****
Cedric had planted one more spy.
But this one was not the type to be swayed by persuasion or threats.
So Adrian had him thrown in prison, just like with Dalton.
The charge was simple yet grave: suspicion of espionage.
Though he had been assigned by Cedric to monitor Adrian, Adrian flipped the script by exploiting the wartime situation—claiming that surveilling a commander to extract information could mark him as an enemy spy.
Thanks to that, the second spy was dragged off to jail without any chance to prove his innocence.
Naturally, this enraged Cedric greatly.
However, Berto's report came in right on cue, redirecting Cedric's fury not at Adrian but at his incompetent subordinate—a departure from the norm.
[Sir Metz attempted to sneak into Brigade Commander Adrian's quarters and was caught red-handed. As a result, the Brigade Commander's nerves are on edge, imposing severe restrictions on surveillance.]
"Tch."
This time, Cedric's father, Viscount Lawrence, issued a stern order to cease all surveillance and threats against Adrian.
His mother, Anna, reluctantly complied, but Cedric could not.
Yet this incident led Adrian to directly request reinforcements from Viscount Lawrence himself, forcing Cedric to be hauled into his father's office, where he had to explain the full situation and endure a scolding.
"It's against my better judgment, but we have no choice. Until Father's anger subsides, Sir Berto, keep an eye on Adrian for me."
As a result, Adrian's movements were no longer easily reported back to the lord's castle.
***
I steadily recruited individuals with high potential aptitudes.
Now, a month into our frontline deployment, a total of twenty people were devoting themselves to training and studies to awaken their respective talents.
The management of the facility I dubbed the "Talent Pool" was entrusted to Eric Jones, a trumpeter with a knack for politics and administration, and his mentor, a half-elf former administrator from the Ellicia Alliance.
Whether because I had screened them thoroughly with Clairvoyance or because my compensation was generous, no issues had arisen from either the students or the instructors so far.
'With my future retainers working so hard, I can't be the only one slacking off.'
To claim fortuitous encounters, I poured time and passion into Chronicle Online.
The result: Level 159.
One more level, and I could become a 6th Circle mage.
The 6th Circle was a realm achievable only by a select few among mages—a mark of exceptional talent.
Nations bestowed inheritable baronies and fiefdoms upon those who reached it, so attaining it would feel entirely different from hitting the 5th Circle.
But...
[A message has arrived.]
This reminded me once again that things in the world never go exactly as planned.
[Brigade Commander, an emergency has occurred. The Division Commander has ordered an immediate assembly.]
My current location was the foremost frontline.
What kind of emergency could happen in a place like this?
A military clash, of course.
I logged out of the game and left my room in haste at the Division Commander's summons. Spotting my adjutant Haman rushing toward me, I asked,
"What is it?"
"The Croisen Empire's Sky Fortress has crossed the border! I don't know the exact scale!"
The forward deployment of a Sky Fortress was tantamount to declaring the start of war.
'So the peace until now was just the calm before the storm?'
Frowning deeply, I headed to division headquarters with my adjutant.
Upon arriving at the Division Commander's office, I instructed Arcia to wait outside.
With all the division's commanders in attendance, it was best not to give anyone unnecessary cause for complaint.
"The 2nd Brigade Commander is here as well. Let's start the meeting then. Everyone, take your seats."
Over twenty people crammed the Division Commander's office: commanders and adjutants from each combat unit, along with the staff officers.
The composition of the 2nd Army's 3rd Division was as follows.
1st–3rd Independent Brigades (Resty Barony, Lawrence Viscounty, Aden Barony)
—Vanguards 13, Knights 130, Soldiers 3,000
1st–3rd Combat Regiments (Otis Earldom)
—Vanguards 15, Knights 50, Soldiers 2,000
1st Support Battalion (National Mage Tower, Rondel Temple)
—Mages 30, Priests 30
In addition, there were engineer and medical battalions, but the units directly involved in combat numbered seven in total.
"As you all know, the Croisen Empire's forces have begun moving. The central front is where our forces are concentrated, and combat has broken out between Sky Fortresses."
This allowed us the luxury to convene like this, since the front hadn't spread too wide.
Otherwise, mobilization orders would have come immediately.
"For now, the provincial troops have been ordered to stand by in place, but prepare to deploy at any moment. Load the troops onto the injury trains. You'll be taking meals and resting inside them for a while."
This world's transport technology was highly advanced, enabling troop reinforcements to the frontline in minutes if needed.
Thus, even while mobilizing, maintaining combat readiness was crucial.
"Starting now, spatial coordinate interference has begun across the entire frontline bordering the Croisen Empire. Unless you plan to commit suicide, forget about teleportation."
The Earl then looked at me and said,
"All personal communications except for those of regiment commanders and above will be cut off, so use radios for intra-unit contact. Don't assume you can use your terminal just because you're a commander—exercise utmost caution in your actions."
I could only nod with an awkward smile.
Naturally, cutting off the communication network meant no access to the game.
