121 - Preparations for the Future
The King's stay in Anfang ended in just three days. There was no need for time to speak deeply with Princess Ekaterina. On the first day, upon hearing that Ray had become the Demon King, Princess Ekaterina decided that she would never meet Ray again. In her words, nothing would change, just as it had been until now.
The remaining two days of the stay were the time the King needed to believe that Princess Ekaterina's words were the truth. And time to play with his first grandchild as a grandfather. For the King, it was a pleasant time of peace and relaxation for the first time in a long while. That it ended in three days was due to the King's strong will. It might be more accurate to say that he feared that if he stayed any longer, it would become too difficult to leave.
In any case, the King set out on his return journey. Toward the royal capital, where depressing tasks awaited him. Inside the carriage. Toward the Head of Intelligence, who had left Anfang late and had finally caught up, the King began a conversation that he could not have with anyone else.
"...I wonder if I should have brought the Queen along?"
The Queen, upon hearing that the King was going to see Princess Ekaterina, had strongly requested to accompany him. However, he could not bring the Queen, who did not know that Princess Ekaterina had a child. He had managed to convince her by giving various reasons, but after meeting Rainheart, the King regretted it slightly.
"I am terribly sorry to the Queen, but I believe it was for the best that she did not accompany us."
The Head of Intelligence denied the King's thought.
"Why is that?"
"His Majesty has become like that. If the Queen were to meet them, what would happen?"
"...She might not return. Even if she did return, that would be problematic."
Not only his daughter Princess Ekaterina, but he even had a grandchild. Upon learning this, the Queen might not try to return to the royal capital. Even if she returned, she might try to visit Anfang by making various excuses. If such a thing happened, the flow of people into and out of Anfang would increase. He could not increase the possibility of the child's existence becoming known.
"It is necessary to further strengthen the counter-intelligence system. I believe it would be wise to consider counter-intelligence measures for the city itself, not just the personnel."
The main reason the Head of Intelligence had remained in Anfang was to consider this.
"...To the point where even a demon could not easily infiltrate?"
He said demon, but the one in the King's mind was Ray.
"Yes. If possible."
The Head of Intelligence's thoughts were the same. It was not that he did not believe Ray's promise not to meet, but there was a possibility that Ray might take action after being fed false information, as happened this time. The reason they were able to prevent Ray's approach to Anfang this time was that they had anticipated it in advance and luck had been on their side. That was how the Head of Intelligence thought.
"...But what shall we do? If it becomes renovation work for the city, that will lead to many people coming and going. Can the secret be kept?"
"I will look into that. I believe there is a method of securing it from the outside."
"Meaning they cannot approach the city... That is an option, but then the outer perimeter would be quite large... No, that might also be an option."
If the work were done at a distance where one could not scout the city's condition and could not easily approach, it would be something that surrounds the city over a quite wide area. The King thought it might be going too far, but he immediately changed his mind.
"Do you have some idea?"
"I thought it might be an option to consider it as a military base for the north."
"...Preparations against the demons."
There are no enemy nations to the north of the Laurel Kingdom. If one asks for which battle the military base is being prepared, there is only the hostile force, the demons. It was a preparation for after the ceasefire deadline had passed, or even further ahead, for after Ray, the partner of the secret pact, had fallen from power or died.
"That is provided there is enough surplus to proceed with large-scale construction. Making the northern noble houses bear the burden is one idea, but I will need to consult the Prime Minister about this."
Whether there was human and financial leeway to carry out such construction in the midst of an overseas expedition. Even if the burden was placed on the nobles, would it not cause strong dissatisfaction? He needed to hear the Prime Minister's thoughts on this. Once it came to execution, it would be the Prime Minister who would move.
"Regarding Princess Ekaterina, please also consider Crown Prince Neil."
"That, eh..."
During his stay in Anfang, the King had tried not to think about Crown Prince Neil. Since the discussion with Princess Ekaterina had been settled, he wanted to keep his heart light during the stay.
"I believe it is not out of strong malice toward Your Majesty."
"Why do you know that?"
False information was given to Ray. That was done based on a prediction of what action Ray would take upon knowing that information. That was what the King thought.
"He hinted at such a thing."
"...Why does that fellow know about Neil?"
There had been no contact between Ray and Crown Prince Neil. Their relationship was undoubtedly bad. The King thought there was no way Ray could know about Crown Prince Neil.
"When they met at the castle, perhaps he spoke of something that would lead one to think so?"
"If that is the case, tell him to convey it."
"He spoke very indirectly. Perhaps it is something he cannot say."
"...What did he say, again?"
The King had only heard the outline of Ray's words before going to Anfang. He did not remember the detailed content.
"He said something to the effect of speaking not as a King, but as a father."
"Speaking as if he understands. Even before leaving the royal capital, I intended to speak as a father."
"With all due respect, even so, what he was able to hear, Your Majesty was not able to hear. This is a fact."
"............"
At the Head of Intelligence's words, the King's expression became bitter. If Ray had truly heard something, what was the difference between him and himself? Thinking of that, he felt somewhat frustrated.
