156 - The Spreading Demon Hand
The multinational allied forces, having suffered defeat in their battle against the Demon King's army, did not remain in the Forest of Bewilderment but retreated to the plains where they had first deployed. The primary reason for this decision was not only the high number of casualties but the fact that the unrest among the surviving soldiers showed no sign of subsiding.
However, what awaited the multinational allied forces upon their return to the foothills was the fact that the supply units in the rear had been almost completely annihilated. Naturally, the supplies they managed had vanished without a trace.
Rebuilding the army would take time. They had thought as much, but no one had imagined that this time would be spent frantically scrambling to procure supplies. In reality, it was not the soldiers but the civil officials who were chased by this task.
After establishing a system of guards and scouts within the Forest of Bewilderment to detect the enemy's approach early, the following days were spent recovering their strength. That sounds pleasant, but in truth, it was a time for the soldiers to rest their minds so they could find the will to fight again.
Meanwhile, the top brass of the army spent their time purely on analysis. They were re-evaluating the Demon King's army's strength to apply it to the next battle.
"In the end, does this mean your country understood nothing at all?"
Prince Babel asked Fumiya with an exasperated expression.
"It's not that we understood nothing. We just didn't know that Tsukitani was the Demon King,"
Fumiya answered dissatisfiedly to Prince Babel's question. He could not accept being attacked so one-sidedly.
"You didn't know who the enemy general was. That is the same as understanding nothing."
"Now, now. No matter how much you blame him for that, it solves nothing. Since we finally know who the general is, let us hear about it. I assume there are no more secrets."
The one who soothed Prince Babel as he blamed Fumiya was Prince James of the Westerland United Kingdom. He wasn't protecting Fumiya. By phrasing it this way, he was attempting to draw out all the information.
"...True. Then, let us hear it. Everything you know about the Demon King."
Prince Babel, reading Prince James's intention, played along. At this point, Fumiya could no longer keep secrets. He felt there was no meaning in doing so anyway.
"...Tsukitani is an otherworlder, just like me."
"What...?" "That's quite..."
From the very start of the story, the two princes were met with a shocking fact.
"I don't know why he became the Demon King. He shouldn't have been like that when he was fighting in Nordende."
"But he was on the side of the demons."
"Yeah. He fought leading the Undead Legion. Though we wiped out that unit at the time."
Fumiya casually bragged about his achievement. However, this was a lie. It was not Fumiya's power that had annihilated the previous Undead Legion.
"Why did they side with the demons?"
"He lived with demons in this forest. The Laurel Kingdom killed the demons he lived with, so he held a grudge."
"...Why was he the only one living in this forest?"
"I don't know."
"Then why did two Heroes side with the demons? What on earth did the Laurel Kingdom do?"
Heroes are beings who help humanity. For such a Hero to not only support the demons but become the Demon King was, in Prince Babel's mind, an impossibility.
"Two Heroes?"
"The Demon King and that female mage."
"...Tsukitani isn't a Hero. He's different from us."
"How is he different?"
Prince Babel and Prince James were completely clueless about these circumstances. Fumiya didn't understand them either, but the two princes didn't know that.
"He came to this world separately from us. Moreover, he was rejuvenated. He's the same age as us now."
"I'm not sure about the age, but does that mean he wasn't summoned by the Laurel Kingdom?"
"That's right."
Then who had summoned Ray to this world? There would be no answer to this. No one knew.
"...From the way you put it, the female mage was summoned together with him?"
Prince James asked the question in place of Prince Babel. Information on Akemi was also important. She was a core existence in the enemy's strength.
"Yeah..."
"Why did she side with the demons?"
"...Neil put her through a terrible ordeal. She held a grudge because of that."
"A terrible ordeal... What kind of ordeal would make someone decide to defect to the demons?"
"...She was made a sex slave."
"What...?"
Turning a Hero into a sex slave. That concept was incomprehensible to Prince James. A king should have no shortage of women. There are many women who obey quietly. Prince James thought it would be harder to find a woman who didn't.
"Neil is the one who created the current situation. The responsibility lies with Neil."
"I see... That's why Princess Ekaterina is calling herself the King."
"That's wrong!"
He could not acknowledge Queen Ekaterina's legitimacy. Fumiya denied it loudly.
"What is wrong?"
"Ekaterina was involved with Tsukitani. She might still be. It's unforgivable for the Demon King's woman to call herself the King of the Laurel Kingdom."
"And the evidence for that?"
"Evidence?"
"Concrete evidence that Queen Ekaterina and the Demon King are in league. Without that, it is mere slander. Moreover, when it comes to slander against one's own king, I don't think it will end well, would it?"
Prince James was trying to force the recognition of Queen Ekaterina's legitimacy. He knew Fumiya wouldn't accept it, but he intended to at least crush any justification Fumiya had for becoming king.
"...That's why Ekaterina isn't the king."
"But you also denied King Neil. Just whose subject are you, exactly?"
