Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi

n Malt as of yet.
This is because of the unmanned region born of the volcanic ash acting as a wall.」

Leopolt’s calm voice is strangely clear.
Celia forcibly pulls Rafaella off my body and takes her outside.

「I knew it had to be here.
It has been verified by so many important people here, and even if it’s incorrect, it’s not my fault.」

Tristan concludes lazily.

The marker was placed pretty much in the center of the Dard mountain, between the peak and the midpoint.
The date and time of their supposed appearance is also written.

「Bugs also crawl out of a mountain that spewed fire?」

「It erupted? The bugs can’t withstand lava, but if that’s what caused the mountain to collapse, it’s not impossible.」

Balbano affirms the derived answer.

「Let’s go then.」

I say as I rest the Dual Crater on my shoulder.

My suggestion prompts four people to sigh simultaneously for some reason.
Why? Also, I can hear Celia screaming.

Leopolt opens the window beside me.

「You can see the Dard mountain, right?」
「Indeed.」

The Dard mountain is the largest mountain in the Central plains excluding the great mountain range.
Although it’s blurry because of how far away it is, it is still relatively visible from here.

「It’s big, right?」
「Quite grand.」

The shape has changed considerably since the fire shot out, but it is still rugged and very magnificent.
I can understand why people superimposed the image of God on the mountain long ago.

Someone heaves a big sigh.
I get it.
It’s impossible to walk around the mountain and search for the hole.

Normally, this is where we would deploy scouts, but since they’ll be entering the spawning place of insects, there will be no hope for them once night falls.
It’s near impossible for even cavalry to go back and forth within half a day.

「Actually, it’s impossible even if it took three days.
Ash has stopped falling from Dard mountain, but the ground is still buried with it.
Insects aside, no human or horse will be able to move.」

「In that case, we can’t do reconnaissance.
The only option is to charge in after all.」

Leopolt, after pausing unusually for a few seconds, turned to everyone and spoke.

「The operation will be split into three stages.
The first stage will be to scout the area to determine the exact location.
As it was said just now, it’s impossible for regular scouts, so I will use a special method requiring preparation.」

Leopolt moves on before Erich could ask what the method is.

「The second stage is to hold the line and stop their invasion until our reconnaissance bears fruit.」

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Leopolt looks at Erich as he continues.

「I will need a large number of cavalry and replacement soldiers.
Lend me your strength here, Lord Radhalde.
I will tell you the exact amount later.」

「Disregarding the rudeness of a mere private army staff officer――is there any meaning in reinforcements? The Goldonian army is not infinite.
Don’t you think it’s impossible to challenge the swarming insects head-on?」

I’m sure the insect hydra is weighing on Erich’s mind.
If five of those things come, there would surely be nothing we can do even if we had tens of thousands of soldiers and a castle.

「It is not a problem.
As long as you provide the specified amount, it is possible to defend even against two or three times the number of enemies.」

Leopolt returns Erich’s sharp gaze with an equally cold one.

I can’t think of a way to fight such great numbers of insects, but if Leopolt says there is a way, then it must be true.
He’s proven time and time ago that he has a solution.
I should at least trust him that much.

Erich stares at me.

「He can do it.
I guarantee it.」

I reassure him by saying I will take responsibility if he fails.
If the plan fails, we’ll all end up dying anyways so it wouldn’t matter if I take responsibility.

「I see.」

Erich doesn’t say more.

「And then the third stage.
We will begin the destruction or blockage operation after identifying the emergence point of the enemy.
This will also be a special operation due to the terrain restricting the movement of a large army.」

Despite his air of importance, it doesn’t sound too difficult.
First we search for the opening, endure while we search, and then destroy it.
Pretty simple.

「I guess, but everyone will probably be taken aback when they hear the details.
I also did after all.」

Tristan leans back and lets out a “yikes” when Leopolt looks at him.
Don’t tell me what you dislike about it before I ask about the details.

Dingus, while staring at the map, suddenly calls Erich over.

「Military Commissioner.
If the location and date is correct, then the insects that have been moving west will……」

Dingus and Erich exchange looks.
As if giving form to their anxiety, the sound of galloping horseshoes come from the distance.

「Message from the west of the main army to the Military Commissioner! The South Yuguria army before us has suddenly fallen apart! We later engaged with a horde of unknown monsters, and, at the discretion of the commander, halted our advance and began to retreat! We ask for the Military Commissioner’s orders urgently――」

Erich bites his lip and addresses Leopolt.

