Near the northern border of the Kingdom of Zaruda.
　A group of people were running northwestward on the road that crossed a large forest area.
　Originally, it can't be said that trade was not that active in this area. On top of that, now that the movement of Ernest Gura is uncertain, the only people who use this road are the peasants living in the surrounding farming villages.
　Therefore, no matter how many horses they drive, no accidents are likely to occur.
　After all, the sound of a horseshoe can be heard clearly from a distance.
　When they saw the dust cloud, all they had to do was remove it to the side of the road.
　The group was shabbily dressed.
　Probably to shorten the journey, they also used side roads other than the roadways protected by wards.
　The cloak for protection from the wind was badly worn, as if scratched by a beast's claws, and there was a faint odor from their bodies, as if they hadn't had a good bath in days.
　Perhaps they hadn't been staying at an inn, but rather in the field.
　If they weren't on horseback and armed, they would look like refugees fleeing the fires of war.
　The faces of the group of about twenty people showed the fatigue of the journey in strong relief.


''I see them, Commander!

　One of the young knights leading the group turned around and shouted.
　In advancing through the land occupied by the still-unsettled Elnesgoura Kingdom of enemies, the leader would also play the role of a scout.
　The relief of finally being freed from that pressure was blurred in his voice.
　At the words of the man with the best eyesight among the pro-guard knights, everyone's gaze was turned to the small hill ahead.

''That's the northern citadel, Memphis.

　Looking in the direction pointed by Osan Greedo, who was riding beside Liangzhen, a small black dot gradually took a clearer shape as the horse advanced.
　Eventually, Ryouma could clearly see the city with its many layers of city walls.
　It has been a year since Memphis, the northern keystone of the Zaruda Kingdom, was occupied by Ernest Gura.
　The flag of the Kingdom of Ernesgula was flying on the city walls.

''Ah, finally........''

　Without slowing down his horse, Ryouma turned his gaze to the city wall ahead.　

''Four days to here........''

　Ryoma's murmurings with a mixture of dissatisfaction and impatience reached the ears of the Malfist sisters who were running their horses alongside each other.

''I think it's quite fast compared to normal.......It's only natural since we were able to make the horses run regardless of the day and night while strengthening them with the Dharma technique.......And it's also quite big that we were able to change horses in the city on the way. Since we were able to minimize the time spent on resting the horses.......

　At Laura's words, Saara nodded silently.
　The horse's saddle and horseshoe have a granting technique that allows the rider to gain speed enhancement and strength recovery effects by flowing the life-giving 《prana》, so the horse can move for a long time at a much faster speed than simply running it.
　Ryouma and the others ran their horses at full speed anyway, and when they arrived in the city, they repeatedly did the rough work of switching to the horses that Greed had taken advantage of his position as the head of the Parent Guard Knights to transfer to the horses that were given to him by the security force stationed there, reducing the time.

''Well, I guess it can't be helped...''

　Ryoma muttered as if he was going to spit it out and turned his gaze forward.

''Are you dissatisfied?''

