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T/N: So things to remember:

“A/N:” are author’s notes, and

“T/N:” are the translator’s notes that may or may not include useful information. Sometimes I make comments because I just cannot help it.

The perspective is usually the main character’s unless you see this “~___’s Perspective~” and tells you who’s perspective it is.

My name is Leon. Leon von Almarsh.

　A court magician who has no choice but to serve the Kingdom of Ernia, I was part of a powerful aristocratic bloodline of the empire who ruled half of the continent until my father’s generation.

　That is history, and now I am a court magician and librarian of the Royal Library of the kingdom.

　Some people bemoan this as a demotion and disgrace, but I do not mind at all.

　In the first place, I was satisfied with my current position.

　I was paid just for organizing the books in the court library.

　I was paid a bonus without having to make any achievements.

　The benefits are good, and if I work there for a few decades, I can even get a pension.

　If this were a normal guild, this would not be the case.

　If I were part of the adventurer’s guild, I would have to dive into the dungeon every day to collect treasure, and if it were the merchant’s guild, I would have to sell products to make a profit.

　There is no other business that gives people money just by pretending to organize books and reading history books and novels as a hobby.

　In other words, my workplace where I am currently working is the best. It is heaven.

　Believing that, I did not doubt it, but my paradise suddenly collapsed.

　One day, my superior called me.

“Leon, you have been dismissed. You have to go to the battlefield as a citizen of the Kingdom’s Army.” (Superior)

　The moment I heard that word, I became dizzy. Did I do something wrong?

　I asked my superior.

“You did not do anything wrong. Or rather, you have not done your job at all. Not even as a librarian.” (Superior)

　I am thankful for the compliment, and then my superior tells me the details.

“This is just a formality. This is just a formality; there was a shortage of enlisted magicians. A civil servant is just sent to fill the numbers.” (Superior)

“I see. That is why I got chosen.”

“The other civil servants are also busy. When that happens, the one who is most free is inevitably selected.” (Superior)

“It is what I do for a living.”

　When he said it like that, I replied that I would accept the order.

“Well, I am surprised. I thought you would reject.” (Superior)

“Will you return to your original job after finishing one job?”

“Of course. Originally, a military magician was deployed suddenly left. You are only a temporary deployment.” (Superior)

　It seems that I was chosen because I have free time. Originally, a motivated civil servant was supposed to be selected for the position. However, now it was a busy time because of the financial reports, and every department was busy.

　When I am convinced I am the only salary thief of the Royal Library, I have to set out to the battlefield.

　Saying goodbye to the cats who settled in the library.

“Well, I have to work for my salary.”

　The cat replied with a disinterested, “Meow”.

　The Kingdom of Ernia is located in the western part of the continent.

　It is part of the so-called League of Kings.

　The League of Kings refers to the alliance of kingdoms in the west.

　This continent has two major powers in which the League of Kings dominates the west and the Astoria Empire dominates the east.

　The fact that there are two huge forces on the continent also means that we are always at war.

　Skirmishes are taking place on the border between the two powers.

　This time, I was assigned to a fort on the border, and it was my duty to write a report on the front line.

　It is part of my job to report to my superior which unit was most active and who was the most active individual.

　It is an important role, but it is not an exciting one. Those who could not afford to reject the task, even among military magicians, usually did this kind of work.

　That is why the frontline battle report is resented.

　Those who have worked hard but are not recognized for their success are resentful. Also, those who have an inferiority complex and have inflated self-worth are resentful.

　That is why this is an unpopular job.

“It makes sense for me to be forced to do the job.”

　I complained, but I fulfill my responsibilities without feeling down.

　I read a book and write a report with one hand. “What is with that attitude?” A colleague cautions me about my work ethic, but I reply that my bonus will not go up even if I take my work seriously now.

　Soon a report comes in just as my colleague is getting annoyed with me.

　It is a report that, unbeknownst to Leon, will change his destiny.

　A messenger jumped in while we were busy with the reports at the fort.

“It seems that the 8th infantry unit is surrounded by the enemy.” (Messenger)

　The eighth Infantry Unit is one of the squads within the infantry division that protect this fort.

“Isn’t it common for infantry units to be besieged?” (Military Officer)

　One of the officers boldly speaks out, but he immediately swallows his words. When the messenger’s report continued.

“The 8th Infantry Unit is currently protecting the leader of our division.” (Messenger)

“That means the princess is under siege!?” (Military Officer)

“That is right.” (Messenger)

　Everyone who heard the report paled.

　However, the cause of their facial expressions is not the same. Those who admired the princess were worried about her. The rest of them seem to think that the princess’s death will hurt their own career.

　Princess Sicily, the leader of the squad, was a benevolent and adored aristocrat, but not all of the forts were her subordinates. Most of them were aristocrats in the military dispatched from the royal capital of Ernia.

　When it comes to saving her, the officers are divided.

“The 8th Infantry Unit is now being surrounded by enemy forces. There are about at least three hundred enemy soldiers.” (Messenger)

“Three hundred!” (Everyone)

　Everyone gasped in surprise.

　The number of eighth infantry squad is thirty strong. They might have been reduced further in the recent battle.

　There are only a hundred and fifty soldiers left in this fort. The enemy’s number is not impossible to beat if we chose to empty the fort and flank the enemy. There is no doubt, however, that the fort will fall if we chose to.

　If that happens, the aristocrats dispatched from the royal capital defending this fort will oppose it.

“His Majesty has ordered that the fort be protected.” (Aristocrat)

“The princess is a warrior; wouldn’t she give up her life as long as the fort was safe?” (Aristocrat)

　As expected.

　The princess’s subordinate also has a bitter expression. Perhaps the princess herself has a serious and noble personality. I think she is the type who would tell her subordinates to leave her and save the fort.

　――I too knew that she has that personality.

　I have met the princess several times at the library.

　The impression at that time was a proper and pretty girl. A girl with very delicate features, she did not look anywhere near like a soldier.

　When she came, it is to borrow a book. She does this almost every day, always greeting me with a smile.

　Of course, it is not as if she is in love with me. I am sure she does the same to everyone. I knew it from the gossip vine.

　A kind-hearted princess who treats everyone with compassion. I was not some young boy, so I did not fall in love with her. However, her personality was what I would consider pleasing.

　Every time she returned a book, she left me a candy. “Thank you for your hard work.”

　A bookmark with that message was left in the book she read.

“May this book made a lot of people happy–” (Sicily)

　Every time I saw that message, I felt like my hardened heart soften a bit.

　So I said without any hesitation.

　Telling those who are arguing whether to rescue the princess.

“Lend me a hundred soldiers, and I’ll rescue the princess and destroy the three hundred soldiers.”

　The executives who heard the words had an unimpressed expression.

　Apparently, my words sounded like an exaggeration.

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