Chapter 119 - Chapter 20: The One Who Worships the Demon Lord (3)
Being told to his face, "Hurry up and destroy me," it's not something one can easily do, saying, "Okay, I'll destroy you then."
Beatrix also hesitated, as expected.
In the first place, he had already surrendered. Sparing his life would be the proper course.
"Umm, what exactly is this person's crime?"
She looked at James-sama as if seeking help.
"What has been determined so far is that he aimed for the life of a member of the royal family—me. It's the death penalty for treason."
It seems she asked for trouble.
"But he didn't die, right?"
"In our country's laws, it's applied just by being deemed to have aimed for it. It's different from Sertoria."
I wonder how it is in Sertoria?
When I looked at Roberts-sama, he seemed to notice my gaze and looked at Eleanor-sama.
"In Sertoria, there are penalties for treason against the state, but the crime of treason against the royal family does not exist. Also, since no Sertorian citizens have actually died, the crime of murder cannot be applied either. However, since this is within Medioland territory, Medioland law naturally applies."
Eleanor-sama told us while glaring at Roberts-sama out of the corner of her eye.
Roberts-sama looked down awkwardly.
For some reason, even Henry-sama looked down; I wonder why?
"However, since this is a sacred place, so to speak, there are cases where Medioland law is not applied. For example, when there is approval from His Majesty the King, or his representative, the Crown Prince or the Queen."
It seemed James-sama also wanted to spare his life somehow.
"None of that matters!"
The man raised his voice.
"I am not of Medioland. I was born in Gram. My origin is the lowest level of serf. And I am a deserter. I used forbidden magic to stop being human of my own accord, snuck into Medioland without permission, and built a Demon Lord base here. It was to destroy human nations. That's more than enough crime! You should just destroy me quickly!"
He became self-destructive and even confessed to illegal entry and treason against the state, but Eleanor-sama's thinking seemed different.
"Wait! This is about how to handle you, who are from Gram, involving the two nations of Sertoria and Medioland. At worst, it might become a diplomatic issue, so be quiet for a moment."
After scolding him, she began talking with James-sama, ignoring the man.
"D-diplomatic issue? I'm a deserter from a serf background and an illegal immigrant. I tried to kill you people of noble blood. No matter how I'm handled, how could it possibly become a diplomatic issue!"
The man shook his head, wondering what she was talking about.
"Sorry. Eleanor is my wife, but once she starts saying something, she won't listen. Could you let us have a legal discussion for a while? Until a conclusion is reached, let me hear your military strategy. Even though I look like this, I'm a former king. I'm retired now and have passed the throne to my son, but depending on the content of the story, I might pass it on to the current generation myself."
"K-king? Of Sertoria?"
He was stunned. Well, that's only natural. Based on appearance alone, he's just an old man from a farm.
"Former, former. I'm retired now. Ah, Roberts. You're probably bad at those kinds of talks too. Come over here and listen to the story of this man with military talent."
"If that is your command. Ah, Gladys. I'll leave Mother's company to you. Please listen in my place."
He came over here without hesitation.
"Heh?"
Beside Gladys-sama, who had a slightly silly expression that didn't seem like a princess, the attendants were looking down while their shoulders trembled.
"Roberts-sama completely ran away, didn't he?"
"Seems so. What should we do?"
"This side looks more interesting."
Pulled by Beatrix, we went to where Henry-sama and the others were sitting, and Paul-san, Stephens-san, and even the two attendants, Lyudmila, and Mary came over here too.
Gladys-sama was looking over here with an expression like she was about to bite her finger, but let's have her be the sacrifice here.
"Now, let me introduce you. This is my son, Roberts. Since he's the second son, unlike the current eldest son, he's currently facing off against the Demon Lord's army at the border fortress. And then..."
He introduced us in order.
"From an orphanage? Are people who can only become serfs acting together with royalty?"
Why do I have to be told such a thing? One of my companions is aiming to be the National Chancellor.
"I don't know about Gram, but in Sertoria, there is no status difference. I'll have you apologize."
When Henry-sama glared at him, he apparently became frightened and apologized properly. As long as he understands.
"Ah, sorry, there were people from Medioland too. These three are legitimate Medioland nobles."
He seemed somewhat creeped out as Stephens-san and the attendants each introduced themselves and held out their hands for a handshake.
When he timidly reached out his hand, he looked at us as if he were seeing ghosts.
Even though he's a Revenant himself.
"I see. If things continue as they are, Engrio has the highest possibility of conquering the island."
He was looking at a map of the island's power dynamics drawn on the floor with chalk.
Next to it were also maps of Nakanohara and the Southern Forest, which were the stages of the previous war.
After being briefly taught the history of the last hundred years or so by Henry-sama, the man, who was asked how human nations would rise and fall regardless of the Demon Lord's army, spoke of one possibility.
Apparently, the country with the best food production is the strongest.
Lyudmila nodded with a great deal of force.
