Does the mechanical girl dream of the Messiah?

"Will there be any problem with this?"

“That’s a huge problem.”

This time, Roy simply forgot about going back to the city to confront Clement, and focused all his attention on the matter provided by the "Arbitrator" and explained by Ashatherine.

"After the rebels' mage positions occupied some magic mapping nodes, a large part of the city's defense force needed to be used to prepare for their magic bombardment."

"The Ailumu Wall can defend against frontal attacks very well. The only thing we need to pay attention to is long-range bombing. We can bypass the wall and directly attack the city behind by projectiles. If there is a projectile with sufficient range, it is not impossible."

Ella quietly gave Lunicia a general introduction to the situation in the area.

"If the Iron Leviathan's artillery position is fully set up, it can accurately strike any location in the city of Twick. This is what the data shows."

Ashlee was explaining what could be learned from the known intelligence.

"Yeah, I roughly understand." Lunicia nodded seriously, "If there are only the mage troops of 'Legacy of Natya', the stationed legions can counter at any time. But if the bombardment positions of the Iron Leviathan are added, the current plan cannot be used, right?"

"You are absolutely right."

Roy now had a helpless look on his face, totally different from his previous calm self.

"If we are attacked from both sides, the existing countermeasures will not be able to completely resist the magic bombardment and artillery attack. In other words... as long as the city defense observes the completion of the artillery position, they will definitely find a way - or take the initiative to attack when they are forced to do so, at least to remove one of the artillery position or the rebels' magic mapping nodes."

"Is this the result you came to based on your experience in managing city defense?"

"Yes, you are right."

Lunicia tilted her head and said, "Although you don't look as flustered as before, your anxiety has increased instead of decreased. It seems that this piece of information concerns you more than the previous one?"

"You can see that." Roy replied as he packed his bag and prepared to leave: "If there really is a traitor, although the harm is great, it may not cause any trouble immediately. It will take some time to confirm my situation. But now there is a big problem with the city defense, and I am really worried."

"You're worried, you mean...?"

Lunicia keenly heard that the other party's implication was not that he was worried about the city's defense, but that he was worried about something else.

"It's my brother, Little Millet. He is also in charge of defending the city now, but I don't think he is up to the job. He should go back quickly. I won't be at ease for a moment if he goes to the battlefield."

"Then you are a really good brother."

"Well, it's just average..."

During the conversation, Lunicia had already walked to the side of the "Arbitrator" and squatted down gently.

Leah had a frustrated expression on her face and turned her face to the side: "...What's the matter? You know everything you need to know."

"Well."

"I don't want to tell you at all. I don't want to betray my companions or my sister... Just kill me. You've made me do things I don't want to do, why do you want me to live..."

"I'm sorry, but..." Lunicia scratched her cheek, looking a little embarrassed. "It is not in line with the creed of a paladin to treat prisoners cruelly and kill unarmed people. Both my teachers and gods have taught me this, which makes me always have compassion. So I will never do this to you again."

“Then let that spell swordsman over there or that construct over there kill me!… Really, what on earth do you want…”

I don’t know if Leia was angry or scared, but she felt a little weak now.

"We're probably going to go look for Sister Sestine and the others next, and we can't just leave you here, so do you want to come with us?"

"I can't move."

The Arbitrator replied unhappily.

Not only was part of her limbs physically cut off, but after that, Ashetherin also made some settings to the Arbitrator's body to ensure that she completely lost her ability to move, in case she had any built-in weapons that could be used for sneak attacks. In this case, even if she still had her limbs to use, she would still be completely unable to move.

"There's really no way around this... Well, let me help you."

"You want to do... Uwaaa?!"

As a result, the "Arbitrator", who had become much lighter than before, was picked up by Lunicia. She had completely lost her ability to move and did not even have the strength to struggle. She could only watch with her face pressed against Lunicia's chest - of course, the most she could do was to lean on the cold and hard armor, and there was no way for her to go any further.

"Just be patient for a little bit."

"So what is this doing?!"

"You want to go back to your sister, right? Now that I know what actions Sister Sestine will take, I plan to go directly to her and hand you over to that... Lusa? I think her name is that."

