Chapter 84: Chapter 84 - Sirin’s Lesson
With the main expedition group lead by Morgan taking care of two of the four Goblin Clan that they are aiming for, Sirin also has a goal, that is to handle the Goblin Clan that build their fortress near Maihama castle.
It is mainly for PR because being that close to the political capital of the Eastal League allows the other lords to observe her much easier. Also the reason why Artoria is commanding her decorated Round Table Knights, Remedial Knight and Camelot Soldiers. It's because they look much more appealing to the eyes.
As for if they are capable of handling an Orc General, it's foolish to even ask when they have all of the Round Table knights and Artoria herself. Not to mention Sirin is quite strong on her own with her sisters aiding her.
For that reason, their success is guaranteed and although not as fast as the Main Expedition Force to take it down in hours, they shouldn't take longer than a week considering that they do not have player being part of their group and all of them is Servants summoned by Ray or non-human like Remedial Knights and the Soldiers who is more like ghost or wraith than human.
Basically, they will have a week-long campaign to defeat the Monsters led by an Orc General that builds their fortress on one of the fallen territories.
"What is your order, Crown Princess Sirin?" Hearing this, Sirin turned flustered. Not used to such a title and glared as threateningly as a kitten would at Artoria. "I told you it's alright to just call me by my name if it's just between us and no outsiders." She huffed and turned her head away from Artoria but peeked at her face.
Artoria simply smiled and glad power and authority didn't seem to corrupt Sirin. Not that she thinks anyone could when they live around her Master that can turn human into god and god into mortal on his whim.
"My apologies, Princess. However, it is in the code of conduct to address your highness by your official title when we are out on an official business and leading a campaign is one of them." Artoria said, which made the pout on Sirin's face deepen while the other knights struggled not to show their amusement of this situation.
It is already a miracle that their King, now a former king, would engage in teasing when she often acted emotionless during her reign as the King of Camelot.
Although, there are also those who disagree with Artoria subordinating herself to the service of another. Mainly Mordred. Because she cannot accept that her Royal Father would serve another as a mere bodyguard and knight. The rest of the Round Table knights are pretty chill about it.
"Hmph! I will tell da—" She closed her mouth in realization before she swallowed her words back. She didn't need to be told that complaining to her daddy dearest whenever she faces trouble isn't good for her image and authority.
Thankfully, only Artoria seems to know what she is about to do and respectfully keep her mouth zipped about it.
"Anyway, we wasted enough time. Let's proceed with our long delayed discussion." Artoria said as Sirin reluctantly agreed that they were wasting precious time and put her grudge aside and talked about business. "According to the scouts, aside from the Raid Boss, Orc General. The other monsters are no challenge to the soldier's individuality. However I should add that our enemies outnumbered us 1:50. However, they are not an issue as each of my knights are capable of handling this kind of odds."
Most of the knights nodded, especially Lancelot, Gawain, Tristan and Mordred who are quite famed for their achievements in war and combat.
"The main issue would be the Orc General. From my analysis. Defeating is possible albeit will take quite some time and a big hassle because we do not have sufficient members to form a Legion Raid party and we are going to challenge it with 15 people only." Artoria concluded her report as the Boss' immense durability and multiple HP bars reminded her of a Berserk from a certain Grail War except at least this one will not gain immunity to the attack that took its lives.
"I see. So because of the expected long drawn battle. Our supplies might not be enough…" Sirin made her guess which made Artoria smile.
"Indeed." Artoria nodded acknowledgingly. "We will be short on supplies especially for me because I am supplying my mana to support my knights and soldiers. So, I will be eating a lot more for that reason." She informed in advance, without a shred of shame, telling Sirin to prepare her portions to be bigger.
Sirin contemplates if she might have made a mistake. Judging from how Ray fed Artoria with nutrition rich food not normally found, with a calorie count at least ten fold compared to normal food, feeding Artoria normal food would take a lot in order to sate her hunger.
Basically, the pressing issue about this long drawn war is not the enemy. But a food supply issue because frankly, normal food is difficult or flat out impossible to sate Artoria's hunger.
