That night, Count Salzberg was holed up alone in his study, away from the bustle of the castle.
　He now wore his family armor, which he hadn't worn for many years, and his beloved sword was propped up next to his chair, with countless bottles of wine scattered around it.
　An ordinary man would have fallen asleep drunk.
　But Count Salzberg's brain was clear and his eyes were gazing into the air with a blazing light like a beast.
(This tingling sensation that makes my skin burn ... it's been a long time indeed.)
　A sensation I had felt every day until that day when Count Salzberg snatched the title from his father.
　This is a human instinct that should be called the sixth sense.
　It's like an instinct that people who deal with life on a daily basis naturally acquire.
(Back then, I used to hate and dread this feeling...)
　Count Salzberg's father was an honorable and loyal man.
　It's also certain that he was a brilliant and well-liked personality.
　It is undeniable that his abilities as a lord and a warrior were above par.
　But, at least to Count Salzberg, his father was not a man worthy of respect. That's right, the idol of his father that he had believed in for many years was shattered at that time.
(Hmm ... looks like he's here.)
　Count Salzberg felt that his long awaited guest had finally arrived.
　The anger he had felt since the beginning of the war was already gone.
　There was only the resolve and the will to fight of a man who had accepted his fate.
Come in. It's unlocked.
　As soon as the words were released from Count Salzberg's mouth, the door opened.
"Oh........I thought there would be some hesitation. It's hard to tell whether it's bold or thoughtless.
　Looking at the man's face that appeared before him, Count Salzberg smiled.
　An attitude that was too thoughtless to be called honest.　
　Indeed, Count Salzberg was right, this is right in the middle of enemy territory. It's a battlefield where it's natural to be able to perform both surprise attacks and deceptions, and it's a battlefield where you deserve to be attacked.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.
It's a good thing that you're a thoughtless person, isn't it? It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what to do with it, because I've always assumed that a man of your caliber would never do anything as trivial as you do.
　When I said that, Ryoma scratched his head in embarrassment.
I see, if you say so, I can't say anything more for myself either.
　Count Salzberg laughed aloud at Ryoma's attitude.
''It's been a long time. It's been a long time, Baron Mikoshiba. The last time we saw each other face to face was during the Zaruda reinforcements?　What happened to those sisters you've always been following?　I don't see you.
Yeah. Yeah. Thank you for your help. I got a lot of stuff to do for them now, so I'm out of town.
　In response to Count Salzberg's question, Ryoma bowed his head with a smile.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm going to be the only one who can do that.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not the only one.
I'm sure you're in a lot of trouble.
Absolutely. It's not easy to make it up as you go along.
No, thank you. They say that hardship is hard to learn when you're young. You just have to stick with it.
　When I said that, Count Salzberg turned his probing gaze to Ryoma.
''By the way, changing the subject, all the commotion from last night was sent by you, wasn't it?
Yeah, I was just trying to get the guards to look away...
　The content of the words released from their mouths is really swift.
　However, they continue their conversation with the ease of a tea drinking friend.
Hmm, my aim was successful. Most of the guards have gone into town to put down the commotion. I'd say that's quite impressive, but isn't it a bit of a coward's errand?　After the first battle, I heard from Signis and Roberto that the soldiers in your army do quite well. I was underestimating them when I heard that they were mostly young women and children, but I'm honestly surprised... they could have gone toe-to-toe with us without having to use any tricks.
''If you're foolish enough to wage a frontal battle, you'll just get more dead people for nothing.
　At those words, Count Salzberg smiles bitterly.
　Indeed, there is no need to kill soldiers in vain. Soldiers are like pawns and steps in chess or chess, and while they are highly expendable, they are not something that can be consumed in vain.
　In addition, the opponent is not a silent piece but a human being, so it is natural that he or she cannot be treated too rudely.
　Liang Shin's words are just a natural part of a general's mind.
　However, Count Salzberg sensed the true meaning behind his words.
