Volume 12 Chapter 3-4 (1/2)

Southwards

Translator: Skythewood

Editor: Darkdhaos, CEObrainz

Altina got up first and left the banquet

Regis chased after her

【Well well… Things are getting messy】

【Is the situation in the south that bad?】

【Of course it is, the war is going badly over there That er problee matter】

Altina tilted her head

【It’s one rank above a full General right? I know that What’s the problem?】

Regis sighed

【Lack of greed 】

【Hmm…】

She would have refuted him in the past, but Altina had learnt the i now

As they walked along the corridor paved with green carpet, Regis said as they walked:

【You arian E time now This rank still exists in the systenificance】

【So I’!】

【He about this… But it can’t be helped since we’re busy with the war I’m partly to blame too】

【Is that so?】

【… Because I didn’t think you would be bestoith the Baton of the Généralissime, so I didn’t tell you much about it】

【Is the Baton of the Généralissi here?】

Altina swung around the coiven her as proof of her status

It was ems embedded on it everywhere

Regis said worriedly:

【It hasn’t been taken out of the treasury for about two hundred years】

【Hmm?】

【Looking at this frole, this is a s displayed in the hall just now…】

【Eehhhh!?】

The surprised Altina dropped the Baton of the Généralissiround

Regis was so shook he thought his heart was going to stop

【…!?】

【Ahaha… That was close— Really now, don’t scare is】

【I thought my lifespan had shortened by three years Don’t play around with a national treasure】

【This thing is actually valuable enough to affect the national budget…】

—— The sword you had been swinging around is h Even so, I should keep quiet about this so it won’t affect her swordsmanshi+p in the future

Did soed

She didn’t like to splurge in the past too, but was also unconcern with funds expenditure She seemed to realize the importance of money now

【…Anyway, aside from the monetary value of the Staff of the Généralissirants】

【I can co like that? Latreille already said that】

She referred to the E like that’

【… The Généralissime has the authority to raise multiple armies and command them With virtually unlimited authority over all military matters The difference from the Field Marshal is the lack of diplootiate for peace】

Généralissieneral officer

Altina made a face of disbelief

【… Raise an army?】

【Généralissime can set up an Office of the Généralissime The Généralissime can then recruit officers, and have the authority to determine the rank, pay and employment of the soldiers under her cohts of your subordinates And of course, you can post thenments as you wish】

The authority she was given even surprised Altina herself

【Eh? Eh? Aren’t those the jobs of the Ministry of Military Affairs? This is too weird!?】

【His Majesty already mentioned that the Ministry of Military Affairs’ perfor… I think he wants to disband the Ministry of Military Affairs】

【But why!?】

【Aren’t you angry about that too? During the last war, High Britannia only had 30,000 aria suffered tremendous losses】

【Yes】

【This is because of the difference in preparation between the two sides It’s only natural for the Ministry of Military Affairs to bear this responsibility If the one in charge gets replaced but the system remains the same, the situation won’t improve Emperor Latreille have probably made his decision】

【W-What decision?】

【For His Majesty and you who has been appointed Généralissie the entire defence force in place of the Ministry of Military Affairs—— That’s probably his plan】

There were many other reasons why he appointed her as Généralissiht noas its administrative support

Regis had no idea if the Ministry of Military Affairs will still exist in name, or if it would be coely on Minister Beylard

Altina opened her mouth wide in shock

【…No… No way!? Even if you tell me this so suddenly, I can’t…!?】

【I really hope you can show this reaction before you accepted the Staff of the Généralissime/ Well, there’s no choice but to accept it anyway】

【Ah, that’s right My status as a Princess is ht on as a soldier】

【…Yes】

【In a way, isn’t this great?】

Altina smiled happily

Regis nodded his head in a vague manner

They walked out of the palace As there was a large nuate, they boarded a carriage

The celebration in the city was at its rowdiest right now It would probably last for a week before it ends

