The Strategist Knows Everything

After the battle there will always be an aftermath. It varies from nursing an injured person, to cleaning up equipment, to treating prisoners. So I was busy killing myself after that, and I couldn't sleep with Locke for about two days. It was also a problem to ask the people in the castle town to cooperate, and in order to show gratitude, it was necessary to sprain the reward money even though it was small. Because most of the two days were the work, I deserved it when I said I deserved it. Because even a hundred and fifty voices pushed Sophia out of her mind that it was enough to drive people's ears crazy.

"Excessive overcrowding is a thought..."

After saying that in the morning and on the bed for the first time in a long time, I changed into my usual feather and left the room I had been given.

The destination is Sofia's room. Yesterday and yesterday, there was very little conversation, so I acted in anticipation of the apology, but it was blocked by an unexpected person.

"Mikana? What's wrong?

"I'm here to report you. This is a subpoena order from Lord Dio to Lord Clay. As soon as I can, I want you to head to the front."

"……… Didn't you say one more thing?

"Yes, to return Master Sophia to Albion."

"Let them return, huh? Well, you will."

Micah sighed at my whining. I'm not going to be so blunt that I don't know what that sigh is about in the current flow.

"Come to the battlefield, as expected."

"It's not about laughing and saying. The opponent to fight is His Highness Kaguya, who has two names: Black Princess. I've never lost before."

"We'll figure it out. Besides, it's something else I have to think about right now."

"What?

"Persuasion. That's the order."

I sighed. I put Micah down and sped my feet toward Sophia's room.

■ ■ ■

"I don't like it."

Yes. As expected. I knew it. There's no reason to snort honestly.

It was Sophia sitting in the chair who uttered the words. Go back to Albion. As soon as I told him, he returned it. I know how you feel, but I can't do anything about it.

"That's what Master Dio says. I'm on the front line, too. I can't protect Sophia."

"Why don't we turn down Master Diorud's request? He said he wasn't a martial artist."

"There's no way you can get through that, is there? I'm Dio's servant, and most importantly, I just took command of the battle three days ago."

When I say that, Sophia turns away from me. This is going to be more stubborn than I thought.

The distance between Sofia and me is about ten steps. Trying to pack it up, I'll put my right foot forward. I let it out, but my body just drops back a little bit, and the distance doesn't shrink. I'm inhibited by something. No, should I say this is being pushed back into the wind?

I'm with you even if I put my left leg forward. Sophia doesn't seem willing to shrink these ten steps.

"Sophia."

"What?

"I'm here to convince you."

"I know."

Sophia returns the words in a tone that says what is normal. So I am.

"But you are not willing to respond. [M] Convince a friend."

"... I don't respond because I'm a friend."

"Then I'll ask someone else. Someone you don't know."

"Okay! I don't use magic!

Trying to turn my back, I put my twisted hips back together and I walk under Sophia sitting in a chair. There's nothing like being pushed back. Of course. Sophia doesn't break the last word herself.

"Would you like to look at my face and talk to me?

"I told you I wouldn't use magic, but I didn't say I'd respond to persuasion."

Are you still saying that in this flow? I feel that you will respond to me in the same way you did earlier, but that is too pathetic and, above all, dangerous. I don't want to entrust Sophia's persuasion to anyone else. If they do, they will take the lead in the conversation as soon as possible.

"Shall we talk then?"

"I didn't even say I'd listen."

"Oh well. Then you don't have to ask me anything. I don't have a story for you to hear. [M] It's just... unfortunately I'm leaving for the front line tomorrow. I'm sorry I can't have a good conversation with you here."

I thought I needed another push, and Sophia turns this way and utters the word when I'm thinking about the next word.

"From earlier...... are you having fun bullying me?

"Bullying is an exaggeration. A little... a little to distract you."

"……… Are you sure you want to go tomorrow…………?

After a little grudging at me, Sophia shrugged and shrugged. I don't even have to ask. I can't say no. I don't even want to tell you.

"I'm coming. Maybe I'll be out tonight."

"Why should Yukito go!?

"Master Dio is probably about to place a bet. I'm willing to use everything I can to avoid making it as bad as possible. I have a small army packed in this castle, and so do I."

With that said, Sophia gets up from her chair and stands facing me. He's about four or five centimeters taller than me, so when I try to gaze at him, I need to turn my neck down.

"I don't like to go home... but if it's going to be a nuisance to Yukito... I'm going home..."

Even though he hesitates after taking his gaze off a few times, Sophia tells him so. But that alone didn't cut the word.

"But! I disagree with Yukito going to the front line! If you say you are going to force me, I will stop even if I send a protest to Dear Diorud!

The offense has been reversed. Sophia has nothing more to protect than to accept that she is going back to Albion. There's no need to go around. It is said that it has been reopened.

