The second punitive force was destroyed.
　The report was closely concealed from the public, unlike the time of the punitive force sent by Schles.
　Unlike the previous expeditionary force, this expeditionary force went all the way to a spectacular parade. Who could say that most of the 6,000 people were killed within the day?
　Only a few nobles and ordinary people in castles know this information, and they are advised not to speak to others.
　But... the phrase 'this is just between you and me' must be quite attractive. The information was beginning to spread, albeit slightly.
　However, even those who know the situation don't think they can hide the information of the annihilation of the punitive force.
　That is why those who caused the present situation had to do something about it.

"...and older brother Kabazid," Is this conference supposed to be about doing something about Mercurio after all right.

　Schulz, sitting in a chair, asks Kabazid, sipping the tea on the table.
　There is no sign of fear of poisoning in the manner of drinking tea.
　It's only natural that Amale, who is also a deputy to Schles, made this tea.
　And as long as it is equipped with poison-proof magic items, some poisons can't be effective against shurus.

"Yes. Of course that's the top priority, but... if anything, it's also the purpose of enjoying tea with all the brothers and sisters."

　It's appropriate to describe yourself as a prince, and it's Kabazide who says it with a dignified smile.
　He doesn't seem to care about the fact that the punitive force he sent was literally destroyed.
　Behind the smiling Kabazid would be his bodyguard and deputy. There is also a figure of Perfeil, a female knight.

"But if we really had brothers and sisters, wouldn't it be enough for me and Schles?" I think it's only with Mercurio and Vihela."

　Fritzione says with a gentle smile. This is also followed by Angela Luxinova, the head of the White Rose Knights.

"... sister Fritzione," Mercurio and Vichela both rebelled against the Empire. You can't be here already."
"Is that so? There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about that."
"Sister Fritzione! He's the enemy! Don't think too easy forever, and we'll have to do something about the situation now!"

　Schulz's screaming voice, if only an ordinary person... was so powerful that even a knight could have been surprised for a moment.
　But Fritzione opens her mouth with a smile.

"No, Shurus. It's not acceptable for brothers to fight as sisters."
"Older sister Fritzione!"

　Schles exclaims, but Fritzione gazes at him with a serious expression as if he had made no compromise.
　With that kind of stare, Schulz stifles.
　It was only now that he was able to speak strongly to Fritzione, who was originally his sister and fond of Fritzione, who had a gentle personality.
　Even for Fritzione, it's safe to say that she adores Schulz, who comes to her, and that her hierarchical relationship is imbued in a way that's almost like her instinct.
　But even for Schles, he's not always a child. He was now working towards the throne, and so far he could never have let Mercurio's rebels have their own way here.
　I sent him out knowing that he was defeated, but the punitive force I sent was easily defeated by the rebels.

"What do you think of Kabazide?"

　As a result, Schles decides that he will not be able to persuade Fritzione by himself, and turns to the cabazids who were watching their conversation with amusement.

"Oh, is it me? Well, when I see them interacting like this, I still feel that brothers and sisters are good."
"What!"

　a shout of surprise
　That's only natural. Cabazide, who, like himself, had always thought he was in favor of defeating Mercurio, never expected to say anything to agree with Fritzione.
　It's the same for Fritzione, with a look of surprise.
　But soon the expression of surprise turns to a smile, leaving a cup of tea behind and opening its mouth happily.

"Well, well, well," I wonder if he won't forgive Mercurio because it's his elder brother, and that's the case with his elder brother."

　Fritzione tries to quickly manage her relationship with her brother and end this futile battle, but Kabazid slowly shakes his head.

"It is certainly sad to fight between brothers and sisters. But, Fritzione. We are members of the royal family of the Vestian Empire. one's feelings and the interests of one's country It goes without saying which of them is more important, because it is nothing more than blasphemy against those who live in the Empire of Bestia that we, as members of the Imperial family, should act freely in our own way."

　In other words, it's a declaration of intent that brotherly affection will never stop the quarrel with Mercurio.

"Brother Kabazide..."

　Even Fritzione understands her position. I understand, but it's also true that I still want my brothers to stop fighting with each other.

(I suppose it was here that Cabbage decided to do so because he was superior to Mercurio in military strength.)

　Indeed, the punitive force was defeated in the first and second rounds. That's overwhelming, too.
　Nevertheless, Kabazid still has a lot of military power at their disposal, and there is also the military power of the aristocrats of the faction.
　Even in the case of Schles, many of his opponents have died, so it is possible that he is even higher in the sense of pure fighting power.
　However, in the case of Schles, there is a stumbling block of the aristocrats who have been taken prisoner.
　It will hurt Schulz a lot to be unable to act carelessly in negotiations with you.
　However, it is only a story of the second prince's faction.
　It's not impossible for Schles to move his forces.
　It also proves that the previous expeditionary force was joined by cavalry under the direct control of Schles.

"My brother Kabazide," My army was defeated last time, and my older brother Kabazid was defeated this time. I don't think it would be meaningless to send punitive forces separately from each other."
"Huh? What do you want me to do? Let Fritzione come out?"

