A sense of chaos and emptiness prevailed in the very room where Reinesia had left off. Krusty, the head of the Round Table, had left with Reinesia. Krusty, who had been the head of the Round Table, had left with Reinesia, as had Shiroe, who seemed to be a moderate in the eyes of the Council of Lords.

　The only remaining emissary to the Round Table was Michitaka, who appeared to be a hard-line hawk.

　The Lords Council, on the other hand, didn't know where to send their raised fists. In the first place, it's fine to raise your fist, but it's doubtful that you could actually swing it down. The person who had the ability and will to bring things to a head in the meeting was gone, and there was a lot of confusion on the subject.

　In the conversation that followed, poor Baron Clendit had completely lost his ability to moderate the meeting. He alternated between a pale and reddish expression, and, without the desperate nursing of his servant, he ended up gasping for breath and asking to leave.
　All the lords, though not as much as Baron Clendit, were more or less likely to be in the same kind of confusion as the baron.

　As such, the meeting was brought to a close once the midnight had arrived.

　Michitaka exhaled thickly as he stepped out into the hallway.

(Geez, this is really troublesome.)

　Although Michitaka is the guild master of the merchant guild, he is not good at detailed negotiations and intrigue. A merchant is a person who thinks it's fine as long as he makes good products, sells them at a fair price, and develops a market.

(I used to be a blacksmith, though...)

　He still considers himself a working craftsman. He still grips a hammer every day since he joined the Round Table. Now that the number of players going out to high level dungeons has decreased, it's sad that the magical materials essential for making magical items have dried up, but that's no excuse for slacking off.
　It just so happens that Michitaka's assessment of himself is that he likes to hang out with others, has no avoidance of talking to people, and has become the center of his own life.

　From the point of view of the Council of Lords, the hawkishness of the Lords was, from Mititaka's point of view, simply to blackmail an impolite idiot, not to harbor any ill will toward the Free Cities Alliance Eastal as a whole. The fact that he was opposed to the deployment of troops was akin to the division of labour among the three members of the Round Table, and he himself is not that opposed to the deployment of troops.

　--He is a production player. The risk of death is less than that of an adventurer in an expeditionary group fighting outside the city. You can't deny that you have a personal sense of guilt about whether it's okay for you, in such a position, to agree to the idea of starting a war so easily.

(Now that things are underway, it's a bit of a rant.

　I put my thick fingers through my black hair and raggedly scratch my head. My mood is rotten, and I can't do anything about it.

　Walking down the long, uninhabited corridor with one man, a member of the guild, behind him, Michitaka casually looked at the terrace at a bend in the corridor. It wasn't particularly meaningful. It's just that when I turned the corner, the moonlight was shining through, so I just turned my head in that direction.

Sojirou-sama. These egg pastries are delicious too.
Mr. Shojiro, please listen to what I have to say.
"Master Soujiro is tired. I will sing you a gentle lullaby, please doze for a while...

　On the moonlit terrace, an arbor was enclosed, and Soujiro was surrounded by the maidservants and princesses of the Daichijin. Michitaka was overcome with a desolate feeling.
　The dark clouds of Akiba's future, his own guilt, and his inexplicable sense of insecurity that he had been thinking about a moment ago, all became unimportant.
　Compared to the aura and scene floating around Soujiro, what about the Roundtable, or the Free City Alliance, it's really a trivial matter.

(Yeah, I guess my current expression is like a doodle drawn with my left hand.)

　Michitaka didn't even approach Soujiro, but instead turned his feet to the area where his room was located.

　I guess that's it for tonight. Now what to do tomorrow?
　Michitaka was about to think about it, but it didn't take long to find out that it wasn't going to be that sweet.

　Waiting in front of the plot rented by the Roundtable was the Duke of Corwin, Reinesia's grandfather Sergiad. The old duke, who had only one knight holding the lamp, bowed silently to Michitaka. His expression showed no signs of fatigue despite having gone through that long meeting.

　The old duke said a few words to Michitaka, "I'm not so sure.
　Michitaka, sensing his business, led the way and started walking.

　He invited them to the "Round Table" - the small common room that Krusty, Shiroe and Michitaka used to hold their daily meetings. It's a small size, but that's the measure of the castle, and the two-room common room is plenty of space for Michitaka, a native of Japan.

　The old duke seemed a little surprised when I suggested a chair and served him some tea from my bag. A person as young as the Duke could not have known about the magic bag, and he didn't know what the surprise was, but Michitaka decided not to worry about it for now.

'I'm sorry for this kind of midnight.
No, please don't mind me. I won't be able to sleep well if you don't clean up after that meeting.
Haha, I guess so.
　The old nobleman sitting across from Michitaka laughed in an imposing manner while touching his magnificent beard.