"That is…… a great demand."

"Can't you listen to my favor, even though I listen to Master Diorud's favor?

"Master Dio's is an order, and Sophia's is a favor. One can't say no. It's coercive, and one can say no... and they're just grumpy."

"Then I command you, too."

"Are you sure? Me and Sophia... we're not going to be equal, are we?

Even if Dio wants a relationship close to reciprocity, he never wants it to be reciprocal. So. I don't take personal feelings for orders. If I decide I can use it, I will. If I refuse, the average soldier will treat me the same way he refuses.

Meanwhile, Sophia wants me to be equal. I don't care if you ask me for a favor, I've never been forced to do anything by the authority that comes from the position of the supreme maiden, the messenger of Albion. Because if you do that, it's not reciprocal.

"… I want to be on par with Yukito. I want to be friends. But... I don't want you to go anywhere dangerous! You could be dying again! At that time……… I should not help……………………?

"I know how Sophia feels. I don't rely on it. But I have similar feelings, too. Master Dio is fighting. I'm in pain. I want to help you. Of course, I want to stay beside Sophia. But I can't do both. So I'm going to the tough guy."

I don't know about Master Dio, but for me, Master Dio is a friend. And Sophia too. But if you choose one, now I choose Master Dio.

Because they need it so badly.

"It's hard for me too... when Yukito's gone... I don't have anybody...?

"Sophia...... I'm sorry. Just for a little while, let me go to Master Dio's. End this civil unrest. And now I'm going to Sophia's."

"…… Will you come right away…………?

"I promise to do everything I can."

"... then..."

I'll just put up with it a little bit.

Sophia said so in tears.

I accidentally withdrew my foreword and wanted to say that I was beside him, but I held down the swing of my heart and left Sophia's room behind.

■ ■ ■

"Take this..."

Late at night, when many are asleep. I was about to head to the front with a hundred knights.

Sophia came running to me when she was in the final stages of preparation and only the departure order.

And what I offered with both hands was a green fan. Seems expensive to see that too.

"Uh..."

"Divine Fan Clarus. It is a magic tool of the wind, which will dispel any sorcery just by touching it and, if you say it strongly, will cause a storm. This... will protect Yukito's life."

"I know it's a great thing...... thanks. I'll take it. I'm a little underused, though."

When I receive the fan, I look at Sophia in nostalgia as I marvel at how it feels to stick to my hand. Fans can still be seen later, but if Sophia misses now, she can't see them for the time being.

"Swear you will live without giving up, no matter how much you lose the battle or are hunted down..."

"Aah…… I will live with whatever I do. I have an appointment."

"… be sure to come under me. Waiting………"

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

I'm always smiling at Sophia, who's about to cry. I'm not making anything else. Simply because I was happy. Win, win, no one ever told me they wanted me to live, even if they did.

Someone who wishes me well, at least now, will be there. And I have something to do after this. When I think it's a very happy thing, my smile comes naturally to my face.

"Yukito... Even now, I don't want you to go... but"

"…… but?

"I've decided to believe you...... so I won't hold back any longer. Good luck."

Deeply lowering her head, Sophia slowly lowers her head and steps back.

I have a carriage for you. Besides, the knights can't move on unless I get in. No, I can't proceed without my decree.

In the order that Dio wrote to me, he asked me to lead a hundred knights to the front. I'm the commander here.

I can't take my eyes off Sofia, who's a little further away. Off this gaze, I don't want to think about it, but I may not even be able to see it again. What would Sofia do then? Will you live playing the all-time false, all-time supreme maiden that others seek?

"Lord Clay... the longer this time, the harder it will be. You and the other knights."

"... well, I wasn't the only one. There's someone waiting for you to come home."

"Though you will be alone in the man who is said to be waiting for the supreme maiden"

"It doesn't matter who you wait for, your identity, your gender, everything. That's why I have to come home."

"Right......"

When I say that without gazing at Mikana, who approached me with a horse, I squeeze my nostalgia fan, take a deep breath, and divert my gaze from Sofia.

Turn your back entirely on Sophia at the same time, I tell you.

"We're going out!

I want to go home under Sophia. But that can't be all. I'm here, Micah, and the knights who don't even know their names must be returned responsibly. That is the responsibility of those who lead it.

Very heavy. Built-in is squashed. That's the way it is. Everything is worrying, everything is anxious.

But I can't trample on the thoughts of the people who sent me out.

We have no choice but to move forward.

Then about two days later, the hundred knights led by Yukito Clay joined the army of Prince Diorud, the main unit, eight thousand and five hundred.

The forces of successive assembled princes swelled to 12,000 five days after Yukito Clay's arrival, and many felt that a showdown with 10,000 elite troops led by the king's princess Kaguya was near.