“Is Iris here?”
After parting with the administrator, I returned the nobles and knights to the Third Army’s waiting area and walked along the outer wall towards Duke Flüge.
“I am here, good sir.”
As expected of a shadow, you’re always following me. Perhaps you were even by my side during guard duty.
“Investigate Duke Annelise Flüge. And gather all the Iris you can and summon them to the Royal Capital.”
“…”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Um… there are also those who desire… bodily fluid…”
“That’s right. Let’s do that after everyone is gathered.”
“Um… I too…”
“Ah, right. Let’s do that after I speak with Duke Flüge. If we can find a place, that is.”
“I’ll search for one immediately!”
The shadow vanished as if stepping into the light. Please investigate Duke Flüge before looking for a place. I wonder if “Fugen” and “Flüge” are truly the same.
The word “Fugen” is too short to be a name used in Harmonia. Place names like Lauenstein and Schreiaschwald are long, and so are personal names.
That’s why I wanted “Fugen” to be a weapon or armor. Then it would simply be a matter of using it.
But what if it were a person? If this Flüge is Fugen, how should I interact with him? In my faded memories from my past life, I can only recall the word “Fugen.”
Who is this Duke Flüge? Is he an enemy or an ally? I must consider that first. What if Fugen was a traitor in my past life? What if he was an agent of the Demon Lord, a demon? Did I kill him?
If he’s an ally. What if Duke Flüge holds the reins to ending the war? Will I protect him?
Perhaps… perhaps if she’s young, cute, has a good figure, and a good personality. Will we end up in bed together?
For now, I will meet him and learn about Duke Flüge directly. If he is a demon, I will cut him down on the spot. I gripped my secondhand short sword.
“I am Mikael Sin, commander of the Third Army of Schreiaschwald.”
The sense of unease I felt from the moment I started heading towards the Duke’s camp solidified into certainty when I met Annelise Flüge.
“I am Annelise Flüge. I welcome your participation in this campaign. Please do your utmost for Harmonia.”
Young! Late teens, or early twenties at best. Long black hair tied back, large, dark, expressive eyes. A slender build that suits her refined features. Seated behind the assembled knights, Lady Annelyse was like a wild peony. Fortunately, she wasn’t a busty woman. Her attitude didn’t seem arrogant either.
However, she’s too young to be a duke without peers. Was there some sort of family dispute? The number of knights in the camp was small for a duke, and it was strange for the Duke herself to set up camp outside the walls.
A duke would normally be near the King, or at least encamp within the walls. A duke on the front lines like this, I might have drawn the short straw rather than hit the jackpot.
“The Third Army will serve Lady Annelise diligently. However, I hear your numbers are small. Not even a full legion, perhaps only half of that.”
With Lady Annelyse at the front, a booming voice echoed from behind the knight’s corridor. He had a physique twice my size, and his white beard and battle-hardened demeanor suggested he was a veteran hero. Could this be the Knight Commander?
“Yes. The Third Army consists of about 120 remnants of Schreias’ forces. However, when I went to the administrator, I was told that about thirty nobles would be assigned to other units.”
“Damn it! This must be Himmel’s doing. To call it a legion but have only half the numbers, and then to further reduce them!”
Please don’t get angry at me with that booming voice. I’m just doing as I was told. The administrator decided on the numbers, so complain to them.
“Lemlbrook! Address him as Chancellor Himmel. …However, it is troublesome that we were to receive an entire legion.”
Lemlbrook bowed to the admonishing Lady Annelyse. Even though she’s a young Duke, her subordinates don’t seem to underestimate her. Does she have that much capability?
“What shall we do…?”
What are you looking at me for? Thinking is the commander’s job. Don’t look at me, you’ll make me fall for you.
“Regarding the nobles who were to be assigned to other units, they are all saying they want to remain in the Third Army. Some even say they’d rather die than go to other units. I will speak to the administrator myself.”
Looking into Lady Annelyse’s eyes, I blurted out something unnecessary. Why am I increasing my own workload? Negotiation is Christine’s specialty, and I’ll try to get through it with her help.
But Lady Annelyse has a strange charm. She’s not as beautiful as Christine. Her body isn’t as sensual as Sophia’s. She’s not as childish as Alana, nor as cute as Orietta.
She’s not as rough as the latter two, but what is this captivating charm? There’s something beyond mere appearance. She possesses a mysterious charm that can only be described as such.
“I look forward to working with you, Lord Shin. Please call me Annelise.”
“Understood, Anne-…”
“Duke Flüge! How dare a mere mercenary!”
Again with that booming voice, why are you yelling? She said I can call her Annelise, so it’s fine. Should I call her “Anne-chan” right in front of you?
“This mere mercenary has already requested reinforcements from the Keibeck Kingdom. The Ashtal Empire is also already heading this way.”