The driver did as he was instructed earlier, avoiding theway around half the capital before reaching a certain mansion

The mansion of the Tiraso Laverde House——

As she wasn’t on good terms with the other nobles and the First Army, those close with Altina didn’t stay in the palace, and lodged here instead

Heavy Infantry froates as if this was the headquarters on a battlefield They even erected their unit flags inside the courtyard

Regis and Altina alighted froe/

The servants lined up to welcome them

The door in the entrance opened, and an aristocratic lady walk out from the depths of the corridor It was Fanrine

【Thank you for your hard work, Princess Argentina, Sir Regis】

【You too】

【Thank you But I only attended the cererandfather should have attended the banquet】

【About half of the southern nobles were absent Probably because they supported le】

【It can’t be helped, the late Emperor passed away sooner than we expected】

【Did Latreillefine?】

【I’ that aside for now, congratulations on being appointed as the Généralissime】

【Ara, you already knew?】

【Of course! There’s a saying in the social world that ‘rumours are spread by the fairies’】

When the carriage ferrying Regis and the others were still caught in traffic, the nobles as attending the banquet had probably sent their servants back to relay the news

As the Tiraso Laverde House was the leader of the southern nobles, they have a strong intelligence network even in the capital

Fanrine ushered them into the mansion

【It isn’t as extravagant as the banquet in the palace, but we have also prepared a simple celebration party If it is not too much trouble ill be honoured if you can relax and dine with us?】

Altina clapped her hands together

【Alright! I didn’t have any ti, I’m famished!】

【Fufu, that’s wonderful】

【Let’s get changed before heading to the dining hall!】

【Okay】

Thebehind Fanrine She took Altina’s luggage

【… Welcome back, Princess】

【This is e】

Clarisse bowed quietly

When Clarisse was before others, she would speak plainly without any expression,it hard to tell how she felt

This even made the servants here afraid

She aze, but they didn’t spoke

Even though the two of theis couldn’t find the time to converse with her because he was too busy She was the princess’ ist So he couldn’t find any reason to look for her and chat

Fanrine said:

【Well then, cois】

【There’s a seat for me in the party too?】

【Of course! You’re proht? Compared to corade I have never heard of such a young First Grade Ad!】

【Ugh…After evaluating the war rade, but is this really fine…?】

【Don’t ht take, these are well deserved rewards for your job perforh about that, you will catch a cold if you wear those daed】

【Oh right】

【I will help too】

【It’s fine it’s fine】

Regis turned down her offer and escaped up the stairs He was living in a roo

Hethe way

【Yo, Regis!】

【Ah, Lord Eddie】

【What’s that about, Regis? Don’t we have the sa so formal?】

【Eh?】

【I’m a First Grade Coht?】

【That’s true… But I’m a Chevalier, while Lord Eddie is a Duke】

【Don’t fret the srade on the battlefield】

【That’s too sudden】

【Regis, you can speak with Argentina norht? I don’t havedistant too】

They seeood friends in the past, and often practice swords and horse riding together

But now, Eddie was the bodyguard of Auguste, and a entina’s faction It would be hard for theain

Thinking about it carefully—— The Fourth Army were somewhat distant from the social world There wasn’t really anyone who could call Eddie as a Duke and a First Grade Admin Officer a friend

【… So you came to find me?】

【Felicia said you’re a “good friend” right? Even more the reason for you to be my friend】

【Saying that the Fifth Princess is reat an honour…】

【She was really happy when you rekt her in chess She sees】

【B-Back then】

After the Founding Day Festival, he had a lot of work piled up, so he thought about work as he played chess When he realized it, he had already won after a few moves

It was great that incidentfriends with royals was too heavy a burden for him

Eddie patted Regis’ shoulders cheerfully

【Let’s be good friends too】

And being friends with a Duke was toohim doould be too rude

【… I ork hard】

【I will be in your care then】

Eddie changed the topic suddenly

【By the way, hoas the banquet?】

【It was extravagant E to sell art pieces in order to raise funds for the military, so it was like an art exhibition】

【Hahaha… As expected of Latreille He always says that keeping the art pieces inside the treasury is too much of a waste】

【It’s true that such an opinion is not like a royal… Maybe he got influenced by his cousin?】

Eddie’s smile vanished

【… Beatrice huh Yes… Regis, you really know everything】

He sighed

However, Regis didn’t know the details He couldn’t even recall the naot, or was she not very well known?

