The morning of the next day, August 20.

　The two armies had approached within visual distance of each other.
　The place was the wilderness where the Royal Army had suffered a heavy defeat in the first battle.

　The imperial army, after their victory, had simply remained here, with no signs of advancing deeper into the kingdom's territory.
　Although its intentions are unknown, the Royal Army cannot afford to allow enemy forces to be stationed in its territory.
　Before the wounds from the defeat of the first battle had even begun to heal, they summoned territorial armies and militias from all over the kingdom and hastily formed an army to repel the empire and came here.

　Of course, the imperial army would not be waiting patiently for us.
　They are building up their positions in preparation for the upcoming decisive battle with the Royal Army, and they are also welcoming the rear-end of the army from the Imperial mainland.

　The Empire's army is reportedly more than 10,000 men. It was the largest number of people the Empire could mobilize for an external campaign.
　And with the addition of a band of reinforcements sent from the southern continent, the total number was 12,000. That was the Imperial formation this time.

　In the center of the battlefield wilderness, there was a row of fences and other obstacles set up by the imperial army, and an empty moat could be seen to complement them.
　Behind the obstacles, the imperial troops are poised, and if you look further back, you can see a group that seems to be the main force.

　But the troops in the center were less in number than expected.
　Imperial troops are deployed in areas on the left and right where there are few obstacles, and together with the center, they have taken a formation that has spread out horizontally.
　In fact, except for the main unit in the rear, the center portion appeared to be the smallest in number of troops.

''I don't know,''

What's that?

　When Battalion Commander Moore, who had been put in charge of the mercenary team, spoke his honest opinion without a hint of a whisper, the slender man standing beside him responded in an inchoate voice.

'As for the fact that they're waiting for us here, it's like we're fighting a defensive battle, isn't it?

　Moore indicates towards the Imperial Army with his chin in frustration.

''Rather than entering the kingdom's territory and repeating the mistakes we've made so far, they may be thinking of annihilating us here in one fell swoop to win the game.

But all the momentum and advantage we've gained will be wasted if the kingdom doesn't decide to stay in its own territory to fight the battle.

'Maybe they were confident it wouldn't happen. In fact, there were many who argued for an endurance battle, but in the end, the higher-ups in the military chose to fight a decisive battle. It's possible that the Empire had some sort of hand in the background.

　Moore raises one eyebrow to show his displeasure.
　It's not a very pleasant thing for those fighting on the front lines to see the top brass of the military making unwelcome choices due to a conspiracy of the enemy.

　That's not the only thing Moore is concerned about.

'And isn't that a delicate position for an empire to have built?

"Subtle?

'If we had that many people and that much time, I feel like we could build a stronger position: ......

　The slender man gave a little pretense of thought.

'I think you just took a lot of trouble in an unfamiliar land, ......?　Even though we won the first battle, this is still hostile territory for the Empire. Perhaps we couldn't have done our job as well as we would have liked if we had been wary of our surroundings.

　Moore felt like sighing.
　Every single thing the slender man said was plausible, and Moore himself had the same idea floating around in his brain.
　But that's not the kind of answer Moore is looking for from him.

'Maybe, maybe not,' says ....... More like this, oh!　Do you have an opinion that would make you say, "I don't know.

I'm just presenting the foreseeable possibilities for the captain to use as a reference in making his or her decision. It is the captain's responsibility to make the final decision.

　The man states it bluntly and without emotion.
　Moore does not hide his dissatisfied expression as he complains.

"You talk about it like it's your business, but you're the one who's in charge, even if you have a second-in-command.

Don't worry. I'll serve as a proper commander when the captain is no longer useful.

"Useless." ......

　Moore is mortified by the ill-advised expression.
　He's taken aback for a moment, but then recovers and says to his second-in-command: "What do you want me to do?

"What do you say I take over now?

'I decline. I don't believe these mercenaries will listen to my instructions in a straightforward manner.

　But the only thing that came out of the vice captain's mouth was a dull answer.
　The vice captain of the team changed the subject to Moore, who looked unamused, "Besides," he said, "I'd like to report to the General Staff about what I just said.

''I'll report what you said earlier to the General Staff.

What did you mean earlier?

　Moore tilted his head, wondering if he was referring to the blabbering conversation he had just had.

"I'm talking about the fact that we may not be making as much progress in building up the Empire's position as we thought.

Yeah.

　Moore expressed his understanding with a single note, but his expression was not bright.

'I don't think there's any point in reporting it,'

　It was hard to believe that the well-born aristocrats would accept the opinion of an upstart who was not well thought of by the military high command to begin with.

　It's a good thing that you can't get away with it.
　It's a bit of a misnomer to call them enemies. Probably the word "enemy" is more accurate to describe them as being all allies who will not help you.

　For those of us in high places, Moore is just a small thing that doesn't deserve to be dealt with directly.
　They may not resent him enough to actively plot Moore's downfall, but they wouldn't even think of reaching out to him if he failed in his military duties.
　That's why dangerous and less useful tasks like commanding a mercenary army come around.

