Dungeon Master Makeup Money (formerly known as Dungeon Master Funding)

Spent a few days at Fort Skull.

Especially as days pass without movement like this. I wondered if I could spare some time, so I went out to the woods and the lake.

"How's that?"

"You have quite a few demons."

When I'm checking out the forest, I get a message from Ira.

I am acting differently because I need to look extensively into it.

"I knew there were quite a few demons out of how many mercenaries in the fort hunted,"

The mercenaries work hunting like day after day.

It is no surprise that temporarily or demons have been swept out of the woods around Fort Skull because of the considerable number of hunters.

But a demon was flowing towards Fort Skull, as if he had escaped from somewhere.

Demons are also more likely to spend time in the woods, and do not approach Fort Skull because they appear frightened.

Such a report had been delivered to Rio.

It is near the border that there is an anomaly from the direction of the demon's progress.

He was asked to investigate it because there was no doubt that there was some anomaly.

'All I'm here for is a demon who's just fled. There's nothing like checking the woods to get a clue.

During the past few days, surrounding surveys were carried out, including forests and lakes.

But I don't see anything unusual.

'In the meantime, will you come back here?

A request arrives from Sylvia, who was waiting at Fort Skull.

"Is something wrong?

'The commander of the fort told me to assemble. Apparently, there's been a move.'

'Okay. I'll be right back.'

Store your full body armor in the storage ring and jump on the tree to the fort as you get lighter.

"I heard there was some movement?

When I entered the conference room, there were all the people who were the lords of the fort.

Commanders, captains, and commanders of the mercenary regiment that was the Lord.

One moment, please.

The captain, who had not come to the conference room immediately, also gathers.

Some mercenary regiments were headed out to the woods themselves, like us. Someone in the mercenary regiment must be waiting in the fort, so only one of the remaining members of the meeting can participate. Still, the conversation goes smoother when the captain participates. There was a situation where I could afford to wait a little longer.

That's how the last unexpected person shows up.

"Sorry, I'm late"

"Your Majesty!?

It was Rio who showed up.

He is dressed in the emperor's costume, with a golden sword engraved on his waist with the figure of the lion, the emperor's design.

Sitting at the centre of the meeting room stands out for its presence.

Next to Rio is Marie.

Her [future observations] are also useful in military operations. I have the position of side chamber, so I don't have anything that stands out and opinions, but I can advise Rio about it.

"Keep the meeting going. I'm not here to interrupt."

"But..."

"I have no problem with the North because I have left it to General Remirng, who has served the Empire for a long time. But you don't have enough people here to surrender to your enemies."

Fort Skull's commander was just promoted to general after Rio's emperor took office. I have not yet experienced a major battle in the Commander class. Still, they thought the experience was necessary and were to be seconded.

Young General. You'll be stronger if you gain experience from this.

"I'm not going to talk to the conductor. Do whatever you want."

"Yes!!

The commander raises his voice out of joy.

Of course there will be times when Rio activates power and takes command if he starts to command impossible, but he's basically not going to export it to military action.

The purpose of Rio's visit to Fort Skull is to allow me to move freely.

If that's exactly what the Emperor said, the Commander will have to obey as well.

"First of all, this morning, there was movement in the Royal Army."

"Are you the Royal Army that was waiting for you in Krashel?

"That's right. They started marching early this morning."

Pretty quick transmission of information.

Probably used a magic tool of communication.

We had received the same information in advance.

The Royal Army is monitored by the Iris. Faster than using the magic tools of communication, we were able to get information.

"What's this policy?

"Once the Royal Army is on the move, we march towards the border. The timing over there is supposed to be one of my men keeping an eye on the Royal Army"

Krashel to the border.

Border from Fort Skull.

The two are at the same distance, Together.

If we leave at the same time, we will collide near the border.

"Don't they use the fort?

"No, this one clashes with the Royal Army near the border. Then, slowly retreating to the fort and moving on to the battle of Cage Castle."

Adopting such a method is also to protect the village on the way.

It is only the bait of outfits for the army, such as the village. They were also contemplated to temporarily evacuate to the rear, but villagers were reluctant to leave the village just before the harvest period. For this reason, the bitter meat measure was the method proposed by the Commander.

We draw ourselves together.

And it will be primarily the work of the knights and soldiers to take on the role.

"There may be sacrifices along the way..."

"I don't mind. I always train to retreat while attracting enemies. The role is more familiar to us. Let the mercenaries cover our retreat. It's better to share roles. Mercenaries have problems with the chain of command."

"Are you making fun of me? We both know who hires us."

One mercenary rises.

Curros taught me before, but the man who stood up is Pears, who is the leader of the 'Earthspider Mercenaries'.

The "Earthspider Mercenary Corps" is a mercenary corps of nearly a hundred people, the largest of the mercenary corps currently gathered at Fort Skull, and the high quality of the mercenaries they belong to. However, the only thing that is high is the ability to fight, and those of humanity are not trusted at all.

"Really?" The Spider Mercenaries are not particularly trustworthy. "

"What!?

"When we attacked the kingdom thirteen years ago, the Imperial Army was just going to end up dominating Krashel thinking about subsequent rule. But the mercenaries, driven by greed with the treasure in front of them, began to loot."

Kill those who lived in the land they ruled and take their treasures.

Sometimes brutality can also be done flat out because feelings were exalted on a battlefield where there is a danger to life.

It was Ilis who was victimized in close proximity.

Illis had his family killed by a mercenary who broke in to take away the slightest asset he had in the house.

You seem to be keeping calm now, but I can't let you hear what this meeting is all about. Let's just let them hear the results later.

"I hear 'Spider Mercenaries' were actively involved in the looting in that war."

"What are you talking about? It would be war to take away from each other."

The mercenaries had no idea about the looting.

"We just took treasure from our enemies. Strip the demon material and replace it with gold, and nothing will change that."

"Become...!

Commander can't say anything to Pears' words.

I'm desperate to keep my emotions off the table, too.

"Humans are not like demons"

"No, it's not. This is how we kill each other, so humans are beasts too. What's wrong with usurping each other's treasures"

"Earthspider Mercenaries" was a well-known mercenary regiment for repeated looting in disregard of the military's intentions as well.

I hired them knowing such an appreciation because the Empire relied on their power.

"Sorry, but looting is absolutely nasty in this war"

"I guess."

It is imperial territory that becomes a battlefield.

The Empire will be the defensive side. Then we will only step inside imperial territory.

"Keh, it's a boring war. You should have fought on the kingdom side."

"I'm sorry, but I need you to get there."

The "Red Ghost Mercenaries" latel complains.

"I can't stand how your opinions are treated as if they were the opinions of an entire mercenary. I can't stand hurting people who are just irresistible."

"That's right!

"You murderer!

"Ahem!?

At least there are mercenaries who oppose looting.

But Piers, a mercenary in the war, stared at me and constrained me.

"Anyway, on the battlefield, I ask you to follow these instructions. I want you to think that after the Royal Army crosses the border it will be a battle."

"... I know."

Pears leaves the conference room in such a way as disapproval.

In this war, extraordinary income from looting was becoming boring because it was not desirable.

"I'm sorry, but we don't have enough power to defend the Empire. I need your help, too."

"Ooh."

It was dissolved with a voice like an emperor.

You will wait at the fort for the enemy to come from now on.

I realized that the choice was a mistake when it was a long way past noon.

A war rose in a village.