1411 City of Pleasure, Part 246 - Ruler of Tarram (7) -

We talked that far and suddenly the cat stopped moving. It is the cat that was lying in front of Alphilis. Suddenly I wondered if that made me immobile like a doll, and my upper and lower body went straight into two. And then it split further into two parts, into four parts - and at the end it disappeared like dust.

Primuse screamed small as she watched how it was going.

"Ahhh!

"What is this?"

"This is the sword wind? But where did you attack from?"

"... over there!

Alphilis suddenly turned around and turned to the tallest tower in Tarham. I didn't see anything. But I knew the attack was definitely coming from there.

"Damn, if Lisa or Tasha were here at times like this"

"It's about stopping, Alphilis. A sword wind is an abomination of a battlefield that was already commonplace in an age when I would awaken as a witch. It was assumed that no one should know the truth. Even Arnelia can't touch it. If you chase without preparation, you have no life.

But is Whisper after that one? So with all that ability, you don't fight more than you need. If Almas stood around better, the continent would be able to sweep, too, why not. The intention of the elders is unknown, but one question has been solved for many years. "

"You've got plenty to spare, Luvere"

Even the words of the sarcastic Alphilis do not move Luvere.

"Most of the training grounds are creepy, so I won't be able to move. Let's talk more about the heart than that, Alphilis. What Arnelia wants from me, and what you want from me. You exposed me for what I am. Do you have any specific requests?

"Well... first of all, Arnelia's demands, but she wants you on Arnelia's side when it comes to war with Romansland. But you can ignore this request."

"Become..."

Luvere looked even more amused to see that Forminee was unexpectedly out of line.

"I'll say something funny, Alphilis. Weren't you working on Arnelia's request?

"Exactly, I'm a mercenary, so my client's orders are absolute. But there's more to it than that. Mercenaries take care of their survival, reputation and interests. As I said directly to Miriazal, I'm not Arnelia's spike. Their spikes would suffice if they had the Temple Knights. I move at my discretion. As a result, I don't think Tarrum should be under Arnelia's umbrella.

If it's a free commercial federation in the first place, it should be for those who are likely to win. We know who Romansland is, but whatever the circumstances are, we should see the trend in the fight first. No? "

"Hehe, well they would, wouldn't they? Besides, it's been a long time since they've been involved in a real war. You may not even notice that they have caught fire at their feet right now. I don't know what path you used, but they won't understand what it means to have an army of orcs show up to this taram."

"What do you mean, Mother"

forminey and primze asked in wonder. Levere explains.

"You don't even know about the military. The army of oaks is ninety-eight and nine, spikes of Romansland."

"Oh, no! I can't believe humans use demons."

"There isn't. And it's too massive, though. I'll listen, Alphilis. Romansland, I mean, 'that's the thing', right?

"Yeah, probably. The more normal judgment as a country is lost already, the more eroded the interior may be"

"A black magician, perhaps?

"Almost certainly"

You know that much, Alphilis was impressed but didn't put it on his face. Levere's information network, the foresight is unusual. I was just wondering if it might be something to do with her magic. Or is it her own intelligence?

After much thought, Levere went on to explain.

"That's it, isn't it, black magician? Then they must have moved the army, assuming they'd at least invade this far. The home of the Confederation of Free Commerce is north of here. They don't realize how bad things are until their knees are invaded. Because you think war is another human resource.

Romansland will take them in forcefully with strength, won't he? No, should I just take it in? "

"What does that mean?

"It means the worst assumptions are sweet. They're the kind of people who use orcs, right? That no matter what happens to your opponent, you may not care at all. War is a way of deciding where to drop it, thinking about how much profit the people who set it up will make. If you win too much, you'll have a grudge, but that doesn't make sense to the demons."

"I hope we can convince the Free Commercial Federation before that happens, but it'll be difficult. There's no way, but whether you accept it or not"

"I'd love to hear it."

I spoke with a little hesitation after Levere had a cup of tea. It seemed to ask how Alphilis was doing.

"I'll let you drop one city on purpose. On top of that, defend in the cities after that. If you show them where the fire actually burns at your feet, they'll move just as well."

"... okay, that way. If the Confederation of Free Commerce doesn't respond to Arnelia's negotiations, it will."

"That's outrageous!

Formine raised a protest, but Alphilis quietly deceived her.

"Take it easy, Forminay, for example. We can move the tarram if we don't."

"... well, that would happen if you were compelled to. Tarrum's voluntary offer of cooperation to Arnelia should make it possible to lower the laying. I guess the rest depends on Arnelia."

"I'll talk to you when I do."

"Then one more thing. What is your request?

"Um, yeah,"

Alphilis roared somewhat deliberately before saying a word.

Continued