　Shaking his head silently at Saara's worried words, Ryoma increased his horse's speed.
(Frustration is frustration I can't help but say it... but d*mn it, can we make it?)
　Although the technique of legal arts is highly versatile and convenient, it is not without its drawbacks.
　No matter how much you strengthen your horse with Dharma techniques, as long as it is a living organism, fatigue will accumulate and there is a limit to how fast it can go.
　That's why they changed horses at towns along the way.　　　
　Furthermore, in order to keep the horse's strength from being exhausted, they take a lot of care with their luggage and clothes.
　Many of the Zaruda knights often cover their entire bodies with thick metal armor, but the current knights all wore light armor tanned from leather like mercenaries.
　If it weren't for the design of the sword and shield, the emblem of the Zaruda Kingdom, sewn into their cloaks, no one would recognize them as knights.
　There is only one weapon, a long sword strapped to his waist.
　There is no spear or replacement weapon.
　All that's left is portable water and a cloth bag containing a bit of dried meat for preserving, strapped to the saddle.
　The equipment is almost reckless, passing the adjective "lightly armed".
　No matter how much we intended to replenish our supplies in the towns scattered along the roads, unlike the earth, the environment is one where anything can happen.
　In fact, the usual Mikoshiba Ryoma would never set out on a trip with this kind of equipment.
　It was an action that was close to a gamble, because he decided that now was the time to bet the odds.
(Those two guys would certainly be able to gain a few days, but their numbers of troops were too different from those of the Altomere Empire. Even if you consider the geographical advantage, a good place to start would be around ten days.......even if the story is well organized, there is a possibility that you won't be able to make it in time for the decisive battle)
　The faces of Rionne and Joshua flashed in Ryoma's mind.
　As his own confidant, he had absolute faith in Rionne's commanding ability.
　On top of that, even though they only had a short face-to-face meeting, Ryoma felt the same scent towards Joshua as he did.
　He had no worries about their abilities.
　However, there was a limit to their surprise warfare methods and to their ability to cut off the transport of supplies and slow down their march.
(Now we just have to hope that the Queen of Ernesgula is as sharp as they say she is...)
　There is a chance of victory, of course, but it's not absolute.
　Ryouma bit his lip tightly and stared at the flag of the Elnesgoura Kingdom that was fluttering in front of him.


''I heard that you are Mikoshiba-dono or an emissary of the Zaruda Kingdom, but you are quite young. You are quite capable of carrying the fate of a country on your shoulders at such a young age.

　A man in his late thirties or so stood in the room that Ryoma and Osan Greedo were led to, with a smiling smile on his face.
　Despite his sudden arrival, not a trace of discomfort flashed across his face.
　Seeing the expression on his face as if it was just as planned, Ryoma nodded to himself in his mind.

　It's a good idea to have a person from Elnesgoura watching you or gathering information about you, just because you identified yourself at the gate and were immediately brought into this room of the castle without much identification.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

Excuse me. It would be polite to say your name first my name is Arnold Glisson. I hold the rank of General in the Kingdom of Elnesgulla. And I'm also the Supreme Commander of the Eastern Sector.

　He is an overly skinny, pale looking man.
　He doesn't look very healthy.
　He may be a hard worker, or he may still be young, but his blond hair is parted to the left and right in the middle, and there is something white in places.　
　He wears silver-rimmed glasses and doesn't look like a warrior at all.
　It would be far more convincing if he were called a merchant or a scholar.

''I'm truly sorry for your sudden visit. Mr. Grisson. As the Kingdom of Zaruda is in dire straits, I would like to ask for your forgiveness. My name is Mikoshiba Ryoma. And this is Mr. Orthan Greed, the head of the Knights of the Zaruda Kingdom's Protectorate.

　General Grissom's eyes narrowed at Ryoma's attitude as he bowed his head with a polite bow.
　After recommending a chair to them and sitting down himself, General Grissom opened his mouth calmly while looking at Ryoma's face.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I've heard that you are from a former commoner, but you have a well-placed manner.

　It doesn't feel like sarcasm.
　If anything, it even seems to me that she is favorably disposed towards Ryoma.
I'm not sure if it's the truth. Well, it's better not to think optimistically, isn't it?
　It was also possible that he just had the sense to hide his true intentions and not blatantly direct his mockery and contempt like the Zaruda nobles.
　Either way, for Ryoma, who had to conduct a serious negotiation in the future, he couldn't relax.

''I'm sorry, but I'm running out of time, so I'll have to cut to the chase.

　Ryoma cuts to the chase to take control of the conversation.

Okay. I'm not that bored myself, you know.

　General Grissom cowered his shoulders, saying, 'Come on in,' and urged him to speak.

'The conversation is simple. I ask for your assistance to the Kingdom of Zaruda.''

　At Ryouma's words, General Glisson dexterously raises one eyebrow, and a look of surprise appears on his face, as if to say he was surprised.