"I... I am no one's subject. I am a Hero. As a Hero, I follow justice."
An answer he thought of on the spot. He would absolutely never admit to being someone's subject. Fumiya gave an answer based on this premise.
"Justice... What constitutes justice is a difficult problem. To serve one's lord with loyalty until the end. That is an easy-to-understand justice, however."
Usurpation is not justice. That is what Prince James wanted to say.
"...Is this the time to be talking about justice?"
The flow of conversation was clearly bad. Fumiya decided to end the talk. Indeed, it was a conversation unrelated to the military council.
"True enough. Then let us return to the strength analysis. The Demon King's ability is to manipulate the dead. What else?"
"...He can use a sword reasonably well."
Fumiya didn't know Ray's abilities. Other than necromancy, he only knew that Ray had been taught the sword by Geel.
"Is that all?"
"He uses magic too. But I don't know what kind."
"...No information, then."
Fumiya knew nothing about Ray. This was a miscalculation for Prince James.
"What is frightening about the Demon King's ability is his tactics. His individual power might also be a threat, but there is no meaning in arguing based on speculation."
Prince Babel feared Ray's capacity as a commander, not his individual ability. He believed that if they could not counter Ray's tactics, they would taste defeat again.
"...True. Perhaps we should consider the pieces he can move, rather than his own abilities."
Prince James agreed with Prince Babel's thought. It was only natural.
"The power of individual demons is not worth fearing. But that is only if the demons use conventional fighting methods. There were demons different from the others. Probably the Vampio race."
Prince Babel was referring to Kai's unit. Kai's unit, which took collective action unusually for demons, was a concerning existence.
"...The ones Tsukitani lived with were the Vampio race."
"So the Vampio race and the Demon King have a close relationship... It would be fine if it were only the Vampio."
If other demons also began moving like a human army. Thinking of that made Prince Babel shudder.
"The biggest problem is the Undead Legion led by the Demon King. I believe that existence is a threat."
Prince James felt the Undead Legion was more of a threat than the demons.
"My magic is effective against undead. I was hindered last time, but I won't let that happen again."
"I hope so."
"...What are you trying to say?"
Fumiya immediately expressed irritation at Prince James's suggestive way of speaking. The feeling that he was clearly being pushed by the two of them stirred Fumiya's emotions. It was only natural that Fumiya, who had been just a high school student, could not win in this kind of exchange against two people who had received imperial education since childhood. But Fumiya could not accept that. He, who would become the King of the Laurel Kingdom, must not be just a high school student.
"Your assault unit is useless against the Undead Legion. Am I wrong?"
"That... I don't know yet."
A futile struggle. The results were already out. The Undead Legion had no fear of assault units. Soldiers who continued to fight even if they lost an arm or a leg. Humans feel terror at that, but for the soldiers of the Undead Legion, it was normal. Because they were the same. Fumiya's light-attribute magic was the weakness of the Undead Legion's soldiers. However, Fumiya's ability to turn soldiers into berserkers had no special effect on the Undead Legion's soldiers. Which one was the natural enemy of the other?
"In terms of soldier ability, we only excel in numbers. The same goes for knights. However, in knight combat, we have the advantage."
"Provided the demons do not move organizationally. And provided the mage does not intervene."
Prince Babel supplemented Prince James's analysis rather than denying it. Prince James also understood the content Prince Babel supplemented.
"The weapons that could compensate for the difference in the mage's power were lost. No, they passed into the enemy's hands. This leads to a pessimistic analysis result."
In every aspect, the multinational allied forces were losing to the Demon King's army. There was no way they could win like this.
"Reinforcements for the army are necessary. In terms of quality as well... it will take considerable time. In a month or two, even a messenger couldn't make the round trip."
A request for reinforcements to the home countries. Moreover, quite serious reinforcements would be necessary. The threat of Demon King Ray had made Prince Babel serious. He believed that if they didn't defeat him here, the demons would sweep across the continent. Prince James thought the same.
"We should not engage in useless battles until reinforcements arrive. That's what I think, but what about you?"
"I agree. Let us withdraw the camp for now."
"W-wait a minute! Why does it end up like that!?"
The two princes decided to retreat. But Fumiya could not accept it. He could not accept that it was decided while ignoring him. But even if Fumiya complained, the decision would not be overturned.
"...If you wish to stay, you may stay. We have no authority to command your country's army."
Fumiya also had no authority to command the armies of the two countries. If you can't agree, do as you please. Prince Babel truly thought this. He believed that they could not win against the Demon King's army in a state where they relied on Fumiya's power. Against this, Fumiya could not be aggressive. Even Fumiya did not wish to fight the Demon King's army alone. Even if he won, there would undoubtedly be considerable casualties. That would only benefit the two countries. The multinational allied forces withdrew their camp from the Forest of Bewilderment and retreated.
