The Strategist Knows Everything - Volume 3 Chapter 1

Part III: The Imperial State Edition

Chapter 1: The Front Line 5

Translated by : Hiro02

Edited by : SevenTails

　With the Viscount’s permission, I somehow managed to bring Princess Fiona to the frontline, but I was stuck in Taishukan. My body was aching.

“You look quite ragged.”

“Thanks to you.”

　Princess Fiona smiled as she looked at me lying down on the bed. 

　That smile almost made me forgive everything, but I was not going to let it get to me. I was told firmly by Mikana that it was a good idea to know what one was looking for.

　It wasn’t just Viscount McFadden that was testing me; Fiona was too. 

“Haha. Oh, I’m sorry. Well, people would definitely want to know what the people you are going to are like, right?”

“Even though I didn’t like the idea of being tested…”

“Is that why you’re apologizing? And don’t tell me you didn’t think about using me for Veris if I was available to?”

“Ugh…”

　As a matter of fact, I was. All my words about defending the Empire, when you looked deep into them, were about defending the Empire to protect Veris.

　It was an undeniable fact that I would use whatever I could for Veris.

“But since you have no connections with my father, I’ll come with you.”

“… Are you on bad terms with His Majesty, the King?”

“It’s the worst. He thinks I’m some kind of tool or something, so I’ve decided that no matter what, I wouldn’t fight for him anymore, no matter what it costs me!

“I see… But you’re not going to change your mind because I convinced you to, are you?”

　I had a feeling when I visited her. Princess Fiona was ready to head into battle. I had to admit, I wasn’t sure if it really was a good idea.

“It is a good idea. I was planning to go to the battlefield even if you didn’t come. The number of refugees keeps on growing, and it’s time for Ferrenor to stop accommodating them. It’s good that you’re not the only one around here who is selfish.”

“… So it was a waste of time for me to come here!”

“Nope, I’m still mulling over it. I realized that you, like me, probably don’t really want to fight, yet you are still fighting for something that you can’t protect without doing so. You’re stronger than me, … so I decided to follow your example.”

“Thank you, but I’m not that big of a person as I seem. I’m always indecisive, always hurting others.”

　When she replied with a self-mocking smile, Princess Fiona started laughing at what she found amusing.

“You’re as troubled as anyone else, aren’t you, Veris’ military strategist?”

“Eitel’s Great Wing seems to be a bit of an empty head.”

“How dare you call me that! I’m still smart, you know?”

　I know.

　While muttering in my mind, I began thinking about how to get back to Nox’s garrison with my aching body.

■■■

　I ended up spending the night at an inn in Ferrenor, where I still felt the pain from being blown away by Viscount McFadden.

　The pain had now somewhat alleviated, so I was now able to somehow ride my horse. Well, riding and running were two different things.

“Sigh…”

“Every time you sigh, a little bit of happiness escapes, you know?”

“Because someone fired up an overprotective old man?”

“Who could that be?”

　Princess Fiona and I were having such conversations on the battlements1 surrounding the city of Ferrenor.

　And why are we on the battlements? It’s simple. Because Princess Fiona summoned me here.

“Well, nevermind. So? What are you going to do, call Mikana and Charlotte?”

“Of course, we’re supposed to get moving now, right?”

　What? She’s not talking nonsense, is she? If this were outside the city, I would understand, but this is on top of a wall. I don’t see the point of using this place as a meeting point.

　Princess Fiona was dressed in a long blue jacket and white pants. It was the military uniform worn by commanding officers in the Imperial Army, which certainly conveyed the intention to go into battle but doesn’t mesh with me in any way whatsoever.

“I wonder how…?”

“Surely there’s a way to go from here?”

“Huh? Don’t you know? Fiona’s power?”

　Charlotte casually approached Mikana and tried to place his hand on her shoulder as she asked, but Mikana instantly distanced herself from Charlotte and hid behind me, or rather, used me as a shield. 

　Charlotte was dressed in a tank top and pants, carrying a stupidly large axe on his back.

