Will the rebel army really come?』

『Definitely. So don’t be negligent on diligently preparing on site.』

Therese, who’s planning to come here after settling the large amount of government affairs, probably wants us to raise the morale of our allied n.o.bles.
As they were named differently such as coup d’état forces, Duke Nürnberg household’s army and such, we a.s.signed the official name 『Rebel Army』 to them.

『Duke Nürnberg has done something that shouldn’t be done. I think that satisfies the condition to call them a rebel army?』

Therese declared while facing her allied n.o.bles.
Alfons secretly told me yesterday.

“First we should try to obtain predominance in the war’s progress by raising the morale and not surrendering this field camp. That will deliver a blow to the rebel army.”

The military resources on the rebel army’s side are large, but there are many who follow them reluctantly since they are labelled as rebel army.
Therefore they want to pull such people to the rebel army’s side in one go by winning here.
Alfons also predicted that the first offensive isn’t that far away.

“On the other hand, won’t the other side’s morale drop if they lose?” (Wendelin)

“They probably don’t expect that to happen.” (Mizuho)

“I see.” (Wendelin)

I a.s.sist in the construction of the field camp until evening while having a chat with High Earl Mizuho.
Since I consumed my mana nicely as well, I returned to my own house.
The house, which was built with stones I cut out myself, is well done for a hurried construction. Katharina was made to complete the interior instead of practising magic. It reached the point of us being able to lead a comfortable life since we set up the magic tools we brought along inside.
Since cooking and such is being handled by Elise and the other girls in turns, there are no issues.

“Wife-san, please prepare my share as well.”

For some reason Alfons, who is in charge of the expeditionary force in this field camp, waited for the food while sitting at our table.

“My friend, why are you here?” (Wendelin)

“I simply got bored of it.” (Alfons)

In the rules of the Duke Philip household it seems to be stated that everyone has to eat the same meals in war time.
We are treated as mercenaries. There’s no problem since we are taking care of our food, from the ingredients to the seasoning, but it looks like Alfons’s group has to continue eating the same stuff every day.

“Rye bread, dishes that have steamed potatoes, sauerkraut and vegetable soup with bacon or sausages in it. Also, one cup of aquavit during off duty. As one would expect, I got tired of that after continuing it for three days.” (Alfons)

“What about Earl Mizuho Country?” (Wendelin)

“They are special.” (Alfons)

Usually they are dis.h.i.+ng out cooked rice, pickled vegetables, dried plum, and meat or fish with miso soup.
No matter how you look at it, it’s j.a.panese food, but since the skill of producing magic tools is high in Earl Mizuho County, they don’t seem to have any troubles with the transport of ingredients.

“If you go there, you can eat something different. It’s delicious.” (Wendelin)

“Although I want to eat it very much as well, it’s troublesome since it will be treated as courtesy call if I go to visit Earl Mizuho Country’s encampment.” (Alfons)

Since we are treated as mercenaries, that also means we could easily enjoy the delicious Mizuho food in an uncomplicated manner.
Since it’s basically j.a.panese food, it was delicious food for me.

“For this reason it resulted in me getting treated here.” (Alfons)

With a nonchalant look Alfons

sat down in the seat between Dous.h.i.+ and Burkhart-san, and ate the stew made by Elise.

“My friend, your wives are skilled at cooking.” (Alfons)

“They have to be able to cook for themselves since they are also working as adventurers.” (Wendelin)

“I see. That’s how you are avoiding Milady.” (Alfons)

There’s no way for that to be the reason.
It’s simply because taking a foreign country’s d.u.c.h.ess-sama as wife will be nothing but trouble.

“How about you accepting her, Alfons?”

I believe he has plenty qualifications since he’s capable as her cousin.

“Me and Therese are close as childhood friends. However, it’s not such a relations.h.i.+p.” (Alfons)

“Isn’t it fine since it’s a n.o.ble marriage anyway?” (Wendelin)

“Nooo… In this situation the burden of the post-war period will be heavy as well…” (Alfons)

Alfons expects that Therese will become the next empress after being victorious in the civil war. Since the imperial court at that time will be in a mess thanks to the rebellion, he predicted that it probably won’t be any good unless he serves in the Imperial Palace as well.

