◆ Chapter2.01　



　The eleven members of the Round Table Declination were gathered at the Guild Hall when Raynesia received an unexpected shock.
''Huh?''
So D.D.D. is going to be disbanded, because I've got a lot of paperwork to do.
　Nevertheless, with a self-control equal to the conditioned reflexes acquired in her aristocratic upbringing, Reinesia mended her expression and asked the gatekeeper of the D.D.D. headquarters, which looked like an armed tower, one more time.
''I knew you weren't here, Liese?
That's why he's not here.
　I found myself stiffening my expression.
　The gatekeeper, dressed in a black uniform, said with a sympathetic expression, "Riese-san and Sansa-san are both at a meeting (that). I'm sorry," he continued.
　Reinesia bowed her head politely and resigned.
　The Adventurer's movements are sudden and fast as the wind. In the case of the Earthmen, a meeting to decide the fate of their territory would be preceded by a month or more of back-and-forth correspondence, stationing of civil servants, and banquets, and then finally a few days of discussions. But with the Adventurers, it's different. Before they know it, a schedule is made, and they move like a gale on their own to hold a meeting with a small group of people without ceremony.
　This is due in large part to their ability to telekinesis, but to the Daichijinshi, this is certainly an oddity.
　You'll be able to find out if you're a good candidate for the job. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us. While this would not be the case in Maihama, in Akiba, Reinesia is quite free in her own right, and she is allowed to do so.
　This is a city of adventurers, and as long as the adventurers are around, they have no problem fighting an attack from the outside, and if the adventurers have bad intentions, no matter how hard Reinesia's guards try to protect her, they will not be able to do so, depending on what they think. was due to a much more backward reason.
　Walking unsteadily and lifting her gaze, Reinesia thought for a moment and continued further down the main street.
　The street, which in the Earth world was known as Central Avenue, had changed a lot over the past year. The avenue, described by Katagawah Sanchasen and the Adventurers, is now almost wide enough to be called a long square after the wreckage of the iron carriages had been cleared away. This width has been used to create a watering hole and plantings made from ancient trees in the center of the street, and here and there stalls and stalls have been set up to provide a place of relaxation. It was not a garden in the sense that Reinesia and the others (the earthlings) thought of it as a garden, but it was certainly a tranquil scene designed with a certain aesthetic sense and background.
　I'm not sure if I have a particular idea in mind, but I was in Liese's home and wanted to talk to her about something, so I didn't feel like going back to the mansion, so to speak.

'Reinesia.'
Akatsuki?
　As he beckoned me to approach it, it looked like a tea house with large cloth eaves propped up against the wooden planks overlooking the garden. Akatsuki was wearing a pretty dress with a large collar instead of her usual black attire. There were several tables and comfortable-looking chairs on the green-planted wooden deck, and Akatsuki sat at one of them, seemingly sipping a cup of thick tea.
'Is Reinesia here for tea too?'
No, it's not like that. ...Well, I just needed to get some air.
Your forehead is getting scared.
Well.
　When he answered through the fence, Akatsuki shifted the chair next to him a little and patted the linen cushions with a muffled swipe.
'Would you like to sit over here?　This place is fantastic.
Is that so?
　The melancholy agony from earlier seems to fade a bit as she looks at her friend with a chuckle on her face. The small, pretty, dark-haired girl is almost the first friend for Rainesia. They are clumsy with each other, constantly bothering those around them, and are often scolded by Elissa.
'It makes you feel more girlie,'
Mmm. Girl power.
　With a reluctant look on her face (of course it wasn't. It's just pretend), Reinesia walked into the cafe. A female waiter led her to a seat, and as she sat down, she saw a small flower in the planting. I don't know what kind, but they were white and modest, the kind of flowers the Daichijin wouldn't expect to see in a garden. The flowers were pretty, like white stars scattered across the dark green hedgerow-like growth.
　After making sure the maid who had been watching over us behind us took another seat, Reinesia finished her order as well. 'A chocolatey latte,' she said. Is this the kind of 'like' or 'like' that you see in Akiva's food and drink? There are many "adventurers" in the world. It's something that Reinesia and her fellow adventurers don't really understand, and it's something that is unique to the Adventurers.
　It was late afternoon, almost dusk, and the wind was refreshing across the city.
　The hint of rain from yesterday has disappeared, and the sound of rustling treetops is cool and refreshing.