They wouldn't tamper with the nobles' network, but any issues would invite investigation.
The Earl's warning was clearly aimed at me.
'That doesn't mean I won't play, though...'
At least I made it look like I understood.
Once a major operation began, they would surely sever all communications, regardless of rank.
Afterward, the Earl reviewed troop deployment policies for battlefield insertion and inspected the military communication protocols.
"Alright, war has begun! Everyone, maintain your vigilance!"
Otis Earl rousing the atmosphere with fitting bravado.
"Yes!"
The staff officers, myself included, responded with a resounding affirmation.
"Return to your posts."
But one fact here must not be forgotten.
Had war broken out right after Otis Earl returned home, we would have faced this without a Division Commander.
How fortunate that the Croisen Empire's forces politely attacked during daytime.
***
[You have reached Level 160.]
[You have defeated the named monster Twin-Headed Ogre Tajit.]
Letting the Otis Earl's warnings go in one ear and out the other, I handed command of the unit to my adjutant Haman and logged into Chronicle Online as usual.
I had handpicked Haman as a capable deputy to stand in for me, so the unit should run smoothly without issue.
'Pardon? You're going to play the game?'
Haman pointed out that if his subordinates saw their commander gaming while personal communications were banned, it might affect morale.
But for me, the game took precedence over the nation's war, so I ignored him cleanly.
I felt sorry for stressing Haman out, but it was unavoidable.
In the end, with a thick face, I holed up in my private injury train compartment and focused on the game. I successfully reached Level 160—enough to form the 6th Circle—and defeated the named monster.
—Miguel Lucas's Mage Tower, 7th Floor.
Without lingering on reflections, I immediately opened the treasure chest.
[You have acquired 10 trillion roots.]
[An Ellicia Alliance Bank account holding the amount has been issued.]
[The alliance bank account has been added to your terminal.]
This brought my liquid assets to 12.5 trillion roots.
Given how the cash rewards had ballooned by about five times each, the next one might be 50 trillion?
With 50 trillion, I could buy a top-five corporation in the Reinhartz Kingdom outright in cash.
Just imagining it was satisfying enough.
I eagerly awaited the next reward.
[You have acquired the sub-supporter Black Eagle of Supersonic Speed.]
A special reward as crucial as the cash.
But upon its appearance amid a brilliant light, I tilted my head at the eagle.
The jet-black eagle looked almost like a floating shadow.
Without its faintly emerald-glowing eyes, it might not have seemed alive at all.
"A pet for archers or something?"
This game had no concept of sub-supporters.
Archers could have combat-support eagles as pets, so maybe it was similar? Checking its info yielded little.
Just that its level matched ours at 160 and its max flight speed reached supersonic.
'Still, it wouldn't be given if it were useless.'
After all, like Arcia, the Black Eagle was surely a guardian created by the great archmage Duke Lucas.
Perhaps checking its info with Clairvoyance in reality would be more accurate than the game system.
[The 6th Circle is forming.]
Compared to the previous twelve pieces of equipment, this reward was just the Black Eagle.
As soon as circle formation completed, I logged out—fearing a massive black eagle materializing like with Arcia and causing a commotion.
"It's not here?"
But scanning the room after logout showed no changes.
With a hunch, I stepped out of the injury train.
"There it is."
Following Arcia's finger pointing at the sky, I spotted a black shadow circling overhead.
—Shrieeeek!
"Huh? Whoa! Brigade Commander, get down!"
It soon plummeted toward me on the ground with ferocious momentum.
The on-duty soldiers panicked and raised their rifles, but they couldn't track the shadow's speed.
[Black Eagle of Supersonic Speed]
As expected, it was the sub-supporter Black Eagle I had just acquired.
I petted its obediently still head and held off the soldiers.
Checking its info again with Clairvoyance revealed:
—Chimera made from black dragon bones and hide
Possesses a body resistant even to aura blades, with extremely high injury recovery.
Basic Option: Physical attacks
First Skill: Vision Sharing
Second Skill: -
Third Skill: -
Fourth Skill: -
Basic usage information was listed.
'Something like skills unlock upon meeting certain conditions?'
Like how Arcia grew stronger with me, perhaps this one's skills would unlock one by one as my realm advanced.
In that case, the "conditions" were likely clearing each stage's fortuitous encounter quest.
'First skill: Vision Sharing.'
I wasn't sure about the level of its basic physical attacks, but Vision Sharing would be hugely helpful.
It was as good as acquiring a supersonic reconnaissance drone.
"Brigade Commander?"
Focused on the Black Eagle, I hadn't noticed soldiers and knights gathering around me.
Clearing my throat awkwardly, I calmed the crowd, extended a hand to the Black Eagle, and said in a dramatic tone,
"Want to come with me?"
As if understanding, the Black Eagle placed its beak on my palm.
Too late, I regretted the cringeworthy act, my face flushing...
But to my clueless subordinates, it looked like a profound moment of bonding.
A scene that might seem mystical to others.
To me, it was black history worthy of kicking under the blankets.