Afternoon of January 3, 2814 in the Western Continental Calendar

What's that?　Count Schwarzheim.

　Julian I. turned his gaze somewhat amusedly to the man kneeling before the throne, and urged him to speak with his cheekbones.
　The man called Count Schwartzheim was dressed in silk garments laden with gold thread, and from the number of encrusted jewels and elaborate designs, he seemed to be quite a prominent figure in the court.
　Most importantly, the fact that he was allowed to speak as he was while pushing aside the guards and advancing in front of the king shows the extent of his power in itself.
　He was a man of about forty with blond hair stroked back, his belly jutting forward like a cloth bag.
　However, the broad shoulders that didn't match his hundred and seventy-plus stature and his two arms that reminded me of a log showed that he wasn't just a man of power.

'With all due respect,' he said, 'I'm afraid I have to say something that I'm prepared to do to displease His Majesty.

　As he said it with his face down, the aristocrat turned his sharp gaze towards Ryoma next to him.
　Hatred, anger, jealousy, and contempt.
　Yin emotions that were too raw to be directed at a person he had never met before resided there.
(Hey, what the hell is this guy........)
　There was no way anyone could maintain their composure when someone they didn't know the face of could suddenly look at them with hatred.
　Ryouma desperately suppressed the upset that was bubbling up.
　There was no way he could show weakness in this audience where enemies and allies were intermingled.
　Of course, being licked on purpose to catch the other party off guard is one of the strategies, but what Ryoma needs right now is to instill absolute awe in the Zaruda nobles.
　For that reason, he needs to pay close attention to his own expression.

''If there's something on your mind, let me know.

I am of the opinion that this person is not capable of living up to His Majesty's expectations. I think that we should have the troops returned to the country at once.

　The audience room was filled with a stir because of his provocative and unmannerly attitude toward the reinforcements sent by another country.

"I see," said the Earl, "do you want me to return Mikoshiba-dono, who went all the way from Japan for reinforcements, to your country without further ado?

"As you wish.

　At Julian I's question, Count Schwartzheim nodded without seeming to take offense.

'The Count knows what he's claiming, doesn't he?　Does the Earl intend to create a rift between the Kingdom of Roselia and our country?

That is certainly a concern, but His Majesty has not seen in person the band of so-called "reinforcements" this man has led, so that is what he is saying.

　The throbbing that had enveloped the audience room vanished at Count Schwartzheim's words.

''I've heard that you are more elite in your selection than Lord Elena?''

If it is true that your Majesty was informed in this way by General Elena Steiner, I must say that this is a great mistake. I have found out that there were only three hundred men in the army. Moreover, the majority of the troops are commoner women and children who are not even old enough to be sent to battle, so they will not be of any use to you if you send them to the battlefield. If they are taken to the battlefield and become the prey of the enemy, the morale of our troops will decline, and this will cause unnecessary unrest in the entire army. Also, after nearly a year of defensive warfare, our army has no spare supplies. Since they are useless as a fighting force, I think the best course of action is to have them return to the Kingdom of Roselia as soon as possible.

　Only Count Schwartzheim's voice rang out during the audience.
　The Roselia Kingdom's reinforcements totaled two thousand eight hundred, two thousand five hundred led by Elena and three hundred led by Ryojin.
　Even though the renowned Elena is the captain, it's no secret that it's too few against the elite ten thousand reinforcements sent by the Mist Kingdom.
　Although this is too rude an attitude towards the people who came all the way from the neighboring country to reinforce the army, it can't be said that Count Schwartzheim's opinion itself is wrong.
　A weak ally is far more troublesome than a strong enemy.
　Warfare depends on how to break the hearts and minds of men.
　It is true that a battle can be over even if you defeat the general who commands the army, and it can be won or lost until every last soldier is killed.
　However, in the end, the reason why a general is defeated and a battle is won or lost is because the hearts of the soldiers are broken in the face of the reality of the general's death.
　Most battles are won or lost when the heart of the soldiers and the heart of the general who leads them are broken by fear of death and awareness of defeat.
He understands the psychology of war and soldiers. This guy's an idiot.
　Reasonable and clear reasons.
　Ryoma honestly reviewed the neighboring Count Schwartzheim.
　Although his appearance gave the impression of an arrogant and foolish aristocrat, he was once again reminded that a person's true value had nothing to do with his appearance.　
　And once the prejudice disappears, Ryoma can see Count Schwartzheim's true intentions.
(There are two possibilities. If he's serious, he's a trustworthy person. On the other hand, if it's an invitation, he's a great scoundrel.
　Ryouma quietly stared at the profile of Count Schwartzheim, who was shouting out loud.
　It was as if he was trying to see through the Count's heart.......

