I nodded to Sion's words.

It was Sahaja that kidnapped Lidi. It seems they a.s.sumed I'd go help Lidi, so it's natural that they'd know of my absence.

"The other side doesn't seem to know Your Highness has returned yet. They are terribly impatient wanting to finish before Your Highness returns."

"The information must not have reached them yet. Then we should strike now while they're off-guard. I also want to fight them, so it's just right."

When I said that, Sion chuckled.

"When I was the opponent, I thought Your Highness's attack was foul play, but as an ally I think there's nothing more reliable. I feel no anxiety."

"Yeah, leave it to me."

I also want to finish it quickly and go home. I'm full of energy and magical power, and after all my precious Lidi is waiting in the castle. I want to embrace her quickly so much that I won't allow a failure.

"Your Highness."

As Will called out to me, I turned to him. Seeing the horse his subordinate brought, a smile appeared on my face.

Over there was my favorite horse.

"Will, so you brought Ventisca along."

I took the reins and stroked Ventisca's white body. Ventisca neighed happily.

"When Your Highness releases magic, there's no horse other than Ventisca that can keep calm. Thinking it'd be necessary, I had my subordinate bring him. Was it an unnecessary concern?"

As Will asked, I returned, "No".

"I'm saved. It makes all the difference that Ventisca is here."

"Is this Your Highness Friedrich's favorite horse? Come to think of it, you were on that horse when you fought me."

Seeing Ventisca, Sion nodded in remembrance.

"Yeah, Ventisca is my important favorite horse that keeps calm no matter what happens on the battlefield."

"Your Highness Friedrich on a white horse. It's so dazzling my head hurts."

"What does it mean?"

"Seeing your figure, the morale of your soldiers rose so much that we couldn't do anything. It means that."

As Sion said that with a serious face, Alex, who was listening to our talk, laughed, "Pfft".

"C, certainly. Of course, even I wouldn't want to fight such an opponent."

"Yeah. I felt like I lost before fighting. Despite being the general he appeared on the frontline and easily s.n.a.t.c.hed victory with an intense sword magic attack. I was at a loss of how to fight such an opponent."

It feels good to be his ally, Sion laughed. As expected, he's got guts.

With the light exchange between Alex and Sion, Will and Bertrand's expression also turned gentle.

It seems the unnecessary tension had completely disappeared.

I jumped on Ventisca's back and told them.

"Prepare for battle. I'll settle it immediately when I arrive. Alex, you handle the logistical support."

"Yeah."

"I'll stand at the front. Will, I entrust defense to you. Bertrand, Sion, come together with me."

"I understand."

"Yes."

"I shall accompany you."

After issuing instructions to everyone, I drew the divine sword from my waist. Sion then called out to me.

"Your Highness."

"What?"

"If you use sword magic, it'd be better if you avoided using the flame magic. It's windy today and there are houses nearby. I wouldn't want the houses of people who are unrelated to war to be burned by mistake."

"Got it."

Sion's concern is reasonable.

I thought a little and decided to use magic different from usual.

"I'll use freezing magic this time. There won't be a problem then."

"Your Highness. The freezing magic should be quite difficult to control. It's not that I'm doubting you, but will you be alright?"

Will was the first one to respond to the words freezing magic.

Among the numerous sword magic, the easiest to control is the flame one, 's.h.i.+ne, flower of flames'. When I couldn't control them well, it was the only magic I used.

Will remembers that.

"I'm alright. As I am now, I can use it without problems. You too should see that my magical power is stable."

"… Yes. You're right. Excuse me. It was my mistake."

"No, I can understand your concern. I won't lose focus just because I'm in a great condition. I promise to release magic carefully."

"Yes."

"We're going."

I addressed everyone and headed for the battlefield.

To inform their subordinates that I'd returned and to prepare for battle, Will and others dispersed to their respective posts.

As both armies stood opposing each other, I took the position in front of our troops.

The moment I did, noise arose from the opposing army, as if they were screaming. Impressed by it, Sion said.

"As expected of Your Highness Friedrich. You're greatly popular. It's a reaction I didn't see when I took command."

"Sion."

"Excuse me."

When I turned my gaze to Sion next to me, I saw his observe the enemy army with a calm face.

He truly was composed in front of an army of fifty thousand.

"I was given unreasonable orders to win against thousands while only being given hundreds. This is nothing compared to that. Besides, as long as Your Highness is here, a loss seems impossible. As a tactician, it's regrettable that I can't take command, but it's most important that we win without losing soldiers."

Perhaps understanding what I wanted to say, while still directing his gaze to the front Sion said.

"I'll use reflection magic to bend the attacks Lord William's barrier won't protect us against. Your Highness, please focus on attacking without minding anything."

"… Sion. Don't tell Will that. His pride will be hurt."

"Certainly."

Will has a lot of pride when it comes to magical arts. What Sion said is reasonable, but Will would certainly get angry if he heard it.

"I trust Will, and of course the same goes for you. ―― Now then… It's time to begin."

"Yeah, please."

I finished the idle chatter and on top of my horse prepared my sword.

Seeing my figure, the enemy army seemed to take a charging stance.

Before they move, I'll seal their movements.

I put magical power in the divine sword and spun an incantation.

"s.h.i.+ne twice, flower of ice. ―― White dragon."

The converted magical power swirled. If I don't control it well, with nowhere to go the magical power will go out of control. I had actually been about to fail a few times, but this time there are no problems, it's going well.

I swung the sword s.h.i.+ning white sideways.

The two released white blades loudly cut through the air and burst at the enemy frontline.

The enemy frontline dyed pure white. The cold air could be felt even here.

When the scene cleared up, almost all soldiers on the frontline were frozen.

"… Well done."

After a moment, Sion's dumbfounded voice resounded.

"It's been a while, but it seems it went well."

I sheathed the sword and took a breath.

Soldiers at the frontline were encased in ice. This will prevent the soldiers behind from moving.

For now the soldiers' charge was stopped.

What comes next is probably a magical arts battle from the rear. As Sion said, this battlefield is close to houses and a village. I don't want to inconvenience the people there by leaving too many corpses, and I also want to minimize the damage.

Now then, what should we do? While I was thinking, the opponent's rear moved strangely.

"… What is it? Sion, do you understand?"

When I immediately asked Sion, with a puzzled face he shook his head.

"No… It's strange. Are they… confused for some reason?"

"Your Highness, the opponent's movements…"

Even Will, who had been a little behind, came to me.

Until then he must've been watching their magician division, awaiting his turn.

He was c.o.c.king his head in puzzlement at the incomprehensible movement they showed suddenly.

"… No way."

"What… Why?"

Sion and Will raised their voices at the same time.

I was also wide-eyed in surprise from the movement the enemy army showed.

"What does it mean?"

―― The movement Sahaja's army showed. To us, it was unbelievable.

The first chapter of the manga is finally out! You can .