No way, she's thinking of increasing Sertoria's food production to counter Engrio... probably not.
"And for other countries to counter it, horizontal cooperation with Medioland as the leader is important."
"That's right. For countries that form an alliance with Engrio, they only need to break the alliance on some pretext when the occasion arises. Since other countries are allied with Engrio, they can't even send reinforcements."
"However, there are quite a few such countries. Our Sertoria must counter in the situation I mentioned earlier."
Broadly speaking, the coast from the east to the south of the island is the Engrio camp, and the coast from the west to the north is the Medioland camp. There are some different people at the northern tip, but we can omit them for now.
"Then, how about changing the policy?"
"In what way?"
The man began explaining while drawing on the map of the Nakanohara area next to him.
Even though he's dead, he's lively.
"Utilize the terrain of the Nakanohara basin. Stop just defending the border. If you don't counterattack somewhere, you'll be slowly worn down. Since it must be difficult to maintain a large standing army, for defense, you should forcibly conscript farmers as soldiers. Then, use those peasant soldiers as shields and retreat while burning down villages to prevent the enemy from looting. Hole up in the town of Nakanohara, and once the enemy has prepared for a siege, use an ambush to occupy and blockade the border forest. Along with Medioland, launch an offensive from both east and west to engage the enemy's main army in a decisive battle. If you can surround them well, you can annihilate them. Naturally, you won't accept surrender. At a good point, lift the blockade of the forest and let them escape. After that, ride the momentum and chase them, then just invade as you are."
When he finished saying it with great enthusiasm, he looked at Henry-sama as if to say, "How is it?"
"That is a proposal that cannot be done."
When Henry-sama said it flatly, the man looked puzzled.
"It's the opposite. The standing army becomes the shield. Our national army exists to protect the citizens. If we were to retreat while burning villages, we would surrender."
"But then a nation will be destroyed. Are you saying the royalty will survive even if you surrender?"
Apparently, ordinary countries are like that. Because as long as the royalty is alive, the restoration of the house is possible.
However, Henry-sama's answer was one with more tremendous resolve than expected.
"The royalty who can fight will fight on the battlefield until they are wiped out. The Kingdom of Sertoria will also perish. However, we will protect the livelihoods of the citizens. Some villages might be taken. They might be looted. However, burning and discarding villages is the one thing we cannot do. Even if the nation is destroyed, the foundation of the people's lives must be protected. Sertoria is that kind of country."
I was surprised. When I reflexively looked at Roberts-sama's face, he was nodding with a very serious expression.
"You can't win like that."
"That's why I'm asking for guidance from someone like you who understands military strategy. It's difficult, but it must be done."
In an instant, the man's movements stopped, and his eyes widened.
"Asking for guidance? From me?"
"Yes. I'm just a man who swings a spear. I don't have military strategy like you. Since I don't understand it well, I've decided to have those who do understand teach me."
"Are you not royalty and the former king?"
"Yes. That's exactly why. Because I must not make a mistake. To prevent that, I have those who understand teach me, let them try if I think it's good, and take responsibility for the results—that is the duty of our country's royalty. That's what I believe."
Is that true? When the man asked Stephens-san, he nodded with a grim expression. In a sense, he might have been made to struggle too.
"It's a strange country, Sertoria."
"Is it? I was born and raised in Sertoria, so I think it's normal. Isn't it the other countries that are strange?"
He said it with a straight face.
I think 'strange' is a word used for the minority, but apparently, it's different for Sertorian royalty.
"Henry. We've reached a conclusion here."
Eleanor-sama and James-sama joined us.
Gladys-sama went behind Roberts-sama, but she seemed to have done something. For a moment, Roberts-sama's face contorted.
While watching Gladys-sama, who had a strangely refreshed expression, she looked at us and pretended to pinch something with her right thumb and index finger.
At any rate, it's a good thing they get along.
"How did it go?"
"Yes. The conclusion is that at this point, there is no law that can be applied to a Revenant who has died once."
What is that? After all that difficult talk, is that the conclusion?
"Then, is it an acquittal?"
"No, matters outside the law are left to the judgment of His Majesty the King or his representative. That would be the same in Sertoria, wouldn't it?"
"Then, James-dono, what will you do?"
"I have heard that the Church's policy is to make Demon Lord worshippers repent. Then, wouldn't it be fine to just make him repent?"
"Repent or not, this guy might be targeted by the Demon Lord or the Dragon race."
Is turning a Dragon into a Revenant such a grave sin?
"It doesn't matter. I can't serve the Demon Lord anyway. Do as you like."
He seemed to have become desperate. Since he died as a human, he became an existence outside the law, and he might be targeted by the inhuman Demon Lord or Dragons—it's no wonder he's acting reckless.
"I'm not needed by anyone anyway. You might as well just make up an appropriate crime and destroy me."
At those words, Beatrix reacted.
"There is someone," she muttered quietly.
The man looked at Beatrix with a suspicious expression.
