Chapter 65: Meaninglessly long confrontation of armies

"O~~~hoho! I'm Honorable Associate Baron Katharina von Waigel who is called the best of the West. I challenge you magicians of the Browig household to a duel with magic!" (Katharina)

Early morning of the next day after we accepted Klaus' plan, just right at the halfway point between the two armies facing each other, Katharina made an oath while laughing loudly.

It was the start of the strategy to cause damage to the Margrave Browig household's wallet according to Klaus' suggestion. Though I call it like that, it's not such a complicated strategy either.

The one-on-one battles between fellow young knights will soon run out of personnel to be used for those. So this time we just changed it to magic.

"Katharina looks happy." (Wendelin)

"It's a chance to gain fame after all." (Burkhart)

She succeeded in the revival of the Waigel household, but she is likely looking at the future prospects.

By doing one-on-one fights with magic, she tried to obtain military exploits and income by herself.

A dispute of this scale is rare. Gaining military exploits in this kind of place is connected to the honour of a noble.

Even if it's a woman, there's no difference in that matter.

No, in fact there is, but since she herself is a magician, who are exceptions as they are few in numbers, it will count as military exploit if she defeats a magician as opponent.

This was a loophole that used the fact that the number of magicians is few.

However, it's also wrong to forget the irrational aspect that in the case the female magician isn't a noble, she won't be able to become a noble and can only receive honour and money.

There are big restrictions for woman to move up in society in this country after all.

"The ransom for magicians is high, right?" (???)

"It seems so." (???)

The amount of ransom changes according to the social standing of the caught party.

And there is another criterion. For a magician, and even more so for a high-ranking one, the amount of ransom rises sharply.

Klaus plan, simply put, was that we wanted Katharina to capture a magician of Browig's camp.

"Isn't it possible that the other side won't come out?" (Ina)

Ina's concern was reasonable, but the wicked part of this plan was that we actually wouldn't even mind that happening.

"The good aspect of a dispute like this is that it will be a great disgrace if no one appears once being challenged to a duel by the other side." (Klaus)

Although being nobles, they didn't reply to the challenge of their opponents.

For what reason are they preparing troops regularly then?

It seems that they will be ridiculed by their surroundings.

"But, you know. As there are no absolutes in such situations, isn't it possible that a magician, who is stronger than Katharina, appears?" (Wendelin)

"I can't fully deny that, but for the time being it will be alright, I think." (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san said so before, but currently the East is lacking excellent magicians.

"Therefore there shouldn't be a magician who could threaten Katharina-sama." Klaus explained.

"That's right. The good part is that the employed magicians of the Margrave Browig household are at intermediate level. If they had employed an outstanding magician from outside, information about that should have reached master. If she doesn't make quite a blunder, Katharina-jou-chan won't loose." (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san seems to have the same opinion as Klaus.

For an intermediate levelled magician to win against one of advanced level they have to skilfully hit the weak points or bet on a surprise attack for example, but that's difficult if it isn't a veteran who accumulated plenty of battle experience.

Moreover, those kind of strategies mostly don't pass at one-on-one fights with a "Ni~ce bam!" like this time.

The way of casting lots of simple and powerful spells is overwhelmingly predominant.

"I shall take you up on that duel! I'm the head magician of the Margrave Browig household. Bianko Rocker, the "Squall"." (Bianko)

A single magician from Browig's camp introduces himself due to Katharina's challenge.

His age is around 40 years, I guess?

The robed middle-aged man you can find anywhere squares off against Katharina while preparing his wand.

"Huh?" (Wendelin)

"What's wrong, Earl-sama?" (???)

"That person, with such a terrible..." (Wendelin)

Saying it like this might be rude, but compared to Burkhart-san, who is likewise an employed head magician, he felt remarkably inferior in ability.

"That place is compensating with numbers after all." (Burkhart)

Since there hasn't appeared any excellent magicians in the East for a while now, the Margrave Browig household has failed at hiring a magician possessing an advanced level of mana.

Accordingly it's no more than assigning the person, who can skilfully lead the others, or the one most senior among the many intermediate magicians as temporary head.

"Meaning he wasn't appointed as head magician due to having overwhelming ability like Burkhart-sama?" (Elise)

"That's how it is." (Burkhart)

Elise asks while handing tea to Burkhart-san and he answers while taking a sip of the tea.

The confrontation of both armies, which was controlled by one-on-one fights, is basically a battle with plenty of free time.

Therefore, besides us, all of our allied nobles are drinking tea, eating the sweets on the tables and are watching the situation while sitting in the chairs at their own encampments.

Currently the time is exactly 10 o'clock in the morning. It had the feeling of what would be called a morning snack on earth.

"Can that magician of Browig's camp win against Katharina?" (Erwin)

"No, he can't."

"If that's the case, why has he come out?" (Erwin)

From Eru's viewpoint, he apparently can't understand well why the head magician accepted the duel if he can't win. However, I believe it's only natural for him to make an appearance if seen from the viewpoint of a noble.

Putting aside the outcome of the duel, something like not answering to the request for a duel by the opponent will be more disgraceful than losing to Browig's camp.

"Come at me, it's a regular duel!" (Bianko)

After both of them introduced themselves, the duel between Katharina and "Squall" begins.

"Squall" takes the initiative, produces two tornadoes with magic from both his arms and releases them at Katharina.

The part of creating two tornado spells at the same time from both hands can be expected of a skilled magician, I thought.

"However... With Katharina as opponent, that level of wind magic is..." (Wendelin)

Katharina immediately deploys a tornado around her and negates the tornadoes released at her by "Squall".

"There's still much more to come!" (Blanko)

Next "Squall" continues to release tornadoes with both arms, but all of them are repelled by the tornado Katharina has deployed around her.

"I guess you saw it. In such duels only the power of the spell and the amount of mana decides the outcome."

"Only, you say?"

"Right. Other factors don't play a role!"

In the end "Squall", who used up his mana by continuing to release a series of tornadoes, gives up. This duel has finished.

He surrendered and gave his wand to Katharina.

"Likewise, I'm Roy Zalnier, the "Flame Whip", employed by the Browig household. I challenge you to a regular duel!" (Roy)

Next Katharina begins to fight with a 30-years old magician who can be considered to be of intermediate level and calls himself [Flame Whip].

He used flame whips in both hands, as expected, and started to attack Katharina by swinging them alternately.

The flame whips swoop down on Katharina with various timings.

Once Katharina defends against a hit from the front, an attack from right behind her comes at the same time.

Next, if she defends against attacks from her blind spot, the flame whip approaches at the same spot once again right away.

[Flame Whip] has properly researched and trained this spell and has made it his own.

"But, well..." (Burkhart)

"Eeh? Isn't he amazing?" (Wendelin)

"[Flame Whip] won't have chance if he fights in these conditions." (Burkhart)

As a matter of fact, those skilful attacks, which used continuous hits and feints with the flame whips, were completely warded off by the water wall Katharina has cast.

No matter from where he attacks, he can't break through the water wall. They were just fruitlessly raising water vapour with an evaporation sound of "sizzling".

"The magic of the fire attribute used by [Flame Whip] is his strongest attribute as it was mastered through long training. On the other hand Katharina-jou-chan belongs to the category of being bad at the water attribute." (Burkhart)

Nevertheless Katharina's water attribute is superior in regards to its power.

This is the wall between intermediate and advanced level that can't be exceeded at all.

"He isn't that different in strength to "Squall" from before. It's evidence that the Margrave Browig household keeps employing several intermediate levelled magicians."

After a few minutes [Flame Whip] ended up getting surrounded by a water wall deployed by Katharina as counter-attack and surrendered after throwing his wand away.

"Did you see my ability?" (Katharina)

Katharina returns together with the two magicians of the Browig household who became prisoners while having a proud expression.

Next other magicians began their duels in the place where she fought.

There were still several employed magicians who belonged to either the Browig household or the Breithilde household.

Usually it's prohibited as it's pointless to use magic for something like duels, but in such time of war it's allowed as an exception.

Because they are able to obtain honour and rewards if they win, there were many magicians challenging to duels as it's only allowed in such place.

* * *

"You didn't have any troubles." (Luise)

"Luise-san, it might be enjoyable for people who are looking forward to troubles, but for me that intolerable..." (Katharina)

"How to call it? It wasn't dangerous at all." (Luise)

"It's that kind of duel after all." (Katharina)

Luise begins to talk with Katharina, who came back, while passing her some tea.

"In combat there's also the matter of losing if you are suddenly hit in a weak point, even as advanced level, but..." (Wendelin)

Since one fights after a signal facing the opponent from the front in this kind of formal duels, it's natural for the ones with strong magic power winning most of the times.

Rather you could even say that Katharina's victories were inevitable.

"Taking by surprise is a good move." (Ina)

"In actual combat that's how it is, however these are one-on-one fights where you wager your honor." (Katharina)

If you did something like a surprise attack in such one-on-one fight, it would result in you being treated as coward or similar. "Since that's the case, I would rather not suffer that." Katharina explained to Ina.

"Hey, won't Burkhart-san and Vel go for it?" (Luise)

"I will pass." (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san is the head of the employed magicians of the Margrave Breithilde household.

Seeing that the current Browig household doesn't have a magician who could win against him, it's necessary for him to yield the privilege to hold duels to those below.

"In the first place, what's the point of me winning in this now?" (Burkhart)

If it's achievements and honour, Burkhart-san has already obtained plenty of those.

As there's no reason to especially fight against magicians who are of intermediate level and below, he will only get hated if he considered stealing the chances of the people below him.

"It's the same for Vel as well, huh..." (Erwin)

My achievements are plenty already. We have caught nobles, main retainers and soldiers of more than 40 household in this time's battle.

It's to the extent that I have been told, "It's fine for you to rest now." by Breithilde.

"What about doushi?" (Erwin)

"There's no way he will come here, right?" (Wendelin)

It will become troublesome if the Royal Head Magician appears at a dispute between nobles of the East and South.

Despite that, I can fully understand Eru's question. If it's that person, I couldn't deny the possibility of him coming to participate in the duels since it seems to be fun.

"Besides, the Browig household's side will cry." (Wendelin)

Given that he should naturally join our side as we are his acquaintances if doushi comes, the balance of war potential will shift into hopelessness and it will likely become terrible in that case.

"Umm, Wendelin-san, what's my reward?" (Katharina)

"There isn't any." (Wendelin)

"Why!?" (Katharina)

"Wai-! You are a noble as well, right!?" (Wendelin)

Katharina's current position is that of the female family head of the Waigel household which are relatives of the Earl Baumeister household. She participated in the battle in accordance to Margrave Breithilde's request.

Although she can't send troops, she serves by raising achievements and helping out as excellent magician.

"The nobles, soldiers and magician caught by you will turn into profit due to the ransom, Katharina. It would be weird if you got a reward from me." (Wendelin)

"Now that you mention it, that's true..." (Katharina)

Even though she became the family head of a noble household, albeit temporarily, Katharina had somehow a weak awareness of that.

"Aren't there many on the side of ransoms that lack an outline in some parts? As for the negotiations, it will be fine if we leave it to Heinz' son who is acting as governor." (Wendelin)

"That's true! I will contact him right away!" (Katharina)

Knowing that increasing the money will make it possible to put it in the development of the Associate Baron Waigel household's territory, Katharina began to drink her tea in a good mood.

"Katharina has it nice. I wanted to try the one-on-one battles, too." (Luise)

"Vel-sama, I want to fight as well." (Wilma)

"This is a battlefield, therefore it's basically not allowed for a woman to participate." (Ina)

Wilma and Luise, who haven't done anything but being on cooking duty and training in the current dispute, have started to say that they also want to fight.

However, they were rebuked by Ina since it's of course impossible.

"Before that even matters, for the guys, who would fight with Luise-jou-chan and Wilma-jou-chan, it will probably end in a disaster." (Burkhart)

As Burkhart-san has said, if a grown man was to be utterly defeated in combat with Luise and Wilma, who can't be regarded as anything but children, in the unlikely event they were allowed to fight, that person will have a fatal stain on his personal history as knight and noble.

Or rather, if you consider the abilities of Luise and Wilma, it will end with an utter defeat almost without any doubt.

"How about making an appearance after disguising myself as man?" (Luise)

"Luise, that's a great idea." (Wilma)

"Please stop it. It will be pitiful for your opponent." (Burkhart)

Being chided by Burkhart-san, both of them finally gave up on joining the one-on-one fights.

"However, when will this end?" (Wendelin)

Seeing that a true clash of armies is impossible, there's nothing much left but a stand-off once the duels of the few magicians finish.

It's probably also necessary to compete with willpower, but that will turn into a pointless waste of money and food.

"Such things are a contest of endurance, my grandfather-sama said in the past." (Elise)

While pouring a refill of tea, Elise answers my question.

I hear that there were similar disputes in Cardinal Hohenheim's youth. It seems he has campaign experience as priest.

"The side which gets impatient first will apparently be in disadvantage if they are the ones saying, 'Let's have an arbitration.'." (Elise)

At the current point in time, Browig's camp has suffered a large defeat.

The crucial dispute areas in various locations have been occupied by our side even including the concessions and territories the nobles of Browig's camp held before the war. Also many nobles and their military forces lost and have been captured by us.

"The Browig household's side still has the motivation to persist this late in the game." (Erwin)

"That's because it can't get any worse anymore after all." (Ina)

Even if they are more or less handicapped in the one-on-one battles, it's not like the Margrave Browig main army has fallen apart.

Since it's not possible for a true clash to happen, they are just trying to obtain advantageous conditions, even if only by a bit, for the arbitration by holding out.

"No, not at all. It won't be an utter defeat anymore if the nobles of the concession disputes stay in touch with the original border." (Erwin)

Before that even matters, it has been an overwhelming defeat in the disputed areas except for the main army.

I wasn't able to comprehend the meaning in confronting the other main army by not giving in here.

"Isn't it the time to withdraw with the current state of affairs?" (Wendelin)

At any rate, this time's dispatch of troops by Browig's camp has many incomprehensible aspects.

I have revenged their strange meddling with us. Also, the possibility of the supreme commander, who is Margrave Browig, not being with his main army is high.

There are rumours that he is ill, but as result of that, to what extent was he influencing this dispatch then?

Anyway, since he can't guess the circumstances behind the scene either, there are parts which have baffled Margrave Breithilde as well.

Is it possible to have an arbitration like this?

From his standpoint, finishing this pointless dispute even a second earlier will become a profit for his side as he helped with our development.

In the end no messenger came to request an arbitration from the Browig household's side. It looked like they wanted to continue the confrontation of both armies for a bit longer.

* * *

"Earl Baumeister, don't you have some good idea?" (Breithilde)

Given that Katharina captured the leader and the number 2 magician of the Browig household in the duels among fellow magicians, it was decided to judge this as win for Breithilde's camp.

As the number of magicians is low to begin with, the duels finished soon as well. After that the pointless stand-off of both armies has been continuing for 3 days.

With Margrave Breithilde feeling impatient as can be expected, he has come to ask whether I don't know a good strategy to discourage the warriors on the opposing side.

"I'm not sure whether it will lower their morale, but is it allowed to cause a bit of turmoil among the other side?" (Wendelin)

"Are you going to fire off a spell?" (Breithilde)

"No way, I won't do something that futile." (Wendelin)

After I got Margrave Breithilde's permission more or less, I put the strategy into practise.

"Wilma, were you able to write it?" (Wendelin)

"I have plenty of confidence." (Wilma)

"Certainly, it's beautiful." (Wendelin)

I call out to Wilma who wrote characters on a large cloth in the troop headquarters of the Earl Baumeister household.

It's unexpected, but since it actually was Wilma who wrote the most beautiful characters among my fiancées, I left it to her.

In a feudal army, that usually hasn't many women around, the female camp, except Katharina who is a temporary family head as magician, prepares the meals for the soldiers and serves tea to Margrave Breithilde's group. Elise passed her time as temporary priest of the campaign.

Wilma is as usually acting as Elise's guard, but since her job of healing decreased during the long confrontation, she is helping me like this now.

"It's true. It's very skilful." (Breithilde)

"Luise sucks at writing, you know." (Wendelin)

"It's different. My characters are creative." (Luise)

Elise is skilled at writing as well, though it's not to the degree of Wilma. It added to her legend as perfect superwoman.

Ina and Katharina are normal and Eru and me are a bit poor at it.

And Luise was at the point of it taking a bit time to decipher since she was quite bad at it.

"My letters might be helpful as codes in times of disputes like this." (Luise)

"No, that's not going to work." (Wendelin)

Given that neither the enemy nor her allies can read it, it won't do its job as code.

"You are rude, Vel. So, what's this?" (Luise)

"A help wanted advertisement!" (Wendelin)

The idea, I came up with, to induce turmoil amongst the enemy was to invite new people into serving us in this place.

As the targets are wandering warriors, who are serving as mercenaries, the recruitment number is everyone if they get above a fixed level of ability and personality.

For the time being we have written five help wanted advertisements, but the plan was to use all of them if they reach the employment criterion's.

Since I have no eyes to judge a person anyway, we decided to leave the judgement to Moritz and Klaus.

Although it's mortifying, it's impossible for me to win against the experienced Klaus in regards to judging a character.

"Hee, you will employ the excellent ones among the mercenaries?" (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san praised it as great idea.

We will establish a trial period because they don't have letters of introduction, however it might resolve our shortfall of human resources a bit.

It's fine to not employ them if they are no good. Even if the recruitment yields zero, it won't be a drawback for us.

At any rate, I had free time for three days here with the only exception being magic training.

"We will agitate the other side's mercenaries by showing the composure to do our usual work." (Wendelin)

Although it's possible to get an interview if they are participating on the side of the Breithilde household, that's impossible since they are on Browig's side.

Albeit them being only mercenaries, I thought that the possibility of the other side's warriors to get discouraged was high.

"Ah, we will accept interviews and employment examinations for both sides." (Wendelin)

"Are you serious!? You are doing something unprecedented. However, it's not a bad idea, huh..." (Burkhart)

A few minutes later Wilma is holding up a help wanted advertisement, written on a big cloth, between both armies.

* * *

Come! Applicants for governmental service! The Earl Baumeister household is carrying out special employment examinations without the necessity of a letter of introduction.

Recruitment requirement:

If you satisfy our employment criterion's, up to 50 people can join going by order from the top.

Salary: Will be explained at the interview.

Type of occupation: We are taking applicants who have experience and ability in civil official duties. We are also recruiting guard personnel. There is a system to appoint excellent people to leading positions.

Note: Currently it's also possible for the people, who are on Browig's side, to sit in on the employment examination.

* * *

"Somehow it's amazing..." (???)

Immediately after we presented those help wanted advertisements almost all mercenaries from both armies rushed in.

Since it's far too many, we borrowed manpower from Margrave Breithilde and Burkhart-san and proceeded with the interviews and employment examinations.

The location was the grasslands between both armies where the one-on-one battles were held. We checked their martial arts skills, had written examinations of their calculation and writing style and lastly held interviews with the choice being made by Moritz and Klaus.

Browig's camp was simply watching dumbfoundedly at this this common sense destroying event.

In such war where people won't die and with no other customs or rules besides that, there's also no law prohibiting to invite mercenaries to employment examinations until now. There was no foundation to make complaints towards me either.

"In short, it means that it's beyond expectations." (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde laughed while looking at the state of the hurriedly started employment examinations.

"Certainly, even the mercenaries hired by us have ended up heading to the employment examinations of the Earl Baumeister household..." (???)

They get a place to eat as well as sleep and they will receive a letter of commendation and rewards if they capture an enemy knight in a one-on-one battle or such, but mercenaries basically aren't expected to do anything but to boost the numbers of the military forces.

Something like new jobs, no matter how much it's the two households of Breithilde and Browig, it's not that simple to offer those. Even so, the mercenaries of Browig's side are employed until this disputes finishes.

Albeit that, they are all participating in the employment examinations of the Earl Baumeister household which is on the enemy's side.

As for the plan to spread turmoil and bewilderment amongst them, I believe it to be effective.

"I will be happy if they bring up the topic of arbitration with this, but..." (Wendelin)

In the end we have employed 86 mercenaries at the employment examination taking place for over 2 days.

With a trial period of a half year, they would start from the lowest position in the beginning, however they were very happy.

"Even those lower positions are usually unobtainable unless you have connections and a letter of introduction." (Breithilde)

The young people of retainers and the fief's population get preference before a new stranger gets chosen.

"However, it was an amazing spectacle." (Wendelin)

The newly employed 86 people boarded a magic airship today in the early morning and headed to the Baumeister Earldom.

After receiving a fresh recruit training at the actual site, each of them will be assigned to their own workplace.

If there are no issues after half a year, they will become official government servants.

Having employed almost half of the mercenaries who were on Browig's side in the end, the failed bunch returned to the encampment of the Browig household's camp nonchalantly. Even the soldiers of the Browig army were apparently dumbfounded.

Be that as it may, it's not possible to dismiss them. If they leave, the low-cost military forces will decrease.

"From the viewpoint of Browig's side, mercenaries, who leave in the middle to participate in the enemy's employment examination, don't deserve any trust, I think, however as it was a chance for the mercenaries, there must be a reason they weren't accepted, too."

The morale of Browig's camp has fallen once again from this.

Although the plan was successful, I wished from the bottom of my heart that they would start the arbitration as soon as possible.

Chapter 66: Even while victory is estimated, it continues tediously

"However, they aren't coming, you know..." (Breithilde)

"Who isn't?" (Wendelin)

"The messenger to begin the arbitration." (Breithilde)

It's one month since the dispute with the Margrave Browig household and the nobles, who are touching the border and who are below their control, has started.

The war situation was overwhelmingly advantageous for our side, but the stand-off between the two main armies continued as usual.

For around a week there hasn't been any particular changes in the progress of the war at all.

The young knights do one-on-one battles and the employed magicians have magic duels.

Even that has come completely to a stop. There are no knights, who do it for the sake of entering government service, and mercenaries, who want to do the same, anymore.

They have finished the appeal time during the unexpectedly long confrontation of armies. Because they fell through the employment examinations which I started for the sake of disturbing Browig's camp, we left the battlefield as there's no further meaning in staying there.

Their dream is to serve some noble household.

If this place is no good, they will move to the next place.

As result of that, the numbers dropped by 500 in total for both armies.

Since they will come to appeal if they are just given food and a place to sleep, the noble's camp uses the mercenaries to cheaply boost their numbers.

However, in reverse the the mercenaries will disappear right away if it's in vain.

"They are probably reluctant because they can expect an overwhelmingly disadvantageous arbitration." (Wendelin)

"Even if you say that, it has already reached the limit." (Breithilde)

In this era of no wars they are stationing military forces of several thousand people for a month.

In addition there are things like rewards for the knights who excelled at the one-on-one battles.

As the expenses for that aren't little at all, something like a confrontation of armies for over a month almost never happened in the past.

"Even if the expenses can't be helped, the royal family will get impatient soon." (Breithilde)

From the point of view of the royal family, which desires a stable reign of Helmut Kingdom, they will shut their eyes if it's a short term confrontation of armies because of a dispute over concessions, but since it might turn into a real war if it's dragged on for too long, there's the possibility of them coming to intervene.

Of course, if they intervene, it will mean that it's a crucial situation which will thin down the individuality of the provinces.

The Margrave Browig household and the Margrave Breithilde household will likely receive suitable damage.

"That's why I'd like them to show up soon." (Breithilde)

"Margrave Browig is ill though." (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Breithilde)

Margrave Browig being on the sickbed and him not leading his army in this time's dispute has already become a known truth.

If you ask why, that's because it was us who caught hold of that information.

That was something that happened several days after the one-on-one battles had begun.

* * *

"It's an exchange of prisoners." (Wendelin)

"Yes. I don't know if it's possible for important people, but mercenaries and lower ranks won't turn into money." (Thomas)

It's the fifth day of one-on-one battles in a sham battle style carried out between both armies.

The result was mostly even.

Since it takes money to keep prisoners for both sides as well, an exchange of prisoners will be carried out by both armies once the day finishes.

Calculating the ransom they can get, they exchange in order starting from those who are unprofitable and return them.

Even that elder brother of Thomas was immediately returned to Browig's camp.

Although he is pretty much a knight, he was returned right away because he is the next family head of an insignificant retainer household.

That means his treatment is low as he is a retainer knight appointed by a noble and not a Knight appointed by the kingdom.

"If it's important households, including retainers, the family head and their successor won't participate in the one-on-one battles. I guess it's related to their family status and economic situation." (Klaus)

"It's as Klaus-dono says. My former master's household is a poor retainer household of the degree that it can be seen as wealthy." (Thomas)

The ones who have been returned in the prisoner exchange aren't the nobles and their retainers, which were caught by us, but only mercenaries and low-ranking retainers who became prisoners in the one-on-one battles. One won't receive something like ransom from mercenaries.

The ransom for retainers will become the burden of their lord's household, but someone at the level of Thomas' elder brother isn't anything special with around 5 gold coins in ransom.

As it's necessary to take care of the captured prisoners, torture and mistreatment is naturally prohibited.

It's also necessary to raise the level of treatment depending on their social status. Those, who won't turn into money, are quickly exchanged for those of the same level.

By the way, those, who were returned, aren't allowed to participate in the one-on-one battles of the current dispute anymore. Since they are judged to be dead, they won't get any acknowledgement from their lord's household either.

It's a war where people won't die, but with the fact of them having lost the rare opportunity to display their own strength in the dispute, it was a state similar to having died for those who were defeated.

"Thomas' nii-san was downhearted." (Wendelin)

Even Thomas' elder brother returned to Browig's camp with an expression as if the world had ended.

"The merit of having sold me is written off with this." (Thomas)

"Thomas-dono, there's no need for you to mind it. It's the problem of another household." (Klaus)

"That's right. It's already the problem of another household." (Wendelin)

Even while saying that, Thomas saw his elder brother, who goes back due to the prisoner exchange, off with a complicated expression.

"The information that Thomas' group has been employed by master will spread to Browig's camp from that gentleman. I wonder what kind of face they will make?" (Klaus)

It's not planned for them to become material for the negotiations, but the other side should be completely frightened.

That's because I myself know about the truth of the rebellion in the Knight Baumeister territory.

However, Klaus, who says that while showing a smile as if he's enjoying it, is after all a crafty man, I think.

"Let's give it another try at doing some intelligence gathering." (Klaus)

Klaus continues with a proposal, but my face has a cramp due to the viciousness of the plan.

"Isn't that foolish? Won't they get killed?" (Wendelin)

"Why? The new government servant unit isn't related to the Margrave Browig household in any way, are they?" (Klaus)

In order to investigate the state of Browig's side, one of the new government servants will lose in the one-on-one battles on purpose and have an audience with Margrave Browig as prisoner.

"Even if one of them were to be killed to erase any evidences, we still have more than 20 left on our side. Moreover the person himself, who became a prisoner, can claim that they are the retainer of master with a different family name. If they killed him, it would become a big problem." (Klaus)

It will become a violation of the battlefield rules in this era.

If one goes further, Margrave Browig is a high-ranking noble. That moves' reputation will be what worries him most.

"Since that's the worst case, I will recruit candidates after properly explaining the risks. Therefore, in case of a success..." (Klaus)

"You want me to hand over a reward, right?" (Wendelin)

"Yes. Including a risk bonus though." (Klaus)

I won't give them a letter of commendation since they formally lost in the one-on-one battle, but it's fine if I give a somewhat larger rewards since it's a dangerous mission, Klaus suggests.

"I shall carry it out at once then." (Klaus)

Klaus explained my plan to the new unit.

This will shake up Browig's camp and it will be a mission for the sake of gathering information that isn't known by other prisoners.

"Officially you will become a prisoner after having lost in an one-on-one battle. There won't be any letter of commendation, but I asked master to definitely promise a larger reward." (Klaus)

After quietly listening to Klaus' explanation, a young, small man from among the new unit volunteers.

"I'm Nikolaus Frauke. My previous family name was Brieger." (Nikolaus)

"I believe that you have heard the details from Klaus." (Wendelin)

"I'm thankful for having been given the opportunity to carry out such a very efficient task." (Nikolaus)

The man's way of talking was amusing.

According to Thomas he isn't very strong in the noble's usual preferences in martial arts like swordsmanship and spearmanship, but he is an existence like a mood-maker since he has a bright character.

He appears to be a man who exhibits unexpected ability in things like the accounting and management of the new unit's materials.

"I'm poor at swordsmanship. Thus it's difficult to obtain achievements which are necessary for a successful career with just simple military exploits." (Nikolaus)

"There's the risk that you might get killed though." (Wendelin)

"That's almost non-existent, I think. I will survey the other side in a surprising way." (Nikolaus)

Nikolaus, who is a cheerful youth, had an one-on-one battle with a knight of Margrave Browig's followers according to our instructions and became a prisoner of the other side after losing on purpose.

The Margrave Browig main army is mixed with several other household's feudal armies ranging from Baron households to Viscount households. Since they won't withdraw before Margrave Browig does if they lose to a knight from our side, Klaus had prepared to lose on purpose in order to aim for those knights.

"I have just returned." (Nikolaus)

Nikolaus, who lost in the one-on-one battle first thing in the morning, came back through the prisoner exchange in the evening.

As expected, the Browig household's side apparently considered that there wouldn't be any meaning in killing just Nikolaus at this point in time. He, who was treated like a small-fry, returned safely.

"Was it safe?" (Wendelin)

"Yes, they provided a good meal. Though it's inferior to the food provided here." (Nikolaus)

"Ours is made by Elise's group after all." (Wendelin)

"I think that makes a very big difference." (Nikolaus)

Fortunately Nikolaus wasn't acquainted with the knight he had a one-on-one battle with.

Once he returned to the stronghold of the Browig army while leading Nikolaus with bragging triumph, it turned into an uproarious atmosphere within the stronghold.

"The matter, that I was sacrificed in order to cause a rebellion in the Baumeister territory, isn't known by anyone but the higher-ups of my family and the retainers of the Browig household." (Nikolaus)

The people, who know about the original Nikolaus and the others, were apparently told that they were disinherited and expelled because of bad behaviour.

If you think about it for a bit, you will likely notice that something's strange, but even they don't have such leeway either.

Given that they don't have the courage to fall into disgrace by pointing out to the ones above that something's weird, they simply looked at Nikolaus from a distance and talked in whispers.

"I guess they wondered whether I'm working as mercenary now, but unfortunately the sword and the armour..." (Nikolaus)

Because of participating in a joint army, we hurriedly attached our crest to our equipment. If it's a mercenary, they won't have a crest on their weapons and armour.

Although Nikolaus should have been disinherited and chased out, he had officially become a retainer of the Earl Baumeister household for some reason.

From their point of view, it's something that won't lack in material to whisper about as much as they like.

"We were able to plant a nice seed among the Browig household." (Klaus)

Certainly, it ought to kick up a convenient fuss as expected if the retainers of the Browig household are shilly-shallying.

If one goes even further, the war situation has become overwhelmingly disadvantageous for the Browig's side because of me joining the army. In addition, Nikolaus, who should have been disinherited, has become my retainer.

One can say that this largely contributed to the drop in morale alongside the distrust towards the top brass.

However, Klaus, who is able to say something like having planted a seed with a smile, gave me somewhat a feeling of wanting to draw back from him.

"So? What about Margrave Browig?" (Wendelin)

"That part is suspicious." (Nikolaus)

Usually, if a knight follower brings back a prisoner after winning in an one-on-one battle, it's a rule for the noble himself to grant the winner an audience.

Listening to the name of the prisoner himself and his lord, he will write a letter of commendation right there after approximately deciding the prisoner's social status and hand out the reward.

However, Nikolaus was apparently received by the staff of the feudal army.

"That's certainly strange." (Klaus)

Klaus was puzzled as well.

"Even if it's a small fry like me, I have directly met with Margrave Breithilde-sama, who is from a distant world, and received his words of praise and was given a reward by him." (Thomas)

Because it's the earning of rewards by achievements and not simple wages, it was a rule for the noble himself to do it, no matter how busy they might be.

"The reason why Margrave Browig didn't appear was?" (Wendelin)

"Because he's busy." (Nikolaus)

Because Nikolaus introduced himself as my retainer with a different family name in a calm manner at that location, the expressions of the top brass of the feudal army apparently changed into a colour of bewilderment.

Although I was able to seize evidence of the rebellion, it wouldn't be any kind of solution even if they killed Nikolaus now.

The reason is because before that Thomas has captured his elder brother in an one-on-one battle and introduced himself with a different family name.

"They shamelessly asked me things like what kind of position I have in the Earl Baumeister household though." (Nikolaus)

Once the audience ended and while he was waiting for his time to return through the prisoner exchange, he learned of something even more strange.

"I asked the other of our allies who became prisoners, but..." (Nikolaus)

They were apparently properly received by Margrave Browig himself.

"I see, perhaps." (Klaus)

"Margrave Browig isn't among those troops." (Nikolaus)

Nikolaus' opinion is coinciding with Klaus' and mine.

I don't know why, but Margrave Browig isn't with that Margrave Browig main army.

The reason for that is simple. He didn't appear to have an audience with Nikolaus.

"Even if Nikolaus-dono was an underling, he at least knows the face of his former lord." (Klaus)

I think there isn't someone resembling him to the degree that they can be called a body double, but putting the equipment of Margrave Browig on a person with similar stature and age, the retainers of Margrave Browig are making others believe that he is at the troop headquarters.

To begin with, our allied knights, who participate in the one-on-one battles, are mostly in a lower position of earning great achievements.

They shouldn't know the face of Margrave Browig who is an important noble of the East.

As it's a person who wore expensive arms and resembled him in age and physique, they listen to the names of our people, who became prisoners, and give rewards and letters of commendation to the knights of the Margrave Browig household, who captured them.

Of course the retainers of Margrave Browig should notice that it's an imposter of Margrave Browig.

No, they were probably given detailed instructions. This is also on behalf of deceiving the enemy.

"We have to report this to Margrave Breithilde-sama." (Klaus)

"True." (Wendelin)

It should have been a strategy to shake up the enemy's leaders by emphasizing the matter of Thomas' group being employed by us, but an unthinkable information appeared.

Even while being surprised by the ability of Klaus, who accomplished that, he goes to report this to Margrave Breithilde together with Nikolaus.

* * *

"Then that rumour is true, huh?" (Breithilde)

"Rumour?" (Wendelin)

Once he listens to the new brought in by us, Margrave Breithilde made an expression as if he can agree with it.

"Yes. Since it's a large-scale dispute, the Browig household's side and me are gathering information..." (Breithilde)

Dispatching people to the vicinity of their mansions and into each other territories, they are investigating about the supply situation and some useful information.

"There's the rumour that Margrave Browig is tied to the sickbed. The rumour of his health deteriorating appeared since around one year ago." (Breithilde)

Importance was placed onto it since it was information about the health of the high-ranking noble who is controlling the East, but as it's also possible that it was fake information to throw our side into confusion, the confirmation of its authenticity took time.

"I see. You told me something nice. It will still take some time to confirm the details, but the possibility for the information to be authentic is quite high." (Breithilde)

He sent out a former retainer, who knows his face, as representative to meet him at the audience as prisoner.

Seeing that even the royal family hasn't prepared something like body doubles currently as it costs money, different from the period of wars, they shouldn't have been able to prepare something overly sophisticated even if used in this dispute.

Therefore, they presented the fake in front of prisoners, who don't know his face, and glossed it over with proxies at the time of Nikolaus. That's what I feel is a possible situation according to the deductions.

"I don't know whether this information will speed up the arbitration, but isn't it a big deal if the family head is absent from the main army?" (Wendelin)

"It's also easy to shake them up." (Klaus)

"That's how it is." (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde, who was convinced that we can't lose anymore with this, gave a bag with a reward inside to Nikolaus.

Next, when we returned to the encampment of the Earl Baumeister feudal army, I gave a reward to Nikolaus as well.

"I can't give you a letter of commendation due to the kind of mission it was, but I splurged on the reward in exchange for that." (Wendelin)

"I shall happily appreciate it." (Nikolaus)

Since a letter of commendation is something related to military exploits, I can't hand it out for this time's special mission. But, at those times it was normal to keep the balance by increasing the reward.

Nikolaus' eyes sparkled due to the reward, which was in a bag, I gave him.

"You also have permission to participate in the marriage interview meeting." (Wendelin)

"That's the best reward." (Nikolaus)

In reality I want all singles to participate, but since the other side is pretty much only daughters from nobles and important retainers, it was necessary to choose the personnel to some degree no matter what.

Therefore I decided for the criterion to be young leader candidates.

"Nikolaus, how many rewards were you able to get?"

"It was three gold plates."

Since it was useful information, Margrave Breithilde gave him 1 gold plate and I gave him 2 gold plates including a risk bonus.

"Incredible! That's 12 yearly wages from my former home!" (???)

"For someone like me it's 15 yearly wages." (???)

"That's because Nikolaus was successful in a mission that had a chance of him getting killed. I wonder if it would have been alright, if I applied too?" (???)

Nikolaus, who received his reward and returned to the location of his comrades, was surprised about the amount of his reward.

"Hey, Klaus..." (Wendelin)

"The situation in the wallets of lower retainer knight households is like that." (Klaus)

Given that it's impossible to live with only that much, they usually raise their living standard by farming, fishing and hunting.

Even for the women it's necessary to contribute to the household with side jobs such as weaving clothes.

And, the money, they saved like that, is used for them to appropriately conduct themselves as knights in public.

I see, previously Wilma called Katharina a "waterfowl*", but that doesn't seem to be anything unusual for such retainers.

(T/N: This is a metaphor hinting at ducks, geese, etc. who look calm and elegant above the water surface but are busily moving their feet underwater where it can't be seen)

"My home itself gave such impression..." (Wendelin)

"The previous Knight Baumeister household was poor to a degree of being ridiculed by the households of other retainers..." (Klaus)

Previously we were made fun of as "Peasant Knight" by the retainers of the Margrave Breithilde household.

Since Margrave Breithilde will very likely fire them from their position if they leak such words now, no one seems to mention it anymore.

"Nevertheless, is it an illness that he can't at least depart to the front? I wonder if that's a good omen for it to become the first campaign of master?" (Klaus)

"In addition to that, the messenger for the start of the arbitration isn't coming." (Wendelin)

"That's why it's necessary to disturb the opponent a bit more. I'm looking forward to master's idea." (Klaus)

"Idea, huh..." (Wendelin)

* * *

Although we did as much as possible, Browig's camp hasn't sent a messenger for the arbitration, no matter how much we cornered them.

Even though Margrave Browig himself is on the sickbed, they should soon start to prepare for the arbitration if Margrave Browig issues the orders from the bed, is what Margrave Breithilde is expecting.

"If it stays like this, the situation of Browig's camp will gradually become worse." (Breithilde)

Both sides are wasting war expenditures pointlessly, but there's a large difference in basic endurance between the Margrave Breithilde household, which has special procurements from the Savage Land development, and the Margrave Browig household, which was excluded from those.

"I don't think that Margrave Browig isn't that stupid either, but..." (Wendelin)

On the contrary, there are parts like the timing to harass the Breithilde household and preparing soldiers in secrecy this time.

Even on the sickbed, he is a despicable person, Margrave Breithilde judges.

"Well, personally I hate him with all my heart." (Breithilde)

"He doesn't appear to be an overly nice person." (Wendelin)

However, his personal feelings and his thoughts as public figure are different.

Seeing that it's impossible to have a clash of military forces and to utterly destroy the Margrave Browig household, there's no other choice but to conclude it with an arbitration here.

"As it's unfavourable for them even if they conclude with an arbitration in this situation, are the holding out to draw out a compromise?" (Wendelin)

"Perhaps that's the point, but I don't have any intention to compromise." (Breithilde)

The war situation was overwhelmingly advantageous for us. Given that we are more superior economically than the Browig household though a long confrontation of armies costs money, we won't propose the arbitration from our side.

If you consider the frequent harassment at the time Margrave Breithilde had just succeeded the household, it's necessary to beat them completely here so that they never try to do such things again.

Also, for this time's dispute more than 40 noble household have dispatched soldiers.

If he thinks about their honour and controlling them from now on, his real intention is likely that he wants to avoid them falling into disgrace due to some unskilled compromise.

"I have retainers compensate for my absence. It's the same for you, Earl Baumeister, I guess?" (Breithilde)

"Yes." (Wendelin)

It's necessary to keep control of the general parts, but it has reached the point that Margrave Breithilde and us can advance the development without any problem even if the retainers, who have joined the current feudal armies, aren't there.

We were short of people as usual, but to compensate for that, we increased the numbers by going as far as holding employment examinations for mercenaries from both armies.

"Since it has become like this, I wonder if the second and third sons of the Browig household's retainers will welcome an employment examination warmly?" (Wendelin)

"That will be foolish." (Breithilde)

"It's a joke." (Wendelin)

There might be large damage to Margrave Browig's side, but there's also the possibility of a huge influx of spies.

I should be prudent here, I guess.

"However, it's painful that we can't catch hold of overly much information about the Browig household's side." (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde was even now eagerly investigating information about the Margrave Browig household, however he didn't obtain any additional news except that the family head is lying on the sickbed within a room of the mansion and that his surroundings are protected by an impressive number of guards.

He can't confirm what kind of illness it is if he doesn't place spies within the mansion, but that's probably impossible after all.

"I can imagine. That place has internal squabbles." (Breithilde)

"Really?" (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Breithilde)

According to Margrave Breithilde the eldest and second son are fighting over the inheritance of the Margrave Browig household.

"Due to that Margrave Browig still hasn't decided on the next family head." (Breithilde)

"Won't it usually end with the eldest son being accepted?" (Wendelin)

"No, the social status of the eldest son's, Philip-sama's, mother is low..." (Elise)

Unexpected or rather as expected.

Elise is well-informed about this sort of information. It's likely something she heard from Cardinal Hohenheim.

"It seems Philip-sama's mother is the daughter of a retainer with low family status." (Elise)

According to Elise's words, Margrave Browig made the mother of Philip, who was previously his concubine, into his wife and after that invited his first wife from a high-ranking noble household of the central government.

"The second son's, Christoph-sama's, mother is the first wife." (Elise)

The eldest son, whose mother has a low social standing and the second son, whose mother is the first wife.

Without being that far apart in age, they would certainly dispute over the inheritance.

"To add even more to that..." (Elise)

Margrave Browig's eldest son, Philip, is 35 years old.

He is blessed with military ability and his looks are similar to Margrave Browig. In short, he is the same kind as Minister Edgar.

"Is he Minister Edgar's favourite then?" (Wendelin)

At the same time his first wife seems to be the daughter of the Junior Commander of the Browig household. To put it another way, it's no exaggeration to say that he has gained control of the feudal army.

As a matter of fact, many of the feudal army's leaders were supporting Philip.

"Next the second son is Christoph-dono, but..." (Elise)

With him being 34 years old, he is similar to Margrave Breithilde as type. He has absolutely no military talent, but he excels at domestic affairs.

With his first wife being the daughter of the chief retainer responsible for internal administration, he naturally has a strong backing from the civil officials.

You could even say that the fact of both of them opposing each other was reasonable.

"What to say? It's an often heard story, or rather..." (Wendelin)

"Yes, thanks to that it's troublesome." (Breithilde)

First there's the sickness of Margrave Browig. Can he really take command while laying in sickbed?

Previously Margrave Breithilde said to not take him lightly even if he's on the sickbed, but it's possible for the top brass of the feudal army to do the same work.

Did he really carry out this time's expedition only for the sake of dissolving the dissatisfaction of the nobles who missed out on the development concessions of land and to break down the feeling of hopelessness in the East?

Or was it Philip's side's, which is controlling the army, selfish action that did it in order to get an advantage in the succession in a situation where Margrave Browig himself isn't able to take command?

"In case of the latter, it's definitely hard to say whether they will declare their participation in an arbitration that has become disadvantageous, right?" (Wendelin)

"Certainly..." (Breithilde)

"Won't it turn into a real war if they get desperate?" (Wendelin)

"That shouldn't be the case, but..." (Breithilde)

If it really turned into a war, it would interrupt the development of the Savage Lands.

Also, if they are unlucky, it will be the collapse of the Browig household.

If a large noble household, which controlled the East for more than 1000 years, collapsed here, a successor would become necessary. The confusion after the war and the restoration would take a lot time, labour and cost a lot money.

"If you enter the fray, Earl Baumeister, the possibility of us winning is high, but an outrageous responsibility in the name of a reward will be pushed on you." (Breithilde)

Even if I unskilfully received something like a detached land in the East, it will be impossible for the current me to reign over it. Margrave Breithilde probably doesn't want that either.

"I don't want something like another territory that was tainted in the colour of Browig for more than 1000 years. If you consider the labour to rule it, it will probably be for several decades in the red." (Breithilde)

If it turns out like that, it will be far more productive to push forward the development of the southern Savage Lands by ending it quickly with an advantageous arbitration plan for us.

It isn't like a strategy simulation game either. It's unlikely that one will raise revenue from an occupied area right away.

"Is the other side waiting for us to break down after having predicted it this far?" (Wendelin)

"I can't say that it's not the case, but I'd like to excuse myself from the collapse of the other side as well." (Breithilde)

If it goes that far, it will become impossible for the kingdom to tolerate the Browig household. They won't be able to complain even if the household gets executed. Same applies for the retainers, who were the cause of the war, and their families.

"Umm, is it fine if I say one thing?" (Erwin)

"What is it, Erwin-kun?" (Breithilde)

"Who is leading that Margrave Browig main army?" (Erwin)

"Probably it's someone from the top brass of the feudal armies..." (Breithilde)

If you consider the sickness of the current Margrave Browig, the two succession candidates should be at his side.

If he suddenly dies and one of them isn't next to him, it's possible that the remaining side will usurp the inheritance by declaring something like "He was nominated as heir".

"However, is it a Browig feudal army without a single person from the Browig family being there?" (Erwin)

"Now that you say that, it's strange..." (Breithilde)

Although next would be the third son and below, the other sons have entered branch and retainer households as adopted children and even all of the daughters have have been married.

Seeing that they have already become people of another households, they probably won't fit into the role of supreme commander, even as representative, that easily.

