The Land of the Rising Sun Transfers to Another World

Chapter 60: Brother's Resolve

Sorry for the long delay.

This chapter will be a bit longer.

- ワイアード

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Several days later

Executive Residence, Republic of Larionov

A few days after the first battle, Neil Leadroot, the head of state of the Republic of Larionov, was terrified. The Kingdoms of Erlange and Ali-Wamba were high-end nations, just like his own. He had assumed that with their help, they would manage somehow. However, the Kingdom of Erlange had been defeated, and the Kingdom of Ali-Wamba had lost its primary frontline base to the enemy in just a single day.

Given the geography, it was clear that if Erlange fell, the enemy would pour in from there—and their army was a horde of monsters, leaving no hope of victory. Neil was discussing his next steps with his close aides, but the atmosphere was oppressively heavy.

"Perhaps... betraying the Hardique Empire was a mistake... We shouldn't have taken up Ali-Wamba's offer."

"Mr. President! Please, pull yourself together! We haven't lost yet—"

"A high-end nation superior to us was utterly crushed in a single day! And Naugora... it's only a matter of time before the enemy charges in at full force... We can expect the Hardique Empire to deal harshly with any nation that betrays them... Ahhh..."

"Um, Mr. President... why not... surrender at this point?"

"Huh!? Idiot! Don't even think of surrendering so easily! Even if we did, there's no guarantee that the Hardique Empire would forgive us!"

"Then maybe, we should take a chance and go all out with every last soldier—"

"If we had soldiers brave enough for that, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"What on earth should we do... Mr. President, what are your thoughts?"

"Haah... Do you think I have any?"

Up to this point, the Republic of Larionov had survived the chaotic ages of the Magneid Continent by practicing so-called "bat diplomacy," playing sides as needed. But this time, the scale was beyond anything they'd faced before. In a war between a great power and a quasi-great power, the balance of power was nearly even, and the losing side would lose everything.

"To think that the Hardique Empire actually has something like a monster army..."

"But Cuadrado has Sir Edgardo, the General of Light and the Scion of Avalon. His strength is on another level... a living embodiment of the phrase 'one-man army.'"

"At this point, it's anyone's guess who will win... For now, our focus should be on aligning ourselves with whoever seems likely to prevail. We can find any excuse for it later... for now, fortify the defenses along our border—"

"Sorry to interrupt."

"!?"

Suddenly, a voice unfamiliar to Neil and his aides echoed through the room. Everyone turned toward the sound to see a man in a black hood leaning against the wall, arms crossed, standing in the corner of the room.

"Wh-what are you!? Guards! Guards, come at once!"

Neil called for his guards, but not a single one responded to his cries.

"Huh? ...Guards! What are you doing!? Hurry up!"

"... It's useless to call for them. Your guards are all sound asleep by now..."