In the end the first decisive battle between Therese and Duke Nürnberg came to an end without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Duke Nürnberg tried to kill me by using his protege magician Talrand, but failed. Getting enraged due to that cowardly act, I reduced the supply point in the rear to ashes with magic and thus he ended up retreating.

Exactly as stated by 『An army can't fight on an empty stomach』, Duke Nürnberg left behind the disposable vanguard unit and retreated promptly.

Thanks to that, there haven't been that many victims among those elite 110,000 soldiers he can depend on except for the several thousands of the command group.

Of the 40,000 soldiers that had been abandoned, around 15,000 were killed in action and around 20,000 became prisoners because of Therese's pursuit order.

The remaining 5,000 soldiers apparently escaped, but even the liberation army has lost more than 2,000 soldiers.

If you consider the loss ratio, it might be a perfect victory for the liberation army, but that's hard to say without delivering fatal damage to Duke Nürnberg' trusted troops.

As result, it's questionable whether one can really call this a victory.

“Al pa.s.sed away once again, didn't he?” (Burkhart)

“Since he has already died, it's probably correct to call it him having been returned to his proper place once more?”

“I wonder about that.”

From atop the wall's main gate where the headquarters was still located at, me, Burkhart-san and Dous.h.i.+ had a talk while gazing at our allies who are cleaning up the remains of the battle.

Actually it's wrong for us to not help out, but since our burden was large this time, we were exempted.

“『Hero Summoning』, huh? There sure exists strange magic. Earl-sama, your bad premonition has been correct, too.” (Burkhart)

“Once in a while that happens as well.” (Wendelin)

That man called Talrand was eerie at the very least.

Since the dinner meeting I haven't felt anything from him even though he had eaten together with us after being introduced by Duke Nürnberg.

Despite him being there, I somehow didn't feel anything except for the awareness of him existing.

Having even the worry that I would forget his existence right away once I relaxed my attention for a second, I was simply scared of the man called Talrand.

That perception was right. Thanks to his magic, I ended up getting injured many times over in one day.

But honestly, his one attack from behind was really dangerous.

It looks like I unconsciously protected my vital spots and organs, but that was likely because Dous.h.i.+'s training came in handy.

That means it was good for me to have received that training, even though it was done reluctantly.

“Master is really strong.” (Wendelin)

“Though the mana is overwhelmingly larger on your side if it's now, right Earl-sama? Nevertheless, Al had that sort of dreadfulness. He is much stronger than someone like me.” (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san, who was overpowered even by master's puppet, apparently completely understands his capability as magician.

Though there's no doubt that you can consider him as leading on the continent as in teaching methods and the number of pupils.

“For my close combat it might be yet another ingenious way of fighting, right? I cannot feel relieved with my mana pool being large.” (Armstrong)

As the three of us are talking while sitting on chairs, the wand, which is a legacy of master, and high-cla.s.s wine from the kingdom that has been poured into gla.s.ses are placed on top of the table.

Since it's the second time for master to have been sent to the netherworld, we deceased from anything tedious and only offered him some wine.

Once I asked Burkhart-san and Dous.h.i.+, I found out that master apparently belonged to the wine faction.

Which reminds me, there was also a biggish wine cellar in the bas.e.m.e.nt of his mansion.

“To desecrate the slumber of the death.”

“He is no man befitting the t.i.tle of emperor, right? What do you think, Earl Baumeister?” (Armstrong)

“It's unreasonable to force such way of battling, isn't it?” (Wendelin)

“Unreasonable, huh? Your phrasing fits perfectly, Earl Baumeister.” (Armstrong)

If he had won in the emperor election, something like this shouldn't have happened.

He would have probably advanced the empire's centralization while shaving off the power of the Lan tribe and the Mizuho people with a method of quietly dragging things out.

However, he has acquired his political power through a coup d'etat.

“For Duke Nürnberg, the imperial army that has announced its support and the feudal army of the Duke Nürnberg household are strong, backing parent organizations.”

That's why he has always to consider them.

Since he can't suffer losses pointlessly, he will use the other n.o.bles, who pretend to obey him, and the imperial army that obeys him as they can't help it while heavily using detestable strategies to diminish the numbers of the liberation army.

“Even if they get annihilated, he probably plans to give the territories of those n.o.bles to his proteges so that he can increase his own support.”

In future history books it might be described as strategy of a savage and fiend, but I guess his actions will be just if they turn out well.

Though that only applies if they do work out well in the end.

“20,000 soldiers that surrendered, huh…?”

