Kilomitsu is a fortified city surrounded by high outer walls.
　There are four entrances and exits: north, south, east, west, and north-south. Checkpoints are held at each of these locations, and upon entering and exiting the city, we are checked to see if we are suspicious people and what we have.

　Me, Chocolat and Ray got in line in front of the checkpoint at the south gate.

It's a long time to wait for this, Mr. Magnus. To be honest, it's a pain in the ass.''
'You seem to be checking it out somewhat meticulously. Is it always like this?
Well, I'm not so sure about that. It's not wartime, and with the way things are going every day, the logistics must be slowing down.
We're at war with the forces of the Magellanic Warlord, aren't we?
It's not exactly the kind of thing I'm comfortable with, though, that makes me want to keep a tight rein on people's comings and goings.

　I'm chatting with the two of them, and looking around.
　Then I hear the stories of the travelers and peddlers standing in line together.

Don't you know?　His Highness's eldest son, His Highness's eldest son, is here to visit him in his camp at Kilomitsu.
There's a rumor going around that you led an army of knights from the capital.
'I heard a rumour that your eldest son was carried by the Knights of the Order and brought to the kilomits without any desire to be there.　I heard that the knights in the capital had done something that made them look bad and they had to show their bravery to cover it up.
Yeah. You're a knowledgeable guy.
Anyway, I suppose this disgustingly high level of scrutiny must be due to the presence of His Highness.
Well, if anything happens to His Highness the next Grand Duke, even if it's General Georg, he'll have his head on a spike.

　So that's the reason.

'It's no use. Let's wait our turn.
'At the very least, I'll be able to comfort Master Magnus by telling him a funny story!

　While Ray and I were busy with the Destrent Overhunting, I was doing a little favor for Chocolat with Aria, and she tells me an amusing story about how she and Aria were doing a little favor for us.
　Thanks to that, we forget our boredom and it's finally our turn.

'Next in line!'
"Thank you for your patience. And thank you for your cooperation.

　The soldiers at the checkpoint were very apologetic and polite.
　This was unexpected. Hearing that the checkpoint was very strict, I had assumed that they would try to pry into our painless belly with a stubborn attitude.
　However, the manner in which the soldiers behaved was always polite and pleasant to the point of making me feel good.

　I think that it is precisely at these ends that the skill of the general who leads them is expressed.
　In that case, General Georg may be a skilled leader, as the rumors say.
　As expected of a man who has been fighting a defensive battle against an army of monsters.
　According to the Book of Military Strategy, long term defensive battles are really difficult to wage. The actual battle itself is more difficult for the aggressor, but when the battle becomes bogged down, the defenders have a much harder time maintaining the morale and spirit of their troops.

　With that in mind, I told the soldiers my name and purpose.

'His name is Magnus. I was on my way to defeat the Magus General."
My name is Rey. My name is Ray, and I'm in a party with Magnus to kill the same General.
"I am Chocolat. "I am a maid who has devoted herself to Master Magnus.

　One person mouthed something stupid, but at any rate, the soldiers who heard it changed their blood.

''Magnus-sama and Ray-sama!
Are you the Champion of Light for the Slayer of Demons?
I've never heard the name "Lady Chocolat" in my life, but as you would expect of a great hero, it is only natural that he should be served by a pretty girl.
Yeah, this is Magnus and Ray.

　I nodded my head, presenting the official credentials I'd gotten from the Grand Duke of Luxun.
　Last one to go, you shut up for a second. Huh?

But you seem to know a lot about us, don't you?
'Yes!　As a matter of fact, General Georg has made it very clear to me that if you two are ever in Kilomitz, I would be very much interested in meeting the General.
Oh, no. Oh, no.
So, please, I beg you to consider...?
That's fine. In fact, I'd like to meet the rumored General Georg, myself.
Oh, thank you!
We'll be with you shortly!

　We were led by a group of soldiers to the general's residence.

　　　　◇◆◇◇◇◇◇◇◇.

　When we arrived at the castle, we were escorted directly to the guest room.

"Well, I'm afraid I can't entertain you to your satisfaction about the front lines, but...

　But the soldier does his best to serve us tea sweets.
　I apologetically put my hand on it, while Chocolat and Ray happily munch on it.

　Soon after, the door to the doorway opens and two men, guarded by knights, come in.

'Welcome to you, Magnus-dono. Lady Ray. Lady Chocolat. I have been entrusted by His Highness the Grand Duke with the defense of this city, my name is Georg.

