The report came at a time when everyone was asleep in the rebel positions.
　a night that usually only exists as watchmen
　the sound of horses approaching rebel positions in the autumn moonlight
　The watchman, who noticed it, gasped, "Is it an enemy attack?" but his footsteps were few.
　In fact, only a single horseman could be seen by moonlight or by the light of a bonfire burning near the entrance to the position.
　Still, just in case, the soldier standing on guard looks at his colleagues, nods back small, and grips the handle of the spear in his hand.
　It hasn't been long since a disturbance broke out in the middle of the night in the position.
　That's why the vigilance was naturally tight.

"Stop!"

　With the words, some soldiers point their spears at the approaching cavalry.
　But when I find the faces of the cavalry worn out, I doubt them.
　The cavalry, seeing such soldiers, opens their mouths with a look of relief.

"I'm sorry, but I'd like to ask the Earl of O'Brisin to see me as soon as possible." I am in the service of an acting lord of the town of Lacroix in the Earl of Obrissin. I came on urgent notice. This is the letter from Lord Hatel, acting lord."

　Saying so, the cavalry show letters to the soldiers.
　It was evidence that the letter was sealed waxed and passed from a man named Hatel, but there was no way that a soldier could understand it.
　They talk to each other with their eyes, and then the first soldier to speak out again.

"I'm sorry, but I can't make a decision, so can I contact my boss? You look very tired, too. In the meantime, why don't you rest a little?"

　I was still on the alert, but there was little doubt among the soldiers about the cavalry already in front of me.
　Having come all the way to this point in exhaustion and in the night when it would be suspicious, on the contrary, the suspicion of the cavalry has been eased.
　I don't think I'll do anything so blatantly suspicious.
　When I see a fellow soldier running to get his boss, one of the soldiers hands over a water bottle to the cavalry.

"I'm sorry, I'm saved," I've been running for a long time. I wish I could rest my horse."
"The stables are only in position," ... oh, but wait a minute. Water will do you anyhow."

　The soldier says so, and one soldier leaves the scene again.
　There are more than ten soldiers here, as should be expected. Furthermore, his cavalry has already gotten off his horse, apparently exhausted.
　I can't let go of my desire to be kind while I'm still on guard in such a situation.
　One of the soldiers brings a tub full of water and puts it in front of the horse.
　The moment the horse sees it, it puts its mouth on the tub and begins to drink water.
　He must have been thirsty after running. The water in the tub is rapidly dwindling.
　The cavalry pats their backs with gratitude for such a beloved horse.

"And what happened to the cavalry coming alone in the middle of the night?"

　a soldier inquiring, holding out a glass of water to his cavalry
　When the cavalry receives the glass, they drink up the water at once and then shake their heads.

"No, I don't know the details, either. I think he wrote it in the letter, but I think it was because many people were busy coming and going to the house where the deputy lord lived."
"…I only have a bad feeling." At the very least, I'm sure it's not good news for us."

　When one of the soldiers muttered, the other soldiers nod back.
　It's probably the same with the man who brought the letter. There was something disturbing about him, drinking water or patting his horse's back.
　After about five minutes, the soldiers who had just gone into the position will soon be back amid the oppressive atmosphere around them.

"The Earl of Obrissin will see you," Bring me the letter at once."
"All right. ... Can I leave it to you to look after the horse?"
"Oh, I'll do it over here, so go and see me.

　When the soldier who handed the glass says, the man bowed lightly, returned the glass, and entered the position with the soldier who had just returned.
　The soldiers stand guard again with spears in their hands, seeing off their backs.

"What do you think happened?"
"I don't know, but it's probably not a good thing,"
"Oh, really? But maybe... really maybe..."
"Do you want to bet? Three glasses of ale on my bad deal."
"Gut, wow, I understand... but I'll have a glass of ale."
"You're a little weak,"

　Along with the words, there is a stifling laugh around the entrance to the position.





　The man who brought the letter was being led into a magic tent in the center of the rebel camp, as the guards laughed.
　It's a sign that many of the rebel leaders have already gathered in the middle of the night.
　Meanwhile, the man entering the magic tent kneels down first toward Mercurio.

"I'm sorry for your sudden visit. My name is Silas, and I am stationed in Lacroix, Count of Obrissin. It's an honor to see your Highness Mercurio."
"I was certainly wondering what it was like to be suddenly told to come together in the middle of the night like this, but... and that's the business of the Gurgast?"
"Yes, I have received this letter from the acting lord."

　Take out the letter you showed to the soldier guarding the entrance to the position and hand it over to the soldier who came near you.
　Soldiers who confirm the letter is not particularly dangerous pass it to the Gurgast.

"Well, this sealing wax must belong to someone acting as lord in Lacroix."

　Checking the sealing wax, opening the letter and glancing at it... the look on his face distorts uncomfortably.
　Already a strong-faced gurgast, the power of the gurgast is so powerful that anyone who is not accustomed to it thinks they are going to be killed right away.

"Gurgast, what did it say?"

　To Vihela, who asks so, Gurgast delivers the letter in silence.
　Vichela, who thinks it's OK to read, reads the letter... and slightly distorts her beautiful face.