"you……"

Even Leah Efayeret could only be speechless in this situation.

"Mr. Roy, are you planning to go back to the city directly?"

"Yes, it's not just Clermont's problem. I also have to go back to take charge of defense. I should be able to tell if that guy is a traitor if I prepare in advance."

"In that case, let's go together to the exit of the Great Forest. I wish you good luck in fighting."

"You too."

Roy returned the greeting solemnly, while the "Arbitrator" sighed in Lunicia's arms.

"You... even if you try to please me and my sister like this, we, the Iron Leviathan, will not treat you well. Enemies are still enemies, and this will not change."

"Haha, let's talk about it when the time comes."

Lunicia's expression was bright, as if such a future could not cast any shadow on her.

"How can there be such a person? How far can one go to be a good person..."

As the "Arbitrator" muttered to herself, she was completely unaware that behind Lunicia, Ella Hepper was staring at her with eyes that were full of resentment and as sharp as a sword.

"…I should have killed her earlier…"

I'm also mumbling over here.

Chapter 21: The Betrayer's Dinner (Part 3)

"Milla! Miriam!"

Passing through the forest and the fields, the horse brought the prince of this country back to his position. He took big steps and his expression was free from anxiety. No guard would try to stop him because they all knew his identity, the destined heir of this country, the eldest son of the Ivanov family.

It is obvious that they are ready to go to war. With just one order, every soldier here will act to carry out the lord's orders and eliminate one of the two major threats to ensure that the city of Twick will not be threatened and that the civilians and property that need their protection will not suffer any losses.

"Millai, are you here?"

“…Onii-sama?”

At this time, Miriam von Ivanov was in the big tent in the middle of the camp, thinking about the various problems that he and his soldiers might encounter next. The green-tailed parrot landed on his finger, and the red-billed sparrow stood quietly on his shoulder. These pets that could only be seen in the greenhouse of the nobles seemed to be thinking with him. When Roy opened the door curtain and came in, he was naturally startled - someone broke in without notification, but more importantly, he didn't expect to meet his own brother here. Even the pet birds were startled and circled in the tent.

"Huh, the action hasn't started yet..."

Roy seemed relieved.

"What happened? I heard that you went to the Lafkai Forest to do a forced reconnaissance mission..."

"That's what happened."

"So that's what you mean...?"

"It's almost done. I ordered a group of soldiers to retreat first. Have they come back?"

Roy walked back and forth in the tent. In order to prevent his thoughts from being distracted and unable to keep up with the rapid changes in the situation, he had to quickly bring the topic back to business, lest he become too relaxed under Miriam's influence and forget his extremely serious mission.

"Yes, my brother."

Miriam, on the other hand, was just the opposite. He saw that his respected brother was not in danger of life as reported, but seemed to be unharmed - the slight damage to the armor was not a problem, and the injuries had been treated by himself and Lunetia before - this made him feel sincerely relieved and happy, and he couldn't help but relax, and even forgot his current identity, the commander of the expeditionary force.

"I'm back. That's what they said."

"You were helping them to cover their retreat. After some sacrifices, they managed to shake off the undead pursuers." Miriam pinched the holy emblem hanging on her chest. "May Hasar bless you."

Roy paced back and forth in the tent again, shook his head violently, and then stared at Miriam's face.

"Onii-sama? Is there something on my face...?"

"No, no, nothing, nothing... no."

"Ok?"

"No, there is." Roy seemed to be in deep thought, and then stared at Miriam solemnly, making the latter more embarrassed. "Well, Miriam, let's hand over the command."

"what?"

If Miriam's expression had originally been confusion, now it could be described as troubled.

"What are you talking about, my brother? Did you get hit in the head during the battle?"

Obviously, this was not sarcasm, but Miriam really felt that there was such a possibility, which could be seen from his sincere eyes.

"I'm fine!"

The veins on Roy's forehead were about to pop out.

"Honestly... I can't tell, Onii-sama."

"Isn't this crystal clear?!"

"Well, is that so..." Miriam groaned, then stood on tiptoe and placed her palm on Roy's forehead, "Strange, you don't have a fever either?"

"Why do you have a fever?!"

