After the military council was over, I called one of Bartolo's men.

　'What can I do for you, sir?　Your Majesty.
　No, he seemed a bit grumpy.

　In contrast to Alexios, who had a bright expression on his face after the military discussion was over, Bartolo had a slightly miffed look on his face.

　His face was unconvincing.

　It said.

　'No way, I am a vassal of His Majesty. If His Majesty decides to do so, I will only obey.'

　Well, I would say so.

　I get two glasses and pour the wine into them.
　It's one of the finest bottles of wine Romalia has to offer right now.

　Drink.
　Then be my guest.

　Bartolo poured a generous amount of wine down his throat at once.
　It's a pretty high drink but it's very drinkable.

　To tell you the truth, I like your idea better than mine. It's more reliable. Alexios' plan, on the other hand, is risky. And we don't know what Alexios is capable of.
　"...Then why Sir Alexios Cornelius?
　Because I need one more person.

　Hearing my answer, Bartolo shushed me.

　If we were to break the alliance against Gaul and set out to conquer Domorgal and Gilbed....
　It will be a two-pronged operation in the north and west.
　Domorgal, Gilbed and Fardham.
　All three countries could be united against a common enemy, Romalia.

　A two-pronged operation, which means that at least two armies would need to be sent to each side, but...

　Even for Bartolo, it is impossible for him to lead more than two armies.
　It's because we only have one body.
　When it comes to generals other than Bartolo, it would be Ron, Gram, and Roseward, but these three are still inadequate.

　And considering that, there was only one candidate.

　''Does His Majesty trust you?''
　What do you mean?
　"He fled his homeland and turned his sword against it and his own people.

　So, it's possible that Alexios' sword could be pointing at me.
　Is that what you're saying?

　I see.
　There's certainly a possibility of that. You can't say it's zero.

　"Are you sure you can't beat Alexios?
　I have no intention of beating that young man.
　Then I'm good. You're stronger than Alexios. Then if Alexios turns on some other country, you can defeat him.

　This time, I left it up to Alexios, but
　After all, for me, the most reliable sword, the most powerful sword in Romalia's hands is....

　Bartolo Pompeius. It's you.
　"Your Majesty...

　Bartolo's expression relaxes.
　It seems that the annoyance has disappeared.

　Because it wouldn't be too much of a problem if Bartolo became an Alexios hater and became the first anti-foreigner faction because of it.

　If possible, I hope the two of them will get along with each other....
　Would that be difficult?

　''Give it to Alexios this time. It's not fair that you get all the credit for your efforts, and there's no room for anyone else to grow. You're no match for Zordias, and you won't be the only one.

　Yes, I understand.

　Afterwards we drank and made small talk.
　Not bad sometimes.

　'Oh, by the way, that Alexios guy said he wanted Alice's string. Said it could be used for something.
　What kind of yarn is that?
　They say it's a sturdy, invisible thread. I'm having Alice work on it. I'll send some of the horses over later.

　It's certainly useful militarily, but I can't really imagine how to use it.

　What do you think Alexios will use it for?
　I have no idea. But I would.....






　"Formation two thousand cavalry, fifty companies, eight thousand infantry. Total 10,000. Both skill and morale are sufficient. Their armament is excellent. It is indeed an army trained by General Bartolo Pompeius.

　That's how Alexios described the Romali army assembled on the Romali border.
　The entire army is already assembled.
　If Alexios gave the order, they would be ready to move as soon as he gave the order.

　The question is, will you listen to me?

　Alexios smiled bitterly as he looked at the soldiers who looked at the foreign commander suspiciously.



　''Lord Ron Aemilius. Lord Rosward Fabius. Lord Gram Calpurnius. Good of you to come.''

　Alexios welcomed the three men and urged them to take a seat.
　Wine was poured into the glasses in front of the three men.

　'May I ask you one question?'
　Come in.
　Why us?

　Ron asked the commander why he had chosen them.
　Yes, Alexios had called the three of them together to have them take command of the army.

