Where is the World Headed
Mei finished negotiations with the Luine Kingdom. She handed over the hostages and obtained Yuya's proof of servitude. But that was not the end of the battle. Mei's plan for a possible truce was completely rejected by King Albert. The battle with the Luine Kingdom continued. It is a situation where it is safe to say that they are finally entering a full-scale battle.
Mei has already come to terms with the fact that this is something that cannot be helped. She is not at all convinced by King Albert's rejection of her, saying, they are not a person that can be entrusted with this world. They have the power to make this world peaceful and prosperous. The only way to demonstrate this is to win the battle against the Luine Kingdom, win the battle against Ren, and take the world into their hands and actually make it a better place.
"Has the border fortress been taken down? I see... they are moving too fast."
The Luine Kingdom is already on the move. They raided a fortress on the border of Emil Kingdom. They have taken it.
"Is it okay to say such a carefree way?"
Maki paid attention to Mei's way of speaking.
"Carefree way… I just told the truth."
"To us, yes, but to the Emil Kingdom, is that enough?"
For the Emil Kingdom, which has been deprived of its fortress, does not want to be ended with words, moving too fast. If it has been taken from them, they will take it back immediately. Before that, they should want the Empire to protect them from being robbed.
Even though they have sworn to be subordinate to the Izrim Empire, the Emil Kingdom is not a partner that can be trusted. It is the same for the Emil Kingdom, which could even turn to the Luine Kingdom if it thinks that the Izrim Empire is disrespecting the country. Maki is worried about that.
"…Any report from Jin?"
Mei avoids answering Maki's question. She understands Maki's concern. But not everything can be achieved as the Emil Kingdom wants. The Luine Kingdom is not in a position to overwhelm it in a head-on battle.
"The forces that formed the core of the rebellion seem to have been pretty much defeated."
"Did he catch Nishida-kun?"
The core of the rebellion was the former Orthea kingdom army. Mei also knows that Nishida is one of them. If possible, she wants to capture Nishida alive and make him her ally. She had informed Jin of this intention.
"Looks like he escaped"
"I see... but I wonder if it's calmed down a bit?"
It is unfortunate that she could not make Nishida an ally, but as long as the rebellion subsides, the Lemberg Royal Army led by Jin can be deployed in the battle against the Luine Kingdom. Except for the mage troops, they are the strongest force in the Lemberg Empire. If they joined the battle, the battle would be quite advantageous. Mei is waiting for Jin to join them.
"I can’t say that things have calmed down. I've been told that the loss of the core has only made the chaos worse."
"......Is that the level of the situation that the Lemberg Royal Army has to deal with?"
"That is a difficult question. The armies of various countries are persecuting the refugees. Jin says he is trying to stop them."
Kings of various countries try to force their people not to leave their countries and keep them there. Some kings send their armies to even kill them, lest their own country be ravaged by those who have already left and become wanderers.
"...How can they be so stupid?"
"Isn't it because we made those guys kings?"
By stimulating the greed of the nobles to invade other countries, the Izrim Empire expanded its territory. It is the Izrim Empire and its emperor, Mei, who created the foolish kings.
"...I was going to eliminate it eventually. It's just a little late."
Mei does not intend to leave her vassal state in the hands of such a greedy person for a long time. When it came time to focus on domestic politics, she planned to make it easier to feel better about the political situation by clearing out such people.
But that plan is not moving forward. The military is taking precedence.
"There is also a way to proceed at once on this occasion."
"You mean to leave it to Jin?"
"Is there any army other than the Lemberg Kingdom's army that can suppress them?"
The Izrim Empire Army must go all out in its fight against the Luine Kingdom. Then, only the army of the Lemberg Kingdom had the strength to suppress the dependent countries. It is not only a question of strength, but almost all other countries are targets to be suppressed.
"Fighting the Luine Kingdom without the Lemberg Royal Army......"
Mei has doubts about whether they can win with that. She had stayed put until now because she thought she couldn't win.
"Can it work if we keep the country in turmoil any longer?"
Maki thinks differently than Mei. She believes that if the country is in chaos, there can be no war. She thinks that the first priority is to calm down the country.
"I can't say we're going to go there. Negotiations, which are the precondition for doing so, did not go well."
While fighting against the Luine Kingdom, they will also focus on domestic politics. If they could do that, they would not be in this situation now. Mei and the other heroes are the strongest fighting force in the Izrim Empire. They have to be on the battlefield.
However, they can't just leave the internal affairs to someone else. There is no one to whom they can safely entrust them. It is not a question of ability, but of loyalty.
"Then what are you going to do?"
"I've been thinking about it."
Irritation comes over Mei's face. Maki's point is one that Mei knows without being told. She had been considering the possibility of starting a battle with the Luine Kingdom, and Maki had been involved in it. But she was no longer able to stand the fact that she was talking about it as if it was someone else's problem.
