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　夜――マジックアイテム特有の白々とした光が会議場を照らしている。
　ラルフは席に座り、アルフォートの到着を待つ。
　待っているのはブルクマイヤー尚書局長も同じだ。
　彼は対面の席に座り、だらしなく相好を崩していた。
　ボウティーズ財務局長が死んだ今、重臣は自分しかいない。
　ならば財務局長の地位は自分のものと考えているのだろう。
　くだらない妄想だ。
　どうして、自分が財務局長になれると都合良く信じられるのだろう。
　まったく、度し難い男だ。
　財務局長の地位は自分のものだというのに。
　だが、まあ、反乱が一段落したら地位を譲ってやってもいいだろう。
　もちろん、ラルフを害さないという覚書を交わした上で。
　それくらいしなければ信用できない。
　ベティル――ピスケ宰相の姿はないが、これはいつものことだ。
　体調を崩したとかで登城することもなくなっている。
　変にやる気を出されても困るのでそのまま屋敷に引き籠もって欲しい。
　それにしても、とラルフは会議場の扉を見つめた。
　会議室に来てから大分経つが、アルフォートはまだ来ない。
　自分で呼び出しておきながらとは思うが、アルフォートはそういう男だ。
　外面――どうすれば皇帝らしく見られるか、そればかりを気にしている。
　皇帝ぶっても中身が伴っていなければ何の意味もない。
　不意に先帝――ラマル五世のことを思い出した。
　今にして思えばラマル五世にはそういう所がなかった。
　優秀な弟がいたからか、自分が無能であると自覚していた。
　プライドもなかった。
　優秀な弟のせいでプライドが育たなかったのかも知れない。
　周囲が持ち上げても間近に比較対象が存在するのだ。
　しかも、自分より優秀な。
　よほどの馬鹿でない限り、自分が無能だと気付くというものだ。
　アルフォートを見ていると、ラマル五世が有能だったように思えてくる。
　まあ、実際は無能だった。
　無能で、プライドを持たなかった。
　だからこそ、傭兵如きに頭を下げ、アルコルなんぞに全権を委任できたのだ。
　そう思ってきたが――。

「……ああ」

　ラルフは小さく息を漏らした。
　ラマル五世は国家運営を最優先していたのだ。
　だから、傭兵に頭を下げられたし、アルコルに全権を委ねられた。
　結果、国を立て直した。
　それこそが彼の誇りだったと考えるのは穿ち過ぎだろうか。
　It seems possible.
　Maybe he was proudly beating his chest when he was alone.
　As I was thinking about this, the door opened.
　Of course, it was Alfort who opened the door.
　Finally, Ralph straightened his residence, "You're here at last," he said.
　Alfort sat down in his seat and turned over.
　I don't think he's heartbroken over the death of Treasurer Bawties.
　You would think that the emperor would do that after losing his chief minister.
　The consequences are truly inexcusable.
　We might as well put him out of his misery.
　I'm wondering what you're thinking when you made me do it.

"Director of Finance Bowties is dead.
'Oh, my God!

　As Alfort squeezed out, the director of the Burkmeier Shorthand Bureau raised his voice.
　It was too deliberate.

''What a tragedy that the chief minister who supported me was killed!
Well, I didn't expect to get killed...

　Oh, oh~, said Burkmeier's Director General of the Shangdi Bookstore, covering his face with his hands.
　How long do I have to go along with this travesty?
　He was slightly irritated.

''But, but I will not be dented!　For the sake of Treasurer Bawties, let's defeat the rebels and make the Empire prosperous!
"Your Majesty!　I can help in spite of myself!
'Director Burkmeier, thank you for your loyalty.
'No, no, no, no, no, no!　If it is my pleasure to serve you!

　Oh!　And they covered their faces.
　It sounded like a dog barking, but perhaps they were trying to cry.
　Ralph folded his hands and prayed to God.
　He was a man of little faith, and he still felt like he should be made to do so.
　But he felt that he could at least pray for him here.
　After a while, the howls are broken.

''We have to decide on a replacement for Director of Finance Bowties.

　'Your Majesty,' said Ralph, raising his hand.

'What?'
I would like to request that you authorize me to act as treasurer of the Bowties.
What--
What?

