64 - The Invisible Battle
A sense of tension hung over the Laurel Kingdom Army's detached force. It was a tension even greater than when they first judged that the Demon King's Army had discovered their existence through magical detection. There was one reason for this. The enemy was invisible.
For a while after being detected, they had remained in place, maintaining a combat posture. However, since no enemy attack ever came, they sent a reconnaissance team in the direction of their advance to probe the situation. All that reconnaissance team found were magic items with detection magic embedded in them. That was all.
Letting their guard down because of that was their mistake.
They reduced the scale of the reconnaissance teams. The overall number remained the same, but they split them into pairs and sent them out across a wide area in the direction of their advance. It felt less like reconnaissance and more like a hunt for magic items.
The initial results remained unchanged. They only found magic items hidden here and there.
But one day, that suddenly changed. The teams sent out for reconnaissance stopped returning. Not just one or two pairs. A considerable number had gone missing.
It was clear that the enemy was lurking ahead. Yet, they still could not find the enemy that should have been lurking there. The detached force became unable to move.
"...What are the orders from the main force?"
The captain of the detached force decided to seek instructions from General Alfred at the main force and had sent a messenger.
"I suspect they won't be back for a few more days."
"...That is true. What are the analysis results so far?"
The captain noticed the impatience welling up in his heart. To avoid making it obvious, he took one quiet, deep breath to calm his feelings.
"It is thought that the enemy's numbers are not that great."
"The reason?"
"We investigated the areas where the reconnaissance teams are thought to have deployed, but no traces of the enemy were found. We believe that if a large-scale unit were moving, those traces could not be completely hidden, even if they tried to hide them."
This line of thinking was correct. The Undead Legion also operated in groups of two or three.
However, what the Laurel Kingdom Army did not understand was that their opponent was skeleton soldiers. Skeleton soldiers are light in weight, and their footprints are difficult to leave on hard ground. If one searches for traces based on living humans, they will not be found.
"...Is there a possibility they are holding back in the rear?"
Even if only a few were on the front line, that didn't necessarily mean the same for the whole force. The captain confirmed that possibility.
"We judge that possibility to be low. Even if their numbers were slightly fewer than ours, demons would challenge us to a fight. The fact that they aren't doing so suggests a high probability that they lack the combat power to fight head-on."
"True. I think so too."
Demons are bellicose. Moreover, they believe themselves to be far stronger than humans. If the numbers were equal, they would absolutely challenge them; even if they were only one-tenth, they would undoubtedly challenge them. This was the common understanding of humans, not just the Laurel Kingdom Army.
This understanding was correct. However, the detached force was not facing demons. Ray, who commanded them, acted while considering himself the weaker party. The fact that they did not know this was the detached force's misfortune.
"Shall we send out a reconnaissance in force once more? As for the number... let's say two hundred."
"Double the first time?"
"Just to be safe."
The captain believed that the reason the enemy had done nothing when the first reconnaissance team was sent out was a matter of scale. It wasn't that they didn't attack. It was that they couldn't attack.
"Could it be that the enemy is fleeing?"
The subordinate thought the same as the captain.
"I don't mind. Our mission is to create a road. As long as we aren't hindered in that, it's fine. Besides, since we've been discovered by the enemy, buying time is also an important mission."
"Understood. I will organize the reconnaissance team immediately."
The subordinate left the tent to organize the reconnaissance team.
"...They've played us well, but this is the end. From here on, I'll have them play with us slowly. They'll have no other choice."
The captain did not desire a fight with the enemy. It wasn't that he feared it. It was to buy time.
Creating a new invasion route to Nordende. This unit was not the only one tasked with that mission. Several other units were doing the same thing in different locations.
If even one of them could get a road through, the operation would be a success. For that purpose, the unit discovered by the enemy would take on the role of a decoy. To prevent them from hindering the other units.
The power of numbers is where humans excel over demons. This was one of the operations that utilized that power of numbers.
◇◇◇
The Undead Legion had moved to the northeast, to the back right from the perspective of the Laurel Kingdom Army's detached force. They decided to wait until the enemy's next move became clear, and thus took some distance.
However, there was no way Ray would end it by simply waiting. In that location, the legion's training was conducted from morning until night, and sometimes even until midnight.
"Heh. Their movements have gotten better."
Ray looked at the soldiers' movements, appearing impressed.
"You're slow! Just how far... wait, what did you bring with you?"
Sansei had intended to complain to Ray, who had been away from the legion for a long time, but before he could finish, his attention was drawn to something else.
"Can't you tell by looking? It's a horse, a horse."
"No, I can tell that much. I'm asking why you're bringing a horse."
Ray had not gone out with a horse. In the first place, there were no horses in the Undead Legion. So where had Ray brought a horse from?
"The enemy messenger was riding a horse, so I snatched it."
Even Sansei understood that much.
"...You occasionally become an idiot. What I'm asking is why you brought a horse to this place. You can run faster than a horse, right?"
"I can. But there's a limit to what can be done even if I alone am fast."
"...Is that, by any chance, about me?"