"No need to think. All you have to do is fight."
"Yuya!?"
Yuya, who had been missing, interrupted. Mei and the others were surprised when Yuya suddenly appeared.
"Don't be so surprised"
"I'm surprised. Where have you been?"
"Even if you ask me where... various things? It was boring to stay in the castle all the time."
In fact, it wasn't just that they couldn't get in touch with him and that he was wandering around here and there. He just left Lemberg Castle, returned, and then headed for this place. However, on the way, it took a little time because he was fighting with the demon spies who were on the side of the Luine Kingdom.
"Anyway, I'm glad you came back."
"Even though the battle with the Luine Kingdom is about to begin, I can't help it."
"...I got your proof of servitude."
While feeling a little hesitant, Mei told him that she had the proof of servitude from the Luine Kingdom.
"Ah... I didn't need that. If it's the magic of slavery, I've already canceled it. You can't make me obey you again."
"Eh……?"
"Disappointed? You couldn't make me yours."
A smile appears on Yuya's face. It is both innocent, like a child's, and ruthless, with no visible emotion. It is not possible for two opposing expressions to come to mind at the same time, but to Mei, it seems that way.
"...What do you mean? I don't understand."
"You don’t have to hide it. I know how Mei feels now. No, I've been aware of it for a long time. I pretended not to understand."
"What are you talking about? I just wanted to set you free. I have no intention of forcing you to obey me. I didn't do that to other people, right?"
Mei has the proof of servitude of not only Yuya but also the other companions at hand. She does not use it to force her companions to be vassals. Even if she just can't because she doesn't know how to rewrite it.
"It's not like that."
That's not what Yuya said. Yuya approaches Mei with a smile on his face. His arm is wrapped around her waist.
"W-wait a minute. Stop joking."
"Even though you've always wanted to. You couldn't put your feelings into words because Shizuru was there... is it the same even without Shizuru? Your pride won't allow you to confess."
"...Don't joke around."
Mei glares at Yuya. Is her anger at his antics, or is it because she's been called out like that?
"I'm not kidding. I'm serious. I'm serious about holding you."
Either way, it doesn't matter to Yuya. He put his arms around her waist and hugged her tightly, putting his own on her lips.
"Nhh... nnnhh... no, stop! Stop it!"
Mei yelled loudly as she shook her face to escape Yuya's lips.
"I won't stop."
"Kyaa!"
Yuya uses all his strength to tear off Mei's clothes. Mei tries to hide her exposed skin with her arms, but she can't hide it.
"That's a girly voice. Mei can make that kind of voice too, huh?"
"Please. Stop it already."
"Like I said, I can't stop. And this is what Mei also wanted. You wanted me to hold you, right?"
"......That's not true"
Even if she had wanted to, not in this way.
"I'll grant your wish. You should be grateful."
"...Please stop... I'm begging you... no."
Yuya rips off the rest of the torn clothes as well. No matter how much Mei resisted, it did not stop. It didn't take long for her entire body to be exposed. Yuya pulls Mei, now completely naked, to him and takes her lips.
"...W-wait... stop already! Yuya! Do you know what you're doing!"
Maki, who had been staring blankly at the course of events, finally raised her voice.
"You guys are after. I'll take care of you after I'm done with Mei."
But Maki's words cannot stop Yuya. That doesn't stop him. His actions are different from what Maki thinks.
"...N-no."
"If you're bored, just go ahead and have fun. Release your desires and have fun with everyone. See, like this."
"Ah... Kuh..."
Yuya embraces Mei from behind while she is still standing and begins the act.
"Minami, Nagai, you two are also looking forward to it. It's just two-for-two. Not that the numbers have to be right."
"Eh..." "But..."
When Minami and Nagai were called out, their eyes turned to Maki and Rina.
"D-don't look at me."
Even if Yuya said that, there was no way they could do it. There is no way Maki and Rina would allow it.
"This is a ritual to set us free. It is necessary in order to win the battle, you know? It's necessary for us to become real heroes."
"""…………"""
The four couldn't understand what Yuya was saying. They didn't understand it, but his words resonated strongly with them. What is necessary. What must be done. He is speaking to them from their hearts.
"...You should watch for a while. Watching will free your mind a little."
"Ah... ah... nah... n-no way... n-no..."
Mei is surprised at her excited feeling in just a short time. This is a new experience for Mei. That's right. It is the first time for her to be held by a man.
"Just like Mei. But not yet. She needs more intense pleasure before she can be truly liberated. Hora, hora."
"...Ah, aaaahh!"
