149 - Being Left Behind Is Important
The war with the Demon King's army was beginning to spread beyond the Laurel Kingdom to other nations. An era of conflict had already descended upon the continent, but those had been wars between nations. A war with the structure of the Demon Race versus the Human Race on this scale was likely a first. At least, there was no record of it in the people's memories. Messengers flew between countries, and each army hurriedly prepared for battle. Not all of them had decided to gather in the Laurel Kingdom, but in this era of conflict, few nations could afford to neglect their preparations. While the official pretext was the fight against the Demon Race, many nations believed this would be the catalyst for major powers to make significant moves in their own disputes.
Amidst this, there was one country that was somewhat left behind. The Laurel Kingdom, which should have been the primary party involved. The Laurel Kingdom ruled by Queen Ekaterina.
Of course, they were not doing nothing. Discussions were held daily. It was simply that no conclusion could be reached.
"It seems certain that other nations will deploy their armies."
The one reporting at the meeting was Julius. In Anfang, where there was a shortage of talent, a considerable portion of national administration fell under Julius's responsibility.
"They likely will. The question is which countries and how much military force they will send. Do you not know that?"
Sieg sought further information from Julius. How many hostile forces would gather within the country? For the military, this was a major problem.
"I am striving to gather information, but at this point, such detailed data is quite difficult to obtain..."
That was only natural. They didn't even know the details regarding the rebel forces they had requested support from.
"Even if we knew, nothing would change. They'd probably outnumber us by dozens of times."
"Ten times and thirty times are completely different."
Sieg gave a serious answer to Geel's words. It was certainly different. But that wasn't what Geel meant.
"Then, would you fight if it were ten times?"
"That is not for me to decide."
"Hey, now. Give up that rigid way of thinking about roles. This country isn't rich enough in talent for that."
"That may be true, but..."
Sieg also understood the shortage of talent. However, he felt that it might be harmful for someone without knowledge or experience to interfere in specialized matters.
"There's no point in calculating victory or defeat. If we fight, the opponent will recognize the rebel forces as the legitimate Laurel Kingdom. Wouldn't that be bad?"
If many other nations came to recognize the legitimacy of the rebel forces, Anfang would be pushed into a very dire situation. Bloodlines wouldn't matter. It was possible that a new nation would rise in their place.
"Then, what should we do?"
"Think of a way to avoid fighting."
"Does such a way exist?"
"It'll be impossible to do it without taking some damage."
Even if they negotiated with other countries, they needed bargaining chips. But within Anfang's power, there was almost nothing that could serve as a chip. They would need the resolve to carve pieces from themselves.
"For example?"
"Don't make me say it. Think about that much yourself."
"...I suppose so."
As a subordinate, it was difficult to voice such things. Sieg understood that.
"But isn't it the same for the rebel forces?"
Julius interjected. The rebel forces would also likely negotiate with other countries. The things they could offer the opposing nations would be the same. If anything, the rebel forces might have more to offer.
"Probably the same. But that doesn't mean we can avoid negotiating. Besides, there isn't just one negotiating partner."
"...Do you intend to balance them against each other?"
"The ones doing the balancing will be the opponents. However, if we want the gamble to work, we have no choice but to bet separately."
The possibility that the two great powers likely to intervene would support the same faction was low. If that were the case, even if they didn't reach out, the opponents would choose on their own. That was how Geel thought.
"There is a possibility they might think, 'First, we'll eliminate this side, the legitimate Laurel Kingdom.'"
"I don't deny that. But is it not impossible to consider every single possibility and respond to all of them?"
"...That is true."
If they had the power to do that, they wouldn't have invited this situation in the first place. Because they lacked the strength to eradicate the rebel forces on their own, they had ended up giving other nations an opening.
"What we must do now is gain as much strength as possible in the little time remaining. Strength that won't be underestimated by other nations. Shouldn't we think about the contents of the negotiations after we've achieved that?"
"...I understand. I will continue to strive for information gathering."
Julius was not completely convinced. His slightly off-target answer was proof of that. Still, he refrained from arguing because he believed the information necessary for a judgment had not yet been gathered. He decided that collecting it was the priority.
