CH 345

Sogou is now talking with Banewolf in the carriage.

Apparently, because of Sogou’s request, the Takao Sisters also seem to be with them for introductions.

I could occasionally hear laughter from inside the carriage.

We had resumed our journey to the east.

While riding our horses, I was conversing with Seras……

[You and Seras sure talk a lot. How can you have that many topics to talk about?]

—-when the Mad Emperor called out to us.

[It just so happened that I’m having a conversation with Seras when His Majesty arrived. Well———— Even if we don’t have any particular topic to talk about, Seras is someone who makes me feel comfortable just by being around her.]

[I also, ummm…… Yes.]

Seras bashfully agreed.

Snorting at my words, the Mad Emperor smiled……

[Good grief, what an enviable relationship.]

After saying this, his expression changed to that of a stern Emperor.

Seems like he was not here to chit-chat.

[Did something new happen?]

[That’s right.]

[I hope it’s good news.]

[I’m afraid I can’t say it’s good news. It seems that Vysis is finally heading out. Along with her was her White Army———— her False Sacraments.]

Seras was stunned.

There’s apparently a magical war pigeon sent by a spy who has infiltrated Alion’s Royal Capital.

“A large number of False Sacraments began to appear in the vicinity of the royal castle in Royal Capital Enoh.”

[It seems we still don’t know exactly where they’re springing from……]

Pausing for a moment, the Mad Emperor continued.

[As we expected, Vysis was using Kirihara and Ayaka to buy time to increase the number of her False Sacraments———— That seems to be the case based on what I’ve observed. The reason Vysis has not moved from the Royal Capital may be that she needs to be there to produce those Sacraments.]

[We should assume that their numbers will continue to increase and act accordingly. Additionally, we should consider the possibility of even more powerful False Sacraments being created, surpassing those produced by the Exiled Emperor.]

It seems that False Sacraments have been deployed around the castle.

They may continue to increase in number and even overflow outside the Royal Capital.

Having such a thought in mind, the Mad Emperor looked in the direction of the Faraway Country……

[If this happens…… The need for numbers is becoming increasingly crucial. It seems we were right to ask for reinforcements from the Faraway Country.]

A premonition of a great battle to come.

With such a thing held within everyone’s hearts, the Mira army continued to move toward Alion.

▽

The Royal Capital of Urza, Monroy———– has fallen.

Many of Urza’s soldiers either fled Monroy and its vicinity or surrendered.

The most decisive factor for the Capital’s fall————-

——-was the quick escape of Urza’s Magister King.

It’s the King’s role to inspire and raise the morale of those around them in times like these.

However, that King was the first to flee, taking only his vassals with him.

Leaving all his people behind.

The King fled the Capital as fast as he could.

Many of his soldiers also fled.

Their main force, the Magic Knights, was half destroyed in the previous battle with Mira’s army.

They also didn’t have the Dragonslayer on their side.

While they were in such a state, the Mad Emperor declared.

“If you surrender, we will guarantee your safety. In fact, if you are cooperative, it may be appropriate for bringing more depth to negotiations for the future. Incidentally, the terms of the negotiations will worsen with the passage of time.”

That’s how he approached the negotiations.

It seemed to have an effect, as the remaining vassals quickly raised the white flag.

The prisoners sent from the mixed army to Monroy were soon released.

The royal castle was also easily vacated.

And thus———— without much of a fight, Mira’s army fell on Monroy.

The mixed army seemed to be retreating further.

In other words, they passed through without stopping at Monroy.

Depending on how one looks at it, it could even be said that they abandoned Monroy.

However, the Queen of Neia must have been able to persuade them to stay there.

The other side had lost Ayaka Sogou, who possessed an extraordinary level of combat strength.

On the other hand, the reinforcements led by the Mad Emperor had rendezvoused with the Mira army.

It wasn’t irrational for one to assume that they could not win due to the difference in strength.

“Then, we should retreat to a position where we can hope for reinforcements from Neia and Bakuos.”

Perhaps, that’s how she had talked them into retreating.

Incidentally……

“The Magister King has abandoned his people and fled.”

I suggested to the Mad Emperor that he thoroughly spread such a rumor around.

I wanted it to spread from the Capital to all of Urza.

We also added some malicious dramatization to the story.

The people of Urza should now hold animosity toward the Magister King.

In the first place, for the Urza citizens of Monroy……

“If we hadn’t gotten ourselves involved in this war……”

In that state, the hostility they had towards us was sparse.

……I wonder if the Magister King really had any popularity here?

The Mad Emperor, on the other hand, has shown a policy of doing as little harm as possible to Urza’s people.

Looting and assault on the people of the defeated country are said to be a common occurrence in wars.

