episode_0314

* * *

Not long after, Luna finally declared her resolve in front of everyone.

“Our enemy is Theta Roland! By defeating Roland’s army, we will save more of the people of the territory! Follow me!”

News of the massive declaration of war began to spread across the continent at a very fast pace.

The first place we reached was – of course, the four countries in the south.

In the southern continent, there existed four great cities.

First of all, Madlan Castle, the capital of the old Karelia County and now the capital of the new Lunalian County.

The castle of Dover, the capital of the Roland Army and known as a natural fortress city.

Mertian Castle, the capital of Hesna County and the largest historic city on the Southern Continent.

And, Iekaida Castle, the capital of Ohana District, which was originally a small place but has recently developed rapidly as a new nation’s capital.

In the castle of Iek-Aida, a city that had risen to fame overnight, Navidos Ohana, the lord of Ohana County, was lost in thought, stroking his pale beard.

“I don’t know what to do… … .”

The traitor Lunalian thrust the tip of her sword at Roland.

I thought that after things were sorted out to some extent, they would naturally bring their troops towards them, so it was good that they had concentrated their troops on the front line for the time being, but-

I never imagined that I would ever have the opportunity to roll the dice of choice like this.

“My lord, now is the moment to make a decision. Send troops to Tepel Castle!”

Even under the urging of a belligerent national strategist, Ohana was unable to make a decision easily.

“Just wait. Haven’t you heard that the lord of Tepel Castle is that wizard?”

“Even so, war is ultimately a human-strike tactic. If magic was such an omnipotent power, wouldn’t they have had only one magician instead of soldiers, or wouldn’t they have already swept through the southern continent?”

“That’s just an assumption after all. What if not? What if all this is just a bluff by those rebels? ”

“Are you talking about bluffing?”

“Yeah! Think about it. Rather, deploying a relatively small number of troops and placing only one wizard doesn’t feel like bait? It’s obvious to me. It would be a disaster if I picked that up! You said that a wizard’s abilities would have limits, but if you think about it, it’s possible that they’re hiding their power for this moment. Am I wrong? ”

“My lord… …! However, if we miss this opportunity again for such a long and troubling reason, unless we advance to Hesna’s side, the growth potential of our Ohana Army will be―”

Ohana started to lose her temper at the words of the national strategist.

“Eeeeek, be quiet! You would feel better if you gave me such advice! But not me! One wrong choice could destroy Ohana-kun, who grew from the bottom to here, in an instant! Are you saying such things after seeing Makana Karelia fall so meaninglessly because of a wizard?!”

“My lord! I agree a hundred times that you have to make careful decisions, but don’t you know that if you do nothing like this every time, you will never make any change!”

“Shut up! I don’t want to hear any more. How could a guy who doesn’t carry anything on his shoulders know the weight this body feels?!”

“My lord… … !!”

“On this body’s shoulders! The necks of countless lords and warriors who follow this body are hanging! Your neck is the same, Luffy!!”

“… … !”

“If I make the wrong choice, will I be the only one to die? You will die too! All those who follow me will die! That’s the problem!”

The national historian couldn’t give any answer.

Navidos Ohana came from the bottom. He led a band of bandits and did some mischief, but when times were tough, he was lucky enough to become a castle lord, and he went through the entire process of establishing a country with him.

He was not a bad monarch in that he valued practicality rather than authority as a monarch – but if he had a flaw, it was that when the moment came to make an important decision, he was indecisive and could not make any decision.

He had a knack for protecting his country when he was caught up in other people’s decisions. It was no coincidence that he somehow managed to survive while being caught between the Karelian Army, famous for its justice and chivalry, and the Hesna Army, the strongest country on the southern continent.

But now was the time for him to decide. Should he attack the Lunarian Army, which had taken the place of the Karelian Army, or should he not?

If there had been no such thing as a wizard, it would have been easy to choose… … But he also knew that as long as the unknown entity was holding out, it would be almost impossible to ask Ohana to make a subjective decision.

Even so… … no matter how much I thought about it, this was the last chance.

I had a feeling that if I missed this opportunity, it would be not just Ohana County’s problem, but the fate of the Southern Continent that would be decided in an instant.

“Lufio, you are too reckless. You should not lead a bandit gang forever. You should be careful and cautious. Even if you gain nothing, it is a much better decision than losing what you have. Since there is a war, there will definitely be an opportunity to take advantage of the chaos and devour the flesh. We just have to wait for that opportunity! I don’t know why you don’t know that!”

