Plain Girl Hero of Darkness
The Conferred Meeting - (7)

A month after the detachment unit captured Kaspar castle.

The Royal Army reinforced their defenses with Kaspar castle as their defensive stronghold, and secretly negotiated with the Empire for the exchange of prisoners. As Ashton predicted, the Empire accepted the prisoner exchange proposal. But, when they learned that a signing ceremony would be held at Fort Kiel, some officers strongly opposed it, and even barged into the commander's office to protest.

“Your Majesty, why should we go to the enemy camp? Kit wins this time, and proposes a prisoner exchange. So it makes sense that the ceremony is held in Kaspar castle! "

Paul listened to the officers lazily. Their reasoning might sound logical, but in the end, they could not forget their pride. Otto happens to be out to inspect the restored cities at Paul's behest, so Paul can't complain either.

“But I didn't ask you to visit Fort Kiel, did I?”

Paul said with a sigh. The officers became more agitated.

“Please don't switch the topic! They only allowed a hundred soldiers as bodyguards, they must be joking! "

For the signing ceremony, the Empire imposed the condition that only a hundred bodyguards were allowed. That disappointed them so much.

"Is that so? If I were in their position, I would ask for the same. Having too many escorts will only invite unnecessary suspicion.”

Considering the problems they might face on the way there, a hundred seemed like an adequate number. This was a group large enough to prevent bandit attacks, but not enough to create interference on the enemy's field. It made a compromise between the security of the Kingdom and the security of the Empire. What a brilliant setting.

After explaining the details, the officers began to worry, but still protested non-stop.

“M-Even so, we cannot accept the signing ceremony that will be held in Fort Kiel! Asking us to attend the signing at the fortress that once belonged to the Kingdom is truly shameful! ”

“Then let me hear your alternative. Don't tell me you came to me without a backup plan, and only here to nag like a kid? "

Paul looked at the crowd with a sharp look, silencing them. Paul deliberately asks that question, knowing that they have no alternative plan. He did not bother to waste his breath on them.

“T-But... What if something happens to you, Your Majesty!?!”

"I can promise you that there will be no danger."

Paul's words made the officers furrow their brows.

“How can you be so sure? The fame of the Demon God was known throughout the Empire. "

"Right, they might think this is a good opportunity to kill you."

After finding a gap in the armor, the officers began to build their argument based on the possibility of murder. They're right, this is a good opportunity to commit murder. Paul is also wary of murder, but these concerns are unfounded.

“The empire still has tremendous advantages, so they do not need to use such tricks.”

“T-But ..!”

“My bodyguard for this expedition is Second Lieutenant Olivia. Are there any more questions? ”

Everyone turned pale when Olivia's name was mentioned. After the battle of the Iris plains, everyone in the Seventh Army respected Olivia.

“T-No Sir. Since Second Lieutenant Olivia will be accompanying, then we don't mind. "

“I-That's right. There will be no problem if he is around you. "

“Sorry to interrupt your busy schedule!”

The officer saluted, then escaped from the Commander's office. Paul sighed, and grabbed the cigar in his breast pocket.

- One week later.

Paul's entourage departed from Kaspar Castle, and headed north towards Fort Kiel. To stay prepared for any emergency, Paul remains in the middle of the group. Olivia and Claudia remained beside him as his bodyguards. Around the three of them is a detachment team that infiltrates Kaspar castle along with Olivia. Olivia chatted with Paul along the way, and the content always made Claudia nervous.

(It's like torture. I prefer to fight with the enemy.)

Claudia sighed in her heart as she watched the two of them chat. Eventually, the group arrived safely at Fort Kiel without meeting any bandits. They've been leaving Kasper for four days.

Kiel Fortress has three sets of heavy city walls, a fortress that makes full use of its intricate and dangerous terrain. The rows of crossed sword flags filled the hearts of the group with a feeling of defeat. They looked at the famously impregnable Fort Kiel with a complicated feeling.

Only Olivia looked relaxed.

"Commander General Paul. Fort Kiel looks even bigger than Fort Gallia! ”

"Lieutenant Two Olivia!"

Claudia could no longer watch casually.

"It's okay— Second Lieutenant Olivia, you know that this fort used to be part of the Royal Army, right?"

"Yes I know. The Imperial Army captured him, right? "

Olivia said without thinking twice, and Paul smiled awkwardly.

“Indeed, our team does not work as expected.”

"It's okay, Lieutenant General Paul. We can take it back. It's the same for Kaspar castle, right? "

“Fufu. When Second Lieutenant Olivia said that, it sounded so easy. It's so strange yes. "

The two chatted as the curved-shaped front gate opened slowly. A gallant woman in black military uniform appeared with several soldiers with blue full body armor. The soldiers stood beside the woman as her bodyguards.

The guard of the fortress might have seen them long before, so the welcome came just at the right time. Paul orders the group to go down, and stand in front of the woman.

"Lieutenant General Paul of the Royal Army, huh?"

"You're right."

“The name of the demon god has spread throughout the Imperial Army. It is an honor to meet you. I'm Second Lieutenant Theresa, your guide today. You must be tired after your long journey, allow me to show you your room. "

"Thank you for the hospitality, we're in your care."

After saluting each other, Theresa turned around and started walking. Paul and the others followed from behind without a sound. Theresa seemed curious about Olivia, and glanced at her from time to time.

After walking for about thirty minutes and passing through the three high walls, they arrived before the familiar main gate. Theresa stopped there, then turned around and said in an apologetic tone:

“I'm sorry, due to security concerns, only two of your bodyguards can follow you in. I've prepared the room for your other security details, they might rest there. "

“Wait, it's too sudden!”

Claudia could not help but protest this coercive arrangement. Even for enemies, there was a limit to how foolish they could act. But Paul just patted Claudia on the shoulder to calm her down.

"Warrant Officer Claudia, it's okay. Second Lieutenant Theresa, I understand what you're saying. All right, Second Lieutenant Olivia and Warrant Officer Claudia will accompany me. ”

When she heard what Paul said, Theresa looked at Olivia in surprise. On the other hand, Olivia did not mind and looked around curiously.

"Lieutenant Two Theresa, is there a problem?"

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

...To Be Continue's...