52 [1-52] Phased phantom talks (2/2)

But Lawrence?

I'm sure the winner of this battle will be decided by a direct confrontation between me and the First Knight Commander. I'm sure you'll know what you need to do when you see that battle.

If anyone could defeat the ”Rose Princess of Hell”, it would be none other than Lawrence.

This was something that Bertil agreed with.

If you have a lot of allied forces left until the final battle, you will have an advantage in the decisive battle. As for me, I want to keep as many men as possible so that I can fight in the best possible condition.

And if ...... the Second Order is safe, you will be able to exert a great deal of power no matter which side you are on.

The First Knight Commander has defeated me before. You know how to defeat me before, don't you?

”Yes.

How could you not know?

It was Lawrence and the First Order that fought Rene, but it was Bertil himself who came up with that strategy.

--If you can get the Second Order to support Lawrence, you can do the same thing even if the First Order is wiped out.

Lawrence is a uniquely powerful man, and Bertil is not even close to Lawrence. However, his subordinates, the individual knights, are no less powerful than the First Order.

Barthil is making calculations at a dizzying pace.

Possible changes in the situation. Rene's own abilities. An army of undead.

It's not something I want to think about, but if we give up on protecting the citizens from the undead soldiers and focus all our efforts on protecting Hilbert and supporting Lawrence, will we be able to defeat Rene ......? No, even if you can't defeat him, if you can defeat him, Noah Curio's reinforcements should be able to reach you in time.

If the Second Order is safe, you will be able to figure out which side to take until the last minute.

In other words, are you saying that it's best for both sides to wait and see?

I'm not saying to turn on each other out of the blue, I'm saying to give each other time to think if it's worth turning on each other.

The second knight order will not destroy the undead soldiers, and the undead soldiers will not kill the second knight order.

I do not regard the Second Order as a target for active execution. I don't want to kill them if I don't have to.

I think a quick end to the fighting would be a mutually beneficial outcome.

And then there was silence.

If your primary goal is to defeat Rene, then you should not wait around and join forces with the First Order, which is the best way to do it. ......

I'm not sure what to make of this. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

Various calculations and simulations of future movements were running in Bertil's head.

”...... You can only trust that I will not harm the people.

I've already taken many lives, but fortunately I'm calm now. I have no intention to kill needlessly.

I would like you to consider it all the more important that I have not lost any non-combatant lives in the battle to this point today.

”Nhu ......

I'm not sure what to make of that, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

If anyone wishes to evacuate the capital, they can pass through here.

Rene said something I hadn't expected.

Bertil was taken aback by this.

What ......?　Are you saying you're willing to give up the advantage of a complete siege?

It's more important that you trust me.

--It's about time. ......

Bertil decided that it would be better to make a compromise here than to extract any more concessions from Rene. You can't do anything if you break down.

...... I understand. I'll take a look at it for now.

Thank you!

I'm not sure what to do. He seemed to be overcome with emotion.

But this is just a test. I'm acting for the good of this country. Don't forget that.

Yes, I understand.

I'll be in contact with you again if necessary to work more closely. Thank you in advance.

”Yes, sir. Please do not make any mistake in your promise.

...... Oh, and one last thing, if I may?

What is it?

Even though he was a little afraid that he might offend her, Bertil couldn't help but ask.

He was curious to find out more about Rene's character.

Why did you leave the army?

It would have been easy enough to fight him, but Rene had retreated with a dead wyvern as a souvenir, and had turned the fight back to a standoff. I was curious about his intentions.

When asked, Rene responded with no sign of dismay.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.

”...... I see.

The first knights were killed because they participated in the coup, while the second knights were not killed because they did not act aggressively. ......?

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Rene's actions up to this point seem simple and straightforward, but there is something unnatural about them.

Perhaps his first strike was an act of intimidation (demonstration) to get himself to the negotiation table. I thought that this was the reason why the 2nd Knights were not harmed,......, but Bertil did not say anything more.

In such negotiations, both parties are aware of the deceit, but they also talk about it with a sense of importance.

--It's cute if you're upset because you've been poked in the eye, but ...... can you do this kind of bellyaching? I'm sick of it.

If it's all calculated, it's childishly cunning. It's not something a 10 year old would do.

I'm sure you'll be able to do it. ...... Well, a normal 10 year old wouldn't come back from the guillotine as the undead, but that's about it.

It's dangerous to think of them as children who lash out haphazardly with their emotions, Bertil thought.

I understand. I'll leave you to it this time.

”Yes. I hope that your choice will lead to the outcome you desire.

When Bertil looked up to thank him, the connection to the Visioner had already been cut.

As soon as he saw that the Visioner was indeed out of effect, Bertil quickly pulled out a folded bill from his pocket.