——The victory condition for reclaiming the throne: securing the "Nine Divine Generals."
As the victory condition was laid bare and the names and epithets of the Nine Divine Generals required to achieve it were revealed, Subaru felt the atmosphere in the meeting room tighten all at once.
Naturally, the names would be familiar to anyone from the Empire, but every last one of them was new to Subaru.
"…If this were a manga or anime, learning the names of all the top brass at once would be the kind of reveal that gets your blood pumping."
But when that kind of thing lands on your own head, it was anything but an exhilarating development.
The names and epithets Abel had recited all carried real swagger to them—enough to suggest just how troublesome each one would be.
Since Arakia's epithet was "Spirit Eater," perfectly reflecting her nature, it was easy to imagine the others' epithets related to their unique abilities or fighting styles.
"The only ones where you can guess what they're like from the name are probably 'Cursed Tool Artisan' and 'Flying Dragon General.'"
Those two epithets likely came from their combat methods or the tools they wielded. The remaining epithets were probably born from their appearances or legendary exploits. In works like the Chinese Three Kingdoms or Water Margin, characters frequently earned their epithets for such reasons.
Come to think of it, those stories were also about seizing nations. Not that Subaru knew much beyond a casual familiarity with them.
"…Anyway, this is no time for escapism. So—about the Nine Divine Generals being the victory condition—there are things I want to ask about."
"What is it? Do you take issue with something?"
Abel raised one eyebrow, his hand resting on the map atop the table, recovered from the initial shock.
If he thought his explanation was complete, that was a textbook case of a smart person's verbal stinginess. Compared to everyone else in this room—Zikr included—and even the Shudrak people, Subaru's information about the Vollachian Empire was overwhelmingly sparse.
"Obviously there are issues. Look, when you assume everyone else already knows what you know and keep skipping the explanations, people start thinking you're the one who can't read the room."
"I'll take that as advice and let it slide. Now state your question."
"You didn't let it slide—you just tucked it away…"
Subaru sighed at Abel's imperious response. Then, steeling himself under the weight of everyone's gaze, he held up four fingers on one hand and five on the other and asked, "Listen up, okay?"
"Nine Divine Generals—I'm grateful they split into an odd number, since the headcount math is straightforward. But right now, only one is friendly, one's status is unknown, and Arakia and this guy called Chisha are confirmed enemies. We're already at a huge disadvantage."
Five or more captures were the baseline requirement, yet the enemy already had two of the Nine Divine Generals. On top of that, the fate of Goz—the man who aided Abel—was unknown, meaning they likely had no confirmed allies to count on either.
"That makes our position even worse. I get that the victory condition is clear, but is it actually realistic to go out and recruit five of these Nine Divine Generals?"
"Oh come on, brother—you're underestimating the Emperor far too much. Like I said, he's got the proven track record of winning the Throne Selection Ceremony. No one's going to shut the door on him when he shows up to talk. As long as there's no gatekeeping—"
"——Those who defy us will have the opportunity to lose their heads as well."
"Stick to the recruitment plan!"
Al's attempt to ease Subaru's concerns was incinerated by his own master's extreme remark. They were discussing how to bring the Nine Divine Generals onto their side—jumping straight to killing the ones who refused was putting the cart before the horse.
"But the clown in the iron helmet has a point. In truth, there's no General who would refuse to see me if I requested it. The issue is what comes after the meeting."
"Clown in the iron helmet—that's me?"
"There's no other iron helmet around here. As for the clown bit—if you've got complaints, take your petition to Priscilla first."
Silencing Al's quip, Subaru steered back to the main topic.
"I don't understand how this Nine Divine Generals system works. I'm picturing nine generals directly under the Emperor, but are they all stationed in the capital?"
"A single General is a pillar of the state. Look at this absurdly vast Empire the country encompasses. Even if the capital sits at its center, can all nine remain there and still respond swiftly to a crisis?"
"Indeed. Under Your Excellency's rule, the frequency has dropped dramatically, but still, the Empire can never seem to rid itself of the embers of civil unrest. Guarding the Empire does not mean simply holding the capital is enough."
"So… the Nine Divine Generals are scattered all over the country?"
Supplemented by Priscilla and Zikr, Subaru rested his chin on his hand in understanding.
Drawing from a familiar example, Roswaal held the grandiose title of Margrave of the Western Frontier in the
"When you think about it, he's kind of a cheat unit too… I'm actually curious where he'd rank compared to the Nine Divine Generals."
"Hard to say, but aren't you getting off track, Natsuki?"
"Sorry. Anyway, got it—the Nine Divine Generals are spread across the country. So it's safe to assume not all of them were involved in the coup?"
"As far as I can tell, and realistically speaking, that seems right."
Abel nodded in confirmation when Subaru checked.
