When the steel princess Vestaline appeared from a high class tavern, and the mercenaries that followed her crossed the street in a flock, the saint Mattia was relieved and patted her chest.

　She was relieved that her bystander, Lugis, did not follow her back. Rather, he was standing on the edge of the street, as if at a loss for words. Seeing this, Mattia felt a tickle in his heart.

　Yes, Lugis had followed his orders and not followed the mercenary's back. Yes, she must have. Excellent. It doesn't get any better than this.

　To hear Vestalinu, the Iron and Steel Princess, speak of rebellion against her lord is now stored in her guts. The mercenaries probably knew all that, and on top of that, they went to their deaths.

　Yes, the place of death. It must be the place they were headed. A mercenary and a lord's private army can't fight each other.

　Mercenaries are the last resort of farmers and merchants who are unable to earn their daily bread. Some of them may make a living as farmers, but only turn themselves into mercenaries during the off-season. In other words, the majority of mercenaries are just amateurs wielding weapons.

　However, a lord's private army is different. A private army is one that fights because it has to. They are not those who have no choice but to use the battlefield as a place to earn their living. They are the ones who choose to fight and risk their lives. A group that spends their days training, wielding spears and popping the plasma of their enemies, slamming shields and crushing their enemies to death.

　They're not exactly a bunch of mercenaries you can fight with. The Iron and Steel Princess's protégé may not be completely incompetent, but the end is still in sight. Unless there was something that could overturn that clear decision, the victory of the lord's side could not be overshadowed.

　Hence, Mattia is relieved. Mattia was relieved that Lugis had not plunged himself into such a dangerous and not-so-secure dead zone. That he had been wise above all else. My cheeks wavered.

　Yes, it must have been wise. At any rate, the two wheels of Belfain, Mordor-Gorn and Vestaline-Gorn, father and daughter, are working to drive their fangs into each other. As a heraldic religion, there is no need to disturb the scene any further. All we have to do is slowly watch as the land of Belle Fain itself crumbles beneath our feet. Only the best result could be obtained.

　So, thinking, Mattia stepped out from behind the street to call out to the back of Lugis, who was standing on a stick.

　I think you should praise him. You should praise him to the fullest. Praise him openly for his wisdom, for his deeds. Then I'm sure Lugis will make the right choice next time as well. Yes, more obedient to me, more receptive to my words.

　This is the kind of joy that makes your heart melt and almost burn. Mattia's cheeks crumpled with joy, and the voice he was supposed to use for Lugis almost had a hint of slackness in it.

　Mattia struggled to keep his emotions in check and opened his lips, keeping his expression and voice as even as possible.

　But Mattia's clear voice refused to escape from her throat.

"Mattia. What's the matter, I'm on schedule. Everything is in the palm of my hand, there are twists and turns, but in the end, everything goes according to the script, there's nothing to say.

　In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to take a look at the web site and find out more about it.

　I'm not sure what to say. Mattia blinked his eyelashes involuntarily.

　Lugis's face is tinged with a dark color that reminds you of night. Of course, the color of her face is not actually changing. But a slippery, sticky emotion that makes you feel that way has covered his face.

　And yet, and yet, only the eyes, the two eyes, continue to shine with a ferocious glow. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the best results.

　Mattia knows what that expression means. I've seen a similar expression a few times before. Her throat gulped down spit, and she felt her toes tremble as if in fear.

　Mattia," Lugis said again, as if calling out her name. But without waiting for Rougis' next words, Mattia opened his lips.

"Rougis, are you going to throw yourself into ...... another crisis? Are you going to throw the rope of reckless rescue?

　A voice leaked out, throat squeezing. It's not the kind of thing Mattia would let out in peacetime. It was as if the emotions that were just pouring out of her chest were being voiced out there.

　I was wrong to think that he was wise. Oh, it was just my mistake.

　Now Lugis was going to throw himself into the fight with those mercenaries. I don't know why or what his intentions are. But the expression on his face, the emotion on his face, is not the face of someone who has given up on something.

　In any case, even though everything should be over now, Lugis' eyes still shine with a dull glow, eloquently telling us that his will is still there.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

"Oh, come on, man. I'm supposed to be helping people. I told you, that's what I do in my spare time.

　And so, with a slight pout, Lugis continued his words. Mattia's eyes were distorted, but he was staring intently at the face of Rougis.

So this is just picking up where I left off. It's that simple. Bringing back a life or two from the battlefield, that's all.

　What's easy about it? What's easy about it? The path he's chosen is not a very wise one. It's not like he's choosing the right path. Rather, it is a foolish act of surrendering one's fate to the cries of one's emotions rather than to reason.



　And so, that way of life, that way of thinking, is incompatible with Mattia's beliefs.

　For Mattia, who has spent his life building up reason and calculation, Lugis' way of thinking is something to be avoided. It is not something that can be easily swallowed. Rather, she wanted to deny him head-on, to smash him to pieces, and even to crush him.

　Yeah, but that's not happening yet. Not yet, no.

　Even if she could hold Lugis back now, he would surely head for the battlefield. Mattia understands that all too well. That's who he is. You can try to talk to him, but he won't listen. He's got an unbreakable sword in his body.

　And besides, Mattia thinks. The way he saved and protected his own life in the walled city of Garou Amalia. It's not a wise or righteous way to live, Lugis. It's not as if Mattia could deny everything right now.

　That's why, isn't it? The words of rebellion were almost in Mattia's throat, but she couldn't bring herself to spit them out. Instead, she pointed her finger to the back road.

If we go to ...... now, we will only be swallowed by the vortex of the battlefield. Let's get a heraldic guide. Take the back roads and head for the battlefield.

　The way Lugis blinked his eyes, as if he was surprised, was a little comforting to Mattia. In the event that you've got a lot of money, you'll be able to take advantage of it.

"Listen, Lugis. I'm compromising out of respect for you. I have no choice - so make me a promise.

　You will return alive. And next time, swallow my words for once. When he heard those words, Lugis cowered lightly, said he was sorry and thanked him, and accepted Mattia's words. Yes, she accepted.

　Mattia felt his eyes almost shake violently. She swallowed her breath, desperately trying to keep her emotions and expression calm as she was about to collapse.

　This is good for now. If I don't keep it down to this level now, he'll rebel hard. Slowly and surely. I'll teach him the right way. That's fine. We'll do everything we can to make sure he gets out alive.

　Before disappearing down a back road, Lugis and Mattia have a brief conversation. What's in store for us after this? They talked about where they were going to put an end to all this.

　In the midst of this, Mattia suddenly opens his mouth. Who are you going to save again this time?

　Lugis averted his gaze for a moment and opened his mouth.

I've got a good friend over there.

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. You can even see a hint of annoyance in his expression.

I'm not sure what to say. For the sake of his family, he gave up his name, his happiness, and even his gender. He's a fool. Everyone has only their own happiness to wish for, you know.

　That was all Lugis had to say. She didn't say anything more, and Mattia let out a sigh and didn't ask any more.

　Really, you can't help it. You really can't help it. Mattia ended the conversation, blinked his eyes and watched Lugis' back as he disappeared down the back road.