The day after the Duke's Conference .
''Then I will now take yesterday's duke's meeting into account and decide on the policy of the Myrddin territory until the war.
　Flair-san facilitated a meeting of the Myrddin executives (who I called) to begin.
　The eight members I called in were Flair, Elsie, Bernold, Vals, Hermann, Alma and Shelly, and Lina. No, there are nine of them, including Belle, who is standing behind me.

First, let me briefly explain what we decided yesterday. The main topic of discussion yesterday was the assignment of tasks to each house, with House Mladin being assigned to guard and surprise. The defense was to lure them into Myrddin's territory and await the kingdom in a state of readiness.

"Regarding the ambush, it is intended to demoralize the soldiers of the kingdom while they travel to Mladin territory. This has been entrusted to House Myrddin as Master Leo's transfer is effective.

'I see. ....... I'm grateful for the defensive battle here, on the contrary . It's better to fight to the death against a city you love than an unfamiliar place. And about the surprise attack: ...... If we're going to move in transition, we can't use that many people, can we?
　After Flair-san's explanation, Bernold asked me what I thought and what I thought of it.
　Because of the number of people I'll be in direct contact with, it would be impossible to carry ten people in transition, even if I tried hard.

Well, that's true. So maybe I'll have five of our best men go after their supplies. We don't have to fight the enemy. I think we'll just let her fight the demons or golems I made.
　I can make a lot of demons on the spot, and I can carry any number of golems in my bag.
　When you think about it, I'm an unreasonable opponent to the enemy.
　I can get close to them without making a sound and I can create large numbers of inanimate soldiers. ......
　It's a deadly battle if you lose, so I'm not going to hold back.

I see. Well, then, I'll take control of that unit. You need to practice your distraction exercises too: ......

''The rest of the time, I'm going to be the one to make the ...... opponent use up the limited number of magic guns on the western border.

'What?　Alone!　What are you talking about?　We were wrong, weren't we?
　Sure enough, Shelly has bitten off more than she can chew.
　Leena and Elsie also look at me in disbelief.
　That's because they're crazy enough to take on tens of thousands of soldiers all by themselves.

"Don't worry, it's the golem I built that will actually fight.

But ...... you're talking about fighting just Leo alone when your opponent is at his healthiest, right?

'That's true, but ...... well, yeah . I'll take steps to make sure you never die of anything.
　If you don't mind, I'll just drain a bunch of golems and I'll leave.
　As long as I can get them to use their magic cannons, I've won the battle.

Shouldn't we be with you?

The fight was supposed to be about me losing. I can't afford to make any sacrifices. Besides, there's a chance you'll miss your escape if I'm not with you when you make the transfer.
　If I'm the only one in a hurry to get away, it'll take a long time to use the transference.
　Those few seconds could be the difference between life and death.

'Oh, I see. ...... I see.

Well, I only asked you to strengthen the Order now. After all, it's the number and quality of soldiers that make the difference in a war.
　And it'll be a weapons match between me and Gert.

Okay. Okay. We'll make sure we're all at least as strong as Class A adventurers.

Just do it. And speaking of enhancements, Elsie.

Yes?

How's the mass production of armor and shields going?
　Master was asking Elsie if she could mass produce a magic tool he had recently invented.
　It seems to be on the very edge of being able to mass produce it.

''We've made a lot of progress. It's not as fast as lights, but I think it will be available to the knights before the war.
　Oh, great Elsie!

That's good to hear. And how's the arena?　Will you be ready for next month's battle for the best?
　The arena is a new facility we are building in the underground city.
　I had hoped to build a movie theater with magic tools, but with Master's condition it became difficult to ask him to do so. ......
　In the end, I decided to make a special arena using my magic items.

''Yes. Most of the facilities are in place. We're just going through a minor inspection now. We should be ready in time.

That's good to hear. Let's see what happens in a month.
　A while back, if we're going to have a pre-public test, we'll have a battle for the grand prize of being the best of the Order.
　Well, it's half a celebration. The loser gets to drink and eat a lot.
　I hope this will help you relieve some of your stress.

Please look forward to it. The knights are ready too.



"You don't play, so don't say that. And how many times do I have to tell you to fix that tone of voice: ......
　Ha ha. Barus will be back in the Kingdom next month, you know.
　I want you to find out what the kingdom is up to at the wedding.

"Well, okay, I don't care. We'll just see how strong we are next month.

Yes. Yes!

The rest can be found at ...... Oh, yeah . Sherry, I've got to go to the kingdom in eight months.

'What?　Why?

