Chapter 431 - Chapter 1: The Day of the Sertoria Kingdom Army Inauguration Ceremony
By October, the temperature drops, and the color of the tree leaves changes from summer to autumn. It's still a bit early for the peak of autumn colors, but with the harvest season arriving, various ingredients are lined up in the town markets. In the Sertoria Royal Capital, because of the Kingdom Army inauguration ceremony, spectators gathered around the highway in front of the Royal Palace, making it crowded.
Watching that scene from the window of the King's private waiting room in the Kingdom Central Army, Queen Magdalena let out a sigh with her arms crossed and moved away from the window.
Her beautiful hair, which is described as looking like flowing gold when hanging down her back at banquets, is unsparingly gathered into a chignon. She wears chain mail and has silver one-handed swords tucked into both sides of her waist. She always wears that outfit for military-related events. That hasn't changed since she was a unit commander in the Kingdom Central Army Light Infantry Corps.
"It seems a great crowd has gathered."
Magdalena, sitting on the sofa, speaks to the King. She has her crown hooked on her right index finger and holds a cup of beer poured by National Chancellor Evans in her left hand.
"Yeah, we were blessed with good weather and a bountiful harvest this year, and trade is going well."
The King, sitting in the front chair with his crown on his knees, replies. By putting the reparations obtained in the previous war into strengthening transport capacity, centered on the construction of ships, and expanding the scale of trade with other countries, the volume of transactions with the continent via the port of Primordia increased. Due to the unprecedented boom, the Royal Capital citizens are boiling with excitement, and the harvest festival in September was a great success. That lingering excitement remains, and stalls are lined up and tourists are coming even to the Kingdom Army inauguration ceremony, which was originally held quietly by only the Kingdom Army.
"Is it okay not to change the greeting? Just in case, I've prepared one for the general public as well."
National Chancellor Evans poured a cup of beer and handed it to Royal Palace Guard Captain Hughes, who was standing in front of the door. Previously, Hughes never drank during duty. Even toasts were just for show. Furthermore, he didn't drink enough to get drunk even off duty. Therefore, no one had ever seen Hughes in a drunken state. That, before anyone knew it, when everyone gathered and took off their crowns or hats, he came to drink one cup.
"Sorry for making you worry, Evans. But this is fine. The greetings of our country's kings have been short for generations."
"'Be like a hunter', was it?"
Magdalena smiled.
"That's right. Survive and protect even one more person, even for one moment longer. That is our army. That's enough."
Every time Magdalena hears the words that have become a staple in greetings to the army, she remembers the time she first met the current King and his younger brother, Roberts.
In her teens, it was shortly after she became an adult. Knowing that her friend's boyfriend had his wallet snatched by a town punk, she gathered her companions and went to take it back. Since her father was a light infantryman, she had received instruction in unarmed combat and swordplay. She thought she could do it, but the opponent was wearing leather armor under his clothes. She didn't think there would even be a guy who held a sword and used lightning magic. She managed to knock one out, but one of her companions was hit by lightning magic, knocked out, and captured, with a sword held to their neck like a hostage. That's when the two appeared.
She had heard the rumors. An older man and four youths were apparently walking around picking fights with the downtown punks who were doing bad things, as if protecting the town's peace. After beating them up, they made those who followed them into underlings and had them take over the town's security maintenance.
When Magdalena asked for help, the older brother easily sealed the opponent's magic, and the younger brother knocked down that mage with incredible speed. After that, the two brothers brought it into a melee and defeated them with bare hands. Five people with swords were done in an instant. Moreover, the brothers were before their adulthood.
That was the connection that made her the sixth companion. Even though the older brother became the King and she became the Queen, the sense of companionship hasn't changed. The older brother King, the younger brother Roberts, Victor, Hughes, Jones, the seventh is Evans, and the eighth is Harris. Those eight are in the same room now. It's an annual thing.
Eight people. Just like the Class of 175.
She chuckles to herself.
Evans poured beer into his own cup. With this, it had reached everyone in the room.
"Then, Your Majesty, shall we toast?"
