116 - The Gears Will Not Stop
A secret truce had been established with King Laurel. There was nothing left to do in the royal capital. To head for Nordende, Ray went to the Forest of Bewilderment, where the people he had rescued were staying.
On the way, the Head of Intelligence caught up to him and scolded him severely for leaving the castle without permission, but other than that, he reached the Forest of Bewilderment without issue. Ray was not alone, Akemi was with him. The people from the slums, disguised as travelers, had brought Akemi to the Forest of Bewilderment. Anticipating that the Head of Intelligence or his subordinates would chase after him, Ray had arranged for them to take separate routes.
"...From here on, you can do as you please."
However, Ray had no intention of taking Akemi to Nordende. Until he arrived here, he had considered the option of killing her, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. His revenge against Akemi had ended within him. If that were the case, there was no need to deliberately bring trouble to Nordende. More than that, he didn't want to take Akemi to the house where he had lived with Kamiira and the others.
"Is that an order?"
Akemi replied to Ray's words with a question. Her tone was her usual self.
"If it were an order, you wouldn't be able to ask such a question."
"Telling me to do as I please isn't an order."
"True..."
Leaving it to Akemi's free will was indeed not an order. Then, how should he put it? Ray began to think about it.
"...I have nowhere to go."
"You can just go back to the royal capital."
"I'll just be put through the same thing again."
"I don't think that'll happen, but..."
To Crown Prince Neil, Akemi was an insignificant existence. Ray believed that even if she returned, the same thing wouldn't happen.
"Could you stop saying such irresponsible things?"
"Now I'm starting to feel like giving you a really cruel order."
Akemi's attitude irritated Ray. He tried putting that feeling into words.
"N-no, that's not it. I'm just anxious... I'm sorry. If I've made you angry, I apologize."
Akemi hurriedly corrected her attitude. Her reaction made Ray feel disillusioned. Even so, it meant he had succeeded in erasing his irritation.
"If you're that worried, you can just go to Takeuchi."
"While wearing a collar like this?"
If she did, there was no telling what Fumiya would do to her. Akemi had long since realized Fumiya's true nature. It was because Fumiya had stopped trying to hide it.
"...Then, I'll take it off for you."
"Eh?"
"I can remove it. That should be fine, right?"
Ray knew how to release the collar of subordination. He had removed the collar he had been forced into himself.
"I'm happy about that, but... am I really that unattractive?"
"Hah?"
"I suppose so. After seeing that side of you... I..."
Akemi showed a pained expression. But even seeing that, Ray felt no urge to sympathize.
"You really haven't changed at all, even after going through that."
"Eh?"
"You can't stand the idea of a man not looking your way. You're exactly the same as the you I knew in the previous world."
"That's... because I am who I am."
"Well, whatever. With that thick skin, you'll be fine. You can survive no matter what. Live however you want."
He felt no sympathy for Akemi. Nor did the feeling of revenge return. Ray was the same as Crown Prince Neil. He felt no value in Akemi.
"...Don't say things like that."
"Is it money, perhaps? You'll need some until you find a job. Fine. I'll do that too. I'd say I'm lending it, but I don't think you'll ever pay it back."
"No... that's not it! I certainly don't have any money, but it's not just that. In this world where I have no one to rely on, I can't survive alone."
"That's why I told you to go to Takeuchi. I said I'd take the collar off, didn't I?"
Without the collar, there would be no problem going to Fumiya. That was how Ray thought.
"...Fumiya is also a member of the Laurel Kingdom."
"And?"
"If Crown Prince Neil orders him, he won't be able to resist."
"About that... he'd resist, wouldn't he? If it's him."
Even if he said Crown Prince Neil wouldn't give such an order, he'd only get the same reaction as before. Thinking this, Ray changed the subject halfway through.
"If his woman were being stolen from him, at least."
"...If that happened? He should have wanted that from the start."
Ray thought that might be true. If so, she could just end up in that position. He didn't care. As long as she went somewhere out of his sight.
"You don't know the current Fumiya. He's truly cruel. The princesses of the countries he's occupied are suffering terribly."
