He's not coming.
He's not here.

　I respond to Lou's mutterings as he sits on a rock.
　We are in the center of the Regulus Empire, northwest of the imperial capital of Galaria, in a place called the Isurum Plains.
　The grasslands are as lush and green as the Mongolian plains, and I can see the rocky mountains in the distance. There was not a single cloud in the sky and the sky was clear.
　Four days have already passed since we set up our main camp there and deployed our frame gear. It was good that the Adventurer's Guild of Regulus had detected the appearance of Frase with the Sensing Tablet, but since the time of appearance was a long span of one week from the next day, the ambush had been prolonged.
　It's not that I want it to appear, but just waiting like this....... I can't go back to Brunhild because I don't know when he'll appear.
　Yae and the others are taking turns returning to the castle from the fixed gate in the main camp, though.
　Today, Lou, Lean, Sue, and Linse are on this side of the castle, Yumina and Sakura are staying at the castle, and Yae, Else, and Hilda are supposed to be sleeping in their own rooms at the castle since they took turns.
　This time's appearance includes advanced species, so we can't relax. But, I don't want to leave my mind tense........

''Fuyao-sama, it's noon, how about some lunch?
Oh, great. I'll take it.

　Lou pulls two lunch boxes and two water bottles, one large and one small, out of his bag and places them on a flat rock. He pours soup from the large canteen and tea from the small canteen into each container and hands one of the lunchboxes to me. I take it and open the lid, and see that it is filled with delicious-looking rice and a variety of side dishes.

'This looks good. 'Did Lou make this?'
Yes, ma'am. Early morning. I asked Claire to make sure everyone else had theirs.

　Lou smiles in embarrassment. The princess of the Regulus Empire had a talent for cooking, and she developed that talent when she came to Brunhild. Claire-san used to lecture me all the time, and in her spare time, she would teach me recipes from my world and make prototypes.
　I put my hands together and tossed the fried shrimp from my lunchbox into my mouth. It's delicious. It's just as good as Claire's.

It's delicious. You've gotten really good at this.
'Thank you. It's nice to hear you say that.

　The egg rolls and fried food are also delicious. Well, I think I understand that in order to win a man over, you have to have a stomach first. Meat and potatoes are the best.

It's really good. I wish I could eat it every day.
Well, when I get married, I'm going to do it as best I can.

　Lou starts eating his own lunch with his cheeks dyed. I'm thankful. Thank God in many ways. Speaking of which.

'I'm working on a cherry blossom plane right now, what style do you want to fight in, Lou? I guess it's a high-mobility type that makes use of the twin swords after all?
'That's right.... That's all well and good, but I want to fight according to the situation. Else-san, Hilda-san and Yae-san are the vanguard, Sue-san, Sakura-san and Lean-san are the rear guard, and like Linse-san, I think it would be better for me to play a game.
Rangers?
Ideally, I'd like to see a plane that can switch weapons depending on the situation, and be able to handle both short and long range.

　Hmm. So it's a conversion type, then. Depending on the opponent and the battle situation, they'll be able to modify their high-mobility units, firepower and armor to attack the enemy. You can use transition magic to convert them, and that should eliminate any time loss. A redeployed raider, huh? It's not bad, right?

It's not a bad idea. Then I'll proceed in that direction. I'm sure you'll be able to find it.

　I look at the green-painted dragon knight "Dragoon" standing in the direction of the main camp. It is the same type as Ende's plane, but this one has the same frame gear as the old one.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of the maneuverability because everyone else is a dedicated machine, so I gave them a surplus of dragon knight "dragoon", thinking that Lou would be able to make use of its mobility. Well, it's like a replacement vehicle until Lou's plane is ready.

'Feast!'
Thank you for your help.

　I put the lid on my empty lunch box and re-wrapped it with a cloth. He slurped his after-dinner tea and took a breath.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, may I have your permission?
Oh, hi, Mr. Gaspar.

　When I turned around, I saw the Knight Commander of the Regulus Empire, the ship-eyed Gaspar-san, standing there. Since it was in Regulus territory this time, quite a few knights from the empire were participating in the war.

I'm relieved to see that they seem to be on good terms with each other. Now both Regulus and Brunhild will be safe.

　Gaspar smiles boldly as he says this.

''Is there something wrong?''
''No, it's not that there's anything wrong with that, Your Majesty, but could you ask for a few more troops from my Regulus?''
"? Why again?

　This time, they had given Regulus 27 Heavy Knights 《Chevalier》 and 3 Black Knights 《Night Baron》, more than usual, but was that still not enough?

''Actually, like Brunhild, we've recruited new corps members in Regulus as well as Brunhild, and we want them to experience the battlefield as well. However, in a field where advanced species also appear, we can't afford to bump the new recruits to the front lines. It would be better if we could form another unit of new knights who would be primarily responsible for the lower-grade breeds and a unit of knights to guide them.

　I see. It's true that our side is also organizing a squad of new knights to give them experience in fighting the Frays this time. Of course, we're not going to let them fight an advanced species. This time, we just want them to experience how to fight in Frame Gear and the atmosphere of the battlefield.

''You've finished training with the frame unit, right?
'Yes, that's it. At the very least, you have to be able to move it, or else it's a moot point. As long as we don't get surrounded or anything, I think we can handle the lower class species well enough.

