Earlier in the morning of October 2812 on the Western Continent, Part 5:

One hour do you have time?　Tell Saito to let me have one hour!

　Hearing the message brought by Saito, Shardina gave a small click of her tongue and shouted while staring at the map spread out in front of her.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what's going on.
(Like Saito said, he's aiming for my head... no, maybe that's not the only thing General Berhares is aiming for...)

'Ha!　Immediately.

　Pressed by her swordsmanship, Denrei runs out of the tent like a de-rabbit.

''Who's there!　Send word to the detachment!　Tell Saito to go to reinforcements under Saito immediately!

'Rest assured, Your Highness. I have already ordered it to run.

　Shardina's cry was followed by a calm man's voice in the tent.
　How long had it been coming? The face of Sudo, with a smirk on his face, was reflected in Shardina's eyes as she turned her gaze towards the entrance of the tent where the voice came from.
　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Sudo, who was good at subterfuge, had taken on the role of a military strategist in the war as well.
　Saito to Sudo.
　The fact that Shardina had sent in these two capable Japanese people was proof that they were betting on this invasion of Zaruda.

''Sudo ... yes, you ... thank you.''

No, no, no. I would do anything for Your Highness, Sudo.

　When he said that, Sudo shrugged his shoulders with his usual coy expression.
　It's not as if he doesn't understand the situation, but this man's expression remains the same as always.

　Sudo.

　Although I fully understood that it was an accusation, Shardina couldn't help but say something sarcastic.
　The more you understand the situation you're in, the more anxiety and frustration that rises from the depths of your heart.　

It's not going to change the situation even if you get impatient.......well, I understand the feeling that Your Highness is impatient, this Sudo, but I understand the painfully.

　Sudo's expression didn't change when he heard Shardina's sarcasm.
　On the contrary, his tone sounds much calmer.

It's a good thing that Zaruda's army is not so stupid. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. I had the feeling that I was being swayed by the wishes of the king and his ministers, but I didn't expect them to take this kind of step in the end.

'Is that what you're talking about, trying to get my head?'

　At Sudo's words, Shardina asked with a probing look.
　Hearing her words, Sudo's lips fished up.

''You're joking I'm praising you beyond that. I'm sure General Belhareth didn't really order the assault because he thought he could take out His Highness, right?

　Sudo's answer convinced Shardina that the hunch she had felt was correct.

''After all ... do you think that's the aim, too?

''Yes........The way they fight is more of a mutual attack aim. It seems to me that they are hoping for a battle of attrition altogether. Considering the difference in power between our country and Zaruda, it should be an impossible choice. The fact that you chose to do so means........

You're telling me that the Third Country the Kingdom of Elnesgulla wants to join the war.

Perhaps...

　Sudo nodded deeply at Shardina's words.
　There's not an ounce of the smile on your face that remains from the past.
　A cold, sharp, blade-like gaze. It's the kind of overwhelming sense of intimidation that only people who have survived many battles have.



'Perhaps it was General Belhareth's own decision. I don't think the King of Zaruda and his ministers would allow such a dangerous gamble.

　At Sudo's words, Shardina nodded.



　Shardina spat evasively.

''The rest depends on how much wear and tear we can control our losses.......if we are reduced to nearly half......''

I know ... if we're down to half our numbers, it will take time for Zaruda to take control of the country. And when that happens...

"The Elnesgulla of the North will not remain silent whether they are going to attack Zaruda and take advantage of us, or aid Zaruda, as they see fit, no matter what happens to Zaruda. All you have to do is resist against us.

　Occupying the Kingdom of Zaruda itself was relatively easy, considering the national strength of the Oltmere Empire.
　Even if both the kingdoms of Rosalia and Mist came to reinforce, it was still possible to anticipate a sufficient victory.
　Nevertheless, the only reason why they took so long to plan and produce a strategically advantageous situation was because they were all aware of the shadows of the two powerful nations to the north and west that bordered them.
　Aside from Kirtantia in the west, Ernesgula in the north shares a border with the Kingdom of Zaruda.
　It was obvious that if the Oltmere Empire took time to occupy Zaruda, Ernesgula would surely dislike and interfere with Oltmere's territorial expansion.

