Chapter 274 - Volume 15

Volume 1 – PrologueVolume 1 – Chapter 1: Former Noble LyleVolume 1 – Chapter 2: Former Fiancée NovemVolume 1 – Chapter 3: The Seven AncestorsVolume 1 – Chapter 4: MonsterVolume 1 – Chapter 5: DalienVolume 1 – Chapter 6: Adventurers’ GuildVolume 1 – Chapter 7: MoneyVolume 1 – Chapter 8: Veteran Adventurer ZelphyVolume 1 – Chapter 9: An Adventurer Shouldn’t be AdventurousVolume 1 – Chapter 10: Lyle’s AbilityVolume 1 – Chapter 11: First LoveVolume 1 – Chapter 12: First Generation, Basil WaltVolume 1 – Chapter 13: Even If You Call It FoolishVolume 1 – Chapter 14: An Easy Job, Where All You Have To Do Is StandVolume 1 – Chapter 15: Full OverVolume 1 – Chapter 16: Limit BurstVolume 1 – Chapter 17: Lyle’s AmbitionVolume 1 – EpilogueVolume 1 – Questions Corner 1Volume 2 – PrologueVolume 2 – Chapter 1: GrowthVolume 2 – Chapter 2: Level UpVolume 2 – Chapter 3: Aria LockwardeVolume 2 – Chapter 4: Blue and RedVolume 2 – Chapter 5: The Birth of a SkillVolume 2 – Chapter 6: Day OffVolume 2 – Chapter 7: ComradeVolume 2 – Chapter 8: Humans and Demons are Equally FavoredVolume 2 – Chapter 9: The First Generation’s WeaponVolume 2 – Chapter 10: Lyle’s GrowthVolume 2 – Chapter 11: The Start of the Walt HouseVolume 2 – Chapter 12: Desiring a ReunionVolume 2 – EpilogueVolume 2 – Question Corner 2Volume 3 – PrologueVolume 3 – Chapter 1: Arumsaas GuildVolume 3 – Chapter 2: The Library of the City of ScholarsVolume 3 – Chapter 3: The Seven Great of the City of ScholarsVolume 3 – Chapter 4: Adventurer’ CircumstancesVolume 3 – Chapter 5: Clara BulmerVolume 3 – Chapter 6: Shannon who sees Another WorldVolume 3 – Chapter 7: Before Clearing a LabyrinthVolume 3 – Chapter 8: Damien ValleVolume 3 – Chapter 9: Labyrinth SpecialistVolume 3 – Chapter 10: MindVolume 3 – Chapter 11: A Woman’s BackVolume 3 – Chapter 12: Mr. LyleVolume 3 – Chapter 13: Novem ForxuzVolume 3 – EpilogueVolume 3 – Question Corner 3Volume 4 – PrologueVolume 4 – Chapter 1: PoyopoyoVolume 4 – Chapter 2: Various WorriesVolume 4 – Chapter 3: The Lifeform Known as a Feudal Lord.Volume 4 – Chapter 4: Get AlongVolume 4 – Chapter 5: Clara’s Adventurer CourseVolume 4 – Chapter 6: Shannon CircryVolume 4 – Chapter 7: Lyle’s GolemVolume 4 – Chapter 8: Lyle’s AnswerVolume 4 – Chapter 9: PorterVolume 4 – Chapter 10: Preparations to ConquerVolume 4 – Chapter 11: Conquering CommenceVolume 4 – Chapter 12: PursuerVolume 4 – Chapter 13: Targeted ComradesVolume 4 – Chapter 14: AutomatonVolume 4 – EpilogueVolume 4 – Question Corner 4Volume 5 – PrologueVolume 5 – Chapter 1: The Circry HouseVolume 5 – Chapter 2: Someone to GuardVolume 5 – Chapter 3: Monetary SupportVolume 5 – Chapter 4: PreparationsVolume 5 – Chapter 5: MarchVolume 5 – Chapter 6: Johnny VillageVolume 5 – Chapter 7: Carpe CardiumVolume 5 – Chapter 8: The Second’s MemoryVolume 5 – Chapter 9: HippogryphVolume 5 – Chapter 10: GryphonVolume 5 – Chapter 11: The Young CommandersVolume 5 – Chapter 12: One on OneVolume 5 – Chapter 13: The Second Generation HeadVolume 5 – EpilogueVolume 5 – Question Corner 5Volume 6 – PrologueVolume 6 – Chapter 1: FraudVolume 6 – Chapter 2: SingerVolume 6 – Chapter 3: The Underside of a PromotionVolume 6 – Chapter 4: The Third’s PastVolume 6 – Chapter 5: The Fourth’s MemoryVolume 6 – Chapter 6: OmenVolume 6 – Chapter 7: Lianne FaunbeuxVolume 6 – Chapter 8: Fellow PupilVolume 6 – Chapter 9: ReunionVolume 6 – Chapter 10: Celes’ AbilityVolume 6 – Chapter 11: SeptemVolume 6 – Chapter 12: Let Me Start Your StoryVolume 6 – Chapter 13: DissolutionVolume 6 – Chapter 14: The Maddening MetropolistVolume 6 – EpilogueVolume 6 – Question Corner 6Volume 7 – PrologueVolume 7 – Chapter 1: The Four Guild BranchesVolume 7 – Chapter 2: Men of the Walt HouseVolume 7 – Chapter 3: East BranchVolume 7 – Chapter 4: AdventurersVolume 7 – Chapter 5: Fighting with SkillsVolume 7 – Chapter 6: Harem MasterVolume 7 – Chapter 7: MayVolume 7 – Chapter 8: ConnectionVolume 7 – Chapter 9: A Journey of MemoryVolume 7 – Chapter 10: First Job in BeimVolume 7 – Chapter 11: SurroundingsVolume 7 – Chapter 12: Wild BeastsVolume 7 – Chapter 13: Additional RequestVolume 7 – Chapter 14: SoloVolume 7 – Chapter 15: Quilin MayVolume 7 – Chapter 16: TradeVolume 7 – Chapter 17: Former HarlotVolume 7 – Chapter 18: Beim’s GuildVolume 7 – EpilogueVolume 7 – Question Corner 7Volume 8 – PrologueVolume 8 – Chapter 1: Labyrinth Clearing Beim StyleVolume 8 – Chapter 2: Information DealerVolume 8 – Chapter 3: 【Interlude】 Ancestors and WivesVolume 8 – Chapter 4: The Leader’s JobVolume 8 – Chapter 5: The Departing Subjugatory ForceVolume 8 – Chapter 6: Alette BailletVolume 8 – Chapter 7: Precious StoneVolume 8 – Chapter 8: PeridotVolume 8 – Chapter 9: MessageVolume 8 – Chapter 10: Beim’s ReceptionistsVolume 8 – Chapter 11: Rock-Headed CreitVolume 8 – Chapter 12: The Form of a PartyVolume 8 – Chapter 13: BF EightVolume 8 – Chapter 14: Eighth Floor BossVolume 8 – Chapter 15: Same ModelVolume 8 – Chapter 14: Once Upon a TimeVolume 8 – Chapter 15: Everyone’s mr. lyleVolume 8 – Chapter 17: Turn Around, and Press OnVolume 8 – Chapter 18: A Withering LabyrinthVolume 8 – EpilogueVolume 8 – Question Corner 8Volume 9 – PrologueVolume 9 – Chapter 1: LetterVolume 9 – Chapter 2: ChivalryVolume 9 – Chapter 3: Information Dealer RaunoVolume 9 – Chapter 4: Trouble, or Goddess of Fortune?Volume 9 – Chapter 5: Holy Maiden CandidateVolume 9 – Chapter 6: High PriestVolume 9 – Chapter 7: Runaway SonVolume 9 – Chapter 8: The Outsider of the BasementVolume 9 – Chapter 9: DeterminationVolume 9 – Chapter 10: Worse than ZayinVolume 9 – Chapter 11: The Fourth CampVolume 9 – Chapter 12: Holy Knight BrigadeVolume 9 – Chapter 13: Royal PrincessVolume 9 – Chapter 14: The Other SideVolume 9 – Chapter 15: Fiennes WaltVolume 9 – Chapter 16: Selva’s AssassinVolume 9 – Chapter 17: Sacred KnightVolume 9 – Chapter 18: Holy Knight LyleVolume 9 – EpilogueVolume 10 – PrologueVolume 10 – Chapter 1: Lorphys’ Royal PrincessVolume 10 – Chapter 2: Lyle’s Room of MemoriesVolume 10 – Chapter 3: Fortress BattleVolume 10 – Chapter 4: Selva FallsVolume 10 – Chapter 5: Lyle’s PartyVolume 10 – Chapter 6: MoneyVolume 10 – Chapter 7: The Trēs Trading CompanyVolume 10 – Chapter 8: The Vera TrēsVolume 10 – Chapter 9: Sahuagin AssaultVolume 10 – Chapter 10: TridentVolume 10 – Chapter 11: The Goddesses have a Thing for Those that Fight onVolume 10 – Chapter 12: Trump CardVolume 10 – Chapter 13: God of the SeasVolume 10 – Chapter 14: mr. lyle Reads AheadVolume 10 – Chapter 15: the Northern PowersVolume 10 – Chapter 16: The Queen of CartaffsVolume 10 – EpilogueVolume 11 – PrologueVolume 11 – Chapter 1: Dangerous IndividualVolume 11 – Chapter 2: Vera’s Ship Log?Volume 11 – Chapter 3: SkillVolume 11 – Chapter 4: The Ancestors + α’s PlanVolume 11 – Chapter 5: Guild PersonnelVolume 11 – Chapter 6: KatanaVolume 