"I know about that. The atrocities he committed while in the royal capital. I saw them with my own eyes."
Ray's emotions turned cold. He had ended his revenge. But that didn't mean he forgave Akemi, who had defended Fumiya, the man who had destroyed their lives.
"...I'm sorry."
"I have no obligation to listen to you. I wouldn't mind at all if you just dropped dead somewhere."
"Please. Don't say such things."
"So, why should I grant your wish?"
"...Please forgive me. I will never be selfish again. I will obey any order you give."
Seeing that Ray's anger would not subside, Akemi knelt on the ground and begged for forgiveness. Seeing her attitude shift so rapidly, she didn't realize that Ray would never forgive her.
"There's no point in swearing that. You already cannot disobey my orders."
"...What should I do? What must I do to be saved?"
"I'm asking why—!?"
"Why not? Just save her."
Just as Ray's anger was finally about to explode, a voice interrupted. It was Kai, who should have been at the house in the Forest of Bewilderment.
"Kai-kun. This woman is the Hero."
"I know. I have no intention of forgiving her either. But forgiving someone and saving them are two different things, right?"
"...Is that so?"
If you hate someone, you wouldn't save them. Ray thought they were the same.
"Whether saving them brings them happiness is a different matter. That's what I mean."
"That's true, but..."
"I wonder if she can endure it? Going to Nordende and having so many people look at her with hatred. She killed many of her comrades. I think she's deeply hated."
"True."
Many of the Demon Race hated Akemi. Not just because she killed many comrades in the war. Akemi had enjoyed the killing. Many of the Demon Race had been killed in brutal ways.
"Let's take her to Nordende. She won't know when or who will come to kill her. She can live in that kind of terror."
"...I see. If you say so, Kai-kun, then let's do that."
He wasn't the only one who held a grudge against Akemi. He realized it was a mistake to release her just because his own revenge was over.
"...T-Tsukitani-kun. P-please, don't kill me."
"I won't kill you."
"That's not what I mean!"
Even if Ray didn't kill her, the Demon Race would. That was what Akemi wanted to say—that she wanted to be saved from that.
"Your fate has already been decided. Quietly follow us to Nordende."
"...I understand."
But she was not permitted to request anything further. She could not disobey Ray's orders. Akemi was to be taken to Nordende. Because she had relied on Ray and acted selfishly. If only she had obediently accepted Ray's words before Kai arrived. She couldn't even feel such regret.
◇◇◇
The royal capital after Ray's departure. As if swapping places with Ray, Geel had returned to the royal capital. To carry out the work requested by Sieg.
"Demoting Sieg to front-line commander and appointing the Commander of the Royal Knights as the general commander instead. You're saying that's the best arrangement?"
"Yes. That is what Sieg stated. I am of the same opinion."
The first thing Geel did was not something as grand as a direct appeal to the King, but rather, there was no one else he could talk to.
"...If it's Sieg, he can keep the Hero in check. If Sieg's command ability is added, the front-line army will become even stronger. It's a good plan."
The King immediately understood Sieg's intention.
"Yes. However, I am worried about whether everyone will accept the Commander of the Royal Knights' appointment as general commander."
"Why? There's no reason to oppose the current plan, is there?"
The Commander of the Royal Knights himself and the Captain of the Royal Guard were in favor of the appointment. Those who opposed it were simply opposed to removing Sieg and the Hero.
"No one will be left in the home country."
"...I see. The fighting is still continuing within the country as well."
In reality, a truce with the Demon Race had been established. But this was something he hadn't even told the Prime Minister, whom he trusted. It was a promise with the Demon King, not Ray personally. The King remained undecided on how to explain it. That Prime Minister was present. The King regretted having the Prime Minister witness this, just as he had last time.
"Both the Commander of the Royal Knights and the Myriad General will be absent. Some may view that as a problem."
"...Prime Minister. What do you think?"
He could just ask the Prime Minister if that were actually the case. Since the Prime Minister didn't yet know that the demon threat had almost entirely vanished.
