CH 220

“…Same as always, uh?”

“What do you want? I’m busy. That brat Ado screwed up my plans.”

“…It’s about that. The saint is alive.”

“What!? Is that true!?”

“Yes. I checked it myself.”

“I see I see… Hn? But the saint’s death was publicly announced, and that was never corrected. Was that a cover-up? No, they shouldn’t need to do that…”

“It’s more like she’s acting of her accord. I believe the more influential people aren’t aware that she is alive.”

“What!? Then what is the point!?”

“Don’t worry about that. I am making it so she is being led here.”

“Hm… Who did you ask to do this?”

“Old friends.”

“…All right. Then I will make preparations. The experiment means the prospects of it being complete are good.”

“…I see… So it’s finally…”

“Yes, the fateful hour is near.”

“What do you think the success rate is?”

“…I really can’t say, but I want to end it with this…”

◇ ◇ ◇

“What is going on?”

“Ah, Mister Ghido has returned…”

“Did something happen?

“…”

“…All right, just take me there.”

◇ ◇ ◇

“…Ghido… It looks like there was a tough counterattack.”

“Yes, damn it. Next time I’ll kill’em for sure.”

“…Were they that strong?”

“…Not at first, but there was one that had really tough defense. When it looked like I finally broke through it, another one slashed at me… And then…”

“I see…”

“We should’ve cut them down when they were weak.”

“They were conscious of that too, and wouldn’t let them leave their nest a lot. I sent out bait a few times as well.”

“You have a point. And we even got information at an early stage… No, I can’t deny that I was still underestimating them.”

“This is one of those things that people won’t understand unless they experience it themselves. Was it the young ones that were taken down?”

“…Yes.”

“And the result?”

“Two are out of action… But I don’t know if they’re dead. Another was kidnapped and thrown in a cell, so go have a look later.”

“…All right.”

“We really can’t hold back against them. Next time, I’m going to have to go at it with intent to kill right from the start.”

“That is fine by me. If one side has to die, it’s obvious which one I pick.”

“Good. And from what I felt while fighting them… I think with this, they will definitely awaken.”

“I see… Then we have less time than we thought.”

“…Aren’t we going to attack?”

“…The demon king will probably be against it, but I think we can once the barrier is gone…”

“I see… Of course!”

“And that is what I wanted to talk about. It seems the old man also has an idea.”

“Grandpa? Is he all right?”

“He’s not senile, so don’t worry. And if this goes well…”

“All right. Then contact me later. I plan to stay here for a while.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“What about the monsters?”

“…If they attack, we will smash them together. They will move on their own too if they enter their territory.”

◇ ◇ ◇

“Ado…”

“What!?”

“Don’t get so worked up. It’s about the saint. She’s alive.”

“…That can’t be…”

“So forget about the old man getting mad at you. Wait… You don’t believe me, do you?”

“Well, she died right in front of me!”

“…Did you check if it was really her?”

“…I guess I didn’t go that far, but…”

“Anyway, there is no doubt that the saint is alive. I confirmed that myself.”

“…All right all right.”

“Don’t sulk. So what are you going to do, ado?”

“What do you mean what?”

“I don’t know when it will be, but the humans will attack eventually. And it won’t be very long until they do.”

“…I’ll fight them, of course! I’ll protect the demon king!”

“…I see… But they’re different from the humans we’ve fought so far. Are you saying you understand that?”

“…Of course I do.”

“Then I have nothing more to say. Ghido should be staying here for the time being, so train in the meantime. It sounds like he actually fought them, so he should be able to tell you what works and what doesn’t.”

“…Yes, I get it. Thanks.”

“If he says no, at least consider giving up.”

“…”

“I’m sure the demon king doesn’t want to see that either.”

“…Yes…”