Chapter 106 - 9-7
The one who conveyed the intention for peace negotiations to Yugis Necrat was a monk named Gurt-sensei. He arrived at the settlement where the Western Army congregated, accompanied by several people carrying musical instruments. Yugis was requested for an audience and sat facing the guest inside a tent used for meetings and such. He thought they might perform for him, but it seemed that was not the case.
Gurt-sensei was a man with sharp features, appearing to be an ascetic monk. His skin was black like tanned leather, and though he was thin, he possessed a physique that looked resilient. A light that suggested vitality danced in his eyes.
Gurt-sensei was also observing Yugis.
"I see, so this is the kind of person you are." The monk narrowed his eyes and lifted the corner of his lips ironically. "I am surprised. You are quite young."
"What did you imagine I'd be like?"
"A villainous face, naturally."
Yugis was left speechless.
"Thank you for granting me this audience." Despite saying such rude things, Gurt-sensei greeted him politely.
"I'm not exactly a noble anymore, you know."
"Even so, one cannot help but be formal—Yugis-sama, do you meet with everyone who requests an interview?"
Yugis answered that he made it a point to meet with those requesting an audience as much as possible.
However, guests bringing talk of loans were the exception. Yugis was incompetent when it came to making money. Aside from receiving pay when he was a mercenary, he had operated using other people's wallets.
Those wishing to borrow money were referred to Curier. Lord Curier had also told him, "Leave it to me."
According to Godly Curier, one should not borrow from the wrong places. Borrowing money from Enagamans or foreigners would result in the outflow of Siddim's gold. Yugis could understand that kind of logic.
"Even with domestic moneylenders, if you investigate the funds, there are often Enagamans behind them."
Fortunately, among the youths who had gathered in response to the Princess's voice, there were reportedly those capable of investigating the nature of funds. Using them, they properly selected the sources for procuring military funds. Before he knew it, such a specialized department had been organized.
Yugis only needed to concentrate on the war. Everyone had arranged it that way for him. This only served to heighten his spirit further.
While he did not disclose the inner workings to that extent, Yugis informed Gurt-sensei that regarding matters of money, they would need to undergo a screening on their end.
"No. This is not that kind of talk. I have been entrusted with a communication for Yugis-sama from His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Siddim."
"For me? The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Siddim?"
"Yes. From Lord Gilma Rigardie."
Gurt-sensei had not come alone. Four men and women stood behind him. Three men holding instruments, and one woman who appeared to be a dancer dressed in beautiful attire. In other words, they were a troupe of entertainers. Yugis had assumed they wanted to put on a show for the new recruits here. He thought the monk had come as an intermediary to obtain a business permit for them.
"You're saying you brought a letter from His Excellency the Prime Minister?" Yugis said. "By what means, exactly?"
"First, I would like you to examine the letter."
Yugis received the scroll offered by Gurt-sensei with a slight bow. The wax seal was certainly that of the King. With one hand, he broke the wax and opened the letter. Before reading the contents, he checked the signature, and it seemed undoubtedly to be that of Gilma Rigardie.
"How did you bring this out of the royal capital?" Yugis said, placing the letter face down on the table. "Aren't all the gates of the royal capital closed?"
"Will you not read it?"
"I'd be troubled if it were something dubious."
Gurt-sensei lowered his voice. "It is the Alish royal family, after all. Naturally, they have means of contacting the outside, anticipating such cases."
—There is a secret passage to exit the city from the castle.
"I shall leave it at that," Gurt-sensei said.
"And them?"
Yugis cast his gaze toward the musicians.
"They are those who serve the royal family."
The story was somehow unclear.
Yugis read the letter. It stated that through the mediation of the Roma Church, negotiations for peace were being explored. It urged that the Western Army exercise extreme restraint.
Unpleasantly, a sentence suggesting the restoration of the Necrat house was inserted into the letter.
'Once peace is achieved, a reorganization of the various houses may be possible.'
Yugis clicked his tongue.
