138 - The Outbreak of War
The Demon King's army's assault on the royal capital ended quickly. The Demon King's army had launched magical attacks against the east gate of the outer wall. However, those attacks failed to break through the east gate. The royal capital was enchanted with anti-magic defenses. It was concluded that this had protected the capital from the Demon King's army's magic.
Even so, they could not afford to be complacent. Just because the royal capital had been protected did not mean the Laurel Kingdom had won. The Demon King's army had withdrawn without taking any damage. There was no telling when they might return.
In response to this situation, Hansmann and the others decided to recall the Laurel Kingdom army that had headed toward Anfang. While the capture or killing of Ekaterina was important, they could not leave the threat right before their eyes unattended. They could not allow the royal capital to fall.
Eight thousand soldiers of the royal army, led by Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, set up camp at the foot of the Forest of Bewilderment, where the Demon King's army had retreated.
"...Is the expansion of the invasion route proceeding smoothly?"
"Yes. So far, no problems have occurred."
In the Forest of Bewilderment, the only place an army could advance was along the path once cleared by the Heroes—though the actual work had been done by the accompanying royal army soldiers. Even so, it was too narrow for a force of eight thousand to advance in formation. The Laurel Kingdom army first had to proceed with construction to widen the road.
"When will the construction be finished?"
"That depends on how deep into the forest the construction is carried out."
"First, up to the point we will use as our invasion base."
In a situation where it was unknown where the Demon King's army was deployed, it would be dangerous to simply push the army blindly into the depths of the forest. Furthermore, securing supply lines was necessary. The Forest of Bewilderment was vast.
"Two weeks should be enough."
"Half a month, huh..."
"That is just to reach the planned point, in reality, construction will continue further. If possible, I would like to burn down every single tree."
A deep forest where the enemy could be hiding anywhere was disadvantageous for the attacking Laurel Kingdom army. They risked suffering an unexpected defeat due to a surprise attack.
"A fire attack, huh..."
Burning away the forest along with the Demon Race hiding within. Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, thought it was not a bad idea.
"If we are to execute it, we will need His Majesty's permission. Also, we will need a promise that we will not be held responsible if problems arise."
The Forest of Bewilderment was vast. Would burning such a massive forest cause problems? While he didn't think everything would burn down, there was no guarantee there would be no impact.
It was true that such concerns existed, but the reason his subordinate said this to Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, was to imply that Larc should take responsibility for it himself.
Larc had suddenly become the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights from the Imperial Guard Knights, and that too from the rank of an Ordinary Knight. The knights of the Royal Knights did not view this favorably.
"...I will send a messenger to inquire with the royal capital."
Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, also sensed the feelings of his subordinates. However, while not entirely devoid of it, he felt no anger toward them.
He, who had no achievements, had suddenly become the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights. Was that not the same as the unfair personnel appointments in the kingdom that they themselves had been dissatisfied with? He felt that way. Beyond that, he felt that things were not supposed to be like this.
"Should we not also request reinforcements?"
Furthermore, his subordinate suggested requesting reinforcements. This had nothing to do with his feelings toward Larc. He felt a strong anxiety about fighting the Demon King's army, the same force that General of Ten Thousand Sieg, the greatest general of the Royal Knights, had fought with twenty thousand troops, with only eight thousand soldiers.
"Eventually, the Hero will come leading an army. We just have to endure until then."
"...But there are stories that the Hero betrayed the kingdom?"
The knights and soldiers who had been under Sieg's command did not participate in this battlefield. This was the result of choosing the risk of reducing troop numbers over the fear of unnecessary rumors spreading, but as long as they were in the same order, it was impossible for the stories not to reach them.
"Ah, that is incorrect information. The Hero learned of General of Ten Thousand Sieg's treason and attempted to strike him down. That is the truth."
"General Sieg committed treason...?"
The subordinate knew of this story as well. This particular narrative had been actively spread. However, for the knights of the Royal Knights who knew Sieg's character, it was not a believable story.
"...This is just between us, but I cannot entirely deny the feeling of wanting to choose the master one serves."
Larc had decided in advance how to handle things when the conversation turned to Sieg.
"I suppose so..."
Princess Ekaterina over Neil, who had nothing but a bad reputation. The subordinate agreed with Larc's sentiment.
"But I have decided to protect my pride as a knight, not my personal feelings. I hope you all will do the same."
