CH 138

Division of roles

***---***

When I woke up, the chairman and Manon were gone.

Ahh, where are my angels ...?

"Hmm ... Come to think of it, they just went back to work ..."

In the end, I took a long nap until the sun began to set.

However, thanks to that, I felt that the dullness that remained in the core of my body had disappeared.

"Hmm ... Thank you, everyone."

Even though it was a sunny place, the temperature was such that you would catch a cold if you lie down alone, but thanks to Mart-tachi and Nero, it was warm.

I stroked Mart and the others in turn, and finally also stroked Nero behind its ears, and then started moving.

[ Kent-sama, are you heading to Lastock? ]

"Yeah, I have to tell Camilla and Count Gleisner about Havre Calvine."

[ I'm sure they'll be surprised. ]

"I don't know, I feel like the Count predicted it."

Count Gleisner said that after his meeting with Camilla, he would remain at the Lastock garrison for a while.

It seemed that he would move the forces of the former Second Prince faction to the garrison in Lastock to prepare for a maximum outbreak.

As for me, if the monsters rushed Volzard and Lastock like last time, I would be short of hands, so I was grateful for that measure.

Or rather, since Camilla first asked for support, this situation had to be created.

When I moved to Lastock, the royal guards had already started building a defensive position.

After that, if the military strength increased, they should be able to build the originally planned defense system using the river.

It seemed to be a two-pronged approach of laying out the first line of defense using reinforced river-walls, and if they couldn't be stopped there, they would stay in the fort and fight.

Meanwhile, the inhabitants of Lastock were busy rebuilding their city, which had been ravaged by Orcs.

The residents were hurt by the stone-throwing, and the town where the residents had evacuated from was flooded with an avalanche of Orcs, causing damage to the buildings.

Some of them were standing dumbfounded, like Marcel-san when his store burnt down.

If you're alive, you can start over ... It's not that easy.

Besides, the monster attack didn't necessarily end this time, so they seemed to be wondering it it's okay to rebuild.

The figure of Count Zephalos Gleisner was in Camilla's office.

In addition, Oswald, the captain of the Royal Guard who was with the Third Prince Christoph and Levic.

Apparently, those three would coordinate with Camilla, and Walter Gleisner and Nathan, who was with the Second Prince, would take command on the spot.

From the table where they were exchanging opinions over a map of Lastock, I stepped out and called out to them.

"The First Prince faction left the suburbs of Lauf this morning."

"Oh, hey there Maou-dono, you're really showing up at your leisure."

Zephalos looked at me like a child who found a new toy, but I have no intention of playing with him.

This Ossan's pursuit is tiring because he's persistent.

"The First Prince's faction has left no forces to hold back Barshania, and is advancing all of its forces east."

"What, is that true?"

"Unfortunately, it's true, and Havre Calvine has also moved."

"Hmm, from that tone of voice, it seems that Havre moved after learning about Alphonse-sama's movements."

"It seems that the time and date of departure was decided as of yesterday, so it must have been found out and obtained in some way."

"But, isn't it a little too late for Havre to move? Considering the distance from Calvine's territory, the timing will not be in time for the originally planned decisive battle with the First Prince's faction."

"It seems that Havre didn't intend to take credit from the beginning by arriving late in order not to lose his troops in the decisive battle between the First Prince and the Second Prince."

Hearing my words, Zephalos wrinkled his eyebrows in suspicion.

"He's not going to take credit? That ambitious man?"

"That's right, he's planning to get something bigger than credit."

"Something bigger than credit ...?"

Zephalos gave Levic and Oswald a glance, as if Havre's purpose hadn't occurred to him.

Levic shook his head slightly, and Oswald let his gaze wander in the air for a moment before turning to me.

"Is Margrave Calvine thinking of taking over the country?"

"That's right."

When I affirmed Oswald's words, the others raised their voices in surprise.

"Maou-sama, is that true?"

"No, no matter how much it's Havre, such a reckless thing is ..."

"Is he going to let the two factions crush each other and attack them when they're tired?"

"Havre Calvine has made a secret pact with Barshania, and intends to jointly attack the First Prince's faction and the Second Prince's faction."

"What!"

Oswald was also surprised when he heard about the collaboration with Barshania.

When I told him that Barshania had somehow been informed that the First Prince's faction had turned their entire army to the east, Zephalos made a bitter expression.

"Maou-dono, this time, the fact that the First Prince faction has sent the entire army east is probably the result of Havre pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"Then, is there someone in the First Prince faction who is cooperating with Havre?"

"I don't have solid evidence, but even though it's a decisive battle for the throne, it feels strange to abandon preparations for other countries."

Oswald nodded in agreement with Zephalos' words, and then voiced his unease.

"Count, wouldn't that be a bit bad? It would be fine if the fast horse from here arrived and Alphonse-sama could make a decision to return on the spot, but if Camilla-sama's personal letter is not believed, he would continue eastward. In that case, we will be attacked by Barshania."