''I can't let my granddaughter's unthinking actions bring down the Cowen family.

　Come to think of it, his position is currently in great danger.
　Of course, Lord Sergiad is the first lord of the Alliance of Free Cities Eastar, and his influence is great. However, in this case, the size of his influence itself would be a handicap.

"As you can see, it could create a crack in the League of Free Cities.

　In other words, what if the Corwin family were to prioritize their relationship with the Roundtable on its own initiative? Once Maiama and Akiva were united and had a few more lords in their midst, they would be large enough to wipe out the rest of the Alliance of Free Cities of Eastar.
　Of course, Lord Celgiad knows that Princess Reinesia has no such intentions, and the members of the Roundtable, including Mititaka, know that the events of that meeting were close to happening and had no underlying meaning.

　But in this case, what is important is the interpretation of the people around you.
　Even if there was no underlying meaning, it is possible to give meaning to it afterwards.

(Even though we're doing this right now...)

One possibility is that Maihama will embrace Akiba and establish a new power, so that's the direction we're heading in.
　Michitaka asks directly. 'I'm not very good at handheld phrases and schemes.

'I suppose that's one way to put it. Hmmm ... what do you think?　Lord Michitaka.

　Mititaka liked the Duke's use of the honorific title "Lord", even though he had disliked the word "Sir" during the meeting. It's not that Mititaka didn't care either way, but he did feel that the old man had the desire to negotiate with his counterpart as a human being.

(Well...) I'm not as resourceful as Shiroe-dono, though.

　Michitaka twisted his thick neck.
　Then there was a discreet knock at the door. The one who came in with Michitaka's permission was Henrietta with her evening meal on the wagon. Akiva's delegation, which had been augmented by Shiroe's suggestion, included a "cook". They had been preparing (albeit painstakingly) various feast preparations for the small meetings and tea ceremonies held in the compartment rented by the "Round Table".

　These evening meals and drinks must have been arranged by Henrietta.

The first thing to say is, "Oh, it's just fine. Henrietta-san, please join us.
No, I'm just...
Yeah, I know.
　Henrietta raised an eyebrow at Mititaka's invitation, but when he piled on and invited her to join him, she sat down next to Mititaka after laying out the refreshments.

'You must be the young lady who danced with Lord Shiroe at the ball.
Yes, my name is Henrietta from the Crescent Moon League.
The Crescent Moon League is one of the eleven guilds at the Round Table. My daughter is the chief of staff there.
　Michitaka finishes his introductions and takes a breath.
　Of course, I don't want to put the blame on Henrietta, but the matter is too serious. If it was Henrietta, she would be able to find the pitfalls that Michitaka's thoughts had missed and offer a certain direction to the story's path.

　For now, the three of them tucked into the snacks in front of them.
　A cold chicken sandwich and a hot vegetable salad. The three of them also had some fruit and a thinly-sliced liquor that contained little or no alcohol.

　We each commented on the food and let the chatter flow for a while.
　After Michitaka and Henrietta briefly explained their positions and Lord Sergiad described the city of Maihama, the conversation came full circle and returned to the topic of this evening's meeting.

'I think the story is generally understood,'
　Henrietta lowered her teacup with an elegant gesture.
　Henrietta lowered her teacup in an elegant gesture and said to the good-natured Sergiad, who just folded.

The important starting point is the vision of the goal that Lord Sergiad is aiming for. Whether or not we can share that vision with the Round Table is the point of this conversation.
　Michitaka groaned.

　I'm sure that's all there is to it, but to sum up the pain and confusion of the five-hour meeting in a single sentence is a shameful thing. However, this was not the fault of Michitaka and his team. It also means that Henrietta is intelligent.

''Hm........''
　Lord Sergiad meditates.

''It's strange for me to say this, but we won't be able to move forward if we continue to search our bellies. Is this the place for you to speak frankly? I'd like to hear what you call a convenient hope.
　Michitaka also added a few words.

　I don't want to be treated like a cat and dog, but this old man wouldn't be so rude. If it's done, it's done, and if the person who is supposed to be the head of the Lords Council has that level of insight, it's not worth associating with.

''First, a goblin raiding army for the time being. We want to work together to defend against this and eradicate it. We have a long, long history of warfare with the sub-humans, and it is an absolute necessity in order to protect our homeland.

　The words were a nod to Michitaka.
　That hope is no longer a condition or a request, but rather a premise and a starting point for their discussion.

And I no longer wish to invite you as the 25th nobleman of the Free Cities Alliance of Eastar.
　Mititaka was surprised by my words.

