( Yuuki's POV )
While the strategist of Alba Castle was thinking of a strategy to retake the fortress of Ladzaa, I was sharing my desserts with everyone in the castle, Everyone was amazed by the taste of my desserts, especially those who had a sweet tooth like me; most of them were the girls from the castle.
Moana: umm~ This is incredible, you should sell this, you'd make a killing in profits.
Yuuki: I'm not really in need of money; I just make desserts to sell once every one or two months, which makes it more special.
Moana: You know, the more you say about yourself, the more of a mystery you become.
Yuuki: I guess there's a lot to say and at the same time not much.
Moana: You're doing this on purpose. Jubei, can you reveal secrets about your Onii-chan?
Jubei: Hmm? I don't know anything about Onii-chan's past. We barely know each other.
Marica: What? You two barely know each other, so why are you always calling him Onii-chan?
Jubei: That's because Onii-chan is special~
Yuuki: I don't mind how she calls me. I have two little sisters, a younger brother, and an older sister who's a bit of a mess. One more person is no problem for me.
Eunice: That makes sense, you have that wise older brother air about you.
Moana: Okay, you said you have a lot of pull from where you come from, you say money isn't a problem, and you know your way around the battlefield, sre you perhaps the noble son of a military family?
Yuuki: You're not far from the truth, but it's not exactly that.
It seemed that Moana's questioning was going to continue, but before she could ask another question, the castle's strategist, Liu, appeared with urgent news.
Liu: Listen, I've got it! I know how we can retake the Ladzaa fortress.
When Liu said that he had come with an idea, we gathered again in the great hall to hear what he had to say, although there were some doubts when he revealed his plan.
Liu: The answer is the Porpos-kin, the river towards the fortress and impassable by boat due to all the rocks in the area, so they will not be prepared for an attack from that side.
Marica: You're talking about those who attacked us, why would they help us?
Yuuki: It's not a bad idea, but there's the small matter that the Porpos-kin city is closed to humans for the time being.
Liu: uh How do you know that?
Yuuki: I've been doing my own research, but this is where Cougar and I come in; we shouldn't have any problem getting in.
Marica: Wait, I understand Cougar, but why would they let you in? You don't look any different from a human.
Yuuki: Think again.
To surprise everyone, I transformed into my semi-dragon form, which was basically a large lizard man with wings, everyone was speechless and I returned to my human form seconds later.
Liu: You never cease to amaze, huh? I suppose you two won't have any trouble getting into the city. Sieg and I should still accompany you.
Yuuki: I'll see you in the city then; I have some things to take care of.
Liu: Okay, we'll be in touch if anything happens.
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While one group headed to the city of the Porpos-kin by the long road, I went to El-Qaral, straight to the outpost of the Blades of the Night, I brought some cake to give to Chrodechild, but the last the Blades heard from me was that I fell into an enemy portal, they were surprised to see me and gathered around me.
Chrodechild: Yuuki, are you alright?
Yuuki: um yeah, We can talk privately.
Chrodechild: Of course, follow me.
Chrodechild took me to her private quarters; she thought this was something serious, but I just thought it was awkward to give her a gift in front of her soldiers.
Chrodechild: Yuuki, what happened after you disappeared?
Yuuki: Well, I was sent on an unexpected swim in the middle of the ocean, which is annoying because I don't know how to swim.
Chrodechild looked at me for a few seconds, analyzing my words and deciding if I was joking, but before she could reach a conclusion, I placed the small box containing a piece of cake in her hands.
Chrodechild: What is this?
Yuuki: Baking is a hobby of mine, and I want your honest opinion on it.
Chrodechild: ...You're not hiding a serious injury or anything like that, are you? That technique you used in the bridge seemed rather demanding.
Yuuki: You've got me all figured out, that's definitely something I would do, but not this time, I assure you I am in excellent condition, although the official report will say that I suffered severe damage from my own technique, that's just an excuse for the Magedome not to use me to fight all their battles. I learned very quickly that the Magedome royal family can be very... pushy when they want something.
Chrodechild: You could get into trouble if the wrong person hears you say that.
Yuuki: It's good that I'm talking to you, no?
Chrodechild: I guess so.
Chrodechild tasted the cake he had given her and with just one bite she was impressed, but she tried to hide her enjoyment with a serious face, but she wasn't having much success.
Yuuki: Now it's my turn to ask if you're alright?
Chrodechild: The Blades didn't face any extraordinary enemies, I don't know why I wouldn't be alright.
Yuuki: I'm not talking about the fight, but about your situation in general. I doubt the Magedome's ability to liberate Astrasia, and even if they could, the mage lord's "hidden" plans might include turning Astrasia into a vassal kingdom.
Chrodechild: You're not wrong, but I won't let that happen, and we still owe the Magedome for taking us in when we had nowhere else to go.
Yuuki: Well, I like the spirit of the people of Astrasia, so if you need help, just say so. Seriously, you could leave the Magedome completely and Astrasia would find its way to freedom.
Chrodechild: Thank you, just hearing that from you fuels my fighting spirit.
Yuuki: Seriously, I never make empty promises.
And I'm also a busybody; I was visiting Astrasia every two days and my plans were progressing smoothly, it will not be long until her kingdom is liberated.