That's why. Did you hear me?　Lawrence.
"...... Bertil!

　The caller that Bertil had taken out barked out loud.
　It's a wonder no spit flew from the bill.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　He was the king's bodyguard in the command center of the royal castle, which meant that the caller was connected to the command center.

　Humphrey went straight to Bertil, as Rene had said, but Bertil informed Lawrence himself.
　Half the reason for this was to insure his position. If Lawrence or Hilbert had already noticed this move, or if they would notice it in the future, Bertil would be trapped. To avoid that, he made the first move.

You don't have to shout so loudly to get through.
'What the hell was that?　Are you really going to betray me?
It was real, right?

　Lawrence was not happy with Rene's attitude, but also with Barthil's attitude that seemed to agree with it.
　Lawrence shouted at him. Bertil's tone was light, as if to rebuke him.

Anyway, the question is how to take advantage of this situation. Now that we've tied up some of their loose ends, we just need to figure out how to take advantage of them.
"His delusional words are not worth a second thought. It's useless to think about catching him off guard or taking advantage of him. Just know that it's all bullshit.

　Lawrence's words, Bertil thought, were laced with wishful thinking.
　I want my enemy to be evil to the core. He must be evil. There's no human emotion in that. She's the daughter of the devil who sold the country to the Federation. She's more evil than an evil god. ...... and that's about it.
　But Bertil thinks differently.

At least I think he's telling the truth when he says he doesn't want to harm the people. There have been battles with undead pouring into the city, but ...... there's been zero damage to the citizens, not just the Second Order.
"He destroyed Wesara!
I heard that the refugees were all women and children. If you want to put it another way, he had the power to kill almost all the men, but he let a lot of women and children escape alive, right?
　I don't think what you just said is the whole truth, but it is certain that the "Rose of Hell" draws a line between life and death based on some criteria. It's not that she just hates and kills the living.

　Even if the line is not one of justice or respect for human life, Bertil thought, there must be something to it.

"...... Of course, the Rose of Hell is going to kill you and her majesty, and I'm not going to sit by and watch it happen.
"Of course!　...... And don't call him Princess!

　And don't call him a princess!' Lawrence shouted back at him, adding the words as an excuse.

"Whose side are you on, Bertil?
'If we can get the citizens to safety, that's all that matters, isn't it?
　So let's get this straight. They won't kill us unless the Second Order defeats the undead soldiers. The Second Order should take the lead and the First Order should fight with the Second Order as a shield.
　Also, if the western blockade is really lifted, we can evacuate the citizens. The second knight order can pretend to have betrayed us just until the evacuation is complete. ......
'I hope it works out that way.

　Lawrence didn't seem to believe that Rene would keep his word.
　The reason he didn't dismiss Bertil's opinion was that if the Second Order was going to be in the line of fire, it would be the Second Order that would be in the most danger if Rene went back on his word.

"Anyway, watch the west. If the troops really retreat, we can divert the reinforcements coming from the surrounding territories to the west. We'll be able to avoid the enemy and get into King's Landing, and we'll need them to escort the refugees.
"That's for you to decide, Your Majesty.
"...... Well, that was presumptuous. Think of it as an opinion.

　--Your Majesty.

　Barthil smiles out of the corner of his mouth.
　Lawrence had served the previous king as an exemplary soldier. But he'd been uncharacteristically deferential to Hilbert.
　Bertil was worried that he would challenge every citizen who had a negative opinion of Hilbert to a duel.

Don't even think about it. I don't care if you want to be deceived and ruined on your own, but in that case, do it alone. Keep this country out of it!

　As soon as Lawrence said all he had to say, the communication was cut off.
　The caller's note was already turning into a brown, weathered scrap of paper. Bertil tore it up, crushed it, and threw it in the corner of the room. The caller's note would only last a few minutes at most.

　It was not an unnatural time to cut off communication, since the conversation was over and the caller ID was about to burn out, but it was a way to vent his frustration.
　Barthel smiled or lost his temper and snapped his neck.

"Well, I'll let everyone know.
　You can't tell me you've been talking to the Rose Princess of Hell. I'll just tell them that the undead are only targeting the First Order and tell them to be a wall of flesh and not attack.

　Through the slit window, Barthil looked out at the city.
　The undead army was regrouping to fill in the holes of their lost men.
　If this temporary retreat was an attempt to lure Bertil into betrayal, ...... the second attack would begin in a few moments.

"Commander.

　Humphrey stopped Bertil as he was leaving the room.

　He had come here by chance, but in the face of the conversation between the "Rose of Hell" and the two commanders, he just stood stiffly in the corner of the room and watched the proceedings.


　When he finally spoke up, there was a hint of confusion on his face.

What is it?
I'm not sure if this is the right place to say this, but ......
　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.

　For a moment, Barthel did not understand the intent of the question.

...... Haha, I see. Lawrence knows he's a national figurehead, and he's very outgoing.
　I don't think many people in the Second Order know about his temper tantrums.

