104 - The Kidnapper
The rugged mountain range surrounding Nordende. Among them, the mountains in the southeastern part are relatively gentle. That is why the Laurel Kingdom army attempted to construct an invasion route to Nordende.
An army advancing along that invasion route. It was the Noble House Army of the Laurel Kingdom. Their destination was clear. The garrison of the former Laurel Kingdom army's mobile force, where the Demon Race were said to reside. The road, carved through the mountains, led only there.
"...They really came."
Kai, watching the scene from within the forest off the road.
"I'm here because I knew they would come, but...?"
Hearing Kai's mutter, Ray wore a wry smile. He had known the army was approaching for a long time. It was nothing to be surprised about now.
"That's true... but to attack knowing they'll lose. I can't understand it."
"They attack because they don't think they'll lose."
"Even though the Kingdom's army is losing?"
The garrison had repelled the Laurel Kingdom army many times. Kai believed there was no way the Noble House Army, which should be weaker than that, could take the place.
"Do they think they're stronger than the Regular Army?"
That couldn't be. If they believed their own house's army was stronger than their country's Regular Army, it was either mere arrogance or ignorance.
"The numbers?"
"About a thousand, I'd say?"
"...You did something, didn't you?"
It wasn't an overwhelming force. If they knew that five hundred Regular Army soldiers had been annihilated before, they shouldn't think they could win with this many. Still, there must be a reason they were attacking.
"It seems Master couldn't stop them after all."
"Was that the case?"
"When dealing with nobles. It seems Master's threats didn't work."
No matter how high a knight's position was within the Order, in terms of the overall hierarchy of the Kingdom, a knight's status was below that of a noble. No matter how much Geel threatened them, even if they feared Geel at the time, ultimately the nobles would act as they pleased. That was the result.
"How stupid. Master gave them a warning for their own sake."
"Those who can understand that wouldn't attack. Therefore, there is no need for mercy toward those who do."
"...And here I was, trying to stop the fighting."
The battle with the Noble House Army was about to begin. Knowing Ray's efforts, Kai felt it was a shame.
"It's not over yet. This is a battle for that very purpose."
"I see. Then, I'll have to do my best."
"Yeah. Now then, the formation hasn't changed. It doesn't seem like any adjustments are necessary. The target is also very easy to identify. Reconnaissance is sufficient."
A man in flashy attire who stood out even from a distance. He was Ray and the others' target.
"Then, I'll go tell everyone."
"Ah, wait."
Kai was about to go and announce the start of the operation to the allies waiting in the rear. Ray called out to stop him.
"What?"
"The goal of this operation isn't to annihilate the enemy. Tell them to fight moderately, so as not to cause any serious injuries."
"...That's probably going to lower morale."
Even if it was against the Noble House Army, many of the Vampio allies were fired up, seeing this as an opportunity to avenge themselves against the Laurel Kingdom. If they heard the word "moderately," they would likely be angry rather than lose morale.
"Just say something like, 'Is there any need to get serious against a weak noble army?' Oh, and add, 'Even a scratch would be a disgrace.' We can't have them letting their guard down."
"...You think of things cleverly. Got it."
Words that utilized the pride of the Vampio warriors. Accepting it as such, Kai retreated to the rear with a smile.
"Now then... I wonder what they're actually like? Well, there's probably no one stronger than Master."
While remaining cautious so as not to be seen, Ray approached the army. Preparing for the moment the operation began.
◇◇◇
The fort of the Laurel Kingdom army's Nordende Garrison Force. Knights and soldiers of the Noble House Army fled into it. There was no sign of confusion. The place they had been fighting was in the mountains to the east. Having regrouped an army that had once been scattered, and after confirming the enemy was not pursuing, they had moved here over several days. Their feelings had long since settled. The only problem was...
"...Taken as a hostage? Who was it?"
Geel looked exasperated upon hearing the report from the Noble House knight.
"It is Lord Russell, the heir."
"The heir... in other words, the next Count was captured by the Demon Race?"
"That is correct."
"Why would such a person come out to war?"
In battle, there is the possibility of death. Geel could not understand the thinking of a house that would put its successor on the battlefield.
"That is... because he is a man of great valor."
"Great valor, huh..."