11 – Chapter 7: Damien and Old LetartaVolume 11 – Chapter 8: Mrs MilleiaVolume 11 – Chapter 9: A Labyrinth Out of ControlVolume 11 – Chapter 10: I Want to Stand Out!Volume 11 – Chapter 11: Look AheadVolume 11 – Chapter 12: An Army of MonstersVolume 11 – Chapter 13: Fortress RedantVolume 11 – Chapter 14: ValkyrieVolume 11 – Chapter 15: RetreatVolume 11 – Chapter 16: The Second WallVolume 11 – Chapter 17: FortressVolume 11 – Chapter 18: Brother MaksimVolume 11 – Chapter 19: A Mountain of CorpsesVolume 11 – Chapter 20: Postwar ProcessVolume 11 – EpilogueVolume 11 – Postscript TheaterVolume 12 – PrologueVolume 12 – Chapter 1: Taking OverVolume 12 – Chapter 2: LYLEVolume 12 – Chapter 3: Lyle and LYLEVolume 12 – Chapter 4: GalleriaVolume 12 – Chapter 5: RusworthVolume 12 – Chapter 6: Rule BookVolume 12 – Chapter 7: Max PlanVolume 12 – Chapter 8: ThreatVolume 12 – Chapter 9: Domestic AffairsVolume 12 – Chapter 10: The Fourth’s EraVolume 12 – Chapter 11: Stray High MinisterVolume 12 – Chapter 12: LetterVolume 12 – Chapter 13: Grand RestructureVolume 12 – Chapter 14: Full DriveVolume 12 – Chapter 15: A Never-Ending RoadVolume 12 – Chapter 16: UselyleVolume 12 – Chapter 17: Fight MoreVolume 12 – Chapter 18: The WitchesVolume 12 – Chapter 19: Battlefield TacticianVolume 12 – Chapter 20: LYLE and mr. lyleVolume 12 – EpilogueVolume 13 – PrologueVolume 13 – Chapter 1: Gina TrēsVolume 13 – Chapter 2: CartaffsVolume 13 – Chapter 3: Beim Starts to MoveVolume 13 – Chapter 4: Unlovable AdventurerVolume 13 – Chapter 5: A Journey of Nothing but Manly MenVolume 13 – Chapter 6: Lyle’s Party AboardVolume 13 – Chapter 7: BandelphiaVolume 13 – Chapter 8: Those Who WaitVolume 13 – Chapter 9: Marina Against MayVolume 13 – Chapter 10: WarpVolume 13 – Chapter 11: TrapVolume 13 – Chapter 12: Those Who MoveVolume 13 – Chapter 13: A Tiger at the Front Gate, a Wolf at the BackVolume 13 – Chapter 14: Who was Being Chased Again?Volume 13 – Chapter 15: ArrivalVolume 13 – Chapter 16: Poison that Rends BeimVolume 13 – Chapter 17: Broken HeartVolume 13 – Chapter 18: Who was Abandoned Again?Volume 13 – EpilogueVolume 14 – PrologueVolume 14 – Chapter 1: Setting Off from BeimVolume 14 – Chapter 2: Various JourneysVolume 14 – Chapter 3: FactionVolume 14 – Chapter 4: What did I Want?Volume 14 – Chapter 5: Young FredricksVolume 14 – Chapter 6: Aria’s ProfitVolume 14 – Chapter 7: Jules ParswallVolume 14 – Chapter 8: The Kingdom of BahnseimVolume 14 – Chapter 9: RevengeVolume 14 – Chapter 10: MargraveVolume 14 – Chapter 11: VariusVolume 14 – Chapter 12: MotherVolume 14 – Chapter 13: The Kingdom of FaunbeuxVolume 14 – Chapter 14: Avengers of FaunbeuxVolume 14 – Chapter 15: True RevengeVolume 14 – Chapter 16: SiblingsVolume 14 – Chapter 17: Faunbeux’s DecisionVolume 14 – Chapter 18: The Third OneVolume 14 – Chapter 19: The Legitimate SuccessorVolume 14 – EpilogueVolume 15 – PrologueVolume 15 – Chapter 1: Corps of Iron PipesVolume 15 – Chapter 2: Fortress ConqueringVolume 15 – Chapter 3: FameVolume 15 – Chapter 4: BetrayalVolume 15 – Chapter 5: PlunderVolume 15 – Chapter 6: ObligationVolume 15 – Chapter 7: NetworkVolume 15 – Chapter 8: Scant DifferenceVolume 15 – Chapter 9: WitVolume 15 – Chapter 10: The Worst ManVolume 15 – Chapter 11: Dead MenVolume 15 – Chapter 12: Merciless BladeVolume 15 – Chapter 13: The Demon’s MedicineVolume 15 – Chapter 14: Sand GiantVolume 15 – Chapter 15: … The Capital of DreamsVolume 