Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 352: An Awkward War Council
Rest was escorted inside the fortress.
Personally, it didn’t feel like being “escorted” so much as “taken away,” but outwardly, as a count, he was treated with courtesy.
(The shoulder they’re grabbing hurts like hell. If I weren’t using my Strengthening magic, I’m pretty sure it would’ve shattered by now…)
Grimacing, Rest followed along while his shoulder was held in an iron grip.
To his left, right, and behind him were the three brothers of the Catreya Marquis family—besides Yuri, there was another younger brother, all of them tall and radiating pressure.
If this were an interrogation room and these three had surrounded him, he might’ve confessed to a crime he didn’t even commit.
(At least their father isn’t here… I heard all of Yuri’s brothers are overprotective and hopelessly obsessed with her, and it looks like that’s true after all.)
Their open hostility toward Rest was probably because Yuri had become his fiancée (?).
(Although, that engagement thing is still kind of unclear… We never had any formal ceremony or documentation. It just somehow got decided, and Viola and Primula accepted it like it was obvious, so it ended up that way before I realized it.)
Maybe that’s just how noble marriages work.
But Yuri was technically still a runaway from home—it didn’t seem like any proper noble procedures were followed.
(Didn’t she say she beat up her father and made him accept it? Was that… actually true?)
“Now then… there are many things I’d like to ask you, but personal matters can wait. Let’s start the war council.”
Rest was brought to a chamber deep inside the fortress, one that seemed to be a conference room.
He had wondered where they were dragging him, but thankfully, it turned out to be a respectable place.
“Everyone else, take a seat. Let’s review the situation.”
Valeya took a seat at the round table, with Toya sitting one chair apart.
And for some reason, Rest was made to sit between the two of them.
(Why… am I sitting here!?)
“You’re a count. Among the nobles here, your rank is the highest. It’s only natural that you sit beside me, don’t you think?”
Valeya said sharply, noticing the confusion on Rest’s face.
That made it impossible to request another seat. Rest could only shrink down between two towering men.
“……”
“……”
Others entered the room—Lübase, Isis, and several knights and nobles—but when Rest glanced their way in silent plea for help, they all averted their eyes immediately.
(Completely isolated… Seriously…?)
“Then, let’s begin the war council.”
The discussion proceeded, ignoring Rest’s palpable discomfort.
The one standing at the center and speaking first was Carlius Catreya.
“At present, this fortress is under attack by the foreign tribes. As you may have heard, the enemy’s main force consists of demons. In addition, we’ve confirmed the presence of Winged, Lizard, and Insect tribes.”
“Any other races involved?”
“So far, none have appeared. Still, we remain cautious.”
Carlius answered Valeya’s question politely.
“Our troop losses are minimal. We have plenty of weapons, food supplies, and medicine—partly thanks to the vanguard unit’s resupply. For now, there’s no sign the fortress will fall to the enemy.”
(So they’re just… having a normal meeting in this atmosphere? Am I really the only one feeling how awkward this is?)
While Rest silently suffered, the meeting continued smoothly.
“The enemy has no siege weapons. The Winged are an exception since they can fly, but as long as the walls stand, their assault can be contained. Unless they have some secret weapon, we should be able to withstand this attack.”
“I see… but that’s strange. Why would the enemy attack when they have no chance of victory?”
Valeya rubbed his chin, speaking in a low tone.
“Could they have charged in recklessly, without a plan? If we think of them as mere beasts, that might make sense…”
It was unsettling. The enemy’s motives were still unclear.
(Could there be some mastermind pulling the strings behind all this…? No, maybe that’s overthinking it.)
Sandwiched between two massive men, Rest pondered that uneasily.
After several more reports and updates, the war council concluded without issue.
The purpose behind the invaders’ assault remained a mystery.
Valeya, the leader of the vanguard unit, was officially appointed as the overall commander for the defense moving forward.