　Burkmeier's voice was interrupted by Burkmeier's Director General of the Shorthand Bureau, who shouted.

Director Burkmeier.
I'm sorry.

　When Alfort glared at him, Burkmeier's Director General of the Shogun's Book Department shunned him.

'And why is that?'
"Your Majesty, the Empire is in grave danger.
What?

　Alfort's eyes widened in surprise.
　That's why it was quite dangerous when they held the port, but apparently they didn't understand.
　He let out a small sigh, wondering what kind of education he had given them.

''We have already lost ten thousand troops to combat, sir.
'My God!　Ten thousand!

　Alfort's eyes widened again.
　He had reported it properly, but did he really not grasp it?
　If this was an act, why would he do such a futile thing?
　I don't understand.

''Well then....
Your left....
If we don't hold a memorial service for the dead...
No, sir.

　Ralph plunged in with his bare hands.

'Well, then, the wounded--'
"Your Majesty, you mustn't let your priorities be misplaced.

　Ralph interrupted Alfort's words.

'We must put down the rebellion. We can do as much as we want afterwards, including a memorial service.'
But as an emperor...
"Your Majesty, I'll say it again. "Your Majesty, I'll say it again: your priorities must not be misplaced. Now is the time to do everything in our power to crush the rebellion.
But...
"Your Majesty will be killed if you don't do everything in your power here.
"-Oh!

　Alfort gasped.

'Why, why would they kill me?
That's because the purpose of the rebellion is to restore Princess Tyria to power.
Why is your sister-in-law there?
Her Majesty stands in the way of Princess Tyria's ascension to the throne.
We may have different mothers, but we're not siblings...

　Alfort looks like he's about to cry.
　He seems to be very afraid of being killed.
　In the first place, this rebellion happened because Alfort tried to kill his brother-in-law - Crono.
　What's more, Alfort wanted to kill Princess Tilia.
　So how could he think that he would not be killed?
　I don't understand.
　If you give power to an incompetent person, does he think he has become a god?
　It's an interesting work of the mind.
　If he was a doctor, he must have studied it.

'Your Majesty, I reiterate. Our first priority now is to put down the rebellion.
No, but as your emperor...

　Do you really want to have a memorial service so badly when you will be the one being consoled at this point?
　Ralph opened his mouth in disgust.

'Our lives are in danger if we don't put down the rebellion. The rebels are only half a day's ride away and the surrounding lords are envious of the rebels.
Why are the neighboring lords?
I don't know, sir.

　I know how you feel if you're honest.
　I would overlook any number of rebels if I could sell them a favor just by watching them come and go.
　They are selfish.

But one thing is for certain. "But one thing is certain, the lords of the neighborhood have put us in a difficult position.
What do you mean?
...a detachment of the rebel army is attacking our supply convoy.

　I'm reporting this too, but does Alfort read the report?
　No, he's an idiot who wants to hold a memorial service under these circumstances.
　It's better to think that he doesn't know anything about it.
　It's less irritating that way.

''We need to be more flexible in our movements to protect His Majesty's life.
Yes, I did it to save my life.

　Alfort said, choking on his words.

'You are on the left, sir,'
....

　Alfort fell silent.
　Did he finally realize that his life was in danger?
　After a moment, Burkmeier's Director General of the Shang Palace Bookstore opened his mouth.

''Your Majesty!''
You have my permission to speak.
'With all due respect, I do not agree with the idea of the Director of Military Affairs also serving as the Director of Finance. That would allow the military to operate at its own discretion.
Well, Director General Burgmeier, do you think I'm just going to set up my own army?
Well that's it.

　Mr. Burkmeier kept quiet.
　It would have been easier for me if you had assured me that this was the case, but I had no choice.

'Well, here's what I'll do. I will hand over my authority as the head of the Military Affairs Department to Mr. Burkmeier when this rebellion is put down. What do you think?
Well, well, in that case...

　Director General Burkmeier simply retreated.
　Well, it's not surprising.

What do you think, Your Majesty?
Mm-hmm, yo, you're gonna protect me, aren't you?

　'Of course,' returned Ralph shortly.

'Well, then, I'll grant you a joint appointment.
Thank you.

