It would have been great if we could have just destroyed the enemies right there.
There are situations when it is difficult to kill someone.
However, if one looks at it from a different perspective, one can say that it is easy to kill.
On the other hand, what was difficult———– is to make them change their minds.
Especially the minds of people like Liese.
“I’d like you to gather the Seven Lights again.”
When I asked King Zect to do that————
What I wanted to find out was whether I could change the Prime Minister’s mind or not.
But after meeting her, I decided that changing her mind was impossible.
I didn’t have enough materials to do such a thing.
Perhaps, I might have been able to change her mind if I was given more time.
If I had six months or so, I think changing her mind could have been possible.
""
However, we were in a situation where we didn’t know when the Thirteen Cavalries would attack.
They might attack in a few days.
Moreover, even if I could persuade her after half a year, I wouldn’t bother staying that long in that place.
I don’t have the time to waste staying in that place.
If that was the case————- I don’t have the choice but to use a rough treatment.
I had decided that it was impossible to change Liese’s mind.
At that instant, I devised a plan that would serve as a foundation.
At the same time, I grasped the strength of the Four Warlights.
It was that “spar” Seras did before.
Worst case scenario, I wanted to a.s.sess their strongest, Gio’s battle capability.
But fortunately, everyone partic.i.p.ated, and I was able to get more information than I had expected.
I was able to get some idea of their strengths, personalities, and the relationship between the Four Warlights.
I also wanted to find out who would vote for Liese’ proposal.
It was at that time that I was approached by Gio.
At night, I went to Gio’s home.
There, I learned about Liese’s usefulness for the Faraway Country.
I learned about Gio’s thoughts about things.
I also learned about “what Gio was thinking”.
If he lost in the votes, he planned to sneak out and crush the Thirteen Cavalries himself.
Bringing along his own army with him.
It seems like the reason he had invited me to his home was to ask me if I’d like to join him.
At this point, I began to formulate the plan further.
Joining them here isn’t a bad idea.
I’m sure Qir will also be on board with this……
However, the problem is Liese.
If I go with Gio’s plan, Liese would scream in indignation.
It’s because it would make it seem like the Faraway Country opened up with hostilities before she could even negotiate with the other party.
“We could have solved this problem through conversation.”
“Gio and the others have ruined it.”
If the Thirteen Cavalries were dealt with even before negotiation begins……
A huge lump will remain between Gio and the others, and Liese.
No, their relationship would definitely break down fatally.
“The Arachnes’ plan of abandoning and leaving the country” might possibly become something that they would seriously do.
However, Gio thinks that Liese’s existence is important for this country.
He disagrees with Liese, but he doesn’t see her as a hindrance.
Secretly disposing of Liese———— is certainly not impossible for me.
However, I also felt that it would be more beneficial to respect Gio’s thoughts.
Considering my own circ.u.mstances, I wanted to avoid weakening the Faraway Country.
After all, it would be the country where Nyaki would be living from now on.
If Liese and the other Arachnes are useful, I don’t want to eliminate them as much as possible.
Now then, what does all of this indicate?
It means that even if the majority votes decides “to fight”, Liese would still not be convinced.
Her way of thinking won’t change.
She will also be disappointed with the Four Warlights.
It is also possible that she would really lead the Arachnes out of the country.
Thus, even if the Faraway Country survives the threat of the Thirteen Cavalries, the Arachnes may still leave.
The Faraway Country will then lose valuable human resources.
“The Faraway Country must not lose Lieselotte Ornick or the Arachnes.”
It had now become necessary to fulfill this condition.
So, what do we do?
Thinking about this, we could only manipulate the outcome of the majority votes.
Instead of fighting, we will let Liese “settle this matter with peaceful resolution through discussion”.
The same day……
After I left Gio’s home……
I decided to make my move, heading straight towards Armia’s home.
I couldn’t feel the presence of Liese nearby.
However, there is an Arachne tailing me behind.
Aware that I’m being watched, I paid Armia a visit.
From what I heard from her, Liese had apparently come about an hour ago to persuade Armia.
Making sure not to let the Arachne outside hear what I was saying, I explained my thoughts to Armia.
Incidentally, at that time, I had Armia refuse me with a normal volume.
At first, she seemed to feel uncomfortable with changing volumes, but after a while, Armia soon got used to it.
△
[Fumu…… Then, I should just vote for Prime Minister-dono, right?]
[Yes, we’ll have Liese win the majority vote.]
[And what’s Gio’s take on this?]
[I’ve already explained the matter to him.]
[Hmmm…… In short, you’re trying to set up Prime Minister-dono in a big way huh……]
[You have the right to veto, you know?]
[……No, I was thinking of throwing my vote to the fighting side anyway.]
