Kuro no Senki (LN)

Early January 434 of the Imperial Calendar - Ralph was fighting the paperwork in the office.

Its contents range from inauguration reports, applications for permission to build camp positions, and reports pointing to a shortage of supplies.

Naturally. It's weirder not to have a problem because over 30,000 generals are assembled in the Imperial Capital.

"Hmm, the protection of artwork in Alphirque Castle."

Ralph read the contents of the paperwork and retreated to his side.

The management of works of art is not the job of the Military Service.

Nevertheless, there are times when the kind of documents you think this stuff is confusing.

One reason would be that Ralph has been given great authority to crack down on civil unrest.

But the underlying cause is that Alfort put local lords in management positions.

The chain of command is confused because they don't understand their work.

This is how extra - more work is done in determining whether it is a case I should handle.

One or two cases would not be a great deal of bitterness, but if stacked, it would be a burden that cannot be ignored.

If it were me once, I would have learned to be frustrated.

But now I can afford to laugh bitterly.

I feel calm when it comes to calm.

I look at the paperwork and have a strange fullness even though I'm just signing it.

It fitted where it should have.

I feel that way.

Of course, you can't be satisfied with this.

Make a name for history as the man who won over the rebels.

So I can finally heal my injured pride.

Makes me think I fit where I should fit in.

Ralph took another report and glanced at its unique touch.

Should I say precisely to the fact that I am reminded of it from there?

The report was on paper from Marquis Elakis territory.

Given the history of the rebellion, we should not use paper from Marquis Elakis territory.

That's all my men know.

But even as Ralph, there are circumstances that I have to tolerate.

The holy kingdom of Argo is rallying its troops near the border.

A de facto street blockade - now you can't get the paper.

It hurts that I can no longer move Count El Nato any more than that.

Realistically, it is unlikely that the Holy Argo Kingdom will invade the Empire.

Almost zero.

That is obvious given the circumstances of the Kingdom of Holy Argo.

That country has had factional protests with the Kings and the Temples.

The Kings have been at a disadvantage for the past decade or so, but changes have recently taken place.

The Kings have named themselves the New Templars and are spreading their power against the backdrop of the money they earned from the deal.

That's why we can't invade.

Either faction is leading the way to rally the army, if we fail here, we lose power.

That said, we have to be prepared for more than zero possibilities.

There are other problems.

The Lords are unable to collect supplies as they wish because they are now carefully checking their shipments at the barracks.

I shouldn't have let Dominic, the chairman of the Pix Chamber of Commerce, die in prison if I thought of it now.

We should have rescued him at all costs.

That left many large chambers of commerce in the capital, and now all that remains is a reputable chamber of commerce like the Bailey Chamber of Commerce or a small or medium-sized chamber of commerce.

If you metaphor the river, the amount of water is reduced, the flow is slower, and the water quality is deteriorating?

"... incompetent people"

Ralph threw up small.

The calm feeling until earlier had disappeared somewhere.

There are also disturbing movements on the southern border.

If the Imperial Army fights the rebels, it will strike as a delight.

20,000 for the rebels, 10,000 for the southern border - this would be the case as an assignment.

"Absolutely, abominably"

The situation does not allow that despite the position of being free to treat as many as 30,000 generals.

That reminds me of my former humiliation.

"... no"

Ralph shook his head small.

It is true that the situation reminds us of a past in which the incompetents have pulled their legs, but can we prove that, over this adversity, we are better than the new nobility for the first time?

That's when I heard voices from the outside.

Looks like the deputy and someone are arguing.

After a while the silence came - all of a sudden, the door opened and Bowties Treasurer jumped in.

Did you even get a hold of her? Her clothes and hair are messed up.

"Oh, what is it?

"What's this all about?

Bowties Treasurer turned bright red and shouted.

Ha? and Ralph tilted his inner neck.

"What do you say?

"Why did Isabella and Ark have to die!

Bowties Treasurer scratched his head in frustration screaming.

So Ralph recalled that he had received a report that the wife of the Bowties Treasurer had been executed.

I completely forgot because it wasn't a big deal.

"... my sincere condolences"

"Why! Why did my wife and son have to die?

Has it not explained how he will be executed?

I deserve that the wife of the Bowties Treasurer was executed.

After surrendering, he attacked the rebels and failed.

I can't complain about being executed for this.

That said, there's no reason to say what you think honestly.

"............... can't you two think of a sacrifice for you?

"Wow, for me?

"Master Left, you must have thought we had no place for you if we surrendered."

"... oh, no"

The Bowties Treasurer walked into the spot.

Surprisingly, I'm surprised. Even a man like this seems to have a love for his wife.

Can I use it, Ralph stood up and knelt beside the Bowties Treasurer.

"Do you mind if I don't reward you for the two martyrs?