He was intrigued, but this was just an idle chatter along the corridor It was best not to delve too deeply into this

【Let’s discuss this next time】

【Yah… That’s right… Best not let the】

【Well then, I will go get changed】

【Right, see you in the dining hall】

Regis bid Eddie farewell, and returned to his room

He got changed

He end up wearing the Fourth Army uniform he had alorn

He had already gotten used to it He had not worn it for ato miss it

Knock knock, the door was knocked

【Please come in】

【Yo Regis, can you bother you for a moment?】

It was the Third Prince Bastian

Elise was here too

【Thank you for your hard work in attending the cereentina has been appointed to the rank of Généralissiratulations to the both of you】

This girl who hailed froh Britannia would sometimes show an air of nobility

Even though she looked just like an ordinary girl, but her proper dehten their posture

Bastian smiled aardly:

【I heard that you are heading south?】

【Yes】

【I see… It’s a shas I still need to do, and I need to continue ine】

【I understand Your Highness isn’t a soldier anyway, so there is no reason for you to head into a warzone】

【Even though I think I should work together with Argentina… But she can’t think for herself at all, and will put cois’ words whenever she acts】

【I have no intention of inciting her】

【I know It’s just that e is too shallow】

【… Please work hard】

【Yeah! For the sake of writing my masterpiece in the future, I have to learn more! Erm—, well—— can I ask you for a favour?】

【What is it?】

【I hope you can… take Elise to the Tiraso Laverde mansion in the south】

【To their mansion of their main house?】

Elise lowered her head

【Please】

【W-Wait What’s going on? Aren’t you two】

The girl waved her hands around

【What are you saying, Lord Regis!? Bastian and I, are completely, without even a little, in that sort of intimate relationshi+p!?】

Her cheeks were completely red

These words were probably too e, and Bastian lowered his head

【Y-Yeah】

Regis tilted his head

【This is a request frouests are one of the duties of the I to become a battlefield?】

Bastian answered in place of the hesitant Elise:

【Sorry, but can you not ask for the reason? Please just understand that I have to get Elise to the house Tiraso Laverde】

【… I see】

【I wanted to go too…】

He clenched his fist

Elise shook her head

【You can’t… Bastian already did so ht now is studying If you follow me to the south, you will send ht? I don’t want to rob you of the most precious time in your life】

Her words were calm, but her conviction firm

Bastian bit his lips

【… I get it We have talked about this so many times after all】

【Good boy】

The girl looked younger, but she was acting like Bastian’s elder sister or mother

【… I will definitely look for you】

【I ait for you There are things that I must do too】

【When the time comes I will let you read my masterpiece】

【Ughh… It’s troubling, but I have already braced myself for that】

【It will be interesting! I will definitely write a ro!】

Is it really fine for a roht, but he didn’t interrupt their conversation

He could guess Elise’s identity fro to cross the ocean at this time

Elise looked towards Regis:

【Since I’】

【No… your identity as “Ms Elise froh Britannia who came here to study abroad” is more convenient for me】

【Eh?】

【I ist of the Généralissihly equivalent to the aide of the Minister of Military Affairs】

【The Généralissientina after all】

【And so, it would be a grave oversight if I withheld any information from the country But it couldn’t be helped if I didn’t realized it】

【Lord Regis…】

【I’ood as everyone says after all There are countless things that I have overlooked】

