It's you, the emissary of Oltmere is a face I've never seen before. Was it Sudo, as I recall?

　The office is wrapped in a heavy silence.
　Deeply seated in his chair, Julian I turned his gaze with a mixture of pity and derision to the kneeling middle-aged man before him.
　It was the best moment for the weak man he had ever endured.
　An inverted position.
The luxury and superiority of being a strong man melted Julian's heart sweetly.

''Yes, Your Majesty. I am delighted to see your face, Your Majesty.''

So, what can I do for you at this time?　And have you come to my country to urge me to surrender?

　Painful irony escaped Julianus' mouth.
　It was only a few days ago that the news that Fort Notis, Oltmere's rear supply base, had been completely destroyed by Mikoshiba Ryoma.
　As a result, the Oltmere Imperial Army, which had been attacking Fort Ushas, had been isolated within Zaruda, having been cut off from the supply lines for food and supplies.
　That suggests that the nearly 60,000 generals of the Oltmere invading army had been turned into rats in a sack.
　No matter how large the army, the fact that they were cut off from their home country was heavy.
　It was obvious that the uneducated conscripted peasants and quick-witted mercenaries, if not the commander's class, would be upset.
　Under such circumstances, there was no way that the Altomere Empire would send a messenger to Julian to advise him to surrender.
　An impossible recommendation of surrender.
　The fact that Julian himself had spoken of this was the most poignant irony in the ears of Sudo.
　However, Sudo could read Julianus's mind as easily as he could read it.
　There is no need to feel anger over something as simple as this.
　Sudo slowly raised his head and opened his mouth to the poor clown sitting in front of him.　

''No way, sir. A recommendation to surrender........''

　Sudo shook his face with a look of preposterousness on his face.

'Then what did you come here for?　You didn't come here to talk over tea. I don't think you guys can afford it right now.

　The conceit that hides in every word.
　At Julianus' words, Sudo couldn't help but smile bitterly.
　It's only one victory.
　But there is no one who does not know what this victory means.
　Until now, it was always the Oltmere Empire's side that had held the initiative.
　Where and when to attack. Whether or not you can seize the right to make that choice will greatly influence the trend of the war.
　In that sense, now that Fort Notis has fallen, the Allies with Oltmere and Zaruda at their heads. It could be said that the offensive and defensive positions of the two sides had been switched.
　At the sight of Julianus, who was trying desperately to hold back such unconcealed joy, Sudo desperately bit down on the laughter that was welling up in him.
(Stupid man........just a clown. It's not even a victory earned by his own strength...)
　It is true that there is one aspect of the Kingdom of Zaruda that has been lit by a ray of hope.
　Considering the current situation on the Zaruda side, where the territory had been constantly being silkwormed by Oltmere, it could be said that this strategy of blocking the rear was a revitalizing move.
　However, it does not solve all of the problems in front of us now.
　While there are problems to be solved, there are also a number of problems that will be even more difficult to solve.
　More than anything else, the fact that the situation was not defeated by the power of the Kingdom of Zaruda itself is the most fatal wound of all.
It's a very good idea to have a good idea of the position that Zaruda is in.
　It is true that the situation has been reversed, and the Oltmere Army is now in a difficult position.
　But this is only temporary.　　

"I have come here today because I want to put an end to this unfortunate war.

　Sudo slowly opens his mouth to separate them one by one.
　It's as if he was chiding an incomprehensible young child.

''What?''

　Julianus frowned, not understanding the meaning of Sudo's words.

''To put it simply, our Oltmere wishes to make peace with the Kingdom of Zaruda.　

　The moment Sudo uttered the word harmony, a killing spirit gushed out of Henschel's body as he stood beside Julianus.
　The killing intent like a cold blizzard hit Sudo's skin.
(Aren't you foolish enough to reveal your anger here... sweet...)
　Even though they were able to gather some information and anticipate the situation beforehand, both Henschel and Julianus were more calm than they thought.
　But if you want to win at diplomacy, it's meaningless if you can't hide your heart.　
(Julian and this Henschel guy, he's not as bad as I thought. With this, there's enough room for negotiation).
　The Oltomere Empire, which had invaded the country, suddenly announced a peace deal.
　It is only natural that anger rises to the depths of Henschel's heart as a human being from Zaruda, whose land has been unilaterally invaded and overrun.
　Even so, it is due to Henshall's strong self-control that he is able to maintain an expressionless face on the surface.
　It's proof that he understands that there's no point in getting emotional.
　That implies that there is room for negotiation.
(Because there's no bargaining with you if you're cut off in a fit of rage.)
　As long as he could talk, Sudo was sure of his victory.

'Excuse me, I don't understand what your words mean. What in the world do you mean by that?'

"Just the way it is, Your Majesty. 'Your Majesty. The Oltmere Empire wishes to make peace with the Kingdom of Zaruda for a time.

　The unflickering light in his eyes.

'Serious........'

　Seeing that Sudo's words were not false, Julianus sighed deeply.
　What comes to his mind is dismay.
　Julianus was disgusted beyond his anger at the shameless attitude of invading another country and then immediately negotiating for peace when he saw that the situation was unfavorable.

''Do you understand how this war was brought about?

Of course, Your Majesty. It began with my country's invasion of your country.

　Sudo answered Julian's question in a matter-of-fact manner without taking offense.
That was an expected word.
　There is no way you can negotiate diplomacy with such soft nerves as to be upset by something as simple as this.
　What is important is arrogant confidence.

''Knowing that, you're still trying to make peace from the Oltmere Empire...''

