118 - A Time for Endurance
To the south of the Aria Kingdom. On the plains across the border with the Lydia Kingdom, a fierce battle is taking place. It is a clash between the Aria Kingdom army led by Fumiya and the Lydia Kingdom army. Against a thousand soldiers of the invading Aria Kingdom army, the Lydia Kingdom army numbers three thousand. The Aria Kingdom army is fighting an enemy three times their size.
However, the Aria Kingdom army is overwhelmingly dominant. The reason, naturally, is the power of Fumiya, the Hero.
"Follow me! Strike down the enemy!"
Standing at the front line, Fumiya cuts down the enemy with such terrifying momentum that the phrase "one after another" feels insufficient. There is no knight in the Lydia Kingdom with the power to resist him.
"Let's go! Break through them all at once!"
"\"\"\"Ooh!!\"\"\""
As if dragged along by Fumiya's momentum, the soldiers of the Aria Kingdom launch a charge into the Lydia Kingdom army. In truth, they are being dragged along.
"Block them! Tighten the formation! Hold the line!"
The Lydia Kingdom army is desperately trying to defend against the onslaught. However, the momentum of the Aria Kingdom army is tremendous, and the allies are unable to maintain their formation.
"Why?! I never heard that the Aria Kingdom army was this strong!"
It had finally come to the point where such whimpering was heard. But it couldn't be helped. The Lydia Kingdom had grasped the military strength of their neighbor, the Aria Kingdom. Just as the Aria Kingdom had investigated that of the Lydia Kingdom. However, the current Aria Kingdom army is completely different from the one the Lydia Kingdom army knows. They had marched out to the field thinking they could easily brush aside an Aria Kingdom army that numbered only a third of their own, but this was the reality of the fight.
"...Is this the power of the Hero?"
This was not referring to Fumiya's individual martial prowess. The morale of the Aria Kingdom soldiers is abnormal. They charge forward without fear of death, to the point where one might think they are berserkers from a fairy tale. Meanwhile, the morale of the allies continues to plummet. Their hearts are breaking under Fumiya's overwhelming power and the fearless onslaught of the Aria Kingdom soldiers led by him.
"...Fall back! Retreat! Fall back to the fortress!"
Finally, the Lydia Kingdom army decided to withdraw. Fighting any further in a field battle would only increase the casualties. It was not a wrong decision. It was simply a little too late.
"Enemy! A new enemy force!"
"...What?"
A shout from an ally. It was a fact. A separate detachment of the Aria Kingdom army had appeared behind the Lydia Kingdom army after taking a wide detour. Their number was two thousand. Even so, the thought that they were now equal in number did not cross the minds of the Lydia Kingdom commanders for a single moment. The only thing on their minds were the two words, defeat.
◇◇◇
The Aria Kingdom accepted surrender and became a vassal state of the Laurel Kingdom. That did not mean all its territory was under the control of the Laurel Kingdom. The first wave, or rather, Fumiya, had only suppressed the royal capital before advancing the army toward the Lydia Kingdom. Other forces, including the main army, became unable to move due to the surrender, and the range of suppression had not been expanded. Once surrender was decided, the suppression of territory was the duty of civil officials, not the military. Furthermore, since the condition was to recognize the autonomy of the Aria Kingdom, forceful methods could not be employed. This situation was favorable for resistance forces. That is, provided they did not launch military actions. If they started a rebellion, it would only give the Laurel Kingdom a pretext for military action. In that sense, the resistance forces were also restricted. Still, it was a blessing to be able to move freely.
"...An overwhelming victory over a Lydia Kingdom force three times their size. Can they really become that strong just by changing commanders?"
The one receiving reports about the battle with the Lydia Kingdom is the Prince of the Aria Kingdom. Prince Louis, the older brother of Princess Lianna. Fumiya is unaware of Prince Louis's existence. The King of the Aria Kingdom had accepted surrender quite readily, but in the point of not mentioning Prince Louis's existence, he could be called cunning. He still harbored the thought of taking an opportunity if one arose.
"It seems the morale of the soldiers was abnormal,"
The one reporting to Prince Louis is General Patterson, or perhaps it should be said, former General. He is attempting to achieve the independence of the Aria Kingdom with Prince Louis as his banner.