"It is presumptuous of me to say this from my position, but how this matter turns out will influence the future of the kingdom. Please, handle it with the utmost caution."
It was about Crown Prince Neil, who would become the next king. A situation where things became complicated must absolutely not happen. Friction between the King and the Crown Prince is the source of national disorder.
"Honestly... if only that fellow had not become the Demon King."
"Your Majesty."
The Head of Intelligence lightly admonished the King. Even inside the carriage, careless remarks had to be avoided. To keep a secret, one must always keep in mind not to let one's guard down in any situation.
"I know. But I want to complain."
"...Could it be that you desire a mediator?"
What was the complaint directed toward? Considering the flow of the conversation, this unexpected question came.
In what position would Ray become a mediator? If it were as a brother-in-law, it would mean that the King inwardly desired for him to unite with Princess Ekaterina.
"...Provided that the problem would be solved by that."
"I do not think it would lead to a solution."
As a practical matter, Ray could not be in such a position. Even if he took on the role of mediator, it would be temporary. Once Ray was gone, the problem would likely reignite.
"I know. I just mentioned it as one option."
"...Shall we change the subject?"
"True. No matter how much I think about this now, it will not lead to a solution."
Speaking with Crown Prince Neil and learning whatever Ray had likely heard. That was the solution.
"The whereabouts of Akemi Sakuragi have been found."
"That fellow as well?"
"The location is, but the information is from Lord Geel."
"...That was fast. No, perhaps it was not?"
As information from Geel, who was near Nordende, it was fast. But considering Ray's movement, the King thought it might not be so.
"Regarding the transmission of information from Nordende, I have put in considerable effort. Though by effort, I mainly mean increasing the personnel and the number of horses to match."
"Can it be managed by increasing the numbers?"
"We can move them regardless of day or night. By shortening the distance a single rider gallops, we have been able to make the movement speed slightly faster. Even so, it seems we still cannot match him."
This was what he had thought of to counter the information transmission network of the demons, and of Ray. As the head of the intelligence organization, he wanted to narrow the gap in information transmission speed, even if he could not win.
"If that is working well, we should adopt it fully."
"Three times, no, four times the personnel would be required. We cannot allocate that many people just for information transmission. Of course, it depends on the importance of the information being handled."
The person conveying the information can know that information. Regarding information with high confidentiality, it cannot be entrusted unless the messenger is also a trustworthy subordinate. However, if the information is not that critical, the Head of Intelligence believed that creating a separate organization was possible.
"There is room for consideration. No, we should consider it. If the territory expands, an improvement in information transmission speed will certainly become necessary."
In reality, it was already required. The delay in that preparation, even if it was not something that could be easily set up in lands that were once other countries, was becoming a problem.
"I will say this only once. It is nothing more than a delusion, but..."
"What is it?"
"I believe that obtaining the power of the demons is the shortcut to continental conquest."
Information gathering and transmission capabilities. These alone become a great power. Furthermore, if magic and combat abilities were added, the battle should be able to proceed with overwhelming advantage.
"If that were to happen, we would make enemies of all countries. It is impossible."
Even if quality improved significantly, they would be crushed by an overwhelming force of numbers. That was how the battles between the Human Race and the Demon Race had been until now.
"Is it not possible for the Human Race and the Demon Race to unite?"
"It would be impossible."
Why was it impossible? Even if he asked the King, no answer came back. Even if various reasons were given, the King himself did not know the true reason. Not only the King, but all of the Human Race, and the demons as well, did not know. That was the destiny of this world. Those who break that destiny are the enemies of this world.
◇◇◇
The fort of the Laurel Kingdom army that had been within Nordende. It disappeared without a trace. Since it was abandoned, it was natural to tear it down so that the demons could not use it. However, that demolition was carried out not by the Laurel Kingdom army, but by the demons. The beginning of it was two days after Ray headed for Anfang.
"...The way you go about things is just as stingy as a brat's, isn't it?"
Toward King Dracul, who had visited the fort to take command of the demolition, Geel was complaining with an exasperated face.
"It's going to be torn down anyway. It was good that the trouble was saved, right?"
"If it were really being torn down. That's not the case, is it?"
"...That is a secret."
In other words, just as Geel thought. Rather than destroying it, they were trying to relocate it. To a place deeper into Nordende.
"For the record, I am the commander of the garrison. I cannot just overlook this, you know?"
"If you're going to say that, we are overlooking the fact that you built a fort to the south."
"That was the ceasefire... Really, just like a brat."
They were currently in a ceasefire. No matter what the demons did with an abandoned fort, he could not complain. Because he knew that, Ray had given such instructions.
"It is not a fort for attacking. If you have no intention of attacking, it should be irrelevant."
"I know. I won't complain anymore. However, I'm not satisfied with the fact that you tried to keep it from us."
If Geel had not stayed at the fort and had returned to his own army's fort immediately after finishing the meeting with Ray, he would not have known this fact. Geel was still not satisfied with that.
