Noon, November 3, 2813 in the western continental calendar


　On the same day, the royal castle in Piraeus, the capital of the Roserian Kingdom, was filled with a heavy atmosphere.
　Senior bureaucrats ran around to the relevant departments with pale faces, and the main captain rank of the military department was compulsorily summoned to the conference room. The knights were ordered to wait in the designated quarters without distinction of duty or off-duty, and were ordered to take care of the armor they were to use.
　Everyone was in a hurry to move around the royal palace.
　However, most of them were merely doing what they were ordered to do.
　In reality, only a limited number of influential people are aware of the situation.
　No, even these people did not have an accurate grasp of the situation.
　When they passed by one of the rooms of the palace, they looked anxiously at the door even as they walked by.
　A room in the royal palace, which was tightly closed by a thick iron door....　


Yes okay but I can't....

　A deep sigh escaped Lupis' mouth.
　Mertina's explanation made her heart darken even more.　
　No, the color of gloom and anxiety was on the faces of everyone gathered in this one room at the back of Piraeus Castle.
　Led by Lupis, the queen, and his entourage, Mertina and Mikhail. From the military, the general Elena is in charge. From the civilian authorities, the Earl of Bergston and several other influential nobles.

But, Your Majesty it's not a matter that can be ignored.

I know but is that what our country is capable of?

　At Mertina's words, Lupis asked in a tone that was akin to resignation.
　Even as Lupis, it's not that she thinks it's okay to ignore it by any means.
　No, on the contrary, she has concluded that it is not a problem that can be ignored.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not a good person.
　As a royalty, she has received the highest level of education in the Earth world.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see the reality of the situation in a certain way if you don't lose your cool.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world and what's going on in the world.

''No, it's very impossible.......especially now that we need to pay attention to the trends of the aristocracy, but.......''

But we can't ignore this request... It's been nearly a year since the end of the civil war, let alone during or immediately after it was put down. Of course, in terms of restoring our national power, it will still take some time, but we can no longer use that as an excuse... and this time.

　Following the stagnant Mertina, the Earl of Bergston opened his mouth.
　His gaze was fixed on two letters placed on the tabletop.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.
　In particular, he has a keen sense of the political balance of power, and is capable of keeping an eye on the trends of other countries.
　He has a keen sense of the political balance of power and is well equipped to keep an eye on developments in other countries.
I'm not sure what to expect from this country's future.
　Such thoughts come to his mind.
　Two letters placed in front of Lupis.
　One is a request for reinforcements brought by Julian I, which has been sent frequently since the Oltmere Empire invaded the Kingdom of Zaruda.
　It has been sent many times since the end of the Roserian civil war.
　The Kingdom of Zaruda, which was defeated by the Oltomere Empire in the battle on the Notis Plains, had seen its territory greatly reduced.
　In order to overcome this situation, it was natural for Zaruda to seek reinforcements from the Roselia and Mist kingdoms in the same eastern region.
　The territory of the Oltmere Empire, which controls the central western continent, is vast, and its military power is not something that Zaruda alone can prevent.
　However, the three countries in the eastern part of the Western Continent. If Roselia, Mist, and Zaruda are united, it is not impossible to counter them.
　In fact, they have prevented the invasion of the Oltmere Empire in past battles.
　It's not a matter of chivalry or friendship.
　It's simply that the two sides have a relationship of lips and teeth.
　Once the bulwark called Zaruda is gone, Roselia will be directly affected by the wave.
　It's just that the two countries sent reinforcements to Zaruda in order to protect their interests.
　However, for the past year, Lupis had refused the request for reinforcements brought by Julian I on the grounds of domestic tranquility and restoring national power.
　Even if you want to send them, the current Roseria Kingdom does not have the strength to send troops to other countries.
　As a result of eliminating General Hodram, who has held the real power of the military for many years, the task of reorganizing the Knights has occurred, and that has reduced the strength of the Roserian Kingdom.
(After all, I should have taken care of Duke Gerhardt without admitting reverence or anything else.............or was it Viscount now? Either way, it didn't matter to Viscount Gerhardt that his title had been lowered. (That's why he easily agreed to the terms)
　Such thoughts come to Count Bergston's mind.
　In fact, even though his title has been dropped from a duke to a viscount, Gerhard's influence on the nobles doesn't seem to be undermined.
　The fact is, on the contrary, with the formal recognition of Princess Ladine as royalty, the aristocrats who were dissatisfied with Lupis had begun to form a strong unity.
　In order to create a power structure in which she is the main player, many nobles were driven out of the royal palace with the end of the civil war.
　For her, she would say that cutting off the people who had been wagging their tails at Gerhardt was an obvious choice, but there was no way the people who were cut off would be satisfied.
　Still, if they had killed Gerhardt, they would have been dissatisfied, but not united.
　Gerhardt's strength and Radine's cause.
　That was what stood in front of Queen Lupis.

　Count Bergston's gaze turns to Mikhail, who is silent with his arms crossed beside Mertina.
　That's where he regrets it.
　He should have been able to obtain a complete victory.
　If only he hadn't accepted Gerhardt's reverence at that moment.
(Even though there was no other choice.......Mikoshiba-dono should have thought of something to do.)
　The situation at the time was understood by the Earl of Bergston.
　He himself was present at the meeting and was briefed by Elena.　
　I know it was unavoidable.
　But under the circumstances, I would resent Mikoshiba Ryoma who affirmed Gerhardt's reverence at Lupis's behest without refuting anything.
　At the very least, if he hadn't affirmed Gerhardt's reverence at that time and executed Radine as a deceit, half of the problems the Roseria Kingdom has now would have been solved.
　The domestic discontents would have followed Lupis even superficially.
　If that happened, they could have sent troops to Zaruda at an earlier point in time.

