【The Old Man of the Expelled Inn Unwittingly Dominates Today Too】Although I Want to Lead a Slow Life, for Some Reason the Strongest Beauties Who Hold Important Positions in the Country, and Were Once My Disciples, Gather Around Me Asking to Be Hired – Even Though I Only Taught Them a Little～

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Ah, my mountain of gold! My vault of gold! My gold hoard!

I must control myself; I almost let my inner voice leak.

I am in a fortress in the mountainous region of Northern Fridania.

Thanks to this, only I can enjoy the luxuries and use the slush fund just for myself.

I’ve also managed to get my hands on this ultra-premium wine by throwing money at the problem.

Gulp, gulp, gulp—Ah, so delicious.

However, those Northmanea guys are targeting my precious gold mine.

I won’t let them! I absolutely won’t let them! I won’t let anyone!

—This is mine!

I’d love to shout it out loud, but Chancellor Piett is beside me today, so I hold it in as a mental scream.

He doesn’t know I own a secret gold mine. By the way, the gold mine is a bit far from the fortress, and only a few close to me know of its existence.

Today is a rally for defense. They’ll attack in a few days.

My elite troops are arrayed before me. I set down my wine glass and start speaking.

“Now then, there are idiots trying to invade our country—um, my gold.”

That was close; I almost mentioned my gold mine.

I look around; nothing seems different among the gathered guards.

Hahaha, well, these pawns wouldn’t notice, would they?

“We’ll stop their invasion for the country’s sake and the people! Absolutely! No matter what!”

I say something appropriate for now. I really want to say that it’s for the sake of my gold mine, but I have to restrain myself.

“Prince Genus! May I ask you a question?”

One of the lined-up soldiers steps forward.

What? What’s a mere foot soldier doing, stepping out of line like this?

I was going to ignore him, but Piett whispers in my ear that listening to the soldiers who are about to risk their lives is part of the duties of a royal representative. Reluctantly, I decided to attend.

“What is it? Speak up.”

“Yes, I am Captain Maul of the defense team.”

Who cares about the name of a mere defense captain? Hurry up and speak.

“I’ve heard that the enemy, Northmanea, will invade through a two-front operation targeting both these mountainous areas and the Kingdom of Natol. Is there a reason we amassing troops here in the mountains?”

A reason, you say? How bold for a defense captain!

Of course there is! To protect my gold mine, obviously! But for now, I’ll make up a plausible reason.

“Hmph, simple. Natol has its troops. They are a country allowed to exist under my protection! Now is the time for them to return the favor!”

(Shouldn’t we be sending more reinforcements to an allied country?)

(Isn’t the direction of Natol more critical than these insignificant mountains?)

(Why are we heavily defending this place? Is there nothing but abandoned mines here?)

The insolent pawns begin to murmur amongst themselves.

Fools, this isn’t an abandoned mine; it’s a promising gold mine!

“Prince Genus, be cautious with your words in front of the soldiers when discussing important allies and protections.”

Ah, even Piett starts to annoy me with his nagging.

“Prince Genus, pardon my impertinence, but if Natol falls, there are hardly any defensive facilities in the rear. The enemy will invade Fridania. We should place only the minimum number of troops in these difficult-to-attack mountains and focus our main forces in Natol.”

What? This guy is annoying. Could he be an enemy spy? Who cares about some backwater towns in Natol? My gold mine is more important.

Then Piett whispers in my ear again.

“Prince Genus, I agree with the defense captain. Our forces are too unbalanced. Let’s go help Natol.”

“What? Are you stupid? You’re taking the words of such a strategically inexperienced person at face value?”

“He is a former subordinate of Swordmaster Alesia. He has been defending this country’s borders for years.”

Swordmaster… ah, I see. A subordinate of that damn Baldo’s disciple is bound to be an idiot.

“Prince Genus, the situation is urgent. We really should send more forces to Natol. Sending half the defense team here will be enough.”

Ugh.

“I agree, Your Highness. We should follow what the defense captain is suggesting.”

So irritating.

“Prince Genus, please make a wise decision!”

Annoying!

“Shut up, you Swordmaster’s lapdogs! You’re all fired!”

“What? Prince Genus, what do you mean?”

“I mean, you’re fired! Get out of here!”

Don’t try to give me orders.

“Prince Genus, that’s unacceptable. These are skilled defense soldiers, aren’t they? Losing them would be a considerable loss.”

“Huh? Look closely. There’s no way these idiots who oppose me can be skilled! Now I get it! They’ve just been lazing around on the frontier! My direct forces, honed in previous wars, are far superior!”

In other words, they’re just freeloading trash. I don’t need people like that!

My gold mine defense will be fine with the main body of troops I brought from the capital!

The incompetent defense troops pleaded for me to reconsider their termination, but I flatly refused. Giving up, they finally left.

Ah, that feels better.

I contentedly enjoyed my ultra-premium wine.