'You really think you can do that!　Do you think that the kingdom of Zaruda is such an a**h*le to our knights?　No one in this country wants to survive such humiliation!

In the middle of the night, when most of the inhabitants had gone to bed, a loud voice echoed in a room of the royal castle.
　Indignation, contained in that cry was the roar of a lion whose pride had been hurt.
　Grahart's face turned red with anger and stared at Ryojin's face with bloodshot eyes.
　Although he had ordered a man-hunt beforehand, the sheer volume of his voice made Julianus involuntarily turn his gaze to the door of the room.
　Loud voices are a great advantage on the battlefield in terms of enhancing the command of the soldiers, but they are not suitable for this kind of secret talks.
　There was a wry smile on the face of Elena, who sat next to Ryouma, and the woman sitting to Grahart's left as well.

'It's not that I can't do it. There's no other way.......or do you want to continue to be destroyed by Oltmere?

　While meeting the fierce rage emitted from Grahart's body head on, Ryoma cut back without changing a single color.

''What do you mean!　We haven't lost yet. First of all, what you are proposing is nothing but theoretical thinking. If it were just our country, it would be insane to involve Roselia and Mist. If you really think that both countries will go along with this proposal, you're an incorrigible fool!

Well, that's true, I suppose. But, Mr. Grahart, can you think of any other way to win?　If you're content to just postpone your destruction for a few years, there are a few ways to go about it, but if you want to leave the kingdom of Zaruda and hope to win... there's no other way.

'It was a military council to discuss it!　You remained silent in the corner of the room with no expression of opinion, and now you act so high and mighty! Your Majesty!　I stand here in Lady Elena's face, but I cannot hear any more of this. This is a waste of time. Please return to your rooms.

　Grahart turned his head towards Julianus I and urged him to get out of his seat.
　But Julianus I stroked his white beard and narrowed his eyes back at him.

'Well, wait, Grahart. 'Well, wait a minute, Grahart,' he said, 'we have taken the opportunity to arrange a private meeting in the middle of the night. There's no need to jump to conclusions.''

　This meeting, which had been set up with great care and great effort in accordance with Ryoma's wish for secrecy.
　There was no need to end the conversation in the middle of the road.

''But, Your Majesty.......this guy's story is nothing but a picture-perfect one. First of all, if we do what this man says, our country will end up being a vassal state of Ernest Gura.

　But the words that escaped Julian's mouth were something Grahart hadn't expected to hear.

'Isn't it good, Grahart?'

　After those words echoed through the room, silence took over the place.
　Even Elena couldn't hide her surprise as her eyes widened.

''He........Your Majesty.''

What's the surprise?　If we do nothing, we will either become vassals of the Altomere Empire and become a vassal state, or we will crush our people in the process of displacing them. Either way, the result would be much the same. Then it is possible to be vassal to the one with the better conditions.

　If the war is fought to the end, of course the land of Zaruda Kingdom will be devastated.
　The lives of the people will be ruined.
　However, it is the same as offering vassalage to the Oltmere Empire.
　War is an economic activity.
　The more enormous the cost of war spent, the more money Oltomere, which accepted vassalage, will try to squeeze out of Zaruda after the war.
　The enormous amount of offerings demanded each year.
　And an unequal tariff rate.
　The only difference between a quick death or a slow death is that nothing changes the outcome of death.
　But that's not because the Oltomere Empire is an evil and inhumane state.
　They know that if they don't recoup the cost of the war they've spent, somewhere, their country will be destroyed.　　

It's fine to be a vassal to Ernesgula. But, Mikoshiba-dono, it's not a problem. But it is no different from vassalage to Oltmere. What do you think?

　Ryoma nodded silently at Julianus' question.
　Because he understood that it was a question that would naturally come up.

''That's why I had the representatives of each of Mist, Roselia, and Zaruda gather here. Well, to make one correction, my proposal is not a vassalage, but a union of the four Keke nations with Ernest Gura at the top... well, it wouldn't be wrong to recognize it as a vassal state.

'That's what I don't like most!　Why involve other countries in our affairs? Besides, since the battle on the plains of Notis, we have frequently sent messengers to Elnesgulla, urging them to join our campaign. But over the past year you have not moved from one side of the conflict to the other. I don't think you'll be able to get things done the way you want them to be done.

　Grahart bit again at Ryouma's words.
　The point was made out of disgust for the plan, but it wasn't wrong.
(Totally.........why is it that you don't listen to the end of people's stories......that guy from Mikhail had the same kind of feeling, but is it a knight's occupational disease?
　Ryouma sighed deeply inwardly.
　Grahart's point is not wrong, but Ryoma has taken it into account and has formulated a plan.
　If you listen to the end of the story, you'll know that, but every so often, you get annoyed and frustrated when you're broken off from the conversation.
　I'm sure this is the result of an impatient desire to protect the country, but even for Ryoma, it's time to put up with it.
(Besides, it's because you guys are incompetent that I was sent out to reinforce you, isn't it? The reason we lost on the Notis Plains was because we ran headlong into the enemy's trap. Fools!　You don't like my schemes so much, you should clean up your own mess!
　As for Ryoma, I want the Zaruda Kingdom to continue to exist as much as possible.
　If it loses the shield called Zaruda Kingdom now, Oltmere will overrun the eastern part of the western continent like an avalanche.
　The Mist Kingdom will be able to hold on somewhat with the power of the Knights supported by its rich economy, but the Roselia Kingdom still hasn't recovered the national power that was reduced by the civil war a year ago.
　No, now that Lupis' policies aren't working well, there's even a possibility that the country's power is lower than it was a year ago.
　Under such circumstances, there was no way they would be able to intercept the Altomere Empire's advancing army.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to overturn such a desperate situation.
　And yet, it was very unacceptable for him to shout in the middle of a conversation and instigate Julianus to get up from his seat.
　A dark flame lit up in Ryouma's heart.
　And it was slowly eating away at Ryoma's reason.
(Let's just kill him........)
　Such an idea popped into Ryoma's mind.
　If he turned to one of the best people in the Igazakis, even if he was a strong man who served as the head of a knight's order, he should be able to assassinate them sufficiently.

