On that day, the soldiers on guard at Mercurio's position see a group heading toward the position.
　a group of about ten people dressed in glittering costumes
　They are also dressed up horses and approach their positions leisurely.

"Hey, hey, hey... what do you think?"

　a confused soldier
　That's only natural. If this had come close to arms, I could imagine a group of nobles, adventurers, mercenaries, or volunteer soldiers joining the Mercurio army.
　Or perhaps it was a unit of the punitive force who acted recklessly in a hurry for their achievements.
　But the only group that came towards us was the over-decorated rapier in the waist-sheath, and it was clear that they had no intention of fighting, if they had not taken it out.

"No matter what you say... What do you really do? It's kind of hard to tell whether you're an enemy or a friend."

　All the soldiers listening to the words nod in agreement.
　In fact, I didn't know how to deal with it.
　But as long as they approach us, we have to deal with it...

"I can't help it, I'll get the captain for a momentarily." You guys should listen to what that group says. I don't think you'll ever attack me while I'm off guard like that, but don't be off guard."
"Oh, of course," Call the captain before that."

　a soldier nodding to his words and entering a position
　I hope you'll come back as soon as possible before you get into trouble.
　Soldiers who see their comrades off with such thoughts watch the group approaching with the rest of the soldiers.
　The group, of course, may already know that they are aware of it, but they continue to move at the same speed... and eventually arrive in front of the position.

"Stop it," This is the headquarters of the Mercurio army. I want you to tell me what you have come all the way to here."

　When it comes to the crunch, I'll pierce you with a spear in my hand. With that thought, the person at the head of the glittering group stops his horse and opens his mouth.

"Merclio's army? I heard it was a rebel, but has the name changed?"

　The man's voice was unexpectedly calm.
　Soldiers, who had assumed they must be overbearing, feel a little depressed.
　The soldier who approaches the person in front of him once again observes the person riding the horse in front of him.
　He dressed himself and his horse beautifully, but he himself was as handsomely dressed as he was.
　Nevertheless, he has no high-handed atmosphere and uses polite language.
　It was easy to imagine that he was probably in a certain position.

"Yes, Prince Fritzione's army has joined together, and the name of the rebels has proved to be unsavory, and it is now Mercurio's army."

　The man nods convincingly to the soldier's words, which he says correctly.

"Well, indeed, the rebels may have a bad reputation. Well, then, again. My name is Frederick, and I serve His Highness Kabazide. This time I have served as a negotiating envoy to His Excellency Mercurio, His Excellency Fritzione and His Excellency Vichela."

　Hearing the word to serve Kabazid, each soldier on the spot puts his strength into the hand holding the weapon.
　But the reason why he still didn't have any real weapons is probably because he didn't feel any willingness to fight with anyone who identified himself as Frederick.
　It was the same for those led by Frederick, who told him they were in the hands of Kabazid, but there was no animosity towards the soldiers.

"Negotiations?" I understand. I'm sending for the person in charge right now, so please wait a little longer."
"Yes, I see. Let me do so, then. and yet I don't feel it at all, though it was only a short time ago that we had become a battlefield."

　Frederick muttered, looking around.
　In fact, the fences that had already been destroyed had also been restored, and trash, such as weapons and pieces of protective equipment scattered on the ground, bodies and bloodstains had been cleaned up, and it was unlikely that there was a fierce battle here.
　However, even in the position, this entrance faces the highway and there are many people passing by, so it was cleared with priority.

"Yes, because it was our victory. We also put a lot of effort into dealing with it after the war."
"Really? From what I've heard, I've heard that it's a good draw, and if you look at it in detail, it's our victory."
"No, no, no way," As soon as crimson appeared, your troops went into a state of partial destruction, and there were a lot of soldiers who escaped because of it, so there is no doubt that from an objective perspective, it would be a victory."
"But we were not able to completely destroy our forces, right? It's true that, however hard you try, there are still an overwhelming majority of the troops on the punitive side. And if you think about that, that's more common in terms of the exhaustion of war potential, right? We've exhausted a certain amount of war potential, but we've been replenished in that regard."

　As each other communicates that it's their victory, soldiers suddenly notice footsteps approaching them.
　The hurried approaching man is the captain of the watchmen here.
　He must have been running to hear what he said. As he approached the soldiers with a spear in his hand, he exchanged a word or two with one of the soldiers there, and then relaxed his legs and turned his gaze towards Frederick.

"I heard you serve His Highness Kabazeed?"
"Yes. My name is Frederick. I have been sent for negotiations with His Excellency Mercurio, His Excellency Fritzione and His Excellency Vihela. This is my proof."

　When I was told that, I was given a dagger.
　The sheath of the dagger is engraved with the coat of arms used by the cabbages.
　There is a possibility that someone else is taking the dagger itself and deceiving it, but it is also true that it cannot come all the way under the enemy Mercurio.

"All right. I have already reported it, so I'll let you know."
"Well, it would be helpful if you could do so,"

　With a small smile, Frederick is led into the position by the captain.





