CH 149

-Rodokiaus’ Side-

The battle between Marihect and Sievert.

I carried Ko in my arms as we headed to the front lines.

I didn’t really want to expose Ko to the battlefield, but he insisted on not staying behind because this war had significant implications for our family.

When the children expressed their desire to participate and even Father became enthusiastic about joining, Ko went through a lot of trouble to keep them at home.

Calvert and Diadora aside, Eldred is six years old.

Even if he were to participate in the war, he would be more of a combat asset compared to regular soldiers.

Even Calvert and Diadora could probably fight in the war without hesitation.

…although I doubt Ko would give permission for that.

Father, who was asked to keep the children away from the battlefield, was also…quite eager.

Compared to a half-Akinist who has yet to fully humanize, they’re no match to an Akinist who had retired from the front lines.

Given Ko’s rare request, it would probably be impossible for the children to pass through Father’s determined and disapproving gaze.

Father will definitely try his best to uphold his promise to Ko.

Along the border, soldiers and magicians stood facing each other.

This was my first time participating in a war between nations.

His Majesty mentioned that there would be a signal to begin, but I had no idea what it would be.

Perhaps it would be a loud cry from a vocal species?

When I lowered my gaze, I saw Ko looking in the direction of Sievert’s soldiers.

His gaze was moving, but he only looked towards Sievert’s side.

Was there something bothering him?

Was he counting the number of enemies?

Perhaps it’s because he could unleash magic as he pleases that he’s so focused?

I didn’t want to be a nuisance, so I silently watched without calling out to him.

—

—

“Kwaaa…!!”

A large bird flew between the two nations while making a cry.

It must be the beast transformation of the Vamis species.

Was this signal for the start?

The surroundings instantly became chaotic.

In the midst of all that-

“Petrify.”

Just with those words spoken by Ko, the Sievert soldiers in front of us instantly froze in their tracks.

The range of the petrification must be within Ko’s line of sight.

Ko mentioned that he didn’t have a keen sense of smell like me and his visual acuity wasn’t exceptional.

However, the power to render a large group of people become combat ineffective in an instant terrified Sievert’s side, and Marihect’s side fell silent as well.

“It’s better to not touch the petrified individuals. If they crumble, they will die…if you want to kill your allies, be my guest.”

His voice carried magical power.

Unlike his usual voice, it resonated directly in our bodies, sending shivers down our spines.

It wasn’t just me who felt it; it seemed Marihect’s army and Sievert’s army felt the same.

The Sievert soldiers, frozen in place, quickly put some distance between themselves and the petrified ones.

In this location, it’s as if there are no longer any enemies.

It would be better to move to a different location.

Our allies behind us also split into left and right formations.

“What do you think, Ko?”

I wonder which way Ko intended to go.

Or perhaps he’s fine with the current situation?

Having rendered multiple squads of soldiers and a considerable number of magicians combat ineffective, Marihect’s military strength was unlikely to be at a disadvantage.

“Well, I wonder…does Sievert still intend to fight?”

The latter part of Ko’s statement was once again imbued with magical power.

It’s not meant for those around us…rather, it’s directed at Sievert’s side.

The previous display must have been so terrifying that they momentarily froze.

“Do you understand that you’ll lose if you continue fighting like this? …so why keep fighting? Or should I petrify those remaining as well?”

“D-don’t joke around!”

“I’m getting out of here!”

I could see some individuals fleeing.

Even if it’s not me, any species with good eyesight would have been able to see.

After fleeing from the battlefield, they would only be looked down upon even after the war was over.

However, the majority of them remained in place, choosing not to run away.

“…how persistent. Rodo, let’s move.”

Before I could even register Ko’s words, we were already standing in a different location.

The enemy soldiers, frozen by Ko’s magic, were visible far in the distance.

With Ko’s sudden appearance, both sides ceased their movements.

…and yet, Ko hadn’t even unleashed his magic yet.

“Petrify.”

With just one word from Ko, those individuals transformed into stone-like statues.

In an instant, dozens of them were rendered combat ineffective, but Ko showed no signs of exhaustion.

Although he appeared slightly fatigued due to his pregnancy, there was no greater display of exhaustion.

In other words, this magic was not tiring for Ko.

Ko moved once again and uttered a single word.

I wondered if over half of them had been petrified by now.

With this, Marihect would have a significant numerical advantage.

“Is it about time? Rodo, let’s head to the castle.”

“Yeah.”

He had mentioned that he intended to end this war in a day.

By diminishing the fighting power of Sievert’s side and making victory seem unattainable, it would quickly come to an end, and–

It would result in fewer casualties for both nations or so they thought–

Marihect aside, it wasn’t necessary to consider Sievert’s situation.

—

—

“What have you come here for?”

The fearful Sievert King asked as we appeared out of nowhere.

“Over half of your forces are incapacitated. Do you still intend to continue? There’s nothing for Sievert to gain from further conflict.”

Ko responded, devoid of any warmth in his words, but it was clear they didn’t believe him.

Looking at their faces, I couldn’t help but be reminded of what happened yesterday.

Unconsciously, I clenched my back teeth tightly.

“There’s truly no salvation for you. What’s the meaning of causing casualties among your own people? Don’t you understand that what you’re doing is tyranny?”

“Shut up! How dare a child like you!”

One of them retorted.

“…that child…is mocking you for your foolish actions. Despite living for so long, don’t you even understand something as basic as that?”

“Ughhh…”

They growled in frustration, defeated by Ko’s words.

Those who turned against Ko were digging their own graves.

“We want to go back quickly, so let me give you the final farewell.”

And just as Ko spoke, the petrified soldiers appeared in a row at the edge of the room.

The Sievert King’s face turned pale.

“They’re Sievert’s Captains and Chief Magicians. It’s better not to touch them until the petrification is undone, as they will crumble. Once they crumble, there’s no way to restore them.”

Ko warned.

One after another, the petrified figures appeared.

Although the Captains were likely scattered throughout the battlefield…

Did he petrify them simultaneously as they were transferred to the castle?

It was a unique ability of Ko to use different magic while still using another magic.

“With the Captains gone and over half of them turned into stone, there must be chaos on the battlefield. Why don’t you declare your defeat soon? After all, the reason I stopped Rodo, who was about to kill all of you yesterday, was because it would be troublesome if there was no one left to make that declaration.”

Ko suggested.

It’s true that I was stopped by Ko yesterday.

Even with Ko in my arms, I could easily kill these people.

First and foremost, these people who insulted Ko were not worthy of living.

They called him “a child who relied on the power of an Akinist” and said whatever they pleased…

Even if I were to fight against Ko, I would be the one to lose.

They didn’t even understand that.

Not only can’t I attack Ko, but if Ko were to use magic seriously, I would die just like anyone else.

Ko is the only one in the world who can effectively attack an Akinist.

“Didn’t you hear me? If you prefer, I can render the remaining soldiers incapacitated as well. But once there are no more soldiers or magicians left, how do you plan to fight?”

He remarked, watching as Sievert’s King turned pale to an almost comical extent.

Did they finally realize the foolishness of turning against Ko?

…it’s too late.

“Petrify…see, now there’s only you left, right? You’ll make the declaration of defeat, won’t you?”

He continued.

Every individual standing by King Sievert’s side was turned into a statue, leaving them even more ghostly than before.

“Yes.”

King Sievert responded, his head bowed, accepting that there was no other choice.

And so, with an anticlimactic turn of events, Sievert’s defeat was sealed.

Just as Ko predicted, the war ended in a brief span of time.

It felt faster than slaying a monster.

-End of Rodokaius’ side-