As we entered the library, there were definitely more books on the shelves than last time. I had already decided which skill to choose a few days ago.
Considering the time limit, I quickly wandered around the interior of the 'Celestial Library' and selected skills. First, second.
Finally, after struggling a bit to find the third skill, I boldly reached for the book on the bookshelf.
[Tiring!]
[You have chosen Intermediate/Herbal Liquor.]
The book in my hand suddenly glowed and disappeared like smoke. And I, who was in the 'Celestial Library', returned to my office.
"Status window!"
My abilities were displayed in great detail above my head.
[Lv 60. Two thousand days]
[Affiliation: Sky Sun, Emperor, Great Warrior]
[Trait (7/8): Map, Cartography, Mind's Eye, Magician of Language, Teleportation, Healing, Battlefield Command]
[Ability]
Strength: 45
Agility: 45
Stamina: 44
Wisdom: 63
Command: 47
[Remaining points: 12]
[Beginner combat skills]
– Blunt Skills (20/20), Throwing Skills (20/20), Survival Skills (18/20), Shield Skills (19/20)
[Intermediate Combat Skill]
– Martial Arts (19/20), Spear Arts (10/20), Archery (7/20), Sword Arts (0/20)
[Beginner Non-Combat Skills]
– Military Strategy (19/20), Farming Technology (17/20), Stone Technology (15/20), Mining Technology (18/20), Pottery Technology (19/20), Animal Technology (15/20), Cooking (14/20), Shipbuilding Technology (17/20), Military Technology (14/20), Mathematics (15/20), Administration (18/20), Law (12/20), Chemistry (16/20), Animal Husbandry (9/20), Medicine (10/20)
[Intermediate Non-Combat Skills]
- Intermediate Metal Refining Technology (15/20), Weapon Crafting (3/20), Crafting Technology (4/20), Architecture (0/20), Herbalism (0/20)
[Advanced Non-Combat Skills]
-Lenapair (20/20)
While reaching level 60, strength, agility, and wisdom increased by one as a random ability. And the command went up by two, reaching 47.
"4,700 people···."
[Battlefield Command]
The number of warriors that can receive the effect. I checked the remaining points I had accumulated, thinking that I had to get at least 5000.
[Points remaining: 12]
I immediately invested the remaining 3 points to make it 50 Command.
"Now there is no need to save the remaining points."
Since I needed time to adjust to the increased abilities, I boldly distributed the remaining points evenly among each ability.
"+2 to Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, and +3 to Constitution."
I nodded with a satisfied smile after confirming the changed ability value once again.
[Ability]
Strength: 47
Agility: 47
Stamina: 47
Wisdom: 65
Command: 50
[Points remaining: 0]
This time I checked the skills. Overall, my skill proficiency has improved, so I'm not sure if my efforts so far were in vain.
The proficiency level of beginner combat skills is almost at the end, and non-combat combat skills have also increased significantly.
And the three skills I chose from the 'Celestial Library' are: Intermediate Swordsmanship, Intermediate Herbology, Intermediate Architecture.
They were all existing skills. I had raised my beginner chemistry proficiency to the point where I could make fertilizer and gunpowder, but unfortunately, I still needed more time to learn intermediate skills.
"There's nothing I can do. I'll take intermediate chemistry next time."
After I finished organizing the public skills and abilities, I sat comfortably in my chair. I leaned back against the chair and thought about my future plans.
"I'm going to be crazy busy until next spring."
At that moment, a noise was heard from outside. I could tell who it was just by hearing the sound of them walking.
"Is there any good news? Your steps are light."
As expected, 'Splendid Sunset' knocked on the door of the office.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! I have come to report something urgent."
"Come in."
"yes."
* * *
As expected, what I predicted a little while ago was correct. 'Splendid Sunset' brought two pieces of good news.
"The Wampanoag tribe is a bit surprising, isn't it?"
"I was a little surprised because it was something I hadn't expected."
The Wampanoag tribe was the first to propose joining the Sky Sun Confederation. 'Splendid Sunset' continued to report, bringing up the situation surrounding the Wampanoag tribe, as if he had personally analyzed it.
"Above, the Abnaki confederacy, to the west, our 'Sun in the Sky'. To the northwest, a little way, the Iroquois confederacy, which must have made the Wampanoag very anxious."
"Well, in this area, only the Wampanoag tribe did not join the confederacy."
I can understand their position to some extent. If war broke out among the alliances in the northeastern region, it was obvious that they would be the first targets.
"It seems that the Wampanoag tribe has been thinking long and hard about which confederation to join. They looked into our confederation's conditions for joining and saw that you made the first offer."
"I guess I don't have to explain each and every condition of joining the alliance."
"Yes. The process has also become simpler."
'Splendid Sunset' smiled as if it agreed with what I said.
"So, when will the Wampanoag tribe join?"
"This winter is going to be tough. I heard they're going to officially join our federation next spring."
"That's good. Next spring, we can enlist the Wampanoag warriors along with the trainees who will enter the training camp."
"Yes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already planning to discuss various pending issues, including that, with the Wampanoag Tribe."
"You must be having a hard time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
Anyway, it was clear that it was good news. I listened to the next report with a pleasant expression. 'Splendid Sunset' handed over the paper she was holding.
"This is a report from the Intelligence and Inspection Service. Please read it."
"okay."
