539 Episode 522: Cowardly Hands

"I'm sorry, Your Highness." We weren't able to break in. "

I see. It was impossible after all.

I knew it, right?

In the fort.

Lars, who was returning, asked strangely.

"Are you offended?I didn't think I could do it. Just press on with the mission. "

No, I simply didn't think it was His Highness.

"It's not like me... well, it was a bet."80% thought it was impossible. "

"If I wanted to withdraw 20%... I don't think the situation is so bad?"

I nod to Lars' words.

Indeed, Marcel swung it back out.

But my morale is back.Not only did I lose my siege weapon, I didn't have time to return.

"What do you think is the best course of action for the Duke's army in this situation?"

"Isn't that the best course of action... to destroy the noblemen outside?"

"No, it's an offensive." But Marcel never made that choice. No, I can't. "

Is it because you noticed that there's another reinforcement here?

"Yes, he's aware.Because I don't have Finne with me.There is only one destination.He might be turning his back on Rondine... but Rondine doesn't get threatened by the Kingdom.Unlike the Duchy of Albatro, which has no position to decide, Rondine is entirely pro-imperial.Hostilities only become more serious when we threaten them.That's why I'll take a different hand.However, no matter how you use your hands, it is difficult to suppress Rondine for a long time. "

It is a difficult task to limit the movement of a country for a long time.

There are men of high rank in the kingdom who seek to manipulate the king.

Whatever manipulates a person in a high office, the final decision rests with the king.

If we manipulate both, it's a takeover of the country.

If we hadn't moved a long time ago, we wouldn't be able to do that, and I don't think Marcel was leading the kingdom's plan before that.

Besides, I sent Finne and Sebastian over there.Whatever happens, it will move Rondine.

“Ambassador Marcel is stuck in time and can't do his best.Isn't that advantageous for us? "

"It's too good. That's why I bet.I thought it would be impossible, but if it succeeds, it will be great.He should retreat before the border troops arrive.I wanted you to take advantage of the confusion and slash it. "

"... that's it?"

"That's it. When it comes to strategy, when the Duke of Albatro enters the Empire, the Kingdom is a pinch."This is because the kingdom boasts an impressive fortress with a harbor.Once, the kingdom used the port to resupply the Duke of Albatross.That's why the Imperial Army, the main force in the Army, couldn't be dropped.We can't wait to do the same, so we want to bring the Duke of Albatro to our side.If we destroy the Royal Navy and attack from the sea, the fortress will fall. "

We need to break through that stronghold in order to bring down the King's City.

But the Empire alone cannot defeat them.

Drawing on the lessons of the past, we're on the move.

But...

“But it's an imperial strategy.From the kingdom's side, it would be nice if we could carry out the grand strategy of bringing the Duke of Albatro to our side and linking up with the Empire... but if we stop the Imperial Army at the border, we will have no problem if that strategy breaks down. "

If you defeat the Imperial army or weaken it greatly before it hits the stronghold, the Empire will not achieve its goals.

And Marcel has the strength to do just that.

Do you think Lord Leonardo will lose?

"I wanted to eliminate it because it is possible."But the bet didn't work.I can't help it. As far as Zeke was concerned, the Knightess of the Guard was a mighty man.Even if it was intruding, it was doubtful that it had been slashed.I'm glad I failed. "

"Is your Highness that much of a thinker... who is that Ambassador Marcel?"

As expected, perhaps the third prince of the kingdom, Anthem.

"Is that Prince Anthem!?" You think he's coming!? "

It's just a prediction.

I only told Lars to break in and slash if he had the chance.

Because it was uncertain information.

"I heard you've become the Commander-in-Chief... but you can't get out of bed because you're poisoned."This is a famous story, isn't it? "

But Prince Anthem is the most likely.

"But... is it something that suddenly gets up?"

“I don't know. All I know is that the ambassador who calls himself Marcel is incredibly capable.It was worth the bet. "

"Certainly... there are even rumors that the Prime Minister may have supported the prince of the kingdom because of his ability..."

“That's bullshit. No matter what, the Prime Minister cannot do it.There was a crown prince at the time.I'll never admit it to you. "

The Chancellor will not harm the prince of the kingdom on his own.

I should have talked to my father or my brother.There is no way to admit either.

One way or another, the Empire seems to be moving behind the scenes.

The Kingdom and the United Kingdom are at war, and if the Kingdom is weakened, the Empire moves.

That's where the Empire comes in. It is possible that you wanted to develop such a situation.

It doesn't matter now.

But if that Prince Anthem really is... I'm sure he'll settle this before the border troops arrive.

"I guess so. That's why I rushed to restore morale and silenced the nobles."As a person, I want to settle things right and square. "

"In that way, is there a way to settle things that are not fair?"

"I don't know if it's settled... but from the kingdom, as long as the Albatross isn't stable while fighting the Empire."Therefore, there is one way to create a stuck state.Reputation sucks. "

Can you prevent that?

"I can't, but if I do, it's the last time."The duke is cornered. It's not a difficult hand.Take the prince in the capital as hostage and bring him to the bargaining table.If I did that to Julio, who wasn't the opponent, I would admit my disadvantage, and eventually the defector would collapse.But I can buy you time. "

Not a good hand, but I can buy time.

Really last resort.

But now the border troops are about to move.

The last resort is approaching.

“Why doesn't Prince Ansem use his hand?Honestly, I don't know why we're fighting until we accept the time limit before the border troops arrive. ”

“There's probably one reason. I know you don't like your hands like that."

Yes?

"I don't think it's a clean habit to hate what others do, but I probably don't want to use that kind of hand myself.The only way to settle this with force is if you retreat to the capital, you will use your hand.I don't think you realize it, and you know it's hard to win a battle in this situation.Still, it's emotional to want to win the battle. ”

"You don't want to use your cowardly hands?"

"Cowardice is subjective."Some people are tactical, some people are cowardly.But taking the prince hostage and negotiating with him is cowardly in the eyes of most humans.The few who can say it is not cowardly.I don't know how you feel.I had a dirty surprise.I don't want to be one of them. "

After talking that far, I saw the Duke's army position outside the window.

All guessed so far.

But it wasn't too far without hitting it.

Instead of trying to win the battle by force, we'd better retreat to the capital.

Even so, they would like to win the battle because they essentially prefer martial arts skin or fairness.

"He's a horrible fellow. That means I'm confident that I'll be able to drop this fort in a short time."

I don't want you to fight Leo if you can.

But we don't have enough manpower to take them out.

I'm in trouble.