CH 46

That evening, he had finished processing his report of the day in his office, and was having some tea to rest.

Then, he received an outlandish report from one of his subordinates, who came in out of breath.

[What!? The Demon King’s army, you say!? …Dammit! What the hell have the lookouts been doing all this time!?] (Osiris)

[About that, the Demon King’s army came through that fabled forest, Sir! The Wendigo Forest!] (Soldier A)

[Impossible…! That area is their sacred land, crossing it is forbidden! Even if they had a monster with power equal to that of a god, they still wouldn’t be able to approach it so easily!] (Osiris)

[However, considering the area and direction in which we were able to confirm their position, Sir…] (Soldier A)

Osiris suspected that it was a surprise attack.

He wondered if the Demon King had devised one by employing a suicidal strategy.

Nevertheless, this city was indeed rich in land and resources, and although it would benefit the monsters if they captured it, it would never be worth the risk they would have to take for that.

Even if they did manage to overrun the city, news of this would quickly reach the royal capital, and the defeat of the exhausted Demon King’s army would be all but guaranteed.

According to the soldier’s report, many of the monsters were severely injured after crossing the Wendigo Forest, and they were heading to the city as if they were dragging their own bodies along the ground.

Confused as he could not guess the Demon King’s reasoning, Osiris pondered for a while with a surly look on his face in front of his subordinate.

[Also… We have received an eyewitness report of another individual…] (Soldier A)

[Who? Speak up.] (Osiris)

[Yessir…! Apparently, a human-like figure was spotted among the Demon King’s forces.] (Soldier A)

[A human…? In the Demon King’s army? …No, wait. I think I’ve read about this one in a previous report. It said that the Demon King’s army had a magic swordsman in their tanks. Don’t tell me that… he’s on his way here?] (Osiris)

The Demon King’s army emerged victorious nearly every time that magic swordsman appeared on the battlefield.

The way that individual handled his blade was truly a brilliant display of swordsmanship that had been refined to the utmost limit in order to unleash carnage on the battlefield.

The power of his magic sword is unknown… But if a guy like that gets here… Even if we mobilize all of this city’s forces, I don’t know if we’d stand a chance… (Osiris)

That was only his hunch on the powerful enemy he had yet to see.

But he felt a chill in his body, as if that formidable foe already had his sword pressed against his neck.

[We still have time before the Demon King’s army arrives! Dispatch a messenger to the royal capital!! Demand that they deploy their troops here as soon as possible! And don’t forget to evacuate the residents!] (Osiris)

[In that case, I shall call the adventurers for mobilization as well…!] (Soldier A)

[Agreed. …Wait, what about Seto? Do you know which inn Seto and Satis are staying at!?] (Osiris)

[Yessir! We already know their location.] (Soldier A)

[Good, bring them here now! I can imagine this issue will concern them as well.] (Osiris)

Thus, Osiris summoned Seto and Satis to his office and let them in on the current situation.

Seto listened to Osiris while squinting his eyes the whole time, and observed the map spread out on the table.

Satis was also momentarily startled and grimacing, but she quickly regained her composure, and presented the other two with the information she had.

[…Regarding that magic swordsman, it’s most likely the one I have in mind. ────The strongest magic sword soldier in the Demon King’s army, a human-demon hybrid known by the epithet of “Sebek the Raging Crocodile.”] (Satis)

This was the character she had intended to tell Seto about back in Benjamin Village.

Thinking that they would no longer be involved in the war, she put that piece of info in the back of her mind, but the situation being what it was now, Satis did not hesitate to share what she knew.

[I’ve never been directly acquainted with Sebek, but one thing’s certain, he’s incredibly strong. …And probably more so than I am.] (Satis)

[A magic swordsman who outclasses even a general, huh. …I can’t believe they treat a champion like him as a lowly grunt just because he’s a human-demon hybrid.] (Osiris)

[That’s the sort of place the Demon King reigns over. …The special power of his magic sword is a mystery, but I’ve heard the name of his sword only once. I believe it’s called “Apopis, the Snake Venom.”] (Satis)

[…Apopis the Snake Venom, carried by Sebek the Raging Crocodile, huh.] (Seto)

Seto muttered.

