Legend

he remembered Sabrusta’s deputy lord, who had dispatched a small force because he didn’t want to spend that much money.
But when Daska heard that, he shook his head.
At the same time, the rest of the nobles also shook their heads.

The reason was a misunderstanding, but their gazes towards Rei softened somewhat.
They had become accustomed to power struggles among the nobles, so it was natural for them to read into things.
Rei’s thoughts were immature and naive, but it was pleasant for them.

Many were still skeptical about Rei’s strength, but if it was even half of what Daska told them, it would be quite terrifying.
There was no doubt that such a person would be considered a high risk factor if he had a sharp brain in addition to his fighting capabilities, but after hearing Rei’s thoughts, it looked like that wasn’t the case.
On the contrary, everyone other than Daska showed signs of relief.

Rei wouldn’t have been amused if he found out that the nobles had let their guards down due to his own lack of understanding.
However, whether fortunate or not, Rei didn’t notice and the conversation continued.

「Ahem.
So, let me continue……」

As Daska had met with Rei several times up until now, alongside reports from Ranga and the Adventurers guild, he had a good understanding of Rei’s character.
Because of that, he was not worried about Rei’s political ambitions at all.

「Sorry, Daska-sama.
Pardon the interruption.」

The noble said that while looking apologetic.

Shaking his head to say he didn’t need to worry about it, Daska continued speaking to Rei.

「So, the Royalists, which expects to win this war.
What they are aiming for, of course, is to increase their faction’s influence.」

「……In other words, the Royalists want to conduct a full scale attack on the Bestir Empire army?」

「No.」

Daska shook his head decisively at Rei’s words.

In response, Rei asked with a confused expression.

「Why? If they want to increase their influence, then of course, you have to win the war right?」

「Certainly, if they can make some great achievements in this war, the influence of the Royalists will increase.
But, it also comes with a high risk.
For example, let’s say they launch a full offensive against the Bestir Empire.
If they rout the enemy, the influence will definitely increase, but if the attack fails, their influence and strength will decrease.
But, what if the Neutral or Nobles factions led the attack?」

「……I don’t know.
Wouldn’t it be the same as the Royalists?」

In response to Rei, Daska shook his head again.

「It may be the same in terms of influence risk and reward.
However, the initial influence that each faction had is different.
The Royalists faction is centred around the King and is a large force itself.
Even if the Neutral or Nobles faction achieved great merit in this war, there wouldn’t be a large effect.」

After being told that, Rei understood what the Royalists were thinking.

「Then, they want Daska-sama’s Neutral faction and the Nobles faction to fight for them?」

「That’s right.
If we win the war, the influence we will gain will be limited.
As the Royalists are the largest faction, they would never allow us to have more influence than themselves.
Even if we win, our forces will still decrease.
It is not possible to win without anyone dying.」

「That is true I guess.
No matter how big a victory, there can hardly be no losses.」

(If there is a possibility, could you destroy the other side with a unilateral attack from long range before they can get close? No, there is a way to attack from long range, but, I can’t say there will be no losses even with that.)

Rei nodded at Daska’s words as he thought to himself.

「And, the worst case for us, and the best case for the Royalists, is that they will attack when the Neutral faction, Nobles faction and the Bestir Empire’s army are exhausted and can no longer hold a front line.
The Royalist forces will come in then and decided the battle.」

At Daska’s words, the nobles in the room frowned at him.

Rei finally understood what the Royalists were trying to do, based on what Daska said.

「Your face seems to show you understand.
Yes, what I have just said is how the Royalists intend to fight this war.
……Now then, the backstory was long, but the reason I called you here comes up now.」

「……You want me to be in the vanguard?」

「Yes.」

Without hesitation, Daska nodded at Rei’s words.

Of course, Daska’s original thoughts were to put Rei on the front line.
……In other words, he didn’t dislike the idea of his army being used as a shield.
However, the current situation of the Neutral faction didn’t allow it.
Of course, the adventurers, knights and soldiers from Gilm, led by Daska, were well trained from being on the frontier and they numbered among the best in the Mireana Kingdom in terms of discipline.
However, what was more important in a war was five people with the strength of two each rather than a single person with the strength of ten.
Of course, there were various exceptions.

「I understand the situation, but if it’s leading the vanguard, wouldn’t Elk or someone else be better?」

「Ahh.
Of course, Elk was the first person I spoke to.
And he accepted without hesitation.」

「……I see.」

At those words, Rei was certain that Elk was really doing his part to defeat the enemy in this war as a means of apologising to Rei.

「The previous events between you and Axe of the Thunder God came into play here.
It was a big reason why Elk accepted this request.」

Daska was probably thinking of the same thing as Rei.
Daska nodded as he replied.

And Rei, who had been thinking to himself for a few seconds, recalled a magic that would be convenient to use in this situation.

It was wide area of effect annihilation magic that he could use in cooperation with Set.

「……Daska-sama, if you were to clash head on with the Bestir Empire, it would be nice if we didn’t take that much damage, right?」

「Mm? Well, to be honest, yes.」

「What if there was a way to do that?」

「There’s no problem if it’s a method normally used in war.
However, if you’re thinking of things like taking hostages, the Royalists might say something about the pride of nobility after the war, so it would be a great help if you didn’t do anything like that.
」

「……Then, what about something like this?」

With that, Rei explained one of the magics he could use as a trump card as he suggested it to Daska.