You're very good at your job, Master Ike.

　At the camp curtain strung up outside the King's capital, Lysas, Alistair is the first to openly praise me.

　Lilith is chagrined, "I was going to say that line," but I ignore her, and I thank the assembled generals for their support.

'At any rate, thanks to you all, we won the initial battle.

　And--

It's not just the first battle. Let's give them all the help they need from Mejiazhale!

　Lilith says that snidely, but Günther, King of the Dwarves, denies it.

They are weary from this hard march and the two consecutive battles with the knights. It is said that the soldiers respect their speed, but they also need a moment of peace. There's still time to spare. I think we should take a night's rest.

　Günther insisted quietly, but of course I was going to do the same.
　He ordered the soldiers to take a good night's rest and get tired.

'For today only, you may drink. You are permitted to drink rum. Only one drink per man.

　When I communicate this, the soldiers let out a shout of joy.


'Master Ike is a man who knows how to talk!


　There was a lot of praise for this, but there was also a lot of frustration.


　The elves, in particular, are sweltering, saying that they don't like to drink and are not rewarded with anything.
　Dwarves are dwarves, and they can't even get drunk on a drink, or even rum for that matter," he said.


　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time in the world.

''But, well, they're coordinating better than I thought they would.

　That was what the orc's chief strategist Jiron had said, and it was indeed true.
　The White Rose Knights and the Holy Shield Knights are an irregular army (irregulars), so to speak, that suddenly became allies.
　It seemed like it would be difficult for them to work together, but they are cooperating better than I thought.

''This is also thanks to my husband's leadership, right?
You don't get paid to lift them.

　I assured him, and left Giron alone in the camp, and unfolded the map.

'Well, if we march to the southwest tomorrow, we should be able to smash the reinforcements from Mezieres in three days' time.

'Yes, they're between 2,000 and 3,000. It's about the same as last time, so there's probably plenty of room.

　Giron snorted like a pig, "Hmmm.

'After that, if we can roll the troops out and defeat the reinforcements from Wyak and Theon, this mission will be a great success.

　Jiron says proudly as if he had thought of it, but it's certainly working so far.
　If we can continue to march on and destroy each of the reinforcements in turn, we can almost destroy Rosalia's knights.
　The rest of them might be able to capture the royal capital as it is, with only infantry without cavalry.

''Only--''

　I blurt out and continue.

'The enemy army won't be that dumb. If we defeat the reinforcements of Reezus, then three days later we defeat the reinforcements of Mezieres, and then a few more days later we defeat the Knights of Wirecock, they'll notice the quicksilver.

With what?

It's a fool's errand to split up our forces.

Do you notice that?

He'll notice.

　The Prime Minister of the Kingdom, a man named Eichs, is a shrewd man who deprived Rosalia of her kingdom by means of adultery.
　He is a greedy and ruthless man, but conversely, he is also a wise man.
　In time, he will realize that he was wrong in his strategy.
　And when that happens, what should he do?
　It is a distressing thought.

'But isn't your husband overthinking things?　I'm sure we can destroy each one of them as it is, though, and eliminate the enemy.

　Giron only claims optimism, but still, no, that's why I'm worried.
　At any rate, this is because this man has a reputation for always missing the mark.

　I let out a breath when I saw Giron's flustered face and decided to sleep on the cot placed in the camp.

　There is still some time before the enemy realizes our intentions.
　We need to destroy as many of the knights as possible before the enemy notices us.
　I decided to take advantage of the help of alcohol to settle my slightly excited mood.
　I pour about three cups of rum into my stomach.
　My stomach starts to burn.
　Normally I don't drink much alcohol, but perhaps because of the drink, I was able to sleep well that day.


　--a few days later.


　As I predicted, the enemy forces seemed to have realized the folly of dispersing their forces.

　When the reinforcements of Mezieres were destroyed and the enemy forces in Wyack were in sight, Wyack's reinforcements immediately stopped engaging and pulled back.