　The magic tent was now full of buzz.
　That's only natural. A negotiating messenger has been sent from the opposing Kabazid.
　What is the purpose of the negotiation?
　Is it really a recommendation to surrender, or is it a matter of the return of a large number of prisoners of war, or is it almost impossible for them to negotiate to surrender?
　Mercurio's military leaders were discussing it.

"Tiyur, what do you think?"

　When Mercurio asks, Tiyur shakes his head with a difficult look on his face.

"I don't know," I understand that if it were about prisoners of war, they could not have taken such an exaggerated attitude."
"Why don't we try to settle the matter in the next battle, because the only thing that prolongs the battle is the loss on both sides?"

　Gurgast's words, thinking it might be possible for a moment, eventually shake his head when he encounters a problem.

"...but here's Mr. Ray, who is more likely to lose unilaterally if he hits you head-on in that situation."

　No one can argue with Tiyur's words.
　In fact, up until now, the punitive force has been the second punitive force, the Mercurian army, which had just occurred the other day -- the rebel army -- the headquarters battle. And although slightly reduced in size, the troops ambushed when the Fritzione army escaped the imperial capital... have been severely damaged by Ray.If Ray was asked to fight squarely when he was in the Mercurio army, the answer would be no.
　If at least those in this room were asked if they wanted to fight Ray head on, they would say no, unless they had suicidal intentions.

"Can't you think that we have the means to do something about it?"

　Gurgast's words make people quiet.
　If that were true, the next battle would certainly be overwhelmingly disadvantageous in terms of numbers.

"Well... well, well, well ... We have to hear from the person who actually came to the negotiations whether they really wanted it or not. If we decide on that now... that is the possibility, as Mr. Tiyur said, of their surrender."

　When one of the nobles uttered a word of relief, everyone present breathes a sigh of relief.
　In fact, it is still unclear what the negotiations are about.
　It was no good to think about it and worry about it.

"Well, I don't think we need to think about it in depth now. If you're worried, it's OK to talk about it after they come up. ...theoreum, what is the state of affairs?"

　Mercurio's words prompt Theoreum, who had been waiting nearby.

"We've got the right forces in place in case something happens. I have also sent a soldier to His Excellency Fritzione and Mr. Vichela, who will come soon."
"...what about Ray? He's not with his elder sister, is he?"
"Yes, I'm still a little tired, so I'm resting in a magic tent. I heard that they screamed, "If you use magic items, the exhaustion of magic will be lighter!"

　I couldn't understand what he was saying for a moment.
　That's only natural. Ray himself had completely forgotten the existence of his own sorcery bracelet.
　A magic item that can absorb magic force proportional to the damage done by attacking the opponent.
　But Ray himself had so much magic that he had never had a chance to use it before.
　Therefore, Ray saw the bracelet every day, but it was completely understood that it was just a bracelet, and he had forgotten the effect.
　No matter how high-performance magic items are, if they are not activated through magic, they will only be a treasure.
　In that sense, perhaps because of his enormous magical powers, he had not used a suction bracelet until now.

"Anyway, what is Mr. Vihela?"
"Oh, what's the matter with me?"

　Just in the middle of Theoreum's words, Vihela enters the magic tent.
　Behind it was Fritzione and her bodyguard, Angela.

"Are you listening?"
"Yes, my brother Kabazid has come. He is a negotiating messenger."
"Well, I've heard of it."

　When Mercurio nods and tries to say something again, the knight emerges from the entrance of the magic tent.

"Your Highness Mercurio, there is a messenger from His Highness Cabazide. Do you mind if I let you through?"
"...before Ray came, but I can't help it." Yes, I don't mind if you let me through."

　It's a pity that Ray isn't here, but he still can't keep the messenger waiting.
　I think it's inconvenient that Ray's magic tent is out of position at times like this.

"Excuse me. My name is Frederick, and I am in the service of His Highness Kabazide. It is a great honor to meet His Excellency Mercurio, His Excellency Fritzione and His Excellency Vichela. When I see other noble people who are famous, I feel as if there is another castle in the imperial capital here."

　As Frederick walks gracefully into the magic tent, accompanied by a group of disarmed men, those who hear it laugh bitterly.
　Indeed, there are many famous aristocrats here, but few are regarded as powerful aristocrats in general.
　Whether or not Marquis Lognos will be among them, Theoreum and Angela will be among them?
　though he was infatuated with Vihela, the Gurgast, who was the head of the Earl of Obrissin but famous as a combat freak, and with Tiyur, the Viscount of Bougart, who was famous as an artist, and with others who were not famous as influential but singular.

"Yes, I'm no match for the abundance of human resources on Kabazid and Schles." We've lost so many games in a row, but I'm impressed that we still have that much power."

　What Mercurio said was a check.
　Since the beginning of this civil war, it has been a remark that they have achieved overwhelming results.

"Well, there are so many talented people coming together. --and may I get to the point?"
"Well, we don't waste any time together. What did you come here to negotiate with me? I'd love to hear from you."

　As Mercurio urges him to speak, Frederick bowed gracefully again.

"Well... Your Highness Mercurio, will you surrender to His Highness Cabazide?"