It's been six hours since we announced our advisory and withdrew.

　As I replenish my deployment and items, I'm drawing up a plan in my mind for the future...

Master Theon, may I ask for your permission?

　Miss Tamura showed up in my room.

'What's the matter?　Have you got any supplies that you're missing?
No, I have plenty of supplies. But I have another matter to discuss with you.
Oh, yeah?　What?

　I have overheard that Miss Tamura is troubled by the fact that she doesn't call me by my proper name - Masako - but I wouldn't expect her to offer me such a consultation at this busy time of year.

'Before we discuss it, I would like to introduce one person to you, if you don't mind.
'Introductions?　I don't mind, but who is it?

　I shook my head and agreed to Ms. Tamura's request.

'Come in, Hasebe-san, please come in.'

　When Miss Tamura called out to her outside the room, a well-groomed, white-haired old man appeared.

　Hasebe...?　I've heard that name before, but who was it?

Master Theon, I thank you for your permission to see me. My name is Kazuro Hasebe.

　Mr. Hasebe gave his name with a straight and clean bow.　

'Mr. Hasebe is a former superintendent of education for the Kanazawa City Board of Education and a current city council member.

　When Ms. Tamura introduced me to her, I was reminded of Mr. Hasebe.

''Ah this is the first time we've met, but thank you for that section.

　Mr. Hasebe was the master who had previously borrowed his name when making recommendations to the Kanazawa Liberation Army.

If even one casualty was reduced in my name, I would be delighted.

　Hasebe responds to my words with a smile.

''Zion-sama, as you know, Hasebe-san is known as a moderate among the Kanazawa Liberation Army.
That's right.
Mr. Hasebe just got a call from a colleague at Nonoichi City Hall.
"You're with the Nonoichi City Hall...
Yes, a member of the Kanazawa Liberation Army who is now a rival.

　Ms. Tamura replies to the rest of my words.

'A request for help?　Then, as I told the guys in the Kanazawa Liberation Army, we will accept all those who surrender.
"Thank you, Your Grace, for the mercy of your kind heart, Lord Zion. However, this consultation is a different matter.
Oh, yeah?

　Can you make Hasebe's sister-in-law the brains of Mrs. Tamura?　But it's not worth it to break the ice by telling him what I expect to hear again. Let's just shut up and listen to the consultation.

''Yes, Hasebe-san, please.
Tamura.
My name is Masako Zion, you know?
...and I'm sorry. Thank you, Masako-san.

　I saw Miss Tamura's elegant smile and my body shook with a shudder.

''So, what's the main question?''

　I urge the consultation to avoid a dangerous trend.

'Yes, sir. I have just been contacted by one of my colleagues. I'll tell you what we talked about in conclusion - that I want to surrender.
Hmm?

　I listen to Hasebe and twist my head. If you want to surrender, you can do it. Except for the 'Sage of Kanazawa' and the 'Sage of Kanazawa', I don't refuse those who come and I accept those who surrender.

'When I say surrender, I am not talking only about my people. The Kanazawa Liberation Army as a whole has been counseled to surrender.

　--!

　I was astonished at the content of the consultation, which I hadn't expected.

''That's fine, but.......is that matter the consensus of the Kanazawa Liberation Army?''

　Since I set up the reign, I know the psychological situation within the Kanazawa Liberation Army better than anyone else.

　Thirty percent of them have a broken heart. Even if you include all the neutrals, it's 50%.

　Even if the effect of the recommendations increased after that.......it's still far from the consensus.

　Above all, it is unlikely that the leaders, the 'Sage of Kanazawa' and the 'Saints of Kanazawa', would accept surrender.

''No, unfortunately, not even half of those who have expressed their willingness to surrender have met their intention to surrender.

　Hasebe shook his head ruefully.

''Then you can't, can you?''
Yes. I would like to talk to Master Theon about something.
What?
'If you'll allow me, three days from now, when Master Zion launches another invasion, I'll have them launch an armed uprising.
Can you make it?
''If you give us three days' time we can show our comrades within the Kanazawa Liberation Army that Master Zion is willing to accept them by not invading for three days. In the meantime, we will gather our comrades.
Three days?
''Yes. Currently, the Kanazawa Liberation Army is in a state of flux. We will try to persuade them quickly instead of taking too long.
What's the success rate?
I think the math is high. The wise man and the saint's response to Mr. Mizoguchi has been met with a great deal of criticism from the humans of the Kanazawa Liberation Army.
'I see.... Finally, you said armed uprising, but what exactly?
"In three days, on Lady Theon's signal, we will open the gates.


　I visualize Hasebe's proposal in my mind.

'All right. But are you sure?
What do you mean?
'Your friends in the armed uprising you are betraying the same humanity, aren't you?
If I can save even one life I'm willing to take that kind of abuse.
It's possible it's more than just verbal abuse?
I believe that we have a better chance of living than we do of continuing to fight.
''....I see. I'll accept Hasebe's proposal. If there's anything I can do to help you, please don't hesitate to tell me.
Thank you for your warm words.

　Mr. Hasebe and Ms. Tamura bowed deeply and left the room.

　An armed uprising........

　If Hasebe's proposal succeeds........Nonoichi City Hall will fall in three days.

　A coup d'état at the end of the internal collapse.....

　I smiled to myself in my room at this unexpected opportunity.