Regardless of Julius's inner thoughts, the discussion on this matter ended for today. The meeting was adjourned.
The participants left the conference room. Some seemed mindful of Queen Ekaterina and Geel, who remained behind, but no one said anything.
They couldn't. While Geel's official position remained that of a knight, he was Prince Rainheart's father. The surroundings assumed the reason for him staying was a private matter for the Queen.
"...What a dependable father."
Once they were alone, Queen Ekaterina spoke.
"Not really."
"Oh, modesty?"
"Huh? Ah, is that what you meant..."
Geel had thought Queen Ekaterina's "dependable father" referred to Ray, but he was mistaken. He realized she was talking about him.
"Ah, so that's how it is?"
Queen Ekaterina also realized that Geel's remarks during the meeting were not his alone.
"Information arrived after a long time. Well, given the situation, it would be strange if it didn't."
Messengers from Ray did not visit frequently. Now that people who couldn't be called family had gathered, things that would make their relationship suspect—especially if they were allies—must be avoided. Contact was kept to the absolute minimum.
"Is it not very good information?"
Geel had responded negatively after taking "dependable father" to mean Ray. It meant there was something he couldn't be relied upon for.
"He informed me that providing support to this side will be difficult from here on."
"...Did he give a reason?"
"Yes. To concentrate on the battle."
"That is..."
Queen Ekaterina's expression clouded. She wasn't grieving the loss of support. It was because she realized that Ray intended to keep fighting, even in a situation where other nations would intervene.
"He's not the type to back down just because the enemy has become powerful."
But that was something they had known from the start. Not just Geel, but Queen Ekaterina as well.
"...True. But I wonder if he can win?"
"Honestly, I don't know. It will change depending on how many armies gather and how seriously they intend to fight."
Geel couldn't say they would win. When it became a massive army exceeding a hundred thousand, and when that army fought with the genuine intent to exterminate the Demon Race, would they truly win? Normally, they wouldn't. Yet, the Demon Race had been defeated by the Laurel Kingdom army, which was smaller, even though Ray wasn't the one in command.
"What can we do?"
"Do nothing."
"Eh?"
"The battle may become a fight for the very survival of the Demon Race. It seems he has decided to face that battle as the Demon King."
"What does that mean?"
Ray was already the Demon King. Queen Ekaterina couldn't understand the meaning of facing the battle as the Demon King.
"I don't know. I don't know, but at the very least, the fact that he is the Demon King will likely become public."
"...I see."
Few people knew that Ray was the Demon King. If he could have ended the fight while keeping it hidden... Queen Ekaterina's fragile hope would not be granted.
"What we must do is avoid being dragged into the conflict as much as possible. We must also attempt to prolong the negotiations with other countries without reaching a conclusion."
"...That will be difficult."
"I am aware. However, ceding territory is still acceptable. But if it comes to marriage, would the Laurel Kingdom not be as good as destroyed?"
The things a negotiating partner would demand in exchange for support were territory or a political marriage. If it were a political marriage where Prince Rainheart took a bride, it would still be acceptable. However, the fact that Queen Ekaterina was single would undoubtedly stimulate the greed of the opposing nations. They would think that by marrying Queen Ekaterina, they could obtain the Laurel Kingdom.
"...Still, what do you think about doing nothing?"
"Of course, if there is something we can do, we should do it. However, we must avoid any action that pushes things forward. We must buy time. If you trust him."
If they bought time, Ray would surely resolve the situation. Geel was advising Queen Ekaterina to believe in that.
"...I understand."
If she trusted Ray. Having been told this, she had no choice but to agree. She felt sorry for relying entirely on Ray, but she absolutely did not want to get in his way. That was what Queen Ekaterina thought.
"Also, I will put it into action when the time comes."
"...Are you certain?"
"I believe so. We have no choice but to trust him in this as well. Of course, I am not trusting his words alone."
"...I understand. I leave the opportunity to you, Geel-dono. You may act without obtaining my permission."
"Understood."
Even though things were moving on a large scale, the goal of buying time remained unchanged. For Anfang to gain strength as a nation, it would still take a long time, but the time gained for that purpose was steadily increasing.
They could not waste it. For this was time that Ray and the Demon Race were buying with their lives.
