Outside the tent, the rustling of the soldiers covered the air. Every time the sound of rustling struck my ears, I could see them trampling through the fallen leaves.

　The trees were old and lifeless, exposing their withered skin. It was a cold and pitiful sight. The sad time has come again. We won't be able to see the lush green trees for a while longer.

"It seems that Lugis has returned.

　The saint Mattia said in a heavy voice after hearing the surrounding soldiers making a commotion.

　The tone of her voice sounded strangely like it was given out of concern. The fingertips she moved to get up from her chair were also somewhat stiff.

　Shall I go and pick you up," Mattia said. As if to crush her words, the blue eyes on the other side of her gleamed.

I'm not done with you yet, Saint Mattia.

　Fin-Erdis, Queen of Gazalia, said as she lightly raised the tips of her well-groomed hair. The tone of her voice was very friendly, but her piercing eyes told us that she did not want to talk about anything easy.

　Erdis did not move his body, not even a little bit, even when Mattia sat up lightly.

　There was no way she could disregard the words of the leader of an allied nation. Mattia breathed out in his chest and took his seat again.

　The air was so heavy that it seemed as if heavy chains were entangled in it, covering the inside of the tent. The weight of the air was so heavy that it could be felt by both the heraldic and Gazarian soldiers guarding outside the tent. Everyone swallowed their saliva at the prospect of a meeting between these two parties.

　Not through a subordinate or a messenger, but the top of Monstrance and Hanging Gardens Gazalia are exchanging words alone. The words that spilled from their lips were far heavier than the iron swords held by their soldiers.

　Is it politics, or is it the current war?

I think it's a story that can't be further concluded here.

　Mattia's hard and sharp voice hit the tent. The way she looked at him, she seemed to be saying that she had said all she needed to say. But Elddis, on the other hand, wets her lips as if she has not said enough.

I'm just saying what I think is obvious.

　I think I'm stating the obvious," Erdis said before continuing. I'm not saying what I think I should be saying," Erdis said before adding, "but I'm saying what I think I should be saying.

"Gazalia's, no, my knight Lugis. It's time for him to be returned, that's all.

　I can promise you that Gazalia and heraldry will be friends for a long time. Mattia could see Erdis' blue eyes widen.

　It was as if she was saying that if she did not hand over Lugis, the current relationship would be shattered. Mattia made her bite her teeth together a few times so that Elddis would not notice.

　The Queen of Elves uses the word "long". It would carry more weight than the word of a human king.

　The elves were originally much closer to demons than humans, and their lifespan was countless years.

　Elves can say that a human life is short without hesitation. When they say long, they are referring to hundreds of years.

　In all honesty, to Mattia, the promise has a crazy appeal. Gazalia is one of the few places where the heraldry can form alliances, but more importantly, the elves are a race with their own state.

　The walled city of Galuamaria, the mercenary city of Belle Fain. It's not that they're not good at what they do. A single misfortune may cause them to lose everything they have gained. The heraldry is still such a fragile existence.

　However, if Gazalia remains a friendly ally, the heraldists will have a place to turn to in case of emergency. The nation of Ghazalia, the Hanging Gardens, may become a temporary refuge for the heraldry.

　Such calm calculation touched Mattia's mind. Her lips became wet.

"Soon, the cold season, the age of dead snow. The age of sunshine, when we can enjoy life to the fullest, will sleep. When that happens, we won't be able to keep our troops on the move forever.

　That's why we should make an agreement on which side of the force Lugis will be incorporated into before that happens, Elddis said with the strength of a queen in her gaze.

　Mattia's fingertips jumped. Elddis's words are unquestionably correct. Now Lugis is floating in the air. He is the gold of heraldry, his own hero, but also a knight of the Hanging Gardens of Gazalia.

　He is the gold of heraldry, his own hero, and also a knight of the Hanging Gardens of Gazalia. This is fine as long as the heraldry and Gazalia are allied and their armies are overlapping. He is the one who will make the soldiers interact with each other and reduce the barriers between races.

　However, this will not be the case in the cold and deadly snow.

　Just as the Great Patriarchs have withdrawn their armies, Mattia and Erdis will need to withdraw their forces while maintaining their strength. If they don't, they will be buried under the snow and their lives will be lost. The damage from hexenbiests will be even greater than before.

　Where will Lugis be when that happens? That was the key point of this meeting. Garou Amalia, home of the heraldry. Or the Hanging Gardens of Ghazalia? In the end, who does he belong to? We can't just leave him floating in the air forever.

　This matter must be settled now, Erdis said. Her cheeks seem to be smiling softly, but her eyes and lips are tight. It was as if she was forcing an expression onto her face.

　Mattia blinked a few times at Erdis' words and tried to formulate his words.

　If you think about it rationally, the answer seems obvious. There could be no other answer. For a moment, a corner of her heart tingled, wondering if that was the right thing to do, but she had no choice. The worship of knowledge and reason. That is the primary nature of heraldry. I've already given you my answer.



　Then it's up to you to follow it. Mattia said, in a breathy manner.

"Finn-Erdis. I don't disagree with what you're saying. We should get rid of this source of anxiety as soon as possible. Then I have my answer.

　With the madness of faith in her eyes, Mattia said.

"As the saint of the heraldry, let me make it clear that our Golden Rougis remains the hero of the heraldry. I told you, no other conclusion is to be shown.

　I'm sure you've heard of it. Faith and reason, as well as intellect and emotion, were all packed into her voice, and Mattia's voice echoed through the tent. It was as if to say that there was no other way.

　Erdis's cheeks fluttered in amusement at the sound of her voice. Her blue eyes weren't smiling at all, though.

"Well. Then I, Finn, Queen of Hanging Gardens Ghazalia, will say this: Lugis is Ghazalia's, and therefore my, knight. That position will never be compromised.

　All of the oppressive air in the tent turned to heat. The air, which should have been dry, began to take on a strange viscosity.

　The first corner of both eyes flared up and a terrifying flame appeared. The two flames gradually intensified their power in an attempt to dissipate the other's heat.

　Erdis's voice, crawling on the ground, pierced the tent. It was the voice that gave the orders to the surrounding soldiers.

"Get me Archivist Reichow. Tell him to bring me the parchment right now.

　Mattia also said, as if in tune with it.

"Yes, every word is true. Let there be a record of it.

　Their voices were heavy and infinitely firm. But oddly enough, their cheeks had a kind of seductive smile on them.