With his blond hair fluttering in the strong wind, Signis squinted his eyes. The reflection in his eyes was a black dyed out armor. It was so jet black that it could be seen more clearly than anything else in the daytime sun, yet it seemed to assimilate in the darkness of the night.
　A sword emblem with an entwined gold and silver two-headed snake fluttering over the head of an enemy soldier camped a few kilometers away from the castle gate. The snake's red eyes glared intimidatingly at its surroundings, a design I hadn't seen very often.
(I see, the number is roughly a thousand. It's a good thing that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away with it.
　The knights of the ten northern families are assembled in the Count of Salzberg's army of about two thousand men.
　The generals gathered on the ramparts after receiving reports of the approaching enemy forces. With eyesight enhanced by martial arts, the Mikoshiba Army's camp and the soldiers moving about there could be clearly seen.

'What do you think, Signis?'

　Roberto called out from behind Signis, who had folded his arms and was staring at the movements of the enemy camp.

''This war........maybe it will be a little tricky.

　Words that resembled a faint murmur spilled from Signis' lips as he continued to stare into the distance without looking back.
　That would be proof that he himself fully understands that these are not words that should be uttered by someone who is about to start a battle.
　It was a good thing that the Count Salzberg's army was almost twice as outnumbered as they were. Moreover, the Count's army is able to move its troops from its base in the famous fortified city of Ipylos.
　I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get the same amount of money as I did in the past.
　If we argue about the advantages and disadvantages, the advantage of Count Salzberg's army should not be moved.
　If you speak pessimistic words under these circumstances, you may be ridiculed as a coward by those around you.
　However, Signis dared to speak of the anxiety he felt in his heart.
　All seasoned warriors say that warfare has a smell. It's the kind of intuition that comes naturally to those who have experienced and survived the battlefield.
　When that warrior's intuition sees an army in the distance, he or she is sure to sound the alarm.

Hmm. Well, if you say so, it must be true.

You're always the same, aren't you?

Signis smiled bitterly at Roberto's always unchanging and peaceful attitude.
It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of the Count Salzberg's troops, as they have overwhelming strength and battle experience. It's been decided that the two of them will be entrusted with the vanguard of this battle.
　In this world, the vanguard is the captain of the first charge into the enemy's ranks.
　The soldiers in the surrounding area will take command of their actions, and the second and third latecomers will determine the outcome of the battle. It can be said that this is an important mission that truly determines the battlefield.
Essentially, it is an honorable thing for a man who lives in battle. There is no doubt about that recognition itself, but at the same time, it meant that it was a matter of being side by side with danger.
In spite of the fact that you have such an important mission, Roberto's attitude when he heard Signis' words was calm itself. He neither affirmed nor denied it. No, if anything, it might be more correct to call it indifference.

It's not like we're going to change our jobs anyway. Just kill the enemy soldiers in front of us the rest will be done well by the scum of the earth and the drummers.

When he said that, Roberto turned his sarcastic gaze to his surroundings. The cold eyes really expressed the words he wanted to convey.



But with all that equipment, the Woltenia peninsula must be a wealthier place than you'd imagine.

'As the Count has told me, he has apparently bought the slaves and turned them into soldiers...'

The numbers are quite impressive, but what we really need is the quality of each individual. It seems that the upstarts have done a great job, but now I wonder how many of those soldiers are still in use.　

"I've heard from the Count that the three hundred or so men who went to Zaruda to reinforce him were all trained in the art of law...

It's a very silly bluff. They've probably hired a couple of handlers and blown up that the whole army is of equal strength anyway.

Well, I think so too, but...

　Mockery with a little bit of dismay can be heard leaking out from all over the place.
　A group of people solidified at a little distance from Signis and the others. The heads of the noble families that form the ten northern families and the legitimate sons who are responsible for the inheritance of the estate. Although they should be seeing the same thing, there seems to be a heavenly difference between Signis and the impressions they feel.
　There were some people who were somewhat cautious, but apparently they don't have enough certainty to object to the hard-line opinions of others.
　Well, in a way, that's just what you can't help but do. The information about the man Mikoshiba Ryoma and his territory, the Woltenia Peninsula, is extremely fragmentary.

"Don't get too caught up in superfluous matters. We'll just do the best we can with our situation.

Roberto erased his sarcastic smile and gazed into Signis's eyes.
　It was so sharp that Signis couldn't help but look away.
　To Signis, this was an uncomfortable helper battle, the same as Roberto, but he still thought he should do his best to win.
　But apparently Roberto was different.

''But then, how will this battle play out?　And Count Salzberg was once a genuine warrior, too. If I speak with reason!

　As a general, I will do my best as one who is responsible for the lives of my soldiers. That thought drives Signis' body.
　If we take measures against the crisis, we can minimize the damage.
　In extreme cases, simply holing up in Ipylos for a while and focusing on gathering information would have been a very different option.
　The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you can't get away with it.

It's not that I'm not interested in hearing your opinion, no matter what you advise. It's a good thing that you're not a stranger to yourself, or you'll be thought to be trying to get into the Count's good graces and steal the governor's office. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can get away with it.

