Breakfast was brought to the canopy, but Celine didn't withdraw. Apparently, she was determined to obtain my consent one way or another.
She probably planned to get a positive response from me first, then take it to General Wageris and say that the child had backed down.
Incidentally, Nomariola was ignoring Celine.
She really was consistently uninterested.
Even though she moved immediately whenever I merely glanced at the bread, wanting to spread butter on it.
Hmm, capable but extreme.
"Nomariola, can you think of a way for me and General Wageris to get along?"
I asked while having her spread butter on my bread.
"If he cannot truly realize your greatness, no matter how much he exhausts words like those palace nobles who are only impressive in name, it would be impossible."
She slipped in criticism casually.
Because she was acting as a double agent with Duke Lucaios, I could hear limited information about that "only impressive in name" person?
But it was Celine who reacted.
"General Wageris also evaluates that results are showing due to Your Highness's actions."
"Really? I always feel like he's angry whenever I do something?"
Celine couldn't deny it and hesitated for a moment.
"H-he does acknowledge it. However... if you don't have the spirit to lead yourself, be quiet. It seems he thinks Your Highness's methods are very roundabout, and I too understand the caution toward the Imperial Guards, but why won't you stand at the forefront? I cannot see the depth of Your Highness's thoughts."
"So what Helkov said earlier was correct. It's not that deep, Celine."
Being a prince, being a child, reasoning that it means nothing even if I move alone—none of that matters.
I just don't like the way of interfering from the sidelines, it doesn't suit my nature, our steps don't align.
It's that kind of compatibility issue.
I've done various things until now, but that was with the ingenuity born from having few people around.
So I've never had to align my steps with anyone.
Even Marquis Strategos, with whom I relatively exchanged opinions, never handed over initiative even when getting involved.
Speaking of which, General Wageris might think I'm only half-playing if he doesn't come to seize the initiative to that extent.
"In this army, I'm above in terms of authority, but General Wageris is above in terms of initiative. And neither can yield in terms of position, and if superiors compete, the army will just become dysfunctional. Well, if he thinks so, it might mean I should stay quiet."
I confirm that I'm not entirely wrong by looking at Celine's reaction.
"Perhaps he also finds it hard to swallow the dissatisfaction of being ordered around using authority."
"If you are such a wise and calm master, you have the consideration to imagine the other's feelings and sympathize with their situation. Yet the one calling himself a general acts unsightly, shouting and making emotional threats."
"Wait, wait, Nomariola."
When I analyzed it, Nomariola went to deliver the finishing blow.
Celine, unable to defend her superior General Wageris, hung her head.
Wearrel and Icto nodded at Nomariola's calm statement of opinion.
Helkov, with arms crossed and unmoving, surely knows that General Wageris won't do such a thing.
Celine frowned upon seeing the reactions of my close aides.
The elf's long ears seemed to droop somewhat.
"I also think I went too far, you know?"
"There was no problem with master's response."
When Nomariola immediately followed up, this time Helkov also nodded along.
"Basically, it's a matter of their pride. The squad leader's sister also wants to use Your Highness to extract concessions from Rock, right?"
When Helkov spoke, Celine, aware she was making unreasonable demands, reluctantly nodded.
The form of me yielding first is probably important for the military.
Because for example, until now the supervisor and team have been united and working well.
Suddenly, a complete amateur attached to the team as the supervisor's superior.
When the supervisor tries to work as before, I, the amateur, exercise strong authority and interfere despite having no track record.
If that contributed to the team's victory, that would be one thing, but it hasn't reached that point.
First, we're just marching, and regarding the epidemic too, we noticed and prevented it so damage is minimal.
(Of course, I won't pretend not to know and let damage grow large before helping, wasting lives.)
(To raise master's influence, it is a means worth considering...)
(No, no. Lost lives don't return. I won't make choices that make more people unhappy for my sake alone.)
(...Understood master's intention.)
I thought she was going to say something scary, but there's somehow an ominous pause?
