114 - The Gears Begin to Slip
While Fumiya continued to act on his own whims, Sieg, the Commander-in-Chief, had placed himself under house arrest without waiting for orders from the home country. It was not that Sieg was exceptionally earnest. It was simply what anyone serving the Laurel Kingdom would naturally do. In this case, however, it would only serve to worsen the situation, though Sieg did not realize this at the time. Still, Sieg had not abandoned all his duties. He intended to carry out what needed to be done. One such task was...
"He became the Demon King... How could such a ridiculous thing happen?"
"Well, it's Ray we're talking about."
"This isn't a situation that can be settled with 'because it's Ray'."
Sieg looked exasperated at Geel, who tried to make him accept the situation with a single phrase.
"What's done is done. Besides, for now, things aren't heading in a bad direction."
"For now, perhaps."
The Undead Legion, which had caused them so much suffering. Ray, who had led them, was now leading the Demon Race. Even after hearing Geel's words, Sieg could not feel at ease at all.
"Ceasefire negotiations are progressing."
"Is that... with him, as the Demon King?"
"Who else would it be with? When I left the royal capital, the results weren't out yet. But His Majesty himself attended the meeting. I believe there is a high possibility it will be realized."
"Signing a ceasefire treaty with the Demon Race. Is such a thing even possible?"
Sieg could not trust Geel's judgment. Signing a treaty with the Demon Race—even if the King desired it, Sieg believed those around him would not allow it.
"Of course, it's an unofficial one. And it has a set time limit."
"What is the limit?"
"Two years. No matter how hard we try, the foreign expedition won't end in two years. It can be used as a reason to continue halting the invasion of Nordende."
"That may be true for us. But is there any guarantee the Demon Race will stay quiet?"
Sieg could not bring himself to trust the Demon Race. This was a natural reaction. Members of the Human Race who could trust unconditionally were quite rare. Geel, however, had spent a long time with Sera and had experienced the lives of the Demon Race at the Undead Legion's garrison, which was why he could bring himself to trust them.
"We'll just have to leave that to the Demon King. We admitted from the start that we couldn't restrain the Demon Race who left Nordende. That means, in other words, he can maintain control within Nordende."
"That in itself makes me dread what happens after two years."
"Is Nordende land that needs to be seized? We have no reason to fight there, do we?"
"...To think such words would come from your mouth. Do you have a fever?"
"Y-You idiot! Don't make fun of me!"
Geel reacted strongly to Sieg's words. His feelings for Sera were what drove that reaction. Even though no one—not even Sieg, let alone anyone else besides the two of them and Ray—could possibly know about their relationship.
"There's no need to get so angry, is there? It's just that the you I know viewed the Demon Race only as enemies to be defeated. It's simply strange that you now desire a ceasefire with them."
"Yeah... it's because I met and spoke with many of the Demon Race."
"What!?"
It was a reaction uncharacteristic of Sieg. Partly because he let his guard down around Geel, but he was genuinely surprised enough to show such a reaction.
"Through Ray's connections. You know, over there. There was a base in the mountains, right? I stayed there for a while."
"The base seized by his legion. Is he still there?"
"Many women and children who had no power to fight had fled there. I don't need to tell you who they were fleeing from, do I?"
"...No."
It was supposed to have been forbidden. But in reality, the lawlessness of knights and soldiers had been occurring. That fact irritated Sieg. However, unlike Geel, this was not out of concern for the Demon Race. Even if he heard that a woman of the Demon Race had been killed, Sieg would not feel this way. What he could not forgive were the knights who had acted on their own desires instead of following orders.
"He said it just happened, but there's no way that guy could abandon those women. While he continued to take them in, the object of his protection became all of Nordende. I imagine that's how it went."
"...Is there no chance that the resentment over that will only grow and be directed toward the Kingdom?"
The reason Ray hated the Laurel Kingdom. Many women in the same situation were now under Ray. That made Sieg feel uneasy.
