***Arc 4 The Beloved, Chapter 66 Choice*** ".... Truce. what a joke." ----It was about three weeks after the battle at the Dragon's Maw that a messenger from Gildanstein appeared. The messenger conveyed a proposal for a truce. The faces of everyone in the meeting room were not bright. "Let's refuse, Selene-sama. There's no need to even think about it."
"... Corps Commander Agrand, please calm down. It's not that simple." Terrius, the commander of the Third Corps, admonished Kolkis. The reason everyone frowned was because, the purpose aside the content of the proposal itself was reasonable. "However..."
"Corps Commander Melchikos is right. ...If we refuse, the loss will be huge." Gallen said and drank his black soybean tea in one gulp. Without minding the squire at his side pouring another cup of black bean tea, Gallen continued. He, too, had a deep crease between his brows. "The truce period is from the coming severe winter to the harvest season. Regardless of the intention, it is well thought out." War creates a lot of expenses. The burden naturally falls on the people. Food, and also the breadwinner enlisted as soldiers. From spring to the end of summer, when agriculture is active, we should put our swords down for the sake of the people, that excuse was also accompanied by some truth. If they bluntly refuse, the princess faction may lose the trust of the people.
Originally, during the spring and summer months, wars are rarely fought in any country. Most wars are fought at the beginning of autumn to winter, and those were also for a reason----concern about the decline in the labor force and national power. Although considering the season it's too early, the proposal was reasonable. This time it was a sudden civil war, so the timing was bad, and since it was putting a lot of burden on the people, it was certainly not bad in terms of giving the people a rest.
The problem was that they will be blocked from moving in the winter. "...will the detour be canceled?" There was no answer to Krische's words. After the Dragon's Maw was taken from them, they also weren't not just sitting by idly. At a recent meeting, the policy for the attack on the Dragon's Maw had just been decided.
Krische will made a major detour through Bernaich. She would cross the mountains, then attack simultaneously with Nozan Verreich to the east, and invade the capital, taking the back of the Dragon's Maw and launching a pincer attack with Selene, who remained here. This would allow them to break through the Dragon's Maw, the most difficult part of the battlefield, all at once.
Hilkintos in the west and Garhka in the south have yet to express their positions. The same was true of the Arna Imperial State in the north. The reason for it was not known. Is it Spiritual reasons----Are they ascertaining who is right as a noble who pledged their loyalty to the Kingdom? Or are they still vigilant because Christand still has some strenght? Although the letter stated that neither the west nor the south can move for national defense reasons, they do not know what they were really thinking. As an ally, Arna also hoped for a quick resolution, but they sent something like just a fixed reply, saying, 'We have differing opinions about interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.
Before they decide on which flag (faction) to back. If they participate in the war from now on, there is a high possibility that they will join the Gildanstein side and not them who has lost Bogan. They should struck back before Gildanstein took complete control of the Royal Capital.
However, Gildanstein reason for the truce was for the sake of the people. If they were only waiting for a chance to enter the war, rejecting it could become the trigger. "I want to counterattack. But... it's a difficult problem." Even within Krische, who was scheduled to leave in a few days, her emotions and reason were at odds. If the detour was canceled, Krische wouldn't have to leave Bery and the others. However, Krische's reason had concluded that they should launch an attack.
They were slowly choking the Christand, cornering them. She felt that kind of sensation.
Krische looked at Kreschenta. Kreschenta, who was wearing the mask of a princess, noticed Krische and her eyes wavered. Krische could see that Kreschenta was also hesitant, and she understood that this was a politically difficult issue, and Krische pondered.
Selene said. "Krische, is also of the opinion that capturing Royal Capital would take until the end of spring, right?"