Honestly, he had reservations about trusting the judgment of a man who'd just been found lacking in public support, but the fact that no one else objected meant it was probably safe to accept for now.
Either way, the fact that not all Nine Divine Generals were enemies was welcome news. It made sense that capturing more of them would tilt the war in your favor. And if there was one more doubt Subaru harbored— "Sorry for all the questions, but one more. If the hierarchy is simply ranked by strength, we should prioritize the ones at the top, right?"
"That is correct."
"Then Cecilus, right? The one compared to Reinhard—you'd go after him first. Isn't that just… the obvious play? Does it really need to be more complicated than that?"
Four individuals of humanity's strongest caliber, famous across the four great nations.
If Cecilus was mentioned alongside Reinhard, wouldn't securing just that one person essentially decide the war?
In truth, Subaru had grown to hold a ridiculous expectation—bordering on resignation—that Reinhard alone could fight the entire Kingdom and win. So naturally, that same expectation transferred to Cecilus.
But— "…Securing him would indeed resolve our manpower issues in one stroke."
"Then why the bitter face?"
Abel's expression was grim as he answered Subaru's question.
Subaru's expectation wasn't off base, but neither was Abel free of worry. The reason became clear with a quiet exhale.
"The reason the Nine Divine Generals are the victory condition is that many soldiers and officers follow their exploits. The more Generals we bring under our banner, the more soldiers come with them. Understand?"
"Huh? Yeah, I get it. So that's why you go after the strongest one first. Unless the Empire's strongest isn't actually that strong?"
"No—there is no doubt that he is the Empire's strongest. However, there is a problem."
"A problem?"
"——He has no one's loyalty."
The words, loaded with meaning, made Subaru's thoughts stall for a moment. He'd expected something else entirely—but slowly, the meaning sank in. No one's loyalty. The information was digested correctly.
"…You're the one saying that?"
"It is a fact. He holds the seat of 'First' among the Empire's Generals, yet he has no authority whatsoever. Nothing can be given to him. The only thing he is capable of is cutting people down."
"Then don't put someone like that in a general's position!"
"Now, now, calm down, brother! That's just the way of the Empire—nothing can be done about it!"
At the Cecilus assessment from Abel, Subaru lunged forward, but Al caught him in a headlock. Holding Subaru in place with one arm, Al tilted his head and looked at Abel.
"Really though, they didn't give him anything beyond the 'First' title. If they'd given him authority to match that position, some smooth talker would've used him for sure."
"Naturally, I would never allow him to be exploited by anyone other than myself. If such a danger arose, I would have disposed of him long ago."
"But you were all alone in the forest with no support…!"
Easy to say when you had the reins. If the reality was different, he was just bluffing.
The idea that a person hailed as the Empire's strongest couldn't gather a shred of loyalty in the very nation that worshipped strength—could that really be taken at face value?
"What do you think about this, Zikr?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you. Please, give us an honest opinion as one of the Empire's Generals. What do you make of Cecilus, the First?"
Cornered, Zikr folded his short arms and mulled it over.
Then, after nodding several times into Subaru's expectant gaze— "First, there is no question that Sir Cecilus is the cornerstone of the nation's defense and a symbol of the Vollachian Empire's military might. He embodies the imperial ideal that all citizens should strive for."
"Oh, looking good so far. And?"
"As a person, he is free-spirited and approachable, never changing his attitude toward anyone—refreshing and pleasant. All in all…"
"All in all…?"
"Most soldiers and officers find him an unfathomable monster and believe true communication with him is impossible. They fear Sir Cecilus. Your Excellency's assessment appears to be correct."
"That escalated quickly!"
Coming from Zikr, who had shown nothing but good impressions so far, this was a carefully weighed evaluation. One could interpret it as Zikr siding with Abel out of concern for the Emperor, but the furrow between his brows spoke of genuine deliberation. The assessment was probably honest.
In other words— "So you're saying it'd be lazy to try banking on the First of the Nine Divine Generals to turn the tide at once? Even the clown twists his empty head but can't come up with any decent ideas, is that it?"
"Give it a rest! Don't blame his lack of popularity on me! Honestly, if both the Emperor and his top general have no support, of course a coup happens!"
"Say that again. Don't expect to be forgiven for lese-majeste forever."
Receiving sharp gazes from both Priscilla and Abel, Subaru stuck his tongue out at them.
That said, his plan had crumbled spectacularly. If securing the Nine Divine Generals was equivalent to securing raw combat power, there was no advantage in rushing to capture one nobody supported.
"If anything, with no one's loyalty, couldn't we just leave him alone…?"
"That too is a problem. He possesses the power to change the course of a battle single-handedly, depending on the situation. Even if we secured every other General, he alone could still take this head."
"What a pain to deal with! He's practically a walking obstacle course!"
