The Strategist Knows Everything

Chapter iii lonely army

Take me to Albion.

That's a difficult thing to do inside. First of all, I don't completely trust Randall. Furthermore, it is difficult to steal Stratos' eyes.

He should be sending his own pawns all over the place. When that happens, it's so hard to bring me into Albion without them finding out.

Then how is Randall willing to take me? It will be a story, but it will probably be a simple one.

I am willing to take you with dignity.

Instead of leaving the soldier, I want you to give me what I am, but go to the Empire.

"That's an act that requires trust, though?

"In a world of war, you betray your parents and brothers. Don't ask for credit."

"Is there any evidence that you're not working with Stratos?

There is a chance that he was manipulated by witchcraft, or that he originally cooperated with Stratos.

Anyway, if you don't prove to me that you have no connection to Stratos, I can't get on with the story.

Besides, they say there's a back to a good story.

More than the Duke is being manipulated by Stratos, this time the order Randall received should be an invasion of the Empire. Despite that order, withdrawing could threaten Randall's position and lead him to be questioned for strength.

I really don't want to be what Stratos thinks. It's hard to think of that as all. You should think of it as having personal thoughts.

"No. Well, I'm sure it's not manipulated by witchcraft, but it doesn't mean it's not manipulated by witchcraft, does it?

"Yes. If I had voluntarily cooperated with Stratos, I would have fallen into a trap. If we don't do something about it, we can't talk about it."

"Bye. But then. Do you have a choice?

Randall looks at us as he asks.

Well, you're coming. Randall's purpose is to take me to Albion. Whether Stratos is involved there or not, it won't change what you do.

Give me that and I'll leave the army. That's right. We just need to stick to the Empire. The Empire will take the form of destroying its alliance with Velis, but we can recall the First Fleet we are sending to Velis.

Admiral Arnold doesn't specialize in naval warfare. If there were two of us, Fio and Admiral Arnold, we would be able to withstand another invasion of Albion. More importantly, you'll win all kinds of concessions when you hand me over.

If Randall is serious about taking me to Albion, there is a possibility of a truce, not a retreat. Well, I don't know how much authority I can have that far, but I can work with you like that. And the action is powerful.

Wait, if we're going to bring up a truce or a peace story, Randall's probably connected to Stratos. Because that's what it means to have authority.

"Surely I wouldn't have the right of veto. But the Empire wouldn't turn me in for free, would it?

"I don't know. Even if you are called Si Xian, there is a limit to the powers you have been granted. The only thing you can do is show some effect and then bring it in for retreat. Miss Eileen understands, so the Imperial invaders can withdraw all their troops. Withdrawal is all the way to the pre-war border."

There is no disturbance in Randall's expression. Status, too. Probably not lying.

But Randall doesn't prove he's not connected to Stratos. It's possible I'm lying just because I can't spot it.

"Will the Empire understand to turn me in on that condition?

"Huh? What do you say? Empress Fiona."

So far I've been a listener, and I talk to Fio, who barely spoke.

Stratos' story is consistent, but I don't know that much about it. I guess that's why I kept my mouth shut, but the direction of the story is about the trend of the Empire. There's no way you won't answer, and it'll be hard to get out of the way.

Even if his involvement is thin, Fio is a princess, a clan of imperial representatives called the Imperial Family. I have to give my opinion.

But I can anticipate Fio's personal opinion.

"I will never give it to you"

After all.

Completely personal subjectivity. Randall is smiling and smiling. You knew that kind of answer would come back.

"When that happens, will we continue the war like this?

"Even so, you can't sell the men of your allies who fought for your country to your enemies."

"Even if that war pleases those who are pulling the thread behind it?

"I was wondering if I could do it."

There are no islands to attach.

Randall also looks like he dares to ask questions. What the hell is the aim?

I don't think we're going to talk about this where we keep asking Fio.

"I see, I see. I trust you. If she was a little older, she wouldn't have had to be heartbroken."

"What do you mean?

"Well, it's a simple story. Princess Fiona's father didn't think so."

The moment I heard it.

I got up from my chair.

Honestly, I thought I was hit. I can't believe you're negotiating directly with the King.

"The hell... since when..."

"Originally, the invasion of the Empire was to be carried out by the two of us, Noon and Miss Eileen. Well, since Noh was secretly willing to negotiate with the King, she left it to Miss Eileen at first. Speaking of time, I've already been in contact with the King around the beginning of the reconstitution of the Albion army."

Wasn't the Albion army attacking us inside to warn us, but to buy time for negotiations?

I had my head full about the battlefield, and I didn't even care about that kind of political thing.

If I had been aware, I could have handled it differently. No, Velis wouldn't. Still, I can't be involved in politics in the Empire. I couldn't stop the negotiations that were going on out of my reach.

But it's been a long time since they've done this so brilliantly.

"In Non's Creed. You don't have to fight troublesome people. I knew you gave that Arnold a drink. Then I knew that if I got to the negotiating table, I would probably take some sort of crackdown. I'm sorry to hear that. I haven't fought you since the beginning."

I didn't know the enemy was on another mound when I thought I'd gone up to the prepared mound.

How can you tell that I or Fio are not involved in the politics of the Empire?

Admiral Arnold, who can stop the King from acting, is still in Velis.

