60 - The Demon King's Army
If one travels straight along the highway extending north from the royal capital, the number of towns and villages where people live gradually decreases, and eventually, nothing but deserted wilderness spreads out. Although the northern part of the Laurel Kingdom is considered part of its territory, it is a land where national administration does not sufficiently reach.
The region at the northern edge, called Nordende, is vast. Even commoners know the reason why this vast land remains undeveloped. It is because it is a land where the influence of the demon race is spreading.
The southern edge of Nordende is the front line between the Laurel Kingdom and the Demon King's army. At one time, it had pushed quite far south, but now the Laurel Kingdom has pushed it back.
The battle is currently somewhat stagnant. The place that serves as the front line is flanked by mountains extending from the east and west, and the flat land is shaped like a narrow bottleneck. It is a terrain that is easy to defend and difficult to attack for either side.
The Demon King's army has a fortress built on the northern side of that bottlenecked flat land. A figure was approaching the south gate of that fortress.
"Stop!"
A voice echoed from the fortress. Following that voice, Ray stopped in his tracks.
"Who goes there!?"
He had considered the possibility of being attacked suddenly, but unexpectedly, the demons' response was ordinary.
"...My name is Ray! If there are any Vampio here... if Kamiira-san's husband is here, I want to see him!"
Ray stated his name and the purpose of his visit. There was no response from the fortress. That was not a bad thing. It meant there was a possibility that time was being taken to move in some way in response to Ray's words.
In Ray's sensation, he waited for about ten minutes. Ray's thought was not mistaken. A man emerged from inside the fortress. Silver hair, a well-featured face, and white, glowing skin. This man, who possessed the same characteristics as Kamiira and the others, was a Vampio.
"You are a human, aren't you?"
"I am not a demon."
"Why does someone like you know the name of Kamiira-sama?"
The Vampio man referred to Kamiira with -sama. From this, Ray knew he was not Kamiira's husband. He also knew that Kamiira, or perhaps her husband, held a high position.
"I was helped when I was lost and had forgotten my memories in the Forest of Bewilderment."
"...What are the names of Kamiira-sama's children?"
"Rui, Kai-chan, and Kara-chan."
"Very well. Follow me."
First hurdle cleared. The Vampio man turned his back and began walking toward the fortress. Ray followed him and entered the fortress.
Ray felt gazes concentrated on him, mixed with various emotions: curiosity, hatred, and contempt. This was within his expectations. What he cared about was not the gazes around him, but the appearance of the demons with various characteristics, but for now, he gave up on satisfying that curiosity and continued walking straight ahead.
"Wait here."
He stopped in his tracks as instructed by the man. Around him were several people who appeared to be Vampio. Moreover, their number gradually increased.
Eventually, a particularly tall man appeared. He was a handsome man, and the expression "beautiful man" fit him perfectly.
"I hear you wish to see me. What is your business?"
From this man's words, Ray knew that he was Kamiira's husband.
"Are you Kamiira-san's husband and Rui's father?"
"I am. I am Aldear Vad Dracul. The King of the Vampio."
He identified himself as the King of the Vampio and Kamiira's husband. In other words, Kamiira was the Queen, and Rui and the others were the prince and princess. Ray thought that he should once again prepare himself for death.
"Then, first, I will return these."
There were things to handle before being killed. Returning the items he had been entrusted with.
Ray took out armor and other protective gear, as well as several books, from [Shadow Storage] and lined them up. The groans that rose from the Vampio people who saw this were because they were surprised that Ray used [Shadow Storage].
"...Why do you have those?"
"I was entrusted with them by Kamiira-san. The books... I'm sorry. I borrowed them without permission from the house's warehouse."
"That is not what I meant. Why do you... no, wait. You said the house's warehouse? A seal should have been placed there. How did you break it?"
Ray possessed things that should have been impossible to obtain. Aldear was surprised by that.
"...I received them from Kamiira-san."
"Kamiira did?"
"There is something I must tell you. Kamiira-san... and Rui as well... I killed them."
"Wh-what did you say!?"
Voices of surprise rose simultaneously from the surroundings. Immediately after, shouts of rage and bloodlust descended upon Ray.
"Be silent! Be silent!"
Aldear raised his voice to quiet the surrounding clamor. At that voice, the surroundings gradually regained their composure. That said, only the shouts had stopped; the bloodlust had grown even stronger.
"...You should have been living with Kamiira and the others. Why did you kill those two?"
Aldear's voice was also quiet, but the bloodlust emanating from his body was intense. However, Ray was not one to be frightened by that now. He had made his resolve before coming here.
"The Hero and the knights of the Laurel Kingdom attacked. Before that, I lost consciousness and was chained in a room, and by the time I woke up, it seemed they had already infiltrated the cave."
"...In that situation, why did you end up killing those two?"
"Kamiira-san... came into the room..."
When it came time to speak, he could not put it into words well. He was not afraid of Aldear's anger. When he remembered the events of that time, his emotions surged, and he could no longer remain calm.
"What happened after she came in?"