Rushing to capture him yielded little benefit, yet leaving him alone created a bomb too dangerous to ignore. This was a talent whose strength and character were both guaranteed—a fact that drove home, from the distant foreign land Subaru now found himself in, just how extraordinary Reinhard really was as a prospect.
Maybe if he yelled loud enough, Reinhard would come running from a neighboring country.
"Let me save you the trouble, fool. The Sword Saint cannot cross national borders due to agreements between nations. You would be wise to abandon such pointless hopes."
"Don't read my mind. I wasn't seriously planning to do that. …Relying on someone only when things get desperate isn't exactly what you'd call friendship."
Just because Reinhard would come if called didn't mean it was okay to treat him as a convenient tool—that wasn't what friendship was about. If things truly got dire, maybe Subaru wouldn't be able to hold to that principle, but until that moment arrived, he was determined to keep his moral compass intact.
"So? The fool acting as Abel's strategist—have your questions run out?"
"They haven't, and I'm not a strategist, but the first part's settled, I guess."
Subaru grimaced as Priscilla prodded his role. He was about to steer the meeting to the next topic when— "——Miss Natsuki and Mr. Village Chief! Forgive the intrusion!"
With a hearty voice, the door flew open and a new figure burst into the meeting room.
It was Flop—a strikingly handsome man in blue attire, his long golden hair swaying with flair. He was supposed to be tending to the wounded on the upper floor, where Arakia had left her marks of destruction. Drawing every eye in the room, he spotted Subaru and Abel and nodded. "Found you."
Flop's appearance was streaked with blood, underscoring the grim reality of what had been a makeshift field hospital.
But the fact that he was here meant— "Flop, how are the others?"
"Just wrapped things up! …Hmm? Judging by the look on your face, you're in husband mode rather than wife mode right now? Then I'll switch back to calling you husband."
"Uh, either works. But… just wrapped up, huh?"
Taking in Flop's characteristically skewed courtesy, Subaru processed the news that treatment had been completed—and tasted both relief and dread simultaneously.
Relief, simply because the wounded had been cared for. Dread, because he was about to hear the results.
They had set out with the goal of a "bloodless conquest," and that objective had already failed. Arakia's abduction had cost seven guards their lives. The question now was whether anyone among the wounded had joined those ranks.
"No one died, husband."
"…What?"
"It was quite a dire situation for everyone, to be sure. But I think it was thanks to your wife and niece working so hard. Miss Taritta and Miss Utakata's quick responses helped as well. And naturally, my sister and I gave it our all too!"
Flop, reading Subaru's inner turmoil from his expression, answered preemptively. He pointed at himself with a confident flourish, proudly declaring his contribution. The answer was concise, and Subaru needed a beat to chew on the information.
But once understanding dawned—delayed by just that one heartbeat—a great, deep sigh escaped him.
"No dead…"
"Yep—proof that everyone did their absolute best to survive. I myself might have been crushed to death if my sister hadn't shielded me! Haha, I really can't look my sister in the eye!"
"Yeah… yeah, that's exactly right. I can't look Medium in the eye either…"
Flop laughed with his usual buoyancy, and Subaru bowed his head before him, shoulders trembling.
Without exaggeration, without a trace of jest—total agreement. If Medium hadn't been there—if no one else had been there—he wouldn't have heard this report at all.
Lives had been lost. But lives had been saved as well.
The emotion that swelled in his chest was immense— "——Merchant. What about the healer?"
Abel cut into the conversation with his usual flat tone, indifferent to Subaru's moment of feeling.
Healer. The unfamiliar word made Subaru frown, and Flop pressed a finger to his own lip in thought. "Healer…?"
"Could that be… your wife, husband?"
"Who else could it be? Was there anyone else in that place who could use healing magic?"
"No, I can't think of anyone else! However—"
"However?"
"Shouldn't you try phrasing things in a way that makes the other person more favorably disposed toward you, Mr. Village Chief? Even when addressing someone, choosing a friendlier tone makes everything go much more smoothly!"
A wonderfully forthright and cheerful protest. Abel raised an eyebrow at it.
Flop delivered his remark with perfect composure—but honestly, from the sidelines, it was a nerve-wracking thing to hear.
Of course, Subaru wasn't thrilled about
"That kind of judgment from you doesn't really carry weight, given how disrespectful you've been up to now."
"Considering what we've been through on this trip, I think I've earned the right to say that much. …In which case, Flop would have the same right, right?"
"No idea, but I'm dying to hear about you guys' little adventure."
It was far too intense a story to tell as a casual aside, but digging into it would have to wait for another time.
No matter how Abel phrased it, Rem's safety was Subaru's top priority. He had confirmed with his own eyes that she had no major visible injuries, but— "She didn't overdo it and collapse or anything?"
"Rest assured on that front, husband. She has indeed exhausted herself from working so hard, but it's within the range that rest can fix. You have a wonderfully industrious wife—it's truly something to be proud of."