''Delicious....''
Hmm.
　Looking down at the cup between her hands, she saw that the filled liquid was a marble-like surface. The slow rotation of the pattern was beautiful, and Raynesia often watched for a moment.
'I'm a little relieved,'
　If I mumble, I feel like I've been nervous the last few days. So I asked myself, "What's going on?　Did you get scolded by the black carriage man from Myhama? I was surprised by Akatsuki's words, "I've always thought that adventurers were special.
　I always thought that were special. It's a good thing that you've got a good idea of what you're looking for.
'How did you know?'
'I was watching. Because I was out with my lord and a carriage with the coat of arms of the Cowen family was headed for the house of Rainesia. If it was the messenger, it would have been a brown box carriage.　It was a fine black carriage, so I thought it was some kind of retribution. You looked so scared earlier.
　I understand what you're saying.
　Adventurers are a very light people, so they go everywhere on foot or otherwise by riding creatures. Rarely do they use carriages. If we were to talk about the kind of transport capacity the Daichijinshi desire for their carriages, the Adventurers use a magic bag. That's why noblemen's carriages must have been quite conspicuous in Akiba's streets.
　I'm not sure if it's a coincidence that Akatsuki saw it, but Reinesia thought that maybe there was already a rumor about it.
　But still--.
'Are you scared?'
Cancerous brow. Just like my lord.
''I see......... I didn't mean to do that.
　Raynesia touched her forehead. The gentle sound of her friend's word "lord" had no tinge of blame in it. So I can see that this pointing out is also a concern for Raynesia. Reinesia takes it in stride.
(It must have shown on her face enough to cause her to worry.)
　I suppose I should be reminded of this, but it was becoming somewhat of a reassuring sentimentality. Over the past six months, Reinesia had learned that it was warm and welcoming to have someone who understood you, even if you had to mend your ways.
'To tell you the truth, your mother is here. You know, the engagement.... Do you know what an engagement is?
Don't be ridiculous. Even the Adventurers have an engagement. Isn't that the promise of marriage?
'Yes. It's a promise, or rather, it's already a marriage of sorts, actually. ........it seems to have been decided. I may have to leave Akiba (here).
　So he honestly spoke his mind.
　Reinesia thinks that she is missing the point of what she is saying. Perhaps "speaking frankly" is a very difficult thing to do. Many people have all learned it from birth. Myself and Akatsuki are the newcomers in this matter, and we still have a lot to learn.
　But that's why we have to carefully search for the words so that our thoughts are not broken as much as possible.
''Mm.........''
I mean, please don't be so sad. I mean, it's just a normal thing to do.
'It's not that I'm in trouble, it's that Reinesia is in trouble.
　A troubled look, they say, and I wonder what it really is?　Raynesia wondered.
　I'm not unhappy.
　I'm not suffering or sad.
　Then are they in trouble?
　That's something Reinesia doesn't understand.
　There's a feeling of burning in the chest, a chattering, impatient and uncomfortable, a miserable feeling of having to do something and not knowing it. I can't put a name to it, but there is a desolate feeling, like I'm losing something.
　I've been carrying it with me since the moment I couldn't rebel against my mother Saraliya's words.
　Her frustration at herself for not knowing what to do, despite Elissa's encouragement, grew stronger.
　For Raynesia, her mother was someone she was forced to be aware of in many ways. Raised by her nanny and Elissa, Reinesia's mother was not someone she could indulge unconditionally. Rather, she was more of a teacher in an aristocratic society. She learned to be a lady, how to speak and behave, and how to behave as a lady. All of these things were given to Reinesia under the supervision of her mother Saraliya. Of course, my mother didn't teach me everything, though she did mean that she supervised a team of tutors.
　The tutors' eyes always seemed to reflect my mother's.
　They called her the Winter Rose of Eastar, influenced by her mother's nickname, the Pearl of Eastar. It seems that Leinecia was the second coming of her mother, Saraliyah, who was revered for her beautiful beauty and wisdom. She learned this from an early age.
　The hurdle people hoped for was Mother Saraliya's height, and fortunately or unfortunately, Reinesia was able to bite the bullet. At least in the etiquette and reputation of official events.
　--I don't remember my mother scolding me.
　But anytime I was in front of my mother, I would feel reprimanded.
　It was because of the inferiority complex in Reinesia. The other day's visit reminded Reinesia of the inferiority complex within herself, which she had thought she had lost touch with since coming to Akiba.