　Ralph bowed politely.

You must, you must, you must, you must, you must protect me.
Of course, sir.

　Frankly, I don't care about Alfort's life.
　But putting down the rebels will help protect Alfort's life.
　In that sense, our own interests are aligned.
　Anyway, we can now move the army without worrying about the budget.
　However, Ralph is not so optimistic as to think that we can win with this.
　No, even if he is optimistic, his chances of winning are not that high.
　If they tried to recruit soldiers, the surrounding lords will surely give up on the empire.
　The merchants will probably flee if they see that they are losing.
　He thinks that now is the time to use his trump card (Leonhardt) and quickly reconsiders.
　That one has only the interests of the Duke of Palatium's family in mind.
　After all, he's a man who betrays his friends.
　If we don't create a situation where he can't betray us, he might kill us.

''Your... your majesty.
What, what?
Would you be willing to write a manifesto?
So who do you want me to write to?
"To the Duke of Palatium.
Okay, okay.

　Alfort nodded without showing any signs of distress.
　Under normal circumstances, it was unlikely that the Duke of Palatium would lend his power to Alfort.
　It would be much more beneficial to lend his power to the rebels.
　But people don't work on merits and demerits alone.



　In the morning - Peter took his men and went to Alfilk Castle.
　Because he was ordered to transport supplies.
　Last night he had a drink and slept.
　With the logistics stalled, alcohol is valuable.
　He could have used a little more, but he felt good.
　I feel better after drinking and sleeping for a night.
　In short, the injured man's case didn't matter that much.
　All that mattered now was the business at hand.
　I could be attacked by rebels again.
　The thought of that makes me feel gloomy.
　Nevertheless, work is work.
　We have to do this seriously.
　Peter reached Alfilk Castle and let out a breath of relief.
　The wagon was not gone.
　And there were no wounded in sight.
　Unfortunately, the corpses were still there - but they were still there.
　As Peter was thinking about what to do with the corpse, the subordinate next to him opened his mouth.

''I heard that the treasurer of the Bowties was killed by the wounded last night.
Now that you mention it, I've heard that story.
Is that all?

　A subordinate said quizzically.
　Perhaps he meant to say that Ralph Libra, Director of Military Affairs, had arranged for that to happen.
　Peter thinks so, too.
　But there's no evidence, and there's too much uncertainty for a conspiracy.
　One could assume that he bet on it succeeding, but that's not a very smart thing to do.
　Oh, no, maybe it's clever in a roundabout way.
　You could have killed him without leaving any evidence.

'Don't think about it. I don't give a shit what they're doing upstairs.
Yeah, well, that's true.
Come on, let's go talk to each other.

　Denouncing the Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, won't change anything.
　They'll just duck and duck, or they'll just add more bodies.

"Yes, sir.
That's okay.
So, will you do as you please what do you want with the body?
Yeah.

　Even though it was wintertime, I couldn't just dump him in front of the castle.
　If someone was willing to bury him, I would, but I don't think that will happen.

'We'll take it to the cemetery north of the city.
Give me a hand and a shovel, and I'll bury you.
That's not our job.

　We're a supply corps.
　We'll transport the wounded and corpses if we're ordered to, but we're not funeral directors.

'Most likely, you can't dig a grave for thousands of people very quickly.
Well, it's going to take some time.
To begin with, we don't have any shovels.
There are so many of them.
It's a supply run.

　Peter let out a small sigh.

'It's something that should be delivered to the Imperial camp, not something we can use.
Is this what you need?

　My man made a gesture of slitting his throat with his thumb.

I don't know that much.
I guess I'm just going to the Brig.
Do you want to try it?
No.
I don't like it either.

　The subordinate said as if he was miffed, and Peter replied as well.

'In the first place, I don't know how even those supplies came together.
"Captain.
What?
It's not our job to think about it.
You're right.

　Peter chuckled at his subordinate's words.
　We'll get the job done.
　That's all you need to think about.

Let's move the bodies to the cemetery.
Ha!

　At Peter's words, his men straightened up.