He said, "In the first place, I think it was a mistake and a misunderstanding to treat the Roundtable in the same way as our fortified city and the lords who hold the land. I don't mean to suggest that we ostracize the Roundtable, or that we should distance ourselves from it. Rather, it is more accurate to say that the Roundtable is now considered to be a power on a par with the Free Cities Alliance Eastar.
　The Roundtable and the city of Akiba are comparable to the Free Cities Alliance in both structure and strength. The lords of the city work together through discussion, and we, the guilds, right?　The Round Table, a confederation of guilds in solidarity with each other, is very similar.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I've made a very rude and convenient offer to you because of my assumption that our territory is one city and we were underestimated by its small size. We believe that this was a mistake.

　Michitaka thinks about Lord Sergiad's words.
　It's a good thing," he said.

It seems to me that if we try to control the city of Akiba within the framework of our alliance, for lack of a better word, this will only lead to friction and the collapse of our own city.
　You can attach a bell to a wolf's neck, but you can't tie it to a collar. I'm not sure I've ever been able to find the right balance between the two, especially when it comes to the Gryphon, which flies in the sky.
　I believe that the proper relationship between them should be between the League of Free Cities Eastar and the Round Table as equals. Treaties of non-aggression and commerce should be the cornerstone of our relationship.

Yes, sir.
　At Michitaka's reply, Lord Sergiad nodded his head and was blindsided.

The Roundtable has no territorial ambitions or intentions of invasion. It is enough to protect our own home within this world, and then find our own way back to our own world, if that is what we desire.
　Of course, in order to do so, it is necessary to visit the ruins of many places and there are aspects that require trade, such as food. However, fulfilling that goal and holding hands as neighbors are not in conflict. If we can hold each other's hands, so much the better.
　Michitaka responds to that much at once, then looks at Henrietta. Henrietta shrugs her shoulders and then adds.

''Of course, this means that this is a very sketchy basic policy, right?　Even though it's an equal relationship, we can't make any real assurances about how those principles will be incorporated in practice until we see the language of the treaty.
　Michitaka nodded at the slightly flustered words.
　He was expecting her to follow up on the details like that.

　Sergiad seemed to be surprised by his too quick reaction and lack of decorum. He was speechless for a while.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you want to do with it," he said, "but if it's a mutual non-aggression treaty and trade treaty on an equal footing, it means that you will not attack each other and trade with each other. I'm sorry, but the attack on the goblins was not part of the treaty, was it?
　Of course, it's not really relevant now that we don't have a treaty of any kind, but how this irregularity is resolved will have great significance for both the Alliance of Free Cities Eastar and the territory of Maihama.

　Both Michitaka and Lord Sergiad nodded to Henrietta's point.

　In the end, the conversation comes back to that.
　The inequality in the burdens of the 〈Landlings〉 and 〈Adventurers〉.

Let's put that to rest for now.
　Michitaka shrugged his shoulders as if to make fun of the air that was becoming heavy.
　In the back of my brain, I had the image of Soujiro from earlier, and just remembering that one made me feel ridiculous for being seriously troubled.

You can't have a coherent story without the parties involved, Krusty-dono and Princess Reinesia. It's also possible that they have some concrete ideas. It's not fair that we're the only ones who are bothered. It's a balanced distribution of labor for those three people, including Shiroe, to consider.
　Michitaka's opinion was a bit wild, but it was also a representation of the feelings of the three of them.

　In the first place, even if a conclusion was reached here, or even if it ended in a parting of the ways, the die is now cast. At dawn, the army would depart from Akiva. Michitaka and Lord Sergiad would no longer be able to hold back that army.
　Now that Krusty and Shiroe had moved on, there was no way it could be a setback. If that is the case, then we must watch the flow.

Well, I'm sure Shiroe-sama will take care of it.
　A little sulkily, Henrietta nodded with a twitch of her lips. The words seemed to humiliate Shiroe, but her eyes were full of trust for all intents and purposes, and Michitaka hmmm, he felt alone in his chest.

'Which one. So, let's assume that my grandson is responsible for what happened this time?''
　With a somewhat amused word from Lord Sergiad, the moment was closed.



　◆.


Now. Did I hear a rustling sound...?　In the shade of that bush........ (No way.........no way.......goblins?

　The female knight of D.D.D., wearing ascetic blue steel armor and a cloak, is at Reinesia's side. She doesn't even draw her weapon, and is constantly telegraphing while looking at a battlefield map and several reports in one hand.

Large group at 2 o'clock and enemy offensive force at 9 o'clock. Large group at 2 o'clock and enemy offensive force at 9 o'clock, more than 18 in total. Large magical beasts 2
　The voice of the brief report seemed different from the manner of any knight Reinesia knew, and different from the state of the battlefield she had heard rumors about.

　The woman gently applied ointment to Reinesia's eyelids as her eyes were still frightened by the unfamiliar darkness. I clenched my eyes a few times, and the area became vaguely enveloped in a rosy light that improved my outlook.

