Plain Girl Hero of Darkness
Who You Are Fighting For - (4)

The shadow of Arthur's haughty face flashed across Drake's mind.

One of the pillars in Nozan Persilla's military, Heavy Silver Officer Arthur, 27. He was a young and brave warrior, and an ambitious man.

Normally, it wasn't strange for him to be a Heavy Gold Officer, but Drake felt something dangerous about him, and he stopped him from surpassing the Heavy-Duty Silver Officer

「Your Majesty, I brought Sir Arthur here.」

Arthur who entered the throne room with a female courtier approached the throne and knelt down in an elegant manner. His striking attitude raised a few eyebrows, but from the way Cassandra smiled and nodded, it seemed very effective.

「Your Majesty, Arthur Mau Finn is here to respond immediately to your call.」

「Thank you for your hard work. You should know the reason why I called you here, right? 」

「Yes! Please leave it to me, Arthur. I will seize the territory of the Kingdom of Farnesse well and hand it over to His Majesty.」

Arthur answered without hesitation. Drake did not miss the moment Arthur tilted his head with a mocking smile.

「How reliable, you are a fighter. I hope someone can learn from you.」

Cassandra looked at Drake as she said that.

「... Your Excellency, will you stop your plans anyway?」

「You said that shit again ... Even if the Royal Army had the upper hand, they should have suffered heavy losses. If the Empire was truly defeated, it would only be good news. 」

「But--」

「Enough. Heavy Gold Officer Drake, I hereby order you to be locked up in your house for the time being - Alright, Heavy Silver Officer Arthur, let me know after the preparations are finished.」

「As your wish, Your Majesty.」

Cassandra stood up from her throne and walked past the two men kneeling down, and left the Front Court along with the female courtier. The cheerful voice behind them seemed sure of Nozan Persilla's victory.

(Court: court, court, palace, court, courtroom.)

「......」

「......」

As Cassandra's presence deepens, Drake stops Arthur from leaving.

「What's up?」

「You should have seen the report, why didn't you stop His Majesty?」

「Because His Majesty is in dire need of war, and I just comply with his request.」

「Even if that shallow thinking brings a big loss to Nozan Persilla?」

It would be great if they won, but the problem was if they lost. It was possible that the Kingdom of Farnesse had capitalized on the momentum of their victory and counterattack.

「Heavy Gold Officer Drake, you have been suspended from duty, please do not interfere with our military affairs. Right now, I am the supreme commander of the military operation against the Kingdom of Farnesse. 」

「... Ku's. In that case, I have nothing more to say. Show me what you can do at that time.」

「Of course, and you finally got a vacation from His Majesty, so use this opportunity to spend it leisurely. I will achieve an incredible victory in place of Heavy Gold Officer Drake who has contracted cowardice.」

「... Are you mocking me?」

Drake put his hand on the 『Crescent Sabre』 on his waist. He was within striking distance, but Arthur was completely unaffected. He even spread his hands cheerfully.

「Scoffs? I wouldn't dare mock Heavy Gold Officer Drake! I'm just bluntly stating the facts-By the way, aren't you going to dance that thing around your waist?」

「......」

Drake clenched his trembling fists as he watched the laughing Arthur leave. Wood blazed within the fire, and debris danced with the flames.

Drake looked at the giant demon statue standing side by side.

(Do you also laugh at my cowardice?)

The light from the flames made the statues look like they were smiling.

******

The Holy Peoples of Mekia the Holy Capital of Elsphere, La Shaim Castle

「Holy Angel has arrived!」

The loud voice of the guard echoed as he solemnly opened the door carved with the Goddess Citresia. Sofitia hel Mekia wore light purple clothes that matched her hair color and had a silver stick in her hand. He gracefully walked past the guards in a neat formation.

It was spring and nature was growing.

After officially recognizing the declaration of war of the Duchy of Stonia against the Holy Nation of Mekia, a war conference will be held at La Shaim Castle on Sofitia's orders.

Gathered in 《Hall of the Holy Spirit》 for conference is——

The Holy Legate Lara Mira Crystal.

Chiliarch Johann Strider.

Chiliarch Amelia Stolast's.

The Senior Centurion Zephyr Barschmide.

And also twelve other Senior Centurion who are proficient in administrative tasks and — battles are usually referred to as 『Twelve Winged Guards』, a total of 16 people.

They rose up in unison and received Sofitia with their greetings. Sofitia sat on a chair pulled by a servant, and ordered everyone to sit down.

「As you all know, Holy Nation of Mekia we have been informed of the declaration of war of the Duchy of Stonia. And of course, I plan to engage them in open combat.」

Everyone nodded in agreement with Sofitia's words. One of the Senior Centurions raised his hand. Sofitia nodded slightly to give him permission to speak.

「Holy Angel, famous that the Duchy of Stonia is the dog of the Arsbelt Empire, so the Empire must be behind this.」

「As you said, the Empire must know that our Mekian Holy Nation is responsible for the attack on Fort Astra. Otherwise, the unrelated Duchy of Stonia would not have declared war so suddenly.」

They may have been pursuing abundant ore reserves in Mekia, but Sofitia refuted that thought. As expected of the Empire, they acted quickly after they found the answer.

「But, I do not understand why the Empire did not take action directly?」

「Indeed, the Empire has never shown mercy to anyone who opposes them. Forcing the Duchy of Stonia to attack seemed very passive to them.」

「The Imperial Army suffered consecutive losses against the Royal Army, so that was probably the reason.」

「That may be true, but unlike the Royal Army, the Imperial Army can still put aside efforts. That line of reasoning will not be exact.」

Naturally, Senior Centurion raised their doubts. The difference in battle prowess between the Empire and the Mekian Holy Nation was obvious for all to see. But, the Empire did not declare war directly, so these were some of the reasons they could think of. With the defeat of their Crimson Knight and Sun Knight, the Empire wanted to see the reaction from other countries.

「Maybe they are wary of Saint Illuminous Church?」

The Church of Saint Illuminous is centered in the Cathedral of Artemia, located in the Holy Nation of Mekia. Moreover, it was a religion with many adherents in the Empire. Since the people viewed the Holy Mekians as a holy land, declaring war would enrage the people there.

In fact, Sofitia received a letter from Pope Krishna Halbert from the Cathedral of Artemia, that the Knights of the Holy Church would gladly provide her assistance.

...****************...

...To Be Continue's...