However, there was no indication that the soldiers of Mira were doing such a thing.

At least, as far as I can tell, that is.

This may be due to the control power of the Mira army under the lead of the Mad Emperor.

Also———- the capture of the fort in Urza’s territory, to which the forces were allocated along the way.

That, too, seems to be progressing without problems.

In addition, reinforcements from the Faraway Country are also close by.

From what I heard, the forces of the Faraway Country are apparently divided into two groups, the fast-moving and the slow-moving troops.

The fast-moving troops were planned to rendezvous with our group first.

Mira’s messenger, who was with Liese and the others, informed us of this with a magical war pigeon.

Like that, the main army of Mira left only the troops necessary to maintain the occupation in Monroy————-

As soon as rest and resupply are completed, the rest will head for Alion again tomorrow morning.

▽

The next morning.

Near the outer wall of Monroy, we were ready to leave.

After resting and resupplying after the occupation, Mira’s main army was about to leave Monroy.

Looking up the outer wall, I bathed in the morning sun.

[Even so, I never thought I would be visiting Monroy again like this.]

Taking my eyes off the outer wall, I turned around.

[If we pass through the Holy Kingdom of Neia, northeast of here…… We will finally reach Alion, where that sh*tty Goddess is huh.]

Little by little, I’m getting closer.

……To the place where this story begins.

[Hmm?]

Coming my way is the Mad Emperor.

……I feel like he often approaches me when I’m alone.

[A moment?]

[Yes, your Majesty is always welcome.]

When it comes to this, I lately feel like people are naturally clearing themselves away from me.

That aside, the Mad Emperor looks up at the outer wall of Urza……

[In essence, I think it’s safe to say that the capture of Urza is now complete.]

[The process of occupation…… was truly a brilliant move, Your Majesty.]

[As Mira’s Mad Emperor, I can at least do this. By the way, how was it? Any news from the familiar?]

[Actually, the reports themselves have stopped since the last report.]

Yes.

Erika’s familiars haven’t surfaced recently.

Not long ago, her familiars were operating frequently.

It is possible that the burden on her body had built up————- and she is now resting.

Even without exerting herself too much through verbal communication, the burden on her body continues to accumulate.

……However, if that were not the case……

Looking concerned, the Mad Emperor turns his gaze in the direction of Alion.

[To tell the truth, we have also not been receiving any reports from our spies that have infiltrated Enoh since the other day. I hope nothing bad has happened to them.]

“Speaking of which……”, the Mad Emperor continued.

[Regarding those familiars, any possibility that Vysis was also making use of those?]

[I don’t think so.]

According to Erika, Vysis doesn’t use familiars.

No, to be more specific, it’s more like she “can’t use” them.

She had apparently already confirmed this when she was around Vysis.

Thinking back on things again……

If that really was available for her, there were plenty of situations where she should have used those.

However, she had never used them.

Therefore, it should be safe to assume that there’s no pattern where it was actually usable.

An ancient power that was lost long ago———— Familiars.

Erika restored that power in that house she had in the Demon Zone.

Come to think of it, when we were exchanging information at Mira’s guest house……

I think I’ve heard that there are tricks that Vysis was unable to use.

[In that case, what we should be wary of were Vysis’ spies…… It seems that those back in our Mira’s Imperial Capital have captured several people who seemed to be such spies. It doesn’t seem like such people were found in the army so far but……]

We should also be on the lookout for them.

It would also be better to assume that they are mixed in with the Mira army.

The reason I’m currently still wearing the Fly King outfit is also somewhat related to that.

It’s also a part of the reason why he is willing to call me “Touka”.

Incidentally, the fact that the Takao sisters are dressed as Fly Kings when they go out of the carriage is also in consideration of the possibility of the existence of spies around.

As a precaution, someone among Mira’s people was monitoring if any suspicious individuals approached Asagi.

However……

[…………………]

Seeing that I had fallen silent, the Mad Emperor turned towards me and asked.

[What’s the matter? You have something in mind?]

[It’s just, perhaps…… I suddenly felt like———- Vysis wasn’t really paying much attention to us. No, this is just my gut feeling……]

Just as the Mad Emperor said, she was buying time to generate a powerful force of False Sacraments.

Such a thing is true———- is what I think.

……It’s just, how should I say this……

If there’s an existence that is an eyesore for Vysis at the moment……

That would seem to be Mira’s forces, including our group in it.

……However……

It doesn’t really feel like she’s coming to crush us with all her might————-

[Your Majesty! Urgent report!]

A messenger rushed to the scene with an anxious look on his face.

[What is it?]