"In the event of an emergency, there would be no general to command the home country's army. That is indeed a problem. However, what do you think? No problems have arisen in the army invading Nordende."
"I see. The demons are already suppressed. If that's the case, then it's not a problem."
"However, what happened to the matter we discussed previously? There seems to have been no progress since then."
The kidnapping incident that Ray was allegedly leading. The Prime Minister had not forgotten about it. On the contrary, he was suspicious that there had been no further talk since then.
"...That... was accepted."
"Pardon?"
"On the condition that the kidnapped people be released, I decided to halt the invasion of Nordende."
The Prime Minister had been his confidant for a long time. The King knew him well. Realizing the Prime Minister had already sensed something, he confessed honestly.
"This is the first time I've heard of such a thing."
"That's because I've just told you for the first time."
"Your Majesty... this is no time for jokes."
"It's no joke. It is a fact that the negotiations were successful."
The King was well-accustomed to this kind of playfulness when dealing with the Prime Minister.
"I am aware of that. I am asking you not to gloss over the fact that you kept this from me."
Of course, that wasn't going to work on the Prime Minister.
"It was necessary to proceed in secret. The negotiating partner was that man, and that man is now... the Demon King."
"Hah?"
"It seems he has become the Demon King."
"...Are you serious?"
Ray, who was not a demon, had become the Demon King. It was a story that was hard to believe. The Prime Minister suspected the King was telling such a lie to cover something up.
"Of course I am. In the first place, negotiations are only possible because he is the Demon King. What that man promised is what the demons promised. Only then could the negotiations be successful."
"That may be so... but who else knows this fact?"
Even if it was a fact hard to believe, there was no point in confirming it endlessly. Since the matter was grave, he had to think of the necessary response. With that thought, the Prime Minister changed the subject. This was one of the reasons the King trusted the Prime Minister.
"Geel and the Head of Intelligence. Also, the Imperial Guard Knights were at the site of the negotiations. Though they probably don't know the details of the conversation."
"...Very well. However, I oppose increasing the number of people who know. If that happens, then I suppose it cannot be said that the demons are no longer a problem."
"True. As the Prime Minister said, there are no problems currently. The question is whether everyone will be satisfied with that."
"...If there are people with such naive thoughts, I believe that too is a problem."
Anyone who viewed the war with the demons optimistically had no qualification to be involved in the administration of the Laurel Kingdom. In reality, they had been optimistic, and the result was the current situation, but even the Prime Minister didn't know that. The expedition was going smoothly, despite the issue with the Hero. In Nordende, on the surface, no problems had occurred.
"They'll oppose it, will they? If I'm to push it through forcibly... it depends on how many people oppose it."
If it were a minority opinion, it would be fine. That wouldn't be called a forced decision. The problem was how to make the King's decision accepted when the majority opposed it. Almost no one would defy him. However, if he decided everything as he pleased, trust in the royal family would weaken. Balancing that was difficult.
"With all due respect, I believe this is something that should be pushed through, even if it requires force."
While remaining humble, Geel voiced his opinion to the King. He believed this personnel change absolutely had to be realized.
"Perhaps I should just make you a Myriad General."
"...Even fewer people would be satisfied with that."
"No, if I'm going to push things through forcibly anyway, let's do it. Even if making you a Myriad General without military merit is impossible, how about as the commander of the Nordende Garrison Force?"
"N-no, that's..."
Geel tried to deny the King's idea. However, the King's question was not directed at Geel. It was directed at the Prime Minister.
"...If Lord Geel's loyalty is certain."
It would be troublesome if he plotted something ill with Ray. Those words sounded like that.
"I can't stand having my loyalty to Your Majesty doubted. I will never betray Your Majesty or the Kingdom."
"Then there is no problem. It's decided."
"...Hah?"
It was a trap to ensnare Geel. Even without a trap, if it were the King's order, Geel wouldn't be able to refuse in the end.
"Right, then it's decided. You'll be the overseer for that fellow. I'm counting on you."
"In the end, I'm just an overseer..."