"That's right ... Considering the circumstances so far, the possibility of such a situation is high ..."

"That being said, if we send our troops, it could be taken as a showdown."

After hearing Oswald's guess, everyone who was present had a sad look on their face, and then Camilla turned her gaze to me appealingly.

"Maou-sama ..."

"Yes, yes, it would be fine if I stop Barshania."

You're really rough with people, it's outrageous.

"Will it be enough with just Maou-dono's forces? If Barshania were to attack, they would probably pour in a considerable amount of fighting power."

"The last time I checked, they were training with about 15,000 soldiers. If they actually come to attack, they'll probably add more."

"Training with 15,000 people? Then, wouldn't it be dangerous even if Alphonse-sama's power returned?"

"Hmm ... It's probably fine. All of my genus are strong, so all I have to do is get them to go back to Barshania."

Actually, I don't think that my genus, who can move around unexpectedly, will fall behind the Barshanian soldiers, but Oswald didn't seem to trust them.

"Hey, Maou, is your force really that strong?"

"They have annihilated a herd of around 200 Minotaurs without any injuries, but is that enough?"

"Umu ... But, when it comes to dealing with over 10,000 soldiers ..."

"There were more than 10,000 Orcs the other day, and if it's the Barshanian soldiers, if they judge that there is no chance of victory or the risk is too great, they'll withdraw."

I have no intention of slaughtering all 15,000 soldiers.

I'm planning to harass them in a clever way and then send them home.

"Then, Maou, are you going to deal with Barshania alone?"

"Of course, I'll be the only one to deal with them. I mean, is there anyone else who can do it? If the First Prince's faction doesn't return, there won't be anyone else to fight."

My genus and I can head to the border of Barshania by shadow movement, but if Oswald and the others try to go there, they will have to overtake the First Prince's faction.

While Oswald and Zephalos frowned involuntarily, Camilla stood up and knelt in front of me.

"Maou-sama, please lend me your strength to protect Resenburg."

Behind Camilla, Levic with a sour expression also knelt down, while Zephalos and Oswald unintentionally looked at each other and seemed lost.

"Ah, you don't have to overdo it. Camilla-tachi caused quite a bit of trouble, but it has nothing to do with the Count or the Knights of the Royal Guard. Besides, I won't be able to rest until the Resenburg mess is over ..."

It was a strange situation for the Count, who could be said to be the retainer, to be sitting while the royal family was kneeling, but I had no intention of forcing him to kneel.

Unnecessary resentment ... I may have already bought it, but I don't intend to increase it.

"I'll take care of Barshania. In exchange, I'd like you to take care of the First Prince and Havre Calvine."

"It's fine ... Or rather, that's our job."

Oswald nodded in agreement with Zephalos' strong assertion.

In the first place, the problem with the First Prince and Havre Calvine was a domestic problem in Resenburg, and if you think about the future, Camilla would have to demonstrate leadership.

"Probably, Havre is also working to cut down on the amount of nobles. Camilla-sama, let's work not only on faction nobles, but also on first-generation nobles."

"Are you going to offer funding?"

"No, it's not that. Let us know the current situation and get support for Camilla-sama."

"Even if you say that you will get their support, I have no way of rewarding them."

"I don't think there's a need for such a thing. Excuse me, but the behavior of the male royal family has been passed down to this generation of nobles. Just telling them that Camilla-sama will take the place of Bernst-sama and do her best for Resenburg should be enough to gain the support of this generation of nobles."

Lifetime nobles are those who have acquired the status of nobility with money, and most of them are those who have built up their fortunes through business.

Their status as a noble cannot be passed on to their descendants, but their property will naturally be inherited.

When thinking about their own business, if they thought who would be convenient for them to have assume the throne, they would prefer Camilla, who turned her attention to the people, rather than Alphonse, who had continued to neglect desertification.

The question was what kind of move Havre Calvine would take.

Since he owned a mine, he was well versed in business, and might offer attractive prospects to lifetime nobles, many of whom were merchants.

What was the degree of support for the royal family in Resenburg, how popular was Camilla among them, and how much support was likely to be obtained if Havre advocated taking over the kingdom ... I couldn't read it because I hadn't been in this world for a long time.

"I don't have the power to spread support for Camilla. Also, after Havre gave the Princes a bloodbath, he would make Camilla his own and take over the country ... He said something like that."

At my words, Camilla raised her well-shaped eyebrows and asserted.

"I have no intention of giving myself to a man like that!"

"It must be a sign that Havre is also relying on Camilla-sama's popularity."

Zephalos was right, and if he could make Camilla, who belonged to the royal family, his wife, he could justify the takeover.

"This body, every single drop of blood and every single piece of bone, is something that I have offered to Maou-sama ... Such a thing as becoming another man's property ..."

"Y, yeah ... That story is after the apology and compensation are all done ..."

"I understand ..."

Camilla puffed her cheeks and gave me a resentful look ... It's kind of cute, damn it.

But, it's not the time to grin.

