Mr. James "Fu-Gai" Lee, Red General of the Caenis Empire

　It is early spring, and I hope that you are in good health, Red General.

　Now, my country of Ciel-Teirah has decided to establish a modest new capital, Ciel-Ruare, in the southern part of the Caenis Empire, near the eastern edge of the Krukaru Mountains, and to claim ownership of it, and to declare that the capital will be moved.
　Therefore, I would like to present you with a walkway across the Courcal Mountains as a greeting for your relocation. I hope you will like it.

　I hope you like it, and I apologize for any inconvenience it may cause you, but I look forward to working with you in the future.

　The First Princess and Acting King of the Exiled Kingdom of Ciel-Teira
　　　Rene "Rosy" Luvia Ciel-Teira

　I'm sorry.　

.................. What the hell is this strange document?

　It's a very good idea to take a look at the latest version of this article.
　In the office of the old royal castle, which has been turned into the governor's office, the Red General Fugai's brow wrinkles deeply.

　His real name is James Lee. His second name is Feng Gai.
　It is customary for those with a certain status in the Caenis Empire to have two names that can be used as a nickname.
　This is said to be a revival of the culture of Kunlong, a legendary land that existed in the prehistoric human civilization ...... before the human civilization was nearly destroyed twice in the past. It is said that Kunlon was a paradisiacal country and the ancestor of the Caenis Empire.
　However, the story is so far in the past that only fragmentary records remain. It is not certain that the revived culture is the correct one, or even that Kunlon existed at all.

　James ...... is a short, muscular man with a brown head of hair and beard that looks like the fur of a wild rope or a magical beast.
　His real name is James, which makes him seem human, but he is a Dwarf. It is not uncommon for those who live in human society without forming a community of their own kind to give themselves human-like names, even if they are of a different species.

　Even though Dwarves live longer than humans, at eighty years of age, Fugai is already an old man.
　His well-honed muscles and battle-axe skills still made him an uncommonly strong man, but now he was more likely to use his years of experience to lead an army than to lead it himself.

　As the Red General, Feng Gai had flattened all the southern countries and was an experienced warrior.
　But even he had never received such a strange letter.

　When Feng Gai frowned at the round, cute, and strangely childish font, his second-in-command, Qing Palm, who had come to deliver the letter, also seemed to be struggling to understand it.

　Qingzhao was a human man in his late forties. His eyes are less than half or even one-third the size of Feng's, but his dark beard rivals Feng's in length.
　He is the most talented magician that Feng Gong has.

Unknown.
　It is said that a soldier who was off duty in the city brought it back with him when he found it.
　He was motivated to give it to the general for some reason, and I suspect mental manipulation through suggestion.
Have him examined by a surgeon.
I've already arranged that.

　Feng Gai looked at the letter again.

　The name of the country of Ciel-Teira had recently become familiar to Feng Gai.
　The forces of darkness have long since fallen into hiding, fearful of the great empire and the mighty black army.
　It had been a long time since a country had been plunged by demons, so it was quite a topic of conversation even in the distant Caenis Empire. Moreover, it was not an attack by the Demon King's army, but a princess who was killed in a political upheaval and turned into an undead and destroyed her own country.

　But that must have been an event in a distant land. I have no idea how such a thing came to Feng Gong's hands.

　The Blue Palm also presented Feng Gai with another letter in a gold gauze tube.

This one, which he carried with him, was ...... a letter of respect to the Emperor.
What's it say?
It's almost the same as the one addressed to the general. There is no curse on it.

　Fong Liang nodded his head.
　This is getting stranger and stranger.

Do you know what the Mountain Pass is about?
We've had some strange reports about that. ......
　Give me the distant view.

　The Blue Palm brings out a crystal ball with a supportive base, which he keeps in a corner of the room.
　After a few words of incantation, he placed it in front of Feng Gong.

　A view of the open air was reflected in the crystal ball.
　This is the perspective of looking down on the earth from above.
　This was one of the Blue Palm's specialties, sending a bird messenger with a magic tool to receive the image and project it.