　The first to identify himself is a thin, middle-aged man with a thin line, who surprisingly looks more like a civilian than a military officer.
　We stood up from the sofa and shook hands with him in turn.
　Then General Georg offered us a seat, and we sat down again.
　The General himself, however, never made a move to sit down.

　Instead, the other man sat down on the couch opposite us.
　Then I realized what he was.
　A young man of noble birth.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Your Royal Highness Prince Louisel.
"Greetings, painful, avenging demon king, Lord Magnus."

　This person with whom they exchanged eye bows with each other was the next ruler of this Grand Duchy of Luxun, Prince Ruizel (Prince Ruizel).

　The Prince then called out to Ray.

''I had the pleasure of watching from the bleachers the other day's duel for my sister's knight.
Your Highness.
'Do not be so awed, warrior of light and knight of Beatrixine. I'm both impressed and relieved that the prancing horse finally decided to have a knight of his own. I would be grateful if you would befriend me as well.
I'm honored to be here, Your Highness.

　Ray was so nervous that he didn't seem to hear the Prince's words very well.

'Hahaha!　So I'm telling you to make it easier on me.
I'm sorry!

　Prince laughs at him and Ray becomes more and more clingy.
　Is it because he is facing a person of high status?
　Or maybe it's because he's in front of his own brother, a princess who has become a friend.

　In fact, the Prince had a hint of Ray's personality that he was trying to assess.

My sister has a bad habit of being overbearing and deliberately acting wise and taunting others. I've always wondered if she's going to be okay in the future.
By the way, Berry is a very sweet girl.

　d*mn, I can hear you loud and clear, Ray.
　And you can make a point against the Prince.
　Maybe it's just because you're a princess.

'I see why my sister knighted you, Lord Ray.

　Prince said with a smirk.

'I, too, am pleased to have a man like you as my sister's knight. It's just the right balance with my sister, and I'm sure she'll be a little more rounded with you.
I don't understand, but I'll do my best.
Ha, that's the spirit. And I ask you again. I hope that from now on you'll be on good terms with me as well.
'Yes!　Yes, sir!　Yes!

　Ray. Just one "yes" is enough.

　But the Prince seemed to take a great deal of pleasure in Ray's naivete.
　His eyes narrowed as he looked at Ray and his chemistry broke down.

　Then Prince's expression tightened and

'I assume that Lord Magnus has accepted the General's invitation to learn more about the current situation in Kilomitsu, what do you think?
That's exactly what I mean, Your Highness.
I just came to visit you in the camp and learned more about it, but I'll have the general explain it to you as well.
I'm in pain.
So let me explain it to you.

　As I thanked him, General Georg politely spread a map of the area around Kilomit on the low table.

　The demons would attack from the north.
　In order to hold them off, it seemed that four forts had been arranged as a frontline base.

''........But all four of them have an X on them.
'Yes. All four have already fallen. We have fought this war deceitfully until now, but the time is drawing nearer when this kilomitsu will have to face the sword.

　General Georg replies regretfully, "General Bullets has sent four powerful boss monsters to take down these forts.

"The 'Magic Bullet General' has sent four powerful boss monsters to bring down these forts. Alpha Fort was overrun by Cyclops, Bravo Fort was overrun by King Basilisk, Charlie Fort was overrun by Greater Demon, and Delta Fort was overrun by Goblin Wargod, and now it is occupied.
I see...
"We are now at the crossroads of whether to launch a counter-offensive to retake the fort, or a siege, with this kilomitz as our last stronghold.
If you don't mind me asking, I'd like to know. Which choice does the General intend to make?
'To be honest, I can't decide. They both involve a great deal of risk.
Hmm....

　Before I could reveal the truth, I said to the Prince, "I want to know the current state of Kilomitsu," but in fact, I knew from the "strategy book" information.
　What I wanted to know was how General Georg was going to get out.
　But if he hadn't made up his mind, that was good for me as well.

"If you are planning a counterattack, we will help you retake the fort.
'True, Lord Magnus!　To be honest, I was hoping that you would be able to help me, but I didn't think that you would actually say that you would be willing to help me!　It is not in my power to provide you with much in the way of gratitude!
What? All right.
'Thank you!　This will keep the town out of harm's way!　And which fort would you like to take part in the operation to retake?
Of course I do.

　I answered immediately.
　Ray chimed in next to me.

"We'll get all four right away.