213 CHAPTER VII BEFORE WAR ① (1/2)

Two days have passed since the Trilateral Council while I was seeing the King, Pope and Emperor off.

We have only five days left until the war begins and we must make the preparations quickly.

So let's get this conference going. Come on, Fleur, you're up.

The meeting began, and I asked Miss Flair, who was rumored to have recently been courted by Stan in Mladine territory, to moderate the meeting.

Could the rumors be true?　You've been a great help to me, Flair, and I want you to be happy soon.

Yes, sir. First, about the defensive battle near the western border: ....... Are you sure you're on your own?

Whoa, I need to focus on the meeting.

I quickly changed my mind and answered Miss Flare's question.

”Yeah. Well, don't worry, it's the golem that we'll be fighting. I'll be in a safe zone.

How many times have we heard this explanation?

Well, if you think about it, the head of the family is trying to fight alone when the enemy is at its healthiest, or anyone tries to stop him .

But it's the best way to minimize the damage, so it can't be helped.

I understand. So, you confirm the enemy's strength and weaponry?

''I guess so. It would be perfect if we could even destroy the siege weapons. ...... Kite's skills are tricky.

Because of the light shield, they wouldn't be able to break one for sure.

Maybe it'll protect all the siege weapons.

That guy's a real pain in the ass.

So: ....... As I thought, we'll just have to aim for the moment we're on the move and let our guard down.

Yeah. Just make sure you let everyone know as soon as you encounter a brave soul. Be sure not to engage in any one-on-one combat.

The current Kite has become a lot stronger than the main character.

Combined with the skills I have now, even Hermann and Alma would have a hard time fighting alone.

I understand. Also, you said that the Forster family will be able to hold the kingdom back from the middle of the game.

I know. But... I don't know if we're going to make it.

We didn't expect the war to start so soon.

At the earliest, they won't arrive for three or four weeks at the earliest.

I don't think they're going to arrive in time.

”What?　What will you do then?

The czar's special forces will take care of it. I don't think they'll have a problem.

''It's true, but ...... what about escorts in the Imperial City?''

I think some of the guys are going to stay on, so they're not worried.

Well, since the emperor says so, let's just let it go.

There's no way we can do everything.

I see. ......

So, the last thing we need to talk about is the defense here.

Here, in Mladin territory. We should try not to make the battle here too big, so we need to do our best in the battle before that, but we have to expect it to get bigger to some extent.

''The kingdom will be able to arrive here in a couple of weeks at the earliest, and a month at the latest after the war begins.

Yes, sir. If it lasts any longer, the kingdom will have no choice but to retreat.

They won't even have enough food in that wasteland.

At best, they'll be at their limit for a month to get home.

Well, I don't think that's going to happen. ......

That idiot king. He'll just charge in, not thinking about getting home.

And I'm sure he wasn't thinking about losing.

anyways....magic will be the main force behind the battle. I mean, it's better to think of it as a real emergency when the knights get their turn.

I don't think we can climb up that wall, so a melee fight shouldn't happen unless the enemy gets inside.

If the enemy gets inside, it's just a countdown to defeat.

''That's true. Good luck with Stan and his men.

Yeah.

I nodded widely at Bernold's words .

I nodded, but inside I wasn't that confident.

I'm a little nervous about the newly launched magic unit .......

I just graduated, so I'm inexperienced, and more importantly, there aren't many of us.

Will we have enough firepower to defeat all the kingdom's soldiers?

At worst, I'll have to work as a magician.

And what about the Baudelaire family supply corps?

We received a war notice and are moving in. I don't think there's any problem with the base, as it was originally built.

Copy that. The longer we play, the better off we are, so we're gonna need them to hang in there.

It's one tactic to break the opponent's heart.

If your opponent doesn't have any siege weapons, there's no need to force your magicians to do so, or you can slowly reduce their numbers.

Yes.

Well, that's all I have to ask. Is there anyone else you want to check on?

At my question, everyone shook their heads.

Well, it was originally just a meeting to confirm what had been decided.

Then let's talk about it for now. Let's each of you gather your wits for the war. It's gonna be a busy day for the next five days.

It's our last holiday before the war. I want each of you to get a good night's rest.

That said, where am I going to be until operations begin?

I've been so busy that I've forgotten how to spend my time off.

What did you do in your spare time before?　Yeah .......

'It's been a while since I've had time to relax with Master Shelly and the others.

As I was struggling, Belle gave me a grateful lesson.

Well, it's for the best. Where is everybody?

I think he's in Miss Shelley's room.

Yeah. All right, let's get on with it.

I can't remember when we were all together.

Oh, Leo. Did you miss your meeting?

When I walked into Shelly's room, I saw Shelly, Leena, Lou and Elsie, all four of them.

'Yeah . . it wasn't that long since it was a reaffirmation of what was originally decided.

That's right: ......

Shelly said we should smile already, remember?

As Shelly looked sad, Lou, who was next to her, squeaked and pinched Shelly's cheek .

I never thought it would be time for Lou to pay attention to Shelly: .......

'Yeah, I guess . Hmmm. ......

You don't have to do that. It's okay. We'll be fine. We're not gonna lose.

Shelly was forcing a smile and I gently patted her head.

Then Sherry couldn't stand it anymore, and she hugged me and started to cry.

”Leo ......

”Mmm-hmm. I told you.

Ah, Elsie. Has the Chamber of Commerce been notified of the war?

'Yes . . though I'm sure people who do business here don't have to do that.

'Maybe so, but ....... Just for the sake of formality.

This city is made up of merchants, and we can't just ignore that, can we?

Yes, they are. Oh, and I'm getting calls from some of our members for funds and supplies.

'Really?　That's surprising: ......

I thought the merchants were just standing by. Then some of them might betray us.

No, I'm sure they did so based on a careful accounting of their profits and losses. It would be very troublesome for the merchants if this place came under the jurisdiction of the kingdom.

Surely you'll side with us, given the heavy taxation of the kingdom.

Okay. Well, we'll take what we can get.

Yes. I think that's a good idea.

”Hey ...... can't I join the war too?

Yes?

Sherry stopped crying and said something so out of the blue that I couldn't help but ask her back.

No, what do you mean?

I think my magic ...... will definitely help.