(No, because. There's also the idea of the greatest happiness for the greatest number.)
(Request details.)
The idea that if many people become happy, utilitarianism is fine.
Though as a result, in the previous life's history, humans ended up troubled by environmental destruction.
And it's not that we can abandon minorities, and right now I'm on the minority side that would be abandoned.
"Even if we show conciliation from our side, wouldn't that general's personality reject it?"
"Even if he shows a softened stance only toward Prince Asha, this problem won't be solved."
Wearrel and Icto also began pointing out the naivety of Celine's outlook.
While having such conversation, I thought to continue breakfast... but then Nomariola whispered to me.
"When bringing your meal here, I saw the general walking with only two people."
"Where?"
I ask Nomariola and have Sephira check the situation.
Not approaching my tent, yet close enough for Nomariola to witness, and with only a few people.
House arrest was lifted yesterday, but that's too few people for a thank-you visit.
(Reporting.)
Sephira returned.
It seems it was really close.
She said it was in the direction of the tent used by the Imperial Guards.
(Signs of rebellion.)
I almost spat out the buttered bread, and covered my mouth.
Everyone directed their gazes at my movement.
Especially among them, the three close aides who know Sephira showed vigilance at my unprecedented strange behavior.
Yeah, this happened at the cathedral too.
"Um... alright."
I quickly finish breakfast after asking Sephira about the situation.
"Nomariola, you don't need to clean up, just wait here for a bit. Icto is fine, but can Helkov and Wearrel suppress their footsteps?"
"Your Highness, what on earth are you saying?"
To Celine who was listening, I make an excuse as it comes to mind and stand up from my seat.
"A little post-meal walk?"
Understanding I'm secretly taking them along, Wearrel stays behind while Helkov accompanies me.
"Ah, Celine, wait here a bit too."
"Huh? Y-yes. If you can spare the time, as much as you need..."
I quickly went outside the tent claiming it was a walk.
While having Sephira guide me, I have her suppress sounds of footsteps and clothing rustling.
Unlike Icto and Helkov, I can't do it on my own.
The destination is the Imperial Guards' tent.
I ask Sephira in my mind and inform Icto and Helkov that General Wageris went there with a few people.
And what we arrived at was the toilet.
A small tent, and beside it, I can see men in Imperial Guard uniforms pressing their foreheads together.
(Where?)
(I'm in the shadow of the piled supplies on the right.)
Told this, if I look, certainly there's a shadow that looks like someone hiding, moving slightly.
"As expected, at this rate... we must protect our own lives ourselves..."
"The source of all evil is clear... nothing but a prince in name only..."
"Crossing the harsh mountain pass... if the burden falls while carrying luggage, together off the cliff..."
Yes, that's me.
The one they're about to rebel against, the first prince in name only.
Hmm, I was being cautious of assassination and keeping only Imperial Guards around, but why are they plotting such things now?
While thinking such things, I approached the shadow of the supplies on the right.
General Wageris, who had been crouching with his large body and straining his ears, noticed me and turned around.
At my appearance, he made a terribly awkward face.
Regular update
Next time: Matching Steps with the General 3
Wait, I need to check the name "ロック" again. In the text: "小隊長の姉ちゃんも、殿下をだしにロックから譲歩を引き出したい". This is Helkov speaking. He's referring to Celine (who is the squad leader's sister) wanting to use the Prince to get concessions from Rock. Given that the whole chapter is about General Wageris and the Prince's conflict, and Celine works for the General, "Rock" is almost certainly General Wageris's nickname or given name. So I should probably use "Rock" for ロック and "General Wageris" for ワゲリス将軍, or clarify that Rock is the General. Actually, looking at the pattern, ワゲリス might be the family name and ロック the given name? Or it's a nickname. I'll translate ロック as "Rock" and assume it's the General.
Also "アーシャ殿下" = Prince Asha (the protagonist).
