The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 45

**Episode 45: Preparation for the Rematch**

“Did you really bring in a demon…?”

Irma looked at Setsura as if he couldn’t believe it. It was clear that Setsura had been feared to such an extent.

“Serena, I’m sorry, but could you take care of Setsura?”

“Take care of her?”

“Yes, her appearance and other things.”

“Understood. Hinowa, could you help me?”

“Y-Yes.”

Hinowa looked at Setsura with a fearful expression, though Setsura seemed unbothered.

“It’s fine. Setsura won’t suddenly go wild or attack.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s clean you up first.”

With that, Serena and Hinowa led Setsura away. As they left, Aria came to my side.

“She seems completely different from the last time I saw her.”

“She was apparently possessed by Sabifuri. This is the real Setsura.”

“I see. By the way…”

Aria looked at me intently as she asked,

“Why is that girl wearing Berg’s clothes?”

“…Her clothes were in tatters, so I just gave her something else to wear. I didn’t lay a hand on her.”

“Oh, I thought you’d finally gone after someone even younger than Shurin.”

“Given everything that’s happened, I can’t argue with that… But Setsura is older than you.”

“…What?”

Aria looked shocked, but I decided to change the subject before the conversation went further off track.

“Irma, how is the preparation going?”

“Yes, Rakul and Shurin are taking the lead.”

“Any news from the scouts?”

“So far, there’s no movement. The timing of the enemy’s advance seems to be as expected, but…”

Irma hesitated for a moment, showing signs of uncertainty—not only about the battle but also about my strategy.

“Do you have concerns?”

“…Even though it’s not my own castle, as someone who has been a lord, it’s natural. But as a warrior, I can’t think of a more effective strategy.”

Irma was a man who could view things from both the perspective of a lord and a warrior, and if necessary, he could suppress his emotions to make decisions.

“I like that you consider things from both a lord’s and a warrior’s viewpoint.”

“Hmph…”

“You chose to lend us your strength. I won’t make you regret that.”

“Of course. If we lose, Hizuchi is finished. You must win, no matter what.”

Irma touched the sword at his waist and looked at me, his eyes filled with determination.

“For that, I’m willing to risk my life, even if the enemy is the strongest general and army.”

Smiling at Irma’s words, I turned to look at Ozuma, thinking of ways to secure victory without hesitation.

Last time, we fought on the enemy’s terms and lost. If Setsura hadn’t come, the damage would have been greater.

So this time, we’ll drag them into our own territory.