Legend

"Ray, I'm sorry I called you in. Weren't you busy?

"No, never mind. The tent class was already served in advance, so all we needed to prepare was to prepare dinner. And that's exactly what you get used to if you go on like this for a long time."

At night, Ray's appearance was in Dusker's tent. Several other knights of the escort were seated in a chair of about 10 other noblemen who would be members of the neutral faction.

"Dear Dusker, is that the one who came out earlier?

"No, whatever it is... isn't it too small?

The neutral nobles are slightly frowning and gazing at Ray.

Are you sure you're okay with this guy, rather than an insult to Ray in its eyes? That's a worrying gaze.

But Dusker just nodded that there was no need to worry about that, and turned his gaze to the nobleman who said Ray was small.

"What, you can't trust my eyes?

That's what I ask, but that tone is not like I blame it on you, but rather how interesting it is to see the reaction of the nobles who saw Ray.

"No, I'm not suspicious of Master Dusker's eyes. Somehow I'm a Larks borderline uncle who continues to be a lord on the border."

And the nobleman that was next to him nodded again at the word, which was out of his mouth as he panicked.

"But that's only because I'm the Dasker of Larks Borderline Uncle. We are only rural aristocrats who are not even on the border. For that matter, there are many opportunities to meet with adventurers who are in the realm, but there are many people who are muscular about what they will say at that time..."

"Right. The same goes for me. Essentially, there are many warriors because they are in the countryside or because there are not as many wizards."

One aristocrat after another expressed his consent, but Dusker smiles in his mouth at the words.

"Am I mistaken? Indeed, Ray is also a wizard. I can't feel it, but if you try to be a wizard that can sense magic, they have incredible magic. But this guy is a magic warrior, not a raw wizard. So you're the type who manipulates magic while fighting in the avant-garde."

"... Huh?

One of the aristocrats leaks a grumbling voice. Only one of them actually leaked his voice, but the other nobles are turning a similar eye to Ray.

But eventually...

"Ah, oh. Really? Speaking of which, this guy was able to follow the griffon. Then I understand the story. Let Griffon handle the melee, and this guy will focus on magic."

It was a word that came out as if it were a pain, but the word seemed so convincing that there was nothing more to it. I nod as I agree that most of the nobles who were there would be satisfied with it.

But again, Dusker shakes his head as he leaks a grin and denies it.

"Surely Griffon, Ray's submissive demon, is an extremely powerful monster. But what I'm talking about is Ray himself. In fact, its strength is enough to sweep away even against the Knights of Escorts to protect the noble princess general. Speaking of which, you know how powerful Ray himself is?

"... Indeed. I also know that the Duke of Kelevel adores Lord Elaine, who is called the Princess General, and at the same time makes the most of his usefulness. And naturally, you're wearing an armed escort against your daughter."

One of the nobles groans and nods, once again turning his gaze to Ray.

"But that's only strength for one, isn't it? Well, what can I say, if you ask me if I can entrust you with Master Dusker's proposal even if I'm only asked about my strength against an individual..."

(What are you talking about? I'm sure it has something to do with this war.)

I know my existence is causing some argument, but I don't know what that is. Ray frowns slightly at the way he is being discussed by putting himself down.

I guess you noticed how it went. Dusker, who was smiling and watching the nobles, calls out to Ray.

"Ray, these guys are my allies.... No, you should call me buddy"

Alliance opponent. Fellow. Ray understands what the nobles here are in that language.

Larks Border Uncle Dusker has the kind of force you can call a major force on the border. The person that Dusker called his allies and companions was very limited. That is...

"Neutralist"

"Correct."

Dasker nods with a grin that just says it's done well, to a whining word from Ray's mouth.

So much so that they finally realized that they hadn't introduced themselves again. An old man in his 50s opens his mouth on behalf of the nobles around him.

"You sure were grumpy. Non and others are called the Neutralists who gathered Lord Dusker as their flag. Lord Dusker asked me how strong your Lord is, but his appearance..."

Ray shakes his head when he has been in trouble with his unlimited appearance before, to a man who shrugs as hard to say.

"I'm fully aware that I don't look strong. So don't worry."

"Ugh, um. I'm sorry.... more than that, Lord Dusker, what is it about letting this person stand alone forever, and why don't we sit down and talk?

Dasker nodded at the words, and let him bring his chair with him with his gaze to the knight of his own escort.

Even though it should be the tent of a magic item that Larks Borderline Uncle has, or it doesn't extend to what Elaine had, it is quite large and about 10 tatami wide.

There was also the matter of a meadow wolf that went inside several times during the march to the land, but Ray was once again impressed with its breadth.

"Go ahead."

Rey sits on the chair offered to the knight and once again turns his gaze to the neutral nobles, including Dusker.

The first to cut the fire was Dusker, who, naturally, was also the central figure of the neutrals.

"As a matter of fact, I talked to the aristocrats, the Kings, about the war soon after noon today after I got to this position.... The Kings apparently only consider this war their usual regular raid"

"Absolutely! That's all Master Dusker captured the source of the Bestian Empire and sent them to the King's Capital! Still, I don't think it's the same thing."

You couldn't stand it enough, and the man who called out to Ray earlier groaned abominably.

"Well, calm down. … So, back to the point, as kings, I believe that the Kingdom of Mireana will win by defending this Seremus plain more than I think this war is the usual regular. Well, that's a question. What do you think the Kings think there's gonna be a war to win for sure?

