Chapter 104: The Demon Queen's War (01)

The kingdom was surprisingly calm today considering that an event was about to start. It was scheduled to naturally start during the night, but I could also start it instantly if I chose to do so.

There was no point going into the dungeon as while we might get some levels, it would end with us out of ideal shape.

Still, I neither wanted to wait until it was late at night nor did I want to have it start right in the morning, which led to us having this tranquil breakfast as if nothing was going to happen.

I let the girls go about their business in the morning as usual, and after a few hours, we met again in the kingdom's walls.

The same view as when the Merchant first appeared, and we would be using the same strategy.

While that didn't go well against the Merchant, no strategy could do any good against that guy.

Assuming a defensive, and using the walls and the natural obstacles should give us an advantage against any normal enemy.

I received the kingdom points and the daily tickets for today, but I refrained from using them immediately. Instead, I asked the girls if they were ready, and after receiving their confirmation, I forcefully started the event a few hours earlier than scheduled.

[Invasion! The Demon Queen Falls Down

For an Invasion to begin, a free plot will be added to the Kingdom from which the invaders can come. Please, select a new plot of land to be added.

Please note that an invasion event provides greater rewards if success is achieved.]

The same as last time, I get a free plot inside the kingdom. I can choose to add in any direction as long as it makes contact with an already existing plot.

Right now the kingdom has kind of a corridor shape since I'm only adding plots forward, but I'm not sure what would happen if I started expanding the sides either.

As such, I once again expanded in the forest direction.

Due to the trees, I don't see too well what was added, so we'll have to check it out later but at the very least, the trees in that area seem a bit taller. Perhaps it's due to a change in the terrain's altitude or a change in the trees themselves, but it makes for an annoying cover as we couldn't see the invader.

It was probable that some monsters were going to spawn there too, and seeing thunder fall from the sky, gave us a good idea of what might be happening there.

After a few minutes, a figure started flying above the forest and confirmed what we were thinking.

The monsters had spawned in that area, and that woman was responsible for killing them with her thunder attacks.

Ellie: "... I don't see any weapons on her so... a mage?"

Anna: "Seems that way."

This is already better than what happened with the last invasion, at least we got some information in advance.

That woman started coming in our direction. We readied our weapons but didn't attack first. We also took care to not show more hostility than necessary.

She didn't approach us too fast, either being cautious of us or trying not to raise tensions.

There were no weapons in her hand, but we have plenty of good mages with us, and Bea especially should notice if this girl tries to use any magic.

Bea: "... She's most definitely a mage. She's using wind magic to be faster, probably due to a lackluster speed status. It's a bit wasteful of her but she's using the perfect amount, which means her control is incredibly good... still, her wasting some resources works in our favor, right?"

Of course, since I can't see her status, this must mean that she either has quite a few levels over us, or she has skills to block my appraisal, either way, thanks to Bea, now we know that speed-wise we don't have to worry too much...

The girl was wearing a crimson-black gothic dress, it was difficult to read her expression. She seemed disinterested... her eyes seemed void of life or purpose. Her hair was also a dark tone of red, but there it faded to a grey at the tips. Odd as her expression was, once she started talking, her expression changed just a little, and her blue eyes started to look like jewels.

I presumed this was her best attempt to overcome her own feelings in order to show politeness, so I readied myself to respond in kind.

That reaction was a bit unexpected.

Demon Queen: "I had a necromancer in my army, so I'm not that amazed. Still, your Gift does a better job than hers, aside from my powers, my body and mind seem to be the exact same as they were before. Though the fact that you don't have control over me is a very bad trade-off."

Miwen: "So you died when you were defeated."

Demon Queen: "Yes. There's no doubt about that. After all, I fought knowing that I would die."

That's... something that brings me bad memories.

It's the second time I've seen a queen who refuses to abandon her territory, perhaps there's a code of conduct like that of a captain that someone might've forgotten to send me.

Well, I can't make any comments about it without knowing the circumstances as they might differ from Melissa's, but I don't like how she talks about her own death like this.

Considering that she died, it's also a bit strange to me that she came as an invader. I thought only the Companions's Banner could do something like that. It's even more strange that she probably has some levels on her as she's using magic.

Demon Queen: "...How is your relationship with the Gods?"

Miwen: "Hm... I'm not on their side, nor against them. I'm basically a bystander."

They haven't done anything against me. While I have a friend fighting against them, I myself don't have any grudges with the bunch.

Demon Queen: "I assume that's the same for the rest of your world?"

Miwen: "Basically, yeah."

Demon Queen: "You leave me no choice then. Your Gift would be a tremendous asset on either side, I cannot allow you to fall to them. I was also going to need a world to restart the World Punishment, so I'll be taking yours."

So she's the same as the Merchant. It's just been two times, so it's not enough to set a pattern but... for the two invaders to be against the Gods...

Well, more pressing though...

Miwen: "A World Punishment, is that what caused your death?"

Demon Queen: "Yes, the God who killed me used an attack that wiped the whole planet. That's also why I'm interested in your Gift, you managed to revive me even when there wasn't a body to use necromancy on. With something like this, I would be invincible."

Quite the grandiose dream there. Except that both the events and the Companion Banners are completely random, so the chances of me repeating that would be near zero.

Not to mention, I also cannot survive an attack that destroys the planet, and I'm quite doubtful that I can use my Gift while being dead.

Miwen: "I can't let you drag Earth to a war, sorry. I could throw you into another world so that you can have your fun there though. I also won't be coming with you, I might not have made it clear, but I have no desire to face the Gods or start meaningless wars."

Demon Queen: "Oh, I understood that. What I'm saying is that your desires don't matter. You and your world will be mine. You'll learn to be thankful to me later."

So much for [Reputable Ruler]...

Her stare became way more vicious, her intention was clear and electricity started pouring out of her body.

Negotiations had broken down.

I wasn't going to be her subordinate, even more, if it was to fight a war I have no stakes in.

I also couldn't let her take over Earth just to use it as her little stage.

As such, unbeknownst to the world, a war to decide its fate was about to begin.