'I see. You don't like the loss of strength, then you don't intend to stop this war, right?　Is Lupis Roselian's head next?
　In response to Count Salzberg's question, Ryouma just remained silent.
　But the fierce smile on his face says it all.
I'm not sure I understand you. Why do you have to be so stubborn?　It's true that His Majesty Lupis may have broken his promise to you, but he's the king. Considering the difference in status, it's quite natural for him to do so. And even though he broke it, he has been rewarded in other ways as well. It's a good idea to make a commoner into a nobleman with a fiefdom, which is something that would never happen in this country. You're not the only one who doesn't understand that...
So I'm supposed to do her bidding and just look down?
　In response to Count Salzberg's question, Ryoma smiled derisively.
　Certainly, from the common sense of this earth world where the status system exists, there is no doubt that it is Mikoshiba Ryoma who is in error.
　It is true that Ryoma's anger is justified. However, this is only valid when both parties are on equal footing.
　There are teachers who blame their students for their mistakes, but few students blame their teachers for their mistakes, and it would take a lot of determination and effort to do so.
　It's easy for a president to blame his subordinates for their mistakes, but it will be hard for his subordinates to blame the president for their mistakes. That's exactly what you have to be prepared to do, to resign.
　It is only an illusion to say that there is no difference in status in this day and age, for people are still never equal.
'Indeed, I find it somewhat annoying, too. But it would never hurt you to follow her, would it?　Nobility has many things in store for you. Money and women are at your disposal. To be dressed in fine clothes, to enjoy fine wine and food, to share a bedchamber with a beautiful woman. Isn't that far more valuable than fighting in a war?
Well, sure...
　Ryoma nodded quietly to Count Salzberg's question.
　Mikoshiba Ryoma is a sound man.
　It is natural to have a desire to spend a sweet night with a beautiful woman, and it was natural to want to eat good food as well.
　It's not so much the clothes that interest me, but it's still better to have well-tailored clothes than tattered and worn-out ones.
　But.........
I know what you mean, Count. But I think there's something more important than that.
What?　What's that?
(Well, I'm not sure I'm going to ask again... the cause?　Humanity?　Loyalty?　High road and high road. Love and friendship ... anger and hate. (I don't feel like they're all right in their own way and none of them are wrong.
　In response to Count Salzberg's question, countless words come and go in Ryoma's mind.　
You know what?　I wonder what it is?
　With a bitter smile on his face, he cowered his shoulders and said the words. That is really what is on the inside of Ryoma's heart.
　The moment you put it into words, any noble intentions are transformed into a lump of clay.
　However, even though he cannot express his heart in words, Ryoma has no doubts about his heart.
The light that dwells in the depths of his eyes is an absolute pride in himself.
　It's something that Count Salzberg lost on the day he killed his father and took his title.
"You are young, my dear. I envy you ... I have long since put all those feelings behind me.
　Rolling his eyes in envy, Count Salzberg slowly shook his head.
　In fact, Count Salzberg was envious of Mikoshiba Ryoma. There was something about him that was unwavering.
''What is that because of that one incident?
　The moment he heard those words, Count Salzberg's complexion changed.
''What do you mean?''
　Although he maintained his composure as best he could, Count Salzberg's expression was clearly strident.
　As a warrior and politician, before he succeeded to the throne, Count Salzberg was a man of outstanding skill and achievement.
　But he had a reason for this: "Count Salzberg, you're a man of great ability and achievement.
I've heard a lot about you, Count Salzberg, from Elena. You were the keystone of the northern part of the Roselia Kingdom, supporting the front line of defense, and now you've changed...
　It's a question that doesn't need to be asked.
　The only thing that mattered to Ryoma was to kill Count Salzberg right here and now.
　But Ryoma wanted to know. Something that changed the Count.　
''Huh... well, come to think of it, Elena-dono was also in that place at that time.
　Receiving Ryouma's straight gaze, Count Salzberg slowly recounted his past.