Victor, who was a self-defense corps member when they met, speaks up. Only Victor knew the true identity of the two from the beginning.
"Yeah. The Kingdom Army inauguration anniversary is, coincidentally, the first day we eight gathered."
It's the day they met Harris, the current Sertoria Royal Capital Grand Church Head Chief Secretary, who came saying he wanted help because he wanted to do monster extermination.
"I look forward to working with you in the future. Toast."
"Toast!"
It really is short.
Magdalena suppressed her laughter again this year.
After the toast was over, General Victor, the Commander-in-Chief of the Kingdom Army, spoke up.
"By the way, since it was announced that the Demon Realm was conquered in Morandine, there seems to be public opinion that the conquest of the Demon Realm should be proceeded with in each country. Our country's Demon Realm, except for the cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected, is practically conquered. Are we not going to make it public?"
At that voice, the King looked at Harris.
"What do you think, Harris?"
"It's still impossible now. Even though we've conquered it, it's on the premise of non-aggression regarding each other's territory, including the Demon Lord's army remnants led by a single Demon Race. How to explain that. If we don't think of a good excuse, we'll turn everywhere into an enemy. Incidentally, this is the same as the view of Price-sama of the Medioland Royal Capital Grand Church."
"Hmm," Victor drained his beer with a grim face. Public opinion is likely being formed within the Kingdom Army as well. There might have been suggestions from the corps commander class. As the Commander-in-Chief, he must prepare a persuasive answer.
"In the case of northern Nakanohara, considering the Dryad, we might be able to show the view that we succeeded in sealing it. For other areas, we can say that we have a prospect after exterminating two Demon Race in the operation based on the Western Plains Garrison the other day."
Evans said. He takes Victor's cup to pour a refill.
"In other words, it's currently in progress and proceeding advantageously."
"Yes. Because it's a fact. Also, the Northeastern Forest is continuing operations by the Eastern Plains Corps. What remains is the Demon Lord's cave and the surrounding forest to the southwest of the Royal Capital area, but we are currently continuing the mop-up of monsters inside the cave. As for our country, for the time being, the crisis has been avoided, and we are taking steps toward the future resurrection of the Demon Lord."
"I see."
"Of course, we won't announce it publicly. Unless it's raised as an agenda in a meeting, it's better not to stimulate public opinion by giving strange expectations. Although, it's probably not to the extent of a national secret. Well, let's just say it's a secret of the military upper echelons."
Harris smirked, and Victor lightly raised his cup toward Evans.
"Then, it's about time. Shall we go to the ceremony venue?"
The King put the crown on his head.
The ceremony ended in about an hour. While two-thirds of the Central Army soldiers were lined up, after the King's greeting, the Commander-in-Chief, each corps of the Central Army, the garrisons of various places, the corps commander of the Paratroop Jaegers... ostensibly, the Nakanohara Light Infantry Corps... and the Nakanohara Guard Captain each expressed their determination toward the King. No one says things like swearing loyalty to the King or throwing away their lives, or valiant words of resolve. They just emphasize fighting to protect, through and through.
Among those who gathered for the spectacle, there are many who are seeing it for the first time. Among them, some tilted their heads at the words of the King and corps commanders, which were different from their imagination.
"How should I put it, it's like a promise, or rather, I thought they'd say something a bit more valiant."
A man who was watching while drinking beer and holding a skewer bought at a stall said. It was the man's first time seeing the ceremony. He is one of those who usually runs a business at the port north of the Royal Capital and has benefited from the expansion of trade volume in recent years. He came to the Royal Capital today to talk about a deal, but it ended earlier than expected. Hearing that stalls would be out, he came to drink beer. It's not often that the northern Royal Capital area becomes a battlefield. He is in the port self-defense corps, but his assigned role is mainly patrolling for measures against street criminals.
"Something valiant?"
An old man who heard the murmur speaks to him. The old man was a former Kingdom Army soldier and had fought in two battles against the Demon Lord's army and one battle against Engrio.
"No, look, like performing loyalty to His Majesty the King, or protecting the King at the risk of one's life."
"It's a tradition since the First King. The Kingdom Army isn't here to protect the royalty."
