Two days have passed since the Trilateral Council while I was seeing the King, Pope and Emperor off.
　We have only five days left until the war begins and we must make the preparations quickly.
So let's get this conference going. Come on, Fleur, you're up.
　The meeting began, and I asked Miss Flair, who was rumored to have recently been courted by Stan in Mladine territory, to moderate the meeting.
　Could the rumors be true?　You've been a great help to me, Flair, and I want you to be happy soon.

Yes, sir. First, about the defensive battle near the western border: ....... Are you sure you're on your own?
　Whoa, I need to focus on the meeting.
　I quickly changed my mind and answered Miss Flare's question.

"Yeah. Well, don't worry, it's the golem that we'll be fighting. I'll be in a safe zone.
　How many times have we heard this explanation?
　Well, if you think about it, the head of the family is trying to fight alone when the enemy is at its healthiest, or anyone tries to stop him .
　But it's the best way to minimize the damage, so it can't be helped.

I understand. So, you confirm the enemy's strength and weaponry?

''I guess so. It would be perfect if we could even destroy the siege weapons. ...... Kite's skills are tricky.
　Because of the light shield, they wouldn't be able to break one for sure.
　Maybe it'll protect all the siege weapons.
　That guy's a real pain in the ass.

So: ....... As I thought, we'll just have to aim for the moment we're on the move and let our guard down.

Yeah. Just make sure you let everyone know as soon as you encounter a brave soul. Be sure not to engage in any one-on-one combat.
　The current Kite has become a lot stronger than the main character.
　Combined with the skills I have now, even Hermann and Alma would have a hard time fighting alone.

I understand. Also, you said that the Forster family will be able to hold the kingdom back from the middle of the game.

I know. But... I don't know if we're going to make it.
　We didn't expect the war to start so soon.
　At the earliest, they won't arrive for three or four weeks at the earliest.
　I don't think they're going to arrive in time.

"What?　What will you do then?

The czar's special forces will take care of it. I don't think they'll have a problem.

''It's true, but ...... what about escorts in the Imperial City?''

I think some of the guys are going to stay on, so they're not worried.
　Well, since the emperor says so, let's just let it go.
　There's no way we can do everything.

I see. ......

So, the last thing we need to talk about is the defense here.
　Here, in Mladin territory. We should try not to make the battle here too big, so we need to do our best in the battle before that, but we have to expect it to get bigger to some extent.

''The kingdom will be able to arrive here in a couple of weeks at the earliest, and a month at the latest after the war begins.

Yes, sir. If it lasts any longer, the kingdom will have no choice but to retreat.
　They won't even have enough food in that wasteland.
　At best, they'll be at their limit for a month to get home.

Well, I don't think that's going to happen. ......
　That idiot king. He'll just charge in, not thinking about getting home.
　And I'm sure he wasn't thinking about losing.

anyways....magic will be the main force behind the battle. I mean, it's better to think of it as a real emergency when the knights get their turn.
　I don't think we can climb up that wall, so a melee fight shouldn't happen unless the enemy gets inside.
　If the enemy gets inside, it's just a countdown to defeat.

''That's true. Good luck with Stan and his men.

Yeah.
　I nodded widely at Bernold's words .
　I nodded, but inside I wasn't that confident.
　I'm a little nervous about the newly launched magic unit .......
　I just graduated, so I'm inexperienced, and more importantly, there aren't many of us.
　Will we have enough firepower to defeat all the kingdom's soldiers?
　At worst, I'll have to work as a magician.

And what about the Baudelaire family supply corps?

We received a war notice and are moving in. I don't think there's any problem with the base, as it was originally built.

Copy that. The longer we play, the better off we are, so we're gonna need them to hang in there.
　It's one tactic to break the opponent's heart.
　If your opponent doesn't have any siege weapons, there's no need to force your magicians to do so, or you can slowly reduce their numbers.



Yes.

Well, that's all I have to ask. Is there anyone else you want to check on?
　At my question, everyone shook their heads.
　Well, it was originally just a meeting to confirm what had been decided.

