148 - How to Fight as a Demon King
To the southeast of the Laurel Kingdom, across the Forest of Bewilderment, lies the Moscow Kingdom.
Until about fifty years ago, the Moscow Kingdom was a vassal state of the neighboring superpower, the Kingdom of Morgun. However, during the era of the previous king, Ivan Alexandros, the Moscow Kingdom took advantage of a civil war in the Kingdom of Morgun to break free from its control. On the contrary, it absorbed the forces of the Kingdom of Morgun, which had been split by the civil war, one after another, increasing its national power.
As a result, the positions have now completely reversed. Having brought not only the Kingdom of Morgun but also other surrounding nations under its control, the Moscow Kingdom has established its position as the greatest power in the east. For the Laurel Kingdom, it is one of the greatest competitors in achieving continental hegemony.
In the royal castle of the Moscow Kingdom, the current king, Drogo Alexandros, was listening to the report of his prime minister.
"...I will bring the report to a temporary close here. Are there any points that remain unclear?"
At a convenient break in the conversation, the prime minister asked the King of Moscow if he had any questions.
"What is it? Is there something you're holding back?"
The King of Moscow wore a smile as he asked the prime minister the intention behind stopping the report midway. This manner of reporting was rare. He expected that there was some interesting, though not necessarily pleasant, story to be told.
"I have no such intention... however, this is information for which confirmation has not yet been obtained."
The prime minister had paused because the information lacked credibility. He wanted to avoid the discussion shifting in that direction under these circumstances.
"I do not mind. If we wait until confirmation is obtained, there is a possibility that our movements will be delayed. Even if the truth is uncertain, it is something I should be aware of."
"...Understood. As I reported a moment ago, the Laurel Kingdom is struggling against the Demon Race."
"Are you still intending to hold back?"
The King of Moscow now turned a dissatisfied face, rather than a smile, toward the prime minister, who had not immediately entered the main topic.
"No. I said they are struggling, but the possibility has emerged that the situation is far more serious. The reason for thinking so is the content I am about to discuss."
"Serious...?"
Struggling was one thing, but if the situation was more serious than that, he could no longer laugh at the Laurel Kingdom's misfortune. The Demon Race was a threat to the Moscow Kingdom as well.
"It seems the Laurel Kingdom is calling for joint action from surrounding nations."
"That... means other than the Kingdom of Aria and the Kingdom of Lydia, then?"
"Yes. As you know, those two nations have already dispatched troops. I believe they have judged that to be insufficient."
"I see... Are there any nations likely to respond to the call?"
At this point, the King of Moscow doubted the true intentions of the Laurel Kingdom. He wondered if the call for joint action was not only for the fight against the Demon Race, but also with subsequent conflicts in mind.
"...I believe it depends on Your Majesty's judgment."
"What?"
"It appears the Laurel Kingdom intends to send an envoy to our country as well."
"Is that certain?"
That could not be. The King of Moscow thought that while they might accept the forces of a small nation, there was no way they would accept the dispatch of their own great army, assuming they sent a great army.
"That is why I said confirmation has not yet been obtained."
"...That was the case. Where did this information come from?"
"It is from a spy I have tasked with investigating the movements of the Laurel Kingdom. After learning that many people who appeared to be envoys had departed from the royal capital, I had them followed, and this information was obtained as a result."
Even so, it was natural that an envoy would not lightly speak of the contents of their mission, it was merely a deduction resulting from piecing together content overheard in secret.
"...The truth will be known if we wait, but we cannot simply wait."
Where did the Laurel Kingdom's true intentions lie? If they were sending an envoy even to his own country, he had to discern it clearly. The possibility that it was a trap could not be denied. In fact, that possibility was likely higher.
"Are you saying there is room to consider dispatching troops?"
"If the Demon Race of Nordende are truly that strong, we should properly observe their way of fighting."
It was not that the Moscow Kingdom had never fought the Demon Race. However, compared to the Laurel Kingdom, which held Nordende, which could be called the demons' stronghold, the scale of the battles they had experienced was different. Naturally, the king believed that the demons' way of fighting would also be different.
"Reconnaissance, then..."
"Combined with the reconnaissance of the Hero."
"Do you intend to settle for only that?"
