''The general idea is that things went as His Majesty expected...............''

　Gleeson wiped the cloudiness of his glasses off with his handkerchief and sighed loudly.
　Is it fear of his Lord's prediction coming true... or is it fear of the appearance of someone who might be comparable to his Lord?　

'Oh, Arnold, they say if you sigh, your happiness will flee?

　Lying sluggishly on the couch in the room where Ryoma and the others left off, Grindiena happily teases Grisson.
　Her dress, tailored by the best craftsmen, is wrinkled, but Grindiena doesn't seem to mind at all.　
　It's a very good idea to have a good time with your friends and family.
　It's a good thing that you're a beloved master of scheming, politics and warfare.
(If only this would correct this childish proclivity... well, no one is perfect...)
　Grindiena's behavior is a headache, but there is certainly a part of her that is loving.
　That she's human....

You must be joking. Now that I've come to serve by your side, there's no happiness left for me.

Ummm, did I just say something weird?

　Grindiena tilted her head at Grisson's answer.
　It was as if he'd been told something completely opposite to what he'd expected.

'I see. I don't know what you had in mind, Your Majesty, but I swear I have only told you the truth, haven't I?'

　It's hard to say that the monarch's portion of the statement is not well thought out, but Grindiena only smiles bitterly and doesn't try to blame Grisson any further.
　Four generals in the great nation of Ernesgula.
　Among them, Grisson is one of the aides that Grindiena has served since he usurped the throne from his father, the previous king.
　Although they never show it in public, a solid bond exists between them that transcends the separation between the monarchs and vassals.

''Well, good ... so the army is ready to move at any time, right?

Of course, sir. I've already ordered my lieutenant to leave a garrison in Memphis and get the rest of the army moving.

　The preparations for the war itself are already over.
The eight knights led by Arnold Grissom are waiting for the battle to begin as if their bows were being squeezed.
　All that's left to do is decide where to attack.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of how to attack, but if possible, we don't want to make Zaruda a battlefield.

　Separately, Grissom has no interest in the devastation of the Zaruda Kingdom, but he wants to avoid fighting in the Zaruda Kingdom territory.
　It is difficult to move a large army in the mountainous region.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
　It is extremely difficult to command a large army in such a place. If it is done poorly, the large number of troops will adversely impede the movement of the army and drag it down.
　If the two armies are going to fight a large scale battle with more than 100,000 troops combined, it is better to clash on the plains and other places where there is as little obstruction to view as possible.

It's not like we have a detailed knowledge of the land, even though we have some information from a clandestine reconnaissance... Well, let's decide on that after hearing Mikoshiba's opinion at tomorrow's military meeting. We should probably have a stomach plan.

Perhaps so........but this letter suggests a man to be reckoned with........

　Grissom's eyes stare into Grindiena's face.

'The question is whether it will avenge us or not, but how does Your Majesty view the man?

　But when he saw Grindiena smiling happily, Grissom shook his head with a sigh.
　It's good as long as they're on our side, but if they turn to the enemy, it's going to be troublesome.
　That in itself would be understood by Grindiena, but there is not the slightest bit of anxiety on her face.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that there is no need to worry about that, Arnold. As long as the Four Nations Union continues, Mikoshiba Ryoma will never turn on Ernesgula... he knows exactly the importance of the economy and the profits that will rise from it.

　Laughing off Grigson's concerns as he turned his attention to the letter and map thrown out on the tabletop, Grindiena plucked one of the candy balls and threw it into her mouth.
　Roselia, Mist, and Zaruda, the nations involved. A letter from the kings of the three countries is never something that can be left on the table lightly.

　Gleeson swallowed the admonition that had risen to his throat, tucked the basket of candy on the tabletop under his arm, and unfolded the letter.

'But you've thought up a clever move. With the formation of the coalition, the trade treaty is tied in with the formation of the coalition, all four countries are bound to benefit.

It's a good thing that you can get reinforcements from Zaruda just by putting up with the fact that our country is formally on top as an ally. I'm sure they would jump at this level of cost to maintain the territory, which is second to life, for this level of price.

　Grissom nodded silently at Grindiena's words.

''Roselia, whose national power was exhausted by the civil war, should have been reluctant to this war to begin with.

Yes, and our country and the Mist will increase our trade and strengthen our economy. It's a brilliant plan that benefits no one........ostensibly.

　Yes, no one loses.
　No, it's a brilliant plan that benefits everyone.
　However, the two of them are completely aware of Ryojin's intentions hidden behind it.



　Grindiena's eyes shone bewitchingly as she stared at the Woltenia Peninsula drawn on the map.
　The biggest problem with the northbound passage is the existence of the Woltenia peninsula, which is called both a magical and unexplored region.
　A troubled land where ferocious monsters roam and pirates are rooted.
　However, his land will be transformed into a treasure trove if a coalition of the four nations is formed.
　The letter sent this time contains provisions on trade as well as national defense.
　In particular, the uniformity of tariff rates should greatly increase imports and exports.
　This would be a great benefit to Elnesgulla and Mist, who mainly have trade ports with other continents, but it would also not be a loss to both Roselia and Zaruda.
　This is because the revitalization of commerce translates directly into tax revenues.
　All four countries will focus on commerce.
　If this happens, the volume of goods transported will increase at an accelerated rate.
　The merchants would sooner or later consider shipping by sea, as land alone would not meet the demand.

