——Silvia-hime’s point of view——

「What are you thinking, Reines-nee-sama!!?」

Silvia Kittle jumps into the carriage and shrieks at her sister. Inside the cramped carriage meant for 4 people, she finds her sister changing out of a maid’s garments and into armor, prompting her to ask another question.

「What are you doing, ……ane-sama?」
「Can’t you tell from my appearance? With the soldiers under my command, I intend to face the [King of the Frontier’s] soldiers in a mock battle.」
「For what!?」
「Silvia, have you forgotten what it means to be a daughter of the grand Governor-General Kittle?」

Rather curiously, Reines Kittle stares at her imouto’s face.

「Ever since we came to the frontier, the [King of the Frontier] has been one-sidedly lording his might over us. We haven’t once been able to even demonstrate our authority as members of Governor-General Kittle’s house. We too must display our power here before we return.」
「We came here to apologize. If you truly take pride in father’s name, then won’t there be another opportunity?」
「If it’s now, we can win.」

Reines Kittle, clad in leather armor, gestures to outside the window.

「Silvia, haven’t you not noticed? There’s a weakness.」
「……A weakness?」
「Take a good look around the village. Only the [King of the Frontier] is demonstrating his strength. The other villagers aren’t even armed. Even though we came with an armed escort, they don’t seem to have a single soldier to defend themselves with.」

As directed, Silvia directs her gaze towards the village gate.

It’s just as ane said. Surrounding the king, are his wives, men and women working the fields, and children. Not a single person has a sword or konbou.

「That means, only the [King of the Frontier] has the power to fight. Through his strength alone he is able to stand as equals with us here in the frontier. As such, we won’t challenge the king. If we say, “Lead your men in a mock battle,” only weak soldiers will appear before us. Our victory will be swift and we’ll have displayed our power.」
「They are welcoming us. Isn’t that the reason there are no soldiers?」

Silvia responds.
「Furthermore, Dims brought soldiers to the village in the middle of the night and were defeated by the frontier’s soldiers(walls). Ane-sama, you also should have been informed of this.」
「From what I heard just earlier, Dims and his subordinates were muttering nonsense.」

Reines Kittle, as if afraid someone might overhear, brings her face closer to her imouto’s ear.
「They were saying this, “The soldier(walls) of this village, attacking their footing brings them down.” I’ve heard that the Oni Tribe is powerful, but crude. It should be no surprise that they neglect their footing. Shouldn’t we make use of this information?」
「Inversely, won’t we end up merely teaching [King of the Frontier] our battle tactics?」
「You are surprisingly confident in the [King of the Frontier], Silvia.」
「…That’s,」

Silvia recalls her first meeting with the [King of the Frontier]. He had the courage to literally bring only 2 subordinates to the agreed meeting place. Or rather, had the ingenuity to ignoring the mamono native to that place and use them as a deterrent against our soldiers.

Even though a spy had been sent to their village from Governor-General Kittle’s side, he didn’t condemn Silvia either. He simply turned him over to me to take back. And then there’s the transcendental power he wields, the way the Oni Tribe fears and obeys him, and not to mention the devotion he receives from his wives……

It is all beyond Silvia’s comprehension.

Perhaps he still possesses something important that we lost in these turbulent times.

「I…… merely wish to watch the [King of the Frontier].」
Silvia mumbles as she chooses her words.

「You’ve become quite sentimental. Of all people, my imouto!」
Reines Kittle’s lips twist as she sneers.

「Well, it’s fine. If our [mock battle] teaches the [King of the Frontier] how to strategize, it will be to his benefit. If this is the case, Silvia shouldn’t have any objections? I shall command the troops. As for me— yes, that’s right. Introduce me as your adjutant [Reines]…… No, as [Rain].」
「—Ane-sama.」
「Do not worry. This battle will not shame father’s name.」

With those words, Reines Kittle opens the carriage door.

「Moreover, even battling the ajin on the frontier should benefit father’s military rule, yes? After all, there are all sorts of monsters on the continent, right, Silvia?」

           ——Shouma’s point of view——

Silvia-hime’s expression changed when she rushed back to her carriage. Afterwards, I was told the rules of the [mock battle] from the soldier’s commanding officer-san (his name is Dorus).

•Each side will have a team of 10.

•Weapons will be limited to soft wooden swords.

•A flag will be placed on the head of each team’s leader. The game ends once it is taken.

•The time limit is one hour.

•There will be no grudges regardless of the outcome.

I see. It’s like a derivative of boutao or cavalry battles from my original world.

Apparently, in the territory of the Governor-General Kittle, soldiers are divided into two teams, red and white, where they then mainly compete in tactics and military strategy.