◇◇◇
The Kingdom of Moscow and the United Kingdom of Westerland. With these two great powers making their intention to deploy troops clear, the intentions of the smaller nations also solidified. Not many small nations could choose not to send their armies to the Laurel Kingdom, which would be not only a battle against the Demon Race but also a stage for diplomacy.
Many small nations believed that they would eventually be swallowed up by some great power. Small nations adjacent to only one great power had only the choice of obeying that power or defying it with the resolve to be destroyed, but others, even if they obeyed, had to decide which country to follow. This battle would hasten that decision.
Which great power would be most beneficial for their own country to follow? Or was the choice not to follow also possible? To determine this, they needed to send armies to the Laurel Kingdom where the great powers gathered, and slip diplomats and intelligence organizations among them. Almost all the neighboring countries of the Laurel Kingdom, positioned between great powers, dispatched armies.
The armies of other nations gathered one after another. It was a struggle for those receiving them. Especially since those receiving them were, in reality, rebel forces that could not even be called a country.
"...I cannot meet His Majesty the King. Are you truly saying that?"
The one questioning Hansmann in a displeased voice was a general from a small nation that had joined the war. Although they had their own motives, they had dispatched troops at the request of the Laurel Kingdom. They believed it was only natural to be granted an audience.
"I am terribly sorry. His Majesty has been in poor health ever since his accession. He wishes to express his gratitude to the general directly, but meeting in a sickbed would be contrary to etiquette."
Hansmann explained the reason they couldn't meet Neil, though it was a lie.
"For a mere soldier like myself to desire an audience with His Majesty the King is the truly rude thing. Even in a sickbed, it would be a joy if that were granted."
Even after hearing Hansmann's explanation, the opponent did not immediately back down. That was only natural. The opponent suspected Neil was no longer alive and was making this request to confirm it.
"However, it would be problematic if the general were to fall ill because of it."
"...Are you saying His Majesty's illness is contagious?"
"There is a possibility."
Hansmann used the excuse he had prepared for when the first explanation didn't work.
"Is recovery difficult?"
"From my lips, I can only say that we strongly hope for his recovery."
Depending on the situation, they would let it be that he died of illness. Because he intended this, Hansmann used such ambiguous phrasing.
"...I see."
The general of the small nation stopped his pursuit there. Even if the Laurel Kingdom was in chaos, its national power was higher than his own. He did not want to anger them.
However, it was a different story if the opponent did not fear that.
"If it is such an illness, I shall have the physicians of my country examine him."
"...Excuse me, but who are you?"
The speaker was a person standing right behind the general of the small nation. However, Hansmann felt that the person was not in the position he had thought.
"I am Babel of the Kingdom of Moscow."
"What!?"
Hansmann was surprised to hear the person's name. To learn that the person he thought was a subordinate of a small nation's general was actually from the great power, the Kingdom of Moscow, was shocking.
"Did I surprise you?"
"...I had not received a report of your arrival."
"Ah, I came ahead of the army. The arrival of the forces will be a bit later."
"Why did you do such a thing?"
The reason for arriving ahead of the army. Hansmann felt this was not a good thing for them. Not just Prince Babel, but all the people coming from other nations likely had nothing good on their minds.
"I happened to be in a neighboring country of yours. Going back to my country was a bother. And waiting for the army's arrival in that country would be a nuisance."
This was, of course, a lie. To obtain more detailed information within the Laurel Kingdom, Prince Babel had departed with a small number of people—excluding the intelligence organization—ahead of the army.
Furthermore, he entered the Laurel Kingdom by blending in with the forces of a small nation. This didn't have a very deep meaning. He simply wanted to take them by surprise.
"Even so... no, first I should express my gratitude. Thank you very much for responding to our country's request."
"Gratitude is unnecessary. The Demon Race is the common enemy of the Human Race. It is only natural to lend a hand in their subjugation. More importantly, about the illness of the King of Laurel."
"...I apologize for causing you concern."
"No apology is needed. But I am concerned. The physicians of my country are excellent. I would very much like to be of help."
"...With all due respect, our country also has physicians. Those physicians have been examining him continuously."
They could not accept physicians from another country. Because the patient they wished to examine had long since died.
