"General?"
"Salvil?"
At any rate, I invited General Wageris and two of his subordinates into my tent.
There, Celine, who had been waiting, and the General's party expressed mutual surprise at each other's appearances.
Nomariola, seeing a new arrival, first prepared my chair.
She cleared away the small table that had been used for breakfast and adjusted the chair for comfortable seating.
Then she prepared one only for the General and waited at the edge of the room.
"At any rate, sit down. On my end, a maid who brought breakfast reported seeing the General, so I went to check on the situation and found that. Why in the world was General Wageris eavesdropping in a place like that?"
The General had come here without informing us, having reduced his entourage.
In other words, he had gone to the place beside the latrine where the Imperial Guards were plotting rebellion.
I thought it was only natural, but General Wageris's capybara-like face turned severe.
Yeah, without the fear of a wild beast, his glare was incredibly intimidating.
"Why, you ask? The First Prince was making decisions based on assumptions without verifying anything, calling it sloppy this and careless that, so I came to inspect it myself!"
"You're loud."
From General Wageris's glare directed at Helkov, who had spoken, it seemed he suspected Helkov had put me up to this.
In fact, Helkov had pointed out exactly what he had said and placed him under house arrest.
At first, he had maintained some decorum befitting a prince, but lately he had become just a foul-tempered old man.
I hadn't met anyone like this since my reincarnation, so it was rather refreshing.
Also, since he says exactly what he's thinking, I don't have to suspect hidden motives.
"Um, the situation is, not well... understood...?"
Celine was confused, but I had only just learned of this myself, so my gaze turned to General Wageris.
"...Ch-Regular patrols aside, I had sent people from headquarters to survey the surrounding area."
"Thank you for your hard work. Even if you spy from outside, you wouldn't see what I'm doing."
"Yeah! Exactly, damn it!"
He was angry because I hit the mark, but Wearrel interjected.
"We would ask that you refrain from speaking such unpleasant words to Lord Asha."
General Wageris glared at Wearrel but clamped his mouth shut.
Probably because he knew her capabilities.
Villains don't commit suicide by attacking armies, and beasts don't attack when outnumbered.
So what does attack? Monsters.
In the frontier, there are rare materials, but because there are few people, culling of monsters is insufficient.
And when humans come in groups there, monsters attack in anger or hunger, apparently.
"The demon boar was delicious, wasn't it?"
What I recalled was when monsters had attacked my position while we were marching.
Ikt, who had been a hunter of monsters, and of course Helkov fought back, taking positions in front of the carriage while Wearrel showered them with magic.
There were no injuries, and I heard that the skill with which they were subdued without spoiling the meat was praised among the General's entourage.
It's nice when those around you are complimented.
"Lord Asha, if you enter the mountains, there are goats, but they are strongly scented and smelly. Birds would suit your palate, so let us hunt them whenever found."
"Thank you, Ikt."
"Hey, why are you so relaxed when your life's being targeted? Do you understand?"
General Wageris interjected in our conversation.
Wearrel, Nomariola, and Celine were not surprised.
Apparently General Wageris knew no more than what we had heard.
What was understood was only that the Imperial Guards were attempting rebellion due to dissatisfaction with me.
"How do you intend to settle this?"
"This is an internal military matter; is it alright for me to decide?"
When General Wageris threw the question to me, I honestly returned the question.
The root of our conflicts so far was that two command structures had been established in name within one army.
General Wageris suppressed me and refused to transfer real authority, while I forced my way through, resulting in confrontation.
"The Imperial Guards belong to the army, but their command authority lies with the Emperor, or a trusted captain, or others equivalent to the Imperial Family. I lead this army, but the Imperial Guards are outside my jurisdiction."
"I know that, and I came to tell you to do something about the wine theft. But if soldiers rebel, and during a military campaign at that, you can't just talk about jurisdiction, can you?"
I had asked something obvious, but General Wageris made an angry face again.
"Are you asking if I don't intend to do something about it myself?"
His subordinates and Celine tried to stop him as his words grew rough with irritation.
I raised my hand to stop Helkov, who was clenching his fist to throw a punch.
You're both too hot-blooded.
As I was thinking that, the coolest maid spoke up.
"My master is not permitted to enter or exit sections other than where he resides, his walks in the gardens are watched by many, even the grasses and flowers he picks are inspected, and we four who serve him directly are searched every day at the palace gates. Moreover, entry into the main palace building outside of summons by Her Highness the Consort is blocked, with guards constantly posted at the junction with the left wing where no one but my master resides."
Nomariola spoke at length, and General Wageris and his men looked as if they didn't understand what was being said.
It was like the Consort who had made a hundred faces while looking directly at my situation but unable to comprehend it.
"...Why are you under house arrest in the palace?"
At General Wageris's muttered words after finally understanding, I was rather surprised.
"Why are you the one surprised?"
"Objectively speaking, it's a situation where one would think that, I suppose. I was like that from when I was old enough to understand, so I was a bit surprised."
I gave an embarrassed laugh, feeling somewhat foolish.
I was ashamed that I hadn't realized until it was pointed out, but my close associates suddenly took on a somber atmosphere.
At that appearance, General Wageris also blinked repeatedly as if uncomfortable.
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Next: Marching with the General 4