'How can I apologize!　And thank you!　Henri!　We wouldn't have won the war if it wasn't for the Wizard Squad you introduced us to!

　Sharon gave a grand palm strike back.
"This was right after we all made a triumphant return to the magical city (Nebula) after defeating the army of the Demon Beast Maniac (Beast Mania).
　Sharon, who had been blasting down the road of consecutive defeats for a long time, was overjoyed to have won a battle for the first time.
　She was so happy that she was hugging me and I was having a hard time keeping her in check.

　On the other hand, I had to talk to him seriously.

I'd like you to pay them a proper thank you in the form of a reward. There is no need for an apology. Sharon, despite your skepticism about the operation of firepower by a squad of wizards, you have listened to my advice and allowed me to test it in a real battle.

　I praised her guts, her caliber as a general, without any hint of flattery.

　How hard-headed the people of this world are!
　They are so entrenched in past successes and conservative attitudes that they do not try to bring in a new breeze.
　And often, people with higher positions and power are more likely to do so.
　They cannot be reasoned with. They feel "cheeky" when they are offered a suggestion, and "ridiculed" when they are pointed out for their old habits. Pride sounds good, but it's just arrogance.
　It's something I've learned the hard way many times since I started this journey.

　How flexible Sharon is, in comparison.
　Compared to Prince Alabana's Haydar and the pirate merchant Pauli, whom I once met, she may be in the realm of mediocrity.
　But she is by no means an irredeemable fool.
　The fact that there was a general named her would surely save this Viverrahara.

''Well, I guess I accepted it because it was Magnus-sama's suggestion. The (power) of love(s) is great.''

　Chocolat, just shut up.
　And don't be sarcastic.

"And Sharon. "And Sharon, their unit will continue to operate on a continuous basis, is that correct?
'Yes, of course!　We would love to do you a favor. And of course, I'll pay you--
You must wait, Master.

　A chilling voice interrupted Sharon, who was in a good mood and about to sign the contract.
　It was Isabella.
　The other disciples, such as Zucci and Tina, also had disapproving looks on their faces.

''There's a saying in the world, Master, that it's none of your business.
You know, we would have won the war today even if those wizards hadn't been there.
I agree with you both.

　Your arrogance gets in the way, doesn't it?

I don't see how you could have won without a wizard army!

　Sharon chided her disciples for their lack of discernment and raised her eyebrows.

''If it wasn't for that magic salvo, the Gryphon squad would have raided the main camp!
But we still have a few of Tina's Silver Golem troops left in reserve.
I'm not afraid of a griffon coming down to earth.
I agree with you both.
You can say whatever you want afterwards!

　Sharon scolds me for gumming up.
　But she's right about this.
　In spite of that, Isabella and the other three were still grumbling--

Oh, um...

　One of the rest of Sharon's higher brothers, Kate, who seemed to be the most skittish, approached me with the very appearance of being a wuss.
　Why, to me.

'....What's up?
Oh, um, um, I just wanted to say thank you...

　Kate, who is obviously the shy type, appeals to me with a brave face.

'Thanks?　Me?　Of what?
Gladius, you've been very encouraging. You saved my troops, and I want to thank you for that. Thank you for that~

　Oh. Ah.

"No, no, no thank you. I just took the necessary steps to win.
Well, well, then, let's hear your wisdom on how to win again, Master Strategist.

　After saying just that with red cheeks, he ran away and hid behind Sharon's back as if to escape.

''Memo, memo........'' Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, what I have to report to Aria-sama is so thick.''

　I'll burn the note right now.

Anyway!　In the future, all wizards will continue to be asked to participate in the battle as a 'Magic Firepower Support Unit under the direct control of a military officer'. This is a done deal!　Okay?

　Sharon declared, and reminded her disciples of this.
　Isabella and the others did not reply.
　Kate was the only one who agreed, "I think it's a good idea~.

　I still have a long way to go.
　I'll still let those girls win, though.

　　　　◇◆◆◆◆.

　Afterwards, me and Chocolat once again went to pay our respects to the wizards who had rushed all the way to Viverrahara.
　Sharon had arranged for them to eat and drink in a large tavern that was also open late at night, and we had rented it out.

'Good to see you all here. You did a great job. That's what you do, that's what you do, that's what you do, that's what you do, that's what you do, that's what you do, that's what you shoot in unison, everything was perfect.
Don't do it, Mr. Magnus!
That's right. You're the only one to beat us up, and we're not going to like it when you say nice things about us.
I don't ask what's going on, but it's hard not to be good at what you do.

　They blushed early, surrounded me and let me hold their mugs.
　Even though they are wizards, these people are not a well-behaved race.
　They are not your average wizards who hunker down in their old moldy stacks and read all day long.
　They are the kind of people who span the nine seas and spend their days fighting naval battles with their offensive magic.

　Yes, they are those who once belonged to the pirate trade and now spend their days of redemption as a member of the Kaziu Marine Police (Cagliostro).

　I joined them for a toast or two, then headed to the back of the bar.
　There I sit with a young man with a scarred cheek who is sipping high quality booze.

'You've come a long way, Pauli,'
What? It'll only take a second if you use the Town Gate.
You're still a mouthful, aren't you?

　You know that's not what I meant.

Then I'm serious too. I have a debt to you that I can't repay even if I did. If you're called upon, I'll cooperate with you in your battle against the demon king.
I see. Won't the Spirit Siren take a second look at you?
'Oh, you say that!　You're gonna say that!　Which one of us doesn't have a mouthful!

　Pauli, who has always eaten people, shows extraordinary dismay when it comes to this stuff.
　I laughed and toasted Pauli again.
　I'm not much of a drinker, but I don't know why I enjoyed drinking with her today.