*

　The white light characteristic of magic items illuminates the tunnels and the men who work there.
　The five men are silently wielding a pickaxe.
　Of course, they don't just wield the pickaxe.
　The men do more than just swing a pickaxe; they also remove the earth from the surface and reinforce the tunnels with lumber.
　This is how they are digging the tunnels.
　It's hot," Robert muttered to himself and wiped the sweat off his hands.
　It was hot, humid, smelly, and stifling in the tunnels.
　He used a bellows to keep the air from going sour, but he wasn't sure how effective it was.
　It would be much easier if I could use my divine magic - but I'm not sure.
　A parachute sound is heard and my men stop moving.
　It's the sound of soil falling.
　More sounds are heard--.

"O Mother God of Yellow Earth and Fertility.

　Robert touched the walls of the mine and prayed to God.
　He increased the strength of the mine with divine magic.
　The effect was immediate.
　The sound stopped and his men let out a breath of relief.

'I thought you were going to be buried alive.
Don't worry about that.

　Robert is a divine wizard of the Mother Goddess, the ochre and fertility controller.
　He can not only prevent the mine from collapsing, but he can also take his men with him if he's buried alive.
　As long as they remain conscious, that is.

But it's not a good idea to let the tunnel collapse. I'll reinforce it at shorter intervals.
Well, no, no, I'll go tell the guys out there.

　One of my men comes forward.
　He is a young man with an innocent face.
　In fact, he is the youngest of the five.

''Yes. No, wait.

　Robert nodded and stopped the young man who was about to leave with the leftover dirt.
　He reached for his porch.
　It would be easy to contact the outside world with the magic item for communication - but.

'No, go.'
''- - Oh!　I understand.

　Robert gave permission, and his men headed out with a mindlessly light step.
　Two or three minutes passed--

'Kindly,'
Don't say that. He's the youngest. You have to take care of him, or he'll fall down.
Look out for us, too.
Okay. Let's take a pause until he comes back.
"Heh, thank you very much.

　My men rested their hands.
　They sat there or leaned against a pickaxe and started talking.

'But then again, I wonder if tunnel tactics are really being used.
I know it's not your day job, but it's too hard.
'I thought I could dig a little easier...'
Can't we just use the divine art of digging?

　Robert chuckled as one of his subordinates gave him an expectant look.

''I don't want the Imperial City's Divine Majesty Magician to detect it, you know.
Can a divine warrior go to such lengths?
Of course.

　Robert nodded.
　But no one should be paying attention to him.
　About a week ago, the imperial army used a massive divine threat technique.
　If you are a divine Majesty Artist, you will turn your attention to that.
　However, things are not absolute.
　You should pay as much attention as possible.

''After digging all the way to this point, is this method correct?''
I don't know.

　Robert answered his subordinate's question after a short pause.

'I don't know, Captain Robert,'
I don't blame you.

　His subordinate says in a pathetic voice, and Robert returns it with a bit of miffedness.
　He studied agriculture in the Imperial City's 'Yellow Earth Temple' and has military experience.
　He has also been involved in the management of the territory as a family commander of the Baron Ekron family.
　But...

I've never dug tunnels before.
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

　Robert muttered, and his men gasped.
　They looked around, looking around with their own initiative.

'Duh, it's all right, right?'
She's going in the right direction. She'll figure it out.
'I thought it was weird.

　The subordinate grunted.
　No wonder you think so.
　Every time there's a problem, work is stopped and two tunnels have collapsed.
　This is the only place where it's safe.
　If only someone with more experience had been there to help, the digging would have gone more smoothly," he said.

It's a rather large group, though.
Don't say that.
I know.

　His men chuckled.
　The reason why no one has any experience digging tunnels on the southern frontier is because the Roux were in the Areos Mountains.
　It's not easy, but we can't survey resources in enemy territory.
　But we can't search for resources in enemy territory any more.
　The Areos Mountains are treated as an autonomous region of the Roux, although they are no longer in enemy territory.
　They won't kill you without question, but it's not a place you can casually drop in on.
　Furthermore, the lords of the southern frontier, including Canaan, are too cautious.
　They plan to gradually increase their interactions and eventually conduct a joint resource survey.
　I don't disagree with Robert.
　No, there are times when we feel that our methods are too circuitous.
　But we were at odds with each other.
　With that in mind, there is no such thing as being too careful.

"But it's still barbaric--
Roux.
'Times have changed, haven't they, that we have to care about the Roux?