　Perhaps, though, they had received orders from Eichs to retreat.
　Giron exclaimed in astonishment.

'Duh, it's just as your husband predicted.

I guess it's true that the more you don't want a prophecy to come true, the more you want it to come true.

　If possible, I would have wanted that prophecy to come off and destroy the Knights of Rosalia in one fell swoop, but that seems to be asking too much.

'Wishful thinking is always defeated by a demon called reality, or--'

'What a cool quote. Who said it first?　Are you Mr. Romberg?

　I'd like to tell you that I improvised, but I didn't have time to do so.

　We had to give up the siege and annihilation mission and come up with a plan to deal with the enemy forces that were beginning to gather. I didn't have time to waste with Jiron.


　All of the brigade commanders gathered at my barracks were all looking nervous.
　Things had been going perfectly so far, but now they were forced to change course.
　I understand that, but I'm at the mercy of the enemy.
　I decided to take a firm stance, like a general.

"The enemy army seems to have realized the folly of dispersing their forces even after all this time.

'You should have stayed more of an a**h*le.

　In Lilith's defense, it doesn't mean that the enemy forces will act foolishly again if she insists on it.
　Günther, King of the Dwarves, is next to speak.

'Only a god can understand warfare and the female mind perfectly. Warfare changes at every turn. All we have to do is change our response each time.

　The dragonman Shigan agrees.

''That's right, that's how Master Ike has racked up his victories until now.
'Then Lord Ike has a secret plan to defeat Eichs' schemes?

　Alistair asked with a twinkle in his eye.

'Yes,' she wanted to assure him, but she was still pondering.

　Because I don't have all the information available.

　I'm not.

Well, I'll figure it out.

　I said, and waited for the information to come out.


　A few hours later, we received a report from the gargoyle we had sent to see what was going on first. It seems that the enemy forces are gathering at a place a little to the north of the plain where the signing ceremony was held.

　Jiron turns to me when he hears this report.
　He seemed to want an explanation.
　I don't know what he's talking about, but I decide to explain.

"We are gathered on the plain, which means the enemy's will to fight is still strong.

After all the shit you put him through?

　Giron says.

'I've been beaten up pretty badly. If he continues to run back to King's Landing with Omeomé, Eichs's reputation will fall to the ground. I've carried Lambert, Tristan's brother, out of the country, but if I don't make up for lost ground, the lords who have sided with me might think I'm going to switch sides.

I see.

　Jiron countered.

'And I'm sure the Federation of Kings will have a different response.

The League of Kings?

'Oh, what's going on in Rosalia right now is a civil war. So you haven't seen a single soldier from another country.

'Indeed it is. Normally you'd see the coats of arms of many different countries.

　Lilith asks curiously.

''The reason is obvious. The Confederation of Lords and Lordships is a treaty made against the 'anti-magic race'. We can't interfere in civil wars.

So that's why.

　Lilith is strangely convinced. She is still a girl who doesn't think about anything at all.
　On the other hand, the Dwarf King, who knows how to keep things reasonable, makes a sharp point.

''But isn't that in name only? I have a feeling those greedy kings have other reasons for their silence.

You're very good at your job, aren't you, Herr Günter?

　And I paid him a compliment and decided to chew on the guys who didn't understand.

'I mean, the League of Kings is in a state of harmony. "So, the League of Kings is in harmony," he said, "with the formal declaration of abdication and the new king in Eichs's hands, as well as his power and authority over the military.

　I cut off my words there and sipped the water I had my squire prepare for me.

''However, the former king is still alive and well, currently under the protection of the White Rose Order and the Order of the Holy Shield, as well as the cooperation of our Eighth Legion.

You mean, we're just waiting to see who wins?

　The taciturn dragon man, Sigan, summed it up in one word.

