Two days after the match that took place in the training grounds.
　More than thirty people had been gathered in the castle's large room.　

'This is the current situation in our country. Today, I would like you to engage in a lively debate to break through this situation.

　A map of the country of Zaruda spread out on a large tabletop.
　While pointing with his commanding stick at the pieces representing the troops and forts placed on it, Grahart raised his voice.

''I need everyone's help to protect and defend our country.

　Julian I, sitting down next to Grahart, opened his mouth.
　The great hall of the royal castle was used for the first time to hold a joint military council of the three eastern kingdoms.
　In addition to the generals and knight commanders selected from the kingdoms of Myst, Roselia and Zaruda, the senior nobles responsible for the diplomatic and financial affairs of the Kingdom of Zaruda were gathered in one room and met each other for the first time.
　Among them was the King of Zaruda, Julian I.
　Until now, there have only been a few times when Julian has appeared in a military council meeting.
　That's probably why the current state of affairs in the Kingdom of Zaruda is so hard to be optimistic about.

　The military council in the king's presence was heated from the start.

''No, we think that we should maintain the front line and urge the neighboring countries to tighten their stranglehold on the Oltmere Empire!

　The well-dressed nobleman shouted aloud, and the young knight sitting next to him bit into his words.

''What do you mean!　That's exactly what Oltmere wants, isn't it? They want to seize the country while we stand idly by!

Calm down. I think that Zaruda, Mist, and Roselia will not be able to compete with these three nations alone. Shouldn't we still wait for Elnesgulla to join the fight?

'It's been going on since the beginning of the war, and we haven't made any progress in the past year.

'But it will be difficult to hold the front any longer on our own. This is where we must bring in Ernesgula. Shouldn't we do everything in our power to do that?

'Nonsense!　There is no way that Ernest Gura can help our country. What do you think the queen of that country is called!

Lefty!　The fact that they have been taking their time to meet with our emissaries and advance their armies to the border area, while continuing to meet with our emissaries, is no doubt aimed at our land!

　The elders proposed an endurance war because of the difficulty in securing supply lines and the location in the center of the continent, which is surrounded by enemies on all sides, and the young knights argued that the peasant soldiers should come out aggressively to maintain their morale.
　They all gathered their wits and actively exchanged their opinions.
　In the midst of all this, Ryoma, Rionne and the four Malfist sisters, who were frozen in a corner of the room as if they were avoiding the eyes of others, turned their cold gazes towards them.

It's not even active........this situation, we're already stuck with it. What are you shouting about something so obvious now?

　Hearing Ryouma's murmurings, Rionne, who was standing beside him, gave a bitter smile.
　Although she was considerate enough to say it in a whisper, it wasn't the kind of words that would be uttered in a military congress.
　Still, it was clear why Rionne was not going to chide Ryoma.
(That's a boy who speaks harshly.......well, there's no way to deny the fact that it's true, though......)
　The content of the heated debate that was unfolding in front of them were all things that had already been considered and considered by the five of them, including Sakuya, who was not present here.
　To Ryoma and the others, the heated debate in front of them was nothing more than a farce.　
　To begin with, the Zaruda Kingdom's national strength was less than a third of the Oltmere Empire.
　It was calculated that the three eastern countries would finally become equals when they joined together.
　However, Roselia's national strength has been exhausted by the civil war, and the crucial Kingdom of Zaruda has also suffered a major loss in military strength due to its defeat on the Notis Plains.
(If things continue as they are now, victory or defeat is in sight.......?)
　There is no wavering in Ryoma's assessment of the situation.
　He has the mental strength to look at the inconvenient things head on.
　Rionne understands that this is the reason why the person named Mikoshiba Ryoma has survived.

He said, "When the front line is pushed to the outskirts of the capital, we're out. Then the country will be finished........

　The Kingdom of Zaruda is a nearly rectangular country that stretches from north to south.
　The capital, Periferia, was located near the east of the center.
　The front line was a mountainous area about three days' walk southwest of its capital.
　An army of 15,000 troops led by Joshua Belhareth was holding the front line in a determined manner.
　However, to be clear, the truth would be that they were delaying the invasion of the land of the Kingdom of Zaruda by the invading army of Oltomere every day just a little bit longer.
　We need reinforcements as soon as possible.