The goal of the Noble House Army was to capture beautiful demons and make them slaves. Of course, this wasn't the original goal, but a goal the noble house had come up with on its own. Geel judged that the heir had come to the battlefield not because of valor, but due to personal greed.
"I wish for you to move to rescue him immediately."
"...Is that on the premise that it's fine even if the rescue fails and he's killed?"
"Impossible! Such a thing could never be permitted!"
The one taken hostage was the successor of his own house. He could not be killed. Even if the individual knight felt it was unavoidable, the family would never permit it.
"Then it's impossible. Give up."
"How could..."
"In the first place, is that heir even alive?"
Geel didn't understand the reason for going through the trouble of taking a hostage. If they killed the commander-in-chief, they would win the battle. There should be no need to keep him alive.
"He is alive. That was the promise."
"Promise? What kind of promise? Explain in more detail."
"That if they want him returned safely, they must pay a ransom."
"Huh?"
"Therefore, it is a promise that if the ransom is paid, he will be returned safely."
"...Whose demand is that?"
"The demons'! Did I not tell you he was captured by demons!?"
The knight showed irritation at Geel, who returned a question that seemed obvious. He misunderstood the meaning of the question, but it couldn't be helped. Geel was lacking in his words.
"After money... that can't be right. Did they say anything else?"
There was no way a demon would seek money. The currency of the Laurel Kingdom had no value to them. He knew the idea of taking a hostage was Ray's, but even for Ray, he couldn't think of a reason to demand money.
"They said that if they attack again, the hostage will be killed. And that it would be the same even if it were the army of other houses."
"I see. That's the real goal. However..."
A plan to stop the Noble House's invasion of Nordende. Geel thought of this, but he wondered if that would actually stop them. For other houses, while some might be considerate, it was an irrelevant matter.
"Can't you do something?"
"Even if the national army moves, the hostage will be killed. There's no way anything can be done."
Rescue was difficult. Even without that, Geel believed there was no need to move the army.
"How irresponsible. In the first place, I hadn't heard that such a powerful army existed. Wasn't this a place where women and children were fleeing?"
"...Heh. Then, let me ask. Who did you hear that from?"
"Eh? Ah..."
Irritated by Geel's attitude, the knight had accidentally said too much. He realized it immediately.
"The matter of the garrison in the mountains is a military secret. Why do you know that secret information?"
"That... I do not know."
"Playing dumb, are we? Well, I can more or less imagine it, so it's fine."
Saying this, Geel turned his gaze toward the fort's commander, who should have been the one dealing with the knight. He thought that either he or some other superior had leaked the information.
"...What will happen to Lord Russell?"
"Even if you ask me... I think the only way to save him is for your side to do what needs to be done."
"And what is that?"
"Preparing the ransom, and negotiating with other houses to stop their invasion. Those two things."
The ransom didn't matter. What was important was stopping the invasion of other houses. If it was a Count's house, they should have a certain amount of influence. There should be houses that would reconsider their invasion.
"...Is that all there is?"
"If you want him to return safely."
"I understand. I will do so."
The one to decide what to actually do was the Count. If so, the sooner the better. After only requesting that other houses not carry out invasions, the knight decided to return to his own family's territory.
"...He lured them in."
Once the knight had left the room, Geel let out a mutter. Hearing the knight's story, he thought Ray had intentionally lured them into attacking the garrison. Moreover, he had targeted an army that had someone of considerable value as a hostage. However, he didn't think Ray could do that directly. If he could, then...
"You're keeping a woman, aren't you? Could you let me meet that woman for a bit?"
Geel told the fort's commander to let him meet the demon, not his woman.
"...Impossible. This is a battlefield. I have not brought any women."
"Not 'brought'... no, forget it."
There was no way the other party would admit to keeping a demon woman. Especially if he wasn't keeping her, but was being manipulated by her.
"Are you going to investigate who leaked the secret?"
"Such a thing is impossible, but I will investigate just in case. Is there anything else?"
"No, nothing in particular."
"Then, I shall take my leave. I am quite busy."
The commander stood up and left the room. Geel thought he might be able to meet the demon woman if he followed him, but he decided against it. He didn't think it would go unnoticed if he trailed him. If so, he probably wouldn't be able to meet her.
