The youngest Chief Advisor of the Central Strategic Headquarters, Edmund, frowned.

“Starvation. All deployed forces are highly trained knights of the Order, and they are dying of hunger?”

Adjutant Caleb answered nervously:

“It appears to be due to an explosion. Three days ago, during the blast, all supplies were destroyed. They currently have neither food nor water.”

The northwestern border territory.

Recently, one large magic crystal and two medium ones had simultaneously emerged there, causing severe difficulties for the Holy Knights.

But even so, it was strange. Starvation?

“And the additional supplies sent by the Central Battalion?”

“That is.......”

Caleb hesitated and looked at Edmund.

“The supply column was attacked by magic beasts en route to its destination. The report just came in.”

A crease formed between Edmund’s brows.

“So the supply route is completely cut off?”

“I am afraid so. In essence, the main problem is the severe snowstorm. Even during the day, when the beasts are fewer, crossing that distance is nearly impossible.......”

As Caleb said, relentless blizzards had been raging in the northwest recently.

As a result, the only supply route had been completely blocked.

Edmund ran a hand through his hair in agitation.

‘If only the magic crystals were not so concentrated.’

In areas of high magic crystal concentration, teleportation portals function poorly due to magical interference.

That meant that without additional forces, rescuing the isolated knights was impossible.

“Then summon mercenaries.”

Edmund spoke firmly.

He looked seriously at Caleb.

“We cannot deploy more Holy Knights — they need reorganization. Then summon mercenaries.”

Over the past few months, the appearance of magic crystals across the Empire had increased suspiciously.

Because of this, the Holy Knights stationed in the capital had been forced to work under brutal schedules.

Deploying them further was impossible.

“Immediately find out if there are mercenary squads nearby, register it as a state commission. Then send a request to the Frost Mercenary Association. The situation is urgent — set the payment high.”

But Caleb answered grimly:

“Your Excellency. That is...... His Majesty the Emperor is firmly opposed.”

Edmund’s brows drew together.

“What?”

“He said that recently mercenaries have been relied upon too frequently, and that it undermines the dignity of the imperial household.......”

Edmund let out a humorless laugh.

It was true that lately the Order had frequently placed state commissions through the Frost Mercenary Association.

But even so.

When a significant portion of the forces stood on the brink of annihilation, to speak of dignity?

Caleb, equally disheartened, continued in a low voice:

“He said that if we rely on mercenaries again, the Holy Knight Order will appear powerless.”

Edmund clenched his fist unconsciously.

“When the capital is breached, there will be no dignity left. Why does no one understand that.”

He muttered, his gaze turning cold.

“Fine. Then tell them I will take responsibility and mobilize them. Are we to let them all starve to death?”

“We cannot. You were already disciplined last time for something similar!”

But Caleb did not yield.

He said urgently:

“Your Excellency. If you are punished again now, it will be disastrous. If you are no longer in the Strategic Headquarters, then everyone truly will perish.”

Edmund was one of the few commanders who used troops carefully and prudently.

He did not treat soldiers and Holy Knights as disposable resources.

But the other advisors in the Central Strategic Headquarters were different.

“Imagine that, as last time, you are removed from your post and Sir Mathias or Sir Valteron is appointed in your place. In less than two months, the small battalions will be completely wiped out, will they not?”

“.......”

“Let us instead find a way to deliver supplies. For now, return to headquarters.......”

In the end, a heavy sigh escaped Edmund’s lips.

In truth, he had not slept for three consecutive days at headquarters and had only just arrived at his mansion.

But just before entering, Caleb had delivered the report.

An urgent directive from the northwest — the soldiers were starving.

‘At times like this, not sleeping can be endured.’

But no safe method of delivering supplies to the northwest came to mind.

First, the severe snowstorm sharply reducing mobility.

Second, the significant concentration of magic crystals dominating the region.

One large and two medium.

Considering the number of magic beasts, two large battalions had been dispatched.

Now that the supply line was severed, the situation had only worsened.

“If only the supplies could be delivered, they could quickly return.......”

Edmund pressed his temples.

“......Very well. Let us return and think.”

He was just about to pass Caleb and board his carriage.

“What if you send it through the sky?”

Suddenly, a curious voice sounded from below.

Turning, he saw a small girl in a black cloak.

She was holding something in her hands.

“If you put this in a lantern and send it into the sky, wouldn’t it work?”

Edmund’s gaze lowered to the object in her hands.

It was a broken sky lantern, likely left over from yesterday’s festival.

He asked involuntarily:

“......A lantern?”

The girl nodded brightly.

“Yes! If you tie it here and let it go really, really high, it will fly with the wind like this!”

The fact that the cart’s wheel had broken right by the roadside might even have been fortunate.

Because of it, Basto had stopped, and Tie had overheard the conversation.

Of course, the discussion between two finely dressed adult men had been difficult.

Troops, conditions, disciplinary measures, strategy — unfamiliar words poured out one after another.

But by listening closely, Tie understood.

What they were worried about!

She waved the fragment of lantern she had picked up from the road.

“You can tie supplies here and send them drifting.”

The man stared at her in surprise.

Tie hurriedly added:

“Big balloons fly very far!”

And that was not all.

There was that movie where a whole house flew away on balloons.

And once she had watched a documentary about a hot air balloon festival on television.

After that, Tie had tried several times to jump with a balloon from the wardrobe.

But she never flew, and the auntie from apartment 203 kindly explained to the thoughtful Tie:

‘Your balloon is small. To fly, it needs to be much bigger and stronger.’

So,

“If you make the lantern very, very big and send it into the sky, couldn’t you deliver supplies?”

The man said nothing for some reason.

He simply stared at Tie with a stunned expression.

Embarrassed by his reaction, Tie rolled her eyes.

“Tie! It’s done!”

Basto called from behind her.

Turning, she saw that Basto had already repaired the wheel and was looking at her.

“Tie is coming now!”

Waving her hand, Tie looked at the man again.

She placed the broken lantern she had found into his hands and bowed deeply.

“Then goo-bye!”

Running back to Basto, she met his stern gaze.

“You must not speak to just anyone on the street, Tie.”

Tie answered quickly, watching his reaction.

“Yes!”

“Response?”

Smiling, Basto lifted Tie back into the cart.

As the cart turned and began moving forward, Tie opened her mouth in awe.

“Waa......!”

After crossing the road, she got a better look at the mansion before which the men had stood.

“Uncle Basto, whose house is that?”

Basto frowned.

“Who knows.”

The mansion was at least three times larger and more luxurious than the other houses on the street.

“The Grand Chancellor’s. Or perhaps the Supreme Commander’s mansion.”

Of course, he had not imagined at all that he was actually correct.