"Yes..."
Even if they held dissatisfaction toward Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, betraying the kingdom was a different matter. Moreover, they could not do such a thing in the current situation. Even if they fled the battlefield, they would only be captured and punished immediately.
"Enemy attack! It's an enemy attack!"
A voice echoed from the front. At the voice announcing an enemy attack, the camp suddenly became frantic.
"Support units! Prepare for deployment!"
Following the order of Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, a pre-organized reinforcement unit of two thousand moved to the front of the camp and formed ranks.
In that state, the Laurel Kingdom army observed the condition of the forest ahead.
"...They've come out."
Someone whispered. Just as the whisper suggested, a single rider leaped out from the forest. There were no allies following. The one who appeared was a man in jet-black battle attire.
A man ran on foot, chasing after the rider. Leaping into the air, the man flashed his sword once. The mounted knight's head flew through the air.
"...Is that him?"
The man who had slain the allied knight. Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, knew that white-haired man.
"Most likely."
"I see..."
Larc also knew that Rei was alive. Right now, he was seeing Rei, who was having a conversation with the late former king in this very place.
"...I wonder what has happened to the Undead Legion."
"The Undead Legion?"
"You don't know? In the previous battle, our army suffered terribly at the hands of the Undead Legion he leads?"
"True, there were such stories. But wasn't that Undead Legion wiped out in a large-scale operation?"
"Yes. I hope that is the case."
Even if an army suffers many casualties in battle, it replenishes its personnel and reorganizes. There should be no reason why the Undead Legion would not do the same. If the Undead Legion had been revived, what kind of battle would it be? The subordinate felt anxious.
However, now was not the time to be thinking about such things.
"Who are you fighting for!?"
Rei's voice resonated throughout the surroundings.
"I have slain your king! Since your king is dead, why not just surrender quietly!?"
"What!?"
Unexpected words. Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, had not considered the possibility that Rei was the culprit who assassinated King Neil. It wasn't that he hadn't thought of anything at all, but standing on the battlefield now, he was completely caught off guard and could not hide his agitation.
"...Commander, could it be?"
"...Don't be absurd. His Majesty is in the castle. How could anyone lay a hand on His Majesty, who is in the castle strictly guarded by the Imperial Guard Knights?"
Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, replied to his subordinate's questioning voice. However, it wasn't only the subordinates around him who heard Rei's words.
"The Laurel Kingdom is finished! How can you continue as a country after losing your king! Quietly hand over your territory to us!"
Rei further shouted the fact that Neil was dead. He wasn't seriously seeking surrender. He simply wanted to let the knights and soldiers know that Neil was dead.
"...Quickly, slay him! Do not permit any further insults to His Majesty!"
Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, gave the order to the unit to silence Rei. Following that order, the support unit deployed at the front began to advance.
Seeing this, Rei, without appearing particularly hurried, attempted to return toward the forest.
"Do not let him escape! Slay him at all costs!"
Larc, the Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, shouted further orders. Following that command, the support unit quickened their pace. From a walk to a brisk walk, and then to a run.
The support unit charged into the forest in pursuit of Rei. Unaware that it was a trap.
◇◇◇
The first battle was an overwhelming victory. However, Rei was not happy about it. Rei's goal was to lure the rebel forces into the Forest of Bewilderment until Princess Ekaterina had established a posture capable of opposing them. And then, to annihilate those rebel forces.
As for the Laurel Kingdom army other than the ringleaders of the rebellion, he wanted them to go under Princess Ekaterina if possible. However, while many knights and soldiers were slain in the first battle, all of them were people unrelated to the rebellion. He couldn't verify everyone, but the possibility was high.
"So, what does that mean?"
Akemi, having heard Rei's explanation, asked for further clarification.
"I just told you, didn't I? The commander-class individuals captured alive in the first battle were unrelated to the rebellion."
"And?"
It wasn't that Akemi didn't understand because she was stupid. It was that Rei's explanation was insufficient. Akemi's action of persistently questioning Rei was, in fact, a welcome thing for the others.
"I'm wondering if those participating in the rebellion are fewer than I thought. Since they aren't among the commanders of a force of two thousand."
"Explain that from the start."
"Eh? Did I not explain it?"
"You didn't. You just went silent or muttered things like you were talking to yourself."
"Ah..."