Sansei could not run as fast as Ray. If he wanted to act together with Ray, a horse was indeed necessary.
"Not just Sansei. I want the entire legion to be able to ride horses. Battles may take place on flat land ahead. Even just for moving the legion, horses would be better, right?"
"...There it is."
With this, new training would be added. Their sleeping time would be further reduced.
"What's with that 'there it is'?"
"Nothing. You're just going to say it's to make the legion stronger anyway, right?"
"What else would there be?"
"There are other things, aren't there? What about the report?"
It was certainly important to make the legion stronger. But they were already in the middle of fighting the enemy. For that reason, Ray had temporarily left the legion.
"The enemy's numbers are around a thousand. At least, the ones closest to us."
"...What do you mean?"
"The number is too small. The Laurel Kingdom Army should have mobilized a force of about twenty thousand. The story is that the fort is dealing with fifteen thousand, and there are a thousand near us. Then, where are the other four thousand?"
The detached force's misfortune was that Ray knew the information regarding the Laurel Kingdom Army. With simple subtraction, the operation had been seen through. Though, it was only "seen through."
"Does that mean there are others creating roads?"
"Probably."
"What do you plan to do? A thousand is already a lot, and there are four times as many enemies on top of that."
"We won't be fighting them all at once."
"You're fighting them after all..."
Even if the enemy were fifty times their number, there was no way Ray would easily give up. He had been fighting with the awareness that there was a difference in military strength from the start.
"The enemy has gone out of their way to give us an opportunity to fight in small numbers. We can't let this go to waste, can we?"
"...I suppose so."
Sansei began to feel a slight sympathy for the enemy. Even though Ray, who should be a complete amateur regarding war, was leading the weakest legion.
"First, I want to whittle down the nearby enemy a bit more. It should be about time they start moving, so I'll go confirm again."
"And me?"
"You can't keep up, right?"
Not just Sansei, but there was no one in the Undead Legion who could keep up with Ray.
"...More training, then."
"Isn't it great? You can gain that much power. I want to keep training too."
This was his honest feeling. In the Undead Legion, no one was more suited for reconnaissance than Ray—or rather, Ray was the only one suited for it. That was why Ray had no choice but to run around the mountains alone.
His own wish was that he wanted to continue training himself.
"I'd like to say I'll take your place, but it can't be helped. Well, leave the training to me."
"Oh, you're unusually positive."
"...The 'unusually' is unnecessary."
Ray smiled at Sansei, who was puffing out his cheeks. Ray was starting to enjoy these kinds of interactions with Sansei. Not interactions with the personality that had originally been himself, but interactions with a complete stranger.
Interactions with Miria had been the same, but that thought did not cross Ray's mind.
"Well, I'm off. Sansei, I'm leaving the legion to you."
"O-oh."
Being relied upon by someone. This was a first experience for Sansei. He had developed enough leeway to feel happy about it.
Just as Ray said, the Undead Legion would become strong. He could feel that progress.
◇◇◇
A general meeting was being held at the Demon King's Army fort. A situation had occurred that made it necessary. A report that was not good for the Demon King's Army had been brought in.
"...Now, the report."
The Demon King had already heard the report. This explanation was for those who did not yet know the information.
"The reinforcement army of the Laurel Kingdom is approaching. Their number is ten thousand."
The reinforcement army that had departed from the royal capital was about to arrive at the battlefield. That was the report.
"The commander-in-chief of the reinforcement army is Sieg."
Groans leaked from among the people gathered in the meeting room. They were from those who knew Sieg's reputation.
"Furthermore, the Hero is accompanying them."
An even louder groan than before. Finally, the Hero had entered the fray. That represented the Laurel Kingdom's seriousness.
The time for the decisive battle had finally come. The fighting would increase in intensity.
"The full-scale battle will finally begin."
The Demon King also informed the gathered people that the battle was becoming full-scale.
But in reality, the battle on the Demon King's Army's side had long since become full-scale. However, the territory gained as a result had already been taken back, and the current situation was that they were doing their best just to prevent the intrusion into Nordende.
"Kill the Hero! Win against the Laurel Kingdom Army! We shall establish a paradise for demons in this world!"
Creating a place where demons could live in peace. This was the reason the Demon King's Army fought. The Demon King had risen aiming for such an ideal. The people present were those who had gathered in response to the Demon King's feelings. But now—.
"King Dracul. Have you heard about the Undead Legion?"
After the meeting ended, the Demon King asked King Dracul about the Undead Legion.
"No, I have heard nothing."
King Dracul answered the Demon King's question immediately. It was an expected question.
"Nothing has been communicated to me either. I thought they were a useless unit, but to think they cannot even deliver a single message."
"Is that so..."
It wasn't that they couldn't deliver it. It was that they had no intention of delivering it. Even if the Demon King knew this, the evaluation of the Undead Legion would not change; if anything, it would only worsen.
"In that case, I am concerned about the enemy unit said to be creating a road in the mountains. The fact that the Undead Legion, who were entrusted with reconnaissance, have not returned suggests it may be larger in scale than we thought."
"Indeed, there is that possibility."