15 – Chapter 16: Pincer AttackVolume 15 – Chapter 17: FestivalVolume 15 – Chapter 18: Lyle Walt StandsVolume 15 – Chapter 19: Wonder Child of the Walt HouseVolume 15 – EpilogueVolume 16 – PrologueVolume 16 – Chapter 1: FactionVolume 16 – Chapter 2: Marriage InterviewVolume 16 – Chapter 3: Maizel WaltVolume 16 – Chapter 4: A Deep and Quiet DistractionVolume 16 – Chapter 5: Lyle the FortunateVolume 16 – Chapter 6: Natural Enemy of LabyrinthsVolume 16 – Chapter 7: Not Knowing is…Volume 16 – Chapter 8: Not a ProblemVolume 16 – Chapter 9: Ms. LianneVolume 16 – Chapter 10: The Goddam ChicksVolume 16 – Chapter 11: Brod and MaizelVolume 16 – Chapter 12: AddressVolume 16 – Chapter 13: First Show of HandsVolume 16 – Chapter 14: The Eighth Generation HeadVolume 16 – Chapter 15: First Joint EffortVolume 16 – Chapter 16: Father and SonVolume 16 – Chapter 17: FatherVolume 16 – EpilogueVolume 17 – PrologueVolume 17 – Chapter 1: Various Forms of PeaceVolume 17 – Chapter 2: There is a Rabbit on the MoonVolume 17 – Chapter 3: Passing it AllVolume 17 – Chapter 4: The TruthVolume 17 – Chapter 5: CircryVolume 17 – Chapter 6: Round TableVolume 17 – Chapter 7: ConfessionVolume 17 – Chapter 8: Illustrated DiaryVolume 17 – Chapter 9: Terrible Enough to CryVolume 17 – Chapter 10: Field PotatoesVolume 17 – Chapter 11: The Best of LyleVolume 17 – Chapter 12: 0 (Nihil)Volume 17 – Chapter 13: Moving FortressVolume 17 – Chapter 14: Common SenseVolume 17 – Chapter 15: ReturnVolume 17 – Chapter 16: Brides of the Walt HouseVolume 17 – Chapter 17: Cute Celes, Lovable LyleVolume 17 – Chapter 18: The Winning HorseVolume 17 – Chapter 19: TiesVolume 17 – EpilogueVolume 18 – PrologueVolume 18 – Chapter 1: The Enemy of an Enemy is also an Enemy and no Ally of MineVolume 18 – Chapter 2: Knock and use the Front DoorVolume 18 – Chapter 3: Black Quilin RummelVolume 18 – Chapter 4: Lyle and CelesVolume 18 – Chapter 5: Lyle’s Fighting StyleVolume 18 – Chapter 6: Laughing CelesVolume 18 – Chapter 7: A Goddess RevivedVolume 18 – Chapter 8: The SeventhVolume 18 – Chapter 9: SevensVolume 18 – Chapter 10: Army of the Dead vs. Army of the DeadVolume 18 – Chapter 11: The Shape of a FamilyVolume 18 – Chapter 12: Prospects of VictoryVolume 18 – Chapter 13: The True OneVolume 18 – Chapter 14: Evil God or GoddessVolume 18 – Chapter 15: Can I CryVolume 18 – Chapter 16: Two SwordsVolume 18 – Chapter 17: The Walt House is Number OneVolume 18 – Chapter 18: An End and a BeginningVolume 18 – Chapter 19: TiesVolume 18 – Chapter 20: A Blue Gem to my HeartVolume 18 – epilogue part1Volume 18 – epilogue part2Volume 18 – aria arcVolume 18 – vera arcVolume 18 – shannon arcVolume 18 – novem arcVolume 18 – miranda arcVolume 18 – the startVolume 18 – last dayVolume 18 – erhart 1Volume 18 – intermission 1Volume 18 – intermission 2Volume 18 – intermission 3Volume 18 – intermission 4Volume 18 – erhart 2
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Obligation
… Near the border of Beim and Zayin, Zayin’s side had sent out forces.
The one left to the command of over a thousand troops was Creit Benini. With a neatly set hairstyle, he rode his horse on standby at the border. It was because of predictions that Bahnseim had sprung to action, and was going around looting.
But they weren’t deployed to protect Beim’s villages. They were there to protext Zayin territory… the people of Zayin.
Creit’s subordinate rode his horse up close.

