The forests spreading across the northern part of the Kingdom of Aiwood.
Several foreign tribes dwell there, often threatening the kingdom.
The last invasion was before Rest was born. This marks the foreign tribes' first movement in twenty years.
"Currently, we are holding the foreign tribes back at the fortress on the northern border. Leading the front line is Karyas Cattleya, the Northern Unit Commander. For now, we seem to be barely preventing their intrusion, but we have received a request for reinforcements due to the large number of enemies."
At the royal palace in the royal capital of the Kingdom of Aiwood.
A war council was held with powerful nobles gathered to devise countermeasures against the foreign tribes.
Seated at the round table were only the pillar nobles who supported the kingdom. All of them wore difficult expressions as they listened intently to the discussion.
"Lord Karyas is a hero who was mentored by his father, the Knight Commander. I do not think the border fortress will fall easily, but complacency is a great enemy. We shall send reinforcements immediately."
At the head of the round table, speaking passionately, was Crown Prince Richard Aiwood.
Richard had also taken command during the rebellion of Rodele's Third Prince and Marquis Eiger, and he was to wield the baton in this subjugation of the foreign tribes as well.
Next to Richard was Marquis Cattleya, the Knight Commander, and his son, the Vice-Knight Commander. On the opposite side were Duke Crocus, the Chancellor, and Marquis Rosemary, the Chief Court Mage.
(……Why the hell am I here?)
Amidst all this, Rest Clover was sweating on his back from nervousness.
At the lowest seat of the round table, he stiffened his expression and shrunk down.
Marquis Rosemary had come to the castle upon receiving the report of the foreign tribes' attack, but he had also ordered Rest to come along.
As a young and green count, the people around him were all the nation's leading figures. It was far from a situation where he could sit relaxed.
(And on top of that, this seat... please spare me. At least let me sit next to my father-in-law...!)
The seat Rest was sitting in was the lowest seat of the round table.
Considering rank and age, it was only natural, but... at a round table, the lowest seat is the one directly facing the head seat.
In other words, the crown prince was sitting directly opposite Rest across the round table.
Their eyes had met several times now, and it was unbearably awkward.
(It's been a while... feeling so anxious I could throw up. In a way, I'm more nervous than when I fought Sabnock or the Elder Worm...)
"There are several types of foreign tribes living in the north, but... as before, the main force is the oni tribe. We've also spotted winged people, lizardmen, and insect-men. Their numbers are at least ten thousand, and there's a good chance they could increase."
"............"
While sitting hunched over, Rest listened intently to Richard's words, straining not to miss a thing.
"There are three thousand soldiers guarding the border fortress. After years of no attacks, the garrison has been gradually reduced. If the enemy knew this and launched an invasion, they'd be quite thorough. The fortress is keeping them at bay for now, but we must organize a subjugation force immediately."
Richard glanced at Marquis Cattleya, who was beside him.
Marquis Cattleya stood up from his chair and continued the explanation.
"We are currently organizing a subjugation force. However... since not much time has passed since the rebellion of Marquis Eiger, it will take some time. Before sending the main force, we have decided to send reinforcements as an advance force."
Marquis Cattleya glared at the dignitaries seated around the round table.
No objections were raised. Marquis Cattleya continued.
"I will appoint Vice Knight Commander... Vareiya Cattleya as the commander of the advance force. Also, I ask that Lord Carbelt, a court magician, accompany him as his adjutant."
"I understand."
"Hah..."
The two people sitting at the head seats nodded simultaneously.
Vareiya Cattleya was the eldest son of the House of Cattleya. He was the Vice Knight Commander and the leading candidate for the next Knight Commander. And he was Yuri's older brother.
Rest didn't know who Lord Carbelt was, but he knew someone with the same family name.
(Could it be... no, it has to be, is he a relative of Senior Isis Carbelt...?)
"The advance force will be a small elite unit of about a thousand, all of them elites from the knight order and court magicians. Lord Clover, who is over there, will also accompany us."
"…………!"
Suddenly, his own name came from the mouth of Marquis Cattleya.
Taken by surprise, he barely managed to suppress the urge to cry out.
"Lord Clover performed admirably in the last civil war. I believe he will achieve sufficient results this time as well."
Even as he said he believed, Marquis Cattleya's gaze was sharp.
I know he dotes on his daughter, but I wish he wouldn't glare at me with such hostile eyes.
"I see... so you'll accompany the army, Count Clover?"
It was Richard who asked that.
The gazes of the other dignitaries also pierced into Rest.
(If I had the nerve to shake my head in this situation, I probably wouldn't have become a noble...)
"I humbly accept the appointment..."
Rest's participation in battle was decided.
Several days later, he would head to the fortress on the northern border as a member of the advance force.
—————————— The first volume of the book goes on sale April 1st!
The digital edition, Melonbooks, Gamers, and Animate each include bonus short stories!
With the book publication, the main title of this work has been changed to 'Infinite Magician,' so I ask for your continued support.