　Even so, the noises around me are still scary.
　I'm sure this area is not exactly a deep mountain valley, but as a castle-raised woman, my tolerance for that kind of thing is on the rise. Every time the bushes sway in the darkness, her knees start to laugh as she tries to control them.

(Shh, be still. Spread your chest out..... Yes, calm down.....)

　My spirit has not yet failed me.
　I haven't lost the courage to move forward.
　But the body is honest, and it instinctively stiffens and begins to tremble, as if it feels like its life is in danger. She tries to mobilize all of her aristocratic pride and her daughterly education, which she has spent years honing, to move forward proudly and proudly, but it looks like she's about to get ragged.

''Princess Raynesia, they say that if we go up the ridge a bit more, we'll have better visibility. Let's move over there and get some rest.
　The female knight tells them so.

　The warriors around them, perhaps already anticipating this instruction, change their formations with the smoothness of flowing water. The only ones stunned in the center are Reinesia and the two 'earthlings'. They are the ones who, when asked by the female knights, provide detailed information about the local terrain. They told them that there was a creek that could be swallowed up in a single stream, and that if they crossed it, they could go up a rocky hill where they could look down on the valley.

　Reinesia and her friends are making their way through the undergrowth.
　Of course, large branches can be cleared away by the warriors leading the way, but sharp grasses can get tangled up in them without mercy. However, the Silver Armor of the Goddess of War (Valkyrie Mail) that Reinesia wears is probably very high performance, and it seems to keep them at bay as if it were a wall of air.

(Though its performance is perfect. Really, geez.)
　The only thing that bothers me is the amount of exposed leg area.
　I'm sure if this was winter, you could say that your body would get cold or something, and you could do without the cloak, but that's not the case in the summer. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good deal more than you think.

(Ah....)
　But while we were distracted, we must have been gaining distance unexpectedly. We bypassed a row of huge beech-like trees and climbed up a slope as tall as our height, and suddenly our eyes were opened. It was a huge rocky area about 6 meters square, a ridge overlooking the valley. From the crag, we could see the trees beneath the cliffs, the flowing river, and the chain of trees.

　Are there hundreds of shining torches held by the goblin army?　It rustled and wriggled, reminding him of the awakening of an evil worm.

'Come this way first,'
　What the female knight advanced was a simple chair that could be assembled. There is no backrest or armrest, but thankfully you can sit back down and clasp your legs together.

　Reinesia thanked me politely, then borrowed the chair and sat down.
　After that speech, I realized that the Adventurers are fundamentally different from Reinesia and the Earthmen. It's not just the representatives of Krusty and the other Round Table members, but all of them have the education and status of nobility.
　That's why a word of thanks and a polite attitude are not necessary. But on the other hand, the Adventurer seems to dislike empty rites. Was the current acknowledgement appropriate?　And observe the female knight, but she is reading the map with a quick telepathic message. I guess there was no problem.

　In the surrounding area, adventurers were bringing out assembled furniture one after another. A small assembled table supported on three legs, several tubes, probably telescopes, and a simple drink. A simple drink.

'Here we go,'
What?
　The moment Raynesia turns to the female knight, a flash of light falls in the valley. A slightly delayed roar. An eerie trembling sound lingers in the area. The female knight carefully points to a corner of the valley, at the bottom of the darkness, with her white finger to the confused Reinesia.

　Focusing her attention there, Reinesia feels the distant scene stretching out in her blurred, glowing vision. Even the outlines of trees and leaves jump into view with a sense of reality.

'It's a sniper's fairy ointment (fairy balm). You can see it well at a distance, can't you?　Don't get too close I'm about to come in. Please watch closely.

　The white light was instantaneous.
　The thunderbolt seems to have pierced the center of the goblins' platoon with precision. You can find a number of different types of goblins on the web, but the most important thing to remember is that they are not the only ones who have a lot to offer.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. A tall shadow sprinting through the forest with a huge double-edged axe with a long hilt that rivals the largest spear in the castle, lightly held at the ready.

　A strike force of what must have been roughly a hundred men followed along the stream in the forest that Krusty was running through. It reminded Krusty of a cloak fluttering on his back, tossing and turning for a long, long time, eroding the forest.
　The troops would devour the goblins with every touch, or chop or pierce them, inflicting deadly damage and then devouring them. It would be magic to sparkle and glitter. From this distance it is impossible to see the details, but the overwhelming power of annihilation is understandable.

　However, it was Krusty himself who captured Reinesia stronger than the attack power of the Hundred.

　It's not so much that he's running at the head of the troops and commanding them with a loud voice, but that he's leading the knights with his back, and he's wearing a kind of strange presence. You'll be able to find a lot more information on how to get the most out of this article.

