--The Empire.

　There is, in fact, only one nation in this world that is named Empire.
　It is a large country with vast land and people, a multi-ethnic nation called the Victorian Empire.

　But rather than having such a policy as a nation, it is the result of absorbing the surrounding countries by force of arms.
　It is possible to say that there was enough groundwork to absorb them without regard to racial differences, or that there was enough military power to overthrow them without regard to racial differences, but at any rate, it is a fact that the country is not straightforward in many ways.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
　However, to be honest, they don't get along very well.
　It is easy to estimate the extent to which they were at odds with neighboring countries as they built friendly relations with each other until the very end.
　It was said that the greatest achievement of the general was to end the war with the empire and lead to peace, and so on.

　It was such a country that was expected to invade the country as soon as it learned of the general's death.
　The death of the general could not be hidden, and the neighboring countries were already informed of it half a year ago.
　The kingdom has also prepared with that intention ...... but there was still no sign of it.

　That the empire hasn't changed is evident from the fact that the standoff in the name of friendship has been going on for a long time.
　The Empire's desire is to unite the continent under the name of the Empire, and the fact that it has become a multi-ethnic nation is only a result.
　It is precisely for the purpose of unification that the empire does not engage in needless slaughter, but takes in those who can be taken in.

　It is said that the strength of the empire lies in this.
　They don't care about racial differences and will even actively work to capture those who have the ability.
　The beastmen of the empire are famous for their strength and are said to be one of the symbols of the empire's characteristics.

　The beastmen tend to be good at close combat, but maybe that's why or something they are easily intoxicated by blood.
　To put it simply, they tend to run amok, which is why beastman nations tend to avoid war.

　Because they are out of control, they are prone to terrible consequences.
　The damage to the other party would be enormous, but if the damage to themselves would be the same, it is only natural to avoid war.

　Of course, if you are attacked, you are not limited to that ...... that is one of the reasons why the imperial beastman unit is considered a symbol.
　In short, the empire can capture and subdue these powerful, blood-drunk beastmen without killing them.

　Moreover, the beastmen are not only from one country, dwarves and elves are more frequently seen in the empire than in other countries.
　Because of this, it is said that the empire may have even taken in elves.

　Most of the elves live in a place called the Elven Forest, which is well known because of the word of the elves themselves, but where exactly it is is not known.
　Although elves are good at magic, their longevity makes them the least numerous of all races.
　The location of the elven forest is kept secret ...... to hide from the unwary due to their superiority in appearance, but the truth is unknown.

　It's not just the fact that there are many sightings in the empire, though it is rare to see them.
　And to the extent that such is said, the empire has strong ambitions to unify the continent, and although a truce has been made with the kingdom, the conflict with other neighboring nations is constant.

　However, despite the perfect opportunity, it hasn't gone to war with the kingdom, or even fought a war-like war with the surrounding nations for nearly a year now.
　It was apparently strange, and it seemed that Leeds had decided to go to the Empire to find out why.

You are the head of a duke's family, even if you are no longer a princess, right?　How can I go to the Empire in person?
Is it rather because of the head of the family?　Well, apart from the fact that I'm the only one who can move well at the moment,
Well, it's a lot of work. Your house and your country.

　The new dukes of Westfeldt, although practically just replaced the head, is what they did.
　Normally, there is no reason to complain if the house is not only demolished, but all those involved are physically decapitated.

　But this country did not have the time to do such a thing.
　Therefore, they managed to move almost entirely intact on the condition that a thorough investigation would be conducted. ...... Then there was another problem.

　There were no good people left when the transition was made.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on some of the most popular products and services, but also a lot of people who have quit or were forced to quit around the time of Allen's expulsion.

　Especially around the house, only the bare minimum existed.
　I was surprised to hear that more than eighty percent of the servants had quit compared to when Allen knew them.
　It wasn't like there was a lack of people.

