The monstrous birds of the empire flew away, two days later.

what to do with the wreckage of Zepil,

What to do with the seat of the emptied king of merchants, etc.

Various problems were piling up, but these were put on hold for the first time.

Because there is something else that needs to be given the highest priority.

Over time, hopeless news arrives from all over the Union.

The siege of the Empire was a tremendous one.

The city that was bordering the border was instantly dropped,

Some merchant kings have run out of places to return.

But while the peripheral cities were under attack,

The Merchant King succeeded in returning to the city in order of proximity to the capital.

The merchant king, already dropped of the city, joined the inner city weeping.

The returning merchant kings are quickly arming up and stopping the invading Imperial Army.

But the war is very bad and the time is running out.

I'm sorry, but I can't help it.

Why are you telling me to win if I lose by force difference and skill?

The opponent is an old powerful country that did not fall even after the Evil God War.

Bad minutes are not a level.

There are two major invasion routes of the Empire.

One overcame the plains where a ceasefire agreement was in place, marching from the north.

It eats and breaks the cities of the outer periphery, where the pro-Imperialists are the Lord.

The other passes through the Dwarf mine and invades from the west.

When you take down a city with a Dwarf mine on its back, you quickly move south.

It attacked the Merchant King city facing the Great River and destroyed all the river ports.

The Merchant King, who was in business with the Dwarves,

Looks like I was shocked by them coming under the command of the Empire.

Originally, Dwarf Camp was made half colonial by the Empire.

It's natural to side with the Empire when you think about it, but I guess it's sad when you get all hostile.

The Union is in disarray at the onslaught from both sides.

In contrast, the merchants also worked out an operation.

First, return to your city and mobilize your troops.

Using this place, the capital, as its headquarters, it conducted a march to the attacked city.

Thoroughly endure the invasion from the Empire.

However, this is merely a measure of extension of life.

It takes the power of the kingdom to fundamentally drive the empire back.

That's why...

"I would now like to discuss how to return to the kingdom"

Right now, we were sitting in a cathedral chair for a meeting.

The time is early in the morning.

Sonja and I.

Plus a total of 4 Walkins and Bud.

It was a fire magic, big flaming trading mall to destroy freaky birds, but this cathedral was intact.

Walkins hit the extinguishing fire, so the overall damage was minimal.

Now to call for support from the kingdom,

And for us to go home,

We were discussing how to break through the siege of the Empire.

Sonia puts up two fingers and tells her bitterness.

"First, there are two routes back to the kingdom by road -

It's probably impossible to get back from here. "

"One's the way we came, isn't it? Can't you just go home from there?"

Asked Bud with a face that seemed difficult.

In short, from the Dwarf mine, through Keron's Ice Bridge,

It is the route back into the Kept Spiritual Peak via the canyon of Elves.

This would also make it possible to rendezvous with Alec, and I can certainly hope to return.

But Sonia shook her head sideways.

"There is a large influx of imperial soldiers from the Dwarf mine into the Union.

They've got soldiers near the entrance to Kept Spiritual Peak, so we can't break through in case. "

That's a hell of a thick siege net.

Anyway, I guess we're trying to seal the west and north sides and crush every return journey.

But when this route becomes difficult...

"For once, can I ask you another route?

I asked frankly.

Sonia then pointed to the map on her desk.

It's a perimeter view of the Union.

Slip your finger to the bottom right of it, Sonia explains.

"To the southeast of the Union lies a bridge that can cross the Great River, which bisects the continent.

If you bypass it, you can reach the spiritual peak of Kept. "

"Oh."

A bridge on the border that connected the kingdom to the empire.

That and a bridge of the same size seems to hang in the southeast of the Union.

Wonderful, I didn't need Keron's ice bridge.

Sonia said she was delighted from the inside.

"But you'll be pinching a dragoon camp along the way"

"... you can't"

I just crossed the bridge, and I see a dragon knight slapping me.

