"Hmm."I clasped my hands behind my back and looked up at the huge steel fortress towering in the middle of the jungle.Base Level 9.I have 512 subordinates in total under my command. The number of companions who can actually fight is 150.You could basically call it a battalion-sized force.With this kind of fighting power, you could usually bet on winning."The difference in strength…… is more than double?""Yes."After listening to Ciel's report, I let out a deep sigh.Up until now, I had been dealing with enemies without any real problems, but this time, because the opponent was who the opponent was, even for me it was hard to predict an easy victory.'Elena's team has almost 400 people who can fight.'Our Base Levels only differ by a single level, but the number of combat-capable troops is far more than double.Which makes sense, since Elena had been quickly raising her Base Level from the very beginning, so she would have had plenty of chances and time to gather Cost.And the monsters in the area would have been completely wiped out too."But the level of our commander-class people is better."I recalled the difference in composition between our team and Elena's faction.Basically, the members of Elena's faction are a group gathered from "students who gave up fighting and chose safety."On the other hand, our team is made up of carefully selected people, as we smashed the heads of the other teams one by one, absorbing the useful talents and eliminating those who were unnecessary or too hard to handle.At the beginning of the Faction War, the quality of our fighting power might have been inferior, but now, at this final stage, there is a clear difference between our members.As long as we watch out for Adler and a few of the holy knights, there will not be any major problems.Looking at the map, I spoke to each of the commander-class members."First, we'll split our forces into five and operate them that way."The main combat unit led by Ciel and me.The powerful special assault unit centered on Tepes and including Dandol and Caron.The magical corps led by Hildegard and Bell.And Freya's Steel Knight Order led by Teon.Lastly, there was the unit made up of spirit-arts-based power led by Silphiette and the beastkin students.Each retains its own distinct characteristics, and since they had been the main forces of their respective factions, their fighting power is strong as well.When I divided the troops into five, Hildegard opened her mouth."Is it okay to split the units up this broadly? The colors of each unit are too distinct."She had a point.In practice, to balance each unit, it would be better to mix the knights who will take the front line, the mages who will provide fire support, and the beastkin who will handle detection and scouting.But right now we do not have the leisure to divide the troops that delicately, and the students are not used to strategic battles, so I formed the units in rough chunks.It is easier to handle people who see each other's faces every day being put together, and it will also prevent confusion in the chain of command."It's fine. This battle is going to be not a guerrilla war but a grand battle. Since it will be a large-scale battle, it's better to aim for stability in the chain of command rather than balance in each unit."Elena's team, which has numerical superiority, will want a large-scale battle where they can fully make use of their overwhelming numbers.The best way to face that would be to take a guerrilla-warfare approach and gnaw away at the enemy's forces……'But over there they can heal with holy magic, and they have paladins in full armor, so their defense is high.'Given that Elena's faction has many paladins and priests, even if we inflict damage through guerrilla warfare, they will quickly recover from it.'If we tried some half-assed guerrilla war against an enemy that has both numbers and good recovery, only our forces would be steadily worn down.'So rather than guerrilla warfare, it is more promising to aim to deal a single, devastating blow and subdue Elena, the leader.When I laid out my plan for a large-scale battle, Tepes voiced concern."Are you really sure about this? In a big battle, the side with more numbers usually wins. It's hard to create variables too.""Well, what can we do. The side that's at a disadvantage has to fight well."I shrugged my shoulders and looked at the map.'More than double the difference in strength.'Elena did not wait for me to deal with the other factions because she was stupid, or because she is really kind-hearted.She had calculated that even if she showed that kind of composure, she could still easily subdue me.Elena giving me a chance was, literally, just out of personal interest.It wouldn't be fun if she won too overwhelmingly.But.'That, precisely, will become Elena's blunder.'She willingly gave me an opportunity. And I have the ability to use that opportunity to seize victory."Then I'll tell you the plan for this battle."