「……They thought they could take on Rei with something like this? Did they seriously think it would work?」

Noiz muttered as Rhodes lay at his feet, unconscious.

It was normally impossible for Rhodes to pass out with his current very high recovery ability, but Noiz had the strength to calmly perform such an impossible task.

They were already camped near the battlefield in preparation for tomorrow’s battle.

They scouts had already found Mercurio’s camp as well.

Some people suggested that the launch an attack during the night to end the war in one fell swoop, but the idea was naturally rejected.

This battle was being watched by the entire Bestir Empire……as well as surrounding countries.

In particular, the Mireana Kingdom, which had blocked their path to the sea for so long, was undoubtedly paying attention and might even have sneaked in their own soldiers at some locations.

What would happen if they were to win the battle by launching a night attack in this situation……

Of course, as a civil war that was functionally a power struggle, they couldn’t win unless they won the battle.

But, as a civil war that was functionally a power struggle, the way victory was obtained was also important.

Winning by launching a night attack specifically might cause people that they won using underhanded means.

Naturally, the fact of their victory wouldn’t change, no matter what the people said.

On the other hand, that was also what all the people would say.

In particular, people like Vihera and Frizione, who were very popular with the people, were currently in Mercurio’s army.

For that reason, it was necessary to win in a way that the people would accept.

In order achieve that, they needed to get around the largest obstacle, Rei, the strongest force in Mercurio’s army. So it wasn’t surprising that Noiz, who was preparing to fight Rei, was interested in the other supposed solutions of dealing with Rei.

And since he was interested, Noiz decided he might as well fight Rhodes……but the result was what was before everyone’s eyes now.

「It can’t be helped. I ended up calling for you because I didn’t think Rhodes would be able to deal with Crimson as had been originally planned. If he had been able to deal with Crimson, I wouldn’t have had to call for you in the first place. They also have people like Vihera, the White Rose Knights, and Demon Soldiers. It was a lot of work to hire high ranking adventurers to handle them.」

Kabajid spoke with a gentle smile.

Even though his subordinate had been defeated without being able to put up a fight, his expression wasn’t disturbed in any way as he displayed his usual smile.

Many adventurers had participated in the fighting tournament and either seen Rei fight or faced him directly.

It was also widely known at this point that Rei was in Mercurio’s army, so the end result was that few adventurers were willing to be hired by the punitive force to fight against Mercurio’s army.

If Noiz’s name had been mentioned, they might have been able to gather more, but since Noiz had come as a trump card against Rei, it was necessary to hide his presence as much as possible.

「Also, the magic item he is wearing is only meant to protect against Crimson’s wide area annihilation magic. No matter how strong you are, you can’t survive Crimson’s magic……no, sorry. That was just a figure of speech. If possible, could you please put your weapon away?」

As Kabajid was talking, he looked at the magic sword, unable to tell when it had even been drawn.

The knights guarding Kabajid had no idea when Noiz had unsheathed his sword and all gasped when they saw the weapon pointed at their master.

Still, as guards, they immediately reached for they own weapons to stop Noiz, but……

「There’s no need to worry, just stay where you are.」

Kabajid’s words forced them to stop.

They had no choice but to let go of their own weapons at their master’s order.

Noiz spoke as if Kabajid’s previous words were irrelevant and he would handle whatever would happen.

「Rei’s magic is certainly a threat. You can see that from the battle reports since the start of the civil war. But to use magic, you naturally have to say an incantation. And to say an incantation requires concentration. ……Well, it’s probably possible for Rei to fight while speaking an incantation, but it would still slow him down. ……You know the rest, right?」

Since he was already a higher ranking adventurer, it wouldn’t be hard for him to deal with a slower reacting Rei.

That was Noiz’s implicit message and everyone else could only silently accept that.

Anyone in the Bestir Empire could tell that those words were true.

「But Crimson also has a Griffon following him. Crimson has often rode it to run freely across the battlefield, demonstrating outstanding mobility. What would you do if he started his incantation from the air where attacks from the ground can’t reach him?」

One of the nobles asked.

There were many to attack from long range.

But, if asked whether any of those methods of attack would be effective against someone several hundred meters in the air, the answer was almost certainly no.

However, Noiz just stayed silent in response to the question, picking up a nearby stone from the ground……before throwing it into the air.

Woosh, a sound echoed out, showing how fast the stone’s speed was.

「Now, I think you can see for yourselves. No matter how strong a Griffon is, don’t you think it would be impossible for it to completely avoid the stones I throw?」

Perhaps there were some people who really wanted to say it still might be possible.

But they couldn’t say it after seeing the stone that Noiz had just thrown.

They could tell the power behind the stone just by looking at it.

「There are plenty of stones on the ground. If they’re going to use magic from the sky, I have a way to counter it.」

「Hahahah-! You’re right, Noiz.」

The one who laughed loudly was Shurus, the other person with the same level of authority as Kabajid in the tent.

The surrounding nobles all turned to look at him in response to his laughter.

「Don’t worry. Noiz is a hero of the Bestir Empire. If he can’t deal with something flying in the sky, he would be an S rank adventurer, would he?」

「I see, you seem to understand fighters better than your brother.」

「Of course. It’s true that Kabajid is highly skilled in all areas, but when it comes to military matters, I’m confident that I am superior.」

Shurus smiled confidently.

