When I returned to the cafeteria with Eira, who had calmed down somewhat, everyone was cleaning the cafeteria and kitchen.

　It seems that me and Eira's food has been taken down as well, so I call out to everyone, feeling a little disappointed.

'I'm home,'

　As I called out to him, Runt walked over with his back to Schnee.

''Sa, I'm sorry about earlier. For my rash remarks........

'Oh, no, I'm fine. I'm really sorry, too, for leaving so suddenly in the middle of a meal.

　They apologize to each other and I let out a breath of relief. Then Trayne and Maia walk in with plates in their hands.

'Um, I rewarmed it, sir.'

　Maea said, and Trayne turned to me as she laid her plate on the table.

'We thought the two of you might want to talk, so we will step back. We'll come back to clean up when you're done eating again.

　When Trayne said that, Runt and the others bowed and left.

　It is true that I am grateful for the opportunity to have a complicated conversation with Eira, but she is too good-natured.

　I'm sure I'll be able to find something to eat and drink in my cup of steamy food and drink, and my eyes met with Eira's. I looked at his scowling face and either of us blew it out of the water.

　We both laughed at each other and picked up our knives and forks.

'Let's have it. 'I'll tell you more about it when you've eaten.'

Yes.

　Eira nodded and replied.





[At the tavern in the royal capital]

　Two men, a blond man in his thirties or so, and a brown-haired man who looked slightly younger than that, were sitting across the table.

　Plates of food and fruit wine were lined up on the table, but no one was trying to touch them.

　The blond man glared at them grimly, and the two men who were glared at silently pulled their chins back.

''What's your information?''

No, nothing...

I don't think it's done.

　Exhaling thinly after hearing their response, the blond man looked around quietly. The customers were sparse, and the waitresses were retreating behind the counter.

''........An island that flies in the sky, huh? It's not even a rumor in the kingdom at all, but I wonder if it would be in the Empire.''

Shouldn't we hear from those people in the Empire by now?

But if the princess who got away went to the Empire...

　The fainter of the two muttered.

'We'll have no choice then. I guess we'll just have to stir up the Empire again in another way.'

What fuels the kingdom?

It's useless. We are not stupid enough to start a war against the Empire. And even if we did, we would be crushed in an instant if we attacked them from the kingdom.

...Ideally, the Empire would still attack the kingdom and the kingdom would be on the defensive. That would be the most prolonged war.

''Oh. If we devote a significant number of troops to the kingdom, the empire could lose the kingdom in a few months, but at that time, we'd just be rather grateful from our side. That's because the Empire's defenses will be reduced.

　As the men were engrossed in their conversation, the sound of the tavern entrance being opened vigorously from outside.

''Teh, teh, the Empire! The imperial army is attacking us!

　The skin-headed man shouted, and the two men who had been drinking near the counter of the tavern kicked off their chairs and stood up.

'What? In this royal city?

No, no, they're preparing for war by setting up shop near the border. Rumor has it they've hired mercenaries to join their ranks...

"Shit, if that's the case, you're serious!

　In the suddenly noisy tavern, the blonde man lowered his posture and sipped his drink.

''........Looks like the princess remains missing, right?

Yeah. Besides, the Empire is moving faster than I imagined. If you've even hired mercenaries and got the numbers in place, you wouldn't just pressure them, would you?

If they're only pressuring us, they'll take their time getting their men ready and show what they're made of.

How many weeks are we talking about?

'The Empire is moving too fast. If the kingdom is going to gather troops, the only place to gather them is the fortified city of Falbe, which is located between the royal capital and the border. They'll want to concentrate 30 percent of their troops in Falbe while leaving their maximum strength in King's Landing.

"If we ignore Falbe, he'll attack us from behind in a siege of King's Landing?

'Yes. And if the empire is serious about scraping up the troops in the south, we'll send in troops from time to time for a month. If they won't attack immediately and make the kingdom ready, they will attack in a week's time.

　When the blonde man guessed that, the other two widened their eyes.

''I've never heard of a soldier operating that fast.

Wait a minute. ''Wait a minute, the news of your camp near the border must have come from peddlers and adventurers. If that's the case, it would take more than a week to fly from the border area to the capital by horse. Maybe.........

If it's early, they'll be marching on Falve by now.

I can't be doing this!

I've got to move!

　The blond man finally gets to work on his food as the two men hurriedly stand up.

　He stabbed a piece of meat with a fork and brought it to his mouth, looking at the two men who were rushing him.

'Calm down and eat your food. Cutting down on your meal won't make much difference to your time.'

The man said and put the meat in his mouth again.