"It's the wedding of the First Princess. She's marrying a famous hero. And Shelly from the royal family will be there. Of course, I'll be with you, so don't worry about it.
　We need to start taking extra precautions now, no matter what they do to us.
　For starters, we need to take countermeasures against the instant death bombs: .......

"Hey, what's that ...... kingdom, you must be up to something.

Of course. So I'm gonna do whatever the f*ck I gotta do.
　At any rate, I'd like to know how strong the brave men are .

Yes ...... and of course Leena is with you, right?

That's okay, isn't it?　I'll ask the emperor about it, just in case.

Okay.

''So, ...... here's what we discussed yesterday. Based on this, if we make plans for the future, we'll continue to strengthen our knights and mass-produce armor and shields as before . Along with that, I guess we'll be preparing for ...... a surprise attack and preparing to go to the kingdom.

That's true. I don't think we need to change anything if the defense is here.
　On the other hand, since there's no longer a need to hastily tamper with the former Philibert territory, it might be seen as less work.

''I see. Well then, dismissed!　Oh, I have a favor to ask of Hermann and Alma, so come to me after lunch.

'What?　Oh, yes. Yes, sir.
　I left the conference room as Alma scowled and gave a belated reply .
　I need to finish the paperwork I've accumulated in the morning: .......


　Then the afternoon came.
Excuse me!
　Herman and Alma walked in with a bang.

Oh, there you are.

Master, what are you asking me to do?

I need both of you to traverse the dungeon in a month.
　To Herman's question, I said bluntly.

"'What?'
　Of course the two of you, what are you talking about?　That's a look on my face.

"You're doing ...... dungeons in a month?

Yeah. If you include movement, I'm sure you'll have much less time to attack.
　It's a dungeon that's pretty close, but it'll still take a week to get there and back.

Why is that so sudden? ......

"Easy. . because I want Alma to have at least one skill.

'You mean like one skill or so ...... The only person who has more than one skill is Leo-sama?　Well, let's leave it at that, why do I need to have the skills?

I just explained it to you.　Shelly has to go to the kingdom.

Yes, sir.

So, I need Alma to protect me in case I can't be around.
　There will come a time when it will inevitably be just the women.
　That's when I need Alma to do what I can for me.

Okay. ....... So you want me to gain skills and be strong?

Yeah. If you're going to fight a brave man, you'd better have at least one skill with you.
　The others won't be a big deal, but it's going to be tough to win against a skilled opponent without a single skill .

''A brave man and ...... are right . I understand. I'll definitely go get some skills that will help you.

"Yeah. I'm hoping. And I know I'm asking too much to take on a dungeon in a month. So I'd like to buy some new equipment for Alma to make up for it. Hermann has been through a dungeon in three days, so there's no need to worry, right?

Yes. I'm not getting any more of this!


　Then he held up the sword I'd made for him.
　Well, it's impossible to make one more than that.

Okay, ...... you'll wear the same armor as Hermann. It's probably the best I could make.
　Herman, Frank, you gave me a piece of Demon King's armor that I fashioned into women's.
　We can't make any more armor out of the materials we have.
　I'll dive into the dungeon when I'm free.

Okay. Thank you.

And Alma's sword. I've already got the recipe for this one in my head.
　So I conjured up my magic stone, mithril and hydra fangs and used my creation magic.
　The result is a beautiful twin swords with a purple sheen.

　The evil twin swords, Emery Emery.
　I can telepathize with a recognized master.
　It mainly gives absolute resistance to poison.
　Whoever touches the blade will be given the poison the Lord desires
　I can send a poisonous slash through the air.
　Ability to repair and summon.

　Once again, we have created a fine sword.
　A sword that will be lethal if snatched.
　Perfect for Alma, a light attack.
　It's going to be even stronger.

"...... Here you go. Take it.

Thank you ...... Oh, lie ...... it fits in my hand.
　That's true. I designed it after the sword Alma now uses, just as I did with Hermann.

It's a very poisonous sword made of Hydra's fang, so be careful what you use it for.　One little cut, and they're stuck with the poison.
　Well, the owner seems to be able to tolerate it, so I guess it's okay.

...... Huh?

So be careful with it, okay? And I've included a slash function so you won't have to worry about it from a distance.

'Oh, thank you. ......'

And here's the dungeon set. You'll get this back when you get back.
　Before entering the dungeon, I gave her a magic bag of goodies that I always carry with me.
　There's no way I could challenge the dungeon for a time attack without it.

Of course!　Thank you!

Well, just try to make it to the final table. If you don't get there in time, you're out of the tournament.

Oh, no. ...... Okay. Herman, let's go!

Uh-huh.
　Now, what skills will the two of you get?
　I'm really looking forward to it.