　Lips that were suspended like a crescent moon.
　Eyes that were narrowed in delight.
　Glasses that bounced off silver light.
　Krusty was running on the battlefield with glee. Like a child rushing to the square on a festival day.

　Krusty waved his hands in the air.
　An axe whose tip disappears from view like a whirlwind.
　And an empty space stretches out in a three-meter circumference.
　Or a monster that attacks Krusty. The huge wolf, which is as big as a cow, is easily received by Krusty with his outstretched left hand and sends out a notice to his surroundings. The wolf's huge body is pierced by dozens of arrows and swords that have received magical enhancements.

　Like a sack of wheat, Krusty effortlessly throws away the demonic beast that is no longer a lump of meat. His interest shifted to the next goblin squad.

　It was ominous.
　It was creepy.
　It was horrible and disgusting.

　But to Raynesia, it was kind of very sad.

　If it seemed both ominous and creepy, it was probably an ego on Reinesia's part. It was rude to have such feelings for a brave warrior who was defending his own homeland.
　But what is this sadness?

"Forward 50, Hill Giants 2. We'll eradicate them from the surrounding small unit.
　The female knight's call can be heard in a low volume.

　When I opened my two eyes, which were unconsciously squeezed shut, I saw Krusty heading towards two giants with huge bodies like a castle siege tower.

''--!
　Krusty handled the log-like cudgel that was knocked down with his two-handed axe, which bounced around like a flyswatter, and stood between the two animals. It's a good thing that you've got a good idea of what you're looking for.

　On the contrary, every time Krusty's weapon fired with a red glow, the two giants seemed to forget themselves and began to cling to Krusty alone.
　In the dim light of dawn, Krusty simply continues to deal with the attacks of the two raging giants.

　Of course, the two giants were probably the secret weapon in that attacking force of goblins. Countless goblins with stone bows and spears were present in the vicinity. However, the strike battalion (Legion Raid) led by Krusty is now free from all restrictions and begins to show its unruly activities in all directions.

　Divided into four units, each of which was divided into four more, they became a platoon of more than 15 and attacked the goblins. The attacking platoon is ready to fill the forest with a massive siege of the goblins.
　The goblins, whose chain of command is uncertain, would never be a match for Akiva's army, which moves around at a dizzying pace but shows no signs of slowing down. They are annihilated one after another in the darkness using magic and swords.

　In Reinesia's magic-enhanced vision, they were also reflected, but in her consciousness they were only perceived as dancing shadows.

　It was Krusty who was staring at them.

　He brought his arms down like a conductor.
　All at once, a ball of fire was released, swallowing up the goblin horde like a burning avalanche.

　Krusty looked like he was enjoying himself.
　It made her feel much freer than she had in the court.

　It made Raynesia sad.
　Without knowing why she was sad or why she was lonely, Reinesia just kept looking at Krusty.

　Despite wielding the axe with all his strength, cutting through the enemy, taking attacks, and bleeding from both arms, Krusty's steps were strong and his command inspired his troops, making him look like a god of war.

　That Crusty is becoming more and more transparent within Raynesia's vision, and sometimes she is in danger of melting away pale in the light of dawn as it is.

(It's...)

　It was somehow a very poignant sadness.
　Reinesia must have lost her mind to think that Krusty, who seemed so powerful and invincible in the court and on the battlefield, could look so fragile.

　Krusty seemed to be having fun, but perhaps there was no end to that fun. At least there was no Raynesia, wasn't there?

　In the forest, Krusty and the rest of the Akiva Expeditionary Force were continuing their march.
　You'll be able to see that you're not the only one.



　



　Marielle and the others, who had rented a fishing equipment warehouse as a temporary main camp, near the Great River of Zantorif, were relaying telepathic messages from the patrol units that had been sent out around the city and planning their defenses.

　There had already been no sightings of the goblins for more than half a day.
　At the very least, the goblins seemed to have completely retreated into the forest in the mountains. The adventurers in the surrounding area take turns sleeping in the lodges and in this warehouse.
　A day and night had passed since our first night together. During that time, Marielle and her group had successfully defended the town of Chowsi.

　What surprised Marielle was that the players, whom she had underestimated as newcomers, were quicker to adapt and more eager to consider defense.

　That might be plausible, Marielle thought.

(Come to think of it, these kids are the ones who hadn't had much experience with games yet, like the ones who had thought about starting Elder Tail because of the rumors of this expansion. That's not prejudice...)

　Lack of game experience inevitably means that the character's level is low and his or her strength is inexperienced. There are many disadvantages to this, and until now, veteran players have only seen newcomers as a handicap or a weakling.

　However, it is possible to think of it as an advantage to have no preconceived notions of the game's system or world.

　For Marielle and the other veteran players, Shiroe's accusation that the Earthlings are human beings with senses, minds, desires and enlightenment just like themselves, was a shock to them It was a thing. But for the new players, the shock was not so great.