[Panuva Fortress, located to the west of the Anti-Demon War Castle———— has been attacked by a large number of Golden eyes…… i- including Human-Faceds! A- Also…… Just before the Golden eyes attacked, there was an unusually loud noise and a mysterious purple glow at the fortress———–]

Anti-Demon War Castle?

Ahh, if I’m not mistaken……

Anti-Demon White Castle is located at the northern edge of the Demon Zone, in the direction of Magnar.

Meanwhile———– Anti-Demon War Castle is the one located at the southern edge of the Demon Zone, in the direction of Urza.

No, that aside……

[A purple light and an unusually loud noise……?]

I think I have some idea what that was.

Something like that had appeared back in the battle in the Anti-Demon White Castle.

It was something called the Demon Emperor’s Vessel used by the Great Demon Emperor’s army……

[A tool used by the Great Demon Emperor’s army that has the power to summon monsters from the Demon Zone…… If I’m not mistaken, that had also emitted a light and sound like that……]

[If that’s so…… Why was such a thing used there?]

The Mad Emperor questioned.

[Vysis may have had someone secretly retrieve and transport the one used in that battle…… Or perhaps, that had been planted there for a long time already and was just not using it. Saving it for mutual destruction when cornered.]

The other fortresses have apparently surrendered or fallen.

However, one of the cornered fortresses apparently used it.

If she knew how that thing worked……

If one thinks about it normally, that would be devoid of reason.

Moreover, if one isn’t careful———–

[……Northern Demon Zone.]

I muttered to myself, and the Mad Emperor seemed to have noticed……

[Northern Demon Zone? What’s that about?]

Before the battle with Kirihara began……

He was trying to invade Mira with his Human-Faceds.

Among them, there seemed to be Human-Faceds that lived in the deep part of the Northern Demon Zone.

After that battle, the movements of those Human-Faceds that Kirihara had brought with him……

Just to be sure, I had it lightly investigated with Erika’s familiars.

After the battle, the Human-Faceds were in the southwest area of the Demon Zone.

According to the familiar, the Human-Faceds had recently been dispersing.

This may be due to the fact that Kirihara’s control has been lifted and they have become free to do as they pleased.

However————- They have been moved far away from the Northern Demon Zone where they used to live.

In other words, some of them are now wandering around the southern part of the Demon Zone……

However, Erika confirmed the situation through her familiar……

“It doesn’t look like they’re going to come out of the Demon Zone.”

It seemed that they recognized the inside of the Demon Zone as their home.

However…….

If that Demon Emperor’s Vessel had been used……

They could come out————- even outside of the Demon Zone.

I told the Mad Emperor about my judgment of the situation.

[The Human-Faced has a sadistic and brutal nature. They tend to enjoy the act of tormenting and killing humans…… At least, that was generally the case with the Human-Faced I have encountered so far.]

[In other words————]

[That is to say, there is a danger that they will sense where people gather and attack. According to the report just now, they were wandering around a fortress near the Anti-Demon War Castle……]

Someone came to inform the situation that occurred at the Panuva Fortress with a magical war pigeon.

If so……

It is possible that the Mira soldiers and the other people in that area haven’t been wiped out yet.

If they had successfully retreated, they may still be alive.

No, rather than that———

[The area where they are wandering around is the problem.]

[————I see.]

It seems that the Mad Emperor had the same apprehensions as I had.

Yes, based on their route————

[They could attack Faraway Country’s army, which is on its way to join us.]

[……………….]

Moreover, these are Human-Faceds from deep in the Northern Demon Zone, which is considered to be extremely dangerous.

I don’t know if this was directed by Vysis or not but……

[I’m sorry…… I didn’t expect things would turn out this way.]

[No, I don’t think His Majesty has made any mistakes. More than anything…… It would have been difficult to take into consideration an enemy fortress actually hiding that Demon Emperor’s Vessel.]

Putting aside if that had been brought to that place recently……

If that item had been in that fort right from the start, there would be no chance they would acquire information about it.

Also, it’s not necessarily the one used back in the Anti-Demon White Castle.

It could be, for example, something made by Vysis before and was originally lying dormant in that place.

Or perhaps, it could be an unused item recovered from a previous Root of All Evil.

Contrary to expectations, it may just be an item abandoned, its effect unknown, and was merely gathering dust in the fortress’ storeroom.

“They were cornered and had used it.”

That was what was written in the report.

It’s also possible that they used it without knowing its effects, using it out of desperation.

“I don’t know what it is, but it’s apparently dangerous.”

That may have been all they knew about it.

In any case, it would have been difficult to assume its identity.

……Now then.

If things continue as it is, the reinforcements from the Faraway Country are in danger of being attacked by the Human-Faceds.

Thereupon, the Mad Emperor spoke.

