There is a roar as the cannons land on the walls surrounding the Zirconia Army fort.

　The flames do not spread through the pouring rain, but the black smoke rises into the cloudy sky and I can hear the confused voices of the enemy soldiers.

　I bypass the south side of the fort and head east until I've come to a point where I can block the line of sight from the enemy's guards. It looks like they cut some of the forest when they built the fort, but it's fortunate that some of it was left intact - maybe it was left in the middle of the road when they no longer needed to cut out the wood.

　As we had talked about beforehand, Mr. Presha, who was soon to be on board the warship, should be driving his horse and arriving with Leslie and Noin on board.

　Presha-san's horse was running through the rain and approaching - Noyn's water spirit magic hid her figure, but I could hear the plants, so I could recognize the girls approaching at a gallop through the grasslands, and I wasn't alarmed by who they were.

I'm glad you're safe, ...... sensei. We did the best we could. Even now, Deite is attacking from the water, keeping a distance to prevent the ship from taking over. As long as Leslie's magic holds, we can use our gunpowder weapons.
The magic that dries the air can be sustained even when I'm away from it.
'That's great of you. ...... You've done a remarkable job as Master Glass' first squire.

　Noin made the biggest contribution in this operation, but still her face was not bright.

　The water magic method was used to hide the warships and take them by surprise. So Alejandro would have sensed that Noin was on our side.

　Knowing that he had lost Noin, who would have been a key part of his tactics, all he could think about was either trying to bring Noin back at all costs, or - he would see Noin as an object of hatred.

'If it wasn't for Noin, this mission wouldn't have been possible. It's like your highnesses' main army is completely lost in the rain ...... with Noyn's illusions, and the whole army is in hiding.

　At Presha-san's words, Noin nods back - his complexion looks paler than usual. One reason is because the magic power lost in maintaining the extensive illusion is too great.

''Noin, the magic power is too much of a drain. It's better to use the magic crystals.''
''No ...... you should be getting a signal from the main force soon. If I can let them have it until then, then that's my job .......
...... Don't push yourself, use it. We can't let you fall down here or anything.

　Leslie tries to take out a magic crystal from the pouch. Even if she has accumulated magic power, she can offer it to someone without hesitation - I frankly respect her for that.

　It's easy to be misunderstood as someone who has always been plain and unassuming, but Leslie has a gentle nature from the heart.

　So I'm worried about him. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get my hands on a new one, but I'm sure I'll be able to find it.

If you use the ...... crystal now, your magic power will be used first. So, until my magic power is depleted, I'll be able to use .......
"--Noin, this is the signal from the main unit!　They're letting us know that if we breach the gates of the enemy's stronghold, we should unlock the illusion!

　The crux of this operation is how to avoid a frontal clash and get the enemy forces to surrender.

　If you find the fort already surrounded when you release the illusion - the enemy will be very upset and the will to fight will be greatly diminished.

　And the key to shaking the enemy is the breakthrough hammer that breaks through the main gate. In order to make it move as fast as possible, which would normally take a long time to move, I have been interfering with the portion of the wooden car that carries the breakthrough hammer with spirit magic and making it run at the speed of a chariot pulled by a horse. It has just now been shot at the main gate of the enemy's fort and pushed through in a few crashes - the voice of an enemy soldier that resembles a scream can be heard.

'...... O Apsaras! The fog of illusion is clear, thy dance is ...... over .......
...... Watch out! You should use this magic crystal, you're going to have to carry it on your back if you don't move here.　I'm fine with that.

　The moment Noin releases the illusion, he weakens and is supported by Presha-san. If it was Presha-san's power as a demon warrior, there would be no reason to carry Noin around, but with his magic power depleted, he would have no choice but to recover, as various malfunctions would occur.

...... I'll share a little bit of ...... with you, Leslie.

　When Leslie nodded, Noin casually loosened the collar of his clothes and inserted the magic crystals into his chest - it's true that the part of the body closer to the heart is more easily absorbed, but I was caught off guard and had to look down as I looked at it for some reason.

'Thank you ......, that's enough for me. I'm sorry, Master Glass, for making you look unseemly.
No, that's not true: ......
Noon feels like he's going for a bit of a target, so Dr. Glass doesn't have to apologize.
It's not so much that he's after you as that he doesn't want to hide anything from Master Glass.

　I don't know how to react to that being said, but Leslie is staring at me, and I vow to graduate to reacting to these matters like a boy.