''The biggest problem is the movement of the Mist Kingdom. They have already concluded their reinforcements on the eastern border, and if they are willing to head straight to us as soon as we allow them passage through the country we can't refuse them, and if we refuse, we will have to fight the Mist Kingdom. Besides, this will be the last time we have any chance of saving Zaruda.

　The air in the room becomes heavy at the Earl of Bergston's words.
　Everyone's gaze falls on another letter placed on the tabletop.　
　The Mist Kingdom will never back down.
　They know that if they abandon the Kingdom of Zaruda, the forces of the Oltmere Empire will overrun the eastern region like an avalanche.　
　And even if the three countries stand against each other individually, there is no chance of victory.
　Their individual national strengths are not even close to the level of the Oltmere Empire.
　On the contrary, I'm surprised that we even put up with Roselia's attitude until now.

''Our country has no choice but to send our troops.......right?''

　Lupis muttered, shaking his head.
　There is no other choice.　

''The question is how many troops we can send in, but given the situation in the country, sending one knight's order is the best we can do.

　An air of disappointment washed over the room at Mertina's words.

''Two thousand five hundred........''

　Count Bergston's muttering, which seemed to be disgusted, represented the feelings of all the people present.
　That's far too few to be a reinforcement force sent by a country.
　Five thousand at least.
　Considering the current situation, I'd like to give ten thousand.
　Of course, it's not necessary to organize everything with only the knights directly under the kingdom, but the cooperation of the nobles is unlikely.　
　Everyone is feeling the disquiet over the Roselia Kingdom and is in a state where they are paying attention to Gerhardt's movements.
　In this case, factions are not the issue.
　Even noblemen such as Count Bergston and Count Zeref, who are beginning to be heavily used as a close associate of Queen Lupis, can't send out troops.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good deal more than you think.
　There is no room for them to participate in helping other countries, let alone within Roselia.

We can't move the nobles. The only thing left to do is to conscript peasants and others, but to be honest, I don't think we can gather much in the way of numbers. Unless, of course, we can threaten them.

It's a drag, if you ask me.

　Lupis shook his head with a sigh at Mertina's words.
　If you conscript them, you'll have enough soldiers.
　20,000 or 30,000, as you wish.
　No, even 100,000 would be possible.
　But if we're talking about war potential, it was frankly not something we could count on.
　On the contrary, they could be a burden to us.　
　The problem was that this war was not a war of aggression.
　If it was a war of aggression, the people who were drafted would be happy to join the war.
　Because they are allowed to loot villages and towns and rape women.
　Then they would sell the surviving inhabitants into slavery.　
　There are certain advantages there that are worth risking their lives for.
　But this time, we have reinforcements.
　We can't allow them to plunder and assault as they please.
　If we allowed them to do so, we would lose sight of what they were reinforcements for.
　Sure, we're guaranteed food, clothing, and shelter, but that's the bare minimum.
　Unless you can take out even the enemy's commander on the battlefield, that kind of luck isn't likely to happen.
　The only reward for most soldiers is the tears of sparrows paid by their country.
　It's hardly worth risking your life.
　Morale will be at its lowest and there will be more conflict.
　My biggest fear is that discontent will erupt and hit the city of Zaruda.
　Even if it was a short term operation within the country, they couldn't very well send their conscripted soldiers to reinforce other countries.

In that case, we'll have no choice but to send commanders who are acceptable to both countries.

　Everyone nodded at Count Zeref's words.
　A battle that could never be lost.
　If they lost, it was obvious that the fangs of the Oltomere Empire would turn on the Kingdom of Rosellia.
　And it is a battle that requires results that cannot be underestimated by the kingdoms of Zaruda and Mist.
　The number of troops sent out to reinforce them is small, and if they can't contribute to the victory, both Zaruda and Mist will never forgive Roselia.
　They will ask for significant concessions in trade relations, and if they are not good enough, it will be a war.

'I'll go,'

　Elena, who had been silent ever since the meeting began, finally spoke up.　
　A curtain of silence fell over the room as everyone remained silent.

'Are you sure?　Elena.

　Finally, Lupis opened his mouth.
　A look of confusion and guilt flashed across her face.
　It was natural in a way.
　The only thing that can be sent out to reinforce is a small amount or two thousand five hundred.
　Moreover, it's not enough to just head for reinforcements. They had to have enough results to convince both countries.
　To put it bluntly, it was a poor bargain.

"Of course, Your Majesty.

　There was a strong light of will in Elena's eyes as she nodded.
　There was no other way to save the Roselia Kingdom.
　Even though he was a member of Lupis' entourage, his name had not spread to other countries in Mertina or Mikhail.
　No one will be satisfied if the commander is an unknown greenhorn for only two thousand five hundred troops.
　It was obvious that this would cause unnecessary friction.
　In this regard, everyone is convinced by Elena, who has been called the "White God of War" by the nations.

''If that's the case, I'll ask Elena-sama to be the chief executive, we need someone to assist her.

　Seeing everyone nod at Elena's words, Mertina opened her mouth.

''I'm sure. You'll need someone, a competent assistant..............but who on earth will you have? Is it Mikhail-dono, or is it Mertina-dono?''

　Count Zeref's doubts were natural.
　There were only a few famous military officers in the current Roselia Kingdom.
　Also, the more such people were responsible for jobs that were irreplaceable.
　Once they were sent as reinforcements, they would not be able to return to Roselia until half a year later at the earliest. Depending on the war situation, that could be years away.
　Very much, there is no time to spare.
　But that doesn't mean I can't send Elena alone to a battlefield that's as close to death as you can get.
　Everyone was silent and mute when a man broke the silence.

''Wouldn't it be better to ask Mikoshiba-dono for help?''