Strategy Meeting

When we all returned to the base, Ernesto greeted us and immediately introduced Hubert to everyone as a trustworthy adventurer.

“Sorry for increasing our numbers right before the operation.”

“No, having even a little more fighting strength is better. And if he’s an acquaintance of Luca-san and the others, and Ernesto-san has accepted him, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

At those words from the man responsible for gathering information at the base, the other companions nodded as well.

“I appreciate being accepted. I’ll do my best to be of use.”

“We’re counting on you. Now then, let’s discuss the movements for the day of the operation. Ernesto-san, please begin.”

“Understood. First, on the day itself, the party will be held in this Grand Hall.”

As he said that, Ernesto pointed to a map of the royal palace spread across the table. Apparently, this map had been secretly stolen by Ernesto.

“What about the security?”

“As expected, a considerable number of knights will be stationed around the venue. However, the palace entrances will be the same as usual, so reaching the venue itself shouldn’t be that difficult. I want everyone to enter the palace by breaking through the main gate here.”

Through the main gate… that was quite a bold plan. But it might actually be better to rush in all at once rather than sneaking around.

“What about the guards at the main gate?”

“There are usually at least five knights stationed there, but we succeeded in arranging for all five on that day to be allies. So getting inside should be easy. The problem is what comes after.”

All the gate guards being allies… the Empire was already finished. Well, we were the ones about to finish it.

“You’ll go through this corridor to reach the Grand Hall, but there are guard knights stationed there. If those knights don’t let us pass, then a battle will break out. Also, this room here is the knights’ rest room, so be careful when passing in front of it.”

“Understood. Are there guards on the stairs as well?”

“Of course. That will probably be the most troublesome part. Fighting on stairs tends to disadvantage the side that is below.”

If heavy objects were dropped from above, it would be hard to defend… it might be best to break through that area quickly with magic.

“I think I can take down the enemies at the top of the stairs all at once with magic.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

“Understood. Then when we reach the stairs, Luca will clear the path, and everyone will climb up together. Once you reach the top, the entrance to the venue will be right there, so you can enter from there.”

Everyone agreed with Ernesto’s words and nodded firmly. At this rate, there shouldn’t be any major problems reaching the venue.

“Once inside the venue, we will first appeal to the current state of this country and proclaim our ideals. Anyone who stops attacking us after hearing that can be ignored. But show no mercy to anyone who attacks.”

“Understood.”

“As for my own movements on that day… once everyone enters the venue, I plan to guide the Emperor and other key upper leaders to another location. If we target the leadership inside the venue, all the enemy knights will gather there and it will become an all-out battle. Instead, I will lure them somewhere else and eliminate them once their escort knights are fewer.”

No one seemed suspicious of Ernesto’s explanation for isolating them without revealing that Caesar was a divine servant. Ernesto was quite good with words.

“So that means you won’t betray them immediately, Ernesto-san.”

“Yeah, that’s right. At first I’ll guide the Emperor and the others as a knight.”

“…Understood. If you believe that is the best approach, Ernesto-san, we will follow your judgment. How many people should we send to support you?”

“I plan to ask Luca and his group for reinforcement. I want to make sure we finish the job, so I need the individual strength of Luca, a First Rank adventurer.”

I had expected some opposition to Ernesto’s words, but surprisingly no one objected and everyone accepted it.

“Understood. Then we will fight assuming Luca and the others are not present in the venue.”

“Yeah, I’m counting on you. …That concludes the main discussion. Does anyone have any questions or suggestions?”

“May I offer a few suggestions?”

The one who raised his hand was Hubert. Ernesto immediately turned toward him and nodded.

“Thank you. Based on my past experience, I’m somewhat familiar with military strategy, and there is something that must always be done when entering battle. That is securing an escape route. No matter how advantageous a battle seems, this should never be neglected.”

“That’s true… Let’s decide on several escape routes from the party venue. The first option would be escaping through this garden.”

The route Ernesto pointed to led through the garden toward the palace’s Outer Gate, passing through the soldiers’ rest station there. The rest station apparently had doors on both the inner and outer sides of the wall, serving as an emergency evacuation route.

“That’s a good option. Any others?”

“Let’s see… it’s a bit farther, but on the backside here—”

After that, using Ernesto’s information as a guide, we decided on several possible escape routes and memorized them carefully.