"Proceed."
Valeria straightened his posture. Despite the age difference, the movement seemed to make Will slightly nervous. Valeria couldn't help but smile faintly.
"—Your army is to continue operations in the Great Forest. This includes reclaiming occupied cite, mopping up remaining enemies, and exterminating the remaining elven villages. In addition, reconnaissance units are to be dispatched to search for the whereabouts of Zesshi Zetsumei and the Elf King, under the pretext of surveying high-tier magical beasts."
Meaningless.
Valeria raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
He is merely conveying orders. He has done nothing wrong
The first part of the command was easy to understand. Many powerful forest elves had fled into the depths of the forest. If they were allowed to regroup—or worse, defect to the Sorcerer Kingdom—it would amount to strengthening the enemy at no cost. Worse still, these were veterans filled with hatred toward the Theocracy.
The latter order, however—the search—was utterly futile.
Ah… I see. It's bait.
Valeria quickly grasped the intent.
The supreme executive council must have anticipated the Sorcerer Kingdom exploiting this situation. Would the Sorcerer Kingdom truly be satisfied with eliminating Zesshi Zetsumei alone? Unlikely. Valeria's army was probably the next target.
Even if they ordered an immediate retreat, it would still take several days to return to the Theocracy—ample time for an enemy capable of teleportation.
If the army were crushed during withdrawal, morale would collapse entirely.
Moreover, immediate retreat was impossible for another reason: the Sorcerer Kingdom had likely already infiltrated the army—with spies, impostors, or monsters specialized in infiltration.
No—there was more.
It is inconceivable that the Sorcerer King simply happened upon Zesshi by chance. Such a coincidence is beyond logic. An undead ruler does not dismantle a six-century-old nation through chance alone.
He must have spent a long time watching us, collecting information, and waiting to strike…
—Which implied that Sorcerer Kingdom agents had likely infiltrated Valeria's army long ago.
In order to capture the Elf Kingdom swiftly, they had relaxed personnel checks to maximize efficiency.
Had the Sorcerer Kingdom deliberately waited for that window?
No… the Theocracy had accelerated the war because of pressure from the Sorcerer Kingdom itself—after the Kingdom's destruction.
Which meant—
From the very beginning…?
If so, then the opponent they faced was nothing short of terrifying.
Valeria's eyes narrowed, as though trying to pierce the unseen Sorcerer King's thoughts across vast distances.
"The Clearwater Scripture and Windflower Scripture will arrive by tomorrow noon," Will added.
"Their first task is to reexamine the Elf King's capital. After that… they will investigate possible infiltration within our army."
"As expected," Valeria said. "A sound judgment."
Will hesitated briefly.
"Then… regrettably, the Supreme Executive Council has ordered that only Your Excellency and our unit are to return to the homeland. Command of the army will be entrusted to the adjutants and staff officers."
"What?"
Valeria frowned.
"Our army's mission, to be blunt, is to act as bait—to test the Sorcerer Kingdom's next move. And now you intend to withdraw me, the supreme commander, to safety?"
"… I'm sorry."
Will looked genuinely ashamed, but Valeria's indignation spilled over.
"So the Supreme Executive Council truly knows how to 'cherish talent.' I am deeply grateful for their generosity in allowing me to live."
"Your Excellency—"
"I will remain here," Valeria declared. "I will live and die with this army. I will not abandon them, nor will I use them as disposable bait."
The air grew tense.
Will closed his eyes, remaining silent for a long moment before speaking.
"I respect your resolve. But when the weak oppose the strong, wisdom is the greatest weapon. Our inevitable clash with the Sorcerer Kingdom makes your experience indispensable… That is the Cardinals' belief."
Valeria wavered.
It was a rational argument. Returning to the Theocracy might allow him to contribute more to the nation than dying here.
But—
"Thank you," he said quietly. "However, I must refuse. If I fled now, guilt would render my so-called wisdom meaningless."
Will seemed ready to argue further, but Valeria raised a hand to stop him.
"That's enough. At my age, a clear conscience matters more than survival. And if you would—please convey a message to the Cardinals' : they should consider the feelings of those on the front lines."
"… Understood. I will relay your words faithfully. Including your tone."
"Hahaha. Good lad." Valeria's smile softened.
"Take care. For the future of humanity, you and the others… must not fall."
"Understood. Please take care as well. Farewell, sir."
Will bowed. At his signal, Valen completed a teleportation spell, and the members of the Dark Scripture vanished without a trace.
"… Alright."
Valeria stretched, as though setting down a heavy burden.
"Exterminating the remnants of the elves and their villages… This may be the last thing I do for the Theocracy. No—"
"For humanity."
That night, Valeria slept little. He reorganized the army, reassigned units, and prepared for what was to come.
When morning arrived, the sun shone with unsettling brilliance