"He's not an idiot. He must know that the Demon Race can't win even if they fight. That's why he sought a ceasefire... probably."
"What's with that 'probably' at the end?"
"Well, the Undead Legion he leads is almost certainly more powerful than before. Furthermore, there are naturally members of the Demon Race with the power to fight under him as well."
"...Are you trying to reassure me? Or are you trying to make me anxious?"
Ray had obtained power far greater than before. He knew from the start that becoming the Demon King meant exactly that, but hearing it from Geel, who had likely seen some of that power firsthand, only caused his anxiety to swell.
"That's why I'm telling you. We just have to not attack Nordende."
"That may be so... but he will die someday."
If Ray died, there would be no one to restrain the Demon Race. Even if the Laurel Kingdom didn't attack, the possibility of the Demon Race initiating a fight would increase. That was how Sieg thought.
"If you're going to say that, we'll die too. Judging by age alone, it'll likely be us first."
"Are you saying you don't care what happens after you die?"
"Yeah. I don't care—or rather, there's nothing I can do. I don't overestimate myself enough to think I can do something about it."
"That... is certainly true."
When Geel put it that way, Sieg had no choice but to agree. In reality, there was no way he could control the situation after his own death. What he could do was only while he was alive. Should he not eliminate the Demon Race threat while he was still alive? This thought never left Sieg.
"Either way, it's for His Majesty to decide. We can only hope he makes the right choice. Surely you don't have a complaint even about a two-year ceasefire?"
"No, it would be a help if that were realized. Though I remain anxious about whether it will become a time constraint."
If the two-year period became a constraint—such as having to finish the foreign expedition by then—it would hinder their strategy. Such an impossible feat could not be achieved. That was what Sieg feared.
"If you feel that way, then withdraw that stupid request to resign as Commander-in-Chief."
"I can command combat even if I'm not the Commander-in-Chief. In fact, I'm reflecting on the fact that I should have been on the front lines from the start."
As expected, Fumiya could not act as he pleased on a battlefield where Sieg was present. Even if he tried to act on his own, the other knights would not follow him while Sieg was keeping a watchful eye.
"...I see, that's true."
"If the Demon Race threat truly disappears, the negative impact of the Commander of the Royal Knights leaving the country will almost vanish. Because no fighting will occur."
If they didn't have to assume a fight, the necessity of keeping a person with high command ability in the country decreased. It would be enough if the military administration, such as rear support, were solid. And the Laurel Kingdom had an organization that could function without problem even in the absence of the Commander of the Royal Knights.
"In that case, there's no role for me."
"That's assuming a decision like the one I mentioned is made."
"...That'll be tough. Only His Majesty knows about the ceasefire."
Without the information that there was no Demon Race threat, he couldn't imagine a decision being made to send both the Commander of the Royal Knights and Sieg out of the country.
"Can't something be done?"
"It won't be made public. If His Majesty judges for himself... will those around him be convinced?"
"It would have been better if you had attained a suitable position."
If Geel had the position of a Myriad General, like Sieg. Now that not only Alfred but also Bacchus had passed away, the only people in positions where they could be entrusted with the overall command of the expeditionary force or all the military in the home country were the Commander of the Royal Knights and Sieg.
"Saying that now doesn't change anything. Besides, it's not like I refused."
This was a fact. He hadn't refused; rather, due to his usual bad behavior, his appointment as a Myriad General had never even been considered. Though, even if a request had come, he undoubtedly would have refused it.
"By the way, he's the one who created this current situation."
The one who killed Alfred and Bacchus was Ray. The current shortage of talent in the Laurel Kingdom Army was Ray's fault.
"You're surprisingly persistent. Though it's a bit late for that now."
"I'm telling you to take responsibility for yourself and your disciple. Do whatever it takes to ensure the personnel changes happen as I suggested."
"Does that... mean you're telling me to go back to the country?"
"Aside from His Majesty, you're the only one who knows about the ceasefire. Moreover, you're someone who can speak his mind to the Commander of the Royal Knights. There is no other suitable person."
