Meanwhile, at that time.
In the northern region of the Kingdom of Aiwood.
Soldiers emerged from the gates of the fort that had hosted fierce battles against the foreign tribes until just days ago, marching south.
They were soldiers of the Kingdom of Aiwood's army, returning to the royal capital now that the war with the foreign tribes was over.
"Hmph... returning without having had much of a chance to shine."
One of the soldiers in the column... Wilhelm Lubeth, known as the "Woman-Hating Sword Saint," muttered quietly.
He looked up at the sky, glaring at its ironically clear, vivid blue expanse.
"This was a boring expedition. In the end, that man stole the credit again."
Lubeth muttered, sounding frustrated.
Regarding the war with the foreign tribes... the one who ultimately took the glory was Rest, who had defeated the mastermind curse caster.
Once again, Lubeth ended up having the best part snatched away from him.
"There's no need to worry about it. You did well."
Toya jabbed the gloomy Lubeth in the shoulder.
"Count Clover's slaying of the enemy general was pure coincidence.
Having ambition is fine, but if you're always looking up, you'll trip over a stone."
"You don't have to tell me... I have no intention of tripping over pebbles lying on the ground."
Lubeth still wore his usual scowl.
Toya's encouragement showed no sign of reaching his heart.
"If anyone's useless, it's me... This entire expedition, I've had no good moments."
The one who joined the conversation with a deep sigh was Isis Carbelt.
Isis had hardly any moments to shine in this battle.
During the infiltration of the great forest, she had stayed behind at the fort as rear support.
"I couldn't be of help to him... to Rest. That's disappointing."
"Tch... you bunch of gloomy bastards. We won and are coming back in triumph, you know!"
Seeing Lubeth and Isis dejected, Toya clicked his tongue in irritation.
"This ain't a loss! We defeated the foreign tribes and saved the kingdom! Don't look so glum!"
Toya tried to raise spirits, but... truth be told, he too harbored a restless feeling inside.
In the defensive line at the fort, during the infiltration of the great forest, and in the fight against the curse caster.
There were many moments where they would have suffered massive losses without Rest.
So, what about the others?
Without Lubeth, without Isis, without Toya... were there any scenes where the battle situation would have turned drastically?
"Hmph..."
"Haa..."
"Tch..."
The answer was written on the three people's faces.
Even if these three hadn't been on the battlefield, it's certain that the outcome wouldn't have changed much.
That Is Frustrating It was frustrating. Even though they were present at a battle that would be recounted for generations, they had ended up as nothing more than bit players in a sea of extras, not the protagonist. That was what galled them beyond measure.
"Heheh, it's good to see young people so full of spirit."
Seeing the three of them like this, the butler of House Rosemary... Diebl, loosened his features in an affectionate smile.
"All three of you are still young. Unlike an old fossil like me, you'll have multiple chances to make a name for yourselves in the future. There is no need to rush."
"Sir Diebl..."
Isis turned her gaze to Diebl.
"But the foreign tribes have lost a great deal of their strength in this battle. It will likely be at least fifty years before anything happens again. Will a chance to stand on the same stage as Rest truly come again?"
"Even without a war with the foreign tribes, there will be other battles... most likely, sooner rather than later."
"Do you have any basis for that, Sir Diebl?"
"…………"
Toya asked. Lubeth also looked over, appearing intrigued.
"There are reports that the eastern border is acting strange. Besides... there is a flow to things."
"Flow...?"
"Yes. When one thing begins to move, other things start moving too, like a dammed-up river finally flowing. It means that many incidents will erupt in a chain reaction."
"A chain reaction... I suppose that might be true."
Isis gave a wry smile.
The stampede on the Sabnock Plains. The appearance of the magic beasts.
The rebellion of the Third Prince, Rodele.
The frontier development of the plains, and the large and small battles that accompanied it.
And then, the invasion of the northern foreign tribes.
All these incidents had occurred within a span of just one or two years.
I didn't know where the beginning of this flow was... but it wouldn't have been strange if this momentum continued for a long time to come.
"If there is a next time, I need to produce results I can be proud of."
Isis placed a hand on her chest, her expression brightening somewhat.
"...Next time, I won't lose. No matter what."
"We must fight in a way that doesn't bring shame to the name of House Cattleya."
Lubeth and Toya also stated this with equally determined expressions.
The target floating in the minds of all three was the same person.
In order to catch up to Rest Clover, they vowed to rouse themselves even more.
"...Well, Lord Rest might be even further ahead already."
Diebl murmured quietly so the young people wouldn't hear.
Rest had already returned using magic to report to His Majesty the King.
If the Gaiselle Empire was making suspicious military moves in the east, he might already be heading to the battlefield.
If the three of them knew that, they would probably feel like they had been beaten to the punch again.
"Keep at it, young ones. You can do it, keep going."
Diebl watched over the three with the kindly face of a carefree old retiree.