--When Leon Glantz entered the reception room, his meeting partner, Polk Nadar, was already looking annoyed.


　...... Polk Nadar.
　You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　Even so, the flesh protruding from every part of his body can be described as utter laziness.
　Flabby cheeks.
　Eyelids crushed and narrowed by flesh.
　The face is stained with sooty blackness, as if the internal organs have been compromised.
　He looks like a fat pig or a bullfrog with a bad appetite.
　The flabby flesh stored in front of him gives the impression that he is leaning backward, which adds to his arrogance.


　He is currently sitting on the sofa in the reception room, receiving a report from his subordinate.
　He is blowing wildly on his cigar in front of his retainers who are kneeling down to bow to him.
　The room was filled with cigar smoke, probably because he was enjoying cigars so much that ventilation was inadequate.
　He may be reaching for a cigar to cover up his frustration, but it seems he still has the same attitude when things go wrong.


"...... Seiran got away with it. Lucky bastard.

And... He is currently returning to Rastinel and calling on the lords to gather there. They will probably invade the territory as soon as they are ready.

"I suppose you're right. His breach of trust has been exposed. They won't even listen to me anymore.


　Poluk Nadar exhaled a mouthful of cigar smoke, further polluting the air in the room.
　Meanwhile, his subordinate, hit by the smell, choked lightly a couple of times and continued talking.


"Sir. I have something to say.

"What is it?

If the Dauphin is going to raise an army, isn't it essential to attack and destroy it before it's ready? I'm not sure what to do, but as soon as the organization is in place, I think it would be a good idea to attack from here.


　Poluk Nadar's subordinate suggested a plausible plan, but Poluk Nadar did not agree.


"Hmph!　I'm not afraid of Ceylan!　It will be easier for our men to fight if we take our time to prepare.

But won't the longer we wait, the more the enemy will gather?

I am aware of that. But this order to assemble was not given by the King, but by the Crown Prince Ceylan. Lords do not gather so easily. Besides, we have the Empire on our side. As long as we can count on the support of the great powers, we should just take the siege. --Isn't that right?　General Glanz.


　Poluk Nadar opens his eyelids and turns his goggle-eyed gaze at me.
　The expression on his face is one of confidence in the Empire's generous support.
　But.


"No, I wouldn't do that.

"No?　Why the hell not?

"The Empire has decided not to send reinforcements to this battle.


　The Empire has decided not to send any reinforcements to this battle. Poluk Nadar slams the reception desk with both hands as hard as he can.
　The expression on his face is one of impatient anger.
　Then he came at me with a frothing-at-the-mouth attitude.


"How can you do that!　If the Empire sends reinforcements here, they can certainly take out Siran!　Why would the Empire want to ruin such a great opportunity?

"Count. Currently, the Empire has no intention to fight the Kingdom. We already have two fronts in the north, further expansion of the fronts could strangle us.

"So you're abandoning me!　You know how many dangerous bridges I've crossed for the Empire so far!

Indeed.

Well!

Count. This has already been decided. I'm only a general, I can't overrule the Emperor's order.

Ugh. ...... Oh, no, no, no. ......


　Polk Nadar grunted like a squashed frog and held his head.


But make no mistake about it. The Empire is not abandoning you. The Empire is not abandoning you, and we are prepared to pay you back for your subservience to the Empire.

That's only meaningful if we win the war!

Then win it you will. You can take Ceylan's head as planned. If you can do that, the Empire will be ready to receive you with the same count status as now. And just because the Empire can't send an army doesn't mean I won't help you.


　As he announced the good news for Poluk Nadar, his blood color visibly improved.
　Then he let out a mouthful of anguish with a huge breath of relief.


"General ......, you're being mean.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I thought it would be better to give you the bad news first.

So how many reinforcements can you provide?

Part of the army ...... is about five hundred, give or take.



"Only ...... five hundred?　General Gruntz should be in a position to command a lot more troops!　Why are there so few of you?

"I am entrusted with the Emperor's army. It's true that I can lead an army of 10,000, but only under orders from above. I can't move them all at will. This is the best I can do. Please bear with me.

"Ugh, .......


　As Polk Nadar's face darkens, his subordinate looks at his master as if to cling to him.


"What can I do for you, Count ......?

You can't go on fighting a siege with no hope of ...... reinforcements!　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I have.　The only way to find a way out is by opening up!　My squire, Vair Elun!　Hurry up and prepare!

"Haha!


　Poluk Nadar's subordinates received the instructions and promptly left the reception room.
　He must be in a hurry to raise an army and organize his troops.
　I can only imagine the hardships involved.
　If he did not do so, he and his master would be killed or captured and hanged.
　He would have to do it.



But it's unheard of for the Dauphin to start an army without waiting for the King's orders.



　At about the same time a young woman's voice rang out.
　The smoke from the cigars that had been drifting around the room like a haze dissipated as if nothing had happened.
　Aryus, the woman in the white mask, suddenly appeared in the room.
　As if a black tinge had been peeled from the shadows in the corner, a black garment stood behind Poluk Nadar.
　The way she spoke made it seem as if she had been in this room for a long time.


　The sudden appearance startled Poluk Nadar, but he quickly exhaled as if he understood.


"Lord Aluas?

"It's been a long time, Count. I've been away for a long time, Count, and I hope you'll forgive me for being a lowly fool.