***Boom— boom— boom—.The sound of drums echoed across the jungle island.Elena's troops and the forces under my command gathered near the sandy beach, the only flat ground on the jungle island.As the troops of both factions stood arrayed facing each other, a heavy tension settled over the place.Cutting through that heavy tension, Elena and I, the leaders of the two factions, stepped forward.Rustle—.Elena came forward, her bare feet stepping on the sand of the beach.She gave a small smile and spoke to me."So, you actually decided to face me head-on? I'm seeing you in a new light. I was sure you would try a drawn-out guerrilla war."Last night, Elena had sent a messenger.I told that messenger that I wanted a direct confrontation, and as a result, this meeting was arranged.Looking back at the students lined up facing each other, I said,"Even if I tried to drag things out, what are the odds I'd win. It's better to clash with full strength from the start. Even if I lose.""That's a little cool, actually. Honestly, I haven't liked that so many students surrendered without even trying to fight, but thanks to you standing up to me so confidently, I feel a bit consoled…… of course."Elena lowered her gaze coldly as she spoke."That doesn't mean I'm planning to lose easily."Elena then turned around and walked away from me as she spoke."Then, I'll be looking forward to a good fight.""Same here."With that, the brief conversation between Elena and me came to an end, and the final battle of the Faction War began.***After finishing her conversation with Loen and returning to her own camp, Elena called Adler and shared the scouting results."There's a bit of a difference in the numbers, right?""Yes, it looks like Loen's side has siphoned off at least about thirty people somewhere else.""Thirty, huh."Elena fell into thought for a moment.Basically, in this Faction War there are "companions," who can fight, and "subordinates," who are non-combatants.But just because they are subordinates does not mean you cannot make use of them in battle.Priests who can use healing magic and mages who can alter terrain are especially like that.Warriors too are plenty useful, as they can block the enemy's path or obstruct their advance with simple physical attacks.That is why both sides have mobilized even their subordinates for this battle.However, when Elena scanned his troops while talking with Loen, she noticed that about thirty people were missing from the number she knew Loen's side had.In other words, he has diverted troops somewhere else and is plotting an ambush or some other plan.Guarding against Loen's tactics, Elena said,"I knew it, I figured he'd be preparing something else. Please stay fully on guard. With Loen, you never know what move he'll use.""Yes, I won't let my guard down."Watching Adler answer energetically, Elena thought to herself.In fact, the way Loen had acted in this Faction War had been radical.In terms of the size of their factions, she was clearly superior, but when you looked at the process of how they had grown their forces, Loen's abilities inevitably stood out.And it was not just that he had crushed enemies with simple strength and force; he had shown excellent strategic ability, such as exploiting the opponent's weak points and turning their own schemes against them.In just a few days he had expanded his faction enough to challenge her.Even though this Faction War is only one of the exam subjects, it is still a kind of miniature war, so there is no reason to belittle it as a measure.'At first, I gave Loen time purely out of interest.'She had not truly expected that in such a short span he would devour the other factions and come to challenge her.Elena smiled inwardly as she thought.'I suppose you could say it's just as I hoped.'Even though she said she had not expected it, deep down Elena might have been expecting that Loen would grow so rapidly and come to challenge her.It might also have been because of that hidden feeling that she had gone out of her way to go meet Loen alone.'This is fun.'Elena quietly smiled.It was intriguing. And fun.At least when it came to matters related to Loen, Elena was delighted.At first she had approached him because she suspected he was a demonic existence, but now it felt more like that had become an excuse that suited Loen.Of course, there were still a few doubts remaining, and she did not think he was innocent.But what did that matter.Right now, Loen was the most fascinating existence to Elena.He was the only one who made her feel that she was "alive."Slight—.Elena sensed the corners of her mouth creeping up and quickly hid her expression."Hmm.""What's wrong?"Fortunately, it seemed no one had noticed.Looking at Adler, who tilted his head, Elena thought to herself.'