I didn't know what that meant. How did this happen? I couldn't help but ask back.
This is an imperial residence. The whole family was gathered in the dining room, including me. The children were on their mothers' laps or clinging to their mothers' sides. The usual lively scene was not there.
There was Lars in front of me. He had a look of uncertainty on his face. I probably have the same look on my face.
"Why didn't you fight?"
Lars' sister, Ferris, is standing there with her arms folded and an expression of exasperation on her face. Lars replies to her with a look of dissatisfaction.
I was going to fight. But Matkal told me to retreat.
All eyes are on Matkal. She is looking around at us, holding her son Falco in her arms.
"By the time I got the report, most of the fort was already overrun. It was not that we could not win the battle, but I judged that ...... it would be a waste of time and money. That's why I told Lars to retreat immediately."
"You really are an idiot. You're so stupid that you didn't notice that the enemy was attacking.
"What are you talking about, sister? I was aware of it. But it never occurred to me that they would attack the fort. They approached us slowly and quietly by boat from the sea, so I figured they must have run out of food and fuel ...... and opened the gates. Then suddenly soldiers came ashore ......."
"Well, at any rate, I am glad that no one in Agartha, including Lars, was hurt. Thank you, Lars. You made the right decision to hide the soldiers when you saw the danger. Leave the rest to us."
At my words, Lars bowed slowly with a regretful expression on his face.
The occupied fortress was the one Lars had been guarding in Hiyama. It was occupied by the people of the Kingdom of Subkriner. The city of Dorga, which is located nearby, would be in danger if this fortress were occupied. The supply from Agartha would be cut off.
"Well, if the worst comes to the worst, I will ask His Majesty to ship supplies to Dolga from Heedata. For now, Dorga's food stockpile is ......."
"No problem. We should be able to hold out for three months."
"I see. Mato, tell Dorga to keep the gates tightly closed and to stay on the defensive. Tell him not to even think of attacking the fortress of Hiyama.
"Okay."
I nodded slowly toward Matkal and turned my head to look at Lars, who was standing back with his large body shrunken down.
"Don't be discouraged, Lars. The fortress of Hiyama, which you worked so hard to restore, ....... I understand your frustration at having it taken from you. I'll make sure to take it back from you with as little damage as possible.
At my words, Lars slowly bowed his head again.
I was so happy to see him.
Two days have passed since the capture of the fortress of Hiyama. I was in my office in the guest house in the capital of Agartha, analyzing the enemy's strength. A map of Hiyama was spread out in front of me, and Knogen, Matkal, and Rufana were looking at it with me.
"......What on earth do you think the enemy wants?"
Knogen twists his head. According to the report, the total number of the Royal Army of Subkriner is about 30,000. This is the largest number of soldiers the Kingdom of Subcliner can move. In other words, Subcliner attacked the fortress of Hiyama with his entire force.
It took them at least ten days to reach the fortress of Hiyama by sea. They claimed that they were going to the former Kingdom of Burial, which was just a stone's throw away from the fortress of Hiyama, now ruled by Klimiana. Indeed, the situation in this country was unstable, with frequent rebellions and skirmishes. I had thought that they were trying to nip the rebellion in the bud by dispatching a large army, but in fact, they were aiming at the fortress of Hiyama.
But I don't understand. No one benefits from the fall of this fortress. Certainly, for those of us defending Dorga, we have a blade at our throats, but for the sub-cleaners, we have driven a wedge into the midst of the enemy, so to speak, but we can hardly replenish our supplies. The nearest former Burial territory could provide support, but the instability in the country would make such support unsatisfactory.
"Are you trying to lure us out?"
Suddenly, Rufana opened her mouth. She tilts her head and crosses her arms. She was quite beautiful.
This is a little off topic, but Rufana has recently become beautiful. When she married Knogen, I did not notice any significant change, but since the fight with the Black Dragon, she has become dramatically more beautiful. According to Rico, it is a proof that the couple is getting along well. That is a happy sign, but sometimes, she sometimes has a stunningly beautiful expression on her face. I worry unnecessarily that some of the soldiers might fall in love with her.
Oops, when I was thinking about that, all eyes were on me. Oh, no, no, no. I have to straighten up.
They'll lure us out and round us up. ....... That's what I'm talking about. But that's only if we go out to Hiyama and fight. If we work with Niza and Heedata to surround Hiyama's stronghold, they will have no choice but to starve.
"Excuse me."
Suddenly, one of the soldiers entered the room. When I looked at him to see what was going on, he bowed and opened his mouth in a loud, clear voice.
He bowed and opened his mouth in a loud, clear voice. The new Pope of the Church of Christianity, Vieille, has just arrived.
"What?"
Someone who knows the face of Mr. Vieille confirmed that it is him. I'm showing him to the reception room. How can I help you?
"...... Another one who comes in on the spur of the moment. Now, please let me through to the audience chamber."
Yes, sir.
When the soldier left, I looked up at the heavens.
Soon we were on our way to the audience chamber. There, Vieille was standing alone with an apologetic expression on his face.
"We are very sorry for the trouble we have caused you. ......"
"It's annoying, but more than that, I have no idea why they made me fight this time. I'm sorry, Vieille, but can you explain it to me?"
You are absolutely right. I am the cause of this battle.
"You're the cause? ......"
"Hi ......"
Vieille began to speak earnestly about the circumstances that had led to the current disturbance. Rucker, the king of the kingdom of Subkriner, is obsessed with Vieille. He believes that he can serve at Vieille's side by eliminating me from the world. Knowing his feelings, I responded to him half-heartedly without clearly rejecting him, which led to the uproar. ....... Vieille talked about such things in an orderly and logical manner.
"This is the reason why this uproar has occurred. I don't know how to apologize ......."
"No, I don't have anything to apologize for. ......"
"No. No. That does not satisfy me. I will do whatever it takes to please the king of Agartha.
At Vieille's words, Rufana's presence and expression changed. It seemed that she was annoyed by Vieille's pretentiousness. Certainly, this girl's behavior must look like she is flirting with men from the same s*x's point of view. Such girls are sure to be disliked by the same s*x. But such girls are the most popular among boys. Yes, it is an absurd world.
Vieille is still looking at me with moist eyes. I clap my hands and slowly open my mouth to her.
"What, that's good for you, Vieille. I'm relieved to hear that. You should marry this king Rucker or whatever he's called. He thinks that much of you. I'm sure he'll make you happy for the rest of your life. This war will be over soon if you accept Rucker's love. Don't worry. I'll be at the wedding. If you want, I can give a speech as a friend of the bride's. If you like, you can use this guest house as your wedding venue. It's a pretty good place for a wedding. Yes, Knogen and Rufana here had their wedding here too. It was a good wedding.
I look at Knogen. But he smiles and tilts his head in confusion.
"No, sir!"
Suddenly, Vieille's exclamation rang out. When I looked at her in surprise, she was shaking her head with a tearful expression on her face.
"I'm not going to be with that man. ....... I will never be with him. I will never, I will never do that. I don't ...... really don't want to. ......"
Don't go so far as to reject ....... I swallowed hard.