　What I saw there was a dense forest with trees cut down in a straight line to form a path.
　And beyond that.
　And beyond that, the pitiful sight of the Ku Lhukaru Mountains, cut into such a way that you could walk straight through without having to climb.

"A walk over the Khul Khal Mountains: ......?
　No way!

　Feng Gong put on his reading glasses and looked into his crystal ball.
　In order to see the scene more clearly. He wanted to make sure that his eyes were not wandering.

Suddenly, around noon today, I saw the ......
　"At noon today, a rift, or rather a path, was suddenly ...... created in the mountain.
It seems strangely quiet.
There is no sign of any demons at all around the ...... path.

　The report was unbelievable, and Feng Gong tried desperately to figure out what was going on.

　He had thought about crossing the Cuu Lucar Mountains.
　But the conclusion was that he should not do so.

　Blazing a trail through the demon-filled jungles and rugged mountains.
　It's not impossible.
　But the thought of the cost makes me hesitant. It is no mean feat to build a path while battling the ever-present demons, and it is also difficult to maintain the path against the threat of demons.

　If the veins are left undisciplined, the birth of demons will accelerate.


　If we are going to stabilize the route over the mountains, we need to build at least one base city in the mountains. How much manpower and money will we need to devote to that?

　A further problem is the movement of the Holy Kingdom of Diretta. If we cross the mountain range, the Holy Kingdom of Diretta is at hand. If we start to build a road, Diretta will definitely be wary and take action.

　Even if we could overcome all these obstacles and build a road, would we be able to pass a large army safely? The road that is hard and steep for the humans is home ground for the demons. If you are unprotected, you will be attacked at once. For example, if you are climbing a cliff and a bird demon targets you from the air, there is nothing you can do.

　To add to that, this is not the right time.
　The Western Front, which the Shiro Army is in charge of, has fallen into a stalemate due to the dark activities of Noa Curio.
　The Kuro Army in the north attacked the Demon King's Army a few months ago, crushing the stronghold that was about to be built and killing two top-ranking demons, but in exchange, they lost Tamarashi, the swordswoman who was said to be the best swordswoman in the country, and they are still reeling. There are no signs of a reversal in the Demon Lord's army, but you never know when or how the demons will move.
　The situation in the country is not conducive to crossing the mountains or to a head-on collision with the Holy Kingdom of Diretta. If we mess up, it'll be a four-front operation.
　Instead, the Red Army should stabilize the occupied territories and then help the East and West.

　But...
　But...
　A completely unexpected event has just occurred.
　The stage of history was about to shift to a new phase.

"General, how can I help you ......?

　Qing Zhao asked with a stiff expression as if he was standing on the edge of a cliff.

　Feng Gong hesitated.
　The road over the mountain is not what I want.
　But isn't this a step into a bottomless pit?

　He hesitated only for a moment.
　There was no choice but to move forward. After all, the path already exists. What if the Diretta Holy Kingdom takes this road?

First to Sixth Squadrons, move out immediately!　Blue Palm, you're in command.
　Blue Palm, you're in command. But be aware of the possibility that this is some kind of trap and stay alert. It's the perfect terrain to ambush a large army. Stop the main force at the entrance to the jungle at once and never enter with more than necessary.
　If the road crosses the mountains, ...... secure it immediately!
　Mobilize the maximum number of people who can use earth magic and set up a Type-2 improvised outpost at the southern exit of the cut. As soon as possible!
"What?
And contact the Imperial City immediately. I'll speak directly with the Emperor or the Grand Commander.
　I don't care if the city's veins are empty, arrange for a direct distant line.
"Yes, sir!

　Feng Gong ordered Qing Palm as if he was stepping on a steel rose.

　As Qingzhao left the room, Feng Gong leaned back in his chair, feeling exhausted.
　The chair, which was made for humans, screamed and creaked unpleasantly under Feng's weight.

　In his crystal ball, he could still see the path of the Kulu Kal Mountains.

Am I dreaming?　Is this a good dream or a nightmare? ......

　He covered his face with his large hands and muttered, sorrowfully, disgustedly.