　In this battle, Moore is also the one who has the most to lose.
　The deployment of the mercenary troops led by him is in the central front line. Their mission is to go beyond the front defensive position and strike at the enemy's central forces.
　As I said when I talked to the mercenaries last night, it was the most dangerous and most damaging deployment.
　It sounds good to say that we are the first to go, but it's sobering to know that we have fences and empty moats ahead of us, and more importantly, arrows and attacking magic that will be fired from behind them.

　The Royal Army is also deploying its troops to the side to match the Imperial Army's formation.
　Three thousand troops, including mercenaries, were deployed in the center, two thousand on the left flank, and three thousand on the right flank, including the tiger's cavalry.

　In fact, the central troops would also participate in the attack with two thousand men, excluding the main force.
　As the spearhead of the attack, the five hundred mercenary troops led by Moore had been ordered to make an active offensive.

　Even though it was a makeshift position, it would never be a wise choice to ask them to attack an opponent who was protected by a fence or an empty moat.
　In addition, of course, they were at a disadvantage in numbers.
　To be honest, we have no choice but to rely on the skill and experience of our individual mercenaries.

　In order to understand the strength of the battlefield, Moore personally went to the mercenaries and saw each of them with his own eyes.
　Unlike the regular army, their individual strength varied greatly.
　But the mercenaries, who usually exchange lives with beasts and monsters, are probably more accustomed to fighting real battles than the regular soldiers, and there are a few people who seem to be dependable.

　However, as a genuine soldier, the second-in-command doesn't seem to like that kind of behavior on Moore's part.

''I don't think there's any need for the captain to personally visit the place where the mercenaries are camped.

　That's also the reason for the tone of admonition.

It's a good thing that even mercenaries are willing to fight for a commander they've spoken to rather than a commander they don't know, no matter how much money they're willing to pay,

　But Moore can't give up that part either. Having been a mercenary himself, he understands how they feel.
　Everyone would be more inclined to listen to instructions from a commander who saw himself as a human being than one who saw himself as a mere pawn.
　Even if the mercenaries were just lowlifes hired for money, they wouldn't want to be used up for no reason.

''So?　Were there any mercenaries that you could use?

　The vice captain doesn't seem to mean to dwell on it and quickly mentions the results.

''Well. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. And also the famous "three powerful demon slayers".

"Ho......

　The second-in-command raised only the corners of his mouth when he heard Moore's words, which he was pleased to hear.

'That's it. That may be the best news of all.'





　As the two military camps faced each other, Aldis and the others had placed themselves at the very front of the central part of the kingdom's army.

''In the end, it turned out just like the commander said yesterday. I expected it, though.''

　Ted blurted out with a feeling of resignation.

'Well, it can't be helped. That's why they are mercenaries, and it seems that your central unit has also brought mercenaries to the fore. I suppose they want the mercenaries to squash each other.

　Norris soothes her with a carefree tone of voice that doesn't seem like it's before a fight.

I know. You don't get a chance to be a part of that, at least not for us mercenaries.

Yes, yes. If you complain a lot at this point in time, you'll have an unpleasant surprise. So get over it.

　Even Orphelia said so, and Ted's expression tightened as if he had no choice.

Hehehe. Then I'll do my best to make sure I work hard enough for my compensation so that I don't die. It's a very good idea to get the head of the troopers leading the mercenary team and let the Royal Army win.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way.
　The fact that the soldiers of both armies are lined up in an orderly fashion between them is reminiscent of a solemn ceremony.

The way the two armies are lined up in an orderly fashion between them is reminiscent of a solemn ceremony.

　Ted and the others rush in on Aldis, who says with a curious expression on his face, "What are you talking about?

"What are you talking about?

"Ha-ha, that's a funny thing to say.

That's a bit of a stretch, indeed: ......

　It is not that Ardis is joking.

　It's a good idea to have a good time to talk in front of the enemy that has appeared, because he thinks it's time to strike the first blow.
　They are looking for an opening and fighting to deliver a lethal blow to the throat of their opponent. This is the same whether it is an individual or a group fight, Ardis thought.

　But it seems that such common sense doesn't work here either.
　Even Ted and the others, who should be putting themselves in danger on a regular basis as mercenaries, are convinced that 'that's what warfare is all about'.

　It's not a matter of an accidental skirmish, but in a decisive battle like this one, it's important to assert one's legitimacy by making one's claims clear. It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what you're doing, because it's a battle between the kingdom and the empire with both sides holding up their own cause, so if you neglect this, even if you win the battle, you may not be able to recognize your own justice.

　Hearing that, Ardis was inwardly stunned to hear it. There is no justice, and if you are defeated, you won't be given the right or opportunity to disagree.

'That's quite peaceful: ......

　A dark-haired boy in the middle of the most tumultuous stage of war spills out of place, but no one hears him.

　After the speeches by the representatives were over and some moral agreements were exchanged, the commanders of both armies finally issued the order and the soldiers began to move.

　In the midst of an orderly situation, the battle for the fate of the kingdom was brought to a close.