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By the time I rushed to the window, all I could see was the figure of the werewolf disappearing over the cliff. Even that was soon swallowed up by the darkness.
What terrifying speed.
Princess Eleora touched her earring and muttered something.

“Send the Second Squad out to search the city. Someone of Lord Black Wolf’s stature would never come alone; there’s a possibility his entourage is hiding in the city. Focus your search on the inns, the Merchants’ Guild, and the Pilgrimage Hall of the Sonnenlicht Church, and identify any suspicious individuals. However, do not lay a hand on them. Third Squad, deploy in a second-class patrol formation within a five-launch radius of Klauchen and remain vigilant until dawn.”

That item is likely another magical artifact developed in Rolmund.
And Princess Eleora smiles at me.

“So that’s the rumored Lord Black Wolf. He has quite the nose.”

The Lord Black Wolf of Lüenheit, a fearsome werewolf who boasts invincibility on the battlefield and is also skilled in conspiracies.
In fact, there are rumors that he might actually be the Demon Lord himself.
Otherwise, there are many things that simply don’t add up. It was likely him who defeated the swordsman Aerschis, who is believed to be the “true hero.”

The thought of Princess Eleora attempting to attack the Black Wolf Lord, only to rouse his bloodlust, sends a chill down my spine.

“Princess Eleora, surely you are aware of his strength?”
“I am. I was reckless.”

Princess Eleora admitted her mistake with rare candor. Then she picked up that suspicious magic book.
There was a metallic clang, and the black hole that had been visible moments before vanished.

“But I never imagined he’d know about the Magiarms Book as well. Currently, we have nothing over him.”
“He is also skilled in strategy. The Senate tried to frame him for the assassination of the Governor of Zaria, but they failed and ended up causing Zaria to defect instead.”

Princess Eleora scoffed at the Senate’s foolish scheme.

“Hm. Then he’s probably also onto my ‘Magiarms Battalion’ as well.”
“Your Imperial Guard, Princess Eleora?”
“I intended to keep them in reserve as a trump card, but it seems things won’t go so smoothly.”

She fell into deep thought.

“My personal guard and your forces alone are not enough to inspire confidence, but winter is coming soon. How is progress on the military tunnels?”
“We’re continuing the rush construction, but if we push any harder, accidents could happen. There are also limits to securing workers who can keep the project secret.”
“I suppose it can’t be helped. I had hoped to gather equipment and personnel from the homeland during the winter…”

Princess Eleora murmured this with a grave expression.

“I had considered the possibility that the Senate or the Southern Federation might discover our plans before we were ready. Let’s switch to Plan B at once. What is the status of our secret dealing with Drawright?”
“It is being upheld for now. Since it’s close to the Northern Wall Mountains and my wife’s hometown, they are unlikely to betray us.”

Negotiations with Drawright, the northernmost mountain city, were progressing, and it was already on Rolmund’s side. Preparations were also underway to receive the main force of the Rolmund Army, which would likely arrive soon.
However, while Princess Eleora nodded, she added:

“That is most reassuring. But do not place too much trust in them just because they are family. No, perhaps you must be cautious precisely because they are family.”

Judging by her words and actions so far, the situation within Rolmund itself seems quite complex. We cannot place our complete trust in them.
But if we remain part of the Northern Alliance as things stand, we will only go down with the incompetent Senate.
In that case, there is only one option for Klauchen, located at the northernmost tip: ally with Rolmund to the north and destroy the Northern Alliance.
And eventually, the Southern Federation as well.

Suddenly, I realized Princess Eleora was staring at me.
It wasn’t her usual sarcastic expression; it was a look of concern.

“Are you anxious, Lord Bercken?”

I am nothing but anxious. The path I have chosen is a terribly dangerous one.
Even now, I keep asking myself if there was no other way to protect the people of Klauchen.
But no matter how many times I think about it, there was no other way.

So I have no choice but to answer thus.

“Now that Her Imperial Highness, the Princess of the mighty Holy Rolmund Empire, has become our ally, what is there to be anxious about? Please use our Klauchen as Rolmund’s vanguard.”

The one and only answer I’m allowed to make.
That should satisfy you, Princess Eleora.

Princess Eleora then wore a complex expression.

“…You’re right.”

For just a moment, I felt she looked terribly lonely.
But that too was fleeting, and she immediately declared:

“Send messengers in my name to the three cities of Bachen, Schwelm, and Arjög. Tell them that Rolmund, the strongest nation on the continent, will protect them from the Demon Lord’s Army and the Senate. I ask for your support.”
“Understood.”

There is a saying in Klauchen that goes like this:

‘You cannot remove the salt from the pot.’

I have added a rock of salt called “Klauhen” to the witch’s cauldron. There is no way to retrieve it now.
Whatever dish is cooked up, I must eat it all.
I suppose I must steel myself.

***
Author’s Note

Launch (JP: 弓里, unit of distance for an archery target) — A traditional unit of length in Rolmund. Based on the effective range of the Rormund longbow in group battles, it is approximately 100m.