"Yes, it could take a little longer but ...... Krische thinks it will probably be done by that time." Krische looked down at the map and pointed to the Dragon's Maw. "The earliest is by early spring, ...and if everything goes well, then probably by the beginning of winter. For taking the Dragon's Maw it is fast, but..." Even Krische could not judge how long it would take if Gildenstein take a thoroughly delaying tactic that avoided a decisive battle. "...That's right. However, if we want to move General Verreich, we have to finish everything in one fell swoop. There is no telling when the Empire will make its move." Selene sipped her black bean tea and took a deep breath. "His Royal Highness The Royal prince will definitely seize the Capital during the truce. After the truce, it is the large army of Royal Capital that we will be fighting----we will only lose if we simply agree with the truce. If we are to approve the truce, we must set and put ourselves in a position where we can grasp the victory." The disadvantages of refusing the truce were big. But the disadvantages of taking the truce are also big. "Corps Command Agrand is of the opinion to continues the engagement. And it's the same for Krische, right?"
"... if we win, then that's the end after all." If we win. But nothing is certain. Otherwise, They would already advanced into the Royal Capital area. The conference room was filled with a heavy atmosphere because of that. "...Let's reduce the cause for concern." Kreschenta raised her voice and stands up. "The west and south, and also Arna Imperial State, if any of them make a move then the scales will tilt greatly. And I'm afraid, they are more likely to join the other side rather than us at present, and we are afraid that refusing the proposal will create an opportunity for them to join the war. Is that right?"
"Yes, that is correct, Your Highness." Selene nodded. Inwardly, she was confused. Selene didn't understand what Kreschenta was trying to say. "I will go to Arna as a messenger."
"... a messenger? Are Your Highness going to ask for support from the Imperial State?"
"Yes, ostensibly." The others raised their eyebrows and looked at the beautiful figure of the young princess. "I am not sure if asking for support will work or not. But if I, as a member of Royal Family, am visiting as the messenger myself, they won't be able to ignore my visit. If I inform them of my visit before they announce their position, at least they won't be able to take military action, right?" Krische's eyes widened slightly, and Kreschenta smiled when she saw it. Their eyes met only for a moment. "...Margrave Christand has a high military reputation, and that is why the Imperial State couldn't move in either direction. But now that we have lost it, the most likely to make a move is the Imperial State. Just preventing that would be big." Kreschenta made a sad face as she said that. Her eyes were silently downcast, her shapely eyebrows lowered----her pretty features drew even more attention from those around her. All eyes in the conference room were drawn to her beauty. "... I'm like a flag (symbol). I can't help much even here. For my sake, you are all fighting for your lives. For that reason, even the beloved Margrave lost his life." She knew how her tone and expression affected those around her. She knew political power, and because she knew the power of political power. She understands the power of her voice and her expression, and how it affected those around her.
There was some hesitation in taking advantage of Bogan's death in front of Selene. However, her intellect is there to bring the outcome that she desired To follow the means her sister wants her to follow, to fulfill the role her sister wants her to fulfill. And that lead to the outcome she desired.
If so, she will use everything she has to achieve it. Kreschenta is that kind of creature. "I will go to the Imperial State and prolong the negotiations as long as possible. At the very least until spring. It would be fine to spread that the Imperial State will be on our side. It should also serve as a check against the Western and Southern Generals. In the meantime. I want everyone here to put a stop to His Highness The Royal Prince----uncle' tyranny." Her voice was trembling, but strong. Her purple eyes flickered and moistened, a small drop fell from them. Kreschenta wiped it and looked up. "Father who was sincere and noble, his life was taken by uncle's ambition, and the life of the kingdom's hero and loyal retainer...the Margrave's life, was also taken by despicable means. What will be the future of the kingdom should he take everything with his beastly ambition? A truce out of concern for the people, and all from that evil mind...it cannot be trusted." There were no words that stopped her. In a moment. In a short amount of time, Crescenta took control of the atmosphere of the place. In front of the crying princess, there was no longer an option in the conference room to take a truce. That kind of atmosphere was created.