　Well, I still get beaten when I get beaten.... As long as they are properly instructed, it will be okay?

''I understand, I'll lend you an additional nine heavy knights [Chevalier] and one black knight [Knight Baron]. I'll charge you for the repair materials if they are destroyed, though.
Thank you.

　I contacted Monica in Babylon and asked her to transfer ten aircraft from the "hangar" to the ground.
　Even though we have an advanced species this time, the number doesn't seem to go up to ten thousand, and we have a newer plane over here. I don't think it's going to be that fierce, but we won't know about this one until it starts.
　After Gaspar-san left, I had another cup of Lou's tea.

"I see Regulus brought in a new guy too.
''It would seem so. Regulus lost quite a bit of strength during the recent military rebellion...
That general was out of line.

　General Bazur summoned a demon and staged a military coup by using the "sucker's bracelet" and "bulwark bracelets" to target the life of His Majesty the Emperor.
　After the incident, the general and the officers who followed him were also executed, and a significant number of military personnel were sentenced. Regulus had two entities, the Knights and the military, but it seems that the military one is now under the jurisdiction of the Knights. Well, since they did something disgraceful, they can't help but be monitored for a while.
　Fortunately, the relationship with the neighboring countries has been built with me in between, so we have an unprecedentedly friendly relationship. So I don't seem to need that much protection from other countries. Belfast, of course, gets along well with Rhodomea and the Ramish, as well as Belfast. Sometimes I have problems that can't be solved in both countries that come my way.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. Although it's inappropriate.
'Yes. It's true that if it hadn't been for that incident, I might never have met Lou. I suppose I should thank the general for that. Though it's inappropriate.

　We both looked at each other and laughed. I'm really happy to have met this boy.
　Lou is a competitive and hardworking person. Once she's made up her mind, she has a stubborn streak that makes it hard for her to change her mind. But she's a kind girl who thinks of others first before herself.
　We've been casually staring at each other for a while now, and then one of us approached her without a second thought, and eventually she closed her eyes. I also closed my eyelids....

"Wow. Both of you are bold........
Shh, honey. Shh, ssh.
This is the kind of thing that makes me jealous...

　A small voice came from somewhere and we opened our eyes and turned around with a bang.
　Hiding behind a rock behind us, Sue and Linse, and Leanne and Paula were peeking at us.

'Oh, oh, you guys, how long have you been peeking at us!

　Red in the face and Lou is three plus one? bite into it.

'Is it as much as a swap of Commander Gaspar?
I came over to ask them what they were doing for lunch, and I got a good vibe from them.
I told you not to interfere, remember?

　The three of them replied, and Paula, who was at Lean's feet, ehemistically put her hands on her hips and stretched her chest. No, it's not the place to be dignified.
　Lou squats down with both hands holding her reddened face.

''Ugh..... I'm so embarrassed....''
I don't think there is anything to be ashamed of. Fuyu Yoru is Warawa's master. What is there to be ashamed of when a husband and wife get along?

　Su nodded her head in a way that Su really didn't understand.

''I 《I》 haven't reached that level yet........''

　Mmmm, Lou looks away from Sue's innocent eyes. That's right. To be honest, I haven't reached that level either. I've blown it to some extent, though.

'Our darling doesn't do that sort of thing very often, so there's no way to get used to it. For my part, I'd like to see more skin-to-skin contact.
'Yes. I think you should be flirting with us more, Fuyuya-san.
What?

　As a Japanese person who is one of the most occult people in the world, that's a pretty high hurdle to overcome. Making out in front of people can be repugnant, can't it? People say and write things like, "Explode your rear end" or "Squirm"?

That's right. I wish you would hug me more tightly.
I'd like to walk down the street with my arms crossed and go "uh-oh" in a coffee shop.
Oh my goodness. Can't you at least do that?

　So to do it in front of people is a big hurdle. They'll be like, "Stop flirting" or "Get out of here!
　I can't tell you how many times I've felt that way about people making out on the train. That's why I understand. The wailing of their sorrow. The cries of their souls and the tears of blood. We shouldn't stimulate them unnecessarily.

I think that we shouldn't provoke them unnecessarily. Then cuddle with me now for the fullest!

　Sue runs up to me and hugs me from the front. Wait, it's not like I'm not embarrassed because no one's looking at me!

Oh, my God. I love you.
Oh, I'll be there.
Hey, hey, hey!

　Squeezingly, Linse and Lean cling to my left and right arms. Wait, oh no, it's right, but! Both of them aren't big by any means, but they're still soft in their own way, so....... I mean, why are you even holding on to Paula's leg!

That's not fair! Me too!
What?

　Saying that, Lou also hugs me from behind. What is this! What kind of situation is a four-sided girl under siege?
　Not that I'm not happy, but I'm still embarrassed! Somebody help me!

I'm seeing cracks in space. Signs of Fraze's emergence! All hands, prepare for battle immediately!

　The alarm sounded, and the main camp became a flurry of activity. Linze and the others huffed and ran away from me and to their aircraft.
　
　It's not that I don't want to flirt, but with nine fiancées, I wonder if it's too late to have a moderate relationship with them.
　Well, I guess I should refrain from flirting too much outside. I don't want to squirm or explode. In this world, it really is possible to explode with an explosion.
　I sighed and walked out to the main camp.