

“But you can do it. Yuno, you can win their hearts in this battle. Lead us to victory, and show the lords, my followers, and all the people of the empire that the true emperor is Yuno Alexander Windrage von Balkan!!” 

Prinz’s declaration shook Yuno’s heart once more. 

“Yes! Understood, brother! I’ll lead us to a perfect victory in this battle!!” 

“Good! I believe in you! Together, we will restore this empire to greatness!!” 

As the brothers exchanged drinks, a red-haired woman in nothing but a towel approached. 

“Hehehe, my lord? If you leave such things as war to your devoted Miri, I could easily bring you victory. Why choose the hard path? If you wish, I can brainwash giant monsters to massacre your enemies, or I can personally rain lightning down and annihilate them.” 

“Oh, Miri? I appreciate it, but this battle is against the imperial army my own people. I can’t allow that. Besides, you need to recover your strength. I don’t want to put my woman in danger!!” 

“My lord...” 

Miri, her face flushed with emotion, entered the hot spring and leaned her head on Yuno’s shoulder. 

“So... Miri, you’re the dragon he married, right? But even if you’re just wearing a towel, is it really okay to show that much skin in front of me?” 

Yuno had been too lazy to explain that Miri was a true dragon, so he’d just said she was a dragon subspecies. Since she wasn’t actually naked just showing her shoulders and legs Yuno actually felt sorry for his brother, who was so sexually uptight. 

“Oh, Your Highness, you’re so conservative. What’s wrong with this much? The dresses you wear when cross-dressing are way more revealing.” 

At some point, Yunas now dressed just like Miri came up behind Prinz and bluntly revealed his secret. 

“Y-Yunas!! We agreed not to talk about that in front of Yuno!!” 

Prinz’s hobby was already known throughout the empire, but having it exposed in front of his brother was another matter, so he blushed. 

“It’s fine, brother. Everyone has their secrets. If you think about it, you know I’m in an incestuous relationship.” 

At Yuno’s nonchalant words, Prinz felt his blood pressure spike again and barely managed not to faint from the strain on his heart. 

“You... you!! Diane, fine, I get. As her brother, I wanted to grant her one last wish before I left... and we’re half-siblings anyway... But you!! To take the Empress, Isabella, and Marie as wives... How can you!!” 

“Half the reason I want to be emperor is for that. I can’t legally marry Mom, but I want to have a grand wedding with all my women.” 

With a shameless look, Yuno fondled Miri in his arms, and Prinz let out a wry laugh. 

“Ugh! Compared to your perversions, my kinks are nothing! I don’t even know if I should be jealous or disgusted...” 

“Oh? I think Your Highness is much worse. Every time we have sex, you dress up sexy, moan more femininely than anyone, and only finish when I stroke your cock while I’m behind you. Isn’t that exactly what my beloved husband Prinz enjoys? So who are you calling a pervert?” 

“Pfffft!!! B-brother? You’re the bottom?!” 

“Y-Yunas!! Please!!” 

Despite Prinz’s protests, Yunas hugged him from behind, and Prinz quickly quieted down. 

“Uh... brother. I’ll be going now. Sister-in-law, have a good time. Oh, and I’ll make sure no one comes in here for a while, so don’t worry.” 

“Oh my~ Thank you, dear~” 

Yuno quietly left the bath with Miri and closed the door. Hearing the moans of Prinz and his wife through the door gave him chills, so he hurried to his room. 

“Hehehe, my lord, are you interested in that kind of play? If you want, I can transform into a futanari like Yunas...” 

“No!!! Absolutely not!!” 

Seeing Yuno’s desperate refusal, Miri just smiled sweetly. 

“Hahaha, my lord is a born male... So tonight, please fill your lewd Miri with your thick seed♥” 

As Miri dropped her towel and spread her legs to tempt him, Yuno’s body quickly responded. He briefly wondered if someone as simple as him should become emperor, but soon gave in to his lust and spent another passionate night as usual. 

The next day, before Prinz’s return, a strategy meeting for the upcoming war was held in the manor garden. 

Normally, the meeting would have been in the office, but since Ajin, now under Yuno’s command, needed to attend, they chose an outdoor setting. 

“Let’s begin the strategy meeting to prepare for war with Emperor Heinrich’s imperial army. Mayer! Explain the unit organization plan!” 

“Yes, sir!” 

At Yuno’s command, Mayer spread out a large paper and map showing the territory’s unit organization. 

“First, our Nikadateshina army must strike Count Graim’s territory on the western border as soon as we receive intelligence that the imperial army has crossed the Spirit Lake into the east, to ensure freedom of movement.” 

“Mayer, if we have to fight unnecessary battles to move our troops, can’t we just detour through the Fairy River? It’s a bit longer, but...” 

To Isabella’s suggestion, Mayer shook his head. 

“No, Your Highness. As long as Count Graim supports Heinrich, we’d be leaving an enemy at our back. Graim’s military isn’t much, but we have to watch for knight raids via teleportation circles, and there’s no reason to leave an enemy behind.” 

“Understood.” 

“I’ll continue. After capturing Graim’s territory, we’ll mix half the new recruits and half a thousand light infantry and send them back to the territory to maintain order and for emergencies. Lady Catherine will command those troops.” 

“What? Why me? I want to go to the front with Yuno!” 

“One master must stay behind to protect Lady Yuria, Lady Diane, Princess Rachel, Lady Hiriya, and Lady Miri. Lady Eliza admitted she’s still inexperienced, so that leaves Count Lichtenauer and Lady Catherine. Count Lichtenauer insisted on going to the front to behead someone, so...” 

“...Fine, but Yuno you know what I want before and after the campaign, right?” 

Catherine pressed her huge breasts against Yuno, openly demanding sex. Yuno, making sure no one saw, slipped his hand inside her top and fondled her. 

“Oh, you lewd wife... Hard to believe you used to be such a strict teacher.” 

“Aaah~ That was ages ago~♥” 

Though they whispered quietly, Lichtenauer was already clicking his tongue at his former pupil and now-rival’s shameless behavior, so Yuno and Catherine awkwardly separated. 

“Ahem... Next, the remaining thousand heavy infantry, a thousand mixed light infantry and new recruits, and three hundred ranger archers will head toward Spirit Lake to seize enemy supplies. While the infantry advances, Sir Cordelia will use the cavalry to locate the imperial army’s supply bases and convoys. The cavalry is strictly forbidden from engaging.” 

“Why? As your knight, I’ve trained my cavalry well, and my unit is strong enough!” 

“No. Even if it’s just a supply unit, the imperial army is still the imperial army. They won’t let a small cavalry unit ambush them easily. And remember, the imperial army must not know what happened to their supply convoys. If they don’t know why they’re starving or where their supplies went, the operation will be most effective. Ajin, please join the archers and, during raids, prioritize eliminating enemy messengers and communication mages.” 

“Grr, understood. I’ll leave the messengers to the rangers and personally behead any mage who tries to cast a spell.” 

“Thank you.” 

“Wait. If Ajin leads the rangers, who will command the heavy and light infantry?” 

Mayer smiled. 

“The commanders are all people you know. Macmorin will lead the heavy infantry. He’s always second in your fitness tests, and his personality makes him well-liked among the troops. He’s so skilled that if he’d awakened mana before twenty, he could’ve been a knight.” 

“Hmm... I trust Macmorin. Who’s leading the light infantry?” 

“Haha, that’s...” 

The name that came from Mayer’s mouth was so unexpected that Yuno’s eyes widened in surprise.