Selene once again faced with existence known as Kreschenta, and chills run down her spine. What would happen if this girl became her enemy? "...Thank you, Your Highness." Kreschenta shook her head at Selene's words and sat down. She looked at the faces of the corps commander and their adjutant. They all looked convinced and nodded quietly when Selene turned to look at them. "Even knowing the danger, Her Highness has said that. ...I, too, originally thought that it would be dangerous to take agree with the truce. I would like to choose to continue the engagement with the help of Her Highness. Is there any objection?" A voice rise saying there is no objection, and Kolkis laughed. "Her Highness is doing her best after all. Haha, my, my... Her Highness, Selene-sama, and Krische-sama, three goddesses of the Christand. If so, The Goddess of Victory will surely be lured out and will want to come to visit."
"...that's disrespectful, Corps Commander Argrand. That said, well, I agree with those words,... if the three concerns are minimized, then there is no need to worry." Terrius replied and looked at his neighbor, the Corps Commander of the Fourth Corp, Eluga. With a skeleton-like face, he too nodded. "...I also think we shouldn't agree with the truce. This detour breakthrough is close to a surprise attack. Now that we've finished transmitting the order to the soldiers, the enemy will know if there's time. Let's go."
"Haha, seems everyone agrees." Krische nodded to Selene, annoyed at Kolkis's loud voice. Selene also nodded. "Sending a messenger and resuming the temporarily suspended preparations. Krische, Faren Corps Commander, please. You two will be the key."
"... Yes, I will do my job properly."
"Please leave it to me" Selene took a deep breath and drank the black soybean tea. "Good girl, good girl. You're a good girl."
"...wafu" When Kreschenta returned to her room, she was being pampered by Krische. Being cuddled on her lap, stroked, and fed by Krische. Even in the bath Kreschenta was thoroughly washed by Krische, and had her brain melted with pleasure.
Selene looked at the situation exasperated, wondering where was the actor from a little while ago had gone. Bery looked on happily and poured Selene another cup of tea. "...But are you going too? Bery"
"Yes, ...I can help you with various things, such as changing clothes and taking care of the meals. And the escort will also be a reliable personnel from Krische-sama's Century, so it'll be okay." A dependable servant was necessary for an audience in the Imperial State. The choice was Bery and Anne Considering its Kreschenta, they can't afford to leave it to someone else's servant. And as expected, if it's Anne they will be a little uneasy. Considering it's a role where failure will not allowed, Bery was the only choice here. "Krische'll send around 10 men from Corinth's squad as an escort. Krische will be more at ease than sending someone from another squad." Saying that, Krische tightened her hold on Kreschenta's body and lowered her eyes." It was something Bery had brought up when they were in the bathroom.
It was not truly as safe as Kreschenta had said. There was no guarantee that the Imperial State would not sell out Kreschenta to Gildanstein. To be honest, she doesn't want her to go on such trip. "Mu, Mugyuu..."
"... Krische is a little uneasy after all." *Gyuu*, her arms tightened, crushing Kreschenta who was in her arms. Her face was pressed against the modest breasts, and her hands tapped Krische's arms from the suffering. "I'm fine. Besides, there's no truly safe place. There's some kind of danger everywhere...then it's the same thing after all." Bery approached and stroked Krische's cheek. Kreschenta was flailing. "Besides, I also want to help Krische-sama and the others, even if just a little. Like Krische -sama and the others, I too want to do as much as I can."
"Bery..."
"We'll cook together again, have tea together... that's why."
"......yes" Bery kissed and ran her fingers through Krische's silky hair. Krische nodded quietly, and Selene, who was watching them, called out. "Ah, um... it's a wonderful conversation, but is it fine? Kreschenta is being crushed..."
"Ah..." When Krische finally realized and loosened her strength, Kreschenta got up and coughed. Holding her crushed and reddened nose with both hands, she stared at Krische with tearful eyes. "Uuu...how cruel. Onee-sama almost crushed my nose..."