　They hadn't been playing the game for very long, and they hadn't yet gotten used to the idea that Elder Tail was a game. They are still new to the game, and have not yet become accustomed to the fact that the Elder Tail is a game, so it is as good as having been kidnapped into another world.

　It's a good thing that they are actively calling for the protection of the Earth People and taking action. It's a good thing that the newcomers to the Summer Training Group didn't need Marielle to persuade them to join the defense operation of the town of Chowsi.

　And looking at the rookies' excitement beside them, it was impossible for the veterans not to stand up. The veterans who participate in this rookie training are hardly getting any rewards. They are either former players who are good at taking care of newcomers, or otherwise they are the newcomer training team of a top guild. I'm not sure I'm going to be the only one who can do that.

　And when Marielle's "support with a smile", which she doesn't even realize, the morale couldn't have been better.

　It was truly heartbreaking that Minori and Nyanta had conspired to head into the mountains, but as it turned out, it was a success. As far as Marielle was aware, there were 26 battles that took place in the city's periphery on the first night. At about four battles per combat unit, this would be a very generous amount of fighting.

　When it was over, even the new players' "adventurers" looked different.

　This other world's battles are different from the Elder Tail games in that they're much harder. I'm not talking about the severity of the battle itself, but rather the harshness of the atmosphere of the battlefield.
　The body seems to be based on a game character and is highly efficient, and endurance, muscular strength, endurance and agility are not a problem, depending on the occupation in the game. Injuries can be quickly healed with a recovery spell, and if it's just a cut or scrape, it will spontaneously heal without a spell if you endure it for half a day.

　However, the fear of battle is more of a mental point.
　Even if it is a monster, taking a life with your own two hands is a terrifying sensation, and depending on the person, there are adventurers who are traumatized by it. This is a feeling that Marielle can understand.

　If you want to continue to fight in this other world, you'll need to get used to it, and new adventurers need veteran support and motivation to help them get used to it.
　The defense of the town of Chooshi was both a challenge and an opportunity for the new players.

　This time, it was these highly-motivated new adventurers who were the first to notice the change. I'm not sure if this is a good thing, but I'm sure it's a good thing.

　A trio of rookies on guard duty in the city had sent word to Marielle as soon as they spotted a white wave in the direction of the coastline.

　Perhaps the memory of the attack on the white sands of Zantorif was still lingering. This fear was now a positive thing.

　When the veteran player rushed over, the Aquatic Green Demon (Safagin) had not yet landed. Perhaps it was because they had been discovered so quickly.

　The Great Zantorif River is a very broad river in this area. Since the mouth of the river is adjacent to the sea, it is where saltwater and fresh water meet, depending on the tide, and the river has a number of jutting edges that act as embankments.

　The veteran who came rushing in looked out to sea and groaned in despair. The white waves are numerous. A hundred or two hundred wouldn't do the trick.

(This.........)
　That's how Marielle felt too.

　Chowsi is a peaceful city, mainly based on fishing and agriculture. So, due to the structure of the city, the shape of the city inevitably stretched out to nestle up to the great Zantorif River. Of course, taking into account the river's flooding and the low tide, there is a distance of more than 100m between the city's residential area and the lakeside, even at the narrowest point, but it still remains close.

　Moreover, this 100m is not 100m because of the forests and mountains.
　Normally dragging fishing equipment and boats, it is just a matter of saying that there is a sandy beach and stone beach with an open view in 100m wide.
　It is extremely difficult to protect this town, which has been exposed for a long time to such a large area as the flank of the city, from so many sapphagines.

(Well, not really.....
　It's easy for us to survive. All we have to do is escape and return home. Defeating the Safagin is probably possible, too, even if it takes a while. But defending the town and saving all of the people of the Earthmen, that's not going to be possible. That might not be possible.

　But on either side of Marielle, who was speechless at the foaming surface of the sea, there was the sound of a string being squeezed just barely out of place.
　Standing on the right is Naotsugu. Next to him is Touya.

　In their left hands, rookie assassins and many warriors are holding their bows. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's a good idea to have a little bit of a boost to the economy, Marie-san.
　Naotsugu said with a broad smile.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier.

I understand. I'm sure you'll be able to find out.
　Marielle raises her voice.
　The frothy water in front of her is rushing even more, and she's closing in on the mouth of the river.

Thank you for your help. Thanks to your help, the town of Chowsi didn't suffer a single casualty, and many of its fields were not destroyed by the goblins. I'm very happy about that. But we're getting close. We have to defeat this enemy as well, or else we'll end up.... There's no way we can defend this town. We need another fight..... I know we can do it. --Let's go!　Ride out!
　The bowstring sounded one after another.

