'Well, that's fine ... so ... you didn't come here to tell me about Elmeda, did you?
Breaking the heavy silence, Roberto finally cuts to the chase.
'Roberto, you........you knew.......'
Isn't it obvious?　I'm treating a defeated general like this. It's not a surprise that it's not what it seems.
But at Roberto's words, Signis shows his face contorted.
''What's with that face? You didn't think I was that stupid, did you?
'It's you and I've been thinking about that possibility if I'm honest.
"You're saying terrible things about my longtime friend.
　Roberto said and stared at Signis.
　They stared at each other.
　Then they laughed out loud when neither of them blew up.
　How much time had passed?
　Eventually, Signis lost the smile that had been on his face and turned his gaze to Roberto.
''Well, all jokes aside I'll be straightforward with you if you know that much. Miyagata-sama wants your power. Give me your help, Robert. You're not the kind of person to be buried in the sticks and stones of this countryside, are you?　Or are you seriously going to continue to bury your bones in this northern frontier don't you want to really test your mettle?
　Signis, who can usually be described as cold-hearted and indifferent, shows his true feelings.
　It's a desire that has been hidden from the eyes of the people around him, never speaking about it, even in front of his best friend Roberto. It's the first time that Signis has spoken out about it.
　But there is something else in his words that should be noted above all else.
　The moment he heard those words, Robert's eyes flashed with a sharp light.
''Miyagata-sama........Hey.
Ah, Oyakata-sama.
　Signis repeats Roberto's words again.
　What I felt from his words was a deep sense of awe.
　Although it's only a mere call, Signis's seriousness can be felt more than enough.
(I didn't expect Signis to get so involved in the past few days...)　
　The man Roberto knows as Signis Garbeira is a man who, to put it simply, never shows his true feelings to the surface.
　Of course, this is not something that can be seen on the surface.
　If one were to judge him by his apparent demeanor and language alone, Signis would be far more sociable and friendly than Roberto.
　Probably many people misunderstand Signis to be more disciplined and obedient than Roberto, and Signis herself has been acting like she's the one people see her as.
　But that is just a mimicry that hides Signis's true intentions.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you want to do with your life.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're looking for it.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what's in your heart.
　It's a good thing that even Robert, his best friend for many years, has never heard the true intentions of Signis from his own mouth. That is.........
　Then Roberto realized something.
'Well ... you,'
　Figuring out the meaning contained in Roberto's words, Signis fished his lips into a smile and sipped at the bottle of liquor on the desk.
'Ah, you guessed it. I'm taking over the Galveira family now.
　In other words, the fourth son, born of a commoner's daughter who wasn't even the son of a sidekick, had pushed aside his older brother from his rightful place in the family to take over the reigns.
　This would be an unthinkable measure in the aristocratic society of the earth world.
　The order of succession is strictly regulated, no matter how capable you are. Yes, if they are alive........
Is that you?　Or is it Elmeda?
　Signis shook his head slowly at the question.
'No, me and Elmeda only found out after everything was over.
What do you mean?
　If what Signis said was true, then who the hell got rid of Signis' brothers?
"It was his will.
Baron Mikoshiba?
　Signis nodded deeply at those words.
'When the war was over and I paid my first visit to that man, he made it clear to me. Other than me, there is not a single person in the Galveira family that I would rather keep alive.
That's another...
　Destroying an enemy's clan is not as easy as it sounds in words.
　It is not as easy as it sounds, especially when there are no major problems with the management of your opponent's territory and the people are not discontented with their rule.
　To invade and to occupy and claim the territory as one's own. Although the two are very similar and closely related, they are at the same time completely different in nature.
He knows everything. Starting from the topography of each territory and the presence or absence of specialties in the towns and villages, from the amount of taxes to the problems that each family had...''
　The moment Roberto heard those words, he felt the doubts he had had since the start of the war melting away.
The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that this war was fought after meticulous preparation.
That's what I'm talking about.
　Signis smiles at Roberto's words.
　Common sense dictates that, no matter how vast the Woltenia peninsula is, until a few years ago, there wasn't even a single inhabitant of this magical land. The only ones present would be sub-humans, pirates, and powerful magical beasts.
　It's a land that could be called hell for the aristocrats who live off of the taxes collected by the lords.
　The northern part of Roselia under the control of the ten northern families is not as rich as the breadbasket of the Iraklion Plains, but it is more than rich enough.
　The ratio of strength to the northern ten families that have ruled there for many years would normally be nothing to compare with.
　It could be called a battle between adults and children, or even adults and babies.
　At least that's what most of the northern ten families, including Count Salzberg, must have thought.
(It's not simply that they are strong in warfare or good at managing their territory...)
　At that moment, something cold ran down Roberto's spine.
　Certainly, it wouldn't be without those aspects, but there were other things to focus on.
''They may have released a secret agent and thoroughly investigated the Ten Northern Families, but... since when...?''
　It was several years ago that Mikoshiba Ryoma was appointed a Baron and came to his land.
　Some time after that, he went to the Kingdom of Zaruda to reinforce their resistance to the Oltmere Empire's invasion.
　Considering the timeline, the most likely time is right after returning from the Kingdom of Zaruda, but that would only be about six months as an institution.
　But it should be quite difficult to find out everything about the northern ten families in just six months.
It's probably as soon as the Woltenia peninsula is conquered...　
"Signis, do you agree with me...
I don't know. I'm not sure.
　Understanding the meaning of the word's allusion, Roberto couldn't help but swallow raw.
(Interesting man....)
　Although he is only the lowest class of noblemen, the baron must always have his eyes looking up to the heavens.
　Roberto felt something hot inside of him.
'Well, let's hear it again. What do we do?
　At the question, Roberto exhaled loudly and slowly spoke the thoughts of his heart while looking into the eyes of Signis.