"You don't touch us directly, and you send your troops against the towns and villages in the Earl of O'Brisin'said he. Maybe it's a plan for Kabazid."

　In Vihela's words, most people on the spot frowned upon understanding why they went out of their way to bring letters to the cavalry all night long.
　The seriousness of the situation has come to light.
　Until now, even if the punitive force had set off, the only purpose was this rebel force.
　However, the Kabazid's move this time was not to directly hit the rebels, but to aim at the foundation that was supporting them.

"But why? I know it's working, but by now it's only on our side. But why now..."
"That's probably because it's now,"

　Tiyur calmly says so to the confused aristocrat's words.
　However, he is not as calm as he says, and his expression shows a slight impatience.
　It was originally the Earl of Obrissin that the rebel positions were set up.
　He had now left the Earl of Obrisin and entered the barony of the imperial capital, but the fact that there was still an earl of Obrisin nearby meant that those who belonged to the rebel army could escape to the Earl of Obrisin in time of need.
　There are also peddlers in terms of goods, many of which naturally come from the Earl of Obrisin.What would happen if the source of supplies from such an important place for the rebels was destroyed?
　Material consumption is also severe because more and more people have won consecutive battles against the punitive force and joined the rebel army.
　I mean...

"So Kabazeed's aim is to starved.

　Vichela nods to Mercurio's words.

"Yes,"
"Then, from my land!"
"Wait a minute, if you think of the distance from the Earl of O'Brisin, my land would be better..."

　Many aristocrats say they will carry goods from their territories, but it was Theorem who put a stop to it.

"Wait a minute, please. It's about His Highness Kabazeed. We'll be thinking about what to do next. Perhaps it's better to assume that they're sending troops along the highway. If the supplies are transported carelessly here, the supply unit will be attacked and burn down the supplies... or else they will be robbed and only warm up their pockets."

　No one could say that Theoreum's words were too thoughtful.
　In fact, everyone took it for granted that a covert would do that.

"But... you didn't attack towns and villages until now in consideration of public opposition after the end of this civil war. Why now?"

　While everyone was worried, one of the nobles muttered as if it had occurred to him.
　Many of those who heard the word doubt that
　Public opposition is something that the Imperial family should avoid if possible.
　In many ways, it can be troublesome if one town or village itself is united and rebelled against.
　But why now...?

"There are several possibilities,"

　Mercurio opens his mouth, looking at a letter handed to him by the Gurghast.

"One thing is that if sister Fritzione succeeded in escaping from the imperial capital and her forces were merged with us, we considered starvation as a painful measure."

　Words spoken by Mercurio excite the nobles around him.
　If the story was true, we could say that we would build up our military strength.
　...but that is a big problem with supplies.
　But some people here knew who had the means to solve it.

"If it's a supply, you can use Ray's item box. Because of Seto's presence, we can move over the road even if the road is blocked, and if possible, Ray can defeat the opponent who is blocking it."

　Defeated in the Spring War, the Bestian Empire is collecting information about Ray, of course the biggest cause.
　Among them was Ray's use of item boxes to transport goods during the war, and many people in the Westian Empire regretted the need for item boxes.
　Of course, there is noise in the Bestian Empire with item boxes.
　Noise, however, did not help itself as if it were not interested in war, and as a result, the Vestian Empire was forced to provide a large supply force.

"I see! Then it's all right to keep the road shut down!"
"... stupid. That won't solve the problem fundamentally. It will only take longer for us to lose. We can only carry goods. You can't carry a living person. Do you know that Ray has an item box, too knows that Ray has an item box?"

　a living person
　For example, there are only materials available to repair weapons and protective equipment, but without a blacksmith.
　There are still blacksmiths in the rebel camp, and there are blacksmiths brought by the nobles, but that's not the case either.
　Other than that, the absolute necessity of prostitution in places like this is probably not a matter of commodity.

"Well, let me get back to you," Secondly, Kabazid and Schles were originally aiming for this development. Specifically, he fought several battles and defeated them, and when he saw them, he encouraged the rebels to gather more people. In this case, everything was on the other side of course.
"Is that possible? Why would you go out of your way to harm yourself?"

　Mercurio's words were reflexively retorted by one of the nobles, but it was not Mercurio who answered them, but Tiyur.

"It could not have been more effective in terms of bringing together all the disturbing elements scattered throughout the Westian Empire. I don't mean to say this, but there are many people who are dissatisfied with the Westian Empire. People who were swallowed up in the past, people who were thinking of rebelling in the territory of aristocrats who were forced to squeeze a lot of taxes from the people, and people who were defeated in power struggles and fled from the capital, etc.
"That's..."

　A nobleman who was about to refute Mercurio just now stifled at Tiyur's words.
　It was because I knew it was true.

"Well, that doesn't mean that we can just sit and watch the towns and villages of the Earl of Obrisin being taken over and the streets occupied." It's true that the rebels can manage for a while with Ray, but other villages and towns can be deadly without peddlers coming and going. and... the dispersal of our forces gives us an opportunity to defeat individuals."

　Mercurio's words echo through the magic tent.