--I wonder if he is as small as he looks.

　Bernard, Salainio's squire, was the first to think of Largd-Anne when she came into view. His lips almost lifted in surprise.

　Despite her fame and influence, Largd-an was a very small woman. At first glance, she didn't look like the kind of person who would be in charge of a city. She was more like a girl.

　I'm sure Bernard had seen Anne at one time or another. But the rumors and the way she acted from afar made her seem like a big figure in his imagination.

　This was especially true now that she was with the tall fighter Telsalat-Lewana.

　Right now, besides Tersarat, Anne had only a few civilian officers with her, and no guards in the great tent. However, this was enemy territory for her. Even if she had an escort, it would not be useful.

　And yet, Bernard thought, this place was strangely stuffy. The soldiers guarding Salainio and the other seniors were lined up in their tents. Their wariness of Anne seemed to be palpable.

　Bernard's large, unblemished eyes grew rounder and fainter. A sense of discomfort lingered in his mind.

　Bernard couldn't believe that such a seemingly girlish woman was harboring such vicious intentions as those around her were saying with pointed lips.

　I wondered if there was a mistake, or if someone was scheming behind her back. If there was such a being, it would probably be a saint or a great evil.

　But at this time, Bernard had forgotten one thing.

　The devil is always a saint who tricks people into believing he's a saint.

I'll tell you what happened after the war, Lord Salainio: the news came in that the royal city of Arche had fallen to the saints Mattia and Hero. This will establish the southeastern part of the Garlist Kingdom as a sphere of influence for the heraldry religion.

　At these words, the wrinkles between Salainio's eyebrows deepened, and a moment of unrest spread among the seniors. The truth of his words is unknown. No such report has come to us. But it was not something that could be completely ignored.

　If it was true, then we must retake the city of Philos as soon as possible.

　But Anne closed her lips and did not mention the subject of King's Landing any further. Then she propped her elbows on the round table in the Great Tent and tapped the surface with a small finger. As she did so, the civil servant she had brought with her unfolded a map on parchment and marked it clearly.

　The walled city of Galuamaria, the mercenary city of Belfain, the puppet city of Philos.

　These are cities that the heraldic religion undoubtedly holds sovereignty and influence over. However, that did not mean that the heraldry was able to exert influence in the surrounding areas.

　They did not have the historical status or the military strength to do so. If the Garlist Kingdom opened its jaws out of instinct, no city or village would be willing to entrust itself to an existence that would crush them.

　This is why the heraldic religion could only exert its influence on the cities and very few villages that it directly governed, and these were, so to speak, only point-to-point connections. It is not like kingdoms and lords who have territories backed by absolute military power.

　--But if the heraldry had carved out the capital of Garlyst, that would be a different story.

　The Garlist Kingdom would lose its influence in the south completely and become a northern power. The area east of the Augustus River and the southeastern part of the Garlist Kingdom would fall under the influence of the heraldry.

　If that happens - for the first time since the collapse of the unified empire of Altia - the heraldic religion will have its own territory. The surrounding power map will collapse and the cartographers will have to reexamine the surrounding geography once again. The occupation of a single city is a stingy thing to think about.

　After she had said that much with her tongue, Anne's cheeks relaxed and her lips moved smoothly. Her petite frame was now attracting more attention than anything else in the grand tent.

　This was partly because everyone doubted whether what Ann was saying was true or not, but more so because she had the eloquence to make people listen to her words.

　The old Salainio pulled his chin back, his wrinkled eyes tightening.

So, what's the matter? You didn't just come here to talk about your grandiose dreams, did you?

　Anne responded to Salainio's words with a hint of implication. There was a hint of disapproval in her eyes. Her slender fingers ran over the map.

What I've brought you is just a suggestion. You know that if an organization continues to grow, it will eventually need more than one head, Lord Salainio. Only a god can see, hear and control everything. We always have to cut somewhere.

　Anne's fingers wagged as she traced the Great River of Augustus on the map. To the west of that border line was the city of Philos, and to the east were the words Galuamaria and Belfain.

And so the saint Mattia and the hero must go west of the Ogas. And you, Lord Salainio, will rule east of the Ogas.

　Her small lips fluttered in a casual manner, as if it were a very easy thing to say. For a moment, Bernard did not understand what Anne meant.

　It was only when Salainio's voice had died down that he finally understood a little.

"So you're telling me to stay back in the east. That's what you're saying, Ann.

　I don't want you to stay back," Ann said, cowering back with a laugh that sounded like a bell rolling.

　Salainio didn't react much, but the old man around him, and Bernard as well, had their faces scrunched up.

　The muscles in his cheeks twitch, he is frightened, and he almost forgets how to make a normal expression.

　Bernard thought that maybe he didn't understand what this woman was saying at all.

　But if he was to be honest, Anne had said. She said that she would sell the area east of the Augustus River to the heraldic forces led by Salainio.

　Of course, there is still no evidence to support this, and it seems to me that she is only talking. In fact, it is more likely than not.

　Even so, I am more than a little astonished that Anne would say something so close to betrayal of the heraldic forces and thus of Saint Mattia.

　She is the one hand of the saint. She has that much ability and trust in her. And Anne even showed more faith in the saint than in the heraldry.

　If she shows even a shred of distrust, it raises a certain amount of doubt in people's minds. If she says this much, then no matter how doubtful she is, perhaps there is some truth in it.



　Besides, the truth was that Anne had no more options available to her.

　Most of the troops and supplies of the city of Philos had been brought to the front lines of King's Landing, and they could not be expected to be strong enough to resist the forces of Salainio. In such a state, the morale of the troops would not be able to be maintained for very long. If not, they would not even be able to rule.

　At the moment, Ann's limbs were like rusty chains twining around her. Everything around her was clinging to keep her from moving forward.

　Then, Bernard thought, this might be something akin to surrender.

　And yet, she was here now with a final sense of pride. It's not that I don't like it, but I don't like it. She is throwing down the gauntlet to Salainio, who originally pointed his spear at the saint.

　Bernard noticed that his palms were unknowingly sweating and squeezed his fingers together.

"Largd-an. So what do you offer me? What will make the words true?

　Salainio's aged eyes grew darker as he stared ahead at Anne. Each word seemed to drive Anne to the brink. Her tone of voice was oppressive, as if she were trying to silence the other person, even though she wanted to say something.

　But Anne nodded her chin, as if she understood, and said.

"You should join the city of Philos. You are welcome, if you will lower your spear.

　Salainio's hands, like dead trees, intertwined with each other, tilted slightly as if in thought. Anne only smiled, as usual. It was hard to tell from the outside if she was trying to relax or if she was just trying to be tough and keep her skin on. She had always been like that.

　With heavy eyelids, Salainio closed his lips. What was troubling him too, Bernard could not tell. But he was sure that some kind of calculation was going through his mind.

　Was Anne really an apostate who had abandoned the Faith? Or is it all just a plot? But it's too much of a conspiracy.

　The thoughts of the people in the room stopped for a moment. Then, Salainio asks.

"Do you think this is justice?

　The question must have been unanticipated. Anne looks at Salainio with puzzled eyes. No, was that even an act?

　But she quickly mended her expression and said.

"Lord Salainio. There is no right or wrong in this world, but only truth and nothing but truth.

　When Salainio heard this, he clacked his hands together.