"Umm... Maybe..." (Elise)

"Elise-san, do you know anything?" (Breithilde)

"Yes. The youngest daughter of Margrave Browig-sama is..." (Elise)

"She is unmarried?" (Wendelin)

"Yes. They haven't announced it overly openly, but..." (Elise)

Her mother is the daughter of a Knight, that has no responsibilities, in the capital. Apparently the youngest daughter was living in the capital just a few years ago.

What Elise knows is what she heard during their relationship at the voluntary work for the church.

"I wasn't aware of that either." (Breithilde)

It seems even Margrave Breithilde didn't know.

"It looks like her mother was made into a concubine by Margrave Browig-sama at the time he stayed in the capital..." (Elise)

An important noble of the East and the daughter of a poor Knight without responsibilities in the capital.

From Margrave Browig's view he probably made a move to play around with the daughter of a commoner. The other side wouldn't be able to complain about that.

There is the possibility for the family to complain, if a noble selfishly increases the number of concubines. It's also possible that complaints will be raised from the other children, if the noble increases the number of children.

That's why he probably agreed for the mother and daughter to secretly live in the capital.

This was Elise's guess.

No matter how much of an acquaintance she is, that daughter shouldn't have frankly told everything to Elise. Even so, that's why it's possible for her to make a surmise.

"All of the other children of Margrave Browig are within the Browig territory." (Elise)

If only she herself lived in the capital, she was likely treated as an unwanted daughter after all.

"So, what is the name of that person?" (Breithilde)

"Excuse me!" (???)

At that point a retainer rushes in while being out of breath.

"What happened?" (Breithilde)

"The Browig household's side came with the request for arbitration!"

Suddenly a messenger came and handed over a promising letter stating that they want to start the arbitration.

Having currently grasped that letter in his hands, Margrave Breithilde quickly breaks the seal of that letter and check its contents.

"The seal is the real deal. The contents also have the details as according to the rules..." (Breithilde)

In case a noble sends such kind of letter, they push the family crest's stamp onto melted wax as seal. It was a memory I had from my previous life.

I forgot whether it was from foreign drama movies, but there was a similar custom in this world as well.

"However, it's the first time for me to hear of the sender's name. Supreme Commander Representative Karla von Browig?" (Breithilde)

"That woman is the youngest daughter we talked about just now." (Elise)

"We will negotiate with that daughter?" (Wendelin)

"It will likely be the other chief retainers with her as figurehead." (Breithilde)

With the prospect of the dispute's arbitration being carried out, Margrave Breithilde and everyone's expressions showed relief, but I couldn't feel anything but that we are still only halfway along the path.

Since it's a group with bad characters, it was possible for them to make difficulties with all their heart at the negotiation location.

Even so, while thinking that I want to quickly finish this and go hunting, I breathed a sigh of relief for the time being.

Chapter 67: Just when the arbitration finally began...

"Is the arbitration finally starting?" (Wendelin)

"Even Browig's camp must be at its limit already. Seeing that it was their side who suggested the arbitration, I won't go easy on them." (Breithilde)

The dispute between the Margrave Breithilde household and the Margrave Browig household, which has lasted close to 2 months also including the time I haven't participated, moved to the next stage.

Losing all the concessions and territories they held from all the disputes before, many of their nobles, retainers and soldiers have been captured and we even captured their employed magicians in the battle of the main armies.

It's obvious for anyone to see but the Margrave Browig household's side is clearly at disadvantage.

Even if we continued the confrontation as is, that wouldn't improve Browig's camp's standing either. If you consider aspects such as expenses, it will become only more disadvantageous.

As they have lost anyway, they want to keep the expenses down by settling it ahead of time.

That might be their plan.

However, it's also possible that they are still possessing some hidden ace. Thus it was decided that I will participate in the arbitration.

As expected, I'd like them to pardon me from something like a scheme to assassinate Margrave Breithilde.

"That's right. Wilma-san and Elise-san participate as well, please." (Breithilde)

The venue of the arbitration is located in the centre of the grassland where both military forces have their stand-off.

A large temporary tent will be set up there and both sides agreed on 20 attendants each.

Margrave Breithilde decided for several retainers and Burkhart-san, several nobles, which have participate with their feudal armies, and their aides and me accompanied by Wilma and Elise to participate.

To be frank, Wilma shouldn't be of any use at such negotiations.

However, she is Minister Edgar's adopted daughter. She was chosen because she is most suited for guarding.

Elise is probably natural since she is the granddaughter of that Cardinal Hohenheim. There's almost no place in this country where the influence of the church doesn't reach.

"It will be alright even if you aren't that nervous. Today will just be introductions." (Breithilde)

As it's my first experience to attend negotiations as noble, I had a serious expression which is unlike me. Seeing that, Margrave Breithilde addresses me.

It looks like the arbitration will be carried out for several days.

First both parties will advocate their own arbitration drafts. As naturally neither will be accepted that easily, they will compare and adjust the conditions.

Once it becomes evening, both sides will finish for the day and retire. Further negotiations will be carried out from morning of the next day.

Once they agreed on the outline, the retainers in charge will reconcile the finer details and check the implementations of the conditions by holding a task-force conference.

"Having said that, the other side has an overwhelming disadvantage. How do they want to decrease the amount of money to be paid, I wonder?"

For example, something like a struggle over the sandbank of a river; even if they are forced to acknowledge that it's ours, there are many cases where it ends up right back where it started once some time passes again.

However, both sides understand that completely.

Besides, if it is monopolized by one side, it might soon create a breeding ground for unnecessary future problems from the other side which will trigger a new dispute.

Once the generations change, a new family head, who rallies support from the entire household by declaring, "We will take back the concession which was stolen from us in the past!" will appear and dispatch troops once again.

Since that will be endless, there are many situations where it's better to roughly split the ownership in half.

"If they want to go back to the previous conditions, it will cost a large amount of reconciliation money and there is also the ransom for the people who were captured. The amount to be paid for that will increase if the imprisonment time is long."

It's necessary to treat the prisoners according to their social status.

Since catering a noble himself costs quite a bit money, those expenses will naturally be added to the ransom.

"In addition, the cause of the dispute is the other side."

They commenced a surprise attack without announcing it ahead of time and thus broke the rules.

"The sum of the reconciliation money should jump up quite a bit." Margrave Breithilde explained.

"Anyway, first it's introductions." (Breithilde)

In the middle of the grassland where both armies are confronting each other, the soldiers of Browig's side, which proposed the arbitration first, are constructing the large tent in a hurry.

Once they finished that, one of the soldiers blew something like a high-pitched whistle and a short time later a similar whistle resounded from Breithilde's camp.

"It means that the preparations are complete. Well then, let's go?" (Breithilde)

Being urged on by Margrave Breithilde, the 20 members of the negotiation team walk up to the front of the tent.

Once we arrive, the tent's entrance opens and we are apparently ushered inside.

When we entered with Margrave Breithilde at the lead, a long table and chairs were set up so that 20 people can sit down on each side while facing each other.

"You are Margrave Breithilde?" (???)

"Indeed, that I am. The Margrave Browig over there seems to be different though." (Breithilde)

"It's the Supreme Commander Representative, Karla von Browig." (???)

Just as stated in the letter, the girl called Karla is serving as Supreme Commander of the Browig army.

She doesn't look like her age is overly different from our's.

Wearing a chain mail made out of mithril, which looks expensive and appears to be order-made, and having tied her black hair, which is roughly reaching her waist, she seems to be a beautiful girl that appears to have a bit of an Yamato Nadeshiko air.

With a height of around 165 cm, her style was great.

The size of her chest is probably between Ina and Katharina?

According to the information we heard from Elise previously, she apparently lived in the capital until just around a year ago.

With her mother being the daughter of a poor Knight and with her being hated by her other sisters, she never went to the East.

"She isn't acquainted with me at all." (Wendelin)

"As she was apparently living in the capital by receiving an allowance from Margrave Browig-sama, she avoided contact with you, Wendelin-sama." (Elise)

Elise herself needed quite the long time to get acquainted with her.

However that doesn't mean that they are close friends either.

Karla came to the church to take lessons in housework and studying while also carrying out her marriage training. Occasionally they did stuff like charity activities under the supervision of the church together.

After introducing themselves to each other, they drank tea together several times. That seems to be the extent of their relationship.

"You study in the church after all." (Elise)

Although she had the allowance from Margrave Browig, it wasn't such a large amount of money either.

Given that there was a freeloader at the home of mother and daughter, they had to get a suitable amount of money.

"Karla-san's grandfather-sama and uncle-sama aren't very excellent..." (Elise)

There's a difference in peerage and they have offered their daughter in pursuit of money albeit being nobles appointed by the same country.

Of course they wouldn't be regarded favourably by other appointed nobles.

Moreover, although they apparently have done something like bribing to obtain an official position by using the allowance, it has been just a waste of money as they lack abilities and were judged poorly by the surroundings.

What made Karla come to the church to study for free was that kind of reason.

"That Karla-san has also been abused by by her deplorable family, eh..." (Wendelin)

"Yes. That's what has happened." (Elise)

I don't know whether it's because of that, but she has quite the interest in martial arts.

She appears to particularly excel in archery and knife throwing.

"Don't overlap with me..." (Wendelin)

"She apparently became the runner-up in the archery division of the last Martial Arts Tournament." (Elise)

"The level is too different..." (Wendelin)

No, let me correct that.

Even if the Baumeister family, which is relatively strong at archery, grouped up, she is an outstanding talent beyond our powers.

Comparing it with my previous life, she is probably an existence called 'Female version of Nasu no Yoichi'. However, as expected she hasn't taken along her bow today.

(Nasu no Yoichi was a military commander and lower-ranking vassal at the closing years of the Heian period (794 - 1185). There's a legend about him being skilled at archery from young years and him winning several archery duels. I didn't read far into it, if you want to read it up: 那須 与一 is the name.)

"I'm the Supreme Commander Representative, Karla von Browig. I wish to express my gratitude in you taking part in the arbitration negotiations." (Karla)

In the end that was the only statement made by her.

The main negotiations will be carried out by the retainers, who are attending with her, making her nothing more but a decoration.

Although either of the two sons, who are fighting over the inheritance, would likely have taken the lead if one of them had attended, Karla hasn't any actual experience in this field since she's a woman.

Margrave Browig is absent on account of illness, although they are concealing it, or rather, it was obvious that there are some troubles with him not being at this place in this moment.

'Hmm...' (Breithilde)

'What's wrong?' (Wendelin)

'It looks like this will take a long time.' (Breithilde)

One of the retainers had whispered something into the ear of Margrave Breithilde and he addressed me with a low voice while sighing.

His retainers, who are at the negotiation location, seem to be displeased with the other side being only military officers.

That reminds me, I felt like I previously heard that many in the feudal army's top brass belong to the eldest son's support base.

'Maybe this time's dispatch has been largely influenced by the eldest son, Philip-dono.' (Breithilde)

The two were competing over the inheritance, but currently they shouldn't be able to separate from Margrave Browig who can die any time now.

The reason is that the remaining side might falsify the testament and selfishly obtain permission for the succession in the capital if Margrave Browig dies while one of them is acting as Supreme Commander here.

Accordingly, Philip, who has many supporters amongst the feudal army, dispatched the soldiers to get a decision in the inheritance matter by doing a meritorious deed for them.

No matter how threatening Margrave Breithilde might be, they shouldn't carry it out, if Margrave Browig were to be in good health, since this time's dispatch will cause big criticism by the royal palace.

The thoughts of Christoph, who's the second son, are unknown, but he might be against the dispatch since the civil officials, who are his sympathisers, haven't joined.

According to Elise, Karla, who was summoned to the territory by her father, Margrave Browig, around one year ago, had helped him until just recently.

However, she was suddenly made Supreme Commander Representative of the feudal army.

Of course she was a decoration, but since it will be troublesome even if he really left her in charge of leading, this way might be fine, too.

'Something like someone else taking over immediately following a large-scale dispatch of troops linked to a dispute has often happened in the past.' (Breithilde)

Since unrest would spread to the retainers for not knowing whether their current family head would be alive tomorrow, the heir would sent forth the soldiers to show his own power.

Or he would dispatch the soldiers to display his power directly after the succession of the peerage.

Either way, with it being a move to turn the internal anxiety towards outside, it resembles the enemy recognition of a certain renown rice country or the anti-Japanese policies of a certain peninsula.

'However, if it turns out like this...' (Wendelin)

If they had won, this would have become Philip's achievement since he would be able to obtain advantageous conditions in the arbitration and the future of the feudal army's top brass, which is supporting him, should have become bright.

However, in reality they have lost the concessions they possessed before the war due to a complete and decisive defeat and they won't be able to get those back unless they pay an enormous amount of reconciliation money.

In addition many nobles and soldiers have been captured as well. Even just the ransom should be quite the sum.

Although it's just a guess, but what made them, who have been captured, dispatch their soldier even to the point of breaking the rules might be a secret agreement that they will be compensated for their losses even if they were to be defeated or defeated and caught.

However, in that case it will probably cause a big damage to the wallet of the Margrave Browig household.

'What makes the situation even worse is that the civil officials, who are supporting Christoph-dono, aren't here.' (Breithilde)

Given that the Browig household's retainers consist of only military officers, it was quite possible that they didn't prepare for paying money even if they lost.

At any rate, there are no civil officials who are managing the budget.

Even if there were, this utter defeat is a blow that might cause a stop to the financial affairs of the Browig household.

If that failure was pushed by civil officials, who are supporting Christoph, it would be very possible for it to trigger the drop-out from the succession struggle for Philip in worst case.

'No matter how stupid the other side might be, the reality is...' (Wendelin)

I wondered whether they can see it, but the first day of the arbitration finished with nothing more but an exchange of both parties' claims.

Although that seems to be normal to begin with, Browig's camp didn't want to compromise at all in this situation.

Declaring that they will pay the ransom for the prisoners but want the distribution of the disputed area to be unconditionally returned to its pre-war state, the participating nobles from our side, including Margrave Breithilde as well, were enraged and considered it to be out of the question.

"You came and broke the rules first. Why should that incur losses to us who counter-attacked?" (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde's point was reasonable.

The other side probably thinks the same within their minds, but at the moment they accept an unconditionally disadvantageous arbitration draft, it will be the end of their future.

Even if they have to delay it indefinitely, they will apparently struggle to gain an arbitration draft that's close to a draw.

However, if they draw out the arbitration too long, it will become severe for the wallet of the Browig household's side.

Progressing leads into hell and stalling leads into hell, that's how it is, I guess?

"Even if it's advantageous for you now now, it will become disadvantageous if our side dispatches the soldiers again." (???)

"Really? If you recover the disputed areas by sending forth soldiers again, that's fine as we will send out our soldiers at that time, too." (Breithilde)

Originally the defending side has the bigger advantage than the attacking side. At that time Katharina, Burkhart-san and me will depart to the front again.

Paralysing them with Area Stun, we will demand ransom after capturing them.

Finishing it without killing anyone, it's a very sweet business to earn money.

"By the way, how about your opinion on this matter, Earl Baumeister?" (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde signals me to state my opinion as well.

"As for me, it's fine if my household and the Associate Baron Waigel household receive the ransom of the captured prisoners. The reconciliation money for returning the remaining concessions can simply be negotiated in good faith by each of the eastern nobles, who bet on a cowardly surprise attack. Of course, if something happens again, I will dispatch my soldiers according to the request of Margrave Breithilde-dono, who is my patron." (Wendelin)

My opinion caused the expressions of the military officers of Browig's camp, who are present at the negotiations, to become ghastly pale.

A large amount of prisoners being caught once it turns into a battle again will very likely lead into their bankruptcy due to the ransom.

Having said that, if it turned into a desperate war where people get killed, it could be expected for the royal palace to get involved.

What made them overlook the disputes between fellow nobles until now was the nobles controlling to their utmost abilities for no casualties to appear except those who run wild.

That means it has been treated as way to let off some steam and thus has been tolerated. If they violated that, the Margrave Browig household might at worst get crushed.

"Anything else, Earl Baumeister-dono?" (???)

The military officer referred to as chief retainer of Browig's camp asks me with a suggestive tone.

Probably the one who made Thomas' group to cause a rebellion in the Knight Baumeister territory is this guy.

Suppressing the rebellion in little time, Thomas and his comrades, who were used as sacrificial pawns, have become my retainers and took a new family name in the end.

Thomas ended up capturing his real elder brother in an one-on-one battle. Just like Nikolaus he boldly introduced himself with another family name and went even as far as applying pressure on the other party who became a prisoner.

This retainer probably can't endure his uneasiness when I will play that trump card.

"No, not really. Ah, I have employed some nice people in order to compensate for the lately lacking manpower. Well, I'm envious of a household like the Margrave Browig household which has plenty of personnel." (Wendelin)

Although I'm not saying it deliberately, the meaning behind my words is, "After all you are able to throw away more than 20 young men for a rear disturbance operation.".

The expression of the elderly chief retainer, who noticed that, became even more pale.

It's not like it's particularly necessary for our side to finalize the negotiations quickly in a forced manner.

As for settling it hurriedly, it's more disadvantageous to get on with the intentions of Browig's camp.

"Which reminds me, I'm thirsty. Elise." (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Elise)

Upon my instruction, Elise begins to brew tea and to distribute it amongst our allies. The tea-cake is after all a new chocolate pastry.

Taking a light meal, eating sweets and drinking something like tea in an elegant style is suitable to display our composure to the other side in this location.

However, those are only distributed to our allies.

If something like an unfortunate death happened after the opposing side ate and drank with us, they would suspect us of having poisoned them.

It's a rule to prepare your own drinks and food at such occasions.

"This has a good flavour." (???)

"It seems to be sold at a shop in Breitburg now, too. It's our purveyor though." (Wendelin)

"That's enviable. I'd like you to sell it to our Viscount Krieger territory as well by all means." (???)

"Then let's try visiting that merchant soon." (Wendelin)

"I would welcome that very much." (???)

"Earl Baumeister-dono, please treat my Kumeschu Barony favourably, too." (???)

Intentionally holding business talks over the sweets in a carefree manner, we induce the Browig household's side to get angry and impatient. And then they snapped at last.

They dissolved the negotiations with the conclusion that they will present a new arbitration draft tomorrow and each side took the first conditions of the other with them.

"Can we compromise a bit more tomorrow?" (Wendelin)

"Who knows? I don't at least. The other side wants to bring it down to a draw at least." (Breithilde)

"Their conditions are impossible to begin with though..." (Wendelin)

"Accordingly, if they admit that, all of them will be ruined." (Breithilde)

Even though they selfishly dispatched the soldiers by utilizing the sickness of the family head in order for the eldest son, whom they are backing, to succeed, they ended up having to pay an enormous amount of money after suffering an utter defeat in reverse.

Otherwise they will receive further economic damage while being excluded from the development rights.

From the point of view of the civil officials, who are supporting the second son, it can also be called a definite chance to go for the win.

After all their rivals destroyed themselves.

In the worst case they have to be resolved for a possible severe punishment, even if it's the confiscation of everything they own by crushing their esteemed households, but that might be a nightmare for the second son as well.

"In the end it will take a bit time. But they won't have any other choice but accepting our arbitration draft." (Breithilde)

Our side has no reasons to compromise.

The first day of the negotiations was only an introduction.

But, the situation has completely changed on the second day.

"For the sake of keeping the fairness of the negotiations, we brought along Foreign Affairs official Mahler from the capital with us."

Suddenly Browig's camp brought along an appointed noble from the capital.

It's a man, who had a corpulent belly and who seems to be around the first half of his fifties. No matter how you look at him, he seems to be dyed in corruption.

In the first place, though they are talking about something like maintaining fairness, they abruptly bring someone suspicious along without informing our side about it.

In the end, Foreign Affairs official Mahler or whatever began to one-sidedly support Browig's camp once the negotiations started.

"The royal palace doesn't wish for further disturbances in the East and South. It probably can't be helped even if you are stubborn here. The ransom for the captured nobles will be paid according to the market price and the situation will be returned to before the war." (Mahler)

Foreign Affairs official Mahler stated the conditions, Browig's camp presented yesterday, completely like a parrot.

Moreover, he politely attaches the just cause of the royal palace not wishing for a further continuation of the dispute.

Naturally, it isn't even worth to discuss it.

Margrave Breithilde points out the mistakes of the Browig household's side in a logical manner like yesterday and leaves his seat after stating that those are completely the same conditions as before.

"That Foreign Affairs official Mahler, who's this?" (Wendelin)

"He is a henchman of Marquis Schultrich, who's the current Minister of Foreign Affairs." (Breithilde)

That reminds me, I had seen his face and name during my stay in the capital.

However, the clout of the Minister of Foreign Affairs is small in the Helmut Kingdom.

The reason is that the sole negotiation partner is Holy Empire Urquhart.

If there were plenty of other countries, the Minister of Foreign Affairs should be a star minister.

However, the reality is that the ministry's budget and scale of office is small since there's only one other country.

Since there hasn't been a war for more than 200 years either, they guide the friendship group, which is sent regularly, or gather information in the embassy in the capital of the other country.

Moreover, the guidance and composition of the friendship group is overlapping with the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Engineering and the Ministry of Commerce which is handling the trade.

Given that military officers have also been dispatched to the embassy by the army for gathering intelligence, those also steal half of their job.

If one asks "What about something like the arbitration between fellow nobles like in this case?", then it enters the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Domestic Affairs as this is a dispute between fellow nobles of the same country.

The minister ended up being referred to as "The most unimportant one of all the cabinet ministers" or "Compared with the organs of the body, he is the appendix".

"Even if he is called Foreign Affairs official, he doesn't have any particular job either. The post exists for the sake of handing it to nobles." (Breithilde)

Because it's such honorary position, no one minds his attitude.

If he was able to wield large influence on the arbitration, there should have been a warning by Finance Minister Rückner beforehand.

"Do you know about him, Margrave Breithilde?" (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Breithilde)

As appointed Viscount, his ability is mediocre.

However, with Margrave Browig's younger sister being his wife, he seems to be a person who was able to be inaugurated as Foreign Affairs official due to that connection.

"He is a man of Browig's camp with all his heart." (Wendelin)

"Well, he has no role either though." (Breithilde)

It's not like Mahler participated in this negotiation by particularly following the orders of the royal palace.

Moreover, he is throwing out the name of the royal palace to threaten our side at the negotiation location.

It was easy to crush him.

"That means it's fine to take this as Minister Schultrich siding with the Browig household, right?" (Wendelin)

[That's a big misunderstanding. Although his duties are focussed on the capital usually, a certain official has joined the arbitration of the dispute selfishly and done something like siding with one party while using the name of the royal palace. That's something absolutely unforgivable.] (Schultrich)

All of the ministers possess a magic hand-held communication device. I'm able to call Minister Schultrich at any time.

Which reminds me, that was the first time I talked with him, but apparently he had the generosity to receive a complaint from our side.

Also, he has declared that Viscount Mahler's actions are on his own judgement.

[Even though he appears on personal matters, he uses the name of his official post. He shouldn't even show his face there as it will invite a misunderstanding since he holds an official position. He isn't fit for the job of being an official.] (Schultrich)

"Since that judgements lies in your discretion, Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs, I don't have any intention to meddle in that from my side. However, Viscount Mahler's actions are lacking common sense." (Wendelin)

[It's enough of a reason to dismiss him. It's also fine for you to disregard the pretentious statements of that fellow.] (Schultrich)

He introduces himself with his official position for personal affairs, uses the name of the kingdom and makes even moves on the duties of other public offices.

Moreover he is one-sidedly supporting the side, he has blood-relations with, in a dispute between fellow nobles.

If you consider how dangerous that is, you could even say that his dismissal is natural.

The pathetic him has already lost his post as official of Foreign Affairs.

It seems that Viscount Mahler wasn't a particularly valuable personnel for Minister Schultrich either.

For the person himself to know about his dismissal might be a bit more in the future though.

"With that I'm much obliged to you, Minister Schultrich. Please tell Artur-san to send you your own suitable choice of chocolates and fruits." (Wendelin)

[Gladly.] (Schultrich)

Once I finished the talk with Minister Schultrich, I contacted Roderich right away and asked him to send my gratitude to the minister.

It's not a bribe, but such things are necessary since he helped me.

Although I'm repeating myself; it's definitely not a bribe.

"Your personal connections are magnificent, aren't they?" (Breithilde)

"However, even if that Viscount becomes unemployed, there's no compensation connected to the progress of the arbitration either." (Wendelin)

Although it seemed that Viscount Mahler was the trump card of the Browig household's side, his figure had disappeared on the third day.

It looks like there's no point in him showing up at the arbitration after being fired from his job as Foreign Affairs official.

If you ask why I knew that, that's because I received a message from the royal palace beforehand that a special envoy will be sent to join as mediator of the arbitration.

The special envoy was Viscount Knappstein who is managing the noble's family register under Minister of Domestic Affairs Becker.

With an age of around 30 years, his hair is rather short and and cleanly divided in two half in the middle. His looks were those of a diligent governmental official.

For some reason there are many people who are clad in an appearance and atmosphere which resembled the previous generations because nobles inherit official positions.

The people of the Earl Armstrong household, which has a family lineage of being a military household for many generations, are a prime example for that.

"I'm the special envoy Malte Oskar von Knappstein. I'm just saying it in case first, but I won't support either side. To the bitter end I will stay neutral." (Knappstein)

Once he greeted with just that short introduction at the beginning, he ended up sticking to his role of a silent listener.

He has apparently investigated the current situation and the particulars of this time's dispute before coming here. And he has his own special arbitration draft after referencing the information with past arbitration drafts.

But he will apparently only speak of that at the time when the negotiations between both parties aren't readily settling.

If possible, he wanted a solution between the related parties themselves without forcing the arbitration draft from the royal place onto us. That will be a peaceful solution then.

"Then, since its the continuation from yesterday..." (Breithilde)

Saying that, Margrave Breithilde's expression is dark.

That's because in these four days we weren't able to grasp a beginning of an agreement as there are too many differences in each side's conditions.

"The ransom will have a separate negotiation. The reconciliation money to return the disputed concessions and territories to their pre-war state is 1 million cent." (???)

"Why are you repeatedly saying the same thing? This time's dispute's food expenses aren't even included in the reconciliation money." (Breithilde)

"1.01 million cents then." (???)

"Are you screwing around with us? There's no problem for me with the condition of taking all the captured concessions without you having to pay reconciliation money." (Breithilde)

"Don't mess with us!"

It couldn't be described as anything but "Just as before."

Both side's claims are just following each other in parallel lines.

Browig's camp has the selfish idea of not wanting any economical losses as much as possible while sustaining their own pride in this time's disgrace.

On the other hand, Margrave Breithilde doesn't seem to be that greedy.

From his point of view, he seems to be expecting the other side to get obstinate if he demands a too excessive amount of money although it's an one-sided overwhelming victory.

He doesn't let the opinions of our allied nobles to influence his considerations overly much, but he has likely judged that they will profit if we settle this quickly and return to the cooperation in the development.

"The reconciliation is 500 million cents. I won't go any lower than that." (Breithilde)

Returning the shares of concessions back to the pre-war state has the consent of the nobles who bore an extra burden in this time's dispute.

For that reason it's necessary for him to give them a certain extent of money. There's no obligation for the Margrave Breithilde household to be burdened with that either.

If you can't pay the money, recognise the current state of affairs.

For Margrave Breithilde, who has to keep his face too, even this is just barely a compromise.

"We aren't able to pay such large amount of money!" (???)

The chief retainer, who is single-handedly responsible for the negotiations on Browig's side, raised his voice and rejected that proposal.

Also, for men from the provinces it's a questionable matter whether they can pay that reconciliation money in one go.

This time the war expenditures have been considerably high. It's no good if they don't take responsibility for the ransom of the nobles, who have been captured, either.

Moreover, even if they pay that money, they won't be added to the concessions of the Savage Lands development. Economically one could expect them to have an even more distressing future.

"What do you think, Earl Baumeister?" (Breithilde)

"Haa. Since both side's claims are too far apart, it doesn't look like there will be a solution no matter how many days we sit here. Well, the amount of ransom will be rising accordingly though." (Wendelin)

It's normal to add the money for treating the prisoners to the ransom. Therefore you could call it natural for the burden to increase in proportion to the length of the dispute if it gets dragged out.

"Since I'm a novice, I'm not very knowledgeable about the rough estimation of the reconciliation money. Therefore, how about having the special envoy-dono, who has a neutral stance, present an idea that can become an indicator?" (Wendelin)

"Me?" (Knappstein)

"Yes. I believe you have made the calculations already just in case." (Wendelin)

"That's true. For caution's sake I have calculated it already." (Knappstein)

Viscount Knappstein, who is the type of a serious bureaucrat, has created his own special arbitration draft after all.

"However, such arbitration drafts from the royal palace's side aren't accepted often." (Knappstein)

"It doesn't matter. Even if it's not adopted, it can become an indicator, I think." (Wendelin)

"True. I have used references as well." (Knappstein)

"... Just in case, let us hear it." (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde and the chief retainer of the Browig household accepted my suggestion.

Or rather, Margrave Breithilde will accept that proposal without doubt.

That's because the royal palace has created the arbitration after looking at the current state of affairs objectively without any favouritism.

As there won't be any disadvantages for the royal palace's side, there will be benefits in accepting it even if the reconciliation money is reduced somewhat.

Margrave Breithilde thinks that he can compensate a slight reduction in reconciliation money right away with the development rights. If he obediently abides to the arbitration draft of the royal palace, it will also create some favours with the kingdom.

He should be thinking that he can settle things by increasing the concessions a bit, even if dissatisfactions appear among the nobles who were involved in the dispute.

Furthermore, even in the case that Browig's camp doesn't accept that arbitration draft, it will deepen the degree of them being isolated and disliked by the royal palace.

No matter which way it goes, Margrave Breithilde won't incur any losses.

"Understood. I will present the preliminary calculated arbitration draft." (Knappstein)

Be that as it may, the conditions are no different from the one Margrave Breithilde presented in the beginning.

The only difference is that the reconciliation money had been reduced to 400 million cents.

"The reconciliation money is too much!" (???)

"Is that so?" (Knappstein)

Viscount Knappstein tilted his head to the side without changing his expression due to the protest by Browig's camp.

"What's the basis for that amount of reconciliation money?" (???)

"Basis?" (Knappstein)

Viscount Knappstein begins to give a breakdown of the reconciliation money with a calm face.

"I have heard that this time's dispute began from a surprise attack by the nobles of the Browig household's side although the common law has no such provisions. Although it's not stated in the law to announce it beforehand, it has become a custom to do so for a long time. Therefore, the Browig household's side should bear the responsibility for breaking that custom. Also..." (Knappstein)

Viscount Knappstein sent an unnatural look my way.

The custom-breaking surprise attack and the manoeuvring of disturbing the rear for the sake of me being unable to dispatch my troops.

Naturally that has been exposed to the royal palace and in addition to that it has apparently become a reason for the arbitration draft to be disadvantageous for Browig's camp.

"Regarding the ransom for the prisoners, the royal palace isn't concerned. Please negotiate to accordingly settle it on your side. Also, although the reconciliation money is for the sake to return the disputed matters to their pre-war state, I believe you will lose everything if you don't give up and pay since you have been defeated up to this point, but..." (Knappstein)

If it was only a stand-off, it would finish by withdrawing the soldiers of both sides, but the state is that Browig's camp has already fought in fact and lost everything.

The royal palace won't say anything but "Pay the reconciliation money", Viscount Knappstein explained.

"In any case, it's too high!" (???)

"I believe the related parties will get angry if they hear that after having lost their concessions once by a sudden attack." (Knappstein)

In the first place it's possible for dissatisfactions to appear because it will be only returned to the pre-war state.

If they don't pay a suitable amount of reconciliation money, it's unthinkable for them to agree.

"And, I have a single question from my side." (Knappstein)

It seems there's something Viscount Knappstein wants to ask Browig's camp.

"What is it?" (???)

"Who will sign the unitary arbitration draft?" (Knappstein)

"Naturally that will be Karla-sama!" (???)

Due to the question of Viscount Knappstein, who doesn't change his voice at all, the chief retainer of the Browig household replied in a tone of, "Why are you asking something that obvious?"

"Is it possible that the arbitration draft won't be implemented if Karla-dono signs it?" (Knappstein)

"However, Karla-sama is Margrave Browig-sama's representative..." (???)

"That's weird. Just what is Margrave Browig, who is responsible for one side of this time's dispute, doing now?" (Knappstein)

It seems Viscount Knappstein felt the same doubt as us.

"If Margrave Browig-done himself doesn't sign this, something like an arbitration draft is meaningless, no matter whether we come to an agreement on it." (Knappstein)

"No... But, that..." (???)

"If it's a serious illness to the degree that Margrave Browig isn't able to sign himself, it will be fine for his heir to sign as his representative." (Knappstein)

Karla as Supreme Commander representative was barely legal as decoration, but even if she signs the documents where the arbitration draft is written, it won't become valid officially.

Viscount Knappstein began to explain the laws of nobles completely like a staff member of a public office.

"The esteemed eldest son Philip or the esteemed second son Christoph, I'd like either of them to come here. I believe they should participate in the negotiations." (Knappstein)

"That is, umm..." (???)

As it's completely unknown whether the Margrave will see tomorrow, they exposed a flustered state while chewing their words as they can't even claim to have been outwitted by the remaining faction if they aren't at his side at the time of his death.

"Then, Margrave Browig-dono will come?" (Knappstein)

"That is also..." (???)

"In that case there's nothing to talk about in these negotiations. Even if we receive your signature after working out the conditions, it won't have any effect." (Knappstein)

While Viscount Knappstein shows a fed-up expression, he changes his target to Margrave Breithilde next.

"I understand that you want to settle on an arbitration draft quickly, but even if we reach that, won't it mean spending time on something meaningless?" (Knappstein)

"As for me, I recognize that Margrave Browig, who is unable to go outside his mansion, entrusted full authority over this time's dispatch of troops to Karla-dono and the retainers here by giving orders from the rear, even in regards to these arbitration negotiations. If we settle on an arbitration draft, someone will show up to sign them. I'm aware that this meeting is a preliminary conference for that." (Breithilde)

"Haa... That's your take after all, huh?" (Knappstein)

According to the information gathered by our side, Margrave Browig's condition is very likely quite bad.

We considered the possibility of a camouflage as well, but once the war situation has deteriorated up to this point, it would be strange for him to not appear at the front.

Soldiers have been gathered by many of the supporting feudal army's leaders for the sake of the eldest son, Philip, to get an upper hand as successor. We assessed this to be the consistent outline in the prediction of who caused this time's dispute.

Probably using the illness of his father, Margrave Browig, he should have sent out the soldiers in quite the pushy manner.

If it was a success, he would get the upper hand, but if it was a failure, the pressure by the second son, Christoph, and the civil officials would get quite harsh.

That's why they likely tried to make us shrink back by presenting impossible conditions in the arbitration draft.

"It's splendid even if we accept the reconciled conditions as is, but I believe it's soon necessary for the Browig household's side to announce who will sign the agreement." (Knappstein)

The people from Browig's camp end up depressed due to Viscount Knappstein's advice. That day's negotiations were closed while being unable to reconcile the conditions decently either.

* * *

"I don't comprehend how it turned into a war when they were told to decide on a person to sign the agreement. Did Viscount Knappstein imply something that provoked them?"

"I'd say they simply got cornered by the circumstances going haywire...?"

"Did Margrave Breithilde corner them too much?"

"If they were cornered too much by that, there wouldn't be any meaning in doing something like an arbitration."

* * *

At night of that day I was suddenly woken up by Moritz.

It looks like Margrave Browig's main army has started to move. Thus there were orders for an emergency state handed out to our entire army.

After giving orders to Moritz and Thomas to prepare our troops, I hurried to Margrave Breithilde's location. There the commanders of our forces were advancing the preparations of the army by giving instructions to messengers with grave expressions.

"A repetition of the nightmare from several decades before, huh?" (Wendelin)

Once I examined the state of Margrave Browig's main army with a telescope I took out of my magic bag, they had put the files and ranks of their army in order while lighting a large quantity of torches.

They will probably start the attack with the whole army once they finish that.

"It's great that it's no surprise attack." (Wendelin)

"Neither our nor their side is that skilled." (Breithilde)

You have to prepare the files and ranks of an army during night while making no sounds and having almost no light, carry out the attack without being noticed by the enemy and make sure to avoid friendly-fire.

In these last 200 years troops, which were that proficient, vanished from this continent. Maintaining elites costs a tremendous amount of money and time.

"Instead it looks like they brought out a reserve we hadn't seen until now." (Wendelin)

As it appears that they had still military forces hidden in the rear, the total amount of Browig's main army has apparently increased to around 10.000 soldiers.

Given that their numbers are almost twice ours, I guess they believe in the possibility of winning if they take the initiative.

"A terrible amount of victims will emerge though." (Wendelin)

"There will more people die than in the past dispute I participated in." (Klaus)

Even Klaus, who accompanied me, has a bitter expression due to them starting a reckless war.

Even if Margrave Browig's side won here, it should definitely come back and bite them in the ass.

If it really turns into a war, the royal palace likely won't hesitate anymore to intervene.

"What's that Browig lot thinking?" (Wendelin)

"To falsify the situation?" (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde predicted that it was a scheme by the leader of the feudal armies who acted as delegation representative at the negotiations.

"It's a war between fellow nobles, thus they will be able to gain a certain amount of evaluation if they win?" (Breithilde)

"Before that, the damage will be too high and they will be hated by everyone. Their side still hasn't achieved anything, but..." (Wendelin)

"That's why. If they don't achieve anything, it will be their ruin." (Breithilde)

I don't know to what degree they are following the eldest son's, Philip's, intentions by dispatching the soldiers, but they probably want to avoid the future of accepting a disadvantageous arbitration draft because of a decisive defeat.

If that happened, all of them, who have led the army, would lose their standings. That's because this would be the decisive factor for the second son, Christoph, to become the successor.

If they are to get ruined by achieving nothing as is, they will bet on an unlikely possibility no matter how many victims appear from that.

The ones dying are other people anyway.

It was a very irresponsible way of thinking, but humans are beings who don't want to lose their privileges.

If it's high-ranking nobles at the level of the Margrave Browig household and their retainers, they possess a lot more authority than some poor appointed Baron.

Because now is the crucial moment where it will be decided whether they will lose that or keep it, it was very likely for them to do something excessive.

"Are there this many hot-blooded fellows among military personnel?" (Wendelin)

"Rather than hot-bloodedness, I guess they are taking reckless and drastic measures because they are cornered?" (Breithilde)

Although they caused a war by selfishly dispatching their soldiers to stage a surprise attack at the beginning, they plan to plunge into a real war while even disregarding the rules once they lost. They were a self-centred bunch at a terrifying level.

"A war is out of the question, but I'm staying here today as well. Do they think it doesn't matter even if I die after getting involved in it?" (Knappstein)

Even Viscount Knappstein's expression changed into one of bewilderment.

Since he is a neutral special envoy, he lodges at the camps of both sides while alternating every day.

"Maybe they are expecting a special envoy, which is a bit more partial for their side, to replace you, once you are killed in line of your duty, Viscount Knappstein?" (Wendelin)

"That's an amusing joke." (Knappstein)

Viscount Knappstein reacted to my joke without laughing even a bit.

If the special envoy sent by the royal palace dies in action after getting involved, they will make even the royal palace their enemies.

"So, what will we do?" (Wendelin)

"While defending against the attack, we will wait for reinforcements. I have sent a request for reinforcements already." (Breithilde)

Even if we ordered a withdrawal from now on, that will be difficult in regards to the soldiers' skills.

If they are attacked due to showing their backs, a crushing defeat will be inevitable.

Given that it was impossible to retreat without throwing the ranks in chaos, there was no other choice but to wait for reinforcements while persisting in a defensive fight.

"However, my ability to command is, you know..." (Breithilde)

Although it's difficult for him to say so, but Margrave Breithilde isn't skilled at military arts.

His strong point is the aspect of military administration like logistical support, but he is quite bad at commanding troops.

Of course he can rely on his retainers, but he replied that it's questionable whether they can support him in relation to the numbers.

"In that case, there's nothing left but to do it." (Wendelin)

If it turns into a war, it might change into a tragedy for our feudal army with less than 100 soldiers.

There's also several women. There's no way for us to get overrun just like that.

"Will you blow them away with magic?" (Breithilde)

"No, I will make them unable to fight with Area Stun." (Wendelin)

"Isn't that difficult?" (Breithilde)

Something like crippling the combat ability of the enemy army, which will close in as one vast group of 10.000 people over an extensive range, with Area Stun is probably impossible to begin with, even if I use all of my mana.

"Accordingly I have a plan." (Wendelin)

Time is too precious to stand here and explain it.

Thus I started to prepare while explaining the plan.

First off, advancing around 20 meters from the front line of Margrave Breithilde's main army, I plump down in the grasslands sitting in a cross-legged Zen meditation posture.

From my magic bag I take out all magic gems, I prepared in advance learning from last time, grab only the magic gems I'm able to grasp in both hands and place all of the remaining gems on top of my crossed legs.

"Full throttle mana usage, huh?" (Burkhart)

"Please help out as well, Burkhart-san." (Wendelin)

"Okay. Guess I have no other choice." (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san also sat down right next to me in a Zen meditation posture, held in both hands the magic gems which he prepared in large quantities and placed the rest on top of his crossed legs.

"Using such amount of magic gems, will it be a wide range Area Stun?" (Katharina)

Katharina, who came to see Burkhart-san's and my state, had a cramp on her face after hearing about this reckless strategy.

"Since it became like this, there's no other choice but to bet on Earl-sama's amount of mana. I'm only in charge of the range I'm able to cover by myself. What will you do, Honorary Associate Baron-dono?" (Burkhart)

"I wonder what you are asking here. Of course I will participate." (Katharina)

It looked like she was slightly uneasy, but she probably thought about the chances of success by predicting it in her own way.

She sits down, opposite of Burkhart-san with me in-between, while crossing her legs in a Zen meditation stance.

Furthermore, she took out a large quantity of magic gems from her own magic bag.

"It will be difficult to control the mana." (Katharina)

"It's fine to pull out, if it looks impossible." (Burkhart)

Since I expressly received special training, I want to confirm the results." (Katharina)

We are now able to cast a wide-range Area Stun, but it's necessary to appoint the range divisions to not overlap with each other.

Since we had such nice amount of magic gems, our biggest objective was to use them all up.

Given that one will faint if they use up all of their own mana, you have to consciously absorb mana from the magic gems one after the other before that.

If one fails to support the mana supply for even 0,1 seconds, they will faint before the mana is absorbed from the magic gems.

If that happened, we wouldn't be able to cast such a vast ranged Area Stun.

We, who have gone out in front, would likely be squashed by the charging enemy army. There would also be an enormous number of victims in a real battle.

"It's not using the internal mana by squeezing it out as much as possible but losing mana from the body at once. You have to absorb mana from one magic gem to another as fast as possible." (Burkhart)

The total amount of magic gems possessed by us three is 60 gems.

According to Burkhart-san's calculation; if we use all of them up before fainting from using all of our mana, we will somehow be able to make the majority unable to fight.

"The one in charge is..." (Wendelin)

It was a rough explanation because there isn't much time, but it's around a tenth of the edge for Burkhart-san and around a fifth of the same edge for Katharina to deal with.

In the end I became responsible for the majority of the central part of the army.

"Unfortunately this amount of mana are mine and Katharina-jou-chan's limits." (Burkhart)

"That's so. My mana capacity has reached its limit in the previous capacity unification." (Katharina)

If I failed, that would lead to the failure of the strategy.

Even if the two of them made a mistake, we would be able to sufficiently withstand them until the reinforcements came since we would surpass their numbers.

"I want to decrease the victims by us three succeeding, if possible." (Katharina)

"If we fail, I will escape and let Wend's group bear the complaints from the others." (Katharina)

Once we finished preparing the wide-range Area Stun, Erw, Ina, Elise, Wilma and Klaus showed up.

"That's true. If that happens, it will become something beyond expectations." (Ina)

Even Ina declared that she will escape in a small magic airship in a hurry while letting me bear responsibility.

"Katharina, you look a bit too heavy..." (Wilma)

"I gained a bit of weight since I started living with Wendelin-san, but I'm not that heavy!" (Katharina)

Wilma abused Katharina verbally that she seemed to be too heavy. Katharina rebutted that.

"Umm, since I have the ring I was given by you, Wendelin-sama, I will cast [Light of Miracles] twice." (Elise)

"If that's the case, I leave the replenishment of Earl-sama and Honorary Associate Baron-sama to you. If it's only me, the burden might be a bit too high, I guess?" (Burkhart)

Elise has [Light of Miracles] which is capable of recovering mana, albeit only half of it.

If she uses this, it might be possible to attack twice.

If that's no good, it's also possible to pick the choice of running away.

"Carrying Burkhart-sama, old man stench..." (Wilma)

"That's a lie! I still don't stink like an elderly man!" (Burkhart)

Unfortunately Wilma's statement was no lie.

With Burkhart-san's age being over 50 years already, he couldn't avoid something like that no matter what he did.

No matter how much he glossed it over with perfume, he couldn't deceive Wilma's keen nose.

"Jou-chan's! I still don't have such smell, okay?" (Burkhart)

"Umm..." (Ina)

"What should I say...?" (Elise)

"The level of the chief retainer of the Browig household, who came to the negotiations, is..." (Wilma)

"Noooooo! Don't lump me together with such pig~~~!" (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san, who had his distinctive body odour of an elderly man acknowledged by the entire female camp, screamed on the spot completely as if to say that it was for the sake of raising the morale before the fight.

"They will be here soon." (Klaus)

"Alright! I will capture that pig!" (Burkhart)

It totally feels like he is venting his anger, but just as pointed out by Klaus, an earth tremor reverberated from several hundred meters ahead of us.

The mounted knights and the dashing infantrymen charged to overrun us.

"What will they do if it becomes a real battle?" (???)

"I guess they believe that they can manage somehow or other if they win." (???)

Although they are pretty much chief retainers of a high-ranking noble, there didn't seem to be much of a difference to Walter and Karl in their cornered thinking.

"The invocation of the wide-range Area Stun will be once the distance becomes 100m."

