"Euron started the war?
'Yes, sir. We have declared war on the neighboring kingdom of Hannock and launched an invasion.

　At Tsubaki-san's report I took out my phone from my pocket and projected a map of the area around Euron in the air.



　The kingdom of Hannock is...well, west of Euron, it's adjacent to the Regulus Empire across the river. It's a long country.

"Search display. Euron in red, Hannok in blue.
Copy that. Copy that.

　Oh, I got the display. So, that means you can tell them apart by their appearance.
　My search magic is quite informative in appearance. If you change your clothes and discard your mask like the masked assailant the other day, you won't be able to search for them. Towns and villages are usually searchable, though.
　I wonder if the fact that they didn't even search for the masks completely destroyed them. Well, if there's a chance that those masks will give away your identity, I'll do that.
　On the map, there are two camps located on the Hannock side of the border. On the Euron side, another Euron army is heading to the camp on the Euron side of the border, but I wonder if it's a supply unit?
　It seems that the war is progressing in Euron's favor.

What is the cause of the war?
'Euron's side of the argument is that the land of Hannock was originally Euron's territory. The immigrants who came later brazenly stayed there and even created a country of their own, so they're just trying to take it back...
What do you mean by that?
I'm just saying. They say that they are the ancient civilization's prosperous, unbroken empire of Euron, with a history of 7,000 years that has been passed down from generation to generation as an oral tradition.

　7000 years of history. That's amazing. Didn't Egypt have a 5,000 year history?
　So, they're trying to reclaim their ancestral home. I don't understand, but there's already another country there where people are living. You left it all alone for so long, and now you're just saying that? I feel like I can't help but wonder....
　But what do you mean by "oral tradition"? I was a bit curious, so I called Sheska, who was in the room, over to me and asked her in a whisper.

'Was there already a country called Euron during the ancient civilization 5000 years ago?'
No, sir. I've never heard of such a country. As a matter of fact, the area was ravaged by the Freys, and it was no longer inhabitable.

　Oops. The history of Euron's 7,000 years of existence is also a matter of concern. It's very easy for people in power to change the history to suit their own needs.
　The story about the Hanok land being Euron's territory seems doubtful. No, I don't think it's not true that the people of Euron are lying about it. That's what happens when you've been taught that for thousands of years.

'Apparently the Euronians have been making some kind of accusation to get the war started. Hannock's economy has been booming over the last few years with the discovery of new orichalcone and mithril deposits that have produced resources. I suspect it's for those resources.

　A total war of aggression. From Euron's point of view, it's a veritable treasure trove of stuff.
　Was this the reason for the attack on the Frame Gear the other day? The idea is to throw them into a war and overwhelm them with overwhelming force.... The idea is to profit from technology stolen from other countries.

Hmmm, I've never seen a war before. How does this work?
'In terms of military strength, Euron has the advantage. If the war continues as it is, Hannock may eventually be destroyed. If the war continues, Hannock may eventually be destroyed. "We have the mining resources, so we may be able to use them to fund a certain amount of warfare, but we are still too outnumbered.

　So if Hannock is destroyed, Euron will be next to Regulus. I'm not very happy about that.
　We don't know that the attackers from the other day were Euron's, but I don't have very good feelings for him. Maybe it's a preconceived notion.

"Does the Kingdom of Hannock have any relations with the Regulus Empire?
We are not so much an alliance as a nation, but I think we were a friendly nation. I don't think they will intervene actively in this war, but I think they will at least provide aid in the form of food and weapons.

　Hmm. So does that make the war last a little longer? Still, Euron is more likely to win in the end, though.
　Well, it's a war between two different countries. We don't have anything to do with it. It would be a lot easier if we could just think of it as such.
　I'm sure a lot of people will die. I don't mean to sound like a cheap humanist, but that doesn't mean I can't think about how many people will die if they have nothing to do with me.
　I'd like to save them if I could, but I think that's just a heroic wish or a hypocrite.
　Well, my dead grandpa said "Hypocrite all right! Don't be the only heteros*xual bystander! He said. "I'm no better than a monkey at watching.
　Hmmm. I wouldn't want to be an ape.

Do you know if any of the members of the Order are from Euron or Hannock?
'I don't think Euron was there. There was one person from Hannock, I believe, though.
Could you get that man for me? I just want to talk to you.
I understand.

　Tsubaki-san leaves the room. If you're from Hannock, your parents and siblings might be back home. And if you're somewhere close to the battlefield, you might want to invite them over here.



''I belong to the Order, I am Paolo!

　The knight who was called out to him knelt down on the spot and hung his head. He was a young man with short chestnut-colored hair. I've seen him a few times before. As I recall, his sword skills weren't that great, but he was agile in his movements anyway. He was also a serious worker, and one of the people that Nicola-san, the deputy leader of the group, liked, as I recall.
　He was originally an adventurer, and it seems that he applied for the job when he saw our recruiting for the Order.

''Paolo-san, I heard you're from the Kingdom of Hannock, where is your hometown?''
Huh...? Ah, yes, the village of Quint, on the eastern outskirts of the city, but that's something...

