179 And then set it up.

I wonder if I've done something wrong. Considering the look on Natra's face on the way to Lakra, I don't think it was all bad. But Lakra's behavior in front of her mother showed a strong sense of rejection. I knew that she had an indifferent personality, but when she went that far, I was troubled by the depth of the rift between them.

Nevertheless, I was the one who started it, and I couldn't just let it go. At the very least, I should know how Lakra feels and tell Natra about it. While I was running around the village looking for Lakra, I found her in the shade of a tree watching the holy knights.

"Lakra, there you are.

You've been looking for me?

Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I was trying to do you a favor, but I guess it was none of your business.

Don't mind me. You just didn't know what I was going through, and I would have acted the same way if I were in your shoes.

Lakra's expression was the same as always. Well, we don't know each other that well, so we don't know how you feel inside. That's why it's necessary to talk about it.

I don't mean to blame you, but can you please tell me what's going on? I don't want to blame you, but can you please tell me what's going on? I can't just leave Natra like that.

"Yes, you can. ...... Have you heard about my birth yet?

Yes. I'm sure you're not the only one. But she wasn't sure she could raise you, so she sent you to an orphanage.

"I'm glad I did. It's not uncommon for a woman to raise a child alone, but I think it's much better for both of us than being forced to raise a child when we don't even have a place to live.

Many people think that if there are people around who can help them, they might be able to raise the child even if they are alone. However, the village they lived in is gone, and they have no place to live, no place to work, and even no one to rely on. In such an environment, there is a great possibility that one's heart will break. Even if you are confident, reality is not so easy.

That's true. At least I heard that the orphanage you grew up in was a good place.

"Yes. I was grateful, but never lonely or resentful. I met Mr. Utka and Mr. Shosho. I got to know Ilias, Wolfe and everyone. There have been a few ...... mistakes, but I like my life now. To be honest, I could not be happier with my life.

During her time as a novice and while working in Medicine, Lakra was not well received. There is no doubt about it, because I was one of those who avoided her. However, Lacla has met that person and has come to be accepted by the people around her.

I think he understood her, accepted her, and gave her the world she wanted. He can do that. And he did. Even though she saw Lakra as an enemy, she freed me from the shackles of my past. I can definitely believe that.

"Then why?

I was curious about your mother once, so I went to see her. I didn't see her face to face. I didn't see her face to face, but she was standing in front of her father's grave apologizing to him and Mr. Eckdruk. Over and over again, apologizing.

I also heard about Lakra's brother. He said he was taken by demons, raised to kill people, and even killed Lakra. Honestly, I don't even know why I'm still alive.

Aside from that, at the time, Natra didn't even have any hope that she would survive. In her mind, it was as if she was dead. I can't imagine how she felt when she found out that he was still alive.

Doesn't that mean you love your family?

"I guess so. When I saw him, I thought, 'Oh, if he met me, he would apologize to me the same way. I didn't want to do that, so I left the place. If she apologized to me like that, she would make me feel that my life was bad, and she would deny me the life I have now. I'm sure your mother will be satisfied with that, but I don't want her to deny what I value for that.

Lakra felt a strong emotion when she saw Natra apologizing in front of the grave. If she regretted abandoning her child in an orphanage, it's easy to imagine her saying something like, "I'm sorry you had to go through that. I don't want those words to negate my life up to now.

I think it would be better to make her be careful about that, but it's difficult to do so from the standpoint of Natra, who regrets leaving Lakra at the orphanage. She would probably slip up at times.

Do you mind if I tell her about it? I understand how you feel, but I can't leave you alone either.

I'm just avoiding her, that's all. You're free to go.

For now, there was nothing more I could say to Lacla. But the conversation was worth it. Natra may not be satisfied with the result, but at least she is not rejecting her position as a mother.

After leaving Lakra, I looked around the house, but there was no sign of Natra. She had probably gone home. Should I talk to Lakra's brother? No, but I'm not sure if it's an issue I should get involved in.

"Hey, Masetha. What's wrong?

As I was standing in front of my house, the man who spoke to me was Harcudok. It was because of him that I met Natra and this happened. Could it be that this guy is the source of all this?

"Lacula left you. That's why I went after her to find out what happened. Natra left already, didn't she?

Apparently so.

"Apparently so." You were there, weren't you?

No, he passed out a few seconds later. It was my fault, though.

I wonder what they did to him. Now that that's out of the way, let's get our thoughts straight. Lacla and the others didn't want to see Mr. Natla. It's reasonable to assume that Harkdock was helping them. But what he did was bring me and Natra together. ...... Oh, that's right. Lakra is a member of Morgana, but has little interaction with others. So you thought it would not be a problem to introduce me, a member of Morgana.

You didn't know that Lakra and I grew up in the same environment.

I'm new here. We kill each other, but I barely know Lakra. I'm just sorry. I'm sorry you're uncomfortable.

Harkdock scratched his head and bowed. I was going to say something sarcastic, but it's hard to say when you apologize first.

It's okay. I would have done the same thing if I hadn't been introduced to Natra. I would have done the same thing if I hadn't been introduced to Natra. ...... I didn't think about Lakra's feelings either, and I messed things up.

It's a shame that we're both screwed up. I also pissed off the Blue Demon King, so I'll have to find a place to stay in the area for the time being.

Yeah, ......? I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure what to do. There's a Blue Demon Lord here?

It's only natural that the Blue Demon Lord's demon tribe, the Ex-Doik, is here.

...... endure, endure me. I'm not sure what to do. I have to listen to you!

Take a deep breath and start asking for details. I knew that the Blue Demon King had joined him, but I had never heard that Lakra's brother had become one. It was hard for the Blue Demon King to meet the parents of his son who had been turned into a demon, and it was hard for him and his brother to explain.

