Volume 8 - CH 26

What Cell Senecle said was true.

I flew to the far end of the great volcano, and what i saw on the mountainside below was a desolate scene with all the steam wells destroyed.

“…”

Neither the kings nor Risolera could speak.

Most of the steam wells had been filled with dirt and debris, and it was highly unlikely that they could be restored to their original state overnight.

Inwardly, I grind my teeth.

When I came yesterday, if I had overcome Risolera’s restraint and went down to the steam well to see the sights, I might have noticed the presence of power.

But that was a meaningless assumption.

The empire’s agents also decided to carry out such a maneuver precisely because it was the timing when the volcano became active and the poison increased. If it was a state where people could casually approach it for reasons such as sightseeing, someone from the demons would have noticed it before me.

“… How long is the grace period?”

When I asked her quietly, Risolera hesitated.

“I don’t know… But when the volcano became active in the past, the number of earthquakes increased little by little over a period of about a month. This time, the timing of the maximum increase will probably be half a month from now… If an eruption occurs, that’s about it.”

“Half a month later, huh…”

There was almost no time left until their destruction.

***********************

We hurriedly returned to Rurumu’s Village.

It’s a serious matter, and we don’t have time.

We needed to make a decision as soon as possible.

There are so many things that need to be decided, such as the prediction of damage, the evacuation of nearby residents, the supply of food, and preparations for reconstruction, and they cannot fit into the circumstances of one tribe.

It is necessary for the demons as a whole to make a decision.

For that reason――――I decided to bring the matter to the representatives who had gathered to decide on the treatment of the Demon King.

They are entrusted with certain decision-making powers by their tribal councils.

They may have deviated from the purpose of the meeting, but there was no one more qualified than them to make cross-sectional decisions to deal with the eruption.

But.

“We devil tribe have no particular intention of doing anything about it.”

I explained the circumstances to the representatives accompanied by the kings, and when the discussion began to proceed despite their astonishment, the great desolate El Edentrada suddenly said so.

The representative of the divine demons, Remzenel, said with a disbelieving expression.

“Edentrada, what are you talking about…do you not understand the situation!?”

“Of course, I know all too well.”

The golden devil puts his finger on his head and says.

“Fortunately, there are no devil settlements near the great volcano. Perhaps our people will not be harmed. There is no reason to deal with it.”

“…! Your compatriots betrayed themselves to humans and caused the situation!”

“Didn’t you hear what the Demon King had to say? 　Cell Senecle was working with the Demon King and was not directly involved in this sabotage. The agent who destroyed the steam, well there is no evidence that he’s from my race.”

“Such sophistry…!”

“That’s the sophistry, Remzenel. The possibility of spies lurking in any race exists. That should have been a well-known fact for some time. Only my race, which has just been revealed, is to blame. It doesn’t make sense to ask.”

Remzenel is silent.

At first glance, what the great desolate Edentrada said seems to make sense.

However, it is quite possible that the execution unit was also a devil race. In spite of this, doing nothing is really just avoiding the burden.

Remzenel gave up and turned to the representative of the demon ogre.

“…What are you going to do, Domvo-dono? At the foot of the great volcano, there must have been many villages of demon ogres.”

“We won’t do anything either.”

Remzenel opened his eyes wide.

“Why…”

As expected, Domvo, the representative of the ogre demons, didn’t smile like he used to.

However, the answer was ruthless.

“The people who lived there should have lived their lives knowing the threat of volcanoes. Usually, only they receive the benefits of volcanoes, such as magic stones and ores, and when a threat approaches, they call on us for help. They are not our brethren. They must help themselves.”

“I-it’s not up to you!”

King Vill was the one who couldn’t help but shout.

“Some of the wealth they mined was also beneficial to us! Tax revenues rise from the profits, and the money they spend is circulated to other villages through peddlers! Steam wells They were the ones who took care of it all the time!　Even so, when disaster strikes, you abandon it…!”

“It’s just that it’s been that way until now, Your Majesty. We haven’t exchanged any promises with them. If the situation changes, the form will naturally change. That’s all. ”

“That’s it… I don’t accept the reasoning that is only convenient for those who are safe! I order as a king! Cooperate with other races and decide how to deal with the eruption!”

“Your Majesty”

Domvo asked quietly.

“… what about Her Majesty Queen Meredeva?”

King Vill’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Mother… it doesn’t matter…!”

“Gufu… if His Majesty is also a demon ogre, he should be able to understand.”

Domvo said with that terrifying smile.

