The throne room, the center of the temple, is glittering with color.

　Gold, silver and jewels are everywhere.
　The carpets are made of the finest fabrics from the maritime nation of Grandshell.
　A veil of light silk hangs from the ceiling like a curtain.
　The potted plants are from the Hanai Islands in the tropics. A cycad-like plant, reminiscent of a hohori, is displayed in a pot, creating an exotic atmosphere.
　The pale, unreliable glow of the luminescent stones, studded with colorful crystals, reveals the room.
　Perhaps it is the aroma of the oil lamps that accentuates the mysteriousness of the room.
　A fantastic atmosphere pervades the entire room.


　To call this a throne room would be too flowery and somewhat undignified.
　Although there is a red flag at the back of the room, there is a large sofa on the step where the throne should be, and the fur of a rare species of beast is laid out in its original shape.
　It is no exaggeration to say that this is a scene of all the luxury in the world.
　It is as if this room is telling us that they have everything, money and things.


　On the sofa is a man with very thin lines.
　He is so thin that the word "slender" comes to mind first, rather than the word "clever.
　But while he is thin, there is nothing morbidly unhealthy about him.
　His body is full of vitality, and his eyes always have a silvery glint in them, as if reflected by a blade.
　She is dressed in white silk, with gold bracelets and necklace, and sandals on her feet.
　Their fingers are thin, as if they were women's slender fingers.
　Her skin is white, as if she were a doll made of white porcelain.
　Her close-cropped golden hair is crowned with laurel.
　His face is so innocent that it reminds you of a teenage boy, but he has a dignity that you would never think of as a boy.


　--Aurela, Imperial Capital of the Gillis Empire, Palace of Hades, throne room.


　Leon Glantz, a member of the Eastern Army, was in the presence of Gillis Emperor Richardio Ghirlandi.
　He was leaning back on the sofa, quietly petting a white tiger cub.
　But his silver eyes are still fixed on Leon.
　Now, after reporting the outcome of the battle at Nadar.
　Then, his mouth, which had been tied shut, opened.


"So you lost. I never thought that you, the ever-victorious one, would be defeated by the Dragon's Son.

"The Emperor has given me permission to attack, but I have failed in my plan. I am very sorry.


　Leon bowed even more deeply from his kneeling position.
　Then a bald-headed man standing beside Lichartio shouted angrily.


Sorry will not suffice!　It's not just that the raid failed, it's also that we lost half of the mage corps that had been trained in the new magic.

"I have no words to reply to that, Your Highness. If the Emperor wishes, I'm willing to give him my head at any time.

Of course!　I'm sure there'll be some kind of...

"Wait and see.


　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　It is Balg Gulba, a member of the Central Army of the Gillis Empire.
　He has a huge frame that makes you look up at him when you stand up.
　He has a beard and an annoyingly long beard.
　His hairy face is reminiscent of a bison.
　Yes, he is the unjust soldier who almost threatened Arx and Ceylan in the clash on the Mildare Plains.


　Now, even though he was in front of the emperor, his gaze was fixed on the vizier as he irreverently sat on his haunches.
　On the other hand, as the Vizier's eyes flickered, Balgu Guruva pointed at him and said.


"Vizier. If Leon is to be punished, then I am to be punished as well.

"Gosh, you're ......

Isn't that right?　If the general is to blame for the defeat, must I not also be to blame?　If I were a general, I'd have to take the blame, too.


　Baruch Gurba said and pressed the Prime Minister.
　If I am in the same position, I should be punished as well.
　Even though the Vizier wants to be punished, he is the one who is gnashing his teeth.
　This is the opposite. It's as if the Prime Minister, who is in a higher position, is being cornered.


Barg, stop.

But...

It's all right.


　Leon admonished Guruva, who sat down and quietly approached the Prime Minister.
　Leon remonstrates with Gulba, who remains seated and quietly approaches the vizier.


"My Vizier.

What?

"Good. I forgive you for this blunder.

"I humbly request that you allow me to address the Emperor.

Very well. Permission granted. What do you say, my Prime Minister?

What do you suggest, my Prime Minister? ...... There must be punishment for missteps, according to the principle of honor and punishment. In order to consolidate the Emperor's throne, I think that General Gruntz should be punished in some way.

"Hmm, ...... punishment.

"Haha.


　But Richiartio answered without a pause for thought.


I'm sure there's no reason why you should be punished for what you've done. The most important thing for me in this matter was to experiment with a new type of magic and to obtain information on the mages of the kingdom. If you have obtained them without delay, then I can say that the plan has worked.



But isn't it a painful loss to lose most of the mages who were trained in the magic brought by the Silver Star?

