210 That's why I'm chasing him down.

A future strategy meeting with friends. In addition to the three Demon Lords, there is also a demon tribe of the Blue Demon King called the Neelryates sitting in the room. This demon's eyes on me are quite hot.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little bit like you. I'm sure the humans aren't all that far behind!

"That much resemblance?

All of the people who went to Taze's demon world nodded unanimously. It reminds me of a ghost story my friend once told me about doppelgangers. I wonder if either of them would die if they met.

But my king has a colder gaze, so that's more thrilling to me.

"Should I take that as an advantage? Well, that's okay. So, I've heard the gist of it, but Raitis ......, no, do you have any ideas on how to find Nektohar?

This is my personal opinion, but I think Rahite and Ritual know about the existence of the Nektohar. That would be a good place to start.

And why is that?

"They understand the purpose of collecting bastards. After all, they have a connection with Nektohar, who is the most knowledgeable about bastards, and they are cooperating with him because they agree with his purpose.

If they were underlings, they would just do their job of searching for the bastard, but both of them tended to be involved in various other things. In terms of organization, it would not be surprising if they were in the position of executives. In particular, Raheit was acting as a subordinate of the Scarlet Witch King. There is no doubt that he has a connection with those who know the fact that the Demon Lord is back.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you.

I think it's safe to assume that they're not in either of those two countries, the more diplomatic Ghanaian and Quama.

We can't rule out the possibility that they're hiding out in the middle of nowhere.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. If that is the case, Trinh and Serende will be the most likely candidates, as they are difficult to search even in the virtual world.

If we were to attack Trinh and Selende in the virtual world, we might be able to get some results.

"If I may say so, mistress, you are not a good man.

My friend destroyed the Taze in the virtual world. If only he hadn't done it by any means, but as a king, I have mixed feelings about it. I wonder if I'm not accurate enough in the virtual world, but I'm his friend.

If I can find even a trace of you, I can negotiate with you. If you can find even a trace of him, you can negotiate with him, but the information you get from the Demon Lord is not very reliable. I'd like to have some kind of evidence in the real world as well.

"That's the point, isn't it? If Trinh and Selende are not in league with Nektohar, it will be much easier to get the cooperation of the local king.

"Then why don't we split up and search both countries at the same time?

If you're not working with the Scarlet Witch, you'll have a much easier time getting the cooperation of the local king.

It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money. In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a number of things you can do. This is why splitting up a group of people who can work together is so annoying.

"So? You already have a plan in mind, don't you?

I'm not sure what to say. This conversation is also useful to confirm the current situation.

I'm not sure what to make of this. I'm sure you've got a lot of questions, but I'm sure you'll be able to come up with something that works for you.

I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. Marito, I want you to contact Pope Eupharo tomorrow and ask him to take action.

I don't mind that, but didn't Pope Eupharo say that if he captures Archbishop Ceraes, he won't be able to get any information?

Archbishop Serraes is currently in Mejlis. If Pope Euphrosychiac learns what happened, he'll have Archbishop Cellais surrounded within the day.

It'll be quick. That's why Marit sent Harkdok back to Quama, isn't it?

...... Oh, where'd the leak come from?

"I just called Jestaff and they told me that Hark-dog came to Taze once and is on his way back. Given Harkdock's personality, he would have been waiting around, cleaning Iliad's house.

I don't want him to see through my plan just because of that. ......

No, well, seeing my friend like that made me angry in many ways, and I was acting intuitively, but... It's a complicated feeling to be seen through so much. I'm happy that he understands me, but I'm also worried that he'll think I'm shallow.

"Well, it's great that the two of you are going through this together, but could you please explain it to me in a way that I can understand?

"Neillertes, these two are always like this. Neillertes, this is what they do all the time. When you listen to them outside, all you get is fluff.

You'll look smarter if you pretend you know what you're talking about.

I sometimes do the purple devil's method. I sometimes use the purple devil's method, because it gives me time to think, and if I come up with the right answer, I can make it look like I've arrived at the answer instantly. I'm sure my friends do it too.

I think my friends do it too.

"Serraes! The Holy Knights of Mejis are on their way to you!

I could tell from the panicked report of my apprentice that things were not going peacefully. There is a limit to the number of people who can send the holy knights to me. It's probably His Holiness Eupharo, a citizen of the planet Yugra. I was careful not to let the information leak out, but I didn't think it was completely safe.

"...... We have to get that man out of here. Get yourself ready.

