"Master Linos, you made the right decision today!"
Just as I am about to fall asleep, Sidhi opens her mouth. She is sitting upright on the bed, holding my hand with both of hers.
"Is that right?"
He chuckles involuntarily. It's none of my business. The Seifand Empire is the family home of Rico and your mother. For me, that would be my mother-in-law's family, but she is no longer with us. Theoretically, the relationship between the Safan Empire and the Heedata Empire has already been severed. Agartha has no right to send reinforcements to such a place, nor do I have any right to help them.
However, the Seyfant Empire is also the purchaser of my warhorses, so I can't afford to ignore them. It was a hassle, but I was glad that Rico was happy, at least for me.
"I have a very, very bad feeling that Agartha will send out an army.
Sidi's eyes are serious. This is going to be a very bad thing.
"This is my guess, but the Safan Empire is expecting reinforcements from Heedata and Agartha. This is because they can expect a large force from Heedata, and Agartha's army, though outnumbered, will be more than enough for a show of force."
"Well, even if the Agartha army mobilized its full strength, it would be 20,000 at best. Even if the Agartha army mobilized its full strength, it could barely muster 20,000 men. We have the advantage in numbers, don't we?
"No, what the Safan Empire really wants are reinforcements from Agartha. Even if it's only a thousand, they want Agartha to send her army.
"We," huh?
Yes. As you are probably aware, Master Linos, the arrival of a thousand Agarthans poses an immeasurable threat to the enemy. After all, the army that defeated the Church of Crimiana is coming, so there is no way we can win. And that's not all. For the Seyfant Empire, Agartha would let its neighbors know that it has their backs. In other words, ......"
"Agartha will not be quiet if we touch Seyfant," he said. The empire's voice will be greatly increased, and later on, it will smolder among the nations around the empire, or ......."
"No. My gut feeling is that this will lead to a major war involving the entire world."
"Huh? Why?"
I can't explain it well, but I have a feeling that all the nations around the empire will join in this battle. This will trigger the armies of the Heedata ......."
"What's that?"
"So, when you said that you would use your wisdom and not your military strength, I was very impressed. I was shouting."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Yes. I think that was the best answer. You saved a lot of lives.
Sadie nodded her head in satisfaction as she gripped my arm. His small hand was getting stronger.
"You know what, Sadie?"
"Yes, can I help you?"
"Can I come in the bed? I'm afraid I'm going to get out of hot water."
"Oh, ......, come in. This is what I've been ...... doing."
Sadie backs away, blushing. I slowly get into bed and lay down. Usually Sidhi would lie down too, but today he was still sitting on the bed.
"What's wrong, Sadie?"
"Uh, well, you know, ...... that ......."
For some reason, he's fidgeting. I smile at her and reach out my hands to unbutton her pajamas.
"Wait a minute!"
"What? What?"
"Um, ...... I don't mean that, but I have a favor to ask you."
"Please?"
Sadie looks serious, so I get up and sit down. She was fidgety, but then, as if she had made up her mind, she looked at me and opened her mouth in a single movement.
"I want you to take me with you when you go to the Castle of Khaza, Rinos-sama.
"Hm? I thought sending Agartha's army was going to be a big problem."
"Yes, but ....... I have a feeling that Linos is on his way to Castle Khaza. If he does, I want him to take me with him.
"Why am I going to Karza Castle?"
"I don't ...... know about that, but I have a feeling. And I can't help but feel that Matkal will accompany me when I do. So when that happens, I want you to take me with you."
"Yeah. ....... Well, it depends. I'll think about it.
"Please."
"Why do you want to go to Castle Khaza? After all, do you have a feeling that it would be better if Sidie went there ...... to solve the problem?"
"Well, yes, I guess so. ......"
"...... be honest. If you don't ...... tell me, I won't be nice to you, okay?"
"...... water."
"Water?"
"I have a feeling that there will be very good water near Castle Khaza."
What about that water?
I bet it feels really good for your skin when you wash your face with it.
"What? Is that ......?"
"......Don't say any more than that, please."
Sadie turns over, her face bright red. I hug her gently, half in disgust.
"Well, it will be possible if this battle is resolved peacefully. For that reason, Sadie, I need your help.
"...... understand, yes, sir."
I laid her down on the bed. Her eyes were tightly closed, her hands were clenched, and she was shaking slightly, which was adorable.
The next day, I received a letter from the Duke of Vilas informing me that he had found a map of the Castle of Khaza. After lunch, I accompanied Matkal to the castle. Incidentally, I did not say anything, but when I was about to go to the castle, Matkal appeared and said he would accompany me. It was so well-timed that I wondered if he was watching my every move. When I asked him about it, he told me that he had received a letter from Heedata and that he had been informed of it. I couldn't help but chuckle at how well he was reporting to me.
I was transferred to His Majesty's private office as usual. His Majesty, the Duke of Vilas, and the Prime Minister were also present.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come."
His Majesty greets me with a smile. I give him a slightly annoyed look.
"I really am, Your Majesty."
"Well, I'm glad you're here. Let's see what wisdom you have to offer, Master Linos."
His Majesty looks at the Duke of Vilas, who is standing behind him, with an aloof expression on his face. He has a large map in his hand, which he spreads out on the desk.
"...... this."
I was so surprised that I was speechless. There was a drawing of the Karza Castle so elaborately drawn that it looked as if it were a blueprint. No, this is a blueprint. What brings such a thing to the Heedata Empire?
I involuntarily turn my gaze to His Majesty. He keeps smiling and smiling.
"Needless to say, I hope it goes without saying that these drawings are in my empire."
The Prime Minister opens his mouth with a serious face. I see. This superior information-gathering ability must be what makes the Heedata Empire one of the most powerful nations in the world. Thinking of this, I quietly nod my head.
"Look, even the waterways inside the castle are well-documented!"
Matkal shouts out involuntarily. She is looking at the intricately drawn blueprints and pointing here and there. It seems that she can decipher these blueprints.
"Does this draw water from the ...... mountain spring into the castle? The water is used not only for drinking but also for drainage. The water source must be quite abundant. This way, it won't fall down in the slightest.
Matkal nodded frequently. But the problem is the 20,000 reinforcements approaching the castle. It will be difficult for our 1,000 men to hold out with an army of 20,000.
I folded my arms and looked up to the heavens. .......