The other day, I was reminded of my own feelings about this visit.
I thought Raynesia was going out with Krusty (scary glasses).
Are you Krusty?　No way. No way.
　Reynesia was quietly sinking, so she looked up with a huff at her friend's words. No way. It's such a big deal. It's scary. Because it's that youkai, right?　And the denial runs through my brain, so much so that I don't even realize that my cheeks are stained.
'Because it sounds like you cared about it,'
It's your guardian knight...
　Reinesia averts her gaze as if to make an excuse and continues.
''In other words, that - a guardian knight is a guardian in the custom of the nobles (us). It means a role of protection, something like that. The truth is, I'm not in a position to wander around town like this. The reason I am able to roam the streets of Akiba with only my maids in tow is because Krusty-sama has stood behind me as a guardian, and this Akiba city is his territory. I am considered to be under the patronage of Lord Krusty.
Akiba is not D.D.D. territory.
　To Akatsuki, who nodded her head curiously, Reinesia continued her explanation.
'Yes, of course I know about it. I also know of it. It's also your grandfather. I'm sure you'll find that in this case, it was enough to stand as an excuse to the lord of the Free City Alliance Eastal. In other words, it's a tactic.
Okay.
　Yes, it is. And Reinesia is a little relieved and proud of herself for having worked through the explanation.
'But that guardian knight?　And it's not like we can't be in love with each other, is it?
　But the pursuit did not seem to be over.
　The two people who came to mind when it came to these types of stories were Fuever and Appletta. Those two guys also never let up when it comes to romantic discussions. I don't think it's any use listening to other people's love stories 《romance》, however, but if that's the case, in order to cut off the chase, maybe Reinesia should follow their example and fight back, too.
''.........Mm-hmm. Akatsuki-san isn't letting up. You're the one who's going out with Shiroe (scary glasses).
　The effect was immediate.
　He hadn't expected a counterattack. The reddened, slumped Akatsuki becomes small, and in a whispered voice, she makes an excuse: "I'm not afraid of my lord, he's kind and will let me ride him. He is gentle and will let you ride the "eagle lion" (griffon). The sight of him makes you want to hug him, and even Reinesia has to admit that there is a part of her that enjoys making fun of others.
　Reinesia watched with a smirk as the boiled Akatsuki held her cup to calm her feelings.
　Perhaps this is what love stories are supposed to be about.
　Sweet tea and crispy tea cakes surrounded by friends.
　Cool afternoons and lively gossip.
　It was certainly an exhilarating and yet secretive experience, which I've just learned for the first time.
　-- regrettably, in Reinesia's position, that was only allowed to the extent of making fun of her friend's belongings. Something about it hurt, but Reinesia tried to pass it off with a smile.

'That's not fair. Reinesia never talked to me about that kind of thing.
'-that's still the daughter of the Cowen family, so it's the house's decision to marry. That's what I've been taught, and I still believe that. Besides, for being the guardian and protector of the family, those spectral glasses aren't in this place right now. If it's true, it's the role of a guardian knight to complain to your father and grandfather and stop them from doing so, right?　If it looks like I'm going to be a detriment to me, you'll have to protest.
Is that so?
'It's just the way it is. It's kind of unreasonable to think about it.
　Reinesia made a ludicrous, indignant expression and held Krusty responsible. And now she realized that she had been repeating such accusations to Elissa and the maids for nearly half a year since Krusty had disappeared. The words of accusations and blame shifting against Krusty, probably because they had been repeated so many times, came out of the fountain like an overflowing stream and became smooth words.
　Strangely enough, as he did so, the melancholy and anguish in his mind quickly lightened.
　Surely Krusty had become a guardian knight in order to be blamed by Reinesia like this. Reinesia almost believed in such things.
'My lord says they're in China. Maybe there will be a rescue mission.
I don't think he's the kind of person who needs a rescue mission. I'm sure he's out cold, eating a delicious meal or sleeping in a hammock under a tree.
　Raynesia had never known a man as brazen, unmanageable, selfish, abrupt, strong, and s*xual as Krusty was. It was Krusty who was not deadly, and it never occurred to Reinesia that Krusty had been treated badly by someone else.
　Even if her adventurer friend had told her that he was having difficulty on a distant continent, she would have no idea.
　I'm sure Krusty wouldn't have any trouble with anyone but Krusty. On the contrary, Reinesia is envious of Krusty's freedom.
　So, as a counter-attack to such a Krusty, she made the most sullen expression (as far as Raynesia was concerned) and picked out a sarcastic word to use as a counter-attack to Krusty.
'Otherwise.
　Raynesia declared that with a proud heart.
　But the tone of her voice might have sounded a bit weak for the proud breathless daughter of the Cowen family of Myhama. The words to take the plunge sounded more lonely than Reinesia had expected.
'--I'm a little disappointed that I can't pull that off.
　After a few moments, she added her words to her friend, who took them in without saying anything.



