Fast forward four days after returning from the labyrinth, and the last strategy meeting was to be held in the amphibian on the matter of rushing into the Empire early tomorrow morning.

　Incidentally, the past four days had been spent in the underground training ground that Doran had built for him to reinforce Lionel's anti-personnel warfare, with many, many mock one-on-many battles repeated over and over again.
　I didn't have such a sweet time, even though I had announced my participation as a recuperator.
　I couldn't just spend time on mock battles, and to make effective use of the other time, I studied magic with Estia and Lydia.
　There was no replacement of the dark spirits and Estia, which I had hoped for a little bit.
　Still, I think it was a period of time where the balance between simulated bodily combat and brain-based magical research was good, or perhaps it was a period of time where many things turned out to be fruitful.

　Well, I couldn't help but notice that Paula, Lisian, and Lyna all nearly died because they went out of control, but other than that, things went really well.

　Once everyone was gathered in the amphibian's mess hall, we started the strategy meeting.
First, we will take the amphibians and raid the imperial capital before sunrise tomorrow. Then, the amphibians will be evacuated to Ebiza as soon as we disembark. Doran will be in charge.
　I wish I could fight you, but I have no choice. But we'll fly over the Imperial Capital instead of back to Ebiza.
　Are you going to fight the pterodactyl?
　If you're not in a place where you can be rescued if things go wrong, how can you help?
　Okay, but don't take it easy. But don't ever take it easy.
　Yeah. I'll take care of it.
　It doesn't mean that Doran will be fine, but since Doran is the only person I can trust with him, I'll trust him.

　'Next, after we finish our descent to the Imperial City, we'll first land in the center of the Imperial City and have Lionel make a speech, and then we'll head to the castle from there. That's fine.
　As I told everyone that, I remembered that Lionel had bowed to me earlier this morning.

　Originally, we had planned to fight the pterodactyl with a fancy descent from the amphibian.
　However, there was a fear that if he shot down the pterosaur, he would be trapped underneath it and destroy the building, so it was decided to refrain from making a flamboyant appearance so as not to involve the residents as much as possible.
　Even so, there is a possibility that during his speeches, he may have to fight the demon tribe inside the imperial capital, and this will inevitably expose the residents to danger.
　But about that, it is necessary to let the residents know the truth about the current empire, Lionel shook his head, bowed to me and said.
　''It will put a considerable burden on Luciel-sama, but I would also like to ask that those who have become the demon race not kill anyone on the spot.
　It was too absurd. But I didn't think Lionel had said it lightly either.
　'You do realize you're talking outrageously, don't you?　Is there a reason for this?
　'Yes. I believe Master Luciel will still be able to accomplish this.
　'That's not an answer, and how easy it is to say.
　But Lionel didn't take his gaze off me, and he had a look in his eyes that truly believed I could do it.
　''This is so that Luciel-sama can win the trust of the residents in the Imperial City. Please take care of him.
　It's strange because when Lionel bows his head, it makes me want to bow too.
　With that in mind, I guess he decided that he could still do it, based on the fact that he knows that no matter how hard I tried, there's a limit to it.
　''Haha~ I would never do that originally. But since Squire First Lionel trusts me, I'll do my best to make sure no one dies.
　Thank you, Master Luciel.
　I'll be in charge of restoring the population and weakening those who have been turned into demons. Lionel will be in charge of everything. Also, I'll need your support.
　As expected, it's impossible to command everyone, and it's extremely difficult to do so without someone to support you to keep the enemy away.
　''Ha. I will risk my life to accomplish what I can.
　Thus, when Lionel offered to change the plan, I decided to give him command of my entry into the Empire.


'I thank you for approving it, despite the increased danger to all of us.
　Lionel bowed his head for an unknown number of times.
　For some reason, he felt frustrated with the disciplined Lionel and decided to change the subject.
''But was Lionel's equipment this strict?
''Nya. The red and black armor Lionel-sama was running around on the battlefield. The way he seemed to be as full of supremacy as he was in the past should be able to make the people of the imperial capital know that Lionel-sama is the real deal.
　The Lionel equipment that Keti was drumming up was a faithful reproduction of the equipment he wore when he was an Imperial General, and Doran had made it for him.
　He nodded happily, saying that he no longer felt at all different from when he was a warlord.
　Indeed, wearing this stern armor and running around the battlefield with a face that had slaughtered the Imperial Special Forces, it was understandable that he was terrorizing the War Demon General and his enemies.
　Of course, that wasn't the only reason he decided to make good use of his beard, which had been growing haphazardly over the past two weeks as a way to deal with his rejuvenation.

'The reason I don't have a helmet is partly to show my face, but if I'm dealing with people, I can expect attacks with bows and arrows, but are you okay with that?　And do you really think this is going to help people understand that it's Lionel?
I don't know why Lionel isn't hit by an arrow. The bearded Lionel-sama is still the same as the old Lionel-sama. I'm sure the people of the city will respond to Lionel-sama's voice.
　I'd love to have a skillet that doesn't get hit by arrows or something like that, but I guess that means I won't have my opponent put pressure on me.
　But still, I was surprised when Keti stressed that that stubble was a key factor in the success of this mission.
　We ended up believing it too, but it's a bit unsettling afterwards.

''And then Lionel can call out to the people of the imperial city with a magic tool that amplifies its volume, right?
　It was Lyna who developed the loudspeaker that was developed as a magic tool.
''It's ready to be used without too much magic consumption. The testing is now finished and we are just praying for your success.''
'I appreciate that, but are you sure you're going to follow me after all that hate?
''Yes. I was scared at first, but I'd like to see the tempers I created blow up the pterodactyl, because I'd love to see it blow up.
　I'm sure the main gun was made by Doran, so it's probably either of the magic guns on either side of the amphibian that were called Temperns.
　But I've said many times that I have no plans to fight....
　Even though she had so many shades under her eyes, I couldn't say anything else to her as she smiled freshly.

　But next to her, I saw Nanya staring at Linna with tears in her eyes, so I decided to call out to her.
"...Nanya-san can stay here, okay?
'No, I'm too afraid to spend time alone in a place with just strangers, so let me follow you.
''.......Okay.''
　Nanya-san told me that while looking like she was about to cry, so I decided not to ask any more about it because for some reason I felt guilty about it.

　'Just for the last time, it's just me, Lionel, Ketty, Kefin and Esther who are going in. The airship is also important with regard to future actions, so everyone, including Nadia and Lydia, will protect it. Alright.
""Yes,"
　The strategy meeting ended like this, despite laughing at Paula's barbed reply.

　Afterwards, we all had dinner together, and we vowed to each other that this would not be our last dinner, and we would nourish our spirits of wisdom for tomorrow's empire.