“Therese-sama was at her wits' end how to deal with them, wasn't she?”

They ended up surrendering readily once Duke Nürnberg had the army retreat since they were used as disposable p.a.w.ns.

There were also many n.o.bles who are angry at Duke Nürnberg, but treating them as allies just because of that is difficult.

Given that their territory and family has been taken hostage, there's the possibility of them betraying this side once it turns into an actual battle.

“Even the prisoners are a trap…?”

“In a certain way I admire his excessively crafty style.” (Armstrong)

Certainly, it was just as Dous.h.i.+ said.

“But, what will happen from now on? Will we face-off once again or such?”

“As expected, that won't happen. Of course we will depart to defeat them.”

Now Therese has joined our conversation as well.

Having led the struggle to clean up the aftermath of the battle while dealing with governmental affairs, she apparently reached a point in her doc.u.ment processing where she could take a break.

“A memorandum?” (Therese)

Next Therese discovers the gla.s.ses filled with wine and the legacy of master that had been placed on the table.

“Master should have peacefully died ten years ago. Therefore…” (Wendelin)

The three of us have agreed on the notion that he came visiting by chance to give me an intense training.

And that he went back to heaven after finis.h.i.+ng that.

“A funeral service for someone, who has died already, is unnecessary after all. It's an offering, you know?” (Armstrong)

Burkhart-san also agrees with Dous.h.i.+'s remark by nodding.

“I had only seen his figure from a distance, but he appeared to be a splendid person. He was a suitable man to be called by the 『Hero Summoning』.” (Therese)

“If he had lived longer, Alfred would have been appointed as Royal Head Magician. However, for even my ancestor to be summoned. Though it looks like he couldn't play too much of an active role.” (Armstrong)

“Because he was very far apart from the training and combat style of Talrand, he couldn't demonstrate his abilities to his heart's content?”

No matter how much he summoned the dead to him, who was close to non-existent, and let them possess him, the compatibility between a power fighter with a height of above two meters and a slender magician with a height of 175 cm was likely bad.

That's why even someone at my level was able to easily repel him.

On the other hand, his compatibility with types like master was apparently excellent which is why I had a very tough fight.

“Maybe not. By the way, that magician called Talrand or such…”

“A magician of that caliber, one would consider it to be natural for him to be known in society, but…” (Therese)

Even among the n.o.bles and magicians that became prisoners after surrendering, and in the liberation army as well, there were few who know of him.

“『There was someone with such name』, 『I remember them being there, but I don't have any memory what kind of magician it was』, with there only being people testifying like this…”

“Isn't the biggest question how Duke Nürnberg discovered and hired Talrand?”

It's just as Burkhart-san says.

Employing a famous wizard with a weak presence was quite a hurdle after all.

“Even if you ponder about someone who has already died, it won't help. Also, leaving that aside.” (Therese)

Therese cuts off the talk about Talrand, spreads both arms in front of me and begins to speak about something outrageous,

“Thou heart probably felt heavy in various ways after fighting against thy master. Feel free to leap into my chest.” (Therese)

“Haa?” (Wendelin)

“Come on, dive into my chest without reservation.” (Therese)

It seems to be a strategy to catch my heart by comforting me who feels down after defeating master.

Not only me, but even Burkhart-san and Dous.h.i.+ were unsure about the best course of action here and thus we stayed silent as is.

“Do thee worry about the looks by our surroundings? Look, thou don't have to hold back because something like that.” (Therese)

Therese continues to spread her arms and prompts me to jump into her chest quickly.

I don't know from just where she obtained that information, but the expressions of Therese's retainers around us are gloomy.

They are staring at me with eyes as if depending on me.

“(They want me to continue rejecting her, don't they? I will just do it as you guys expect!)” (Wendelin)

In the eyes of the retainers, I'm definitely not allowed to become Therese's husband.

Since they are people of the empire, they are praying and wis.h.i.+ng that she wisely looks for a husband among the n.o.bles of the empire.

“Dear. Isn't it soon time for having a meal…?” (Elise)

Having finished the preparations for lunch, Elise shows up at that point and is bewildered by Therese spreading her arms.

Using this as chance, I leapt into her her chest.

“Master!” (Wendelin)

“Eh? Eh?” (Elise)

Elise appeared to be lost and surveyed the vicinity while being embraced by me.

“Wendelin, why won't thou embrace me who is nearby?” (Therese)

“Because you aren't my wife.” (Wendelin)

“Ah, thou've got a point.” (Therese)

Due to Therese's and mine exchange, Elise seems to have finally grasped the situation.