Bowties Treasurer looked at this one like he was hacked.

"... if you take revenge."

……

Bowties Treasurer rang his throat.

"What can I do?

"Aren't we going to have to fight"

"But I don't have a soldier to deal with freely"

"Wouldn't it be better to collect it with the power of gold"

……

Bowties treasury director rattled his throat again.

I know a hundred that he's using his position to save money.

If you're not going to spit it out here, you're going to go after Dominic.

That's all we're talking about.

"Okay. How much should I collect?

"At least 10,000."

"Ten thousand?

"What, it's just time to intercept the rebels."

That's how much we'll be able to collect if we don't even ask about quality.

That's enough as a throwaway pawn to see how the rebels get out.

"... 10,000."

"Yeah, at least 10,000."

Bowties Treasurer stood up.

"So you can take your wife's revenge."

"I can take it."

"Okay."

Bowties Treasurer nodded and left the room.

Ralph returned to his seat and exhaled small.

Emotional people are easy to handle, but mishandling them harms you.

I remember Fumi and Count Cairon.

I still haven't heard from you. I guess it was in return to find out.

"... should Count Cairon have kept it warmer"

No, and Ralph shook his head.

Rabies can only be used and crushed early.

Ralph took the paperwork.

"... Phew"

Cecily sighs as she goes down the street side by side with her brother.

More than ten days had passed since I left Count Cad's territory.

That's all that's been going on.

Nonetheless, it feels like a long time ago the day I left Count Cad's territory.

I don't even remember what emotions I had at the outing.

"... Phew"

"What's wrong with exhaling just now?

"Nothing."

"Really? I just thought I was unhappy not to fight..."

"If you know, say so!

"Ha, right"

"I thought you and your brothers could fight side by side."

Points his lips as he looks sideways at his brother, who laughs furiously.

My brother is a genius.

Battle on horses, overtake Leonhardt if commanded by cavalry.

That means he's the best cavalry in the empire.

I had such an inferior feeling about my brother, but I was proud to be able to fight with him.

Oh, yeah.

I was proud of myself when I came out.

"I can't believe you just delivered a letter and got into a chat."

"I'm still doing my job well."

"Where is it?

"You're stalling the logistics by flexing the surrounding lords."

"I'm not just interested in delivering a letter and chatting. Shouldn't we, as part of the Viscount Hamal family, have a glorious battle?

"But if you do that on a thousand rides, you'll die. My men won't want to die a dog, either."

My brother grinned bitterly and stared behind his back over his shoulder.

When he was caught and looked behind him, there was an elite figure of the Fifth Kingsguard Knights.

My eyes are sharp and I look like I want a fight...

"Fighting in glory isn't war."

"I doubt how much has been achieved."

"The load is thoroughly checked and the general is letting it go bare. By now, the Empire is making a fuss that there's not enough food."

"I pray so."

Yeah, and Cecily snorted.

"Oh, man, I thought Marquis Elakis made me grow up"

"Brother!

Cecily screamed unexpectedly.

"Wow, how humiliating I tasted."

"Well, I'll teach you horses."

"Horse!

Eyes open in amazement.

"I am human!

"Even if I know. You are my dear sister. But in order for our territory to flourish, we need the power of Marquis Elakis."

"That's how much I know!

Cecily turned away.

"But I've been treated like a traitor because of that. I thought your brother remained a Kingsguard knight."

"You were better off in the sense of spreading the risk, but all of a sudden I was treated like a traitor."

Ha, my brother laughed.

"Is His Majesty the Emperor who doesn't understand the logic of things so well?

"If it makes sense, it's not a civil unrest."

"That's right."

Cecily sighed small.

"Well, let's think about things. If the Imperial Army wins, my house is safe too. Anyway, you're gonna be a sideroom."

"Side chamber?"

Cecily glanced at her imagination of a future where her position was worse than it is now.

"Don't you like it?

"I'm sorry for being so blunt."

"Well, good luck"

"Yes, yes, I get it!

Cecily screamed, abandoning herself.

"... with that said, how could the Duke of Palatium have distorted his face in an unpleasant way?

"What are you doing on the stick?

"No, I really don't know why the Duke of Palatium got upset."

"He cared about that?

"Like that? This is serious."

My brother said in a slightly murky tone.

The other day, my brother met with the Duke of Palatium and was driven back softly.

I didn't mean to rough up my voice, but I had an unpleasant look on my face.

"For once, I think it would be better if I sold my thanks to you. In mere neutrality, you'll get in the way after the war."

"Not the will of a prestigious nobleman?

"... is that what it is? I see. You can't betray the Empire as one of the first emperors."

My brother had a subtle look on his face when he realized his muscles weren't coming through.