Hahaha, Regis laughed

Elise lowered her head deeply

【On behalf of the responsibility I carry and rateful】

Bastian reached out his right hand

【Thank you Regis】

【I can understand… How it feels to part with someone important I will definitely send her there safely】

Regis orried if this would be lèse-e the trust that was placed in him

With tears in his eyes, Bastian’s shoulders started to tremble

【I-I’hhh!】

【That hurts!?】

【Oh, sorry! I got careless and used too th】

【I thoughtto be candy crushed…】

Regis shook his right hand that was turning a little red

Was Bastian too strong, or Regis too weak Probably both

Fufu, Elise laughed

And tears shaped just like a crystal came out from the corner of her eyes

As they wished to spend their re time alone, Bastian and Elise didn’t attend the party and left the mansion

After entina faction, he no longer has a place within the palace, and was now staying with his grandfather Marquis Bergerac

Regis promised to notify them before the army set off

He left his roo hall

I was already a little late

A door along the corridor suddenly opened

A pale slender hand reached out and grabbed Regis’ sleeve

【Ehh?】

This slender hand pulled Regis into the rooth

【Uwah!?】

Regis fell onto the floor, and the door was closed

——What happened!?

It was a very small room

Like a rooe rooe

In order to seal off Regis’ movement, that person straddled on top of him

The person was lighter than he expected

【Please keep still】

It was a female voice

After he calmed down, he looked at that person—

It was a slender woht coloured hair

【……Jessica!?】

【Quiet down】

【W-Why are you doing this?】

She was dressed like an aristocratic lady right now Her white dress really suit her

This attire wasn’t prominent in this mansion But maybe her beauty would attract the attention of the men instead…

Regis already explained to the Fourth Army who Jessica was, and already made it clear that she was now an ally He didn’t understand why she was being so forceful aboutseen by others

Jessica sighed

【Soldiers froht?】

【Yes】

【… They know that I’m a mercenary from 《Renard Pendu》】

Yesterday, Regis linked up with the Fourth Army that had set up formation near the capital with the help of thewith the First Army thanks to this

【I already told theht? I think they already understand and feel grateful for your help】

【Is that so? But is that how they really feel deep down? Think about what happened in the past Even though 《Renard Pendu》 lost in West Lafressange, we still killed a lot of Imperial soldiers】

【… Yes】

In that battle, Regis created a fog and destroyed High Britannia’s supply team

Even though the Fourth Army won, they suffered heavier than expected casualties

He still remembered clearly the time when their headquarters were attacked

Jessica glanced towards the corridor

Heavy footsteps passed by outside

【… I… don’t trust others like you do There is a chance they uard down for a moment】

【The guards here are all veteran regulars They are all rational soldiers】

【There are heaps of hts Mercenary did things like waving white flags or faking injuries to catch theainst others, ill be wary of others plotting against us too】

【I see】

【For exaht on your neck? If I threaten the Princess and ask her to exchange s be much simpler?】

【… Maybe Gilbert will be freed But ill happen after that? I already told you —— you will be chased by the Belgarian E nations would reh way to rebuild? You already know that】

【That’s correct That’s why I agreed to a cooperative relationshi+p on the personal level】

【Wonderful, since you still reet off me now That will make me happy】

She wasn’t heavy, but it was hard for him to calm down

He could feel Jessica’s body war into him

Even if he ignored that aspect, having a woical scar, and he eating cold bullets right now

【… You should be the one that needs to re to the south? What’s with that? My brother is in Fort Volks!?】

Anxiety leaked from Jessica’s voice

It was a rare sight since she seldos

Hht about it

【There are 700 people left in 《Renard Pendu》 You can’t rescue Gilbert from Fort Volks with this nu But after considering it, you decided it was better to help ht?】

【Sigh… But that’s only under the condition that my brother will be saved】

【Aren’t you too anxious?】

【You won’t understand The members psyche are already at their li with it in the hope that uys who can’t conceal their feelings that well Surrounded by i in tents on the outskirts of the capital, they are as tense asthe cliff】

【… It’s that bad?】

【We don’t trust the i backstab out of the blue】

Jessica took out a sly out of nowhere That looked just like a nor that?

