The Extra Wants To Live

At first glance, Yusuf, who could use mana and had a strong body, and the young Carl, who had a small body, were in stark contrast.

Was it because Yusuf wanted to put Carl in danger, or because he considered Carl to be his equal, or maybe both?

"Okay. As much as you want," Carl answered confidently.

In every battle he fought, without a single exception, Carl personally faced the enemy and led everyone, so he did not seem like a childishly reckless man.

Yusuf could tell from Carl's attitude that the young prince was not only a man of great character but also a skilled commander in battle.

It also confirmed that Carl had some sort of power, as Catherine and Billford didn't seem too worried.

Well then, how about this?

"I will limit the number of troops. If you bring too many troops, an unwanted conflict may arise."

"Speak."

"Including you and me, those who handle mana will be limited to a maximum of three, without cavalry, and a total of 15 people."

Fifteen people was an absurdly small number. It might not matter to Yusuf, who was undoubtedly a strong warrior, but it was too much of a restriction for Carl, who needed protection.

And on top of that, he couldn't even ride a horse?

Pitter-patter… … .

No matter what, this couldn't just be overlooked.

Billford, who was not good at controlling his emotions, clenched his fists, and the sound of the leather on his gauntlets crunching rang out.

Yusuf knew that no matter how much hidden talent Carl had, he had clear limitations. Look at that small body and those thin cheeks. Didn't they look like those of a sick person who had been lying in bed not long ago?

So, how would it turn out?

"Okay. That's enough."

"… … ."

Yusuf, who had been eagerly awaiting Carl's reaction, wiggled his eyebrows when Carl responded so readily, as if he had called more generously than he had expected.

"I will take the south direction into the canyon."

"… Do so."

Now that Carl had accepted Yusuf's outrageous proposal, Yusuf had to make another concession.

"What are you going to do with the signal?"

"I will send you a signal."

"Okay. See you in three hours."

Carl turned around and walked away without any hesitation.

"… … ."

Yusuf also glared at Carl's back, then turned around and walked towards Tumaria's formation.

The conversation was over.

***

"Now that it's come to that, what are you going to do?"

Govan really wondered what to do with Carl, who was speaking so calmly. The fourth prince, who had come to see the emperor's order, ended up walking into the temple on his own two feet.

"It's too dangerous."

"Your Majesty, Davron. So, isn't that what you're asking me now?"

Carl spoke in a relaxed voice. Govan felt as if Carl's words were not relevant to the current situation, which was exactly what Carl wanted.

Carl's goals were too grand to be bothered by such trivial matters. He tried to ignore it with a half-hearted expression.

"… How are you going to organize it?"

"Please lend me just one knight who can use mana. I will go with my soldiers."

"… … ."

Govan couldn't decide if his ears were malfunctioning or if Carl had gone mad.

There were countless great knights in Davron, even if they couldn't handle mana.

So he was just going to take the imperial soldiers with him?

"… Weren't those who handle mana limited to three?"

"So, I'm asking you to lend it to just one person."

"Are you saying that that seed handles mana?"

"It will happen soon, but not yet."

"… … ."

Govan's eyes narrowed.

A deep, lingering suspicion passed over Carl as he finished inspecting his weapons.

So, was he saying that he could control mana right now? Carl read the suspicion and smiled leisurely.

"So, Lord Davron. What are you going to do? I'm just overwhelmed by the thought of fighting."

Carl was satisfied with the credit for this small battle.

Govan could take the other credits as he wished. Surely he wouldn't say he couldn't do it now that he'd made all the boards.

Carl smiled broadly. It was a fox that had caught its opponent with a clever trick, unlike the expression it had shown so far.

'I'm telling him that I need you.'

Now, Govan also knew what it meant for sure.

Carl showed his extraordinary talent to Govan, and Govan was quite satisfied with it. Before he knew it, he had been thinking that it was right for this little boy to climb higher.

Govan glared at Carl with his mouth tightly shut. He finally understood. What kind of person this little prince was.

***

As the appointed time approached, both sides took up positions out of sight on the rocky hill and waited.

They sent men to their respective formations to check whether the other side had kept its promise, and Yusuf gritted his teeth at the words of the messenger who came to tell him that Carl had kept his promise.

Two knights, one squire, eleven soldiers.

And Carl.

They said that seeds couldn't handle mana.

Then, weren't there only two people who could handle mana? And to fill eleven people with soldiers and such!

"… I will change the troop formation."

Yusuf removed the carefully selected best soldiers and replaced them with twelve more common soldiers than Carl.

Carl was a burden other than power, and there were only two people who could handle mana, so even if this was done, it would be unbalanced.

That's how it seemed to Yusuf. But now that they'd come this far, there was no way they'd complain later on. Yusuf's decision caused a small commotion in the Tumarian formation.

The argument that Hardion should be defeated with overwhelming force and the argument that there should be no room for excuses clashed.

But overall, the latter opinion was dominant. Of course, since they all gave full authority to Yusuf, everything was decided by Yusuf's will regardless of their opinions.

As the appointed time approached, Carl looked back at the fourteen men awaiting his orders.

As always, in front of everyone.

"Our goal is already more than half achieved."

Carl spoke calmly, his voice neither loud nor soft.

"By order of His Majesty the Emperor, the goal of subjugating the Salgarez mercenary group that threatens the Empire's territory and people is at hand."

Carl did not confuse his goals.

He clearly understood that the war of nerves with Tumaria was merely a means, and that the ultimate goal was to subdue the Salgarez mercenary group, which was why he had come here.

Only after hearing Carl's words could many people realize it.