"What do you mean by abnormal?"
"They charged the enemy without fearing death, I trust that explains it. Originally, soldiers hate fighting. No one wants to die, after all."
"Yes, I understand that."
Prince Louis had never stood on a battlefield, but he had studied the principles of a commander. When the time came to stand on the battlefield, regardless of whether he actually took command, his position would be that of the commander-in-chief.
"But such feelings were not seen in the soldiers led by the Hero. In fact, while they won, the ratio of casualties seems to be quite high."
"What do you mean by quite high?"
"I cannot speak generally, but it is said that if casualties exceed thirty percent of the total, the soldiers' morale cannot be maintained and the army collapses. It seems they have exceeded that thirty percent."
"To force such sacrifices upon the people of my country..."
Those Fumiya is leading are the soldiers and citizens of the Aria Kingdom. Prince Louis feels indignation at Fumiya's method of forcing sacrifices upon his own people.
"Feelings for the people are important, but for now, please worry about the fact that those people fought and gave their lives for the Hero."
"...I wonder why. Is the Hero such a charming person?"
The soldiers have come to hold a strong loyalty to the Hero who took their country. In a very short period of time. Prince Louis feels frustrated by this.
"He is far from being a charming person. Even if they don't realize that, there is no reason to hold loyalty. There is something about him. The Hero."
"If we don't uncover that something, the future will be difficult."
Even if they tried to start a rebellion, it would be useless without soldiers to follow them. Prince Louis and the others are not so foolish as to think they could win independence with only themselves.
"There will still be opportunities. It is regrettable, but it will be a long time before we can rise up."
"I see... can my sister not be rescued?"
"...It might be possible if we push ourselves. However, would Her Highness the Princess wish for such a thing?"
Princess Lianna had told Patterson to forget about her. Not to think of her as a hostage. Her wish was for him to act thinking only of the independence of the Aria Kingdom.
"But, my sister..."
Prince Louis also knows Princess Lianna's feelings. Even so, he cannot help but feel pity for his sister, who must be spending painful days.
"It is frustrating, but we still lack the power. If we push ourselves here, there will be no independence for the Aria Kingdom."
To honor Princess Lianna's wishes, Patterson resolved to harden his heart. He would apologize once independence was achieved while alive. He was prepared to throw away his own life at any time.
"...You're right. Now is the time to endure."
Prince Louis understands Patterson's feelings. Independence is not something that can be achieved easily. It is accompanied by many sacrifices. He scolds himself in his heart, wondering what it would do to be soft on his own family while he himself sacrifices subordinates and citizens.
"Let us accumulate power. The Hero's existence is not entirely a bad thing for us. Because of the Hero, cracks have formed within the Laurel Kingdom army. There are openings."
Patterson spoke this as if telling it to himself. If he did not believe they could win, he could not overcome the hardships ahead. If their own resolve as the center of the resistance was not firm, there was no way allies would gather, and no way independence would succeed. That is what he believed.
◇◇◇
In the south of the Laurel Kingdom, new wars are breaking out. Meanwhile, in the opposite direction, the north, the situation is the opposite. Strife has quieted, and peaceful days have arrived for the people, though that might be an exaggeration.
For the demons of Nordende, days far busier than before continue, but it is a busyness toward the future. A busyness where joy can be felt. Rei has returned to that Nordende. More accurately, to the Undead Legion's garrison in the mountains surrounding Nordende, but Rei is plotting to make those mountains part of the demon-controlled territory as well. This is a plan he has not mentioned to the King of Laurel. After entertaining the children who were happy at Rei's return, he finally entered his own house. Waiting in the room was not Cecil, but Hinata.
"Huh? Where's Cecil-san?"
"Cecil-san has work and has gone to the second garrison."
"Ah, I see. She's been working."
The second garrison is another garrison the Undead Legion seized from the Laurel Kingdom army. Compared to this place, both the living environment and defensive capabilities are still lacking, so intensive construction is being carried out.
"She left a message saying she'll return as soon as she finishes her work. Until then, she... asked me to take care of you."
"Hah."
Cecil has been making unreasonable demands of her again. He knew it the moment he was greeted by Hinata alone.
"First, I'll wipe your body."
"No, I can do that much myself."
