Reinforcements

As for the Cordovan soldiers that surrendered, or rather became wounded prisoners as Rias way of dealing with them, they were divided into three groups.

Another group would be released as is, but there was a condition this time. The condition was that they absolutely had to return to their hometowns by all means. The reason for this was because shed heard that Cordova had treated the soldiers that were liberated before as rebels.

After the soldiers chose their paths, Rias group went back on the road towards Manesh.

Twenty thousand reinforcements from Casalia awaited Rias arrival at Manesh, along with some familiar faces.

Right, among the reinforcements were the magic corps that Lulu belonged to, as well as the knight order that Carlos belonged to. A reunion after a span of several months.

After that, Ria heard about the situation in the royal capital from Lulu. Apparently, the confusion from the ministers assassination seemed to have been concluded with the criminal being the a foreign countrys subordinate.

They were unmistakably there for the war against Cordova with the aim of acquiring plots of land that had lost their feudal lords.

And again, Lulu brought up an incredibly important personal matter.

No, I havent answered yet, but

It was the group of everyone concerned. Carlos was left out.

Ah heeh and so?

So you want to discuss something like that with me huh

(Carlos is a good man. Yep, a good man. Though he contracted that disease known as elf lover, well, there probably wont be any problems about Lulu being a half-elf.)

His face wasnt bad either, so she couldnt think up any particular problems.

However, even Ria was embarrassed being consulted about such a thing.

To please wait a little.

Asked that, Lulus eyes reddened a little.

If thats how it is, isnt your answer decided?

However, there was a single person that raised their hand.

It was the youngest, Serge, who should have understood the hearts of women the least.

Although Lulu asked in puzzlement, Ria understood.

Yeah. The most supreme flag of them all: I, after this war is over, will marry you!'

Ria nodded along with Serge, who stressed his sentence.

Naturally, the expressions of those in the surroundings became rigid at the two people having such a serious conversation.

As for Irinas question, although she was unable to read the feeling in the air, it was a GJ in this case.

Before a war, a soldier would say, I, after this war is over, will marry you! Then die in the following battle. Thats the pattern.

Despite being called a saint, Carla, the atheist, cut the thought away cleanly.

Recently, saying that it was for her education as a princess, Shizuna had been reading a lot of books.

Ria thought about it logically.[]

I see, that is true.

And like this, the time for their short tea party came to an end.

And thats what was said.

To Rias explanation, Guinevere answered listlessly.

Although Fio said that in envy, if she pulled Fio, who was the secretary, away, their work wouldnt advance.

Setting that aside, I was able to perfectly complete the golem corps projects plan.

I invested my own funds. This was originally my country after all.

Carlas things are my things. My things are my things as well. Its fine. Carla would agree if I spoke to her.

Rather, in Carlas case she was in a situation where could live off of just the gifts she received from other nobles.

Ah, should I use that imperial household agencys model[]

I just want the war with Cordova to be over with

Gaaah. Mou, finish the war sooo~n.

While Fio was going through and reviewing the documents one by one, there was something she noticed.

The Black Cat Company is a famous delivery company primarily in Lemdria, but theres a branch in Casalia as well. Although its sure to have dealt in Cordova for years as well, theyve recently changed their policies regarding them.

Clever merchants on the sidelines would judge the information like that, theyd likely even seen Ogress might as it was well-known now.

Other than the branchs head, the company director might be a bit difficult to. It seems his name is Yamato, Ive practically not heard him meeting people.

Ria spoke reflexively.

Yes. It seems to be a name thats succeeded from generation to generation. Theres even talk that people who dont already know who he is arent meant to learn it. Although they more or less refer to themselves as a secret society, everyone knows of them as the Black Cat Company.

Theres probably no mistaking that their founder was a reincarnated person.

The Crystal family. Although it was also Rias mothers family name, in truth, it wasnt a family name that was handed down through the generations.

For example, Rias mother got her family name from Rufus, and Rufus got his family name from Azelford. In Rias case, since shed had high magical power since birth, she had naturally been introducing herself with her family name.[]

Then, Ill confirm the meetings purpose.

Yeah, please.

Their routine work more or less handled, Ria unrolled a map on the now-vacant desk.

That Cordova could feasibly mobilize five hundred thousand seems like some kind of joke

Well, thats how it is. Nevertheless, with that kind of tyranny, how arent there any revolts?

You dont know? They have a secret information system. If someone tries to incite a revolt, they kill everyone in their family as guilt by association.

Are they North Korea?

But on the other hand, theyd be incredibly glad about being liberated. No matter how you put it, with an administration that starves them year-round, theyd very likely prefer us.

It became a problem of logistics.

Just why was an entire country established for war? If she had time to, she wanted to look into that.

Hou?

That country maintenance fully paved roads. An armys march as well as supplies transportation becomes easy.

I see, so then first of all maybe we should fell one of their bases on their border somewhere?

No.

More than that, they had to do something that their enemy hated even more.

In that case, rather than one, wouldnt it be fine if they felled every feasible base along their borders?

Ria immersed herself in that thought.

Although Ria far from hated shedding human bloodshe rather loved itbut it was a different story if it was her allies shedding blood for no reason.

But itll reduce my sleeping hours even more

Geh

Rias statesmen didnt think of that remark as irresponsible, but oppositely Guinevere felt good about it for some reason.

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