　It's because of the perceived lack of interest in the viceroy that both Signis and Roberto have been able to live, and they've been given command of the army as a convenient substitute for a heir apparent lack of confidence in their military prowess. Conversely, if even the slightest suspicion is cast on that part of the story, the lives of the two men will be drowned out in the blink of an eye.
　The strongest man on the battlefield is not always the strongest man in everyday life.　

'Signis, thinking too much is a bad habit of yours. You just need to take it easy and think only of yourself. You just need to focus on killing the enemy in front of you. If there is a trap, we can devour it by ourselves.

But then...

'What did I tell you?　He wants me to mind my own business.

As he said this, Roberto turned away, tapping Signis lightly in his direction.
　At the sight of him, a small murmur escapes from Signis's lips.

''You........are you sure that's what you want?''

　His longtime friend did not answer the question with his back turned.　


“Okan-sama. I have just received a report from Jinai-sama that all the soldiers of the ten northern families have already entered Ipiros.

　One of the guards who were standing outside the tent quietly ran over and gave an earful to Ryoma.
　The command center was set up inside the tent.
　A map spread out on a large table shows not only Iphiroth, but also the terrain of the entire northern part of Roseria in great detail.

''Also, this is what we've been ordered to do.

　With that, he held out a piece of paper that was tightly sealed.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

''I understand. Thank you for your efforts. The guy who brought the report will be given enough rest and then return to Jinai.

I'm sorry, sir.

　With that, the soldier quickly bows and runs out of the tent.

'What's up, kid?　You're hiding something from me again.

　That said, the one who smiles teasingly is a lotus leafy woman with her red hair cut around her shoulders.
　But Ryoma isn't new enough to be upset by such words now.

It's a secret. Well, I'll have to explain it to you soon, though.

　Even though he says it's a secret, Ryoma is right on the money.

I'm sure you've got a lot of fun with this. It's just a matter of time before you get the chance to see them.

You already know how I do it, don't you?

That said, Ryoma Rionne smiles and returns with a bitter smile.

''That's right. The first day I met him, he was full of tricks. The first time I saw him, I thought he was so young, what a boy he was. It's a good thing that you're not the only one.　Bolz.

　When Lyonne said that, she turned the focus of her conversation to the shipmate's belly that she had accompanied for many years.

It's not a surprise to me, though. It is a good idea to be cautious. It's better to be this cautious.

Well, I certainly think it's better for me to be black-hearted and careful than some mindless idiot.

A hinted gaze was directed at Ryoma.

''Then I'll pass for now, I guess. Since Rione-san and the others are still supporting me.''

Hmmm ... this guy's got one.

　Rionne's face turned red for a moment at Ryoma's calmly returned answer.
　Rionne turns to the direction of the day after tomorrow with a small sniffle of her nose. Everyone here could see that this attitude was a cover-up of embarrassment.
　Rionne, who had led the mercenary group for many years and made warfare a meal, and her second-in-command, Boltz, who continued to support her.
　Even though they have the backing of a guild, it is the two of them, the leader of the group and his second-in-command, who make the final decision on whether or not their employer is someone they can trust.
　Since mercenaries were in the business of risking their lives for money, it was a matter of life and death whether or not they could see the humanity of their trading partners. Naturally, their eye for humanity was cold and certain.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to find out what's going on.
　Even if there is a little bit of loyalty and compassion, if Mikoshiba Ryoma was deemed unprofitable and unworthy of serving, Rionne would simply lead the mercenary group to another country.
　In other words, the fact that Rionne is here itself shows the relationship of trust between Rionne and Ryoma.　
It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them. But it's only for a short time.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that this is the end of the entertainment, so let's get down to business, shall we? Well, everything has unfolded as I told you beforehand, so there's no need to say it again.

　Liang Shin's low, cold voice echoed through the tent.
　The faces of Ryone, Boltz, and the other Tatsu executives, who were smiling serenely around the desk, instantly tightened up.

''For now, the ten northern families have gathered in Ipylos, as expected. The total number of troops is also about two thousand.

　Ryouma's hand places two knight's pieces on horseback on the iphiroth marked on the map.

'Are they all knights?'

Yes, Mr. Boltz is right, only the knights.

I see that your plan has worked.

''No matter how weak the territorial army is, as long as we're fighting in the field, the number of soldiers is an important factor.

　The people around him nodded in silence at Ryoma's words.
　If you compare it to a chess game, a knight is a flying wheel and a horn, while the territorial militia is a walker.
　There is no need to compare the difference in ability between the two, but the game is not decided by the difference in ability alone. It's not just the difference in ability that will decide the game.

Then what about the first game?

　A dangerous smile appears on Rionne's face. Although she boasts outstanding skills as a commander, her essence is a fierce warrior.
　That warrior's instincts must have sensitively sensed the bloody festival that was about to take place.

''Yes, an army-to-army clash. It's a straightforward attack.

　The moment those words were released from Ryoma's mouth, the war demons' yells echoed in the tent.