Rest was guided inside the stronghold.
Personally, he felt it was more like being "escorted" than "guided"... but on the surface, as a count, he was being taken along politely.
(The grip on his shoulder hurt like crazy, and if he hadn’t used Hardening magic, it might have broken...)
Rest followed with a strained face, his shoulder firmly held.
The three brothers of House Cattleya flanked him on the left, right, and behind... He heard that there was Yuri and another younger brother beneath them, but all of them were tall and overwhelmingly oppressive.
If this were an interrogation room and he were surrounded by these three, he might have confessed to crimes he didn’t commit.
(At least their father isn’t here... I heard all of Yuri’s older brothers are overprotective and have sister complexes, and it seems that’s true.)
The reason they were so openly hostile to Rest was probably because Yuri had become Rest’s fiancée (?).
(Actually, I don’t really understand this engagement... It wasn’t formally arranged. But before I knew it, it was decided, and Viola and Primula accepted Yuri as a matter of course, so it just sort of happened.)
Is that what noble marriages are like?
Yuri was currently in the middle of a runaway, so Rest didn’t think she had gone through the proper noble procedures.
(I seem to recall Yuri saying she defeated her father and forced recognition... Was that true?)
«Well... there’s a lot I want to ask, but mixing public and private affairs isn’t good. Let’s start with the war council.»
Rest had been taken to a room that seemed like a meeting room deep within the stronghold.
He had wondered where he was being escorted, but it seemed like a decent place, so he was relieved for now.
«Everyone else, please sit. Let’s organize the situation.»
Vareiya took one seat at the circular table, and Toya sat one chair away.
And... for some reason, Rest was made to sit between the two of them.
(Why am I here...!?)
"You are a count. Your status is especially high among the nobles here, so I thought it only natural for you to sit beside me."
Apparently, his confusion had shown on his face, and Vareiya snapped at him.
With that, he couldn't bring himself to ask for another seat. Squeezed between the brawny men, Rest could only cower.
"........"
"........"
Lubeth, Isis, and the other nobles and knights entered the meeting room, but the moment Rest shot them a pleading look, they quickly averted their eyes.
(Completely isolated... you've got to be kidding me...)
"Then, let us begin the war council."
Ignoring Rest's awkward feelings, the meeting moved on.
The only man still standing in the room... Carius Cattleya opened the discussion.
"This fort is currently under attack from foreign tribes. You should have already received the reports... The enemy's main force is the oni tribe. We've also spotted harpies, lizardmen, and insectoids."
"Are there other foreign tribes?"
"We haven't seen any yet. However, we are remaining vigilant."
Carius politely answered Vareiya's question.
"Our troop casualties are minimal. We have plenty of weapons and provisions. Medical supplies, as well. We also have replenishments from the advance party. For now, there are no factors that would allow the foreign tribes to take this fort."
(Is everyone really going to talk normally in this situation...? Am I the only one who feels awkward...?)
Leaving Rest's feelings behind, the council continued.
"The foreign tribes have no siege weapons. Aside from the harpies who can fly, the walls are sufficient to hold off their attacks. Unless they have some major hidden card, we should be able to survive this assault."
"I see... But that doesn't sit well with me. Why would the foreign tribes launch an attack when they have no chance of winning?"
Vareiya stroked his chin and let out a low, contemplative grumble.
"Did they just charge in with no plan or thought behind it? If you think of it as the act of beasts, I suppose it makes sense, but...?"
It was unsettling.
He couldn't grasp the foreign tribes' intentions at all.
(A mastermind pulling the strings from behind the scenes...? That might be overthinking it.)
Flanked on both sides by large men, Rest thought to himself.
After that, several more communications and reports were exchanged, and the war council proceeded without a hitch.
They ended the meeting without ever understanding the intentions of the invading foreign tribes.
Vareiya, the leader of the vanguard, was appointed to the role of supreme commander and would continue to lead the defense against the assault.
—————————— The first volume of the book will be released tomorrow by Sneaker Bunko!
This is all thanks to everyone's support. I offer my heartfelt gratitude!
The book version will include a significant amount of newly written content.
It adds episodes such as dates and adventures between Rest and the heroines.
I believe readers who enjoyed the web version will also find it enjoyable, so I humbly ask for your continued support!