Chapter2.02　



　After the catastrophe, Akiba's renovation of abandoned buildings has been progressing, but the pace of residential renovation has slowed down. This is because the housing supply for the 20,000 or so thousand or so Akiba residents has been taken care of.
　A small percentage of the Adventurers remember the chaos and uncertainty in the immediate aftermath of the Catastrophe, and their choice to live en masse in the existing guild halls has contributed to a significant reduction in the number of rooms needed. More adventurers chose to live in guild halls like the Crescent Moon League than those who chose to build private rooms in abandoned buildings in the city. If you were to rent a room for yourself, the equivalent of an Earth-living apartment or condo would be a long-term rental inn in Akiba. Both are dwellings that do not require renovation.
　On the other hand, the demand for non-residential renovation was increasing.
　More and more people are seeking such facilities in existing buildings, such as shops, meeting places, laboratories and large institutions. This was due to an increase in the number of adventurers, who had stabilized their daily lives and were beginning to focus on business and development, as well as the influx of Daichijin, who had dreams of starting a business in Akiba.
　In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the work of cleaning and renovating the ruins of the city was haphazard, but a year later, a great deal of know-how has been accumulated. There were not many construction experts among the adventurers, and even if they had been, they would not have been able to investigate the reliability of the materials or make accurate structural calculations because of the lack of uniformity in the materials themselves. Stone and steel are used in abundance. The lush nature, a few components for menu preparation, and the ability of the "adventurer" to construct heavy machinery were, in a sense, more reckless than in the budgetary and time-sensitive world of Earth.

　In the basement of the large multi-tenant building undergoing such renovation, in a space that was originally intended to be used as an underground parking lot, there was a space where huge bookcases were scattered about. However, to call it a bookshelf is a bit of a misnomer. Creepy masks, dried hands of monsters, bottled eyeballs, necklaces spilling golden glitter, old silk dresses, a plethora of dead grasses and specimens of insects - it was more like a bookcase. It would have been more of a naturalist's messy study.
　Li-Gan, the landlord, and Shiroe and the others were sitting across from each other in a reception area (now the landlord's living space) that the landlord had not wanted at all, but had been created with the care of an intermediary and a vendor. Sitting next to her is Akatsuki, a petite beauty dressed as a ninja as ever, and although it is unusual for her to want to participate in a meeting like this, she accompanies her because she is interested.
''This is delicious!
　Li-Gun alternately snapped at the cheesecake and quiche he held in each hand. Judging by his voracious appetite, he hadn't even eaten in a while. It only gushed from the magic jug like a dark brown tea that gushed out of it's unlimited supply of dark brown tea and chomped down on it.
　When Shiroe opened the pastry box, she didn't seem to be in a hurry to take out her favorite inkwell and notebook from her "magic bag" (magic bag).
''I read your letter beforehand, but, ah. The history of the aristocracy, the history of Yamato, huh?
　Shiroe nodded at Li-Gan, who swallowed with a slurp.
'Yeah. Inevitably, we have a rough understanding of background information, don't we? I thought Li-Gun-san, the Sage of Miral Lake, would be able to give us the most detailed and unbiased information on this matter.
''I can't say no to Shiroe-sama, now that you say so. Yes, yes. If that's the extent of the matter, of course, of course, you can leave it to this Li-Gun to handle!
Please.
　Shiroe honestly bowed his head.
　As I felt in the Old Court of Eternal Ice, this wise man is surprisingly very good at explaining things. It's been my experience at the university that professors who are immersed in one art form are not very good at explaining things because of their enthusiasm, but if anything, Shiroe thinks Li-Gun is the type of lecturer who is good at explaining things.
'Please,'
　Akatsuki, who today was spiffily dressed in his round table uniform, is also sitting upright with a serious rotten look on his face next to him. I don't know what he thought, but he ate and followed Shiroe's words of background circumstances.
　Li-Gan, who had been smiling at the request, took a big bite of quiche and began to speak as if he was ready.