If you just speak your mind, you may be able to do the same with Ligal Taiko, but in Ligal Taiko, who is in conflict with the King in one of Fio's cases, you won't be able to overturn your decision.

Right now, at this moment, there is no one in the Empire who can overturn the King's decision.

"Oh no... your father..."

"The condition is to retreat to the pre-war border. And by setting up a six-month truce. I have already checked with Albion's home country. This negotiation is in its final stages. Something like confirming his intentions."

I'm going to shake it up, but I don't see any words to give it back.

They took it from me at all. I don't see a single way to open it.

I have my hand on getting away to Velis like this, but I need to shake off the soldiers in the fort.

If you shake it off, if you miss it, there's no way to cross the ocean. All land routes must pass through Albion once. Or we need to go beyond the mountains where the Warcraft hits.

That's impossible. I'm not ready for that, and I don't have time to be. If you were enough to do that, you'd still be better off believing Randall and heading to Albion.

Mostly, if I escape on this occasion, Fio will be blamed. This negotiation is not a joke but involves the survival of the Empire. If you go bankrupt, no matter how many princesses, you will not be spared the punishment.

Besides, Fio will probably let me get away with it if I decide to escape. All the best. Whatever happens after that, without considering it. I am confident that I am building that much trust.

But I can't let you do that. I can't let you do that because I built trust.

If I scratch my feet here, I'll be annoyed by all sorts of people. And even if only a few empires would get it, the peaceful moments would be gone.

If what Randall says is true, it's not very negative to get on with the story here. The war between the Empire and Albion is over, yet I can take Stratos' thoughts off. And I can get close to Stratos.

We might be able to free Albion from Stratos without wasting blood.

This is a bet. It just looks like a bad minute. Because you have to believe in someone else in the red you just met.

Not very much without insurance at least, but I can't accept it.

Yes, the kind of insurance that I would manage if I lost the bet.

Watch Captain Ars shut up behind you.

The gaze fits.

It's like complaining about something. Probably would be furious if I agreed. But there's no other way.

That's why.

"Am I the only one going to Albion?

"Bye. Otherwise, the terms are not included."

"Now... let's see our men return to Velis before we come to Albion. Aren't you forgiven for that much?

Send Knox back to Velis.

That's about all I can do now.

If Knox returns to Velis, it will also reduce the burden on the Kaguyas. With the departure of the Empire, Velis will fight alone against the two great powers of Albion and Empire, but both the Empire and Albion have internal concerns. There must still be a winning chance.

And Knox is a Special Forces unit. That's how I raised him.

Breaking through the front and entering an enemy country would also be possible, well, depending on the commander.

That's my insurance policy.

"I don't mind. But then. Where's your assurance that you won't run?

"I was wondering if there was anything better than you believing this one."

Believe me too, believe me too.

There's no way Randall could snort at such a child-like statement.

"Then you can't admit it. This one can take you by force, can't it?

Well, why not?

As I gaze at Captain Ars, who is likely to pull out his double sword, I wonder if he has any good hands.

It's best to give them something to replace the hostages, but the only thing I have that's worth that much is the fan I keep from Sofia. And that's what Randall wants.

It would be the last time I gave it to you.

Don't you force yourself to come and take it, because if you argue with me, you'll end up like Stratos thought, or could you possibly get away with it? Well, whatever it is, it's impossible to give a fan.

When it does, it becomes a person, not a thing, but it makes no sense to hold someone hostage within a troop leader. Even though the purpose is to send them back to Velis, I have trouble getting them to stay.

The Force Leader is an essential force for Velis and a lifeline for me. We need Velis to go home at all costs.

When I shut up for a while, Fio, who was lying next to me, squeaks abruptly.

"I'll stay."

"……… What?

I returned it with vegetables.

Well, at the point where you're talking to me, it's pretty vegan, but I was still careful with the words. Because I couldn't give you a gap to get in.

But Fio's words were powerful enough to make him forget it.

"I'll stay. Empress of the Empire, High Commander. There's no shortage as a hostage, is there?

"There will be no problem with that. And the possibility of abandoning Empress Fiona."

"This man never abandons someone he's become close to. I can be ruthless and cruel to anyone who hasn't gotten close to me and to others, but this person... Yukito Clay can't be abandoned. I assure you, as Empress of the Empire,"

That's how Fio gazes at Randall with perseverance.

Taking Fio hostage is not a disadvantage to Randall. Even if I betray you, if you take Fio, the hero of the Empire, to Albion, well enough for a battle. You can also immediately attack the Empire for breaking the treaty.

Whether I come back or not, Randall doesn't have any pain. It's just a matter of whether or not you can get the goal of a fan.

Randall smiles and squeals little by little, wondering if he has done the math there.

"Stupid kid."

"……… This is the first time I've been told."

"Clay can no longer escape with this. What I thought was good strangled Clay. You can't be more speechless now than the Empress of the Empire?

Randall spoke up for the first time during this negotiation.

He's like a grandfather scolding his grandson. But in fact, enemy allies. What a strange thing.

"I know everything. Just Sir Randall. May I say something?

"What is it?

Fio breathes slowly and gives him a more rugged look than he's ever shown before.

Then.

"Look at Yuki sweetly...... it hurts, doesn't it?