103 - For Whose Sake
In the southern part of Nordende. In a place about five days' ride from the Laurel Kingdom garrison's fort, demons had gathered. There were demons living in the Undead Legion's encampment, as well as the Vampio race. Their purpose for coming here, a group of about thirty, was to release magic beasts into the plains. Some of those magic beasts were inside several cages they had brought from within the forest.
"Isn't this a bit too close?"
The one who asked was King Dracul. He was still the king of the Vampio race. Just as Kai had predicted, his younger brother Radura had refused the throne. Far from that, he had shouted at the people who came to tell him, and then led the Vampio elites remaining in the castle to join them. Originally, Radura had been a central figure among the forces opposing a cooperative relationship with Ray. However, he had reluctantly come around to agreeing. With that, the will of the Vampio race solidified instantly.
"To the Laurel Kingdom army's fort?"
Ray answered King Dracul's question.
"Yes. The number of magic beasts to be released is small. Before their numbers increase, won't they be slain?"
"They'll probably be fine. It's highly unlikely the Laurel Kingdom army will send out scouting parties. Even if they do... they'll just be killed by the magic beasts."
"Hey!? Wait a minute. That explanation makes no sense, does it?"
The one complaining was Geel. While they were worried about the magic beasts being slain, Ray was saying those magic beasts would kill the Laurel Kingdom army coming to subjugate them. It was indeed nonsensical.
"If they happen to come out. If you want to prevent that, why don't you, Master, go to the fort and stop them from deploying?"
"You intend to move the Undead Legion, don't you?"
Even if they were magic beasts, these were Undead Beasts. Ray was trying to have the Laurel Kingdom army slain by Undead Beasts.
"It's a minimum sacrifice to make them realize the threat of magic beasts. If they think it's dangerous, they'll stop coming out, right? The plan is to increase the number of real magic beasts in the meantime."
"...I might go to the fort."
A plan to reduce sacrifices. Even when told that, it was still hard to bear the thought of allies being sacrificed. Just as Ray said, Geel began to seriously consider stopping the units from leaving the fort.
"I think that would be for the best."
"Actually, I'm not going."
"Why?"
"The fact that you're recommending I go to the fort means there's definitely some ulterior motive."
"That's cruel. There is no ulterior motive. It's just that the nobles' army seems to have started moving, so I'd like you to stop them."
Regardless of whether there was an ulterior motive, there was a reason for him to go.
"...Why the nobles' army?"
"It seems to be to compensate for the lack of manpower. But they've grown impatient with just guarding the periphery of Nordende. To the nobles, Nordende looks like a mountain of treasure."
Gathering information on the demons scattered outside Nordende, and subjugating them within reasonable limits—that was the role of the noble houses' armies. However, even if there were demons outside Nordende, there was no way those living in hiding would be captured by a noble army with no knowledge of searching. The nobles, who had spent their time gaining nothing, had finally run out of patience.
"...What happens if I don't stop them?"
"They are an army fully intent on committing atrocities. Do they need to show any restraint toward us?"
"I also think those rotten nobles should just die... but is it impossible to kill only the nobles?"
"If that would stop the army, I'll consider it. But how did it go last time?"
Regardless of the commander's orders, the demons were trampled. If the enemy army recognized the capture of the nobles' heads as a defeat, there was a high possibility they would retreat. However, that couldn't be guaranteed.
"...Can't be helped. I'll go to the fort."
"I see. Then please be careful."
Ray spoke to Geel without changing his expression in particular.
"Hey? You just rejoiced, didn't you?"
But it didn't work on Geel.
"No. Not at all."
Still, Ray continued to play dumb. If Geel said "I've changed my mind" here, it would be troublesome in various ways.
"...Suspicious."
"Nothing will come of doubting me. Besides, it's a fact that the nobles' army must be stopped."
"...I have no choice. In other words, I've already been played."
If the nobles' army wasn't stopped, there would be many victims. If he wanted to avoid that, even if there were things that bothered him, he had no choice but to head for the fort. If he couldn't stop Ray, or the demons.
