Chapter 81

The Final Phase… Or at least it was supposed to be “Is it true that they found devils?”(s.h.i.+n)

Gus was presented with shocking news in one of the daily reports that devils were found.

We were aiming for the imperial capital, which we believed to be the devils base, but Kurt reconnaissance forces discovered a city where the devils gathered.

“What are the odds of it being a trap?”(s.h.i.+n)

[I went to check it out, but it wasn’t a large city and the devils were distracted by destroying houses. It’s probably not an ambush.](August)

Saying you went to check it out. That’s quite dangerous.

“You weren’t discovered?”(s.h.i.+n)

[Thanks to the magic control training. Not only has the amount I can control increased but I can also suppress my magic power. I also used the magic power inhibition magic on top of that.](August)

“That’s good but… So? Was Stromm with them?”(s.h.i.+n)

[I couldn’t search the whole city… I managed to confirm around 50 different magical powers in the city…](August)

“Because they moved around you couldn’t tell the exact number…”(s.h.i.+n)

[Sorry.](August)

“There no helping it. Even if I know there’s no possibility of an ambush I’m still uneasy about this…”(s.h.i.+n)

Still, why would they gather in a provincial town rather than in the former imperial capital?

To destroy the buildings to pa.s.s the time on top of that… Are they frustrated their two attacks failed?

Is it a crude surprise attack?

It’s strange if you just sit there being frustrated after failed raids and not planning the next one.

“Something is strange…”(s.h.i.+n)

[Oh, I think so too. For the time being, Kurt forces are keeping an eye on the situation from a distance. They’re invisible from the city.](August)

“I see. You should wait until we join up for this one.”(s.h.i.+n)

[They were already given a strict order. They can’t handle the devils alone so they should leave them to us.](August)

It’s impossible for us to face dozens of devils until all of us are gathered together.

[There’s gonna be a report from that camp. Hurry up and gather there.](August)

[Roger!](UM)

The end game is approaching.

We missed two chances already. Failure is not an option this time. We have to make sure none of them escape by completely surrounding them!

And like Gus said, the soldier that exchanged information between all allied forces reported it to the leaders of Els, Ys and the Dahm commander, Ralph Portman.

There are already three of us there.

“What!? The devils base have been discovered!?”(Ralph)

“Yes. Kurts reconnaissance unit confirmed it. Because it was confirmed by multiple people, it’s not a mistake.”(Soldier)

“I-Isn’t his Highness Augusto with the Kurt forces? He didn’t subjugate them?”(Ralph)

“He is, but because there’s so many of them, there’s a possibility some could slip through, and so he’s waiting until the Ultimate Magicians gather.”(Soldier)

“Really… He hasn’t subjugated them yet…”(Ralph)

Portman lets out a sigh of relief that the devils weren’t subjugated yet.

But why is he relieved they haven’t been suppressed?

“All right! Our destination changed as well. Where is that city?”(Ralph)

“It’s there.”(Why would you do this to yourself?)

The soldiers spreads a map of the former empire and points to the city.

They have been advancing through the demon territory for several days now.

Because they all marched to the same destination, the forces are positioned not that far apart from each other.

They could join with them in 2-3 days.

“The problem is the army most far off is Earlshydes. Because they don’t have any Ultimate Magicians with them, depending on the situation, the battle might start before we arrive there.”(Ralph)

Certainly the Earlshyde army is far away.

However they’re not responsible for the suppression of Devils.

Even though they can take down a disaster cla.s.s they wont partic.i.p.ate.

“Not only does the Earlshyde army want to avoid a confrontation with the devils, but so do all the allied forces. We’re going to do it alone. Because we’re going to arrive before the battle starts.”(Ralph)

“…Didn’t they say you cannot subjugate a devil by yourself?”

For some reason that was a bit of a p.r.i.c.kly subject.

One would think the sheer number of demons subjugated by each allied force in the past few days would be enough of an achievement.

Besides, this is not the end goal of the strategy itself.

When the devils are gone the land will be distributed to each country.

In that case, a lot of people will live here so it’s necessary to greatly thin out the demons.

After subjugating the devils, the demons will need to be mopped up.

Even if you don’t partic.i.p.ate in the devil subjugation no one would complain.

“It was said by the Swedes correspondence that they can’t imagine the countries troops can deal with them. But… They’ve suppressed devils in the past. Don’t you think this strategy was drawn up and approved based on that?”(Els commander)

After he said that, commander Portman left the tent with a “Fuh! They’re arrogant.” and a glare of hatred.

“What? I… Did I say something bad?”(Ys commander)

“No, I made a mistake. What with his att.i.tude. I don’t like it.”(Els commander)

“Is that really the att.i.tude a countries commander should have? Speaking of Portman, wasn’t he supposed to be an honest person with a fair character?It’s embarra.s.sing even though we’re part of the same religion.”(Ys commander)

The Els and Ys commander are showing their concerns.

