Sword of the Philosopher

"In conclusion, the next thing that strikes me here is the corner of four powerful Demon King candidates."

... Apparently, the next battle will soon welcome a large mountain range.

"We're also working on the status quo, demon generation, etc., but we're definitely not ready for this one"

"Under that circumstance, engagement or... opponent?

Zemun dropped his eyes on Croix's question and pointed to a point on the map.

The map of the demonic world is color-coded into four parts. To put it bluntly, it is divided into forces that dominate the eastern part of the demonic kingdom and force the northwest, midwest and southwest of the demonic kingdom. What Zemun indicated with his fingers was the southwest.

"The opponent is Widels... and now he's in the southwestern part of the building."

"So you're coming here as part of it... you think Widels himself is coming?

"According to the reconnaissance, he's on his way here. Only Master Croix, a demonic tribe that had a castle in the southwest, has yet to be extinguished or surrendered by its castle owners. Looks like you want to settle after checking in on Mr. Croix."

"How soon will you arrive"

"In about three days"

You really don't have time...

"It is not possible to prepare the armament within three days… all that can be done is to produce the devil as precisely as possible"

"Is this place being found out?

"I'm just marching to Lord Croix's territory at this stage, and it's unclear if I know what's going on here... but if you don't know, it won't work."

"... Widels knows what I think. Then there's one thing to do."

I give Croix my gaze. So he noticed this one too,

"I do not want to sacrifice as much as I can to the people in my territory. Widels knows exactly what you're thinking."

"In other words, if you don't know where you are, you will attack towns and villages depending on your allowances and bring out Croix..."

Croix nods. I see, he's a hassle.

"If you mean zero sacrifices..."

"Intercept from here. It doesn't seem to be in our territory yet, so I'll show my face before then."

"Nevertheless, it takes a day to get ready to go to the border of the territory"

So Zemun starts talking.

"I mean, the prep period is less than two days...... just make it a small number of people here, there will be other things to do besides generating demons, and there will be a day and a little more time you can use to increase the actual soldiers"

"Water on a burning stone," he said.

Zemun nodded at these words.

"The opposing Wydels force is certain to come at least as an army"

"Lots of passives...... Hmm, if it's an ambush or something, does it work?

"That's the only way you'll be able to hit this one. Most importantly, the border of the territory is a plain, making it difficult to hide even as if it were an ambush. It's possible to raid in the mountains to the north, but you'll notice that time is needed to get into enemy territory."

"When you step into territory, you can sense that the enemy has come by magic or something... or something?

Zemun agrees with this question.

"Yes, that kind of magic has existed since the war began."

It feels like an octagonal blockage... assuming you try to respond by surprise raids or other measures, when you step into the back of the territory... which means this is where the land is at stake, Widels will attack towns and villages before then.

That's the only way to win realistically, but it's emotionally difficult... still, the Zemuns will try to convince Croix to use that kind of measure.

"... I want to win"

Croix drops her eyes on the map and squeals so.

"It's not a situation where you can fight and win from the front... so I know you have to use measures to discuss Widels... but at the same time, I have a duty to protect the people"

… As for him who sits on the throne, is it difficult to hang him on the measure and the people's balance?

Nevertheless, given the current situation, it would probably be Croix that the ministers should take precedence over the inhabitants. Even if you keep trying from the front, losing is a must. The inhabitants have been evacuated as best they can... but there is only one thing they can do in just three days.

"... it's the worst possible situation, but how do we move in that?

When this one inquired, Zemun looked at him.

"I want you to expose Mr. Croix when we ambush him and set him up at Widels."

"... how much more time do we need to keep enduring than sticking inside the enemy formation?

"It won't take that long. I was wondering if the burden would be so much to work with and deal with us."

You mean wasting it to ensure the success of a surprise attack?

"One more question."

Sophia opens her mouth here.

"Let's say you picked up Widels in an ambush. After that, do the demons stop moving? Or get out of control and storm out?

"It would be the latter. The devil is all generated to be under Widels command...... if you say it, it looks like the devil, but it's actually like a doll. If the manipulative Wydels were to fall, the demons would be... discrete and, in some cases, causing damage to their surroundings."

"Which means the battle won't be over unless we destroy the demons in any way."

"Exactly."

Personally, it seems harder that way... but I won't put it in my mouth. Zemun and the others will understand that.

Hmm, this is a pretty tough fight. I knew it was a downside from the fact that the castle town was doomed, but it definitely wasn't strong enough.

It's just... I keep an eye on Sophia. In contrast, she nodded quietly as to whether she had deceived this intent.

"... Mr. Zemun, do you have any information about enemy demons, etc?

"That's where you can get it from the devil who's observing the movement,"

"Right. Then the next question. It's okay to mean a common soldier where demons say it in humans, right?

"Definitely"

"To what extent can you reproduce that ability… for example, with the ability of Mr. Zemun and the others to generate demons?

"... possible, but what are you willing to do?

I don't answer Zemun's queries... Hmm, well,

"I'm going to return the question with a question... what's the exact number?

"All armies combined, about a thousand. But consider the devil's abilities superior to those of a human soldier."

The actual ability starts with thousands in human conversion, and 10,000 if you suck? It's just that...

"Mr. Zemun, I want to see how much we can fight those demons first."

"... any ideas?

"Well. Except this way is pretty rough, and we're a lot more prominent. The problem that remains is whether it would be troublesome for us to be recognized as a result of the outburst..."

"I'll do well there"

Croix says. I wonder if that means controlling information even if we get busted.

"Okay. Then let me get into the validation as soon as possible...... if that gives a good result, I want to suggest one"

After I said that, I shrugged my shoulder.

"Most of all, I want you to understand that the way we say it is also quite unscrupulous... then, please -"