The Principle of a Philosopher by Eternal Fool “Asley”

“Whew… this should be everything…”

As Asley muttered to himself in his room in the Eddo Silver Mansion, a Telepathic Call rang in his head.

[Asley, it’s me.]

[Warren? What’s the matter?]

[The selection process for the Duodecad’s bodyguards has been completed, so I thought I’d give you a report.]

[Oh, I see. I also happen to have some business with you, so I’ll go over there right away.]

[No, that would not be…] “…Necessary.”

The room’s door slid open, revealing Warren the Black Emperor, startling Asley with his uninvited appearance.

“Hello there.”

“I’ve never hung out at a friend’s house before, you see — always wanted to experience it at least once.”

Warren cracked a smile, and Asley did as well — although the latter was also twitching with annoyance.

And then Warren noticed the box that Asley was holding.

“Is that… what I think it is?”

“Oh, uh-huh? Maybe?”

“Then I’ll keep it with me, if you don’t mind.”

“I didn’t say exactly what it is, though…?”

“And you think I don’t already know?”

Asley kept his lips sealed in response to Warren’s rhetorical question, seeming somewhat grumpy — perhaps due to jealousy at Warren’s ability to see through everything hidden, an ability that could very much be considered a talent.

“Now, no need to think about it too deeply, Asley — you have a talent that no one else has.”

Warren said as he accepted the box from Asley.

“Me? Talent? Hah, very funny.”

“I was referring to your insatiable mind for the arcane arts, of course.”

“You think that’ll be useful during our fight against the Devil Kign’s army?”

“Rather than during the fight, I was thinking AFTER… Or is now not a good time to discuss that?”

Asley was at a loss for words at how Warren, seemingly playing dumb, had just started talking about what to do after the battle against the Devil King.

After all, he was talking so casually about a future Asley had not yet even thought about at all.

“What kind of life would you like to lead in the future, Asley?”

“T-that’s… I don’t have time to think about that now…!”

“You don’t? Then what is it that you are fighting for?”

“Well, obviously, to defeat Lucifer…”

Sensing the hesitation in Asley’s voice, Warren chuckled.

“In other words, for a peaceful world, yes?”

“Well, yes. That’s right.”

“Hehehe… I’m glad to hear that you are fighting for the peace of the world, Asley. Really, I’m VERY glad.”

“What the hell? You’re really creeping me out right now…”

“Well, well, that’s a big compliment, coming from you~~♪”

And so Asley kept his lips sealed once again.

Whatever he would try to say to Warren, it would not matter — knowing that, he changed the topic and went straight to the actual business.

“Ugh… so, the Duodecad’s bodyguards?”

“Ah, right, I almost forgot. Time sure flies when one is enjoying something — that in this case being a pleasant conversation with a friend. Ahem… Let’s start with the bodyguards for Master Tūs, then.”

“Tūs? Really?”

“He is a vital component of the rear guard, and as such, he will likely be fighting in the same location as Miss Irene — who is the one who will be giving out instructions — and me. Our position will have a denser concentration of the Resistanc’s mages and warriors, so his Familiar Bull will be sent to the front line.”

Asley nodded in agreement.

“My and Miss Irene’s Familiars — Latt and Hawk respectively — aren’t cut out for combat, you see. These two will mainly serve as liaison personnel between the rear and the front lines. Since Telepathic Calls cannot be used on the battlefield, their presence will be invaluable.”

“And very dangerous.”

“Everyone is in danger, Asley. Especially you — as you will be fighting in the most dangerous location of all.”

“Hahaha… right.”

Asley chuckled and sat down on his mattress.

“What about Lina and the others…?”

“Lina, Hornel, and Baladd will be supported by the former personnel of the Magic and Warrior Guardians.”

“So… people such as Viola, Jeanne, and Egd, right?”

“Aside from a few oddballs, they all are plenty strong and determined.

“Hahaha… Egd still isn’t giving up, I see.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that…”

“Huh?”

Asley’s face lit up with doubt, but Warren did not react, only continuing his explanation,

“Tifa, Lina, Fuyu, and Natsu will receive logistical support from Sir Tangalán and Sir Dragan, who command the Magic and Warrior University personnel respectively. Warrior University volunteers will be in charge of distributing supplies and transporting the wounded, while Magic University volunteers will provide cover fire with magic.”

“So even the students are in on this, huh…”

“As VOLUNTEERS, yes — so there isn’t a whole lot of them. With that said, an unexpectedly high number of Magic University students signed up, which is very helpful for us. Headmaster Tangalán’s influence is likely not the cause of that… but rather the popularity of people like Tifa and Lina.”

“Warren, I’m sure there are some who signed up because of you, too…”

“……Well, I suppose I am quite popular myself, unfortunately.”

With Asley pointing that out, Warren’s expression subtly clouded over.

Asley, understanding why that happened, quickly moved the conversation forward by asking about the rest of the Duodecad.

“Who else do we have… Oh, what about Barun and Lylia?”

“Sir Barun will be escorted by a group of adventurers that the Guild has assembled. Said group includes some of the members of the old Duodecad, Duncan, and Guild Master Scott. My sister is among them as well.”

“Even Jennifer, huh…”

“That covers all of our defensive forces. Now, for the offensive…”

“Oh, so Lylia will be with a mobile unit or something?”

“Well, yes… It’s not as if there’s anyone around here who can keep her under control. The plan is to have her act together with the five true Heavenly Beasts… because she’s pretty much the only one who can keep up with them.”

“Right, and she can even ride on Weldhun to lead the other four Beasts in a formation…”

Warren nodded in agreement and continued explaining,

“She and the Heavenly Beasts will mainly be a hit-and-run unit. They have both the speed and strength to handle any danger.”

“Wait, so the main force will be…”

“Teams Silver, Silveer General, Eddo Boars — the best of their best. The one leading them all will be… Sir Bruce.”

Asley tightly clenched his fists.

It did not matter how strong Bruce was — being the first to clash with the enemy was extremely risky.

Bruce — one of his best friends — had been asked to lead the charge. Naturally, Asley was worried about his safety — deeply upset and intensely confused as to how he should react.

“They all laughed, you know.”

“Huh?”

“Sir Blazer, Miss Betty… and even Sir Bruce himself.”

“But why…?”

“They said it was a great honor — to be the very first ones to clash with the enemy without anyone getting in their way.”

“You’re lying.”

“THEY likely were. They laughed as they said that, after all.”

“Yeah, I mean, they never really were ones to care about this so-called honor…”

“Sometimes, it is what one must cling to in order to act.”

“…They can really be a caring bunch even at a time like this… Damn it…”

Both Asley and Warren cracked the same dry smile.

They must not lose focus for even a moment. On the battlefield, it would be no surprise who was killed at any given moment.

The two looked at each other, that thought weighing heavily on their conscience.

“So… what are our numbers?”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll get a good laugh out of this…”

“You know what? Never mind.”

“Considering your position, it is imperative that you know.”

“Wow. That sucks.”

“……Mages and their Familiars total at around two thousand.”

“Shit.”

“You’ll probably be swearing even harder when you hear how much the enemy has.”

“You know that!?”

Asley stood up and grabbed Warren by the collar his his shirt.

“We have just received the information from our scouts, yes.”

Asley clenched his fists.

As Asley waited for the answer, Warren adjusted his glasses and spoke in his usual tone — but with an unusually serious look in his eyes.

“The Devil King’s army’s numbers… is about a hundred million.”

Asley’s eyes were instantly filled with despair, all his movements ceasing as if time had stopped.

The gap in military strength between the two sides was, indeed, far too great.

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