I'm going to go wash my face to calm down. Brother.

　After Lysette left the house, looking like a boiled egg all over, not just her face...

　We decided to have a strategy meeting.

The problem is about the letter from Princess Sylvia.

　I spread out the parchment on the table so that Haruka and the others could see it.
　Haruka, Yukino, and Prim, who was kneeling on a chair, all peered at it at once.

　Princess Sylvia has asked me to maintain the security of the Kitor territory.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

...... If that's true, it's not something you'd ask me to do.

　Is that how much you trust me?
　Or maybe that's how far the Kittle Lord has been pushed.

　Or is it the latter, since you brought up political marriage?
　I don't think it's a good idea for Princess Sylvia to be my concubine.
　To be honest, I don't care if you say that. I know you're desperate, but...

　If the princess were to get sick, injured, or even die in the frontier, there is a possibility that the relationship with the Kittle Lord would be completely strained.
　I also wonder if the human Princess Sylvia can survive in a frontier full of subhumans.

I want to hear your opinion as a military strategist. What do you think Prim?
I'm against the idea of political marriage.

　On her knees in her chair, Prim bowed her head deeply.

If a human princess were to live on the frontier and something happened to her, she might antagonize the Kittle Patriarchate. And now that her father, Argos-Kittle, is missing, she is of little value as a hostage.
It's a good thing I'm a military strategist. That's dry. ......
You can build a castle near the border between the frontier and Kittle's domain, and have the princess live there. It's a good idea to make it a neutral zone. It's a strategy to make it a neutral zone, so that there will be harmony between the Kittle Patriarchate and the frontier.
"...... I see.
However, Princess Sylvia should be taken as a hostage, not a concubine.

　Prim then sat back in her chair.

I understand your point of view. I understand your opinion, but let's wait until things settle down a bit before we deal with Princess Sylvia.

　Right now, the Kittle territory is in turmoil.
　It's dangerous to pull Princess Sylvia out in this situation.

But I will support the Kittle territory. "But I'll support the Kittle Keep. I'll also look for the magic circle. I'll take that.
I think that's a good idea. My king.

　Prim stood up and nodded.

Besides, it would cause trouble to have a concubine when the king's queen has not yet been chosen.
"Queen? ......
I'm sure you're aware of that, but I'm not. However, if a more powerful lord were to say, "If you don't have a wife, I'd love to have one," it would be very difficult to refuse.
"Is that how it works?
I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.
"...... Okay. What are Haruka and Yukino's opinions on ......?

　I looked at the two of them.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

I'm not afraid of that.　It's not going to change the fact that my brother and I are family.
I don't have a problem with ...... either. I don't have a problem with it either. It's part of my loyalty to the True Lord.
By the way, I'm skipping the part about Lysette trying to eat the king's shirt.
Are you sure about that? Prim.
"It is the Harpy's custom not to listen to excuses from children who have done wrong.
"Oh, .........

　Me, Haruka and Yukino nodded.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

But that's all right, Prim, please write back to Princess Sylvia.

　I said.

"Tell her that the King of the Frontier will be visiting her territory in support of the Kitoru Guard. Tell her that the King of the Frontier will be visiting the territory to support the Kittle Estate, but in small numbers and in secret so as not to unsettle the people.
"Yes, sir. My king.
I'm sure you'll be able to figure out the best way to get around. If you can activate the magic circle quickly, the demons in the Governor's territory will disappear. Princess Sylvia will be relieved.
"All right. What about you, Shoma?
I'll go to ...... and pacify Lysette.

　Outside the house, there are wet footprints on the ground.
　Lysette had come back once earlier. But when she heard Prim's story, she went back into hiding.
　We have to find her and bring her back.

Lysette, where are you?
No, no, no. Lysette was just trying to get her brother's magic. She borrowed your laundry to do it. She wasn't intoxicated by the feeling of being wrapped up in you. ......


I know, I know.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Lysette is at .......
Okay. Let's go home. Lysette.

　Lysette was red in the face when I pulled her out from behind the tree.
　Even her words were fuzzy. It's like she's an infant.

I'll talk to you later. I'm leaving.
"Brother. No, sir. Lysette is not a naughty or ...... weird girl. ......
Yes, yes.

　I picked up Lysette and took her home.





　"At a certain place in the territory of the Grand Protectorate of Kittle...




"...... Just between you and me. It seems that the lord Argos-Kittle is dead.

　In a tavern in a village, a merchant said.

