Facing Elashia's question, Siris steeled himself and answered:
"In this old man's view, the mages of the Elasia Empire have completely failed to fulfill their proper role in warfare."
Elashia nodded.
"Elaborate."
After receiving Siris's perspective on the issue of war mages, which matched her own, Elashia asked:
"Then what does the general think would solve this problem?"
Hearing Elashia's question, Siris gave a bitter smile.
"It can't be solved."
Elashia continued asking:
"Why does the general say this?"
Siris answered seriously:
"Because—most mages in the Elasia Empire possess strong arrogance. They fundamentally look down on soldiers, so coordinated operations are naturally impossible to discuss."
Elashia nodded.
As expected of a veteran officer.
Elashia was extremely approving in her heart.
"What if I forcefully order them to train with the soldiers?"
Elashia asked probingly.
Immediately upon hearing this, Siris exclaimed in alarm:
"Your Majesty! That must not be done!"
Organizing his thoughts as quickly as possible, Siris said:
"Your Majesty, you must understand—taking such forceful measures against us is one thing, but using such methods against mages who control immensely destructive spells will only lead to tragedy!"
Siris understood all too well—those mage lords absolutely couldn't be provoked, not just by him, but even by Elashia as the Empress of Elasia.
The consequences of mages rebelling on the battlefield would be devastating.
He could never forget—in the final war against the Iron Empire over a decade ago, how Elasia's supplies instantly turned to ashes under the spells of several royal mages who rebelled for unknown reasons.
The war, which initially held some hope of repelling the Iron Empire, ended in a crushing defeat for Elasia.
Surrounded by the Iron Empire, the Elasian army, having lost its supplies, surrendered within a day.
So Siris knew all too well—the loyalty of mages determined a nation's fate.
Regarding mages, Elasia truly couldn't adopt forceful measures.
Seeing that Siris wanted to continue his lengthy discourse, Elashia interrupted him.
"I understand what you want to say."
Looking into Siris's eyes, Elashia slowly asked:
"So, Knight Siris, how do you think we should solve this problem?"
Siris's answer was brief and without hesitation.
"It can't be solved."
Elashia asked:
"How so?"
Siris answered:
"I've thought about this problem many times, and it just can't be solved."
"Without forceful measures, mages won't be willing to spend so much time training with us blood-soaked soldiers. But if forceful measures are taken, it might sow huge hidden dangers that none of us can accept."
"Therefore, Your Majesty, this problem has no solution."
Siris's gaze turned to Elashia, his eyes, though clouded with age, flashed with clarity born from seeing through the ways of the world.
"Is it truly unsolvable?"
Elashia asked once more.
"It truly has no solution!"
Siris answered with certainty.
Elashia smiled.
"Very well, Knight Siris, today I won't ask you to do anything, nor will I tell you anything."
Looking at Siris's puzzled expression, Elashia said slowly and deliberately:
"I want you to join me for a meal."
Siris asked in confusion:
"A meal?"
Elashia nodded.
"A meal."
After speaking, Elashia walked toward the interior of the academy.
Seeing Elashia walk away, Siris, standing stunned in place, had no choice but to quickly follow.
Elashia led Siris to the dining hall.
"It's almost mealtime. Soon many students will come here to eat. Listen carefully to their conversations."
Elashia said mysteriously to Siris.
Listen to a group of students' conversations?
Siris found it quite perplexing.
But since Elashia had said it, he had to comply.
"As you command."
Before long, students began entering the dining hall in small groups.
Looking at the students, Siris found it increasingly strange.
Why did Her Majesty want me to listen to a group of children's conversations?
Did she expect them to give me the answer to my problem?
Looking across, Her Majesty Elashia had already disappeared.
"Your Majesty?"
Although he wanted to find Her Majesty Elashia, remembering her order to "listen carefully to the students' conversations," Siris decided to sit down and listen first.
More and more people filled the dining hall, turning the once quiet space lively.
Just as he was about to listen to the students' conversations, a voice reached Siris's ears.
"Excuse me, Professor, we really can't find a table with two seats. May we sit across from you?"
Two girls holding hands approached Siris and asked shyly.
"Ah... of course, no problem."
Siris replied.
It seemed they had mistaken him for a professor, which was understandable given his age.
Siris reflected inwardly.
He wondered how much longer someone his age could remain in the military.
The two girls thanked him and happily sat down.
"Alice, did you find that place you mentioned where we can watch the army train?"
The blue-haired girl asked the red-haired girl.
"I found it! Let's go watch together tomorrow."
The girl called Alice replied with a proud smile.
The conversation between the two girls caught Siris's attention.
"If I may ask, young ladies, what are you going to do at the army?"
What would mages find interesting about the army?
Alice answered excitedly:
"That's the Elasia Royal Imperial Guard! Her Majesty Elashia's direct forces! Of course it's fascinating!"
The blue-haired girl also answered enthusiastically:
"Besides, aren't you curious about what the warriors who fight for Elasia and humanity are actually like?"
Looking at the two young women before him, Siris's confusion deepened.
"Don't you feel that you are... more noble than them... stronger than them?"
Hearing Siris's words, the blue-haired girl immediately puffed up her cheeks.
"Did we come all this way from our distant homes just for so-called 'superiority'?"
The girl called Alice also nodded and said:
"Principal Erin always says, 'A person's value lies not in what they possess, but in what they create.' Without the day and night protection of the soldiers, how could we have our daily academy life?"
Hearing her words, Siris fell into a brief silence.
Could it be that these students didn't have the arrogance of mages?
He began to understand why Her Majesty Elashia had brought him here for a meal.
"Well said!"
Smiling, Elashia approached with two lunch trays, each with one meat dish and one vegetable dish, and sat down beside Siris.
Placing one tray beside Siris, Elashia smiled and said:
"Now do you understand why I brought you here?"
Siris nodded.
"Hey! Aren't you Her Majesty Elashia..."
Seeing that Elashia had noticed she recognized her and placed a finger on her lips, Alice tactfully stopped speaking.
Oh my god, that really is Her Majesty Elashia!
The two girls exchanged excited glances.
Previously, when they heard that the Empress would give a speech at the Royal Theater, Alice had snuck in with her close friend. They never expected to see her at such close distance just a few days later.