"It's related to the apology and compensation, but one of my female classmates committed suicide."

"Eh, that's ..."

When I talked about Sekiguchi-san's suicide, Camilla looked down with a sorrowful expression.

"Fifty people with this ... Will I be able to make amends?"

"By giving the video from the other day and the magic stones and horns, it was supposed to move forward a little, but I can only say that it has fallen back greatly."

Zephalos asked since he couldn't bear to see the depressed Camilla.

"Maou-dono, if Camilla-sama's sins could be covered by Bernst-sama ..."

"It's impossible. Two hundred classmates and teachers in Volzard would testify that Camilla was the leader, and there should be some who have already written letters to their families about the summoning."

"Then, is there any other way to proceed with the compensation as soon as possible?"

"That will happen. For the time being, I will inform you of the information I have obtained regarding the movements of the First Prince faction and Havre, so please make good use of it to settle the internal conflict."

I would deal with Barshania, and Camilla and the others would deal with Alphonse and Havre, so I should return to Volzard.

When I tried to enter the shadows to move, I was approached by Fred, who I had asked to scout Barshania.

[ Kent-sama ... Emperor Barshania has come to the border ... ]

"Have they heard the news yet?"

[ That's unknown ... But about 20,000 soldiers are with him ... ]

"They're totally going to attack."

[ There is almost no doubt ... ]

The Emperor of Barshania, Constant Liforos, was still in his fifties and was a muscular and mighty man, and he was also a magician who could use wind-attribute magic.

According to rumors that Fred heard, even after taking over the throne in his mid-twenties, he had the patience to tour around the country and listen to the voices of the people, and the harshness that would not tolerate injustice and corruption. I was told that he was said to be a virtuous ruler who would leave his name in later history.

"Somehow ... I feel like it would be better to be conquered by Barshania."

[ Buhahaha, if you compare it with the current Resenburg royal family, it can't be helped that Kent-sama would think so. ]

"Well ... Should we just let them pass without doing anything?"

[ Kent-sama, I understand how you feel, but if Barshania goes through, blood will surely flow, and the weak will suffer. ]

"That's right ... It's no good to hurt innocent people."

If the rights could be handed over without war, like a bloodless surrender, I think it would be better to leave it to the royal family of Barshania, but there's no way the nobles who have their rights threatened won't resist.

[ Then, Kent-sama, how will you repel Barshania? ]

"Yeah, it's basically harassment."

[ You want to harass rather than fight? ]

[ What about the rain of death ...? ]

"I won't be using that, it's sealed! Besides, even the soldiers of Barshania have families, and if we drastically reduce their military strength here, they'll be even more unprepared for the western country."

According to Klaus-san, there was a war going on between the countries further west of Barshania.

It would be nice if the war stopped there, but if the invasion were to go further east, Barshania might also be caught up in the war.

If Barshania were to be easily defeated, then Resenburg would be next, and then ... Then it wouldn't be possible.

[ In other words, Kent-sama will repel Barshania without reducing their military strength in order to prepare for the west ... Is that right? ]

"Yeah, that's what I mean."

[ However, will Barshania back off just by being harassed? ]

[ Prepare a lot of ribbons ...? ]

"Ahahaha ... It's hard to do that to 35,000 people, so I won't do it, but I guess that's the basic idea ..."

Reinhardt and Fred looked at each other and tilted their heads, but I intend to mobilize all the knowledge I have cultivated through manga and anime in order to repel Barshania.

"First of all, let's go back to Volzard and have a meal, and then go scout out Barshania."

[ That's right. You can't plan an strategy without actually seeing the opponent. ]

[ Besides, Barshania ... Doesn't expect to be attacked ... They'll let their guard down ... ]

That's right. Barshania must be trying to outwit Resenburg, but they don't know what's going on, and I don't think they'll be able to take the initiative.

That's probably our greatest strength, and they shouldn't even know who we really are.

I don't hold any grudges against Barshania, but I'll let them know.

After returning to the boarding house and enjoying dinner with Amanda-san, Meline-san, and Meisa-chan, and finishing Meisa-chan's arithmetic homework, we were off to Barshania.

That's what I thought, but when I asked Mart to stay at home and I was about to go out, Meisa-chan was in a bad mood.

"Mou, Kent is going to do bad things again!"

"Again, Meisa-chan says something scandalous ..."

"You're going to collapse because you don't sleep properly at night."

"Guu, I, I didn't fall down, I just couldn't stay up for a while."

"You shouldn't stay up late saying that."

"Yes, yes, I'm just going over for a bit, and you'll have Mart to take care of you, so it's fine. Or is Meisa-chan unable to sleep because she's lonely without me?"

"Th, that's not the case! As long as Mofumofu is here, it'll be fine!"

"Yeah, don't forget to go to the bathroom so you don't wet the bed."

"Kiiii! I won't do it! I won't wet the bed!"

I left the angry, pouting, Meisa-chan and moved to Barshania under Fred's guidance.

Now then, I guess I'll take a peek at the Imperial Family.