"...Now then, I wonder if that bastard is satisfied... probably not. In that case, the next move is..."
He didn't think Ray's plan ended here. Geel believed he would keep taking steps until the threat of the noble houses—though not exactly a great threat—was completely gone.
"...There's no way I'd understand it just by thinking. Anyway, I've gained a little time. I'll just do what I can in the meantime."
His role in stopping the Noble House Army hadn't succeeded, but it was gone. If so, there was no need to stay in this place. He should do what he intended to do. That's what Geel thought. On that same day, Geel left the fort. His destination was the Royal Capital. The place where the King resided.
◇◇◇
Ray's next move, which Geel had given up on trying to figure out, was already in motion. In a place different from Nordende. A mobility unimaginable to the Human Race. Ray was once again utilizing the weapons of the Undead Legion that had once thrown the Laurel Kingdom army into chaos.
"...Why me?"
Kai asked Ray with a dissatisfied tone.
"Your voice is too loud. We're currently in stealth mode."
Ray told Kai to lower his voice. The two of them were on a roof. The roof of a noble house's mansion.
"...Why me?"
Lowering his voice, Kai asked the exact same question.
"Because you should be better at wooing women than I am."
"I've never done anything like that."
"It's fine. Kai-kun has a powerful weapon called 'Charm.' You just need to use that. That's why I chose the night of the full moon."
The special ability of the Vampio race, 'Charm.' Ray told Kai to make use of that power. While keeping it hidden that he could also use Charm.
"...Ray is more experienced."
"Pardon?"
"Cecil-san is head over heels for Ray."
"Kai-kun. Where did you learn such expressions?"
When it came to Cecil, he could neither deny nor affirm it. There was no doubt she liked him. However, affirming it felt like he was bragging, which he disliked.
"Even Rui liked Ray. Ray is better at wooing women."
"No, no, this is different. The goal this time is to make the opponent docile. There's no need to seriously woo them."
"...They'll become docile if you knock them unconscious."
"Eh... Kai-kun, can you knock a woman unconscious? I have a bit of a resistance to that."
He had a resistance to using violence against women. Of course, enemies were different, but the target this time had too little of a relationship to be called an enemy. She was simply a woman born into a noble house.
"You should have borrowed some sleeping medicine from the Lilith race. Even Master fell asleep from that medicine. It definitely would have worked."
Kai knew the situation where Geel had been chained. Geel himself had explained in detail what he intended as an excuse.
"...I forgot."
"Then, take responsibility for that, and you do it, Ray."
"...No, this should be done by a great senior of the Vampio race—"
"I refuse!"
"Shhh! Your voice is too loud!" "Uncle. Your voice is too loud."
Ray and Kai both complained to Radura, who had rejected the idea loudly.
"...There's no way I could do it, right?"
In a whisper, Radura rejected it again.
"Why? You're not going to say you can't use 'Charm,' are you?"
"I can. I can, but there are strengths and weaknesses to 'Charm.' I am different from my elder brother."
"...But just wooing a woman..."
Even if there were strengths and weaknesses, 'Charm' was 'Charm.' Ray thought it was better than having no ability at all.
"There is no woman who would be wooed by a man like me. I'll say it again, I am different from my elder brother."
"...If you ask if our faces are similar, I'd say they're different. Still, I don't think there's any woman who wouldn't be happy to be wooed by you?"
Compared to King Dracul, Radura had a sturdier build, but he was still a handsome man. Regardless of gender, all Vampio were beautiful.
"I'm surprised you can flatter people."
"No, no... well, there's no point in discussing the beauty standards of the Vampio race here. I'll go in forcefully, but without causing injury."
Lurking on the roof forever would only increase the risk of being discovered. Ray decided to take action. The target was the room directly below. Following the rope Radura held, Ray descended. Stopping in front of the target room's window, he muttered an incantation. Soon, a sphere blacker than the night's darkness appeared in Ray's hand.
"...Heh."
Kai, watching from above, let out a sound. It wasn't a magic he knew. Without reacting to that voice, Ray thrust his hand into the hole opened by the magic, released the lock inside, opened the window, and slipped into the room.
"...It seems he can infiltrate anywhere."
Kai was impressed by the efficiency.
"What's wrong?"