"Then, what on earth do they protect?"
Those who stand to give greetings, including the King, are repeatedly saying 'protect, protect'.
"Us. You too."
"Us?"
"That's right. Do you know the motto of the Sertoria Kingdom Army First Corps... in other words, the Guard? That is the spirit of the Kingdom Army."
The man didn't know.
When the old man asked several people around him, one large woman of an age that could still be called young knew. Perhaps her leg is somewhat impaired, as she leans on a staff and drags her right leg, which is wearing a long leather boot peeking out from the hem of a flashy patterned tunic. A man is snuggling up beside her. Seeing that they are wearing similar rings, they might be a married couple.
"'For those who must be protected', right? The Kingdom Army exists to protect the Royal citizens, including you."
"Heh, so that's how it is."
The man took a sip of the beer in his hand. He remembered the stories he heard from the people of Finis he met through business. Sertoria soldiers do not engage in any looting even when they invade other countries' territories. It's said that when they did the same in the previous war, no rebellion at all occurred by the people of the former Septanaquila land, which newly became Finis territory.
"Our army is also quite cool, isn't it?"
When the man said that while stuffing his cheeks with the skewer, the old man and the woman who knew the Guard's motto looked at each other and smiled.
◆◆◆◆
"Today is the Kingdom Army inauguration anniversary, right? Don't Henry-sama and the others have to attend?"
Beatrix speaks to the old couple. Normally, the previous generation would attend. Why are they participating in a banquet at our farm? Today, neither Wilson-san nor Lewis-san is here. Furthermore, Miana isn't here, and the guard Beowulf isn't here either. The royalty and bigwigs are all in the Royal Capital. I thought the only one not participating was Gladys-sama, who is in the Eastern Plains with the baby.
"Since the current generation is there. We don't have to participate."
Is that how it is? Again. Is it that? Will they be bombarded with greetings?
"The inauguration ceremony is where the King gives a simple greeting along with the Kingdom Army's code of conduct that the First King said, and the active corps commanders swear again to protect the national land. Only the active ones need to be there."
Eleanor-sama says something that seems persuasive yet isn't. Is being retired this carefree?
"More importantly, it's about the future."
"The future?"
Beatrix asks back and looks at me at the same time. I have nothing but a bad feeling.
"Thanks to everyone's cooperation and activity, we only have three places left to explore in Sertoria."
Places we must explore? Is it an obligation?
"Eh? Wasn't it two places left?"
Beatrix is asking. What's left is the cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected and the cave behind it where the Earth Dragon might have been. The earthworm user was doing something. If you summarize them, it's one place.
"No, it's the Dryad's Forest to the west of the cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected."
Serena reacted with a twitch. She might want it to be left alone without being explored.
"If there's a Dryad, it's safe, isn't it? It's not like it's a Demon Realm, right?"
"That's true, but if possible, we want to conclude a pact."
Deciding on territories, then. That said, the cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected is close. It's meaningless if humans get involved poorly and the Demon Lord's army invades when he's resurrected.
"That's right. Therefore, we will consult on how far humans can enter."
The forest in the southwestern Royal Capital area is not that wide compared to northern Nakanohara or the Northeastern Forest, but it's safe to say there are no places where humans can enter.
"But, I don't think we have to force our way in."
"That's true, but if we don't enter, the future measures against the Demon Lord's resurrection won't be realized."
"Measures against the Demon Lord's resurrection? What's that?"
In short, unless we do something about the many monsters occupying the forest around the cave when the Demon Lord is resurrected, we won't be able to easily attack the cave. Monsters are strong in the forest. On the other hand, if we cut down all the trees, the Dryad will be angry. Also, we might get them involved in the battle with the Demon Lord's army. At the very least, we want to secure a forward base and a supply route, but we want to consult with the local Dryad in advance if possible. Neutral spirits who would be against the Demon Lord's army would likely find it difficult to speak up. So, they want to hear at least how far they can go without involving the Dryad's territory.
"Are you going to cut down trees again?"
It's Serena. Her expression has become thin.