But then, while I was chasing after Lakra, he told Natra all about it. How dare you! And from what I've heard, it sounds like Ecdysium is about to part company with Natra-san!

You're amazing... You have a very complicated face, but you're easy to understand.

Is that a compliment?

It's all in your face. It's just that I can tell you're really worried about Natra, and I can feel your personal discipline. You're a good guy, aren't you?

...... Apparently, he's complimenting me. It's a little embarrassing to be praised so straightforwardly. The fact that he introduced me to Mr. Natla is probably because he was trying to be helpful to him in some way.

I'd like to do something about it if I could, but ...... explaining the situation with Lakra isn't enough, is it?

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family.

You're right. In Mejis, where the Yugra religion is the most widespread, dislike for the Demon Lord is a given. This is not only because of the teachings of the Yugra religion, but also because there have been many victims of demons coming out of the Mejis demon world in the past. Recently, there has been no damage at all, and the purification of the demon world is progressing at an unusually fast pace even from a historical perspective. ...... That's how big the influence of that person is. It's because I know who he is that I'm not so disgusted when I hear about the Demon Lord.

Leaving aside the matter of Lakra's brother, I'll try to explain about Lakra and help Natra-san sort out her feelings.

"Oh, please do that. I'm ...... well, I'm sorry I misled you, Natra. I'll come back and apologize in a little while. I'll come back and apologize in a while. But you know what, if I had a brother like that ......, I wouldn't be relying on him so much.

Apparently, Harkdock calls that man his brother. It may be typical, but I honestly envy the ease with which you can close the distance. I'd like to be a part of it. ...... No, no, no, no, that's not possible when you're in a position of admiration. If this were a love affair, it would be different, but unfortunately my heart is not fluttering.

It's true that he seems to be able to put things together nicely.

"Oh, my brother says he'll make it look 'safe'!

Safe ....... It's a good idea to take a look at the web site and see if you can find anything that might be of interest to you.

I'm sure you'll agree.

Mercerstiwell, what is the status of the invasion of the troops?

All troops are gradually moving north. In the case of the Ghanaians, they are able to reach the main camp that the humans have built beside the Ghanaian mainland, and in the case of the Medis, they will soon be able to pass through the Medis demon world and invade the Medis territory.

The pawns on the map were moved by magic power to show the exact location of each unit. It also reproduces the information of the human side, which can be observed, without leaking.

It's very slow, isn't it?

This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.

If we try to speed up the invasion, we will be checked, and if we try to intercept them, they will immediately retreat. If you try to force your way forward, you will be caught in a trap that has been prepared for you, and you will not be able to advance as you wish. If it were only one or two troops, all the troops would be obstructed in the same way.

At this point, even I have to admit that the enemy is highly intelligent. Among the people we are dealing with now, there are people who are capable of divine command.

It seems that the enemy's center is superior.

"I hate to admit it, but ...... seems to be the case.

"Don't be arrogant with the humans, Mercerstiel. Even if their individual strength is weak, humans have a history. I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who'd like to have a look at it.

...... I'm sorry.

No problem. At the very least, each squad is fulfilling its minimum role.

...... What's that supposed to mean?

We're following the invasion orders, but we're at the mercy of the enemy and the invasion is far behind schedule. But still, the Demon Lord says it's enough. I've thought about the reasons for this, but I can't think of anything to praise, only to highlight our inadequacies.

"We did not destroy ourselves. That's good enough for me.

"But...

"Shut your mouth.

I cover my mouth in panic at the sudden command. I looked at the Demon Lord and he was quietly looking down at the map. I don't know if he's trying to get a grasp of the war situation. After a while, the Demon Lord sends magic power to our pieces and moves them on the map.

"......

"Tell the troops to do this. From now on, we will not attack individually, but in teams of several to attack the human base.

The instructions were roughly summarized as to change the direction of the invasion and join up with other units scattered around the country. This is reasonable, but I wonder if it wouldn't have been better if the troops had been made to move as one from the beginning.

If you don't mind, Demon Lord, could you please tell me, a foolish man, the purpose of this decision?

"A general's leadership is refined by learning. The direction of his advance, his speed, his response to the situation, whatever information he has, will give the enemy an opportunity to learn. That is why I did not give orders myself, but let the men of each unit act as they wished. From here on, the enemy will be ready to meet us. If they do not have proper information, the quality of their command will be greatly degraded. Of course, when it comes to a battle between human beings, it is a fool's errand to divide the troops and have them advance separately, only to be defeated individually. However, we have the power of 'struggle'. We may be able to stop them with half-hearted measures, but we will not be able to destroy them. In fact, even though the enemy has a considerable number of intelligent generals, they have only been able to buy time. The result will be the same with or without my orders, but right now they don't have any satisfactory information.

"Oh, I see. ......

I was only thinking about the extent of the invasion and the outcome of the battle as instructed. But the Demon Lord was different. The Demon Lord was looking at the war on the scale of a Demon Lord. The enemy is a being with high intelligence. But that opponent is in a situation where he can barely analyze his own thoughts. This difference is indeed huge.

No, the use of the power of Struggle is revolutionary to begin with. I had always thought that this power was for defeating enemies. But the Demon Lord was using it to keep the enemy from getting information and to protect us.

There are other reasons for dividing the army. There are other reasons for dividing the troops, but they are easier to understand when you see them than when you hear them. Give the order.

Ha!

Aside from the Golden Demon Lord, the Purple Demon Lord and the Blue Demon Lord were also defeated by humans despite their great power. It's because they couldn't properly wield their own demon lord power. But our Demon Lord is different. He understands his power and knows how to wield it to the fullest.

I'm proud to have been born in this demon world. Our Demon Lord is the true Demon Lord.