Even setting aside the matter of house restoration. The Malfa leadership was weak-willed.
They took too long, Yugis thought bitterly. He should have brought it to combat sooner. Even if they didn't win, if they had shown a fighting spirit, the situation might have changed.
According to the letter, the mediator would be the renowned clergyman of Kindary, Gurt-sensei Sancour, who would take the trouble. This selection of personnel had reportedly been approved by the Kosa army as well. It seemed the Bishop of Siddim had been sidelined. Did that mean he had lost the trust of both Kindary and the royal family?
However, regarding the Bishop, Yugis thought it was better this way. If he were involved in such a phase, his current position would also be endangered.
More importantly, there was the Kosa army. Geraha Wolf.
—What is he thinking?
Peace could not possibly be achieved.
A man like Geraha would not be satisfied with such a half-baked situation. It was true that the Kosa army was winning. But they hadn't won decisively.
Yugis fell into deep thought on the spot.
Especially Malfa City. The enemy was attempting to enter negotiations without leaving a single scratch on it. Wouldn't that give the impression, both internally and externally, that they were negotiating because they couldn't conquer it? Naturally, Malfa City would be assertive in negotiations, backed by an unscathed fighting force.
Are they testing Siddim in some way?
Or is it preparation looking ahead to the future? Or perhaps,
—Us.
The Western Army. Geraha might have proposed peace to prevent the expansion of the Western Army and to stall them. Once peace negotiations began, the Western Army would lose its justification. Without justification, an army cannot exist.
A fake peace negotiation to keep the Western Army in check.
—No, that's not it.
There is another intention besides that.
Because the interest the Kosa army directs toward the west is strangely faint. The Western Army had driven away the enemy soldiers from the Euryas Convent. Did that change anything for the Kosa army? It could be said there was absolutely nothing. No reaction. Even the reconnaissance of those fast Kosa cavalry did not cross a certain line to enter the west.
The enemy believes that a war with the west is completely unnecessary. They are underestimating it as something that can be stalled just by the mood of peace negotiations.
—Shall I decide?
In other words, we strike from here.
Yugis tilted his head. Such recklessness surely wouldn't pass.
The enemy is hiding one more thing. Unless that is understood, he cannot move carelessly. The reason he cannot read the enemy's hidden hand is that he doesn't know the enemy's objective. Peace cannot be the objective. It doesn't seem to be the conquest of the Western Army either. If so,
—It's Malfa.
Geraha Wolf is looking at the royal capital. He just wants to move this side in order to attack the royal capital.
In terms of form, to the enemy's south is Malfa City. The garrison is beyond the tightly closed gates. To the north is the sea. Since the enemy has no ships, they cannot escape to the north. To the east, the Eastern Royal Army remains intact, though constrained by the enemy forces of Brazm. To the west, the Western Army is growing.
Looking at the big picture, the enemy army is surrounded on all sides—east, west, south, and north.
The enemy moved into such a formation of their own accord.
Why? To make Siddim under the illusion that they "can win." If it becomes a peace negotiation, Siddim will re-examine their own formation. Although they were dazzled by the enemy's speed, if they looked closely, the Malfa leadership would notice that they are in a position of surrounding the Kosa army. The Kosa army has reached Malfa City, but the only ones who defeated them were the Royal Army led by Sedias Thora. In other battles, the Siddim Royal Army had merely retreated. This side has not lost.
—Could it be that we can win?
The Malfa leadership would notice this possibility. They would harbor a false hope.
That is the enemy's trap. Geraha's aim.
Yugis thought once more about the existence of Geraha Wolf. Regarding war, he felt the man was in a place beyond his reach. He didn't despair because of that. He was moved. He thought it was artistic. His heart and body trembled.
Geraha likely read the essence of this war from the topography of Siddim. It is not a war to be won by crushing the Siddim army. He saw through it as a struggle for positions, a battle to drop forts. If so, he must have seen that instead of forcibly crushing the Siddim army, it would be faster to constrain them and turn them into dead soldiers. Because the Siddim army clings to forts and positions. The Siddim army is not a mobile army that holes up.