◇◇◇
Prince Babel feared that the threat of the demons would spread across the entire continent. That was correct. But he didn't notice that the demon's hand had already extended outside the Laurel Kingdom. Moreover, the thought that it was his own home country didn't enter his head at all. In the royal castle of the Kingdom of Moscow. In a room deep inside, the prime minister was facing a woman. A woman who had attempted suicide, fortunately survived, and was protected by the king.
The prime minister visited the woman, Mirei, because he could not stand the current situation. Despite being fully recovered, Mirei refused to leave the king's private room. If it were just that, he could leave her alone, but the fact that the king visited that room frequently, sometimes neglecting government affairs, changed the story. It was a situation the prime minister could not overlook.
"His Majesty is a kind person. But as a subject, is it right to take advantage of that?"
The prime minister was attempting to persuade Mirei in a gentle tone. He had already advised the king, but the king stubbornly refused to accept it. Therefore, he intended to have Mirei withdraw on her own.
"Am I taking advantage of His Majesty?"
"A maid living continuously in this place, which is the private room of the royal family. This is not normal. Don't you think so?"
"...That's true. I cannot thank His Majesty enough for his kindness."
Mirei admitted she was receiving exceptional treatment, but she didn't say she would leave the inner chambers.
"If you think so, is there not something you should do yourself?"
"Yes. I want to somehow convey these feelings of gratitude to His Majesty."
"No, that's not it. Those feelings are not wrong, but that's not all, is it?"
The prime minister didn't tell her to leave either. Then it would be as if he had ordered it. He wanted it to look as if Mirei left the inner chambers of her own will.
"...Not just with words, I will devote this body to serve His Majesty."
"That's... hey, don't tell me you already have?"
If she was already receiving the king's favor, the story would become more troublesome.
"Already?"
"...With His Majesty, um, a man-woman relationship?"
"...N-no. Someone like me... that's impossible..."
Understanding what the prime minister was concerned about, Mirei looked down bashfully. In the prime minister's eyes, her neck was tinged a faint pink. A fragrant scent rose from Mirei's body.
"............"
The prime minister found himself unable to look away from Mirei.
"...N-no, being stared at like that..."
Mirei turned her back to avoid the prime minister's gaze. But by doing so, the tinged neck and the line of her slender waist entered the prime minister's eyes.
"...M-Mirei-dono."
The prime minister called Mirei's name in a timid manner. At the same time, his hand reached for her shoulder.
"Prime Minister-sama..."
Mirei turned around and looked at the prime minister with moist eyes. In that instant, the prime minister's mind went blank. The hand that had been on Mirei's shoulder moved to her back, hugging her body tightly.
"Ah... n-no... you mustn't..."
Words of rejection. But that only stimulated the prime minister's heart further. The prime minister tried to roughly strip away Mirei's dress. Her shoulders were exposed, and a further fragrance tickled the prime minister's nostrils.
"...P-please... f-forgive me... if you do this to me, I..."
Though she rejected him with words, Mirei's movements were sluggish. Taking advantage of that, the prime minister exposed more of her skin. Breasts that were small but well-shaped. Long, white legs. Only her waist and private parts remained hidden by the dress.
"...Nooooooo! Help! Someone please help me!"
"...Eh?"
A sudden scream. That brought the prime minister back to his senses. But by then, it was too late.
"What is going on! Y-you! What are you doing!!"
The one who burst into the room was, of all people, the king. He shouted at the prime minister, who was sprawled on top of Mirei.
"...H-His Majesty... n-no! That's not it! This is!"
The prime minister tried to make an excuse, but in this situation, there was no way he could think of a good one.
"What's not it! Someone! Is anyone there! This is the prime minister's outrage!"
The king would not listen. In response to the king's voice, knights immediately appeared. In reality, they had been waiting just outside the hallway, but since it was the prime minister, they had been wondering what to do. But when it was the king's order, there was no hesitation. They pulled the prime minister up and, along with another knight, seized his arms.
"I shall deliver the judgment personally! Until then, throw him in the dungeon!"
"...Yes!"
Detained in the dungeon. Just hearing this, it was clear that the punishment for the prime minister would be quite severe. If there was any salvation for the prime minister, it would be if the king changed his mind after some time and became calm. But that would not happen.
"...Are you alright?"
The king spoke to Mirei, who was still fallen on the floor.
"...His Majesty, I-I... I!"
Mirei got up and hugged the king. Such an action was not permitted for a maid, but the king did not reprimand her. On the contrary, he gently hugged Mirei's trembling body.
"...H-His Majesty... I... to His Majesty..."
"............"
"To His Majesty's kindness... I want to devote everything..."
"...I-is that alright?"
The king was not so dull as to not understand what Mirei was saying.
"If someone like me can receive your mercy... please..."
The fragrance that had driven the prime minister mad just a moment ago rose from Mirei's body again. Even without it, the king's heart was already captured by Mirei. From the moment he first saw her. From this day, Mirei's position as the king's favorite concubine became public. It was only three days later that the prime minister was sentenced to death by the king. The Kingdom of Moscow lost its leadership of civil and military officials.