If they were to send an army, could they not seek a greater achievement? That was what the prime minister thought.
"If achieving something would cause the divided Laurel Kingdom to unite into one, then yes."
The Moscow Kingdom had also obtained the fact that King Neil and Queen Ekaterina were in conflict. It was not information that could be hidden. Unlike hiding the death of Neil, who rarely showed himself in the first place.
For the Moscow Kingdom, a competitor was attempting to self-destruct. There was no need to go out of the way to restore them.
"That is..."
"Well, it depends on the situation. The option of joining hands with one side is not out of the question. Provided the opponent is a fool who would desire such a thing."
If it were himself, he would absolutely never do such a thing. In the first place, he would never do something like inviting another country's army into his own country while it was in a state of civil war. That was what the King of Moscow thought.
"May I take this as your intention to dispatch an army? Of course, provided there is a request."
The content of the king's speech was based on the premise of dispatching an army. The prime minister received it as such.
"Unless it is an obvious trap, we cannot afford not to send them. The struggle for continental hegemony is not competed for by military power alone."
"...I see."
At this point, it was unknown how many nations would dispatch armies. However, if a reasonable number gathered, the Laurel Kingdom would become a venue not only for war but also for diplomacy. Though the opponent to fight in diplomacy would naturally not be the Demon Race.
"Especially if the Westerland United Kingdom participates, it is absolute."
If the Moscow Kingdom was the power of the east, the Westerland United Kingdom was the champion of the west. Although it took the form of a coalition of small states, the relationship was not equal, it was a gathering of nations following the Kingdom of Wells, one of the nations constituting the union, at the apex.
For the Moscow Kingdom, just like the Laurel Kingdom, it was a competitor they were now conscious of even more than before.
"In that case, we must consider the selection of a commander."
It seemed necessary to conduct negotiations with other countries, and quite difficult negotiations at that. A soldier who was merely skilled in military command would be insufficient in ability.
"True..."
Who was the talent suitable for carrying out this mission? The king also thought about that. However, precisely because it was a great power with abundant talent and thus a clear division of roles, there was no person who seemed suitable. Except for one.
"I shall go."
"Babel..."
The one who volunteered was Prince Babel. A prince who had shown rich talent in both literary and military arts since childhood and was expected to have a great future. If one spoke of suitability, he was suitable. However, the king's face was grim at the prince's candidacy.
"There is a distance to the Laurel Kingdom. Before seeking Your Majesty's decision, there will be many things that must be judged on the spot. Would it not be cruel to entrust a role bearing such heavy responsibility to a subject?"
"That is true..."
As Prince Babel said, they could not seek the home country's judgment for every single thing. If they spent that much time, they would miss the opportunity.
"I believe I am the only one."
"...It is a dangerous mission."
A trap might be waiting. Even if the Laurel Kingdom had no such intention, the Westerland United Kingdom might plot something. Could he let Babel, who was to be the next king, go to such a dangerous place? The king felt hesitation.
"I will surely live up to Your Majesty's expectations."
To the king's hesitation, Prince Babel answered in this manner. Even if he were a son, there was no change in the fact that he was a subject. This is what happens when one says "please be at ease" in a public setting.
"...Since there is no request from the Laurel Kingdom, the dispatch of troops is not certain. However, proceed with preparations with that intention. If we are to go, we should arrive on site as soon as possible."
"Yes!"
In the end, the king decided to make Prince Babel the commander. The success or failure of the diplomacy unfolded in the Laurel Kingdom would have a great influence on the struggle for hegemony. When it came to entrusting that, there really was no one but Prince Babel.
At this point, the Moscow Kingdom's participation was almost decided. The battle would continue to expand in scale.
◇◇◇
A temporary truce. However, for the Demon King's army, it was not a time for the mind to be at ease. The fact that the rebel forces had requested the dispatch of troops from other nations meant that after the truce ended, a more difficult battle than ever before awaited them. Of course, that was provided other nations responded to the request, but Ray had judged it to be so.
"...Why did the traitors make such a foolish choice?"
Bringing in the armies of other nations. That decision was something Akemi could not accept. She believed that the country would simply be stolen away.
"I don't really know, but maybe it's because it's not their country?"
"It is their country, isn't it?"