Within the steadily increasing trembling at a terrifying level, we sounded out the tinning for the magic.

After several seconds, a large amount of arrows came flying our way from the enemy army, but those are skilfully repelled by Eru's sword and Ina's spear.

"Hey! Those ain't arrows used for training!" (Erwin)

"They are really planning to annihilate us..."

Ignoring yet another rule, that lot was using real weapons.

Since it has already become like this, it can't be described as anything but them completely losing their self-control.

Of course, our ally's camp have released a large amount of arrows as well. There are knights who have fallen off the horse.

"Boy! Jou-chan!" (Burkhart)

"Let's go!" (Wendelin)

"Area Stun!" (Katharina)

We cast the Area Stun spell towards the areas assigned to each of us.

Since a huge range has been assigned, mana is consumed at a rate even I can grasp.

I consciously absorb mana from the magic gems I'm holding in a hurry.

One, two, three magic gems become empty in an instant. At the moment the last one was empty, the entire enemy army, which had approached up to 50 m, fell to the ground simultaneously.

Knights collapse together with their horses on the spot. Same for those like infantrymen.

"Did it go smoothly?" (Wendelin)

However, for the current me it was impossible to confirm it.

As it was the same for Burkhart-san and Katharina, they had already used up all of their mana and lost consciousness right there.

"The rest is..." (Wendelin)

Before being able to say "up to you", I completely lost my consciousness.

Chapter 68: The settlement of the war is troublesome, be it as winner or loser

"..." (Wendelin)

"Are you alright, Vel?" (Ina)

Me, Burkhart-san and Katharina, the three of us cast an Area Stun on the whole army of Margrave Browig and fainted after using up all our mana.

I remember that far, but I have no memories beyond that point.

Even though the enemy came attacking in the night, currently the light of day is radiantly shining. It seems like I slept for quite the while.

"What about Browig's army?" (Wendelin)

"They were utterly defeated." (Ina)

Ina, who is anxiously staring at me who had fainted, explained the events after we lost consciousness.

"The wide-range Area Stun was a success." (Ina)

Apparently it bore fruit for us to utilize several tens of magic gems after deciding our respective divisions.

However, all of the magic gems, Ina had shown me, were completely drained.

"Burkhart-san and Katharina are also sleeping due to mana exhaustion." (Ina)

"I see. But, what happened to Elise's Light of Miracles?" (Wendelin)

"There are many wounded. Since almost everyone of Browig's army became unable to fight, Margrave Breithilde asked her to put priority on treating the wounded." (Ina)

Given that we only fainted from mana exhaustion, they apparently let us sleep just like that.

"There were this many injuries?" (Wendelin)

"Just the count of casualties is close to 100 people..." (Ina)

I recall the situation yesterday night.

In order to get all of Browig's army affected by the Area Stun, we drew them in as far as possible, but before that, Margrave Browig's army released many arrows.

"There are people who have been hit in bad places. It seems there were 3 casualties among our allies, too." (Ina)

Since Margrave Breithilde's army responded to the attack by firing arrows, many casualties have appeared on the side of Browig's army.

Rather, since a lot of arrows came our way as we were lying in wait for them, it looks like Margrave Browig's camp has more casualties due to arrows.

"Did the casualties concentrate around the knights?" (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Ina)

At the they had been galloping on their horses at a considerable speed, they were paralysed together with their horses and fell off. You can even say that it's only natural for the casualties to increase.

There were many samurai and feudal lords who died after falling off their horses in the Warring States period and Edo period of Japan, too. Since the size of the horses in this world is close to thoroughbreds, it would be reasonable for the amount of casualties to suddenly increase if you consider falling off a horse with a high momentum.

"Elise is very busy with healing the injured." (Ina)

She would have likely restored our mana with [Light of Miracles] if Browig's army still had intended to fight, but fortunately almost all of Browig's army became unable to fight after one cast.

Last night there was a report that the paralysed soldiers of the Margrave Browig army have been captured and relieved and that there have been several hundred soldiers of the enemy army who escaped the Area Stun by being in the rear.

To begin with, since their allies were suddenly wiped out in front of their eyes, they apparently ended up throwing away their weapons without any resistance.

Afterwards the troop headquarters, set up by the Browig army, was confiscated.

However, even there the few remaining soldiers, numbering only around 100 to guard the materials, surrendered immediately after hearing about the main army's defeat.

"Eru was successful at leading the troops to confiscate the troop headquarters." (Ina)

"That guy. He is working quite diligently." (Wendelin)

When it was close to morning while they were arresting the warriors of Browig's main forces and continuing to heal, soldiers, who were urgently transported in a continuous stream of small magic airships due to the emergency request last night, arrived.

They assisted their allies, went scouting and apparently captured ten-odd emergency food storages in the rear of the troop headquarters.

"As those places were only protected by few guards, they surrendered with almost no resistance or ran away." (Ina)

"An overwhelming victory, huh." (Wendelin)

What were they thinking? The Browig army, which was committed to the ideology of opening a path towards victory since they were cornered, started an attack with all their power just to end up with many casualties and the rest becoming prisoners due to our magic instead.

Their numbers surpass 10.000 people. There were also 10 nobles in the main army.

The top brass of the feudal armies as well as the Browig army and Margrave Browig's daughter, albeit her being only a figurehead. Just the ransom will increase the burden on Margrave Browig household's finances drastically.

"Margrave Breithilde-sama wants to talk with you about that matter." (Ina)

"Got it." (Wendelin)

It looks like the time is already just before noon.

My mana recovered completely because I slept for a long time. I also felt like my maximum amount of mana gained a bit. In exchange I feel a bit dizzy due to my tremendous hunger.

After eating chocolate, I took out from my magic bag, I get up from my makeshift bed with Ina's help.

"You okay?" (Ina)

"It's the same as at the time of the battle with the dragon golem. I will recover soon." (Wendelin)

A short while later I feel clear-headed as the sugar apparently reached my brain.

With this I should finally go to Margrave Breithilde's location.

"Any difficulties?" (Ina)

"It's fine, but please support me for a little while..." (Wendelin)

I had no particular dizziness or such when I tried to stand up, but since she has a nice scent if I lean against Ina, I pretend that my condition is a bit poor.

"What about Katharina?" (Wendelin)

"The same as with you, Wend. I think she's still sleeping." (Ina)

Once we moved to a slightly apart makeshift bed where Katharina was sleeping, she was apparently already awake.

"My stomach is empty... But, I will endure here." (Katharina)

"A diet?" (Wendelin)

"To the bitter end it's for caution's sake, but it's possible that I might become fat..." (Katharina)

"For caution's sake, eh..." (Ina)

It doesn't particularly seem to be the case to me, but I wonder how it's in reality?

I don't mind it, but it might be a serious issue for the person herself.

"Is that so? Rather than that, Margrave Breithilde is calling us, Honorary Associate Baron-dono." (Ina)

"I guess so." (Katharina)

She was summoned because she is a noble as well, as she slept for almost half a day after using up all of her mana, the sugar level of her brain isn't sufficient, it seems.

As she wasn't unable to stand up like she wished, she sat on top of the makeshift bed and shook her head.

"Hey, eat something sweet. That will make it easier." (Wendelin)

"Sweets are..." (Katharina)

"You were told by Burkhart-san. Eei! Something like dieting is unnecessary for you!" (Wendelin)

Now that it has come to this, I can only push it into her mouth forcibly.

However, since it's possible for her to close her mouth if I push it in with my hand, there's nothing better than snatching her calm judgement away here.

I hold a piece of choco in my mouth, kiss Katharina just like that and force the piece of choco with my tongue into her mouth.

She ate it due to the forceful mouth-to-mouth feeding.

"~~~!?" (Katharina)

Due to my unexpected deed, the head of Katharina, who has no immunity towards such methods, ended up boiling.

She was in a daze while being bright red, but she is apparently chewing the choco which was crammed into her mouth.

"Do you want to eat a bit more?" (Wendelin)

She successively eats three pieces of choco with mouth-to-mouth feeding.

Katharina, whose head was in a state of boiling, swallowed down the choco without any kind of resistance.

"That went well." (Wendelin)

"Vel... Putting aside the first time, was it necessary to give her the ones afterwards with mouth-to-mouth feeding?" (Ina)

"For the time being, let's decide that it was necessary. Oops, that's right!" (Wendelin)

Since it's no good if feelings of unfairness appear due to such things, I hold a piece of choco in my mouth once more and kissed Ina next while pushing the piece of choco with my tongue into her mouth.

"Just a moment! Uguu...!?" (Ina)

She resisted a bit in the beginning out of embarrassment, however even that weakened right away.

Receiving the piece of choco, I pushed in with my tongue, in her mouth, she swallowed it after licking it for a bit.

"There's no necessity for me to eat choco, is there!?" (Ina)

Ina begins to complain to me while having a bright red face.

"The point here is equality." (Wendelin)

"It's fine now! You have to go to Margrave Breithilde-sama place quickly." (Ina)

"Ah, there was that, too. O~~~i, Katharina." (Wendelin)

"Since you have done something weird, Vel..." (Ina)

Once I turn my look towards the makeshift bed where Katharina had slept, she was in a state of absent-mindedness while still having a bright red face.

It seems she still hasn't returned to reality as the stimulus was too strong.

"O~~~i, Katharina." (Wendelin)

"You cannot do something like this all of a sudden to Katharina!" (Ina)

Even Ina, who is the most serious among my fiancées, returned right away to a slightly red face, but Katharina is in this state just because of a bit kissing.

"I see, seeing a person with a large gap between their appearance and their contents is something interesting." (Wendelin).

"This ain't a situation to admire her. You have to quickly take along Katharina, too." (Ina)

"That's a point I forgot." (Wendelin)

"Don't forget it!" (Ina)

"That's right. Once I try to come here to get you since you have been called by master, you are doing stuff that makes it embarrassing to look here, Earl-sama." (Burkhart)

Before we realized it, Burkhart-san stood next to us and moreover watched all the silly stuff up until now.

"Veell~~~!" (Ina)

"I think it's great to be young. But for now there are things to talk about." (Burkhart)

It's embarrassing?

Having her face dyed bright red once again, Ina raised a voice of blaming towards me.

"By the way, when will Katharina-jou-chan restart?" (Burkhart)

"Who knows? It's something I tested for the first time after all." (Wendelin)

And, even while the tree of us were kicking up a fuss, Katharina continued in her state of absent-mindedness with a bright red face on top of the makeshift bed.

* * *

"Did you recover your mana, Earl Baumeister?" (Breithilde)

"Yes." (Wendelin)

Somehow reactivating Katharina, we headed to the troop headquarters of Margrave Breithilde's main army in a hurry.

Margrave Breithilde, several of his retainers, 10 nobles who are providing their feudal armies and their retainers had gathered there.

Apparently we arrived last.

I have brought Ina along as guard. And since Katharina is a Honorary Associate Baron who hasn't provided a feudal army herself, she participates as one of the nobles.

Once we sat down, a young subordinate soldier brought some tea.

Once I drink it, it has a lower fragrance than the ones Elise brews, but there's no choice but to endure as she isn't here due to her healing the large amount of injured who appeared in yesterday's battle.

"Well then. Yesterday was a disaster where we had been dragged into a "war"." (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde intentionally stresses the word "war".

Until now that had been a drawn line for conflicts occurring between nobles.

Disputing with the method of having as little as possible people die, fellow nobles dispatch their soldiers in regards to concessions.

There are people who call it a war since it's troublesome, however for the kingdom that was a "dispute".

From the point of view of the kingdom's government, no war has broken out after they have signed a ceasefire-agreement with the Holy Empire Urquhart.

Since this is a petty strife between fellow nobles of the same country, they call it "dispute".

However, it's difficult to call what happened yesterday a "dispute".

There have been close to 100 casualties. Different from the accidental clash several decades ago, the Browig army clearly started the battle.

With a total military force of 10.000, after calling in the reinforcements who hid in the rear, they even changed their weapons from those used for training to those used in actual combat. The mounted knights tried to demolish and trample down Margrave Breithilde's main army as vanguards.

If they were successful, the number of casualties among Margrave Breithilde's army should have easily reached four digits.

"Anyway, it's an annoying situation." (Breithilde)

After we cast Area Stun and fainted, Margrave Breithilde struggled hard with the post-treatment without sleeping at all.

They disarmed and arrested all of the soldiers of Browig's army who had collapsed due to a paralyse. The injured are treated by Elise and the priests who have joined the campaign and are able to use healing magic.

Even though reinforcements are gradually getting here on small magic airships and such, it's still troublesome to manage the situation of the prisoners since there are this many. Originally it's not allowed to cross the border in such disputes, but such stuff can't be said in this situation either.

Dispatching small units, we gained control of the troop headquarters of the Browig army and the emergency food storages in the rear.

There were 100 soldiers at the troop headquarters and around 20~30 soldiers per emergency food storage. Because they had mostly surrendered, they had to be managed as well.

Furthermore, there's also the possibility of another unit starting an attack to free the prisoners.

As it's indispensable to scout, Moritz, Thomas, Eru, Luise and 10 of my soldiers are participating in the investigation of the surroundings since the army's short of hands.

"Fortunately Special Envoy, Viscount Knappstein, is here, I guess?" (Breithilde)

He will verify that this "war" had been started by the Browig household's side.

I decide to believe that at least our side won't get blamed one-sidedly.

I couldn't deny the possibility of him betraying us at the last moment and scheming something though.

"I guess you are harbouring some concerns since I'm a person from the royal palace, but it's a fact that this "war" had been caused by the Browig household." (Knappstein)

Even though he presented an arbitration draft according to the usual price and conform to the customs, Viscount Knappstein stated that this would be now out-of-the-question as they started a "war" to break down their current disadvantageous circumstances without considering the consequences.

His expression was as usual, but it seems like he himself is angry as well.

Since he lodged over here last night, he might have gotten killed in the worst scenario.

"However, there's one big problem." (Breithilde)

A problem, that made it unclear how to settle the state of affairs which became even more tenacious, appeared.

Together with the nobles and soldiers of Browig's side, we have captured and left to our allied feudal lords in the dispute area, the total number of prisoners, which the Margrave Breithilde's household is currently managing, is close to 20.000.

Even if we claimed the expenses afterwards, there would be no doubt that it will be a lot of work.

In addition, although it's necessary, we are already moving our troops into the territory of Browig's side.

It seems that the supply unit, which came in the early morning to carry the food to the troop headquarters and to the more than 10 emergency food storages, had been completely captured including the personnel.

"Since the number of people is large, it is indispensable to frequently transport food." (Breithilde)

However, if the supply unit doesn't return, the Browig household's side should find it strange.

Before that the rumour of the crushing defeat will spread northwards. There ought to be people who have deserted, even if it's only one, too.

The news should reach Browig's household in a few days.

"For the meantime we will live off the food we confiscated. Since we have already entered a state of "war", we are recruiting to supplement the army." (Breithilde)

"What's the problem then?" (???)

"I wonder who would be good if we negotiate in the future?" (Breithilde)

Due to the question of a young noble who was present, Margrave Breithilde answered while floating a dry smile.

"They came attacking once they were asked about the person to sign the arbitration's agreement by Viscount Knappstein." (Breithilde)

Since it's currently unknown who's steering the Browig household, it's troublesome.

There's no doubt that even if Margrave Browig himself is alive, he isn't in a state allowing him to give instructions to others.

Normally the heir should carry out the administration of the territory as feudal lord proxy.

However, as that household has been swallowed by an inheritance dispute, the top brass of the feudal armies dispatched the soldiers with the purpose of making the eldest son, Philip, the heir and were defeated in the end.

"The leader group, who commanded those military forces, were completely arrested. The important lot hasn't been there even though they should be at the front-line in full gear." (Breithilde)

It looks like none of them died from something like falling off their horse due to Area Stun.

If there was at least one victim after appearing at the front, I would be able to sympathize with them, but once I heard that they became prisoners without any injuries, I felt disgusted at their irresponsibility.

"What happened to that princess-sama?" (Wendelin)

"She was at the troop headquarters. It seems like she surrendered to Erwin-san." (Breithilde)

I wondered whether they had resisted or not, but it looks like they capitulated right away.

"We have received her properly and politely. It's a bother to bring a woman to the battlefield." (Breithilde)

If they did something to her, it would become a disgrace for Margrave Breithilde. Therefore she is courteously kept in isolation.

"That princess-sama has no kind of authority either. She's an irrelevant figurehead, I think. The problem is..." (Breithilde)

"Even if we resume the arbitration after this, who will be the one to come, right?" (Wendelin)

I don't know whether it will be the eldest or second son, but seeing that they aren't named as heirs, there's no one who can sign an agreement even if we reduce the conditions.

"How about Margrave Browig himself?" (Wendelin)

"If he could have come here, it shouldn't have become this irregular to begin with." (Breithilde)

Certainly, if there are any leadership qualities remaining in him, he shouldn't have dispatched his soldiers and made his daughter the Supreme Commander Representative.

"Margrave Browig is dead and his surroundings are concealing that. Or, he is already in a state where he can't give instructions anymore. As they don't know when he will die as he isn't conscious anymore or similar, Philip, who has strong support from the army, ordered the military's top brass to raise some achievements with a dispute. I guess he judged that he should probably place his daughter as someone from the family at the top, even if only as decoration." (Wendelin)

"I wonder whether it's as you imagine, Earl Baumeister?" (Breithilde)

If Margrave Browig ended up dying while he was away from his father's sickbed due to a dispute, it would be quite likely for the second son to selfishly name himself as heir and send a messenger to the royal family.

That's why neither party can leave the mansion, I guess.

"Even though it's fine for them to come to the front-line after leaving it to a trusted retainer." (Wendelin)

"I guess that's because it's unknown how the seal official will react." (Breithilde)

A noble household's family head shows his validity by signing documents.

Therefore, since there aren't any seals like in Japan, the proof of a family head was a seal, that had the crest carved in gold, granted by the royal family.

At the time they seal a letter with wax, they press that seal on the wax and thus it becomes proof that this letter is genuine.

That means that the person who possesses this is the family's head, but for high-ranking nobles there was an official retainer position called seal official who manages this.

"It's an extremely plain office, but high-ranking nobles treat the seal official favourably." (Breithilde)

The person is chosen for being loyal to their lord and sincere before ability matters.

There are also many cases where only they secretly hear the name of successor from the lord.

Once the lord tells them about the successor, that person will risk their live to hand over the seal after the lord's death.

There were many seal officials who were killed by other succession candidates in the past as well.

"If Margrave Browig hasn't yet died, the seal official won't hand over the seal either way at any price. However..." (Breithilde)

What will they do if Margrave Browig hasn't decided on a successor before he died?

That means, no one will know.

"The seal official is a type of civil official as well. If Margrave Browig dies after Philip-dono departs to the front, Christoph-dono will press the seal official to give him the seal. Even if Philip-dono leaves behind a trusted retainer, that won't serve any use." (Breithilde)

That's why both can't leave from Margrave Browig's sickbed at any cost.

"Such thing is..." (Wendelin)

I try to take it out from my bag quickly.

If it's a seal, I received it as well, but usually I kept it in my magic bag.

"Earl Baumeister, you are a rising noble, therefore you likely won't appoint a seal official for several tens of years." (Breithilde)

I won't find a reliable, sincere retainer easily. On the other hand, since it's simply a post which can receive wages for just looking after the seal, no one but high-ranking nobles is able to employ a full-time seal official.

Normal nobles keep the seal with them or they have other retainers hold the post additionally to their regular duties.

"You have changed it into something very luxurious." (Breithilde)

"That's because Roderich told me that it would be better to make it flashy." (Wendelin)

The seal is something granted by the kingdom, but there's no great difference in its appearance to a cheap seal sold at a stationery shop.

The seals upper part is made out of gold and the remaining handle part is made out of silver.

And, although it wasn't allowed for the seal part, nobles were allowed to freely change the handle part.

High-ranking nobles compete with the extravagance of remodelling the handle part.

It's not like they will show it to someone, but nobles are after all creatures who put on airs.

"Is it an image of two dragons entangling with each other?" (Breithilde)

"It's pretty much a household that started its success with a dragon subjugation. That's the reason." (Wendelin)

The dragons are a golden craftsmanship and their eyes have emeralds in them.

The work had been requested by Roderich, who knew a famous artisan in the capital.

"Even as artisan he is my acquaintance." (Roderich)

"That's because I happened to carry a bit of rest of an unique raw material I picked up at my work as adventurer." (???)

As usual Roderich was well-connected.

Handing over the request to the artisan right away, a flashy seal of the Baumeister household was completed.

"However, it seems difficult to hold it." (Breithilde)

"When we noticed that the artisan had already finished it." (Wendelin)

Neither Roderich nor me anticipated it this far.

Since a strange atmosphere began to spread between the two of us, we decided to return to the actual talks.

"But, now it has become troublesome." (???)

"The troublesome part is at most stealing from them." (???)

"I wonder whether it's a bit vulgar to call it stealing, but since they bet on an unnecessary night raid, we will largely increase the sum for the reconciliation money and the ransom." (Knappstein)

Viscount Knappstein began to earnestly revise the arbitration draft, which has become a reference, without changing his expression.

"How about occupying some city to give us an advantage in the arbitration draft?" (???)

"No, it's bothersome to occupy a city." (Breithilde)

Since it's the territory of another noble, there's a possibility for idiots to appear who do stuff like pillaging.

While we don't want to cause an even greater disturbance, it can't be helped even if we increase the dispute causes again.

Margrave Breithilde rejected the suggestion from the young noble.

However, instead of that we are occupying the majority of the Eschago Grasslands.

We ended up occupying and gaining control of the enemy's troop headquarters and their emergency food storages while we were at it.

"Seeing that the dispute has gone this far, it might be advantageous in the arbitration if there were occupied territories." (Breithilde)

In the end we closed that day's meeting by only deciding to continue managing the prisoners and securing the occupied territory until Browig's camp sends a messenger.

"Which reminds me, I have a request, Earl Baumeister." (Breithilde)

"A request?" (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Breithilde)

He wants me to take care of Margrave Browig's daughter which is called Karla or such and has become a prisoner.

"Given that there are women at your place, Earl Baumeister, could you have them take care of her as fellow women?" (Breithilde)

Although he has cautioned them, there's nothing but men at Margrave Breithilde's place. She likely feels depressed being surrounded by nothing but men over there.

Since she is the daughter of a noble, it's necessary to properly look after her even if she's a prisoner.

If something happened to her, it would cause Margrave Breithilde's reputation to fall.

"Even though it's fine to not bring women along since it's troublesome." (Breithilde)

He ended up saying unintentionally to the elderly chief retainer who worked as representative in the negotiations and who became a prisoner.

Of course that retainer didn't change his disappointed expression without saying anything.

"I don't mind, but if I like her, I will propose for her to become my wife." (Wendelin)

"Heroes have a great fondness of sensual pleasures, huh? I'd like you to pardon me from that. (Breithilde)

It looks like Margrave Breithilde considered my statement to be a joke.

In fact it's a joke. It's very improbably since it won't happen due to the opposition by the surroundings.

"However, she..." (Wendelin)

With black hair and black eyes, she has a face close to that of a Japanese in this world full of western people.

Moreover, her atmosphere resembled my girlfriend from my student days in my previous life quite a bit.

To the bitter end it's just the atmosphere though. Karla-jou's appearance was that of an overwhelming beauty.

"Ina, are you alright with that?" (Wendelin)

"About the matter of putting her among fellow women? Got it." (Ina)

Although we raised even more achievements by defending against the law-breaking night attack of the Browig army, I didn't realize that we might have been dragged into an excessively troublesome situation.

Chapter 69: The one in charge, come out immediately!

"It's been a while, Karla-san." (Elise)

"You too, Elise-san." (Karla)

Finishing the meeting with Margrave Breithilde and his retinue, we took the aforementioned Karla-jou with us at once and returned to our field encampment.

Being the daughter of Margrave Browig, she served as Supreme Commander Representative of their feudal army.

She has to be treated politely, but as Margrave Breithilde's army hasn't even a single woman with them, it was decided that we would look after her.

After exchanging courteous greetings for starters, we walked with her and two maids, she took along as caretakers.

Although Margrave Breithilde said that she was the only woman, there were at least maids to take care of her after all.

Given that both were young women just before 20 years in age, it might be that he pushed them onto me as he felt like they would be troublesome to deal with.

Once we entered the tent within our field encampment, Elise, who healed the soldiers, came back alongside Wilma who served as her bodyguard.

And they both, being acquaintances, greeted each other.

"You were working as Supreme Commander Representative or such?" (Elise)

"Yes. Father isn't conscious anymore. It won't be strange for him to pass away any time now either." (Karla)

Margrave Browig was after all in a condition where it wouldn't be weird for him to die any time.

"Umm... That kind of information is..." (Wendelin)

"It's meaningless to hide it at this point in time." (Karla)

Apparently she has talked about it with Margrave Breithilde as well.

She also told him about her two elder brothers staying close to the sickbed of the almost dead Margrave Browig so that neither can steal a march on the other and that she became the Supreme Commander Representative thanks to that.

"However, this expedition..." (Wendelin)

"Both my elder brothers are involved in it." (Karla)

When I was wondering whether it was just the eldest son's, Philips's, order since he is nothing more than a military man, it looks like the second son, Christoph, was participating in it as well.

Not all of the military personnel is under Philip. There are also authorities supporting Christoph among the military officials in charge like those responsible for supply.

It appears that there's an old strife for power between civil and military officials existing in the background of this quarrel between brothers.

To begin with, Christoph's participation was only natural since there won't be any budget if the higher-ups in the financial affairs department, who support him, don't give their permission.

"In other words, this time's expedition is a competition of the two?" (Wendelin)

"At first it was Philip-niisama acting on his own..." (Karla)

The whole matter began with Margrave Browig, whose health deteriorated since around a year ago, finally succumbing into a comatose state.

While having two sons, he fell into such state without deciding which of the two should become the successor.

"Philip-niisama and the retainers, who support him, are saying 'In the first place, it's only proper for Philip-sama, who is the eldest son, to succeed the household. There's no need for something like the lord's testament'. Christoph-niisama and the retainers, who are backing him, objected with 'Christoph-sama is the child of Hildegard-sama who is the legal wife. If you follow the merit of lineage, it goes without saying that Christoph-sama is the proper successor..." (Karla)

"Currently the territory is in chaos due to the polar positions of the two and the retainers supporting them." Karla explained.

Especially after Margrave Browig fell into a comatose state the mansion turned into a stand-off so that either side won't selfishly fake a testament after his death and send a succession announcement to the kingdom.

"Why didn't Margrave Browig name a successor?" (Wendelin)

"It's because he wasn't able to deny the possibility of a civil war in case he chose either of them." (Karla)

It was a disturbing story, but as both parties authorities are competing with each other, he expected one side to rebel if he chose the other side.

Although it will be connected to promotions if the retainers are supporting the winner, those who have supported the loser will have to face demotions and in worst case dismissal, too.

Since the future looks bleak for those like the young people as well, the discord naturally grew large.

"In addition, they have been excluded from the special procurements of the recent Savage Lands development." (Karla)

"You are complaining to me about this matter as well, eh." (Wendelin)

"No. I understand your reasons." (Karla)

If they consider their frequent harassment towards Margrave Breithilde, they should know that they are in no position to complain about being excluded.

However, there were many objections from their vassals for them not apologizing at this point, too.

Therefore, in order to reduce their unhappiness, Philip and the retainers from the military side supporting him carried out the troop dispatch and the rear disturbance in the Knight Baumeister territory. This is the real situation of this time's battle.

"Distracting from the internal mess with an external war, huh...? So, which side is the lead?" (Wendelin)

"Pretty much it's Philip-niisama. His support from the military authorities is deep." (Karla)

Speaking of the feudal army, which consists of people with distinguished military service, supporting Philip, the war should give them an advantage in the succession dispute, that hasn't been decided with the family head in a coma, while suppressing the eastern nobles by stealing concessions, even if it's only few, from the southern nobles.

Karla, who has looked after the unconscious Margrave Browig in his sickbed, apparently has heard about such plans from Philip.

"So, did the second son, Christoph, take an opposing stance to the troop dispatch?" (Wendelin)

"On the surface yes, but I can't say that it's necessarily like that." (Karla)

Christoph, who has a strong backing from the retainers responsible for domestic affairs, has officially adopted a stance of being against the war this time as there are no benefits from it.

However, as it's necessary to grant budget for sending out the feudal army, one can't say that he is 100% against it either since they had been dispatched without a problem.

"That means, no matter the result it will become his achievement?" (Wendelin)

"Probably..." (Karla)

Since the supply has been carried out properly, he will say "My achievement of logistical support is large" if they win the war and criticize "That's why I opposed it" if they lose.

He's a type often found among the detestable appointed nobles of the capital. In order to be safe no matter on which side the coin drops, he will make insurances both ways.

"By the way, you are talking about it quite frankly, Karla-dono." (Wendelin)

"Do you believe that I chose to serve as Supreme Commander Representative?" (Karla)

Just until one year ago she lived in the capital together with her mother while receiving only a small allowance from Margrave Browig because he was afraid of his legal wife if she entered the territory.

With her mother being an on-site wife for the time when Margrave Browig visited the capital and since her family was a poor appointed Knight household, it's a fact that her grandfather and those around him sold her mother off for money.

Even so, once they became free-loaders as they couldn't go to the territory of Margrave Browig, they were treated as obvious nuisances by her grandfather and uncles.

Since she would only experience bad things if she stayed in that house, she frequented the church every day since her childhood and received education and teaching in archery there. Apparently she hunted in the capital's outskirts in the remaining time.

"Nevertheless, I was suddenly summoned around one year ago." (Karla)

It was because Margrave Browig's health deteriorated and now that he entered his sickbed, he just accumulated stress due to the legal wife being noisy about nominating her darling second son, born by her, as successor quickly. Even her married elder sisters began to calculate how large the profit will become if they stick to either side and the crucial two successors didn't leave the sickbed in reverse.

It was for the sake of the opponent not selfishly and impertinently starting the procedures to become the successor if the other party is away at the time of Margrave Browig's death.

Margrave Browig, who saw that situation, was likely disappointed in his family for not worrying about his own physical condition in the least.

He called his beloved daughter, Karla, thinking that he 『sheltered』 her by having her live in the capital.

"His heart grew weak when he fell ill." (Ina)

"That might be so..." (Karla)

Maybe it's like Ina thinks, but Karla entered the Margraviate Browig territory, unable to decline since it was an order of the Margrave who is an important noble, and looked after him at his side.

"I was showered with sarcasm each time my two married elder sister-in-law-sama's and my step-mother-sama, who is the legal wife, came." (Karla)

Even though the one who called her was Margrave Browig, there were apparently many situations where she was verbally abused in a hysteric manner being called "a female vulture scrounging the decaying flesh" who came after he got close to death.

"That was terrible." (Ina)

"I doesn't particularly matter to me though." (Karla)

Judging from the story so far, Karla is likely a woman with a very strong feeling of independence.

She shouldn't lose to such women if you consider her skill in archery and such, thus she simply ignored the hateful words of the legal wife and her elder step-sisters.

"How strong-willed..."

"That's because I had barely the status of a noble until just a year ago." (Karla)

Even though she was neglected until then, Margrave Browig, whose heart became weak with the sickness, called Karla with the selfish delusion of "At the last moment I will reconcile with my daughter who was born by my lover in the capital before my death".

From her point of view, it was likely a feeling that she wanted to finish it quickly, receive some reward and return to the capital.

"However, it didn't go that conveniently, did it?" (Luise)

"No, it didn't." (Karla)

Just as Luise feared, Karla ended up getting dragged into the inheritance dispute of the Margrave Browig household.

The two elder brothers were kind to their far younger sister from a different mother, but that kindness was out of self-interest.

I guess they told them 'If you support me in becoming the next Margrave Browig, Karla will marry your son' or such."

Either of her elder brother should have tried to gather support by saying such stuff to several influential retainers. Certainly, it wasn't such an unusual story either.

"If Karla-san became their wife, it would promise the rise of their households under the next feudal lord. Everyone probably participated in the succession struggle frantically." (Elise)

The rest is likely as Elise has said.

However, with the crucial Margrave Browig himself not being dead yet, both successors lacked the deciding factor for their victory.

Accordingly the top-brass of the feudal army, who made use of Karla as bait, made Philip's idea of a troop dispatch reality.

"Philip-niisama planned the troop dispatch with the top brass of the feudal army, but he didn't place himself as head of the army." (Karla)

They were watching each other.

"When it was necessary to have someone from the household as Supreme Commander, I was there by chance. That's how it went." (Karla)

From Karla's point of view there were likely parts where she thought that it somehow didn't matter either way since it couldn't be helped if she was inaugurated as mere figurehead of the feudal army or if she looked after her father on his sickbed.

Even when she was questioned by Margrave Breithilde and me, she honestly answered everything.

"You had no motivation, huh." (Wendelin)

"Before that, my niisama's are irresponsible." (Karla)

Even though it would have been fine if they at least stood at the head of the army themselves, they forced that upon a young girl at the tender age of 16 because of the danger to be outwitted by their rival.

'No matter how much I'm a decorative Supreme Commander, that's wrong, right?' Karla apparently thought.

"They entrusted it to you irresponsibly and the result is a tragedy..."

Even our side had casualties though it was very few. The casualties of Margrave Browig's side has risen to close to 100 people.

Additionally, close to 10.000 people became prisoners. Margrave Breithilde was at his wit's end by just taking care of them. If one considers the effort of managing them, one can't say anything but "The one in charge, come out immediately!"

"Since they have done something very absurd by violating the customs..."

Calling in even the reinforcements stationed in the rear, they planned a surprise attack while using real weapons.

As for Margrave Breithilde, since it switched over to a real war, he had additional feudal armies heading over here and the our military forces were increasing every day as it was necessary to manage the large number of prisoners.

Moreover, since it became a real war, it's wrong to not aim for a complete victory as noble.

Accordingly, the majority of the military forces, which increased up to a total of 25.000, have entered the eastern domain and established a field encampment.

It was a reuse of stuff used by Browig's army. In addition military officials were dispatched to cities, villages and territories of several nobles in the vicinity to declare the occupation of those areas.

However given that it will be troublesome if we really occupy them by dispatching military forces, it will only be the military officials who have been entrusted with the governing as people in charge on-site.

We decided to occupy since the situation is as it is, but it's possible that we will be criticized by the kingdom's government if we cause trouble for the residents by going there with the army.

That's because there was the possibility that violence and assaults would be committed to the residents in retaliation because of the military forces having suffered losses.

If those injured parties appealed to the Browig household and the kingdom, it would be wrong for the kingdom's government, which basically doesn't approve of domestic wars, if they didn't accuse Margrave Breithilde of having erred.

As there are such circumstances, Margrave Breithilde controlled his military forces while consulting with the cabinet ministers through the magic hand-held communication device.

"Work related to the usual governing of the territory, work related to reclamation and the work related to occupying territory with the feudal army. Earl Baumeister, isn't there some spell to create a doppelganger of me or such?" (Breithilde)

When Margrave Breithilde came to ask me that seriously while having shadows below his eyes, I didn't know what would be a good answer.

"Earl Baumeister, please lend Thomas-san and his unit to me." (Breithilde)

They will apparently tag along to the cities and noble territories, which were declared as occupied, as assistants of the military officials.

Given that they are men from the east to begin with, there are many among them who know this area well. There were also the circumstances that a lot of work would be generated for the military officials who were scheduled to be placed there afterwards.

"Since all of them ended up as your group's prisoners, Earl Baumeister, it seems they are short of hands to govern the areas. (Breithilde)

It was an unexpected by-product.

With us capturing the family heads and their retainers in the previous conflict concerning the concession disputes, people to govern the areas are now missing.

"Since all's fine in a state of occupation, they will be send to help with the governing work as it's a military administration." (Breithilde)

"I just thought of it now, but we are also keeping the soldiers in custody, right? Is that alright? (Wendelin)

If one looks at the Baumeister household, one will understand that there are many ordinary farmers serving as soldiers in the feudal armies.

Having already finished the harvest, they have now entered a period of time where farmers can take a bit leisure, but even so the absence of the main provider of a family is a big deal. If the war continued into spring just like that, it would have caused an insufficiency of manpower for the farm work.

The territories of the nobles, who participated in this time's dispute for the eastern camp, were in danger of their ruling systems breaking down.

It can't be helped..." (Wendelin)

I have decided to send them all back to their territories.

The family heads, the retainers, the soldiers and the seized arms, goods and money.

All of it belonged to Katharina and me, including the ransom, but after they accepted the calculated standard price of Viscount Knappstein, we came to an agreement with them.

Also, we gave them the conditions to return the taken concessions and the splitting ratio of the territories to the pre-war state and to pay an compensation to the noble households who were their opponents in the dispute.

We have entrusted calculation of that to Viscount Knappstein as well since our time is too valuable by now.

Because he is the type of noble who is a diligent bureaucrat, we had him calculate the sum of the reconciliation money using the vast amount of precedents in the past as standard.

"How about these conditions?" (Knappstein)

"I have no particular objections. (Breithilde)

"Me neither. (Wendelin)

With me, Margrave Breithilde and Viscount Knappstein being present, we carried out the negotiations after inviting the nobles, whose retainers and soldier had been turned into prisoners, and the nobles, who had become prisoners themselves, both parties didn't have any objections.

The nobles of the Browig side were disappointed of their patron for not showing up in this crisis at all. Even the nobles of Margrave Breithilde might have ended up destroying themselves with things like measures for refugees and such, if the war continued like that and the ruling systems of the neighbouring territories collapsed.

Judging that they don't have the leeway to negotiate in a stingy manner regarding the reconciliation money, they accepted the compromise settlement from our side.

"Because of that, we'd like to ask for a splitting of the ransom and reconciliation money, but..." (???)

The nobles of Browig's side, who accepted the reconciliation, have pleaded with tear-stained faces for being allowed to pay the ransom and reconciliation in instalments.

Well, I guess that's only natural.

They aren't able to pay it all in one batch to begin with. Even if it's split up, they will lead lives of being deeply in debt for several decades.

Moreover, they haven't received any kind of follow-up by the essential Margrave Browig at such time. Having said that, if the negotiations get complicated and they remain as prisoners as is, problems will start to appear in the ruling systems of their territories.

If they consider the circumstances from now on, it can't be helped for them to become teary-eyed.

"As there was a possibility that it would turn out like this, we dispatched skilful soldiers." (???)

"It's because we had this." (???)

The nobles of Browig's camp show parchments with a written contract, which were sent from their territories, to the astonished Margrave Breithilde.

On that parchment was written that they will be compensated by the Browig household in the unlikely event when they incurred damage in this dispute.

"Is this legally valid?" (Wendelin)

"It is." (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde affirmed its validity.

"It's not the handwriting of Margrave Browig, but it has the signatures of the eldest son, Philip-dono, that of Christoph-dono and several of the chief retainers have entered their names as well. At times when the family head can't sign himself due to sickness, such joint signatures become valid." (Breithilde)

Such document will become invalid if the family head hasn't signed it although he is able to do so, but if the family head has a condition which makes him unable to sign it, a joint signature becomes effective.

"With this it will officially confirm that Margrave Browig is in a state that makes him unable to even place his signature on documents." (???)

Once the Margrave Browig household formally admits the illness of their family head, this document will become valid.

Otherwise the nobles of Browig's side probably wouldn't have sent soldiers and gone as far as breaking the customs.

"I have a feeling something like that at this point in time is..." (???)

"Um, may I say one thing?" (???)

The anxiety of the nobles of Browig's camp, who were present at the negotiation, is their financial affairs falling into a critical state due to the repayment of their debts, even if those are split up.

According to the contract it seems that the Browig household will shoulder those, but with the current state of affairs the fulfilment of that will be difficult.

They are appealing their wish for us to wait a bit with the payment.

"They are saying that they want it to be split it in 200 yearly instalments? (Wendelin)

"No, master. Since their losses will be compensated by the Margrave Browig household according to the contract..." (Klaus)

Klaus whispers quietly with a small voice in my ear.

In short, they apparently want to request us and Margrave Breithilde to subrogate the ransom and reconciliation money and demand it from the Browig household's side.

"Such a selfish suggestion... Although..." (Wendelin)

The difficulty for the vassal to refuse their patron's request is obvious if I look at my home in my childhood.

If an enormous sum of reconciliation money comes into existence after we conclude the arbitration between us and the Browig household later after this, the Browig household, whose financial affairs would have deteriorated, will give priority to repaying their own debts and might not be able to compensate the other nobles for their losses.

"Even Margrave Breithilde won't likely accept it. Such suggestion." (Wendelin)

It was natural to take it in consideration if it's his own vassal, but they are the vassals of the Browig household.

As there's also the possibility that we won't be able to collect the debt from the Browig household in the worst case, he absolutely won't do something like shouldering their debts.

"In other words they are saying that they will change their patron." (Klaus)

"I can't say that's absolutely impossible, but..." (Wendelin)

"It doesn't happen that often, but this time the situation is as it is. (Klaus)

There is occasionally a change of patrons due to things like affinity between the family heads. Patron substitution of nobles at the border due to their involvements in conflicts like this time can be explained with precedents in the past.

The nobles, who were until now under the influence of the Margrave Browig household, which controls the east, or who were its vassals, will enter under the influence of the southern Margrave Breithilde household and become its vassals.

"Aren't they completely disagreeing over things like mining rights and the usage of woods with their neighbours?" (Wendelin)

"Even between fellow southern nobles those are causes for bad blood and if those things change hands, they will also carry out one-on-one battles." (Klaus)

The worsening of the disputes at the border is also because the bosses of each side are different. Although they won't borrow the authority of the tiger will take a stubborn attitude by all means.

At the time when fellow nobles of the same patron quarrel with each other they will apparently hold back accordingly.

"Their fortune is declining due to the reconciliation money and ransom after an utter defeat and in the end they had an occupation forced on them due to stubbornly violating the customs. Next Browig's main army was defeated as well. And if I have to say any more, then there's also the fact that the Browig household hasn't even sent a messenger in this situation. They were abandoned without having anyone to deserving to rely on." (Klaus)

"Additionally, won't they be able to participate in the development rights if they change their loyalty to the south?" (Wendelin)

"There's that, too." (Klaus)

They want to escape from paying the debts by passing them to Margrave Breithilde and me including their rights to claim the losses in the disputes from the Browig household.

Since there's also the possibility that we won't be able to collect them according to the details of the arbitration, it's a request that's only beneficial for the other party while being totally disadvantageous for us, but if you turn it around, it's like them telling that they will voluntarily declare their joining the southern area in a state similar to being indebted to us.

"Will the southern domain grow?" (Wendelin)

Around 40 households, which were under the control of the Margrave Browig household until now, will change their affiliation to the Margrave Breithilde household.

As patron there isn't much gain as it's difficult to look after them as visible from this time's concession disputes, but his evaluation in society will rise drastically.

It's not an era where you can gain new territory in wars, but since there are more than 40 households who changed their affiliation by themselves, this will result in the Margrave Breithilde's household's evaluation to grow and this will also connect to benefits if you look at the long term.

"This is why the evaluation of a mafia boss goes up by increasing their henchmen. If the fortune becomes large, they will reach the point of being able to earn money with gangster business methods." (Wendelin)

"The example is extreme... but well, nobles and the mafia aren't that different in regards to their contents." (Klaus)

Klaus adds his words without rebuking me or particularly changing his expression due to my remark.

Since it's just a private conversation to the bitter end, he doesn't seem to mind.

"The Margrave Breithilde household will be marked by the royal family." (Wendelin)

"The current Margrave Breithilde-sama is sensitive to such looks from the central government. He will probably at least consult with them beforehand." (Klaus)

"Since he possesses a magic hand-held communication device, it will probably be taken care of after consulting with the cabinet ministers of the central government." Klaus predicted.

"Once some time passes, the Earl Baumeister household will hold more than or comparative authority to the Margrave Breithilde household. Once this happens, it will naturally turn into both sides restraining each other." (Klaus)

It's very likely that this comes true once some time passes as the family heads will be different at time, too.

That's why I accepted my legal wife from the Hohenheim household, which works in an important office of the church in the capital. Maybe that trend will continue even after the next generation.

If it naturally reaches the point of both parties matching as restraint for each other, the danger will decrease from the point of view of the royal family.

"Being a noble, that's really troublesome. (Wendelin)

"It can't be helped since it's something like an occupational trait." (Klaus)

It was troublesome to consider such future matters, but we released all of the people, who became prisoners, except those of the Browig household after various happenings like this.

We returned everything like arms, money and goods we seized at the same time, however it's not like they were given for free.

Since Viscount Knappstein had assessed all of its monetary worth, everything became their debts for form's sake.

However, all of those claims will just be carried out by Margrave Breithilde and me on basis of the aforementioned contract.

"Won't we have to confiscate it by marching up to the mansion of the Browig household in the worst case?" (Wendelin)

Two hundred years after the ceasefire with the Holy Empire Urquhart it's the first time for a conflict between fellow nobles of the same country to have gone this far. Margrave Breithilde seems to be troubled by this unprecedented part, too.

Managing close to 10.000 prisoners, holding the eastern part of the Eschago Grasslands, the field encampment of the Browig main army and the food storage facilities in the rear and sending occupation declarations to the cities and villages around this area, we are waiting for the resumption of the arbitration, even if it's only one day earlier.

"Isn't that too excessive?" (???)

"The royal palace is baffled as well. Although they understood that Margrave Browig is seriously ill, there's also the problem of which of his sons will participate in the negotiations." (???)

Also, if only one side signs the arbitration draft, the other side will call it invalid. That will happen since a legal next family head hasn't been officially decided yet.

If they don't decide on the next Margrave Browig first, there won't be any meaning in starting an arbitration.

"What are those two sons doing?" (Wendelin)

"It's also possible that the night attack was arbitrarily decided by the one in charge on-site. They might be panicking after having heard the reports." (Klaus)

It was also possible that both of them are quarrelling whose at fault at the bedside of the currently comatose Margrave Browig.

If they are really doing that, I wonder if it's only me who will consider it as problematic for either of them to become the successor?