Captain Creit!


What’s wrong?


There are more people flowing in from Beim. Seems they want safe haven.

And they were also there to block the flow of people from Beim. It’s not as if they were denying them. But the treatment of people in Beim and Zayin was different. That was something Beim’s side didn’t understand.

Turn them back! We cannot move any further from our station.

Seeing Creit’s mortified face, the subordinate raced his horse off. At first, Zayin had tried to offer relief to the people flowing in from Beim. But Beim had a particular national color. Ruled by the merchants, its armaments made of adventurers… their sense of values were too different.
The safe haven they spoke of was a request for the army to protect their village. And as long as they paid the reward, they thought they would help.

… We are already knights of Zayin. Why can’t they understand that?

Unlike Creit who yearned of knighthood, the people of Beim knew little of kings and knights or the affairs of other lands…
–
–
–
… Zayin’s temple.
There, Aura Zayin sat in an extravagant chair as the Holy Maiden. On one side sat former Holy Maiden Thelma Zayin. On the other side, the High Priest Gastone Bonini. It was a meeting-room like space with a table in the center, and before them was a merchant who held a large shop in a town of Beim.
He also had a role of something like a town chief, and he was a man who carried out commerce in a relatively large town In Beim’s northern quadrant. With Beim’s city sector the further of the two away, he had come to seek help from Zayin.
Thinking he didn’t want his status to fall below any merchant who did business with this so-called Holy Maiden, and having never traded anywhere outside of Beim, there was a problem with his attitude.

Why is it!? We’ll pay the reward. The surrounding villages have already been attacked, and there are even some that have been slaughtered entirely! I won’t ask for thousands. Even five hundred is enough. I would like you to put out troops!

Desperate as he was to protect his life and fortune, Aura stuck her elbow into the armrest, and rested her face on her hand. Her posture crumbled, and while Gastone condemned her bearing, she ignored.
Aura thought that disrespect should be repaid in kind, that was all.

I understand the severity of your situation. We have dispatched troops to our border and prepared ourselves. That’s how our situation is, so we cannot spare troops for you. To add to that, if I may… there’s no fin’ way in hell we’re arbitrarily dispatching troops to Beim’s territory! And dude… why is there a need for me to send troops for your sake in the first place?

There, Thelma beside her came in to stop it.

Aura! … my apologies. But please understand our standings. Crossing the border of our own accord will be to Zayin’s disadvantage. People who’ve lost their homes have flowed into Zayin, and our situation is one where we can accept your village as well. But that’s the most we can do.

