Mr. Theon?
What?

　As I was seeing off the executives who were going off in pursuit, Kanon calls out to me.

I understand the importance of the chase to reduce humanity's war potential, but won't you take defensive measures against the invasion of the Demon King Kaoru?　It's not too late, is it?

　The invaders led by Demon King Kaoru are in the process of invading the control territory of Hakusan City, the southernmost control territory of the Astor Empire. The progress of the invasion is still on the second level. My current level is 19--that is, the innermost level where the [True Core] is located is 19 levels. It wasn't difficult to repel them if I focused my officers on defense.

''The number of invaders was 24?''
Yes, sir. Twenty-four members of the household, presumably the main force behind Demon King Kaoru, are invading.
Who should we send to ensure a successful defense?
Well two of the invaders are former humans. I'd like to believe that they aren't as strong as Lina and Kotetsu, but we can't be too careful. There were also five other members of the family that seemed to be under the same unique control as Izayoi, and two more that seemed to be former demon kings.... If we're going to make sure the defense succeeds.......I think we should send all of our officers to the defense!

　The canon analyzes the invaders' strength and answers my question.

'If we can defeat all of Demon King Kaoru's main forces here it's worth defending, but do you think we can defeat them all?
Well.........the invaders have also annihilated their subordinates along the way, perhaps to secure their retreat. Therefore, it's impossible for them to get around the area by [transfer]..... If we are to defeat them without escaping, it may be a bit difficult.

　It was not easy to take down someone who was running away at all costs.

''I'm thinking the same thing. Let's say we are going to take on the defense against Demon King Kaoru's invasion. In that case, the manpower to be devoted to the defense would need the strength of all the leaders of the Astor Empire - all of them. And the invaders are a powerful enemy. Here's a question for the canon. Let's say you put your cadres on the defensive. Let's assume the defense is successful, assuming a positive future. Do you think they will be able to attack Nonoichi City Hall as is?
Huh?
Furthermore, you succeeded in ruling in three hours, but how much time is needed to destroy the Kanazawa Liberation Army in Nonoichi City Hall?

　The condition for success of the Ruler is that it must eliminate all hostile forces within a 3km radius of the Ruler within 3 hours of launching the Ruler.

　So the act of ruling over humanity and the land is a three-hour battle for the land?　--The answer is no.

　The Rulership is an action to be taken when you are certain that you can eliminate all the hostile forces within a 3km radius in 3 hours. In order for the Ruler to succeed, they needed to reduce the number of enemies within a three-kilometer radius of the Ruler, and to do so they needed to engage in a large scale battle with humanity.

　They would only rule when they were certain that after careful preparation and a large-scale battle, the enemy forces within a three-kilometer radius would be eliminated in three hours.

　Then how much time would it take to rule Nonoichi City Hall this time?

　The number of enemies was about three hundred thousand non-combatants combined. As a result of the ongoing skirmishes with Demon King Kaoru, the quality as well as the numbers were not bad. Furthermore, Nonoichi City City Hall and the surrounding facilities were surrounded by a robust wall, and the ground advantage was completely on the enemy.

　 Half a month........is that too tough?　I'd like to be done within a month but I don't know.

One month at the earliest. If it's too long, it could be three months.

　As I simulate it in my head, Kanon replies with the assumptions he's drawn up.

'A little too cautious but it's a reasonable calculation. And the answer to the first question - why do you leave the Demon King Kaoru's invasion unattended and go after him?　The answer is to minimize the time it takes to govern Nonoichi City Hall.

　Demon King Kaoru started invading my controlled territory three hours ago. Even if I went out to defend it now and successfully defended it, I would only have three hours to earn it. Moreover, the battle power needed to ensure a successful defense is - all the cadres.

　Although the cadres have grown reliably, they have just finished the battle with the "rule". Furthermore, if they were to fight the main forces of Kaoru, they would need to rest for a few days.

　Then, as we had planned, I think we should donate a few areas of control to Demon King Kaol and determine the priority of the enemies we need to defeat, that's the conclusion I've reached.

''I see..... I'm still inexperienced as a military strategist........ But my experience as a military strategist has increased!

　Kanon looks a little depressed, but he quickly recovers and smiles.

'What's the experience of being a military strategist........ Oh well. Kanon, we'll join the chase! 'What?　Huh?　Wow, me too?
'I'm going for tangible experience, not meaningless experience!

　This is how I went out for the chase battle with canon.


　◆


　Three hours later.

　The chase battle is a success. The number of humans in the vicinity of the controlled area targeted in the chase battle is about 10,000. Since 50% of the humans who had fled the area surrendered, they were placed under house arrest in the controlled area in Noto.

Thank you all for your efforts. Tomorrow at 18:00 we will begin our invasion of Nonoichi City Hall.

　I've finished the chase battle, and I'm going to inform all the members of the Astor Empire, including my men, of tomorrow's actions.

''After today's battle, you're probably exhausted. But so is the enemy. Now is the critical moment. I expect everyone to do well tomorrow. I have prepared a modest meal for those who participated in the battle. Each of you will have a short time to rest and relax.

　I finished my message to my men with words of exertion.

　I - all of them except the Demon King - needed to eat and sleep. This was a tricky problem. Because I myself don't need them, it's hard to decide when to give them food and sleep.

　There is no one else who can fight without sleep or rest but the Demon King.

　It would have been easier if his men were considered expendable like in the old days... but now that kind of rhetoric doesn't hold water, the territory he controlled, which was only 6k square meters, has expanded to control over 70% of Ishikawa Prefecture, and his men are more and more former Demon Kings and former humans... ...There was also an increase in the existence under the patronage of the lords.

　It's true that my own sense of value has risen more than in the past, but I smiled bitterly at the current situation where I felt less freedom than in the past.