When the Rays returned to rebel positions and reported on the results of the battle, the inside of the tent where the rebel leaders were gathered was filled with silence.
　Those who didn't know what Ray was going to do on the spot, don't know what he was saying. Isn't it absurd how and how we can achieve such results? Some people looked at me like that.
　I fully understand how powerful Ray himself is, but it was incredible to know it.

"Why, how... how did you get that much out of the war!"
"Yes, I know enough about the power of Lord Ray. But it's hard to believe that we're going to make it so successful without allowing the enemy to retreat! Oh, no. Of course, it's not that Mr. Ray is lying."

　The aristocrat's eyes were directed not at Ray but at Pearnicus behind him.
　If only Ray had reported earlier, some would have insisted that it was unbelievable.
　But if Theorem's men, who are practically in charge of this rebel force, testify, there is little doubt.
　No, there are still people who doubt it, but they don't pretend to say it.
　It was because it was easy to predict that if you do so here, you'll end up in a bad situation.

"... crimson, indeed!"
"Oh, I've heard of it, but I can't believe I've really achieved such a great result."

　Contrary to the confused ones, some are speaking calmly.
　These are the people who had been informed in advance of what Ray would do.
　According to Ray, it was evaluated as a scheme that could not be described as a scheme, and it was not actually a clever scheme for the aristocrats.
　Nevertheless, it was true that Ray had destroyed almost all of the punitive forces, and considering the results of the war, it was no longer a question of how to deal with them.
　Even if it is a rudimentary measure, if the power of the person who carries it out is extraordinary, the results of the war will jump.
　I had to understand it, and once again understand the extraordinary power of an adventurer named Ray.

"...stupid..."
"You're lying, aren't you?"
"Well... well..."

　a man surprised to learn of Ray's achievements And someone who knows what Ray has done and looks satisfied with the outcome of the war.
　Those in the magic tent were generally divided into two different reactions, some of which were not.
　...yes, they were originally thinking of betraying the rebels in the middle of a battle against the punitive force.
　These three nobles did not know by any means what Ray intended to do against the punitive force, but they never expected to achieve such amazing results.

"You're right. You're more powerful than I've heard."
"Well, that means you were still at your wits' end when you fought against me. The next time we fight, we need them to be serious."

　Mercurio smiles and exclaims, and Gurgast nods in agreement.
　But it's not Mercurio's smile of admiration that Gurgast You might as well describe it as a carnivorous smile in front of your prey.

"Oh, that's cunning, isn't it? Gurgast fought against Ray, so it's my turn now, isn't it?"

　It's Vihela who hangs the waiting there. It's true that you have feelings for Ray, but that doesn't mean you don't have to fight against him.
　I've been a little frustrated for some time now because there's been no fight against Ray itself.
　...though the most frustrated is not the general sense of frustration, but the frustration of what should be called the desire to fight.
　Looking at their conversation, Tiyur turns a surprised but convinced look on Ray.
　She fell in love with her beloved Vihela. It's only natural that we can do this.
　In fact, I even think that the fact that the punitive force could not be completely exterminated would be a slight deduction.
　Even Vihela was saddened by the loss of a man in the Vestian Empire, but in Tiyur's case, grief is not so great.
　The differences in feelings around here are probably due to the differences between those who are enchanted with Vihela and those who are enchanted with it.

"And... who has captured the goods?"

　It was Theoreum who asked so calmly amidst the excitement of many.
　As is the case with Vihela, it is not surprising that Ray achieved such a great deal of war performance, given that he has seen Ray's ability in person.
　Ray himself probably understands it. He opened his mouth as if nothing had happened to him, even though some of the people around him were looking at him in fascination.

"I'm in the mystery ring. I can give it any time, but shall I give it to you at once?"
"Oh, I want you to," I'll show you around after this meeting, so please."
"But as for spears, as I promised..."
"I know,"

　a brief exchange of words
　In the latest night raid, Ray had asked the rebels to force themselves.
　For example, it's the same for horses with shortstop troops on board.
　It is a horse of the first rank or more ability than any horse. It was true that it was a reasonable burden for the rebels to accommodate the number of soldiers.
　One of the conditions to be heard was to accommodate Ray's army supplies.
　However, most of the supplies Ray got were of no consequence.
　It was not too bad to hand over all the rest to the rebels if I could get the spear, as I had mentioned in my conversation with Theoreum.
　Although the supplies included silver coins, gold coins, and even white coins to buy goods from surrounding towns and villages in times of need, Ray is not in need of money in the first place.
　If you're already living normally, you've earned enough for a lifetime.
　...however, it is true that that is not enough considering Ray's life.
　If the supplies taken from the punitive force are handed over to the rebels, it will be Ray's credit and, of course, the exploits of the expeditionary force.
　Ray himself is still reluctant to lead the unit, but Teoreum and others close to him have worked hard to build it.
　It's not without some solidarity that we've been working on this strategy together.
　And if the shortstop unit did well, it would naturally affect the compensation and treatment.

(Not only during this civil war, but it is a force given to me. We had about thirty men fight the punitive force, so we might as well do it a little better."

