In this crossover anime, many ruthless and powerful figures reside in my territory.

Swish!

The spot disappeared from the spot.

Meanwhile, Lister had already returned to his room.

He took off his shoes, sat cross-legged on the bed, and placed his Zanpakuto on his knees, mimicking the movements of a sword monk.

"Lena, Elsa, now I need to immerse myself in the spiritual realm and converse with my Zanpakuto."

"I leave everything to you to handle before I wake up."

"Yes!" x2

Both of them answered seriously, and then changed into clothes more suitable for sports.

One person practices manipulating spiritual energy, while the other practices controlling chakra.

They are Lord Lister's followers, how could they not stay by his side at all times?

They will also participate in the battle that may come tomorrow night!

At this moment, the spiritual pressure emanating from Lister's body mingled with the aura of the brooch.

Aizen, who was standing above White Moon Castle, looked expectantly in the direction of Lister.

What abilities does your Zanpakuto possess?

Prelude to Chapter 27: Echoes

Lister and the others spent the night practicing and resting.

The next morning, Melf received a letter from the Duke of Dick, saying that he would be a little late due to some business and should try to arrive before the dinner.

Reality is getting closer and closer to Liszt's prediction.

In preparation for a sudden war between the duchies, Melf ordered her confidants, the private army trained by the Eller family, to make preparations in advance, and followed Lister's advice to temporarily keep the lower-ranking nobles who supported their family in the dark.

Lister also practiced taijutsu and ninjutsu under Madara's tutelage, and in his spare time, he told Madara about the power a duke could mobilize during a duchy war.

The war between the principalities must not involve civilians, nor should it affect the autumn harvest or disrupt the people's production for an extended period.

Therefore, during the war, the Duke could only mobilize the fighting personnel in the inner city, including lower-ranking noble forces and the private army trained by his family.

The lower-ranking nobles and private armies are the main fighting force, because there is only one other way to learn the mysterious power of blood energy: one must be born into a noble family.

That is to be knighted by a higher noble.

As for learning Holy Light to become a priest or paladin, or learning Arcane to become a spellcaster, permission from the Tower of Tarin or the Temple is required.

Furthermore, due to the above circumstances, those who wish to learn mystical powers can only learn low-level skills, while only high-ranking nobles can learn mid-level skills.

For example, the blood energy technique of the Eller family and the puppet creation of the Dick family.

The former is a skill that utilizes blood energy, while the latter is a skill that utilizes arcane magic.

This is also why spellcasters and magic users cannot be called mages; they possess too few magical skills, often only three or four.

To learn all the knowledge, one must give up one's status and interests in the secular world, go to the three holy lands, join the holy land's direct forces, and accept the holy land's arrangements.

Therefore, the fighting power of the Holy Land's army is not on the same level as that of the armies of other countries.

There are no restrictions on the Temple Archbishops who come to oversee the national war; they can learn all the knowledge and skills of the Holy Light.

"What if I were to test that archbishop's abilities?"

Looking at Uchiha Madara who said such a thing, Lister helplessly shrugged.

"Then please have mercy and don't kill him."

"Aren't you afraid of attracting the attention of the Holy Land?"

"I think the friendship of the ninja world's demons is far more important."

"Hmph! Rest time is over!"

Madara rose and continued to instruct Lister on ninja combat.

Although he is so old that he has to rely on the Gedo Statue for supplies, he is still formidable in battle.

Even though his muscles had atrophied, this white-haired old man still beat the young and strong Lister so badly that he was lying on the ground howling.

After lunch, Lister returned to training.

For the first time, he had such a strong desire to become stronger.

Because this vast net covering the entire kingdom... he couldn't see through it.

He feared that his power was insufficient to protect those he wanted to protect.

He feared that his territory could not protect those he wanted to protect.

This feeling was as if a sharp sword was hanging over his head.

……

……

……

While Lister and the others were preparing for battle, someone else was also preparing.

Chris Rom, whose father was a baron from a remote village, appointed by the Grand Duke of Eller.

Because he was the second son in his family, his father sent him to the duchy to make a living.

He was only eight years old when he first arrived. He clearly remembers that his father told him that from now on he would serve the next Duke of White Moon.

He nodded blankly, but kept those words in mind.

Then, he met the boy who would become the Duke of White Moon, a child who was a force to be reckoned with on the training field.

Their archery skills surpassed those of adults; even while riding a horse, they could perfectly draw their bows and shoot arrows, hitting the bullseye every time.

He was an exceptional swordsman; despite being the same age as him, he could defeat adult soldiers in just a few moves.

And so, he succumbed.

That perfect figure left an indelible mark on his mind.

He had a premonition that he would serve this man for the rest of his life.

So he studied the Code of Law and the Code of Ritual, because they contained instructions on how to become a perfect knight.

He worked hard, training his physique and swordsmanship diligently, all so that he could become that person's swordsmanship practice partner.

Then, when he was twelve, his efforts paid off, and he was allowed to stay by that adult's side and practice with him.

Chris was excited, and he began to imagine how the ideal relationship between ruler and subject described in "The Book of Rites" would blossom between them.

But... the person he was loyal to seemed to be a little beyond his expectations.

Extremely rebellious, disregarding the "rites and regulations," and receiving preferential treatment from adults who admire them.

The difference in status between a half-orc and an adult is enormous; how could he approach them so easily?

Chris was conflicted.

He began to boldly advise the emperor, hoping that the emperor could become the perfect monarch described in the Book of Rites.

The first time, the adult waved.

The second time, the adult looked displeased.

The third time, the adults got into a physical fight.

Chris realized that this was a stain on the adult's perfect life, and how could he, as a squire, remain indifferent!

Thus, he became like a rock in a latrine in the eyes of adults—stinky and hard.

But he had no regrets until he was sixteen years old... when the adults suddenly left.

Should we give up our inherited title and go to the border to explore new lands?

Are you kidding me? !

So many people in White Moon Territory yearn for the Lord to succeed to the throne and bring new changes to White Moon Territory!

But no one could stop the adult... the adult didn't even take him with him...

That day, Chris gave up his daily sword training for the first time.

Unable to become a guard, he went to work as a guard at the inner city gate.

Chris didn't care that he often saw nobles with titles while working here, and even occasionally encountered dukes who wanted to go hunting outside the city.

His dream has vanished with the north wind.

Gradually, he started drinking and began associating with the degenerates he once despised.

However, fate played a cruel trick, and one day the adult returned.

He instinctively stepped forward to offer his advice, but was beaten by the adults again.

But he didn't feel wronged; on the contrary, he was quite happy and even practiced swordsmanship after his shift ended.

Fortunately, his physical strength and swordsmanship had not deteriorated too much.

Then he learned of the military challenge arranged by the retainers of the Dick family.

He was immediately filled with fighting spirit.

We must never allow the pride and honor of the Eller family to be tarnished!

We must not let that person down!

Chris Rom reminded himself of this.

He donned his armor, took his two-handed sword, and prepared to set off.

Now is the time to fight for glory for our lord!

……

At dusk, Duke Dick led a force of two hundred men to the outskirts of White Moon City.

At a glance, the procession included the Royal Guard, the Noble Guard, the servants, and Duke Dick's two sons.