　Robert corrected him, and his men restated.

'When we were kids, we were disciplined that the bad boys would be kidnapped by the Roux.
""Oh,"

　When one of his men said this, the other faces raised their voices.
　It would be a reaction that only someone from the southern frontier could have.
　Robert remembers it too.

'And yet I never thought I'd see the day when I'd fall in love with you.
Infatuation?
He's one of Lord Gaul's men.

　Robert parroted, and his man said in a disgusted tone.

'Normally he's a twat, but when it's just the two of us, he spoils me, or he's having a baby, or, well, you know. Totally, why do I have to listen to him talk about his love life?

　The last part of his tone was a blur.
　He was not happy, but his men seemed to be doing well.

'I can't wait to get married too,'
I thought they'd cackle at me when I became a soldier.
Fool, he can see right through you.
I don't care who you are, as long as you like me.

　Everyone seems to have a surprisingly strong desire to get married.
　Speaking of surprising--

There's a lot of socializing going on here.
No Captain Robert?
"I have a certain amount of contact with Lord Gaul, but...

　Robert slurred his words.
　As someone who knows his suffering, I simply don't envy him.
　Frankly, I can't encourage my men to marry a Roux man, either.
　I want to help them as much as I can, but I can see the hardships they will face.

'It would have been better if the times were a little more peaceful.
Well yes.

　A subordinate muttered and Robert agreed.
　Gaul is trying to use this battle to carve out a future for his children.
　Will it be the right thing to do?
　I don't know.
　But I do hope that his determination will be rewarded.

''We'll have to work hard.
Yes, because I'm sick and tired of hearing love stories again.

　Robert muttered, and his men gave a small smile.

'Report. There's movement in the Imperial supply corps.''

　A muffled voice echoed in the mine.
　It's the voice of a subordinate who is monitoring the movements of the Imperial Guard.
　Robert pulls a communication magic item from his pouch and holds it close to his mouth.

'This is Robert. What are your movements?
"The vast majority of them are dead bodies.
A body?
Yes, a wounded soldier who was brought in yesterday.

　A spiteful voice echoes.
　Robert feels the same way.
　Even though he was discharged from the army many years ago, he was an Imperial soldier.
　I can't say it, but I have my own thoughts on the matter.

''Also, five cavalrymen have headed west.''
Okay.

　Robert responded briefly and coughed lightly.

'Report from Robert. Five cavalrymen, headed west. Captain Kane and Gaul, please respond.
"This is Kane. You're a cavalryman, are you a nobleman?
'I can't say for sure, but it's very likely. I'd like to take him prisoner if possible.
I'd like to say yes, but if you're going to make me a prisoner of war, I'll just let you walk by on your way out. We want to have a good distance between us so that we can't escape easily, and there may not be only five scouts.
I see, indeed.

　Robert gave a small nod.

'I mean, Lord Gaul will intercept you.
'Well, I suppose so. So, how's Gaul's husband?
"I don't care if we intercept them, but I don't want my men to be uncomfortable.
"Wherever possible...
"Limit wear and tear is a priority.

　Princess Tilia interrupted Robert's words.
　I freaked out.
　I didn't expect her to interrupt the conversation.
　But come to think of it, Princess Tilia can hear the conversation too.
　It's strange to think that she doesn't barge in.

''I recommend surrender, and if you still resist, I will kill you.''
That's fine.
"Thank you.

　Gaul speaks a word of thanks.

'....Robert.'
Ha!

　When Tilia called his name, Robert reflexively straightened up.

'I'm sorry to interrupt you,'
No, you've been very helpful.

　It was honest.
　The chain of command in the Southern Frontier Army is vague in places.
　The hierarchical relationship is still difficult to establish, but the horizontal relationship is difficult.

''It would be nice to hear that. Then I'll return to my role as a listener. I'm sorry to impose various roles on you, but I'm counting on you.
'Ha!　Leave it to me!

　Robert raised his voice.

'Then take care of both of you.
I'm on it.
Yeah, I'm on it.

　Kane replied lightly and Gaul replied in a low voice.
　Robert tucked the communication magic item into his pouch.