'Which do you think the vixen of Ernesgula will choose?'



　Hearing Shardina's question, the image of the young Queen of Ernesgula comes to Sudo's mind.
　Her appearance is, well, normal. Compared to Roselia's Princess Lupis and His Highness Shardina, they are truly the moon and a pittance. It is useless to compare them. However, despite her ordinary appearance, she was too terrifying.
　Ruthless and cold-hearted, she was a born-again emperor who could cut down even her own people without a care in the world for the sake of her goal.
　Although he had only met her twice in the past, her strong personality had been burned into Sudo's mind.
　A queen with superior intelligence, known as the Vixen of the North. I'm sure she wouldn't miss out on the perfect opportunity.

She will undoubtedly advance her troops to Zaruda lest we alone increase her territory.

In the meantime, Elnesgulla and I are bound to collide. That will give Zaruda a chance to negotiate or, quite frankly, how stubborn he is.

It's the weakest country in the world, and in its own way, it's doing its best to keep it alive.

　Sudo shook his head quietly at Chardina's exasperated words.


'Well, that's fine. Anyway, we will win this war. That's the main premise.'

　The problem now is to win against Zaruda's army. Only after we win will the assumptions we've made make sense.

Yes, it's unlikely, but it's not impossible that they will be overwhelmed by the will to fight and defeated by Zaruda.

　The biggest concern is that. Whether or not the vigorous Zaruda Army will be able to penetrate the front line.

I'll be in the front line too.

　Shardina stared at Sudo, her face tense with tension and fear.
　As a choice, it could be called a foolish plan. This is because it is nothing more than presenting a target in front of the enemy's eyes.
　However, even though Sudo heard her words, he did not deny them from his mind.
　It was because he felt the strong will in Shardina's eyes. Besides, Sudo understood that there was a great advantage to her proposal.

''I see.......can we take a gamble.......''

''If I advance to the front, I can send the 2,000 men in my guard into battle and the morale of the troops will be better if I go to the front, right?

　There is only one reason why Oltmere is overwhelmed by Zaruda, who is supposed to have an even number of soldiers.
　The morale of Zaruda's knights is high, and they are not afraid of death.
　You can call it an uplifting feeling.
　They are drunk with a sense of urgency and a sense of duty for the sake of their country, Zaruda, because they feel they have no other choice.



　At this point, Sudo minced no words.
　In terms of probability, the odds were good enough.
　With the supreme commander going to the front line, Oltmeir's generals would be prepared to fight to the death.
　But when you think about it from the standpoint of a chief of staff, Shardina's proposal was too great a risk.
　Safety or adventure?
　No matter which you choose, there are no absolutes.
　It's a situation where you can't say that you will definitely win or definitely lose.

''I know the risk........''

　Sudo heard these words of Shardina and made a decision.
　It's ridiculous to continue to postpone your decision and lose before you have made any choices.
　The only thing left to do is to trust and obey the decision of the supreme commander, Shardina.

''That's it. I'll send a bodyguard to the front line to reinforce it immediately.

　Sudo replied and quietly bowed his head to Shardina.
　It was the greatest respect for the commander's courageous decision.　


　That day, the battle between the Kingdom of Zaruda and the Oltomere Empire on the Notis Plain ended in a victory for Oltomere as a result of a pincer attack by Oltomere's detached forces.
　However, it was not a complete victory for Oltomere.
　It is true that Oltomere secured victory by defeating Zaruda's commander, General Berhares, but this was because the result was a major distraction from Shardina's intentions.
　Zaruda's death toll was 16,000 compared to Oltmere's 17,000.
　With almost the same number of losses, Oltmere had no other choice than to temporarily stop the invasion of Zaruda.
　Having conquered the nobleman's territory near the border, Shardina used it as a base to regain her strength.
　However, she was unable to resume her invasion of Zaruda.
　Just as we had feared from the beginning, the giant beasts of the north, the kingdom of Ernest Gura, had crossed the northern border of Zaruda and bared their fangs.

　The three-way battle between Zaruda, Oltmere, and Ernest Gura had begun.
　And with the Kingdom of Zaruda turning into a crucible of turmoil, Mikoshiba Ryoma was given precious time.
　The time he needs to survive........