197: Sometimes running away isn’t shameful, right?

The Imperial Army’s supreme commander is Duke Dorganthes Dora Baltark—but the soldiers know. They know who the real commander is.

The witch draped in a lavish, opulent black dress, unsuitable for the battlefield. Bela Baltark herself.

Of course it’s Bela lounging in a tent finer than any commander’s.

Furniture so polished it gleams.

A dozen maids bustling around her, tending to her every need—nothing about this feels like a battlefield.

A ceramic bathtub is wheeled in. Bela sinks into a bath filled with floating roses. Maids scramble to rub oil into her damp, glassy hair.

A shadow steps in without so much as a greeting.

“Eep!?”

The maid lets out a choked scream deep in her throat, but Bael just stares at the shadow with cold eyes.

“Don’t you know better than to barge in on a woman bathing?”

“I got no interest in human females. That’s not what’s got me worried. The situation’s off.”

“…War’s a man’s job. What would I know about it?”

“Not about the war. I mean, the enemy’s counterattacks—they’re dropping like stones.”

Bael wrinkles his nose in disgust.

“Still, that’s a man’s business.”

“Even if the enemy stopped fighting altogether?”

“Are they surrendering now? I’m not letting them off easy.”

“That’s not it.”

“…Huh. Send my father, please.”

“Sure thing.”

The bee man steps out of the tent and returns quickly with Dolgandes, but his eyes are vacant and drool hangs from his mouth.

“Hmm. Too much medicine, I reckon. You think we gave too much?”

If you’re gonna listen, then that’s fine. Now, Father, go ahead and ram straight into Mizuho—see what’s what.

“Ah… uh… see… what’s… what…”

Dolgandes mumbled something unintelligible as he staggered off toward the soldiers’ barracks, unsteady on his feet.

The Bee Man shrugged and followed him out.

“Honestly. Nobody useful.”

After a while, the Bee Man came back. Something in his voice was angry.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nobody’s here!”

“What?”

“No one! Not a single soul!”

“I don’t understand. If everyone’s dead, that’s exactly what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“No way! Not even a corpse! They vanished like smoke!”

“What are you even talking about?”

“I wanted to see them—screaming, writhing, broken, their faces twisted in despair as they died! That’s what I wanted! And now what the hell is this?!”

The bee man, buzzing with excitement, cleaved the nearby mahogany table in half with a single chop. Unbelievable power.

The maids turned pale with terror, trembling violently in the corner of the room.

Bela let out a small sigh.

"Stay calm. You were searching for an escape route, weren't you?"

"If they're going to run, it's either through a hidden passage or a translocation gate. But both are narrow—no way everyone in the country could’ve fled in just a few days!"

"Anyway, have the soldiers investigate the cause. And you—been hiding in this country all along, right? Go dig up any leads you might have again."

"Hmph. Humans acting so high and mighty!"

"You'll be joining us soon enough."

"...Tch. The translocation gate’s the only real possibility. I’ll check again."

"Seems wise."

Muttering curses at random objects, the bee man finally stalked out.

"Does it even matter who the common folk are? If I can just catch that damn Kyle..."

But not even Kyle, let alone any of the people from Mizuho, could be found.

◆

『Hear that, dear?』

"Yes, Auntie. It’s too risky to stay any longer. Keep your distance from now on—watch the imperial forces for us."

『Understood.』

This was the strategy room in Elquisil Castle.

The senior officers around Kyle—including me—had gathered. Of course, the king, Van, and old Batista were here too. And for some reason, Jitarou. Probably because he had the psychic link ring.

Also present, secretly my younger brother: the living god Muten Ingram, General Shingen, the head of the Three Great Houses, and Nobuna.

Nobuna was here because she’d been given the psychic link ring—the magical communication device—too. Since she was its owner, she had to have one as well.

Plum, the production guild member forced to carry a magic device, wasn’t summoned. No information was shared with her either.