“What! What are you trying to do!”
Am I the type to add fuel to the fire? I didn’t intend to, but being called “a mere mercenary” struck a nerve.
We’ve been fighting continuously since the Nebel Bridge in Lauenstein. I understand the knights have been fighting, but weren’t mercenaries the main force?
Well, it’s true that asking for reinforcements from another country is an overreach of authority, but we don’t have time to wait. I hope you can overlook what I did as preparation.
“Everyone else, dismiss. Lemlbrook, Yuma Bashar, Fleet Helm, remain.”
The gazes of the knights who retreated, flanking me, were piercing. “He did something unnecessary,” is probably the correct interpretation. They must be ashamed of asking for help from another country.
The remaining knights are perhaps Lady Annelyse’s confidants. Lemlbrook, who appears to be the Knight Commander, with his sturdy build. Yuma Bashar, who is slender but tall. And Fleet Helm, who bowed when he was called.
Fleet Helm is not a knight. He’s by Lady Annelyse’s side, looking like a butler or an advisor. But the names of these people are also long. Did my hunch that “Fugen” and “Flüge” were the same turn out to be wrong?
“Let us hear the details.”
The four of us were left inside the tent, and I told them everything I could. The Demon Army’s power is immense, and Harmonia alone cannot compete. The Ashtal Empire is eager for war and has already dispatched its knights.
“The Ashtal Empire is also moving to help us…”
That emperor seems like a child who wants to play with dangerous toys, but the available military strength is significant. With the super-vibrating weapons and armor I provided to the Knight Order, they could even fight ogres one-on-one.
“However, I don’t know how far the negotiations with Rothfar have progressed. Going through the Keibeck Kingdom will take time. Moreover, depending on how the talks go, we might even end up in a battle with Rothfar.”
“To such an extent…”
I suspect they’re not on the same page. Lady Annelyse probably believes Rothfar will help Harmonia even if they clash, but that emperor seems eager to fight. Anyone will do as an opponent.
“I appreciate your efforts. Actually, I have also sent envoys to Rothfar and Keibeck, asking them to dispatch their Knight Order. It would be wonderful if the Ashtal Empire could lend us their strength as well.”
What, she’s an efficient woman. Or rather, Your Grace the Duke. If that’s the case, Keibeck might take action, and Rothfar might do the same.
I was wondering what to do about Rothfar, but I like people who get things done. I like them even more if they’re beautiful.
“However, His Majesty the King does not desire the dispatch of troops from other countries. Until an order comes from His Majesty, it will not be an official negotiation.”
First, I need to convince my direct superior. Are they communicating properly? Beneath a Duke is a King, you know. She may be beautiful, but she seems to lack assertiveness.
“How about you, Lady Annelise?”
“How dare you be so rude!”
Lemlbrook’s rebuke flew. His deep, resonant voice has a powerful low-frequency impact, and I envy it. If I could produce a voice like that, perhaps the White Lily Corps wouldn’t look down on me.
But this makes it clear. Annelise likely petitioned His Majesty the King countless times and was repeatedly refused. It’s not the only reason, of course, but setting up camp outside the walls is probably partly to get rid of us. We’re unlucky.
“My apologies. However, the three northern kingdoms alone cannot defeat the Demon Army. It is essential to involve the Ashtal Empire as well.”
“What are you saying! We can handle the Demon Lord with just Harmonia!”
This is a case of “words provoking words.” It’s a remark born from hurting Lemlbrook’s pride. He probably understands it intellectually, but he took it as a challenge.
“Lemlbrook! We need every bit of fighting power we can get right now. Do not blame Lord Shin.”
Lemlbrook seems to be hot-headed. I’ll have to be careful with my words from now on. Also, these two haven’t said anything since earlier. I’m particularly curious about Fleet Helm, who is next to Lady Annelyse.
He’s standing at attention just like the others, but there’s a killing intent in his eyes as he looks at me. Does he think I’ll make a move on Anne-chan? Do I look like that kind of frivolous man?
“Lord Shin, you are indeed a baron of the Ashtal Empire and the captain of the White Lily Corps, correct? That Annihilation Brigade one.”
“Y-yes.”
He suddenly changed the subject, so all I could say to Yuma Bashar’s question was “Yes.” Think about the flow of conversation a little more.
“That makes sense. I’ve heard of the White Lily Corps’ exploits. …My Princess, Ashtal has placed a considerable number of shadows in Harmonia. This baron might be one of them.”
Yuma Bashar drew his sword and aimed it at me. His quiet, tall figure, with long hair tied up unlike a typical knight… he’s probably popular.
Yuma Bashar, your mind works fast, but perhaps too fast? I’m an ally. Shall I show you what happens when you point a sword at an ally!
However, I stopped myself from reaching for my sword. A great killing intent assaulted me from deeper within.