'Well, where shall we begin? Well, at any rate, I guess we'll start with the whole process. We'll deepen the details later in a question and answer session, but it's best to keep the sketchy details to a minimum. I know there are some things that are known to you, Shiroe-sama, but please listen to me first.
　The smooth words of explanation showed that despite his aloofness, Li-Gan had summarized the policy of explanation to some extent at the time he received the letter of Siloe's request.
''-- The unified state that arose in the arc-shaped archipelago of Yamato about six hundred years ago, that is the . This was the beginning of the entire Yamato aristocracy as we know it today. This dynasty began with the Great Eastern Expedition of the hero Kumaso, and although it is still a bit of a mystery today, Kumaso became the first emperor and established a feudalism with him at the top that ruled all of Yamato. This was the founding of the West Runde dynasty. In the beginning, the ruling system of the dynasty was solid. Yamato was still underdeveloped, and there were fewer subordinate positions available back then than there are today. The emergence of knights and civil servants was particularly significant. The emergence of knights and civil servants was particularly significant. They made it more efficient. And in this case, that progress gave them a competitive edge. At the time of the founding of the West Runde dynasty, not all of Yamato was under their control, but their territory was expanding rapidly. It's a long story, but in any case, it's a big country.
　Akatsuki nodded cooing next to him.
　Shiroe returned his gaze to Li-Gun.

''However, as is the case with many giant states, after the death of the first emperor, their ruling system gradually loosened up as well. Well, I don't think there was anything that could be done about that. It's not anyone's fault. In this dangerous, swirling world of Seldesia, the Westlande Imperial Dynasty had grown too big!　I think that's why. At this time, the center of the Westlande imperial dynasty was the area around the Sea of Set, right? During this period, the imperial dynasty was corrupt, but it was rapidly improving its system. --Well, it enriched it in terms of culture and structure. I guess the system was good to begin with. I think it was the most productive period, even if it was a bit of a stagger. That's because the four families of the Duke were doing so well.
　It's like Rome.　Shiroe thought so, but then reminded himself that it wasn't so bad. Yamato - that is, if it was even a quarter of the area of Japan, it would be impossible to compare it to an empire as large as Rome. Even though it was a dominant nation, its size must be much smaller.
''What are the Four Dukes?''
　Next to her, Akatsuki asks with a curious look on her face. Apparently she's full of motivation today.

''I didn't know the first question was there, no!　Your eyes are so high!
　The explanation continued to Akatsuki, who was thumping his chest in response to Li-Gun's well-tuned response.
''So the four families that supported the founding of the Westlande Imperial Dynasty were the highest-ranking dukes among the nobility. So these are the four families of dukes. Nine Tail, which included a vast granary area - well, according to Shiroe-sama's notes, it was in Kyushu. The dukes of Nine-Tail were the ones who ruled that area. Then there was the Duke of Forland. This had a mission to protect and cultivate the Forlands on the Sea of Set.
　Shiroe remembered the initial setting of Elder Tail. He hadn't been too aware of it, but it certainly seemed that roughly such background information existed. Forland.........Shikoku should have been left as a dangerous field zone with little content, and Kyushu should have been the front line against the 〈Ugly Pig Demon〉(Orcs).
''Then there's the Duke Udell family. This one didn't have its own fiefdom, but instead had a prosperous city called Rande, and later became a court nobleman supporting the Imperial King. The House of Woodell was treated as the first duke. Finally, the dukes of Maihama were appointed for their contribution to the development and protection of the East. --These four dukes were related to the Emperor, though they were different in distance, but they supported and developed the dynasty of the Westlande Emperor while maintaining their blood ties to the King. That is, until the Arv War.
　Akatsuki's expression brightened at the part about the Dukes of Maihama.
　Rather than the development he had hoped for, he was probably relieved to find the words he knew.
　Speaking of Shiroe, his mind was in a dark cloud of uncertainty about the future.
　Listening to this history, I can only have a feeling that the Duke of Akiva, or whatever it is that Ains has received, will be a nasty spark no matter how it turns out. To begin with, Maihama and Akiba are too close to each other. I don't know what the sense of the nobles is, but a power struggle will have to occur, won't it?　I'm getting a headache, but that can wait for now. Shiroe also listened to the rest of the story.

