This strategy is simple and straightforward.

　Muzio provokes his opponent with a random single strike. Then he returns to the camp.
　The camp is just barely in place, with just enough of a fence for the Equus horses to jump over to make it look like they made a mistake.

　When the Equus horsemen invade, they retreat quickly, and finally set fire to the oil and alcohol they've scattered on the ground.
　It burns so violently for a moment that it temporarily stops the enemy in their tracks.

　Once you stop them, it's enough.
　After that, the timed black powder that you poured magic power into will explode when you retreat.

　This time-based black powder is embedded in the ground. In other words, it's a bit of a land mine.
　You can leave a part of the activation part for the magic flow beforehand, bury it all in the ground, and let the magic flow quickly when you escape.

　There's no reason why you can't make a mine that explodes when you step on it, but according to Tetra, the formula becomes more complicated. In other words, production is difficult.
　Besides, there is a risk that we might step on it in this strategy, and it would be a hassle to dig it up later.

　In addition to that, if it's a timed system, even if it doesn't fire, it won't be a problem right away.
　The structure is also just a slight modification of the conventional spear technique to slow down the speed of magic power transmission.

　By the way, this mine is very inferior in terms of its killing power.
　It is only natural that the latter is more deadly than the one used to bury it in the ground and use it to hit the opponent directly.

　The purpose of these mines is to distract the enemy soldiers especially the cavalry with the sound and smoke.




　''Well now that the enemy has been trapped, I'm going to go and fight one more battle.
　Do you think you can win without it?

　I will tell Muzio to step forward. Muzio doesn't need to fight now.

　'It's true that he escaped once. It's not a good idea, even if it is for the sake of the mission. And besides, this isn't really a victory for me, it's more of a victory for the black powder. At the very least, I should have Ledus' head on my shoulders.

　Hmm, you're right. If we help him too much, we'll make him lose his face.


　"Are you sure you can win?
　The question is whether or not Muzio can beat Ledus. I know my opponent's skills to some extent too but there's no way to measure it in such a short amount of time.

　Of course. He's no match for me, that's for sure.

　Muzio said and kicked his horse in the belly and galloped away. There's a lot of room to spare.
　Well, if I shoot an arrow in the back, I could be accused of being a coward. It would look better if you fought head-on and won anyway.

　Go for it.








　Muzio threw a few words at Redus, who was running away with his back.

　''Hey, hey, don't let the horsemen show your back.
　Those are the same words Ledus said to Muzio.
　Ledus stops and turns to Muzio.

　'You coward. What kind of witchcraft did you use!
　"There's no such thing as cowardice in war. You taught me that, didn't you? Now, let's go at it again, one more time.

　Saying that, Muzio swings his sword at Ledus.
　A violent metallic sound rang out.

　''Hey, why didn't you shoot me in the back then!
　'Fool, do I look like the kind of coward who would shoot an arrow at the enemy's back?
　"I'm gonna make you regret this, a**h*le!

　Ledus raises his arm and swings his sword down at Muzio. Gradually, Muzio is being driven back.

　''Haha, you fool!　If only I had shot him then, we would have won!　You'll regret it in hell!
　...degree?
　Pssst!

　Muzio swings his sword and it bounces back at Ledus' sword. Redus's body is on its back and he almost falls off his horse.

　''This is it? You small fry.

　Muzio kicks his horse in the gut and closes the distance in one fluid motion. Each time Muzio swings his sword, Redus's horse gradually moves backwards.

　'I don't need to use my blessing!

　A high metallic sound rang out. The broken blade of Ledus' sword spins in the air as it spins and sticks deep into the ground.
　He points the sword at the tip of Redus' nose with a stunned face and says, ''This is your specialty in swordsmanship?

　''Is this your signature swordsmanship?　That's not a good story.
　Muzio swung his sword at Ledus with an eye to the neck.

　Gakin!

　A high-pitched metallic sound could be heard.

　"Lord Chief of the Great War we're going to have to take care of that.
　It doesn't work that way.

