Chapter 73

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

Amid the overlapping voices of me, Mr. Liberto, and Father, a heavy silence ensued.

"..."

After a while, Father spoke up.

"This is bad...,"

"Yes, the situation is quite dire."

The knight commander agreed.

"Are the imperial forces continuing their southward advance?"

"Yes, they are continuing."

"I see. Then there is only one option."

He paused and looked straight at the knight commander.

"Are you deploying a mage who should be called a near-hero level?"

(Near-hero level?)

I couldn't understand the conversation that followed.

"Yes, well done.

According to reports, a level 8 mage is accompanying this operation."

At that moment, the air became heavy.

Everyone's face except Rain's became serious.

"I see... I had anticipated it, but hearing it is different.

To deploy a level 8 mage...

What do you intend to do about this?

The only options are to overwhelm them with numbers until their MP runs out or to deploy a mage of the same level.

Since we are outnumbered, the former is impossible.

Then, are you going to deploy a mage of the same level?"

In this country, there are only four people with level 8 magical talent, including Rain: Pretaria of the Corido family, another member of the Corido family, and the head court magician, Elir.

The court magician is a specialist in healing magic, essentially a doctor.

Of course, Elir is excluded, leaving three people.

"Yes. Therefore, I intend to deploy Pretaria this time."

The king continued.

(Ah, that's why Pretaria isn't here... Still, is level 8 really that impressive?)

"Pretaria...," Liberto murmured.

"Yes, then let's continue the discussion."

The commander took over.

"The number of troops attacking from the imperial ships is about 25,000, accompanied by a level 8 mage and three level 7 mages."

The air became heavy again when the three level 7 mages were mentioned.

"They are advancing southward, capturing castles. According to the latest information, three castles have already fallen.

Furthermore, an army of about 80,000 has begun to invade Lymion from the west under the pretext of an alliance."

(The amount of information is overwhelming. My head hurts.

I lack the knowledge to follow the conversation.

I have questions, like why can't the other person from the Corido family go instead of Pretaria?

And why am I here?

It feels out of place to have a six-year-old in a serious discussion among adults.)

It's a surreal scene to have a six-year-old in the middle of a serious discussion among adults.

Rain was left behind as the discussion continued.

"80,000...," someone murmured, and the atmosphere became tense again.

The meeting continued for a while, and in the end, Rain couldn't follow the discussion and the meeting ended.

On the way back, Rondo and Rain walked together.

"Father, I couldn't follow the discussion at all...," Rain started.

"Hmm? Is that so? I thought you were unusually quiet because you didn't understand."

"Sorry. Is a level 8 mage really that impressive?"

(I'm already at level 8 in water magic.

Is this what they call something you take for granted...?)

"Yes. You might take it for granted, but it's rare for a country to have a level 8 mage.

Moreover, using one to attack another country is unprecedented in this region.

It's understandable that you don't know, as we don't have one. It's a tactic occasionally used in retaliation when a magic power nation is attacked from the southwest."

"I see."

I still don't fully understand.

"To be specific, if ten level 7 mages can cast a spell to bring down a castle wall, a level 8 mage doesn't even need to climb the wall. They can cast the spell in front of the castle, and the gates and walls will crumble.

The rest is obvious, right?"

"Once they breach the walls, it's a ground battle, right?"

"Yes. With the army already gathered in the south, the castles are already understaffed. If they lose the advantage of the walls, they are just a mob. Lymion must be in a panic.

It's ruthless to attack a small country without mercy!"

He emphasized the last part, showing his frustration.

"Ah, and about the war, couldn't the other person from the Corido family go instead of the head of the family?"

"He can't. He can't be seen."

He answered immediately.

"Eh? Why not?"

"…You don't need to know yet.

Just understand that it's impossible. And don't talk about this outside."

"Understood.

So, by process of elimination, it's either me or Pretaria?"

"Yes, then looking ahead, it should be Pretaria. Even if it weren't, I wouldn't send you."

"Is that so."

I can't say anything else.