*

　Gaul hides in the shadows of the grass and has the Imperial cavalry.
　No, let's wait for them to come back, exactly.
　The imperial cavalry has already passed by Gaul and the others.
　I didn't feel alive at that time.
　Just remembering it makes me break out in a nasty sweat.
　This is not a fight for me.
　I told myself that this was a battle to carve out a future, and I managed to endure it.
　But if the imperial cavalry approached me - I probably wouldn't have been able to withstand it.
　I must have been in an emotional outburst and attacked them, spear in hand.
　I am acutely aware of my own inexperience - and by extension, my father's greatness.
　My father has the two names of 'Iron Wall'.
　He was so called because he defeated the Holy Argo Kingdom's army on numerous occasions.
　To be honest, I didn't like my father's two names.
　A knight - a nobleman is one who defeats his enemies.
　And yet, it is shameful to be skilled in surpassing your enemies.
　I've felt that way since the time I was fighting for my father, or even before that.
　How foolish I was!
　Gaul carried fifty lives on his back, horribly drained after waiting just a few hours.
　My father had twenty times as many lives, or perhaps hundreds or even thousands if you included the surrounding territory.
　He has carried countless lives on his back and has been fighting for decades.
　I can understand that feat now, and I can understand why it was so hard on me.
　Really, I hate it.
　I always find myself understanding what's important to me later on.

"...Captain Gaul.
What?

　Gaul turned his gaze to his subordinate next to him.
　His face was smeared with mud, and only his eyes glowed.

'You're not coming back, are you?'
They lost their provisions in the last raid. They must be patrolling the farthest reaches of the city.
Yeah, I'll be--
Get down.

　Gaul interrupted his subordinate's words and lightly touched his subordinate's head.
　He lay down on the ground as it was.
　The cavalry of the imperial army had returned.
　They gradually slowed down their speed.
　This is due to the stones scattered on the street.
　I'm holding the communication magic item close to my mouth.

"I'm gonna make the first move. I'll set up a perimeter. If you surrender to me, take me prisoner, and if I show any signs of resistance, kill me. I repeat, if you surrender, you are to be treated as a prisoner. If I show any signs of resistance, kill me.
Copy that.

　A low, stifled voice replied.
　Just like last time, Gaul divided his squad into four groups.
　Eventually, the cavalry stops moving completely.

''........Captain Gaul....
Not yet. Not yet.

　The cavalry would have to dismount to clear the stones.
　If it were me, I would do so, but there is no chance of continuing on.
　I wondered if the density of the stones was okay.
　It should be fine.
　I checked it over and over again.
　But my anxiety was only growing.
　Should I attack or wait?
　There are only two options, but it's hard to choose.
　It's hard to choose when there are only two options, and it's hard to choose.
　That's the time.
　The cavalry have dismounted from their horses.
　But only one rider.
　The other four horsemen are on alert for their surroundings.

"Gaul-ta--

　His men could not finish.
　This was because Gaul had already stood up and assumed a spear throwing stance.
　It must have been such a smooth move that he didn't notice it.
　To be honest, even Gaul was surprised.
　He hadn't expected to be able to move as smoothly as this, even for himself.
　With this, he should be able to fight more than evenly with Argena and Roy - the Commander of the Kingsguard.
　The body moves.
　The spear went in a straight line and pierced the cavalryman's neck.
　One, two, three, four - ten seconds passed, and the horseman who was pierced through the neck fell out.
　No, I should say it was about to fall out.
　The spear supported him, and he stopped moving in a mid-legged position.
　Five more seconds passed, and the four horsemen are turning their horses around.

''Group two, three pa--!

　Gaul couldn't give the order until the end.
　The second and third groups were surprisingly quick to get behind the cavalry and form a spear line.
　It was a swift move that was no less than that of the Second Kingsguard Knights, to which he had once belonged.
　They must have realized that they had no chance of winning.
　The four horsemen have stopped moving completely.
　Gaul walked up to the four horsemen.
　Of course, they wouldn't let their guard down.
　If they showed an opening, they would surely attack him.
　He stepped out onto the street and exposed himself.
　Did we get too close?
　No, we will be licked if we are weak.
　We must make them understand that we have an overwhelming advantage.
　He stretches his chest and looks at the cavalrymen.

'My name is Gaur!　Son of Count Taul Hernat, Commander of the Second Kingsguard!　I am joining this battle for the future of the Empire to defeat the false emperor Alfort!

　The four horsemen looked at each other as Gaul raised his voice.

'I advise you, gentlemen, to surrender!　Dismount and disarm!　If you surrender, we'll treat you as a prisoner of war!　If you resist I'll cut you down!

　Gaul drew his sword and thrust the cutting edge into the ground.

'In reply or--'

　Again, Gaul couldn't finish.
　One of the four dropped his sword to the ground.
　His eyes widened in surprise.