　From an outsider’s view, he would look like a seasoned mercenary, but when I saw him twisting his body and winking at Mikana, he looked just like any other pervert.

“Hmph. I’ll show you why I’m called the Great Wing of Eitel!”

　Princess Fiona immediately began to spin the short spear in her hands, and instantly, her body began to emit a faint light.

“Summoning magic. Fiona is a master of summoning magic. In exchange for her own magical power, she can call upon powerful divine beasts, and the divine beast Fiona trusts the most–…”

“Answer my call and come forth! Divine Bird Frezberg!”

　A circular formation appeared at her feet, and a huge formation, three times the size of the circle, floated in front of her.

　It emitted a strong light, which quickly dissipated into thin air. And instead…

“Deka…”

　A huge bird, that seemed to be over ten meters long (EN: 32.8 ft), appeared.

　I couldn’t imagine how big the bird could get once it spread its wings, but it was by far the largest bird I’ve ever seen in my life.

　I mean, it was a bird, but it didn’t spread its wings and just floated in the air. What a baffling creature.

“Fiona, why did you summon me?”

“I’m so sorry, Berg. There is a war I must go to.”

　Princess Fiona began to talk to the giant bird, Frezberg, with a wry smile. Please don’t talk to each other in such a friendly manner.

　Seeing the stunned Mikana and me, Princess Fiona smiled and introduced Frezberg to us.

“This is my pet, Berg.”

“ “Pet?!” “

　We were taken aback by Princess Fiona’s introduction, who declared the giant bird as her pet.

　However.

“I’m her pet, FREZBERG.”

“He admitted it!?”

“It’s supposed to be a divine bird…”

　Mikana couldn’t help but mutter, and I agreed. As long as it had ‘Divine’ in its name, we really shouldn’t take advantage of it.

　After leaving us in a shocked state for various reasons, Princess Fiona continued.

“Yuki-chan, leave the horses to your men and we’ll ride Berg!”

　I didn’t want to be told that I was someone who worried too much, but this was too sudden. It’s true that it would be quicker to travel on Frezberg, but it wasn’t very admirable to leave my men behind.

　It really wasn’t…

“Yuki-chan…?”

“Yuki-chan, from Yukito. Is it weird?”

“No… It just feels a bit strange, or rather, a bit intimate…”

“You should call me Fio too because I don’t have anyone to call me that!”

　There isn’t?

　Was it going to be my personal nickname? Why wouldn’t I be happy about it? Maybe it was because I was too friendly and a little pushy.

“That’s not a nickname for the future Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army.”

“Hmm, then let’s make it an order. From now on, you will call me Fio, strategist Yuki-chan.”

　A no-brainer that anything goes. There is a perfect answer for people like this.

“Hai-hai… I understand. Supreme Commander Fio.”

　To go along as you see fit. That was the right answer.

■■■

　Flying on Frezberg was quite fun. I guess the main reason was that unlike a horse, Frezberg was quite comfortable since he blocked the wind. It was also great being able to get back to Nox’s garrison in just three hours, compared to a full day on horseback.

　Unfortunately, I had to leave some of my men behind because we left our horses behind.

“Isn’t Berg great?”

“Yeah. If you can move this quickly, you can outmaneuver the enemy.”

“Is that all you think about when you are a military strategist? Can’t you think of the fun stuff a little?”

“Things such as?”

“You’ll be able to ride Berg and eat good food in no time!”

　I’m sure she was using the divine bird for stupid things from how quickly she came up with that response. Well, as long as you used your own magic to summon then, there was no problem. Even Frezberg admitted being a pet.

“You can use Frezberg as a mount all you want, but from now on, if you are going somewhere, just give me a word, okay?”

“It’s okay. I’ll just take Yuki-chan with me.”

“That’s not how you’re supposed to do it! To begin with, if you and I leave the battlefield, this front will become a total disaster…”

　When I let out a sigh of exasperation, Fio puffed out her cheeks in protest.

“Don’t underestimate the Imperial Army! They can hold on for a month or so without us!”