"What...? Dealing greater damage to the army of the Bestian Empire, is it?

Even though they attack us regularly, every time the Kingdom of Mireana side must also send troops. Then it naturally costs money.

It was a natural opinion, especially as Ray remembered the small number of troops dispatched because the Lords' deputies did not want to spend money in the city of Subrusta. But when he heard it, Dusker shook his head, and at the same time the other nobles shook their heads as well.

While the attitude shows that the opinion is wrong, the gaze toward Ray is somewhere soft. We were so accustomed to the struggle for power as nobles that it was only natural to read behind things. Because Ray's opinion of ourselves was immature and blue, but still pleasant.

There was still a lot of half-heartedness about Ray's fighting power, but even if Dusker told me half the story, that's a frightening force. There was no doubt that such a person would be considered a risk factor if he had a sharp brain besides his combat skills, but as far as Ray's opinion was concerned, that's not how it looks. Rather preferably, those other than Dusker on the spot had a sense of relief.

It wouldn't be interesting as Ray if he found out he had lifted the vigilance of the nobles because of his own low visibility. But happiness or unhappiness will never come to Ray's attention and the conversation will continue.

"Mm, Gohon. So let's get back to it..."

As a Dusker, I've dated Ray to some extent, or I've pretty much understood Ray's character in reports from Langa and the Adventurers Guild. For this reason, I was not worried at all that Ray would now have political ambitions.

"Excuse me, Master Dusker. I blocked the conversation."

One of the nobles says so and looks sorry.

He shook his head saying there was no need to care when he saw it and Dusker opened his mouth toward Ray again.

"So. Kings whose default is to win this war. Naturally, they aim to increase the influence of their faction."

"... that the Kings would even launch a total attack against the Bestian Imperial Army?

"No."

To Ray's words, Dusker shakes his head clearly.

To the way it looks, Ray looks strange and opens his mouth.

"Why? Increasing influence naturally means getting a handle on this war, doesn't it?

"It is true that the influence of the Kings will increase if we put up a great deal of handles in this war. But that also carries a high risk. For example, suppose we have launched a full-scale offensive against the Vestian Imperial Army. If we defeat our enemies, we will certainly increase our influence, but if we fail to attack, our influence will decrease, and even less our own power. But what if we're neutral or noble enough to attack our enemies?

"... what do you say, even if they say. Aren't you like the Kings?

In Ray's reply, Dusker shakes his head again.

"It may be the same in the sense of increasing influence. But I don't have the same influence. The Kings are only factions centered around kings, and the forces themselves are huge. For example, in this war, we neutralists and aristocrats have no influence."

That much said, just as Ray also understood what the Kings had in mind. That is.

"Pushing the battle against the neutrals and nobles of the Duskers," he said?

"That's right. If we win this war, the influence we get will be limited. As kings of the largest faction, we will never allow ourselves to have influence over ourselves. Even if we win even more, we will surely lose our strength. You can't imitate winning without one dead man."

"I guess that is. No matter how complete you win, it can't be without a dead man."

(Suppose it's possible, like annihilating enemies before they approach them with a unilateral attack from a distance? No, still, even over there, naturally we have the means to attack from a distance. Whatever you think, you can't imitate winning without letting the dead out)

Ray snorts at Dusker's words as he whines inside.

"And for us, the worst thing the Kings want is for the Neutralists and Nobles to drain away with the Vestian Imperial Army to keep the front open, and as a finish, the Kings' power will attack and decide to win the battle."

In Dusker's words, the nobles who were in the tent frowned upon and gave a sinister look.

Ray, who was watching how it went, understood that the Kings were now trying to implement what Dasker had said.

"You seem to understand that face. Yes, what I just said is what the Kings are trying to do in this war.... Well, it's been a long time, but here's why I called you."

"... you want to be ahead of me, too?

"Yes."

To Ray's words, Dusker nods without hesitation.

Of course, Dusker. I put Ray ahead of the line for what it's supposed to be like. … that is, this idea, which can also be used as a shield for one's own army, is by no means preferred. But the status quo of the neutrals does not allow it. Of course, the adventurers, knights and soldiers of the city of Gilm, led by Dusker, are more than those trained on the border, and the numbers are one of the finest in the Royal Mireana Army in terms of practise. But what matters in war is basically five with two powers, more than one with ten. Of course there will be many exceptions.

"I understand the story, but if you mean to get ahead, don't you mind if it's not me or the elk or something?

"Oh. Of course I told Elk this story first. And he took it without hesitation."

"... I see"

Ray is convinced that he was seriously trying to do the act of defeating his enemies in this war as an apology that Elk was supposed to do to Ray in those words.

"The matter of you and Thunder God's Axe is also coming in here with information. That must be a big reason Elk took this favor."

I guess I thought the same thing about Ray. That's what Dusker tells him as he nods again.

And Ray, who had been thinking about it for a few seconds, remembers magic so convenient that there is no more in a case like this one.

Released in cooperation with Seto, its magic, which can also be called widespread extermination magic.

"... Dear Dusker, I hope you've done less damage over here when you finally hit the front with the Bestian Imperial Army, right?

"Hmm? Well, to be honest, yes."

"Whatever the means?

"There would be no problem with the kind of means normally used in war. However, it would be helpful to stop the dark imitation behind us, since the post-war Kings are going to say that they are proud of their nobility."

"... then what about these means?

That said, Ray explained to Dusker the magic that could also be described as the trump card he had, and the suggestion would be adopted.