The countermeasure meeting is said to be held at the headquarters facility of the Knights of the Holy Tree.
　To the right of the Holy Tree, as seen from the academy, is the Great Sacred Ground.
　The white and light green building on the left is the Holy Tree Knights' headquarters facility.
　I had seen it several times, but this is the first time I've actually set foot in it.

　When the sun was almost gone, I was heading to the headquarters facility with the carriage that Machina-san had prepared for me.
　It seems that Makina-san is already at the headquarters facility.
　When we arrived in front of the building, the carriage crossed the drawbridge and entered the grounds.

''Sagara Kurohiko-dono. Welcome to the Knights of the Holy Tree Headquarters.

　The one who greeted me was Lili, the younger sister of Commander Sogut's sister.
　Unlike the last time I visited the school today, she was dressed in a normal uniform.

''Come to think of it, this is the first time I'm exchanging words with you directly like this.

　Lili smiles, which she doesn't seem to be good at, as if she's trying to avoid giving the other person a hard impression.

'I'm Lili Sigmsos,'
Sagara Kurohiko.

　He takes the offered hand and shakes it.

'Are you nervous?'
A little.
'You'll find your familiar face in the conference room. You'll have to be patient until then.
Thank you for your concern.

　Her expression is hard, but she seems to be a nice person.
　When you see her up close like this, you can see that she's more beautiful than from a distance.
　The parts of her face are amazingly well-defined.

''Um, what's wrong with my face?''
Oh, no....sorry. I mean.........I can see the face of your brother....

　I was embarrassed and faked it.
　Lili, this time, had a smile on her mouth that felt natural.

'Yes, I get that a lot.'

　I got the impression that he liked his brother.

'Then let's go,'

　Lili takes me down a corridor with whitewashed walls.
　The interior is not rugged, but rather refined and elegant.

This way. Everyone is already here.

　Lili opens the door to the conference room.
　It's a spacious, rectangular room.
　It has a neat impression without any unnecessary decorations.
　Commander Sogut and Makina, who were discussing something at the back of the room, noticed me.
　The eyes of the other members of the group also linger on us.
　One of them, Diares-san, smiled at me.

''You're here, Kurohiko. It's been a while.''

　I returned the greeting to Mr. Dearles and took the seat that Lili had recommended.
　I take one look at Mr. Van Stos, who is leaning against the wall, and he gives me a small bail.
　I return the bail as well.
　The next person I look at is in a symmetrical position with Mr. Van Stos, also leaning back against the wall - Currier Versteen.
　Currier-san, whose gaze met mine, nods one nod just as a substitute for a greeting.
　This one, too, nods back with a small nod.
　Makina-san must have called out to her.
　Currier-san is not a contestant either, so if you say her hands are free, they are free.

　Once Lili-san took her seat, there was a silence in the place once.

　Commander Sogut begins to explain about the attack.
　There was a part of the explanation being given now that was new to me.
　The cause of this attack was the retaliation for the battle with the inhabitants of Doomsday Township that occurred during the earlier retaking of Salem Fort.
　From the sense of the Commander's explanation, it seems that he did so as a result of discussions with Makina-san.
　I'm sure she took it into consideration to avoid any possible repercussions to me, one of her targets, and to Curie-san, who had a run-in with the Seven Sins of Doom.
　The source of the information was not via Lokiia, but was brought from Salem Fort, which was recaptured.

"--That's how we got here. Anybody have any questions?

　In response to the Commander's question, zero hands were raised.
　Somehow, there was a section where some of the group members realized that the current explanation was made up for some reason.
　The fact that no one pointed it out is proof that the Commander is trusted that much?

'If not, we'll move on to tomorrow's measures. This one will be led by Makina Renausphere.

　Makina leans forward slightly.

''I'm Makina Renausphere. I had a brief discussion with the Commander earlier about how to deal with this attack.

　While checking the documents in hand, Makina-san begins to explain.

''According to the information we've obtained, the enemy is going to attack us during the Holy War Festival.

　The red-haired member of the group raised his hand.

'If the goal is to kill the guest you invited, wouldn't it be normal to assume they'd go after him on the move?
Of course I'll be on the move. Of course we won't be negligent in protecting people on the move, because we don't want to completely rely on the information we get. However, if there is no attack on the move, we need to decide what to do next.

　Makina-san breaks off her words once and looks over the group members.

''First of all, I will divide into the Holy King's group, Prince Gears' group, and Princess Hel's group, and each of them will be assigned to guard the group. Even after they enter the Great Sacred Ground, you will continue to guard them at all times. There's a chance that the enemy may try to assassinate you by blending in with the crowd.

　Makina-san gave her a look, and the leader took over the rest of the group.

'That guard, but Master Yggd requested it.

　Master Yggd?
　I've never heard the name before.
　Perhaps the fact that I didn't have any idea of the name showed on my face, but Lili-san, who was sitting next to me, tells me in a whisper.

''Kurohiko-dono has only been in this country for a short time, hasn't he? Yggud-sama is the second prince of this country. He has been touring the region on an amusement tour, but he returned to the royal capital the other day.

　After looking as if she was unsure if she should say it, Lili-san continued.