''Assistance to the Kingdom of Zaruda........?''

　At General Grissom's muttering, Ryoma nodded silently.

''Well, it's certainly not possible for a messenger to come from the Kingdom of Zaruda on other business under these circumstances, but it's a bit persistent.　

Is this too late?

　General Glisson smiled gently at Liangzhen's question.

It has been more than a year since we occupied Memphis. Although messengers have been sent to us on many occasions, we have not been able to assist the Kingdom of Zaruda, and our policy is well understood. I think you will fully understand our policy from this, don't you?

''Of course, I understand. It would be more convenient for the Kingdom of Ernest Gura to let the Oltmere Empire take over all of Zaruda for once. Isn't that what you're saying?

　At Liang Zhen's words, General Glisson lifted his lips and smiled.
　It's a dark smile that is far darker than the good-natured expression he had in the past.　

You will find that you have a great understanding of the situation. That's right. We don't want the Zaruda kingdom to survive.

　Indeed, General Grissom's words were correct.
　There is no reason for the Kingdom of Elnesgoura to have to cross a contradiction with the Oltmere Empire in order to help the Kingdom of Zaruda.
　Rather than allowing the Kingdom of Zaruda to continue to exist on the condition that it cedes its territory, it would be easier for Elnesgoura to aim to reoccupy the entire Kingdom of Zaruda under the guise of liberating it from the Oltomere Empire once it has occupied the entirety of the Kingdom of Zaruda.
　Of course, timing would be crucial to that.
　It would only be effective while there was still dissatisfaction and hatred for the Oltomere Empire among the Zaruda people, before the occupation and rule of Oltomere got off the ground.
　That's why Elnesgura hadn't made a move for nearly a year while occupying the border city of Memphis.
　However, Ryouma had also read through the fact that General Grissom hadn't told him the whole story of its strategy.

''It's only natural, isn't it?''

　Seeing that Ryoma nodded to his words without any hesitation, General Grissom's expression changed.
　What floats in his eyes is doubt and confusion.
　Ryouma's attitude and words are inconsistent and inconsistent.
　At least, that's what it sounded like to General Grissom's ears.

It's a strange thing to say," he said, "You seem to have read the whole thing beforehand, but you know what we're aiming for, and you understand that we won't be sending any reinforcements to the Kingdom of Zaruda. Then what the hell are you doing here?

　General Grissom was right to wonder.

'Of course, I'm here to beg for help, sir.

　Hearing Ryoma's words without hesitation, a look of contempt and ridicule appeared on General Grissom's face for the first time.



　As if to end the conversation, General Grissom sat up from his chair.

'Nah!　Wait.

　Greedo, who was watching the outcome behind Ryouma, shouted involuntarily.
　Although he had heard a certain amount of talk beforehand, the negotiations themselves were left to Ryojin.
　Greedo himself understands that he is unsuitable for these kinds of negotiations.
　That's why he sat back in his chair and kept silence.
　But the negotiations are about to break down.
　It was natural for Greedo to make a sound like he was expecting.

'What more do you want me to ask?　Isn't this nothing more than the messengers sent by your country for the past year?

　General Grissom's words as if to spit them out.
　A voice caged in the shadows that cuts through the opponent cold as ice.
　In the face of that cold anger, Greed is unable to continue with his words.
　However, even when he saw General Grissom's anger, he could not see the shade on Ryoma's face.　

''The farce is over shall we ask you to leave?

　General Grissom's blade-like gaze pierced Ryojin's face.
　Absolute orders.
　A general who is entrusted with the strategy of the eastern sector by the great power, Ernest Gura, even though he doesn't look like a warrior on the outside.
　An ordinary person would have no choice but to follow his words.
　However, Ryojin's expression does not change.
(This is the point of victory........)
　Ryoma took a deep breath to calm himself down and cut the best trump card he had at the moment.

''Then I would like to speak directly with the Queen of the Kingdom of Ernesgula, Lady Grindiena.