*

　Peter and the others dropped the bodies off at the cemetery and left the Imperial City with a load of supplies.
　The eyes of the residents were just as bad as yesterday's.
　But I felt better than yesterday.
　I am doing my job.
　That realization made him feel better.
　That's right.
　I am, we are doing our job.
　We are working, just like farmers, craftsmen and merchants.
　Why?
　Because if we don't, we can't make a living.
　Sometimes we have to do jobs we don't want to do in order to make a living.
　Sometimes you have to bow down even if you think it's unreasonable.
　That's what work is all about.
　At least that's what Peter understood.
　I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but it's my job too.
　He could have just thought of it that way, but he took a detour.
　Peter got on his horse and rode west along the city road.
　It's like riding a horse for the first time.
　His vision is high - or he feels like he can see things better.
　It only feels that way.
　If you are ambushed - you can call yourself "I feel like I can see things clearly".
　As I was going on with that thought, my subordinate called out to me.

''Captain, do you think the rebels will attack?''
He'll attack us.
It's not easy being the only one with a shovel and tools.
They're just doing their job.

　Peter stroked his chin.

'The advance party, you're not coming back.
Yeah.

　He lowers the tone of his voice and phases in.
　He has a few cavalrymen ahead of him, but at this rate, he may have been hit.

'When we were attacked--'
Yes, like we said.
That's okay.

　As planned, we will only be transporting supplies first.
　The soldier in the rear will serve as a lord--.

But are you sure about that?
What?
I was wondering if it was okay to surrender.
That's up to you to decide.

　However, it's up to them to take you as a prisoner of war.
　They could be severely tortured after they're captured.

I hope they don't punish you.
'Tell them you put a load on the enemy's logistics at the time.
Does it pass?
It's going to come to pass, I think.
Be optimistic.
Quiet.

　Peter raised his hand, interrupting his subordinate's words.
　There is a black shadow far ahead.
　It's--.

'Proceed!

　Peter shouted and rode his horse.
　A few of his men followed him.
　After a few moments, he realized what the shadow was.
　I should say so.
　It was his men who were lying on the street.
　However, there was only one of them.
　The other members were gone.
　Furthermore, there was a stone lying on the roadway.
　Just like last time, it was covered with stones for dozens of meters.
　Peter jumped off his horse a few meters before the stones.
　He then picked up the wooden board he had tied to the saddle.
　He presses it to the ground and continues forward.
　Once every few years, the Imperial City is covered in snow.
　In short, it's a snow removal flurry.
　Stones are played off the planks, creating just enough space for wheels to pass through.
　I look next to him and see that his men are popping the stones as well.
　Having cleared enough space for the wagon to pass, Peter turned around.

'd*mn!'

　I spit out a small amount.
　Smoke was rising in the rear of the supply party.
　But we can't go to help.
　Last time it had burned down forty percent of their provisions.

'Move on!　Move it!　Move on!

　Just as Peter shouted, a wagon passed in front of him at breakneck speed.
　It was so fast that it threatened to drop its load.
　If he hadn't tied it up, he would have dropped his load.



　Now what do we do?　And Kane watches the battle.
　The archers and horsemen shoot arrows and the enemy soldiers return fire.
　However, the arrows of the enemy soldiers are not reaching us.
　There is a difference in the performance of the weapons, but the fact that the view is blocked by smoke is also significant.
　If the enemy soldiers fired their arrows at an angle, they might reach us.
　We won't lose even if we continue to fight this way but--''

''Alright!　We're retreating!
Do you think you can win this fight if you keep fighting?

　One of the archers' horsemen utters such a question as he shoots an arrow.
　I'd like you to follow him silently, but there's still room for you.
　It's a commander's job to train his men.

"They're Lord, and the main army is long gone.
Yeah, sure.

　The archer cavalry nodded.
　Even Kane could sense that the main enemy force was retreating.
　There was no way the elves, who had excellent eyesight and hearing, could not fail to notice.

''We may be able to take them prisoner.
Prisoner of war.

　Kane scratched his head.
　He'd thought about it before, but--'

"It's a pain in the ass to have them in custody. It's a long way to base camp, so it's a pain in the ass to bring them in. It's also a pain in the ass to monitor and care for them.
I see.

　The archer cavalryman gave a look that said he'd come to a point.