'All right. I surrender.'

　Dropping his sword, the horseman dismounted from his horse and raised his hands.
　The three remaining men followed suit.
　They dropped their swords and got off their horses.
　I thought it was a trap, but apparently it wasn't.

"I'm going to hold you until we can be sure you are not carrying a concealed weapon. No offense.
It's inevitable. It's what we do.

　As Gaul gave him a look, four groups of soldiers stepped up and tied up the cavalrymen.
　It's a faltering motion.
　It would have taken longer if the opponents hadn't been cooperative.

'Surprising?'
Well, yeah.

　The cavalryman said mischievously, and Gaul replied, slightly miffed.
　We were able to take the four men prisoner without sacrificing anything.
　It was the best we could do.
　─ The captain is going to kill me.

The captain told us to surrender if we were about to be killed.
Do you have the right to blabber?
I'm just saying, "Surrender. I've already told you that I can talk to you.

　The cavalryman lightly cowered his shoulders.
　What about this attitude after his companion was killed?
　I have a feeling that it would be better to cut them down.
　But he just declared that if you don't resist, he'll treat you as a prisoner of war.
　If I cut down with this, it would be a badge of honor.
　It's a good thing that he's speaking incessantly.
　I'm sure you'll find some useful information.

This time the shipment was for shovels and tools.
Are you still a nobleman?
You're the third boy. Honestly, I just don't want to be tortured to death with a bunch of bullshit.

　I see, Gaul almost nodded.
　If that's the kind of situation, he would speak in a berating manner.

I've cooperated with you, so I want two meals a day. You'll be able to sunbathe and bathe in the hot water, even if it's supervised.
All right. I'll do what I can.
Please.

　Gaul let out a sigh and scanned his men.

'Groups three and four, take the prisoners away.
Ha!

　The captains of the three and four groups straightened up and replied, and then the four cavalrymen - the prisoners - were taken away.
　Gaul looked away from the prisoners in dismay.
　He killed one of them, but he feels that he didn't have to.

'Captain Gaul, well, I think we'd better report...'
"-Oh!

　A subordinate called out to me and I came to myself.
　I was stunned by what was happening, but we were still on a mission.
　Besides, the real mission is the supply team.
　I take out my communication magic item and hold it close to my mouth.

"This is Gaul. "This is Gaul, I have killed one of the scouts and taken four prisoners.
It's Tyria. Gaul, what happened?
No damage.
"Well, good job.

　I suppose I should be impressed, but I'm not impressed at all now.

'What's wrong?'
No damage was done to us, but it appears that we have been instructed to surrender.
"...what do you mean?

　Princess Tilia answered after a short pause.
　Her confusion was palpable.

''It's Kane. You're deliberately trying to overload the logistics by becoming a prisoner of war, aren't you?''
"Oh, I see.

　Tilia said in a convincing tone.

''What are you going to do, Princess?''
'It's no fun being in the enemy's thoughts. Got any more information?
The supply party will be carrying shovels and tools.
....

　Princess Tilia fell silent.

''Aside from the strengthening of the enemy's camp, it hurts to be used to attack the imperial camp.''
"Please conclude.

　Caine rushes Princess Tyria.

'Attack in moderation and retreat.
Do I need to be the judge of that?
"Of course.
Copy that. We will attack to avoid playing into the hands of the enemy.
I'm counting on you.
I'm on it.

　Kane undertakes a light tone.
　I wanted to tell him to take it a little more seriously, but Kane is Crono's man.
　He had no authority to complain.
　Besides, Crono had allowed this kind of attitude to happen.
　There must be some thoughts that Gaul doesn't understand.

'Gaul's husband can go back to his base, man.
Don't be a fool. I'll fight you.
"If we take the prisoners, we'll have 30 or 40 men, right?　It's hard to hold them back with just a few men, and if they try too hard, they'll surrender to you and ask you to take them prisoner.
Okay.

　After thinking for a while, Gaul decided to accept Kane's proposal.
　It's true that the number of troops was reduced because of bringing in the prisoners, and we can't stand in the way of Kane and the others.
　Moreover, our own objectives still lie ahead.

"It'll help.
It's nothing to thank.

　Gaul tucked the magic item for communication into his pouch.
　He laid the dead cavalryman down beside him and pulled out his spear.

'What do we do with the body?'
Leave it. If there's a body here, they'll hurry it up. Team one, team two, we're going back to the base!

　As Gaul started to walk away, his men followed somewhat later.