第２１６掘：お転婆姫最前線へ (Part3)
"Yes."
"Marly, Olive, Mist, and those mercenaries are there, so do not do anything that would disrupt the chain of command."
"I understand."
"Then, I shall draft a letter explaining your situation. Take that with you when you head out."
I nodded and began to prepare. This would be my first major battle, and my heart was racing with excitement. Not only that, but I would be standing alongside the Magic Sword Users I respected, as well as Knight Jessica, who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. This was truly a gathering of Zilba’s greatest military might.
***
**Side: King of the Zilba Empire, Fionha Reiga Zilba VIII**
Watching Miffy leave the office, I immediately pulled out some parchment and prepared to put pen to paper, but my hand wouldn't move. The reason being...
"Damn it!! I said a bunch of things on the fly, but do you remember what the content was, Air?"
"Yes, I remember. Was that lie something you came up with on the spot?"
"Yes. Don't you think it was a pretty good idea, all things considered?"
"Yes, I do. If things had continued as they were, Lady Miffy would have ended up picking a fight with Yuki and his group."
"Exactly. That had to be avoided at all costs. Yet, to make her recognize them without looking down on them, that was the only way."
"Perhaps you should start by writing that down? If it’s Yuki’s group, I believe they will each handle it accordingly."
"...You're right. I'll start by writing that. The one thing we must avoid is turning those mercenaries into our enemies."
First, I wrote to Marly, instructing her to provide a thorough explanation to the mercenaries, and then I detailed the reasons for sending Miffy.
"Ideally, I feel like those mercenaries could handle anything on their own, though..." I muttered after finishing the order—or rather, the petition—to Yuki and his group.
"...I think that might be a slight overestimation, but indeed, even I couldn't lay a finger on them. However, even if they could, they would likely refrain from doing so because they understand the implications."
As Air said, it would be problematic if those mercenaries single-handedly repelled an army of over 100,000. It would damage the nation's face, and it would defeat the mercenaries' own purpose of utilizing this country. Well, that is precisely why I entrusted the town of Betan to them. As long as that place doesn't fall, the Enaria army cannot advance.
"...Now, will the reinforcements make it in time, or will I end up using Miffy as a shield to preserve our troops?"
I never expected them to seize the entire Betan region so easily. Was it the result of combining the three Magic Sword Users, or perhaps thanks to those mercenaries...? Regardless, there is no longer any reason to punish the Magic Sword Users. For now, I will pray that we can safely overcome this situation.
***
**Side: Commander of the Enaria Invasion Force, Marly Heat**
"It is an honor that you have come all this way, Lady Miffy."
"Not at all. I am happy to be on the battlefield with General Marly. I am, after all, someone aiming to be a knight."
Miffy and I exchanged these words before I received the order from the King.
"Father—the King of the Zilba Empire—has sent this order. Please, take a look."
"Yes, I have received it. It is undoubtedly the King’s wax seal."
I followed the proper procedures, confirming it was indeed the King's order and checking that there were no signs of tampering. Then, I opened it slowly and read the contents.
"—!!?"
I was shocked by the sheer content of the letter.
"It is no surprise you are shocked. However, General Marly, if it comes to the worst, please use me."
"No, it's not that."
"Huh?"
"Ah, no, I understand. I have received your resolve. However, I swear we shall not reach such a situation."
"Thank you. By the way, where are those mercenaries? Even though our ancestors are connected by blood, I would like to thank them for their courage in rushing here."
"..."
"Huh?"
This was bad. Olive and Hivia, who were standing next to me, opened their mouths, clearly confused.
"M-my apologies. They are currently stationed in the town of Betan. General Mist is also setting up a defensive perimeter in another town, so they are not here. However, there will be a meeting soon, so you will be able to meet them then. For now, Lady Miffy, please rest your body."
"I understand. I look forward to meeting them... *Sigh*, then I will take you up on your offer and rest. It was quite a forced march to get here."
Perhaps because Lady Miffy was exhausted, the confused voices of the other two didn't seem to reach her.
"What on earth are you talking about, Marly?"
"I didn't understand it either..."
Olive and Hivia tilted their heads as they walked over.
"You two, just read this for now..."
I showed them the King's order.
"Buh—!?"
They reacted even more violently than I did.
"Th-that's amazing. If I were drinking something, I would have spat it out."
"...S-sorry. I lost my composure."
"No, I think I would have been the same if I hadn't been there."
Because the content was...
*‘...For that reason, in order to make good use of Miffy, I told her that the mercenaries—Yuki and his group—are of royal lineage. So, please explain this to them before Miffy meets them so that the lie doesn't fall apart.’*
It was followed by a strategy that used Lady Miffy as a shield.
"...Honestly, isn't it harder to explain this ridiculous lie to them?"
"Well, if we explain it, I'm sure they'll play along. After all, we can't exactly leave the 100,000-strong army and their reinforcements entirely to them."
"Then, I'll leave the explanation to Hivia."
"Eh!?"
And so, we ended up in a long meeting to decide who would go to explain the situation to Yuki and his group.
***
**Side: Yuki**
"Ho, what’s on the menu today?"
"Hamburg steak."
"Hamburg... steak?"
"The main ingredient is beef. I’m making use of the cattle that were culled in this town."
"...The quality of that culled beef isn't very good, you know?"
"That’s where the cooking comes in. Hamburg steak is made by mincing the meat, kneading it, and grilling it, so it doesn't matter if the meat is tough. You just adjust it with seasonings and it turns out fine."
I said that as I kneaded the meat.
"You are quite dexterous. You know so many different dishes."
"That’s my line. I’ve never heard of a lord who cooks so skillfully."
Indeed, Horst was cooking next to me, following my instructions.
"Haha, I served in the military in the past, so I often handled the field kitchens."
"I can respect that."
"I am honored by your praise."
Two men in aprons, cooking together. It was an unusual sight, but I didn't mind it.
"Ah, Brother!! It’s Hamburg steak today!!"
"I’ll help too!!"
"Fufu... Hamburg steak needs a sunny-side-up egg on top."
The three little ones offered to help.
"Yes, yes, all three of you, wash your hands properly."
"The aprons are over here."
Ria and Jessica, who were helping nearby, responded immediately.
"This is quite fun, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"Even though the war isn't over yet, this liveliness... I think it was the right choice to surrender to you, Yuki-dono."
"The results aren't in yet."
"If you can't see the outcome after looking at the situation so far, then you are a fool."
"For now, let's just hurry up and make enough for everyone."
"Indeed. Even in war, the stomach comes first."
Laughing heartily, the two men mass-produced Hamburg steaks.
"...It’s so lively here... If only I had thrown scissors back then..."
It was just as the Hamburg steaks were finished that I received word that a certain Magic Sword User sister was being questioned by the guards outside for acting suspiciously.
The report said she was a "tomboy princess," but she was apparently quite competent. As expected of the great Zilba Empire.
Anyway, more importantly, Hamburg steak is delicious with a soft-boiled egg on top.