"Crescenta, don't get angry. Look, chu~."
"Onee-sama, don't think you can cheer me up with that... Ehehe." Kreschenta was in a good mood as soon as she was kissed and hugged by Krische. She then glared at Bery. "A-ahaha... I'm sorry..."
"...not enough sincerity." *Squish*, Krische pinched Kreschenta's puffy cheeks and stretched them out.
"...Kreschenta, I'll leave it to you."
"Uuu...I understand."
"Good girl." She patted her head and kissed her repeatedly. Even Krische was surprised when Kreschenta said she would take the risk. And as much as she was surprised, she was also happy. She tangles her golden red hair with her fingers and told her to look into her wet purple eyes. "When everything is over, we'll all have a tea party. And after that, we'll be together forever. That's why Krische is doing her best. That's why Kreschenta, too."
"...Yes, onee-sama" *Chu*, *chu*, Selene looked at the two who seem to kiss forever if they were left alone, and opened her mouth. "By the way, Kreschenta. Did you just thought up the speech?"
"Yes, of course. You just have to do it according to the situation."
"...You sure make it sound easy."
"It is easy. I have a position, so I'll just use it to say what I want. The soldiers are demoralized after losing the battle, so I should give them a reason and hope to fight. If I deceive them, even temporarily, then Onee-sama and Selene will take care of the rest, right?"
"Yeah. Though the word 'deception' catches my eye." She sighed and sipped her tea. The soldiers are tools for her. The reason why they are fighting is not something that she sympathized with. But she understood their reasons and knew how to move them. And she is not moved by their deaths, not even a hair's breadth of emotion. She's ruthless to her core.
As if sensing Selene's emotion, Kreschenta pressed her fingertips to her lips, troubled. "Well, that's preference in how to say it, I guess. I wonder if Selene-sama prefers to call it encouragement?"
"... what we do is similar. So, I won't deny it." Either unconsciously or consciously. Selene wondered what was different. Encouraging soldiers to fight is nothing less than making them sacrifice their one and only life. No matter how you put it, for the sake of victory, many lives are exchanged for gambling chips. It doesn't change what they're doing.
But is it arrogance to want her to accept it not with logic, or reason, but with emotion? By doing so, the two of them will become closer to normal and will be able to feel extremely normal thoughts and happiness. The two of them were too young to understand it. It seemed as if they would just stay like that for their whole life.
In truth, they probably didn't know the difference between objects and life. She wanted to teach them that, but on the other hand, She wondered if it was really the best for them. Their strength is also what they got in exchange for their humanity. "... Well, I wonder if it's the kind of thing that has no correct answer."
"...?" Even if this war was over, her worries will probably never end. She can a future where she would find becoming an old lady while she's endlessly thinking about it. "Bery, I'm thinking of giving the soldiers something a little extravagant. The day after tomorrow, we're all going to say goodbye for a while, so could you please make a little extravagant meal?"
"......yes. Fufu, actually, I secretly talked about that with Krische-sama."
"Shrewd one." She smiled and looked out the window. Strangely, she felt calm. Failure was not an option. But, even with that in mind, there was no longer any need to worry. All she had to do was work hard at what was in front of her. "... whatever the case, let's do our best together. It may be painful, it may be hard, and that period may continue, but..." ----I'm sure there will be fun things waiting for us after that. The three nodded silently at Selene's words. ----at that time.
"Nhh, Thank you...but you sure are very considerate. Krische is a clever but clumsy girl, so it's reassuring to have not just Bery, but also someone who is as capable as you. Because Selene also tended to push herself too hard, a presence like you will surely bring comfort."
"No, no! I am not even close to reaching Argan-sama...."
"Haha, don't be so humble. Even if you don't show up on the stage, it's the people who support you that are important. You look like a fine servant to me."
"Th-that's... ehehe."
Anne, who had been sent to Gallen's place as a way to prevent trouble as if it's only natural, was being praised to death.