"...She came into the room... and told me to kill her..."
"What?"
"She told me to kill her..."
"...I see... so that is how it was..."
Even without hearing the story to the end, Aldear understood the circumstances. Kamiira had chosen death to protect her pride. It was a natural choice for a demon.
"I refused... but... to have Kamiira-san's pride defiled..."
Ray spoke of the situation at the time in fragments, clutching his fists tightly in frustration. Aldear could not bring himself to blame Ray.
"...And Rui at that time as well?"
"...No. Rui was captured... and I was taken to the royal capital along with Rui."
"I see..."
"I was asked by Kamiira-san. To kill Rui for her... I... Rui..."
He could not keep the promise. He could not protect Rui's pride. However, he felt that this was something he should not convey.
"I understand the story. Did you come all this way just to tell me that?"
"Yes. Also, if I may be forgiven, I have one request."
"I will hear it."
Aldear felt Ray's sincerity. Not as a Vampio ability. He felt the sincerity of Ray, who, despite the fact that it would not be strange for him to be killed, went all the way to the Demon King's army fortress, delivered the entrusted items, and came to tell the truth prepared to be hated.
"Would you allow me to participate in the war against the Laurel Kingdom?"
"You wish to fight alongside us?"
"Yes."
"...Why?"
"There are people in the Laurel Kingdom's army that I must kill. The ones who destroyed my life with Kamiira-san and the others, and the ones who caused me to kill Kamiira-san and Rui."
"Revenge?"
"No, I intend it as atonement. It may just be self-satisfaction."
Facing Aldear, he could not call it revenge. He felt he had no right to say that.
"I see... even if it leads to your death?"
"I do not fear death. I am surviving in order to kill them."
"...Very well."
If he was prepared for death, there was no reason to refuse. Especially if Ray's reason for fighting was for Aldear's family.
"King Dracul. Is that not too lenient?"
However, there was someone who did not accept it. He was not a Vampio. His hair was not silver, but gold. His skin color was not the glowing white skin characteristic of the Vampio, but brown.
"...Demon King. Why are you here?"
The one who appeared was the Demon King. The Demon King himself had come to object to Aldear's measure.
"I heard you brought a human into the fortress. I came to see for myself, thinking you were doing something arbitrary, and it seems I was correct."
"Correct in what way?"
"Are you sane, taking a human as an ally?"
"However, he wishes to fight for the sake of my family."
"How do you know that is the truth? He only spoke it with his own mouth."
The Demon King's words also had a point. It was not impossible that Ray was a spy sent by the Laurel Kingdom. Even if it were a strategy with a low probability of success.
"If you have evidence, show it."
The Demon King told Ray to show evidence as well. He was demanding it knowing that there could be no such evidence. What he was seeking was not evidence, but a witness.
"I have nothing to prove it. If I dare offer something, the people of the Laurel Kingdom know about Rui's death."
"That is not evidence. If you were a spy sent by the Laurel Kingdom, you would coordinate your stories."
"...That is certainly true. Then I have nothing that can prove it."
The Demon King harbored malice. Ray felt it. However, this army was the Demon King's army. If he could not be accepted even if it was due to malice, then he had lost the gamble.
"Then I cannot allow you to stay in the fortress. Furthermore, I cannot let you return for free after you have seen the inside of the fortress."
"Demon King-sama!"
Aldear tried to stop the Demon King, but...
"What if information about the fortress leaks from this person? Can King Dracul take responsibility?"
"That is, however..."
What was there to hide? What secret of the fortress could Ray have seen? There was no way Ray had obtained information that would be problematic if leaked.
"Kill this creature. Right here, right now."
The Demon King ordered his accompanying subordinate to execute Ray. The subordinate stepped forward in response to that order, but someone stood in the way.
The back reflected in Ray's eyes was still small, that of a child.
"...Kai-chan?"
A back that had grown considerably larger than the one Ray knew. But Ray immediately knew it belonged to Kai.
"............"
The face of the child who turned around was undoubtedly Kai. Those eyes were staring intently at Ray.
"You were alive..."
Kai, whom he thought had died, was alive. How he had escaped from that place and how he was here did not matter. Anyway, Kai was alive and right in front of him.
Kai's arm fell on Ray's shoulder. An arm filled with strength.
"...I'm sorry. I killed Kai-chan's mother. I killed Rui too. I couldn't save Kara-chan."
Ray understood the meaning of the arm that had swung down. In response to the words of apology, the other arm also swung down toward Ray.
"I'm sorry. If only I had more power... I'm sorry..."
Without dodging, Ray repeated his apologies. Kai's arms swung down toward Ray again and again.
Ray gazed at Kai. The tears overflowing from Kai's eyes pained Ray's chest more than the shoulder being struck.
"Hua... waaaaah!"
Kai's sobbing, which he had been holding back, echoed through the surroundings. Kai's arms, which were no longer swinging down, were now wrapped around Ray's back.
"Kai-chan... thank goodness... I'm so glad you're alive."
"Ray! Ray! I was lonely! I wanted to see you!"