　A strong, unwavering light of will reflected in Sudo's eyes.
　Something fuzzy arose in Julianus' mind.
　It was a bit of anxiety he felt from Sudo's attitude.

''Shameless...''

　It must have spilled out unintentionally.
　A small murmur from the mouth of Henschel, standing next to him, echoed in Sudo's ears.

Do you really think that your country will listen to that kind of talk?

　A few months ago, Julian would have jumped on this story.
　However, the scales of warfare were tilted heavily towards Zaruda's side.
　Julianus didn't feel the need to go out of his way to receive reconciliation at this time.　
　However, Sudo was unfazed by Julianus' words and opened his mouth without ceasing to smile.

''Yes, if you understand the position your country is in, I am confident that you will definitely agree to this.　

What do you mean?

I'm afraid not. But I thought I had come to your country to help you, sir?

　Sudo's arrogant attitude and words caused Julianus to forget to yell at him for a moment and become exasperated.
　How could someone be so arrogant in front of the king of a country...
　Still, Julianus couldn't order him to cut off this rude man who was smiling leisurely in front of him.
　It was a premonition that could be called the survival instinct of a cowardly fool.

'In the first place, isn't His Majesty mistaken? ....that you have the upper hand.

　Sudo's lips lifted into a disgusted smile.
　It is a sneer.
　It's pity for a fool who doesn't know his place in the world.　

You say you're not?　The sixty thousand Oltmere troops have been cut off from their home country and are now rats in the sack. In addition, considering the fact that the supply of goods has been stagnant due to the surprise attack by our troops, the bottom of your army's stockpile of supplies should now be in sight.

　Julianus felt a bit uneasy at Sudo's bullish attitude, but tried to maintain his composure as best he could.

'We don't have any food, and we can't even get a replacement armor?　Then no matter how large your army is, you are a papier-mache tiger.

'Indeed, that is true. As His Majesty says, our army will wither away in time. But if that is the point to which His Majesty considers himself superior, it is an illusion.

Now it's critical...
　It's called negotiation. Sudo knew firsthand that they were approaching the watershed point.

''Lefty-sama. How does His Majesty intend to end this war in the first place?　Do you really think you can destroy our Oltmere?

What did you say?

　Unsure of the meaning of the words, Julianus ducked his eyebrows.

'It means exactly what it says, Your Majesty. There are three ways to end the war. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make peace in the middle of the war... Now, how do you intend to end this war, Your Majesty?

　Win, lose, or draw.
　In truth, there are a few more variations of each, but in a nutshell, these are the only three situations that are possible.

''It's........''

　Julianus choked on Sudo's point.
　It was because he had pointed out his own lack of vision.
　The other day, Elena and the rest of Zaruda's army, which was reported to have fallen to Notis, had begun to pull their troops backward, and were causing no small amount of damage to the enemy.
　The trend of the war was definitely beginning to lean towards the side of Zaruda.
　However, this was only limited to the current battle.
　It's a good thing that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you have a lot of money.
　Under these circumstances, there was no way that a reverse invasion of Oltomere was possible.　
　If we couldn't turn our troops towards the interior of Oltomere, we would not be able to destroy the giant beast that is the Oltomere Empire.　
　If that is the case, there are two conclusions left to draw.
　Either we will continue to fight a barren and unwinnable war until the day Zaruda is destroyed, or we will give up on it at some point and bring in negotiations for peace.
　In that sense, the fact that a messenger of truce has come to this place, where until now only messengers of surrender had ever visited, is a big step forward.

Now that you understand the position, I will ask you again, Your Majesty, if you will continue to fight a war without a chance of victory. Now that you understand your position, let me ask you again, Your Majesty, do you wish to continue fighting a war without a chance of victory?

　It's the temptation of the devil.
　At the words of Sudo, who smiled leisurely, Julianus had no way to do more than nod in silence.


　On that day, a frenzy was sweeping over Peripheria, the capital of the Zaruda Kingdom.
　No, this isn't just about Peripheria. I'm sure similar scenes are taking place all over the Zaruda Kingdom.
　The dark clouds that had been hanging over this royal city until just a few days ago are now clearing.
　The main street that runs through the center of the capital is lined with people on both sides.
　Young and old, men and women, young children held by their mothers' hands and old men with staves in their hands, all waved their hands in front of the soldiers marching in front of them and shouted with cheers.

'Hooray!　Long live the Kingdom of Zaruda!

"God bless you, Your Majesty!　Glory to our country!

　The people lined the main street with big smiles on their faces and spoke words of victory.　
　Just the other day, the war with the Oltmere Empire, which had been going on for more than a year, came to an end in the form of peace.
　It means that the various taxes that had been imposed as a special wartime exception will be restored and the husbands and sons who were drafted into the military will return.
　It would bring them hope that they could return to their former peaceful lives.

　But there are some people who have no connection to the atmosphere of the castle town, which is booming with such cheers.
　One man is the king of the country and the man who has made this decision.
　He was now sitting deep in the couch set up in his own office, looking up at the heavens.

''Do you think it's the right decision?''

　A deep, subdued voice.
　It's a sign that he doesn't have confidence in his own decision.

"I don't know...

　Receiving Julianus' shrugging gaze, Henschel slowly shook his head.

'For now I've bought myself some time.......that much is true.

Time...?

　The Oltmere Imperial Army has begun to evacuate out of Zaruda.
　Even though it's temporary, it could buy them a few years of time, depending on future negotiations.
　It would also be possible to twist out the time needed to rebuild the depleted Knights.

''We can't waste our limited time...''

"As you wish.

　Henschel nodded deeply at Julianus' words.