「There is no change in the circumstances.
I will arrange for the planned numbers, so begin your operation immediately.」

Leopolt sends a glance at me.
Once I nod, Leopolt declares the start of his plan.

When I exit the room, I find Celia sitting down in tears and Rafaella apologizinging countlessly to her.
Rafaella returns to her spot on my back after noticing me, but doesn’t stop apologizing.

I’ll order for a bath to be drawn for Celia.

「Aegir.」

I turn around when the voice stops me and see a rather solemn-looking Carla.

「Do you have time to spare? I mean, just come quickly.」

「Hm, right now?」

I have to work out the details of the operation with Leopolt.

「Yes, right now.
It’s about Schwartz.」

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Carla pushes me.

「Isn’t it fine? The Margrave has the job of charging anyway so knowing the details is not that important――」

I pick up a palm-sized spider crawling on the ground and throw it at Tristan before following Carla.

「Is it finally time for him to pay his dues?」

「It’s not a joke, this might be really bad.」

Protagonist: Aegir Hardlett.
25 years old.
Autumn.
Status: Goldonia Kingdom Margrave.
Great Feudal Lord of Eastern Area.
Mountain Legend.
Friend of the Dwarves.
Friend of the King of Aless.
Dragon Slayer Hero.
Elf Mediator.
Sex King of White City.
Mad Demon God.
Secret Golden Lager.

Family:
Nonna (jostling), Carla (impatient), Mel (taking refuge), Leah (rescue), Pipi (rejoined), Miti (jostling), Maria (jostling), Catherine (escape), Gretel (jostling), Melissa (jostling), Kuu (jostling), Ruu (jostling), Mireille (jostling), Casie (5 head figure), Rita (cooking), Yoguri (playwright), Alice (sleep), Mother: Marceline (consultation), Daughters: Eldest – Stephanie (denied), Second – Bridget (agreed), Youngest – Felicie (either)
Sofia (jostling), Dorothea (in trouble), Claudia (imposing stance), Clara (riding on shoulder), Adela (masturbating)
Celestina (reigning queen), Monica (mama attendant), Benel (coma)

Subordinates:
Dingus (eastern army commander), Rinuga (haggard), Rafaella (back parasite)
Celia (contaminated), Myla (commander), Irijina (commander), Luna (commander)
Leopolt (staff officer), Tristan (staff officer), Yakov (emergency sortie), Gido (desperation), Mack (emergency sortie), Christoph (reinstated), Guigue (villain)
Adolph (domestic affairs official), Sebastian (butler), Marta (jostling), Sally (jostling), Maruru (jostling)
Jim (sortie, low morale), Suzy (sortie), Solana (given up), Altair (founder), Remia (victim)

Others:
Erich (capital), Ijaris (cooperating), Yularen (cooperating)
Sekrit (preparing for defense), T-99 (preparing for battle), Brynhildr (preparing for battle), Natia (healed), Felteris (vexed)
Piris (insane, house arrest), Baroness Rukino Escaote (jostling), Seika (squeeze)
Busco (promoted), Gildress (training), Visitacion (confined home with child)

Non-humans:
Lammy (moving), Alraune (potted plant), Mirumi (hunch), Pochi (entomophobia), Messerschmitt​ (sleeping)
Tropical Smooth-scaled Monitor Lizard (arrived), Schwartz (critical condition)
————————————————————————————————

Escort Unit: 43
Infantry: 3000
Cavalry: 400
Archers: 400
Cannoneers: 400
Bow Cavalry: 1000
105 Army Corps: 3700
(war time, weapons are produced as necessary, being deployed)
Cannons: 45, Large Cannons: 23, Dwarven Cannons: 15, Field Artillery: 18, Chariots: 38

Reinforcements / Allied Forces:
Eastern Army: 13 000 ⇒ ???
Mixed Refugee Team: 5800
Elves: Black: 200, White: 200
God Altair’s Army: 2800 (Rafen charity work, inviting)

Teries Fleet: Battleship Suvorov, Battleship Leviathan IV (temporary), Large Combat Ships: 3, Medium Combat Ships: 7 (in repair)
————————————————————————————————
Assets: -75 000 gold
Sexual Partners: 805
Children who have been born: 70 + 567
Current Location: North Kisatto, abandoned fort