　Absolutely impossible. They can’t make effective use of Nox’s commanders and there are no generals in the Empire capable of leading an entire army. At best, they can only guard a fort, and I’m not the only one who thinks that.

　I was also not going to be the one to get to the bottom of it, but the enemy was one of the Four Wise Men, who are famous throughout the continent. I’m not able to fight properly with just a makeshift solution. That was why I moved to call Fio.

“After changing the staffing at the fort or changing the defensive tactics, that might be possible, but not now. It’s definitely not possible.”

“The Imperial Army is perpetually under-staffed in commanding roles…”

　I didn’t know exactly what Fio was talking about. She smiled, but I let out a sigh.

　Human resources needed for warfare won’t increase if there are no fights. In that regard, it’s no surprise the Imperial Army was lacking.

“The two of you, it’s time for us to head towards the tent. And Your Highness, why don’t you send Frezberg back?” Mikana said with some difficulty.

　That’s true. We were in the middle of Nox’s garrison. The troops’ response was varied, with some sitting down in surprise at the giant bird that landed out of nowhere, others preparing to intercept it, and lastly, those that were calling their troop leaders.

　While Mikana was calming them down, Fio and I talked to each other right under Berg’s shadow.

“Hmm. Well, there probably won’t be any invasions today, we’re good, right?”

“How do you know there won’t be any?”

“I guessed?”

“…”

“I’m kidding! Don’t look at me like that!”

　When I frowned, Fio hurriedly commented, trying to elude with a smile.

　It was already enough having Kaguya-sama deciding things on a hunch, but if you had more than a hundred intelligence points, you would at least have a solid basis for it.

“It’s a good idea to know what you are talking about. The whole Imperial Army is tense from the spreading of the information about the Four Wise Men.”

“That’s certainly true. And do you think we could outsmart them?”

“It’s going to take quite a while to take down the forts that are getting ready. If we are patient, the people in the fort work hard and we rush to their rescue, we can prevent the invasion. Once we prevent the invasion, it will be time to fight back.”

　I agree with that too, but the problem with it is…

“The bigger question is whether we even have enough forces left on our side to counterattack after preventing the invasion.”

“I don’t want Nox to stay too much on defence. Speed will probably be the deciding factor in the counterattack, so I want Nox to be ready to invade the enemy’s side at any moment.”

“Got it. I’ll give the orders as you mentioned. And? Do you want to spend the night here?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure if the soldier and commanders, who are preparing in the frontlines, know that I’m going to be in the frontlines yet. If I go there now, it will only cause confusion.”

　Then, Fio looked up, her gaze falling on Frezberg’s head.

　Frezberg, noticing her gaze, looked down on me and Fio with his scarlet eyes.

“Berg. The people around us are surprised, so let’s go home for today.” Fio told Frezberg in the same way one would to a child playing in a park.

　Maybe their relationship was more like that of a parent-child relationship. Frezberg’s size scares people, but who knows how his nature is like.

　In terms of status, it has a combat power of over 100, speed of over 130, and intelligence above 80, so I know that it easily surpasses human beings in power and intelligence, but in any case, since I had been in contact with it for only a short period of time, I couldn’t get to know its inner nature.

“I see. Time to go home then.”

　However, listening to Fio’s words, perhaps she was positioning herself as a parent rather than a master.

　The question that was at the back of my mind came back, but before I could ask, Fio finished some sort of short chant, after which Frezberg’s body glowed and his figure disappeared in an instant.

“Where did he go?”

“To the world of gods and beasts. I use magical power to create passages and use them to summon Berg and other divine beasts.”

　It was an easy explanation, but I had no idea what the world of divine beasts was like. Was it like Earth, or was it a different place?

　Questions just kept coming, but since we’re going to be spending a lot of time together, I figured I could ask Fio later, so I headed for the tent that had been prepared for us.

(1) Battlements refer to defensive structures, like city walls, with spaces at certain intervals for archers or other projectiles to shoot. (img: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Badalingchangcheng.JPG)