"I don't intend to play you. I'm in the same position of having no other choice."
"...I get it."
In truth, Ray had one more option. The option of using force to slay the nobles' army that had intruded into Nordende. He couldn't let Geel choose that.
"Then... escort me part of the way."
"Me?"
Sera was surprised to be suddenly ordered by Ray.
"Who else? I think you're the only one who can say for sure that you won't end up killing each other on the way?"
"...I will return."
Ray ordered her to escort Geel in order to drive her away. That was how Sera took it.
"You didn't need to go out of your way to tell me. Just do as you please."
"I'm returning too."
"Eh!?"
"...Don't act so surprised. I haven't fulfilled my purpose yet. You should have known I intended to return."
Stopping Ray's revenge. Making Ray accept a way to live without fighting the Laurel Kingdom. That was Geel's purpose. He had not yet achieved it.
"I think it'll be impossible to fulfill your purpose... but well, as you wish. Just don't overdo it. Just because that woman is with you doesn't mean Nordende becomes a safe place."
"...Yeah, I know."
Ray's words meant that from here on, he would not be staying at the encampment. But even knowing that meeting again would be difficult, Geel did not stop himself from leaving. Returning to the fort wasn't only because Ray had maneuvered him into it. There were other things he had to do, and the matter of the nobles' army had simply been the catalyst for his decision.
"Then, take care. I'll add, until the day we meet again."
"Yeah, see ya."
It was a distance of about five days to the fort. No new preparations were necessary. Preparations for a round trip from the encampment were sufficient. Geel and Sera began walking toward the direction of the fort.
"...Is this okay? Doing something like deceiving the person you call Master."
"Master is stubborn about being a knight of the Laurel Kingdom. Even if I can trust him as an individual, I can't reveal everything."
Even if he pretended to be a rogue, Ray believed Geel couldn't cast aside being a knight of the Laurel Kingdom. If ordered by the King of Laurel, Geel would likely obey, even if it were against his will. He couldn't let such a Geel know everything about his future actions.
"I see..."
"He is an opponent I will eventually fight again. It's too late for me, but wouldn't it be better if King Dracul didn't close the distance any further?"
If affection grew, hesitation would arise in a fight to the death. In truth, those were the words he wanted to tell Geel.
"I don't particularly..."
King Dracul denied Ray's question. However, the way he trailed off showed that Ray's point was a fact.
"...Now then, since time is never enough, I'll begin preparations."
"A-Ah... will it work?"
"I don't know. This is the first time I've moved the Undead Legion over such a wide area. Moreover, I have to strengthen the control more than usual. The probability of failure is higher, so I want to start quickly."
"Understood. My people should have been in position long ago."
"It seems so."
"Hm?"
"I've confirmed it with the Information Crows. However..."
"Something bothering you?"
"I hope they aren't careless. If it succeeds, many magic beasts will gather. Besides, Undead Beasts that only have their fighting instinct left are formidable, you know?"
What Ray and the others were attempting was not to capture magic beasts one by one, but to use the Undead Legion to drive the magic beasts from the forest into the plains. In short, it was a large-scale hunt. However, it came with the restriction that they must not kill the targets.
"...Even if members of my race end up dying, do not worry about it. It is their own fault for being inexperienced."
Part of the Vampio race's role was to prevent the Undead Beasts from killing the magic beasts. But that didn't matter to the magic beasts being protected. There was a high possibility they would have to fight both, and it was not an easy job. Knowing this, King Dracul had accepted the role.
"It makes me feel a bit easier hearing you say that, but I'll still do everything I can. Now, I'll begin."
Suddenly, the magic sword Kamui appeared in Ray's hand. Ray thrust the magic sword Kamui into the ground and placed his hand on the hilt. From his body, which seemed to be concentrating, magic power gradually erupted.
"...That sword?"
The one who whispered the question to King Dracul was his younger brother, Radura. This was the first time he had seen Ray do this.