[We can send a magical war pigeon to warn the reinforcements from Faraway Country of the danger…… and send them southward. How about we let them avoid the danger zone from there, and then aim for where we are? In that case though, it would take them a while to rendezvous with us……]

[If we disregard the Human-Faceds that have come out of the Demon Zone though…… I’m still concerned about what will happen to those. If the main road is rendered unusable by these Human-Faceds, it will have a major impact on future logistics.]

Back in the Anti-Demon White Castle, I got rid of all the Golden eyes that came out of the Demon Zone.

And so, this time would turn out into an unknown situation.

[Umu…… Around the same time that the Exiled Emperor attacked the Imperial Capital, it was confirmed that a large number of Golden eyes overflowed from the underground ruins. I’ve ordered the overflowing Golden eyes to be exterminated…… but they are still wandering around the Mira territory, and it seems that some damage has been done.]

Yes……

[By them going south, there’s a possibility that the Human-Faceds maybe chasing the reinforcements from the Faraway Country.]

The fact that the Golden-eyed Monsters and the Human-Faceds are prowling around behind Mira’s army isn’t really good of a situation.

I mean, in a situation like this……

[Your Majesty————- Can you leave this for me to deal with?]

I stopped the Mad Emperor who was about to speak with my hand……

[Luckily, that aforementioned fortress isn’t that far from here. If I go there now, it would also be easy for me to reunite with His Majesty and the others.]

“And also……”, pausing for a moment, I continued.

[There are two people in this army who have experience defeating Human-Faced. Either I or Ayaka Sogou can deal with them. If I had to pick someone who I think could beat them even if they hadn’t beaten them before, you can also include Hijiri Takao in that count.]

[How about…… sending Ayaka Sogou?]

[I won’t say it’s impossible…… but to tell the truth, this may be the “last finishing touches” for me as well.]

[Finishing touches……?]

If there’s an opportunity———— This was something I wanted to do before the battle.

It can be said that the possibility of doing it in an unexpected way has emerged.

[And so, Your Majesty, please leave this matter to me. I plan to have Mira’s soldiers, who captured the fortress in the rear, along with the people of the Faraway Country, to meet up with His Majesty. If we don’t deal with the Human-Faceds that threaten them, we’ll also be reducing our fighting power when fighting the increasing numbers of the False Sacraments.]

[……You’re…… right. It is indeed as you say.]

I called Seras.

If the ones I’ll be facing here are under the effect of <Dispel Bubble>, I will need her strength.

After I finished explaining the state of affairs to Seras……

[————-I understand the situation. If you need my help, please use it as much as you want. Above all…… If it will help save the people of the Faraway Country, I will be happy to help.]

I also called the Takao sisters to take charge of things after we leave.

The sisters in the Fly Knight outfit came out from inside the carriage, and I quickly explained to them the situation.

[————And so, Seras and I are leaving temporarily, but we can’t take Munin with us.]

Having the three of us travel together makes it slower.

Also, if this battle is going to be what I assume it to be————-

It will be very difficult for us to protect Munin.

Even if we take her with us, Munin will eventually have to be separated from us during the fight.

If that’s the case……

[I wanna ask you to take Munin there. Munin is the key to the decisive battle.]

It seems safer to leave her with Takao Hijiri.

[I understand.]

[I’ll leave it to you to assess the situation accordingly. The exchanges with the Mad Emperor too, you should be able to take over on my behalf.]

[I will do my best to meet your expectations.]

[……I’m sorry for leaving all these to you. Even though there’s Sogou and Asagi’s group here[.]

[Mimori-kun had judged to leave these to me. In that case, that judgment must be right.]

[If you place your trust in me that much…… the pressure on me feels quite heavy.]

[You can rest assured that my opinion is based on objective facts.]

Not minding her words anymore, I turned to Itsuki.

[I’ll also leave the rest to you.]

[I’m fine with that, but make sure you also come back safely, okay? Slei and Pigimaru too.]

[Pigii.]

[Pakyuu.]

[You too, Seras-san.]

[Yes, thank you.]

[———–Umm.]

She decides to come out huh.

[Munin. You heard what happened, right?]

[Yes. So that everyone can get here safely…… I’m counting on you.]

If left unchecked, the people of the Faraway Country will be in danger.

The enemies here are Human-Faceds from the Northern Demon Zone.

Munin is also the key to the decisive battle with Vysis.

I don’t want her to become mentally unstable before the decisive battle.

Mental instability can sometimes cloud one’s judgment at a moment’s notice.

We need to keep her mental state as perfect as possible.

[Don’t worry.]

I start imbuing magic power into Slei————

[That is why the Fly King himself is going into battle.]