"The troublesome aspect of this problem is that the Margrave Browig household can't be crushed." (Klaus)

Even if they are demoted in rank, it will become a question what to do with the remains then.

They have reigned for more than 1.000 years in the east. If the Margrave Browig household, which is a large noble household, vanishes, the ruling system of the east will become unstable.

I don't believe that the former retainers and inhabitants will obey that easily even if a new noble manages to set in.

If something like a rebellion is unskilfully triggered, that alone will cause burdens to the economy and public order of the south and the centre.

"By no means it will work out by leaving it to Earl Baumeister and me either." (Breithilde)

If he got such extra burden pushed on him even though there is the development of the Savage Lands, Margrave Breithilde would die from overwork. I would end up doing nothing but public works everyday, too.

Even before that, the royal family likely wouldn't permit it since we would become far too powerful.

There are various things to consider, but it will be troublesome if the east doesn't become somehow stable with a new Margrave Browig.

"Otherwise they cannot take it by force officially." (???)

Even our side didn't intend to wave the reconciliation money or such as it would cause quite a few troubles.

At present we aren't worried about money, however it won't be a nuisance to get more of it either.

Also, even if the Browig household gets covered in debts by taking it forcibly until they are squeezed dry there won't be any problem since they won't go bankrupt that easily.

If going by my previous life, the American car manufacturer BIC 3 and the Japanese Tokyo Electric Power Company won't go bankrupt for the same reason.

However, since it would also be a bother if a spoilt second Margrave Browig appeared here, it was necessary to make them picking a fight with us and them losing heavily to us known to the world.

"With the main army destroyed, the damage will probably grow even further. (???)

We have destroyed an army of 10.000 soldiers and almost all of them have become prisoners.

Even if it's only the ransom, it will likely increase the burden excessively.

By doing something pointless, they also ended up increasing the losses.

"They will once again prepare military forces." (???)

"Unless Browig's camp is absurdly stupid, I don't think that they will do that." (???)

As Margrave Breithilde's said, additional troops didn't come, but likewise a messenger to resume the negotiations over the arbitration draft didn't come either.

Margrave Breithilde became very weary with the governmental and military affairs, but I had free time once I simply created a mud wall and a trench to protect the horses of our encampment.

Thomas' group left as assistants of the military officials in the occupied territories. Moritz' group immersed itself in our protection and various routine tasks of a feudal army.

* * *

"That's why there's nothing to do except magic training. Show us your skill in archery." (Wendelin)

"Earl Baumeister-sama, although I'm a prisoner..." (Karla)

"Even if you defeat one or two people by shooting them down this late in the game, it will only get much more disadvantageous in the arbitration, right? Here, your bow and arrows, Karla-san." (Wendelin)

"You are a bold one, Earl Baumeister-sama." (Karla)

Since I got tired of the tea party with the female camp + Karla, I set up an archery target at a tree standing close to our encampment and decided to have Karla, who's renown for her mastery in archery, demonstrate her skill.

It's a situation where it cannot be helped for me to be on standby even though I have free time thanks to the Browig household. This much of amusement should be tolerable.

"I will do it as well!" (Wendelin)

"Then, let me do it as well!" (Erwin)

"Wend-sama, me too." (Wilma)

Deciding to change it into a contest format more or less, we make it a rule to fire 5 arrows from a position being around 50 meters away.

The points will be decided by how many arrows hit the target first and then how far away the arrows hit from the centre.

Given that the target itself is just a suitable board with a painting on it, it's not like it is a formal archery target and thus it had a partial feeling of playing around.

"Let's decide the order with lots." (Wendelin)

Choosing the order of shooting with simple lots made out of wooden sticks, the first to shoot 5 arrows will be Eru.

"That was so-so." (Erwin)

Since all of the 5 arrows hit in an area within 30 cm of the target's centre, it was proof of Eru's excelling skill in archery.

"Or rather, if you aren't able to do this much, you won't eat any meat as brat of a rural noble." (Erwin)

Because there are many rabbits amongst the prey the children hunt with bows, they won't be able to eat meat if their accuracy isn't at least at this level.

"If I didn't catch several prey, my meat would be stolen by my elder brothers." (Erwin)

His father and elder brothers would eat the caught prey first.

It's not like they would always get results if they went hunting themselves and thus they would steal from Eru since he was a little boy.

Therefore Eru wouldn't get anything to eat of his own spoil if he didn't catch a lot of it. That was the reason why he is more skilled at archery than me.

"Next it's Wilma's turn?" (Wendelin)

"I got trained in archery." (Wilma)

At the time when she was raised by Minister Edgar, she also had a teacher in archery.

There are reasons why it's more effective to be able to handle various weapons to some extent, thus it seems there are many cases where fellow militaristic noble households lend teaching services to each other.

"Wilma and archery, eh...? Will you be alright?" (Erwin)

Until now we never saw her using it. Our image of her was that of a power fighter.

From Eru's viewpoint it's likely difficult to imagine Wilma drawing the bow accurately.

"I'm not skilled, but it's not like I suck at it either." (Wilma)

Saying that, she fired the 5 arrows in succession and all of them hit the target.

The spread from the centre is wider than in Eru's case, but there doesn't seem to be much difference in ability compared to me.

"How skilful." (Wendelin)

"However, in reality I use my own personal bow." (Wilma)

"Somehow I'm able to imagine it..." (Erwin)

Continuing after Eru, I was also able to imagine it at once.

Wilma's own personal bow is certainly a great bow that several people won't be able to draw and the arrows she fires with it are likely made entirely out of iron.

"Lately you didn't use it." (Wendelin)

"If aimed at people, it will apparently penetrate them." (Wilma)

"It will penetrate several people even if they wear full plate." (Wendelin)

If Wilma draws a great bow with her superhuman strength, it will probably turn out like that.

It's likely a great weapon if there's a real war, but she apparently didn't use it in this time's "dispute" since it would have caused many casualties.

"Next it's Wend-sama's turn." (Wilma)

"The pressure..." (Wendelin)

Since I recently focussed on magic training and skipped out on archery, I lacked in confidence a bit.

Even so, once I shot the arrows while concentrating, one went astray and the remaining four hit the target.

"Ack. I grew dull." (Wendelin)

It might be because I put priority on magic training lately.

"Is that so? I think you are skilled." (Breithilde)

Once I turned around because a voice suddenly resounded from behind, Margrave Breithilde stood there.

As usual his eyes have terrible shadows beneath them. He probably came to watch the archery contest as change of pace.

"Do you want to have a go as well, Margrave Breithilde-sama?" (Ina)

"No. I will refrain from that." (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde refused the invitation from Ina, who went recovering the arrows stuck in the target.

"With my skill I won't even hit once." (Breithilde)

"Is that so?" (Wendelin)

"Yes. The teacher, who taught me archery, said following: 'I wonder whether it would be advisable for you, Amadeus-sama, to abstain from drawing a bow when there are people around...'." (Breithilde)

"That's amazing of that teacher." (Wendelin)

"He pretty much tried to break it to me kindly. It will become a disaster if injured people and casualties are caused by accidental shooting." (Breithilde)

Which reminds me, Margrave Breithilde was evaluated to have a minus talent at all martial arts.

Given that it's fine for him to leave it to his retainers as Margrave, there's no particular problem with it either.

"Rather than mine, I'd like to see Karla-san's skill." (Breithilde)

"Umm, is it really alright?" (Karla)

Since the big boss made an appearance, she was probably worried whether it would be really fine to display her archery as prisoner.

"To say nothing about there not being be any kind of benefit for you even if you hit me or Earl Baumeister with an arrow here, it would only worsen the position of the Browig household needlessly." (Breithilde)

"There's truth in that." (Karla)

Agreeing with the answer by Margrave Breithilde, she begins to concentrate on nocking an arrow into the bow she received from me.

"It's a nice bow." (Karla)

"It has the taste of a rural noble." (Wendelin)

I was better in archery than swordsmanship since my childhood. Since it's not like I don't have any money right now, I used quite the high-classed archery equipment even for practising.

"Well then..." (Karla)

Once Karla, who started to focus once again, released the arrow, it got stuck right down in the middle of the target.

Everyone has become speechless due to her overly divine technique.

"If it's a spot close to the centre, a skilled person will hit to some extent. However, right down in the middle..." (Wendelin)

Once she shoots the next two arrows one after the other, those arrows also hit right down in the middle and the arrow, which was stuck in there before, got flicked away and dropped to the ground from the target.

"How regrettable." (Karla)

"Regrettable?" (Wendelin)

At first I didn't understand the meaning of what she was saying, but I became able to identify it with the fifth shot.

The third and fourth shot also knocked down the arrow which was stuck down in the middle before, but the last shot hit the middle of the arrow shaft of the fourth arrow, split it it in half and made it fall to the ground.

"Umm, this is?" (Wendelin)

"As it's obvious when you hit right down in the middle, it's the best outcome to make the previously shot arrow fall down by splitting it in two instead of it falling down by being knocked down." (Karla)

Someone like us, who can be called skilled since archery is well-received in rural territories, could be only regarded as little children at the level of a master's style.

"The female Nasu no Yoichi", "the female Robin Hood" , any of those nicknames are fine as she has a frightening skill.

"That's amazing. I wonder whether you can teach me archery?" (Wendelin)

The emotion I felt most towards Karla was a "feeling of reverence".

Although I earnestly trained my archery since my childhood, I haven't received any evaluation other than "half-baked skill" as I was trying to master two things at the same time with magic in the mix.

Therefore I felt that she, who possesses an ability to allow her to become runner-up at that martial arts tournament, was truly amazing.

"However, you aren't serving under a lord even though you were the runner-up?" (Wendelin)

"It's because I'm a woman..." (Karla)

Even so, up until before their marriage there are great places of employment for noble daughters as ceremonial personnel.

It's in reality considered as one part of marriage training with only 2-3 years of employment, but it's a narrow path where you won't be able to get in unless you have suitable abilities.

I have a feeling that she will be able to serve under a lord if it's Karla, however she was a daughter in hiding, albeit recognised.

It was likely impossible for her to actively ask for something like serving under a lord by herself.

"We will have free time until the messenger for the second arbitration turns up. Can I take lessons in archery from you, Karla-san?" (Wendelin)

"Though that's fine..." (Karla)

"Though?" (Wendelin)

"As she is quite the beautiful person, it's not allowed to think about making her your wife or such." (Ina)

"That's unthinkable. Going by our positions it's probably impossible, but..." (Wendelin)

Don't you trust me? I have been given a warning by Ina for some reason.

And, there was another person who admires her skill in archery.

"Karla-sama, is it...? Her appearance as she shot the arrows was lovely..." (Erwin)

Eru gazed at the appearance of Karla shooting the arrows with a boa~~~~h expression.

"Hold on, Vel. That's because Eru definitely has other feelings." (Luise)

"Looks like it, eh..." (Wendelin)

"Karla-sama, you have a magnificent skill in archery. Someone like me is no match for you." (Erwin)

"Erwin-san is very skilled as well." (Karla)

"Well, not to that degree." (Erwin)

Eru, who recovered from being an idiot, addresses Karla while showing a pointlessly refreshing smile. He doesn't seem to be dissatisfied to be praised for his skill in archery by her either.

And, me and Luise, who saw his state, just stared at each other without judging the new problems that might pop up.

Chapter 70: You lot finally came, huh...?

"Basically I'm able to do it. At the time when I release my hand from the nocked arrow, there are occasions when the aim is slightly off because of a slight shaking." (Karla)

"I see." (Wendelin)

Although they had caused such a disturbance, no messenger from Browig's side has arrived yet.

Since it can't be helped, we continued our protective occupation of a part of the east's domain while immersing ourselves in killing time at the headquarters of the Earl Baumeister feudal army.

Thomas and the others were sent to the villages and cities, which we declared occupied, and spent every day busily leaving for the territories of the nobles, who were released on conditions. Moritz was occupied with assisting Margrave Breithilde in protecting the encampment.

However, we have quite a bit of spare time.

Although there are occasionally documents delivered together with the supply goods from my territory, it looks like they have a policy of not burdening me much at this point in time.

Nothing but the situation reports from Roderich arrived here.

The territory seems to be making good progress at the development even though they are still lacking manpower.

Once I check and sign those documents, I spend my days by training in magic or taking lessons in archery from Karla who's already treated as a guest.

In reality I wanted to go hunting in the Demon Forest as well, but since it's wrong to leave the headquarters during war time as one might expect, I used all my free time like this. The one who is the most busy among us is Elise who has become a temporary priestess.

Although there's no battle, there are occasionally injured people appearing due to work or hunting for the sake of food provisions. It goes without saying that there are sick people as well.

Ina trains her spearmanship in-between the preparations of meals and such.

Luise had time off? She seems to be teaching the basics of the magic combat style to Wilma.

"Whoaa! You are quite talented..." (Luise)

It was easy to regard Wilma as power fighter due to her hero syndrome, but in reality she was the technician type.

Her learning rate of the magic combat style is great, too. Being also taught stuff like archery and knife throwing techniques from Karla, she has been told that she has talent by Karla, too.

"Instead she doesn't have any ability in leading soldiers though." (Moritz)

According to the assessment of Moritz, who's her blood-related elder brother, she has absolutely no ability to lead soldiers as commander.

At any rate, as she excels in power and martial arts, the best way of using her efficiently is to currently have her guard Elise and me.

"Don't release your mana all of sudden there. Imagine it as long stream of mana, just like a thin string, as much as possible." (Burkhart)

"Yes." (Katharina)

And Katharina received special training in magic from Burkhart-san.

Since she has little experience like me, she took lessons in mana control, she was weak at, for long periods every day.

Appropriate to her nickname "Storm", she seems to be best at firing off showy magic.

"Like this?" (Katharina)

"You are improving gradually." (Burkhart)

It seems that Katharina is actually feeling the training to bear noticeably results. She is earnestly following the coaching from Burkhart-san.

"They are mostly hitting the central part of the target now." (Karla)

"It's a good style." (Wendelin)

With merely 2-3 days of coaching, my archery skills improved to a degree that it was obvious to me, too.

"However, it was unexpected. For you to be skilled in archery in addition to magic." (Karla)

"My family's home is that shitty countryside after all." (Wendelin)

I concealed my magic as long as possible in my childhood. I earnestly trained my archery after considering situations where I used up my mana.

Also there was something like an atmosphere at home of "you must be at least able to use the bow well".

"If you can't catch prey, you won't eat meat." (Wendelin)

"It was the same for me, too." (Karla)

The home of Karla's mother in the capital is poor. It looks like the didn't get to eat meat if she didn't go catching prey with her bow.

"Otherwise the livelihood of a freeloader is quite limited." (Karla)

In spite of expecting a small allowance from Margrave Browig, her grandparents, her uncle, who's the family head, her aunt, her cousin, all of them without exception, treated her as nuisance.

"Having said that, since I was treated as non-existing person even in the Browig household..." (Karla)

Being called all of a sudden, she looked after her father, she doesn't even love, and was forced as far as becoming a decorative Supreme Commander.

In all honesty, she wants to return to the capital quickly and earn money to support a livelihood with only her mother.

"Umm, how to say it...? Feel free to consult with me at any time..." (Wendelin)

I didn't have any intention for her to become my wife, but once I saw a beautiful girl being struck with grief, I ended up opening my mouth just like that.

After all a beauty is a gain for the world, I think.

"Thank you very much." (Karla)

* * *

After training for a while, it has become lunch time. We decide to eat lunch as Elise's invitation came about.

It was a peaceful lunch as usual, however this was likely due to the successful large-scale Area Stun we did our best with.

"I want to go hunting." (Ina)

"Yea, you're right..." (Wendelin)

Not just me but also Elise, Katharina and Karla reacted to Ina's grumbling.

Going by Karla's words, at such times she wants to leave even a minute earlier to go catching prey.

I can't see her as daughter of a major noble at all, but since her livelihood wasn't overly different from ours until now, it was proof of her job as Supreme Commander representative being nothing but something painful to her.

"If that's the case, how about becoming an adventurer and going hunting in the Demon Forest with us, Karla-sama?" (Erwin)

"That's a great idea." (Karla)

Karla responded to Eru's invitation, where one doesn't know whether he's joking or meaning it seriously, with a smile.

"If you go with us, you will be able to avoid risks quite well. Ah, yea, actually I'd like you to teach me archery as well." (Erwin)

"Okay. That's fine." (Karla)

Keeping at it, Eru implores Karla to teach him archery and she accepts that without any particular hesitation.

After finishing lunch, Eru shot arrows at the target while happily receiving coaching from Karla.

"You are skilful as well, Erwin-san." (Karla)

"I can't win against you though, Karla-sama. It's magnificent how skilled you are at teaching, too." (Erwin)

Eru, who praised Karla's archery skill, continues to chat cheerfully with her while showing a loose smile.

"That idiot..." (Ina)

"He's incredibly easy to understand..." (Wendelin)

Ina, who spied on his state from a distant place together with me, noticed it after all.

The fact that Eru has fallen in love with Karla, that is.

"Let me see..." (Luise)

Next Luise looks at the situation of the two, but she noticed it right away as well since she had been associating with us for a reasonably long time now.

"Eru has a total crush on her." (Luise)

Luise found fault with him from the bottom of her heart after having seen Eru's dreamy look towards the beautiful Karla.

In the first place, Eru works as my guard. Even if he doesn't particularly do so, there's no kind of problem since Moritz has deployed his subordinates in our camp, but to play hooky isn't good either.

"Your teaching is skilful as well. Very different from Luise." (Erwin)

"Really?" (Karla)

"Yes, if I compare her with you, it's really just like 'day and night', Karla-san." (Erwin)

"That asshole..." (Luise)

Certainly, Karla was an archery genius who wasn't just skilled herself but was also good at teaching others.

Luise, labelled as being bad at teaching by Eru, begins to send a sharp gaze at him while lowering her voice.

However, it didn't reach Erwin, who is dyed in the color of silliness, at all.

"Now, now, You are strong and cute, Luise (Eru you big fool)." (Wendelin)

Since Luise wouldn't hesitate to give Eru a good beating at this rate, I began to soothe her in a hurry by hugging her gently from behind.

"The magic combat style and archery are different. I will make you my wife because I consider you cute, Luise. Something like the opinion of a third party, just ignore it." (Wendelin)

"Is that so?" (Luise)

Although those were compliments which set one's teeth on edge, I was relived in my mind since they apparently fixed Luise's bad mood.

"Stupidity has its limits, too." (Katharina)

"True. To begin with, it's impossible." (Ina)

Katharina and Ina had sharp tongues too.

For a retainer to fall in love with a daughter of a noble who has been made into a prisoner for form's sake.

It would be permissible if it was a tale, but in reality it is nothing but a bother.

"Does he have hope, I wonder?" (Katharina)

As soon as they see it, anyone would understand, but Eru's expression with his feelings towards Karla is foppish.

How pathetic, even though he was born with a better-looking face than me, he looks somewhat ugly because because of his overly sloppy expression.

It seemed like Katharina, who has taken a distance from Eru to begin with, regards him as someone creepy.

Ina calmly reproaches Eru who has fallen in love with someone of a different social standing.

And there was me, but more than anything else I was bothered what Karla was thinking about this.

I thought that probably even Eru won't do something strange or confess his feelings in this situation.

"Karla-sama is an adult, I believe. She shouldn't be particularly aware of Eru." (Wilma)

The one who answered exceedingly calm was the youngest among us, Wilma.

She seems to be poorly informed about the deeds between men and women who became lovers, but she is unexpectedly sensitive to the subtleties of men and women.

"Karla-sama understands that she is blessed with her current treatment. That's why she answers Eru's lechery expression with a smile." (Wilma)

Wilma's speech was unusually long, but its content was filled with a sharp and brief opinion.

To put it simply, Karla attends to Eru with a lip-service attitude.

"Is that so? Doesn't it look like she isn't as dissatisfied with it either?" (Wendelin)

"Vel-sama, I think you are still taking a woman's discerning eye too lightly." (Wilma)

"That's harsh, Wilma-san." (Wendelin)

I end up caving in somewhat within my mind due to Wilma's pointer.

"Wilma-san, you are as direct as ever. It's a love that won't ripen anyway." (Katharina)

Just as Katharina says, no matter how much she is treated as unwanted daughter, Karla is still the daughter of Margrave Browig.

There weren't any expectations for her to become something like the wife of the retainer Eru.

"Wendelin-san, how about if we opened his eyes a bit?"

"He will likely sober up very soon anyway. Personally I feel like wanting to support him, but..." (Wendelin)

Now that it has come to this, my position as noble is a heavy burden.

"What do you think, Elise?" (Wendelin)

"Me!?" (Elise)

As they thought that the diligent Elise wouldn't do something like peeping by any means, everyone except me didn't realize her presence.

When I called out to the secretly peeping Elise, she apparently didn't expect to be found by me. She answered while having a shrill and nervous voice.

"You like such things fairly well, too, Elise?" (Luise)

"Luise-san, even I have some interest in such things..." (Elise)

Elise, who answered Luise's question while blushing, was quite adorable.

"After all Karla-san was someone drawing the attention of men at the time when she was in the capital." (Elise)

Different from Elise and Katharina, Karla is a beauty that has a sense of translucence if described with few words. Even from my point of view, she is a type I like quite a bit.

Since her face is slightly plain, she has a beauty that is a bit nostalgic for me who is a Japanese.

"She is beautiful, has a good style and is skilled with things like cooking."

"In Karla-san's case, she diligently learned things such as domestic chores in the church until she returned to the Browig household."

There are also the circumstances that her home, where she was free-loading at, can't employ someone like a maid due to economical reasons. Apparently she was able to promptly do stuff like preparing meals after mingling with Elise and the others.

Of course she caught the attention of many men, but everyone ended up shrinking back after getting to know her lineage.

As things continued like that, she didn't have many male figures at her side, it seems.

"They didn't want to turn a Margrave into their enemy over a love of different social standings, huh." (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Elise)

"Although he knew that, love has sprout in Eru?" (Wendelin)

"No, even so..." (Elise)

Elise had recently quite a few chats with Karla during cooking and such in this place, but she heard that Karla desires sincerity from a man.

"It seems that the type of men she hates most are those like her father, Margrave Browig-sama." (Elise)

Watching the treatment of her own mother, it's likely difficult for her to look at Margrave Browig favourably.

"Eru is..." (Wendelin)

Eru, who was taught womanizing by Burkhart-san, might be considered to be lacking sincerity a bit.

Even Moritz' group restrains themselves from talking about such things since there are many women in our encampment, but it's not like they abstain completely from it either. Women are sensitive to such secret talks.

Karla will end up noticing it as well since Eru amuses himself by talking about juicy topics while drinking booze together with the other retainers to get quickly familiar with them as Eru's situation is a bit special.

"Moritz-nii-san is a vulgar person." (Wilma)

"More or less all men are like that!" (Moritz)

Since Karla ended up hearing the sad conversation between a certain elder brother and his younger sister a little bit ago, she might end up believing that Eru's the same kind of man.

A certain elder brother being treated as filth by his younger sister, I remember the elder brother was on the verge of tears.

"What's up with that guy? He's making such sloppy face." (Burkhart)

Moreover, showing his face at this place, Burkhart-san inspected Eru's hopeless state while being astonished.

"He is troubled with love." (Wendelin)

"How pitiful. Even if Eru-boy got a crush on her, Karla-sama will ward it off easily." (Burkhart)

Once Burkhart-san, who has a rich amount of life experience, observes Eru, it can't be seen as anything but the countdown to Eru's broken heart.

"Even he should know that, I think, but... Ah, right." (Burkhart)

"What happened?" (Wendelin)

"Tomorrow a negotiation team from the Browig household will come in order to negotiate the arbitration." (Burkhart)

"Eh? Aren't those major news?" (Wendelin)

I didn't know what face they would be making having caused such an incident in the end after breaking off the arbitration negotiations that had commenced once, but with this it finally looked like the beginning of the end of the long-lasting dispute.

"I wonder whether it will go that well?" (Burkhart)

"There's no meaning either way if we don't start the negotiations first though." (Wendelin)

"That's certainly true, but..." (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san's worries became reality and weighed down on us the next day.

* * *

"As expected, they didn't bring any military forces along?" (Wendelin)

"Even gathering them costs money after all." (Burkhart)

Morning of the next day, the Margrave Browig household sent in a delegation to carry out the arbitration negotiations according to Burkhart-san's report.

As the occupied territory increased, our allies are waiting in a large built tent to be used for the negotiations in the front line grasslands where our troops are stationed. The delegation arrives there together with around 100 guards.

However, the negotiations suddenly turn into one big failure.

Or rather than failing, they didn't even start.

"I'm Philip von Browig." (Philip)

"I'm Christoph von Browig." (Christoph)

I expected it to some degree, but as there are two tops in Browig's camp, both parties started to quarrel when Margrave Breithilde asked with whom he is supposed to negotiate.

"Being the eldest son, I will join the negotiations." (Philip)

"What are you talking about!? Your failure led to this situation. I will be the one negotiating!" (Christoph)

Not just the two but even the retainers, both parties brought along, have started to argue.

"You lot, who planned something stupid like a war, have no qualifications to join the negotiations! Even before that, as everyone became prisoners, there's only small fries attending from your side. Such a line-up is a discourtesy towards Margrave Breithilde-sama!" (???)

"Didn't you guys prepare the budget and goods without even any decent opposition at the beginning!? Then you changed your attitude quickly just as the war progress became disadvantageous! Simple bookworms should be silent!" (???)

"Negotiations with idiots who have no brains and can only swing their swords? Don't talk nonsense!" (???)

"You are a retard who only behaves like an intellectual! You guys' intelligence is just fake, isn't it!?" (???)

There were probably various problems, but they might not have shown such disgraceful behaviour if Margrave Browig were in good health.

Another problem is that only up to 20 people of both sides are allowed to participate in the negotiations.

Even so, given that both, Philip and Christoph, brought 20 retainers to attend, it ended up becoming a dispute without either side yielding.

"How about going with a 50-50 split?" (Breithilde)

As expected Margrave Breithilde was unable to keep watching and threw them a lifeline, but even that resulted in nothing but a new cause for quarrelling.

"Philip-sama, who has many of his feudal army staff members turned into prisoners, shouldn't join the delegation of 10 people." (???)

"It's an arbitration related to military movements! What do you intend with excluding Philip-sama who unifies the feudal army!? You guys have no merit other than signing documents! There's no need for 10 of you to join the negotiations, right!?" (???)

Since the negotiations wouldn't start no matter how much time passed if things were left like this, Viscount Knappstein, who was unable to bear it any longer, recommended each side to enter the tent while taking half of their attendants along.

Not counting as part of either side's numbers, he is a person who has a neutral position due to being sent by the kingdom.

The two, who felt that it would be bad for the negotiations to make him angry, entered the tent obediently after picking 10 retainers to attend with them.

"There's the signing of the arbitration document before the negotiation, but..." (Knappstein)

"Father died five days ago. Won't it be valid if both sides sign together?" (Christoph)

"It will." (Knappstein)

Viscount Knappstein showed an agreeing expression due to Christoph's reply.

However, the reason why they finally showed up here is because their father, Margrave Browig, died. He was a person whose face I don't know, however he was a somewhat pitiable man, I think.

"With this the negotiations can continue, however..." (Knappstein)

Of course the previously presented arbitration draft is completely invalid. That's because the prerequisites changed completely.

"As a matter of fact, the nobles who joined Browig's camp with their armies have..." (Knappstein)

Due to the far too irresponsible manner of the Margrave Browig household, they cleverly declared that they will change their patron to Margrave Breithilde.

The negotiations about the reconciliation money for the disputed cases and the ransom hasn't finished, but since the economy of their territories will fail if the dispute keeps prolonging like this, they returned to their territories after being released first.

And they will restore the state of the disputed cases to their pre-war state. Since it's wrong for them to allow things like merchant groups of Browig's camp to enter their territory due to their status of being occupied, they have agreed to trade with the south.

"The conditions have already changed. Please understand that aspect." (Knappstein)

They, who were vassals of the Browig household before the war, have become vassals of Margrave Breithilde now.

All the disputed cases will be restored to their pre-war state. The nobles and soldiers, who became prisoners, will be released.

In other words, it signified that the domain controlled by the east ended up going north quite a bit.

(T/N: Meaning they lost the southern parts due to the switch of the nobles)

And, moreover another cruel reality is thrust at them.

"Be that as it may, that doesn't mean that the reconciliation money of my vassals, who attacked us, has been waived. It changed into the shape of me demanding the entire batch from you." (Breithilde)

"The entire batch?" (???)

"Well that's only natural. After all there's these document here." (Breithilde)

What was grasped in Margrave Breithilde's hand were more than 40 contracts, which were given to the former nobles of the Browig camp, stating that all the damages incurred due to the dispute would be covered by the Browig household.

"As they were opponents in the dispute, it will be wrong for them to not pay the reconciliation money to return the interests into their pre-war state. However, in this contract it's written that the Browig household will cover for that. Based on the negotiations' efficiency, it's better for me to demand it all together in one go." (Breithilde)

Since Margrave Breithilde has already paid the reconciliation money to the nobles before that, he will end up in the red if he doesn't collect the debts.

"My vassals are..." (???)

Moreover, the part beyond redemption for the Browig household's side is the point that more than 40 noble households won't ever work under them as vassals even if they pay the reconciliation money.

The have only lost money and their own ruled domain has ended up shrinking. It's unmistakable that the Browig household only lost out in this war.

"There's also the ransom for the prisoners who were mainly captured by Earl Baumeister." (Breithilde)

The prisoners over here have been already released and the management expenses for the prisoners, who are taken care of by our allied nobles, have been paid in advance.

Naturally, I will demand this share from the Margrave Browig household as well.

"In addition, there are 10.000 and oh 567 prisoners of the Browig feudal army. Quite a few of the cities and villages in the eastern domain are in a state of being occupied. To return these as well, it's necessary for you to pay reconciliation money." (Breithilde)

At the time of the first arbitration negotiation Viscount Knappstein estimated four hundred million cents.

However, in the current situation the same amount of money won't suffice. It should become a drastic increase in the amount of money.

"How much is it?" (Philip)

Philip, who finally opened his mouth, asks Margrave Breithilde.

"According to the calculations, it's one billion cents." (Breithilde)

""No way!"" (Philip & Christoph)

Due to the excessive amount of money, both successor candidates become speechless.

However, even before that reckless night attack it was five hundred million cents. It likely can't be helped that the increased amount has reached this level.

"No matter how you look at it, it's far too high!" (Christoph)

"Still, it's a big failure to such an extent. The increased amount is unavoidable." (Knappstein)

"Special Envoy-dono, are you siding with Margrave Breithilde!?" (Philip)

Due to Viscount Knappstein's comment, Philip snaps at him, but Knappstein answered calmly without changing his expression at all.

"Side with him? I don't understand the meaning of what you are talking about. Prolonging the nonsense called "dispute" which is tolerated by the kingdom, you equipped real weapons and planned a night attack once the situation became disadvantageous in the first arbitration. Let me tell you clearly, the kingdom's distrust towards the Browig household has become strong. Having a succession struggle is fine, but please make at least sure to not become a bother to other nobles. And, if you plan to say something like "return to the pre-war state without paying any reconciliation money" in this place, I won't be able to agree to that as it will turn into a one-sided support of the Browig household's side." (Knappstein)

His tone was indifferent, but both succession candidates end up silent due to the merciless rebuttal of Viscount Knappstein.

Since there was also the possibility that he would have been killed in the night attack if it wasn't prevented by us, he was probably highly offended.

"I think it might be possible to get a bit of debt reduction, but I believe it will be pointless even if we negotiate about the other matters. It's the same with the separation of the vassals. The Browig household has the responsibility to pay their losses in accordance to those contracts, but they won't return being vassals of the Browig household." (Knappstein)

Carrying out an unyielding occupation while using the fact that their vassals can't refuse, they didn't show their faces at the front lines as they were engrossed in their succession struggle.

There's truly no other way but to express it as "they reap what the have sown".

"Since today's objective was to make introductions and to present the conditions, let's wrap it up with this?" (Breithilde)

Even if they negotiate about the reduction of reconciliation money, it's probably necessary to discuss it with the Browig household's side.

Margrave Breithilde declared today's negotiations to be finished and both sides broke up.

* * *

"They'd like to invite you to dinner, Earl Baumeister-sama." (???)

"Haa... invite, eh..." (Wendelin)

* * *

Around one hour after the first days' arbitration negotiation, we returned to our own encampment, but I received something like a warning from Margrave Breithilde during the return.

"It would be best for you to be careful, Earl Baumeister." (Breithilde)

"As I'm a youngster, they will go for my weak points?" (Wendelin)

"That's the point." (Breithilde)

A considerable part of the reconciliation money to be paid by Browig's camp in the negotiation is the ransom of the nobles and soldiers I captured.

Due to that thoughtless night attack many of the leaders and elites of the Browig main army have been arrested.

If one adds this as well, the amount of money becomes enormous. Both succession candidates will likely try to decrease the sum of reconciliation money by specifically aiming at the young me.

"It will be quite difficult for them to reduce the reconciliation money to be paid to me. In your case they might consider it possible if they deceive skilfully." (Breithilde)

"It's because I'm a youngster who has just become an adult. However, aren't they forgetting the case of that rear disturbance operation?" (Wendelin)

"That's why. While that's unofficial, they will apologize and present certain conditions instead." (Breithilde)

"Karla-san, huh..." (Wendelin)

As she's close in age, they will present her, who's the youngest daughter of the Browig household, to me as wife.

To the Browig family it will finish with them saying "she is included as apology for the aforementioned manoeuvring". If Karla becomes my wife, it will turn into a convenient matter for them, too.

"They will be able to join in on the Savage Lands development concessions. It's would be strange to not lend money to your wife's home, right?" (Breithilde)

"I have no intention to make her my wife or such." (Wendelin)

She isn't a bad girl, but her relatives are more than too bad.

Even without that, my true opinion was that I wanted to prevent the intervention of such people since my territory is just being established right now.

"She will probably be bewildered as well." (Wendelin)

I have her teach me archery. I think that Karla herself is a good girl as she helps with things like preparing the meals together with Elise and the others, but even so, marriage was something completely different.

She is a good girl who is able to consider the people she speaks with, but saying that in reverse, it's also a breeding ground for causing misunderstandings like with Eru.

For some reason Eru fell selfishly in love with her, but it's not like she is in love with him. It can be regarded as her having an interaction between adults.

However, there's also the possibility that she is really harbouring good will towards him. Judging that is difficult for me who has a low love score.

"Please don't get deceived." (Breithilde)

"Of course." (Wendelin)

Separating from Margrave Breithilde I move to our own encampment.

The negotiation team of the Margrave Browig household with a total amount of 150 people put up their encampment close to Margrave Breithilde's main army.

As there will be negotiations every day from now on, they chose a close-by place. As the situation has deteriorated to such extent, you might say that they aren't expecting to get attacked or assassinated in reverse.

Although I think that they've got quite some nerves, I wished the had demonstrated that judgement a lot faster.

When thinking about such matters, Moritz shows up. He brought news that the Browig household wanted to invite me to dinner.

After waiting for a while, an official messenger from the Browig household's side arrived and handed me a written invitation.

"Got it. We will visit." (Wendelin)

"Thank you very much." (???)

The elderly man, who acts as messenger, returns to the encampment of the Browig household while showing a relieved expression.

"Isn't that dangerous?" (Moritz)

"Not really." (Wendelin)

If they kill me in this place, the Browig household will definitely lose their peerage.

By no means I wanted to believe that they didn't think that far ahead.

"Guards will accompany me." (Wendelin)

"Erwin, do you understand?" (Moritz)

"Yes." (Erwin)

Moritz makes sure that Eru definitely carries out his role as guard.

The current Eru was always silly due to his crush on Karla, but it apparently didn't go as far as him forgetting his job.

"By the way, this written invitation is..." (Moritz)

Moritz, who gazed at the written invitation he received from me, noticed a certain important aspect.

"The sender is Philip-dono." (Moritz)

"U~~~~mm, in other words..." (Wendelin)

"Tomorrow a written invitation from Christoph-dono will arrive?" (Moritz)

"That's right, isn't it...? It will be intense for two days in a row..." (Wendelin)

If they at least invited me together... I cursed at the two succession candidates in my mind.

* * *

"I'm happy that you came." (???)

"Let me treat you without reservation." (???)

Evening that day I went out in order to attend the dinner party sponsored by the Browig household.

Conveying this to Margrave Breithilde, the ones who entered the enemy camp were Eru, me and four guards who were designated by Moritz.

Also, thinking that it's likely better if there was a woman as well, Luise is participating while likewise acting as guard. If it's her, she probably will defeat several enemies with margin even if something happens.

"Besides, I think that Elise will be in danger." (Wendelin)

I shouldn't be poisoned, but there was the possibility of drugging Elise.

The poisoning wouldn't be the objective but the goal would be to serve Elise, who will be my legal wife in future, secretly a poison that makes her unable to give birth to children. Although it's quite rare to obtain, such poison does in fact exist.

Anticipating the worst possibility, Luise participated this time.

"In my case I can sense poison to some extent." (Luise)

"What's with that ability?" (Wendelin)

She's completely like a certain end of century saviour.

"Once one persists in doing martial arts to some extent, one's senses will become sharp." (Luise)

It's not everything, but it looks like it's possible to sense poison contained in food and such with a high probability.

"Is it something like a identify spell?" (Wendelin)

"If the two of us are careful, there's likely no way for us to eat poison. Isn't that right, Karla?" (Luise)

"I pray that Philip-nii-sama doesn't go that far." (Karla)

Leaving Karla, who has a somewhat stiff expression, we join the place of the dinner sponsored by Philip.

The small scale encampment, constructed by the Browig household, was filled with two large tents because of the antagonism between the two succession candidates.

The second son, Christoph is probably in the large tent we didn't enter.

"Since it's an encampment, I can't show you splendid items though." (Philip)

Since the circumstances are as they are, Philip interacted with me, who is 20 years younger than him, politely.

"Since I'm usually working as adventurer, you don't have to mind it." (Wendelin)

"I believe that I have understood your ability well." (Philip)

The eldest son of the Browig household, Philip, was owner of a well-trained, compact body with a height of around 185 cm.

He seems to excel in military ability, but since we have seen the disgrace of the Browig army in front of our eyes, it won't work even if he tries to make us swallow that story.

Going by his looks, he was a neat person.

Without this time's failure, I might have associated with him normally.

Compared to Minister Edgar and the Armstrong family, including doushi, he isn't a "strong" person.

"Philip? That guy is an excellent general candidate." (Edgar)

Before the dinner I procured information through the magical hand-held communication device from Minister Edgar, but not many insults towards Philip came over his lips.

"However, when it comes to being a feudal lord..." (Edgar)

It appears that he will be able to be quite successful if it's as appointed noble of the military department, but it will be hard for him to rule as feudal lord.

Even the person himself has admitted that repeatedly, but since there's no way for him to say that in front of his maternal relative and his retainers, who wish for him to become the next feudal lord, he has no other choice but to display a manner of disputing with his younger brother from a different mother on the surface.

"Isn't that the real situation?" Minister Edgar guessed.

"And, what about that major incident?" (Wendelin)

"That was likely done by that idiot Kodowien being impatient." (Edgar)

Kodowien was the elderly chief retainer who was in charge at the first arbitration.

It seems that he acts as Junior Commander and his daughter is the legal wife of Philip.

"Does he wield influence as maternal relative in the Margrave Browig household?" (Wendelin)

"It's a common dream to be the chief retainer of an upper noble household. On the contrary, causing a debacle that's very likely to make him lose his current job, he probably did that to gloss it over somehow." (Edgar)

There's no point in doing that if it costs close to 100 people their lives.

No matter how much he might be a maternal relative, with that grand failure it means that his career is finished at this point.

Currently he is a prisoner. He will probably be disposed of if he returns to the Browig household, but we had no intention to tell him to accompany us.

"If Philip comes to the capital, I will be troubled once he does stupid thinks like asking me for a big favour or wanting me to actively mediate for him. I will be completely hated if I helped Philip in this place." (Edgar)

If he leaves the territory unable to become the feudal lord, he will assist him with re-employment, but if he intervened wrongly in this situation, the sparks will even spread to him.

"I believe that it will become a huge amount of reconciliation money, but I guess there's no other choice but to pay it. At worst they will probably get an order to liquidize their property. Since they can't be shut down anyway, they won't have any choice but to accept it obediently." (Edgar)

"Order to liquidize property" is simply put about going temporarily bankrupt.

As the debt is considerable, an appointed noble of the finance department will be dispatched by the kingdom as third party administrator for a noble household, which cannot be afforded to be shut down, even by the kingdom, and they will suffer large restrictions in the budget plans until the debts are repaid to a certain degree.

The reason for such system to exist is that the local region will be plunged into chaos if an important noble vanishes all of a sudden.

Although it has a generous feeling, an important noble of the province, who received an "Order to liquidize property", will be nothing more than a pet dog of the kingdom.

Besides, the matter of adopting it is equal to being told "You are incompetent as feudal lord".

"He has probably no option but to yield the seat of next feudal lord to Christoph. That's because he destroyed himself on his own accord. Even if it's the rampaging of his retainer, who is his father-in-law, he bears the same crime as he wasn't able to restrain his retainer. It's the best move for me to take care of the troubles and be responsible for him, but..." (Edgar)

However, although that move is good for Philip, it means that the retainers, who supported no one but him, will be at worst plunged into the danger of unemployment.

It seems that Minister Edgar believes that there's no guarantee that it won't kick up a fuss if he sets up Philip's son as successor with "Because he is my picked-up grandson" by tomorrow.

"Everyone is at their wit's end." (Edgar)

Even if the Margrave Browig household is shut down and other nobles are relocated there to take direct control of the area, it will be unavoidable for there to be chaos for a while.

Given that they would be bound to provide a lot of money, to say nothing about getting no profit from it, the important appointed nobles of the central government were actually reluctant to shut the household down and take its property.

If it was a small fry, they would likely have shut it down and taken it all without hesitation though.

If going by Japanese standards, it's the same reason why [Electric Power Co.] and [IE] can't be shut down.

(T/N: First is Tepco aka Tokyo Electric Power Co., second I don't know)

"Do you want to become a landed noble, Minister Edgar?" (Wendelin)

"No. I'm not fit to govern." (Edgar)

Marquis and Margrave.

The way of calling them is different, but even though they should hold the same rank, Marquis, which is only an appointed noble rank, loses out in number of retainers and possession of assets.

Therefore, even if he were ordered to relocate, it would be unlikely for him to be capable of governing.

Rather, it was possible that unnecessary chaos would spread if the former retainers and soldiers rebelled.

'It sounds like a story. Even if a protagonist was to be suddenly given a large territory, that would be unreasonable as well.' (Wendelin)

Even we are always troubled by the lack of manpower since developing the vast Savage Lands.

"If they say something disagreeing about the reconciliation money being too high, make them shut up by seizing a mine or their tax revenue." (Edgar)

"That's an unyielding view." (Wendelin)

"That's because the other side is completely at fault here. For us it's fine if we can control the East and leave a certain scale to the Margrave Browig household. No one will complain if the debt is reduced a bit." (Edgar)

Although we had such a chat, I was actually asked by Minister Edgar to not mention it to Philip.

If it was just a problem of Philip, it would end at once with him renunciating his succession rights, but it will become fatal if there's faulty guidance from outside because the retainers are involved in it.

"Well, please take a seat over there." (Philip)

Sitting down at the head of the prepared table as offered by Philip, Luise sits down next to me in her role as my wife.

Eru stands diagonally behind me and is cautious of assassins and such. The other guards did the same.

It could be said that this much precaution was natural as we were still mutual enemies without even having agreed on an arbitration draft.

"Let's toast first." (Philip)

Since he's a person from the military department, his energy might come from being an athletic type.

After toasting with wine at once, the full course meal starts with hors d'oeuvre.

As for the quality of the food, relatively magnificent dishes came out for being on a camp-ground.

As expected, is that the feeling of an "country man" who controls the east?

"Even in the east I heard the rumours. That you are a splendid magician who defeated two dragons." (Philip)

There was no way for him to talk about the recent war as it was a dinner party with the goal of befriending me. He switched the topic to the story about my dragon slaying and such.

And, if it's that noble, it indispensable for him to talk about the martial arts tournament once, too.

"I lost in the fifth round of the preliminaries. Should I say that it's preferable for the son of a noble?" (Philip)

Drinking wine, we continue a suitable chat while eating the dishes of the full meal course that appear one after the other.

However, since he doesn't talk about the recent war after all, I ask myself the question why I'm in this place and for what sake.

Even though Luise is cautious, she eats plentifully unfitting for her small build. Eru's group continued to monitor the surroundings as well.

Although the possibility of poisoning and assassination not happening was almost 100%, it can't be helped since it's their job.

After finishing the dinner with desserts, we are having a chat while drinking an after-meal tea and that topic comes up after all.

"Don't you have any intention to take our Karla as wife, Earl Baumeister-dono?" (Philip)

It seems that he is trying to force Karla onto me as wife as expected.

"In this situation the opposition from Margrave Breithilde might be strong. As it's impossible to begin with..." (Wendelin)

It's quite likely that there will be once again a war over the concessions for the Savage Lands development.

If things don't go well, it's probable for there to be interference from Margrave Breithilde as well.

Currently his relationship with me is favourable, but there are also parts where even he won't yield.

"Won't you at least try thinking about it?" (Philip)

It will become an issue if he tries to push it onto me forcibly, but right now Karla is a prisoner of the Earl Baumeister household.

Her treatment was based on her being a guest, but he might be thinking that she can fall in love with me one way or the other.

'By no means will he extend the negotiations with that as goal, will he?' (Wendelin)

Ending the dinner, we return to our own encampment.

* * *

And, the next day I was invited to a dinner sponsored by Christoph as expected.

"They are really on bad terms with each other. Usually it would end with just one time, right...?" (Erwin)

Continuing from yesterday, Eru, who is in charge of my guarding, sighed together with the other guards.

"Who will go today?" (Wendelin)

"Of course I will pass." (Luise)

We haven't married yet, but it's absolutely necessary for me to be accompanied by a fiancée again since we are engaged to each other. However Luise refused as the very first as she attended yesterday.