The Great King knows that the essence of this country lies in Malfa City, and that what truly needs to be crushed is the royal capital. He knows that if there is strength in this country, it is the royal family, not the soldiers.
He understands that the royal family is the core of this country.
That is exactly why he has come to break that core.
However, if that were the case, there was one thing Yugis did not understand.
If Yugis's reasoning was correct, Geraha should not be taking the Western Army seriously and should only want to utilize them. However, the Western Army was Yugis's secret plan, something Princess Lucy had created in a single night as if by magic. It was hard to imagine that Geraha had predicted its existence.
Yugis thought that Geraha had originally intended to utilize the Eastern Royal Army.
For some reason, he might have seen that the Eastern Royal Army was difficult to use.
"You can communicate with the outside. Is that correct?"
Yugis asked Gurt-sensei.
"Indeed."
"Perhaps, together with the musicians behind you, you are collecting various pieces of information?"
"It seems you have already understood us. It is as you say."
"Please tell me one thing. What is the situation in Ganlord right now?"
Gurt-sensei peered into Yugis's face with interest. "The eastern army has separated from the Royal Army, gathered, and is confronting the enemy army at the Twin Forts."
Yugis laughed shortly. "I'll bet. It's the work of Skyner and Danforth, isn't it?"
"That is a correct answer."
Yugis looked up and laughed.
"The Great King must have been flustered."
He might never be able to hold his head high before Haider and Cloden for the rest of his life, Yugis thought.
However, even knowing that much, Yugis did not know how he should move the Western Army. His laughter subsided quietly.
"The enemy general's objective? Hoho."
Gilma Rigardie straightened his back from the backrest of the chair.
It was night in his private room in Malfa Castle. The light of the candelabra was lonely. There was no alcohol on the table. Malfa City, blockaded by the enemy, was in a combat state. Lights were conserved, and food was rationed.
Across the table sat Gurt-sensei, the monk with the spirited face.
"If he is Urgil Necrat's son, he must have said something quite cynical."
His tone was teasing, but Gilma wanted even a small amount of new opinion right now. He was leaning forward as if to devour the information.
"According to that son..."
—Geraha's objective is to have the gates of Malfa City opened from the inside.
Apparently.
Gilma covered his large aquiline nose with his hand. "The gates? His objective is to have us open the gates? What does that mean? We have no intention of opening the gates."
"Is that so? At least Yugis predicts that the royal capital's garrison will open the gates."
"Hmm."
"In other words, the Western Army is full of amateurs. And please imagine the moment the experienced Kosa army begins combat. Wouldn't the royal capital's garrison be forced to open the gates and send reinforcements?"
"No, one simply needs to order that the gates must absolutely not be opened."
"Then, what if the Western Army and the Kosa army were fighting a good battle? A situation where both sides are evenly matched, and it seems as if one side is about to collapse at any moment. He says the enemy can skillfully perform that kind of staging. The enemy Kosa army concentrates on the Western Army, completely showing their back to Malfa City. A situation where the royal capital's garrison would feel that if they attacked the rear, they would surely, definitely win. Can you still say you wouldn't send reinforcements?"
"It is a trained army, you know? Of course, they will obey our orders."
"What about the leadership? Can they endure that situation?"
Gilma looked away, ignoring Gurt-sensei's question. Of course they could endure it. However, the moment the opponent requested negotiations,
—The enemy is in a dire situation.
This preconception had been planted in them. There might be some amount of turmoil.
"No, but," Gilma said. "Opening the gates to send troops. Suppose such a thing happened. However, opening the gates is only for a moment."
The enemy's deployment is far. No matter how fast, they wouldn't make it in time, Gilma thought.
"Yugis believes that Great King Geraha is undoubtedly betting on that moment."
"Are they hiding troops somewhere? No such report has come from the sentries."
"Konzui (T/N: mixing in) is said to be the enemy's specialty."