"They are trying to create their own country. The Laurel Kingdom, the country governed by the current royal family, is not their country."
"Does that mean they have no loyalty to the country itself?"
Akemi understood why they did not fear the downfall of the royal family. Because they themselves were trying to destroy the royal family. However, she did not understand the reason they could accept the possibility of the country itself being destroyed.
"If they had loyalty to the country, they wouldn't create this state of confusion."
"Temporary confusion for the sake of making it better. That's how it is, right?"
"I think they're just using that as an excuse."
For the sake of making the country better. Hansmann and the others truly believed so. However, Ray believed they were merely justifying their actions by convincing themselves of that.
"...Even so, if the country is stolen, there is nothing to be gained."
"They don't think it will be stolen. Isn't that it?"
"Why do you think that?"
The conversation had returned to the starting point. Why Hansmann could think of calling in the armies of other nations was still unknown.
"Even if you ask me... I would never make such a choice."
"That's true, but..."
The conversation would end there. It was fine if it ended. Whether he understood or not what Hansmann and the others were thinking when they made that choice, what they had to do would not change.
However, Akemi hated remaining with a question in her mind.
"Then, Ray, how would you prevent the country from being stolen?"
"Huh?"
Though slightly different from Akemi, Kai was also interested in this topic. He wanted to know what means Ray would take.
"I wonder how Ray would prevent it?"
"...Let's see. There isn't that much to do within the country, I suppose?"
"Is that so?"
"Yes. The predicted situation is difficult even for the side stealing the country."
Ray also believed the country would not be stolen. He did not know if Hansmann and the others had made the choice to call other nations' armies with the same thought, though.
"Why is that?"
"I don't know how many nations will participate, but the only ones to be cautious of are the great powers. Even if a small nation attempts it, other nations will not permit it."
"Great powers... which ones?"
"...The Moscow Kingdom and the Westerland United Kingdom."
In place of Ray, who was tilting his head, King Dracul answered Kai's question. King Dracul knew as common knowledge what kind of nations existed on the continent.
Kai and Akemi were not interested in such things, but Ray was too ignorant. Even with the condition of being in their positions.
"Then, the ones to be careful of are those two nations. Two nations... I thought there would be a few more. In that case... I wonder?"
"Does it change anything if it's two nations?"
"The stealing side isn't allies with each other either. They will fight to steal the Laurel Kingdom. The more there are, the more complex that conflict becomes."
If it became a scramble involving several nations, a conclusion would not be reached immediately. In the first place, would the stealing side desire such a chaotic situation? Ray believed they would not.
"Is a conflict between two nations harsh for the Laurel Kingdom?"
"I wonder? It wouldn't just be a conflict between two nations, naturally, the Laurel Kingdom, the side being stolen, would also move. I don't think it would go that smoothly."
"I see. That's what I wanted to hear. What do you think the Laurel Kingdom should do?"
"First, preserve military strength. It won't be easy, but it's necessary. If you don't have the power to intervene in the conflict, it's no use."
In a state where two great powers could do as they pleased, the country could not be protected. Even if they could not oppose them alone, Ray believed they needed enough power to drive out one side if they cooperated with the other.
"...Will other nations permit that?"
"They probably won't. It's unthinkable that the party that sought support would not fight."
"That's true. Then, what do we do?"
"We fight, but we make it so the armies of the two great powers suffer more damage. Even if that's impossible, if at least the military strength is reduced equally, the balance will be maintained."
"It won't go that conveniently, will it?"
A development too convenient for the Laurel Kingdom. Kai thought other nations would never permit that, but...
"Unless we make it so."
"Eh?"
"There is no way Queen Ekaterina would permit the Laurel Kingdom to be stolen by other nations. Anyone can understand that."
"...You've come up with this plan, thinking we would move for her sake?"
"There is a possibility."
"...What do we do?"
It was a fight they had started for Queen Ekaterina's sake in the first place. Kai also thought fighting other nations was unavoidable. However, he could not accept that as a result, the military strength of other nations and their own would be reduced, benefiting the rebel forces.
"Because our goals are different from theirs. They want to keep the other nations' armies for a long time and wear down military strength, including ours. But for us, it's enough if we make the other nations' armies withdraw."
