Two days before Ardis and Rona left for the capital, Aldis and Rona were still on their way to the village as an escort.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you're on your way to a new location.

It's ....... Why is Marquis de Trier at ......?

　In front of Moore, a young man dressed in luxurious attire frowned at his well-groomed face.
　But the slight distortion in his expression does not diminish his noble appearance, which was born with a destiny to stand above others.

It's a good thing that the news reached the castle last night, but to have it spread to the rest of the castle in less than a day is a bit of a surprise. ...... Isn't there a good control of information?

　When the young man vents his frustration, Moore returns his words in an aloof tone.

I'm sure they've got a gag order in place. I'm sure there's a gag order in place, but even if we don't want to spread the word, it's not like that for them.

'I suppose that means the kingdom is being played by the Marquis of Tria's cat.

''That can't be helped, young master. After all, they were on our side yesterday, and even the kingdom's cats who were engaged in counter-intelligence would have been unmarked by Marquis Tria's cat.

I know.

　Although he said so with his mouth, he could not hide the bitterness in his expression.
　Feeling the immaturity of the young man called "Young Master" there, Moore almost smiled a warm, lukewarm smile, but managed to hold it back.

　The young man facing Moore was the legitimate son of the Duke of Nilesteria, or in other words, Minerva's brother.
　He was the one who was in charge of the duke's family's absence now that the duke was on his way to the border as the general of the royal army.

　After a few seconds of silence, the young man asked Moore.

'Do you think the treason of the Marquis de Trier, a response to the invasion of the Empire?

I don't think they would be able to succeed against the entire kingdom's army if only the Marquis of Trier had defected in peacetime. I don't think they will succeed against the entire kingdom's army if only the Marquis of Tria defected in peacetime. First of all, the timing is too good.

'Yes. You'd have to think they've been looking for this opportunity for a long time.

　Nodding at the young man's words, Moore recalled the war four years ago.

　If you think about it, even back then, the movement of the Tria territory army was strange.
　In the face of their inferiority, they abruptly moved in under the guise of rescuing the main camp.
　That had led to the destruction of the kingdom's left-wing troops, but the Tholian Territorial Army had suffered almost no damage.

　Even though the situation was already decisive for a losing battle, in some cases, this would be an act that could be considered fleeing before the enemy.
　However, since the prince was supposed to be rescuing the prince in the main camp, it was hesitant to openly condemn him.

　As a result, only Thoria was able to maintain an army of the same size as before the war, even within the Kingdom.
　Strangely enough, while the other kingdom's armies had been attacked by imperial ambushers during the retreat, only the Tholian army was said to have been able to slip through the net and return home.

　Now that I think about it, they must have been able to communicate with the Imperial Army since that time.
　If the imperial army hadn't suddenly retreated and marched straight into the capital, Thalia would surely have revolted in response.

"We can't just sit on our hands. I'm going up there to take care of this.

Then I'll follow Jake and Endri.

　With two of the duke's best hired guards in tow, the duke's next head of house went to the royal castle.
　He returned to the duke's mansion as the night was drawing to a close and the date was about to change.

''I've decided to send out an army to intercept them.

　When he returned home, the Duke called Moore and the head butler into the office and told them at the opening.

'No siege?'

''No matter how unexpected the situation may be, the prestige of the kingdom cannot be maintained if the castle is endangered. There will be widespread unrest on the front lines facing the Imperial Army.

　That's what Kimiko replies to Moore's question.

　It is certainly true that the message has not reached the front line yet.
　Although the message may not have arrived yet, this news will reach the front line tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
　If that happens, the generals on the front lines should not be in a state of mind.

　In some cases, the news of the defection of the Marquis de Trier may be enough to make a move.
　No, if the Empire and the Marquis de Trier were linked in secret, the Imperial Army would undoubtedly make a move.

　Moreover, if the royal capital was under siege, the Royal Army would definitely be in a state of flux.
　In order to minimize the impact on the front line, it was not a bad idea to intercept the Tria army before they came to the royal capital.
　It may be a bad tactical move, but from a strategic and political point of view, it is a compelling choice.

''Fortunately, there are currently about one thousand five hundred troops in the royal capital, including the territorial army that arrived yesterday. We should be able to gain a numerical advantage over the 1,000 Tholian troops.

"You're going to empty King's Landing?

　The head butler rolls his eyes in surprise.

''It's unavoidable. I'm sure you'll be able to find a few garrisons and guards, of course, but this is not a situation that can be left to spare. If we can't defend against the Tholian army, we'll lose the war against the Empire anyway.

　Moore couldn't help but agree with what the publican said.
　However, the chief butler's words that followed caused him to lose his voice.

''I've been asked to go into battle as a second-in-command as well.

Wha-......!

　Normally, when the head of the family is at war, he would never send his successor into battle.
　If anything were to happen to him, it could result in the severing of his bloodline.

"Why should my young master be sent into battle now that he is at the front line?

No one wants to let me out of their house. Well, I know the feeling.

So there's no need to let the duke out of the house.

The Dukes of Nilesteria are a line of royal families.

　The steward interrupted the chief steward's words to say, "He has the right to succeed to the throne.

I have the right to succeed to the throne. That's why, unlike other families, we are not allowed to run away.

　As if to remind himself, he said, "It is the duty of a man of royal blood.

"If you say so, then the royal family is the one--

　As if he couldn't agree with her, the head butler interrupted her again to continue.