"Well, Ina then?" (Wendelin)

"Fine with me. But I might not know overly much about the taste of food..." (Ina)

Since Luise is a genius in a certain way, she has the boldness to ask for a second serving of desserts while continuing her lookout even if she is invited to the dinner of an important noble household.

However, since Ina is the serious type, she will become extremely nervous in such place.

"It looks like there's something disagreeing with you." (Wendelin)

"To be honest..." (Ina)

"It's troublesome for me as well... Since it's not allowed to not act according to etiquette, I'm going there reluctantly." (Wendelin)

I'm able to eat at any time if it's something delicious. Since he will just ask me to take Karla as my wife again anyway, even I'm fed up with it.

"How about you, Wilma?" (Wendelin)

"I'm fine because our side's food is delicious." (Wilma)

"Is that so...?" (Wendelin)

Given that the Browig household is the household of an upper noble, they will serve good dishes, but they were unrelated to the new art of cooking and the new ingredients such as soy sauce, miso, mayonnaise and chocolate since they don't trade with us.

Therefore I don't think she wants to eat it very much as the contents of the dishes have no great difference to the party menus of nobles she attended in the capital.

"How about you, Elise?" (Wendelin)

"I will refrain this time." (Elise)

Elise, who is my future legal wife, usually accompanies me a lot of times.

Thus there's actually another reason for her to refrain.

"If you take Elise along, she will be persuaded." (???)

It's very likely that he will reach out to Elise to manoeuvre and persuade her for the sake of marrying Karla to me. That's because she will manage the inner circle of the Baumeister household in future.

"If I go, it might become too troublesome..." (Elise)

"Well then, what to do about this...?" (Wendelin)

Of course there's one more candidate and moreover she is facing me with an expression that shows that she wants to attend very much while waiting and seeing how the situation develops.

I don't know what's so enjoyable about such dinner that she wants to go there, but there's likely some kind of amusement for her there.

"The last one is..." (Wendelin)

"There's no other way then. At this point I will--" (Katharina)

"Luise, though it's difficult with two day in a row." (Wendelin)

"Why Luise again when you are looking at me!?" (Katharina)

The reason is simple. As Katharina wants to go that badly, I just ended up teasing her.

"It's a joke. But, do you want to go that much?" (Wendelin)

"I have been unrelated to such parties and dinners..." (Katharina)

It seems that she is yearning for them as it's an unknown for her.

"Well, then let's leave it to Katharina?" (Wendelin)

"Please entrust it to me. The dinner will become a success due to my elegance." (Katharina)

She might be completely misunderstanding something, but I decide to not mind it since we will just go there to have a meal.

* * *

And then, evening of that day.

Since it's soon time, we decide to leave towards the encampment of the Browig household.

"Wendelin-san. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." (Katharina)

"Oi..." (Wendelin)

Somehow I had a bad premonition, but Katharina got terribly fired up and thoroughly dressed herself up.

She changed into a bright red dress, which that had an amount of frill attached while using silk generously, wore a horseshoe-shaped hair-band, that had lots of real jewels instead of her usual magic gems embedded, had many gemmed accessory types such as rings and wore high heels.

"A perfect full dress..." (Wendelin)

Even though it would have been plenty with an ordinary dress since we are currently in times of war and moreover in the fields, she had an attire as if she was going to a party hosted by the royal family.

"I tried to stop her. I told her that Luise also wore an ordinary dress yesterday..." (Ina)

Ina, who helped with Katharina's dressing, sighed.

Luise, Katharina and Wilma. Since each of the three has her own liberal ways, damage occasionally befalls upon the serious Ina.

"Isn't it fine since it's not like I'm particularly in the wrong here...?" (Katharina)

"Well, then let's go." (Wendelin)

Because Katharina isn't going unwillingly but looking forward to it, that's probably the sole salvation, I guess?

Sure enough it's hard for her to walk in grassland since she is wearing high heels, thus she is pretending to walk elegantly while floating slightly above the ground with "Flight".

From my standpoint it's a waste of mana, but for Katharina it seems to be something important.

"Thank you very much for following our invitation." (???)

As there's another butler meeting us as today's dinner is hosted by Christoph, it appears that both of them are staying at two different places even in the encampment.

It's inefficient, but you can also say that it's inevitable since their relationship is twisted.

"She's my fiancée." (Wendelin)

"I'm called Honorary Associate Baroness Katharina Linda von Waigel. Thank you very much for extending your invitation to us today." (Katharina)

Even though everyone is dressed ordinarily as the location is in the fields, only Katharina has her body wrapped up in a frilly, expensive dress.

Although it was only perfect with her floating, it doesn't seem like the person herself minds at all.

"She is..." (???)

Noisy voices are raised by the retainers who met her.

It's because they noticed that she is the wizard who captured the employed magicians of the Browig household.

One part of the people there are showing an expression of feeling disappointed, but from their point of view they might have a feeling of "The magicians we gathered at great troubles were done in by such flashy woman...".

"I'm glad to meet you. I'm Christoph von Browig." (Christoph)

The second son, Christoph, whom I see for the first time, was a person with a slight thin line-like liberal arts body.

Also, there's nothing else special about him, or rather... I can't regard him as anything but a normal person just a bit before his mid-life.

"I'm thankful for you having followed my invitation today." (Christoph)

I think he wants a quick agreement on the arbitration draft. Since it has been decided that he will tell me that he wants me to take Karla as my wife anyway, it's in truth troublesome to interact with him.

Though there was no way for me to voice that out.

"Well, here's your seat." (Christoph)

Christoph politely guides us to our seats.

Once we sit down, the dishes are immediately brought in, but the menu was almost the same.

'I think similar dishes will be served. After all they are an upper noble household. The menu of dishes to entertain guests has been mostly decided.' (Wendelin)

Depending on the season, they are usually preparing several patterns as well, but this place is unfortunately an outdoor encampment.

The Browig household, which is capable to serve a full course menu in such place, had the impression of an important noble as expected, but it's also something intolerable for the body to have the same meal two days in a row.

'At least go and ask your elder brother what he served!' (Wendelin)

If that was possible, he likely wouldn't be in dispute with his brother up to this point.

"As expected of a dinner by the Margrave Browig household." (Katharina)

"It's an honour to receive your praise, madam." (Christoph)

"I'm still his fiancée..." (Katharina)

For me it's two days in a row but for Katharina it is the first time to eat the dishes. Moreover it's the first time for her to be at such place.

Just like a country bumpkin, who visited a sight-seeing area for the first time, she enjoyed the food and the conversation.

Katharina, who has become embarrassed from being called madam, was cute, but the slightly too festive Katharina is drawn in by Christoph to a certain extent.

However that was convenient for me at today's occasion.

"Katharina, please enjoy it a lot. So that Christoph won't start talking about that." (Wendelin)

My wish was honoured by heaven and Christoph wasn't able to talk about Karla's matter in the end.

Because he wielded the topic to Katharina, who is a renown magician, her big solo performance ended up starting.

"At the time when I went out hunting for the first time, a huge bear monster came attacking. I brought it down by blowing it up in the air with a tornado spell in panic. Then I finished the other monsters in the vicinity by blowing them away with wind magic. Thus everyone called me 'Storm'." (Katharina)

"Hahaha... Is that so?" (Christoph)

In the end her solo performance continued until the end of the dinner party and Christoph had a cramped expression as he couldn't bring up the crucial matter.

Without doubt he is believing that I brought along Katharina anticipating this. As expected, that was something called overestimating me too much though.

"It was fun." (Katharina)

"That's true. I'm thankful to you today, Katharina." (Wendelin)

"Huh?" (Katharina)

Katharina, who was puzzled why I was thankful to her, was a bit cute after all.

And, without being able to understand what kind of meaning they had, the dinners for two days in a row finished safely.

Chapter 71: Because I'd like to leave first

"It's a complete deadlock, isn't it." (Breithilde)

One week after the arbitration negotiations began, Margrave Breithilde sighed due to there not being any results appearing.

Even though our side has said that we will accept the preliminary calculations draft of Viscount Knappstein who is the emissary of the kingdom, the Browig household's side has denied it with "It's far too much!".

And another day ends with both sides not compromising about the amount of money in the discussions at all.

Also, the two successor candidates, who have appeared at the negotiations, have added the condition of "Karla has to become Earl Baumeister's wife!" in unison.

Apologizing for their quiet assistance in the rebellion, albeit unofficially, they are presenting Karla as wife to me.

It was possible to comprehend it as common ground of the negotiations between my and Browig's household, but it is also connected to the matter of distributing the rights of the Savage Lands development to the Browig household.

Naturally Margrave Breithilde's anger about that is intense and it will likely be odd for the negotiations to lead anywhere with that.

"The relation between those two is the same as ever, but they are able to pinpoint the matters where they should work together." (Breithilde)

The recent dispute has substantially already turned into a competition between the union of the Margrave Breithilde household and the Earl Baumeister household versus the Margrave Browig household.

Of course, because of the sequence of events until now, they are aiming for the youngster me, who is a rising family head, as they shouldn't have anything to pull in Margrave Breithilde.

"A share of the interests due to the marriage with Karla and a reduction of the ransom? That's a talk that can be ignored easily, but you can also say that they have no other hand but this to play either." (Breithilde)

"That's nasty." (Wendelin)

"For royalty, nobles and merchants it's an established tactic to aim for the weak points in a negotiation, right?" (Breithilde)

This means it's easy to aim for the highest reduction from me and Katharina since it will put our balances in the black for us even if we take only a fraction of the ransom.

Given that we aren't involved in the disputes over the contested rights at all, it was also profitable as the negotiations with us are simple.

"How much is our sum of ransom in the negotiations?" (Wendelin)

"450 million cents." (Katharina)

That's the combined amount of money of us and Katharina's Waigel household.

The reason why the ransom is so high is because the number of prisoners is that large.

"Even a tenth of that will put our balance in the black." (Wendelin)

Our military forces are less than 100 people strong.

Even considering the administrative expenses for the people who became prisoners, the profit ratio would become outrageous.

It was also evidence that a high-ranking magician can earn a good income with the current war rules.

"But, we will be taken lightly if we go with a tenth at this point." (Katharina)

"That's right, isn't it..." (Wendelin)

If we don't take as much ransom as possible, that will earn us an evaluation of being no good as nobles.

However, it's difficult to make them pay as much as possible in the current state of affairs. If it takes time, that time will become a loss to us due to the delay in the Savage Lands development.

"How about paying in kind?"

"That's probably difficult as well."

Territory, mining rights and the treasures possessed by the Browig household; they shouldn't be handing either of those that easily.

"For them to agree to payment in kind and moreover for there being merit in it for us, huh?" (Wendelin)

"Furthermore, something the Browig household doesn't consider to have much of a value... Ah, there is!" (Katharina)

Katharina pondered about it for a little while, but she was apparently struck with some idea.

"Now that it has turned out like this, won't it be alright if we receive the 'Herthania Valley'?" (Katharina)

"Herthania Valley...? I see! There was that move!" (Wendelin)

There are many people who don't know about it, but Katharina, who has slightly more experience as adventurer than us, was acquainted with it.

"It's a location said to have a large quantity of high quality mines and ore deposits." (Katharina)

"There's such a place. I don't know why you think that they will easily hand it over to Vel though, Katharina." (Luise)

It seems Luise finds it unthinkable for them to transfer such a mine area for a reduction of the reconciliation money.

"That's because that place is a monster domain." (Katharina)

According to ancient documents, Herthania Valley was apparently a famous mining area in the time of the Ancient Magic Civilization.

Iron, copper, gold, silver, mithril, orichalcum and all kinds of jewels; there exist abundant untouched mines and ore deposits boasting bounty reserves. If those can be exploited, it will become an enormous profit.

"But, until now it hasn't been captured, right?" (Ina)

"Yes. It looks like various famous magicians have challenged it, but..." (Katharina)

Since they have failed, Herthania Valley remains a den of monsters as is.

Katharina replied to Ina's question like that.

"The monsters at that place are unique." (Katharina)

Generally, a monster, that lives in a monster domain, has more or less a shape close to living creatures albeit in a peculiar way.

There are exceptions like undead as well, but as the condition for their creation are the deaths of adventurers and such, it means that there aren't that many of them. It's possible to eliminate them relatively easy with "Holy" magic.

"However, the monsters in the Herthania Valley are..." (Katharina)

For some reason all of them seem to be made out of rocks.

Monsters like wolves, bears, boars, hawks and wyvren have an appearance that is the same as those who are living in any domain, but they are formed by rocks, they won't starve if they eat rocks occasionally and they give birth to children made out of rock with normal childbirth.

You can probably call it dividing in two in that case?

It appears they are strange monsters that the scholars of the central government have given up on, too. Judging from what I heard, I believe that they are many golems with independent conduct though.

"Even if they are requested to exterminate them, adventurers won't take up the request most of the times." (Katharina)

Although they are made out of rock, they will die if their head is cut off just like normal monsters. It seems they will likewise die if you piece their heart.

But then again, as it's unknown whether they might be really alive, their death is a state that can suitably be called a suspension of activity as there's no blood flowing either.

And it's possible to retrieve magic cores and ores from the defeated monsters.

"The majority is iron or copper ore. If it's a small fry, it will be at most fist sized. For all that the loss of weapons is extreme because of them being rock-made. It looks like no one wants to go into the valley." (Katharina)

If one considers it normally, other domains have a much better efficiency.

"Aren't those golems?" (Luise)

"There seem to be many scholars believing that as well." (Katharina)

Katharina replies to Luise's question.

At any rate, whatever it is, but the development of Herthania Valley didn't advance due to being prevented by those rock-made monsters.

"You are well-versed about it, Katharina." (Wendelin)

"That's because I had planned to become a noble by capturing that place." (Katharina)

"You are a challenger?" (Wendelin)

Certainly, if she captures that place, she should become a noble without there being a problem with her being a woman either.

But then again, it's completely halted at the planning stage. That's because there's absolutely no prospect of success if it's one or two famous magicians.

"I have heard that a Margrave Browig of a distant past also sent his soldiers in there." (Katharina)

Just as around 10.000 soldiers entered Herthania Valley, they were attacked by a huge army of tens of thousands rock-made wolves, boars, bears and such. Moreover, suffering an attack by more than 10.000 wyvrens and eagles swooping down from the sky, they were apparently annihilated without even seeing the shadow of the domain's boss.

"Is the Browig household meddling with the south to recover those losses?" (Wendelin)

"Maybe." (Katharina)

"It's similar to a story I heard somewhere..." (Wendelin)

Mostly it's about the circumstances of my family's home.

"In the past, a high-rank together with two intermediate ranks and two high ranks together with two intermediate ranks rushed in there, but they had to retreat after being overwhelmed by the number of monsters. According to the adventurer's guild's records they brought nothing back but a little amount of ores." (Katharina)

Just like with the underground ruins, it's very likely that the monsters will stop increasing in numbers if the boss is defeated making them lose their commander.

No, there was the possibility that they would completely stop to function.

If one considers the monsters at that place to be rock-made golems which are copying the shape of monsters, one can predict that the device protecting the domain will vanish if the boss is defeated.

"A legacy from the period of the Ancient Magic Civilization, huh." (Wendelin)

"Do you know about it, Wendelin-san?" (Katharina)

"To the degree of having seen it in a crumbling book. That's why I remembered it now." (Wendelin)

The book I saw should be one from the study of Earl Ischrubak in that underground ruin.

I didn't remember much of it as I read it vaguely in my free time in a half unfocussed state after having just recovered from mana exhaustion, but if I remember correctly there should be a book similar to the list of those created works.

"Vel. You didn't have any interest as it won't become your own, eh?" (Luise)

"In order for other people to not exploit his mines, he created a sophisticated trap or such. The ancient magic tool craftsmen were amazing, weren't they?" (Ina)

As Luise says, if I'm requested to liberate it, it wouldn't be worth it unless I received a large amount of money.

Ina frankly admired the greatness of the ancient magic tool craftsmen.

"There is the combat potential. And it won't work if you don't prepare a clever liberalization strategy." (Wendelin)

"Wendelin-sama, Burkhart-sama, Katharina-san, uncle-sama and Luise-san; it might be possible to defeat the boss, if those five people are the main force." (Elise)

It seems like all of us don't feel particularly uncomfortable with Elise's deduction.

"Certainly, that might work." (Wendelin)

At this point in time Herthania Valley is an excess baggage to the Browig household.

If they pay with that place, we can lower the amount of the ransom a bit. If we liberate the domain afterwards, it will quickly change into a superior concession.

"Even if it seems no good, it's also not like it will take time to manage it." (Wendelin)

It's located close to the border between south and east. If it remains a monster domain as is, no one will invade it either.

Even if we lower the ransom by around 100 million cents, it will still remain an enormous positive balance in the books. It will become possible to leave first from the troublesome arbitration.

If you considered it like that, it wasn't a bad condition.

"Let's try proposing it right away." (Wendelin)

* * *

And the next day, when I present this subject at the location of the arbitration, where nothing is decided as usual, the Browig household bit into it better than expected.

"That Heltania Valley? Are you maybe planning to liberate it, Earl Baumeister?" (???)

"There's merit in trying to do so." (Wendelin)

"That's fine, but be careful with your life..." (???)

They are likely thinking that it's impossible for us, who ran out of mana after having cast Area Stun at an army of 10.000 with just 3 people, to capture Heltania Valley, where tens of thousands rock-made golems are assembled.

With both of them unusually not confronting each other, they smoothly accepted our condition.

"Viscount Knappstein, please leave a formal record of that in the arbitration draft." (Wendelin)

"Is that alright with you?" (Knappstein)

"There's no problem." (Wendelin)

If a formal record is left behind, Herthania Valley will become property of the Earl Baumeister household according to the norms of the kingdom. If another household makes a move on it, it will be regarded as aggression by the public.

There are many cases where it will reverse into a disadvantage if a formal record is left behind for good property which has uncertain concessions, but it being recorded as being our property forever was a countermeasure to prevent Browig's camp being able to pick a fight over it after it was successfully liberated.

"Well, then the reconciliation money of 350 million cents will be paid over 10 years." (Wendelin)

Since it was impossible for them to pay the total amount in one go, it was inevitable for it to be paid in instalments.

"As result of having also calculated the expenses until now, the books will balance out with just the share of one year of the reconciliation money instalments. It will become a big surplus if we can liberate Herthania Valley." (Wendelin)

The Browig household is surprised. I will leave the arbitration negotiations first and can also liberate it since I have free time now.

In any case, after this I will aim for the liberalization of Herthania Valley.

"Margrave Breithilde, I have a little request." (Wendelin)

"That's fine, but please let me get involved a bit once you liberated Herthania Valley." (Breithilde)

"Of course." (Wendelin)

For the sake of the arrangements for the time of personnel actually carrying out the mining and the dealing with illegal digging and disturbances by the nobles adjacent to Heltania Valley, it will become necessary to strengthen the defence personnel as well.

Obtaining Margrave Breithilde's cooperation, even if I have to share a bit of the concessions with him, was necessary to mine safely.

"Well, then I will keep those two company for a while, huh? I wonder what kind of face they will make if you liberate Heltania Valley, Earl Baumeister." (Breithilde)

"Naturally I intend to go at it with a 100% success rate. For that reason I will mobilize a great number of people besides magicians." (Wendelin)

There's nothing better than quickly leaving from such fruitless negotiations.

Withdrawing from the boring arbitration negotiations, I once again challenged a difficult job as adventurer.

Chapter 72: Herthania Valley Liberation Operation

"Although it's vast, it's really a barren wasteland." (Wendelin)

The Herthania Valley, which the Earl Baumeister household received in exchange for a reduction of the reconciliation money, is huge.

The almost rectangle area is mostly occupied by wasteland and rocky areas where no decent vegetation is growing. It's just a rocky mountain with a great number of mountains where no plants are spouting.

In addition, it was a plot of land that was unsuited for something like agriculture, even if it wasn't a monster domain, as it's snapped apart in the centre by a ravine with the depth and width of around 100 meters which is running for 100 kilometres to the east and west.

As a matter of fact this Herthania Valley is close to the borders of the South and East and has become an enclave of the Browig Magraviate.

According to the books written in the era of the Ancient Magic Civilization, this place is an area filled with dense ore deposits where many mineral resources are sleeping.

In that ancient document the places and types of mine-able minerals were recorded. It seems like the ravine in the centre is mostly a deposit of minerals. To begin with, it has been mentioned that the ravine itself spread this far because of the mining.

For some reason the Ancient Magic Civilization abandoned this Herthania Valley, but the influential people, who gained control of this area afterwards, have failed altogether to make effective use of this mountain of treasures.

Needless to talk about the Margrave Browig household, but even countless other noble households and the past royal family failed to liberate this place.

Alongside their failures, the number of victims was great. Since there were many opinions like "Are they really able to liberate it?" even the current adventurer's guild has settled down to an evaluation of "Given that it's reckless, it's preferable to not trespass there".

Probably for that reason the release of information didn't take place in the adventurer prep school either.

It's likely a measure so that young adventurers, who are filled with an adventurous spirit, don't head there to invade recklessly after being taught about it badly.

I also didn't know about the existence of the Herthania Valley at all before coming of age.

For Katharina to have known about it was because she was searching for a place to obtain achievements that would allow her get a peerage.

"Did you know about it, Burkhart-san?" (Wendelin)

"Only by its name. In the past there were many adventurers who dreamed of making a fortune at one stroke with a liberalization of this place." (Burkhart)

We, who managed to get out of the arbitration negotiations first, departed to a ridge of a rocky mountain looking out on the Herthania Valley with Hendrik's small magic airship.

"There's no presence of living creatures." (Wendelin)

"We are standing here and over there's a stone monument, isn't it?" (Burkhart)

"Yes." (Wendelin)

At the place, where Burkhart-san's finger was pointing at, was a stone monument with no inscription engraved erected.

"Eru-boy. Try to pass over that line just a little bit." (Burkhart)

"Yes." (Erwin)

Once Eru enters inside by taking one step past the stone monument as told by Burkhart-san, I detect a reaction of a monster appearing right away.

"Eru!" (Wendelin)

"Got it!" (Erwin)

Suddenly a wolf jumps out from a shade of a rock and leaps upon Eru.

If properly observed, this wolf is made out of rock.

"Rock golem?" (Erwin)

Next, two wolves appear and the number of rock wolves, who were attacking Eru, is in total three.

If it was my sword skills, it would be out, but Eru cut down one wolf after other as if completely performing a dance with a time lag.

If a rock wolf is cut at the head or heart part that are similar to normal animals, it will apparently stop functioning.

Finishing by making three scattered mountains, Eru picks up stones that seem to be ores and marble-sized magic cores from there and returns.

"Aa~~~ah. Even though it was a fine sword... If I don't fix and sharpen it later, it will be useless." (Erwin)

Eru sighed after seeing his own sword having a chipped blade.

"So, well, that's how it is." (Burkhart)

Because of the past victims, a stone monument like that was built to show the border of the domain. There are no people approaching this place since there's wasteland and rocky mountains in the monument's surroundings.

If you take just one step across the boundary line, mysterious rock-made animals will come attacking and you will obtain ores and magic cores once you defeat those.

"Vel, what's this ore?" (Erwin)

"Umm. Low quality iron ore." (Wendelin)

"Baah~~~! How very unprofitable!" (Erwin)

Once I examined the composition of the ore with [Analyze], it was iron ore with a low concentration.

The quality of the magic core is very low as well. Thus, Eru ended up having to fix and sharpen his quite expensive sword, which he uses habitually, just because he cut merely three monsters.

"In other words, that means, even if you defeat these monsters, far from yielding zero profit, it will become a loss."

It's unsuitable even as adventurer hunting ground.

If Eru remained a bit longer in the domain, the number of rock-made monsters coming attacking would have increased to dozens, several hundreds and then thousands.

"If you lead in an army aiming to mine at the ore deposits, it will get surrounded by rock monsters before realizing it. And then they will turn into corpses after being outnumbered." (Burkhart)

According to what Burkhart-san says, there are crumbled ruins of military forces remaining if you enter a bit further inside. Given that the recovery is dangerous, they have been apparently abandoned just like that.

"According to the ancient document, there is supposed to be large-scale mithril deposit." (Burkhart)

It's a metal that won't chip in high quality armour and magic tool structures. Because there was always too little of it, its price continued to stay at a high level.

It's possible to produce it by adding mana to silver for a part of the high-ranking magicians including me as well, but the amount is extremely low.

The current mines are forcibly mining even low-quality ores. Naturally that share of labour increases the costs.

The mithril mine, newly discovered in our territory, had its operation accelerated after being told by the kingdom "At any rate, start the mining quickly!"

"Obtaining a large-scale mithril deposit or getting annihilated, huh? That's a tough choice... Umm, by the way is it fine to ask one thing?" (Wendelin)

"What is it?" (Burkhart)

"Why is Karla-san here?" (Wendelin)

Even though the arbitration negotiations between the Margrave Browig household and the Earl Baumeister household should have ended, Karla followed to this place without leaving our side for some reason.

"Why you ask, it's probably because the arbitration negotiations between the Margrave Browig household and the Margrave Breithilde household haven't finished." (Burkhart)

"She was a prisoner of the Margrave Breithilde household?" (Wendelin)

"A half of it. The other half lies with the Earl Baumeister household since she has been made into a prisoner after being persuaded by Eru-boy." (Burkhart)

"The concerns about the rights in such matter are severe, eh?" (Wendelin)

"Even ransom is an important source of income after all." (Burkhart)

By no means there's a way to split a person in two.

Nevertheless, as it's dangerous to put Karla in a place filled with only men, she has been entrusted to us.

Therefore, when we headed to the Herthania Valley, she accompanied us as well. Currently Eru was talking with her while looking happy.

From the standpoint of Eru who has fallen in love with her, it's a great joy for her to come together with us.

"Erwin-san's sword skills are wonderful." (Karla)

"No, compared to your archery skills, Karla-san, it's probably nothing to talk about at all!" (Erwin)

Being praised by Karla, Eru had a lewd look on his face.

"However, it's nice that it was accepted by the Browig household." (Wendelin)

"Even if I stayed with them, I wouldn't play any role anyway. But, if I accompany you, Earl-sama, possibilities will appear." (Karla)

"Yeah, yeah. You mean me falling in love with you, Karla-san." (Wendelin)

"Her elder brothers are probably confident. Karla-ojousan is a beauty as anyone can see." (Burkhart)

Certainly, she is a beauty that won't be outdone by Elise or Katharina.

Rather, giving a slightly humble impression, there should be many people who will gladly take her as their wife if it's the men of this country.

"What's your opinion, Earl-sama?" (Karla)

"I think that you are a beauty..." (Wendelin)

There's no doubt that she's a beautiful woman. As a matter of fact, her mood resembled my student days girlfriend. Therefore I thought that it might be dangerous, but to be honest I don't have much feelings of love towards her.

At first I was surprised by her skill in archery and since I ended up harbouring a little feeling of respect, feelings of love didn't take root in me.

"Is that how it is?" (Karla)

"Besides, it would be somewhat evil towards Eru..." (Wendelin)

Seeing Eru's attitude towards Karla, there's no one amongst the people of our Earl Baumeister household that hasn't realized his feelings.

It's obviously a love of different social standings, but since I'm uninterested in marrying Karla, the time for just watching from a distance increases.

"That guy. Does he understand his own position?" (Wendelin)

"He is motivating himself because he knows it, I guess." (Klaus)

"Klaus..." (Wendelin)

The one who interrupted the conversation between me an Burkhart-san was Klaus.

Actually, I knew it. Klaus has given Eru something like an advice.

At the moment he said that, he was extremely suspicious, but by no means has he suggested an evil deed to Eru either.

Eru shouldn't have accepted such either. However, no matter what, his shadiness and suspiciousness end up appearing at front.

"Are you aiming to cause confusion at the Earl Baumeister household by grilling Eru?" (Wendelin)

"Even if I schemed that in the current situation, I believe that no one would lend their ear to me." (Klaus)

I had always such impression, but there's actually also a part where my sarcastic attacks help Klaus himself.

Because he was the person responsible for realizing the rebellion no matter how you cover it up, he lightly dodges the criticism of the surroundings by doing his job while being showered with sarcasm by me.

"I wonder about that, eh? So, what did you tell Eru?" (Wendelin)

"Something simple." (Klaus)

If the Earl Baumeister household is successful at liberating the Herthania Valley, it will drive the Margrave Browig household into even more of a dilemma.

If that happens, the Browig household might relax on the condition of having Karla married into the Earl Baumeister household.

"The probability is high, but how does that story connect to Eru?" (Wendelin)

The other nobles of the central government or the other influential nobles of the East, who have a vigour towards rebuilding the fallen Browig household, there are as many other candidates as she likes.

"That probability is high, but in the current situation there's nothing left but clinging onto that possibility. Besides, I think he has more of a chance than expected. That's because Karla-sama came along with Wendelin-sama." (Klaus)

At the present time they want to encroach on our development rights by marrying her into my surroundings.

In that case even the losses suffered in the recent dispute will be recoverable in some way.

"It might be a strategy to impress the other nobles by attaching her as retainer of Wendelin-sama." (Klaus)

"She has already been made my mistress or such, you mean?" (Wendelin)

"I don't think it will go that far, but the intention of the Browig household will be clear to the surroundings." (Klaus)

The Browig household wants to send Karla into the Earl Baumeister household no matter what it takes.

Although they excuse it with the family head as long as possible, won't it be no problem if it's a retainer if they become poor by falling into further dilemma?

Especially Eru, since he is close to me as a good friend, they should consider aiming for him at the right time.

Certainly, currently Eru is receiving a treatment as favoured retainer from me. Though it's not like I said so, the surroundings are arbitrarily thinking that.

"It feels like a very light viewpoint, but..." (Wendelin)

Even so, for Eru it's wrong if he doesn't work in the Herthania Valley as retainer of the Earl Baumeister household.

Harbouring the hope that he might be able to marry Karla, it was necessary for him to raise his tension.

"Putting aside Erwin-dono's matters, are there any prospects of succeeding in the liberalization of the Herthania Valley?" (Klaus)

"Quite so. Though it's necessary to prepare a bit. Also, the recruitment of the participating war potential will take a few days?" (Wendelin)

"We will be on standby for a while here then." (Klaus)

The Baumeister army, which is less than 100 in total, decides to wait for reinforcements and sets up an encampment in a place just right outside the boundary of Herthania Valley.

Within the Herthania Valley, which was transferred to us from the Browig household according to the arbitration draft, there was no kind of limitation for us to act inside since it even included the barren rocky mountain area that's not located within this monster domain.

Even the territory outside the area where rock-made monsters appear if you set foot in the Herthania Valley has been declared as area where it's not recommended to trespass so that no one accidentally sets foot into the domain.

As those are mostly rocky mountains and wastelands where even weed won't grow decently, they were treated as buffer zone of the dangerous Herthania Valley since mineral resources can't be mined there. Nowadays there's apparently no person that enters this area.

"Even goats can't be raised in such wasteland. Agriculture is out of the question. When adventurers entered previously, they apparently looked for mineral resources as well, but..." (Wendelin)

As there's nothing but rocky mountains, Herthania Valley had been apparently transferred to us as freebie.

"In that case we have to take countermeasures against intruders for the sake of the time when this place got liberated." (Wendelin)

"You are terribly confident, Earl-sama." (Karla)

"If I wasn't, I wouldn't have gone as far to decrease the reconciliation money in order to acquire this place." (Wendelin)

Taking Burkhart-san and Katharina along, we begin building rock-made walls with magic at the borders to the territories of other nobles.

It declares our intention [Entry for strangers forbidden since from here on out it belongs to the Earl Baumeister household], but once the three of us did the tedious task of gathering materials such as the rocks of the rocky mountains, the residents of the other noble's territories looking from outside watched at us with suspicious looks.

"It's because 'Even if you claim your territorial rights this strongly, we won't enter such place'."

No matter how many ore deposits it might have, that place is nothing but a pie in the sky if you can't enter to mine there.

For the Browig household to transfer the territorial rights easily due to seeing the charm of reducing the reconciliation money could be seen as proof of this place being an inferior property.

"Even so, no matter how much walls we make, it doesn't quite come to an end..." (Katharina)

Adding the buffer zone area as well, it will take time since the enclosing wall has to cover approximately 23.000 square kilometres of the Herthania Valley.

It was a work just for the sake of claiming the territorial rights by fencing it in roughly, but it's likely necessary to reinforce the vigilance and true construction work readiness to defend against ore thieves after the liberalization of Herthania Valley.

"Is it really possible to liberate it?" (Katharina)

"Didn't you plan to liberate it before, Katharina?" (Wendelin)

"I did, but I gave up because the prospects of succeeding were too low no matter how I calculated it. I understood that I would be outnumbered." (Katharina)

She realized that it would become a difficult situation even if she invaded because even if one slaughters several hundred rock-made monsters by casting a wide-area advanced spell with one or two excellent magicians, the monsters would gush forth one after the other.

"In the first place, the principle behind creating those golem-like, rock-made monsters is unknown." (Katharina)

"There's a helper who knows about that." (Wendelin)

"Is that true?" (Katharina)

"The explanation will follow after the powerful helper arrives." (Wendelin)

"I'm right away able to imagine who's coming..." (Katharina)

Several days later, after we returned to the troop headquarters since the work to build a wall had mostly finished, the "powerful helper" gazed at Herthania Valley while drinking tea poured by Elise there.

"I have heard the rumours, but Herthania Valley is dominated by strange monsters made out of stone, huh? Moreover, for me to participate in the liberalization of this..." (Armstrong)

The powerful helper was of course doushi.

I want him, who is appropriately called 'human-shaped final bastion weapon' in the Helmut Kingdom, to join in on the liberalization operation.

"It's been a while, doushi." (Wendelin)

"It's has really been quite a while! Although it was probably great for you, Earl Baumeister, to rampage around in the dispute against the Margrave Browig household, I was bored!" (Armstrong)

Bored, you say...

"As it was a dispute, I had plenty of free time as well. Putting that aside, did you bring along what I asked you to?" (Wendelin)

"I brought it after getting permission from His Majesty. In the first place it's something you discovered anyway, Earl Baumeister. There's no problem since the object has already been analysed." (Armstrong)

"An object that has already been analysed?" (Katharina)

Katharina tilted her head to the side in confusion, but I called a meeting since it's probably better to explain to everyone.

The participating members are me, doushi, Burkhart-san, Eru, Elise, Ina, Luise, Wilma, Moritz, Thomas and Klaus. If we talk about the usual members, those are the ones.

"First off, there's a reason for me obtaining Herthania Valley on the condition of reducing the reconciliation money." (Wendelin)

That is something after the capture of that "Deadly Inversion Regulation".

When I was reading a book in Earl Ischrubak's library to kill time, it contained notices about this Herthania Valley as well.

"At that time it was belonging to the Margrave Browig household, thus I didn't have overly much interest in it." (Wendelin)

Even if I were to be requested to liberate it, I wouldn't accept it unless there was quite a large reward. I didn't have an intention to liberate it before that either.

As a matter of fact they never approached me to request the liberalization. They likely considered it impossible to begin with.

They thought that Margrave Breithilde would interfere even if they asked or it's also possible that they had no will to liberate it from the very start.

"After that, once they harassed my family's home and because I was summoned to that unproductive dispute, I judged that I had to have my revenge somehow and this is the place for that." (Wendelin)

"The Browig household cheaply transferred Herthania Valley, which they treated as bad property, to you, Wendelin-sama." (Elise)

"That's how it is." (Armstrong)

"Don't you think that those rock-made monsters in Herthania Valley are similar to the golems of the Deadly Inversion Regulation, Elise?" (Wendelin)

"I believe that to be true except for their propagation." (Elise)

"However, even the propagation of their appearances is managed by a system resembling the unmanned golem repair workshop in the Deadly Inversion Regulation." (Wendelin)

"In other words, it's a defense system to prevent illegal mining in this Herthania Valley!" (Armstrong)

What doushi brought along was an old book.

It's "Catalogue of my own works written by Earl Ischrubak and found in his library.

"Differing from historic ruins, the Herthania Valley is vast. Moreover, since it's a natural environment, there's the possibility of golems, which were made out of metal, to corrode due to degradation over time!" (Armstrong)

Even if they were to maintain an unmanned workshop, it would take time since the numbers are huge.

They would have to exchange parts because of the intense degradation. There was the risk of the defence system's operating ratio dropping gradually once a numbers of years had passed.

"Thus, that's the reason for the rock-made monster-shaped golems." (Armstrong)

With a magic core to keep them running, they are able to be constructed with rocks no matter where they are as long as it's within Herthania Valley. For ores to have been mixed in is apparently by chance due to the location of them rising.

"Since they are able to make up the numbers like this, it becomes possible to defend a large area!" (Armstrong)

"Me, me, doushi!" (Luise)

"What is it, Luise-jou?" (Armstrong)

"I wonder from where they get the magic cores? Also, since they are golems, I believe they should have an artificial personality crystal. When Eru defeated one, it didn't seem like that monster had one..." (Luise)

"Certainly he didn't collect anything but ore and a magic core." (Wendelin)

Eru examined the remains after he defeated that rock-made monster, but he didn't discover even a fragment of an artificial personality crystal.

"The reason for that is simple! This Herthania Valley has a master and that one is controlling all of the rock-made golems!" (Armstrong)

According to Earl Ischrubak's "Catalogue of my own works", there's apparently a huge rock dragon called [Gigantic Rock Golem] enshrined within the crevice located in the centre of Herthania Valley.

"If you consider it the other way around, you can even say that there's no other golem in Herthania Valley except that Gigantic Rock Golem."

Inside of the Gigantic Rock Golem, which easily exceeds an over-all length of 100 meters, there's a huge artificial personality crystal embedded which is controlling a great number of rock-made monsters at the same time.

Once it detects intruders from outside, it will carry out an interception depending on the scale of the attackers and if the numbers decrease, it will carry out a restoration up to a number it can control.

What can be regarded as propagation by its appearance might be called a strange fixation of the genius Earl Ischrubak.

"How about the magic cores?" (Wendelin)

"There's a hint at the point where the Gigantic Rock Golem has been enshrined!" (Armstrong)

It was recorded in the old book that it has been deliberately enshrined on top of a large mithril vein.

"I heard from Vel that adding a large amount of mana to silver will create mithril." (Ina)

Just as Ina says, there are many monster domains with dense mana and mithril veins below.

The silver, which is located there, changes into mithril while gradually absorbing mana as time passes.

"Staying at a point with lots of mana, the Gigantic Rock Golem is artificially refining magic cores?" (Wendelin)

"It looks like that's how it is!" (Armstrong)

Although they are rock-made golems, there's no difference in their strength to wolves, boars and bears since their numbers are something like a war potential.

Even the monsters like hawks and wyvrens who are able to fly are only imitating the movements of flying accordingly. They aren't stronger than the real ones.

"However, their number is astounding." (Ina)

"Indeed, just as you say, Ina-jou, their numbers are a threat!" (Armstrong)

Even if one has a bit of confidence in their magic and destroys a few thousands of them on the first day, those losses will be already recovered on the next day.

"Just one of those is plenty of a threat to a common soldier!" (Armstrong)

Even if you destroy several thousands of them by invading with 10.000 military forces, it's not like the side of the human military forces will come out unhurt.

They will be attacked once again at the location, where their numbers decreased due to being killed in action or receiving war wounds, on the next day. It's unthinkable to succeed in the liberalization like that.

"The aforementioned old book has records of the abilities of the [Herthania Valley defense golem device]!" (Armstrong)

This was written on a certain page of the old book opened by doushi.

The Gigantic Rock Golem can't move as it's enshrined within a ravine where mana is collecting. A huge artificial personality crystal is embedded in its large build that can control 100.000 rock-made golems at maximum.

It also has a device to gather mana and to manufacture low-quality magic cores, that become the cores of the rock-made golems, installed. Its magic core production ability lies at around 5.000 cores per day.

Once the number of golems decreases, the artificial personality crystal will try to make up the lost part.

The magic cores appear outside the body of the Gigantic Rock Golem, are temporarily swallowed by the golems outside and then those golems split themselves into small golems with rock being the material which they are composed from.

Although it can be seen as if they are born going by appearance, it's actually a splitting. The children, who were born in the same shape as their parent, grow large due to the rocks in their surroundings.

Their similar appearance might be regarded as them having eaten the same rock.

"A completely autonomous defence system, huh." (Wendelin)

That's why it has likely been operating till now.

"It means that the mystery was at last unravelled, but while that may be true, it's impossible for the kingdom to liberate it right away!" (Armstrong)

The method to liberate Herthania Valley is actually very simple. All will be fine if you smash the huge artificial personality crystal embedded inside the body of the Gigantic Rock Golem.

Since this artificial personality crystal is the source moving the Gigantic Rock Golem and the rock-made golems, the golems will turn into simple masses of rock once you destroy it.

"The method is easy. But the means are very difficult..." (Erwin)

Just as Eru has said, breaking through golems, reaching a maximum amount of 100.000, won't work unless you reach the location of the Gigantic Rock Golem.

"The means are difficult, but the Herthania Valley was originally something belonging to the Browig household." (Katharina)

No matter how much they might be a part of the kingdom, it's not like the kingdom can selfishly make a move on a property owned by the Browig household. It was as Katharina said, but this time's dispute was a huge chance.

If the Browig household didn't notice the value of Herthania Valley just as before, the kingdom would have taken responsibility for a part of the reconciliation money in the latter half of the arbitration negotiations and confiscated this place. It was possible that they would have requested us to liberate it afterwards as well.

"His Majesty showed a bitter smile. It was nicely snatched away by you, Earl Baumeister." (Armstrong)

"Now that I think about it, it was useful for me being close to death in that underground labyrinth. Even if it's a similar liberalization, I will be able to show willingness if it becomes my own possession." (Wendelin)

Therefore, this time the positions have changed even for the previous party members.

It has taken the shape of me, Earl Baumeister, requesting excelling adventurers as main force to storm towards the Gigantic Rock Golem.

As it's troublesome to split the concessions of the mines, I decided to pay one hundred million cents upon success in advance.

"Although the degree of difficulty is high, the reward is exceptional." (Wendelin)

Given that it's 10 billion in Japanese Yen, it's not an excessive reward to begin with.

"You will take charge, Burkhart-san, right?" (Wendelin)

"I have been told by master to accept it." (Burkhart)

If you consider the time after the liberalization, there's no other choice for Burkhart-san, who is a magician employed by the Margrave Breithilde household, but to accept.

Since there's no way for just the Earl Baumeister household being able to manage the mining areas of Herthania Valley, it will be necessary to consign quite a few of the operations.

"I'm also receiving private support from His Majesty and the Business and Engineering Minister." (Armstrong)

For the kingdom that means that they want to obtain even a bit of the concessions of the Herthania Valley, which was snatched away by me ahead of time.

Though the property rights are mine, they'd like to have a certain degree of concessions regarding mining, guarding, refining and transportation.

Also, if the royal family is involved in the concessions, they will become a guard for the Earl Baumeister household against being blamed by the Browig household after the liberalization.

Since they will likely be jealous, if I keep it completely to myself, I considered a method how everyone can be happy. Though I still didn't know whether the Browig household will join in on that.

"The group, who can't fly by means of magic, will be a diversion here, huh." (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Armstrong)

I want Eru, Ina, Wilma and Elise to participate in the diversion as people belonging to the Earl Baumeister household.

The main members, who will destroy the Gigantic Rock Golem, will plunge straight towards the target by flying in the air.

During that time the feinting ground unit will barely enter and leave the boundary as they were given the task of drawing the rock golems on the ground.

"Vel-sama." (Wilma)

"What's up, Wilma?" (Wendelin)

"The numbers for the diversion are too little." (Wilma)

According to the documents, the golems are split into 80.000 ground forces and 20.000 airborne forces. As expected, Wilma pointed out that it would be too harsh to run a diversion with less than 100.

"I have called for reinforcements. Before that, we will have a bit of combat practice." (Wendelin)

To preserve mana as much as possible, we have to destroy golems on our route with a good efficiency. For that reason I wanted to check how much mana is needed to break those golems.

It would be best for the diversion unit to grasp the strength of the golems, too. Because of that, we waited right at the boundary line for the golems, the storming group, from the sky, and the diversion unit, from the ground, and started our combat training by defeating those.

"According to the old book, the manufacturing amount of magic cores per day by the Gigantic Rock Golem is 5.000. Therefore, if we kill more than that, the recovery won't be able to keep up!" (Armstrong)

"Doushi, don't state something troublesome..." (Erwin)

Eru is checking his sword.

Once doushi clad himself in a minimal [Magic Barrier], he plunged into a flock of wyvren-shaped and hawk-shaped rock golems which he called together by deliberately provoking them.

"Certainly, only by their appearance, they aren't that powerful!" (Armstrong)

"As usual, amazing..." (Erwin)

At the same time of plunging in, he pulverises one after the other with kicks and fist-strikes that were clad in mana. Once he faces a target slightly away, he throws a small snake-shaped tornado, made out of mana, at it.

Once hit by the small tornado, the targeted golem scattered and its broken pieces rained down on the surrounding golems like a buckshot spreading the damage even further.

"The Magic Mobile Armour is rejected due to the aspect of its mana consumption, but I will simply destroy those on the route as efficiently as possible since they aren't as strong as a dragon!" (Armstrong)

"Decrease their numbers by dragging several of them into it without using a too powerful spell." (Burkhart)

"Got it." (Wendelin)

"Understood." (Katharina)

Katharina and me hit wyvren-shaped golems in turns with small tornado spells upon Burkhart-san's instruction.

Once hit, the golem breaks and its fragments increase the damage among the golems in the surroundings.

"Is it fine to fire this spell continuously?" (Wendelin)

"There are no monsters with other attributes. This much is plenty. Rather, preserve your mana to the utmost. If your mana has run out at the time you reach the Gigantic Rock Golem, you will die. I'm sorry, but I will cancel the operation before that though." (Burkhart)

If I can't fly I will end up becoming a victim to the ground golems. It's no good if I don't have any mana remaining to defeat the Gigantic Rock Golem either.