Then let's talk about it for now. Let's each of you gather your wits for the war. It's gonna be a busy day for the next five days.
　It's our last holiday before the war. I want each of you to get a good night's rest.


That said, where am I going to be until operations begin?
　I've been so busy that I've forgotten how to spend my time off.
　What did you do in your spare time before?　Yeah .......

'It's been a while since I've had time to relax with Master Shelly and the others.
　As I was struggling, Belle gave me a grateful lesson.

Well, it's for the best. Where is everybody?

I think he's in Miss Shelley's room.

Yeah. All right, let's get on with it.
　I can't remember when we were all together.


Oh, Leo. Did you miss your meeting?
　When I walked into Shelly's room, I saw Shelly, Leena, Lou and Elsie, all four of them.

'Yeah . . it wasn't that long since it was a reaffirmation of what was originally decided.

That's right: ......

Shelly said we should smile already, remember?
　As Shelly looked sad, Lou, who was next to her, squeaked and pinched Shelly's cheek .
　I never thought it would be time for Lou to pay attention to Shelly: .......

'Yeah, I guess . Hmmm. ......

You don't have to do that. It's okay. We'll be fine. We're not gonna lose.
　Shelly was forcing a smile and I gently patted her head.
　Then Sherry couldn't stand it anymore, and she hugged me and started to cry.

"Leo ......

"Mmm-hmm. I told you.

Ah, Elsie. Has the Chamber of Commerce been notified of the war?

'Yes . . though I'm sure people who do business here don't have to do that.

'Maybe so, but ....... Just for the sake of formality.
　This city is made up of merchants, and we can't just ignore that, can we?

Yes, they are. Oh, and I'm getting calls from some of our members for funds and supplies.

'Really?　That's surprising: ......
　I thought the merchants were just standing by. Then some of them might betray us.

No, I'm sure they did so based on a careful accounting of their profits and losses. It would be very troublesome for the merchants if this place came under the jurisdiction of the kingdom.
　Surely you'll side with us, given the heavy taxation of the kingdom.

Okay. Well, we'll take what we can get.

Yes. I think that's a good idea.

"Hey ...... can't I join the war too?

Yes?
　Sherry stopped crying and said something so out of the blue that I couldn't help but ask her back.
　No, what do you mean?

I think my magic ...... will definitely help.

'No, but ......'

I know it's dangerous. But I want to help you as much as I can.

......
　What's the right way to answer this one?
　Considering the lack of firepower in the magic squad, I'd be terribly grateful for Sherry's participation, but I'm more inclined to not want her to do anything more dangerous than that ...... .

''Hey, please!　I don't want to just be protected this time!　I took on dungeons every day and got so much stronger because .......
　I know that. And I know that Sherry was trying to be strong because she wanted to help me.
　Ahh. How do I do this?

Yes, ......, I get it. But you have to make sure Lou is with you. If you're in danger, run for your life.


　I hope I'm okay: ....... If Lou is there, it should be okay ...... Ugh, I'm very worried.
　That said, with Shelly's magic, it should make the defensive battle a lot easier.

''Huh?　I can fight too!

''No. ...... I don't want Lou to stand out from the stream, so . If Shelly is in danger, you can fight her, but until then, just stay quiet.
　It's just too much trouble for them to find out that we're a demon race. If we're not careful, she'll turn against our religion as well.

Yeah. ...... All right.
　I patted Lou's head with a disappointed look on my face.
　As for Lou, you don't have to worry about anything.
　Because he's stronger than me.

"And I'll get you two some hooded robes to keep you out of sight.
　Of course, I used my creation spell to create the ultimate in defense.

Thank you. And I'm sorry to have to ask you to do that.

Don't worry about it. The fact is, I was worried about the firepower of the magic squad.

Yes.

What about Leena and Elsie and Belle?

I'd like to go to ...... and join the recovery team. It's the only thing I can do to help with the healing process.

What are you talking about. That's great enough. Leena is the only reason those soldiers can fight without fear of being hurt.
　And then he hugged Leena.
　Fighting isn't the only thing that helps.

