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Chapter 297 part 2

Lynette’s charming gesture of closing her mouth elicited a smile from Gwandan. Then, timidly, Gundeus posed a new question to Gwandan.

「Gwandan-sama, if I may inquire, there is something I would like to ask.」

Amria, while rubbing the base of the two ears that were squeaking, posed a question to Gwandan. Gwandan seemed to ponder for a few moments before responding.

「Hmm, it’s a tough decision. Generally, I have grasped their limits through this special training. If we proceed with similar content next time, their skills and physical abilities could almost reach their peak. However, if it ends up like this, the essential heart will not develop.」

「The harmony of mind, technique, and body comes only when all three are aligned. Missing even one makes it fragile, and the brilliance dims. Even if there is a next time, I think it’s more realistic to have them face Lynette and the others rather than me intervening.」

「So, you won’t repeat what happened this time?」 Amria asked with a strong tone, thinking of Yachiyo and Fuka.

「Yes, I won’t do it again.」 Gwandan affirmed, appearing truly remorseful.

For a few seconds, Amria gazed into Gwandan’s eyes, seemingly convinced by his sincerity. She then immersed herself in comforting the two, who had regressed to a juvenile beast-like state again.

Lynette, trying not to agitate Yachiyo and the others, asked Gwandan in a low voice, 「By the way, Mr. Gwandan, how far have Yachiyo and Fuka reached towards their goal? I heard they were supposed to grow to be on par with us…」

「Hmm, well, it’s just a high target. We trained them hard, but they are still short of reaching the level of you and Gandeus. Unless we train them for their entire lives, further training is impossible. We would need to alter their souls and physical makeup, and that’s not feasible.」

「I see. Then all we can do now is hope they recover their spirits quickly. Mr. Gwandan, I can’t defend you this time.」

「This time, I too must admit I greatly miscalculated. It’s no excuse to say I was moved by their enthusiasm.」

Gwandan sighed deeply. Gandeus and Kyrlinne looked restless and uneasy but refrained from defending him, as Lynette had subtly indicated they shouldn’t.

Lynette believed that a servant should tell the master when they are wrong, even if it’s difficult. She knew Gwandan valued servants who acted to correct mistakes rather than just agreeing with everything.

「So, currently, how capable are Yachiyo and Fuka?」

「They were above average but not first-rate. Now, they’ve reached above first-rate but not quite super first-rate. They might struggle against the Twelve Wing Generals but are skilled enough to hold their own against renowned swordsmen and warriors.」

「So, as a princess’s guard, they are barely satisfactory?」

「If we supplement what they lack with equipment, they’ll pass. But they can’t face the Twelve Wing Generals or the higher-ups of the Demon King’s army.」

「Then, after Amria becomes emperor, we can only hope Lynette and the others find a loophole to help her?」

「If it becomes too critical, Lynette, you can intervene, right?」

「While your offer is touching, it’s crucial for Amria to realize this on her own. I will make an effort to keep quiet.」

Gwandan smiled at Lynette’s charming gesture of pressing her lips together, and Gandeus timidly posed a new question.

「Mr. Gwandan, may I ask you something?」

「What is it? Don’t hesitate to speak.」

「I’ve heard that in our homeland, the Bern Barony, there was a battle with the Demon King’s army. Mother and Selina-sama had a tough fight. The Demon King’s army is not to be underestimated. But we don’t know the true strength of their top leaders. I’ve also heard that the army attacking the Romal Empire is fundamentally different from the one invading Bern and Arkrest Kingdom. We’d like some information in advance.」

「Gandeus, your concern is valid. From what I’ve heard, some northern villages are already under the Demon King’s army’s control. The army’s composition is split between Goblins that are unlike any Goblins and higher-ranking demonic tribes, with air forces of faux dragons and flying demonic beasts on both sides.」

「And their equipment is superior to both the Kingdom and the Empire, right?」

「Yes. They are a force that unified the Dark Wilderness. Now, Amria, we should move to the next room. I apologize, but please look after Yachiyo and Fuka.」

Understanding that Lynette and the others were about to share something too stimulating for Yachiyo and Fuka, Amria obediently agreed.

「Understood. Leave them to me.」

「Thank you.」

The four quickly moved to the adjacent room, closing the door firmly while remaining vigilant to rush to Amria’s aid if needed. They began sharing new information.