"Even if you say make them withdraw..."
He didn't think it would be easy. Since they went through the trouble of sending an army, Kai thought they wouldn't return without obtaining some kind of result. Or, they would have to inflict enough damage to make them abandon the continuation of the fight. However, that was exactly what the rebel forces wanted.
"It probably won't be possible immediately. But we must do it. Not for Queen Ekaterina's sake, but for the sake of all demons. We must produce that result."
"You've already thought about it."
"For the most part. Though I don't know if it will succeed."
"...Still, we have no choice but to do it, right?"
"Yes. Now that it has come to this, I will make them realize how dangerous it is to fight demons. I intend to become a Demon King for the humans, in the truest sense of the word."
"What does that...?"
A Demon King for the humans. That was not a Demon King as seen from the demons. He thought that was what it meant, but Kai did not know how it differed.
"It means I won't choose my means. I have made that resolve."
Ray did not know how the Human Race actually viewed the Demon King. What he imagined was the Demon King within himself. The incarnation of evil, the symbol of terror. Ray intended to become such an existence.
"...If the King has decided so, we, as subjects, will simply follow. That's fine, right?"
To Kai's question, his father King Dracul, as well as the chiefs and kings of other participating tribes, showed their agreement with nods. Ray had said "for the sake of all demons." That was exactly the fight they had desired. If Ray was to challenge it, they too had to walk the same path.
"Then, let us begin. The battle of the Demon King."
The Demon King's army faced the next battle with a new resolve. It was no longer Ray's private matter. It was a battle as demons.
◇◇◇
The Demon King's army began to act on the premise of the participation of other nations' armies, including the two great powers. They had no luxury of waiting for the results of negotiations with other countries. Assuming the worst-case scenario, they began to move to prepare a posture capable of responding to it.
To further strengthen the defenses of the Forest of Bewilderment, various construction projects that had been interrupted during the battle with Fumiya's allied forces were resumed. Envoys were sent to Nordende to attempt to increase military strength. They were not only sent to Nordende. Though the purposes differed, people were sent to nations that needed to be watched. The battle would not be fought only within the Laurel Kingdom and around the Forest of Bewilderment.
While the entire Demon King's army was moving busily, the Demon King, Ray...
"...Will you really undertake such a dangerous mission for just this?"
In the room where he once lived, he was holding Sara, the chief of the Lilith race.
"Do you truly think this is 'just this'?"
"That is... but for you..."
In the place of memories where he had lived with Kamiira and the others, and moreover, in this room where he had killed Kamiira, he held another woman. For Ray, it was not "just this." However, that was only from his own perspective.
"I wanted to know the King's resolve. In this place, the King killed his own memories and held me. Your resolve has been conveyed."
"...It is not something to bet your life on."
"You are intending to bet your life on something else. For what purpose is that bet? May I believe it is for the sake of the demons?"
"Yes. I believe that if it succeeds, it will certainly be for the sake of the demons. Though it may be temporary."
Even if they won this battle, the peace of the demons would not last forever. Ray understood that.
"That cannot be helped. A brief time of peace and a long era of conflict. We have lived by repeating that. I have no intention of making the King bear responsibility far into the future."
"Still, it would be good if I could create something that could connect to the far future somehow."
"Indeed... I shall leave that to the King. Until I do what I can."
Sara stood up naked. The time for the affair was over. To fulfill the assigned mission, she would head to a foreign land just as she was.
"Be careful."
"I will be fine. The King's essence was more delicious than I imagined. Thanks to that, I feel as though I have grown quite young. No, I feel more power surging within me than when I was young."
"T-that... is good."
He did not understand what it meant for power to be surging. However, even though the act had just finished, he felt his heart wavering more strongly than before he held her, due to some erotic quality Sara emitted.
"The King himself must be careful. I have no intention of this being the last time."
"...I'll be fine. I have not the slightest intention of dying either."
"I look forward to seeing what taste the King, who has become even stronger, will have."
With an erotic smile that sent a shiver down his spine, Sara left the room. Following her, Ray also left the room. His destination was the opposite of hers. Further inside.
Reaching the water's edge, Ray submerged himself. Before his eyes was darkness. Toward that darkness, Ray slowly stroked both arms and moved forward.