　Naturally, the command of the commander of the legion does not directly reach each soldier individually.
　The army is a vertical structure.
　Orders are transmitted from top to bottom.

　Alexios asked the three men to take command of about 2,000 soldiers each.

　Alexios, who was appointed as the legion leader, would be in charge of the legion's personnel.
　Of course, all three of us have no objection to this. But.........

　'I'm sure there are other good commanders out there...'
　'Your humility, sir. You are excellent enough commanders. Yes, apart from General Bartolo, there are no better generals than the three of you.

　Of course, many of the nobles have experience in leading armies.
　But skillfully, can they move a complex Romalian army?　Then there were no other three except for Bartolo.

　'Well, to be honest, the other Adelnian nobles don't like me, do they?　In that respect, you all, the emerging aristocracy, have little distrust of me. Besides, you all have the trust of the soldiers.

　The soldiers don't have to trust Alexios.
　They just need to trust the three of us to take Alexios' orders and move on, and trust the three of us.

　''Are you not nervous?''

　Alexios does not have any trust from the soldiers at all.
　In fact, he is even disliked by the fact that he is a foreigner.

　Ron asks Alexios, who doesn't seem to have any worries about whether he will listen to his orders honestly.....

　Alexios replied with a smile.

　''I'm a general in Pofenia. The majority of the Pofenia Army is mercenary. Therefore, there is no trust between the soldiers and the generals to begin with. There is no trust either. Therefore, the Romany Army is very easy to deal with, even if they don't like it, they listen to orders well.''

　The military discipline of the Romalian army is very strict.
　Therefore, no matter who is at the top, the Romarian soldiers will always obey.

　Winning it is all that matters. If you win, the trust of the soldiers will follow you as much as you want.

　Alexios thumped his chest with confidence.






　After crossing the borders, the Romalian army was advancing smoothly.
　Almus had issued a letter of intent to the western countries at the point of passage beforehand, giving them permission to pass through.

　For the western nations, the Kingdom of Romalia is too powerful an enemy.
　Many nations honestly opened the barrier and let the Romarian army pass through with food support.

　Of course, they are never on the side of the Romarians.　
　If the Romarians are defeated by the Zordias, they will return their palms and attack the Romarians.

　If they were cut off from retreat by the western nations and pursued by King Zordias, their 15,000-strong army would certainly be wiped out.
　Therefore, the rescue of the western countries had to be a success.




　''Well, you arrived early. Even with all the food aid and directions, it was still fast. It's amazing how fast the Romalians are advancing.

　"Let's go avenge King Zoldiers immediately!

　Ron packed up to Alexios.
　He had already heard from the western nations about the damage of the plunder suffered by King Zoldias.

　If King Zoldias was not defeated or driven away soon, Romalia might not be considered capable of defeating Zoldias.
　If the western nations turned on Zordias, there was no doubt that Alexios and the others would be in a tight spot.

　'Wait, wait, wait, settle down. The western nations are not stupid. We know who's stronger and more sensible, Zordias or Romalia. We'll explore the position and terrain of the Zordias army first.

　Alexios said and instructed the three of them to do so.

　It was Gram who would negotiate with the leading men of the western nations to get a more accurate map.　
　It was Rosward who would release the scouts and explore the terrain and the position of Zordias' army.　
　It is Ron who will train his soldiers and get them in condition for the decisive battle.

　Then Alexios summoned his wife, Melia, who was his wife.

　'You, along with the other sorcerers, will man the terrain from the air.
　I understand. General!

　Melia gives Alexios a wink.
　As a wife, she is glad that Alexios is leading an army on behalf of his country.

　'Well, the ground is ours. "Well, the ground is ours, and we have the upper hand. The cause is ours. The truth of heaven is equal on both sides.

　Alexios stands up quietly.

　'Well, the rest is a difference in information. The western countries must have a long history with King Zordias. Hopefully we'll get some good information.'

　Alexios rose to interview the generals of the western nations about King Zoldias.