“Those who are powerless cannot do anything…”

King Vill is at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Nikle Nora, the representative of the beastmen, said.

“We should at least help our compatriots. Of course, it’s not just the cat people, but other people as well. There should have been a settlement around there.”

“Dear Nikkle Nora… then, can’t we ask for food supplies for the refugees and funds for reconstruction?”

Remzenel said.

“Currently, the beastmen are the ones with the most financial power among the demons. Repay with development…”

“I can’t do that.”

Nikkle Nora said coldly.

Remzenel asked with clenched teeth.

“……why”

“That’s right, you can only lend money to people who can pay it back. What’s more, the amount of funds for reconstruction after the eruption is different from the money given to beggars on a whim. What do you expect us to do when there are people who have not changed much in 500 years, saying that they will return the money when they develop? It’s stupid.”

“Ah, that…”

It was King Fili Nair who raised her voice softly.

“Fili is…”

“Hmm? Ah, the young lady was here, too. Wouldn’t you like to do the same? Loading gold coins into a mud boat?”

“Eh… but…”

King Fili Nair said nothing more and just hung her head.

Nikkle Nora continues.

“That’s right. If it’s food supply, why don’t the giants do it? I know, they grow a lot of huge crops. I don’t know if we can eat it, but wouldn’t it be enough to feed the refugees?”

“……I refuse.”

The representative of the giants, Ente Goo, spoke without hesitation.

“No more… for the sake of other races, there is no reason for us to be forced to bear the burden… we give… only to our brethren.”

“… how long are you going to keep saying that!”

The one who spoke up was King Gauss.

“What happened 500 years ago! I’m an idiot, but I absolutely won’t allow such an effeminate imitation! We should at least give them some food!”

Ente Goo slowly looked at King Gauss.

“If it’s His Majesty the previous king… he wouldn’t say such a thing.”

“…!! What’s the difference between me and my father!!”

“You should have just told yourself… that you are an idiot. That’s… the answer. Learn more. Until you take the position of the former king… for a long time.”

King Gauss opens his eyes and draws his lips together.

Following the others, General Garasela, the representative of the Dark Elves of the Black Forest, said to Paracellus, the representative of the Three-Eyed Tria.

“The policies of our three-eyed Tria are also similar to those of beastmen and giants. We will help our compatriots, but we cannot cooperate further. In the first place, there is almost no precedent for such a cross-sectional project. Isn’t that just the formation of the Demon King’s Army? 　Honestly, I have the impression that it’s only now…”

“It’s the same for us Dark Elves of the Black Forest. Now that war is about to begin, we want to refrain from spending large amounts of money that could put pressure on military spending. What do you think, each race will deal with this eruption? It’s a long time ago, but…maybe it was the same during the last eruption?”

Both the Three-eyed Tria and the Dark Elves of the Black Forest clearly refused to deal with the demons as a whole.

“Pa, Paracelus. You don’t have to say something so heartless.”

At that time, King Plushe opened her mouth in a timid tone.

“If it’s something that’s good for the demons, why don’t you think about it a little more positively…? 　That’s right, I’ll go around here and there with the demon king this time. mother and sister will be delighted to see the things I have seen…”

“Your Majesty”

Paracellus looked sideways at King Plushe and said in a cold voice.

“This is not the royal palace.”

“eh……”

“Please refrain from such things in this place. I have the approval of Chancellor Persessio and the Assembly, and I am entrusted with the decision-making of the race. I am in such a position, this is such a place. Please understand.”

King Plushe stood still with a bewildered expression.

As if he couldn’t take it anymore, King Sigil opened his mouth.

“Hey, hey. Isn’t it okay for us to work together? 　Reconstruction will require personnel, and it will be a good experience for the soldiers. Even with military spending, if things go as they are, it’s going to be a war. It will be gone, so…”

King Sigil’s voice gradually faded away.

General Garasela didn’t answer.

Not even turning his gaze on his own king, just keeping his silence.

King Sigil’s expression stiffens, and his fists are clenched.

“You guys… stop it!! Do you understand the situation!?”

Remzenel said strongly.

“Due to sabotage on the human side, the Demons’ territory is in danger!? If a large volcano erupts, there is a possibility that the damage will not be limited to the surrounding villages! If that happens, the difference in damage between the races will increase, and our division will progress!　That’s exactly what humans think!　Despite such a situation, you guys…!”

“Enough”

As if to interrupt the voice――――I said.

“It’s enough… already, I understand”