“–First, let’s put aside the methodology of how Romilda returned.”

I chose my words carefully, organizing my thoughts.

“I would prefer her to be present, if possible.”

“Regarding this matter, it was decided in advance that I would explain everything. As a Book person, she doesn’t seem to want to say anything unnecessary.”

“From those words, it seems we were in a dangerous state in the previous battle.”

“She adamantly refused to talk about that.”

Anastasia looked displeased. I see, so even though she’s talking, she doesn’t know the details either.

“If you read the Documents, you’ll see that the progress of the battle is recorded, but the crucial ending is not described. It’s probably because Lord Richard thought it would be bad to talk about it.”

“I see.”

It was Exon who spoke up here.

“For example, though it’s hard to imagine, let’s say Ruon falls into a critical situation. If he knew that, Ruon might try to avoid it. But if he does, Nefmeiza will naturally notice.”

“Of course, it seems there’s definitely a counter-Strategy in place to prevent that from happening.”

Anastasia speaks with a smile.

“While refusing to discuss the core issues at all, they are meticulously executing that counter-strategy.”

“It’s Richard’s decision. I trust him.”

Next to me, Richard makes a troubled face at my words. Does he not realize it was his doing, as expected?

“I understand the general outline. Now for some questions.”

“Yes.”

“First. If the Romilda we’re involved with is the Romilda who underwent Time Reversal, what happened to the original Romilda of this world?”

“Lord Richard also applied a strategy at first. Romilda merged with her counterpart in this world and came to me.”

“So–“

“She is currently working as a live-in maid. Then, the Romilda who underwent Time Reversal took her place and was taken to the castle… Considering that Nefmeiza didn’t react despite the unusual circumstances, it seems we managed to deceive her. It might be that she can’t even imagine someone other than herself rewinding time like this.”

Anastasia speaks with an amused expression. Watching her face, I say,

“Just to confirm, can we assume Nefmeiza hasn’t noticed anything yet?”

“As far as I know, there are no signs of her noticing. If she had sensed anything about Romilda, there should have been changes by now.”

After hearing Anastasia’s words, I check the contents of the documents.

How this battle will unfold. Apparently, last time we acted to minimize damage as much as possible, and it seems a war won’t break out until the final battle.

“…I’ve also heard the details of Lord Ruon from Romilda. So you know this battle as a story, don’t you?”

Anastasia continues to speak.

“However, the information you know deviates greatly from the current situation, so it’s not very useful. Nevertheless, I was able to act until now because I had information about the Emperor Candidate and so on.”

“That’s correct.”

“In that story, did it escalate into an all-out war?”

“The basic story was a battle between the protagonist and the Four Dragon Marquises. It didn’t turn into a continent-wide war. Although all the Marquises were defeated.”

“I’d like to avoid that future.”

Exon gives a wry smile. I nod in agreement, then ask Anastasia a question.

“These documents contain significant information. We had read that the artificial dragon would be completed in about two months, but it will actually be completed in about one month.”

“It seems so.”

“Considering that, there’s hardly any time… Richard has shown us the counter-strategy.”

“Upon receiving the report that the dragon is complete, you all will begin to move. At this point, the Four Dragon Marquises will already be allies, and although it will be sudden, you will approach the Imperial Capital with the Marquises’ armies.”

The plan is to suppress the Imperial Army with the power of the Four Dragon Marquises.

“There will be no combat along the way. Or rather, we should consider that Nefmeiza intentionally arranged it that way.”

“That itself is a trap, then.”

“Yes, as it’s written in the documents… Lord Ruon, if I recall correctly, once entered the Imperial Capital to rescue Romilda. There should have been magic power underground there.”

“That’s right.”

“What did you infer?”

“War preparations.”

That seems to be correct—Richard’s documents state that the magic power existing underground was used during the final battle.

“Lord Ruon, a question for you. What would happen if you were to receive all the magic power present underground into your body?”

“Whether I could actually fight and win against that much magic power… I don’t know.”

“It’s terrifying that you don’t outright say it’s impossible.”

“If all the magic power were to attack at once, it would certainly be tough, but if it came in stages, I might be able to manage… but I’d definitely want to avoid a direct confrontation.”

And here, I come up with something.

Or rather, I have a hunch about something that the previous Richard didn’t mention in the documents.

If something had happened to me, Richard would have conveyed it in the documents. He knows that I have reincarnated and possess extraordinary strength. Therefore, he would assume that if he informed me of the outcome, I would devise a counter-strategy.

However, that’s not the case; he’s saying nothing… This is surely because he thought that if he spoke carelessly, I wouldn’t act according to the flow of events.

In other words, it’s an incident that he believes I absolutely must avoid… meaning a close comrade was sacrificed or suffered some kind of damage. The most likely possibility is Sofia. In addition, it’s also possible that many people were sacrificed.

Or perhaps Richard himself wrote it, but the possibility that the situation is bad cannot be denied. Whatever the reason, it’s most natural to assume he didn’t write it to prevent me from losing my composure.

Do Sofia and Richard, who are here, understand that fact? I looked at them, and they nodded back. It seems they understand.

“Just to confirm, is that story true?”

Exon asked, pressing the point. Anastasia then smiled and said,

“In addition to knowing Romilda’s information, the documents are in Lord Richard’s handwriting. Furthermore, I know about the upcoming battle. Do you need more information than that?”

“…Your tone is annoying, but yes, that’s it. Very well.”

“For my reward, I’ll need your cooperation too, Exon.”

“I can’t promise anything definite.”

“You are a man who fulfills even verbal promises. For now, that’s enough. I don’t know how you see me, but believe it or not, I trust Marquis Exon, you know?”

Exon shrugged, giving off an aura of not wanting to deal with it.

“Understood. Either way, it’s a matter for after the battle. After we’ve settled things, we can talk at length.”

“Yes, that would be good.”

“Then, Anastasia. What should we do next… do you have a plan?”

She wore a radiant smile, as if she had been waiting for that question.