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The actions of the Rolmund Army—or rather, Princess Eleora—which had launched an invasion under the banner of the “Miraldia Liberation Army,” were swift.
Aylia relayed the reports from spies within the Southern Federation.

“It appears that the religious city of Ioro Lange is currently under siege by the ‘Miraldia Liberation Army.’”

This takes place not ten days after the Miraldia Liberation Army revealed its existence.

“That was fast… What’s the situation on the ground?”

In response to my question, Aylia flips through the report.

“The main force of the Miraldia Liberation Army consists of citizen militias, but the standing army stationed in the fortress city of Schwelm has also joined them. They’re quite a formidable force.”

Ioro Lange is a holy site built for the worship of the Sun God in Miraldia, and it is an extremely important city for the people of the North.
However, considering the salt incident and the fact that I had expected the Rolmund Army to adopt a strategy of protracted diplomatic warfare, this comes as a surprise.

Just as I was discussing this with everyone at the council, a second report came in.

“Ioro Lange has surrendered to the Miraldia Liberation Army! It’s a bloodless victory for the Miraldia Liberation Army!”

When the mounted messenger delivered the news from the front lines, the governors were thrown into an uproar.

“T-Teacher?! Isn’t their army too overwhelming?!”

The one flustered was Shatina, the governor of Zaria, a region near the north.

However, Garsche, the governor of the pirate city of Belrüsa, stroked his beard and shook his head.

“Nah, this is a farce. Ain’t that right, old Petore?”

Petore, the governor of the fishing city of Lotzo, nodded with a sour expression at those words.

“They’re just keeping up appearances by saying ‘we surrendered after being attacked,’ hedging their bets. After all, they’ve already issued a statement about how it’s wrong for fellow countrymen to kill each other, haven’t they?”

The centaur messenger nodded, looking surprised.

“Y-yes, that’s right. Um, it says, *‘It is undesirable to have our brothers’ blood spill in the Holy Land of Ioro Lange. Rolmund is but a fellow believer in the Sonnenlicht Faith, so we shall open our city gates and walk alongside them.’*”

Aram, the young governor of the trading city of Schaldir, nodded in agreement.

“Just as the governors of the south are united, the governors of the north also have close ties.”

So, as long as the northern governors remain united in their support for Rolmund, it will be difficult to undermine them through diplomacy.

Forne, the drag queen from the artisan city of Viera, sighed.

“Besides, if Rolmund’s target is the Senate, then the governors have no need to put their own cities at risk. After all, a governor’s duty is to protect their own city.”

The Senate may hold great power, but it has handed over the governance of the cities entirely to the governors. So if Rolmund can win the governors over, the Senate will fall.

“Princess Eleora seems to understand perfectly well that if she takes down the Senate, she’ll acquire the entire Northern Alliance. She’s good at distinguishing friend from foe.”

Even though she’s the enemy, I was impressed by Princess Eleora, but Forne glared at me.

“What are you talking about so casually? If things keep going like this, the Southern Federation is in danger too, you know? Those guys seem to have at least some idea of how to deal with the common people.”

I’m worried about that too.

“I’ve put together a summary of Princess Eleora’s policies.”

I handed out the documents I’d prepared last night to everyone.

Ever since the Miraldia Liberation Army was founded, Princess Eleora has consistently maintained the stance of being a “collaborator with the Liberation Army.”
The Liberation Army is led by the northern governors, but of course, it is Princess Eleora who unites them.
And she has been quite skillful in taking control of the northern cities.
I explain the threat Princess Eleora poses to the group.

“The biggest issue is that both Rolmund and the Northern Alliance follow the Sonnenlicht Faith. According to reports from pilgrims, generous protective measures—such as the renovation of the Church of the Sonnenlicht’s temples—have already been decided upon.”

If they can win over even the clergy of the Sonnenlicht Church, most of the citizens will do as they’re told. And if the citizens have no fear that their livelihoods will be threatened, they’ll have no reason to oppose the Liberation Army.
On top of that, the Senate is, if anything, rather disliked.

There’s one more important point.

“It seems Princess Eleora of Rolmund is becoming quite popular among the people of the North.”

I’ve actually spoken with her myself, so I can certainly see why.

“She’s seen as a beautiful princess who came from a distant land to save Miraldia—sharp-tongued and decisive, with the governors holding her in high regard. That seems to be the impression people have of her.”

Aylia looked grim, deep in thought.

“We must address this immediately.”
“Yes… you’re right, Lady Aylia.”

Aram, too, looked a bit pale.
I explained our future strategy to the council members.

“Princess Eleora may attempt to undermine the Southern Federation through the Sonnenlicht Church. Make sure to maintain good relations with the Church’s temples.”

Even within the Southern Federation, the four cities bordering the north have large populations of Sonnenlicht believers. As Priest Jucht demonstrated in the past, these people are capable of taking up arms at the call of the clergy.

After deciding on various other important matters, I gathered the high-ranking officers of the Demon King’s Army, including Baltze, to brief them on the situation in the north. The complexity of human society is quite difficult for demons to grasp.

When I finally returned to my office, Kait was relaxing there.

“Good work today, Mr. Veit.”
“Ah, you were here. How are things on your end?”

Kait then let out a sigh.

“It’s complete chaos. Since some of the elders were in Ioro Lange, it seems they’ve been detained.”
“They brought it on themselves.”

They treat their governors and staff so poorly; this just bound to happen.

Kait nodded in agreement and pulled out another letter.

“So, here’s the latest one.”
“If you keep sending them this often, I’m going to run out of storage space.”
“Well, I think it’ll be over soon.”

I took the letter from Kait, who was smiling sarcastically, and skimmed through it.

“They want to forge friendly relations between the Alliance and the Federation and form a united front against Rolmund…”

That takes some nerve.

I shoved it into the filing cabinet and turned back to Kait.

“What’d you like to drink?”
“I’ll have some lukewarm green tea, please.”
“Oh, right. I’ve got some rock salt cookies that Rasie baked.”
“I don’t want any of those.”

Kait made a face that clearly showed he was annoyed, but I shook my head.

“Anyone who comes to my office is required to eat three of them.”
“That’s tyrannical!?”

Enjoy the full extent of Lord Black Wolf’s tyranny.

***

*Later*

Kait: “Huh, these are actually pretty good?”
Veit: “Rasie’s good at cooking in general. She just makes way too much.”
Kait: “She’s like a grandma from the countryside.”