''Apparently you are jumping to conclusions too quickly. Master Grahart?　Mikoshiba has not yet explained everything to you. As His Majesty Julianus said, we have gathered here in seclusion. It's not too late to decide whether it's a foolish plan or a strange plan after you've heard the whole story.

　A bright and refreshing female voice sounded out of tune with the atmosphere of the place.
　Hearing that voice, the fire of anger that had been growing inside Ryoma rapidly subsided.
(Oh no, oh no, oh no, my thinking is getting short-circuited lately... I must be pretty much trapped too...)
　We get rid of anyone who gets in our way.
　It may not be the wrong choice, but it's not enough to survive.
　Short-sightedness will only create new enemies.
　Besides, in a bad situation like the one we're in now, the more allies we have, even if they're a little stupid, the better.
　Cutting down is really the last thing you want to do.　

''Lord Marinaire are you saying that you are worth listening to this man's schemes?''

　At the unexpected words of an unexpected person, Grahart's face contorted at the unexpected words of an unexpected person.　
　As long as the general of the neighboring country sent to reinforce is listening, even if he is dissatisfied with Graharto, he has no choice but to back down here.

'Of course. It was a rather interesting story...

　After saying that, Ecclesia turned her face towards Ryoma.

''Mikoshiba-sama.......was it?　I have heard of your name. I heard that you fought alongside His Majesty Lupis during the Roserian Civil War last year, and achieved great results. Isn't that right?　Lady Elena.

'Yes, he is one of the best strategists and tacticians I know... I had spoken to Mr. Grahart beforehand, but apparently he didn't believe my words...'

　Elena said and shook her head in disappointment.

'Shh, but I'm not sure this man's plan is very worth listening to...'

That's enough, Grahart. If you won't shut up about Mikoshiba-dono, then leave the room.

　His lord admonished him, and a hesitation appeared on Grahart's face.

'I apologize for being a pain in the ass,' he said. I'm sorry to be a pain in the ass, and I'm sure Grahart understands. Would you be willing to continue the conversation?

'Of course. Your Majesty.

　At Julianus' words, Ryoma nodded quietly and began to talk about his plan.


''Elena-sama........he's a pretty sharp guy.......''

Yeah, I'd say he's more than a top-notch schemer in my book.

And as a warrior.....

　After the meeting, Elena and Ecclesia are the only two people left in the room.
　Sitting face to face, they tipped the wine on the table.　

''A strange plan.......I guess it's not.......''

　Elena nodded quietly at Ecclesia's muttering.

''It wouldn't be an odd plan. It's a proposal that was prolifically put forward at the recent military council meeting...''

''But that's a plan that no one has been able to achieve for the past year... do you think that Elena-sama would be able to do it, Mikoshiba-sama?

　Elena shook her head at the probing question.

''I don't know. I had a feeling that she would be able to move the northern vixen from the meeting earlier, but.......really, I don't know if she can move the northern vixen....

　Elena's words don't lie.
　From the point of view of possibility, it's enough.
　But if you ask me if it's absolutely possible, I have to shake my head.
　To be honest, it's probably a 50-50 split at best.

''What are you going to do, Ecclesia-san?　I knew I had to send word to the Home of Mist...

　This time, Elena asks Ecclesia.

Of course, I intend to send a message to you tonight. It's too heavy for me to reach a conclusion on my own, but I personally think that I should go along with this plan.

　The two people who don't have the authority to make that decision here, whether to go along with Liang Shin's plan or not, are Elena and Ecclesia.　
　However, unlike Roselia, which has exhausted its national power and has few options left, the Mist Kingdom still retains enough economic and military power to be able to fight a war on its own for several years.
　The three eastern countries see no point in cooperating with each other, and there is the possibility of the Mist Kingdom starting a war on its own.

''Considering what happened after the war, I think it's better for the three countries to cooperate here, so... it's a little too much like Mikoshiba-sama had in mind, and it's annoying, but...''

　When I say that, Ecclesia shrugs her shoulders with a mischievous child-like smile.

''If you know that much about Ecclesia-san, then there's no need for me to say anything extra.......am I sorry that you took the trouble to stay?

That's not true. It's because I was able to talk like this with Elena-sama, the acclaimed [White God of War of Roselia].

''Oh, I'm embarrassed when Ecclesia-san, who is called [Stormy Wind], talks to me like that.

　They both laughed and tilted the glasses in their hands.

''I was anxious to see how this battle would turn out, but thanks to Mikoshiba-sama, it's gotten a lot more interesting...''

　A small murmur escaped Ecclesia's mouth.