"There was no malice. I couldn't let it interfere with the meeting, could I?"
"Is that really the reason?"
"Does hiding the relocation create a great advantage for us? As I said, as long as you do not attack, it is a trivial matter."
"...Well, whatever. I'm sure this is just one of a mountain of such things."
There was no way Ray would be satisfied with just relocating a fort. To solidify the defense of Nordende, various other things must be happening. Even so, as King Dracul said, as long as he did not attack, it was fine. Now that the ceasefire had been realized, there was no way to prevent it.
"So? I still haven't heard the reason why you're staying here."
"Ah, that fellow Ray headed for Anfang."
"I've heard that."
"...That, again, was through a solid communication network."
Ray had rushed out with a momentum that suggested he had just taken whatever he needed. Even so, King Dracul knew that fact. Geel also immediately noticed that it was due to the Information Crows that Ray commanded.
"If the King is gone, then all the more, you should have no business here."
"It's because one of the Heroes said they didn't want to return to the garrison in a situation where Ray wasn't around."
"What. I thought for sure... no, I see."
"Hey? What do you mean by 'thought for sure'?"
Geel roughly understood what King Dracul was thinking. That was exactly why he couldn't help but ask.
"...I thought it was for your and Sera's convenience."
"Why the hell do even you know about that?"
Ray had spread it around. That was what Geel thought.
"Why? Because it's easy to tell with women of the Vampio race."
"Huh?"
The reason was different from Geel's prediction. However, with this explanation from King Dracul, he had no idea what it meant.
"What's easy to tell is the effect of Charm. That becomes considerably weaker toward other men. When that happens, it's proof that there is a primary target. In Sera's case, if you ask who that primary target is, there is only one option."
"............"
Not only Ray, but probably many of the Vampio race knew. Thinking of that, Geel could not help but feel embarrassed.
"So? Were you able to spend some relaxing time?"
"None of your business. Anyway, the reason for staying here was the Hero's convenience. That's all."
Geel had no intention of talking at length about his relationship with Sera. It would only be used as material for teasing.
"Do you understand that you are being resented? It's natural. However, while the King is absent, conversely, nothing can be done."
"You just haven't gotten a feel for it, have you? I'm the same."
"About what?"
"I know that Ray is the Demon King. But the fact that the demons follow him... it doesn't feel real."
Geel also knew that Ray was strong. However, Ray's attitude was not that of someone who makes others obey. The fact that he behaved as a disciple toward Geel was one of the reasons it didn't feel that way.
"It's because the King himself lacks the will to make them obey. The King is not suppressing them with power. We wanted to serve this person."
"Is that so..."
"As far as I know, he is different from the Demon Kings until now. The King is a King."
Not a commander in wartime. Not just a coordinator. A King who transcends races and tribes. That was how King Dracul thought.
"Is Nordende a single country?"
"Not quite. But I hope it becomes something close to that."
"That's unbelievable. That bastard."
To put it extremely, he might change the history of the demons. Hearing that Ray might become such an existence, Geel was appalled. The words he himself had once uttered, "Ray might turn the world upside down," might become a reality.
"It would be good if this continued forever."
"Is that impossible?"
"It might be fine until the generation of children and grandchildren. But beyond that. We demons cannot pledge allegiance based solely on blood ties like the Human Race."
"That's the same for the Human Race. Continental conquest is the kingdom's long-cherished wish, but even if it's realized, it probably won't last forever."
The result of realizing continental conquest would be a form of annexing many countries. Would the people living in the annexed countries remain quiet forever? History proves that is not the case. History is full of royal families that perished after losing power.
"It would be better to stop fighting at a reasonable point and coexist. That is something the Human Race cannot do."
Among demons, there is almost no fighting over territory between races or tribes. If a battle occurs, it is over something that a third party would find trivial, staking their respective dignity. Moreover, it is a conflict that is never justified.
"I wonder why it's like that?"
"It is the nature of the Human Race. If it weren't for that..."
Not the nature of the Human Race, but the nature of humans. If it weren't for that, the demons would not have been cast down to earth, and the species known as the Human Race would not have been born. This world would not have become like this.
"The conversation has turned dark."
"Then, shall we talk about you and Sera?"
"I won't!"
"Then, what shall we talk about?"
"What do you mean 'what'... for now, what about the Hero? Since you guys have come, I think I'll withdraw, but is it okay to leave them to you?"
Geel could not stay here forever. As a commander, he had come this far alone. This in itself was actually a problem.
"There's no problem, but don't you need to take that one back with you?"
"For now. I've confirmed that running away from the castle was their own will. I'll convey that and ask for a judgment."
"I see... then, we'll take them in here."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
Geel left the fort that day. The fort disappeared without a trace two weeks from that day. A large number of people, enough to realize it in that period, were deployed. Geel would never know that fact. Even if it was Geel, information was restricted. While he trusted Geel as an individual, he did not trust Geel as a knight of the Laurel Kingdom. That this would protect Nordende in the future was Ray's thought.