If they tried to persuade those around them without mentioning the ceasefire with the Demon Race, they would need to push things through forcefully. It would be impossible for someone who feared punishment or cared about their promotion. That was how Sieg thought.
"Sigh... I should have borrowed an Undead Magic Beast from that bastard Ray. With one of those, I could keep running forever."
"Undead Magic Beast? What's that?"
"You know the horses the Undead Legion rode? I mean those. Now there aren't just horses, but magic beasts and birds too. They're collectively called Undead Magic Beasts."
"...Could you please not hide things like that and tell me properly?"
He had heard the Undead Legion was getting stronger, but he hadn't thought their composition had changed. For Sieg, this was information he needed to know.
"Yeah. True, we don't know what unforeseen circumstances might arise. But I can't give you very detailed information. It's not like I've seen them fighting."
"I see..."
"But just in case you end up fighting that bastard Ray, watch out for the birds. He uses birds for reconnaissance. Since they're birds that fly in the sky, I think they'll be a pain."
"Does that mean our movements will be completely exposed? A surprise attack would be impossible. A frontal assault is where I excel, but..."
Sieg was better at frontal assaults. However, could he withstand a surprise attack by the Undead Legion, led by Ray, who would surely take the initiative? He didn't have the confidence to say for sure that it would be okay.
"I'll say it again and again, but it's better not to fight. I believe we could win in the end. But if we do that, the Laurel Kingdom's dream of continental conquest will end as just a dream."
"Yeah, I know."
To win, they would have to be prepared for considerable sacrifices. If that happened, continental conquest would become very difficult. Other countries would not overlook such a situation.
"...Going back to the country is fine, but what do you intend to do about the Hero?"
The reason Geel had come here was to serve as the Hero's overseer. If he returned to the country, he would no longer be able to do that.
"If I go to the front lines, that will solve it."
"Until that decision is made?"
"...I've moved the main members of the Royal Knights to the rear. They shouldn't be able to move the army."
Even if the army were moved in the absence of a combat commander, the soldiers would not move as intended. An army without discipline could not fight. Normally.
"I hope that's the case. But I think he's an idiot who doesn't even understand things like that."
"No way."
"You're excellent, but you have one flaw. You're too earnest. If it were me, I wouldn't be under house arrest; I'd go immediately to grab that idiot Hero by the scruff of his neck."
"...True. It seems you're right about this."
He was prepared to accept any punishment. If that were the case, adding more crimes should be no problem. Considering the army as a whole, Sieg thought that failing to do what should be done out of fear of crime was merely self-preservation. Sieg decided to head for the front lines. However, things had already begun to move.
◇◇◇
Without anyone intending it, things were moving in a strange direction. It was the result of each person acting on their own selfish thoughts. In the royal capital of the Laurel Kingdom, there was one such person. Crown Prince Neil was that person.
"...Ah... nh... ah..."
Crown Prince Neil's private room. On the bed in that room, Akemi continued to let out moans without pause.
Lying face down on the bed, Akemi was being attacked from behind. From her ecstatic expression, the harsh impression Akemi usually showed had completely vanished.
"You're not quite satisfied yet, are you?"
Crown Prince Neil spoke to Akemi. The voice responding to him remained the same—only moans. It wasn't that Akemi wasn't satisfied. She was on the verge of losing her sanity, tossed about by waves of pleasure that surged over and over again.
"I'm not satisfied yet either. I wonder if I can be satisfied?"
"...Ah... p-please... e-enough, forgive me..."
Even within her hazy consciousness, Akemi responded. She felt that if this continued any further, she would break. She had that awareness.
"Forgive me... that's a first. You're enjoying it, so why do you say 'forgive me'?"
"I'm... going... crazy. I feel like I'm going to lose it..."
"Hee. So women go crazy if you keep going. This is a new discovery."
"P-please. Neil-sama, enough..."