　When it was repeated three times, Naotsugu was the first to run to the shoreline. Following him were Xiaolong, Rezarik and the last nyanta, who gave Marielle a nifty wave.

　The party of adventurers charged here and there.
　However, if you look closely, you can see some groups that do not charge. When I pulled up to the corner of the farm road where I could see the beach and sat down, I looked at Minori and she said, "We'll need a replacement soon," she replied.

　Marielle blushes at the calm opinion that makes you wonder if she's really a junior high school student. However, that opinion is reasonable. If we're going to hold off this many people on the brink of landing, replacement personnel due to fatigue will be essential.

　A fierce battle has begun on the coastline.
　If that's the case, Marielle should be rested.
　The mental fatigue of the recovering personnel is intense during prolonged battles. As Marielle herself was a high-level "healing priest" (cleric), her abilities would be needed in the battle to come.


　◆


　Midrount Equestrian Garden.

　Here, simple defensive facilities are currently being set up and troops are being organized at a rapid pace. The troops that have been organized and deployed have left one after another, so the volume of this encampment is only about 1/3 of the entire army.

　The situation is extremely fluid.
　Krusty and his infiltration strike battalion were said to have begun to engage as early as dawn this morning. As for how much damage they had inflicted on the enemy forces, the observation team reported that it was probably around 1,500.

　Although Shiroe himself was given two titles such as Chief of Staff, he is not an expert in real-world tactics or the history of warfare. So we don't know if this number is large or small, and whether or not this damage will cause the goblins to retreat.

　Generally speaking, it is said that in an army, if thirty percent of its members are incapable of fighting, it is almost a total loss. It's a bit of knowledge for Shiroe, but it's not without its twists and turns.
　Has there ever been a time when an enemy escaped during a battle with goblins?　When I think about it, I can't say it's not there, but I feel like that was usually a "there's only one left" situation.

　That said, it's possible that my hazy knowledge is wrong, or that such tactical knowledge in the real world doesn't work in this world. Or it could be that the goblins or sub-humans are so belligerent that they don't know how to retreat.

　But on the other hand, there was some good news.
　In this morning's battle, Krusty and his men defeated a goblin army of monsters and two giants without sustaining any damage. The goblin's main force would be fine if left to Krusty's and the rest of the Legion raids unless they were too big.

(In the first place, if Krusty and the others can't handle it, the odds won't increase no matter who in Akiba's city it takes to win.)

　Of course, some enemies are more compatible than others. If you know the information about your opponent, you can plan countermeasures at the organization level.
　Therefore, the fact that Crusty and his team were defeated did not mean that they would not be able to win immediately. To begin with, in the days of the Elder Tail, large scale battles were about learning how to attack through repeated annihilation. Information always brought salvation to those who followed. It is only natural that if the forces are so close, the more information you get on the target, the better your chances of winning.

　However, if they were to clash in the absence of information, the Legion Raid, which Krusty currently leads, is undoubtedly the strongest sword in the city of Akiva.

(The heart of the goblin raiding army can be left to Krusty-san.)

　Shiroe places a coton, a black pebble, in the center of the map. That's the location of Krusty. He then places a snarky white pebble in the Midrount Equestrian Garden and a smooth green pebble in the city of Chowsi.

　It is the city of Chowsi that is most at risk at the moment.
　The fact that it is being attacked by the Safagin, of course, means that if that cape is taken, the Safagin may even land in Maiama. Both towns have one thing in common: they don't expect an invasion from the sea.

　Why did the Safagins show up?
　The reason for this is unclear, but Shiroe still believes it was caused by an invading army originated by the Goblin King. The two sides appeared in response to each other. Or it could be a Safagin's strategy to take advantage of the fishermen, but either way, the fact remains that the army will be divided in two.

(Well, that's all factored in.)

　Shiroe cottered a slightly larger pebble that she had been playing with with her hand, and placed it on the map. The streamlined shape of the stone looks lovely, somewhat like a waterfowl with its wings folded. It was placed at sea.

　A prototype steam-powered transport ship, the Occupythe.
　For this battle, we were using this ship in a maximum rotation.

　After dropping Krusty and the others off, Occupy was waiting for the rest of us at the abandoned port of Narasino, and it was probably time for them to rejoin us. They should be on their way to the city of Chowsi with four companies (full raids), organized by Shiroe.

　The Ocupete is a transport ship, unarmed. In that sense, it is a rugged, unadorned ship.
　However, as a prototype, the hull has been reinforced for various strength tests, and it will have sufficient armor and high defense capabilities. Also, in terms of onboard weapons, that is exactly what adventurers should be able to carry.