"I will leave the stopping of the Gigantic Rock Golem to you, Luise-jou-chan. But, since there's the possibility of it ending in failure, the other storming members will preserve their mana for that as well." (Burkhart)

In this time's operation five people will charge in.

Transporting Luise to the Gigantic Rock Golem in a perfectly protected condition, she will destroy the huge artificial personality crystal in the body of the Gigantic Rock Golem with one hit using all her power.

If she succeeds, all other golems will cease operating. That means there's no necessity to forcibly destroy them ahead of time.

"Luise-san, you are in perfect form." (Katharina)

Ahead of her sight Katharina witnessed Luise's figure moving across the sky while breaking the heads of golems and flying without hindrance completely as if leaping up from the initial charge.

Same as living creatures, the golems fell towards the ground once they lost their heads.

Luise was the best in regards of not using mana pointlessly.

"Also..." (Wendelin)

"I realized it just now! If my sword is a treasured orichalcum sword, it won't suffer a single chip!" (Erwin)

Eru, who is in high tension because of Karla being there, cut one wolf-shaped golem after the other with the orichalcum sword he bought with the money he obtained in the capture of the underground labyrinth.

Certainly, if it's an orichalcum sword, it should cut the golems like tofu.

"Don't say something absurd! Such a sharp sword. How can you possess something like that if you aren't a rich person or a first-class adventurer!?" (???)

"I do have one though." (Erwin)

"For real!?" (Moritz)

"How nice..." (Thomas)

Once Eru begins to fight with an actual orichalcum sword, Moritz showed an expression of surprise and Thomas one of jealousy.

"Erwin, go in front since Karla will assist you." (Moritz)

"Really?" (Erwin)

"She will be sending your encouragements as if she can't see anyone but you, Erwin." (Moritz)

"I will go ahead!" (Erwin)

"Erwin is monopolizing the attention of Karla-sama." (Moritz)

"Ahahaha! Diee! You small-fry golems!" (Erwin)

'Moritz, you are nasty...' (Thomas)

Although he dashed out in front constantly due to Karla's case being used as pretext by Moritz, Thomas and the others, Eru continued to peerlessly hold the front line by himself thanks to his own skills and the performance of the orichalcum sword.

"I wonder if Karla-san is watching?" (Erwin)

"It's fine. She has been paying attention properly." (Moritz)

"I will do my best!" (Erwin)

However, since it's not like Moritz hates Eru either, it seems that he has Eru retreat once he fought to a certain extent.

"Eru, come and take a little break in the back. Karla-san is waiting for you." (Moritz)

"Yess!" (Erwin)

Eru returns to the rear in a hurry. Completely like a dog, he goes to the location of Karla who is treating the injured together with Elise.

"Are you alright, Erwin-san?" (Karla)

"Yes! I have plenty of leeway!" (Erwin)

While receiving a cup of water and a towel from her, he's apparently taking a rest happily.

"Moritz, you are skilled in using Eru..." (Wendelin)

Once I look for Ina's whereabouts next, she was showcasing her dear big move.

"Spearmanship Giant Swing!" (Ina)

It's a spearmanship, which I was shown by Roderich at the time of his fruitless effort, where I don't know whether it's powerful or not. I didn't know when Ina learned it, but this seems to be more useful than I expected.

"This skill is a technique used against multiple opponents. Somehow I can imagine it, but..." (Ina)

A great number of golem remains were scattered about in Ina's surrounding.

"I wonder where Wilma is?" (Wendelin)

Once I search for Wilma, she was drawing one of the most powerful iron bows, we talked about before.

As it seems that all of it is made out of iron, even the arrows, the released arrows penetrated several golems at once and destroyed them.

"Being able to draw such bow frequently..." (Wendelin)

I was once again speechless due to her superhuman strength. Even if I tried to draw that iron bow, it shouldn't move an inch.

"Around three years ago it was placed as decoration at my favourite weapon shop." (Wilma)

Given that it was used as decoration, the owner apparently didn't think of selling it as he used it as replacement for a signboard.

"I was told that there's no way for me to pull it and that he would sell it once I'm able to do so." (Wilma)

Since she was told that it will be for free if she was able to draw it, she apparently obtained it after drawing it in front of the owner's eyes.

"Though I hesitate if it's between humans, it's convenient that the opponents are golems." (Wilma)

However, there's a weakness to it as well.

Because the arrows are more expensive than the common ones, she ended up exhausting her stock right away.

"War costs money." (Wilma)

While lamenting over the truth of this world, Wilma switches her weapon to her battleaxe and pulverises a lot more golems by swinging it around than with bow and arrows.

As expected, it's probably a feeling of that being Wilma, huh?

"Wendelin-san, any time now." (Katharina)

"Yea." (Wendelin)

Time-wise and according to the number of people we are probably soon approaching the limit.

I, who was told so by Katharina, complete a huge tornado spell by using vast amounts of mana with the four people, except Luise, after the diversion unit withdrew just a bit.

"That's combination magic?" (Wendelin)

"Spin Tornado!" (???)

"Everyone is compatible. That's magnificent." (Katharina)

"Tetragon Tornado?" (Wendelin)

"That's it! Wendelin-san, please don't use a question there!" (Katharina)

Thanks to the combined tornado spell of the four of us, all of the visible golems are broken and smashed against each other by the tornado spell. They drop down to the ground after having turned into simple rocks.

There was also a large amount of blocks, ores and magic cores remaining.

"Pick them up~~~~!" (Wendelin)

Upon my order from the sky, the personnel of my army, which had withdrawn, begins all at once to search the remains of the golems.

"Put priority on magic cores! Ores after that!" (Wendelin)

At any rate, there isn't much time.

It's certain that reinforcements will close in immediately, with numbers that are bigger than now, from other places.

"Vel! I have discovered a golem corps with more than twice the amount from now! They are heading this way!" (Luise)

"All hands, retreat outside the boundary!" (Wendelin)

Since the golems, who were surging forward one after the other, were discovered by Luise with her good eyes, I give the order for the whole army to retreat right away.

Like this the first day of combat for the sake of gaining experience in actual combat has safely passed with zero casualties.

* * *

"The number of magic cores is?" (Wendelin)

"2056 cores."

"Such an amount, eh...." (Wendelin)

The subjugation itself wasn't the goal, but once I hear today's results, it confirms the fact that it will be difficult to capture this area with a frontal attack by military forces after all.

There's also the reason that our army is too small, but even if we subjugate 2.000 golems in one day, there's no meaning to it since the restoration ability lies above that.

Besides, it's also true that more than half of those 2.000 were brought down with magic.

"What will you do with the magic cores?" (Erwin)

"I will use them to replenish the magic gems I used up in the recent wide-area stun." (Wendelin)

"I see." (Erwin)

Eru agrees with my reply.

The replenishment with mana of all the empty magic gems, which I possessed, hadn't finished yet. Since those were low-grade magic cores anyway, there wasn't that many other uses for them either.

"However, a device to produce magic cores, eh...? The one called Earl Ischrubak was a genius." (Erwin)

"Thanks to that genius we have to constantly fight with all our power though." (Wendelin)

Although they are low-quality, he created a magic core production that has a creation process where even taking the first steps in understanding it are impossible nowadays. If possible, it's something I want to seize undamaged.

"Only if it's possible to do so." (Luise)

"That's true, isn't it." (Wendelin)

As Luise says, it's a viewpoint that can't be applied if we fail due to being too greedy. The first priority should be the destruction of the Gigantic Rock Golem.

"So, until when will we continue the combat training?"

"Until our friends arrives." (Wendelin)

"Haa?"

The strategy is for us five magicians to rush in and destroy the Gigantic Rock Golem, but if we go by the old book, the Gigantic Rock Golem itself isn't overly powerful.

Since it's made out of rock, it's possible to destroy it if someone among us five preserves a certain extent of mana.

"The problem is what the golems, which are manipulated by the Gigantic Rock Golem, will do." (Wendelin)

Since it's realistically impossible to destroy all of them, we are aiming at the Gigantic Rock Golem by destroying only the bare minimum of obstacles.

"Since we will be flying, it will be fine if we take on only the airborne golems. However, even the ground forces, which are bustling around next to the Gigantic Rock Golem, will become a hindrance for the destruction. That means it will be necessary to cause a diversion." (Wendelin)

"With just the Earl Baumeister feudal army?" (???)

"Since that will be completely insufficient, I have asked for other reinforcements as well. That's why I had doushi accept a subjugation request as adventurer as well." (Wendelin)

"Those are, possibly..." (???)

Several days later the sky above Herthania Valley was covered by large magic airships. A sky fleet of four ships was floating there.

Luise is apparently speechless due to that spectacle.

"Those are the large magic airships prepared for route service, right?" (Luise)

"That's right. The numbers can't be transported if it's not those." (Wendelin)

"It will cost quite a bit..." (Luise)

Once we liberate the Herthania Valley, they will demand various concessions anyway.

Since that's the case, it's fine for us to receive assistance from the kingdom as much as possible.

"The one who will pay the money is me after all. Even if we fail, it won't cause that much damage either." (Wendelin)

"I understand well the reason for the Margave Browig household to cause a disturbance in the rear..."

Roderich might not have a good expression right now, but the kingdom's army will acquire actual combat experience and training by being in charge of the expenses here. The participating commander and soldiers can obtain military exploits even though their opponents are golems.

As a matter of fact, once I suggested this idea to Minister Edgar, he immediately sent them over after loading the troops into magic airships.

"We came upon the command of Minister Edgar. I'm the commanding officer, Alois von Willi Achilles." (Alois)

Alois-san, who led 3000 soldiers, was a person who looks like a diligent military bureaucrat type and appears to be around 40 years old.

As family head of an appointed Viscount household, he has a relationship of being a relative of the Earl Armstrong household.

"It's quite the flashy operation. By the way..." (Alois)

"Ah, yes. I have prepared them." (Wendelin)

"As expected." (Alois)

As Viscount Achilles led the troops in a hurry, they haven't prepared overly much of things like food and water.

Since there's no port either, the soldiers are coming down on rope ladders one at a time as it's not possible to land the large magic airships properly either.

"You truly hurried coming here." (Wendelin)

"I heard that our task is to act as diversion and that the goods will be prepared at the actual site. Since that's the case, let's finish the liberation in a hurry." (Alois)

"Why?" (Wendelin)

"Although this Herthania Valley has been officially transferred to Earl Baumeister in the arbitration draft, parties, who consider unnecessary things once time passes after getting to know of our movements, will increase." (Alois)

Viscount Achilles, who is a noble himself as well, doesn't believe the slightest in something like the sincerity of the Margrave Browig household.

He stated that it's essential to turn it into an established fact after finishing it as fast as possible.

"That's also true. Ah, right." (Wendelin)

I hand over the prepared large amount of goods to Viscount Achilles. Yesterday I made a temporary storage for the goods and placed them in there.

"An army won't move if there are no goods. If you prepare those, unexpectedly absurd things become possible." (Alois)

The 3000 soldiers, who disembarked the large magic airships via rope ladders, moved to take the goods after assembling in their respective units right away.

It's for the sake of starting to construct an encampment and prepare the meals quickly.

"If people enter this boundary, the golems will start up but they won't attack once you leave. I received such information previously, but it's a mysterious system. We will explore the method of an efficient diversion while practising in a period of several days." (Alois)

The 3000 soldiers of the kingdom commanded by Viscount Achilles repeated entering and leaving the boundary while repeatedly hunting and luring the rock golems which are on the ground.

"Don't chase too far. Don't forget to leave outside before their numbers increase." (Alois)

Differing from Minister Edgar and the members of the Armstrong household, Viscount Achilles calmly gives directions to the troops.

Although there were already casualties as well, Viscount Achilles says that this much was in the range of his assumptions.

"If one dislikes dying, they shouldn't become soldiers or adventurers." (Alois)

Viscount Achilles performed the training of the diversion for the crucial moment indifferently.

Their mission is to act as diversion to pull the golems on the ground at the time we rush in.

"So, what about the reinforcements of our allies?" (Alois)

"They will all be present until today or tomorrow." (Wendelin)

As that means that the 3000 soldiers of the royal army aren't enough, I requested reinforcements from the nobles close-by in addition.

"Earl Baumeister-dono, that helps..." (???)

The majority of the nobles, who are bordering the territory of the Herthania Valley, have suffered losses from being led by the nose by the Browig household in the recent dispute.

They had the damages being taken over by switching sides to the Margrave Breithilde household, but if the Browig household doesn't pay after concluding the arbitration draft, their debts would remain as is.

Since their financial standing is severe, they were added to the diversion task after sending their troops. That means they accepted the job of mercenaries aiming for the reward handed out by the Earl Baumeister household.

"That's because we really don't have not enough manpower..." (Wendelin)

"It's owed to you developing as territorial noble." (???)

With the arrival of over 50 noble households and the royal army, they repeated the training of the diversionary tactics in Herthania Valley after splitting the troops into ten army corps.

Luring out the golems by crossing the boundary line, they escape outside after people are hit. Once the golems disappear, they cross the border once again and carry out their provocations.

While exploring for a method to attract as many golems as possible, they also continued the training how to destroy them with a good efficiency.

After a period of a week, merchants, who sell stuff like food and entertainment items to them, started showing up. The Herthania Valley experienced a kind of special procurement for the liberation operation.

"Well then, won't we begin the storming soon?" (Wendelin))

After a last meeting, the operation starts.

* * *

The military forces will provoke the golems on the ground while entering and leaving the boundary at 10 points in the vicinity of Herthania Valley. We will begin the invasion with 5 people from a point where the distance to the golems and Gigantic Rock Golem is the shortest once their caution is attracted to the maximum.

While destroying only the least amount of airborne golems at short distance, we will destroy the Gigantic Rock Golem in one go.

"Burkhart-san, this is the closest infiltration point, right?" (Wendelin)

"Earl-sama, you used [Detection] as well, right? The main target is right down in the middle of Herthania Valley." (Burkhart)

To be precise, it's right in the middle, deep inside the crevice running through Herthania Valley's centre.

The Gigantic Rock Golem, which has no legs, is enshrined there as it gathers mana. Surpassing a size of 100 meters, it has 8 heads at the front and 8 tails in the rear.

Storing a huge artificial personality crystal, which can manipulate 100.000 golems at the same time, and a device, which is able to produce at maximum 5.000 magic cores, albeit being low-quality ones, per day, in its body, it destroys all enemies which invade Herthania Valley.

According to the genius magic tool craftsman from the time of the Ancient Magic Civilization, Earl Ischrubak, it is a defence system that seems to be alive.

"It has 8 heads and tails?" (Wendelin)

Although it won't move, it will cause damage to an enemy by swinging its tails and firing rock bullets, which aren't breath attacks, from its heads.

Given that it's basically made out of stone, it isn't as solid as the mithril golems we fought before, but that didn't mean that you could take it lightly at all since since it appears that it will recover over time.

"It resembles [Yamata no Ooki Ryuu] I learned about in the past!" (Armstrong)

(T/N: Eight-headed large dragon)

It is similar to [Yamata no Orochi] which appears in the Japanese myths, but there are legends of legendary dragons, which have 8 heads, left behind in this world as well.

(T/N: Eight-Forked Serpent)

The one doushi knows about is the one taught in the basic classroom lecture if you go to a school related to adventurers. Though it was uncertain whether it really exists.

"I wondered about it since before, but if it has 8 heads, isn't it a [Nana mata no Ooki Ryuu]?" (Luise)

"Luise-san, it won't help even if you complain about such an old folklore, will it? Rather than that, it's soon time, isn't it?" (Katharina)

Katharina made a retort at Luise's hair-splitting.

"It's just as Katharina has said." (Wendelin)

While we were on standby with five people on a ridge of the rocky mountains which is located outside the boundary, the mixed forces of kingdom army and Earl Baumeister feudal army entered combat with the lured golem forces below.

"Oryaaa~~~!" (Erwin)

"Eru is putting fighting spirit into it. Though his reason for it is wrong..." (Luise)

Luise didn't go easy on Eru who is wielding his treasured orichalcum sword while standing at the front.

Even Eru should have gone to the front with his sword that doesn't lose its sharpness in order to lower the damage to our allies as his prime objective.

"That reason and his feelings of trying to show Karla-san his good side are fighting each other, aren't they?" (Katharina)

"Katharina, you have no mercy either..." (Wendelin)

"All men at that age are like this, I guess. Hey, we will start soon." (Burkhart)

An estimated 8.000 golems had gathered at the outer edge against the enemy invasion at more than 10 places.

They will be annihilated if these are all of the opponents, but there's no need to go that far.

We are aiming for the Gigantic Rock Golem by using high-speed flight and since they have pulled the golems to the outer edges already, those golems won't become a hindrance to the operation.

However, the 20.000 airborne golems didn't move overly much. It seems that they only deal with enemies invading from the sky.

"20.000, huh..." (Wendelin)

"Usually they are scattered in Herthania Valley. We will destroy the Gigantic Rock Golem quickly before they gather. Got that?" (Burkhart)

There's no need to destroy all of them.

They will return to being rocks if we destroy the Gigantic Rock Golem anyway. The operation would fail if we spent that much time on destroying all of them.

Burkhart-san emphasizes it especially for doushi.

"Please don't stop on that occasion and become peerless or such, doushi." (Burkhart)

"Tentatively I'm a professional adventurer as well, but..." (Armstrong)

In such a situation, he respects the opinion of the experienced Burkhart-san after all.

Even doushi obediently abides to the view of Burkhart-san who is his senior.

"It's just for caution's sake. The same applies to the others as well." (Burkhart)

"Roger." (Wendelin)

"Leave it to me." (Luise)

"I'm itching to put my skills to good use." (Katharina)

"Well, then let's go!" (Burkhart)

Upon Burkhart-san's signal, five people plunge into Herthania Valley with [high-speed flight].

The formation is: Katharina and me as two-top, behind us are Luise and Burkhart-san and doushi acted as rear guard for the sake of destroying the golems chasing after us.

"Burkhart-dono, there are no enemies in the back though." (Armstrong)

"It would be a failure if they chased us at the current point in time..." (Burkhart)

Since we are still in the proximity of the intrusion point, the golems, which are in the sky, practically weren't able to cope with us.

As there were several of them in front, we first threw tornadoes in the shape of spears made out of magic at them. The hit wyvren golem and several others, which were in its vicinity, were smashed and dropped to the ground.

"You have to conserve your mana, Katharina." (Wendelin)

Although we formulated a perfect strategy on the basis of the data in the old book, it was a basic tactic to preserve mana as much as possible since we don't know what might happen.

"That's only natural. My mana capacity is lower than yours, Wendelin-san." (Katharina)

Next Katharina uses magic against the ten-odd falcon golems which came in sight at the front.

"Tornado Break!" (Katharina)

Appropriate to her name [Storm], she suddenly creates a tornado in the middle of the golems at the front and blows them up into the upper sky. The golems, who collided within the tornado, were damaged, destroyed and fell to the ground.

"Amazing. I want to attack something as well." (Luise)

"Luise, you have to preserve your mana." (Wendelin)

"That's right, isn't it..." (Luise)

Since she can't use emission magic at all to begin with, Luise's role is to directly inflict damage to the Gigantic Rock Golem with a powerful attack.

Preserving her mana to the limit until our arrival, she will deliver the final blow to the Gigantic Rock Golem. This is Luise's task this time.

"I will release my secret technique with the power of my entire body." (Luise)

"It looks like I can anticipate something (There's one after all, a secret technique?" (Wendelin)

"Vel, look forward to it very much." (Luise)

The Luise before our sortie was as usual.

"There are less golems than I expected..." (Burkhart)

Around 10 minutes after starting the storming, Burkhart-san tilted his head to the side.

According to the old book, the airborne golems should have come gathering more after this much time had passed. However, with us having five times crushed a group of 10 to several dozens golems, the enemy didn't appear in front of us overly much.

"Maybe..." (Katharina)

"Maybe what?" (Wendelin)

"Artificial personality-san might be unexpectedly busy with its job." (Katharina)

Once we continue flying for 10 more minutes, we finally arrive at our target point.

The huge crevice running through Herthania Valley. The Gigantic Rock Golem is enshrined within, but in the sky above it more than 10.000 golems were waiting for us.

"Tsk! Did it guess our target?" (Burkhart)

"If there are this many of them, we won't be able to enter the crevice." (Wendelin)

Given that the Gigantic Rock Golem is inside the crevice, we have to destroy those golems first.

The golems were gathered in the sky with a density that covered the sky's blue allowing one to guess that the majority of the 20.000 x1airborne golems was here.

"Earl-sama, it's still within expectation. Go!" (Burkhart)

"Roger!" (Wendelin)

Even though the golems are drawing closer, I take out 10 magic gems and grasp them in both hands.

While focussing my consciousness even more, I began to prepare an advanced level spell at maximum.

'Basically it's refreshing to cast such magic.' (Wendelin)

After accumulating ((mana)) for about a minute, the spell is invoked in front of my two hands.

As it took me two minutes in the battle against Grade Grande back then, I have apparently grown quite a bit as well.

"Burst Tornado!" (Wendelin)

Since I don't need to chant, I voice it out as something mood-like to let everyone know about the invocation timing of the spell.

The huge tornado, which was generated in the middle of the golems at a distance, raised a violent howl as it swallowed up thousands of golems.

Getting destroyed by crushing into fellow golems within the tornado, they fall down to the ground dragging the golems, who were safe in the surroundings, into it once the tornado dies down after a short while.

"Wendelin-san, you are strong at that kind of magic." (Katharina)

"Yes, I am. It's refreshing." (Wendelin)

Since the opponents are golems, there's no necessity to pay attention to something like intensity as with the previous wide-range Area Stun.

"It looks like we were recognized as threat to be purged." (Katharina)

Since around 40% were destroyed in one go, the golems begin to move in order to eliminate us. I was able to confirm that around half of the 7.000 ~ 8.000 golems are heading towards us.

"One more!" (Wendelin)

This time I fire the emission spell of the void attribute, which I used in the battle against the dragon golem, after pushing out my hands in front once again.

The power has fallen, but once hit, the golems are blown backwards, crash into the golems in the rear and thus break each other.

With their close formation having backfired, their preference in attacking with numbers doesn't seem to be overly powerful after all.

"I saw it for the first time, but it has an absurd strength." (Katharina)

Even Katharina destroyed a few thousand golems by firing tornado spells in rapid succession, but she ended up exhausting most of her prepared magic gems.

"However, their numbers have decreased considerably as well... Wait, aren't they increasing?" (Katharina)

Certainly, although they should have decreased down to around 5.000, they have recovered to around twice that again for some reason.

"Did they already revive with the magic cores as basis?" (Wendelin)

"5.000 per day, wasn't it?" (Katharina)

According to the explanation of the old book, the Gigantic Rock Golem is capable of producing 5.000 magic cores per day. Releasing the magic cores from its buttocks part, golems take those away and small golems, just like living creatures, are born.

The born small golems attach rocks from around the area to themselves and grow big.

I felt like that was the explanation ((in the book)), but it might speed up the process to some extent if the losses increase all of a sudden.

"It has the materials after all." (Burkhart)

There are the remains of the golems who fell to the ground after having been destroyed not long ago.

"Burkhart-san?" (Wendelin)

"It might become bad if we spend time." (Burkhart)

The refining of magic cores might be limited to 5.000 per day, but there's also the possibility of them continuing to increase for quite a while if they were able to store the produced magic cores.

It was necessary to hurry up the operation at this point.

"There's only one huge reaction from within the crevice and several hundreds smaller ones. We will quickly destroy them by plunging into the crevice!" (Burkhart)

"True... Let's storm in. Doushi!" (Wendelin)

"Leave it to me!" (Armstrong)

I decrease the number of golems by once again firing the void emission spell and doushi plunges into the crowd of golems at the same time.

Cladding his body in a [magic barrier], doushi delivers one blow with his fist against the head of a wyvren golem which came towards us.

The golem, which had its head broken, crashes to the ground just like that. Next, pulverizing a golem, which comes attacking from behind, with a kick, he grabs the tail of another golem and destroys several others by swinging it around like a hammer.

"He is very strong. Just as expected." (Burkhart)

"Isn't he..." (Wendelin)

He doesn't appear to be a magician, but it was plain obvious in anyone's eyes that he was overwhelmingly powerful.

Burkhart-san and me are once more surprised by that strength.

"We will leave the sky to doushi and charge in!" (Burkhart)

"""Roger!"""

We should probably put it to an end while the number of golems still hasn't recovered completely.

Once we rush quickly into the crevice with the four of us, rocks suddenly appear in front of us.

When those were repelled by the [magic barriers] we deployed beforehand, a rock dragon head, which launched those rock bullets, raised a roar.

"Gigantic Rock Golem!"

According to the description in the old book there are eight of those huge heads. One by one they tried to crush us by firing rock bullets from their mouths.

In addition there were several hundreds hawk golems in this narrow crevice, too. They also begin their attacks in our direction.

There were many unlucky golems who were broken by being swallowed up by the rock bullets fired by the heads of the Gigantic Rock Golem, but it seems to not mind something like losses amongst its allies as it can produce as many of those as it likes.

"The target is the huge artificial personality crystal within its body. We will go ahead and destroy the heads." (Burkhart)

Given that the Gigantic Rock Golem is enormous, it's indispensable to advance by destroying the heads to get into body section.

I immediately crush two heads by striking them with tornado spells, which were changed into lances. Katharina also destroy two by manipulating small tornadoes and Burkhart-san defeated two by striking dodgeball-sized tornado ball into them.

Although Burkhart-san is continuously attacked by hawk golems, he creates softball-sized wind spheres and destroys them by hitting their heads with those.

10 wind spheres are buoyantly floating in his vicinity and they are launched to destroy golems which become a threat for him.

The decreased share of wind spheres is replenished at once and they once again revolve around Burkhart-san. He had a magic accuracy to a frightening degree.

"My mana is low. Thus I have no other option but to come up with a strategies, I guess. Two more left!" (Burkhart)

There were two more heads of the Gigantic Rock Golem remaining.

Since they are lying in wait in the crevice, we will be able able to attack the body if we can break through those heads.

Are they fearing that?

The two heads raised their firing speed and continued to spit out rock bullets as if they have gone mad.

"Aaah! Geez, you are nuisances!" (Katharina)

While repelling the rock bullets with her [magic barrier], Katharina blows off the heads by sending medium-sized tornadoes at them.

With this it became possible to advance.

"But, where's the weak point of this body?" (Luise)

"Don't know! Haphazardly break anything with your fists!" (Burkhart)

The blueprint of the Gigantic Rock Golem wasn't left behind in the old book of Earl Ischrubak.

Seeing that its organs are in the trunk, we likely have no other choice but to destroy the entire body.

"Burkhart-san, you are unexpectedly irresponsible... Body you say, isn't it just a cluster of rocks?" (Luise)

Rather than a body, there's nothing but a cluster of simple rocks filling the crevice at a width of 50 meters and a length of 100 meters.

Luise stands at a point close to the broken head while being puzzled. She swings her fist down after charging it with mana.

Is that the secret technique of the magic combat style? Or is it just the strength of Luise's magic power?

I don't understand it properly, but the body part develops cracks in a sphere of a 10 meter radius and begins to fall apart to pieces.

"It's a hit?" (Wendelin)

"Unfortunately, it's a miss!" (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san answers in replacement for Luise, but I immediately understand his reason.

"Wendelin-san! We have to destroy the crystal quickly!" (Katharina)

It seems that the restoration of the heads was faster than expected.

Katharina defended against the eight heads, which came attacking from the back while firing rock bullets, with her [magic barrier].

"Is that's how it is!? Damn it!" (Burkhart)

Next Burkhart-san begins to strengthen his [magic barrier] and moves above our heads.

"Doushi is doing well, but..." (Wendelin)

He destroyed one golem after the other by being peerless by himself, but it resulted in the golems' remains increasing.

"If doushi isn't there, a large army of golems will come attacking from the sky..." (Burkhart)

There's no choice but to endure the rain of rocks.

While saying that, Burkhart-san begins to throw wind spheres towards the hawk golems which escaped being defeated by doushi.

"Luise, please keep destroying it." (Wendelin)

"Got it!" (Luise)

While advancing bit by bit with the four of us, the body is destroyed by Luise.

It became my job to protect the front which is in the rear, but with 8 tails and dozens of hawk golems attacking that can only be expected.

"It's producing the magic cores, which turn into the golems' cores, at its butt, doesn't it?"

"Seems so!" (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san answered while protecting us from the rock rain with his [magic barrier].

Luise continued to swing her fists at the body of the Gigantic Rock Golem while replenishing her mana with the magic gems she possesses.

As one part of the body after the other gets destroyed, she is approaching the artificial personality crystal.

There are 8 tails with a thickness of around 3 meters which are attacking us while winding similar to whips.

Moreover, hawk golems are assaulting us in between the gaps of the tail lashes.

"In front the tails, in the back the heads and from above a rock rain. eh!? Luise!" (Wendelin)

"Geez, I will finish it in one go! All of my mana goes into this fist strike!" (Luise)

"Oooh! It looks like something amazing is coming!" (Wendelin)

Luise extends one hand towards the sky while concentrating and gathering her remaining mana and the mana from the remaining magic gems.

"Did she gather mana which exceeded your own mana capacity?" (Wendelin)

If one asks why the current Luise is somewhat amazing, that's because a normal magician can't hold back mana, which exceeded their mana capacity, within their body.

Therefore, at the time we started the wide-ranged Area Stun, we ended up with hardships due to the speed of sucking up mana from the magic gems. However, Luise gathered mana in her raised fist which surpassed her mana capacity several times.

"The recoil is a bit severe, but I will go ahead since it will get gradually worse and worse if I prolong it. Ultimate Secret Technique of the Magic Combat Style! [Big Bang Attack]!" (Luise)

The techniques name was unexpectedly cliché, but at the moment when Luise hits the body of the Gigantic Rock Golem with her mana-charged fist, it generates a flash that makes one's eyes dazzled and cracks begin to appear at a range that can't be compared to until now.

"It's a success, Vel!" (Luise)

The entire body, which was once a cluster of rocks, breaks into fist-sized rocks and the tails, which were attacking me, the heads, which were attacking Katharina, and all the golems, which were deployed inside the crevice, turn into rocks and crash to the ground.

It seems that she was really successful at completely destroying the Gigantic Rock Golem.

"Amazing! Luise!" (Wendelin)

As it was a great technique I hadn't seen until now, I was very impressed.

"But, my body doesn't move a bit..." (Luise)

Just as it was a great technique, the recoil to her body was great as well.

I immediately recovered and carried Luise who was wobbling on top of the mountain of rocks.

"Are you alright?" (Wendelin)

"As I'm on the verge of mana exhaustion, I feel a bit sleepy." (Luise)

"I see. You really did your best." (Wendelin)

Once I smiled while gently stroking her hair, her eyes began to become passionate.

"As reward you will take me home while hugging me, okay, Vel? In a princess carry." (Luise)

"I will answer your demand." (Wendelin)

I'm incapable of bluntly refusing her wish because of her distinguished deed. Thus I immediately agree to it.

"Then it will be happiness for just me. I will be unconscious for a little while." (Luise)

"Huh?" (Wendelin)

For a moment I didn't understand what Luise was talking about, but the answer to that would appear right away.

In other words. Once the Gigantic Rock Golem, which controlled all of the golems, was destroyed, the golems have ended up returning to being plain rocks.

Quite a portion of the airborne golems were lured by doushi in the sky. And, when all of those have turned into rocks, they are falling to the ground in accordance to the physical laws.

If one asks where to, it would be the place where we are at right now.

"Evacuate~!!!" (Wendelin)

I raise a loud voice and order Burkhart-san and Katharina to take refuge.

"Such a! There isn't any leeway to immerse ourselves in the after-taste of victory!" (Katharina)

"Such things come later!" (Wendelin)

While I carry Luise in my arms, the three of us evacuate towards the sky while deploying our [magic barriers].

On the way hundreds of tons of rocks are pouring down like an unexpectedly strong rain. Its power was more terrible than the rock bullets shot by the heads of the Gigantic Rock Golem.

Since a large amount of rocks came down all of a sudden, the Herthania Valley was attacked by a local earthquake and the crevice cracked at many points, too.

"We got away somehow..." (Wendelin)

"We were closer to death due to the rock rain than due to the Gigantic Rock Golem or the golem army." (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san, who was quite at the limit of his mana, sighed in relief.

"Geez, that was terrible. Though it seems that Luise is happy..." (Katharina)

Luise, who is sleeping due to mana exhaustion, has a happy expression. Katharina watched that while looking jealous.

"Do you wish to get a princess carry as well, Katharina?" (Wendelin)

"Wendelin-san, what are you saying!?... Afterwards, just for a bit..." (Katharina)

Katharina became fidgety after all while her face turned red.

"However, it was a good thing that you trained your body under doushi. You are properly carrying Luise-jou-chan." (Burkhart)

"Just how much of a Beansprout-kun am I for you, Burkhart-san...?" (Wendelin)

I won't deny that there are generally many Beansprout-kun's among magicians. Someone like doushi is a rare exception.

"Well, compared to doushi." (Burkhart)

"So, although it's that doushi..." (Wendelin)

Doushi, who is the person with yet another meritorious deed of having held back thousands of golems by himself, was floating at a position that had a higher altitude than us.

"Umu! It's our victory! (Armstrong)

No one worried about it, but doushi hadn't a single injury after all. He raised a strange victory shout by himself, but once he discovered our figures, he came close while looking delightful.

"The martial arts, which I learned from Luise-jou, were useful. As the mana efficiency of the Mobile Magic Armour is bad, it was a great help. By the way, Luise-jou has run out of mana?" (Armstrong)

"It's because she used her secret technique." (Wendelin)

"That dazzling light, huh?" (Armstrong)

Once I explained the technique used by Luise, doushi asked while showing an expression of admiration,

"What!? Although the recoil is harsh, it releases several times of one's mana capacity charged into a fist! That's a perfect technique for me as well! Have her teach me later without fail!" (Armstrong)

"No. Stop it. If you released such a thing, this continent would collapse, doushi." (Burkhart)

"That's probably a bit exaggerated." (Armstrong)

'No. I don't think that it's exaggerated...' (Wendelin)

'The possibility is not non-existent...' (Katharina)

Katharina and I agree with Burkhart-san's complaint.

The liberation of the Herthania Valley was safely completed with this, but doushi's learning of the [Big Bang Attack] was decided by the specifications ((of the technique)) and thus simply became something that didn't happen thanks to its degree of difficulty.

That means that the world's peace was safely protected.

Chapter 73: In the end I get stuck with handling the settlement

"Luise, are you alright already?" (Wendelin)

"Currently I'm fine, but the burden of the secret technique will affect my body..." (Luise)

"It was an amazing technique." (Wendelin)

"It has reasonable power, however it's not to the degree of advanced spells used by high-ranking magicians. It loses out in range and strength." (Luise)

"It's splendid in hindsight since it defeated that Gigantic Rock Golem." (Wendelin)

"I wasn't able to move much for three days though." (Luise)

Herthania Valley, which was a nest of defending rock golems, was safely liberated thanks to the operation carried out by us.

The reinforcements of the royal army and the nobles' feudal armies, split into 10 military units, pulled most of the grounded golems by entering and leaving the boundary border. During that time me, doushi, Burkhart-san, Katharina and Luise attacked their master, the Gigantic Rock Golem, located in the centre, from the sky.

The golems, which protected this Herthania Valley, all of them were controlled by the Gigantic Rock Golem as defence system to defend Herthania Valley, which was drawn up by the genius magic tools craftsman, Earl Ischrubak, of the Ancient Magic Civilization.

There was a great number of airborne wyvren and hawk golems, the heads of the Gigantic Rock Golem which regenerated right away even if destroyed and golems who increased the restoration speed and strengthened the offensive.

We were made to fight quite the close game, but in the end the activity of the Gigantic Rock Golem ceased after being busted by the secret technique of the magic combat style of Luise and 100.000 golems returned to being simple rocks after that. That means it resulted in a safe liberation of Herthania Valley.

"Vel, what did you do during those three days?" (Luise)

"Work." (Wendelin)

Since Luise had rendered distinguished service, she was allowed to rest for three days. And it's not like she couldn't move at all, she apparently went to the toilet at least, but all of the other stuff, like her daily meals, has been taken care of by Elise and the others.

"The teachings of the magic combat style are deep." (Wendelin)

"There are many skills and secret techniques, but it's also true that the majority of those can't be used by anyone." (Luise)

"What's with that?" (Wendelin)

"This time's [Big Bang Attack] isn't something that can be used unless the user himself has a certain extent of mana. Even if it's used by a person who doesn't possess more than a common amount of mana, it won't smash a slightly big rock, right?" (Luise)

That means, if one has the ability to handle that by having plenty of mana, they will be able to release powerful techniques which won't be inferior to advanced magic by just applying the magic combat style.

"The majority of people doesn't have that [mana] though, thus they have to put emphasis on the types of technique. As for the aspect of fighting by charging mana, doushi and you, Vel, are strong, too, right?" (Luise)

Doushi was peerless against thousands of golems in this time's battle.

It's not like he defeated all of them, but as he destroyed several hundreds without letting them get close at all, there would be another paragraph added to his legend as the strongest.

On the other hand, since such way of fighting doesn't suit my character, I will fire spells no matter what.

Given that doushi is in reverse weak at emission-type spells, one might even say that he is a strengthening type while I'm the emission type. I think there was such a type division in a manga I read in the old days.

"Earl Baumeister-dono, an investigation team from the capital has arrived." (???)

"Are they going to start analyzing in this place, I wonder?" (Wendelin)

"No, I believe they will take things back." (???)

"It will be great if there are some results this time." (Wendelin)

After the liberation of Herthania Valley, we moved our troop headquarters next to the mithril deposits located in the central area.

It was for the sake of me investigating things like deposits with magic and to protect the liberated Herthania Valley from people entering inside as ore thieves.

One part of the soldiers, who participated in this time's operation, have taken up positions at the outer edges and are guarding against the intrusion of such people. As a matter of fact, there were reports of them having arrested some intruders already.

It seems residents of neighbouring territories attempted to intrude with the motive "If it's now, it might become a nice profit as it's easy to harvest ores." Currently it's at the level of being individuals, but the Browig household is the most probable for trying to do something as they are probably regretful.

"The lot from the magic tool guild has high pride." (Achilles)

Viscount Achilles, who is managing the guarding of the troop headquarters, reports to me that magic tool craftsmen from the capital came. They had chartered a large magic airship to collect the remains of the Gigantic Rock Golem destroyed by us.

"The artificial personality crystal, the magic core production device and other devices, which I don't understand, all of them can't be used because they are broken." (Wendelin)

"You want to apply them towards advancement in technology, even if it's just a small amount, by analyzing it somehow, right?"

Actually I wanted to seize those without breaking them, but if we did such skimping in that situation, let alone failing the operation, there would have been victims and thus it couldn't be helped. Apparently they were all broken by Luise's secret technique, but it's probably the best to leave the reproduction of ancient magic technology to the magic tools guild.

While saying that, it doesn't seem like there are recently many outstanding achievements by the magic tools guild. Their members have great influence since the production of magic tools is monopolized to 100% by them, but at this point their technology hasn't advanced overly much for several hundred years.

In that case, to analyse the excellent relics of the past, they forcibly bought the products, which were discovered in the Demon Forest, and moreover this time's Gigantic Rock Golem by paying a large sum.

With the sorcery guild showing interest in the magic core production device, the magic tool guild, which is on bad terms with them, purchased the Gigantic Rock Golem by high-handedly issuing paper money.

The price for all of it was 500 million cents. Even though I overcharged it as joke, I was also surprised when they put a bag filled with platinum plates in front of my eyes with a *bang*.

"Huh? How are they going to take it back?" (Wendelin)

"It looks like they will load it onto a chartered large magic airship. Though it seems like it's necessary for them to make a round trip."

The entirety of the Gigantic Rock Golem is regular rock and such, but from their point of view, it might have some yet unknown structures even in that empty rock and thus they are going to take it back without missing even a single piece of it.

Declaring that they will carry out the loading and transporting themselves, I recalled that there were indeed many obsessed people like engineers even including my previous life.

"There were golems as well?"

"As expected it's not all of them though." (Wendelin)

They have bought a considerable amount of magic cores and masses of rocks which formed the golems that were controlled by the Gigantic Rock Golem.

This will be research material, too, but not all of it after all. The remains of the golems, which stopped working in their entirety due to the destruction of the artificial personality crystal, is easily a share of more than 100.000 bodies.

Since it's difficult to take all of them back, they collected only a share of samples and piled up the rest next to the troop headquarters where soldiers are currently gathering ores and usable magic cores.

"So, how do you plan to develop this place?"

"I usually entrust it to someone." (Wendelin)

Since my own territory is lacking manpower, it was natural for me to supplement it with personnel from outside. Besides, if it's people, there is plenty of them. In case a noble discovered a mine in their territory, he will try to compensate for everything by himself as much as possible.

There were many prospectors, mining engineers, refining experts and such working away from home, but many miners are those below second son of farmers who are left over. That means it's a good place for employment for people who can't inherit agricultural land.

However, depending on the situation, there are also many mines where minerals can't be mined anymore after a few decades. It's fine if a new mine is discovered in the same territory or at worst in the territory of a neighbouring noble, but if nothing is discovered, they will be unemployed. There are such circumstances, too. One can gather as many miners as one likes.

"It's alright for them to immigrate or to work away from home. In short, it will be fine if they can get metals by digging here."

There's also no necessity of fussing over taking care of anything and everything by myself. Gathering talents from other nobles' territories and the areas directly under the control of the kingdom, it will be fine if our men only check for fraud.

"That's a very broad-minded setup." (???)

"It's fine if it doesn't take time, isn't it?" (Wendelin)

If we did everything by ourselves, it should take quite the time until ore can be excavated. For that reason I decided to use people from outside.

'Beside, it's fine if I give the surroundings a few candies to suppress jealousy.' (Wendelin)

Herthania Valley is the property of the Earl Baumeister household, but the majority of people working here will be outsiders. The significant point of this is guaranteeing income and employment for people who are registered in territories of other nobles or areas under the direct control of the kingdom.

That will also become a measure to stimulate employment for the residents. And that's connected to the invigoration of the economy and and increases in the revenue.

The miners, who are working in regular mines, return to their home town and use their earned money there. With just that it becomes an economic measure for their home town.

"Even the royal army will increase by one official position."

As a matter of fact, I'm planning to sell most of the plots, which are located at the outer edges of Herthania Valley, to the kingdom. There's no ores in those plots, but they will place 1000 soldiers and a troop headquarters called [Royal Army Herthania Valley Garrison] there. Their task is to defend so that nobles other than the Earl Baumeister household won't meddle with the Herthania Valley. The remuneration is a stable supply of ores to the kingdom and a fee for consigning the security to them.

"There's that as well, but the mithril deposits in this place are bigger than expected. If the kingdom will come intervening anyway, I might as well bring them in earlier by by giving them a bait, right?" (Wendelin)

"Also, it was tied in the arbitration draft negotiated by the rules." (???)

"The people, who thought that it is an inferior property, ended up offering it up themselves for a slight reduction of the reconciliation money. Won't they have sentiments of wanting to get it back?" (???)

For the sake of preventing that, we employed more guards than the Browig household.

"In addition, with such large-scaled mining area, won't it become necessary to run a refining establishment in the future? As people will gather, a city administration will be indispensable, too. We need manpower."

It's necessary to employ the young people of appointed nobles, who are secluding themselves in the capital, as future personnel so that they can carry out the checks for fraud over here. They, their relatives and parents will guarantee the possession of Herthania Valley for the Earl Baumeister household in order for their children to have a steady livelihood.

"That's why it will become busy immediately."

As there's an insufficiency of mithril anyway, a lot workshops, located in the capital, are saying that they will buy it even in the state of being an ore. Given that they want to send airships as fast as possible, they told us to please prepare a port where it's possible for magic airships to land and take off as well as to mine, even if it's only a bit, until then. It once again reached the point that I will be pressed to provide roads and a plot of land, where a city will be built, as public works adventurer.

"That stone-paved road is magnificent."

"That's because there's plenty of materials."

Since there are as many rocks, which aren't ores, as one likes, I create stone plates with those as material by magic and complete a paved road by just pushing them into a dug-out path.

"Will you promote your rule in both, name and reality? Since the post of commanding officer of the Herthania Valley Garrison is encouraging for me, I will pay attention to stuff like meddling by the Browig household. However, will they come rushing in at once?" (Achilles)

"Although the arbitration negotiations haven't finished yet, it's an urgent situation..." (Wendelin)

The arbitration negotiations between Margrave Breithilde and the Browig household aren't progressing at all thanks to the Browig household persisting in a reduction of the reconciliation money. What effect will our liberation of Herthania Valley bring about in the middle of that? There was no reason for me to know that yet.

"Even if something is said, this place is the Earl Baumeister household's possession. It's not something I will concile to the Browig household." (???)

"That's true, I guess. The Browig household itself is still remaining at this point in time because of His Majesty's kindliness." (???)

If this was during war times, they likely would have lost their peerage long ago. In case of war times, it will reach a conclusion if it's possible to abate the confusion, which accompanies the change of peerage and the inauguration of a new feudal lord, with strength.

Even the soldiers won't hesitate since it will become deeds of arms if they remove the disturbing elements which are resisting. The Browig household care-freely continuing the quarrel between brothers itself was proof of this country being peaceful.

"First we will put priority on the preparations for being able to excavate the mithril deposits."

Since it's fortunately possible to open-air mine the mithril deposits, it's probably possible to excavate the ores without spending too much time.

* * *

Around one week after that I received reinforcements from Roderich after creating the foundation of a port, where it's possible for magic airships used for shipping to land and take off, and the infrastructure with magic.

[It's an enclave, but it's impossible to do local agriculture or stock-farming. For a while it will only be digging out of ores. After several years you plan to optimize it by building large-scale workshops where it's possible to refine to some degree. That's about it...?] (Roderich)

Roderich's voice is audible through the magic hand-held communication device.

For the sake of this Herthania Valley being controlled completely by the Earl Baumeister household, he dispatched additional personnel. Guards, mining engineers and personnel from government and financial affairs to manage the new city that will be built.