　After that, Ray and Perenicus explain how this night's attack was carried out and how the battle ended, and then the conversation goes on to the Sobble, the only prisoner of war who gained from this battle.

"Soble. He is known as a competent man among his immediate subordinates."

　As Mercurio mutters, other executives express various opinions.

"You must kill me!"
"No, wait! It's true that it's a valid hand card against His Highness Kabazid. We have made some sort of negotiations with His Highness Kabazid, using his presence as bait."
"It's useless, indeed, that Prince Kabazid is merciful to his men. However, he is also a person who can judge that he will cut it off easily if necessary. If you think about it, this is the place to be cut off."
"But Soble is said to have the power to be a leading figure in the First Prince's faction. Do you cut off such a person so easily?"
"I will,"

　Mercurio interrupted the insurgents, aristocrats and adventurers alike.
　Mercurio usually had a light atmosphere, but what he said was as strong as steel.
　Mercurio's words attract the attention of those present.
　Vihela had a faint sadness in her eyes, Theoreum nodded convincingly, and Tiyur and Gurgast and Ray remained particularly expressive.And the other nobles looked in amazement.

"Cabad's brother will not hesitate to take the measure if he sees it as a necessary sacrifice to win. For example, you put me under house arrest. But the rumor that followed seems to have turned out to be quite different from what I had originally thought."

　It was vaguely foreseeable who spread the rumor after this civil war began.
　Given who is most pleased with the situation, the answer is at hand.
　Recognizing a momentary diversion of thought, Mercurio shakes his head slightly before continuing.

"I think it's possible to negotiate with Schles because he has a strong affection for his subordinates. However, in the case of Kabazid's elder brother, I think it's impossible to negotiate. It would have been different if these were not his subordinates, but the nobles of the faction."

　Mercurio glances at Ray.
　However, the gaze is more amusing than blaming.
　One of the aristocrats who followed the gaze opens his mouth to Ray.

"Don't you think, Mr. Ray, that the nobles would have been better off than the Soble?"

　As he asks, he probably has something to do with Ray's record and, above all, his power to destroy the expeditionary force, which is less than 30 men -- practically individually.
　It was rather mild to blame... if anything, it was the right way to describe it as asking.
　Ray opens his mouth to such a nobleman without any change of expression.

The battlefield was less than a day away from the imperial capital. It's a strategy that goes deep into the enemy's sphere of influence. If that happens, of course, we can't pretend to take a lot of prisoners. That Sobble was taken prisoner only as a result of course. When he escaped from the position, he was attacked by a short‐range unit and caught falling off his horse. Wasn't it?"

　When I ask Perenicus, who stands behind me, he nods a little.

"Yes. I didn't take him prisoner for the sake of it. It was really a coincidence."
"…I see. I understood why they had taken the Sobre prisoner, not the aristocrats. I suppose that would have been unavoidable."
"Yes, and according to the information we have, most of the aristocrats who participated in this punitive force could hardly succeed to the family estate like the third and fourth sons."
"Well, if you're the second son, you can expect some treatment as he's still in reserve for the first son..."

　Other nobles nod in Perenicus's words.
　Of the leaders of the rebels, the most are naturally aristocrats.
　It is only natural, given that the main forces are those led by Theorem, the third prince's faction, and the former second princess' faction led by Vihela.
　and, being a noble, there was something convincing about the words of Perenicus.
　though none of the adventurers or mercenaries could agree so much.
　When some awkward atmosphere spreads through the magic tent, Tiyur opens his mouth to see if he hated it.

"Anyway, it is true that we, the rebels, continued to win the last battle... and that we also won an overwhelming victory." Is this victory big enough to determine the course of the civil war? So I suggest that this victory be reported throughout the Westian Empire."
"I see. It's true that the rebels have won a series of victories. Mr. Mercurio, I think that Tiyur's opinion should be adopted, but what do you think?"

　When Theoreum asks, Mercurio nods without hesitation.

"Well, this is definitely a big tailwind for us. Besides, the punitive force will not be able to move for a while."
"Well, it will be difficult for Schles to move the nobles through ransom negotiations with the nobles of the faction, and Kabazid's brother needs to recover his military strength as the punitive force formed this time was almost destroyed." On sister Fritzione..."

　Ray has a vague sense of Vichela's meaningful smile.
　I suppose Widale decided to accept the suggestion in his letter that they should go with him.
　Seeing such Ray, Vichela probably understood that Ray understood Mercurio's idea. give a little smile

(Both Schles and Kabazide are unable to move, so there is no other way but to join sister Fritzione. However, of course, it is impossible to use a lot of military power from the rebels to escape from the imperial capital...the key is individuals with high fighting power.

　Vichela's gaze was directed at Gurgast and Theoreum. ...and Ray.

(Theoreum is practically in charge of the rebels, so we can't leave here.) Then I'd be like, "Gurgast," or "Ray." though I am a little worried that they are all reasonably famous in the imperial capital.)

　Thinking that the civil war was coming to an end and heading into the middle, Vihela smiled glamorously, looking forward to fighting a stronger opponent.