"Please. Let me do it. If you don't, I..."
As expected, Cecil had said something to her. Rei also knows what she was told. If she doesn't please him, he won't deal with her. It's always the same.
"...Then, please. Should I just stand here?"
"Yes."
Placing his luggage on the floor, Hinata begins to undress Rei, who is just standing there. It has been a while since she wiped Rei's body like this, but it is something she has experienced several times. She does not show the extreme shyness she did at the beginning. Using a cloth she had prepared in advance, Hinata wipes Rei's body. From around the neck to the shoulders. The chest, the back, and gradually moving down. And finally.
"...Who told you to take it in your mouth?"
This is a different action from before. Touching with hands had happened, but taking it in her mouth is a first. Up until now, Hinata should have been unable to do this due to strong resistance.
"............"
"I should have told you before. I won't be pleased even if you do that. You won't get a reward from Cecil-san."
"...Please. Accept it."
But this time, Hinata does not back down. Rei found it strange that she would do this without wanting to.
"Why?"
"No matter what I do, Tsukiya-kun won't be pleased. If that's the case, I'll be the one in trouble."
"I'm not in trouble."
"Why? Tsukiya-kun, you liked me, didn't you? You must have felt I was attractive, right?"
"You're going that far, huh. Well, I admit that. But that's in the past. I don't feel anything now."
He certainly did like Hinata. But that was in the original world, and it's over. Rei feels no attraction to the current Hinata.
"...I understand Tsukiya-kun's feelings. But, it's fine if you just stay still. With that, I..."
"...Try saying the rest of 'With that, I'. Depending on that, I might consider it."
Hinata had started to speak several times only to swallow her words. Rei knows that the words are that embarrassing to utter.
"...I... I, with Cecil-san... let me... come..."
"Huh?"
"...I'll be allowed to come."
"...I see. Cecil-san is amazing."
To discipline Hinata, Cecil had likely been stopping the act halfway and continuing to tease her the entire time Rei was gone. The current Hinata is the result of that. While shy, her actions have become bolder than before.
"...Please. Let me... satisfy Tsukiya-kun."
"...I might forgive you."
"Really?"
"If you can do it in front of her."
"Eh...?"
In terms of being sadistic, Rei is also quite something. Even if it's the influence of the Vampio race blood flowing through her body that makes him lust after Cecil when she displays her sadistic side, he might be even more so than her.
"It's a reunion after a long time, right?"
Rei did not enter the room with his companion. As a result, it would give Hinata a shock far beyond what Rei had imagined.
"...Long time no see. Hinata-san, you've become quite a woman in the time we haven't met. I hated the old you, but I feel like I could genuinely get along with the current you."
With a nasty smile, Akemi spits out words full of sarcasm. She seems happy to be able to see Hinata's disgraceful state, of all things.
"A-Akemi-san... w-why are you here?"
Hinata's face turns pale upon seeing Akemi. In this world, she has been seen in her disgraceful state by the person she least wants to be seen by, along with Fumiya. Rather than shame, she feels humiliation.
"That face is lovely too. To think such a true nature was hidden behind your serious exterior. I'm very happy."
"............"
"So, what will you do? Continue?"
Rei further piles on. Since he does this with the intention of ending the matter, it might be a salvation for Hinata. Though Hinata herself probably wouldn't think so.
"...I'm going back to my room."
"That's for the best."
Hinata stands up from the floor and walks quickly to the inner room while looking down. She wants to disappear from in front of Akemi even a second sooner. The reason she doesn't run is because of the pride that still remains in her heart, even after falling this far.
"...I'm still naked, though."
Rei is still undressed by Hinata. It's not that he wants her to dress him, but picking up the clothes fallen on the floor and putting them on himself feels somewhat miserable.
"I wonder if I'll be made to do things like that too?"
"Yes?"
"Tsukiya is the same. You want to build a harem, don't you?"
She is also a member of that harem. Akemi thought she had been brought here for that purpose.
"First, a correction. I didn't tell you, but I've discarded the surname Tsukiya. Could you please never call me that again?"
Discarding the past. He had intended to discard it from the start, but Rei had decided to do so in an easy-to-understand way. It's because it reminds demons of otherworlders, which he actually is, and the fact that it's a surname is also one reason. He is being considerate of the demons who feel disgust toward the Hero.