"We won't. Since there's still time, we'll think of a way to manage without cutting them down. Besides, preventing the Demon Lord's resurrection is the priority."
Building a forward position without cutting down trees. Is such a thing possible?
"The cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected cannot be destroyed. And the tower connecting each layer changes location with each resurrection. However, the position of each layer does not change. Neither does the exit. Therefore, we will fortify the plains area around the exit."
"Is such a thing possible?"
Beatrix is poking fun. Preventing the Demon Lord's army from coming out of the cave... is such a thing possible?
"It is. In the past, there were certainly cases where they tried to block the Demon Lord's army in such a way."
Past tense means...
"Yes. It failed that time. However, we humans are progressing. We must introduce new technology and do what we can. For example, gunpowder. Last time, we couldn't use it in large quantities like now. The same goes for slug mucus. Besides that..."
She begins a powerful speech with her clenched fist. From the content, she seems to have the momentum to seal the Demon Lord himself. In addition, Henry-sama is nodding powerfully, saying, "Yeah! That's right!" The bandits raise their fists and cheer to match Henry-sama. For some reason, the Salamander is also raising its voice together. The other spirits are all blinking their round eyes at that momentum.
"...So, a discussion with the Dryad in the southwestern Royal Capital area is absolutely necessary. However, as you probably already know. Beastmen live in the outer edge of that forest and refuse humans to contact the Dryad. Serena, Renata. If you have your words, the beastmen's attitude will likely soften a bit. We will respond with as much gratitude as possible!"
She is appealing while holding Serena's hands.
In addition to not cutting down trees, perhaps pressured by Eleanor-sama's momentum, she almost nodded... and then hurriedly shook her head left and right.
"W-What are you doing? It's no good even if you try to gloss it over with momentum."
Eleanor-sama looked away. The bandits all looked down at once. It seemed they had perfectly coordinated, but Serena's origin is not for show. It didn't seem to work on the quiet spirit.
"You won't cut down trees when you build that fortress, right?"
Serena, who had been thinking calmly, said. Eleanor-sama's hands have already left Serena's. Eleanor-sama is looking down in silence.
"Yes. I promise."
Eleanor-sama looked up.
"I have two conditions."
"What are they? I will do as much as I can."
Henry-sama took out a scroll for full authority in diplomatic negotiations.
Serena looked at my face.
"The first is mead. I won't say within the year. But, by next summer, five barrels each for me and my sister of the mead Jeanne makes."
I was busy this year and couldn't brew much. She put her resentment for that on the condition.
"Yes, leave it to me."
For some reason, Eleanor-sama answers.
"The other is about the Demon Realm."
Serena is looking straight into Eleanor-sama's eyes. She might say something quite severe.
"When the Demon Realm is covered in forest, humans do not approach that forest. If the Demon Realm is conquered, they might cut it down and cultivate it. Thinking that way, the existence of the Demon Realm is a deterrent to human cultivation. I can understand the desire to prevent the Demon Lord's resurrection, but is it really coexistence and co-prosperity to conquer it for human convenience and relocate monsters? I want you to think well about that point too. Not cutting down the forest after conquest. Until this is at least guaranteed, please do not let Jeanne participate in the conquest of the Demon Realm."
That's probably true. Even in Morandine, if possible, it would have been better if they didn't relocate and could live separately like in Finis or Northern Gram. Although, there probably wouldn't have been any sympathizers.
Eleanor-sama's face became serious upon hearing the second condition. For example, even if there is a request for Demon Realm conquest from Medioland, the condition would be not to cultivate it afterward. It might be difficult to summarize the talk to that extent. Besides, they are humans. They might not keep a verbal promise. But Serena would at least allow my participation if humans guaranteed it.
"Serena isn't criticizing the relocation of monsters in Morandine. She thinks that you guys can achieve true coexistence and co-prosperity."
Renata followed up for her. Serena's expression didn't change, but she didn't deny it.
"In other words, it's fine if humans recognize the monsters' territory, right? I'll think of a good policy. Eventually, I'll have to consult with the spirits too. At that time, please give your opinion again."
When Henry-sama said that, Serena nodded.