You can't just turn this situation upside down in a straightforward manner. At least I don't want to play such a gamble...

　Rionne shook her head with a bitter smile.
　Already, the situation in the Zaruda Kingdom was shared among Ryoma and the others.
　The map that they had used during last night's discussion appeared in Ryoma's mind.　

　A year ago, the Oltmere Empire, which had won the decisive battle on the Notis Plains, continued to advance its army eastward and stopped its advance once it had crossed the mountainous region on the border.
　Then, when they built the fort, they sent a large amount of supplies and troops to Zaruda, with the help of the rich national power of the champion of the central part of the western continent.
　After that, we can use the fort as a starting point to slowly move eastward.
　And it's clear from Oltomere's marching route shown on the map that they have no intention of forcibly capturing the capital city of Peripheria.
　It was a route that would pass slightly to the south of the capital city of Peripheria.
　Oltmere's aim, as seen from there, is to divide the southern part of the Kingdom of Zaruda.
　Once divided, the aristocrats who hold the southern part of the Zaruda Kingdom will be upset because they will be prevented from communicating with the capital and will be defeated one by one.

''As I thought, only Ryojin-sama's plan could break through this situation...''

　In response to Saara's question, Rionne raises her lips and shrugs her shoulders.

It's not going to be possible. It's a good thing that the current situation will change drastically if you can make that thing I heard about yesterday a reality. It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to be able to get your hands on any of these things. After all, it's just a matter of time. I don't think it's going to be that easy, do you?

'The question is what the Mist Kingdom is going to do... whether they'll come on board with us or not.

　Laura gave a small nod to Rionne's answer.

''Well, the Mist Kingdom is still good. I've just ordered Sakuya to gather information. Besides, I haven't even passed the story of the example to His Majesty Julianus yet. For now, we'll have to convince Elena-san and His Majesty Julianus before we can do anything about it.

　Ryoma's gaze turned to a young woman standing between Grahart and Elena.
　She had glossy black hair reminiscent of lacquerware and fine skin that was as white as snow.
　She must be in her mid-twenties to early thirties at this age.
　She has a graceful demeanor and appearance that would convince me to introduce her as a princess of some kind.
　When it comes to beauty alone, she's a good match for Queen Lupis.

You can't get away with it.

　Rionne muttered quietly as she twisted her face as if she had bitten down on a bitter worm.
　Indeed, the figure of Ecclesia in Ryoma's eyes could only be a nobleman's daughter, no matter how one looked at it.

''Rione-san had a run-in with her once in the past, right?

　That's what Bortz had told him before he left for Zaruda.
　Rionne's eyes widened in surprise as she didn't expect Ryoma to know about it.

'It's Bortz... totally, that chatterer... ah, you're right. A few years ago Mist and one of the southern countries had a run-in with each other over territory. But as long as they're making a name for themselves, they're still pawns in the battlefield. They won't even know about them, though.

　What comes to mind is the memory of a bitter defeat.
　As if to expel that frustration, Rionne continues to speak.

It's a good thing we thought it was a bad idea to break off the chase. We managed to keep our guys intact, but the others were wiped out... it was a losing battle... it's not surprising that she had a plan to kill us all. I did....she's a scary woman with a face that wouldn't even kill a bug. She is.

　Along with his frustration, Rionne's willingness to acknowledge the power of the human called Ecclesia made Ryoma smile faintly.
　In Ryouma's eyes, Rionne had excellent abilities as a commander.
　His calm judgment and the authority to inspire his soldiers.
　Although he has a tendency to get a little blood on his head, he is also aware of it and conscious of trying to control it.
　If he were not bound by the status of a commoner, he would have enough power to be used heavily in any country.
　One cannot underestimate the power of the general Ecclesia Mariner, who Rionne goes so far as to say.　
(I suppose I should, but the Kingdom of Mist or whatever they want to do with this war)
　The Mist Kingdom and its reinforcement generals still can't see the heart of it.
　Where are their aims and to what extent can they tolerate sacrifice?
　In the current situation where it's impossible to discern that, it's too dangerous to unveil the plan that Ryoma has concocted.

''I guess we can count on our abilities.''

　How much are we willing to sacrifice to protect our country....
　Those were not words that were directed at Julianus I alone.
　Liangma muttered quietly and continued to watch the fools in a heated argument from one corner of the room.