　The Great War Chief flicks Muzio's sword hard.
　Muzio's horse slowly takes his turn.

　'I hear you are a friend of my grandfather's. You are one of the few Great War Chiefs and one of the few people I need. I will forgive you if you cut off the head of the usurper there right now.
　'Lord Redus is my grandson and chieftain. I can't say so. ........I can't listen to the man who sold his soul to those who would end their lives just by scratching the plains!

　The Great Warrior Chief closes the distance in one fluid motion and swings his sword. Muzio catches it.
　There is a metallic sound and Muzio's horse takes three steps back.

　''Strong as ever. Are you still as strong as you were in your old age?''
　I'm a lot weaker than I was in my prime. But you are strong too, Muzio. If I was your age and you fought now, I would have lost. Only.........I would win now!

　Swords and swords intersect violently. Little by little, Muzio is pushed in.
　An impatience begins to appear on Muzio's face.

　''I got it!

　The great warrior chief's sword swung at Muzio's neck.
　But the sword did not slice through Muzio's neck.

　The sword snaps to a stop just a few inches away.

　''Well I don't want to use this one too much because it's cowardly.

　A strong wind blows and the Great War Chief's horse stumbles. The Great War Chief looks at Muzio with an astonished expression.

　'....Wind.
　Muzio muttered, and the knives Muzio had hidden in his body began to float in the air. That number twenty.

　''Let me tell you, that knife is coated with aconite. I'm sorry about that. It's your fault you were too strong.
　Muzio says a few words and swings his sword out of range in one fluid motion.
　The Great War Chief easily blocks the sword.

　Two knives strike the Great War Chief at the same time.
　The great warrior chief swings his left hand and flips it off with the iron bracelet on his wrist.

　The knife blows off about five meters and stops. He attacks the Great War Chief again.

　"Oh, shit!

　Three knives pierce the back of the Great War Chief. The Great War Chief collapses from his horse.
　Twenty knives rushed at the Great War Chief.

　The Great War Chief moaned and groaned for a while, then fell silent.
　After confirming that the Great War Chief had died out, Muzio turned his attention to Redus.

　''Tsk........''
　All that's left is you.

　Swinging his sword, he closes the distance at once.
　Redus hurriedly takes out his dagger... but it's too late!

　zzzzzzz.

　Ledus's head jumps off. Muzio grabs him by the neck and raises it high and shouts.

　'The enemy general Redus has been defeated by me, the Equus Chief Muzio!　Surrender! ...or is it over already?

　Muzio looked around.
　The cavalry under Muzio was already in the middle of sweeping up the enemy cavalry that had fallen to the ground.

　Muzio shouted, and the cavalrymen who had been resisting, though only slightly, slumped to the ground.

　This is how the victory was decided.





　''It seems that the victory has been decided.
　Hey, Leada.

　Ron nods beside me.
　Gram is covering us with his bow and Rosward is fighting alongside the Equus cavalry as a cavalryman.

　Since we've already won or lost, there's not much need for Ron to step forward himself.
　That's why Ron is staying by my side as my bodyguard.

　''But........without Bartolo, our tactics are completely dependent on bombs.
　I feel bad about it.

　"It's good, you know. We won.
　Ron smirks. Well, I do.

　'My brother ... the king!　We've got a woman with a Gallic accent!
　Rosward comes in screaming.
　A sorceress is brought in behind him, tied behind her back.

　Rosward drags the woman out in front of me.

　'King Rosais, I was threatened by Redus. He took my family hostage and I'm begging you. Please help me.　
　The woman stares up at me with her eyes.
　Her cleavage is peeking out from the gap in her clothes.

　

　'I'm going to make sure you tell me about Roselle.
　The woman's expression changed immediately when I said that.
　Then she opens her mouth just a little.

　Then Ron pokes his dagger in.

　"You can bite your tongue later. It's not too late to wash up and talk about it first.
　"Hmmm... this...

　The woman came glaring at me strongly.
　






　''Lakela!

　Muzio hugged his fiancée.
　They kissed each other. ........There are six thousand soldiers behind you guys. Can't you see them?