I'm sure the Viscount has the new magic under control. I'm sure Leon will be able to help you with that. Isn't that right?

Yes. I've already discussed it.

Good. All you have to do is get another mage to learn it. As for the outcome of the war, the Dragonborn was just that good. You can see that from his ability to gather an army. We should be happy that we have seen a part of the Dragonborn's ability this time. In fact, it's a good result. All the damage that seems to have been done was done by the other side.


　Yes, if you look at the results, the kingdom has just defeated a turncoat ally.
　It is true that the empire also lost a mage and a black panther rider, but the number of them is small, and the empire, which has a lot of human resources, is not hurt or itchy.
　Emperor Lichartio added, "Besides," he said.


If you punish my lion, you must also punish the others who have failed to conquer the kingdom so far. Then there will be no need to rehash them.


　Richiartio said, but the Prime Minister voiced his concerns.


"Your Majesty, what if the kingdom complains about this latest outing?

"That is not a problem. There was a contract between Dusseyr and Poluk Nadar. Tell the messenger that Dusseyr has sent troops in accordance with that contract, and that the kingdom has no knowledge of it.

"So you're saying that Dusseyr has sole control over all of this?　And his clan?

"Sacrifice them. Hunt down the heads of every member of his clan and send them to Shinru.

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


　Hearing Richardio's cold words, Leon fell silent.
　Knowing what the young general was thinking and fighting for, his ruthless instructions were heartbreaking.


　But the Emperor seemed to think Leon's concern was something else.


"My lion. Don't worry about it. In any case, now that there's been a defection, the kingdom doesn't have the stomach to send troops out. Isn't that right?

"......


　Leon nodded at Rhialtio's words.
　A word was spoken, but of course it would not be directed at the defeated and dead.


　--The emperor is made of mechanical devices.


　The emperor is a trickster.
　It was a word that was whispered both inside and outside the empire about Emperor Richard.
　The emperor has no compassion for others.
　No love is the same as no blood.
　Therefore, he is just like a puppet made of a spring and gears.
　That's why the emperor is made of tangles.


"Your Majesty, aren't you absolutely certain that this is impossible?　Even if he hasn't defeated Ceylan, the kingdom could still retaliate.

"No, my lion knew that would never happen. Isn't that right?

It is inevitable that we will have a war with the Kingdom over this, but it will only be a skirmish. It's unlikely to turn into a large-scale war.

"That's true. Shinru has to show such an appearance at home and abroad. But I'm sure Shinru agrees with me that he doesn't want any major conflicts.


　I guess.
　When a nobleman, who is the key to the protection of the frontier, rebels, it is impossible for him to go on an expedition.
　The kingdom would have to put renewed effort into tightening the grip of its own nobles, and it would not be able to launch a large-scale retaliatory war.
　Even if it did, it would be a small battle called retaliation.
　No matter how it turns out, it is certain to end in a harmonious manner.
　Regardless of the arrangement, if neither side wants to fight, it is inevitable that this matter will die out spontaneously.
　Of course, this will only happen if both leaders are rational.


"Prime Minister. Shinru is not the kind of man to fight a war based on emotion. If he were foolish enough to wage an unwinnable war, he would already be with me.

What?

"Even if Ceylan had been killed, so would he, who understands the essentials of warfare. He will.


　Yes, war requires not only the unity of soldiers and generals, but also the unity of the whole nation.
　The point of warfare is that the luck of the heavens, which is an opportunity, is not equal to the reason of the earth, and the advantage of the earth is not equal to the heart of man or the unity of the army. The luck of the heavens and the advantage of the earth cannot be controlled by human hands, but human beings can do something about it.
　In the war of the kingdom, only when the nobles tighten up and confirm their intentions with the lords can they bring out their full strength.
　Therefore, the army should not be moved now that the country is not united.


　Just then, an official came into the room.
　Does he have something urgent to report?
　Eventually, the official drops to his knees and makes a deep bow.


"What's going on?

Ha ha. I have something to report. Your Highness, the Crown Prince has returned.


　After the official gave his report, the door of the room was opened wide.
　The one who entered the throne room was a boy with the same golden hair as Richardio.


　He walked lightly, with his followers trailing behind him.
　He was in his late teens.
　His appearance was so similar to that of Emperor Richard that he could be mistaken for a brother.
　The only difference is that the corners of his eyes are slightly drooping to make his face look softer.
　Depending on who you look at, there may be a difference in opinion as to which is the older or younger brother.
　He is, however, the son of a true Rhialtio.