He said he was dying just to deal with the seven troops in the meantime.

If it were to be the home base, there would be several to tens of times as many fighters out there.

With the widows twisted by the present Union, it is impossible to defeat them in the end.

"Then there's no other way home than by sea."

Here, Bud sighed.

I also thought land was the best safety measure.

I don't think they're going to lay a complete siege so far.

In response to Bud's sighing, Sonia raised her hand as a jerk.

"No... that's..."

Apparently, there's a problem with the sea lanes, too.

Sonia put her finger on the seaport east of the Union and moved it softly.

"This street… even if you leave the sea and head north, you will pass through imperial waters"

Moreover, the return route from the north is endless in distance,

form to bypass three-quarters of the continent.

In the meantime, the imperial side can attack all you want, whether by sea or land.

It's a desperate path.

Next, Sonia moves her fingers down.

"And if you go south, enter the wary waters of the dragoon.

Even with a big pirate escort, it's hard to break through. "

Are we still under total attack by the Dragon Knight here?

If we had a big pirate, we might be able to get rid of him once or twice.

At the end of the day if they break the ship, the prospect of being able to return is hopeless.

Almost certainly, you will sink amicably into the bottom of the ocean with the Great Pirate.

"I mean, you can't even go by sea..."

What's the matter?

Twisting his neck, Bud pointed to the edge of the map.

"Then that's it. Half the way through.

How about going back up the Great River and going home from the Great Water Source? "

What Bud is saying is a pretty lame journey.

First let the ship out of the great river to the south,

ascending the great river of torrents to the great water source,

The route from there to entering the Kept Spiritual Peak.

A bit too acrobatic a path, but not a situation I can complain about.

But even this proposal Sonia shakes her head sideways.

"Actually... with the electric invasion of the Empire,

All ports have been sealed off. "

"Oh, come on, you've got everything you need."

Bud raised his hands in a frightened manner.

Hooray for surrendering.

I twist my head wondering if I have any other ideas.

If you simply ask for reinforcements, someone will have to go to the king's capital.

Nothing. We don't all need to get there.

Here I come up with one possibility.

"Mr. Sonia. What's going on with Loggie?

She said she came to the Union while crossing the sea.

Perhaps there is room to return to the kingdom.

But Sonia groaned sadly.

"It looks like the burn from Hellfire is pulling its tail and is being treated"

"Really..."

Even though it's just that the chances of success are low.

If it helps, we can't wait to fail.

Besides, this is not a realistic idea even if it's all happening fast.

When she leaves, she'll go through the waters of the dragoon, either way.

Here I recall what Zastevalde the Dragon Knight said.

'- Thoroughly increase the number of sea sentry units.

The next time you throw yourself into the ocean, it's your last. "

Perhaps by now, there will be a frightening number of dragons flying through the waters.

Even if you travel in the ocean, you are likely to be found.

It's hard to sew that gap back home.

Loggie will have the Empire retreated before he returns safely.

I glanced at Sonia when all my ideas had been exhausted.

"... Sonia.

I mean, is it impossible to return to the kingdom?

"So far, it's undeniable.

The siege is too tight… it's hard. "

So far, huh?

Rather, over time, the siege becomes narrower and narrower.

You should move a little faster if you want.

Bud exhaled deeply when he saw that the return operation was difficult to navigate.

"Try it. Hey. Just wait to die."

He takes the pipe out of his nose and tries to put it in his mouth.

Seeing that, Sonia hastily stopped.

"Let it be, the cathedral is non-smoking!

"... bad, you did"

Bud was reluctant for a moment but honestly piped away.

I'm concerned that you're slapping a ton of knees.

Speaking of which, I don't seem to have smoked since about yesterday... withdrawal symptoms or anything?

It was a bado that ate the aftermath of fire magic yesterday, but it was done with mild burns.

The sight of applying and treating cold blood all over your body is visually awesome,

My appetite was enough to disappear on the other side.