If you mean those who will be brought into the lineage of the first emperor, you should take sides with Empress Tilia.

Cecily knows why, but my brother doesn't seem to know.

"Brother?

"What?

"The Duke of Palatium belongs to the Duke of Elakis... and I just don't want to stand in the wind of Master Chrono."

"Why not?

"Master Krono is the new nobleman of the maker. There's no way you can be convinced to put it under a man like that."

"I haven't said a word about that."

"You don't have to say it. It doesn't change the outcome."

In short, it's an emotional matter.

You wouldn't be able to persuade me if I spent a million words.

I'm glad you pushed me back so hard in that sense.

I didn't have to waste my time because of you.

"I see, you understand very well."

"Experience speaks,"

"Hmm, it didn't seem a mistake to send you under the Duke of Elakis"

"... guh"

Cecily groaned.

Harbor Street Garb, under Emperor Kai's direct authority - Chrono stood on the shoreline and watched the unloading.

Timber, iron twigs, and food are lowered from the ships bordered.

Some loads are unloaded by cranes, others by humans and large subhumans.

What is the difference between those two?

I look at it with that in mind, but I don't think there's any particular regularity.

If I insist, do you mean near the crane?

Maybe it's because the crane isn't mobile.

It is not fixed to the ground by piles or the like, but it takes time to move it.

The unloading also proceeds while Chrono considers that there are no benefits.

"Here's the wood and iron tsu!

"Which way's the food?

"You idiot! I'm not skipping!

"Water! Would you like some water? It's a piece of brass coin! It's cold water!

"The unprocessed wood is that way! The nail's this way! The food is that way!

"Water, give me water!

"Damn it! Where's the luggage?

Gordie calls out to a bunch of people trying to carry timber, and a man flicks his gaze around beside the food.

Ah, Shizuku, the old man with thick hair muscles kicks up the young man's ass taking a break while standing.

A woman who sells water speaks out to the people who cross the harbor and shouts to a sailor who thinks he's a director and a man who's very much going in the wrong direction.

Drink the water so that the big man who stood up the hot air would take it, and the middle-aged man called out hysterically.

There is unusual enthusiasm and anger swirling.

Given the position of commander of the Imperial Army, I guess I should leave sober and get things sorted out, but if I could do that, I wouldn't have a hard time.

Instead, there will just be more confusion when you leave.

I'm sick of myself not being able to make a big deal out of it, but I also had the realization that it was best to leave this kind of thing to someone who could.

The person in charge is here to take responsibility.

I'm sorry. It's my directorial misdemeanor, and I just feel a little sorry for myself when I imagine myself bowing my head...

An unexpectedly warm feeling wrapped his hands around him, and a marshmallow-like feeling pressed against his arms.

Tits. That's pretty big tits, too.

Uncomfortable tits.

I want to stay like this a little longer, but I had a bad feeling.

It's another question of whether we can avoid it even if we detect a crisis, but it's lame not to move the spot even though we know it's dangerous.

No, we should have acted.

Tilting his gaze, Nam Cornu was entangling his own it in Chrono's arm.

The sight of a rat strangled by a snake passed the back of his brain.

The rat is chrono, and the snake is Nam Corne.

"Fuck, he's strangled at some point"

"Well, how rude of you to be a snake"

"I didn't say it was a snake."

Nam Corne laughed at the dullness.

"Because it's often metaphorical to snakes and foxes."

"Nam Ko -"

"It's Nam."

Namu Cornu said blocking Chrono's words.

"I feel like I know what kind of life Mr. Nam has been going through"

"Hehe, that's a mistake."

Nam Corne smiled, but makes him feel thin and cold.

Maybe I'm not mistaken.

That said, 'I'm such a woman, but I haven't lived the life you think I've lived,' Chrono is not so ghostly as not to acknowledge his right to speak.

"I think we need to talk carefully, both of us, to make a mistake right, what do you say?

"No, because it's in operation"

"Don't, don't"

"Didn't Nam have a child?

"Yeah, I'm a widow"

Namu Cornu said with all his strength to the widow's part.

"I wonder what your husband would say?

"The dead don't say anything."

"............... what do you think your husband would say?

"Right." Fuck, you snake "?

Num Corne said as he leaned his little neck.

"What did they actually say?

"Yeah, a few times"

I said I was just a little sorry.

I'm interested in what kind of marriage they say, 'Kuh, snake,' but I'll keep my mouth shut because it can be a snake.

"If I say so, do you have kids or something?

"Don't you have to talk about that now"

Nam Cornu pointed his lips as obstinately as he could, but makes him feel a strong willingness not to be interested in his children.

"Your kids matter, right?

"Of course, it's my treasure"

"... I see"

Chrono nodded.

"So I'm the only one who can make a sacrifice"

"You say terrible things!

"Excuse me."