Konzui is a tactic of jumping into the enemy's bosom by mixing in with retreating enemy soldiers.
In other words, infiltrating Malfa City along with allies fleeing into the castle.
—It's possible.
Gilma shuddered.
The gates are not opened only when sending troops. They are also opened when recovering the troops that were sent.
"I understand. We will not open the gates. I will make it thorough. However, we will be unable to send help to the Western Army."
"I believe that is fine for the time being."
"And what happens then?"
"Yugis sees that if the gates do not open, the enemy army will neatly clean up the Western Army and the Eastern Royal Army before attacking the royal capital. In other words, the east and west armies of Siddim should be able to challenge the Great King's army at least one more time."
"The chance of victory?"
"He says to set the objective as the defeat of the main force led by Great King Geraha, and win through endurance. In other words, by making the number of soldiers tell."
Gilma asked with a bitter feeling.
Gilma had heard from the man before him that Yugis Necrat was gathering volunteers by making Her Highness Luchentin dress in unrefined clothing.
Gurt-sensei blinked.
"Does it not please you?"
"My opinion is irrelevant," Gilma said. "But what does His Majesty think of Princess Lucy? No matter if it is to win against the Kosa army—"
"His Majesty learned of the Princess and smiled. That is all."
As if reproducing that smile, Gurt-sensei wore a water-like smile.
This monk was a spy kept by the royal family.
In Siddim, there is an independent shadow power that could be called the "Inner Sanctum."
Those who make up its members are reportedly people like the vassal group of the Alish family who surround the royal family. Even the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Siddim, Gilma, does not know the full picture. He noticed that such a thing existed immediately after being summoned by His Majesty.
There are moments when the King of Siddim vanishes into a blurred impression, as if hazy beyond the fog. Even when meeting and talking directly, it gives the impression of talking to someone else.
—There is someone behind His Majesty.
Gilma had intuited this. That intuition turned out to be correct.
They were likely people who had served the Alish family for generations, leaving invisible traces in history, people who supported His Majesty while hiding in the depths.
This "Inner Sanctum" has inherited a precise intelligence network through successive generations. Gurt-sensei was one of those intelligence agents.
"We are a screening agency."
When they first met, the sun-burnt monk had said.
"For example, you, or for example, Sedias Thora. We are the ones who investigate whether a person can be entrusted with the steering of this country."
Only those who passed the screening of the Inner Sanctum could approach the pivots of Siddim. Both Gilma and Sedias had apparently passed their screening without knowing it. Yumeria Alish and the like were likely also among those screened by them.
"His Majesty's secret agent? Are you His Majesty's knight?"
Gilma had asked Gurt-sensei during their first meeting. He wanted to know the opponent's identity more concretely.
The Alish family possessed direct territories that were by no means small. He thought they were procuring talent from there.
"That may be so," Gurt-sensei spoke without stinginess. "I do not know everything myself. I belong to the 'People of the Road'."
According to Gurt-sensei.
Almost the entire land of Siddim is given as fiefs to favored nobles. All citizens are incorporated into the order of some noble. However, the roads are different. Roads are never tilled. Every road, as a road, belongs to the King of Siddim.
Those who make those roads their place of living. Beggars, traveling entertainers, musicians, bards, prostitutes, seasonal laborers, migrating craftsmen, peddlers, ascetics, the Luwee tribe, Enagamans, those without homes, those without land, wanderers without family registries or nationality. If anything, they were people close to the despised untouchables.
Gurt-sensei says that in this Siddim, they are the subjects of His Majesty the King.
"We go wherever the road continues. We do not stay only in Siddim. Anywhere in the world."
—Therefore, information from all over the world gathers before His Majesty.
Gilma could not believe Gurt-sensei's words.
However, his imagination was stirred. The bleached people who appear from nowhere. Mysterious people who disappear into the forest, into the mountains, beyond the road, into the twilight. There is likely no one who has not thought with a sense of loneliness in their childhood heart about where they return to.