"If you're serious, there are people who will need you."
She was looking away.
When I squeezed her hand, she squeezed back.
Perhaps because she was putting too much strength into it, it hurt a little.
"That's right. Well said. As expected of Catherine and Jennifer's student."
Eleanor-sama hugged Beatrix and stroked her head.
Beatrix let her do as she pleased, but her grip became gentle.
"How about it, James-dono? This man has potential. Won't you let me take charge of him?"
"I don't mind, but what do you intend to do?"
"What, I'll have him research military strategy to counter the powerful country in the south under me. Once it's summarized to some extent, I'll pass it on to your country through the current generation."
"I don't mind, but what explanation will you give to the Church?"
"It should be fine to say that Jeanne the priest persuaded him and he repented. He'll have to wear a sealing ring to forbid forbidden magic, but his true worth is military strategy. It shouldn't have an effect."
She winked at me.
I see. So that's how it is.
I asked the third question to the man who was staring blankly with his mouth wide open.
"Why don't you take this opportunity to repent? The Goddess will not abandon you."
Since he seemed to have calmed down, I had the man state his name.
When he wore the change of clothes Henry-sama had brought, he looked like a perfectly ordinary human.
"I am called Wilson. I'm from the Kingdom of Gram and was originally a serf. Since I'm a Revenant now, I'm apparently treated as a stateless outlaw, though."
He raised his chin and laughed self-deprecatingly.
"That's right. How about it, Eleanor? Shall we ask the current generation to allow Revenants to be registered in the census?"
"Let's see. Should we treat him as a political refugee, give him work, and have him pay the poll tax? If that happens, we'll have to hold five or six meetings, and it'll cost a budget again."
"What, it'll work out if we have our living expenses cut. It's fine. I just have to endure dinner."
The two of them looked at Wilson-san over their shoulders.
They have bad personalities for royalty.
"I get it. I get it. I was wrong. Don't look at me with those eyes. I'm Wilson. Nice to meet you."
This time he bowed properly. He doesn't seem to be such a bad person.
"By the way, Wilson. I have something to talk about right away."
It was James-sama. It seemed we could finally get to the main subject.
"What is it? No, what is it, Crown Prince of Medioland?"
"Actually, we came to meet the wind spirit. Where did it go?"
He looked surprised. It seemed he had mistakenly thought we came to subjugate him.
"Didn't it go back to the summit? It seems to always be in a place where the north wind hits."
"Can we meet it if we go to the mountain summit?"
"I don't know about that. It just flew here on its own when I snuck in here. We used to spend time chatting occasionally, but when the Orcs found a Dragon's corpse, it suddenly got angry when I turned it into a Revenant and brought it here."
It surely thought its nest had been disturbed. Even if it weren't a spirit, if a Dragon came, whether it was a Revenant or not, one would either run away or try to drive it off.
"Did you fight?"
"That's right. Since it told me to kick the Dragon out, I had placed it in a large underground cave. It seems the Dragon went outside occasionally while I was resting in the middle of the night, and they had been fighting frequently before I knew it. Since it was dangerous because it was collapsing the mountain and such, I had no choice but to call it here and capture it with a magic-sealing magic circle. After that, I was trying to persuade it for a long time to give me permission, but it wouldn't say yes. So I left it as it was."
"When was that?"
"I think it was five years ago."
That was the time of the landslide. They said it rained heavily, but it was likely a coincidence. However, it's surprising that it fought a Dragon and collapsed the mountain. The wind spirit might be rougher than expected.
"Is that all?"
"That's right. Let me tell you, it's not like I started it from my side."
"I see. I understand. It likely tried to protect this land. A Dragon was indeed a bad idea. I don't know the details, but apparently, they don't get along."
"Is that so? I only heard that this was a spirit's land after I captured it. Even though I didn't know, I'm sorry."
Wilson-san became quite calm, as if a burden had been lifted. Did he feel relieved because he found a good place for employment?
"As I said at the beginning, our royal family has a history of friendship with the wind spirit. I came to restore that friendship."
"Didn't you come to subjugate me?"
"Subjugate or not, no damage has been done to the surrounding villages. I didn't even know you were here—no, I didn't even know such an underground facility existed in this mountain."
"Is that so... I thought for sure..."
Apparently, he had been busy preparing to welcome the Demon Lord by capturing Orcs to make them Revenants, setting traps, and making the Demon Lord statue. He hadn't thought about attacking villages.
In the end, it turned out Wilson-san didn't know why this cave existed or who made it either.
While listening to that exchange, a voice was suddenly heard.
Man, it's nothing but things like this today.
"See, look! I told you nothing good comes from relying on a Dragon! If you had just played 'Demon Lord' with the Orcs quietly, I wouldn't have said anything, but because you brought something like that, you got caught!"
Before I knew it, a translucent green girl the size of a palm with blue-green butterfly-like wings was shouting in Wilson-san's ear.