　Cabazide looking towards Fritzione at Schles' suggestion.
　But Fritzione shakes her head instantly.

"As I said earlier, I don't agree with the fact that there will be a bloody battle between brothers. Do you think you understand that I have less power than my elder brother Kabazid and Schles?"

　The statement was true, and Schles, let alone Kabazide, knew how powerful Fritzione was.
　Even if you combine the factions, they have only as much military power as Kabazid and Shurus.

"... if Cabad's brother, I, and sister Fritzione had cooperated to form a punitive force, I would not lose much against Mercurio and Vihela."

　Fritzione shakes her head at Schles' words.
　I'm angry at her stubbornness, but it's also true that she wants to leave war potential in the imperial capital in case of emergency.
　Because...

"It is true that if I combined the strength of Schles and myself, I would be able to compete against Mercurio. Fortunately, there have been offers of cooperation from those who have not been affiliated with any faction. But in that case, how do you deal with crimson, the opponent I lost this time? He creates a huge tornado of flames, and he's free to manipulate it. It's against me when I'm free to move him."

　Words alone have shown themselves to be overwhelmingly disadvantaged, but the smiles on their faces are far from accepting their disadvantages.

"Above Kabazide?"They must have been concerned about the coverages. Schles asks suspiciously.
　The same goes for Fritzione, who is not inferior to them in terms of military power, but they are at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, he encourages the covert to speak with his gaze.

"No, there is certainly a way to fight crimson, but it is not certain. You shouldn't expect too much about this because it's just like... Let's go back to the punitive force. Am I correct in understanding that Fritzione will not join the expeditionary force?"
"... my brother Kabazide," Do I have to fight Mercurio?"

　Fritzione asks painfully when asked by Kabazid, meaning the last question.
　If it's private, it's a coverage that tolerates Fritzione's selfishness with a wry smile, but it's only private.
　He never gave way, with a soft expression, when it came to the future of the country as he did now.

(Rodos...?) If he will do as we expect him to do... and luck will do, there is nothing else we can do about it.)

　Passing through the minds of Kabazid is the face of a person who belongs to his or her own faction.
　He had received documents from his subordinates that understood the character and abilities of crimson, the person in question, but he was only free... someone who could only describe himself as truly free.
　If you don't like it, you don't hesitate to antagonize the nobles or the great tradesmen.
　Of course, it was because he had the ability to do it, but it should have been described as a covert and interesting partner.

(If possible, I'd like you to stay with the Bestian Empire, but... it'll be difficult.)

　Unless there is much left to do, a man named crimson will not make the choice to serve his country.

(But... that's how many men are out there with equal strength to that of the first army.) It's not rank S or A, it's rank B. Do you know how dangerous it is?)

　Some people may think that they can be made to obey their orders, which can be controlled by their ranks are low.
　Of course Ray wouldn't have followed it, and if he didn't do it badly, those who came close to him would suffer a lot of damage. As long as they don't act in any way to admit their fault, the resentment for the damage inflicted on them is directed at Ray.
　Previously, it was not so blatant because of his patron, Dusker, but now Ray has cut ties with Dusker, even though he is ostensibly. If that happens...

(Some rebels will naturally be thinking about it. In particular, there are many people who joined after the first battle with the punitive force.)

　Kabazeed recalling and muttering the faces of some of the people in the information.
　He must have been suspicious of such coverages. Fritzione reopens.

"Please answer, brother Kabazid," Do I have to fight Mercurio?"
"Well, as I said earlier, this is an inevitable battle. ... Shurus, how much war can you get ready for?"
"Brother Kabazide!"

　Schles and Fritzione speak together at the words of Kabazide.
　However, even if the words uttered from it are the same, the emotions contained are the exact opposite.
　Fritzione is sad, Schles is happy, and so on.
　But Fritzione doesn't say anything more.
　It's because he understands that there's no point in saying anything more, and that Kabazid has no intention of correcting his words.
　Shurus looked at her sadly looking sister for a moment, but then she opened her mouth to Kabazid.

"As you know, we are negotiating for the ransom of the nobles captured there. The aristocrats who have been taken prisoner of war over there cannot participate, but the rest of the aristocrats can participate. ...however, considering the possibility that the aristocrats who were being taken prisoner of war might interfere with it, we must limit it to a certain number of people."

　As long as his family is captured by the rebels, they may not be able to guarantee their safety if Schles cooperates with the expeditionary forces again.
　Some nobles could have thought so.

"Well, I want you to make it a force from your immediate soldiers and the nobles that you can guarantee that you will never betray them. I'll do something for the rest."

　a punitive force dispatched by the first prince's faction and the second prince's faction
　In form, it's the same as the previous expeditionary force, which was wiped out by Ray, but this time it's very different.
　Whether it's Kabazid or Shurus, we're seriously trying to defeat the rebels, not just wait-and-see.

"... Cabad's brother, Surus..."

　Fritzione, looking at it sadly, muttered sadly and made up her mind.