Because those words rang a bell in him.

There was that letter he received from Ahas Patel before coming to this city.

In it, there was a drawing of a snake and a crocodile.

What if that picture was referring to Sebek, the strongest soldier in the Demon King’s army with his magic sword?

Thinking about it that way, he felt more and more concerned with all this.

[How troublesome… No matter how wounded they are, when you compare the difference in strength between humans and monsters… And besides, with Sebek at their side, their morale might be at its peak.] (Osiris)

[When will they arrive?] (Seto)

[…At the earliest, the day after tomorrow, maybe in the afternoon.] (Osiris)

[Can you win?] (Satis)

[I won’t lose. But this is not a personal battle. The enemy’s forces seem to be decreasing, but even so, I’m not sure our city’s troops will be strong enough. …We would need to hold out until the reinforcements from the royal capital arrive. Or maybe we could take down the lizardman acting as their commander-in-chief…] (Osiris)

Osiris replied that a hard-fought battle was inevitable.

As long as Sebek’s fighting ability was unknown, he could not let his guard down.

[…I’m grateful for the info you provided. I know you guys wanted to come here for tourism and relaxation, but this is also fate at work. You should leave this city as soon as possible.] (Osiris)

[Osiris…] (Seto)

[No matter how strong the enemy may be, I, Osiris, am not so gutless as to take pleasure in begging a tourist child for help.] (Osiris)

With these words, Osiris thanked the duo once again, and then asked them to leave the room.

They left his facility, returned to their inn amidst the uproar, and prepared to depart from it.

Osiris… The face he was making… (Seto)

Seto knew.

He knew that Osiris wanted them to fight alongside him.

However, he must have changed his mind at the last second after seeing them just now.

The two of them were tourists, not adventurers.

He could not ask them to fight with him when they wanted to live together in peace, without having to worry about races or affiliation.

He refused to let the horrors of war sully them again.

[…Seto?] (Satis)

[Satis…? Ah, sorry. I was spacing out.] (Seto)

Satis called out to Seto, who was looking out the window.

[You’re worried about Osiris, aren’t you?] (Satis)

[Eh?] (Seto)

[Fufufu, it’s written all over your face. Honestly, you’re both so bad at keeping a poker face.] (Satis)

[R… Really?] (Seto)

Seeing Seto rubbing his face, Satis smiled gently, and talked to him while casting her eyes down a bit.

[…Say, Seto. Should we really run away?] (Satis)

[Eh?] (Seto)

[Even if we do run away… the same thing will happen again. That’s what I think.] (Satis)

[Satis… Yeah. I think so too.] (Seto)

They wanted to live together in peace.

That wish would never change.

However, they wondered if this was something they could achieve by running away continuously.

Besides, they owed Osiris and Benjamin Village a debt of gratitude.

If this city were to fall into the monsters’ hands, the village could be impacted as well.

Satis had not completely gotten over the horrors of her past either.

However, from the bottom of her heart, she was hopeful that as long as she was with Seto, she would have nothing to fear.

[Satis, please tell me. What do I need to do?] (Seto)

[Seto…] (Satis)

[I can’t think big like you and Osiris do. But I’ve done enough reckless things in my life to make even the grown-ups raise their voices. I can fight. …But not for my country, much less for the adults. Please, Osiris is… my friend. And you’re the most important person to me! So… I want to fight for you guys, and for myself!] (Seto)

Osiris was in dire straits right now.

The one he had crossed swords with before they acknowledged one another was about to head towards his own death.

It pained him to think about that.

Satis nodded and sported a dignified smile.

[Don’t worry. Who do you think I am? I’m a woman who has been in charge of military command and planning for a long time. …And I have a plan.] (Satis)

With these words, she told Seto what strategy she came up with.