"And...,"

He stopped and leaned in.

"Did Sophie say anything when you came here?"

"Eh!? Well, she said to come back safely."

(I remember it.)

I remembered it from a week ago.

"I see... She must be very angry..."

"Is that so..."

I can't say anything else.

"I plan to return tomorrow. When will you return, Father?"

"Hmm? Well, there's still a lot of post-war work to be done... I won't be back for a while."

"Thank you for your hard work."

I thanked him.

"How was the battle? Did you gain anything?"

"Eh? Well... I did gain something."

"That's good.

By the way, the reason you were included in this meeting is probably because they expect a lot from you in the future."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"They expect a lot from you, including the king and me."

"I see. Thank you."

We walked to the annex.

The next day, around noon, we left the annex and started our journey back.

(Why have my days been so tumultuous lately?)

I was thinking about something trivial.

"Why is that?"

"Wha? What is it?"

Kou panicked when I asked him.

It's bad to talk to someone while they're eating.

"Recently, I feel like I'm living through tumultuous days. What do you think?"

Eh? The question is different? Don't worry about it.

"Well, it's tough... I can't say much more."

"Be more specific."

I pushed him.

"Eh? Well..."

His eyes darted around. He was actually asking for help from Skuna and the others.

"Kou, is your loyalty to me so weak...?"

I slumped.

He's a slave, so he doesn't have any loyalty...

"Eh!? No, that's not it..."

Skuna glared at Kou.

"Kou, do you lack loyalty to Rain-sama?"

"Right, right."

I joined in.

"By the way, what do you think, Skuna?"

"Me? I am honored.

Rain-sama, who already has a busy schedule, is constantly dealing with external threats. I respect Rain-sama and worry about his well-being every day."

"Wow."

We applauded.

"Skuna, that's impressive.

To respond so well to a random question is remarkable."

I praised her.

"I am honored by your praise.

But I was speaking from the heart."

"Yes. Perfect. Wonderful.

So, Mei?"

"Me? I am honored.

Rain-sama, who already has a busy schedule, is constantly dealing with external threats. I respect Rain-sama and worry about his well-being every day."

"You copied that word for word!!"

I pointed out.

Mei has become a copycat recently.

"Only copy from your brother."

"Understood."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

We were having a group chat with the slaves.

"By the way, you said that Kou and the others were bought by my mother. Did you know, Skuna?"

"Yes, of course. Kou, Mei, and Aina are high-quality slaves that your lady bought from a neighboring country."

"I see. So you knew. Well, it wouldn't have changed anything if you had told me."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's not your fault, Skuna.

By the way, during the naval battle, 'I am honored'... Eh?"

Suddenly, Aina's eyes widened and she said,

"Rain-sama, I am honored."

"Eh? What for?"

What did you summarize?

"It's a summary of words to praise Rain-sama."

"Eh? Oh, you mean earlier?"

Now? It's too late! We're already on to the next topic!

By the way, I didn't ask Aina because she closed her eyes the moment I asked Kou. It wasn't a sign to not talk to me; she was seriously thinking.

"Yes. Can I start now?"

"Um, well, sure, since you put in the effort."

"Ha! Then,

Rain-sama, you have worked very hard. Your excellent performance and your outstanding insight, which seems to see through everything, have left me in awe. Your knowledge, wisdom, and other outstanding talents have inspired me to redouble my efforts to get closer to you. Your achievements have confirmed that I still have a long way to go. First, your ability to see through the enemy's strategy with limited information is remarkable. Without Rain-sama, Pornezia would have fallen into chaos, and Lymion would not have received reinforcements. Next, your wisdom in quickly devising a counter-strategy is unparalleled..."

"Wait, wait. That's too long. I stopped listening halfway through."

Aina... You didn't summarize at all.

"Summarize it in ten words or less."

I pushed her.

"Eh? Well, um..."

I managed to strip away Aina's stoic facade.

"Thank you."

In many ways.

In this group chat, Rain headed back to the duchy.