“It’s troublesome, but what will happen if the new administration collapses once again? When it comes to the new Duke Philip, it will be Therese’s nephews after she succeeds the imperial throne. They need a guardian as well. Their fathers are still alive, but Philip Dukedom’s government won’t operate if I don’t help out due to the influence of skin colour.” (Alfons)

“Sounds difficult, my friend.” (Wendelin)

“If that happens, I guess I won’t have any other choice but to shorten the maids’ skirts? By the way, I don’t see Erwin.” (Alfons)

“Aah, if it’s Erw…” (Wendelin)

As a matter of fact he was taking lessons in swordsmans.h.i.+p from Haruka.
Erw, who likes the sword and possesses money as well, consulted with Haruka about trying to gather a collection of Mizuho katanas since it’s a valuable chance, but…

『Katanas and swords are completely different items. Isn’t a katana that won’t be used pitiful?』 (Haruka)

“Since there seem to be people in the empire who are collecting them as works of art, it will be actually fine if you get introduced to one of them and buy a suitable katana.” The one who declared that seriously was the girl called Haruka.
Usually she is devoting herself to guarding us. She’s a serious person to an extent that she won’t readily join after being invited to tea by Elise and the others while saying 『I’m still on duty after all』.
Even so, if they invite her while saying that it’s my order, she partic.i.p.ates and eats sweets while showing a happy face.
Since she’s a woman, she likes sweets very much after all.

『So, will you learn katana techniques?』

With that as the reason Erw went to the encampment of Earl Mizuho Country in his spare time and took katana lessons there.
According to High Eral Mizuho he seems to have a good apt.i.tude.

“He is aiming for Harukkun? Or for a katana?” (Alfons)

“I guess it’s both.” (Wendelin)

Though he likes Haruka as well, he’s also fond of swords and katanas.
I think that I’d like to have a katana, too, but I couldn’t believe at all that I will be able to master it by myself.

“So, is there any hope?” (Alfons)

“Maybe, maybe not…” (Wendelin)

It shouldn’t turn into a problem due to pedigree, but the issue is that I have absolutely no idea how the far too serious Haruka thinks about Erw.
Also, another point might be the existence of Haruka’s elder brother.

“Haruka’s elder brother serves in the Battou Unit as well, doesn’t he?”

This inheriting elder brother was a

a far better swordsman than Haruka.
Moreover he dotes on Haruna to an abnormal level.
He hasn’t complained about the matter of Haruka being a.s.signed as our guard since it’s his lord’s order, but it appears that he isn’t pleased about Erw talking with Haruka about things in this encampment.
Thanks to that, Erw was relentlessly worked hard by that elder brother every day.

『In other words, that means there won’t be any problems if I win against that elder brother.』 (Erwin)

From the point of view of Erw, who has a character that hates to lose in the first place, he seems to be treating that elder brother as mid-boss whom he has to defeat.

『As expected of the Battou Unit!』

『This man. He’s stronger than I expected…』

There’s no difference between swords and katanas if it’s about killing people in actual combat.
Due to the fact that he is less superior in swordsmans.h.i.+p in comparison to Erw than he thought, it caused Haruka’s elder brother’s sense of impending danger to grow stronger.

“Such is the springtime of life for you.” (Alfons)

“My friend, you are quite dry, or rather…” (Wendelin)

“In my case it won’t result in such development. I’m completely ignorant about martial arts.” (Alfons)

Although he’s excelling as a commander, Alfons’s sword skills are a good match with mine.
He probably can’t understand the idea of crossing swords with an elder brother for the sake of one’s beloved woman.
Though it’s a wonderful story if he somehow struggles to win or gets recognised for his skills even if he loses, me and Alfons would likely get killed instantly.

“Putting aside Erw-lads matters, they will be here soon, won’t they?” (Armstrong)

“It will probably take still a few more days.” (Alfons)

“Dous.h.i.+, is that something similar to battlefield intuition?”