[I thought you’d vote for the negotiating side for the sake of the Lamia mothers though.]
[What, so you know about our situation too huh. No, no, but Belzegia-dono…… I’d like it if you don’t underestimate us, the Lynxes. If it’s to protect the children, all of us, including the mothers, would gladly take up our swords.]
[As Liese said, there’s no evidence that Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries are despicable beings. It is also true that I’m personally trying to rely on your country’s strength to fight them. Even if that’s so, will you still choose to fight?]
[It’s mostly because of your friends.]
[My friends?]
[Yes, your friends. Seras, Nyaki, Slei, Pigimaru……]
[Piii~~]
[No, I didn’t call you, Pigimaru.]
[Pii……]
[Fufufu. Anyway, watching your friends…… I feel like I could believe you. It is hard for someone who is adored by them like that would lie about such a thing. If you suddenly tell me that their adoration for you is but an act to deceive us, then I must be blind. That’s all there is to it, unnn.]
▽
Armia voted for Liese’s side.
King Zect and Gratora didn’t partic.i.p.ate in the votes.
Thus, the majority vote has decided for the matter to be settled with peaceful resolution through discussion.
Incidentally, there was no problem with the Arachne that was tailing me.
After I left Armia’s home, I hid myself.
Then, I peeked at Armia’s home from the shadows.
The Arachne that had been tailing me didn’t look for me, and instead, went into Armia’s home.
“Belzegia came to persuade me, but I haven’t changed my mind”
“I just turned that fly away.”
I asked Armia to explain it that way.
In fact, as I left Armia’s home, I acted like I hadn’t gotten anywhere by persuading her.
It was possible for me to cover my tracks, making it so that the Arachne won’t be able to tail me.
However, I opted on having that Arachne tail me instead.
Why?
It was to convince Liese that I had failed to persuade her.
“If Armia’s on Liese’s side, they can win the vote tomorrow.”
Receiving such a report, Liese must have been convinced that that was the case.
And so, on the day of the meeting, the majority vote actually turned out to be just that.
Armia voted for Liese’s side, and the peaceful plan was to be held.
Meanwhile, I had asked Seras to gather more information.
Seras had gotten information on the various army corps from Gratora.
I, on the other hand, was getting the same information from Gio.
After we returned to our room in the castle, we went over the information that we haven’t gotten yet.
After the vote, Gio told Qir about my plan.
Sure enough, Qir was on board.
The day after the results of the majority vote.
I told the King that I would leave the Faraway Country.
After I had left Armia’s home, I went to explain the situation to Munin.
At this time, I don’t have anyone tailing me.
I’m sure that they didn’t know I’ve seen Munin.
Understanding what was going on, Munin promised to match with my movements.
Thus, the Fly King Squadron left the country ahead of the others.
The first thing I did was to a.s.sess the terrain in the vicinity.
This rocky area would be the battlefield.
Thus, the first thing we needed to know was the topography of this area.
The second thing was to find out the movements of the Thirteen Cavalries.
If they’re getting close, we need to know their movements before they could do something.
I also asked Nyaki a favor to do.
“It’s not time to say goodbye yet.”
Nyaki knew that, but she looked sad on the day we were leaving.
Even if it was just a temporary goodbye, it seems like she felt sad about the atmosphere of parting ways itself.
That aside…… I had asked two things to her.
The first is for her to act as a liaison between the outside and inside the silver gate.
What Liese would most likely search for the Thirteen Cavalry.
If she wants to negotiate, she needs to find the person she has to negotiate with first.
Which means, the silver door would have to be opened and closed.
However, repeated departure would only end up with them wasting their keys.
In that case, they should be using Nyaki.
In fact, a harpy who seemed to be their messenger had come and gone from that door many times.
At one point, Slei and I sensed the movements of Alion’s cavalry.
Laying in wait near the door, I waited for the time the harpy goes in and out of the door.
After the harpy went out of the door, I saw an opening and contacted Nyaki.
Telling her the expected date of the cavalries’ arrival, I had Nyaki pa.s.s it on to Gio inside.
When Gio learned the cavalries’ expected date of arrival, he sneaked out together with his troops.
At this time, Nyaki also let Gio, Qir and the others out of the door.
Incidentally, there used to be Kobolds on guard near the door, but Liese had apparently already released them from their positions.
The 1st Cavalry that we had found seemed to be ahead of the other cavalries though.
I heard that each of the units in Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries have different sizes.
However, with the number of soldiers I saw, I just couldn’t believe that the Thirteen Cavalries only consisted of just them.
Most of all……
They kind of feel impatient———- or rather, they seemed to be in high spirits.
