"... now, and what do you think of the letter from my elder brother Kabazid? Let us all have a frank opinion."

　A party of negotiators, including Frederick, had been given a large tent in Mercurio's position, waiting for an answer.
　Then Mercurio opens his mouth when he is alone in the face of Mercurio's army.

"No! You don't have to go out of your way to get into their hands!"

　When one of the nobles says so, the others speak as they agree with him.

"That's right. Setting a date and fighting means we can set enough traps! We're not going to go out of our way to fight in a situation that's favorable to them, even though we're disadvantaged in terms of numbers. We should take it to a endurance battle. Fortunately, it's autumn now, and winter soon, so it's hard to fight."
"Wait, that's the same for me, too? Or if you have a decent base, we're in a position. If winter continues like this, the damage will be greater here!"
"No, I'm not. It is true that we will suffer a great deal of damage. But if you think about the difference in the number of people we have and they have, they will definitely suffer a lot more damage in the end."
"But I'm not allowed to take any measures on the assumption that we'll be badly damaged! In the first place, it's hard to get food in winter!"
"Why don't you ask Mr. Ray to help you, for he has an item-box?"

　Ray thinks to the aristocratic man who glances at Ray.
　I'm certainly employed to help with this civil war.
　Still, it's not interesting to be used well.
　I'm sure there are some other people who feel that way.
　Vihela's eyes get cold, especially when she hears her lover Ray trying to make a good use of her.
　The aristocrats, perhaps aware of the way they are looking at them, look away in a moment of bewilderment, but they continue to speak because they think that it is the most effective military force in the present situation.

"There are many great nobles over there. I mean, there are many people who can't afford to be involved in this for a long time... if you can think about that."

　Some of those who heard the story nodded yes.
　In fact, since there are two members of the Imperial family, Kabazid and Shurus, even the nobles who cooperate with them need to send their heads or equivalent.
　If you send someone here who is of no use, there will be a lot of inconveniences after this civil war.
　In order to prevent it, even aristocrats need to send appropriate people.
　As long as important persons are sent, it is necessary to make a suitable force, and it is necessary to make both the appearance of nobles and the number of troops.
　With such a large number of troops, if they disappear from their territory for a short period of time during the winter, monsters like thieves or adventurers will not be able to handle, disturbing elements in their territory, etc. There is a possibility that those measures will be delayed.
　Of course, if it's a territory near where the battle is taking place, it's possible to bring the soldiers home.
　However, the territory of this Vestian Empire is vast, and not all of them are so easily accessible.

"...that is, just because we are here, the aristocrats on the side of the punitive force will lose their power."
"But I think that this Mercurio army will suffer in the same way?"
"About there..."

　It was once again Ray that the aristocrats looked at him.
　Indeed, given the existence of Seto, it is not difficult to pinpoint Ray, who can literally be described as "one horse and one horse and one horse."
　But...

"Why don't you rely on Ray for everything?" We have some face to face."

　Many people in the neighborhood nod to the words of the people who are collecting mercenaries.
　But when they see it, the aristocrats continue to speak without retreating.

"And what shall I do? Will I, as Mr. Frederick said in the letter he brought, face-to-face fight over there? No way. Did you forget that you said there was a good way to deal with Ray over there?"
"...but is that really possible?"

　with a snap
　The murmur of one of the nobles rings strangely around.
　The word is certainly a question many had in mind.
　Knowing Ray's power, I can't nod honestly even if I'm told that there's a way to counter him.
　In fact, we've achieved that much.

"Did you mass-produce the magic item that Prince Ray had when he was working with Prince Fritzione's army to absorb the flames?"

　Ray shakes his head at the question raised by the nobility.

"No, that would certainly disable the magic of fire, but it didn't seem to work unless you touched it directly. Above all, my magic can attack a wide area, but it's not like there's no other way to attack. Even if it is the armor of the hegemonic king used when he came to save this position, if they can fight against it..."

　mutter that it is impossible
　In fact, the armour of the hegemony is a skill of great ability if you don't even think about the exhaustion of magic. Simply ramming into the enemy does a lot of damage, and they can't stop it.

(The sole consumption of magical power...)

　Gently touch the bracelet around the wrist in the dragon lobe.
　a sucker's bracelet that had completely forgotten its existence in previously
　This magic item has the ability to absorb magic in proportion to the damage done to the opponent.

(However, if it were not just ordinary magic, it would be possible to cover the huge amount of magical power consumed by Heio's armor... honestly, I doubt it.)

　A sucker's bracelet certainly absorbs magic from a damaged person.
　However, it is not possible to absorb magic indefinitely.
　It is impossible to absorb more magic than the other person has.
　And the amount of magical power consumed by the king's armor is extraordinarily large.
　It is possible to attack many enemies with Heio's armor, but even so, the amount of magic consumed by Heio's armor cannot keep up with the amount of restoration.
　That's how much magic Ray has, and at the same time, he uses a lot of magic when he is exercising his hegemonic armor.
　In other words, no matter how much they attacked with a sorcerer's bracelet, if they could not take their magical powers away from the crowd, they would have been burned to pieces.
　While I'm thinking like that, the story goes on.