「Shouma-nii-sama, that role, please grant it to Lisette!」
Lisette kneels before me.

「This is a precious opportunity for us to learn the tactics of the human world. I humbly request this of you!」
「 Would it be pointless if I go?」
「I believe everything would end in 5 minutes should nii-sama take command.」

That’s possible.

After all, I intended to finish everything up by invoking [Flying Species Awakening] and swipe the flag from the leader’s head.

「Besides, Lisette has been drilling her subordinates [walls/soldiers] in formations recently.」
「Is that so?」
「Yes. So by all means please grant Lisette this opportunity to test them.」

Lisette is earnestness personified.

Even Governor-General Kittle’s corps member Dorus is satisfied by her ardor.

I, for one, am also interested in learning the tactics and military strategies of the humans of this world. Being able to experience them in a safe [mock battle] would be a relief.

Moreover, Lisette is well-matched for this role. Haruka instantly becomes hot-headed while Yukino, a spellcaster, is not suited for close combat. The Oni Tribesmen are too enthusiastic when it comes to fighting, so they aren’t a good fit for mock battles. That’s why, having Lisette lead the [walls/soldiers] is the best choice.

「…It’s just, the [walls/soldiers] of this one’s territory are a bit peculiar.」
「Is that so, [King of the Frontier」?」

Perhaps hearing my words, the commanding officer Dorus inquires.

「As expected, those under the direct command of the [King of the Frontier] are different from ordinary soldiers/walls. 」
「Ah, my [walls/soldiers] are usually posted around my home.」
「Although, I believe it normal for soldiers/walls to protect their king’s abode.」
「No, when I say [walls/soldiers], I refer to [walls/soldiers of stones/determination.」
「I see. So you mean soldiers/walls overflowing with the determination/stones to protect their king.」
「Or rather, [walls/soldiers made of stones/determination].」
「Their bodies are built from  [the determination/stones to protect their king]. Why that’s wonderful!」

……How do I explain this?

It can’t be helped. I’m reluctant about revealing my hand, but it might become a problem later about what I said or didn’t say. Silvia-hime is an important ally, so I shall reveal the truth about my [walls/soldiers].

「In truth, my [walls/soldiers] are a [walls/soldiers animated by magic].」
「What’s that!? You’re using a sort of [animated armor]!?」
「Honestly, that’s close enough.」

At any rate, those in question will be arriving. I’ll give a detailed explanation of the situation then.

「Regardless, the [walls/soldiers] belonging to me are usually placed around my home with the function of keeping out the wind and clouds of sand. Furthermore, if my [walls/soldiers] weren’t present, the children would climb through my windows as they please. Actually, that’s wrong, even with my [walls/soldiers] present, the children climb over the protection they provide to come and play.」

「…………Being a child in the frontier is intense.」
「Ahh, my hands are always getting burned too.」

Although the way they adore me so much makes me quite happy.

「At any rate, when it comes to my [walls/soldiers], they are peculiar [walls/soldiers]. At the moment, these are the only kind of [soldiers/walls] we can prepare and therefore apologize if any of Silvia-hime’s soldiers get hurt fighting them. Our [mock battle] might best be delayed until after we have prepared normal soldiers……」
「We appreciate the [King of the Frontier’s] heartfelt consideration.」

Dorus, the commanding officer of Silvia-hime’s army corps, kneels before me.

「However, we are the proud soldiers of Governor-General Kittle’s house. Should we avoid a [mock battle] we proposed out of fear of being wounded, our reputation would be disgraced!　By your grace, [King of the Frontier], please grant us the opportunity to engage in this [mock battle]!」
「King!」「We beg you!」「Allow us this opportunity to fight!」

At the commanding officer-san’s cry, the soldiers shout out in chorus.

Will this…… continue if we don’t fight?

Or rather, if we avoid fighting here, the great pains I endured to play as a [tyrant] will have been in vain. For a tyrant feared by the Oni Tribe would avoid a challenge from another lord is unthinkable. I don’t want to waste such an embarrassing performance.

「Understood. In that case, to me, my soldiers!」
「You accept our challenge, [King of the Frontier]!?」

A woman bursts forth from the carriage with that cry. She has golden hair tied behind herself, wields a wooden sword in her hand, and wears leather armor on her body.

「I am Silvia-hime’s adjutant, Reine— —No, I am Rain. Seldom comes the opportunity to join hands with the barbarians of the frontier, so I would very much like to participate.」
「……I humbly request this of you, [King of the Frontier].」

Silvia-hime, standing behind the blond haired woman—Rain, looks exhausted.