“It’s simply my calculation of the distance from the imperial capital and their marching speed.” (Armstrong)

Alfons is admiring Dous.h.i.+’s keen forecast.
It might have been almost identical to his own thoughts.
Burkhart-san is the same as well. Both of them weren’t perturbed at all even when they killed soldiers at the time when we escaped Bardiche.
They should have cut their way through quite the scenes of carnage in their early days.
Even master might have the experience of having killed people in the past, I guess?

“I’m looking forward to your partic.i.p.ation, Earl Baumeister-dono.”

“Do you have to expressly mention that?”

“If I don’t do that, it will be difficult for me to eat my meals here.”

In the end Alfons eats up the share of around three people. Receiving even the kingdom’s special wine, which I stored in my magic bag, he returns to the troop headquarters.

“He has quite the guts. Alfons-sama, that is.” (Ina)

Ina seems to be astonished by Alfons’s impudence.

“If such person acts as the leader, we will have it easy as mercenaries.”

While I have to use magic at the front line anyway, it would be unbearable if I had to even manage the military forces.
I will receive remuneration such as goods and money for the work I did. But the post-war empire will make sure to lessen my, Earl Baumeister’s, influence.
That might be the best method to prevent unnecessary troubles.

“Wend, if you can freely go shopping in Earl Mizuho Country, there won’t be any problems, right?”

“That’s how it is.” (Wendelin)

Superior types of miso and soy sauce, which I created myself through independent study, are sold in that country.
Since I’m picky about my food, I wanted to regularly obtain those by all means.

“You joined a war for the sake of soy sauce?” (Luise)

“As expected, that’s not all there’s to it.” (Wendelin)

I

it.” (Wendelin)

I denied Luise’s question while laughing.
In any case, there’s nothing better but making this civil war end.
It’s uncertain whether it can be finished quickly, but there will be too many, various inconveniences if it doesn’t end.
If the kingdom gets dragged into it and intervenes, the empire will be ruined unnecessarily.
Even for the kingdom there should be only few things to be gained in comparison to the expenses and labour.
The development inside the country will get delayed as well. There will probably only be some people who will be delighted about it.

“However, to accept the job that easily…”

Elise is worried, but as a matter of fact I have already received quite the reward.
I take out gold and silver ingots from my magic bag and pile them up on top of the table which had the tableware tidied up since we finished our meal.

“That’s a splendid amount, isn’t it? But, what about it?”

“I borrowed it from the abandoned mines.” (Wendelin)

“What about Therese-sama’s permission?”

“Of course I got it.” (Wendelin)

I answer to Burkhart-san and Dous.h.i.+ while revealing a smile that shows my evil character.
Naturally at the end a last exploitation has been carried out by the empire’s magicians, who can use 『Extraction』 and 『Collection』 spells, in the abandoned mines which were dotting this Great Sorbid Wasteland.
Therefore there are absolutely no metal types, that look usable, left on the surface and dozens of meters below the surface.
However, what about further below that?
Moreover, extinct volcanoes exist in this Great Sorbid Wasteland.
Because of the gold gus.h.i.+ng forth from the underground mantle, j.a.pan, which is actually a volcano country, was called a golden country.
Using a large amount of mana, I spread the range of 『Extraction』 to several hundred meters below.
As it’s the most suitable for the training of increasing my mana capacity by using a large amount of mana, I always did that before returning to our house.

“With these there won’t be any losses for us even if Therese s.h.i.+rks the reward.” (Wendelin)

“It’s very unlikely for her to do that.”

“My father-in-law said: A dead hero is a good hero.” (Wilma)

Contrary to his appearance, Minister Edgar has apparently read history books.
He has told something smart to his in-law daughter Wilma.

“Also, if we destroy that device, it will be all right for us to escape with 『Teleportation』 in the worst case.”

“Got it. I will be sure to not separate from you, Wend-sama.” (Wilma)

Wilma gently sits down on top of my knee.

“As Wilma says, it’s not uncommon for accidents to happen.” (Katharina)

“True. In the end we will kill their brethren.”

Burkhart-san agreed with Katharina’s opinion, too.
It’s a measurement against the increase in people of the empire resenting us for obtaining achievements by partic.i.p.ating actively.

