The next day, I gathered the generals and told them that Ailes Kartis of Brantal and Brand Nahum of Olbia had raised a rebellion.


    There was little surprise.


    Everyone knew that this would happen sooner or later.


    "I don''t know the details of the situation and the number of those who betrayed us, but there may be a good number of lords. It means that many of them did not enjoy being ruled by me."


    Although it was expected, it was still an emergency situation. Everyone is looking at me with a mysterious look on their face. If we make a wrong move, it could mean the end of our existence.


    "Mr. Arsrod, what is your plan?


    Raviara asks.


    "Wait a minute, I''ll think about it."


    It''s not so much thinking as consultation. Oda Nobunaga, if you have a plan, let''s hear it.


    --I guess so. Ailes Kartis will be in Navarre County from Minelia County. They''ll want to make a statement of their superiority over you by taking control of your homeland. Then they will take the castle of Maust. If we take it, you''ll have nowhere to go.


    Well, that''s true. It gives the impression that we''re losing, as my father-in-law Ailes would do.


    --But fortunately, our forces are strong. The expedition itself has been a success. Many would consider it more of a diversion than a retreat. That is to say, if we are not interrupted along the way, we are strong enough to invade the enemy''s stronghold, and you have prepared enough men to defend it.


    Yes, that''s why I''ve sent a trusted man to take your place.


    We''re not defending, but attacking. The question is where.


    Let''s make sure we lure them out.


    I looked up at the generals.


    "Listen, everyone!"


    Everyone looked at me with bated breath.


    "This isn''t something that just happened. It''s more like I''ve been waiting for this opportunity. My brother-in-law, Brand Nahum''s faction, and above all my father-in-law, Ailes Kartis, were not happy with me. So, everything is in place. The only difference is where to strike."


    This is a pillow talk. What matters is where we go from here.


    "We must return to Maust Castle as soon as possible!　If you take over that place, the whole country will think you have perished!"


    One of the generals shouted. It is true that returning to one''s home base is a standard practice. Fortunately, however, there was no need to follow the established rule this time.


    "I am not worried about the castle of Maust. Sivik is guarding that place. The old man''s legs are getting weaker, but he''s not too bad at all when it comes to command.


    Maybe he''s just now getting excited about his own turn. And with the betrayal of some people around Mouse and the castle, he must be having a good time. He is not a man who burns in a war he knows he will win.


    "We''ve taken a wife from Nistonia as well and strengthened our defenses. The city has enough defenders, so it won''t be a problem anytime soon. Therefore, we can attack my father-in-law.


    "Mr. Arsrod, where do you plan to fight the enemy?　Are you going to go into Minneapolis County, your home base?"


    Of course Raviara would be curious about that.


    I laughed and said, "Well, I''ll tell you what.


    "Navre County, Fordonia, where I was born and raised.


    From the looks on their faces, it was a rather surprising proposal.


    Immediately, some said that we should go to the enemy''s base or that it would be safer to return to the castle of Maust.


    "The enemy''s stronghold is definitely solid. On the other hand, Navre County is a place I know well. And I know it well enough to know that it is not a good place to defend.


    I said with conviction.


    "Castle Nevre is not a strategic location. The enemy can''t stop our forces once they''re in that place. If they took that place, we''d be happy."


    "What?" ....... But, the castle will be destroyed. ......"


    "Raviara, my home is there too, but it is also the castle of Maust and the royal city. Even if it burns down, I will rebuild it as much as I can."


    This battle, the new clashes with the old.


    If the old pushes me back here, it will be the end of me.


    "There will probably be some obstructions on the way to Navre County, but you have to crush them once and for all," he said. They''re not worth it if they''re half-heartedly trying to ride a winning horse!"


    My words finally raise the spirits of the troops. Then one of them came out right in front of me. The people around me tried to stop him, but he didn''t listen and just kept coming out.


    It was Tarsha, sister of Sightred, Count of Machar.


    "I would like to join you in this battle. I have no intention of joining the enemy.


    "Yes, of course. And if you win, what do you want?


    You can''t possibly be so brave as to suggest such a thing without hope. I can tell by the look on your face that you are not such a simple-minded person.


    "On behalf of my father, I take the position of Count Machar on the frontier. That''s the best way to keep our family together."


    My occupation is "Shingen. He laughed and said, "I have to get rid of my father, or else it won''t make sense. I wanted to laugh as much as she did when I saw her spirit.


    A general is only funny like this.


    She said, "All right. I''ll lend you a man I can trust. I''ll be counting on you.


    Of course.


    "Now, before the battle, Tarsha has an important task. Make sure the Machar frontier count has withdrawn his troops.


    I don''t think they know what happened in the south yet, and the damage is so great that they can''t pursue us, so until we know that, we can''t march in.


    Tarsha shook her head.


    "No problem. Even if they attack recklessly, they are weak enough that we can defeat them with a thousand men."