''To begin with, they're common soldiers. I don't have much information on them.
That too, I suppose.
Are you convinced?
Yes, I did.
Okay, then, we're out of here.

　Kane turned his horse's head around and continued east on the city road.
　But, he added in his mind.
　The enemy supply party was able to escape with minimal casualties.
　No doubt they had learned from their last mistake.
　It's tricky to let them grow on us.
　I'm going to have to make do with a variety of tactics myself--

But we can't afford to get our heads around them.

　Kane muttered to himself.

*

　Evening.

Hey, how's it going?
It's what you see.

　When Roy called out to him, Richard cowered lightly.
　Around him, ordinary soldiers were digging into the ground.
　It was about chest to waist deep, but wide enough that no human, elf or dwarf could jump over it.
　It is about four hundred meters long.
　Considering the area of the field position, the progress is by no means good.
　Nevertheless, Roy did not intend to blame Richard and the others.
　They were able to dig this far without shovels and pickaxes.
　In fact, they should be commended.

'They're not attacking us, are they?
That's because the insurgents fight on the defensive.

　Richard muttered and Roy returned it lightly.
　The rebel army relies on field positions to fight.
　No, they can only fight in a way that relies on the field position.
　It's a painful way to take advantage of their limited hand.
　However, the same is true for the Empire, which has its own limitations.
　While dealing with the rebels, they also have to be wary of the southern frontier.
　In addition, the upper echelons of the government have slowed down logistics and there is no prospect of improving the situation.
　The situation must be cleared up in as short a time as possible.
　The rebel army that must be attacked is defending and the imperial army that must be defended is attacking.
　The world is full of cynicism, after all.
　You can't help but feel that you are part of it.

"Isn't that a good thing?
'But I'm worried. I feel eyes on me at night, and I look around and see them staring at me from the nearby woods.
That's just plain harassment.
It's simple, but effective.

　Richard said disgustedly.
　It's probably even easier to notice since he's playing the role of a supervisor.
　Even so, it's quite a feat to put a load on our minds without fighting.

''We're under a night attack, you know. I feel like I'm being told I can kill you at any time.''
What makes you think they won't attack us?
I don't know. Maybe he's just trying to make us think he won't try it.
Are you really that careless?
I guess so.
You think?
I read about it in a war story or something.

　Richard said something like that when Roy parroted the question.

'Ha~ You've been a serious student, haven't you?
I've been a serious student, though.

　Richard said with a sigh.

'Does that mean they know about it?
'I don't know. It's such a minor book that I can't even remember the title...
But it's a book.
Yeah.

　Richard nodded as he finally got the point across.
　The fact that it was in a book meant that anyone could learn it.
　In the extreme, sub-humans would be able to do the same thing if they could read the letters.
　Maybe it's more troublesome than I thought.
　As I thought about this, I heard the horse's whine.
　I looked in the direction where I heard the horse's cries and saw a supply team.
　As Roy headed down the supply party, Richard followed somewhat behind.
　It was Peter who was leading the horses forward.

'Oh, good job,'
Thanks for your help. I've got some supplies for you.

　Peter dismounted and saluted Roy.
　Oh, and his eyes widened lightly.
　Because he had a confident demeanor, as if he was a different person.
　It seemed to glow from his body.

'Where are the rebels?'
We were attacked. Casualties were minimal. No material was burned.
Yeah, good work.
No, it's just business.

　After a short pause, Peter replied.

'It's after we drop off our supplies, can you transport the bodies to the Imperial City?'
"If you give the order,
"-Oh!

　There was a gasp from behind him, and Roy raised his hand to control it.
　If he hadn't done so, Richard would have eaten Peter.
　But Peter's words were reasonable.
　Roy is not his immediate superior.
　To give him an order, you have to have a procedure.

Orders. Of course, I'll put them in writing so I can't be accused of them later.
Yes, sir.
...you've changed.

　Peter chuckled at Roy's words.

'I've finally come to the realization,'
What?
It's who I am.
I see.

　Roy nodded quietly.
　I wanted to ask him if he realized what he was, but I stopped myself.
　I don't know if he would answer me if I asked, and I don't think I'd get the answer I wanted.
　I can't tell him off.
　I don't live such a fine life.