Marks had a pained expression on his face and his eyes were downcast. Patrick must have had the same look on his face.

So you're pulling out?
"Yes, ...... unfortunately.

　"Yes, unfortunately," Patrick said with a sobering thought.
　Patrick decided to pull his army out of Ciel-Teira.

"The destruction of supply and reinforcement units. And yesterday's raid ...... is beginning to cause concern not only among the peasants at the end of the line, but also among the knights close to me. There is also a serious shortage of supplies.
　To put it bluntly, we have no choice but to 'go home while we still have the strength to do so'.

　With supplies cut off, troops can only starve, unable to fight.
　And the shortage of supplies is further depressing morale, which is already low.
　A demoralized army will not listen to orders and will run away on its own, and there is really nothing you can do about it. If you force an attack on the capital, you might end up losing the battle without defeating a single zombie.

"Don't worry, Marquis Edfelt.
　Don't worry, Marquis Edfelt. In place of the Kingdom of Noa Curio, the Holy Kingdom of Diretta will protect the Marquis and the Crown Prince. Yes, a great army illuminated by the divine light!　An overwhelming legion!　And that will be the end of the Rose Princess of Hell!"

　A voice that sounded as if it had no regard for the atmosphere echoed in the parlor of the castle.

　--I'm not sure why he's here in the first place.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　It's a little thin for a fighter. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of these in the marketplace.
　Erminio Drouet. Erminio Drouet is an adventurer currently employed as Marks' bodyguard, and is the son of a vassal of the Holy Kingdom of Diretta.
　For some reason, he's here to discuss future strategy.

　The most likely explanation is that Erminio insisted that he be present, and Marks couldn't say no. ...... or that he had no particular reason to refuse. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.
　However, Erminio himself is destroying that pretense. Is he trying to act as an agent of the Holy Kingdom of Diretta? If that's the case, it's unforgivable for him to step into the negotiations between Noa Curio and Ciel-Teira, and what about Marks for allowing it?
　In fact, Marks is looking at Erminio with an expression of anguish on his face and a look that says, "For God's sake, don't say anything else. In order to work with Diretta, he can't afford to upset Erminio at this point.

　--Elminio (this guy) is just a fool, but if he continues like this, the Diretta Holy Kingdom will take the best part of him: ......

　If Diretta's army came and protected Ciel-Teira after Noa Curio retreated, the people would of course be grateful to Diretta. They might even take away the entirety of Gracelum's rights. We have to avoid that.
　Of course, Noachurio will send a replacement army as soon as it is ready, and Patrick will not retreat without a plan.

Even if someone other than Noachurio's army protects Ciel-Teira, the situation will be dangerous for the time being. So we'll leave behind a small force of holy beasts and their supporters.
"Holy Beast?　But that didn't work at all against the Rose Princess of Hell,.......

　Marks' brow wrinkles deeply.
　The Noah's Curio's Incarnate Holy Beast has engaged the "Rose of Hell" three times so far, but each time it was swept away like a piece of dust.
　However, Patrick had thought about it carefully.

They are, after all, small arms. "It's to be expected that they won't work against the Rose Princess of Hell itself. But the materials are relatively easy to procure, and we can make them in large numbers.
　From now on, I'm thinking of attaching those holy beasts to knights and adventurers who excel in their individual abilities. We have to change the way we operate.
Will that work?
The other day's raid on the mobile middle unit and yesterday's battle: ......
　The "Rose Princess of Hell" is avoiding those who are above a certain level of ability and focusing on farmers and non-combatants. If she could be defeated, she would have defeated the knight first. If she could, she would have defeated the knights first.
　"In the event you've got any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with me, please feel free to contact me.
"...... I see.

　Those who continue to train their bodies often enhance their physical abilities to the realm of the physically impossible. Through the action of bio-magic, they can crack open large rocks with their bare hands and withstand the breath of dragons in the nude.
　Lawrence Reinhardt was definitely a warrior of that realm. If you wanted to kill him, even if you had a mountain of undead soldiers, it would not be enough. He would have to be fought by someone who could rival him. In other words, we can infer that the Rose of Hell is strong enough to kill Lawrence.

　However, Patrick believes that she is only that strong.
　If she was strong enough to kill all the knights in an instant, she wouldn't have used any tricks or avoided the fight.
　After all, if he was so strong, he wouldn't have needed to lead an army to capture the capital. He could just ride single-handedly without such a hassle.

You know how to use the Holy Beast. You know how to use holy beasts. You can use a limited number of fierce fighters more effectively against the Rose Princess of Hell.
　In addition, a limited number of Holy Beasts can be used as weapons of war. This one is unknown, but will probably be effective.
　I'll leave Morgana here, so you can use the Holy Beast if you need to.
Thank you very much. I, and the people of Ciel-Teira, will never forget the efforts of the Kingdom of Noa Curio.

　Marx and Patrick shook hands.
　For Marks, there was no need to weigh the Noahcurio and Diretta. If he can get support from both, so much the better.

　But Erminio sniffed at that.

"Hmm. You run away with your tail between your legs, but you're so good at ingratiating yourself. This is why Noah's Curio knights have no class.



　Patrick fought to keep his hand on his sword.

　--He had engaged Noa Curio at one point, and he had let him escape.

　It's not that Erminio, as a Dilettante, has any rivalry with Noah Curio, it's just that he's arrogant and says what he thinks.