It would seem like it.

Because an allied force commander suddenly blew up at them.

It was all so sudden and he couldn’t react, because even in his wildest dreams, he didn’t think he’d flare up like that.

“There is no excuse for that! I apologize for the rude behaviour of our commander!”(Dahm deputy)

The deputies of the Dahm army hurriedly lowered their heads.

“Why does your commander act like that?”(Els commander)

“Usually he’d never say something like that!”(Dahm deputy)

“I heard that too. So what happened to him just now?”(Ys commander)

When pressed for an answer by the Ys commander, the Dahm deputy had to think of an answer.

And finally he thought of something and opened his mouth…

“Perhaps… The subjugation of a devil is still a major accomplishment. He might be frustrated that the Ultimate Magicians are monopolizing it…”(Dahm deputy)

…That was it.

They wondered why he was relieved when he heard the devils weren’t subjugated yet.

But, it’s harder to think of a reason as to why he would be so violent towards them.

His subordinates also wondered if they should say something about it.

“During a world crisis… What do you think?”(Ys commander)

“Really… It’s deplorable.”(Els commander)

Els and Ys seem to be agree.

With such ambitions of their commander, the Dahm forces changed their route to the imperial capital and headed towards the town where the devils gathered and the Kurt forces camped.

They arrived at a hilly area, located close by but it’s invisible from the city.

“It’s been a while s.h.i.+n.”(August)

“We hear each other every day so it doesn’t feel like it.”(s.h.i.+n)

In a couple of days I joined up with Gus.

Tony’s group already arrived. After that, only Alice and her group is left.

“Freed yesterday, s.h.i.+n today. Corner will probably show up tomorrow. Considering the travel fatigue we’ll rest for a day and attack after that.”(August)

“Now that you mention it, should we send them a surrender ultimatum?”(s.h.i.+n)

“…Because a devil having free will never happened before, I didn’t think of that. Is it required?”(August)

I wonder.

Should we ask people from other countries?

“There is no need! They are enemies of mankind! They are a threat! They must not be allowed to run free!”(Ys commander)

Ys is adamantly opposed.

“Is it required? In the first place, haven’t they murdered indiscriminately during the surprise attack on Swedes? Even if they weren’t devils, they’ve still committed crimes before.”(Els commander)

The Els commander also disregarded the necessity of a surrender ultimatum.

People from neighbouring countries also agreed.

They are the enemies of humanity. Criminals who already committed indiscriminate murder.

Well, I thought so too but there might be someone who’d kick up a fuss because we didn’t send out a surrender ultimatum.

Although they’re now devils, they used to be humans and for that reason you should’ve given them a surrender ultimatum.

Well, before the allied forces of Swedes arrived, a rough strategy was decided upon.

Surround the city with the 12 of us.

Synchronize the attack with wireless communication devices and sweep the city with attack magic all at once.

After the sweep, we close off the exit routes and drive the devils into the center of the city where we’ll create a killzone.

…Although it’s a rough strategy for only 12 people but we should probably be fine.

As for the Alliance forces, they will surround the city and prevent the escape of any devil that might slip through.

And even though they’ll most likely lose their lives, the eyes of allied forces soldier were burning with determination.

And the Earlshyde army…

“Originally, all countries were supposed to gather here. But waiting for all armies might be what the devils want.”(August)

To let the other armies save face.

I thought Gus would say something like that

“Besides, It’s also important to thin out the number of demons. They’re going to be circling around.”(August)

The Earlshyde army wouldn’t make it in time for the maneuver, so they’ll continue to subjugate demons.

Once the operation is over, the rest will join up with Swedes.

Everybody was ordered to rest after a series of battles.

While the allied forces armies joined up and mingled, a certain man appeared before us.

“Hey. It’s been a while s.h.i.+n.”(Galland)

“Oh, Galland. Long time no see.”(s.h.i.+n)

“You’re quite a guy after all. Forget being well known, you’re being touted as the saviour of this world.”(Galland)

“N-no. Everyone is just over exaggerating.”(s.h.i.+n)

“If you’re that modest won’t it be mistaken for sarcasm?  Be careful.”(Galland)

“Huh… Sorry about that.”(s.h.i.+n)

“Indeed, that magic swordsman is great and you are too. The youngsters these days sure are amazing.”(Galland)

Magical swordsman?

“Who is? The magical swordsman.”(s.h.i.+n)

“Ha? Tony is also one. A swordsman who can use magic. He made quite an impression on the Karnan allied forces.”(Galland)

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“Mhm.”(s.h.i.+n)

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