"セフィラ・セフィロト" = Sephira Sephiroth (clearly a reference to the Kabbalah/Sephirot, likely an AI or spirit companion).
"ストラテーグ侯爵" = Marquis Strategos (or Strategy? Strategos is Greek for general/military commander, fitting the theme).
"ヘルコフ" = Helkov.
"ウェアレル" = Wearrel.
"イクト" = Icto.
"ノマリオラ" = Nomariola.
"セリーヌ" = Celine.
"ルカイオス公爵" = Duke Lucaios.
One final check on the ending:
"定期更新
次回：将軍との足並み３"
This should be:
"Regular Update
Next: Matching Steps with the General 3"
Or "In Step with the General 3" or "Marching in Step with the General 3". "足並みを揃える" means to march in step, to coordinate, to align. So "Matching Steps" or "Marching in Step" works.
I think the translation is solid. I'll do a final polish for flow and consistency. Breakfast was brought to the canopy, but Celine didn't withdraw. Apparently, she was determined to obtain my consent one way or another.
She probably planned to get a positive response from me first, then take it to General Wageris and say that the child had backed down.
Incidentally, Nomariola was ignoring Celine.
She really was consistently uninterested.
Even though she moved immediately whenever I merely glanced at the bread, wanting to spread butter on it.
Hmm, capable but extreme.
"Nomariola, can you think of a way for me and General Wageris to get along?"
I asked while having her spread butter on my bread.
"If he cannot truly realize your greatness, no matter how much he exhausts words like those palace nobles who are only impressive in name, it would be impossible."
She slipped in criticism casually.
Because she was acting as a double agent with Duke Lucaios, I could hear limited information about that "only impressive in name" person?
But it was Celine who reacted.
"General Wageris also evaluates that results are showing due to Your Highness's actions."
"Really? I always feel like he's angry whenever I do something?"
Celine also couldn't deny it and hesitated for a moment.
"H-he does acknowledge it. However... if you don't have the spirit to lead yourself, be quiet. It seems he thinks Your Highness's methods are very roundabout, and I too understand the caution toward the Imperial Guards, but why won't you stand at the forefront? I cannot see the depth of Your Highness's thoughts."
"So what Helkov said earlier was correct. It's not that deep, Celine."
Being a prince, being a child, reasoning that it means nothing even if I move alone—none of that matters.
I just don't like the way of interfering from the sidelines, it doesn't suit my nature, our steps don't align.
It's that kind of compatibility issue.
I've done various things until now, but that was with the ingenuity born from having few people around.
So I've never had to align my steps with anyone.
Even Marquis Strategos, with whom I relatively exchanged opinions, never handed over initiative even when getting involved.
Speaking of which, General Wageris might think I'm only half-playing if he doesn't come to seize the initiative to that extent.
"In this army, I'm above in terms of authority, but General Wageris is above in terms of initiative. And neither can yield in terms of position, and if superiors compete, the army will just become dysfunctional. Well, if he thinks so, it might mean I should stay quiet."
I confirm that I'm not entirely wrong by looking at Celine's reaction.
"Perhaps he also finds it hard to swallow the dissatisfaction of being ordered around using authority."
"If you are such a wise and calm master, you have the consideration to imagine the other's feelings and sympathize with their situation. Yet the one calling himself a general acts unsightly, shouting and making emotional threats."
"Wait, wait, Nomariola."
When I analyzed it, Nomariola went to deliver the finishing blow.
Celine, unable to defend her superior General Wageris, hung her head.
Wearrel and Icto nodded at Nomariola's calm statement of opinion.
Helkov, with arms crossed and unmoving, surely knows that General Wageris won't do such a thing.
Celine frowned upon seeing the reactions of my close aides.
The elf's long ears seemed to droop somewhat.
"I also think I went too far, you know?"
"There was no problem with master's response."
When Nomariola immediately followed up, this time Helkov also nodded along.
"Basically, it's a matter of their pride. The squad leader's sister also wants to use Your Highness to extract concessions from Rock, right?"