Just when he thought he'd been asked by Sieg to be Fumiya's overseer, now he was Ray's. However, it was much easier than dealing with Fumiya. He also had the motivation to prevent a war with the demons. Furthermore, he felt that the King trusted him because he was close to Ray. The desire to refuse had completely vanished from Geel's heart. If the stability of Nordende—though not eternal—could be secured this way, it would be a good thing for the Laurel Kingdom. But the gears that had started moving will not stop. Even if it is a movement pushing toward the path of ruin. Even if no one desired it.
◇◇◇
A small forest located very close to the royal castle. It was a place used by the royal family for summer retreats, flower viewing, and banquets to enjoy the autumn leaves. It was a place rarely used, but entry for any other purpose was forbidden. It was close to the castle. It was strictly restricted to ensure that those who might harm the kingdom could not utilize it. In that forest, a conflict was now occurring. It wasn't that those who would harm the kingdom had intruded. The one being attacked was the Captain of the Royal Guard. And the ones attacking were Crown Prince Neil's pages.
"You fools! Do you think I could serve as the Captain of the Royal Guard if I were to lose to the likes of you!"
Though outnumbered, the Captain of the Royal Guard was far superior in individual strength. Even with the pages attacking in a group, taking him down was not easy.
"Come on! Why don't you come at me!?"
The Captain of the Royal Guard provoked the pages. In reality, he wasn't acting out of leisure. By shouting loudly, he was trying to make someone notice that a conflict was occurring. In other words, it was a substitute for "Help me."
"Surround him! Do not let him escape!"
The pages weren't acting out of leisure either. They themselves shouted loudly. In the event that someone found out, as long as they had killed the Captain of the Royal Guard, they could make any number of excuses. That was another reason.
"...What happened to the Crown Prince!? Why does he not show himself!?"
"The Prince knows nothing of this! This is something we are doing of our own accord!"
"Don't tell such blatant lies! Could you possibly do such a thing without the Prince's instructions!"
The Captain of the Royal Guard was certain that the pages' attack was the work of Crown Prince Neil. He had come to this forest because he was invited by Crown Prince Neil. Since he had been ambushed by the pages, it was only natural to think so.
"Fire more arrows! Stop his movement!"
The pages also understood the difference in strength between themselves and the Captain of the Royal Guard. Surrounding him was to narrow the range in which the Captain of the Royal Guard could move. On top of that, they were attacking with arrows from further outside.
"You cowards! Will you not fight me fairly!"
In reality, those attacks were effective. It was fortunate for the pages that they had been able to inflict a fairly deep wound on the Captain of the Royal Guard with the initial strike from the ambush.
"He's weakening! Just a little more!"
Not only because of the pain from the wound, but because the amount of blood loss had reached a significant level, the Captain of the Royal Guard's movements had visibly slowed. The moment of victory was near. That thought created an opening for the pages.
"Uoooooh!!"
With a roar, the Captain of the Royal Guard charged forward. He didn't care about the raining arrows. Running with all the strength he could muster, he charged toward one corner of the encirclement.
"Don't let him escape! Surround him!"
The pages hurriedly tried to prevent it, but their reaction was slightly delayed. This was the victory of the Captain of the Royal Guard's strategy, having pretended to be weaker than he actually was to create that delay. Cutting down the page standing before him with a single swing of his sword, the Captain of the Royal Guard swung his sword again toward the pages who had approached.
The pages' further failure was hesitating to fire arrows because their allies were nearby. The Captain of the Royal Guard pivoted and charged toward a page who remained frozen with his bow drawn.
"Damn it! Chase him! Don't let him escape!"
The page the Captain of the Royal Guard headed toward had no power to stop him. His life was ended in a single blow, and he collapsed to the ground. With this, the Captain of the Royal Guard had completely escaped the encirclement. Now, amidst his fading consciousness, he only had to continue running, squeezing out whatever willpower he had left. If he stopped, he would no longer have the strength to resist. The Captain of the Royal Guard understood this not with his head, but by instinct. Further and further. He had no choice but to keep fleeing until his pursuers gave up.