Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 5 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 1===
 
The holy religious country of Aleclasta was founded based on the teachings of the Church of Richard.
 
Its capital wasn't located on the ground, rather it floated high in the clouds, the city of Aslanda.
 
In the innermost part of the island was the headquarters of the Church of Richard.
 
However opposite of the ornate cathedral, engraved with its teaching, lied a secret space that only a small number of the senior clergy knew of.
 
It was an open air garden filled with countless flowers in full bloom.
 
Yet for all it's beauty only a chosen few were able to step foot into this secret garden.
 
The view from there was like the perspective of a God looking down on the earth, Alayzard.
 
In the center of the garden was a white table.
 
The top two of the Church were sitting there side by side.
 
"Well, it seems to be finally entering the main battle...... much faster than expected," muttered Pope Volk, and after sipping his cup of tea, "And how is the current situation?"
 
"Conceivably not wanting to repeat the same mistakes that cost them the last war. Disdiya mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops, and at the moment only a small handful of troops are left to guard the most significant checkpoints along its border. It appears they are determined to win."
 
The second-in-command in the Church -– the Archbishop Miranda answered with a smile. She quickly added,
 
"Sherfied is following the same strategy as last time in deploying its troops with only tens of thousands of mobilized. However, excluding General Zechs, their Secretary of affairs Loutier and Queen Listy are also taking part in the military campaign this time around."
 
"Hmm...... then on that point, Sherfied is also bringing out its full strength."
 
Volk lightly squeezed his long beard looking very pleased,
 
"Is the battlefield still the central plains surrounding the Wandering forest?"
 
"-- No, it seems to be the neighboring Grand Canyon of Gorudono this time."
 
Miranda pointed out the rocky terrain along the eastern part of the Wandering forest was the battlefield.
 
The armies will probably have to advance along the bottom of the canyon. However with the intricate channels of the ravine, and the towering almost vertical rock face on both sides of the road attacking through this route will be extremely restricted. Disdiya will be forced to divide up its large army into several small squadrons.
 
"This has to be a tactic of Akatsuki's to lure the enemy...... but how can Emperor Baram allow himself to fall this easily into his trap?"
 
"It's probably because Forestnium is still enshrouded by that powerful barrier."
 
Miranda replied and,
 
"With it, it is impossible to invade Forestnium. Disdiya can only target their new Demon King, Akatsuki. In that event Akatsuki has chosen Gorudono as the battlefield, and Disdiya can do nothing but comply."
 
"But still, it's the perfect place for ambushes or guerrilla warfare. It will be too easy to fall into a trap. Additionally the most crucial factor is the narrowness of the road. It is unsuitable for their army movements. Up to now Disdiya easily had the numerical advantage in the open plains, and so far their army was no match for Akatsuki. Now that the battlefield has moved away from the plains into the canyon, wouldn't it give them even less of a chance of winning?"
 
"I believe Emperor Baram also concurs with that, and is still confident there is a good chance of winning."
 
The reason was very simple.
 
"All of Akatsuki's actions have proven one thing so far. The purpose of this war is to facilitate a peace agreement, and he will unlikely kill any of Disdiya's soldiers during the battle."
 
Baram must have calculated a scheme to beat him at his own game. Since his opponent had no intentions of killing, even if the battlefield's topography was very disadvantageous to his side, until the end he can exploit human wave tactics(tl note -- google) to obtain victory.
 
"Oh, so then......Akatsuki is going to fight alone this time?"
 
"No. He seems to be fighting alongside his comrades."
 
The Church of Richard wasn't only this country's religion, but its followers were in nearly every corner of Alayzard. Which of course includes Disdiya and Sherfied as well. On the battlefield there were no lack of believers in the Church of Richard, thus Aleclasta was able to grasp in real time the situation.
 
Miranda with a laugh,
 
"Not his so-called comrades that live in Galevain, but his personal friends. If I'm right then they're people Akatsuki brought from his own world."
 
"Ah...... come to think of it there was an unfamiliar girl at the peace agreement and at the duel with him."
 
"Yes, besides that young girl there seems to be several others like her."
 
"If Akatsuki is letting them fight their strength must not be underestimated."
 
No matter which side, Disdiya or Akatsuki, they were both prepared for an all-out decisive battle. Then Volk spoke in a teasing tone:      
 
"Say Miranda, which side do you think has a greater chance of winning?"
 
"That goes without saying, no? Your Holiness should also be well aware."
 
After she said that, out of corners of Miranda's mouth emerged a deep cold smile.
 
Which side will win this war? Such a thing was a matter of course.
 
It was not Galevain even with Akatsuki's support. It was not Disdiya, and further it was not Sherfied.
 
That's right, the real winner will be Aleclasta. The same Aleclasta who took the wait and see approach towards Disdiya's request for cooperation in the war. On the surface they were abiding with the teachings of Church of Richard to avoid meaningless disputes as much as possible.
 
In fact, this decision fully highlighted the wily old Pope Volk.
 
If Disdiya wins, Aleclasta was fully prepared to denounce their victory because it was not in line with international justice. It was not only Sherfied that commissioned a third party to re-investigate the annihilation of the surveillance forces. Aleclasta had already obtained their report that hinted at a possible coverup. Even if it was pure speculation of a third country it was enough to change the direction of international public opinion. Not to mention that there were many believers of Church of Richard in Disdiya. The will of the people for a long time now has been under the control of Aleclasta.
 
In contrast, if Akatsuki and his companions gained the upper hand, Aleclasta was prepared to step in at the appropriate time to support Disdiya, and even go as far as to play the role of the peacemaker. Once the mediation was successful, the world's perception would have dramatically changed in their favor.
 
True peace won't be brought about to all the people of Alayzard by the former Hero. It won't be by the militaristic nation that was trying to strike down the demonic race, and neither will it be the non-committal magical country.
 
Rather it will be through the implementation of an anti-war doctrine that Aleclasta held from start to finish.
 
"Well...... this war will let the people see their respective future."
 
The Pope of the Church of Richard Volk Rem Aleclasta IV exposed a proud smile,
 
"I truly wonder, how many people truly realize the significance of this war."