　Count Schwartzheim's points and concerns could be said to be, in a sense, natural.
　If you only look at the surface, the three hundred soldiers that Liangzhen has led are worth less than trash.
　In addition to the meager number of troops, many of the soldiers that made up the army were commoner women and children.
　If it had been made up entirely of able-bodied men, Count Schwartzheim would not have been so foul-mouthed.
　Normally, he wouldn't turn in conscripted peasant soldiers for reinforcements, but he's heard some of the inner workings of the Roserian Kingdom.
　It's a good idea to have a few troops to send out to neighboring countries now that they're doing their best to recover from the civil war, because in a way it can't be helped.
　So I was honestly grateful and able to appreciate the fact that the Roselia Kingdom had done its best and let the two thousand and five hundred knights be led by the experienced Elena.
　However, the troops Mikoshiba Ryoma had led were different.
　They were led by an upstart aristocrat with no track record, soldiers who could hardly be considered a force to be reckoned with.
(Would you fool our country by sending such soldiers to reinforcements!
　The anger irritated his mind.
　From Count Schwartzheim's point of view, it was only natural that he would look like a commoner turned into a soldier in order to keep up the appearance of the army.

'I am grateful that you have come all this way to reinforce us, but we do not have the luxury of time. I don't know for what purpose you have created this army, but to tell you the truth, it's very annoying!　Even though we have only three hundred, we have no food and supplies left to send to those who can't be counted in the battle!　

　An angry shout echoed through the audience room.
　Certainly, sharing valuable supplies with useless soldiers was never a positive thing.

''Count Schwartzheim, aren't you being a little overly wordy?''

What do you mean, Commander Henschel? What the hell are you thinking about in the first place?　I heard that you had gone to the outskirts of King's Landing to pick him up, but if you knew about it in advance, why didn't you inform His Majesty? Normally, it's only natural for you to turn him away before he has an audience with you!

　That is a good argument that leaves no room for defense.
　The Kingdom of Zaruda wants reinforcements, not baggage.
　That will trumps Grahart's backup mercilessly.　
　The other noblemen don't know about it, but Count Schwartzheim, from the bottom of his heart, is willing to stake everything on the survival of the Kingdom of Zaruda and the royal family.
　The surrounding countries have reckoned Julian I as an ordinary man, but in Count Schwartzheim's eyes, he is a sovereign well worth serving.
(His Majesty is not mediocre. (His Majesty is no ordinary man; he has held his country together in this war-torn age, through many wars!
　This thought motivated Count Schwartzheim.　

"Hmm, I understand the Count's concern, but I have no intention of sending Mikoshiba-dono home.

　Julian I smiled calmly and stroked his white beard.
　And as his unblinking words echoed through the audience room, there was another groan.

'Why!　Why, sir!

　At the unexpected words, Count Schwartzheim changed his expression and crowded to the throne.

''You are insulting to Your Majesty!

　Grahardt's huge body held Count Schwartzheim's body in check.

''Shit!　Let go of me!　Your Majesty, why!

　Red-faced, Count Schwartzheim continued to struggle to brush away Grahardt's hand.

'Henschel. Just let him go.'

　At the calm voice of Julianus I, Count Schwartzheim realized the meaning of his actions.
　Squeezing into the throne in a fit of emotion is an action that could be taken as treason.

''I beg your pardon Your Majesty, I........''

　Count Schwartzheim prostrates himself in place as he shrinks back, and Julian I urges him to stand with his hand.

'Good. The Count's concerns are valid...'

　When he said that, he turned his gaze to Ryoma, who was kneeling in silence, seemingly amused.

''What do you think?''　All of us here at this time may have the same concerns as Count Schwartzheim. I know it's a bother to you, but would you be willing to show them the power of you and your men?

Are you asking me to fight someone else?

That's right. Or is Count Schwartzheim's concern true?

　In response to Ryoma's question, Julianus I received a wicked smile and challenged him.
(I see........nah. It's annoying to be talked about in a good way, but it's okay. It's something that has to be done at some point anyway. Let's just think of it as a schedule moved up...)
　Originally, they didn't come to reinforce with the sole purpose of defending the Kingdom of Zaruda.
　Now that they have seized sovereignty of the Woltenia Peninsula, what they need to take the next leap forward is fame.
　It's no exaggeration to say that their main goal is to gain that fame.
　And what is needed to gain that fame is a sacrifice.
　The more blood that was spilled, the more Mikoshiba Liangzhen's name would spread across the land of the Western Continent.

''No, I will prove the power of our soldiers before Your Majesty and all of you.

　Along with those words, Ryoma's face contorts.
　It was the smile of a carnivore licking its tongue in front of its foolish prey.
　But no one was able to kneel in front of the throne and look at Ryoma's face as he remained prostrate.