Crown Prince Neil did not take her desperate plea seriously. In his own way, he intended to observe her earnestly, but Akemi didn't know that. Even if she did, it would be the same. In a corner of Akemi's heart, which was drowning in pleasure, terror was welling up.
"Shall we stop now?"
"Y-yes. I can't take any more."
"I see... I'll do as you wish, then."
"...Th-thank you."
Akemi thanked Crown Prince Neil as he finally stopped moving. This too was a strange situation.
"I've learned a lot from you. I have a gift for you."
"Eh? Really?"
"Really."
"...I'm happy."
Her relationship with Crown Prince Neil was only physical. Akemi, who had initially accepted it as such, had begun to feel anxious about the uncertainty of Crown Prince Neil's feelings. Even if her actions were based on the calculation of wanting to become the Queen, she couldn't help but feel that way. That anxiety was now starting to dissipate. Akemi thought the present was proof that Crown Prince Neil's feelings were leaning toward her.
"Now, sit up just like that. Keep your back turned."
Crown Prince Neil told her to sit up while keeping her back to him. Akemi obeyed obediently. She somehow knew what the present was. Crown Prince Neil's hand reached out from Akemi's shoulder. The sensation against her neck confirmed it. It was a pity it wasn't a ring, but she decided to be patient with this for now.
"There. That's good."
"Um... it's not a necklace, is it?"
Akemi's prediction, which she thought she was sure of, was wrong. What was placed around her neck was not a necklace. It was something much wider.
"That's right. A collar."
"A collar... um, may I look in the mirror?"
Akemi was curious about what kind of decoration the gifted collar had. No matter if it was a gift from Crown Prince Neil, she didn't want to wear something strange. Even if she wouldn't actually take it off on the spot.
"There are still more gifts."
"Eh? There are more?"
"Yes. This is the real gift. I'm sure you'll be pleased."
"What could it be?"
Knowing the next one was the main event, Akemi's heart raced with anticipation.
"It's fine. Come in."
"Eh... ah, w-wait."
Right now, Akemi was wearing nothing but the collar given to her by Crown Prince Neil. Panicking that it would be problematic to have people called in this state, Akemi tried to put on her clothes, but...
"Stay still. There's no need to wear clothes."
"Wh... eh... ah..."
At Crown Prince Neil's words, Akemi became unable to move. In the meantime, the people who entered the room were Crown Prince Neil's pages. There were several faces Akemi recognized.
"Now, from today on, they will be your partners."
"W-what do you mean?"
"They don't know a woman's body. Teach them, just as you taught me."
"I can't possibly do such a thing!"
She could not obey, even if it was Crown Prince Neil's order. If she obediently followed such an order, there was no way she could become the Queen.
"It's not a matter of whether you can; you will. Because you can no longer defy my orders."
"No matter if it's Neil-sama's order, there are things I can and cannot... n-no way..."
Akemi finally understood what the gift was.
"That 'no way'. It's not a bad thing for you, is it? After all, you love being held by men. You said you love taking them in your mouth. You can just take as many as you like."
"...P-please. Forgive me. I can't do that. Please! Take off the collar!"
"Sorry. I can't do that. My father told me to end my relationship with you. You're already useless in this country."
"Even so... this is..."
If she were useless, he should have just let her be free. Being forced into a situation where she was fitted with a Collar of Subordination and violated by multiple men was not what one would call being 'useless'.
"Now, take this woman to the next room. They can receive as many lessons as they like there, from morning until night. This woman should be able to teach them various things."
"N-no, stop it!"
"Shut up! Never raise your voice again! This is an order!"
"............"
Following Crown Prince Neil's order, Akemi fell silent. Her body still resisted, but in a state where she could not use magic, she could not fight against the pages, who were men. Naked, she was carried away and disappeared into the next room.
"That's one. I wonder what else I should correct? After all, is it that? Well, he's useless too, so it's fine."
Crown Prince Neil's atrocities continued. He himself remained completely unaware that his actions were abnormal. Without thinking for a moment that these actions would bring about a chaos beyond his imagination.