About three hundred and seventy years ago, an all-out war that began as a localized conflict soon swept the world like a bonfire. The rejection and persecution of the indigenous peoples of Arv had finally reached its limits. From this time on, the world was plunged into an era of great warfare that lasted more than a hundred years. Can you believe it, Lord Shiroe?　It wasn't just Yamato. There was a time when the entire world was at war. And it was a never-ending nightmare of sorts. As I've explained before, the last surviving survivor of Arv, the Six Tilt Princess, turned the world into a nightmare with the curse of World Fraction, or the curse on the world of endlessly born sub-humans!
　Nodding, Akatsuki whispered with a curious expression, "My lord, I've heard this before. He must be in the mood for a lecture. Shiroe also put her hand over her mouth and said in a whisper, "That's right. That's what Li-Gan told me in the Old Court of Eternal Ice," she whispered back.
　It was normal in this basement study where there were only three people, but that voice must have naturally caught Li-Gan's ear. He smiled and took it in, and the conversation continued further.
'Yes, that's right. You are right," he said, "during the hundred years of warfare, humanity - I don't like to use this word, but we, the human race, have also devised a variety of measures. I'm ashamed to say that we, Miral Lake, also made a name for ourselves in the midst of this warfare, and received the title of a wise man. As I've told you before, the Northririan Project gave birth to the three beastly tribes of the Cat People, the Wolf Fang Clan, and the Foxtail Clan, as well as the Law Clan. --The development of technology to counterattack was a global trend, but the Yamato had its own set of incidents and events. Just like the great wars that occurred on a global scale during this era, Yamato was invaded by the witches of Alv, the "Two Princesses" in later times. No matter how hard they fought off the sub-human forces, they were so numerous that they attacked without limit, and the dukes of Nine Tail, Forland, and Maihama were in a very difficult situation. The Lords and Lords Association in Eastern Yamato, what is now known as the Isthmian Lords, were in a particularly difficult position because they had sent many of their knights to defend the center of the dynasty, the land known as the Lande Realm. Naturally, the lords asked the center to discuss defense plans for the entire Yamato region and to reorganize the army, but the dynastic government ignored the request for help from this region. However, the dynastic government ignored the requests for help from the region and practically executed a policy of devaluation.
　Akatsuki gave him a pouting look as if he couldn't quite understand it.
　It wasn't much different for Shiroe either. Rather than being difficult, it was due to the time lag in understanding the overly long explanation.
''In short... um, my lord.''
　Shiroe tries to sort it out in his own words as he responds to Akatsuki's call for help.
'Capital defense........is it?　Has the government cut down on the provinces after rallying the troops for the　How is that possible?
Yes, sir. It doesn't say so in the history books, but the Westlande dynasty has betrayed itself.



Chapter2.03　



The military forces of the dynasty were called the 'Forbidden Army' under the king, and the dynasty, fearing the rebellion of the provinces, was reluctant to allow the nobles to build up their forces. Apparently, political friction was in the center, and until the middle of the war, the court judged that 'it would be more convenient for centralized power if the local nobles were exhausted to some extent'. It can only be said to be foolish, but this decision led to the complete destruction of the Duke of Falland's territory. The penetration of the 〈Lizard Man〉(Lizardman) was overwhelmingly faster than expected. Having lost control of the Sea of Set, Central built a line of defense in the capital of Kyou. As a result, the Duke of Nine-Tail was also killed in a battle with the 〈Ugly Pig Demon〉 (Orc) army... and Nine-Tail was close to being disintegrated in mid-air.
　The abandoned Duke of Forland territory was destroyed.
　The Duke of Nine Taille also died when no reinforcements arrived.

But when the Knights of the Watchtower, led by then-Duke Lucius, who had gone to their death to secure the roads, were destroyed on the outskirts of Lande's true territory, they were mentally torn apart from the center.
I don't know what to say.
　Shiroe sighed, feeling as if he had swallowed something bitter.
　Of course, one could defend the central government. In this medieval world, immediate communications would have been far inferior to modern society. Even a call for reinforcements or a fraying of the battle lines would have been difficult for the central government to detect, and it is not hard to imagine the delay in judgment.
　Moreover, even if they had sent reinforcements, it is not certain that the result would have been different from the present situation if they had sent them. If the enemy forces were overwhelmingly superior in strength, the result could be disastrous. Conserving forces does not immediately prove to be a fool's errand.
　Nevertheless, it was a terrible idea.
　As far as Shiroe knew, Yamato's culture was completely centered in the west. The capital of Yamato is the capital of Kyou. In the context of the game, the original intention was to set the home base of the Adventurers in Akiba, and the Daichijins were to be based in the Kansai region. However, this is the reality in the world of Seldesia. I'm sure that Fourland in Shikoku and Nine Tail in Kyushu were much more geographically and economically important than Kanto, even for the central government of the Westlande dynasty. It was a region of much greater geographical and economic importance than Kanto and other parts of Japan, even under the central government of the Westlande Imperial Dynasty.
　Although Shiroe is not well versed in military history, the circumstances make him suspect that this was a near-catastrophe.
　Moreover, the loss of Eastern Yamato's reinforcements was a stomach-churning thought, even though it was someone else's life in the past.

