The uncle honestly admitted it. He had listened carefully to what the old woman said when she introduced Ellie earlier, and he clearly knew that the higher-ups sent a "child" like Ellie to ensure they could take down the Elf Kingdom this time.
From his tone, she could hear some self-reproach and self-mockery. Hmm! This uncle's favorability in her mind had increased a little more. If she ever had to be his enemy in the future, she would let him die a painless death!
"Shu'enbeimu, you know very well the reason why Clementine is going with us, don't you? This was decided at the meeting," the old woman said.
"I know!" The uncle replied somewhat helplessly, then said nothing more.
The atmosphere seemed to have become a bit awkward? The uncle seemed very unwilling to let Ellie go to the battlefield, not because he looked down on Ellie's strength or anything, but for a more benevolent reason. Perhaps he felt that such a young child shouldn't be exposed to the cruel and bloody aspects of war so early?
"Um, I have a question, Bernice-sama, is it all infantry this time?" Ellie spoke, probably to ease the strange atmosphere, and also to try and get the old woman to arrange a mount or some other means of transportation for her.
"The Fire Extinguishing Scripture's original task is to guard towns. Although there is a fast-moving unit, their numbers are not large, and our main battlefield this time is the forest, so cavalry is not needed." The uncle explained it clearly to Ellie.
So that was why there was no cavalry. Should she try to hitch a ride on the supply carriages? She secretly glanced over... the carriages were packed with supplies. Would she have to sit with the driver? She felt that would be so undignified!
"I see, I'm sorry, I don't know much about warfare, I was just curious," Ellie said.
"In that case, Bernice-sama, and little sister Clementine, for this operation, would you be able to refrain from taking action, no matter what happens, unless I need you to fight?" The uncle directly made a very excessive request.
Combining the uncle's attitude towards her just now, Ellie knew that this request was because he didn't want Ellie to go to the battlefield. This wouldn't do. Although it seemed to be for Ellie's good, how could she allow herself to be sidelined and not given a chance to show off?
The situation with the Elf Kingdom was still unclear. Perhaps there was still a chance to bring the Elf Kingdom over to the Magic Kingdom's side. But if this uncle sidelined her, she wouldn't be able to do anything. What kind of action or trouble-making could she talk about then? No, she couldn't stay low-key any longer.
Seeing the old woman's troubled expression, she couldn't count on her. This was something she had to do herself, so... Ellie made a decision.
"Uncle Shu'enbeimu, although I don't understand how to march or fight wars, I do know how to use my power to crush my enemies." Ellie said this. She had originally wanted to mention the Dragon Kingdom, but then remembered that the matter of reinforcing the Dragon Kingdom seemed to be a secret in the Theocracy, so she decided not to mention it.
...The uncle said nothing more, only looking at Ellie with a helpless expression.
"Bernice-sama, Uncle Shu'enbeimu, may I be permitted to summon my means of transportation? I might not be able to keep up with a long march and would only hold everyone back," Ellie asked with a smile.
"Summon? You mean summon? Yes... I hadn't considered that. Please, Clementine, summon whatever you wish!" The old woman was surprised when Ellie mentioned summoning, then quickly responded. Seeing the old woman express her approval first, the uncle also had nothing more to say.
Having received permission, Ellie reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a neatly wrapped small box.
"Excuse me... what is this?" The old woman asked with great interest.
"A summoning medium..." Ellie wasn't lying. After all, the mercenary scroll used for summoning had been folded neatly and stuffed into that small box. As for the small box itself, she had to thank Gelos for the dessert boxes he brought yesterday.
So Ellie placed the small box on the ground, then stepped back several paces. The few people nearby, seeing Ellie retreat, also wisely moved back, creating space.
"Now! Begin the sum... mon!" Ellie suddenly remembered something very important. Oh no!! How could she have forgotten this! Summoning mercenaries cost money! The last time she returned to Nazarick, because Pandora's Actor was there, she didn't get the money for summoning. What should she do? The box was already out, and she had said she would summon something. If nothing appeared, wouldn't that be incredibly embarrassing?
"Uh..." Ellie stood there dumbfounded, her mind working overtime, trying to find a way to save face and cover up the situation! She couldn't lose face here; so many people were watching!
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