He was so badly injured that he was likely to die if we moved him, but we couldn't just let him go. I'm thinking of ways to hide it, but if Pope Eupharo is moving, he must be sure of something. He can't be fooled by half-truths.

"Se, Serraes! That man is gone!

"What?

I'm going to the room where he was lying. The man who was supposed to be lying on the bed is nowhere to be seen. What does this ...... mean? Did someone ahead of us already sneak into this place and rescue him? No, it's not easy to sneak into this place, even for the dark side of Mejlis. Even if there was someone who could do it, it would be extremely difficult to carry out a person who can't move without leaving a trace. Then the only thing I can think of is .......

"I can feel the residue of magic. Does this belong to the ...... demon?

The first thing that came to mind was the Purple Demon Lord's subordinate, a unique class of demon. But I don't think it's possible for that thing to act in the middle of the day. I'm not sure what to do. That would make sense. If it's a human who can't be healed by magic, it's possible to look like him.

What should I do?

"This seems to have been planned in advance. The Holy Knights that are coming now are not looking to take the man, but to restrain us.

I'll regret underestimating their search power later. Right now, our first priority is to get through this place. Now that we know what the holy knights are after, we have some time to prepare for their escape. Even if we can't all escape, we can manage the Holy Knight's encirclement. I'm sorry to say this to one of my disciples, but I think it will be most effective if you buy us some time.

"Split up and focus on getting us out of here. We'll go through the rendezvous point and head for the location in Kuama.

Then I'll stay here!

I'll stay here!" "...... You can buy time by talking, but avoid combat. If you do, you'll avoid the death penalty.

Given the nature of Pope Eupharo, I'm the only one he's going to execute. My disciples will also face a certain punishment, but as long as they don't put up too much of a fight, they will be spared. I gathered my minimal belongings and headed for the passage I had prepared in the basement. The only ones left are the ones who will answer the door and the ones who will try to escape through the back door.

Hurry up. If they notice how few people we have, they'll know this passage exists--

A roar rang out from the facility. It's not the Holy Knight's attack, it's a magical attack. And it's coming from multiple locations.

"Master Ceraes, that sound is .......

"Fools, I told you not to fight.

The remaining disciples on the ground may have deliberately put up a fight. The remaining disciples on the ground may have been deliberately resisting, so as to buy time for the existence of this passage to be noticed.

But I understand their feelings. But I can understand why they would risk their lives to protect you, .......

"I'm not worth risking my life to protect. You know how I've gotten my hands dirty.

I do. That's why. Losing you, a man who is prepared to get his hands dirty for the sake of the world, not for personal gain, is no different than losing order in this world.

...... I'm saying that's stupid.

I don't care if you're stupid. We are ready to get our hands dirty, but we don't know how to do it as well as you do. That's the fool's way of using life.

Saying this, one of the disciples stopped.

...... You don't have to stay here.

"No, it's just in case. I'll stay here and serve as your lord. If the need arises, I will take this entire passage...

The disciple laughs. The existence of a disciple who is willing to lay down his life for me is one more thing I have to bear, but I am no longer qualified to rejoice or mourn over it.

I will remember your name until my last day. It's the least I can do for you, but I promise you that.

"Thank you, sir. That will be all.

Continue down the passage with the rest. A moment later, a roar rang out more clearly than before. No one looks back at the sound. No one looks back at the sound, for they all understand that to look back and mourn is to make the value of their scattered lives meaningless.

"Have you contacted the people in Quama?

Already. They've confirmed the presence of the Holy Knight and the Quama soldiers as well.

I see. I guess I won't be able to admire the flowers in the church in Kuama anymore.

If it comes to it, I'll learn gardening. If there are any flowers you would like to see, just let me know.

I'm counting on it. I'll get in touch with Raheit after we reach the location.

We've stained our hands with much blood to protect the order of this world. But even with such dirty hands, the flowers we plant bloom beautifully. Even if our hands are stained black with blood, the orderly world that we have protected must be beautiful. Then there is no reason to stop.

There is no reason to stop.

"Has Archbishop Ceraes succeeded in breaking through the siege of the Holy Knights and escaping?

King Taze, Serraes is no longer the Archbishop. "King Taze, Serraes is no longer an archbishop. He has imprisoned a key ally at his own discretion and committed an act unbecoming of humanity. Now that it's out in the open, the Yggra religion has no intention of defending it.

His Holiness Eupharo's voice, coming from the crystal, was indifferent. I'm sure Pope Eupharo is aware of how much Archbishop Serraes has gotten his hands dirty in the past, and how he has been working in the dark to maintain order. People who take on such dirty work are never rewarded in the end. It would be an insult to them to feel sorry for them.