"Kai-chan..."
After nearly four years, Kai had grown. Even so, he was still a child. To Ray, he was the cute younger brother just as he was when they last parted. Ray firmly hugged Kai's body as he clung to him while crying.
"...Demon King-sama. I believe in my son. Do you still intend to kill him, even though my son admires him this much?"
"...If you go that far, I shall forgive him. However, if that man causes a problem, you will take responsibility."
"Of course. He will fight as a warrior of the Vampio."
"That is incorrect."
"Incorrect?"
The Demon King had reluctantly accepted Ray into the fortress, but it seemed the harassment would continue.
"I shall have that man lead the Undead Legion."
"What did you say?"
"It should be perfect for that man, who is a human. Everyone in the Undead Legion is human. I should say former humans, but they are nonetheless humans."
"But, the Undead Legion is..."
"This is a great promotion. I am entrusting a legion to a man who has only just joined. Besides, that man said he would slay the Hero. It is difficult to achieve that with individual power. This is my kindness."
"............"
It could not possibly be kindness. Aldear, who knew what the Undead Legion was, understood that.
"Thank you. I cannot thank you enough for the Demon King-sama's kindness."
However, it was not that Ray did not understand. There was truth in the Demon King's words. It was difficult to defeat the Hero with individual power. That was why Ray had come here. If he could suddenly obtain a legion, there was no option other than to accept it.
"...Do your best, then."
"Yes. I will do my utmost to live up to the Demon King-sama's generous treatment."
"...Yeah, do that."
Despite it being intended as harassment, Ray expressed joy and gratitude honestly. The Demon King, who felt that it was like sarcasm, left the scene with a look of discomfort on his face.
"Is this alright...?"
"It is a pity that I cannot work under King Dracul, but as long as I can fight the Laurel Kingdom, anything is fine with me."
"It will be a harsh battle."
"I am prepared for that. I am attempting a goal that is practically impossible."
It was not just about killing the Hero. Destroying the Laurel Kingdom was Ray's objective. It was not something that could be achieved by sparing his own life.
"...I see."
"And where should I go for this Undead Legion?"
"There is a garrison for the Undead Legion to the north of this fortress."
"Is it outside the fortress?"
"Yes, it is. I will have you guided to the garrison."
"Thank you very much."
Unlike the Demon King, Aldear had goodwill toward him. Ray thought in his heart that he was glad Kamiira's husband was this kind of person.
"I want you to find time to come and see me. I wish to hear various things."
"...Yes. There are still many things to talk about. I will make time to come and see you."
There were things he wanted to talk about, and things he did not. Even so, if Aldear desired it, he had to speak.
"Yes, I count on it."
Giving a light bow, Ray walked toward the north gate of the fortress. Watching his back, Aldear spoke.
"Can you send someone to the royal capital of the Laurel Kingdom?"
"Do you still suspect that person?"
"No, that is not it. It is to prove his innocence. As it stands, it seems he will lose his life soon."
The Demon King had backed down this time, but it could not end there. Aldear knew that the Demon King had such a personality.
"...But it will take a considerable amount of time just to make the round trip?"
The royal capital was not a place that could be reached in a few days. There was a higher possibility that by the time Ray's innocence could be proven, it would already be too late.
"True... I hope I can hear it from his own mouth as well."
"Then you cannot prove his innocence."
"No, that's not it. It's not about proving his innocence; I also want to know about him."
It was not just about proving innocence. Aldear was seeking information about Ray.
"...Is there something that concerns you?"
"Kamiira left many things to him. Not only that, Rui also entrusted himself to him. I wonder if that was solely because she believed in his sincerity?"
"That is... do you believe he possesses power that Kamiira-sama would rely on?"
The subordinate recognized Ray as a human. Being a human and still young, they did not think Ray possessed high abilities.
"I want to investigate that. I had heard about him from Kai. That he had no food in the Forest of Bewilderment and was on the verge of death. In such a situation, he supposedly saved Kai, who was attacked by a magic beast."
"Did he show some power at that time?"
"No, Kai does not remember the details very well. Besides, what concerns me is what happened to him after that. How did he keep the promise to Kamiira? How was he able to come here safely?"
"...Certainly."
How was he able to kill Rui, who had been captured by the kingdom? And after doing so, how could he remain safe? This had nothing to do with Ray's abilities, but Aldear and his subordinate did not know that.
"He said he would kill the Hero. I felt a strong will from him when he said that. While saying it was impossible, I felt confidence from him. So, though it is a strange thing to say..."
None of these indicated Ray's power itself. Even so, there was something that lingered in Aldear's heart.
"Understood. Sending someone to the royal capital is one thing, but let us monitor his movements as much as possible."
"...Yes, that's right. I count on you."
He felt a slight hesitation at the word 'monitor' from his subordinate, but Aldear approved it. This judgment was not a mistake, but it was not the correct answer either.
A short while after this, Aldear would be able to know a glimpse of Ray's abilities. However, on the other hand, it would also lead to giving Ray a sense of distrust.