Well, I'm glad you're okay.

"... really, what's going on"

Sonia held hands as she prayed and was desperate to think.

I'll ask Walkins next door.

"Walkins...... any ideas?

"Hmm. If I were to return in a regular way, I could only say it would be difficult"

Walkins squeaks like confused.

After all, is it difficult to overturn this situation?

But if I consider her personal power, I feel like I could open up a viable path.

I came up with a plan.

"For example, while attacking and confusing imperial soldiers,

Can't we just break through Walkins?

"Probably about half the success rate,"

"Tough..."

Half as long as Walkins.

Well, there are tens of millions around the Union.

Breaking through this alone is a difficult undertaking.

But here Bud looked to Walkins.

"Ho... Conversely, 50% have buds that can break through"

The tone seemed to prompt, 'Well, do it'.

It's a proposal that hasn't even been boiled down yet, but it can't be summarily decided.

Walkins opened his mouth first as I tried to defy Bud.

"Yeah. But I'm not going back to the kingdom alone.

My mission is to protect Master Regis. "

"Am I? What do you mean?"

Bud stared at Walkins with cold eyes.

He seems to hate Walkins' far-fetched way of saying it.

I'm debunking my emotions a little and asking questions.

In contrast, Walkins replied pale.

"Let's just say I was lucky enough to break through the siege.

Between then and when the kingdom moved its armies, for returning as quickly as possible from there,

Can you say enough that the Union has not been conquered?

You can't, they're the ones.

If you can declare victory over the Imperial Army,

The kingdom will be attacking and destroying the empire a long time ago.

Bud shrugged his shoulder when he was poked where the pain was.

"Don't ask me. It's this lady who knows the truth about the Union."

"... that, uh"

Come on, don't turn the killer path.

Sonia tries to respond in a hurry.

But before that, Walkins told them on top of each other.

Not Sonia, but towards Bud.

"If you'll excuse me,

You can't possibly be a servant, such as leaving the Lord in a country you don't know where he is. "

The tone is flat.

But it was a rare and fortified language for Walkins.

Maybe it's a return of interest to Bud.

Walkins put between them denied the proposal from a realistic point of view.

"Besides - if the" unwanted chaser ”comes in the way,

I may not be able to return alone. "

Unwanted chase.

You mean the Shanleys.

I don't know where it comes from, just because it's disgraceful.

Maybe I got a request from someone.

There's a chance he'll attack Walkins while he's returning.

The power of the Four Wise Shanleys on the continent is probably almost equivalent to that of Alec.

I guess it's hard to say that even Walkins can always win.

After talking so far, Walkins closed his eyes

"But waiting like this doesn't change the situation.

It is my true nostalgia to be Lord Regis' hand and leg. "

Put your hands on your chest and wholeheartedly squeal Walkins.

She glanced at my expression and stood her finger deep in meaning.

"There's only one way to make sure you return"

"... what are we going to do?

When I asked, Walkins answered lightly.

"We use metastatic magic"

"... metamagic?

It was Bud who reacted first to her words.

He opened his eyes behind the mask and checked with Walkins.

"Yes, most magic formations are unavailable due to distance problems,

I know only one thing I can use. "

Was there some limitation on the activation of metastatic magic?

Speaking of which, I think I was talking to Alec before.

It is good news that there are still magic formations that seem to be available.

But Bud let his teeth snap and stare at Walkins.

"... Temehe. Are you serious about that?

"Did you notice anything?"

Pirri, and the feeling of the field air straining.

Sonia also seemed to have guessed, and was out of sight at first sight.

Here, Bud punched his tongue and put in an exploration.

"... chip, so, where are you flying?

"The corners will stand, let them remain secret until after the metastasis"

Taking that word, Bud cramped the edge of his mouth.

Concerned about the explosion, he exhaled heavily.

And he turns to me.

"... Regis, what are you going to do"

I guess I'll give you my opinion.