This time Roy was no longer angry, but even shocked.

"In winter, the cold current from the north passes through here. The wind wrapped in snowflakes blows across the fields and forests, across the hills and valleys, across this ancient city, and across the residence of you and me. The towering Ailumu was also built for this purpose. It not only resists artillery fire and spells, but also resists the wind and snow from the distant north. The twelve years you spent outside the city wall apart from me, will the cold penetrate deeper into your flesh and blood, your bones, making you more sensitive and prone to illness? When I think of this, I worry about you, my brother, because you are the best person of our generation. If you fall, I will definitely not be able to shoulder this heavy responsibility——"

"Alright, alright, I surrender." Roy scratched his head helplessly, "This is not easy to say... Anyway, can you listen to me this time?"

This kind of disagreement often made Roy feel both amused and helpless. Even though he hurriedly left the family that he could not accept at the age of 18, he still could not forget the relationship between him and Miriam, which was thicker than blood but full of differences.

Judging from their appearance, as the offspring of a pure-blooded Murand Highland man and a local Marie woman, they are brothers, but one inherited the three-dimensional face of Murand, while the other has more of the southern style of Marie, with a soft and even feminine face like most people in the south; judging from their preferences, one is obsessed with fine wines, collecting playing cards and armor displays, while the other only likes gardens and potted plants, plus raising some birds and writing diaries; judging from their expertise, one is good at leading troops in battle and is talkative and cheerful, while the other has a more implicit affinity, and is delicate and gentle; one left home because he yearned for a free life, while the other was submissive but valued family affection... Their differences are so huge, but their relationship is very good, and the power of blood is evident.

This kind of relationship makes it easy for them to have disagreements, but also easy to resolve them.

"It's not impossible. What do you mean, brother?"

"Huh..." Roy breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll be in charge of the expedition, and the city defense is up to you."

"I don't have any problem with this, but Brother, won't this cause chaos?"

"Dad asked you to do this, didn't he?"

"Hey, you know?"

"Guess."

Roy couldn't help but smack his lips.

"I'm not bragging, but you should know that there is still some gap between you and me in command ability."

"Of course, my brother, you are my role model."

"That's not the point... The purpose and importance of this battle, you are..."

"I fully understand all of this, brother. Our army will march outside the city to eliminate an artillery position that threatens the city. If we fail, our defense line will lose a large part of its effectiveness, and the residents in the city will have to be directly exposed to the enemy's firepower."

"I listened very carefully."

"I also attend city defense meetings every day, Brother."

"But I think you are not capable enough to host this kind of battle."

"There is nothing wrong with this view. I still have many shortcomings."

"So...just...you understand, right?"

"Just say it, brother, don't worry too much about my feelings. I am very happy to hear your guidance and suggestions. They are all very valuable."

"Okay, then I'll get straight to the point. The position of commander-in-chief isn't that important. Let me ask you, who is your deputy in this team right now? "

"Little Lauren Holt."

"Lauren Holt is... the son of Lauren Holt Howard, the exiled branch of the Howard family, the Lauren Holt that Dad promoted before?"

"That's true." Miriam looked at Roy in surprise. "I thought you didn't know him, brother. It seems that my vision is not broad enough."

"I am a senior officer after all, so how could I not know Laurenhot...Did Dad recommend him to you and ask him to be your deputy to 'assist' you in completing this expedition?"

"That's right, that's it."

"Okay, the situation is pretty much what I thought."

Roy von Ivanov nodded with a relaxed look. "So actually, Laurenhot is the actual commander of this expedition, and you, Mile, are probably here to practice. Or maybe it's to boost morale. After all, everyone knows that you are the young master of the Ivanov family, and leading the troops in person is always more exciting. Anyway, no matter which statement is made, the actual command is unlikely to fall on you."

"That's what happened."

"Think about it. You have no experience in leading troops into battle. At most, you can only arrange defenses within the city. This is not as simple as teaching a church and dealing with villagers in the countryside, or raising birds and flowers. If you try to do something so big all of a sudden, you will definitely fail."

"What you said makes sense. So, even if the commander is replaced now, as long as you and Mr. Laurenhot tell them, it won't have any impact on the situation?"