"Yes. No problem.


　A brief greeting is exchanged between Aluas and Poluk Nadar.
　...... When she appeared, she spoke of the actions of the Dauphin Ceylan.
　She said that Ceylan's attempt to start an army was an act of supremacy.
　In any country, it is considered unacceptable for a member of the royal family other than the king to collect troops or issue orders to the lords.
　Even the legitimate son of the king is not allowed to raise an army without permission, for it would not only upset the balance of power, but could also lead to rebellion.


　This time, when Ceylan returned to the Rustinelle territory, he immediately called on the lords to assemble.
　He may have meant to strike Poluk Nadar immediately without pause.
　The fact that he did it before the king's order reached the lords means that he broke the commandment.

"...... Indeed. As Lord Aluas said, Ceylan's actions this time would be equivalent to treason against King Shinru.

"Then it will be easy. Then it will be easy for you to take advantage of it.

You want me to criticize Ceylan for disrespecting King Shinru, both at home and abroad?

Yes. Then King Rynor will have no choice but to punish him, will he not?


　Yes.
　If King Shinru overlooks this, the authority of King Rynor will be damaged.
　If King Shinru overlooks this, it will damage the authority of King Rynor.


No, I can't do that.

　But it was Poluk Nadar, a nobleman of the kingdom, who refuted that.


What do you mean by that, my lord?

"Well. Lord Aulus' proposal would have been possible in the past. But things are a little different with Ceylan.

Different?

Yes. Ceylan's position in the kingdom is different from that of the previous Dauphin.


　Poluk Nadar's words ring a bell.


"So, Count. Is there any truth to the story?

"Yes.


　Poluk Nadar nodded in the affirmative.
　This is a story that has been rumored to be true for a long time.
　The origins of Ceylan Crosselrode, Dauphin of Rynor, are a great mystery.
　His authority is said to surpass that of his father, the current king, Shinru Crosselrode.
　But that's only if the story is true.


"If they're right, won't the troops rally to Ceylan?　Even though it hasn't been officially announced yet, the lords are aware of it as you are, aren't they?

"No. While Ceylan has the right to gather his troops, this is the first time he's called for them. In the absence of the king's orders, some of them may want to wait and see. Unlike the Empire, the Kingdom is not as well controlled in this area, and its coercive power over the Lords is a bit lax. Naturally, since Ceylan's position is still unclear, there will be those who will take an opportunistic stance.


　Since Ceylan's position is still unclear, the nobles who agreed to participate in the gathering could be accused of disrespecting the king.
　There are more than a few who are concerned about that.
　Poluk Nadar explained to that extent, and then raised one eyebrow as if he had suddenly realized.


I'm sure you're not a general who doesn't understand that.

Yes, he does.



"...... General Glanz. If you know what you're doing, please don't ask.

No. I just wanted to ask you what you think of the Count. What does the Count think of Ceylan?


　It's known from the way he's been talking that Poluk Nadar doesn't think too highly of Ceylan.
　But that doesn't mean he's not aware of the situation.
　If Poluk Nadar is too vague, our plan will not work.
　But Poluk Nadar didn't seem to be bothered by my questioning tone.


"General Gruntz. "General Glanz, please send us reinforcements.

"You can count on it. I promise you that I will bring the best of my men, however few they may be.

Absolutely. I'll make sure of it.


　Poluk Nadar reminded him, "I must make my move," and walked out of the reception room.
　As in the past, it was only Aluas and his men in the reception room.
　The servants were still nervous, as if they were not used to Aluas's mysteriousness.
　I'm not sure what to make of this.


...... I was surprised. I thought Polk Nadar was as good as he looked, but he's very careful.

If he was as he seemed, King Shinru would not have entrusted him with the borders. Poluk Nadar may be a greedy pig, but at least he is not a commoner.

"So you appreciate Poluk Nadar, my lord.

"To the extent that he is somewhat intelligent, yes.

"But that would mean that the King of Rynor was not a good judge of character. The king of Rynor was not a good judge of character. He put a man in an important position who would have betrayed him.

"No, I think you are willing to be betrayed on your own. That's why the neighboring lords didn't hesitate in their actions.


　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the following web site: ....... For King Shinru, Poluk Nadar is a temporary bulwark. If not, he would have moved it back to the center as soon as diplomatic relations were stabilized.


　...... Although I feel some pity that Poluk Nadar is being sacrificed by both the Kingdom and the Empire.


No, politics is deep. I've only been on the path of magic, so the subtleties of politics like that are difficult for me.


　Aryus says such a thing, but I wonder if he's right.
　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out the basics, even though you say you're not familiar with them.


But...


　In the midst of all this, Aryus suddenly landed in my ear.
　I don't know what kind of trick he used, but before my followers could move.
　And then...


　--"General, you've gotten greedy, haven't you?


　That's what he whispered to me.


"............


　It must have been about the reinforcements.
　The original plan was to send no reinforcements, but to have Poluk Nadar provide them.
　That way, there would be no pain for the Empire and the possibility of suspicion of its involvement would be minimized.
　However, if he could get Ceylan's head here, he could cause a lot of damage to the kingdom.


　That's why I asked the Emperor for permission.
　I asked for permission to deploy.


　So, it is indeed greed.
　Because I thought I could reach him, I greedily prepared reinforcements, and Aulus pointed it out to me.


　Yes, that's all this is.