In addition to this, we have decided to employ a large amount of people in this place. Immigrating and working away from home applicants gathered in this place.

"Is it impossible to be self-reliant in regards to food?" (???)

It's not impossible, but it won't work if we don't carry out work to establish soil on top of the bedrock quality-like ground and begin from afforestation for that reason. However, there isn't even a river or swamp in this Herthania Valley.

Since it's hopeless if we don't draw water through water wells from below by digging through the thick bedrock, it will likely require time in the range of several decades at the least. There's also the problem of mine pollution appearing from the ore deposits and mines.

If it's me, it will finish with [Extraction] of the metals which can be used with magic, but there's a low possibility that the next generation and afterwards will be able to do that. While pondering over countermeasures against mine pollution, when it comes to improving the soil so that it's possible to do stuff like agriculture, this will be postponed no matter what. The first priority is the situation of the Savage Lands development after all.

[The self-support for food is fine for a while. Make the surrounding nobles into allies and buy it from them.] (Roderich)

This is also for the sake of preventing interference by the Browig household. In order to not lose their precious client, they will probably be gladly cautious of the Browig household.

"That's alright, but won't the prices be raised?" (???)

[That's possible, however it's likely difficult if they don't consult with all the nobles selling food.] (Roderich)

Besides, if it gets too expensive, it's fine to import it from the Baumeister Earldom and the Breithilde Margraviate.

"Nobles aren't a monolith either." (???)

"That's how it is." (???)

"It was the personnel selection of a governor, but were you pleased with the person I chose?" (Roderich)

"I leave such things to you." (Wendelin)

After that talk the governor and other parties have arrived with a magic airship from the Baumeister Earldom.

"Although I was appointed as governor for the time being, I'm uneasy." (Felix)

The one who Roderich designated as governor was the third son of Earl Armstrong, Felix. Though he has no experience in domestic and financial affairs, it will be fine if we compensate for that with other people. The reason he was appointed is because he is in good control of Viscount Achilles who will be the commanding officer of the Herthania Valley Garrison.

Even if he plots something bad, it will become difficult for him to realize it if the governor of this place is the third son of Earl Armstrong who is an authority in the royal army. Even the capital's Earl Armstrong household won't be frugal with supporting their third son who has become a chief retainer of the Earl Baumeister household.

Although it costs money accordingly, me and Roderich will die from overwork if we try to take care of everything with a developing household. The way of increasing allies by giving them a certain extent of concessions will be a gain, if you look at the long term. In addition, it's easier.

"For the first generation of this place being military officers is also for the sake of preventing meddling by others. Since there's also plenty of budget, I'd like you to make sure that the ores are excavated well by hiring people skilfully." (Wendelin)

"At your command!" (Felix)

Being appointed as first governor, Felix will start the governing of Herthania Valley by also borrowing help from his home. Even though I continue the public works, I get back the time to drink refined tea in my free time.

"My elder brothers will likely be in a great panic." (Karla)

"Even if they panic, there's nothing they can do anymore." (Wendelin)

"You are much more like a noble than my elder brothers, Earl Baumeister-sama." (Karla)

Me and Karla talked while drinking tea in my free time.

It's not really just the two of us as Elise is the area as well, but it's something irregular. Speaking of the action benefiting her household the most for now, it's her, who is a daughter of the Browig household, seducing me.

"That's true. Herthania Valley is already possession of the Earl Baumeister household in due form. At the beginning they were delighted to get a reduction of the reconciliation money with this inferior property, but..." (Karla)

Having liberated it completely, it's now starting to be developed as promising mining area. Unable to tell me to return it this late in the game, they should be worrying endlessly.

"Karla-san, might you be thinking that it's fine if you are pushed onto me." (Wendelin)

"I do. From the viewpoint of my elder brothers, they are believing that I will become happy with that if it happens. A social outcast daughter becomes the wife of the dragon slaying hero. You can even say that it's a huge success in life." (Karla)

If you consider it from the position of a noble, that wasn't a mistake recognition.

"What are you thinking about it, Karla-san?" (Wendelin)

"I don't really want to have something like the Browig family name. Why can't I receive treatment as daughter of the Bänker household...?" (Karla)

She is pitiable, but those two won't let go of Karla in the first place even if the person herself desires it. If we assume that the Browig household accepts the current arbitration draft, she will be next married of to some place for the sake of recovering the household.

"If you are indebted from your childhood and in addition to that accepted as daughter of a noble..." (Karla)

Even though she has been left alone until now, she has been called at this point just to be used. Karla is indifferent towards the future of the Browig family because there are such circumstances.

'Being treated as daughter of the Bänker household, huh...' (Wendelin)

Karla is the daughter of Margrave Browig, but you can say that she was treated as daughter of the Bänker household until now.

It's unusual because she willingly wants to be lowered to that treatment, but she won't be used politically if she is the daughter of a poor Knight household with no posts in the capital. That's also a way of thinking that will grant her freedom and let her marry whoever she wants. Since she is saying that she wants to be independent together with her mother, I didn't know whether she might not have even considered marriage.

"Can't it be done somehow?" (Erwin)

Eru, who is serving as my guard, interjects which is unusual for him, but it could be called natural as any obstacle to marry her will be gone if Karla ends up becoming the daughter of the Bänker household.

"The one who decides Karla's position is the family head of the Browig household..." (Wendelin)

In this world the position of a household's head is powerful. That's why Karla couldn't go against being summoned by Margrave Browig. She won't voluntarily say no even in the matter of both successor candidates trying to push her into becoming my wife.

"That's right... Klaus." (Wendelin)

At this point I request the opinion of Klaus, who is a genius at coming up with plans hated by people. It's Klaus who thoroughly did things I hate until now.

If it's that guy, he should be able to come up with a nasty plan for the Browig household.

* * *

"It looks like you have quite the expectations of me, Wendelin-sama. I have only an extremely orthodox plan. Or rather, it isn't even a plan." (Klaus)

However, as Klaus has been aware of the inside of my mind for a long time, he answered while not caring about that any further.

"Pushing for a successor besides those two, we will make an agreement with that new fellow or such?" (Wendelin)

"That's how it is. And, for Karla-sama there's someone who is a prospect for that, isn't there?" (Klaus)

Since there's a prospect, she expressed her desire to be the daughter of the Bänker household to me. It would be weird if she didn't take that in consideration. That's because I, who is the family head of the Earl Baumeister household, has no authority do to anything to the Browig household.

"Does she want the new family head to sever connections with her...?" (Wendelin)

If either Philip or Christoph become the new family head of the Browig household, Karla will definitely be used. Therefore Karla likely wants me to move so that another candidate becomes the family head.

"Is there any gain in it for me, I wonder?" (Wendelin)

I try asking meanly on purpose.

With the payment of the reconciliation money already decided, Herthania Valley, which I received on the condition of reducing the payment amount, was liberated. At least for us of the Earl Baumeister household the dispute has already ended.

"It will become a help for Margrave Breithilde-sama who is your patron. If the dispute doesn't come to an end, the development of the Savage Lands will be delayed. It's also possible to make an agreement with the new family head to not get involved with Herthania Valley. I believe that it will save you unnecessary hassle for a while." (Karla)

"This person, she is shrewd..." (Wendelin)

I have a hunch that it will be fine if this person becomes a female family head and a son-in-law is adopted, but the person herself probably doesn't wish that. That means it doesn't match with her own abilities and aspirations.

"Does that mean that she is somewhat wasting away...?" (Wendelin)

She is resembling my lover from my previous life, but for some reason I have no romantic feelings towards her at all. Despite her appearance, Elise has quite the discerning parts, but normally she appears to be a girl who gallantly prepares tea and meals.

Even Ina, it's not like she's a woman lacking appeal to talk with when it's the two of us. I think she is a bit of a shy person though.

Luise is fine since she usually gives such impression.

Wilma is taciturn, but her following me around like a puppy is cute.

As for Katharina, one will be surprised of the gap to her outward appearance, if you try hanging out with her.

However, Karla doesn't leave the stage of lip service although she attends to everyone politely on a first look.

Without a doubt she doesn't wish for a marriage with me. It's impossible going by the circumstances anyway. I don't have any aspirations of wanting to make her forcibly my wife either.

"Wendelin-sama, I believe we should accept Karla-sama's proposal." (Klaus)

Klaus advices me with a whisper.

"Did you expect me telling you to economically usurp the Browig household through our support after making her my wife?" (Wendelin)

"There's also the labour shortage and the vigilance by the kingdom. Just the profits of the administrative and maintenance side in Herthania Valley will likely be large." (Klaus)

Even I understand at least this much.

I tried asking Klaus while wondering whether he would possibly aim for the rehabilitation of his grandchildren by using the expansion of the Earl Baumeister household.

"Besides, the Browig household is a noble family existing since early days of the kingdom's founding. Your family's tradition of being established for around a century won't stand up to that." (Klaus)

That means it's not worthwhile ruling over them with unpleasant feelings as it will take time and money. However, because they are a prestigious family, they are a truly bothersome existence.

"That's right, isn't it... We will quickly make someone else than those two the new family head and have them sign the arbitration draft, huh...?" (Wendelin)

"Got it. I shall accept it." (Wendelin)

"Thank you very much." (Karla)

Once it's settled like that, we will immediately enter Margraviate Browig.

Since a guide is necessary, I continue to freely use public works magic while gathering newly employed personnel and reinforcement to help out with speeding up the extraction of the mithril deposits for the sake of earning money in Herthania Valley during the time waiting for that guide to come.

With the Herthania Valley liberation operation our funds decreased due to the rewards for the military forces, who participated in the diversionary tactics, and for the raiding members except me, but I planned for this to balance out right away with the sales of mithril ores.

Since there are also gold, silver, copper and iron deposits in addition, there will be even more earnings once we advance with the exploitation of those as well.

"A forcible liberation with the power of money and magic, eh? You became a splendid noble, too, Earl Baumeister-sama. So, who are the members heading towards the Browig territory?" (Klaus)

"We won't go with overly many." (Wendelin)

Me, Eru, Burkhart-san, doushi, Wilma and Karla, these 6...

* * *

"Guide, you say? I'm quite well-acquainted with the geography though." (Nikolas)

Since they are busy as the arbitration between us and the Browig household already ended, it was decided that Nikolas from Thomas' group, who were called back, would come along.

"So, will we also disguise ourselves?"

"We don't have a reason to do that. We will enter the Browig territory as adventurers."

The arbitration between the Browig household and the Earl Baumeister household came already to an end.

Even if I entered their territory as adventurer, it's not like there would be any problem with that. Rather, it will likely be a problem if I do it in a sneaky way.

"It's not like we are entering the Browig territory while publicizing everything. There's probably not many people who know my face either." (Wendelin)

"No, that's definitely not the case. By no means, do you plan to openly meet with the new successor candidate?"

"More or less I'm an Earl. I won't do stuff like manoeuvring behind the scenes." (Wendelin)

Something like meeting with a new successor candidate after disguising myself will only be doubted as shady dealing. Entering boldly, it will be fine if we openly meet with the new successor candidate, whom Karla mentioned, in our free time while also going on hunts.

"If you do something, it will be alright if I pluck your hair again." (Wendelin)

"I will attend to it normally, but..." (Klaus)

Leaving the matters of Herthania valley to Felix, Moritz and Elise's group, we arrived after one day travel with Hendrik's small magic airship at the central city of Margraviate Browig, Brotrich.

* * *

A port for magic airships exists in the outskirts of Brotrich with almost the same scale as the one in Breitburg.

Anchoring the ship there, we first headed to the Brotrich branch of the adventurer's guild with the eight of us including Hendrik.

"Together with the old man..." (Hendrik)

"It has nothing to do with blood relationship or such! If you are a merchant and possess a dream of at least surpassing Artur-dono, you will make use of this time's chance!" (Armstrong)

Hendrik had a slightly reluctant looking expression after seeing doushi being together with me.

I can understand his feelings. If there's a blood relative close-by while you are doing your job, it's a bit awkward emotion-wise, I guess. Doushi also said something quite stern as father.

"Can't be helped. I'm here for the sake of reporting to master. Doushi is here for the sake of reporting to His Majesty." (Burkhart)

Either being fed up with the dispute caused by the Browig household, they are probably insuring the manoeuvring I'm boldly carrying out. For me it's also convenient that both of them are tagging along.

"Earl Baumeister-sama!" (Receptionist)

When I report the gist of our activity in the last few days after arriving in the adventurer's guild, the young, female receptionist ends up going to call her superior in panic and surprise.

"How troublesome..." (Wendelin)

"Umm... What's your business with us today, Earl Baumeister-sama?"

"I won't be treated me as noble during the time I'm hunting as adventurer. Wasn't there such a directive?" (Wendelin)

This directive should have been handed down to the branches from the adventurer's guild's headquarters. There's also the matter with the previous underground ruins. It's a rule that was properly watched by the branches in Breitburg and near the Demon Forest.

"I-I'm sorry!" (Receptionist)

"I'm going to hunt." (Wendelin)

Since it's weird to suddenly start manoeuvring, we first depart towards a nearby monster domain after receiving a map.

"Is it fine for me to come along as well?" (Karla)

"If you don't complain in case something happens in the worst case." (Wendelin)

"That's only natural." (Karla)

Karla participated as well while holding her bow.

Since she received a card when she registered in the adventurer's guild at the time of becoming an adult, that was also a reason for not being able to decline her participation.

"With these members there won't be even an injured person unless there's some accident or we become too careless." (Wilma)

What Wilma has said is right. There were no complaints regarding Karla's participation at all.

"Karla-san, I will protect you." (Erwin)

Eru is very happy to be able to go hunting with Karla.

Also, if he says that he will protect her, it's not wrong since Eru is a vanguard and Karla a rear-guard.

"Dad, why even me!?" (Hendrik)

"You are a young man of the Armstrong household! It's laughable for you to become flustered at the level of entering a monster domain in the city's outskirts! What will you do as purveyor to the government if you won't accompany a feudal lord!?" (Armstrong)

Being forcibly made to register as adventurer by his father, doushi, Hendrik was forced to participate after being given an armour and a spear as weapon.

"Even though I'm a merchant..." (Hendrik)

"You are a young man of the Armstrong household! Training in martial arts is indispensable! Even as merchant, it's about you cutting corners in regards to that!" (Armstrong)

"I'm doing it every day!" (Hendrik)

Being pressured by doushi, Hendrik's eyes were almost teary.

"Err... Please don't expect anything from my physical strength. I will guide you though." (Nikolas)

Nikolas, who has the lowest fighting strength among us, gives us a warning.

"If you just guide us, the rest will make sure that you won't get attacked by monsters."(Wendelin)

"Understood." (Nikolas)

Travelling to the monster domain located in Brotrich's outskirts with Nikolas lead, Hendrik immediately had to fight against a bear monster with support from Wilma. Being given an assignment that is above intermediate level all of a sudden by his father, Hendrik might have the misfortune attribute.

"Dad, usually you start from smaller..." (Hendrik)

"This level of monster; in my case I can bring those down with one fist strike!" (Armstrong)

"Only you, dad, can do such thing~~~!" (Hendrik)

"Ah, I'm able to defeat them like that, too." (Luise)

"Luise-sama, I'm talking about those in a normal human category." (Hendrik)

"As expected of doushi's son." (Wendelin)

Due to Luise correcting him, Hendrik gives her an answer filled with poison albeit in a polite tone.

Even while I'm saying that, as expected of doushi's son. In the beginning it was close fights, but after continuing he got used to it right away and brought down several monsters with his spear.

"Amazing, Hendrik. Won't you join our party next time?" (Wendelin)

"Master, I'm a merchant though..." (Hendrik)

Without any dangers, the other members hunted one monster after the other.

"Everyone is great." (Nikolas)

Only Nikolas had a normal field trip in a safe location.

"Karla-sama!" (Erwin)

"Yes!" (Karla)

Among those, Eru and Karla hunted monsters with a nice efficiency.

After Eru inflicts a blow, Karla finishes them with an arrow. Likewise they are going with the reverse pattern. If seen from the side, they are a fairly nice combination.

"If it's Karla-sama, you will become a good adventurer. You are also skilled in matching with other people." (Erwin)

"No. That's because Eru-san is a great adventurer." (Karla)

There should be something else Eru is expecting. That is...

"Eru thinks that they can work well together since Karla-sama is well-matched with him." (Wilma)

Wilma utters to me in a whisper.

If it's the thinking of the current Eru, the possibility of him reaching that conclusion is probably high.

"The answer is that Karla-sama has talent though." (Wilma)

"Hahaha..." (Wendelin)

Due to Wilma's calm analysis I express nothing but a dry laughter.

I'd like him to do his best as close friend, but for me to support him officially will only work after the manoeuvring of Karla being treated as daughter of the Bänker household goes smoothly. I intended to give both of them my blessing if that happened and Karla was interested in it.

Currently it's impossible for me to support him as Earl Baumeister. Eru probably understands that as well.

That's why he is trying to do something about it by himself. And, the first step is both of them having a mutual love.

"If it's adventurers, there will be dangers but it's also easygoing..." (Burkhart)

Even Burkhart-san, who is hunting with magic while muttering such stuff in a whisper, might have piled up various stress thanks to the recent dispute. Firing spells in rapid succession, he continuously hunted monsters.

"It's fine at this point for today, huh...?" (Wendelin)

* * *

As it has become evening, we decide to finish for today since we were able to hunt a splendid amount of monsters.

We have to search for an inn, but Karla says that she has something in mind.

"The mansion of that new successor candidate or such?"

"Yes. That's right." (Karla)

"That's fine..."

The dispute is dragging on. It's a person where it's wrong if we don't got to meet them anyway.

First off, what is sad is that it's no good if we don't consider various things in regards to the lot from the Browig household. If the successor candidate, Karla mentioned, is really excellent, they would provide a nice meal to us with a smile, I thought.

"The retainers, who support Philip and Christoph, might come to assassinate us."

"The probability isn't zero."

"Since they will be this time a waste of mana, I won't paralyse them but burn them black, freeze them or chop them up." (Wendelin)

Area Stun was a spell making it possible to defeat them without casualties, but it consumes mana as it's difficult to regulate its power.
We used it unreasonably because it was a dispute, but if the opponent is an assassin, normal spells won't consume mana quickly.

"Before that, all of them will be beaten to death by doushi." (Burkhart)

"It will be legitimate self-defence!" (Armstrong)

Karla didn't particularly change her expression due to my, Burkhart-san's and doushi's threats.

"If Karla-sama was a man, it would be a simple story." (Wilma)

It's just as Wilma says. That's because the discussions will stop once Karla is made to succeed.

"It's this mansion." (Karla)

With Karla's lead, we move to the mansion of that person.

That mansion was build close to the huge mansion of the feudal lord which is located in the heart of Brotrich.

Its scale was small, but it has a nice image due to being maintained beautifully by the owner.

* * *

"Karla-sama!" (???)

"I'm the adventurer, Karla. I came here because I have business with the master of this mansion." (Karla)

The soldier, who guarded the gate, knew Karla's face.

After he returns into the mansion in a hurry, an elderly butler-like man comes to invite us.

"Karla-sama, Have you returned from the front?" (Butler)

"Various things happened. Is uncle-sama in?" (Karla)

"Yes. Master is currently bored. Especially since the feudal lord's mansion is in such a state." (Butler)

As Philip and Christoph are absent, the retainers supporting either party are standing off against each other with the corpse of Margrave Browig, who has been refrigerated for the sake of a funeral service with unknown schedule, in between.

"There are many people who don't enter the feudal lord's mansion anymore and a part of the government affairs has been delayed as well..." (Butler)

"That's terrible, Beckener." (Karla)

"It doesn't affect me much since I'm master's butler. Even for master there's nothing ((to do)) but to stay quiet currently. By the way, the people in the back are... Excuse me. I shall guide you." (Beckener)

It seems he realized our true identity.

The butler called Beckener guides us into the mansion.

When we are drinking the black tea which was offered in the parlour, a 40-years old man with a refined face and a young man around 20 years, who seems to be his son, appear.

Both of them resembled Philip and Christoph a bit.

"I'm Gerd Oskar von Browig. And, over there is my son..." (Gerd)

"I'm Lienheit. However, those are quite extravagant members." (Lienheit)

It looks like both of them know doushi's and my faces.

"Gerd-san is the younger brother of the deceased Margrave Browig?"

"Age-wise we are close to 30 years apart though. It's the same as with Earl Baumeister-sama. The previous Margrave had a young maid give birth to me in his last years." (Gerd)

He has been acknowledged more or less although he was quite apart in age. He is living by receiving wages and a reasonable status so that he won't threaten his nephews while they are growing up.

The rest will be succeeded by his son, Lienheit. He has no particular complaints, Gerd.san explained.

"The news flowed in, but the situation is messy."

"Yes."

"What are those two doing?"

"Simply put, they are prolonging the arbitration negotiations to negotiate a discount for the reconciliation money."

They are likely waiting for Margrave Breithilde to give in.

Until the time he will think that it's better to push forward the Savage Lands development by cancelling the war time quickly even if the reconciliation money is haggled down.

"They are somehow making light of the royal family thinking that they won't ever crush the Browig household."

At present you could say that, but if they overdo it too much, the possibility for the kingdom's side to snap won't be zero either. Therefore, it shouldn't be good for them to get too unreasonable.

"That why you want me to succeed, Karla?" (Gerd)

"There's no other way." (Karla)

"The other sons?" (Gerd)

"You know, uncle-sama. It's difficult for them, who gave up their succession rights and left towards lower households once, to become successors again..." (Karla)

Since they went down to branch and retainer households in order to not dispute over the inheritance rights, it will trigger a big opposition if they simply return.

"In that regard, you have your inheritance rights, uncle-sama." (Karla)

As a matter of fact he possesses an inheritance right coming right after those two.

Because of his usual conduct they aren't cautious of him at all and it's considered to be meaningless as he has almost no retainers supporting him.

"I'm an ordinary man who receives his living expense for just looking at the account books for a bit..." (Gerd)

"I don't think so at all." (Karla)

Karla seems to consider Gerd-san to be a capable person.

Certainly, he has such aura. Living by receiving a moderate amount of money in a moderate position is very likely his worldly wisdom.

From the point of view of the deceased Margrave Browig, something like an excellent younger brother, who is apart by years, is nothing more than a hindrance if he considers the future of his children.

Since there's also the danger of assassination at worst, you could say it was safe for him to not exhibit his abilities.

"The one who sheltered the seal official, Heimo, is you, uncle-sama, right?" (Karla)

"Why do you think so?" (Gerd)

I have a feeling like I heard such conversation once before, but by no means did I expect for it to appear from Karla's mouth in this place.

"It's my intuition. Nii-sama's frantically employed people to make them search for him, but his way of vanishing is far too skilled. Nii-sama's didn't catch hold of information stating that he has left Brotrich." (Karla)

The two extended the search range believing that there were flaws in the gathered information.
However, Karla believed that he was actually sheltered by Gerd-san who is living at a place close to the mansion.

"As expected, I can't relax my guard around you, my niece." (Gerd)

Certainly one must not be negligent around her.

Doushi, Burkhart-san and me are frowning.

Acting like she has talked about everything to Margrave Breithilde and me, Karla concealed the highly, most important information in reality.

"Certainly, I'm sheltering Heimo. At this rate he might get killed and the seal will be stolen." (Gerd)

Once Gerd-san makes an eye signal to his butler, Beckener, he brings in one man after leaving the room for a moment. He, who is almost at the same age as Margrave Browig, is probably the seal official, Heimo.

"You hid him after all, uncle-sama." (Karla)

"Sorry. The two approached me telling me that master nominated them as successor even though it was a lie. Even the seal, they told me if I don't hand it over, they will change the seal official..." (Heimo)

The matter of changing means him getting killed if it isn't a natural death. Since the seal official is a special position, they can never be replaced if it isn't by the feudal lord himself.

"Due to my troubles, Gerd-sama has lent me a hand..." (Heimo)

After that he always hid in this mansion.

"I believe that it was terrible, but is there a testament from the crucial Margrave Browig? If there is, various things will move ahead, but..." (Burkhart)

From the standpoint of Burkhart-san, who accompanied us after receiving the thoughts of Margrave Breithilde, it will be fine if the arbitration negotiations finish quickly no matter who succeeds.

"That is, master has..." (Heimo)

He just revealed 『Those two are lacking something important as feudal lord』 and apparently didn't say anything further.

"The feudal lord didn't decide it...?"

He likely took into account the possibility of being unable to deny that there might be a dispute between the supporters of both parties if he nominates either of them, but as result he didn't do anything besides being irresponsible.

"Well then, that means there's no problem if Gerd-san succeeds either."

"No one will follow even if I succeed?" (Gerd)

"Considering it the other way, the retainers might think it's fine for you to declare the matter of succeeding now if they can obtain good positions."

It would have been probably fine if they won in the dispute, but in reality those two lost and are naturally distrusted as successors by the kingdom, Margrave Breithilde and me.

For the retainer households, who presented their daughters as wives, it's too late, but there was the possibility of the other households switching over to Gerd's faction if they can secure their current treatment.

"Will it be alright with a group that switches over that easily?" (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san say looking worried whether it's fine to count on such lot.

"If you put it in reverse, that kind of group is tractable."

The kind of retainers, who possess odd believes and fanatic loyalty towards those two, are dangerous.

Given that it's wrong to not protect a household that is capable of being hereditary even for retainers, it can't be helped even if they abandoned those two who caused disgraces up to this point. What the current Gerd-san will do is to push their backs.

"How about holding a tea party tomorrow?"

First it's about gathering supporters. And, we will carry out the the ceremony in front of them at that place.

"Heimo-san will entrust the seal to Gerd-san." (Wendelin)

The seal official will entrust the seal to a person other than the feudal lord. That would be equal to declaring that person as next feudal lord.

"What do you think, Heimo?" (Gerd)

"My deceased master regarded the conflict between those two as dangerous. I wonder whether there will be blaming slander since he couldn't prepare any move, but since I'm the seal official appointed by master, I will follow the conclusion of master. Personally I don't want those two as successor since they even aimed for my life." (Heimo)

Heimo-san answered Gerd-san's question like this.

And he said that he will retire once he hands over the seal to Gerd-san. His son will inherit the rest of the household, but he seems to be a civil official in charge of a normal mainstay class of agriculture administration.

"I was appointed as seal official because I was a playmate of master since his childhood. Gerd-sama will make someone else, who has some kind of relation with him, his seal official. Such is life." (Heimo)

"I might not appoint a seal official." (Gerd)

Given that he lived being restrained by his elder brother and nephews, he apparently hasn't made many acquaintances. Even considering it age-wise, it seems troublesome to search for a seal official he can trust.

"I will have a talk with the rest too though. And it will be fine if I assign new human affairs centring around the retainers who declared their support." (Gerd)

The feudal army's top brass has fellows where it will be wrong if they don't receive the treatment of having their households shut down and taken alongside an execution of the family heads. They are the group who schemed that night attack.

It will be also wrong if the civil officials of finance affairs doesn't receive at least reductions in hereditary stipend and revocations of their official positions as group close to Christoph who provided the budget.

Even the people related by blood to the deceased Margrave Browig will be a danger if they remain in the territory. He probably has to ban them to a certain extent.

"Although there's few of those who have entrusted their life to one party despite supporting the two, it will be fine if I head hunt from a slightly distant place." (Gerd)

Especially the majority of the feudal army's top brass, who are passionately supporting Philip, are still prisoners together with their soldiers. They have few means to stop him even if they do something to us in this place.

"Let's send a written invitation to those of the feudal army's top brass, who have remained in the mansion, as it looks that they are not altogether hopeless."

If their luck is good, there's the possibility that they will be able to rise to the top although they have resigned themselves to a lower position as they didn't offer their daughters as Philip's wives.

Moreover, the bunch, who has dispatched their troops as support for Philip, has likewise caused a big disgrace. If it's such lot, it will be fine to have little hesitation in betraying them.

"Vel-sama. How heinous." (Wilma)

"People's factions are like that." (Wendelin)

Even in my previous life there was a department chief who made me say "V, V" in my time as new employee, but once he lost his standing for a stupid reason, I had no choice but to laugh at the manner of the betrayal of the lot who clung to him like suckerfishes. Since it's normal for life to have ups and downs, let's have those two leave seeing that they failed.

"It will be alright if you send written invitations, except to the fanatic supporters."

"That kind has mostly become prisoners though."

"In that case the talks will be quick."

We are allowed to stay in Gerd's mansion as is on that day.

* * *

In preparation for the next day, Beckener-san ran about to deliver the written invitations together with the other servants.

Once listening to their responses, it looks like everyone accepted the written invitation readily as they have apparently been already told through the adventurer's guild that we are restless.

"Will they send assassins or such, I wonder?"

"They surely won't do that."

I'm an adventurer and am here in someone else's name. It's not like I'm particularly sneaking around either.

Even the dispute itself has been ended by the Earl Baumeister household. It will become a problem if something happens to me here. That's true for the royal family as well, but I'm likely being watched by the adventurer's guild.

"The adventurer's guild distributed the news to the Browig household's side to prevent such imprudence."

However, according to Beckener's report, there are several strange groups investigating this mansion. It's probably inevitable for them to be worried what Gerd-san and me are talking about.

"In that case, it will be tomorrow."

* * *

And, on the fated next day, a strange tea party was held in Gerd's mansion.

Just before noon Beckener-san lines up tables and chairs in the mansion's garden and arranges tea and sweets there.

As the majority of the invited retainers were those supporting either Philip or Christoph, they talked with Gerd-san while smiling on the surface.

"Everyone, smiles." (Wilma)

"Since it has become such situation, they cannot help wanting to pull each other's feet. It suits you, Wilma, that attire." (Wendelin)

Because it was a tea party, Wilma wore clothes chosen by Karla. It seems to be something previously worn by Gerd-san's daughter-san who was married now.

"I want to be a bit taller. If that happens, I will be an adult woman." (Wilma)

Wilma, who sulks because her height is lacking, was really cute.

"I believe it's fine since you are cute though." (Wendelin)

We, who are chatting, drew the gazes and consciousness of the participants.

There's already no more benefit even if they lend a hand in the conflict of those two. Even while supporting either side on the surface, they are aiming for some timing to slip away.

"Oh, yes. They are guests invited from outside for today's tea party." (Gerd)

Gerd-san introduces me, doushi and Burkhart-san in order. They have already known about us, but they gave their greetings as if it was a completely unexpected encounter.

"Which reminds me, didn't you play a very active role in the recent dispute or such, Earl Baumeister-sama?" (???)

"More or less." (Wendelin)

It's a barefaced way of talking, but it's a kind of talk happening often as it's about deeds of arms in disputes since they are retainers of nobles.

I talk about the events which happened until now indifferently. The retainers, who heard that, sighed.

There were especially many people listening attentively to the information about the liberation of Herthania Valley, which still hasn't entered the news much, after saying, "I haven't heard about it!"

"It looks like they are disagreeing in the arbitration negotiations for this reason as well." (???)

The one disagreeing is the Browig household's side who is declining to pay the reconciliation money.

If they don't obediently pay seeing that they lost, it will be more disgraceful than having lost. It was the same in this world as well.

"It seems Margrave Breithilde is troubled as well." (???)

"Really...?" (???)

"Even the royal family is slowly reaching its limit of patience." (???)

While a heavy atmosphere spreads, finally the main star makes an appearance.

The seal official, Heimo, shows up. He began to criticize the two successors on the spot.

"It was just as master said. If either becomes the successor, it will be grounds for a dispute. In reality, the two are continuing to damage the Browig household by linking it to the succession struggle. If it's now, we can still somehow rebuild the Browig household, but..." (Heimo)

"Heimo-dono. The will of master is?" (???

"There isn't any." (Heimo)

Heimo clearly answer the retainer who timidly asked.

At the same time he glared at a part of the retainers. They likely forced a conferment of the seal on Heimo.

"Seeing that there's none, I believe it to be legitimate for having Gerd-sama, who has inheritance rights coming after the two whom master was anxious about, succeed." (Heimo)

"That's too forcible!" (???)

"You have to listen to the opinions of the two, who have left to the negotiations, and those who are accompanying them." (???)

"There are many people who have become prisoners in the dispute! They have an opinion too!" (???)

"If we do that, it will go around in circles once again." (???)

Many of the retainers, who found fault with Gerd-san's succession, were those who glared at each other in front of refrigerated corpse of Margrave Browig until yesterday. They are quite influential supporters in the Philip faction and Christoph faction, but their position is half-baked.

The chief retainers among the chief retainers, who have been entrusted with house-sitting without being allowed to depart to the front and unable to join the negotiation team, haven't been invited to this tea party.

Half of the uproar is also an appeal to their superiors and bosses in their own faction.

"Those who became prisoners won't be released if the arbitration negotiations don't finish. Now then, when will they return?" (Wendelin)

"..." (???)

Moreover the ones prolonging those negotiations are Philip and Christoph. The clamouring lot ends up sinking into silence due to my question.

"Besides, if it's Gerd-dono, he will probably receive the permission to inherit from the kingdom at once, too."

At least, different from the other two, he hasn't caused any disturbances.

Even as for the ability to rule, the kingdom isn't looking for someone with overly high skill in that as a matter of fact.

Since there are people governing with a system that includes groups of retainers in big territories, it was important to stand in a superior position even if one's an ordinary feudal lord.

"Earl Baumeister-sama. Still, there's no basis to assume that the kingdom will give its permission right away..." (???)

"If it's about a basis, then there is one. Isn't that right, doushi?" (Wendelin)

"In case of His Majesty, he told me to carry out the ceremony of succession to the peerage at once!" (Armstrong)

Doushi, who was excessively eating the sweets placed on top of the table, stopped stuffing his cheeks for a moment and answered clearly.
He got permission properly by contacting His Majesty with a magic hand-held communication device during last night.

"Even if we go right now, the ceremony of succession to the peerage will be held without any kind of problem." (Wendelin)

"No way..." (???)

"Well, then let's go together?" (Wendelin)

"No, leaving this place in the current situation..." (???)

"It will finish within an hour though. After all we will travel by magic." (Wendelin)

I tell the hesitating retainers that there's no argument if they head to the capital via teleportation. Gerd and nine people chosen from among the retainers travelled to the capital peremptorily as is.

The soldiers, who are guarding the royal castle's gate, know my face and once I inform them about the objective of our visit, they let us through.

"Earl Baumeister-sama, although we will be meeting with His Majesty, our attires..." (???)

"It doesn't matter. The current Browig territory is in a crisis. It's ordinary dresses suitable for a tea party, but it won't be taken as discourtesy." (Wendelin)

"..." (???)

It looks like the retainers realized why they were invited to the tea party.

"Earl Baumeister? You are working quite hard on behalf of the matters of other territories."

"It's for the sake of quickly returning to a peaceful daily life." (Wendelin)

"Philip would have been useless if I didn't take care of him..."

"Isn't that favouritism?"

"That idiot. Even though he would have been a general by now if he honestly served in the royal army after abdicating his inheritance rights...Certainly he won't be able to stay in the Browig territory. It will be for the sake of nipping a second rebellion in the buds."

"I see. I can agree with that."

I have a talk with Minister Edgar and Minister Rückner, whom we met on the way towards the audience hall, but the retainers watched it with a feeling of being there in body but not in spirit going by their state.

Following the unforeseen situations, their thinking capability likely got fried.

"The ceremony of succession to the peerage will finish right away."

* * *

Once we enter the audience hall while taking them along, His Majesty was already sitting on the throne there and waited for us.

"Earl Baumeister, you worked hard on this occasion." (Helmut)

"I have just joined the transportation industry temporarily." (Wendelin)

His Majesty showed a light smile due to my joke.

"I see. In that case, shall we begin, Gerd Oskar von Browig?" (Helmut)

"Ha!" (Gerd)

"I, the king of Helmut Kingdom, Helmut the 35th, grant you, Gerd Oskar von Browig, the third court rank, the rank of Margrave." (Helmut)

"My sword shall be wielded for the sake of Your Majesty, the kingdom and its people." (Gerd)

Once Gerd-san makes his oath, His Majesty orders a chamberlain to bring a mantle.

"I believe it's something handed down and given to the Browig household by the royal family for generations, but in the current matter there will likely be many troubles for a new Margrave Browig. There might be those who find fault with your succession. It will be fine if you wear this and contribute to the peace of the East." (Helmut)

"As you wish!" (Gerd)

While watching Gerd who had put on the mantle from the chamberlain, the retainers' faces became ghastly pale.

That's because they were the lot who raised the most objections and nitpicking towards Gerd-san's succession after declaring to be Philip supporters and Christoph supporters.

"With you accompanying him to the ceremony of succession to the peerage, you are retainers who are loyal to the new Margrave Browig, right?" (Helmut)

Their faces become even more white due to His Majesty's question.

That question was equal to a test of loyalty by His Majesty.

"Of course!" (???)

"All of us will serve our new Lord solidarity!" (???)

By no means are they able to say that Philip or Christoph are suitable at this point in time. In order to protect themselves, they had no other path left but to earnestly serve Gerd-san.

"That's good. The ceremony of succession to the peerage is, as you can see, something wearisome. Thus I shall give you, his fellow followers, a souvenir." (Helmut)

The nine retainers received a large silver coin as memento.

It's a large silver coin that used the amount of silver of 10 common silver coins. Its design is different, too. The amount of silver has a worth of around 100.000 Japanese Yen, but since only retainers who came along to a noble's ceremony of succession to the peerage can receive it, it has a premium-like value.

Since it's a chance to get hold of a number of coins depending on the amount of retainer households of historically old noble households, there's also a tendency to compete with those numbers If I remember correctly, Klaus, who accompanied father, should possess one as well.

Since I had zero retainers at the time of my ceremony of succession to the peerage, none of my retainers possess one.

Probably there are quarrels who will get to go at the time a child receives the ceremony of succession to the peerage.

"However, it's a heavy silver coin, isn't it..." (Wendelin)

Not only in regards to its weight but also in a much more different meaning. I couldn't see it as anything but a cursed silver coin as it will be wrong for them if they don't pledge allegiance to their new Lord by forsaking the two whom they supported until now.

Even the kingdom likely got quite angry in this time's case. You can even say it's a harsh reward for them.

"Well then shall we go back?" (Wendelin)

In the end the succession ceremony finished without taking even an hour.

Before returning, Minister Rückner, who was in the succession ceremony together with us, told me, "Them making an enemy out of Earl Baumeister is foolish. You are a generous noble.", but that's an overestimation, I think.

That's because I have done nothing but taking a disgusting revenge against the Browig household.

* * *

Once we return to Gerd's mansion via teleportation and explain the gist of what happened in the capital, the retainers, who were left behind, readily approved of Gerd-san's succession. Especially the group, who accompanied Gerd-san and was called to attention by His Majesty, all of them have a determined look.

"Lord, please enter the feudal lord's mansion and start the preparations for the funeral service of your predecessor."

They apparently resolved themselves to get rid of their superiors, who recommended the same candidate as them before and are remaining in the mansion, at worst.

They enter the mansion accompanied by Gerd-san and Lienheit, who is his son.

Immediately appointing their private armies as guards of those two, they entered the room where the corpse of the previous Margrave Browig is enshrined and declared the following to their former superiors who were surprised by the sudden events,

"The new Margrave Browig is Gerd-sama! After receiving the official succession ceremony from His Majesty in the capital, he was bestowed a new mantle as proof of that! He will formally take over the government affairs from here on!" (???)

"What foolishness!" (???)

"Who will believe such a lie!" (???)

"Did you go insane!?" (???)

Regardless of being in the Philip or Christoph faction, the retainers, who were next to the corpse, begin to criticize them all at once. Since their opponents were a lower ranked group, their tones were harsh all the more.

"Just when the hell did he receive the succession ceremony in the capital!? Cut it out with your daydreams!" (???)

"Thanks to Earl Baumeister-sama's magic that time was shortened! Naturally he has accompanied us to the succession ceremony as well. Do you have any complaints?" (???)

"?!"

Since they were higher ranking retainers, they knew my, doushi's and Burkhart-san's faces. Furthermore, Karla is next to me as well.

"Were we done in...?" (???)

"Calling it being done in is weird. Rejecting the two people who dropped the Browig territory into chaos with their succession struggle, we have accepted to be governed by Gerd-sama. Earl Baumeister-sama lent us a hand unable to just watch the chaos right next to him."

"Well, that's how it is. It will influence the development of the liberated Herthania Valley after its transfer." (Wendelin)

"..."

I deliver the final blow to the chief retainers who are dumbfounded as is.

"I think it's still recoverable for you if it's now though. If compared to the group, who has become prisoners after departing to the front, and the group, who is pointlessly delaying the negotiations, that is." (Wendelin)

A decrease in territory as well as vassals* and an increase in debts due to being made to pay reconciliation money.

With the inauguration of a new feudal lord, the reorganization and restructuring of the retainer group in the Margrave Browig household will begin hereafter.

If they declare their support to the new feudal lord ahead of time, they will survive at worst. And if they act cleverly, there's the possibility of being appointed a responsible post by Gerd-san who had few supporters until now.

"Since you guys were responsible for watching the state at home, I believe it will be a chance for you instead."

The group, who followed the two since they will be appointed a responsible post by them, will have their family heads forcibly retired, will be deprived of their positions or will suffer a reduction in their hereditary stipend.

If that's difficult, they have no other future ahead of them but either being exiled together with the two or having their households crushed and their family heads hung without a doubt like the lot who planned that night attack.

"We will obey to Gerd-sama..."

As they have apparently accepted their fate, they immediately welcome Gerd-san's family after beefing up the security of the feudal lord's mansion by gathering their private armies and at the same time they put colleagues, who are expected to disobey, and the families of Philip and Christoph under house arrest.

Sending a messenger to the church, they informed the church that they will conduct the funeral service of the predecessor tomorrow.

"That's fast." (Wendelin)

"There won't be any problem even if we hold a public funeral service, where we will invite mourners from outside, much later. Now it will be a private funeral service carried out with just the retainers and family. Since we have also published an edict, it's possible for the fief's population in the vicinity to participate as well."

Lienheit, who was appointed as funeral service chairman in a hurry, was slightly bewildered by suddenly advancing from his carefree position to being the next Margrave Browig.

"Good grief, now you've done it, Earl Baumeister-sama." (Lienheit)

"This as well is for the sake of my own peace." (Wendelin)

"My peace vanished completely though..." (Lienheit)

With the matter of Gerd-san serving as chief mourner of the predecessor's funeral service, it's equal to declaring to his surroundings who will succeed him afterwards.

Moreover, being the funeral service chairman was equivalent to an informal decision as next Margrave Browig for Lienheit whose seat is next to Gerd-san. The person himself hated it quite a bit, but one can also say it's inevitable since he ended up advancing from being the heir of an easygoing branch family to being the next Margrave.

* * *

"A poor treatment like this! That will be never forgiven!" (???)

"Why is my husband not allowed to participate in the funeral service!?" (???)

"In spite of being part of a rebellion, to do something like the deceased Lord's funeral service!" (???)

Of course there were people who kicked up a fuss.

It's the legal wife of the previous Margrave Browig and the wives of Philip and Christoph who are under house arrest. However, I was unable to feel pity for them. Each of them stirred up the dispute between the two successor candidates.

"For the Browig household to be disturbed by such greenhorn!"

Especially the elderly woman, who is the legal wife of the predecessor, among them was enraged. Dressing her body in expensive clothes and ornaments, she seems to be refined since even her family has a good pedigree, but once she gets angry, she looks like an excessive demon hag (onibaba)...

"Vel-sama. Demon hag." (Wilma)

"...Wilma, don't become like this." (Wendelin)

"I will make sure not to." (Wilma)

Our appearances in mourning dresses, which we borrowed for the sake of appearing at the funeral service, ignored the rage of the demon hag. Though it looks stout-hearted, she was the cause of the dispute getting unnecessarily worse as result of her excessively dotting on the second son Christoph as her precious son.

"The Browig household will end! It will be usurped by the household of a lowly upstart like the eighth son of a peasant knight!"

The surroundings freeze due to the statement of the demon hag. It's not so bad if it's said behind the scenes, but she spit out abusive language in front of me.

"Gerd-san, the honourable madam over there seems to be confused due to mental fatigue." (Wendelin)

"Yes... I will have her devote to recuperation after this..." (Gerd)

The demon hag and the two wives will be first sent to the mansion of Margrave Browig in the capital. After that they will spend their future in the church or under house arrest.

With the funeral service having begun in the church, they are forced to visit the coffin following after Gerd-san and Lienheit and then get forcefully pushed into a magic airship headed for the capital.

"While having my hands full with just my own territory, I won't do something like ruling the Browig Margraviate. Although internal dissension is nice and all, please make sure that it won't become a nuisance for other people." (Wendelin)

I bluntly tell demon hag and the other two, who are forcibly moved to the port, at the end.

While hanging their heads, demon hag and the other two were led out from the funeral service venue by retainers and soldiers.

The funeral service itself continued for the whole day and many of the fief's population offered flowers.

It was a private ceremony, but we have participated as well with Gerd-san as chief mourner. The fief's population surely understood who the new Margrave Browig is.

"It will probably be busy for a while. Those two haven't done anything except ruining themselves either..."

* * *

The funeral service finished safely, however there was a mountain of difficult problems. That's also because the number of retainers supporting Gerd-san is still low.

"Is it a salvation that there aren't any military forces to stage a revolt...?"

With many having become prisoners, there's no way for them to arbitrarily raise an army as the heads of the households are absent.

"Here's the list of the households whose family heads participated in the night attack." (Wendelin)

"17 households, eh? That unexpectedly many." (Gerd)

Apparently there were many who went to the front line desiring distinguished war services.

"Won't you be able to gain their support by approving the children and siblings, who have been left behind, as successors?"

They will be recognised as new family head in the name of the new Margrave Browig. It's the same for the other retainers who have become prisoners.

Their hereditary stipend will stay as is without them being blamed.
If they are told that, there won't be any opposition from their families and servants who were left behind. From their viewpoint it will be fine if the household is maintained, no matter who becomes its master.

"However, there are also people we can't shut our eyes to."

There's a place where Gerd, who became the new Margrave Browig after resolving himself, dispatched soldiers to right away.