The merchant unsatisfied with Thelma’s explanation tapped his staff on the ground, and explained the situation.

Why can’t you understand!? Once Beim falls, they may target Zayin next! Is overlooking the barbarity of Bahnseim the will of your goddess!?

There was some sense to his words.
If Bahnseim was left as it was, Zayin would be exposed to danger. But would saving a town and maybe a few villages in Beim’s territory really change that? It would not.
Gastone opened his mouth.

I understand your sentiment. And it is true we cannot ignore that matter. We cannot, but… the one who invited in Bahnseim’s anger was Beim. What do you want to accomplish by dragging us into the mix? Do you think we can send out troops and win against an army that numbers over three hundred thousand? We don’t want to make any needless attacks on Bahnseim. Please understand.

The merchant’s face turned bright red.

Then what should I do! Say you I just wait to be killed!? While singing praise to your goddess, you’ll tell us to die off!?

Aura snorted at the merchant. Of all else, the words coming out of his mouth were right. And it was precisely that righteousness that made her laugh.

… You sure are assertive. After making Zayin your battlefield and cash cow for so many years, it sure is different when it comes to Beim. You’re asking us to go and fight in a battle without any prospects of victory. When you’re that arrogant, it crosses into the realm of refreshing, let me tell you.

The merchant averted his eyes from her. Perhaps everything they’d done to Zayin had just crossed through his head.
There, Thelma threw out a life boat.

… But we cannot continue ignoring Bahnseim’s brutality like this. Then let me offer a condition.


A condition? What is it!? If it’s money, the amount we can prepare at a moment’s notice is…

Thelma kept up her smile as she spoke.

Accept the rule of Zayin. If you do, it will create a reason for Zayin’s soldiers to move. It will be to protect their homeland.

Hearing Thelma’s words, the merchant found himself unable to open his mouth…
–
–
–
… Before the town the pillaging force set as its next destination, the marge had halted, and discussion had begun.
A tent was prepared, and the ones talking were a Baron and his vassal. A mercenary brigade chief was called out to verify the situation.

Wasn’t that part of Beim’s territory? I can see Zayin’s flag, you know?

The mercenary shook his head.

Until just a while ago, it was undoubtedly Beim! And it’s across the river that marks the border. Crossing it after so long is just strange!

Hearing those words, the Baron heard out his vassal.

Now then, that’s how it seems to be, but… if they’re really part of Zayin, it will become something troubling.

The vassal knight gave a belligerent opinion.

We need only attack them. We’ve an army surpassing three hundred thousand. There’s no need for us to mind a small country like Zayin.

However, a different vassal… an elderly knight advised the opposite.

We should step down. We’ve country’s soldiers there. If we fight, on top of facing casualty, Zayin is a country that’s tied a pact called the Four-Country-Alliance, it seems. And what we have here isn’t an army of three hundred thousand, we only have ourselves.

The mercenary chief spoke to the knights.

It’s a bluff. Just attack it. And with how close that town is to Zayin’s border, it’s sure to have made a fortune.

But the answer the Baron gave was a safe one.

… The day we must meet up isn’t far off. It’s out of the question to be late. If it will be a lengthy battle, then we shall prioritize rejoining the main force.


What!?

The mercenary chief looked displeased at his inability to pillage the town he had been counting on…
–
–
–
Having returned to South Beim, I heard the information that Bahnseim had dispersed through Beim to pillage, and moved onto the next stage of the plan.
In the meeting room, I called Miranda and Aria, having Adele-san and Maksim-san in attendance as well.

Any requests for aid from the nearby villages?

Adele-san shook her head.

It’s because you made an enemy of the top brass. I don’t think the surrounding villages will request any aid.

Aria looked a little vexed.

Why’s that? The rumor’s already gone around.

She seemed annoyed that she couldn’t help them, but from our point of view, there was a necessity for the people of Beim to shed some blood. Individual emotions were a separate problem. Saving them was possible. If they sought refuge, we’d accept them.
But the people of Beim wouldn’t accept that. And their movements were surprisingly dull. Miranda sighed.

Having too much peace is something to think about. Maybe they’re dull because they still can’t believe it, or they were making light of it.

Maksim-san folded his arms.