"The infiltration into the room was a success. Now it's just a matter of whether he can woo her successfully."
Kai replied to Radura's question. He had no intention of giving a detailed explanation. Ray was hiding something. If he was hiding it, then even if one learned things related to it, they should not tell others. That was how Kai thought.
"...Still, to think I would end up acting like a kidnapper."
"It's not acting like one, you actually are a kidnapper."
"...Why does Kai... no, there's no need to ask. We lived together, and there's the matter of his mother and sister."
The reason Kai admired Ray was obvious without asking. Radura thought there was no point in asking for Kai's evaluation.
"...Honestly, I thought Ray would die soon."
"What?"
"Back when we lived in the 'Forest of Bewilderment.' There was nothing to eat, and for Ray, he was eating poison. He grew thinner day by day, until he couldn't even move."
"...I see. I know a little about that forest. It is not a place where the Human Race can live."
"At that time, I was attacked by a Magic Beast. Just when I thought I was going to be killed, Ray, who shouldn't have been able to move, saved me."
"...A lifesaver for Kai, then."
Kai owed his life to Ray. It was natural for him to admire Ray. That's what Radura thought. While that wasn't wrong...
"Thanks to that incident, Ray obtained food."
"Hm?"
"I didn't understand it well at the time, but something changed in Ray. He might have obtained the will to live."
"...What do you mean by that?"
He didn't understand Kai's intention. It seemed it didn't end with the story of being saved, but Radura had no idea what followed.
"Ray, who should have died soon, is still alive and has become stronger than I could have imagined back then. At first, he really had no power... I want you to keep this a secret from others for now, can you promise me?"
"...Yeah, if Kai says not to talk about it, I will never breathe a word of it."
Having come this far, he couldn't help but want to hear more. Besides, a promise not to speak was a simple one, causing no pain.
"Ray is an otherworlder."
"What...?"
"My father told everyone to keep quiet because it would be problematic if he were thought to be the same kind as a Hero. I'm keeping the promise, but I don't think it's necessary."
"But... a Hero is..."
The natural enemy of the Demon Race. If Ray was a being that could become that natural enemy, Radura thought he should be killed now rather than maintain a cooperative relationship.
"Uncle Radura. This is how I think. If humans have a Hero, then it is only right that demons have one too. A Hero who can save demons from their crisis."
"And that... is him...?"
"For now, only for me... no, there are others. The children at the garrison think so. I think some of their mothers feel the same way."
Ray, who had saved them from their crisis, was a hero to the children. Just as Kai had once felt.
"...I see. But Kai, among demons, such a being is called something else."
"Really? What is it called?"
"...A 'Savior.' I do not know why such a word has been passed down. But that is what they are called."
"A 'Savior', huh... I think I prefer Hero. The word 'Savior' feels like it's for someone distant."
"...I have a resistance to the word Hero. I hope there's some good way to call him."
Radura felt his heart lighten slightly at Kai's words. He decided to stop the heavy talk about savior legends.
"...I'd be fine if you just called me by my name, though?"
"Eh?" "Ah?"
"I was pulling the rope, but you didn't notice. So I managed to climb up on my own. It helped that she was light."
The "she" in question was speechless, as there were two more people on the roof, and they didn't seem to be human.
"It's okay. I will never make you feel unpleasant. As I said before, we're just going on a little adventure. In that short time, I can obtain a lifetime's worth of treasures. The treasure of memories with you."
"...Yes, Ray. I believe in you."
The woman showed a dreamy expression upon hearing Ray's words. Seeing this, Kai and Radura looked at each other. If this wasn't 'Charm,' what was? Moreover, it was quite powerful.
"...What an unbelievable Savior."
"Huh? Radura-san. That's enough of that. Now, let's go. We don't have time. The time for adventure is limited."
Carrying the woman in a princess carry, Ray began to move. Once they were away from the mansion, the operation would be a success. There were almost no humans who could catch up to Ray and the others. And as they intended, the operation succeeded.
――The next morning. Finding a letter placed on the bed, this noble house fell into utter chaos. The young lady had been kidnapped. It was only natural. A search was conducted immediately, but the kidnapper's tracks could not be found. As a result, a messenger was dispatched toward Nordende that very day. To deliver the order for their own army to return to their own territory.