Side Story 100: The Two Strategists (7)

Just as the atmosphere began to swell with excitement at the prospect of marching out, Ozald threw another wet blanket over it.

"Wait! Your Majesty, that would be far too rash toward Ing, which says it harbors no hostility! It is the queen's family home, after all!"

The face of the King of Aarsel, who had been ready to act, clouded over.

"However..."

"There is no 'however.' You could simply send them a letter of protest afterward, so why make such a fuss over this!? Once the guests from the north have gone home, they will be of no further use to us!"

Ozald, your true feelings keep slipping out. Are you really that desperate?

I suppose that makes sense. The great powers of the north have all come here. The King of Aarsel is clearly inclined to side with Fezaris. The anti-Fezaris faction has to stop that somehow, right here.

But then Doran said something that rendered Ozald's valiant efforts pointless.

"Ozald-dono, I believe you are laboring under a misunderstanding. We are not going out to fight. We are merely going to teach Ing's somewhat lacking commander about the danger of moving troops along a national border like this."

His tone was gentle, but barbs were woven between his words. He was needling both Ozald and Ing's commander, belittling them bit by bit. Perhaps the reason he had languished in an unimportant post was partly his choice of words...