When Helkov spoke, Celine, aware she was making unreasonable demands, reluctantly nodded.
The form of me yielding first is probably important for the military.
Because for example, until now the supervisor and team have been united and working well.
Suddenly, a complete amateur attached to the team as the supervisor's superior.
When the supervisor tries to work as before, I, the amateur, exercise strong authority and interfere despite having no track record.
If that contributed to the team's victory, that would be one thing, but it hasn't reached that point.
First, we're just marching, and regarding the epidemic too, we noticed and prevented it so damage is minimal.
(Of course, I won't pretend not to know and let damage grow large before helping, wasting lives.)
(To raise master's influence, it is a means worth considering...)
(No, no. Lost lives don't return. I won't make choices that make more people unhappy for my sake alone.)
(...Understood master's intention.)
I thought she was going to say something scary, but there's somehow an ominous pause?
(No, because. There's also the idea of the greatest happiness for the greatest number.)
(Request details.)
The idea that if many people become happy, utilitarianism is fine.
Though as a result, in the previous life's history, humans ended up troubled by environmental destruction.
And it's not that we can abandon minorities, and right now I'm on the minority side that would be abandoned.
"Even if we show conciliation from our side, wouldn't that general's personality reject it?"
"Even if he shows a softened stance only toward Prince Asha, this problem won't be solved."
Wearrel and Icto also began pointing out the naivety of Celine's outlook.
While having such conversation, I thought to continue breakfast... but then Nomariola whispered to me.
"When bringing your meal here, I saw the general walking with only two people."
"Where?"
I ask Nomariola and have Sephira check the situation.
Not approaching my tent, yet close enough for Nomariola to witness, and with only a few people.
House arrest was lifted yesterday, but that's too few people for a thank-you visit.
(Reporting.)
Sephira returned.
It seems it was really close.
She said it was in the direction of the tent used by the Imperial Guards.
(Signs of rebellion.)
I almost spat out the buttered bread, and covered my mouth.
Everyone directed their gazes at my movement.
Especially among them, the three close aides who know Sephira showed vigilance at my unprecedented strange behavior.
Yeah, this happened at the cathedral too.
"Um... alright."
I quickly finish breakfast after asking Sephira about the situation.
"Nomariola, you don't need to clean up, just wait here for a bit. Icto is fine, but can Helkov and Wearrel suppress their footsteps?"
"Your Highness, what on earth are you saying?"
To Celine who was listening, I make an excuse as it comes to mind and stand up from my seat.
"A little post-meal walk?"
Understanding I'm secretly taking them along, Wearrel stays behind while Helkov accompanies me.
"Ah, Celine, wait here a bit too."
"Huh? Y-yes. If you can spare the time, as much as you need..."
I quickly went outside the tent claiming it was a walk.
While having Sephira guide me, I have her suppress sounds of footsteps and clothing rustling.
Unlike Icto and Helkov, I can't do it on my own.
The destination is the Imperial Guards' tent.
I ask Sephira in my mind and inform Icto and Helkov that General Wageris went there with a few people.
And what we arrived at was the toilet.
A small tent, and beside it, I can see men in Imperial Guard uniforms pressing their foreheads together.
(Where?)
(I'm in the shadow of the piled supplies on the right.)
Told this, if I look, certainly there's a shadow that looks like someone hiding, moving slightly.
"As expected, at this rate... we must protect our own lives ourselves..."
"The source of all evil is clear... nothing but a prince in name only..."
"Crossing the harsh mountain pass... if the burden falls while carrying luggage, together off the cliff..."
Yes, that's me.
The one they're about to rebel against, the first prince in name only.
Hmm, I was being cautious of assassination and keeping only Imperial Guards around, but why are they plotting such things now?
While thinking such things, I approached the shadow of the supplies on the right.
General Wageris, who had been crouching with his large body and straining his ears, noticed me and turned around.
At my appearance, he made a terribly awkward face.
Regular Update
Next: Matching Steps with the General 3