"Then how should I call you?"
"...Rei. I have no other name."
"Then, shall I call you Master?"
"Do you want to be ordered like that?"
"............"
At Rei's single sentence, Akemi's face turns pale. No matter how cheeky or sarcastic her attitude is, she cannot defy Rei. Even if it's something Hinata tried to do, or even if Hinata is watching.
"One more correction. I'm not the one who made her like that. I have never held her once. You should know that I didn't request that thing just now, either."
"...Then, who did?"
"Cecil-san."
"Cecil... Cecil... eh, her!?"
After thinking for a moment, Akemi remembered who Cecil was. The woman who had served as Rei's maid, and whom she had met on the battlefield after she followed Geel.
"...So Hinata was that kind of person, huh."
"I wonder about that. Isn't it just that she was disciplined that way by Cecil-san?"
"...Will I, also...?"
She would be subjected to the same thing. Thinking of that, Akemi became a little afraid. What was done to make Hinata like that? Could she endure it? Anxiety spread in her heart.
"That's also a misunderstanding. You won't suffer the same fate as her."
"I-I see. Thank goodness."
"Do you still not understand? The women and children living here escaped from your attacks and came here."
"Eh...?"
"There are probably people who remember Sakuragi-san's face. Those who don't will find out soon."
"............"
"This is where it begins. Everyone here is someone who holds a grudge against you. In such a place, you will live in fear, not knowing when you might be killed. I won't make you a harem member. That would make those around me too considerate."
"............"
Told by Rei, Akemi finally remembered. Why she had been brought here. Because she hadn't felt malice from her surroundings during the move, and because Rei had treated her with his usual ordinary attitude rather than giving cruel orders, she had forgotten.
"There's a bed in the next room. It's mine, but you can use it if you want. It's better not to let the fatigue of the journey remain."
"............"
These were not words of kindness. She realized that Rei was telling her there would be no nights where she could sleep in peace from now on. It was a fact. There was not a shred of reason for Rei to be kind to Akemi. Being ordinary until now was only to let Akemi's heart relax. To make her feel the despair more strongly.
◇◇◇
Inside Rei's room, the moans of a woman continue to flow. It is neither Hinata's nor Akemi's. There is no way Cecil would accept sleeping without doing anything with Rei, who had returned after a long time. First, she berates Hinata as usual for not properly completing the preparations for his return, and then she returns to the room after getting Rei excited. While scattering a seductive scent full of sadism.
Rei is stimulated more by Cecil's voice than by Hinata's embarrassing one, and he attacks her fiercely just as she intended. Even Rei, who possesses a strong mental strength that allows him to perfectly erase his desires in any situation if he puts his mind to it, finds his mental walls loosening toward Cecil.
Such intense activity finally settles down.
"...Welcome home."
On the bed, Cecil whispers, bringing her face close to Rei's ear.
"I was told that already."
The words of welcome were said as soon as Cecil returned.
"The 'welcome home' from before was as Rei-sama's maid. This one is..."
Cecil hesitated to put the rest into words.
"As a lover?"
"Y-Yes..."
It is the first time Rei has recognized her as a lover. At that happiness, Cecil's face turns red. This kind of purity still remains in Cecil. This gap is also a weapon that breaks down Rei's mental walls.
"The ceasefire is for two years. In that time, I will rebuild Nordende. Into a place where people can live in peace. There is much to do. Problems will likely arise."
"Rei can do it."
"I cannot do it with my power alone. Therefore... please continue to help me. If you're willing, Cecil-san, forever."
"...Yes. I will always be by your side, no matter what happens."
"...Thank you."
Cecil did not intend to respond to the words as a proposal. Her feelings for Rei are not so shallow as to take Rei's words as a proposal. She knows. That Rei still holds feelings for another woman besides herself. Not just Kamiira and Louis, but another woman. Rei's words were to shake off those feelings. Words spoken from a desire to draw a line.
Cecil responded to that. Even if there is another woman in Rei's heart, even if the day comes when Rei seeks that woman, she will always be by his side. And that feeling of Cecil's was conveyed to Rei. Cecil should have more confidence in herself. For Rei, she is undoubtedly a special existence.