　Shiroe's specially organized unit includes many Summoners and Bards. Although the Summoner is inferior to the Sorcerer in terms of direct, long-range magic attacks, the Summoner's range is twice as long as that of the Sorcerer in terms of long-range magic based on summoned spirits. Also, the Bard would be able to follow up on their magical attack power and avoid the risk of MP depletion.

　The rest was a race against time.

　Shiroe consulted with the telepathic staff who constantly came into the tent and set up the formation and deployment of troops one by one.

　Winning this battle itself is not so difficult. However, even if the central goblin force was destroyed, it would be a problem if many goblins turned into the Hagre tribe and raided the territory of the "Free City Alliance Eastal".

　Shiroe remembered the village of the Daichijin that they had stopped at on their journey back from Susukino. That good-natured old man and the village workers with their sheep. Of course, they would be required to be able to defend themselves in this dangerous world, and if, by any chance, they were to die, that would be "unavoidable". But it was natural to want to help them if there was still a chance to help them, and fortunately, Shiroe himself is in a position where that is expected of him.

　He would be fine with leaving it up to Krusty to hit the main goblin army. The problem is what to do if the goblin invasion force of less than 20,000 disintegrates in mid-air.

　Apart from Krusty and his team (the striking force), which would strike the central force, we would form a smaller, more mobile force and encircle the perimeter to somehow contain the damage caused by the goblins to the inside of the mountainous area. The strategy for this will be formulated and materialized in terms of tactics. That was Shiroe's current task.

　The general strategy was to drive the goblins back into the central hills of Zantorif, which was the keystone of the strategy.

　To that end, Krusty and his men would be fighting "skin to skin" on the outside of the main goblin force clockwise from the west. Fortunately, the goblins are driving the momentum and are pushing out towards Zantorif sufficiently. If we can lure them in at this point, it will be possible to lead them to the ideal position.

　If we could position our forces to follow Krusty and the others and contain the goblins at the tip of Zantorieff - the Chiba tip, known in the real world as the Boso Peninsula, the surrounding area would be much safer. The final crux of the operation would be the defense of the town of Choshi, and the soldiers being transported by Occupy.

"Aren't you going to the battlefield, my lord?
　Akatsuki, who had finally followed me to this point for the sake of protection, asks me to sit on the cushions fixed to the tent.

I would love to go," he says, "but I can't leave this place empty now. But I can't leave this place open right now, because I haven't finished organizing. I haven't finished organizing yet, you know. Well, in a day or two, you'll see the end of it. We'll move then.
Okay.
　Akatsuki nodded.

　There are only less than 200 people on this server, and Shiroe is a rider on the Eagle Lion (Gryphon). The only thing that can match this speed in the air is the Red Pterodactyl (Wyvern).
　It would take a long time for them to march through the mountains, but if Shiroe was the only one traveling, he could reach Krusty's or even the town of Choshi in half an hour.

　There are two reasons why Shiroe is currently based here.
　The first is that he can give orders to all his troops more quickly when he is near a large number of telepathic officers.
　The other reason is that in the midst of a fluid war situation, it is possible to rush to both the town of Choshi and Krusty's headquarters.

　What Shiroe is building is a communication network for the entire military unit.
　As long as this was in place, this expeditionary force would be a collection of experienced adventurers. In the meantime, it would be possible to carry out the operation automatically. Each platoon (or party) will have a leader, and a line of reporting and instructions will be secured. A horizontal network of communication between the units is organized, and a telegrapher (operator) is placed as a vertical communication network. Organize information received by the telegrapher, put it on a map, and visualize the movement.

　The level of tactics and strategies Shiroe had in mind was of a very limited scale.
　The level of tactics and strategies that Shiroe thinks of is very limited.
　Organize and visualize the situation. Once the discontinuities are discovered, thoroughly investigated, and points of interest are found, they are "staged" to make them appear effective. Shiroe's idea of a "strategy" is, in the end, nothing more than a collaborative process of research and staging.
　And most of it is just sober work that doesn't come to the surface, like the work he's doing now.

　However, as if to drown out Shiroe's thoughts, the voice of the telepathic communicator echoes in the tent.

"Shiroe-san!　Now, in the town of Chowsi, the Summer Camp team has begun fighting the Safagins. There are more than 60 adventurers, and the Safagin is said to have at least 1,000 of them. We're overwhelmingly outnumbered!

Tell Ocupete to hurry up and get to Ocupete.　And send for Miss Karasin. I've prepared the final configuration parameters, and I'll have the communications array up and running in a day. No, we have half a day to get our communications up and running.
　Shiroe unfolds a vastly annotated document on his desk. There is no doubt in his voice as he faces the dozen or so "telegraphic communicators" who look down on him from the surrounding area and begins to talk about his future prospects in simple words.

　For now, we will complete the command and communication network as soon as possible.
　And-- Shiroe bit her lip and thought about it.