　We, Rosais' army, have crossed the Alva Mountains and entered the Equus territory. There's no other enemy to defeat but it's for the sake of intimidation. After all, Muzio's own army is only two hundred, right? Besides, I'll have to put a crown on Muzio's head.

　"Muzio, how soon will all the tribes be together?
　Tomorrow we'll have the coronation. After that, we'll clean up those who didn't come. We'll have to kill the bad sheep... well, in a week's time I'll come right over with two thousand cavalrymen. Good luck until then.

　Well.....
　But a week later. Is he okay?

　The king!

　A messenger comes running up to me.

　'Master Raimondo's on the line, sir!
　I'll open the message from Raimondo.

　No change in the war front with King Evil's country. They're falling back.
　The war with King Belvedere's kingdom is in full retreat. The Gehenna coalition appears to have won the war.
　I advise that the next step would be to attack Belvedere's country.

　These three things were written in the book.

　Apparently, 3,000 Belvedere army and 2,000 Rezad-Gehenna alliance fought each other and Belvedere army was defeated badly.
　If they chased after them now, they were sure to win.

　........That's right. If the front line with King Evil's country remains unchanged, we might as well attack Belvedil now.

　All right, so Belvedere is next.
　Maybe we should write to Raimondo.





　'Anyone who thinks that I, Muzio Equus Sulpicius, is not fit to be a chieftain, leave this place now and get ready for battle!

　Muzio declared after gathering all the clans. Some of the tribes the clan of Redus's mother had not come.
　In other words, the clans that are here are the ones that have decided to follow Muzio. So this is just a stunt.

　No one is going to move from the spot. That's natural.


　"Mister Muzio.
　I'll bring the crown.
　I quietly place it on Muzio's head. I'm taller than him, so it will be easier for me to get on his head.

　"I, Armes as Losaius, do solemnly swear by the gods that the Equus and Mzio Equus Sulpicius are eternal allies.
　Muzio Equus Sulpicius swears to God that the kingdom of King Rosais and Almus as Rosais are his eternal allies.

　Me and Muzio declare almost the same line.
　Then we fill our cups with sake and drink to each other. This is the way of the Equus.

　Then I'd better get back. My friend, can you make this as quick as possible?
　'Of course. I'm not the kind of person who would return the favor.

　Me and Muzio lightly bumped our fists against each other.




　'Julia, I heard Alms won,'
　Really?　Yes!

　Julia and Tetra rejoiced in each other's company. Then they spoke to their own children.

　'....Daddy won...'
　'You did it, Fiona. Your dad is the best.

　After a brief moment of joy, their faces cloud up a bit.

　''Well I'd like to follow you.
　You left your children?

　Julia laughs bitterly.
　'It doesn't work that way.

　'Hmmm, it bothers me.
　But I can't take you with me, either.

　The two of them were very torn as to whether they should follow Almus. For now, they had to forgo the fight with the Equus tribe...

　They say it's a wife's duty to wait for her husband, but...
　Alms, sometimes I'm out...

　I'm so worried about them. The two of them are like that.
　They're both excellent spellcasters in one way or another, so it's not like they're going to slow me down if I follow them.

　Rather, the two of them are more useful if you follow them. Because Julia is a very good spellcaster and Tetra can use magic.

　''........Alms, how do you handle s*x on the battlefield?''
　"....Julia. In front of the child.

　Tetra hugs her own son, Anx, and complains.
　Julia giggles as she pats Fiona.

　'It's okay. He's not old enough to understand yet. Besides, you're probably wondering about Tetra too.
　...well, more is not very good.

　There's no reason not to increase it.

　As I recall, this time it's Roselle, right? That Merlin is there.
　That's right. That world's oldest sorcerer is here.

　In other words, in a spellcasting battle, the opponent has the advantage.

　''Okay, I've decided!　I'll only follow you when you go to King Domorgal's country!　Even if you disagree with me!
　...the same on the right. I'm still worried.

　They were firm in their resolve.