This time, I was one of the exceptions to a remarkable double-decker promotion.



"Hello, Lieutenant Lilt. I heard you had a good run. What did you do to get in?"



　He's a geek.



"It's just a coincidence."



　He was miffed at my refusal to accept his provocation, but soon recovered his composure and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to provoke you.



"I guess so. You are not an Imperial soldier after all.



　Military character, huh?

　Yes, that's right.

　I'm having unorthodox thoughts about being an Imperial soldier right now.

　I'm about to get involved with the princess.



　I wanted to help her, if not directly, at least not to the point of taking her life.

　But I am not going to give up my work in the Reich.



　He needed to make time.

　As a lieutenant, I was taking everyone with me to the next battlefield, which unfortunately was in the west, opposite of the kingdom.

　There is no problem at all in leaving Merilia and the rest of the team in charge while they are on the move.

　But it would be bad if I am not there when the time comes to go out to the battlefield.

　I have been thinking about how to make time for that.



　Normally, this would be impossible.

　I'm going to the battlefield in the west, and I'm going to get involved in the affairs of the kingdoms in the east.

　But it could be done. Ironically, thanks to the princess.



"Hey. What do you have to say for yourself?"



　I guess I was so busy thinking that I didn't respond to Geek.

　He was impatient and urged me to respond.



"Oh, I'm sorry. I may not be an imperial soldier, but I'll do what I can.

"That's sweet. This is not a job to be entrusted to someone who is not ready for it. Do you understand that?　The battlefield in the west is not the same as the Cologne front. It is a battle that must be won. Losing is not an option. You seem to be good at one-upmanship, but are you up to the task?"



　Eleonor and Lilith, whose arms are entwined around Geek, laughed as he said this.

　Then the Geek said, "I'm going to go to the beach.



"You'll have to carry the load. I'll take your place. My next mission will be in the far east, in the territory my father rules."

"You're replacing ......?"

Yes. The East is not even at war to begin with. They're just waiting. That leaves no room for me. I'll tell you what, my father won't have anything to say about that kind of reassignment. What do you think?　Wouldn't that be a better fit for you than war?"



　Geek's proposal is a godsend.

　But I can't simply accept it, and I'm willing to do both.



I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to decline.

"Hmmm... ...... then let's duel."

"Duel ......?"

"Yes. To join the Western Front.

What's in it for me?

"Oh, you're afraid of losing?"



　Lilith was blatantly provoking me, but I continued.



"There is no merit, and I am not in a position to be allowed to be so selfish in the first place. Unfortunately, we don't have much time."

"I guess I'm just a coward after all, huh?"

"Hmm. "Hmm." Okay. Suit yourself. Let's go, we should be in the territory tomorrow.



　The Geek sneered and moved away.

　If you need to be on the road by tomorrow, it's already an imposition. In any case, if you do it normally, you should be able to make it in time. .......



"Wait a minute?"



　Geek is Lord Callum's son.

　Then he must know about that ancient mobile magic tool that Lord Kalm used, or at least be able to use it.

　And considering that he said he needed to move .......



"Can you put it on or ......"



　If we go after the Geeks, we may be able to use that magic tool here.

　This would save us a lot of time, which had been our biggest concern when we got involved in the Princess's case.



　I decided to go after the three of them, having gotten a big clue by chance.