　Leslie keeps me in check, then looks at the magic crystals returned by Noin and his eyes widen. The accumulated magic power hasn't decreased as much as I thought.

'Use more. I might need the magic again.''
...... If I survive, will you leave me to accumulate the magic crystals?

　Noin received the magic crystal once more and absorbed more magic power - there's not a lot left, but thanks to Leslie saving it up, it really helped. Since there are now three mages, we have to take measures about the magic power depletion as soon as possible.

''Don't you have those crystals, Noin?　I think it's something that a court mage would have to have: ...... In layman's terms, though.
'The crystals I had in my possession have been confiscated. They asked for it as a token of my loyalty because they couldn't get it in zirconia when they wanted to incorporate a mage into their tactics. ...... 'White Raven' is a man whose only obsession is to win, Noh.
...... I think that's how little they know about mages, and they just think it's worth using. That's where I took advantage this time.

　Leslie analyzes the situation calmly. I think I'm right too - in terms of calmness on the battlefield, if I do say so myself, she's very dependable.

　That's why I think I have to protect her - Leslie's behavior as 'Mr. Rendle' was the escort itself, so I think she feels that she is protecting me, but I can't continue to indulge in that feeling.

The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you have a good idea of what you're doing. The three of you had better retreat to the rear.
'The enemy may still try something. Let me look at the situation as much as possible. ...... If we can't move when we get to the point where we can break the ice with magic, there's no point in coming here.

　Presha was at a loss for words, but did not immediately deny it.

...... From now on, we'll see how they react to the siege. If they surrender, we don't need to move.
If we're talking about an all-out war, then we're going to have violent clashes. ......

　There was a good chance that Noyn would mention it. If that were to happen, His Highness would be attacking the fort. The goal would be to capture or even defeat the enemy general.

(...... If that happens, a lot of men will die. They are completely surrounded and their walls are destroyed. (Do we still want to fight in this situation?)

　Mr. Presha mounted his horse and led the way - we followed him out of the woods and asked for the front side of the fort. What can be heard is Raquel-san's loud shouting that seems to shake the entire fort.

''Attention Zirconia Imperial Army!　This fort is already under siege!　If you do not wish to cause useless deaths, then promptly lay down your weapons and surrender!　Otherwise, we will cut off your retreat and enter through the destroyed main gate and take control!

　Raquel's bravery was seen by Presha, who was riding a horse. There was not longing in his profile, but the awe he held for the same warrior.

''General Astina wants to have a conversation with you guys!　If you comply, fly the flag of surrender or let our troops know of it!　I repeat!

　-- Before the soldiers finish their second pronouncement, the air changes.

'The ...... flag has been raised ...... ......'

　Mr. Presha mutters - as if he can't believe what has happened under his gaze.

　A white flag is raised over the Zirconian fort. The soldiers on top of the turret took the order to raise the pillar and hoist it up so that we could see it.

　But the enemy archers on the walls surrounding the fort have not yet been seen to have laid down their weapons.
They are ready to shoot at us at any time.

　-- still so unpredictable. I'll think about asking for instructions from His Highness Astina in the main unit to cut off the possibility of an eventuality.

　Through the contract with Kamiki, I can communicate with His Highness Astina even when I am away. She answered back when I called out to her.

''The enemy has raised the white flag and is probably trying to catch us off guard. Glass, you have a bow sealing spell, would you be prepared if it happens? I need you to work with Presha as a ranger.
''Your Highness, bow blocking is only effective if the enemy's bow is wooden. If the enemy is using metal bows and arrows, then they will not be able to interfere with your spirit magic.''
''I understand. Now, as for you mages, please stay out of the front lines and use your magic as appropriate when you deem it to be an effective phase. If the range is large, it would be helpful if you could let me know in advance. It might confuse the soldiers.''
"Yes, I agree. Your Highness, please take care of yourself.
"You must not be reckless. We have come this far unscathed.　

　His Highness was able to predict that Alejandro was planning something, but he didn't seem to be able to determine the details of it. The oracle of the divine tree meant that the future could not always be determined and predicted.

　From the main gate of the fort, which was destroyed by the breaking hammer, the enemy soldiers came out with their hands raised - when they indicated that they had no intention of fighting, Bridget's cavalry and infantry first entered the fort.

　It was not long after that that the enemy general, Alejandro, replied that he would be willing to talk to them directly.