''It would have been nice if the story ended there...''
Is there more?
　Li-Gang's explanation continued over Akatsuki's shameless voice.
''Don't you think it's a strange name, the Westlande Imperial Dynasty?　You call yourself the Holy Empire of the Westlands now, don't you?
Speaking of which.
Due to the curse of the Two Princesses, a dungeon known as the Heian Forbidden City has arisen in the center of the city of Kyou. The Senate tried to protect itself and turned the capital of Kyou into a fortified city, but that was their downfall. Sub-humans arose from the center of the city, and as a result of their blitzkrieg invasion, Kyou's capital fell overnight. Not only that, but the King of Time and his family were all killed in battle. We barely managed to seal the Demon in the dungeon, but almost all of the Forbidden Army was destroyed. Well, to be honest, the dynasty is dead. It's over.
　After an ugly struggle that involved sacrificing other dukes and provinces, the dynasty was destroyed.
　Not a single good thing about it, I suppose.
''By the way, the ones who didn't give up were the Duke of Udell and the Senate. They got the survivors together and withdrew to Icoma and resumed their rule there. Then they ordered all of Yamato to reclaim the true Landé territory.
　The word "Rande Shinryo" didn't ring a bell, but from the context, Shiroe guessed it was a nuance roughly similar to "Kinai". I'm sure it means about the countries close to Kyoto. In the case of Japan in the global world, it has a similar connotation to the city center. If that's the case, the provisional government that took refuge in Yokosuka would have given the order to retake the city center.　If you understand it that way, it's not an incomprehensible command in itself. However--.
''........However, at this point in time, Nine Tail is in turmoil and Forland is destroyed. In effect, this order was an order for the entire army to be offered to Duke Maihama, but Duke Maihama was also furious at this. The Senate, which had left his son to die at the gate, wiped their mouths at his actions and conveniently called for reinforcements. In the first place, it was the dukes of the same rank who issued that order, the Duke of Udell family. The imperial royal family has already been destroyed. The royal family has already been destroyed, and the dukes of Maihama have no reason to simply disobey. It was not a royal decree.
Hmm.
　Even Akatsuki, with his arms crossed, has a difficult look on his face.
　That's the way it will be, that's all I can say about the flow of things. I suppose Li-Gun's explanation is also adjusted to make the flow of events easier to understand, but even so, all I can say is that the Senate and the Duke of Udell's family have blundered badly.
　The recovery of the Kinai will be important, but no one will follow the order to get things back on track.
''So the people in the east don't like Westlande?
　Akatsuki's words showed that she understood this history in her own way.
　Of course, that was a fairly straightforward understanding, and it may have been stripped of various elements, but it was still an understanding.
'Yes, it is. This is the cause of the East-West feud that continues to this day, isn't it?
　The next time you're in the area, take a sip of the dark tea from the cup at hand, as well as Li-Gang, responding to Akatsuki's reaction. Akatsuki and Shiroe both breathed the cool, limpid air of the basement. It wasn't a story directly related to himself, but it was still the kind of history that was exhausting to understand and chew on.

