106 [2-40] Faith is heavier than life...! (1/2)

Marks had a pained expression on his face and his eyes were downcast. Patrick must have had the same look on his face.

So you're pulling out?

”Yes, ...... unfortunately.

”Yes, unfortunately,” Patrick said with a sobering thought.

Patrick decided to pull his army out of Ciel-Teira.

”The destruction of supply and reinforcement units. And yesterday's raid ...... is beginning to cause concern not only among the peasants at the end of the line, but also among the knights close to me. There is also a serious shortage of supplies.

To put it bluntly, we have no choice but to 'go home while we still have the strength to do so'.

With supplies cut off, troops can only starve, unable to fight.

And the shortage of supplies is further depressing morale, which is already low.

A demoralized army will not listen to orders and will run away on its own, and there is really nothing you can do about it. If you force an attack on the capital, you might end up losing the battle without defeating a single zombie.

”Don't worry, Marquis Edfelt.

Don't worry, Marquis Edfelt. In place of the Kingdom of Noa Curio, the Holy Kingdom of Diretta will protect the Marquis and the Crown Prince. Yes, a great army illuminated by the divine light!　An overwhelming legion!　And that will be the end of the Rose Princess of Hell!”

A voice that sounded as if it had no regard for the atmosphere echoed in the parlor of the castle.

--I'm not sure why he's here in the first place.

I'm not sure what to make of it.

It's a little thin for a fighter. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of these in the marketplace.

Erminio Drouet. Erminio Drouet is an adventurer currently employed as Marks' bodyguard, and is the son of a vassal of the Holy Kingdom of Diretta.

For some reason, he's here to discuss future strategy.

The most likely explanation is that Erminio insisted that he be present, and Marks couldn't say no. ...... or that he had no particular reason to refuse. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

However, Erminio himself is destroying that pretense. Is he trying to act as an agent of the Holy Kingdom of Diretta? If that's the case, it's unforgivable for him to step into the negotiations between Noa Curio and Ciel-Teira, and what about Marks for allowing it?

In fact, Marks is looking at Erminio with an expression of anguish on his face and a look that says, ”For God's sake, don't say anything else. In order to work with Diretta, he can't afford to upset Erminio at this point.

--Elminio (this guy) is just a fool, but if he continues like this, the Diretta Holy Kingdom will take the best part of him: ......

If Diretta's army came and protected Ciel-Teira after Noa Curio retreated, the people would of course be grateful to Diretta. They might even take away the entirety of Gracelum's rights. We have to avoid that.

Of course, Noachurio will send a replacement army as soon as it is ready, and Patrick will not retreat without a plan.

Even if someone other than Noachurio's army protects Ciel-Teira, the situation will be dangerous for the time being. So we'll leave behind a small force of holy beasts and their supporters.

”Holy Beast?　But that didn't work at all against the Rose Princess of Hell,.......

Marks' brow wrinkles deeply.

The Noah's Curio's Incarnate Holy Beast has engaged the ”Rose of Hell” three times so far, but each time it was swept away like a piece of dust.

However, Patrick had thought about it carefully.

They are, after all, small arms. ”It's to be expected that they won't work against the Rose Princess of Hell itself. But the materials are relatively easy to procure, and we can make them in large numbers.

From now on, I'm thinking of attaching those holy beasts to knights and adventurers who excel in their individual abilities. We have to change the way we operate.

Will that work?

The other day's raid on the mobile middle unit and yesterday's battle: ......

The ”Rose Princess of Hell” is avoiding those who are above a certain level of ability and focusing on farmers and non-combatants. If she could be defeated, she would have defeated the knight first. If she could, she would have defeated the knights first.

”In the event you've got any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with me, please feel free to contact me.

”...... I see.

Those who continue to train their bodies often enhance their physical abilities to the realm of the physically impossible. Through the action of bio-magic, they can crack open large rocks with their bare hands and withstand the breath of dragons in the nude.

Lawrence Reinhardt was definitely a warrior of that realm. If you wanted to kill him, even if you had a mountain of undead soldiers, it would not be enough. He would have to be fought by someone who could rival him. In other words, we can infer that the Rose of Hell is strong enough to kill Lawrence.

However, Patrick believes that she is only that strong.

If she was strong enough to kill all the knights in an instant, she wouldn't have used any tricks or avoided the fight.

After all, if he was so strong, he wouldn't have needed to lead an army to capture the capital. He could just ride single-handedly without such a hassle.

You know how to use the Holy Beast. You know how to use holy beasts. You can use a limited number of fierce fighters more effectively against the Rose Princess of Hell.

In addition, a limited number of Holy Beasts can be used as weapons of war. This one is unknown, but will probably be effective.

I'll leave Morgana here, so you can use the Holy Beast if you need to.

Thank you very much. I, and the people of Ciel-Teira, will never forget the efforts of the Kingdom of Noa Curio.

Marx and Patrick shook hands.

For Marks, there was no need to weigh the Noahcurio and Diretta. If he can get support from both, so much the better.

But Erminio sniffed at that.

”Hmm. You run away with your tail between your legs, but you're so good at ingratiating yourself. This is why Noah's Curio knights have no class.

Patrick fought to keep his hand on his sword.

--He had engaged Noa Curio at one point, and he had let him escape.

It's not that Erminio, as a Dilettante, has any rivalry with Noah Curio, it's just that he's arrogant and says what he thinks.

By the way, what was your name again ......?

If you're going to protect Ciel-Teira, then give me the Holy Beast. You'll be able to use it more effectively than anyone else.

Erminio commanded Patrick in a familiar and superior manner.

It was a miracle he could hold his tongue.

Marks intervened on Patrick's behalf, who responded in silence.

”Of course, you will all be provided with a holy beast to guard me and the crown prince, Drouet the Decisive.

Of course.