　The village of Quint. Call up the map to show the village.
　This is not good. Euron's forces are closing in on us. Are you going to overrun this place and use it as your base? It seems to be a long way from the road to the royal capital of HANNOCK, but it seems that the unit that is heading there is different from the main force. Is it a pincer attack or some other strategy?
　Even though it's an enemy country, I don't think they're going to slaughter it....... But they'll definitely be collecting troops' food and such, I'm sure. I don't know if they will let them out gently or take them away forcibly.

"Umm...what in the world...?

　Paolo looks at me as I stare at the projected map with an anxious expression on his face. While running his gaze over the map and me, he confirms where his hometown is located.

'It seems the information hasn't gotten through yet but Euron has invaded Hannock.
What?

　Paolo stood up unexpectedly. His face was clinging to a look of astonishment, frustration and anxiety.

'This is the Quint village of Hannock. And this red light is the Euron Army. They'll probably arrive at the village tomorrow or so, but...''
Oh no...

　Paolo stared at the light on the map in a daze.

''I don't think even Euron's army would have done so badly if only the villagers had resisted...''
'....No. Perhaps all the villagers will be killed, the men will be killed and the women will be used as comforters and enslaved....
Wha...!

　Oh, come on, you're supposed to be a soldier for a country. That's no different than a gang of thieves. Why would you do that?

'Euron's army permits its soldiers to plunder the enemy's land when they invade it. They can take for themselves any gold, women, and weapons and armor that they obtain. For this reason, the soldiers' morale was so high that they would follow the harshest invasion without complaint.

　What's that? If you do that, the people of the land will resent you. If you invade it, it will eventually become your land, so what's the point of earning resentment there?

'There used to be a small country called Zaram between Euron and Hannock until twenty years ago, but this country was destroyed by Euron. I heard that there was a terrible plundering of the country even then.

　I wonder how much of a war it is, but I wonder if it's necessary to go that far.
　Tsubaki-san says that there is a strict status system in Euron, and Euronians and non-Euronians, that is to say, people from the invaded country are treated differently than people from heaven and earth.
　Does Euron have a slavery system just like the Sandra Kingdom? I heard they don't have something like the 'collar of servitude' here, but they do have a tattoo to show who owns them.

Would it be possible for His Majesty to save Quint, by all means, by all means!

　Paolo kneels again and bows his head to plead.

'Okay,'
'I am very aware that this is a rude request! But by all means. Please, please consider this. ...What?

　Paolo looks up at me with a pouty face.

'So it's okay. And that's why I called Paolo-san in the first place, to talk about it.

　At first I was going to suggest that if you are from Hannock, you have family over there. I was going to suggest that they should evacuate their families here alone before they get involved in the war. I had no idea that the village itself was in this much danger.

I don't know if you would believe me if I went to the village. I don't know if you'd believe me if I went to the village and explained it to you, but would you mind if I went with you to Quint village now?
'Yes, sir! With pleasure!

　I read the memories of Quint Village from Paolo-san, who stood up joyfully, with the magic of "Recall" and connected the "Gate".
　For now, Paolo-san, Tsubaki-san and I jumped to Quint Village.
　The scene in front of us was like a small village, and a peaceful and idyllic atmosphere surrounded us.

'Are you sure this is Quint Village?
Ha, yes. This is the village I grew up in. This is transference magic ... wow, in an instant ...

　Paolo was stunned, but he was relieved to know that his hometown was still intact.
　We were standing at the entrance of the village, scurrying around, when a young farmer called out to us from behind, "Paolo?

Paolo? Paolo?!
You're ... you're Lent? It's been a while!

　Paolo runs over to the young farmer. He seemed to be an acquaintance, or rather a friend.

What's wrong with your outfit? What's the matter with your outfit, did you steal it from some stranger?
"Fool, this is the armor of the Duchy of Brunhild. I didn't steal it. It's mine! I'm a knight now, me!
What?

　Paolo proudly shows off his silvery mithril armor. Maybe it's because the other guy is a friend, but Paolo's tone is getting shattered. It's gone from "I" to "me.

'You've always been a fast runner, son. Is that what you're buying?
'Well, that's about it. Oops, I'm not talking about this stuff! Did you know that Euron and Hannock started the war!

　Paolo's words instantly clouded the face of the farmer named Lent, who had been overflowing with joy a moment ago.

''Oh, they're all frightened. This place is quite far away from the road, so I think we'll be fine, but if the royal capital falls and is incorporated into Euron, we won't be able to live the same way we have been living...''
"Not in the King's Landing! Right now, Euron's army is advancing on this village! They're coming back tomorrow!
What the...! No way! Why do we need to raid this little village! We don't have much money or food here...!

　As I suspected, the army that's coming our way is a separate force. It's safe to assume that they are acting in some kind of operational capacity. Is it that they are going to get behind the main body while it's staring at each other on the street or something like that?

'Just let me see the chief. His Majesty will help the village.
"Your Majesty? Who's Your Majesty?
There he is, His Majesty the Duke of Brunhild!
Hi. Hi.

　I was introduced to Paolo with an exaggerated hand gesture, but it was so sudden that I couldn't get the wittiest words out of him. I just couldn't help but bail lightly or something.
　The farmer, Lent, blinked and looked at his friend, who hadn't been back in the village in a long time, with worried eyes.

''Paolo are you okay?''

　I knew they didn't believe me. I seriously thought about making a crown for a bit.