The war on the outskirts of Ipylos, which began with Mikoshiba Ryoma's declaration of war, began to take a different turn from what Count Salzberg's army had in mind.
　At first they thought that Mikoshiba's army would be helplessly defeated before the coalition of the ten northern houses that controlled northern Roselia.
　Of course, this was not only because the nobles were simply a bunch of electors, but also for a good reason.
　The fact that the Waltenia Peninsula is a unique territory where no one lives, and that it has only been a short day since they were granted the territory. And above all, the man Mikoshiba Ryoma is from a peculiar background: he was not only a commoner, but was not even a citizen of Roseria to begin with.
　None of these things would inspire the nobles of the ten northern families to be wary of him as their enemy.
　Nevertheless, even though ten days had already passed since the two sides had started exchanging contradictions on the plains outside of Ipylos, the war situation remained rigid.


''d*mn you!　All of you guys are going to do whatever you want!

　Count Salzberg's mansion rises in the middle of Ipylos. A fierce shout of abuse echoes through the room.
　The scene of the meeting up to the previous day flashed in Roberto's mind as his face turned bright red.
　A youngster who doesn't seem to have much experience in warfare or a coward who is rumored to have bought military merit with his money are reviewing the progress of the war from the first battle until now with a slack face.
　It is inevitable that Roberto and the two others, who originally did not have a solid position as the head of the family or the heir unlike other nobles, would be the spearhead.
　Nevertheless, it was natural for Roberto to be annoyed by the mindless slander that was repeated endlessly.

The first thing that happens is that you have to be very careful about what you say. This wine is said to be the Count's secret wine. It's worth the price of ten gold pieces. Why don't you sit back and enjoy it too?

　Signis slowly tipped the glass on the table as he watched Roberto's face turn bright red and reveal his anger.
　The rich aroma that filled his nose.
　Then he took a small sip of the first one. The richness, moderate acidity, and natural astringency are balanced perfectly on the tongue.
　I suppose the word "happy-go-lucky" is exactly what is being used to describe Signis today.
　A mere fourth son of a mere low class aristocrat will never be able to taste it.
　But in response to such an attitude of Signis, Roberto is furious with himself.

You have no idea what you're talking about. You know you're not going to get away with this!　That's what those numbskulls have been doing, adding extra chatter!

　With a roar like a wild animal, Roberto's huge clenched fist slams into the table.
　A body that exceeds two meters in length. It's a weapon that has been forged through many battles.
　No matter how sturdy the table is made of oak, it is impossible to resist.
　Glasses and ceramic plates shattered on the floor with a high-pitched scream.
　Reddish-black stains form on the carpet that covers the room, and the rich scent of wine spreads through the room.
　Signis slowly shook his head to the side as Roberto turned his bloody gaze on him, his shoulders angry.



　As he says this, Signis brings the glass in his hand to his mouth as if it were a reminder.
　The most important thing for Signis right now is probably just to concentrate on the taste of the wine left in the glass in his hand.
　Roberto takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, as if to calm his mind.

It's not a good idea. You make me feel like an idiot when I see your sly face.

'You seem to have settled down for now. The knobs are all ruined, but the Count has given me another bottle of wine. You'll drink it too, won't you?

　Taking the sealed wine from the cupboard, Signis poured it into a glass.

'Oh I'll take it.

　The aroma of the wine handed to him tickled Roberto's nostrils.

'Indeed, this one is delicious.

Are you feeling better?

I'm sorry.

　Roberto averted his gaze at Signis's question.
　It's a sign that he himself is aware that his attitude is not a compliment.

''That's right, besides, this is the Count's mansion. Even though he orders his men to keep people away, he is still a bit careless. But, well, if you hadn't shouted at them, I might have gone to put a sword in their mouths.

You killed them?

　Roberto was so surprised by Signis' unexpectedly extreme statement that he was speechless to continue.

'That's right,' he said, 'if you're angry, I'm angry. If you're angry, I'm angry. But if I'm angry at their words, I'm going to lose this war. No matter how hard it is to deal with these people, it's not easy to deal with the enemy.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time in the world.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time with the help of a good friend, or else you'd never be able to charge into the front line as a general.
　I'm not sure I've ever seen such a thing.
　There is only one reason why such a Signis does not participate in the use of force.
　He understands that if he kills the head of the ten northern families or the next head of the ten northern families, he will not be given a chance to explain himself and will be executed.
　Signis has no intention of giving up his future in exchange for those pigs.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get away with it. You're not going to be able to get away with it.

That's still hard to believe, even with my own eyes.

Yeah, totally. What in the world would make a soldier like that grow up by any means I'd love to know.

　With a sigh, Signis smiles bitterly.
　An unparalleled fighting spirit and high quality armor.
　While they are terrifyingly skilled in group battles, the martial arts skills of each soldier are also quite hard to underestimate.
　After all, even if they were assaulted by Signis and Roberto, they would counterattack back without collapsing the front line.
　The refinement and morale of the enemy army was threatening enough.

''The only saving grace is that they are outnumbered?

　At Roberto's question, Signis floats around sarcastically.

'Yes, the field is against us at sixty-four. But their numbers do not reach a thousand. On the contrary, we are about two thousand. If we holed up in Ipilos, we can't lose. It's one thing to sit back and think things over. Besides, if the worst comes to the worst...''

Do you have any reinforcements...

　There are dozens of knights in each of the ten northern families' territories as absentees.
　It's possible to have them dispatched as temporary reinforcements in the worst case scenario.

Of course, I don't know what will happen if the domestic situation is unstable right now and the territory is empty.

　Even if you win this battle, if a commoner's revolt occurs in your territory, it will all be for naught.

Well, either way, as long as we have Ipyros, we can't lose. The Count knows that, which is why he kept silent at the meeting. He'd have us sniped at his side!

　Roberto tilted his glass in a puff of annoyance.
　Until this moment, everyone believed in the protection of the fortified city of Ipyros, protected by a deep moat and high walls.
　Yes, until that moment when the door to the room is slammed wildly in a hurry.