By the way, what was your name again ......?
　If you're going to protect Ciel-Teira, then give me the Holy Beast. You'll be able to use it more effectively than anyone else.

　Erminio commanded Patrick in a familiar and superior manner.
　It was a miracle he could hold his tongue.
　Marks intervened on Patrick's behalf, who responded in silence.

"Of course, you will all be provided with a holy beast to guard me and the crown prince, Drouet the Decisive.
Of course.

　Marks with a tight smile. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　Patrick thought that it would not be disloyal to the motherland (Noah Curio) if he worried about Marks' stomach.

　I'm sorry.

　Patrick walked through the corridors of the castle, feeling doubly tired.
　But he couldn't dwell on Erminio forever. He had decided to retreat, but he had to do everything in his power to make it work. To return to his homeland alive, Patrick would have to do one more thing.

Are you running away?

　The voice was like a needle pricking him.

　Patrick pauses. An old woman in an ominous red, brown, and white robe was watching him.

"......, Technical Advisor.
The Marquis of Edfelt can loan me out to help him. It's a shame to lose a country of people. We have to protect the crown prince.
　But why are you guys leaving again? Even with your current strength, you might be able to win if you attack King's Landing.

　Morgana said in her usual calm, but never retreating tone.

　Patrick proceeded to tell Morgana about his army's retreat without her hearing it.
　If Morgana, who only cared about fighting in the name of God, heard about the retreat, it would be obvious that they would not be able to come to an agreement.
　He had planned to inform her of his decision after everything was decided and in motion, but somehow she had overheard the meeting.
　Morgana said that if you get close enough to a holy beast, you can establish a psychic link and share senses and thoughts. She may have been listening through the ears of a holy beast.

　Thinking that he was in trouble, Patrick explained himself.

Yeah, that could be it!　But it's a one-way ticket.
　If you don't succeed, you'll die of hunger. Even if we succeed, we'll suffer a lot of damage if we run into them with our current forces. That's why the whole army is demoralized and wants to go home.
　We can't afford to fight such a catastrophic battle!　It's better to be buried alive in a field than to fertilize the land.

　If you suffer human loss in battle, it will haunt you for a decade.
　Not to mention the knights, and the peasants will be the people who cultivate the land and pay the taxes when they return home.
　We should not fight a war where we have to wear down our army to finally win.

　However, Morgana was still unmoved.

"Well, maybe we can win after all. Then fight.
"Technical Advisor. I understand your deep faith. But you have other things to do than die for your faith.
　They are God's children of Noa Curio. When they return home, they will cultivate the land, raise their children, and become a force to be reckoned with against the dark forces of the future. We cannot afford to lose them.
　Sometimes you have to retreat for a greater victory. That's not too far off from what you want.

　Patrick explained in a way that was in line with Morgana's thoughts.
　In the temple, it is said that man is entrusted with the earth that the gods have created in order to accumulate strength to fight the evil gods. The farmers' cultivation of the earth is also a battle against the evil gods.
　It is important for the five major powers, which are the cornerstones of the human world, to maintain their power. It is important for the five major powers of the human world to maintain their power. It is a matter of faith that it will not do any good if the country's strength is weakened by sending troops into a battle that is unlikely to be won.

　Or so Patrick thought.

"Oh, I knew it.
　Boy. You don't know what you're talking about. It's just a theory of the human race. ......

　Morgana sighs deeply.

I'm not sure if you're aware of that.　In the event that you've got a lot of money, you'll be able to take advantage of it.
　Even if you, your knights, and the farmers you brought with you die, it will only be a ...... scratch. That hole will be easily filled. Even if there is no one left to till the fertile soil, someone will come along and take over. And they'll have children, and they'll nurture the 'power of the future.
"............

　Patrick was stunned.
　Royalty, nobility and people ...... do not think of Morgana as a person. It's as if she's moving pieces around on a game board, or looking at the world from a bird's eye view.
　There is no greed, there is no mercy, there is only one thing to seek.



　Victory in the name of God: ......

"But you know that the Rose of Hell is more than a match for you, don't you?
　It's an evil that could threaten the world. If you can defeat it, you should. No amount of sacrifice here can compare to the enormous damage it could cause in the future.
　"The Rose of Hell may gain strength in time. Or maybe she'll just run away. That's not good enough. But she's there now, isn't she?

　Morgana's eyes were too steady, but to Patrick they seemed like inorganic golems.

　Patrick gave up control of Morgana. Her values are too far removed from people. It's not a zealot, it's just a madman.
　We've been treating her well because she's a formality from the Central Command and she has useful technology. But there's a limit to that. I don't need subordinates who don't do as they're told.
　Let's just let Morgana go. She wants to fight the undead, so if we leave her with Ciel-Teira, she'll cooperate with Marks on her own, and if we leave her with support personnel, she won't refuse to cooperate.
　If they can't talk to each other, then that's the only way to use them.

　No longer seeing the usefulness of talking to Morgana, Patrick began to walk as if she were not there.
　Patrick's attitude was seen as rejection.

It's apostate. ...... Go ahead.

　In the courtyard, surrounded by cloisters, someone came down with a thud.
　Men in monk's robes with masks covering their faces. They were incarnate holy beasts controlled by Morgana. They are based on humans, and usually mimic humans like this.

　A swarm of masked monks rushed Patrick and instantly grabbed him and bound him.

What are you,......?

　The red stains on Morgana's lab coat increased.