"Good… that's a relief."
Subaru exhaled, grateful for Flop's seal of approval. Given the circumstances, Rem being relied upon was inevitable—but her tendency to push herself too far was genuinely frightening. Even if Subaru said something, the current Rem would likely ignore him if it was something within her power to do.
"——Wife?"
Just as Subaru was letting out that sigh of relief, Al murmured quietly beside him.
He scratched at the chin of his iron helmet with a tilt of his head.
"Didn't see her upstairs, but is the little lady here too?"
"The little lady… you mean
Emilia's gentle nature and the way of the Vollachian Empire were like oil and water. Emilia's somewhat straightforward way of thinking might mesh with the Empire on a gut level, but the Empire's cruelty ran far deeper. The Empire didn't suit Emilia.
"——So, a wife other than the little lady, huh."
"For the record, that's just a convenient arrangement. But honestly? She's someone I've decided to treat as precious no matter what. I'm bringing her home—no matter what it takes."
"…………"
Subaru offered that explanation to Al, who still had his hand on his chin and was muttering under his breath.
Being in the same Empire meant there was no risk of strange rumors spreading from Al's lips, but Subaru wasn't about to invite suspicion. Or have cold water poured on his resolve.
"You there, handsome— you were called a merchant, but are you one of Abel's subordinates?"
"Hmm, not exactly a subordinate. My sister and I are cooperating with husband and Mr. Village Chief based on the circumstances we're in. If anything, the most accurate description would be 'newest friends'!"
"Oh, friends, is it."
Priscilla, exchanging words with Flop, let her lips soften at his answer. She hid that softening behind her fan and sent a meaningful glance toward Abel.
"So you've been busy making friends behind my back. It seems the throne of the Vollachian Emperor has become remarkably easy to vacate."
"Drop the sarcasm. I have no memory of becoming friends with this man."
"What are you talking about, Mr. Village Chief! We survived a death trap together in women's clothing!"
"Surviving a death trap together makes us friends? Then every soldier in the Empire is my friend. And the person who was closest to me in that death trap is my enemy."
Using his own situation for a flawless rebuttal, Abel left Flop speechless.
Still, it was a double-edged sword of a counter—Abel himself didn't come out unscathed.
"Anyway, Flop brought us good news. We were just about to talk about something more hopeful—"
"——Wait."
"What now?"
It was a rare bright spot in an otherwise gloomy meeting, and Subaru had been about to use it as a springboard when Abel cut him off. Abel jerked his chin toward Flop, and Subaru followed his gaze— "Flop?"
He noticed it too—the shift in Flop's expression, the reason Abel had pointed him out.
Flop, who never once dropped his bright and sunny demeanor, whose very existence was like a ray of sunshine—behind those eyes flickered the faintest traces of hesitation and worry.
"If you're a merchant, you should be careful about how you deliver news. I cannot imagine you're suited for the trade."
"I've received that opinion enough times that I have my own thoughts on the matter, but I'll set that aside for now. …Husband, what I said earlier had some gaps in it."
"……"
With Abel's remark passing by, Flop turned to Subaru with worry swaying behind his long lashes. The earnest, anguished atmosphere on his well-ordered face constricted Subaru's chest. He didn't want to hear what came next—and yet he couldn't not listen.
In that sense, Flop possessed a natural talent for drawing people into a conversation. In any other situation, Subaru would have praised that as a merchant's skill to be proud of.
But— "The Village Chief is involved too. Miss Kuna and Miss Holly—I want them to come along as well."
Unable to interrupt Flop now, Subaru found that once-blessed talent feeling cursed.
△▼△▼△▼△ "——Abel and Natsuki came too."
Called away from the meeting room by Flop, Subaru and the others went up to the city hall's upper floor.
The space where the wounded had been gathered was a makeshift field hospital—and the one who greeted them there, with her singed black hair neatly trimmed, was Mizelda.
The
Even with her legendary toughness, the question was how much Rem's healing magic—still not at full strength—could restore. Mizelda's vitality was being tested like never before.
"Sorry for calling you up here. I just… needed to relay this as quickly as possible, I think."
"Mizelda…"
Speaking while seated on an object against the wall, Mizelda offered a thin smile. The wild, powerful bearing she had shown Subaru and his companions countless times was absent from it.
But the force behind her gaze remained intact. The contrast was jarring.
"First, I want to thank you. Rem saved my life. A miracle, I think."
"……"
"We took the city. Your efforts were remarkable—as chief of the Shudrak, I acknowledge that with admiration. And for the battle ahead, there is something I must declare."
Praising Rem's devotion and Subaru's contributions, Mizelda straightened her posture.
Then— "I am stepping down as chief of the Shudrak. I am passing the role to my sister, Taritta. I… can no longer fulfill the duty."
She spoke those words while stroking her right leg—severed below the knee.