'Oh?　What deviousness did you come up with this time?
'A devious trick... even if you were not a self-styled military officer?
What are you going to do this time?　What are you planning to do this time?

　I mean, if he's going to be a military strategist this is his chance to rise to the occasion.

Let's go toe-to-toe.
What?
Single combat. Don't you know?　A single combatant is the flower of the battlefield, you know?

　I'm reminded of a history comic I used to love to read. One on one, the generals who represented the opposing forces would fight one on one. If they win, they are in heaven, and if they lose, they are in hell. If they are defeated, it is not only the life of the defeated general that is lost. The victor's army improved its morale, while the loser's was demoralized.

''It's normal, huh?''
That's normal.
I don't miss Theon.
Master, if you're tired, how would you like to torture me to relieve your stress?
Hmm.... as expected of Theon, I wonder if a strange idea would occur to him under these circumstances.
'The flower of the battlefield...?　So you're saying that it's my turn?

　Each one of you is going to be a jerk to my operation.

'I see.... Well then, what's your plan?　If it's a trivial plan you know what happens, right?
Haha I think it's a good idea!
f*ck you!　One-on-one?　Isn't that great!
'Master ... hah hah ... what will happen to me?　Hah hah....
Well, I think I'll go coordinate the defense.
I was for Master Theon's plan from the start!

　Meeting my cold stare, my men return their palms in unison.

''So... who from the Astor Empire is going to fight a single battle?
''Are you sure your battling partner is the highest level in the Kanazawa Liberation Army?

　Unlike the idiot subordinates, Kotetsu and Lina, who were keeping silent, ask me.

''Mm?　Lina-tan, I don't think they're going to take a shot at you, do you?

　The 15 people present in the Kanazawa Liberation Army who are above level 50.

　Since the "Sage of Kanazawa" and the "Sage of Kanazawa" haven't appeared on the front lines, there is no doubt that they are the spiritual pillars of the Kanazawa Liberation Army. If left unattended, they would defeat many of their subordinates, so they had ordered Saburou to take them out as a priority... but Saburou and the others - if Team J headed in, they would retreat to the rear. When Team J stopped chasing deeper, before they knew it, they appeared on the front lines and defeated many of their subordinates.

'The answer to Lina's question is yes. The single combatant is the highest level of humanity in the Kanazawa Liberation Army. The answer to Yataro's question is--me.
What?
What?
"Yabata ni En!
Isn't it dangerous?
Are you okay?

　All of my subordinates reveal their surprise at my answer.

As Sablow said, if we send the main force to them, they will fall back. Then we'll just have to have the highest quality bait in front of us.

　We're always pushing the war situation. It will take time, but it's clear that we will win.

　The only chance the Kanazawa Liberation Army has of winning is if they can defeat me.

To be sure... the highest level human being is a man in his thirties named Mizoguchi, according to the information Ms. Tamura has gathered. His level is 54.

　By the way, Lina's level is 56 and Kotetsu's is 61. From the looks of it, his skills are also lower than Lina and Kotetsu.

Are you confident that you can win?

　Lina asks me with a serious look in her eyes.

'If you weren't so confident, do you think you'd say this plan?'

　I've had many battles since I became the Demon King. I may still be inferior to some of the leaders, but I have no intention of losing to the rest of the human race.

　As far as the night is concerned, I'm better in terms of total status. Our physical bodies may be evenly matched, but our equipment greatly exceeds them.

''In other words, when Zion-sama challenges the other party's supreme powerhouse to a one-on-one battle and demoralizes the enemy.
You will.
In that case, I would like to make a proposal.

　Kotetsu, who sums up my strategy in one word, makes a proposal.

'Proposal?　Tell me.
I'd like to challenge you to a fight as a prelude to the next round. What do you say?
Kotez?
'Hmm. 'I will have a single fight before Master Theon can have a single fight. I'll win and Master Theon will win. Don't you think that this will break the hearts of the enemy?

　Kotetsu suggests with a good-natured smile.

''I don't mind, but ... do you take the enemy?''
It's the right thing to say.
Then you're in charge.
Hmm.

　I've just accepted Kotetsu's proposal.

Wait a minute!

　A battle craze greater than Kotetsu - Takaharu shouts out loud.

'What?'
If there's an outpost, it could be me!
'I don't mind Takahar, but won't the enemy escape with you?
What?　We could challenge Zion to a one-man battle with Zion as bait!
The bait is your master?
'Yes!　Lord!　Theon said it too!　Protect me.　That means I'm going to have to go toe-to-toe with you!

　Takahar's words are absurd. I'm not sure what 'I mean' is.

　However, if we're going to win anyway, an overwhelming victory is better. It is said that only by winning an overwhelming victory over the enemy's highest strength will our morale rise and the enemy's morale fall.

''For your information, let me ask you.......who is stronger, Kotetsu or Takaharu?''
'What?　That's not what I--
Cottagers, be honest with me.

　I interrupt Takahara's words and throw a question to Kotetsu.

"If Takahar and me, I'm the strongest--
Hey!

　Takaharu interrupted Kotetsu's answer with an angry voice sound.

''--and until last month, you would have answered.
What?

　Kotetsu continued to speak, not paying attention to Takaharu's interrupted voice.

"'Until last month'... 'until last month'... now?
To be honest, I don't know ... perhaps in ten fights, Takahar will win seven of them.
'What?　That would mean I'd lose three times!
Calm down you've got a 70% chance of winning.　By the way, do you think I'm the one you're dealing with?
'Even if we assume that you dealt with the power of Lord Theon - the item that was awarded to you?
That item belongs to the cottagers, so of course it does.
Ten fights, my dear sir, but I fear there may be only one in which Master Theon will defeat me.
Less than 10 percent.

　I chuckle at my subordinates who, in awe, clearly declare themselves stronger than me.

　Why did Kotetsu say until last month?　The answer was Takahar's growth.

　Takahar had defeated many enemies in the recent battles against the Kanazawa Liberation Army and had improved his level many times. As a result--

Name: Takahara Zion.
　　Race : The Beast King
　　Rank: A
　　LP : 0/3000
　　Body: A
　　Knowledge : E
　　Magic power: E
　　Special: Fighting sense
　　　　　　Martial Arts (A)
　　　　　　→2nd tusk
　　　　　　→crushing blow
　　　　　　→bodywork
　　　　　　→ spinning kick
　　　　　　→twin-long legs
　　　　　　→swallow-legged
　　　　　　animalization
　　　　　　howl
　　　　　　breath

　　Pack: Werewolf x 300
　[Organization]

　He was the only subordinate in the Astor Empire that had reached the A rank.

　Takahar had been a full swing of his body since he was the Demon King. Will he be able to screw over Kotetsu's overwhelming skills with force? I'm counting on you.

''Well then, let's leave the preliminaries to Takahar.
'Oh!　Nice!　I'll take care of it!
I can't allow anything less than a crushing defeat, okay?
It's you!

　The plan was set. I was looking forward to today's invasion, when the big picture would be in motion.