"For rebelling against the Ten Wise Masters. It is said that the Lord Argos was trying to move the other lords to kill all the Ten Wise Men. And now his scheme has been discovered.
Well, what about the Lord Keeper's domain? What about us?
...... Shhhh. Your voice is high.

　The large merchant put his finger to his mouth, silencing the other customers who had begun to fuss.
　He ordered some more drinks and paused.
　Then, looking at his customers, as if to make sure his words had gone far enough, he said

Do you think that Princess Sylvia and Princess Llanes can rule this territory alone?
"Oh, I think so." "She's the daughter of the great Governor Kittle." "She can handle it.
Yeah, I hope so, too.
Yeah, I hope so, too. - What's with all the condescension?
"When a country is in turmoil, a demon appears. It's the way of the world.

　The merchant clinked his wine cup.

"I saw a village two blocks away being burned by demons.
"I saw two villages over there being burned by demons.
"I appreciate the efforts of Princess Sylvia and the others, but ...... You can't expect a young princess to be able to defeat all the demons. I'm not worried about the merchants in the city, but I am worried about you.
...... What am I supposed to do, slay demons, and what's the princess doing?
Yeah, I know. If you want, I can bring you weapons next time.

　The merchant raised his hand and called the shopkeeper.
　The merchant raised his hand and called the shopkeeper.

"In the meantime, you should think about what to do with yourself. What will we do now? What are we going to do now? Will the Kittle family protect us?

　With these words, the merchant left the tavern.




"How did it go?
"On a scale of one to five, I'd say C.
Midway. One more push. Do we use bandits or demons?
Too much is bad. If this territory goes to ruin, it's worthless.
It's better to keep it easy to cut. Even if it's a little rotten, as long as there's some edible part left.
People like you don't understand politics. ......



Hey!　Hey, you merchant!



　Suddenly, a voice rang out.
　Suddenly, a voice sounded. Two men who had been hiding in the alleyway, a large merchant and a small man in robes, looked up.

　On the main street of the village, soldiers were standing.
　There were five of them. All of them wore armor and held spears in their hands.
　Behind them is one of the customers at the tavern. He's hiding behind the guards and pointing at me.


"I see. It seems that the princess of Kittle is not a fool.
"You've been looking for the rumor-monger? You must be a fool if you didn't notice the handlers in the tavern.
"Don't talk so big, hired hand!

　The merchant drew his dagger and ran out of the alley.
　The soldiers reacted to his movement by raising their shields.
　The shields lined up in a horizontal line against the alley was a wall.

Do you think you can escape?
"Who do you think you are?　What are you doing in our Kittle territory?


"You're gonna tell me everything you know!　All of you!

　Hearing the cries of the guards the merchant and the man laughed.

"I don't need to use my magic on a bunch of provincials. Come with me. Come, dog.

　The man in the robe muttered.
　At the same time, the guards looked up.

　A beastly shadow leapt down from the roof.

"What the hell? What the hell are they, beasts, or are they sub-humans?
What are they?

　The shadows were in human form.
　But they had the ears of a beast on their heads and the tail of a beast on their hips.

　With short sticks in their hands, they attacked the soldiers at once.
　The soldiers were punched, kicked, and knocked down.

"What do you think? What do you think of these people I've made with my black magic?
"Will they not have swords?
What does a beast need such a fine thing?
I was wondering if you had any idea what they'd do if they crossed you.
My magic is not so weak. Besides, we have to leave witnesses, don't we?

　The soldiers had already fallen and were groaning on the ground.
　Hearing the commotion, a man comes from across the street.

"Look, the soldiers will testify. The soldiers will testify that it was the subhumans who attacked them. The princess of Kittle will be watching the northern frontier. And while she's doing that...
"...... Don't stay long. Let's go.

　The merchant and the men started running.
　The beastmen have disappeared for some time. They're moving on the roof.

The Ten Wise Men intend to take this territory for themselves. ......?
You're talking too loud, black wizard.
No, I'm just checking.
The ...... Kittle Patriarch was defiant to the Ten Wise Men. And the invading army was defeated. Anyone who dares to undermine the authority of the Ten Sages cannot be allowed to live.
"How greedy of you... but I see your point. The Kittle family will not be around much longer.

　The man in the robes bared his teeth and smiled.
　Then he began to whisper.

"...... Smile, my foolish client. In time, black flames will erupt from this land and cover the whole land. Be the foundation for that, Grand Lord Kittle...