It sounded so ridiculous that she wanted to laugh. This is not the type of problem she expected to encounter to be honest. Sirin sighed at the ridiculousness of this discussion which Artoria picked up rather easily after observing Sirin's expression and preached passionately to her the importance of food and why going into fight with empty stomach is suicidal like she is preaching about ending world hunger or something.
Somehow, Sirin thinks Artoria is just making up excuses to pull her legs with how the other knights try to keep a straight face or turn their head away when she glances over to them.
"Alright. Alright. I will prepare your 12 course meal." Sirin reluctantly agrees and informs Sakura about this mentally and prays she can figure something out about this request.
"Also. Don't forget about the desserts! I want to try lemon meringue pie, mango cheesecake and a pint of vanilla choco frozen custard and…" Artoria keeps shooting like she is on a Macdonald's drive through, making her order while Sirin looks progressively more annoyed until she snapped by the time Artoria listed her eighth dessert.
Satisfied with her negotiated payment, Artoria finally and reluctantly agreed to fight. Ordering her knights to follow after her as she eagerly wants to fight.
Then much to Sirin's surprise, Ray suddenly appeared after Artoria led her knights out from the tent.
"Do you feel cheated?" Ray asked before jumping into Sirin's arm as she made her way out from the tent and followed after Artoria.
"Yes. She definitely cheated me for extra food right?" Sirin asked, which caused Ray to chuckle a little and replied. "Indeed. She cheated you for additional rewards."
"I knew it!" Sirin fumed and was about to inform Sakura to cancel out the orders she requested when Ray stopped her. Which made her look at him with a questioning stare. "She tricked me for those food. Why should I still fulfill it?" She pouted angrily.
"Calm down, my cute little Sirin." Her immediate reply is "I am not little. I am growing…" She mumbles. Ray chuckles and simply agrees while giving her a headpat with his paw before moving on and says. "Indeed she is already obligated to fight those monsters even without asking for extra rewards from you. But, obligation is obligation. It's not motivation."
Seeing that Sirin still hadn't caught up to what he is trying to say, he gives an example.
"Imagine it like this. You are obligated to complete a task to progress your game. Are you going to be more willing to do it if let's say the task hands out good rewards?"
"Of course I would." Sirin nods and then realizes. "Oh, I see. Extra rewards make someone more willing to do something."
"Indeed. I knew my smart Sirin would understand it easily." He praised which made Sirin feel like she had butterflies in her stomach despite it being a casual praise since Ray rarely did give praise as there's no opportunity to.
"Anyway, that's the basics of managing your subordinates." He said and climbed up to her shoulder as Sirin arrived beside Artoria who was already mounted on her warhorse and gestured to her to mount on another white stallion decked out in armor for horses, prepared as her steed. "While there is obligation for your subordinates to fulfill. That doesn't mean they are doing it willingly and happily. So, it's important to micro manage their motivation and happiness which is equal to loyalty. Got it?"
"Mhm." Sirin nods.
"Good girl. Anyway, just have fun with the fight. The Orc General is simply a wet paper against your power to command space." Ray said as he was ready to leave but paused for a moment. "Right. Your birthday is around the corner, June 23 right? Do you want a pet dragon as a birthday gift?"
Sirin looked elated and immediately made her request. "I want daddy's—" But she was stopped by Ray before she could even finish saying because she was going to ask for an inappropriate request.
"No." Ray stared at her flatly.
"How about just daddy's clone?" She tried to negotiate but his answer was still a nope. "No. Bad Sirin." He said and bonked her head for being too horny.
"Anyway, about the pet dragon. Or perhaps you want a different kind of pet? A cute one maybe? Since magical girls usually have a mascot creature accompanying them." He asked.
"A dragon then." Sirin reluctantly let go of her original wish and accepted the dragon instead because having a dragon is versatile. A pet dragon can fight, be her mount and act as pet too. A three in one package.
"Alright." Ray nodded and finally bid her farewell before leaving and observed her from a far instead along with Morgan who wanted to evaluate her performance.
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