But bad for Bud, who's on guard, but my answer is one.

"Well, can you ask - Walkins"

I ran out of strength.

Then Walkins looks just a little bit horny.

Bud, on the other hand, looked complicated.

"Once annexed to the Union, the winning eye of the kingdom will be increasingly lost.

Return as soon as possible and poke behind the empire "

The Empire's troop strength is considerable.

A massive invasion that will be possible for the first time by mobilizing soldiers who usually put them on other fronts.

Therefore, the rest of the place is thinner.

If the kingdom marches from behind and steps into the empire, the empire will also have to draw its soldiers.

All we have to do is fight time.

"I understand. I'll take care of the metastasis."

Walkins nodded with a smile.

Then here, Sonia raises her hand.

She has told us with her eyes as a merchant.

"Is there anything we can do?

They're going to do everything they can to help me until I get back.

Thankfully, there is still a wider range of choices when there are soldiers.

Here's where Walkins answered Sonia.

"It would be helpful if you escorted me to the Dwarf mine."

"... Dwarf Mine. Besides, is that in front of you?

The Dwarf mine, alongside the northern side of the United States, is where the thickest siege is seen.

Sending soldiers there would only look like balls crushed from the edge.

Sonia also makes a slightly worried face.

"Of course, you don't have to be forced to engage.

You can retreat as soon as we fly. "

Well, I guess it's necessary to put in place the conditions for transferring.

Walkins to follow gently.

You were relieved by the words, Sonia revealed her determination and accepted.

"Okay. I'll put in all the rest of the standing armies and protect you that much."

Powerful response.

Looking at that look, this one builds strength, too.

I wrapped up the meeting with the summary.

"So we're going to use metastatic magic to get back."

The decision time for metastasis was then determined at night.

Head to the Dwarf Mine in the Dark Night,

This is the process of making a transfer on the verge of being approached by an enemy.

That means we need to get to the Dwarf mine by midnight.

We have to leave here relatively quickly to do that.

Using a regiment to get the three of us out of here - an absurd operation.

But even if we wait like this, the siege just narrows.

Then we'll just wait to die in the capital.

Here we succeed in breaking through the siege and call for reinforcements.

That's my last job as a messenger.

So determined, I waited for the time of the operation.

◆ ◆ ◆

The time is before noon.

Sonia's decree had gathered private soldiers from the Astrite family outside.

It also appears that the merchant kings have mobilized their forces because they have left a certain number of soldiers in the capital.

For once, they also asked dragon killers and big pirates to send troops, but they refused.

The dragon killer said, 'Even though the enemy doesn't have a dragoon, it's no use going out on purpose'.

The great pirate said, 'Repairing the battleship. Besides, there's nothing you can do from above the sea, "he said, deciding not to participate.

They are uncoordinated people, even though it is a national disaster of the century.

But both forces say, 'We will fight when we have enemies in the capital', so who still has salvation?

Sigh, I turned forward.

What we have now is a guest living room in the mall.

I was waiting here with Walkins for the time of the operation.

Bud went out along the coast to smoke the pipe.

Sonia is praying in the diocese.

So now I can talk to Walkins alone.

I spoke to Walkins looking out the window quietly.

You're calm, Walkins.

"Really? I'm always the same."

As usual.

The Union is in the middle of a war now.

I am horrified to be able to keep my normal mind in that state.

As she shrugged her shoulders, Walkins grinned cously.

"That's what Regis looks like, too, calm"

"It's just my fault."

Ever since I was born, I have never seen war between nations.

My mind is pretty stood up in front of an invasion that would crumble the country if I did poorly.

I'm just trying not to put it on my face.

I snapped quietly as I looked over the coastline.

"Bud seems... pretty suspicious about Walkins"

"Right. But I think that's normal."

Walkins laughs bitterly.

Earlier, Bud had his suspicious eye on her.

You don't seem to trust me fully.