The national strategist bowed his head and thought.

‘Is it really okay to just stay still like this…?’

* * *

The capital of Mertian, the largest city in the south and the capital of Hesna County.

Sitting on that throne is Asuki Hesna, a bronze-skinned beauty with cool brown hair.

She, wearing revealing clothes that were extremely undignified for a monarch, spoke with a seductive smile while leaning back in her chair.

“The rebel girl messed with the Roland guys?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought you’d naturally touch a rascal like Ohana first.”

The middle-aged woman who was a state secretary next to Hesna bowed her head and said.

“Below Lunalian is Jinor Nighthart. If he’s that old man, he’s quite good at using unexpected moves.”

“So you’re saying it’s Jinor’s thoughts rather than that rebel girl’s thoughts?”

“Yes.”

Hesna wiped the corner of her mouth with her hand and smiled faintly as if she found it amusing.

“Terra. You said you were a priest and disciple of Jinor?”

“It’s just a story of the past.”

“Even if it’s the past, since he was my teacher at one time, I guess I can read his thoughts. What do you think? That young lady, what do you think the next staff member will be like?”

Hesna County’s National Tactician – Terra raised his head and met Hesna’s eyes, speaking with determination.

“Prepare for war. We will be next.”

“I see, right?”

Hesna nodded slowly, as if the answer was as expected.

“If Ohana Army follows Lunalian Army this time, then it may be different, but since Navidos Ohana is not someone who can make that kind of decision, our army will naturally be next.”

“That’s right. He’s a petty guy who you really don’t want to be friends with.”

I felt this way even when we exchanged items several times, but Ohana was truly a very materialistic person to the point of ruin.

Moreover, since he has no magnanimity at all, it was clear that he would not be able to start a war first.

“What about the border on Roland’s side?”

“We won’t withdraw our troops, will we? Don’t you think Roland knows that we have no intention of staying still?”

“What do you think about applying for an alliance?”

“… … Are you talking about an alliance?”

Terra, who had been responding calmly, only then looked at Hesna as if she was a little surprised.

“Yeah. Do you think Roland will accept it?”

Terra thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“It is highly unlikely that he will accept it. Theta Roland is a person with too much unnecessary pride. He would consider an alliance with our military, which he regards as a rival, to be an insult. ”

“I thought so, and I guess so. Well… …I think I was quite flexible when I was young. I want to tell you that simple men like that are not popular these days.”

“Are you thinking of joining hands with Roland?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I ask why?”

That was the time.

Hesna’s eyes, which had been answering in a slightly playful voice, became sharp.

“Well, it’s more important to catch someone who’s really dangerous than someone who can be exploited at any time.”

“If you are a truly dangerous person… … .”

“Who else but the rebel girl?”

Hesna spoke in a very serious tone.

“That Karelia collapsed without a fight. Everyone is only paying attention to the existence of the wizard, but wasn’t that lady the monarch who operated that wizard in the first place? Of course we should keep her in check. Besides, if Roland collapses this time, there’s a high chance that we won’t be able to defeat the Lunarian army either. That’s why we’re preparing in advance.”

“I understand, but… …Isn’t there no other way unless Roland joins hands?”

“Why wouldn’t there be any? There are still a few left.”

Terra thought for a moment at the mention of remaining, then asked with a slightly surprised expression.

“Are you thinking of joining hands with Lynn Bran?”

Until recently, the Bran’s Army was an enemy country with which a local war was ongoing along the border.

Even so, if you think of it as a countermeasure against the ‘Lunarien Army that devoured Roland’s Army’, then it is also an undeniable fact that there is no other way.

at that time.

“Woohoohoohoo.”

Hesna laughed again, as if she found it funny.

“That’s right. Allying with the Bran’s Army would also be an option.”

“Yes… … ?”

“Terra. Remember? I said there were still ‘a few’ left. Besides allying with the Bran’s Army, there’s one more option we can do.”

“Are you talking about the options? The Aesir army is practically in ruins, so weak that it is not worth forming an alliance… …but… … .”

Only after saying that did Terra’s eyes widen to four hundred thousand when she realized what her master was trying to say.

The only remaining case, excluding the countries of the Southern Continent, Bran and Aesir in the Central.

The absolute evil of the world that everyone ignores, but can never be hidden――

“Surely… … you’re thinking of joining hands with Serpina von Eingart… … ?”