They also kind of feel like they were trying to not lose to something……
Whatever they were trying to not lose to, that was probably the reason why they ran ahead the rest of the cavalry.
We met up with Gio and the others once they got out of the door.
We also informed them of the topography of the area and our future plans and movements.
Around that time, the cavalry ahead of the others were taking a rest.
They had been riding at a reckless speed in this rocky terrain after all.
Their horses must have been a little tired.
We could also tell “what kind of person they are” by the way they looked during the break.
At that moment, they had sent out a messenger.
However, I attacked him.
What I wanted to get was his horse and equipment.
Moments later, the resting cavalry finished resting and started moving.
The cavalry, regaining its energy, briskly moved forward.
Thereupon, I disguised myself as a messenger from the other cavalry.
Right now, they were only thinking about getting ahead.
They aren’t in any state to pay attention to “who I am”.
Once I was sure of that, I approached the advancing cavalry.
As a “common soldier” that has no distinguishing feature, I told them “the other cavalries’ messages”.
“It seems that the other cavalry in the rear has been ambushed by the enemy!”
“It was apparently a pack of armed Leopardkin and a horde of centaurs!”
“However, our side has the upper hand! It will apparently be settled soon!”
No name, no personality.
My voice and behaviour probably didn’t even leave any impression in their minds.
Now then, receiving these messages, how would these guys react?
The cavalry ahead of the others———— The 1st Cavalry.
“If it’s the 6th Cavalry, they shouldn’t be in any problem! They would turn the tables on them! Most of all, we can’t afford to unnecessarily reduce our troops here in the 1st Cavalry! We have to hurry it up!”
Receiving this message, I watched them leave me behind and pondered.
I’m sure Liese had already noticed that Gio and the others have disappeared by now.
If that’s the case, with Liese’s way of thinking, she would immediately run outside.
If Gio and the others started to fight before she could negotiate, everything would be ruined.
Rushing out of the door, she would look for Gio and the others.
At this time, a Leopardkin who was good at hiding, would be watching the path through the valley.
As I had expected, Liese and the others came out to the valley road.
If they keep going like this, they’ll probably run into the cavalry ahead of the others.
I had already given my instructions to Gio, Qir and the others.
I, on the other hand, transformed back into my “messenger” persona.
Hiding themselves, Gio and the others would meanwhile wait for the right moment.
All that was left———— was to wait.
Yes…… for the signal of Armia’s sound ball.
The timing was left to Armia.
If she felt that Liese’s life was in danger.
If she thought that it was time to call us———-
Armia Plum Lynx would use the sound ball at her discretion.
Other than that……
“Stay within Liese’s arm’s reach during negotiations.”
——-is what I told her in advance.
And also……
“If it comes to it, you, the one with the best defensive techniques, will be the one to protect her.”
——-or so, I reminded her.
Seeing the opportunity, I contacted the people on the 1st Cavalry’s rear as a messenger again.
Thereupon……
“The Leopardkin and Centaurs have been annihilated.”
I gave them false information.
This made the cavalry think that since the rear is no longer a concern, they won’t have to worry about “what’s behind them”.
They won’t worry about the Gio and the Shadowblades———– who had been hiding right from the start.
The Leopardkin were very good at hiding, partly because they were placed in a good terrain to hide.
Hearing my plan, Gio was impressed.
“You really know how to use use Leopardkin, aren’t you?”
—–Or so he said. Well, that’s obvious.
I’ve traveled with a Leopardkin that was called the strongest to the Witch’s Home after all.
————–The sound ball went off————–
“Let’s go.”
With a single word from Gio, the black Leopardkin soldiers began to move.
In the meantime, the Centaurs were secretly moving up the cliff.
They were to get behind the enemy’s ambush troops.
The Fly King Squadron’s time to come out would be a bit later.
I had instructed them to leave the general behind if it’s possible.
And when, the enemy general was cornered…….
As if they were heroes saving the day, the Fly King Squadron would make a dashing appearance———–
And making the enemy general think we’re on his side, I’ll have him spit out information.
Now then……
What was the crux to this strategy?
That is————-
▽
[To let Lieselotte Ornick know the reality of the situation with her own body.]
After a brief explanation of the situation, I revealed that.
As he is paralyzed, Mikhail is trying to say something.
However, I ignored him and just continued.
[The only way to change the mind of an obstinate person is to “let them experience” it by themselves. Faced with such stubbornness, we don’t have any choice but to “have them experience” what it’s like to see their ideals crumble in the face of reality.]
Negotiation itself, in the first place, is an inapplicable means in this situation.
Not when the other party is made of unscrupulous people.
To such a person who thinks that negotiating with unscrupulous people is correct———–
[We don’t have any other choice but to slap the cruel reality on her face.]