　Humphrey, seeing Lawrence's unusual appearance, had a hard time believing that this was the First Order Commander, a national hero.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
In fact, half of them have betrayed you. ...... Or perhaps I should say that they were not on your side to begin with.
　There are a few dead from the First Order, but we're unharmed. It's no wonder you're not at peace.

　The first knights were killed mercilessly in the first battle, but some of the second knights were injured, and there were no deaths even though so many undead came. Until Humphrey brought back the astonishing news, Bertil didn't know what was going on, and he thought that ...... Lawrence might suspect him of being an informer. He even thought it might be a trap.
　And my fears were correct. Although Bertil did not dare to conceal the fact that René had invited him, Lawrence had suspected Bertil even before that. That's why he was so hostile.

"To be frank, I'm ...... afraid.
　It's natural to hate your enemies, but there's something different about the First Knight Commander's feelings towards the "Rose of Hell" that makes him ...... even more hostile towards the Commander. I'm not sure.

　Charisma, glorious bravery, good looks and neat behavior: ......
　I'm sure you'll agree with me. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.
　I wonder if that's why Humphrey is even more confused.

　--Lawrence is a person, not a hero.

Lawrence is hardworking, kind, serious, strong, just, and charismatic. I think he's a knight worthy of the position of First Knight Commander.
　But I think he's a bit out of his depth because he's excited by the fact that he can finally take a stand against the Federation, and defend his country against the Federation, even though he hates them.
　He's from the East. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.
"The Federation?　I'm sure you'll agree.　I'm sure you're not the only one.
He's probably using a very broad definition of "enemy.
　The former king was pro-federation. Then she's part of the Union.
　Rene is the former king's daughter. Then she's part of the Union.
　"The Rose of Hell is the former king's daughter returned to life as a monster, a threat to the newly risen state. It's part of the Federation. ......
　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. ...... I think you have a gift for the military.　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

　I'm sure Lawrence sees shades of the Union in "The Rose of Hell".
　For Lawrence, this is a battle against the evil Federation invasion. The fact that he is outnumbered makes him as fierce as a wounded beast.

Are you trying to classify me as an ally of the Federation?

　Humphrey still looked uncomfortable when Bertil said this.

You were a good friend.
So he doesn't like you anymore?
No?　I don't want to be friends with a guy who's excited about chopping off ...... girls' heads. I do.

　--Oh, I told you. I didn't want to give up on him.

　Bertil closed his eyes quietly, then opened them.
　Outside the window, an army of death-like figures was forming.

I'm going to be a bat. I'm going to be a bat. ...... Let's wait and see how this can all end most peacefully.
　Protecting this country means protecting the people. It doesn't have to be about protecting you.
　I'll overlook a coup and even sell my soul to an evil god if it means keeping as many people alive as possible.

　*

"You're a bastard.

　Rene said as soon as he broke off the Visioner conversation.

　The place where Rene was talking was in a tent separate from the operations room in the main camp. Alastor, who was present, frowned when he heard René's words.

"You lied to me, sir.

　It was of course deliberate that Humphrey was given a Visioner instead of a Caller to take with him. This way, he can use the reason of range as a reason to call up to the range of emotional perception.
　In his conversations with Bertil, Rene was reading the other's emotions, checking how cooperative they were and whether they were lying.

When I mentioned Hilbert and Lawrence, they responded, so I think at least these two are listening.

　Rene could sense Bertil's agitation and fear.
　If we can deduce from what words he reacted to in particular, we can understand what the situation really was.
　Alastor also crossed his arms and groaned.

I don't think he's going to show up at that place. That would be .......
I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who'd like to know what's going on.
I'm not sure what to make of that.　I'm not even going to sigh, because that's exactly what Bertil would do.


That's good, because we can use that to our advantage.

　What kind of a man was Bertil, and what was his attitude towards the coup? Rene had heard from Alastor beforehand and had a detailed understanding.
　From the whole story, I got the impression that he was a man who could not be eaten even if he was boiled or roasted. He is a man who is likely to be on the side emotionally, but he is cautious and never deviates from his role as a soldier to protect his people.

　I think it is true that he wants to wait and see and decide which side to take.
　Bertil was willing to talk, but not so rashly that he would bet everything on René, but he was not completely on Lawrence's side either.

I can't say he's hostile, but I get the feeling he's just waiting to see if he can outsmart them. It's like they're trying to win by themselves.
"Princess, in the conversation you just had, were you thinking of Phase 7, Pattern 3? In this situation, you'll have to go to the front yourself. ......
That's fine. We'll start the battle again on that course.
Ha!

　Alastor bows respectfully.

"I understand how you feel, but I'm not going to let you get away with it, Second Order Commander. It's your fault for trying to deceive me first, and you'll pay for it.
　I'm not lying, but I'm not telling the truth either. It's just the way you gods believe.