So, Serraes. Do you have any idea where they're running off to?

"Most likely, it's somewhere in Quama, where he had the greatest influence. But the churches and other notable facilities in Quama's home country have already been seized with Quama's help. The most likely place would be an undisclosed facility like the one that imprisoned him there this time. I'm sorry we missed him.

I understand that you acted quickly from the report. I don't blame Taze or any other demon lord for blaming the Yugra cult. We will continue to search for Ceraes.

"I don't care if he's alive or dead, but if you have him in your custody, please contact me. We have a duty to bring him to justice.

"Duty ....... It must be complicated to have to bring someone who's done so much for you in the past to justice.

I'm grateful for that. But now Serraes is a sinner trapped in the order. Whatever his past, it is no reason to overlook his past sins.

Marith turns to me, her face that of a serious and wise king.

It seems that Serraes has succeeded in escaping, just as you had planned.

"Just as Marith had planned, too.

When Raheit was being held in the prison at Kuama, no one appeared to rescue him. This suggests that not everyone who uses transference magic is able to transfer anywhere. Therefore, it is unlikely that Serraes would suddenly cooperate with him in his escape.

It would be unreasonable for him to contact Raheit and ask for help after seeing the arrival of the Holy Knight. The most likely course of action for Ceraes would be to flee to a temporary shelter, contact Raheit there, and try to reunite with Nektohar.

He would then try to contact Rahite and meet up with Nektokhar. He would try to eliminate the false you prepared by Duvraeori before any trouble with the holy knight starts, thus increasing the rate of Seraes' escape. Now we wait for Serraes to contact Rahite. Do you think you can catch him?

"Given Raheit's nature, he'll pick up Theresa if she asks for help. I think he'll pick him up if he asks for help. He'll have him as a capable collaborator.

I'm 50/50 on whether to give up on him or not. I'm 50/50 on whether to give up on him or not, but I have to trust your analysis of Rahite's personality.

"Even if there is a possibility that he will use transference magic to travel from the rendezvous point, there is still a good chance that we can catch him if we get there before he does.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'd like to know what to do. It is also confirmed that at that time, the transfer magic user said that he was ready. In short, the use of transference magic requires a certain amount of preparation time. The purpose of this attack was to take advantage of that. Duvraeori, who was standing behind me, opened his mouth.

"I've just received word from the Butler Army. We've successfully followed one of Serraes' factions that managed to escape in Quama. He and Harkdok will be able to rendezvous with Ecduk who is on his way to Quama.

"It was worth having King Zenotta loosen some of the sieges.

It may be difficult to follow Serraes himself, but the Butler Army should be able to follow anyone who joins him. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you can do it.

I'm on my way to Kuama now.

Will you make it?

Who are you talking to? With my full speed, I can get there faster than you can get from the castle back to the house.

If you can do it, you can do it, but you need to be more careful about distance. Already on their way to Kuama are Ekduik, Lakra, and Mikus. I've sent word to Gillista as well, but he's on foot.

Yeah, I'll give it back first.

"Hmm?

Duvraioli opens the Belly of the Lost. His abdomen is split open, revealing what looks like a mouth with numerous teeth. It's much more grotesque than the one on Phoebus Hath, yes. It's probably lucky that I didn't see it being stored in this. Duvraeus thrusts his arm into it and pulls out a wooden sword.

"Arjisama! Arjisama!

"Oh, Kutou.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before.

I'm not sure what to do.

I'm sorry, I just forgot.

I just remembered.

Oh, no! Demo, Arjisama, buji de nani yori! Moi tetcha, yayo!

"Oh, I'm not going to leave it there on purpose anymore. I'm not going to intentionally leave you here anymore, not if you're going to steal it.

I'll be fine.

With Kuto, our means of transportation will be no longer a problem. I'm sure it's far from Duvraeus' speed, but I'd rather travel at that speed in a vehicle like a plane.

"Okay, then go and make up for the last time I let you go.

"You don't have to tell me that, I will.

Duvvleoris said and walked out the door. I thought he was going to jump out the window, but he was polite about it. I'd like to see you get some results and give him a clear pardon.

I'm going to get ready to go out too. Are you ready, Ilias?

"I'm ready when you are. I'll just go call Wolfe. I need a constant companion.

Right.

"Sonnanaka dektou, Aljisama's best partner!

No, I'm more like...

Ilias, don't fight with a wooden sword. No, he's a demon, but he's a demon.