Book 5: Volume 1 Chapter 2, War Outside The Tower

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

While Kousuke led preparations for the Conquest Battle, Alec received a summons to the Administration Floor to provide intelligence about the Santo Emingo Kingdom.

 

Floria had recommended him, noting that as the Prince of the Flores Kingdom, he would possess more detailed knowledge than she did.

 

The Conquest Battle declaration had allowed only two days for preparation, so the workload was immense.

 

When Alec arrived at the Administration Floor under these pressured circumstances, he immediately sensed that the usual relaxed atmosphere had completely vanished.

 

Recognizing this was not a casual meeting, Alec steeled himself and met Kousuke’s gaze.

 

Catching his expression, Kousuke offered a wry smile. “No need to be so tense. I just need to ask you something.”

 

“What did you want to know?”

 

Alec tilted his head slightly as Floria began speaking.

 

“We need information about the Santo Emingo Kingdom, Father.”

 

“Santo Emingo Kingdom… which means…!” Understanding dawned immediately. Alec’s expression shifted to one of shock as he looked at Kousuke.

 

“Yes. The Tower of Sarita has declared war on Amamiya Tower.”

 

“I see. That country truly never learns…” Alec’s tone carried equal parts amusement and resignation.

 

As expected, Alec possessed more comprehensive knowledge about the Santo Emingo Kingdom than Floria. While her understanding that the kingdom had expanded through Tower conflicts was accurate, she only knew the overall story. Not some nuances, which required someone like Alec to explain.

 

The Santo Emingo Kingdom had indeed controlled numerous Towers through past conflicts. At their historical peak, they commanded as many as five Towers simultaneously.

 

However, they had since lost control of two.

 

The reasons remained unclear to Alec, as almost no information had leaked beyond the kingdom’s borders..

 

One thing was certain though, the losses did not result from inter-kingdom or inter-Tower conflicts, but rather from failed internal transitions of authority.

 

Even so, this information had not been verified. Some even speculated that the Santo Emingo Kingdom had deliberately spread this narrative.

 

After hearing Alec’s account, Kousuke nodded thoughtfully.

 

“Tower conflicts are not common now, but were they frequent in the past?”

 

“Very likely. You should assume they are specialized in combat, and have experience that span from the past to the present day.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Based on what was said, Alec’s speculation seemed reasonable. Otherwise, they would not have specified such intricate conditions.

 

The preliminary messages they had sent also suggested attempts to gauge whether Kousuke understood the Santo Emingo Kingdom’s strategy.

 

Since Kousuke had completely ignored those messages, the enemy likely assumed he lacked detailed knowledge of Amamiya Tower’s capabilities.

 

However, everyone agreed the enemy could probably make an educated guess.

 

Watching Kousuke nod, Alec asked, “Will you be all right?”

 

“Honestly, I don’t know. This is my first actual battle, after all.”

 

“First time? What about the previous battle?”

 

Alec was referring to the Geiz Kingdom incident.

 

Kousuke shook his head. “Those conditions were entirely different.”

 

The battle at Bachem Tower had been a standard conquest. He simply deployed Kouhi to methodically clear Floors from bottom to the very top.

 

He explained how this Conquest Battle operated under completely different circumstances.

 

“I see. Well then, I should send them a small warning.”

 

“A warning?”

 

Kousuke’s confusion was evident.

 

“Of course. I’ll route it through my homeland.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

Alec shrugged. “We’ll incur a minor debt to the Flores Kingdom, but it’s fine. Besides, even though this is an inter-Tower conflict, allowing it to conclude quietly would be a waste.”

 

Alec’s words revealed his intention to transform this into an inter-kingdom issue, thereby increasing the potential gains.

 

Naturally, Alec had no intention of permitting Amamiya Tower to lose to the Tower of Sarita.

 

Seeing through his intentions, Kousuke smiled wryly.

 

“Hey, I can’t guarantee victory yet. Remember, this is my first battle.”

 

Alec responded with a silent and meaningful smile that sure had pressure.

 

Yielding to that pressure, Kousuke added, “Though, I don’t intend to lose.”

 

Alec nodded, satisfied with this relatively obvious answer.

 

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Upon returning to the castle and securing Towa’s permission, Alec immediately contacted King Maxim of the Flores Kingdom.

 

The direct communication devices to the Flores Kingdom had originally belonged to Floria, but Towa had inherited those privileges upon ascending to the throne. Much of this authority had been formally delegated during the transition.

 

Some devices could significantly impact governance if mishandled, making their proper transfer a top priority.

 

Future monarchs of Razequa Amamiya would likely prioritize ensuring these magical devices were transferred intact and operational.

 

Recognizing this was not the moment for such thoughts, Towa focused on the conversation between Alec and King Maxim.

 

The two had only just begun speaking when Towa’s momentary distraction passed.

 

“I hadn’t expected to hear from you after so long.”

 

“You’re too kind, King Maxim. I’ve brought some interesting information.”

 

“Let me hear it.”

 

The playful exchange felt refreshing to Towa.

 

Alec rarely utilized this communication device, doing so only when he had information obtained directly from Kousuke and possessed substantial knowledge about the Santo Emingo Kingdom.

 

After listening to Alec’s explanation, King Maxim stroked his chin thoughtfully.

 

“So then, what would you like me to do?”

 

“No special public action is required on your end. Simply spread rumors through casual conversations.”

 

At Alec’s words, King Maxim grinned knowingly.

 

He had clearly grasped Alec’s cunning strategy.

 

This remained merely an inter-Tower battle, technically unconnected to national politics. However, as a conflict over Tower control, it was impossible to completely separate it from a country’s own broader.

 

Naturally, the impact would extend to other nations as well.

 

With that understanding, applying subtle pressure to the Santo Emingo Kingdom was feasible.

 

The impact would not be substantial enough to reap major benefits, but small advantages could still be gained.

 

This could be accomplished even without the Flores Kingdom formally siding with Razequa Amamiya.

 

Maintaining a delicate neutral position required careful navigation, but such skills were essential for governing a kingdom.

 

King Maxim, in his role as monarch, had managed such situations countless times.

 

Thus the Conquest Battle, beginning with a declaration of war between Towers would unfold not only within the Towers themselves but in the political arena beyond.