……I probably need to restrain myself a little.'Recently, Adler had even pointed out to her that she was paying too much attention to things related to Loen.Back then she had answered that she had approached him purely with the intention of digging into his identity, but thinking about it now, that did not seem to be entirely true.It was simply because being with Loen was enjoyable.Of course, even Elena herself did not really understand this side of herself.She was used to reading other people's emotions and matching herself to them, but she was clumsy when it came to understanding her own heart.Wondering if this might perhaps be romantic interest, Elena had once consulted Leonhardt about it.He was one of the few men with whom Elena could open her heart and talk.Elena told Leonhardt about the suspicious circumstances surrounding Loen, the things she had done to him, and several unknown feelings she was currently experiencing.After listening to her for a long time, Leonhardt offered advice from a slightly different angle.'I don't think I can give you the kind of advice you're looking for, Elena. I'm a complete layman when it comes to that too. But do you really need to try so hard to dig up Loen's past? Loen is doing well enough right now. How about just looking at him as he is? That will be good for you too.'Leonhardt's advice sounded a bit too goody-two-shoes, but it had its own logic.If she kept trying to dig into Loen's past, it would not do either of them any particular good.In reality, he had changed, and even now he was doing well.Leonhardt had also said this.'And Elena, I hope you don't stake your life too much on exterminating demons. I'm enough on my own for that. In this world, everyone has their own role. I'll clear away the demons that stand in your path, so you can focus on your duties as princess, and on your position as a saintess candidate.'"……"My duties as a princess, and the position of a saintess candidate……Remembering Leonhardt's advice, Elena sighed inwardly.Then she blankly looked up at the sky.'The position of saintess candidate, the duties of a princess—I've never once wanted any of it.'Elena closed her eyes and silently sank into thought.Princess of the Holy Kingdom of Celestia.Of course, Elena had lived enjoying the benefits of royalty, but she had also clearly been conscious of its duties.And her outstanding aptitude for holy magic.That too was a blessing that allowed her to heal others and a miracle of God, but it was also the very reason Elena had been elevated as a saintess candidate.But Elena had never wished for the position of princess or the position of saintess.She had simply been born that way; Elena's will had not been involved in any of it.Even so, Elena did not run away from it and fulfilled the duties that had been given to her.Because that was the duty of royalty. Because it was the obligation of someone who had received God's blessing upon their entire body.And because she knew that whining that she had never wanted it would be the complaint of someone who had it too good.In this world, some people were sold into slavery because they did not even have money to buy a piece of bread, and some died in vain from simple wounds because they could not receive the benefits of healing magic.So Elena erased her own thoughts and decided she would no longer judge for herself.She would simply fulfill the responsibilities that had been given to her.Perhaps even her obsession, close to madness, with eradicating demons was because she had been consumed by her duties and role.But in reality, she had never truly wished for it.She ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) had simply carried out that duty with a mask on her face.She smiled because people liked it, and she treated them kindly because that was what they wanted.Because the position of saintess candidate was a place that had to be loved by everyone and had to give love to everyone.Fortunately, Elena had a talent for acting.Many people loved her when she smiled brightly, and they were enthusiastic about the sight of her wearing the mask of a saintess candidate.But among those who followed Elena, not one of them understood her true feelings.Elena was always lonely, even in the midst of the countless crowds that followed her.For someone like Elena, the only ones before whom she revealed her true feelings were Adler, who had trained by her side all his life, and Leonhardt, whose circumstances were similar to hers."……"For Elena, who had worn a mask her whole life, Loen was a rather special existence.He neither worships her as a saintess nor treats her as something special.He deals with her without reserve, and far from flattering her, he negotiates with her confidently and shows the boldness to wring something out of her if there is something he wants.He's a bit of a jerk sometimes, but that is probably exactly Loen's charm.That is exactly why her heart feels at ease in front of Loen.Because when she is with him, she can forget, even for a moment, that she is a saintess candidate."Lady Elena, Lady Elena?"Elena, who had been spacing out while thinking about this and that, fixed her expression again at Adler's words."Ah, yes, Adler.""Would you say a few words before the fight?"When she suddenly came to her senses, she saw many students in front of her waiting for her words.At Adler's suggestion, Elena nodded and stepped forward.And, as always, she wore a bright expression as she spoke to the students lined up before her."All right, this is the last fight. If you win, I'll give you gifts according to the number of Cubes you acquire, so I hope you'll all fight hard.""Waaah!"Elena looked at the students letting out a vigorous cheer…… and smiled.

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