They can freely enter and exit somewhere in Malfa Castle, or a detached palace, by His Majesty's side. —Could such a thing be? It is like a fairy tale, and this story itself seems like a deception. In the end, Gurt-sensei also becomes a person beyond the fog, and his outline becomes blurred.
Still, Gilma trusted this monk. He entrusted him with the letter to be sent to Yugis.
He had seen up close His Majesty Swad Alish VII talking familiarly with this eccentric who he didn't even know if he was truly a monk.
"So, how will Yugis move?"
"Great King Geraha is making a great gamble, so he said he would also make a gamble."
"Specifically?"
Gurt-sensei lowered the ends of his eyebrows. He had a troubled face. "He says he will advance the Western Army to a position facing the enemy soldiers."
"Umu." Gilma touched his sharp aquiline nose. "The enemy wants to have the gates of Malfa City opened. Is that correct?"
The monk nodded.
"To do that, it is necessary to lure the Western Army and engage in combat. Anticipating that if combat is carried out near Malfa City, we will open the gates and send reinforcements."
"That is correct."
"In other words, Yugis will pretend to fall into the enemy's trap. Is that it? And what is the intent?"
Gurt-sensei shrugged. "No, Yugis says he is betting on you."
"What do you mean?"
"That if the Western Army is moved forward, you will utilize that to take time preparing for negotiations with the Kosa army. He says that while you buy time, you intend to think of something."
"In other words?"
"No..."
"In other words, he possesses no plan whatsoever, is that it?"
Gurt-sensei crossed his arms and shook his head. "No, it is a troubling thing. However, he said that if it is His Excellency the Prime Minister, he will surely join this bet."
"I will not," Gilma leaned back against the backrest of the chair.
"He said you would."
"Why?"
"...Because it is Princess Lucy's army."
Choking on his voice, Gilma fell silent.
—The brat.
That's right. It is the army that His Majesty smiled at and gave his 'Yes' to.
So what, Gilma could naturally say. His Majesty had given Gilma full authority over these negotiations. Yugis apparently bets on Gilma. However, Gilma has no intention of betting the Kingdom of Siddim on a good idea that Yugis might not even come up with.
He doesn't, but however.
It is Princess Lucy. She has a track record. It seems the Princess was the one who made the Western Army possible.
If the Princess is there, there is a part of him that naturally feels it might be okay to bet. That was also a fact.
The brat certainly knows how to use a trump card.
Gilma thought so while grinding his teeth.
Bolsa City, the central city of the Moskov territory, is gradually regaining its daily life.
Though it lost a large number of young men, every day comes. It is a daily life that must be overcome by behaving brightly.
"Master—!"
Hearing that voice, Master Orca the shoemaker looked up.
The town girl Adelina was at the storefront with her usual carefree face.
"What is it?"
"This nun says she has something she wants to ask the Master—!"
Beside Adelina was a nun with an unusually beautiful face.
"A, ah, um, sorry for interrupting your work, I, um, well..."
The nun was flustered.
Master Orca, who had not lost his feeling of reverence for God, stopped his hands and stood up.
The nun stepped back as if intimidated. "Ah, sorry, sorry."
"No, no." The master showed the palms of both hands to the other as if to soothe her. "I apologize for startling you. Please ask whatever you wish. Would you like to come inside if you like?"
"No, um, right here." The nun made the sign of the cross. "I wish to know the whereabouts of Princess Lucy-sama. I heard from Adel that you might know."
"I don't know what you heard or how..."
"Eh? Master, you were really worried about the Princess, weren't you—?"
"Idiot, don't put it in such a strange way." Master Orca glared at the town girl Adelina.
"A, um," the nun hurriedly intervened. "I apologize for the delay in introducing myself. My name is Marvel. I met the Princess once at the Euryas Convent. There is something I wish to convey to the Princess."
"Heh, what is it?" Adelina said in a sleepy voice.
"I, idiot..." This time the master was flustered. He thought it was rude.