… Their situation is different from Bahnseim, where they have a skirmish somewhere every year or so. Even so, close to a hundred fifty thousand soldiers aren’t pillaging, huh? Attacking their main force won’t work out.

I didn’t plan to do so from the start, but that really was troubling. If the people of the main force remained, then the a hundred and fifty thousand moving around must be the armies of the feudal lords. Perfect to take them down one by one. The Seventh looked over the pieces laid out on the map draped over the table.
『If we move around crushing the pillaging units, the main force will make a move on us first, or they’ll send a number we won’t be able to deal with… if possible, I want to properly knock down the royal guard elites. It wouldn’t be strange if they moved anytime…』
As the Seventh waited for a movement, some Valkyries entered the meeting room. The mass-produced Valkyries all shared blue armor, and black hair. However, I could see more variations in their armor and mechanical parts than before.
Because of Damien and old Letarta, their specs were rising. The one beside that Valkyrie was Shannon who had brought tea to the meeting. Everyone was busy, while Shannon was helping out.

These things, they’re automatons, yet they put me to work.

Shannon directed teary eyes at Miranda. Bit Miranda smiled.

Then work, Shannon.

Shannon put the tea she’d brought in on the table.

I ammm working! Goddess, I’m working the hell out of it!

Swelling her cheeks in rage, she poured enough cups for those gathered before leaving. The Valkyries confirmed that everyone had seen Shannon off with a smile before speaking.

Master, a letter from the fortress.


So it’s here!

Accepting it, I read its contents aloud.

Successful first contact. Objective: isolation… target is hurriedly seeking merits! This is it!

In my delight, I turned a smile to Aria and Miranda.

Let’s save the nearby villages. Aria, Miranda, and… let’s send Baldoir too! Let’s make an excuse for a merit-starved enemy to head our way. Prepare to surround them and beat down the enemy! Set up traps as well.
The Valkyries looked at me.

What about our allies in the fortress? If we don’t inform them, there is a fear they will be drawn in.

I didn’t even have to think about it.

Inform them of the trap placement, and have them take a detour. If they rejoin the main force just like that, we can greatly chip down Bahnseim’s military force!

There, Adele-san looked worried.

… Will it really go that well? Personally, I’ll say it because I’ve met them before, but there are quite a few dangerous people.

A worried Adele-san. Everyone in the meeting room looked at Maksim-san. There, Maksim suddenly realized something, and moved to cheer her up. In these times of cruel battle to come, I felt just a little relieved.
–
–
–
… Redant Fortress.
There, cutting the seal on Lyle’s letter, Breid laughed before the two Baronets.

It seems Lyle is moving because he cannot overlook this situation. Perhaps he thinks we’re panicked, as he calculated we wouldn’t be able to move very great of a force. He even politely wrote out the placement of traps.

The two Baronets praised Breid.

This is all because of you, captain. The knights who moved for Lyle’s plan, and that there seems to have been an effect in spreading the rumor that General Blois is trying to disperse the other generals.


By that rumor’s outbreak, some doubt is falling onto General Blois. I’m sure this much is enough for now. Get some achievements as royal guard captain, and if we prepare some official proof…

Breid smiled as he held up a hand to silence them.

You make it sound as if I’m forging evidence. It would be troublesome if you misunderstood. The one who recommended I cross that mountain was Blois, you hear.

By Blois’ plan, he had chosen mountain crossing, and that he didn’t make it to the battlefield was Blois’ fault, was the outline Breid had drafted out.
Eliminating the knights who made contact with the generals when they heard of a letter from Lyle, and isolating Blois. In the letter was written if it was up to five thousand, they’d be able to deal with it, and seeing that, he couldn’t stop his laughter.
Breid looked at that letter marked with Lyle’s ambush stations and trap placements, touching a hand to his chin.

… Lyle’s party will move, and when the feudal nobles face casualty, I will volunteer to subjugate him. Of course, you’ll follow me, won’t you?

The two Baronets nodded and smiled.

Of course. As long as you’ll report our achievements to Centralle as well.

Breid swore he’d definitely honor that promise as he laughed in his heart.
(Lyle, this is the difference between you and me. You’ve lost your head in your schemes. I’m sure you thought all was going well, but I’m several levels above you.)
Knowing Lyle’s plan, and imagining himself coming out on top, Breid was excited. Standing to prepare for his assault, he took the two Baronets along to move…