Mei's voice echoes through the room. A voice that shakes the will of the four people who hear it. It was as if a haze had settled over their heads. Their rationality is paralyzed, and something welling up from deep within them takes control of them. The four people move and intertwine with each other, following their own will. The ritual had begun.
◆◆◆
Nordben, the new territory of the Nord Empire. At the moment, Ren's main place of activity is here. Information is sent from all over the continent. He listens to this information, makes decisions, and then passes on new orders. Considering efficiency, the Nord Empire is geographically too far away.
Nevertheless, Ren regularly returns to the home country to have a chance to talk with the heads of the various tribes. The home country is the last stronghold of the Nord Empire. If the situation deteriorates, they will have to take in many people living outside the mainland. He cannot afford to neglect internal politics.
"...So this is the first report I'll hear when I get back."
The first report from various places after returning from the home country. Sitting on the throne, Ren's expression was one of dissatisfaction.
"I'm sorry"
In front of Ren is Bull, who is feeling sorry. What he tells Ren about is what happened in the Izrim Empire. The death of Bear and the situation that followed.
"How many people have become refugees?"
Many people have become refugees to escape oppression. The destination of the refugees is north. It's the Nord Empire.
"We are not sure of all of them, as small groups are moving around in various parts of the Izrim Empire. It could be 30,000, 40,000...... or more."
"So you're saying all of them believed in Bear's words? With his words, more than 40,000 refugees came flooding in."
"……I'm sorry"
Bear died telling people to [run away] and to [make it north alive at all costs]. His words spread far, and those who believed them headed north, toward the Nord Empire. They believed that Ren would save them.
But Bear's words were his own thoughts. They do not represent Ren's thoughts.
"...That's not good. There's no land, right? Even Bear should know this."
"…………"
The new territory of Nordben is actively cultivating land, much of which has already been given to the right people. Even if they welcome another 40,000+ people, there is still no land to give to them.
Bull knows this situation. Like Bear, Bull is engaged in intelligence and maneuvering activities in other countries, but he is always aware of the situation in the country. The information he is given is selective, but it comes through.
"In the meantime, can you go back and stop the refugees from heading to the Nord Empire? It's our top priority, and you can use all the people you can move."
"...Ha"
Ren would not accept the refugees. Bear's thoughts were not received. It is unfortunate and sad for Bull, who he has known for a long time.
"Guide them to the old church capital, Partheon. Forty thousand or fifty thousand should somehow be acceptable there now."
"...I understand. I will guide them there."
The refugees will be directed to Partheon, the former capital of the Church. There, they will receive support from the Nord Empire. Bull was a little relieved to know that.
"Lang. How many troops can we move immediately?"
"Eh?"
Hearing Ren's next words, he was confused.
"Is Partheon the only destination?"
Lang reacts quickly. She knows Ren's intentions.
"That's right. We also need reinforcements for the Eastern Alliance, don't we?"
"There is no enemy to block our way to Partheon. First of all, is 10,000 or 20,000 each, enough? If so, we can move immediately. If it is more than that, we will need to review our defense plan a little."
There is no power that can oppose the Nord Empire until the former church capital, Parteon. Expanding their territory unnecessarily will only make it less efficient. Thinking so, it was an area that was left alone.
"Well, then. Prepare to depart immediately. Also, we will need to review the defense plan anyway. Start immediately."
"Ha"
After receiving Ren's orders, Lang leaves the room. Ren's [immediately] is what it says. He has no time to linger.
"Um... Your Majesty?"
Bull still hadn't figured it out.
"I can't make him a liar. The Nord Empire doesn't break its promises. We have to keep this trust. That's why I would be in trouble if you said something selfish."
"T-thank you very much!"
Ren is trying to move the army to make the words of the deceased Bear true. He was sure he was, and yet the thought never occurred to him that it could be true, and Bull couldn't understand what was happening. But now Ren made it clear. He could not let Bear become a liar.
Bear's feelings had been conveyed. Ren was the lord Bear had always thought he was. That made Bull unbearably happy.
"I don't understand why you're thanking me. You should leave right away. Needless to say, I don't want the enemy to know where we're going."
"I understand!"
He has to do it himself. In order to make Bear's words true, he must fulfill his mission. Embracing his strong feelings in his heart, Bull stood up.
"That's all?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Ren's question puts a damper on that passion. Bull does not understand the meaning of the question.
"Are you going to be like Stokes and not tell me your real name until the day you die?"
But the passionate feelings soon spread through his heart again, this time with an even stronger heat.
"...Casper. My name is Casper. Your Majesty."
"I see. Casper, tell Fox while you're on a mission. Come and tell me your real name. Until then, don't die. Just because you told me doesn't mean you can die."
"Yes... I will tell him firmly."
The Nord Empire decided to invade the south. Some people expected that. But what effect will it have on the turmoil of the continent? What will the settlement look like? No one knows that.
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