"Even if it's against them, I'd like to see a plan that would be against them. Most of them are Prince Kabazid, and I can't help but think about the possibility of his rejection of the matter."
"... I'm sure it is. At the very least, we will be able to spread the story of our escape from the war to the people and spread the information that we are at a disadvantage. Besides, I'm sure you'll hear that they're spreading the war to mischief."

　Everyone looks bitter at Vihela's muttering.
　The current Mercurio army has an advantage because it continues to win.
　Information about the recent battle of the position is spreading about the victory of Mercurio's army because they repelled the attacking punitive force.
　...the damage done in that battle, which Mercurio had done considerably, had spread to the outside world as their own victory.
　Of course, the punitive force had a firm grasp of the information and was trying to spread the information because it caused great damage to the Mercurio army, but it was largely repelled without being able to capture the position, and the people thought it was a victory for the Mercurio army.
　Many people believe the rumor to be true, so many are willing to cooperate with the Mercurio army.
　But what if... Mercurio fled without a fight?
　As long as there are members of the popular royal family such as Vihela and Fritzione, it is unlikely that there will be any immediate impact.
　Still, it was certain that it would be a clear disadvantage in the big picture.
　Mercurio's army needs to keep winning because of its small numbers.
　Also, it is not interesting to hear that the war is deliberately spreading.
　Mercurio absolutely wanted to avoid the spread of his reputation as a man who never thought of the people and only sought pleasure in battle.

"I mean, the best thing is that we win after we meet the challenges of Kabazid and Shurus."

　Mercurio's conclusion makes some people frown in spitefully.I know. That's the best thing to do.
　But...

"In the end, it comes to me whether I can beat them or not."

　No wonder one of the nobles looks at Ray.
　the strongest man here and the key to this battle
　Ray opens his mouth, feeling the pressure of his gaze.

"I don't think I and Sett will lose so easily... I think the results so far show. If it's disadvantageous for me unless I'm invited here, I think I'd better accept it."
"Ray says this... and I trust the power of this army. Theoreum and her men, the superior fighting and commanding powers of her sister, the White Rose Knights of Fritzione. Other than that, there is no way we could lose to the punitive force."
"Your Highness Mercurio... That's it for us..."
"Victory to Your Highness!"
"Victory! We're the ones to win this battle!"
"Your Imperial Highness Mercurio!"
"To Your Highness!"

　The words that come out of Mercurio's mouth ring strangely in the minds of those present.
　There's nothing special about what I'm saying. Still, the words definitely resonated with the hearts of those present.
　Vichela and Fritzione happily watch over Mercurio.
　They must be happy to have this attractive charm.

"So, is there anyone who disagrees that we will accept this decisive battle?"

　Those words make the people around me quiet.
　Ray, too, looked at Mercurio in silence, without saying a word.

"Then you've made up your mind," Can you call Frederick?"
"Yes! At once!"

　One of the nobles immediately calls in the knight and orders him to bring in Frederick.





"Excuse me, Your Highness Mercurio, Your Highness Fritzione, Your Highness Vichela. I came to hear your call."

　Frederick comes into the magic tent with his companion telling him so.
　But as soon as they enter the magic tent, they look slightly surprised.
　Obviously the atmosphere was different from what I had just seen.
　The air was very similar to that of his lord, Kabazid.

(This is...)

　Maybe something failed?
　Frederick turns to Mercurio, thinking so.

"Oh, I can't get rid of you or call you out,"
"No, if you take it for granted that it will determine the course of this army, then you will be right. ...and what was the result of the consultation? Would you mind telling me about it?"

　At Frederick's words, Mercurio opens his mouth, feeling the gaze of the people around him.

"Oh, I'll take it. But I can't keep the conditions of my brother Kabazid."
"...I see, I am sure you would be in the position of His Highness Mercurio." I understand. What exactly is it about?"
"It's a battlefield, isn't it?" If Kabazid and Schles had chosen the place in advance, there was a good chance of setting some sort of trap."

　Frederick responds, nodding to Mercurio's words, "Yes."

"But isn't that the other way around? If Prince Mercurio decides on the battlefield, there's a possibility that he'll put something on it."

　Frederick didn't insult Mercurio in particular.
　If this is an insult, Mercurio, who first suspected the other person, is also insulted.

"That may be the case," So how about sending some people to each other and keeping an eye on the battlefield, and I don't think we'll be able to do anything careless about each other, and if we do something like that... we'll be famous for smearing this battle."

　When Mercurio said so, Frederick thought for a few seconds before nodding slowly.