It would be faster and more efficient to transport goods by sea than by land. Now that the Woltenia Peninsula has been cleared of pirates, the northward route will inevitably be reconsidered, and the towns on the peninsula will become richer and more prosperous as trade transit points.

　The Worthenian Peninsula would be used not only as a supply port for ships, but also as a port for unloading into Roselia.
　It promises to be prosperous unless we implement a policy that is too foolish.

'His character is very evident. He is cautious and bold. And he's cautious and bold, and he's careful to make his abilities look as small as possible so as not to be alarmed. Well, there's also the aspect that he can't do anything about it with the strength he has now.

　The more money you can get, the more people will try to monopolize it.
　But that would make people jealous.
　Of course, if he could monopolize it, he would, but he does not yet have the power to monopolize his own interests.
　That is something that Mikoshiba Ryoma understands.

"That's a little off from what His Majesty had in mind. Normally, I would have isolated him from his surroundings and brought him into our fold, but...

'Well. I didn't expect him to be so sharp. I guess I underestimated him a little too much.　　　　

　Raising her body from lying down, Grindiena carried the teacup on the table to her mouth.
　The geopolitical value of the Woltenia peninsula had been on Grindiena's radar for a long time.
　After all, if he could only manage his land, he could establish a route from the Kingdom of Mist to the Kingdom of Ernest Gura.
　To Grindiena, who knew the value of commerce, the political policy of the Roselia Kingdom, which had neglected his land for years, was insane.　　

''Well, that's fine. As for me, I don't have any complaints.''

'But are you sure?　We could cede his land to him if we negotiate.

　Grindiena's lips lifted in a smile at Grisson's words.

I'm not going to insist on ruling the Woltenia Peninsula directly. As long as Mikoshiba Ryoma can properly rule that magical land for my benefit.

　That smile was full of charm and dignity, enough to be rumored as the vixen of the north.
　The most important thing for Grindiena is that the trade network has expanded due to the formation of the four-nation alliance.
　This would ensure that Elnesgoura would be richer than it was now.
　While territorial expansion is certainly important, Grindiena understands that too much territory can be a hindrance to governing.
　If the territory is expanded inadvertently and becomes a breeding ground for rebellion, it will be lost.


I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the city. You can't even compare to Lupis. She's a monster.　You know.

　After his audience with Grindiena was over, Ryoma sighed deeply in the room of the inn he had taken below the castle and popped a glass on the table in one gulp.
　Is it the awe of the northern vixen that sticks to his face like a shadow.......
　The malt liquor, or "ale," cooled by Laura's magic, soothed Ryojin's burning heart.

''But the meeting itself ended successfully, didn't it?

　Laura smiled gently at Ryoma as she tipped the bottle of wine in her hand to the glass that was placed on the tabletop as if it was being slammed down.
　The Malfist sisters' clothes have been transformed from dirty travel clothes to cozy, town girl style outfits, as if they had bought all of them at some point in time.
　It's a common outfit woven from linen, but it's easy to move around in, and yet it's designed to be gorgeous in its own way.
　And the faint scent of roses comes from the body.
　It's probably because when he bought new clothes in the castle town of Memphis, he bought some perfume oil with them.

''That's right. Commander Greed was in a good mood when it went well, right?''

Well, yeah.

　Laughing at Saara's innocent smile, Ryoma popped his glass in a gulp again.

''Is there something you're worried about?''

'Yeah, I thought we might have gone a little too far...'

　What binds Liang Shin's mind is Grindiena's eyes that he showed when they parted.
　They are the eyes of a predator aiming at its prey.
　I don't think I did anything wrong, but I also think that I could have done something else.

'I should have hidden my fangs a bit more....'

　It might have been better to choose a suitable person from among the Zaruda aristocracy and manipulate them instead of directly acting on my own.
(Well, that's why I made the move myself, because I thought the other side might get the wrong idea.......)
　If Ryouma stayed behind the scenes, Grindiena would be distrustful of Zaruda's hasty response.
　The fact that there wasn't much time before the decisive battle with Oltmere also encouraged Ryoma's decision.

''But if we take any more time, Rione-san and the others might not be able to hold it. After all, this was the best thing to do, wasn't it?''　　

Well, yeah.

　Ryoma couldn't help but nod at Laura's words.
　It would hurt to be warned by Grindiena, but we can worry about that later.
　The important thing is to help Rionne and the others in the front line to prevent the onslaught of Oltmere.　

''Your sister is right. If all goes according to plan, they should be facing off against Oltmere around the Ushas Basin by now. Even though Zaruda, Mist, and Roselia have teamed up, they will only be able to prevent Oltmere's attack for about half a month.

　Ryoma stared in the air at Saara's words.
...)
　They are trying to upset a game that was originally underwhelming and underwhelming.
　You have to take a gamble in several places.
　No, it is not just a matter of winning one gamble.

Well, there's no point in messing around here and now. Well, we'll just have to trust that Lionel and Joshua will do a good job of holding it together until we take down Fort Notis.

　The faces of the two men on the far southern battlefield flashed in Ryoma's mind.