I quickly read the report in my hand. Unfortunately, the person who masterminded my assassination, 'Pouring Rain', disappeared and I could not catch him, but I was lucky enough to save the person who came into contact with him.
"It looks like the Iroquois confederacy was determined to erase their tracks."
"Yes. I guess it would be better if there were no evidence from that side."
He nodded slightly as if agreeing with the words 'Splendid Sunset' and waved his hand on the table.
"The Mohawk tribe... was their chief's name 'Rising Flame'?"
The names are so similar that it's hard to remember them.
"Yes. As I reported last time, after the war with the Irie tribe, he resigned as the representative of the Iroquois Confederacy. More precisely, he was kicked out. In any case, as the report states, it seems that we need to investigate further whether the entire Iroquois Confederacy led the assassination of His Majesty the Emperor or whether the Mohawk tribe alone planned the incident."
I wanted to hear her opinion.
"What does the chief of staff think?"
'Splendid Sunset' paused for a moment, then slowly stated her opinion.
"Well, I shouldn't jump to conclusions, but based on what I've researched so far on the tribes that were part of the Iroquois Confederacy… it's very likely that the Mohawk tribe acted on their own."
As expected, I had the same thoughts. He showed a faint smile on his lips as if he agreed with her opinion.
"Once we investigate the witnesses we have secured, we will be able to properly understand the details of this case."
"That may be true. But, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
'Splendid Sunset', who had been quiet for a moment, asked cautiously.
"Whether it was the Mohawks or the Iroquois, if that happens, we will have no choice but to break the peace treaty with the Iroquois and fight. How far does Your Majesty think we can go?"
As chief of staff, this question must have been very important to her. Because I have to prepare for war, along with strategies, tactics, and countermeasures, based on my decisions.
Phew!
I raised one corner of my mouth slightly and smirked.
"That question must be decided later, but if we start a war, we must completely subdue the Iroquois Confederacy."
"I see. I understand."
'Splendid Sunset' smiled strangely and her eyes shone coldly, as if she had a lot to think about in my answer.
'It's scary when you laugh like this.'
Somehow, I felt an inexplicable killing intent from the body of 'Splendid Sunset'. Of course, the murderous intent was not directed at me, but at the Iroquois Confederacy···.
* * *
The days passed quickly. Smoke rose ceaselessly from the huts between the houses in the 'very large' city. Although it was a very cold winter, the rooms were warmer than ever thanks to the ondol system in each house.
As I walked through the inner castle and into the outer castle under the escort of the royal guard, I was listening to the report of my chief aide, 'Splendid Sunset'.
"There are 1,082 soldiers who have completed their mandatory military service. Most of them have decided to join the vigilante group."
In addition, during the mandatory military service period, you can work in blacksmith shops, shipyards, mines, etc. depending on your job or specialty.
There were quite a few warriors who applied for various positions. Of course, there were also warriors who wanted to continue serving their country as professional soldiers.
A little later, we entered the stadium where a match of Pahsaheman, a traditional Lenape soccer game, was taking place.
As I stepped onto the stage, the warriors who had come to the stadium in unison looked at me with eyes full of sincerity.
"Everyone, at attention!"
"With all due respect to His Majesty the Emperor! Loyalty!"
Following the lead of 'Roaring Thunder', warriors who had completed their mandatory military service chanted 'Loyalty' so loudly that the stadium was about to burst into flames.
I also paid tribute to them, thinking of their hard work for the country so far.
"insect!"
As the hand on my chest lifted, 'Roaring Thunder' turned around with a measured movement.
"Take a break!"
"Take a break!"
The warriors who had now become vigilantes in charge of the country's security looked at me with bright eyes. I took out the speech I had prepared and began to speak calmly.
"First, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the soldiers who have worked hard for the country for the past two years."
"······."
My speech went on for a while.
"······Now, we will uphold the law in each place and help the villagers in various ways with the public authority recognized by the 'Sun in the Sky.'"
After a while, when my speech ended, the warriors who would walk a new path as vigilantes each had a look of emotion on their face as they recalled their past.
"For the 'Sun in the Sky' as a vigilante!"
The vigilantes saluted vigorously as the newly appointed leader of the vigilantes led the way.
"insect!"
The salute and slogans of the vigilantes were not much different from those of the soldiers. Only the shipyard is different.
'A vigilante group has been created to take charge of the country's security. Now, the foundation of the country is roughly being established.'
The splendid inauguration ceremony of the vigilante group has finally come to an end. The vigilantes who have been trained, knowingly or unknowingly, to be loyal to their country and the emperor during their mandatory military service will continue to be my steadfast allies.
As I came down to the stage with light steps, 'Splendid Sunset' approached me and began reporting on the operation of the vigilante group.
"From now on, the vigilantes will be part of the executive branch and will uphold the law. Under the vigilante leader, there will be chiefs in charge of each region."
* * *
A dense forest. The party on the upper ground was just entering the territory of the Catawba tribe.
"I haven't heard back from the Catawba chief yet. For now, let's rest and wait around here."
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
As the 'Turtle Shell' relayed the instructions of the 'Singing Water', the party on top of the 'Land' began to move busily. At that moment, something flew quickly from the forest ahead.
Swish! Swish!
One of the escort warriors on top shouted in anxiety as he saw the tiny needle embedded in his body.
"It's a poison dart! Everyone, prepare for battle!"