"Isn't that overkill, your highness? There is an army near them that we can mobilize. The royal guards are needed to guard the capital." Albert also tried to eliminate the bandits, but the army influenced by nobles did not work hard. The result might be different if the prince, who was a regent king, pushed the order.
"I will not mobilize all of the royal guards. I cannot rely on the army to sweep the bandits. Nobles have influence on the army in their lands. We do not know what noble household has a connection with the bandits. Many bandits could escape if they received a warning from nobles." Edgar knew that some nobles were too greedy or raising a secret force, so they cooperated with bandits.
Knock! Knock!
Elena came in."Your highness, the captain of the royal guard is here."
"Let him come in." Edgar did not see the captain of the royal guard on the training ground yesterday. The captain was trusted by the king, and his position was very important because he was wielding power that could decide the life and death of the royal family.
A man with a full body silver armor and a white cape came in. He looked serious and calm. His name was Rey. He belonged to the Cross household. His grandfather was a count and general of Van's grandfather. When Rey's grandfather died, their household started to decline. His father, who became the count, had poor talent in aura and magic. His grandfather told them that they should not join the army and remain neutral to avoid causing fear to the king. Van's father, the current bedridden king, favored Rey because he was talented and their family did not have connections with other noble houses.
Rey bowed to Edgar. "Your highness, I was told to come here because you have an order."
He did not disdain the prince, who was rumored as a waste. Van was the crown prince and future king! Respect must be given!
Edgar nodded at the attitude of Rey. He was powerful, but he did look down on Van. "I called you here because I want to mobilize the royal guards and sweep the bandits in the kingdom.It should be quick and must not be known by nobles. I cannot trust the army because nobles have spies there. You can mobilize 200 of the royal guards. Cooperate with prime minister Albert for materials and intelligence.
You will stay in the capital but you must choose someone you can trust to lead. Divide the team into four, sweep bandits in all directions! Kill the bandit leader and anyone that has heinous crimes! Keep the others for free labor force. Find solid evidence of a Baron that cooperated with bandit.I want that Baron to be escorted in the capital and hung. His family will become prisoners."
Edgar wanted to kill a chicken and scare the monkey. "The guards will be rewarded after sweeping bandits. For every bandit lair, they can have 20% of the bandit's loot. Gold will also be rewarded when they return, so a rich reward will certainly be given. Make a plan of attack with Albert."
He believed that Rey could make a strategy that would sweep the bandits because he came from a lineage of generals.
"Yes, your highness!" Rey felt excited that he had been entrusted with an important task by the prince. Albert remained silent the whole time and just listened. He agreed that bandits must be immediately eliminated because many villages and merchants were being harmed.
"Both of you can go now. Let me know when the plan is ready. Call Elena here when you get out."
"How do you make calculations?" asked Edgar when Elena came in. Efficient calculations were very important to the kingdom and his business empire.
"Your highness, I calculate using Sid calculus. It is taught by Sorranians. Sid calculus was invented by Sid Zural in the Allied States of Sorranians 100 years ago." Elena showed something that looked like an abacus.
Edgar wrote some math problems and let Elena solve them. Large numbers were difficult for her to solve, but he quickly solved them.
Elena stared at the prince. Her eyes were filled with eagerness. She hoped to learn the method of faster calculations so she could give more help to the prince and the kingdom. She pleaded to Edgar to teach her the calculation method.
Edgar smiled at her eagerness to learn and decided to start teaching her.
"What I will teach you is called mathematics and the double-entry bookkeeping system."