"What do you think, Old Salainio?　It's not a bad suggestion, in fact it's a good one.

　Accepting Tersalat's thin smile, Salainio rubbed his fingers over his wrinkled face.

　Like Anne, Salainio could not read Tersalat's true intentions. The words seem plausible and reasonable. If he could get Elyseald's support, he would be more than happy.

　But whether it was worth believing or not was another matter. And this was Salainio's rule of thumb. The path that others want to take is usually not a good one.

　Salainio's fingertips froze for a moment, as if in thought. His old eyes were trying to penetrate the tent and see farther.

　Was this really a coincidence? In between his words, the news came.

"Mr. Salainio. Report. What appears to be a herd of monsters is approaching. I think we need to mobilize.

　At the sight of the reporter, the people sitting at the tables in the Great Tent all looked up. Their gazes seemed to condemn the intruder's presence, and most of them complained.

　What a time to be here. The expressions on the faces of the seniors were tense, but they conveyed their feelings.

　But Salainio was different. He nodded at the report and leaned forward.

"Largd-an. My messenger. Disaster has struck, and I must take command. Let's pause for a moment and prepare the tents for the girls.

　Salainio claps his hands and gives orders to his soldiers and followers, and the place begins to move without a second thought.

　From that scene alone, it was easy to see that the army was moving around this old man. The one who had just tried to drive Anne and Tersarat away with sword and spear was now leading them with polite treatment.

　After a moment's pondering, Anne raised her shoulders and followed his lead. Her lips were still choked with her voice, but even so, there was nothing more they could say to each other at this moment.

　It was a good time for both of us to take a break and think. It was a kind of luck for both Salainio and Anne.

　No, actually, Anne didn't think it was luck. She just thought she'd gotten off on the right foot.

"Well, why. Why are you encouraging me, Master Tersarat?

　Anne said in a hushed voice as she was led down the path. Her gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. The way she spoke, with only a slight movement of her lips, did not look like she was speaking.

　Tersarat glanced at Anne, then quickly looked back. Her black gait made a sound. Tersarat also kept his gaze forward and said.

I told you so. Largd-an. It would not do to hold hands with a man who could not hold hands with a man who could.

　It was a typical Eyriezard thing to say. They believe in military might and rely only on their own body and strength. That is the people of this land. Everyone had to be strong if they wanted to survive in a nation covered in desert and still compete with other nations.

　Anne gave a small lick of her lips and bit her back teeth. She found her lips and mouth to be very dry. Once in the tent, Anne managed to open her heavy mouth.

　She let her words wander around in her mouth for a bit, then said, " I'm surprised.

...... I was surprised. I'm surprised that Elyseald can lie so easily.

　I kept my voice to a minimum, as I knew there would be people around who would want to eavesdrop. But Telsalat could certainly hear him.

　The air became slightly tense, tense with tension and pressure. Anne gave a small squeeze of her fingers.

　The people of Illyssarde believed in power and hated falsehood and vanity. People who talk too much or are not sincere are especially despised. They prefer the strength of honesty.

　Because of this character, diplomatic relations with other countries often ended up in acrimony.

　Therefore, the people of Illyssarde consider it a terrible disgrace to be known as liars and vain people. That's why people in Eerisaldo consider it a terrible disgrace to be considered a liar or a vain person.

　Anne's words would have been like kicking up the scales of the people of that country.

　Anne rolls her eyes and looks at Tersarat's face. Something must have changed in that face.

　Anne didn't think this was the best move, but she had no other choice. In hostile territory, she needed to know if Tersarat was truly a friend or a foe. Even if it meant taking some risks.

　The next moment. As Anne had hoped, Tersarat's expression fell. It was already a smile of refreshing vivacity. Her lips were open, her cheeks lifted.

"Mmm-hmm. That's not true, Largud-Anne. As far as Elyseald is concerned, one or two is only as powerful and valuable as one needs it to be. This is the truth.



　And you're much easier to control. Tersarat said, his hands on his hips, creating a long shadow. Her eyes, which had been so honest, now wavered a little.

　When Ann saw this, she let out a sigh in her mouth. Ah, such a troublesome person. This kind of person who has two sides to him is really troublesome.

　But in a way, it's just as well, Anne thought as she ground her heels into the ground. Elyseald had sent her as a messenger, a diplomat if you will. If she couldn't pull off a belly trick or two with an innocent face, she wasn't worth it.

　Tersarat looked into Anne's face from a great height and said.

But for me personally, I'd be more than happy to see one of them swallow the other and become a greater force. What do you think about that?

　Tersarat's big eyes pierced Anne. It was a gaze that looked right through Ann, trying to put a price tag on her. Is she worth using or not? Is she someone you can get your hands on or not? He was taking this opportunity to put a price tag on her.

　It wasn't pleasant for Anne, but it was familiar.

　She was blessed with a talent for negotiation, but she was not blessed with a physique. Being small compared to the average height, Anne was often treated with a certain amount of contempt. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it rarely works to her advantage.

　Therefore, in order to gain recognition, Ann has to lower her own price tag and promote her own value.

"...... Mr. Tel Sarat. I'm sure you'll be able to understand why Mr. Salainio took charge of the defeat of the beast and interrupted the scene.

　Tersarat's face relaxed as if he had been caught off guard by Ann's question. This is the kind of expression that people have when they are told something unexpected.

　It's the duty of the commander," Tersarat replied, muttering, his brow twisted in doubt. Anne shook her head in reply.

No, sir. No, no, it's for a much simpler reason - he's the only one in this army who can really lead the troops. Yes, I know him well. He used to be one of us.

　Anne said, no longer masking any hostility towards them, but rather letting it blossom. Her face was covered with an expression as if she were biting down on a bitter worm. Her gaze narrowed severely.

　Leading the troops, maintaining morale, giving orders. It's not as easy as it sounds. It is a job that can only be done by a person who has the ability to force people to believe in him, and who believes that his own judgment is the best.

　However, if all you had to do was to charge straight at the troops, it would have been possible. But you can't lead more than a thousand men with that.

"So. So this is the only thing I could do for heraldry. Yes, it is very painful.

　Anne didn't say anything else. But Tersarat had already received the words that would have followed.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Vestalynn let out a white breath as she looked down on the Great River of Augustus. She hid herself in the surrounding forest, not moving an inch, waiting for an opportunity.

　Sitting still like this, she couldn't help but feel her excitement subside. I used to have a commander next to me, Vestalines thought.

　As she lightly adjusted her stance, the armor she wore crunched. Suddenly, she heard a noise in the distance.

　I told the mercenaries I was leading to duck down and hold their breath. If a large group of people breathed in a mass, their white breath would be a telltale sign that there was a group of people there.

　This is the worst way to hide. Therefore, no matter how much the deadly snow ate away at me, I had no choice but to stay in hiding until the time came.

　I still can't bring myself to do it. Vestalinu's lips pursed under his helmet, his expression twisted into a grimace.

　Originally, Vestalinu was a man who liked to stand tall. He did not hide himself like this to accomplish anything. She does not like to have a sense of guilt creep into her heart.

　The Belle Fain mercenaries that he leads are those who prefer the flamboyant and the showy, and they don't like to work on the sly. In that sense, Vestalinu and the mercenaries were well-matched.

　But their days of hiding and sneaking around like this were over.

　Several monsters were running below them. Probably because they ransacked his hunting grounds. I could see from a distance that they were very angry.

　And then, as if in opposition to them, there was a group with soldiers. I could see them clearly. Vestalinu said to the mercenaries.

　--Well... I don't like it, but let's go destroy them. Show them the value of a Belle Fain mercenary.