In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 284

Chapter 284: The Kukkoro Male Knight and the Staff Meeting 1

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After lunch ended, the meeting was adjourned for the time being. There were still plenty of things that needed to be decided, but everyone was exhausted. So we decided to take a break.

Trying to devise strategies while utterly worn out usually resulted in nothing but terrible plans. And besides, the elves were all suffering from malnutrition. Even though they looked energetic at first glance, it was obvious their brains weren’t operating at full capacity. I decided to let them eat their fill and then take a short nap for about an hour.

“……”

Under a tent pitched in a corner of the river port, I was drinking herbal tea with sugar. Tea snacks were arranged on the folding table as well, making it look completely like a tea party. Well, calling them tea snacks might be generous. They were just slightly sweet biscuits.

Eat, then rest. That had been the order I gave. I had ordered the soldiers to lie down and rest as much as possible, but naturally I couldn’t take a nap myself. So I was passing the time with some post-meal tea instead. Of course, at the unit level we were still maintaining our alert status. One-third of the soldiers were assigned to guard duty while the rest took turns resting. We were also having the birdfolk conduct reconnaissance flights, so if the enemy intended to attack, we would likely be able to begin interception immediately.

“…Is it really alright to relax so calmly in a place like this?”

Bishop Fiorenza, seated across from me, said that. Since she was a non-combatant, I had wanted her to evacuate aboard the Michael Collins, but she refused with a pale face, saying, “I would really prefer not to be covered in vomit again…” Well, yeah, that was fair. Seasickness could be brutal.

“It’s not exactly safe, but it’s impossible to keep fighting without supplies or rest. We need to rest while we still can.”

Even the Liseben Army’s field manual (the military’s textbook) stated that it was an officer’s duty to ensure soldiers received proper rest.

…Well, I was the one who wrote that manual. Besides, it was unlikely the enemy would launch another attack right away. After all, they had just been subjected to that intense rain of rockets. No matter how brave the elf soldiers were, they would probably hesitate before charging in recklessly again. In reality, the rocket launchers were disposable and couldn’t be reused. Still, the main gun—the 57mm rapid-fire cannon—was still operational, so it wasn’t as though we were completely defenseless.

“If the enemy intends to strike, it will likely be after sunset. We should complete our resupply and rest while we have the time.”

Sonia said that in a slightly mocking tone. As always, the atmosphere between those two was tense. Or rather, it looked less like mutual tension and more like Sonia unilaterally viewing the bishop as an enemy.

“…I see. Then that is reassuring. Of course, we should not let our guard down.”

The bishop, on the other hand, responded with mature composure. She was younger than us, yet still… How impressive. There was a reason she held such an important position in the Church at such a young age.

“Heh.”

…The bishop looked rather smug. As always, she was a mysterious person.

“Anyway, since we’ve managed to create some time with just ourselves… we should decide what to do about the allied elves and determine our immediate policy.”

After clearing my throat, I said that.

The reason I had cut short the meeting with Lady Dalaiya, Lady Orphan, and the others was precisely for this. After all, the situation had suddenly changed. Our previous plans were no longer useful. We needed to establish a new policy as soon as possible.

“Yes, it is somewhat of a difficult issue… but we cannot simply postpone it.”

As she said that, Sonia tapped the table lightly with her finger. A servant approached and poured fresh herbal tea into her cup. Sonia picked it up with graceful movements and brought it to her lips.

“…Well, it is a good opportunity. If things continue as they are, the elves will fall under our umbrella without issue. The ‘Legitimate’ faction already intended to do so from the beginning, and the ‘New’ faction has been greatly weakened by the split. It will be difficult for them to maintain their organization on their own. When that happens, they will have no choice but to rely on us.”

“That’s certainly true.”

I nodded at Sonia’s observation.

“That part is fine. That part is good. The problem lies elsewhere. This entire incident seems to have the scent of a conspiracy by Lady Dalaiya though there is no evidence.”

Of course, it was possible that I was simply mistaken. But judging from Lady Dalaiya’s attitude, it didn’t seem that way. I didn’t believe that every single circumstance was under her control, but it felt as though the broad rails had been laid by her.

“Yes, I agree. She seems to be quite the formidable individual, that person.”

As she said that, Bishop Fiorenza slowly stroked the leather eyepatch covering one of her eyes.

…Now that I looked closely, this eyepatch was different from the one she had worn before.

“You’re one to talk about being formidable, but yes, I agree.”

Sonia-san, Sonia-san… why is it that whenever the bishop is involved, you simply cannot resist adding an unnecessary remark?

I let out a small sigh and drank my herbal tea. Whether it was about her mother or the bishop, Sonia was relentlessly sharp toward people she disliked.

“Well, for now, there’s no harm in continuing to go along with Lady Dalaiya’s scheme.”

The current pro-Liseben “New” elves… honestly, calling them the Dalaiya faction would be simpler. The Dalaiya faction’s troop numbers had now become roughly equal to those of the “Legitimate.” If the two sides resumed hostilities under these conditions, neither would escape unscathed. And since the radicals had been purged, the Dalaiya faction likely wouldn’t oppose making peace with the “Legitimate.”

If we could somehow deal with the problematic radicals—the Vanka faction—then the situation would undoubtedly become extremely favorable for us. If things went well, the entirety of Elfenia might end up under Liseben’s umbrella.

“However, it would not be wise to allow Lady Dalaiya alone to hold the initiative over the situation. If we are careless, there is even the possibility that she could seize real authority over Liseben.”

Judging from Lady Dalaiya’s usual behavior, it didn’t seem like she would do such a thing. She appeared content living as a retiree… But she was extremely sharp and perfectly capable of lying without hesitation. It would be best not to trust her from the bottom of our hearts. We couldn’t afford to be completely unguarded.

“Personally, I think it would be acceptable to allow Lady Dalaiya to steer things to a certain extent. After all, there is no doubt that she is extraordinarily capable. Of course, we would still need to keep a leash on her.”

“What are you talking about? Liseben is Al-sama’s country. We cannot allow elves to control it.”

“Hmm…” 

I groaned and crossed my arms. This was quite a difficult problem. Personally, I had a favorable impression of Lady Dalaiya. However, as the lord of Liseben, there were parts of Sonia’s opinion I had no choice but to agree with. Lady Dalaiya was not my subordinate, nor was he someone I could trust completely.

Lady Vanka and her group were troublesome, but Lady Dalaiya might be even more troublesome. And to be honest, Lady Orphan wasn’t someone I could afford to let my guard down around either. Elves really were a troublesome bunch.

So what should I do…? 

I began running my brain at full speed.

…Ugh. At this rate, this wasn’t going to be much of a break at all. Honestly…

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