Oh, thank you.

Where's Elsie?

I can't fight ......, so I'll stay in the Ops Center.

Please. I can't move the money for this estate without Elsie.
　Elsie's in charge of Mladine's finances.
　When it comes to money, Elsie has more authority than I do.
　This estate will run just fine without me for a few weeks with Elsie and Miss Fleur.

Thank you, sir.

Where's Bell?

Of course, I'll be with you the whole time, Master Leo.

Always?
　All the way to the western border, you mean?

Yes, sir.

'Dangerous, ......?'

Wouldn't that be the same for Master Leo?

'Yes, but ......'
　Belle, when you tell everyone you're safe, you know I can't argue with that.
　It's just as well you know how to handle me better than anyone else.

It's okay. And I'm still the third-most powerful man in the land?

Number three?　You mean after Hermann and Alma, he's the next strongest?

No. Leo-sama, it means he's the next strongest person after Mr. Lou.

'What?　No, even though I'm taking on dungeons with Sherry and her friends, they're usually with me most of the time: ......
　I know Bell was originally strong, but that's because he was on a higher level than the others: .......

'I'm not going to lie . If you want, I'm sure you could fight Lou if you got serious about it.

No, it's a stone: ......
　That's a lie. Because that's Lou?
　I turned to Lou with that thought, and he laughed and shook his head.

''It's true . I can't follow Belle in that form with my eyes~

The figure?

Well, please don't tell Leo too much about it, as it would be embarrassing.
　I was about to ask Belle, but for some reason she was shyly covering her face with her hands, saying she didn't like it.
　No, it bothered me even more .

'Yes, yes . But I don't think Leo will believe me because I'm not shy enough to report it like that. I think it's just plain cool, you know?
　Cool?

'Maybe so, but ...... embarrassing things are embarrassing!
　I can't imagine being embarrassingly cool ...... .

Oh, well, all right. Okay, now I'm going to ask Belle to be my escort.
　Well, Belle's always been there for me, so it's a good thing.
　If anything goes wrong, just make sure I'm there to protect her.

Okay. You'll be fine.

Yeah. Please.



'Ha, Leo really has a soft spot for Belle, doesn't he?
　It's ...... an undeniable fact.

Apparently it's genetic. It seems that the brave master once got into a shura with a mage because he was too lenient with a beastly maid.

''I didn't know that happened . Well, it's common to hear of noblemen cheating on their maids, so I don't think it's particularly bad for the heroes.

Yeah. Is cheating on your maid a common occurrence?

Yeah. It's a tough sell for two noblemen to cheat on each other. And the ones who get cheated on still prefer to know the other person. A woman needs to be as strong as a mage to be able to tell a man what to do.

So that's what happened: ......
　Yes, it's true that the power is always with the man, so it's hard for his wife to complain about it.

'Does Leo cheat on his wife?'

No, no!　You can't have an affair with such a pretty wife.
　Afraid of the five eyes, I did my best to deny it .
　Well, the only maid I have is Belle, so I can't have an affair with a maid in the first place .

''Well, it's not normal for me to have this many fiancées.

Yeah, that's ......
　I'm aware of that. But I don't regret it.

Well, that's good. Well, that's good, because it's because of you that we're a family now.

'Well, yes, but ......'

Besides, when the war is over and we have more time, I'm sure Leo will take as much time as he can with us. Don't you think?　Leo-kun?

"Of course. Of course. When you get settled, let's take a trip.
　And that's why we're all scared. Don't worry about it, I have a plan.

Are you guys traveling?　Good.

Where are you going?

"Churchland.

Ah, .......

And I'd like to visit the Beastmen's country.

What?

'Our hometown tour?　That sounds great. I'm looking forward to it.
　Yes. Tour of Lena and Belle's hometown.
　I've been wanting to go on this trip for a long time.

So I had to win at all costs.
　I put away one of my pleasures and inspired myself for the war.
　But I'm going to indulge you all just a little bit longer.