He had been talking to Kamui and his other personalities in his mind. Rei was made aware that he had done his usual habit while other people were present. He wondered if he was that anxious.
"Even if you say 'commander,' they're just Commanders of a Thousand at best, right? Can't they be considered unimportant?"
"I'm looking for related parties in order to find the important figures."
"So, make it a bit easier to understand."
"According to the testimony of Baldos, who was the Commander of the Imperial Guard, the current rebel forces have no figurehead. Originally, Crown Prince Neil was that person, but they betrayed him and took action. It's ambiguous which side's betrayal it was, though."
He had obtained quite a bit of information from Baldos. It wasn't just the result of torture. Rei had a magic tool that could make people obey. Rei had no hesitation in using it against the enemy, unlike how he had removed it from Akemi.
"I get it. You mean it doesn't end with just crushing their heads, right?"
"Exactly. I can't say every single person who participated, but I have to kill every single person who can serve as a core member, without leaving one behind."
"So you want a hit list of those targets."
"Precisely."
To create that list, he intended to capture related parties and obtain information, but the results of the first day were zero.
"Is it necessary to be that thorough?"
Cecil asked a question here. It wasn't because she disliked Rei and Akemi talking just the two of them. Thanks to Akemi, she finally began to understand Rei's thoughts and became able to ask questions.
"Because it would be a disaster if we thought we crushed them, only for them to be revived later."
"Ah, the Princess—no, is it Queen Majesty now? It's for the sake of the Queen, then?"
"W-well, yeah."
When he heard the words 'for the sake of Ekaterina' from Cecil's mouth, he inevitably hesitated to answer.
"The current actions themselves are for the sake of the Queen, right?"
But there was no point in being bewildered now. The current action of raising troops in the Forest of Bewilderment was for Ekaterina's sake.
"...That's true."
"You don't completely not understand, do you?"
"Yes. The names that came up were Hansmann, Baldwin, Larc, Clark, and a few other Royal Guard Knights. Among these, Hansmann and Baldwin are the core figures. However, these two have not come to the battlefield."
"That's all? The Laurel Kingdom was stolen by that few people?"
No matter how you looked at it, it was too few. Akemi felt that the Laurel Kingdom, which had allowed the usurpation to succeed by such a small number of people, was pathetic.
"No way. There must be others. Baldos was just in charge of the Imperial Guard Knights. Hansmann and Baldwin each have their own comrades, but they don't know each other's comrades. And there are surely others like that."
"I see. If there's no one who knows the whole picture, the group won't be wiped out even if the plot is discovered. They've thought this through."
"That's it. It's quite clever. If we want to wipe them out, we have no choice but to trace all those connections. It will take considerable effort and time."
And if those connections are severed halfway, he would have to start over from searching for the end of the thread. Honestly, Rei couldn't even imagine how much time it would take.
"...Why not just crush them one by one?"
"Eliminating those who appear one after another. I thought of that too, but there's no guarantee they'll keep appearing."
"I see. The opponent has the option to stay hidden for a while, that's troublesome."
"However, even so, I don't think the country can be run with just the number of people currently revealed. Even more so if it becomes a war."
In reality, Hansmann and the others were already stretched thin. Furthermore, if the war dragged on, the national strength would be exhausted. To prevent that, they could not afford to keep the national administration stopped as they were now. If that happened, they would need even more manpower.
"Enemies who aren't appearing now will eventually be forced to come out... I see. As I thought, I'm more afraid of you."
"In what way?"
"Because... I'm sure that's not the only plan you have to smoke out the enemy."
"...It's a secret."
"See!"
Just as Akemi thought, Rei had other plans. Plans that he couldn't even tell the people present here.
"Even if you know, you don't say things like that. You don't know where or who might be listening, right?"
"Is there any spy who could get close to this place?"
Akemi couldn't imagine there being a spy who could approach this place unnoticed, where Rei and the Vampio race, including Kai, were guarding the surroundings.
"It might not be the case here, but it might be different in other places. I have plans I'm hiding. It would be a problem to talk about them elsewhere."
"...I see."
Akemi was made aware that if the enemy knew that, they would be on guard even if they didn't know what it was. There was a possibility that any openings would disappear.
"So, actually, there might be nothing."
"Eh?"
"Making it look like there is something is also a plan."