"That is exactly why. If the current physician cannot cure him, should he not be examined by another?"
"That may be true... however... it is difficult to say..."
"Do you fear that instead of curing him, they might make him worse?"
"That is... I am sorry."
It was a natural consideration. Even Prince Babel would not accept having a physician from a country that could be called an enemy examine him. Though this was a lie Hansmann used to refuse the meeting.
"...It is impossible to ask you to trust me when I've just arrived. I understand."
Prince Babel backed down here. He had no intention of pursuing it to the end from the start. Even if he found out at this point that King Neil was already dead, it would only complicate the situation.
"I will prepare accommodations for you immediately. Please move there."
"Ah, I'll do that. Staying as a guest in another country's quarters is uncomfortable."
If he felt that way, he should have just not done this from the start. Hansmann, of course, did not say this. He simply designated Prince Babel as a person of interest in his heart and decided to strengthen his vigilance.
◇◇◇
A deep and large cave located deep within the Forest of Bewilderment. This place was currently completely devoid of people, but the doors lined along the cave walls told visitors that people—and quite many of them—had once lived here.
Even deeper in that cave, in a space with a particularly large door, Ray lay collapsed. Ray was lying on his back in a place surrounded by water, with the upper half of his face submerged in that water. It was a posture that looked as if he had died.
Had he actually died? Ray himself no longer knew. Even if his will remained, Ray understood that it was different from life as a human. This was the second time Ray had come to this place. This was the place where the Magic Sword Kamui was born.
Ray was continuing a battle far more severe than the one back then. It was not a battle against the will imbued in the Pure Sword or the madness stained by miasma. He was continuing to fight the miasma itself.
(...Am I... safe?)
Having somehow held together his will, which seemed likely to dissipate amidst the raging miasma, Ray questioned Kamui.
(...A-ah. Somehow.)
(I... I am Ray... and you... are?)
(...K-Kamui.)
Who am I? By answering this, he was trying to reconfirm that he was himself, but even that was becoming difficult.
(There was... a gap. Are you okay?)
(I-it can't be helped, right? Because from... halfway through, I... became Kamui.)
(T-true... but... w-was it... a failure?)
(Why ask that now. I'm... getting stronger, right?)
To possess power exceeding Fumiya's. For that purpose, Ray had come here. His own power was something obtained by absorbing the power of others. If so, he had no choice but to absorb the most powerful and homogeneous power he knew. That was the result of his thinking.
(N-not that... if I... reject it, I can't... absorb it.)
(...Do I... accept the... miasma?)
(U-until now, that's... what I've done.)
As a result of accepting the power of others—though not always consciously—he had obtained power. If he stubbornly tried to maintain himself as he was now, he would not obtain power. That was what Ray thought.
(...It'll be... a repeat... of the Pure Sword.)
Just by suppressing the miasma that flowed in with the slightest contact, an unknown amount of time—days, perhaps weeks—had passed.
Kamui did not have the confidence to remain sane while taking that miasma head-on.
(Even if I... go a little... crazy, I... don't care. As long as I... don't forget... what I... must do.)
(C-can you... do that...?)
(W-who do you... think I am? I'm... the Demon King. W-would I... lose to a single... demon?)
His own will was stronger than the will of the demon imbued in the Pure Sword. Ray stated this definitively. It was not bravado. He had no intention of losing.
(...Hmph.)
(W-what's... funny?)
(I just... felt a bit... irritated. Did I... get angry... because you said... 'a single demon'?)
The will of the former Pure Sword dwelling within him. Kamui thought it was the emotion brought about by that.
(...C-control your own... emotions... yourself.)
(S-shut up. I... was always... short-tempered.)
(Now, the break... is over.)
Ray rolled over and lay on his stomach. He extended his arms and dragged his body forward. To the place where the Pure Sword had been thrust. To the place where the miasma erupted.
(No matter... what you are, I will... swallow it all.)
Ray once again declared war—?—against the miasma.
(...Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!)
With a roar, he thrust the Magic Sword Kamui into the exit of the miasma. The miasma erupting from the depths of the earth flowed through the Magic Sword Kamui and into Ray's body.
And then, silence returned to the darkness. A quiet, yet fierce battle continued.