　The only thing that was available was the soldiers ...... but as a matter of fact, the soldiers were also experiencing problems.
　It's a matter of skill.

　This is just a guess from what I've heard, but ...... perhaps the demons began to loosen up their raids at some point.
　At the same time, the training of our soldiers also shows signs of gradually warming up.
　Slowly but surely, our soldiers were being weakened to the extent that they were not noticed.

　You'll be able to see that you're not the only one.

It seems that Beatrice is having a hard time too.
I was complaining the other day that I didn't come here to do this .......

　That's just the way it is.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.

　You will find that Beatrice, who had decided to quit her job as a Kingsguard to follow Leeds, was able to safely quit the guard.
　But the problem was afterwards, as I mentioned earlier, the soldiers were weakened, and it was urgent to strengthen them.

　And then a man who is considered to be one of the strongest in the kingdom arrived.
　You can easily imagine what will happen.

　Beatrice is not under Leeds's guard, but is in charge of the Duke of Westfeld's soldiers.

　Of course you could have said no.
　But even though there are many factors at play, Leeds is still the current head of the Westfeldt family.
　The business is said to be in the hands of someone dispatched from the royal family ...... but still, Leeds is the head of the house.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going to be the best way to get the most out of this new technology.
　You will be able to find out what is going on in the world and what is going on in the world.

　You'll be able to see that the current owner of the company has been talking to you occasionally about it in the form of small talk.
　I'm sure you'll find that I'm happy to help you out a little bit: ......

It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about it. I mean, come to think of it, Beatrice, you've often allowed yourself to go, haven't you?

　It should come as no surprise that Allen had originally planned to go to the Empire alone.
　But when I told him that, Reece said he would go with me.

　It's a good thing, he says, that someone needs to find out what's going on on the Imperial side by now, and that's why it's just right.

"You said you'd rather be safe than go yourself?
"Now, I don't know if I should be considered trustworthy or not: ...... Well, it's Beatrice, so I guess that's fine, but it's a big responsibility.

　Whether it's true or not, at least Allen doesn't have veto power, for whatever reason.
　Strictly speaking, you can refuse, but if Leeds tells you to go alone, that's the end of it.

　And since there is no way Allen can overlook such a dangerous imitation, he can't practically refuse it.

　Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier, the current empire is not engaged in a war like war.


　If you don't do anything else, you should think that there is not much direct danger.
　Although the smell of that, you can just go back to ...... if it looks dangerous.

　Each of us has our own reasons for going, and it would be a mistake to say something without actually seeing it with your own eyes.

　You will be able to find out more about the best way to get the most out of your newborn baby.
　I've been thinking of going there for some time, but the opportunity was not forthcoming, so it seemed like a good time to do so.

　In short, if he could steal the technique to improve his blacksmithing skills, he would go and steal it.
　Although Noel has already learned to strike a top-notch sword, it is still inferior to the Holy Sword.
　The goal of surpassing the holy sword is still alive, and he has no intention of lacking in the effort to do so.

　And also, Milene is an escort, or rather, she can't leave you alone.
　Probably the one who has the least reason to go to the empire is Milene.

　But whatever the reason for going, it's still a reason to go.
　You're going to be able to find out more about the fact that you're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm going to have to say it's time to go.
"Well, maybe not. ...... How about you, Milene?

　As he said this, he turned his attention to the driver's seat.
　The driver was not hired, but took turns with those who could, and now it was Milene's turn.

　You'll be able to find out what you're looking for, and you'll be able to find out what you're looking for.

...... maybe a little more?

　It soon became clear that he was right.
　Not long after that, the ramparts came into view ahead.

　It's not a gate.
　It's one of the Empire's proud citadels, located on the kingdom side.

　Yes, Aren and the others had already stepped into the imperial territory.

　After spending a little more time there, they finally arrived there.
　It had been just over a month since we left that city.

　It really feels like it's finally arrived.

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

　And as soon as they arrived, Allen and his friends were turned away from the door.