　Ernesto Ghirlandi, Crown Prince of the Empire of Gyris.
　When Ernesto entered the room, he made a grand bow.
　He then walked up to the steps and bowed deeply, this time on his knees.


"Your Majesty, Crown Prince Ernesto, I have just returned from Dunbarud in the north.

"My boy, are you back?

"Yes, Your Majesty. It's been a long time.

"Yes.


　After Richiartio's words, Ernesto suddenly looked around.


I thought I'd just give you a quick update. ...... Am I interrupting anything?

"No, not at all.

What the hell were you talking about?

I was just getting a report from my lion on an operation in the east.

Eastern?　The kingdom's .......

Yes.


　Ernesto closes his eyes as if in deep thought, and then opens his mouth.


I'm sure there's no reason for our country to be fighting with the kingdom right now,......, so what secret operations have they been carrying out?


　But Emperor Richardio did not answer.
　Ernesto, no doubt accustomed to his father's tone, now looked into Leon's face.


"Hmm, the lion looks even more mysterious than usual. So, you know. That's unusual for you.

"It's no problem, sir.

No, no, no. A war can only be won, lost, or painfully divided. It can't be helped. And I'm sure the lion is in less pain than you.

Ha-ha.

I'm sure.


　When Leon replied in the affirmative, Ernesto nodded in satisfaction with a carefree expression.


"Son?

The... Your Majesty.

"Report.

"In this decisive battle, the Northern Danbalds have surrendered to our forces.

Yes. I'm sure.


　Richiartio dismisses it as a matter of course.
　Ernesto, on the other hand, was not happy with the emperor's attitude.


I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had it.

"My boy. Praise is only deserved by those who have done more than their size. You don't need praise for all the work you can do.

I'm not sure if they ...... trust me or not.


　Ernesto shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly and shook his head.
　It is not a compliment to be aloof in public in front of the emperor, the supreme authority, even if he is ...... your own son.
　But no one blames Ernesto for his attitude, because he knows the relationship between them.


"How are the soldiers doing, son?


　When Richiartio asked, Ernesto looked troubled.


I'm sure you're aware of that.

The invasion of Dunbarudo was a long one. It's been a long time since the capture of Dunbarood. Even though we have surrendered, the situation can easily be turned upside down if the remnants of the army try to catch us in the act.

"As you wish.


　In response to Richiartio's instructions, Ernesto still made a grand bow.


"So now all that's left is Maidalia?

"Haha. The resistance will be more fierce than ever.

"...... extermination. Let it be well known that there is a difference in treatment between the surrendered Dunbarudo and the Maidalia.

That's going to take some time.

No matter. We need to be ready to fight the Kingdom. The kingdom is not so naive as to take on Maidalia at the same time.

I'm sure it is. The kingdom has a national mage, ten monarchs, and local nobles to contend with.


　In the meantime, Lichartio stopped petting the tiger cub and looked at Leon as if he remembered.


"Now, my lion. "So, my lion, was it Ceylan who defeated Dusseyr?

"No. Just .......

"What is it?

Lord Aulus tells me it was due to the great efforts of his squire.

Squire?



"Well. I've heard that Ceylan was followed by a silver-haired boy in addition to his bodyguard, and that he protected him to the end without regard for his own safety.

"How ......?


　I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm not sure if you've heard of it.
　He slaps his knee as if remembering something from that time.


"Oh!　You're that young warrior!　Well, well, well. Young people are not to be underestimated. ......


　Barug-Gulba looked impressed.
　The emperor seemed to be impressed by Bargh Gurva's attitude.


"Huh?　It's rare for someone to leave a lasting impression on you.

Haha. The one who stood in front of Ceylan and the Kingsguard when they approached. It's been a while since anyone other than a national mage has inflicted pain with magic.

"You?

You? I was about the same age as Ceylan, so I remember him well.


　The Prime Minister was surprised to hear Barg Gulba's words.


"Nonsense!　You're the same age as Ceylan?　Isn't he like ten or so years old?


　Leon added to his astonishment, as if he couldn't believe it.


I'm not sure what to say. Even though Ceylan was there, he was able to defeat them almost single-handedly. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.

"How ......


　The Prime Minister was left speechless.
　It was completely unbelievable that a boy of around ten years old, no matter how good a mage he was, could defeat the elite of the empire.
　The emperor, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes mysteriously.


What is the name of the dragon's apprentice who has obtained a weapon?

What is his name? "Arx Raytheft, from Lord Aulus.

"Arx Raytheft of ...... Rynor was a famous warrior.

The wrought-iron mage Cleve Arbent is also of Raytheft, though he is no longer with us.

"Hmm. ......


　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.