The Palace of the Heedata Empire. In the audience hall, the emperor, Heedata Sure Heat, wore a stern expression on his face. This kind of expression is very rare for the mild-mannered and benevolent man. His brother, the Duke of Weiras, stands in front of him with a pale expression on his face.
"When did this happen?"
"Ha. ....... According to the news, about five days ago.
This is a very serious matter for the empire.
Yes. ....... I'm afraid this could be the downfall of your empire.
We can't just stand by and watch.
Yes, sir. If you could please take imdiate action.
Okay.
"Your Majesty..."
What is it?
"I have sent word of this to my brother-in-law in Agartha as well. ......"
"No, that's not necessary. I think we are enough for this occasion.
"Thank you, sir."
Weiras bowed reverently and turned around quickly. There was a man and a woman kneeling on one knee in awe. They bowed deeply to the emperor as if they were following his example.
The man and the woman bowed deeply to the emperor as if to follow his example.
A few flurries of powdery snow began to fall on the city of Agartha. I gazed idly out the window of my office and looked back over the years to co.
The year is almost over. This year has been sowhat hectic. Thanks to that, I couldn't have a birthday party. How old am I? 27 years old or ....... I guess I've been so busy with so many things that my age doesn't even co up right away. I hope to take it a little easier next year. .......
While I was thinking about that, there was a knock at the door. I asked them to co in, and to my surprise, Kunogen and Riko ca in with them.
"Rico......? What? What's wrong? Knogen? What?"
I haven't done anything wrong, but for so reason, the sight of Rico makes nervous. No, I'm not scared of Rico. It's not because I'm afraid of getting angry. I an, I don't ...... rember doing anything to make you angry. The only thing I can think of is eating a cake that I told Eryl and Alyria and the others not to tell my mom about. No way, did they find out about it? I ate it outside of snack ti. ....... No, I don't think Eril and the others will tell their secret. No, wait a minute. Could it be that Sidie found out? And when questioned, he confessed. Hmm? That wouldn't explain why Knogen is here. Let's see, ...... what!
"You've been looking around a lot, are you all right?"
Knogen has a worried look on his face. I co to my senses, cough, and take a seat. ...... Rico, don't look at like that.
"I'm sorry to take up so much of your ti during your busy political schedule. I need to discuss sothing with you. I wanted to hear Knogen's opinion, so I asked him to join us."
"Consultation? What is it?"
The Kingdom of Burial has moved its army.
"The Kingdom of Burial?"
Rico turns his attention to Knogen. In response, he spreads a piece of paper in his hand on the desk and points to the location of Burial.
"Just a month ago, leaving King's Landing, the forces of Burial crossed the sea and attacked Durga in the neighboring Warlov Empire. And they are still occupying it today."
"This is ....... You've got your eye on the right place. If we seize this place, the country can head east whenever it wants. Depending on how we do it, we could raid Heedata. Besides, it would make a good fortress in case of an invasion from the south.
"That's right, Mr. Linos. I think you are right. This is the largest port in the Warlov Empire. If they seize this port, they will not be able to trade as widely as before, and in a sense, the empire will have a blade at its throat.
Why are the two countries fighting?"
That's what I don't understand.
"Yeah? What do you an?"
"The Burial side says that their soldiers were killed by soldiers of the Warlov Empire. That's why they attacked us. ......"
"Then why don't you just punish the guilty soldiers and be done with it?"
"Yes, but ......"
"Well, I guess any reason to start a fight is a good reason, right?"
Knogen smiles bitterly at my words.
"This is what I ant when I said I would consult with Rinos.
"Well, what do you an by consulting? What does this have to do with us?"
The Warlov Empire, which was attacked, is related to the Heedata Empire.
"What? Am I right?"
The daughter of the emperor of the Warlov Empire is married to Vyrus.
"Oh, I see. She's quite beautiful, isn't she?"
Liko nodded slowly. I have t her twice in Miyagi, and I have an image of her as a quiet and elegant person.
"The Warlov Empire has made several attempts to recapture Dorga, but they have all failed. They have also asked Heedata for reinforcents, which have also failed."
"Can't you organize a coalition army and still win?" ....... How many troops do you have?"
"Warlov, the Heedat Alliance has 50,000 troops, while the Burial Army has 10,000."
"Oh. That's a lot of troops to have ....... I hate to say this, but either the commanders of Warlov and Heedata are so clumsy, or the commanders on the Burial side are so commanding that they are capable of command.
"Probably both."
Knogen scratches his cheek and smiles bitterly.
"I don't know the commander of the Warlov side, but the commander of the Heedata side is General Lyssen."
"Lyssen?"
"When we were in a standoff on the Irbezi River during the battle with Lamaron's army: ......"
"Oh, that old man. I think he succeeded Lafayence as commander of the Northern Army. Is he still here?"
"I have been treated as an active military officer for the rest of my life. Unless he says he's quitting, he'll basically stay that way."
"But what's the point of being a commander if you can't win battles?"
"That's right."
Kunogen then looks at Rico with a reserved look.
"I an, my brother has asked privately for reinforcents," he said.
"What brings you to Rico? Why don't you just tell directly?"
Linos is the king of Agartha. If you ask Rinos directly, it will be a discussion between countries. He does not wish to reveal this, which is why he has sent a letter through Queen Townsend."
Rico then hands the letter. It contained an update on Arrows, the Crown Prince, and said that he was looking forward to eting his bride, Eryl.
"Hm? I can't tell from this whether or not they are asking us for reinforcents."
Rico looked a little puzzled at my words, but then he turned his eyes straight ahead.
"I'm telling you this because this is ...... Linos, but actually it's a code.
"A code?"
"When the royal families of the Heedata Empire exchange letters with each other, depending on the contents, they may have different anings. This letter is a request for reinforcents.
Liko's words were followed by Knogen.
"Although the situation is ostensibly a stalemate, it appears that the Allied forces have suffered heavy losses and have retreated."
"So, they asked for reinforcents from the Agartha army? I don't understand why you have to go through all this trouble if you're just going to ask for reinforcents in a roundabout way.
"He must be in a great hurry."
"Oh."
"Let guess, the outnumbered Allied forces went into battle believing that they could surely win. But they lost. Neither Warlov nor Heedata could stand the thought of staying in the key position of Durga. We want to retake this land as soon as possible, but we cannot afford to fail twice. ....... Both countries, however, have their own interests at heart. That's why they are making this roundabout way."
"I wonder what it is."
"Linos ......"
Yes, Rico?
You must et my brother once.
"...... I guess so."
"This is my hunch. ....... I think you're doing this because you have sothing on your mind. I'm sure he wants to see Linos in private."
"Okay. If Rico says so. ......"
I look out the window again. The snow was getting heavier. .......
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