The fact was that he did surpass Kabajid in military matters.

This was evident from the strong influence he held over the Bestir Empire’s military.

While Kabajid was a remarkable man, the military had still decided to side with Shurus.

「Heheh, I see. There are people like you. Now that’s something to look forward to.」

Some of the nobles in the tent frowned involuntarily at Noiz’s words.

They all belonged to the First Prince’s faction.

Their reaction was to be expected. After all, it was Kabajid who had dragged Noiz here to begin with.

And yet, Noiz’s interest was directed towards Shurus, not Kabajid.

If Noiz decided to side with the Second Prince’s faction……or even if he didn’t go that far, it would still end up helping them……so it was only natural that they would frown.

However, it was mostly the younger nobles who displayed those reactions.

The nobles with more experience spoke with confident smiles.

「Yes, Prince Shurus might be superior to Prince Kabajid in terms of military knowledge. However, it is also true that there are many things more important than the military when it comes to running a country.」

「Yes, yes. It’s true that military power is important in gauging the qualities of an emperor, but at worst, it is enough to be able to prioritise those who have talent for battle. Outside of that……when it comes to politics, the emperor’s own ability is needed.」

「However, the Bestir Empire’s royal family comes from military blood. It is true that military strength isn’t needed on a regular basis, but it is also true that the people want a person who commands strength when the time for it is needed.」

「Are you saying that Prince Kabajid has no military power?」

「Well, I don’t think that at all……but perhaps you do?」

「How dare you-!」

Each of the nobles argued, saying that their master was the right person to be the next emperor.

They might be working together in a punitive force to defeat Mercurio’s army, but tomorrow would be their last battle together. Once it was over and they were victorious, the throne would fall to either Kabajid or Shurus.

Ultimately, they wanted to keep each other in check while also drawing Noiz to their side.

That was what they were arguing about.

The reality was they were being a bit hasty with their thoughts. They believed that victory was theirs the moment Noiz joined them.

It was also true that their current argument was also because of Noiz’s presence.

The Second Prince’s faction considered Noiz to be closer to the First Prince’s faction because Kabajid had been the one to call Noiz over.

On the other hand, the First Prince’s faction had received permission from Kabajid’s father, Emperor Tragist, to borrow Noiz, knowing that it would lower Kabjid’s reputation as a prince.

In other words, it was completely unacceptable for them to let Noiz be taken away by the Second Prince’s faction.

The current situation, with both sides accusing each other, could only be described as unsightly, even from an objective point of view.

「Shut up.」

Two words.

Those words from Noiz were all it took to silence the arguing nobles.

There was an overwhelming pressure from Noiz.

The mental pressure was so great that it made them want to kneel immediately.

「I didn’t come here to watch your pointless arguments. If you keep chirping in front me, I’ll rip your throats out.」

「That would be a problem.」

The small yet clear voice from Kabajid echoed out.

The pressure from Noiz was so great that even Shurus couldn’t speak, but Kabajid was able to talk without any change in his expression.

Seeing that, Noiz’s eyebrows rose in interest.

A slight smile also rose in the corners of his mouth.

「For one of you to be able to speak properly……that’s quite interesting. Should I say as expected of royalty……but your younger brother doesn’t seem to be the same.」

Noiz glanced over at Shurus as he spoke, if Shurus stayed quiet here, it would put a decisive gap between him and Kabajid.

Understanding that, Shurus summoned all the strength in his body as he forced himself to speak.

「What can’t I……do?」

「……I see.」

Noiz muttered to himself, impressed.

Those were the only two able to speak. Even the most skilled members of the First Prince’s faction, such as Bratta and Pelfiel, as well as Amare, Shurus’ adjutant, and members of the Second Prince’s faction from the Imperial Army were unable to speak.

It went without saying that the people who had been arguing earlier were unable to speak as well.

(Trajist’s sons are quite talented. I heard that girl called Vihera is quite something as well……the future of the Bestir Empire looks quite interesting.)

Noiz thought to himself with satisfaction as he envied Tragist, who was his best friend despite being much older than him.

Noiz was already at the age where it wouldn’t be surprising for him to have kids of his own.

But, having fought all his life, he naturally didn’t have any children of his own.

He didn’t even have family anymore, as they had been killed when his village was attacked by bandits when he was young.

In other words, there was no one left who shared his bloodline.

Perhaps he had relatives somewhere that he just didn’t know of, but at the very least, he had no intention of searching for them himself.

Instead, he chased power, strength, fighting stronger opponents, and greater thrills……as he pushed himself forward.

As he did that, he even managed to wipe out the bandits that had attacked his own village, but that was all.

Noiz didn’t have anything in his life that he sought after, he just sought the thrill of fighting strong opponents.

Living his life this way, he rose to become an S rank adventurer, gaining more honour, money, and other things than he would ever need.

He also found himself in the extraordinary position of being friends with the emperor.

Thinking like that……he suddenly realised.

(Rei inherited my Overlord’s Armour. He might actually be consider my son.)

Although it was just his own idle thoughts……Noiz couldn’t hide the smile on his face as he prepared to face such an opponent the next day.

And so, the day before the final battle passed……and the day of battle arrived.

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