Sister Marvel wore an expression that could be called a gentle smile. "Please do not mind. I wish to inform many people of this auspicious event."
—May the Kingdom come!
Sister Marvel suddenly raised her voice loudly.
The shoemaker master was surprised. It was a transformation unimaginable from her timid attitude until a moment ago.
"Peace negotiations will begin."
The nun closed her eyes and spoke clearly.
"My!" Adelina exclaimed.
"What!" Master Orca also widened his eyes. "Peace, i-is that with the Kosa army?"
"Precisely."
Whether it was because joy was improving the nun's complexion, Sister Marvel's beauty was shining brightly.
"Precisely, the enemy is flustered by the enterprise that Princess Lucy-sama began! Glory be!"
"No, wait a moment—"
The master called out to the nun who had suddenly become divine.
"Is that truly a certain story?"
"Believe." Confidence could be felt in the nun's tone. "Various pieces of information gather at the church. The Roma Church will mediate the negotiations. The brave attitude of this Bolsa City! Has changed the enemy's heart!"
Surprisingly, Sister Marvel knelt on the spot, clasped her hands, and began to pray in a low voice.
It was a single-minded prayer that felt as if one would be electrocuted if they touched her slender back.
Master Orca instinctively looked at Adelina.
Suddenly noticing, people had stopped their feet. Several women were watching from a distance.
"Um, what on earth—" one of them approached.
"Peace negotiations will begin!" The nun stood up with a momentum as if jumping. "Mothers of sons, listen. They will return safely! The war will end! May the Kingdom come!"
Master Orca did not believe it. Unverified tall tales enter Bolsa City every day. However, since this time it was the words of a nun, no one on the spot showed distrust.
—The truth will be known as time passes.
The master thought vaguely.
"So, where did the Princess go?"
The nun peered into Master Orca's face. Looking closely, she had foreign-style eyes.
"Uh, there is a story that she headed to Maysil from Darcy."
"Does she intend to pass Karnain and proceed to Delroy?"
"Well, I couldn't say for sure."
After Sister Marvel bowed her waist slightly to show gratitude, she also nodded to Adelina and began to walk.
"Praise the divine work!"
With high spirits, thrusting her fist toward the heavens, she walked among the people.
Several men and women who wanted to believe her words prayed to her back.
Master Orca also prayed. He didn't believe her words, but he thought it wouldn't be a sin to offer at least a prayer. Adelina also began to pray, and as a result, everyone on the spot was praying.
Leaving Bolsa City behind, Marvel walked along a lonely road for a while. A large, dark-skinned nun was waiting, sitting in the grass. Two horses were tied to a nearby tree.
"How thoughtful."
Marvel said in a good mood.
The black nun Rivet looked up.
"It's been a while, Marvel."
"I was lonely not being able to see your face. Where were you?"
Marvel stroked the tied horses. They were northern horses with thick legs.
"I was searching for Marvel. If you want me to chase after you, you should show your face at the church a bit more."
"These horses are a gift for me. Even though you always say 'An observer only observes,' you occasionally do things like this."
"Marvel would just steal them anyway, wouldn't you? I don't want you to pile up too many sins."
—Look who's talking.
Marvel Boony laughed softly.
Rivet was the master who had instilled the techniques of killing into Marvel.
"Something happened, didn't it, Marvel. Your expression is quite bright."
Marvel silently untied the horse's reins from the tree. She did not mount the horse yet. Rivet already drew eyes, and even without that, a woman on horseback was conspicuous.
"Let's go. We'll talk while walking."
The one who informed Marvel of Yugis Necrat's survival was Mozu Wolf.
While drifting in Geraha Wolf's chest and spending a happy time, Marvel suddenly thought she wanted to change into Kosa clothing. Belatedly, she felt ashamed of her naked self.
Wearing Siddim soldiers' clothes so as not to wake Geraha, and without causing any commotion among the sentries, Marvel left the Great King's tent. Mozu Wolf was waiting in the small tent that had been lent to her.