"So... I was wondering if I could ask for reconnaissance from King Dracul's side next."
"That... is fine, but..."
They had originally intended to take on the reconnaissance mission themselves. There was no reason to refuse. However, he was curious about the reason the Demon King was saying this here.
"I see. You'll take it on. Then, I'll leave it to you."
"Yes."
"Ah, that's right. Since it is King Dracul's side, I know you are different from the useless Undead Legion, but I want information provided frequently."
"That goes without saying."
"...Then, shall we decide on a person in charge?"
"A person in charge?"
If it was a search in the mountains, a considerable number of personnel would be deployed. He didn't understand the meaning of deciding on a person in charge.
"I'm thinking of having the reports go to a designated person. I thought that would make communication easier for both sides."
"...I see. Then, after we select someone, I will have them come to greet you later."
Not just reporting, but consultation with the Demon King and decision-making based on that. Thinking that was what it meant, King Dracul decided to choose someone suitable for that, but...
"Ah, you don't have to be so formal. Let's see... wouldn't she be fine?"
"She, you say?"
"What was her name... she participated in the meeting the other day."
"...Why her?"
Certainly, there was a woman among the vassals he had brought to the meeting. But she had only accompanied him; he hadn't introduced her to the Demon King, nor had he let her speak in particular.
Despite that, the reason for choosing her. King Dracul was appalled by the Demon King's foolishness and felt anger.
"Since King Dracul brought her to the meeting, I thought she was capable. Well, anyone else is fine too. Once decided, send her to me."
Without even waiting for King Dracul's answer, the Demon King left the area. Realizing his intentions had been seen through, he had fled.
However, he hadn't given up. He was waiting for King Dracul's judgment. He believed that King Dracul would think about how to flatter him, the Demon King.
"...There is no need to obey his words."
Once the Demon King's figure disappeared, the vassal waiting behind him spoke up.
"I have no intention of obeying even if you don't tell me."
"Even though the battle is at a critical moment, what is he thinking?"
"I don't know. He wasn't a man like that."
The Demon King had ambition. King Dracul believed that was certain. Many demons empathized with that ambition and united under the Demon King. King Dracul was one of them.
"Many comrades are harboring dissatisfaction."
"There are those who have sworn allegiance even more than that."
There are people who follow. That is why the Demon King can remain the Demon King.
"Many of them are those who should be called lowly servants."
However, the reasons for following varied from person to person. Many thought of gaining interests by flattering the Demon King. It could be said that such existences were making the Demon King worse.
"Even so, we cannot disband now."
Even if they were dissatisfied with the Demon King, the demons could not afford to fall apart here. The ones who would be happy if that happened were the humans. Many people were suppressing their dissatisfaction, thinking only of winning the war against the humans. King Dracul was one of them.
"...It would be fine if there were a replacement."
The people of the Vampio race believed that King Dracul himself should be that replacement.
"It is not that simple. Ruling over demons is not easy."
Each race and tribe had their own king or tribal chief. To unite the demons, one had to stand above those kings. That was not easy.
The fact that it was possible now was because the people dissatisfied with the Demon King had common sense. Because they had the capacity to accept enduring it.
If a replacement were appointed from among those sensible people, the races and tribes currently following the Demon King would likely find it dissatisfying and defect.
"...Can we win like this?"
"There is no meaning in thinking about that. We have no choice but to win. That is the only solution."
"Yes..."
They could not afford to lose. For the demons to survive, they had no choice but to win regardless of the situation. Matters within the demon race would come after that. King Dracul believed it would be fine even then.
"What is the status of the Undead Legion?"
Without being ordered by the Demon King, King Dracul had been having the status of the Undead Legion investigated. Of course, not to report to the Demon King. He had no intention of reporting. If the Demon King knew that the Undead Legion was still fighting the enemy, and moreover fighting with an advantage, he would surely have strange ideas again.
"We have grasped their location. However, we do not know what they intend to do next."
"Can it not be investigated?"
"It is unbelievable, but that person can detect the presence of us, the Vampio race. So far, he only gives warnings in words, and softly at that, but that may not be the case in the future."
"...Are you saying he will strike them down?"
The vassal's report was a surprise to King Dracul. He had heard about Ray's power to sense presence and his high concealment ability, but he hadn't thought he had the combat power to strike down his own vassals.
"Some feel that way."
"Does he have the power to defeat a Vampio individually..."
What had his wife, Kamiira, expected from Ray? King Dracul now understood the reason. However, this was his misunderstanding. The Ray that Kamiira knew did not possess the strength he had now.
"What shall we do?"
"...Shall I send Kai?"
"Would that... not be counterproductive?"
It was already known that Ray harbored distrust toward them. Ray's response showed that. Sending Kai in this situation would be utilizing the relationship between the two. If it were perceived as such, it could result in further increasing the distrust.
"I don't mind that. Regardless, knowing what he intends to do is what is important."
Ray's movements were unpredictable. King Dracul wondered if it was because Ray could see something that they could not. He felt, without any evidence, that this might be the key to victory in this war.
This was correct. For this baseless something was exactly what Kamiira had felt in Ray.