“Ebbo-san, was it? There’s definitely a number of such people.”

I recall that annoying guy when I destroyed the other carriages in order to hinder our enemy’s means of transportation at the time we escaped from the imperial capital.

“There are also cases where people got executed after announcing that they went against military orders since they didn’t want to give them their rewards after a rebellion.”

The people of the empire, who will be unhappy due to many losses occuring due to the rebellion, will turn us, who killed many of their brethren as foreign mercenaries, into scapegoats.
It’s not possible to say that it definitely won’t happen.

“I believe that won’t happen if we restrict the discussion to Therese. But, if it happens…” (Wendelin)

“What will we do if it happens, dear?” (Elise)

“We will retaliate appropriately.” (Wendelin)

Though itappropriately.” (Wendelin)

Though it ended up turning into a slightly scary talk, we move to the bedroom since it’s soon time to sleep.
Since I carefully clogged up the cracks in the house, it’s warm with no cold air entering from outside.
However, as there was no way for me to make that many rooms, there were basically only two bedrooms.

“A room for the men and one for the women, it is…?”

“As a n.o.ble it’s indispensable for Earl Baumeister to have children, but…”

Since currently it’s a time of war, it’s probably safer to avoid that.
I also don’t have the fetish of doing it while being heard by Dous.h.i.+ and Burkhart-san.

“I’m home.” (Erwin)

“Erw, did you train until now?”

“There was that as well, but I ordered a katana, too.” (Erwin)

Erw and Haruka are alternating in the night guard duty of this house with the other soldiers.
Since it’s Haruka’s turn today, Erw went to order a katana for him to use.

“So, you want iron sand?”

Ten-odd katana smiths are following the Earl Mizu Country’s military forces.
They carefully carry out such things as forging new Mizuho katanas to be used on the battlefield and maintenancing the existing ones.
Since the special maintenance of the magic katanas is especially troublesome, they seem to be busy every day together with special magic tool craftsmen.

“A katana with a very good quality is impossible unless bought inside Earl Mizuho Country though.” (Erwin)

For the ones used on the battlefield it seems to be plenty if they can be prepared here.

“You didn’t get hold of a magic katana?”

“Those are bothersome to maintain. If you heard their price, your waist would give in.” (Erwin)

Even if they are plundered, you can’t use them for more than a few weeks well if you don’t maintenance them in a special way.
And that maintenance technique appears to be highly guarded.
Since it’s a magic tool, even the price seems to be terribly high.

“Erw-lad, won’t you get one if you take Haruka as your wife?” (Armstrong)

“Nooo, isn’t that unreasonable?” (Erwin)

As Erw says, they are probably not that easy to obtain.
After all it’s a technology that supports the superiority of the Earl Mizuho Country’s army’s quality.

“Do you intend to take Haruka as your wife?”

“For Haruksan, there’s no man who is promised to marry her.”

After having learnt from his past mistakes, he seems to properly confirm such things.

“If I beat Haruka’s elder brother after learning the katana techniques…” (Erwin)

It was unknown whether it will go that easily, but it will probably be alright since Erw should have more talent than me.

“Hahahaha! This time you will definitely realize your love!” (Armstrong)

“If I’m told such a thing, I actually feel a bad premonition.” (Erwin)

“That won’t happen.”

After that the four of us went to bed, but a single problem cropped up at this point.

“Gugoo~~~! Funu! Let me break those fingers!”

“*griiinnnddd*”

“Can’t you just shut up…”

Since I just got married, I wanted to sleep together with my wives according to my male instincts, but that was impossible since Haruka’s bed was in the women’s room as well. Furthermore, Dous.h.i.+’s snoring and dangerous sleep-talking as well as Burkhart-san’s bruxism were annoying.
With this always happening in these three days after it was decided that we will sleep together, our fleeting hope during the first day thinking that it’s because it’s an unfamiliar place was smashed.

“My married wives can sleep properly.” (Wendelin)

“Really, it looks like we will lack sleep.” (Erwin)

Erw and me began to earnestly try to sleep somehow by wrapping into the futons.
Giving up right away, I got stuck casting 『Sleep』 magic.