Don't say it. You are a vassal, and I would never allow you to interfere in the affairs of the royal family.

　He gave the head butler a stern look with a stronger tone than before.
　As expected, the chief steward bowed his head in remorse for being impolite.

''I apologize for leaving ...... too much. Please forgive me.

Yeah, I'll see you later.

　Seeing that the conversation was over, Moore opened his mouth.

'When are you going into battle?'

Tomorrow's lunchtime.

That's another ......, just to keep you busy.

'The preparations themselves are ready to go, as it was originally a time of war. No one thought we'd have to push our troops northward, though.

Am I to understand that I'm coming with you?

'No, the captain of the guard will stay behind. Keep my sister in check so she doesn't do anything rash.

You mean, "The guards--

　To Moore, who dared to ask a confirmation question, Kimiko answered with a bitter smile.

'And by the way, the guards, too. The main task is to keep that tomboy from running off with a sword. The only person who can keep that thing in check is the captain of the guard, right?'

It's hard to say what it is that you can't deny.

　Minerva has been called horrible by her own brother, but sadly, she doesn't have enough material to deny it.
　Even the chief steward, not to mention Moore, is smiling bitterly at the situation.

　It has been already two years since Aldis left the royal capital.
　Even though there was no one to guide her, Minerva did not neglect her training.

　As a result of this, her swordsmanship is gradually being refined.
　It's not as good as being a corporal with Moore, but it is still able to fight equally well against ordinary mercenaries and soldiers. No, it's possible.

　If you're a mercenary or a seeker, it's not uncommon for women to wield swords, but Minerva is a noblewoman.
　She is also the daughter of a high-ranking nobleman, a duke.
　As if she had already given up on marriage, she worked hard to hone her swordsmanship as if she had reopened it, and now she didn't even try to hide it from the people around her.

　Those who are not talkative have ridiculed her as a "swordsmanship-crazed daughter" behind her back.
　This is the biggest problem that is currently troubling the Duke of Nilesteria.





　The next day, the Duke went into battle with the kingdom's army of one thousand three hundred.
　Although our side has a slight advantage in terms of troops, depending on the flow of the battle, it's an advantage that can easily be overturned.

　More than half of Moore's men are also out to guard the Prince.
　The only thing left is the minimum number of people needed to guard the mansion and escort Minerva.

''Good grief. It's not that I'm particularly fond of the battlefield, but I wonder which is easier, being swept around by the young lady or rampaging around on the battlefield without thinking about it.

　Because of the fact that she has become so powerful, Minerva's personality has become far more dynamic than before.
　The fact that she has given up on her own path as a noblewoman is probably working in a bad way.
　Now she has transformed into a girl who is so active that she bothers Moore's head.

　After seeing Kimiko off and going about her daily business, Moore woke up in the pre-dawn hours, when the sky was still dark, with a final sigh as she went to sleep.

　It was not a natural awakening.
　His ability to sense danger, accumulated through years of experience, forced him to disturb his sleep.

'What?'

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm going to be doing.

　I'm not going to be the only one.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''I have a bad feeling about this.

　It's the kind of blurred discomfort and discomfort you feel when you're thrown into a demon's nest, like you feel in the middle of a losing battle.
　But inside the mansion is peace itself.

　Eventually, Moore's feet make their way outside the mansion to the Watchtower, which is located a short distance away.
　Instinct, not reason, appeals to him to look wider and further away.
　The uncomfortable feeling of discomfort that kept appealing to him as he entered the Watchtower and climbed the long stairs pushed him back.

'Huh?　What's the matter, captain?

　As I climbed up the watchtower, a subordinate who had been on surveillance duty looked at me curiously.

'No, I'm not sure,'

　Moore responded vaguely and looked around.

　It was quiet.

　Even the morning market hadn't opened yet, and the royal capital looked so calm that it was hard to tell that it was in the middle of a war.
　The city, which will gradually come to life when night falls and the sky begins to turn white, is still in slumber.

"Nothing, huh? ...... hmm?

　He couldn't find anything unusual anywhere, and just as Moore was about to descend the Watchtower, something moved at the edge of his vision.

'The sea?'

　In that direction is the endless sea.

　Just as Moore was wondering if it was a fishing boat, an impossible scene began to emerge.
　Out of the morning mist, a gigantic boat emerged.

　It was the largest ship Moore had ever seen, and it was so huge that it threw off his sense of distance.
　And it wasn't just one or two ships.
　At a rough count, there were more than fifty ships coming towards us in formation.

''Hey, hey, hey!''

　Seeing the flag on that ship, Moore panicked.

'Teh, the flag of the imperial army: ......!

　A subordinate who had also seen the flotilla of ships spoke of the facts as he saw them.
　Just as he said, the military flag of the Ermenian Imperial Army was fluttering on the huge ship.

　They were both stunned, but soon Moore came to his senses and slapped his subordinate hard on the back and shouted at him, "Don't be a bloke," he said.

'Don't be a bloke, wake them all up!　And all the servants!

Yes!

　With a glance at the back of his subordinates, who were falling down the watchtower in a hurry, Moore turned his attention to the sea again.

　The fleet was coming straight at us.
　Moore was not unsure of what that meant.

'Tsk, is that what you mean?'

　It was only a short time before he bit his lip and looked bitter.
　Soon after his men, Moore followed them down the watchtower.