She looks at Therese coldly.

“Therese-sama, you are tenacious.” (Elise)

“The principle of my life is 『Don't give up』 after all. I became independent as d.u.c.h.ess Philip due to these words.” (Therese)

Meaning she got her despotic authority by struggling eagerly without giving up in order to not be used as puppet.

It might be a splendid disposition, but I was the one suffering from it.

“Anyway, excuse us since it's time for lunch.”

We head to our house in order to take our lunch.

I put the wand on top of the table into my magic bag and Dous.h.i.+ gives me the empty gla.s.ses after chugging down the wine.

“It's a excellent wine, isn't it?” (Armstrong)

“Don't drink the offering, Dous.h.i.+.” (Burkhart)

“Don't you think the wine lover Alfred will be sad to pour it away just like this?” (Armstrong)

“I certainly wanted to drink it as well.” (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san seems unhappy with the wine, which he had planned to drink, being gulped down by Dous.h.i.+ first.

“That's what you were troubled about? However, Burkhart-dono, such things are usually first come, first served.” (Armstrong)

People have to keep their meal times in order to stay healthy.

Given that Elise came to let us know, we keep walking towards our house while chatting.

“Dear, did Therese-sama have have another task for you?” (Elise)

“Which reminds me, it seems to me she had…” (Wendelin)

I felt like she said something like 『making your debut』 or something along those lines, but currently lunch is more important.

Deciding to ask her later, I returned to our house while holding hands with Elise.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Wendelin, thou are cold hearted these days.” (Therese)

“Really?” (Wendelin)

Having returned to our house, we ate lunch together.

The menu is a kamaage* style using the dried udon noodles I previously bought in Earl Mizuho Country, tempura as side dish and onigiri in addition. (T/N: kamaage is about ingredients that are boiled without any processing done to them)

The garnish is dried plum. It's a measure to avoid having a stomach ache since this is a battlefield.

Once everyone ate plenty of boiled udon, Therese showed up for some reason, scooped up the udon with her own fork and ate it.

“Though it won't turn into a problem since I have a slightly stronger heart than other people, even if I'm neglected, as I have an unyielding character.” (Therese)

No, Therese's heart isn't just slightly stronger.

It's probably as hard as orichalc.u.m and her nerves are as st.u.r.dy as wire ropes.

“Someone older is no good after all?” (Therese)

“That's not the issue here…” (Wendelin)

Even though I have told her many times that our positions are the problem, I slowly harbour the impression that I'm just wasting my time.

“Alright. Let's pretend that I'm 15 years old starting from today. I dub it 『Therese's-eternal-fifteen-years-old-plan』.” (Therese)

“(What's that? This strategy resembling the age fabrication of celebrities…) Elise, I'd like some more udon.” (Wendelin)

“I will boil some more right away.” (Elise)

Since it was far too silly, I ignored her and asked Elise for another serving of udon.

Of course Elise pretends to not have heard her either and heads to the kitchen as if running away.

I'm certain she also felt troubled about giving a comment to that.

“15 years won't work…” (Ina)

“Someone like me would rather make use of a 『Luise's-eternal-twenty-years-old-strategy』.” (Luise)

“Too embarra.s.sing to answer.” (Wilma)

“I'm regarded as slightly older than my actual age, but I'm surely not seen as older than Therese-sama.” (Katharina)

Various things are said by the other girls, too.

Burkhart-san stayed silent with a stiff expression on his face and Dous.h.i.+ heartily slurped a large quant.i.ty of udon as if it has nothing to do with him.

“Hey! Don't take it seriously! Have at least the flexibility to understand it as joke!” (Therese)

“No, it's hard to judge whether you are joking or saying this seriously.” (Wendelin)

“It's just a joke!” (Therese)

Several dozen minutes later, when everyone was drinking tea after lunch had ended, Therese finally started to speak about the further military operations.

On that subject, everyone at last recalled that there was a talk about going on the offensive.

“We will take Alhans.” (Therese)

“Isn't that an important military base?” (Wendelin)

Even I knew more or less since I had at least checked the map of the empire.

It's located around the halfway point between this Great Sorbid Wastelands and the imperial capital. It's a major military base of the imperial army.

It's a military base with a huge fortress, and there's even a city with a population above 300,000 people next to it.

Although it's not official, it's an important city that has been treated as auxiliary capital by the empire's people. If we take this place, the imperial capital will likely come into sight.

“Don't you think our war potential is too insufficient for that?”