"I do not know. I believe that sword is the source of Lord Ray's power, but I have never heard even a rumor of such a sword's existence."
A deep red pattern ran across the jet-black blade. An eerie sword that looked as if blood vessels were pulsing. It was obvious at a glance that it was no ordinary sword. Yet, King Dracul had never heard of such a special sword.
"...Can't we check it?"
"Don't think of strange things. That sword is not kept in Shadow Storage."
The magic sword Kamui had appeared suddenly in Ray's hand. King Dracul told Radura that it was not due to any magic they knew.
"...Then how?"
"That too, I do not know. But that sword can likely only be used by Lord Ray. In other words, it is his power alone."
Even if one obtained the magic sword Kamui, the power would not become their own. King Dracul warned Radura so that he wouldn't think of anything strange.
"...For now, I understand he is not an opponent to be underestimated as a mere human necromancer."
"I think you're still underestimating him, but well, you'll find out soon enough. More importantly, I wonder if he'll mess up."
"I will not let the same mistake be repeated. That is a separate matter from how I evaluate him."
"I hope so."
King Dracul felt anxiety at Radura's way of speaking. Even though they had joined forces, Radura and those who shared his feelings were not yet completely convinced. They were trying to gauge Ray's value. However, there was no meaning in that. Because the one who judged the value—whether they were necessary or not—was Ray.
◇◇◇
Geel and Sera headed toward the Laurel Kingdom garrison's fort. Sera had no problem moving for about five days without sleep or rest, but it wasn't the same for Geel. He needed breaks. There were no towns or villages on the road to the fort, so naturally, they camped outdoors. For Geel and the other, it was nothing. It had been like that ever since they were chasing Ray.
A bonfire to keep beasts away. Illuminated by it, Sera's white skin had a faint reddish tint. The coloring wasn't just because of the bonfire, though.
"...I think I shouldn't ask this, and normally I'd never ask."
"...Then don't ask."
"No, I can't not ask. Why did you... give yourself to me?"
For the two of them, the day they finally shared their bodies had arrived. However, Geel harbored complex feelings about it.
"...There is no reason."
"Lie to me. You're not the kind of woman who does this just because things happened to go that way."
"...Geel is—"
"Not the type to be swept away by emotion, either."
Geel denied it, cutting off Sera's words. In this situation, he didn't want to hear the word "love." Even if it were her true feeling. Especially if it were her true feeling.
"...I thought this was the only chance I'd have to be swept away by emotion."
"...Do you intend for us to never meet again?"
This is the last time. If her actions were based on that conviction, Geel could accept it. Even if he couldn't accept that it was the last time.
"We won't be able to meet."
"Why? I intend to return."
"Geel is surprisingly... no, it's not surprising. You really are a softie."
A kind heart hidden behind rough words and actions. Even if it was hidden, it was something that became visible quickly if one spent a little time together. In fact, Sera had noticed it immediately upon meeting him.
"What do you mean by 'softie'?"
"He has no intention of meeting Geel again. Even if it happens, it will be as enemies."
"...I know that much."
"You know? Then why?"
Knowing that, why did he part with Ray? Geel had said he hadn't fulfilled his purpose yet. If that were the case, Sera thought he shouldn't be heading for the fort like this.
"I can't stop Ray if I just stay with him. It's just as that bastard said. If the Laurel Kingdom doesn't stop, the conflict will continue."
"...If the Laurel Kingdom stops attacking, will his revenge stop too?"
The conflict between the Laurel Kingdom and the demons, and Ray's revenge, were different. That was what Sera thought. And it was actually true.
"No, that alone probably won't stop it."
"Is that okay?"
"To stop Ray's revenge, he has to find another meaning for living on his own. I can't give that to him."
"...Is there anyone who can give it?"
Sera knew Ray's thoughts. For Ray, the only hopes for living were the deceased Kamiira and Rui. Sera couldn't think of anyone who could replace them.
"There might be people."
"People?"