The branch families and retainer households, where the siblings of Philip and Christoph have married into, Junior Commander Kodwin, who led that night attack, and the chief retainers of the feudal army who participated in it.

Because their family heads and their men departed to the front, their families end up being captured quickly by the soldiers who stormed in.

"I won't gloss it over. I will have everyone from my elder brother's direct descendant's lineage leave." (Gerd)

If they stay behind in the territory, it's very likely that they will scheme something good-for-nothing.

The chief retainers below Kodwin will be hung for their wrongdoing of causing a huge disgrace. Their families will have everything they own taken away from them and will be banished from Browig Margraviate. It's pitiable, but there's no way to cover for such a failure.

"This female fox!" (???)

"You are the same as your mother! Being deceived by the son of a peasant knight, you are a whore who dropped the Browig household into hell!" (???)

Karla simply stared with an indifferent expression at the events carried out by Gerd-san and me. She was the daughter of the previous Margrave Browig, but she doesn't consider herself to be so. For her it doesn't matter at all what will happen to other households.

Her elder half sisters were pathetically abandoned by the branch families. Since there will be impacts in ruling if they are shut down, they accept the conditions of a decrease in hereditary stipend, penalties and making a relative, who is not a child between the family head and her elder half sisters, succeed. Her elder half sisters are divorced and get sent to the same church as their mothers.

They hurled abusive remarks at Karla while in the middle of being dragged away, but she had an appearance of not particularly caring about it while being expressionless.

"Karla-sama is in a certain sense amazing..."

Burkhart-san was unusually attracted a bit by Karla's attitude.

"If you allow me to say it from my standpoint as her uncle, I feel you are right." (Gerd)

She is a thoughtful, gentle person, but calmly dividing people into being important to her and those who aren't, she cool-headedly discards the latter. If you think about it, even in this drama of the Margrave Browig household's family head change, you can say that she ignited the fuse.

"No, is it her revenge...?" (Wendelin)

It's probably her revenge against the Browig household which toyed with her and her mother. If you consider it like this, it might be fortunate for the predecessor to have died while not knowing of that conclusion.

"The story of telling me to take her as wife or such is unacceptable." (Wendelin)

"No, as expected, I won't tell you that... Even if we repair our relationship, that's a talk for the next generation and the ones after that, right?" (Gerd)

Given that the new Margrave Browig doesn't want to prolong the discord with the South, he will first gradually open up the territory with trade and agreeing on migrant workers going to the Savage Lands development.

Something like marriage should be a matter for the generation of Lienheit, who is his heir, or his children. There's no way to dispute forever. If they are cornered too much, there will also be the risk of a sudden discharge ((of hate)) once again. There were really various difficulties in interacting with one's neighbouring nobles.

"Earl Baumeister-sama, I was also able to escape the curse of the Browig household. Thank you very much." (Karla)

Gerd-san immediately removed Karla from the family register of the Margrave Browig household with his authority as family head. That means she she became publicly free and will be treated as daughter of the Bänker household which is the home of her mother.

Even the Bänker household shouldn't use a daughter, who was removed from the Browig household's family register, as tool for a political marriage of convenience. Before that, if told that there's no merit in being married into that household itself, then it will be the end of it.

"I'm glad." (Wendelin)

Karla's gesture of thanking me was really beautiful.

If it was an ordinary man, they would have likely fallen in love, but I have drawn away from her quite a bit due to her manner. If I made a child after marrying her, I had a feeling that the future Earl Baumeister household would become a second Browig household.

"Karla-san is making me believe that on purpose..." (Wendelin)

Moreover she makes sure that I don't fall in love with her by deliberately showing such behaviour. For herself it's also disagreeable to marry into the Earl Baumeister household.

"No, no. I lost my interest in you..." (Wendelin)

It's a feeling like, "Farewell, person who resembles my former girlfriend."

Like this, people become adults after throwing away their past.

"Vel-sama?" (Wilma)

"Wilma, you are cute..." (Wendelin)

"It's a bit embarrassing, but it's nice..." (Wilma)

When I stroke the head of Wilma who was close to me, she blushed while looking happy.

But, that man shouldn't draw back at this level.

"Vel, you are my best friend, right? Please remove all the obstacles hindering Karla-san marrying me." (Erwin)

Eru delightfully said to me in a whisper while bowing.

"Karla-san became the daughter of the Bänker household, but as for her definitely becoming your wife, Eru..." (Wendelin)

I think there was no problem in regards to the family status, but the problem is how Karla herself feels about it.

Even if I order the family head of the Bänker household to do it, there's no guarantee that she, who can live by herself if she feels like it, will accept it.

Besides...

"If it's Eru, there's no hope. The probability is cut at 10%." (Wilma)

... Since the sharpness of Wilma's perception was the real deal, it wasn't a prediction that was that far off.

"It will be alright. After Vel prepares an occasion, the rest will be for me to show my manliness!" (Erwin)

"Karla-samaa~~~." (Erwin)

Leaving with such words, Eru began to talk with Karla at once.

"What do you think, Wilma?" (Wendelin)

"As Eru said that he will do it himself, it will be fine to leave it to him." (Wilma)

If it's my current authority, it's possible to forcibly request it from the Bänker household as well.

However, I don't want to pressure Karla. I'd like Eru, who is my best friend, to realise his love with his own power.

"Besides, Eru has his pride as well." (Wilma)

If Karla was forcibly married to him due to my order, that will hurt Eru's pride as man. What Wilma pointed out was as usual perceptive.

"Eru, please do your best." (Wendelin)

I look at Eru who is eagerly talking with Karla.

Although the Browig household problem was mostly resolved, my troubles weren't completely settled yet.

* * *

"Well then, I will go to those two to give them the final rites!" (Armstrong)

"Doushi, you are too straight forward." (Burkhart)

"All things considered, I thought that those two will come back in a hurry..." (Wendelin)

I'm talking with doushi and Burkhart-san inside Hendrik's magic airship.

The seizure of the territory by Gerd-san, who is the new Margrave Browig, was mostly finished.

Within merely one week even the shadows of a dispute between the Philip faction and Christoph faction vanished and they have pledged their allegiance to the new family head on the surface.

Unable to deal with a sudden coup d'etat, there might be those who abide as it's currently inevitable, but as time passes, the opportunity for something like a rebellion passes as well and it will become impossible.

Due to the legality after having succeeded the peerage from the royal family, we, who got a complete victory against the Browig household in the dispute, helped him out. If he improves the relations gradually with the current family heads, the retainers won't have any choice but to acknowledge Gerd-san becoming their feudal lord.

Besides, the change of rank and ruin of the chief retainers, who aren't here at the moment, has been decided. There were also many people who worked eagerly as they wanted to be promoted by Gerd-san, who hasn't many trusted retainers, by contributing at once.

"The information wasn't relayed?" (Wendelin)

"As expected, that must be it, I believe." (Gerd)

Next to doushi's group, Gerd-san and me talked.

Although we arrested the relatives and retainers who remained over here with the unexpected coup d'etat, it's not all of them. The possibility was high that people, who escaped in time, have informed the two who left for the arbitration negotiations.

"They were unable to slip away, I guess."

Since they have voided the arbitration draft with their night attack at the first time, there's likely no way for them to selfishly return to Brotrich a second time. Burkhart-san predicted that.

"They might take it lightly as the majority of the retainers will support them, once they return." (Armstrong)

"They might be thinking that something like the Gerd administration, which has a weak foundation, can be easily overthrown", doushi explained.

"Is that really so, doushi?"

"They might want to believe it to be so." (Armstrong)

Even so, the majority of their loyal retainers has accepted the third as new family head. Since that's connected to their households if they acknowledge it, it means that they won't take any reckless measures like forcefully opposing him.

"Most of the lot left behind wouldn't have much of a change in their positions no matter which of them succeeded to begin with." (Armstrong)

Those, who had the possibility to be appointed to a higher position if Philip or Christoph became new family head, were mostly among those who departed to the front. From the standpoint of those left behind, it was also a chance to take down those above them.

Since the limits of retainers are set, this rare dropping out of senior retainers means a chance for them who are lower– and middle-ranked retainers.

"It's a set ruin for everyone and even the group who is related by blood to the family head predecessor! Well, after causing such a disturbance, they are probably fortunate to not have their entire family massacred." (Armstrong)

"If it was before the ceasefire with the Holy Empire, their blood would have definitely been purged", doushi explained.

"Vel-sama, we will arrive soon." (Wilma)

"There's no change from a half month ago, huh..." (Wendelin)

Receiving the report from Wilma, I look at the scenery below the magic airship.

Stuff like the tent, where they are carrying out the arbitration negotiations, and the encampments of both armies had absolutely no change from the time before we headed to Herthania Valley.

"Is that so? If pushed I'd say..."

"Eru~~~~. We arrived."

"Eh? Already?" (Erwin)

Once we descend from the magic airship after pulling Eru, who is having a chat with Karla while looking happy, we are immediately greeted by Margrave Breithilde.

* * *

"At last it's the arrival of a state that looks like the negotiations will be concluded, huh?" (Breithilde)

"I'm the new Margrave Browig, Gerd Oskar von Browig. I'm sorry for having put you through various troubles." (Gerd)

Seeing Gerd-san who wore the mantle provided by the kingdom, Margrave Breithilde showed an expression of relief from the bottom of his heart.

"So, how is the situation?" (Gerd)

"Day after day they are greedily nagging to cut the debt." (Breithilde)

He seemed to be fed up by both of them having irresponsibly started to take a path of cooperation in this matter.

"Really...?" (Gerd)

"Shall we start the negotiations at once?" (Breithilde)

Once we entered the tent, where the negotiations are held, Philip and Christoph immediately begun to kick up a fuss.

They probably didn't believe that the ringleader, who caused the coup d'etat, would come here at all.

"Uncle-sama!" (Philip)

"It's inexcusable to cause a revolt in our absence! Get ready to be hung!" (Cristoph)

They had a force as if they wanted to grab him at any time, but that was prevented by the retainers whom Gerd-san brought along.

"Philip, Christoph, my succession to the peerage was already accepted by the royal family." (Gerd)

"There's no way for such thing to happen!" (Philip)

"The calculation doesn't match! Isn't that mantle a counterfeit?" (Cristoph)

"Christoph, did you call the mantle bestowed by His Majesty a counterfeit?" (Gerd)

"The time doesn't match, does it!?" (Christoph)

As Christoph said, if one headed to the capital with a magic airship normally, he shouldn't have enough time after waiting for His Majesty to be available and performing the succession ceremony.

"Why? I headed to the capital after requesting an adventurer who can use [Teleportation] though." (Gerd)

"You don't say..." (Cristoph)

"Hello, I'm an Earl and an adventurer who can use magic." (Wendelin)

"Earl Baumeister..." (Cristoph)

I transported the new Margrave Browig to the capital after accepting a request so that he can quickly succeed the peerage. That's the shape it took officially.

"I was also present at the succession ceremony of the new Margrave Browig." (Wendelin)

I take out my magic hand-held communication device from my magic bag and show it to him.

"Do you want to try asking His Majesty directly if you still doubt it?, 'Is it the truth that my uncle has succeeded the peerage of Margrave Browig?', It's fine if you ask that, but please be resolved to be at worst sacked." (Wendelin)

"..."

Once Christoph hears my words, he ends up hanging his head on the spot.

If he asked such a thing, it would become a matter of him denying His Majesty's authority.
If it's someone at the level of being merely the eldest son of a Margrave, their head will likely be loped off easily.

"You bastard! Aren't you ashamed as noble!?" (Philip)

The remaining Philip shouts at me, but I calmly rebutted that as well.

"You are lucky that I haven't taken revenge for you meddling with the people of my family before. Because I think that you really are? Seeing that I ended up becoming a noble against my will, I probably have no other choice but to move as noble." (Wendelin)

"You have killed close to 100 of our men!"

"Your side started it by breaking a law, right? Are you considering how much trouble it took me to not kill as much as possible?" (Wendelin)

"..."

"It's just as Earl Baumeister has said. If he felt like it, he could have annihilated your side with very flashy, advanced, wide-area magic. ((Breithilde)

Philip shows an uneasy expression due to Margrave Breithilde pointing that out.

The retainers, who followed him, slowly began to take a distance.

One way or another they probably have the idea of wanting to be spared by the new Margrave Browig.
On Christoph's side the retainers began to get away as well.

"Herthania Valley was our family's property!" (Philip)

"Even so, it would be a bad debt, if Earl Baumeister didn't liberate it by using a large amount of money and labour, right? I heard the reports, but it was a large army for the sake of restraining and five excellent magicians. I believe that it's nobility who arranges such things skilfully and carries out such operations. Are you, Philip, who should be excelling as military personnel, picking such a weird fight?" (Breithilde)

"..." (Philip)

Philip ends up holding his tongue once again due to Margrave Breithilde pointing that out.

"It's probably already enough. Those two people don't even have the right to participate in the negotiations." (Knappstein)

"That's right, isn't it? Their punishment is under the jurisdiction of you, Margrave Browig-dono." (Breithilde)

Because of the final verdict by Viscount Knappstein who was quiet until now, both of them are restrained by the soldiers brought along by Gerd-san.

"Also, restrain Godwin and the feudal army's top brass below him after their release."

After that the negotiations were finally carried out decently.

He might have been already worn-out.

Margrave Breithilde lowered the reconciliation money a bit for the new Margrave Browig. Granting it as achievement to him who became the new family head, he wanted him to stabilize the East quickly. Then the reduced part would be quickly returned by stuff like trade picking up pace.

"Anyway, I'm exhausted..." (Wendelin)

"If you can receive a certain amount of money by nodding off while checking the documents. That would be a dream-like situation..." (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde, who incurred a heavy loss due to the dispute, and Gerd-san who succeeded a peerage he didn't want to succeed due to his stupid nephews destroying themselves.

Certainly, no one has gained here.

"Earl Baumeister, didn't you obtain a promising asset called Herthania Valley?" (Breithilde)

"Accordingly it has its troubles." (Wendelin)

"Since I know that, please give me a bit of the share." (Breithilde)

Mining engineers, labourers and technicians who will carry out the refining. >Because there's not enough of all sorts of people, it was necessary to have them introduced to me.

"There are plenty of people, who have no destination after their mine was closed down. The Herthania Valley will probably be alright for several hundred years."

Once it became a measurement against unemployment, Margrave Breithilde was delighted.

"Well then, have the prisoners been returned?"

The negotiations have concluded and the prisoners will be released and reorganized into the new Browig army.

At the beginning it was a feudal army that served as Philip's stronghold and had Karla as figurehead, but once all of the top brass was arrested, the retainers, who were left, were recognised by the new Margrave Browig. If it's to maintain the status quo, of course even those, who had their hereditary stipend reduced by a lot in relation to the dispute, lost their willpower to resist after seeing the gallows for hanging built up in the Eschago Grasslands.

Before that, they are likely already worn-out from their livelihood as prisoners and the dispute.

They are watching the gallows expressionlessly.

"Philip-sama! Wasn't I allowed to marry my daughter to you!?" (???)

The Junior Commander Godwin and eight people below him were hung while screaming.

What became a show for both armies was for the sake to receive absolution by Margrave Breithilde camp, even if only a bit.

"Their numbers are somewhat low, but the rest of the top brass lot will suffer a pay cut by being deprived of their official position as well. Well, it's also not something overly pleasant to look at. Shall we go home?" (Wendelin)

After confirming that the war criminals are swaying while trembling after being hung, we are finally able to return to our territory.

Once I look below after taking off with Hendrik's magic airship, the corpses of Godwin and his goonies are still swaying on the gallows.

Averting my sight, I put great effort into forgetting it right away.

Chapter 74: Grand Marriage Interview Meeting

"Still not? Karla-san. Won't you get here soon?" (Erwin)

Finishing that troublesome dispute, I have finally returned to my normal life.

Making Roderich advance the preparations for the postponed Grand Marriage Interview Meeting, the crucial day would draw near after three days.

Eru waited himself for the arrival of a ship at the magic airship port in the outskirts of Baulburg while floating a slovenly smile.

The youngest daughter, Karla, who was toyed with by the Browig household, sent a message that she would visit Baulburg to offer her thanks.

The current her has been removed from the family register of the Browig household by the new Margrave Browig and has now become free. Once she received it as reward for nursing the previous Margrave Browig and acting as figurehead supreme commander from Gerd-san, she returned to the capital to meet her mother.

And today she will formally come to Baulburg.

"She definitely came to become my wife. Yea. If it's such a dependable person, it's safe to even entrust the household to her." (Erwin)

From my point of view it's slightly scary, but it looks like Eru thinks that Karla can become a wise wife. There's probably no doubt that she can become one, but somehow I feel frightened of that.

I end up sensing something of an unknown dreadfulness that cannot be compared with someone like Elise.

"Just once I want to look inside the head of that man." (Katharina)

Even among our female camp Katharina and Wilma are likewise thinking that he has no hope and consider Eru a gullible fellow who believes Karla will become his wife with 100% certainty.

"Elise, was there any rumour that Karla was together with someone?" (Wendelin)

"No. I never heard about anything like that. But..." (Elise)

"But?" (Wendelin)

"With the type of person Karla-san is, it wouldn't be strange for her to have such relationship in secrecy..." (Elise)

"Certainly, yea..." (Wendelin)

That doesn't mean that Karla is sluttish towards men or such.

She hates her father and appears rather like an earnest type for men.

For example, even though she was previously a difficult partner due to her position as daughter of the Browig household, she has been able to realize her love by overcoming those difficulties while hiding them.

That's how she appears to others. As a matter of fact, the worry, that Gerd-san and me were skilfully used by her, isn't vanishing from our minds no matter what.

However, that was to the bitter end nothing but our conjecture.

"For me that's an impossible stunt."

"Same here."

For me, whose love score is low, it's only natural to not understand something like they typical conduct of a riajuu.

Elise is popular with men just like that even while staying silent though.

"Given that I was introduced to Wendelin-sama by Grandfather-sama, such things are unnecessary. I'm happy with Wendelin-sama as my husband-sama." (Elise)

Elise, whose face is dyed red while saying that, was lovely.

"Elise, occasionally you grab hold of Vel's heart. Teach me the trick for that." (Luise)

"Trick, you say? I'm envious of you, Luise-san, but..." (Elise)

She's likely considering it as enviable for Luise being carried on my back after her often making use of her light and small body.

"That's not allowed. If you ride on his back, Elise, my superiority will end up vanishing." (Luise)

"Will end up vanishing?" (Elise)

"There will be a double impact on Vel's back..." (Luise)

Something like those breasts hitting one's back was definitely a man's romance.

"Breasts, it is? Wendelin-sama, are you happy with such things?" (Elise)

"Everyone should be happy if they are men." (Wendelin)

Luise is also wonderful since she has a warm and pleasant scent, but it should become much more wonderful if I carried Elise on my back.

"If you say so, Wendelin-sama." (Elise)

"You guys... The ship arrived." (Ina)

"Wa~~~n. Ina, how mean." (Luise)

"Why has it turned out like this...?" (Ina)

Stopping Elise from being carried on my back, the reason for that, Ina, received complaints from Luise while the magic airship safely landed.

New government officials, adventurers who will investigate the Demon Forest, applicants for working away from home or immigrating; a lot of people are visiting Baulburg by using the magic airships which increased their number of flights.

According to the schedule Karla, who became free, will come with today's flight to extend her thanks after having received our favour. Eru is looking forward to that.

"By the way, Vel, do you think Karla-san will become that with Eru?" (Ina)

"Though I hope so..." (Wendelin)

I answered affirmatively towards Ina's question.

The current Karla has been removed from the family register of the Browig household by Gerd-san who is the present family head.

Since the authority of family heads is powerful among this world's nobles, it actually creates such phenomenon occasionally.

Talking of the old Japan, it might be close to the act of disinheriting a child. However, in this case it has taken the shape of her being removed from the family register upon Karla's wish.

In order to have the wish of Karla, who offered information towards the settlement of that dispute, accepted, we also put in a good word for her with Gerd-san.

'I made a move because I was quite indebted, but my niece-san, that's right...' (Gerd)

From her point of view there isn't even any good memory or debt of gratitude towards the Browig household.

Gerd-san accepted the removal of Karla's name without resistance.

'As a matter of fact, there are many people who will have their name removed from the register.' (Gerd)

Philip and Christoph themselves and their families, all of them have been imprisoned in another mansion of the Browig household located in the capital.

Since they will cause confusion in the Margrave Browig household again if they come up with unnecessary things, it was decided that Philip, who is the eldest son, will succeed a Knight peerage, to which the Browig household possesses a right just like me, and manage the household as appointed Knight household.

It seems he was told by Gerd-san that it's even fine if he uses the family name of the Browig household, but his descendants wouldn't ever be concerned with the succession of the Margrave household and that would be recorded in the official archives of the kingdom. The scandal concerning the recent dispute has become a rumour in the capital.

Apparently they are already using a different family name.

The predecessor's legal wife, his concubine and his daughters, who were divorced from their families, will be sent to the church. The family, which was left behind, heavily weigh on Philip's and Christoph's shoulders.

Having become poor knight households, even paling my former home, Philip apparently began to work in the army with Minister Edgar as intermediary and Christoph started to do minor jobs such as accounting to earn their living expenses.

They might be fortunate to not having been executed after having caused such troubles, but if you turn it around, it feels like they are living in disgrace.

Honestly speaking, my thoughts about that are slightly complicated.

"It's a story where those feelings can go both ways." (Wendelin)

If it's my current position, it's also possible for me to order Karla. If I make her mother a member of my household as well, she likely won't complain about it.

"She's Eru's beloved person, thus there's also the hand of me designating her as his wife forcibly, but..." (Wendelin)

I tried asking indirectly before, but Eru rejected that.

'I know that you are paying attention to other's needs, Vel, but if it's that, I can't agree with it. I choose Karla-san and she chooses me. That's the shape I want it to take.' (Erwin)

One might say that he has confidence, however if we talk about romantic feelings, that's the norm in my previous life.

I believe it to be unusual, but as a matter of fact it happens very often in the worlds of literary works.

Since there are many people who marry according to the circumstances of fellow households in reality, he is likely yearning for something like that after all. I witnessed even our female camp reading such books occasionally.

"Ina, you like such books as well, don't you?" (Wendelin)

Given that she's the one who likes reading books the most among the female party, a large bookshelf was placed in her room.

"What I like to read are stories. But, I didn't expect Eru to yearn for such a thing..." (Ina)

Ina appears to be slightly surprised by her friend's unpredictability.

"Although it wasn't that long, I wonder if he has confidence as he lived together with her for many days?" (Luise)

"It might be so." (Ina)

While I'm talking with the two, people are disembarking the magic airship, which landed in the port, one after the other. To immigrate, to serve in the government and to do trade; they are likely thinking about living in this new place.

While talking happily, they disperse towards their respective destinations.

"It's been a while, everyone." (Karla)

Karla, who disembarked as last, appears in front of Eru and us.

Different from the time when she was a daughter of the Browig household, her today's attire was something plain worn by lower-ranking noble women, but even so her beauty was conspicuous.

"How did you fare since then?" (Wendelin)

"Since my mother's side's home hasn't said anything, I feel liberated." (Karla)

Given that she was a girl who was removed from the family register of the Browig household, which is an upper noble household, on the surface, she has apparently been left alone as she can't be used for a political marriage by her home either.

"That's great. So, what do you plan to do from now on?" (Wendelin)

"I will marry." (Karla)

"Marry...?" (Wendelin)

"Of course it won't be Earl Baumeister-sama." (Karla)

"That's right, isn't it..." (Wendelin)

I don't possess even a speck of romantic feelings towards her anymore.

Being merely reminded of my memories by her resembling my girlfriend of my previous life, I have respected her skill in archery at the beginning, but I drew back from her a bit due to her manner of scheming in the series of events in supporting the new family head of the Browig household.

"Marriage? Who is it?" (Wendelin)

According to Elise, she didn't hear any such rumours. Having said that, I feel doubt about asking whether the other party is Eru.

However, the concerned Eru showed a wide smile while listening to her talk.

"Is he confident that it's him?" (Wendelin)

If I consider it for a bit here, I feel like I heard from Eru that he had enjoyable conversations with Karla everyday as long as he had some free time. Probably it was a feeling similar to both of them going out in Eru's opinion.

However, among his descriptions was nothing like confessing or promising to marry in the future.

That's also what makes me show doubt. I felt like it will be bad if I ask and get involved too much.

"However, she has even come here, hasn't she..." (Wendelin)

She has come here after paying an expensive fare for her who is basically the daughter of a poor noble, though she has received that as her reward for nursing the previous Margrave Browig and for acting as figurehead supreme commander.

Maybe there might be a chance that she intends to marry Eru.

That might be seen as scene where two people are united in marriage completely like in stories.

"Congratulations." (Erwin)

Eru declares while smiling.

"That Eru, he believes that he has been chosen..." (Wendelin)

If it's according to a story, after the flow of 'Congratulations' and 'So, what kind of person is he?', Karla will list Eru's features, we will be made to notice that it's Eru in the end and the two of them will be unified in marriage. That would be the pattern.

On earth it was a story pattern that was worn out, but in this world those were prided literary work with firmly-rooted popularity.

"That person is one year younger than me..." (Karla)

The features of her marriage partner, Karla mentions, are very much resembling Eru. Hair style, hair colour, height, age and what started their romance was her teaching him archery.

Eru had a full smile plastered all over his face believing that it was definitely about him.

"I'd like you to introduce that person to us."

"Got it. Dear." (Karla)

"Eh?"

Turning around, Karla called a young boy from among the people leaving the port.

That young boy is likely almost at the same age as us. Moreover he is resembling Eru quite well from his hair style to his atmosphere.

"He's the one I plan to marry now." (Karla)

"I'm Kamil Robert von Pflug." (Kamil)

I had a bad premonition, but there was another man after all.

Karla introduces her fiancé while floating a bright smile.

And, on the other side Eru had his smile frozen. Likely his brain can't process what has happened.

"He is the third son of the Knight Pflug household." (Karla)

As fellow children of poor appointed noble households, they were friends from their childhood. However, once they reached a certain age, there were rumours about those two.

Since the Browig household was especially fussy, both of them hid their relationship by acting like they are pupil and master in teaching archery.

"Given that I'm one year older, I taught archery to him. However, nowadays he is skilful at it." (Karla)

What to say, while I awkwardly lost in the first round, it seems like he splendidly won the championship in the archery section of the Martial Arts Tournament.

"Vel, you are someone that isn't interested in stuff like the result of the Martial Arts Tournament." (Luise)

"Is that bad...? If I entered the archery section, I would have at least broken through the third round..." (Wendelin)

"You are a bit small-minded, Vel." (Luise)

"Isn't it fine since you have reached quite the high standings, Luise...?" (Wendelin)

I lost in the first round anyway, but I believe in my mind, even as sore loser, that something like the results of the Martial Arts Tournament and my character as noble are not related.

"Recognizing his accomplishment, he now entered government service as one of the archery instructors of the Margrave Holmer household." (Karla)

'One's artistic skill saves oneself'.

Even as third son of a poor noble it will become a saving hand if his ability in archery is that good.

If he serves at the Margrave Holmer household, which are men of the West, without attaching himself to military service at the central government, it's probably because he is treated as retainer who has inheritance rights.

"Is that so? Congratulations for that." (Wendelin)

Eru, who watched from the side, was already in the process of collapsing internally while clinging to his smile, but there's no way for me to imitate him in that.

In accordance with common sense, I offered my congratulations.

"If he is that skilled, I wonder if it would be fine for him to become our scout?" (Wendelin)

This is also a kind of lip service.

If the two are here, it might be dangerous for Eru's heart. No matter how much she severed her connections, it won't change the fact that Karla is a family member of the Browig household.

Understanding that as well, she is probably migrating to the West by marriage. The merit of that judgement is very helpful from my point of view as noble.

"Karla is very grateful to you." (Kamil)

The young boy called Kamil, who resembled Eru, extended his thanks to us in a very polite manner.

Being a very agreeable youth, I wasn't able to complain about him at all. Though Eru's smile remained frozen.

"Erwin-san, it looks like you took very good care of Karla." (Kamil)

"No, to go that far..." (Erwin)

There should be still a relief in this if he was a ruffian who has no common sense.

However, the young boy called Kamil courteously thanks us while being grateful from the bottom of his heart. Moreover, he is similar to Eru.

The mental state of Eru at this point in time can probably be guessed precisely even by us. Even that Katharina looked at Eru with pity.

"Because Erwin-san was kind, I was able to spend my time in the encampment with a peace of mind, too. Since Erwin-san resembles Kamil, I was able to talk with him calmly." (Karla)

"That's great..." (Erwin)

That comment were the final words that squeezed out the current Eru.

"Umm. You two, what are your plans from now on?" (Elise)

Did she think that Eru was unlucky in his current state after all?

Forcing her way through, Elise asked the two about their plans.

"We will go to the Demon Forest while making it also our honeymoon." (Kamil)

"That's a slightly dangerous honeymoon." (Katharina)

"We like such a thing. As married couple. It's the same for 'Storm'-san as well, right?" (Kamil)

"With your connection to the Margrave Holmer household you know about me, huh." (Katharina)

"There are no people in the West who don't know about 'Storm'-san." (Kamil)

As there's still time until they will go to the Margrave Holmer household, they will enter the Demon Forest while also training their archery.

Having people who became adventurers among the young nobles, who are their acquaintances, they talked about their plan of joining up with them and go hunting and gathering in the Demon Forest.

"If I bring a small amount of presents for the master, whom I serve now, I will probably be able to make a good impression as well." (Kamil)

Given that he's a greenhorn archery instructor, he apparently wants to avoid friction with his surroundings by showing his skill a bit.

That might be the idea of the person himself, but it also might be Karla's view.

Katharina seems to also fully sense Karla's shadow behind Kamil's opinion.

"Is that so? But, please be careful." (Katharina)

Even as adventurer Karla was excellent.

Since even her husband was that skilled, there should be probably little danger for them.

"It would be great if we went hunting together with everyone, but..." (Karla)

We are busy with the preparations for the Grand Marriage Interview Meeting that will start from now on. The relationship of those two is up to them.

This time it's probably about it not being fated to be.

"If you head to the Demon Forest, will you take a ship from here right away?"

The small magic airship for the travel Baulburg ~ Demon Forest will take off without waiting for that much longer anymore. It looks like those two are planning to head to the Demon Forest by boarding that ship.

"It's time soon. Really, thank you very much." (Karla)

"We won't forget this debt of gratitude." (Kamil)

While giving those final words, they take their leave from our place.

Both of them walk to the small magic airship anchored in the port.

As their appearance was without a doubt that of a matching couple, I thought in my mind those are probably the living creatures called riajuu.

"After all, it's as expected..." (Wendelin)

"Yes." (Elise)

Only these words were spoken by Elise and me.

Well then, if asked about a plan to get Eru and Karla together as his best friend, absolutely nothing comes to mind.

The plan itself of her being ordered to marry him has been denied by Eru. He considered it important for it to be a marriage of mutual love.

In that case, I, who isn't particularly experienced in this field either, couldn't prepare any move.

He has completely given up all hope.

"As expected, he became pitiful..." (Katharina)

Even Katharina, who criticized Eru harshly until now, started to feel sympathy for him who had his smile frozen in front of her.

"Eru, cheer up." (Luise)

"In this world there are plenty of women." (Wilma)

Luise and Wilma continue to console Eru, but I think that Wilma's way of consoling him is, how to call it, a bit imprudent.

"Eru looks like he is suffering from having his soul taken out... Klaus, isn't there anything you can do from your abundant experience in life?" (Wendelin)

I try asking Klaus, who slipped into the role of being my private bag full of wisdom and who has received quite the bonus for his activities in the dispute after being the mastermind of a rebellion, about a method to console Eru,

"Since you inspired Eru with something strange before, take responsibility for it." (Wendelin)

"Though I have told you to not misunderstand, I simply mentioned to him that he should work earnestly to lower Karla-sama's position." (Klaus)

I suppose there was nothing else he was able to advice, but I just tried saying it for the time being.

"I know, but it's just for caution's sake. So, isn't there anything?" (Wendelin)

"Let's see. Erwin-san, there are ups and downs in life. Something like women, there are around as many as there are stars..." (Klaus)

"You say that..." (Wendelin)

He has said it extremely carefully, but basically there was no great difference to what Wilma said.

"Klaus, don't you have anything else?" (Wendelin)

"Wendelin-sama, for me there was no one but my deceased wife, thus I don't have such experience, but... I don't have any experience in having my heart broken either..." (Klaus)

"Are you actually boasting about that?" (Wendelin)

"Aren't you, Wendelin-sama, who even has five fiancées well-versed?" (Klaus)

"The impetus hasn't been love though." (Wendelin)

"Considering all that, you seem to be very happy every day..." (Klaus)

"Is that wrong?" (Wendelin)

"No, not at all. It's important for the prosperity of your esteemed household." (Klaus)

Next to Klaus and me, who are gradually derailing the conversation, Eru had his smile frozen due to the shock of having his heart broken no matter what.

"Hey, it looks like Eru's soul is coming out though." (Ina)

I didn't quite hear what Ina pointed out as I was busy talking with Klaus.

* * *

"Hu~~~~mph. Broken heart, eeh.... Well, I expected as much." (Katharina)

Three days after Eru's heart being broken, the 'Grand Marriage Interview Meeting' started in the garden of the Earl Baumeister household's feudal lord mansion which was completed for more than 80%.

The unmarried retainers, who serve our household, and the noble sons and daughters, who want to marry them, are finding good partners while talking and eating. I didn't participate, but it should prove successful that it resembled the marriage interview meetings in Japan.

As they are people who have been recognised by me after being officially hired, as entry qualification, it actually also included married people.

It was only the leading staff or leading staff candidates, but there were many people who were forcibly made to participate after being told that it's only natural to have several wives after becoming a high ranking retainer.

"However, there are amazing participants." (Wendelin)

Since the expenses for using the magic airship on the Capital ~ Breitburg ~ Baulburg route were covered by me and Margrave Breithilde, many young women took part.

And, with those women, Eru who still hasn't recovered from the shock of having his heart broken, Roderich who is next to an 8 years old girl that is the grandchild of Minister Rückner, Thorsten who is surrounded by girls who brought letters from Minister Edgar and Moritz as well as Felix, who were busy with the development of Herthania Valley, participated.

I brought them here with teleportation for a one day trip.

By the way, apparently having been warned by their parents to return while bringing people, who will definitely become their wives, along, they talked with women while having somewhat cramped faces.

"That's because those two won't be able to move away from Herthania Valley for a while."

As it's a treasury of the Earl Baumeister household since it has large-scaled mithril deposits, its development and protection was an important duty.

Deciding on a wife by the end of the day, their ceremony will be over there. This was already a decided matter.

"Shall we eat something, Corinna-sama?" (Roderich)

"Roderich-sama, I'd like to eat fruits." (Corinna)

"Let's get those." (Roderich)

The pair of Roderich and Minister Rückner's granddaughter looks just like parent and child if seen from the side.

Because she is Minister Rückner's direct granddaughter, even if she is an 8 years old young girl, Roderich seems to pay careful attention to her needs.

"The rest is..." (Wendelin)

For no special reason there were also many young priests.

With the construction rush of the church, the human resources of the priest, who will manage that place, were also decided. Given that a parish headquarters, which will control from Baulburg the southern part, has been established, there are many lower priests and staff members who arrived together with the cardinal who came from headquarters.

Since only a small portion of denominations prohibit their priests to marry, they intend to get help with their church work by finding a marriage partner here.

There was also the matter of business of making reservations for marriage ceremonies. One can say that it's a very enthusiastic business.

"It's a story that is smeared with greed quite a bit." (Burkhart)

"Burkhart-san, although it's deplorable, it's not someone else's problem, is it?" (Wendelin)

"I know that, however..." (Burkhart)

Many young women are lying in wait behind Burkhart-san who is chatting with me.

For this time's Grand Marriage Interview Meeting, half of the cost of the large magic airship to transport the bride candidates is shouldered by Margrave Breithilde.

If you ask why half the cost, it's because people from the Margrave Breithilde household are also participating in this Grand Marriage Interview Meeting.

The men are looking for a wife and the women are searching for a husband.

And the leader, who is guiding them, is the employed Head Magician of the Margrave Breithilde household, who is at the peak of his popularity. Even as retainer, his position is high. Moreover, Burkhart-san is still a single.

"I want to stay single until I die, but..." (Burkhart)

Given that he was a single for half a century, he probably doesn't want to marry this late in the game. Besides, he is literally a single who lives affluently.

Even though he was a wealthy person to begin with, his fortune has increased even more by doing various jobs after joining us.

Once he goes back home after finishing his job, he care-freely drinks booze at home or goes out to play in the pleasure quarters of Breitburg.

He more or less possesses a mansion, but after employing elderly women as maids, he apparently just leaves the cleaning and laundry to them.

"It's a comfortable life as unmarried man..." (Burkhart)

Who finally stopped such Burkhart-san's life was Margrave Breithilde who is his master.

* * *

'Do you get it, Burkhart...?' (Breithilde)

Burkhart-san got a scolding by senpai's master as lord of the household although he is younger than him.

'Even as a joke, there are various rumours that our household's employed Head Magician is a regular in the pleasure quarters.' (Breithilde)

'Aren't you going there occasionally, too, master?' (Burkhart)

'That is... socializing, therefore... Besides, where I'm going are stores at the level of beautiful onee-san's taking care of one, right?' (Breithilde)

He was apparently blamed by Margrave Breithilde for going to brothels beyond that point.

'Moreover, you are even taking Erwin-kun along...' (Breithilde)

Even in the capital as well as Breitburg, it was seen as problem for him taking along Eru to such places.

'There's no way I can take Earl-sama with me after all.' (Burkhart)

'Please never do that! If an uproar is started by some strange prostitute saying that her child is Earl Baumeister's child, I will be in trouble.' (Breithilde)

If the nobles in the surroundings make a fuss that it's a scheme by Margrave Breithilde, it's very likely that a crack will develop between both households after finally having a favourable relationship.

'They are high-class establishments which properly deal with diseases or contraception.' (Burkhart)

'That's not the problem here. Oops, the talk went astray...' (Breithilde)

It looks like Margrave Breithilde ordered Burkhart-san to make a child after marrying so that he can make that child succeed the household.

'It might be fine for you to be carefree, but it will become troublesome after your death.' (Breithilde)

At the time when master (Alfred) died, a large amount of riff-raff swindlers appeared for his fortune.

Where the after-death of Burkhart-san, who has a lot more of assets, is concerned, Margrave Breithilde mentioned that he cannot help but being scared how much labour it will take.

'If it's now, you are healthy so that you even got the time to see your child grow up, right?' (Breithilde)

'Well, I wonder about that?' (Burkhart)

'Aren't there many magicians who live a long life?' (Breithilde)

Certainly, there are many magicians who live a long life.

There's a prominent theory that the body is influenced by large quantities of mana, but different from martial artists and swordsmen, whose capital lays in their stamina, there are also many people who raise their magic precision as elderly people. There was a fixed number of active magicians who even have passed 80 years.

If it's just living normally, it's not rare for magicians to live more than hundred years either.

Since they are able to work if they don't become senile, that has also become the reason why the upper ranks of the Sorcery Guild and the Magic Tool Guild are clogged up.

'Anyway. Since I have acknowledged the succession as retainer household, make a child after marrying. As I will entrust leading our household at the Grand Marriage Interview Meeting to you, take the initiative to search for a wife.' (Breithilde)

'Got it. By the way, is it fine for me to ask one thing?' (Burkhart)

'What is it?' (Breithilde)

'What about Anita-sama?' (Burkhart)

'Isn't she unable to birth children? And before that, do you really want to take my aunt-sama as your wife?' (Breithilde)

'Sorry, I just tried to mention it...' (Burkhart)

* * *

Having underlying circumstances, Burkhart-san had a name tag on the chest part of his robe today as participant and leader of the Margrave Breithilde household at the Grand Marriage Interview Meeting.

With this name tag being my idea, it also serves as sign that a person, who wears it, is a participant.

"In that case it can't be helped even if you chat with me. You have to properly find a wife." (Wendelin)

"Since you have five fiancée-sama's, Earl-sama... I can't talk back." (Burkhart)

Inside the venue where there are mostly none but participants in their teens or early twenties, Burkhart-san, who is the only one who is older than 50 years, wears a name tag...

With this scene apparently fitting as bull's eye, Ina's group laughed and fell prostrate on the table after seeing Burkhart-san who is bewildered by this sudden marriage decree.

"It's a serious affair for the esteemed household of Burkhart-sama." (Elise)

Even Elise, who rebukes the four as sole person with common sense, averts her look from Burkhart-san.

If she looked directly at him, she would probably end up laughing together with them. Similarly I made sure to not look at him who had a name tag.

"You lot, I will remember this..." (Burkhart)

Even while saying that, Burkhart-san returned to the marriage interviews since it was the order of his master.

He is addressed by many women, but there are many who are in the first half of their twenties among them.

It's an age which can be called best if eaten by this date soon, but they flooded Burkhart-san with his high age due to him being a wealthy person.

"You saved me..." (Thomas)

With a likewise high age, Thomas, who was swarmed by such women, leaks a sigh of relief.

He talked with with a pretty woman of around 28~30 years in age at the end of the table while looking happy.

"Thomas is clever at a place like this." (Wendelin)

"True." (Ina)

Ina agreed with my opinion.

On the other side, Burkhart-san has already been surrounded by many women like a bunch of ants gathering towards sugar.

His age is high, but he is a wealthy person, a magician, originates from being an orphan like his master as well and has no family.

Since there are no problems such as a father-in-law, mother-in-law and sister-in-law that will become an issue if you marry into a family, that makes his popularity rise even further.

"Since it's his master's decree, I think he will somehow choose one, but..." (Wendelin)

Next, once I survey the vicinity, there are also my three elder brothers who are likewise participating on obligation.

It's Erich-nii-san, Paul-nii-san and Helmut-nii-san.

All of them are enclosed by many women. They came to search for a person who will become their concubine.

"However, as expected of Erich-nii-san." (Wendelin)

Different from the other two, he is talking to the women while gracefully holding a wine glass. Since he is originally an ikemen of the orthodox school, all of the women, who are gathering around him, are entranced.

"It's a riajuu! A real riajuu!" (Wendelin)

Since the old days, Erich-nii-san used unbelievable ikemen skills on the people of the Baumeister household, but even after his marriage, his ability is still going strong. Rather, he might have actually polished it.

"Even though they are his siblings..." (Wendelin)

"Paul-nii-san, Helmut-nii-san, you will be able to skilfully get through it somehow)." (Wendelin)

Once I see the panicking manner of Paul-nii-san and Helmut-nii-san, who didn't expect for them to be swarmed by women at all, I rooted for them within my mind.

That's because, no matter how I think about it, it's a race over there. Not all people are easily able to become like Erich-nii-san.

"Three hours after the start of the party, huh..."

As time passes, couples are gradually formed as well.

Occasionally there was a single man with a group of 2~3 women, but his is also a method of this world's nobles and retainers.

The number of wives will increase in proportion to the leeway a person has.

They were blamed by the people who believe in the monogamy on Earth, but if you consider rich people and politicians keeping unofficial mistresses, you can also say that they are upright in a certain meaning.

"Everyone, your footwork is light." (Wendelin)

Once the partners are decided to some extent, couples begin to appear who leave outside the venue.

It's still in the middle of construction, but they do stuff like dating in the city of Baulburg or leading their partners to the area where their home is planned to be built.

What's even more amazing is that there are many women who have come while already bringing their luggage with them as they assumed that they will marry.

Once their partner is decided, they intend to immediately live together with that person in their home or official residence.

"Oi, oi. Is that alright?" (Wendelin)

"I don't know about an average family, but the majority are people who think 'Don't return home anymore. The next meeting will be a marriage ceremony'." (Ina)

As Ina says, putting aside the noble sons and daughters who are aiming for the good staff leader group with their household's lineage, there are also daughters of lifetime Knights and retainers who are aiming for people that aren't like that while having their backs to the wall.

"Considering them as poor or such, they aren't surrounded much."

"There are also those who aren't surrounded at all."

If such story was leaked, it was very likely that I will be flooded by young women possessing fictitious pitiful stories.

"I don't know as how lustful you regard me within your mind, Ina, but that will never happen." (Wendelin)

"Do you really happen to not know?" (Ina)

"Well, I wonder." (Wendelin)

The first day of the Grand Marriage Interview Meeting has safely ended.

* * *

The next day was a follow up for those, who had to do civil service on the first day, and then it became a free-activity day.

All of the participants apparently enjoy their respective dates and such.

And, at once there were people who consulted about a schedule for the ceremony with the priests.

It was a threatening lightness of footwork, but the only one who feels that is me who has knowledge of Earth.

"It looks like Burkhart-san also decided on a partner." (Wendelin)

Leading a single young woman, he went out to the city of Baulburg.

He seemed to have somewhat dead eyes, but there are likely various points he has to consider since he won't be able to live as emperor of the night as until now.

And there was Eru who had just a few days ago his heart broken, but...

"No good..." (Wendelin)

"His consciousness is still partially gone!" (Luise)

Just as Luise pointed out, he stood in the same place of the party venue as yesterday.

No matter how much women talked to him, he didn't reply at all. Without a focus in his eyes, his eyes were completely dead.

Due to the excessive abnormality, there are almost no women who try to talk to him.

Even though Eru is this time's marriage interview meeting's main star, he doesn't function as that at all.

"Vel, what will you do?" (Ina)

"As expected, I can't force him this time... Let's have him take a break for a little while..." (Wendelin)

If I make him marry forcibly, my feelings of guilt will end up surpassing the limit.

With this time's Grand Marriage Interview Meeting the ratio of singles in the Earl Baumeister household has been lowered substantially.

However, I think I can clearly specify that among those just Eru doesn't enter this category.

* * *

"I will marry a woman that is even more splendid than Karla-san~~~~!" (Erwin)

One week after having his heart broken, Eru, who finally returned to reality, shouts by himself.

"Such dream-like high aim will just lengthen your period as single." (Katharina)

Katharina calmly thrust a tsukkomi at such Eru.