…The more I think about it, the less I understand Jitarou’s position. But maybe the real reason he’s favored by Van is just that he’s got Van’s approval!

“Assigned a dangerous mission to Miss Chiyome, but thanks to that, we secured valuable intel.”

Kyle exhaled, relief washing over him at Chiyome’s safety.

Next, King Van crossed his arms with a smug air.

“Got nervous when the Mizoho Shrine Nation urgently requested evacuation for all citizens, but we made it in time—good thing!”

“Your Majesty. Your speech is slipping.”

“Huh! Zaid says it’s fine! Muten and Shingen both said it’s no big deal!”

“But…”

Zaid tried to interject, but Muten cut him off with the faintest of smiles.

“Fufu. No problem. I’d rather not keep up this stiff tone either. Shingen feels the same, I bet.”

Muten, blind as he was, sipped tea with eyes closed—elegant, serene.

Shingen nodded.

“Hmm. I’d like to treat King Vaindeck, who welcomed us, as a friend.”

“…Understood.”

Only then did Zaid finally back down. Still, Zaid’s brother really doesn’t budge, does he?

And Shingen and Vain—two muscleheads who get along. I knew that already.

“Putting me in charge of a dangerous mission under Nobuna’s command… that’s a stretch.”

“Your Majesty. This was originally Mizuho’s matter. I’m truly grateful you’ve entrusted me with such an honor.”

“Good to hear. Destroy the transfer gate and gather intel. I’ll have a medal ready when you return.”

A blessed honor. But I still have the task of probing the Imperial Army’s movements. I’d be truly grateful if you’d grant me honor upon my success.

"Yeah. Of course. Still, Mizuho’s spy… was it a ninja or a kunoichi? Remarkably capable."

Now Shingen answered, turning to Van.

"Indeed. Chiyome is Mizuho’s finest shinobi."

"Should learn a thing or two from her. …So, what do you think the Empire will do next?"

Immediately, Chiyome’s father, Hanbee, laid out his theory.

"From what Chiyome overheard, the enemy’s commander holds a deep grudge against Kyle-sama. So, attacking Goldendown seems the most likely course."

Motonari, head of the O’Brien family, added with a chuckle.

"Kukuku. No doubt about it."

"Hmm. Then let’s assume that’s the plan. How long do you think it’ll take the enemy to reach us?"

Kukuku. They’re an army. Assuming no monster attacks, even at top speed, it’ll take about three months. Four months if you’re being reasonable—food won’t run out, but barely.

Damn, this Motonari old guy’s quick. Straight to the point.

“Good. Then aim for two months. Pour everything into reinforcing Goldendown. By then, the royal army should be ready to send. Kyle, focus on boosting supplies and manpower.”

“Hai!”

“Of course, we Mizho warriors will join the fight too!”

“I’m counting on you. For now, I’ll leave things to Kyle and Zaid. I’ve got royal affairs to manage.”

“Then, how about handling those duties properly in the capital already?”

“U… it’s fine. We get the news faster here.”

“Huh. Seriously.”

Man, Zaid’s got no chill at all!

The royal court personnel began moving into the office. Van, about to step out, stopped and turned back toward Master Jabir.

"Jabir. I know you dislike war. But this time, we have a clear cause on our side. Help Kyle with this."

Right—Master Jabir’s from the Empire, isn’t he? He won’t just nod and agree to orders like that.

"U… um."

"What’s the problem? Just shove it onto your student."

Van winks at me for no reason. Cut it out! That’s creepy!

"If it’s within my means, I’ll assist."

"Then it’s settled. I’m counting on you."

Why’s the teacher looking at me now, too?!

I can already tell this is gonna be a pain in the ass!

Still—Kyle’s worth it. Gotta push through!

And so, we set off to prepare for defense.

"I’ll do my best too!"

...Well, food’s important, right? You’re a hunter, aren’t you?

The war’s dragging on a bit, but just a little longer, okay?

Heh!