She pressed that blade onto Regis’ neck

【Answer is d’Auric… Did you lie to me?】

【Not at all】

【But you want to go to the south?】

【… I didn’t expect you to press ood talk】

【A spoken agreeain?】

【The situation is changing too fast, and ti】

【I have been waiting all this ti so actively in the dark within the capital, Lord Regis Franziska even got injured, but I have yet to see a di do you expect us to follow you?】

【…When you put it this way, it 】

When Latreille atteis only escaped the search and returned to the capital with their help

Food, water, sleeping bag and the guards were all prepared by them, and they even went to the Fourth Ar out

Is stabilized, they would be rewarded according to their contributions and maybe receive a promotion

However, mercenaries work for the sake of remunerations Normally, they would receive half the money in advance as a deposit

Regis said troublingly:

【… I understand, but it’s hard for ht now After all, the Fourth Aret set aside for the Généralissiet it will be next month】

【Are you saying we should wait?】

【… I can only ask you to believearound either I also asked you to go to the south with us】

【And the reason?】

The blade on his neck felt really cold

Jessica leaned closer

She was a beautiful wois could feel that her emotions were really volatile

【… It will be great if you tell me that earlier… I already discussed it with the Princess To return the favour for you helping reed to release Gilbert】

She opened her eyes wide

【I-Is that true?】

【… I don’t kno many times I have said this… But please believe me】

He didn’t have any written proof

Jessica looked unhappy

【Why didn’t you leave written records for so so important? Or is my brother not important to you?】

【When you discuss future plans with the Mercenary King… Do you always record them down?】

【… There’s no need for that】

【It’s the same for us】

Jessica moved the knife away

She finally got off Regis

Regis wiped away his cold sweat as he stood He touched his own neck

【I thought it really cut me】

【… This is a fake】

【Eh!?】

Jessica stabbed her own hand with the knife

She didn’t bleed at all

【I’ knives If I cut you accidentally, things will become messy】

【… Were your unstable emotions also an act?】

【Think what you want】

Jessica reverted to her usual cold expression

Regis sighed

【I already posted a letter to Gilbert We will release him as promised, but what he’ll do next is up to him I don’t know if he will come and link up with us】

【… Indeed】

【Personally, I still look forward to borrowing your power That’s why I added the request to go south】

He didn’t know if they would agree to joining them, so this was a request and not an order

Gilbert would want the chance to restore his reputation after losing the last battle Hence, the southern frontlines would suit him just fine

Jessica tidied her dress

And seemed to have believed him

【If the arrangeet about your promise with me okay?】

She proe for future supplies for

《Renard Pendu》

【We will keep our proht, want to come to our party?】

【Lord Auric… It’s impossible for the nobles to invite mercenaries like us to dine with them】

【Is that so?】

【I won’t be happy even if I’m invited, so I will turn you down】

【I won’t force you】

Jessica pointed to the door as if she wanted him to hurry up and leave

【… More i hall with you, it won’t be worth it if I rouse the jealousy of Princess Argentina】

He only left to change clothes, but he took a long ti hall

He entered the dining hall

In the e coloured long table Art pieces adorned the wall, and the servants were lined up there too

Altina was sat at the farthest end of the table

He thought they would have started already, but it seemed that the food had not been served yet There were just bread and glasses on the table

Altina said:

【You’re finally here, Regis!】

【E-Er for me?】

【Naturally This party is held in honour of you and me after all】

【No no no… Letting the Princess who is both a royal and the Généralissime wait for someone like me is not natural at all】

【Enough about that, come sit down】

She waved at hiht