The ink hadn't even dried when I heard the knock, three short, careful, measured taps.
Edward.
I didn't even ask him to come yet. I guess the situation really is that bad. The fact that he had to check up on me instead of simply trusting my knowledge said a lot.
This definitely wasn't going to be easy.
"Enter."
The door opened just wide enough for him to slip through before closing quietly behind him. Though his posture was straighter than usual, there was a tension in his shoulders that hadn't been there before.
He wasn't just worried.
He was waiting, wanting to know if I already had plans.
"For your orders, my lord."
I glanced down at the paper in my hand, twenty names, hastily written, some barely legible from how quickly I'd scrawled them onto the page. A list built on memory, skimming, and a questionable amount of faith in something as unreliable as plot armor.
Still… it was all I had.
The emperor wasn't an option either. No matter how favored I was, the moment he learned my borders were faltering, I'd lose my influence.
Not only that, but I wasn't even sure he could support my lands anyway. As far as I knew, the empire was far too weak at this point to help me.
Right now, I need to rely on myself, and the novel. If that didn't work, then I'd have to pray to whatever gods this world had that my system would reveal something useful.
Sigh...
"For now, I need you to look into these people."
I held out the paper.
Edward stepped forward and took it carefully. His eyes scanned the list, then stopped.
Once.
Twice.
A third time.
"My lord…" His voice dropped slightly. "Where did you—"
"Can you find them?" I cut in.
He hesitated.
"…Some of them, yes. Others…" His brow furrowed. "These aren't just any names."
Good.
That meant I hadn't completely screwed this up and written a bunch of randoms who were barely competent. Now that I think about it... Edward himself was a great general, so it was surprising that even he was worried.
If I had to guess, this event was meant to further solidify the original Cassian's skill, so that even great generals paled in comparison to him.
Too bad I wasn't that Cassian.
"What do you think?" I asked.
Edward exhaled slowly and tapped the page.
"Lordsworn Tristan Vale, currently unaffiliated, last reported near the western territories. If he's willing to take a contract, he's worth ten battalions on his own."
Noted.
His finger moved.
"General Thorme… retired. Officially, though rumors say he still advises smaller factions behind the scenes."
Then—
"Commoner Rerick… that one is strange. He's not known in noble circles."
He looked up at me.
"But I've heard whispers that he was a young prodigy."
Young prodigy? That sounded promising.
"Can we reach them?"
"With enough coin?" Edward gave a thin smile. "We can reach anyone."
That was reassuring. I haven't said it enough today, but man, being rich feels great. Those happiness gurus I used to listen to were definitely wrong when they said money doesn't bring happiness.
It absolutely does, albeit indirectly.
And that's good enough for me.
"Then start with these three," I said. "Discreetly. I don't want this spreading before we've secured them. If you think it takes too long for them to agree or find, then go down the list."
"Understood."
He folded the paper, but didn't move.
"…My lord, one question."
Here it comes.
"Are you certain you mean to entrust the capital's defense… to outsiders?"
There was no accusation in his voice, but there was doubt.
I didn't blame him. In his eyes, this problem didn't even require new recruits; I was the only variable needed to survive the onslaught, the most competent man still alive in the entire Nimean Empire.
Too bad that doesn't apply right now...
"Then I entrust you to keep watch over them," I replied.
Edward studied me for a moment, longer than usual, like he was trying to see something beneath the surface.
"I won't disappoint you, my lord."
He bowed his head slightly.
"I'll begin preparations immediately."
"Wait."
He paused.
"If any of them refuse," I added, "offer double. If they still refuse, find out why."
"…Yes, my lord."
"And one more thing, don't stop at just one. If you can hire several of them at once, do so. The financial logistics don't matter as long as my capital is at stake."
"...Y-Yes, my lord..."
This time, when he turned, he didn't hesitate.
The door closed behind him with a quiet click.
And just like that, I was alone again.
"Hopefully this works..."