Chrono roughed up his voice, but where does Nam Corne blow the wind?

Arms pressed against the warm curtains, nails on the bran.

Well, it would be sincere to say that you are the only one who will be sacrificed.

It is not a good idea to be hostile to the Imperial Army in this situation.

I don't think it's a smart way to side with the Imperial Army either...

"... Scary eyes"

"Really?

"Yeah, very scary eyes. It's like looking at a roadside stone and thinking it's something that doesn't give up everything in the world."

Nam Cornu shrugged small.

Chrono touched his eye butt.

I don't think it's overrated.

"... you don't think anything of returning Emperor Kai to ashes."

"That's not true."

It hurts my heart, groans.

"But you will, won't you?

"Well, if you need it"

It would be if the cost and return were commensurate, but you wouldn't have to explain that much.

"... scary person"

"I think anyone would."

This one bears the fate of seven territories.

What if I can't destroy one or two of the cities?

"Why don't you do it?

A soft feel was pressed against the opposite arm.

It's tits again.

Fuck, you tits.

The serial atmosphere is ruined.

Chrono stared at the other side - the cleric.

"... you tits"

"Yes, no, I don't have boobs."

The cleric said in a bit of a pull.

"Also, is it alcohol?

"Still drinking today"

The clergyman said as muddled.

Oh, and the clergyman turned his gaze to Nam Corne.

"See you, buddy."

"I didn't stop being human."

The cleric said happily, but Nam Corne is muddled.

By companion, Namu Cornu must have been eaten by God too.

"What about Mr. Nege?

"You don't have a lot of fellowship. I mean, I don't feel like I can be friends with people who want to be gods."

"Is that religious?

"Uh-huh, well, we've been living together for a long time. We have a lot of empathy, but I don't think this is what happened because I want to be like this."

The cleric shrugged smudgingly.

"Do you remember the old days?

"God chose me, I might have thought about it."

"Hiccup."

"No, I'm not gonna tell you. Nuanced, nuanced."

I know it's probably nuanced, but I can't help but say that.

"What will happen to Mr. Nam?

"If you're willing to die, I think you're gonna die."

I know it's hard, but I'll add.

"Sorry, I'm not going to die yet"

"Well, don't try."

"Okay, I'll be there, too"

Cleric and Nam Cornu left Chrono at about the same time.

It goes somewhere as it is.

Chrono looked out at the sea from the shoreline.

After a while...

"What's going on?

……

Looking next door, Tilia stood.

Same uniform as during the march.

"What, that disgruntled face?

"Nothing."

Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to push his tits against my arms.

Too bad.

"You seem free."

"I'm overseeing the work."

"Ho, I thought you were looking at the ocean?

"It's my job to take responsibility."

"Well, yeah."

Tilia nodded small.

"Chrono, what do you think is beyond this sea?

"Potatoes and corn"

"Was that a vegetable?

Tilia said as she held down her temples.

"I wonder what's at the end of the ocean?

"The Earth is round, so just circle around and come back."

……

Tilia silenced.

"By the way, what happened to Tilia?

"I thought it might be time for a ship with a prostitute. I still think I should welcome him."

"Right."

It will still take five thousand or four hundred prostitutes to arrive, but I guess they couldn't stay or stand.

"The wood, the iron tsu, and the food arrived. All you have to do is act as you did."

The doctor's missing.

"Right."

Tilia said as if she was just a little mucky.

"... I wish I could pull his liver out"

"It's okay."

Tilia said in a calm voice.

"Well, I guess I'm fine, too."

"Then say it with confidence, with confidence"

"I think it has an impact."

Uh-huh, and Chrono roared.

If this is the case, I wish I had read the history novel, but if I had, I would have read it. I would have read more of another book.

"... what to say"

"What?

"It's always out of my control. I don't like it when it happens."

"You'd have done something about it each time, wouldn't you?

"You're lucky to be saved."

Chrono flaunted his shoulder.

"... when the civil war is over"

"Oh, yeah, yeah, finally, hey, you made up your mind, huh?

"I'm not married."

"Oh well."

Tilia dropped her shoulder disappointingly.

"I want to be caught in a cage in the realm and get laid."

"Wait!"

"I won't wait. I leave the job to my men to spend a month or so sloppy. I'm gonna have a really shitty day, I swear."

"Are you only thinking about sleeping with your mistresses?

"Of course, Tilia's with us."

"Sucks, you are!

"It's a mistake to like a man like that."

"Damn, how could I fall in love with such a man?"

"Think it was fate. Give it up."

"... right"

Tilia told me to exhale.

"Hehe, is this my destiny"

"No, you don't have to take it that seriously."

"Which one is it?

"You don't have to take it."

I don't hate the word fate, but I want to believe that being here is the result of our choice.