"The people who were at the encampment. For those women and children, Ray might stop his revenge. In fact, though he probably feels it's only temporary right now, he has stopped."
"...Even if that's true, it's because there's an enemy called the Laurel Kingdom. Isn't what Geel is trying to do contradictory?"
Ray was acting to protect those women from the Laurel Kingdom army. If the conflict disappeared, the reason for Ray to suspend his revenge and stay in Nordende for their sake should vanish.
"Yeah... maybe so. But I want to stop the fighting. I just started thinking that."
"Geel..."
It was because Geel had developed affection for the demons. Sera hoped that she was one of the demons that affection had shifted toward. It was modesty. In the depths of her heart, she wanted it to be for her sake, but she felt embarrassed thinking that.
"Someone like me can't stop it. I know that. But... I can't stand just watching and doing nothing. I just felt that way."
"...I hope it comes true. Even though I know it's impossible, I find myself hoping for it. Someday, with Geel..."
Pressing her body against Geel's, Sera whispered. A dream that should never come true. A faint dream, the final words of which she had hesitated to even whisper.
"Sera..."
Wrapping his arms around Sera's back, Geel hugged her tightly. As if to confirm her existence. As if to confirm that this moment was not a dream.
◇◇◇
Thick clouds spread across the night sky, hiding both the moon and the stars. In the jet-black darkness where nothing illuminated the way, Ray lay on the ground, looking up at that night sky. It was different from his usual habit. Ray's consciousness was directed not toward memories of the past, but toward an existence within his heart. Ray was being told information from the Information Crows he had attached to Geel and Sera. He was somewhat exasperated by the content.
(...Listen. What is the point of knowing that Master and that woman had a relationship?)
He had attached the Information Crows considering the possibility that Geel might change his mind and return. The relationship between Geel and Sera was unnecessary information.
(But... isn't it kind of poignant? A little tragic love.)
(Tragic love... well, maybe so, but one of them is Master. It somehow makes me feel embarrassed.)
(No matter who the parties are, tragic love is tragic love. A forbidden love between the Human Race and the Demon Race. I'm sure there have been many such cases until now.)
(...What are you trying to say?)
The conversation had completely derailed. It was originally impossible for a sub-personality to derail a conversation against Ray's will. Ray felt a question about this.
(Nothing. I just thought it was pitiful, so I thought it was pitiful.)
(...Because I can't do anything.)
(Oh, is that so? The things I, as a sub-personality, think should be the thoughts within your own heart. Setting aside conscious and unconscious, of course.)
(...Are you really a sub-personality? Aren't you independent, like Kamui?)
It wasn't the relationship between a primary and sub-personality from his original world. That was certain. But it was also certain that it was different from Kamui. Kamui was special.
(I don't know about that. You judge it.)
(No, I can't.)
(Then don't worry about it. I was one side of you to begin with. It's not strange to feel like I have different thoughts.)
(A woman is one side of me...)
This sub-personality was female. Even when told it was one of his own traits, it didn't click for Ray. Since they had been together since the original world, it was a bit late for this, but still.
(Say 'feminine'. Everyone has that... I don't know about others, but surely.)
(Enough already. But well, I guess I can see that. However...)
(Master took action knowing it was impossible. What will you, the disciple, do?)
(I've long since taken that impossible action. What more do you want me to do?)
The revenge Ray sought was also an impossible thing. Depending on how much he sought, perhaps.
(Nothing. Because there's no need to say it. You, who are also me, should know.)
(............)
(Think about it. Think and think, and if that's the conclusion you reach, I don't care what it is. But don't run away from thinking. Don't do something that you, or we, will regret.)
(...Yeah, I get it.)
No matter what conclusion he chose, it would be a difficult path. What waited at the end was likely death. If that were the case, he should choose the path he would have no regrets dying for. He knew that. In his head.
"Think and think," the sub-personality said. But was this something a conclusion could be reached on by thinking? Such a thought also welled up inside Ray.
If so, what should he do? He knew one of the answers. He was just unable to make the decision.