"So, you were told about Yugis." Rivet laughed with sad eyes. "Was Marvel a woman who could be utilized so easily?"
"I thought there was some truth in Mozu-sama's words."
If the Western Army could be destroyed from within, this war would end in the Empire's victory.
Mozu Wolf had said so.
"However, Mozu-sama even tried to stop me. Saying there was no need to go."
"That's the point."
"That may be so. But, Rivet. Everyone is on the battlefield risking their lives. Both Kosa and Siddim people. I can be useful, I'm still in time."
"Now. I wonder about that." Rivet said. "Marvel, you have become weak. You've noticed it yourself, haven't you?"
"Do you know who I will kill last, Rivet?" Marvel said defiantly. "It's you. When the day comes that I finish everything and return to Kandasyata, I will become free from you."
"Do as you like. But why not go straight to Yugis Necrat? He is playing general on the outskirts of the Moskov territory. The camp followers will soon be aiming for the soldiers' wallets. I think it would be safe and certain for Marvel to mix in with them and sneak into the enemy army's settlement."
"I—" Marvel lowered her voice. "I don't do those things anymore."
"You've become weak."
"Besides, there's no need to obsess over Yugis. He knows my face. The core of the Western Army is somewhere else. That nun of Euryas."
"Princess Lucy?"
Rivet stopped her feet.
Marvel looked back suspiciously. "What is it?"
"Marvel, you—don't know what the Great King intends to do with the Princess, do you?"
"What are you talking about?"
Rivet laughed. It was the first time Marvel had seen Rivet open her mouth wide and laugh out loud. It was a coarse laughing voice. It was a roar like a beast of Futsuria.
A wind blew across the foreign wasteland. It felt as if Rivet's laughter was swirling and blowing up into the sky.
"What's so funny?"
"No, it's not that funny. I just thought it was sad." Rivet wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Forget my words. An observer only observes."
Marvel snorted and began to walk.
Rivet didn't matter. Marvel was now the one who would end everything. She would end the war and end this long wandering. She had a place to return to.
—Geraha.
Thinking that she could return to that chest, her pace became light as if flying. She felt as if she could soar to a place where Rivet's insulting laughter could not reach.
A few days later, Geraha Wolf received a report and galloped his horse to see the enemy Siddim Western Army that had advanced to the west side of the besieging army. Mozu Wolf was with him.
Looking at the enemy soldiers from a distance with the scouts, Geraha felt a sign of discomfort.
—A formation that reeks of bluffing.
That was the first thing he felt. The scale of the enemy soldiers was unexpectedly large.
The undulating horizon was filled with the enemy's simple tents.
"Did they scrape them together?"
Big Brother Mozu seemed to have a similar impression.
"So this is the main force."
"Probably."
"This is the center, and they are deployed to the north and south respectively, right?"
"Yes."
If so, it could be said to be larger than imagined.
They had brought them to a distance that could be called close contact. It was an unpleasant feeling.
Geraha tilted his head. "The enemy seems to have confidence."
"That is precisely why they have approached this far," Big Brother Mozu nodded. "Shall we negotiate with Gilma Rigardie to have them pull back a little?"
"Hmm."
Luring out the Western Army was one of Geraha's plans. Geraha had predicted that the enemy would deploy to intimidate this side and to proceed advantageously with the peace negotiations of Malfa City. The enemy had moved exactly as predicted, but their formation was strangely provocative and brazen.
"Alright, Big Brother Mozu. Try poking them a little."
"But—" Mozu Wolf showed concern between his eyebrows despite having suggested it himself. "Malfa City can probably communicate with the outside. If the troops are truly pulled back..."
"No, they won't pull back."
If the enemy pulled back their troops, that would be the end of it. They weren't worth taking seriously.
"We shall also be cautious. A bold enemy can become a monster."
Boldness on the battlefield can be another name for a fool.
However, on the battlefield, that fool is the one who is terrifying, depending on how they fall.