Chapter 32
In the mornings, I was taught my studies by my elder sisters, and learned alchemy from Netzal-san, who had returned after finishing his gathering of alchemy materials.
From the afternoon, I spent my time learning the fundamentals of tactics and strategy from Brother Fahrenheit.
Right now, it was break time, so I was in the living room having tea and sweets.
“Our vacation is almost over, isn’t it? Claude, you’re a fast learner, so it was rewarding to teach you, but it’s a shame.”
“We’ve prepared study materials so you can study even when we’re not here, so don’t slack off, okay?”
“I’ll do my best with my studies.”
As I was chatting pleasantly with my elder sisters, the door opened and Father came in.
“Claude, so you were here. I have something to discuss.”
“Is something the matter?”
“There’s been a summons from the Royal Palace. They’ve requested that you come along as well, Claude.”
“A summons?”
“It’s probably about the Goblin Lord subjugation.”
“If we’re being summoned, that would be it, wouldn’t it?”
“We also have to return to the academy, so it’ll be a carriage journey together, won’t it?” one of my sisters said.
“The Royal Capital, huh. I’d like for all of us to look around at various things,” I said.
“The audience is the top priority, but once it’s over, let’s make some time,” Father replied.
“Well then, it’s almost time for me to go to Brother Fahrenheit’s place, so if you’ll excuse me.”
I went to the front of Brother Fahrenheit’s room, knocked, and then entered.
“Brother Fahrenheit. Excuse me for intruding.”
“Claude, welcome. I figured you might be bored doing only the basics, so today, how about we try a board game that simulates a battlefield?”
A desk was set up in the center of the room, and on it was a field that seemed to represent terrain like Grasslands and mountains.
“That looks difficult.”
“There’s a lot to learn at first, so it’s tough, but once you get used to it, it’s fun.”
Brother Fahrenheit carefully explained the types of pieces and how to move them, the effects of the terrain, and so on.
“I think that covers all the basics. I’ll point out any mistakes as we go, so let’s get started right away.”
To state the results, it was my utter defeat.
“Brother Fahrenheit, you’re strong, aren’t you?”
“There’s a difference in experience, you know. But you’ve made some moves that made me go ‘Oh?’, so I think you have talent.”
“For example, what kind of move was that?”
“Let’s see. A little while ago, Claude, you deliberately used your cavalry as a decoy, didn’t you? Cavalry are valuable pieces. A normal player would likely overextend trying to capture them for sure. If they did, they would have been surrounded by the infantry you had hidden and suffered a painful counterattack.”
“It didn’t work on you, though, Brother Fahrenheit.”
“It reeked of a ploy, you see. If it were me, I wouldn’t just make them want to pursue; I’d create a situation where they have to pursue.”
“That’s very instructive.”
“We still have time, so shall we play another game?”
Fahrenheit and I continued to play until it was time for dinner.