"...Which one? I guess asking that is pointless. Well, I'll leave that kind of thing to you. I'll be active in my field of expertise."
There was no way she could help Rei with things like conspiracies. If so, there was no need to know the information. It was better not to know.
"Then, I'll leave the housework to you."
"Excuse me?"
"Don't push yourself. You can't use magic against the Human Race, can you?"
"............"
Akemi had not participated in the fighting in today's battle. She was there, but she couldn't attack. Knowing that Rei had noticed this, Akemi's expression clouded.
"Maybe it's not just the Human Race? Well, it's the same either way."
"...I'm fine. I'll do it properly next time."
"That's why you don't have to push yourself. Hesitating to kill people is a normal mental state. There's no need to change something that is correct."
For them, who grew up in a world incomparably more peaceful than this one, it was natural to hesitate to kill people. It was a normal reaction for Akemi, who had begun to feel guilt over killing the Demon Race, to become afraid of killing humans.
Rei believed that he, who could kill people without a second thought, who could kill even knowing they were innocent, was the abnormal one.
"But..."
If so, she was just useless. Akemi felt there was no meaning in her being here.
"That's why housework. People would be happy if you served them food from another world. I want to taste it for the first time in a while too."
"...Impossible."
"Pardon?"
"I can't cook."
The housework that Rei had intended to entrust to her as a kindness only felt like harassment to Akemi.
"...Useless."
"Do you really have to say that out loud?"
"Then... make some firewood. I'll let you take a warm bath every night."
"How does it lead to that?"
"Just cut down trees with magic and chop them up, and you're done. You're good at it, right? Wind attribute magic."
"I am, but..."
He was good at wind attribute magic, but he didn't want to be good at making firewood. In the first place, even without making firewood, there were mountains of dead branches in this forest that could be burned as they were. If he said this, he'd only be entrusted with the role of picking them up, so he didn't say it.
"Then, it's decided."
"...Um... how about serving you with my body? I might be quite useful?"
"...Even as a joke, I'm impressed by your boldness to say that in this place."
In front of Cecil. However, this didn't feel like a sarcasm to Akemi.
"Isn't it about time? For a harem."
"What do you mean 'about time'?"
"'About time' means 'about time.' There are many women other than me who would be happy about the lifting of the harem ban."
"...You can talk about those kinds of things?"
The 'many women' Akemi spoke of were the Demon Race. Rei was surprised that Akemi had become able to talk about such things with the demon women. Provided that Akemi's story was true.
"Love stories are fun to talk about with anyone, anytime."
"Talking about a harem isn't called a love story."
"Ah, by 'love story,' I mean talking about romance."
"I know that."
"I was talking to Cecil-san, not you. If you're interested, I'll teach you other words from my world. It might make conversations with Rei more lively."
Noticing that Cecil had a troubled expression, Akemi had explained the meaning of the words. Moreover, she didn't stop there and told her she would teach her words used in her other world.
"...Thank you."
Cecil welcomed it. She didn't know if it would actually be useful in conversations with Rei, but it would reduce the times she felt lonely when the two of them spoke in a language she didn't know.
"...A calculating woman who manages her surroundings so as not to be hated."
"Isn't that a terrible way to put it?"
"A kind-hearted woman who can be considerate of others. The impression changes completely just by changing the wording."
"...True. My evaluation is usually the former. And Hinata... she's fine now."
The difference in expression changes depending on the feelings and impressions toward the target. This was something he had talked about with Rei a little while ago.
"Eventually, Takeuchi will come to this battlefield. No, I'll make her come. You should remember not just your current emotions, but your past emotions, and think about what to do."
"...I..."
"So that you absolutely do not regret it. If you want to start over."
I am prepared to fight. Akemi was not allowed to let those words escape her lips. Even if she could have said them, Rei would have likely said the same thing.
Rei stood up and left the place. He was immediately giving Akemi time to think. Not only that, but Rei was not permitted the time to chat at length.
"...That idiot."
Akemi whispered softly to Rei's departing back.
"Rei-sama is not cornering you. Nor does he think of you as a nuisance."
Cecil spoke to Akemi.
"I know. I know, and that's why... I'm lonely."
"I see..."
Cecil could understand Akemi's feeling of loneliness. Cecil had also experienced the loneliness of her feelings not being conveyed. The loneliness of feeling a wall in Rei's heart.