'What is it with the Saimiya family?'
　It was Akatsuki who read the memo he took out of his pocket. Shiroe's unexpectedly studious attitude made him change his view. Even as Shiroe, that was an interesting question, though he knew the outline. When I returned my gaze to Li-Gun, he seemed ready to supplement his explanation.
You'll find the answer to that question by explaining what happens after that. --After the destruction of the Forbidden Army, the Senate didn't have the strength to fight, and managed to reorganize itself by absorbing the fleeing Forland soldiers. Fortunately, the Wolf Fang Clan's mountain tribesmen helped us at this stage. The Senate was now able to breathe a sigh of relief and proceed with the attack on Suzaku Mon and set up a simple warding system. The advent of the Adventurers was also a great help. With the idea of establishing a new order of things, the Senate invited the Saigu family, a family that had retained the lineage of the previous emperor from Ise. The Saigu family was a kind of branch family in which the girls of the imperial family relinquished their rights of succession in order to pray to the gods of heaven. They brought this family and claimed that the lineage was legitimate and that the royal family had not ceased to exist. The Westlande dynasty was transformed from a powerful dynastic state by the Emperor to a powerful state by the Senate, and became the Holy See of Westlande.
You mean, the fake imperial family?
Well, from the point of view of the Lords of Eastar, I suppose so.
　To Akatsuki's too open-ended question, Li-Gun also answered with a wry smile.
　Only to continue to quickly return to a serious expression.
''But it's also a delicate subject. Is it the legitimate bloodline of the Imperial Royal Family?　So, technically speaking, it's probably not the same thing. But the fact is that they are relatives, and quite close relatives. --The Westlande dynasty has a long history in Yamato. It has had its ups and downs, but its image as a generally peaceful and glorious nation is strong. Many of the minzos respect it unconditionally just because it is of the imperial royal lineage, and they consider it the ruler of this Yamato. The authority is there.
　Shiroe thinks that's true about this matter.
　The Free City Alliance Eastal, which does not recognize him as the Emperor, has a certain amount of free will and does not recognize him under that. This is because of the past and emotional differences, of course, but on the other hand, there is no doubt that there is no benefit to be gained by integrating them politically at this point in time.
　On the other hand, the Holy Empire of Westlande, which seeks vassalage, is planning to unite the Yamato "Daichijin" in order to expand its power and to retake the Nine Tail and the Falland. Of course, this may be rooted in the greed for power of the Senate and the Saigu family, but if it does not lead to the well-being of the Daichijins, it is more likely to contribute to a stable and unified government.
　It's not that either is better or worse, but their positions and interests are different.

That authority is why you have appointed Mr. Ains as Duke of Akiva, isn't it?
Yes, that's right. No one but the Saigu family could ordain a duke in today's Yamato.
On a whim, Wet Feather's whim, the southern plant hwyaden has been cracked.
If I was distracted by the thought...
　Shiroe believes that the probability of a large-scale battle between the Adventurers within Yamato is very low.
　However, I have long suspected that a clash between the Daichijins, or more specifically, between the East and West of Yamato, is in the offing. Shiroe's prediction of the ugliest future that could befall the Yamato in the next few years is that of an armed clash between the Holy Empire of West Runde and the Alliance of Free Cities of Eastal, and the adventurers who would be caught up in it.
　It's not that I don't like the fact that I'm not a fan of the idea, but I didn't think that the conspiracy to do so might explode under my feet. I was thinking that Ains would channel information to|Plant hwyaden, or that there would be a conspiracy in the economic and logistical genres.
　I'm sure the fact that I didn't think of knighthood by authority is a limitation of the Japanese born Siloe, whose status system is now a thing of the past.

I don't know about Shiroe and the rest of the adventurers, but in Yamato, the home of intrigue is the Senate. I don't know if Duke Udell or the Saigu family took the initiative, but I didn't think they would be able to pull off a move like this either.
Yes.
　Shiroe nods with such remorse and de-empowerment, and Li-Gan says some encouraging words to Akatsuki, who comforts him.
It's not like they have that much power in reality. As you know, neither the current Senate nor the Saigu family actually have any kind of military power. With the destruction of the Nine Tail and Forland, they are not in a position to cooperate with the center. I didn't mention it, but the Ezzo Empire hates Westarande even more than the Free Cities Alliance Eastar. They may have enormous economic power compared to those Daichijins, but that doesn't mean they can't influence the adventurer's city of Akiba. They have authority, but to put it another way, the Saimiya family has nothing but authority.
The Authority...
　Certainly, in that sense, the funds brought to the "Honesti" may be nothing more than a mere trifle. The public works budget that Ains wants is not a one-time thing. It is a constant expense of some degree.
　And, like Shiroe, Yamato's "adventurers" are Japanese whose status system is completely obsolete. None of them would unconditionally bow down to the authority of the Saimiya family.
They are planning to cut down the family, don't you think?
　Doesn't it make little sense to say how effective this knighthood would be in cutting down the Adventurer, etc.?　In fact, Shiroe could only think that it was rather counterproductive. Shiroe was aware of his lack of experience in this regard, and that's why he hadn't let his guard down. If anything, it could be said that this was one move ahead of the conspiracy of the .
　Shiroe only fell silent with a stern look on his face at the effect, which he had yet to see.