Concerned, Walkins peeked into my face.

"Rather, it's rare for you to spill your eyes like Master Regis"

"Ha ha, don't praise me too much"

I flush with a dry grin.

When I heard any more, I was going to ask a question that touched the inside of Walkins.

I've learned so much before that she doesn't want it.

You cared about my look.

Walkins has told me forcefully.

"I will not betray you."

"... Walkins?

It's a rare and serious look.

He may have had some strength in his voice to make sure he knew he meant it.

Walkins put his finger on my hand and hissed.

"I will always be beside Master Regis"

"... he said he knew. Don't worry about it."

Nobody thinks Walkins is a bad person.

I'm sure Bud will understand. Then here, the living room door opened.

"Excuse me. Gentlemen, are you all set?

Nanny and Sonia glanced at her face.

Apparently, he's completely ready.

It's a great time to be wrapped up in the dark night outside too.

But we're not all here.

"Oh, no... there's still Bud"

- There he is. You're leaving already?

Bud's voice.

The source is directly behind Sonia.

"Hino!?

All of a sudden, Sonia jumps up.

Look, Bud was standing behind Sonia.

He sighs as he scratches his head.

"Don't stop at the entrance."

"Shh, sorry about the soot!

Every time, don't cry at Sonia's low back.

Seeing her like that, Bud asked terminally.

"So, are you leaving?

"Yes! You can always get soldiers out."

They're all set. Then hurry.

Me and Walkins took a seat.

"All right, let's go!

Thus we headed to the Dwarf mine for the transfer.

◆ ◆ ◆

Drunk.

I got drunk with the speed of light.

Even though I was about to throw up, I was fighting the wagon swing.

He's getting glocky. Look at me. It's the end of what I saw Walkins do to me.

Thanks...... but the road to the Dwarf mine is rough all you want.

We were currently moving forward with the cavalry borrowed from the Gildia family.

He makes full use of the horseback riding left behind by the northern merchant kings and is approaching his destination.

Exactly. Traveling on horses was quick and we were able to get to near the Dwarf mine late at night as per the prospects.

Still no sign of the enemy noticing.

In the carriage, Bud asked Walkins.

"Still not getting into effective distance and doing it?

"Er... almost there"

"Hurry up, you'll be noticed"

I don't even know Bud's rush.

But if you lack glory here, you lose.

I wait while I suppress my violent beat.

Then the worst report popped in.

"Command! It looks like the Imperial Infantry Army has noticed this one!

But Sonia gave instructions here.

"Don't be frightened to move forward!

To that order, the horseback riders keep running without slowing down.

Enemy soldiers were also visible from this carriage.

A vast black shadow floating in darkness.

A good number of soldiers are waiting.

It's like a wall.

If we go any further, we'll be sure to engage the Imperial Regular Army.

"You can go! Please come down!

Here, Walkins opened his eyes and said away.

Looks like contact has been made with a distant metamagic formation.

With that word, I try to roll out of the carriage.

"Copy that, Bud, come on!

"I know!

We left Sonia and jumped off the carriage.

He was slowing me down, so he managed to land successfully.

The next moment, Walkins opened his magic here.

"Before my magic, the wall of distance makes no sense.

Condensed space, twisted cause and effect. - "Giga Teleportation" huh!

Magic fluctuations fall to the ground in Shizukuishi.

Then the dark purple magic formation spread.

On his knees to the magic formation he set up, Walkins sheds his magic.

And I frowned a little.

"... was it too old, it's still rusty"

"You think you can fly?

It doesn't become unusable or sprinkly when it comes here.

I get caught up in an infantry army.

But Walkins has been smiling to reassure him.

"Yes, you'll just need extra magic.

Just give me ten seconds to move. "

Is that all you need?

Then we're going to make it.

But here the decree screamed a screaming report.

"- Imperial soldier, I'm going in!

Infantry is imminent in front of you.