“It's also for the sake of increasing that war potential.”

Given that we have had losses in the previous, forced offensive, I can't believe for the odds to be in our favour if I also consider the difference in our military forces.

Therese addressed my worry by saying that our military strength will be complemented by the aforementioned prisoners.

“Are you going to tempt the n.o.bles north of Alhans to distance themselves from the central government?”

“It's because they are feeling animosity towards Duke Nürnberg's methods. If their territories fall into the liberation army's sphere of influence, it will become unnecessary to worry about betrayal. Fresh reinforcements will also arrive from the rear again. That should lower our disadvantage in numbers, too.” (Therese)

“That might be so, but…” (Wendelin)

“Duke Nürnberg lost a great amount of food and materials. He won't be able to attack with his whole army for a while.” (Therese)

It's apparently because I burned down the large-scale supply point of the rebel army during the previous battle.

“It will take time to once again gather an amount of goods allowing to supply military forces of more than 100.000 for an extended time. Taking into account a supply shortage, they should withdraw to the vicinity of the imperial capital.” (Therese)

“Won't it be fine if they resupply with magic bags?” (Wendelin)

“Hasn't it been thou who burned away those magic bags, Wendelin?” (Therese)

Because the amount of goods consumed by an army is high, magic bags and common horseload is used in parallel.

Not depending on just one of them is nothing more than a security measure.

Goods that were transported using normal means and general magic bags had been placed at that gathering point.

Meaning, all of those were reduced to ashes by my spell.

“Even Duke Nürnberg is probably scared to death due to thy power allowing thou to use magic that burned down the gathering point located far in the rear, Wendelin.” (Therese)

“You think so?” (Wendelin)

I suppose it's unexpected, but it's not like I'm particularly excelling as soldier.

I wonder whether he's really that cautious of me.

“Anyway, I'd like thou to depart to the front alongside the advance unit.” (Therese)

“Understood.”

Accepting Therese's order, we begin moving south with military forces of 60,000 soldiers.

However, our royal army group of 1,500 is treated as flying corps and moves independently.

“Company Leader Erwin-dono, you don't have to be that nervous right now.”

Erw, whom I left in Philip's care, had been entrusted with 500 soldiers of the royal army group and led the troops as company commander.

As that number isn't low and since it's a heavy responsibility for a merely 16 years old, Erw is stiff because of the nervousness on top of his horse.

“Erw-san, relax.” (Haruka)

“Haruksan, as you are also stiff due to the tension, please relax.”

It wasn't just because she's his fiancée, however Haruka has a job similar to being Erw's aide.

A middle-aged royal army soldier, who is acting as vice-commander, pointed out “Aren't you also the same?” as she tries to ease Erw's nervousness.

“I'm not nervous or anything like that.”

“Since I have had the same experience in my early days, let's calm down by taking a deep breath for now. There won't be any battle for a while after all.”

“He is saying something like that, but…”

I felt doubtful about the expectations of the middle-aged vice commander, who is a.s.sisting Erw, and try to ask Philip, who is confidently riding next to me on his horse, about his real motive.

No matter how you look at it, no one besides him is the commander of the royal army group.

Even if a greenhorn like me worked myself to the bones, I lacked the necessary dignity.

“It's because the troops of the n.o.bles, who aren't his proteges, were forced into such unreasonable war, you know? The n.o.bles, who have their territories around here, are likely angry at Duke Nürnberg.” (Philip)

“That's why there will probably be almost no battles until our strategic target, Alhans”, Philip predicted.

“Quite a few of the 60,000 troops belong to the n.o.bles who own territory north of Alhans. They should declare their partic.i.p.ation in the liberation army after returning to their territories.”

Even though a great number of their allies were killed by the liberation army, they will be only used as disposable p.a.w.ns once more even if they nonchalantly join up with the rebel army at this point.

Having said that, they had no choice but to obey Duke Nürnberg out of fear until now.

I have experienced the grief of the n.o.bles firsthand.

“We will advance and leave the negotiations with the n.o.bles around here and the military government after the occupation to Alfons, right? After all it's not like they will depart to the very front either.”

“We won't handle something like a guerilla warfare that severs our supply lines?”

“We will of course do that too, but there are things you can and cannot do with 1500 soldiers. Besides, this unit is treated as outsiders and mercenaries, right? Christoph.” (Philip)

“Yes, nii-san.” (Christoph)

“Pa.s.s him that map.” (Philip)

“Here you go.” (Christoph)

Christoph gives me a map.

———————————— End of Part 1 —————————————–