「As I informed your commanding officer, my territory’s [walls/soldiers] are peculiar entities that function through magic. Is that acceptable?」
「It matters not. Our soldiers have battled against mamono — — golems. The reputation belonging to the soldiers of Governor-General Kittle’s House is not to be taken lightly.」
「I see. In that case, come out…… [My walls]!」

『Hei!』『Hei!』『Hei hei hei hei.』『He—i!』

Zu, zuzun.

My [soldiers overflowing with determination (walls made of stone)] that are placed against ramparts come to life.

「「「「Ha?  Haaaaaah!?」」」」
The princess, Reine, and the soldiers all make baffled sounds.

Yup. Well, that’s what would happen. Usually, no one would expect for [walls to be placed (soldiers to be concealed] in such a manner.

I’m not stupid.
There’s group of armed soldiers present. I can’t be negligent. I arranged my [soldiers overflowing with determination] to protect the villagers just for today.

By placing the walls against the ramparts, they become indistinguishable from the other, giving the impression of being one object. My [soldiers overflowing with determination] number at 20 soldiers— —That’s not it, 20 walls. They are set to move the moment Silvia-hime’s soldiers take hostile action.

Even if 9 are used in the [mock battle], there will still be 11 left. That is enough for protecting the village.

「This is my army. What will you do?」
「……Ugh. A, ah.」
「On our part, these 9 [soldiers overflowing with determination] along with Lisette shall be your opponent. We would like to take the defensive role more than an offensive one.」

The [soldiers overflowing with determination] consume a lot of magical power, so they can only be used within the barrier. They also don’t move very fast. As such, invading enemy territory is impossible. We can only do defensive battles.

In that light, this [mock battle] against [Governor-General Kittle’s] soldier is just right for training.

How should the general Risette be protected? How should our protective walls— — literally— — be placed? Let’s learn from this for next time.

「……I know the weakness of the enemy’s soldiers……」
「What is it, Rain?」
「There is no running from this place!」

Rain, the enemy’s second-in-command, raises her wooden sword and shouts out.

「We humbly request a [mock battle] against the [King of the Frontier’s] soldiers— — No, against your walls! I swear by the name of [Governor-General Kittle’s House] to show our might and return home!!」

With that, we and the soldiers belonging to Governor-General Kittle have a 10 on 10 [mock battle].



——The area surrounding [Hazama Village]. A freshly cleared plot of land——

「Yep. We can get a good view of the [mock battle] here on the trees.」

Silvia-hime and I are on a tree I left standing in a corner of the field. Naturally, it’s so we can watch the [mock battle]. I could have watched from the sky through [Flying Species Awakening], but doing that would have made the people from [Governor-General Kittle] anxious. I would have been able to reach my hand out at any time if I did, after all. As such, I am watching from atop of this tree.

Silvia-hime is here by her own desire. Haruka and Yukino are on the ground to act as proof I won’t take their princess hostage. I mean, those 2 are my beloved wives at the moment. Well, I doubt there’s a soldier among those guys capable of restraining them.

「My humblest apologies for the inconvenience…… [King of the Frontier].」

Silvia-hime says, seated atop of a thick branch. She has changed from her dress to normal clothes.

「Have you noticed? Rain, she is my ane.」
「……Somehow or another.」

The soldiers listened to that [blond haired girl] when she broached the topic of [mock battle]. Silvia-hime’s expression changed and she rush into the carriage. Afterwards, not only did Rain alight from the carriage before the princess, she also stood in front of Silvia-hime.

「From all of that, I could conclude that while Rain may be a princess of equal standing, she most likely holds a superior position.」
「My ane and I…… have been competing for the position of father’s successor.」

Silvia-hime sighs.

「I was changed by my encounter with the [King of the Frontier]. However, my sister…… is striving to make a name for herself as father’s successor. She is enthralled by her role as [Governor-General Kittle’s] daughter.」
「Let’s discuss this later.」

I raise my hand to stop Silvia-hime.

「They’re starting. Let’s learn about each other in this battle.」

The soldier serving as referee blows his whistle. At that signal, the soldiers of Governor-General Kittle and Lisette’s [walls] begin to move. The mock battle begins.

---

T/N: For anyone curious, himegimi means, “daughter of a person of high rank.”  Unfortunately, this story still doesn’t have a translator, but this chapter was sponsored. Also, the word for wall and soldier in Japanese is pronounced as “hei,” hence my writing (wall/soldier) when Shouma was talking with Dorus.  Determination and stone are pronounced the same way.

~Gandire Alea

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Chapter 47.2>