Fight that and it's not just a cavalry though. I'm sorry.

I told Sonia I was in the carriage.

"Sonia, it's all right now! Let me pull the soldiers!

"I understand. - Everybody, retreat! Back to my city!

In response to Sonia's voice, the cavalry flipped like relieved.

And run at full speed down the road you came from.

We can't keep up with that speed in the infantry unit.

Relieved, he spoke to Sonia, who remained until the end.

"And Sonia."

Sonia nodded at my words.

When she gave her instructions to her, she smiled softly.

"Mr. Regis, ladies and gentlemen... please, be careful.

God bless you sixteen nights. "

Sonia giving me prayers.

I assured her of that in a strong tone.

"Be sure to send out reinforcements and retreat the Empire. Please bear with me."

"Yes, with the pride of the Union!

That said, Sonia also left the scene.

The soldiers of the Union who are leaving.

Coming soon, an army of empires.

Walkins told him softly as his agony caught fire.

"Magic is full! Both of you, come here!

With her voice, the magic team glowed suspiciously.

A tattoo that spins like a crisp and gear.

It has a lot of toxic colors, but is it okay?

Together, we just have to get inside that magic formation.

I jumped to the spot.

"Bud, come on!

"... ooh"

While on patrol, Bud stepped inside the magic formation.

Make sure of that, and Walkins shrugs quietly.

"- Transfer magic, activated"

A magical formation that sparkles.

In response, my vision was shut in complete darkness.

The feeling of being drawn into a flowing space.

The hanging of distant United soldiers and the fury of approaching Imperial soldiers are all swallowed to nothing.

While caught in a vortex of magic,

I prayed for a successful metastasis.

◆ ◆ ◆

The moment my vision recovered, I was floating in the universe.

It is a gotten rock that spreads all over your sight.

And the next moment, a shock ran all over my body.

The feeling of falling into a hard place. I rubbed my hips.

"... eh. Say."

"Are you all right, Master Regis!

Walkins rushed over immediately.

Oh, good.

Safe, looks like the metastasis is over.

I shook my head and answered her worried.

"Oh, I hear you fell off my back.

But it's okay now. "

Hey, it's me that fell off the second floor in my last life.

This degree of impact and other light lightness.

With a little pain, the air in my lungs was just banished from the country.

As I lay my chest down, I heard a resentful voice coming from next door.

"... would be better than me landing from the face"

If you look, Bud was stuck lying on the rocky ground.

Wow, I thought it was a ritual for the pentathlon.

Bud, waking up his body with yolo, looked around and whined bossly.

"Where, here..."

I can't see anything because it's dark.

I started a fire with fire magic and replaced it with pine lights.

Then it becomes clear where this place is.

"Sounds like a scrap pit."

That's a lot older too.

It must be a pit where excavation work was done back in the day and thrown down.

Checking his current position, Walkins unleashed a dark magic next door.

"- Champion Dance/Demon"

As she stepped on the ground, the magic formation at her feet shattered and scattered.

You destroyed Alec's magic formations before.

Sounds like a procedure to keep no trace of it.

Seeing me and Bud get up, Walkins pointed to the right.

"Let's go outside. From here it will be a walk away."

See who she points to.

It's still dark, but I felt the air flowing.

Looks like the exit is definitely over there.

After a short walk, I was able to get out.

A slightly cooler breeze strokes my skin.

And in the distance, I saw something like a light.

"That's..."

City.

That's pretty big too.

As he stared, Bud shook his body next door.

Ahead of following his gaze, you can see the flag rising to the city's exterior.

"Where we are now, from the United States, is the other side of the Dwarf mine"

When I saw the flag to rise, I understood everything.

Where am I?

And how we're going to get back to the kingdom.

"That means..."

Walkins nods at my words.

She had been confused by the windy dark night and had uttered words of shock.

"This is an empire.

We will now return to the kingdom through the centre of the enemy nation. "