'Exactly. Perhaps, but if Eichs wins, he will follow through on his usurpation of the throne. ''He's just a casual observer. If the battle lines remain deadlocked and no royal authority is established, the League of Kings will probably use that as an excuse to say they're going to divide and conquer Rosalia.

　Hearing those words, Alistair raised his voice in surprise.

''Oh, no, does that mean our land will be taken away from us if we continue like this!

　Her scream was close to a scream, but it was no use.
　It was the worst way for Tristan to go in either direction.
　But Tristan was not distraught, even as a child.

'Do not panic, Alistair,'

　The boy king says to soothe the older Alistair.

'In any case, our fate is already decided. We must leave everything up here to Lord Ike.

But, Your Majesty!

Although we've only seen each other for a short time, I have a hunch that I've seen some faith in Lord Ike. The seal of state is a fake, and that peace document has no effect, but I believe Lord Ike will fulfill his promise to us.

　After saying this, Tristan turned to me.
　He had a sincere look in his eyes.
　I'll be able to see that eye and think, "Oh dear.
　You can't trust the demon race to that extent, it's almost too good to be true.
　However, this boy king seems to have an eye for people.
　I'm sure that I was going to fulfill my promise to this boy.
　I say to an upset Alistair.

''It may be a verbal promise, but the ultimate goal of me and the Demon King-sama is the Republic with humans. I urge His Majesty Tristan to return as king and cooperate with the Demon King's army.

　Hearing those words, Alistair manages to regain his normalcy.
　The boy king is still calm and collected as usual.
　A breath escapes him.
　I've heard that Alistair is a woman in her twenties, but it's hard to know which is a child and which is an adult.
　However, it would be terrible to blame her.
　There are a few people who are able to maintain their composure in this unstable situation.
　I'm in that minority, and I've given orders to Lilith.

"For now, let's head to the plains where the enemy is gathering.

　Upon hearing those words, Lilith said, "Yes! And a small leap of faith.
　He's looking forward to being matched with a large army.

　It doesn't seem like the attitude of a general going to war, but since it's always the case, I decided to ignore it, but Lilith made an unusually constructive statement.

''But, Ike-sama, the enemy army that has been terminated in the plains is close to 6,000, right?　Is it safe to hit it from the front?

　According to the report from the messenger, the enemy forces gathered on the plains are about 6,000, and with Wyack's troops that have just retreated and Theon's reinforcements joining them, and the remaining defeated soldiers, they seem to have formed an army of a decent size.
　The size of 6,000 is a threat when it comes to an army.

''........It's certainly not a good idea to fight them head on.

　Uncharacteristically, I agree with Lilith, and I begin to think of a plan to bury three times as many enemy troops as I can.
　Lilith stares at me with a smirk on her face.
　I ask her what she's thinking about because it's disgusting, but she tells me the answer when she shows me her white fangs.

''No, I'm now looking forward to seeing what kind of wizardry Ike-sama will use.

　With those words, all eyes are drawn to me.
　They all look at me as if they are looking at a magician.
　They have dangerous eyes.
　I'm sure I've repeated myself many times, but defeating the many soldiers with a few is against the basics of military law.
　It was a bad tendency to ask for it over and over again.
　Once again, he cautioned everyone about it, but it was an arm push to the goodwill.

'But Lord Ike has performed miracles many times, haven't you?

　'And that's what Anemone, the elven warrior chief, said.

All I could say was, "Oh dear," but it's so true that I can't argue with it.

　I was only half joking.

I guess it's good for these guys to lose once in a while.

　But I swallowed the word quickly.

　I don't know how it is in this world, but in Japan there is a word called "Kotodama".
　I don't know how it works in this world, but in Japan there is a word called 'kotodama', which means 'word spirit' or 'word of the mouth', and it has the power to bring reality to you the moment you say it.

　Whether it was a miracle, luck, or wizardry, it was always better to win.
　If he lost, he might have to lose some of his most important subordinates.
　He wanted to avoid that at all costs.