''Since the First Prince, Prince Rhodia, is sickly and weak, it is said that the next Holy King will be Yggd-sama. That's why Yggd-sama has so much influence at the moment.

　He couldn't disregard the next Holy King's request, he said.
　After Prince Yugud's name was mentioned, Makina-san's expression became more and more tired.
　Probably, but from the time she left me until the evening, she was probably visiting the castle to make adjustments for the day.
　Prince Yugud's request must have been heard at that time as well.
　Judging from that Makina-san's reaction, she might be a somewhat troublesome person.
　Come to think of it, Makina-san had hinted before that Cecily-san had a hot prince, but which prince was it?
　The Commander sighs.

'I have been appointed to guard the Holy King's party. When they enter the Great Sanctuary, I and a few other members will be with the Holy King at all times.

　The Commander is unhappy with this.

''The Holy King will be accompanied by Wagnus-dono and Gaiden-dono this time. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with them. And as for guarding our guests--

　The names of Mr. Van Stoss and several members of the group were read out to guard Prince Gears' group.
　To Princess Hel's group, the names of the new members of the group who had been named to the Eight Sacred Trees Sword, excluding Ira's brother, Nord-san and Lili-san, were raised.

　.........Guarding, huh?
　Although the strength of the Endnojutsujun Army is unknown, Prince Gears is accompanied by Shana-san and [Armor Warrior] Rose Claywall, and Princess Hel is accompanied by Varaga Wormood, who is from the Sixth House.
　With them, I feel like they would be sufficient as guards.
　Well, I guess that's the problem with their face as an inviting country.
　From the feeling of listening to the story, it seems that the prince's intentions can't be ignored either.......
　Makina-san continues her story.

''Furthermore, during the move, Lili Sigmsos should follow the Holy King's party, Sagara Krohiko and Currier Versteen should follow Prince Geas' party, and Nord Horn should follow Princess Hel's party. However, those who have just been named will be assigned to guard the gates, east, west, north, south, and south, upon arrival at the Great Sacred Place.

　Makina-san darted her gaze in turn to the faces that had just been named.

''If the information we got beforehand is correct, the enemy will attack us after the Holy Martial Arts Festival begins. The ceiling of the Great Sacred Ground will be covered with a protective membrane, so in effect, the only entry points will be the gates to the north, south, east and west. As long as we can defend this place, we should be able to prevent the enemy from entering completely.
After the crowd enters the Great Sanctuary, the Great Sanctuary is banned until all the games for the day are over. We will also do everything possible to clear the perimeter.
...Would you be so foolish as to come head-on?

　The red-haired member of the group--Nord-san, interrupting, raised a question.
　By the way, I only learned about it when I read out the placement just now, but that red-haired dancer seems to be Ira-san's brother.
　Node-san folded her arms and made a difficult face.

'Normally, that advance information, shouldn't we still consider it a trap?
''That's why we have to remain vigilant, and each dignitary will be guarded at all times. If our prior information is really correct, I'd actually like to put all my men into guarding the gate.
I'm not convinced. If they plan to carry out a frontal assault in the middle of enemy territory, the people in Doomsday Township are not in their right mind. They're insane.

　If the source of the information was revealed to be the bosses of the three major organizations in the Doomsday Township, then the prior information would be even less reliable.
　Moreover, it would take a considerable amount of time to convince the people present that the Endless Tenth Legion was a fanatical, ritualistic - formality-obsessed group.
　There is no guarantee that I can explain and convince them, nor is there any solid evidence.
　It's especially tough in a situation where we can't reveal Lokia's existence.
　Mr. Node cowered his shoulders.

''That's not exactly the Four Deadly Disasters, is it?
From another point of view, it's probably best to think of our enemies as being as much of a threat as the Four Deadly Disasters.

　At that word from Lili, the air in the place suddenly became heavy.

　It's quite possible that not only the Seven Sins and End Fang, but also the story of the Four Deadly Disasters being scattered in Renowthread has been passed down.
　Still, coming to the front - even with the matter of their style - would not be possible without considerable confidence in their own strength.
　It would be better to just be prepared that they might be that much of an opponent.
　There would be nothing wrong with being too vigilant in this regard.

''Tch........there's no way I'm going to let those crazy people ruin that guy's precious Holy War Festival.......''

　With a frustrated tone that seems to be hard to accept, Nord-san is mumbling to himself.
　The "that guy" he mentioned is probably his sister, Ira.
　At that time.

Uh, do you mind?

　The one who raised his hand modestly in a small way was Mr. Dearles.

'My name wasn't mentioned at all during my explanation just now...'
You know the answer to that, don't you? You are the personal guard of Prince Yggud.

　Ms. Dearles pokes her cheekbones.

'Well, I knew that...'
Prince Yggud personally asked me to send you, 'Send me Diares to guard me. Good luck with that, Diares.
Yes, yes, yes, you asked nicely.

　At this point, a harmonious mood washed over the room.
　Lili-san explained in another whisper.

''Diares is Prince Hugud's favorite. He's the only person in this order who can take on that feisty Hugd prince. He would have been the prince's guard, even if he had not been personally appointed.

　I was wondering why the Holy Tree Order Number 2 was not named, but I see, that's what happened.

　After this, there was an explanation and confirmation of tomorrow's detailed movements.




　And then - the day of the second round came.