Gwandan opened his left palm upwards, and instantly, particles of light began to overflow, gathering and solidifying into a long rectangle against the wall. It was a kind of magic that showed distant scenes. There’s also magic to interfere with and attack those spying, but with Gwandan’s execution, any countermeasures were futile.

The scene displayed was from the front lines between the Romal Empire and the Demon King’s Army, still far from Baroldi. Lynette and her sisters understood they were viewing a battle taking place at the right moment.

「This footage is from three days ago, when the Twelve Wing Generals from Grand Duke Rhinosart’s side and the generals from the demon tribes clashed. It ended in a draw, but remember, a legion’s leader is a notch above in strength.」

Remote viewing, a type of clairvoyance, was a highly advanced technique, but adding past viewing to it was astonishing. However, Lynette and her sisters, used to such phenomena, focused on the image without surprise.

The battlefield was a gently rolling hillside with a green carpet spread across it. It was noon, and the sunlight illuminating the horizon projected countless armed soldiers from both sides.

From the torn ground and the numerous motionless bodies, it was evident that significant time had passed since the battle’s onset.

「Now, here are the ones to pay attention to,」 Gwandan adjusted the focus, and the screen showed a demon tribe member and two humans engaged in a fierce battle that shook the heavens and earth, while soldiers carefully watched from a distance.

The demon tribe member wore a thin black robe that outlined her body and blue glowing armor on her waist and shoulders, with no other apparent protective gear.

Notably, she had three-bladed tentacles extending from each shoulder, each with a moving eyeball in the center. Her long ears resembled those of elves, and her long, slender eyes sparkled with amethyst and a fighting spirit.

She fought with her long, bright red hair billowing.

「She’s Zandarza’s daughter, leading the demon tribe, called Marzamis. Opposing her are Galliol, a knight-like Twelve Wing General who once fought us, and Eratiri, a summoner.」

Marzamis’ unleashed magic power from her hands varied between cold, heat, thunder, and wind blades, scattering as endless destruction. It would require nearly a thousand wizards chanting defense magic to counter it.

Galliol dispersed it with the magical protection of his large shield and his halberd, infused with powerful magic, swinging it in all directions and protecting himself and Eratiri from fatal blows.

In the midst of this destructive magical force, akin to all natural disasters combined, Galliol adeptly responded to the three-bladed tentacles relentlessly reaping lives. Protected by him, Eratiri’s summoned multitude of small and large, toxic and non-toxic insects attacked Marzamis.

The giant mantis, thrusting through the magical disaster like Galliol, was likely the same species previously used by Dramina as a whetstone for Valkyrios. From tiny insects to swarms of carnivorous earthworms, there were as many varieties of insects as Marzamis.

Lynette and her sisters watched the three-way battle with stern expressions. Kyrlinne, maintaining her usual dreamy demeanor but with a serious look in her eyes, was the first to speak.

「Mr. Gwandan, I have something to say.」

「What is it, Kyrlinne?」

「I don’t want to dishearten you, Mr. Gwandan, but I must be honest. Fighting the Twelve Wing Generals and this executive level is very challenging with our current equipment. Right, Gan-chan?」

「Yes, unfortunately, Mr. Gwandan, it is difficult for Kyrlinne and me to fight evenly without using equipment with lost technology, which we usually avoid. Even without Gandoga, Lynette, with her perpetual motion machine and ley line enhancement, might match them.」

Gundeus’ assessment was valuable, but even Lynette would need Gandoga or similar equipment to win.

「If we are prepared to fight to the death, we three sisters can each take down an enemy. However, our lives are meant for the people of Bern and Mr. Gwandan. We cannot use them at our discretion.」

Gwandan wished Lynette would insist more on the ownership of their lives. Perhaps this was an improvement, as she no longer talked about using her life as disposable.

「I understand. I am also prepared to unlock equipment if necessary. Given Asteria and Amria’s roles, it’s unlikely we’ll go to the front lines. If we do fight the Demon Lord’s army, it will be if they attack Baroldi.」

Gwandan’s words made sense. The only other possibility was Asteria going to the front lines with elite guards like Kyles to boost soldier morale and offer comfort.

The four understood, without words, the likelihood of Amria being used as Asteria’s proxy for a test.