67 - Rising Battle Spirit
The unexpected death of Alfred, the Vanguard Commander. Furthermore, the fact that Ray was the one who killed him caused great turmoil among the upper echelons of the Laurel Kingdom army. First, they did not understand why Ray had targeted Alfred. That meant there was a possibility that they themselves could be targeted.
The meeting currently taking place at the main camp was to discuss exactly that.
"In other words, you're saying Ray Tsukiya is a member of the Demon King's army?"
"Did I say anything else?"
Geel looked displeased at Sieg, who had questioned him back. For most people, Sieg's behavior was an expression of dignity, but for Geel, it was merely a formal and tedious attitude.
"That he is in the Demon King's army..."
"It's not particularly strange. Tsukiya is a henchman of the Demon Race, after all."
This turn of events was acceptable to Fumiya. Evidence had come to light that Ray was a henchman of the Demon Race.
"True. It is not strange for him to be in the Demon King's army."
Sieg did not deny Fumiya's claim. That Ray was a henchman of the Demon Race was the judgment of the Laurel Kingdom. He could not deny that.
"However, do not use such cowardly methods. I cannot believe this was Tsukiya's doing."
Fumiya further claimed that this was different from the Ray he knew. He wanted to dilute the guilt of having tried to kill a friend, as well as the perceptions of those around him.
"There may be others like him."
Sieg brushed off Fumiya's assertion and started a different topic. He considered the current conversation a waste of time.
"In that case... shall we change the detection magic?"
Hearing Sieg's words, a subordinate suggested changing the detection magic tools. There were enemies who did not trigger the tools used to detect the Demon Race. This was a threat to their defense.
"...Rather than changing them, we shall add to them. Also, convey that the practice of relying on magic for sentry duty must be corrected immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
It was nothing special. In battles between the Human Race, they did not rely on detection magic. It wasn't that they didn't use it, but since it reacted to things that moved rather than mana, there were many false positives, and it wasn't impossible to deceive.
"Now, let us continue. Alfred sent a unit into the eastern mountains. What do you think the situation is?"
Ray had entered the vanguard army's camp by deceiving them into thinking he was a private from the mobile unit. Sieg knew of his existence. If Ray, who belonged to the Demon King's army, knew about it, there was a possibility that combat was indeed taking place.
"As of now, we have received no communication from the mobile unit."
"Therefore, we cannot say they are safe. There is a possibility they are unable to send a messenger."
"Yes. We have sent a reconnaissance team from here, so we are awaiting the results."
This was the same thing. There was no guarantee that the sent reconnaissance team would return safely. However, the fact that they did not return indicated something.
"...The time spent waiting for their return is a waste."
"Hah."
At this point, Geel let out an exaggerated sigh.
"What is it?"
"Alfred said the exact same thing. That the enemy might have taken the bait, but that the time spent confirming it was a waste."
"...I don't think that's wrong?"
If one wanted to gain the effect of a decoy operation, choosing to attack the fortress was a natural decision. Sieg did not understand why Geel was showing a dissatisfied attitude.
"I'm not saying it's wrong. Considering the goal of taking the fortress, it's the correct answer."
"Then what are you dissatisfied with?"
"It's the same as your question. I wonder what's happening with the mobile unit? And what will happen from here on?"
"...It is an operation conducted with the expectation of sacrifice. There may already be those who have become sacrifices. We cannot let that go to waste."
"That's why I'm saying it's not wrong. I'm just uneasy about leaving that brat alone."
"What happens if we leave him alone?"
They were currently in the middle of a war. Sieg believed there was no point in obsessing over Ray as an individual.
"That's why I'm saying we should confirm it, because I don't know."
"...Are you suggesting we send more forces to the east?"
"Not that. I'm saying I'll go investigate."
"No matter how strong you are, what can you do alone?"
"That 'alone' was enough for the brat to slay Alfred."
"...I'm sorry, but I cannot grant permission. The assault on the fortress will be a fierce battle. We need as many strong individuals as possible."
"A sound opinion. But far too sound."
In a war against the Demon King's army, priority should be given to taking the fortress. If the fortress fell, victory was practically decided. Ray, as a member of the Demon King's army, would also lose. However, Geel believed it wasn't about that. Ray was not simply obeying the Demon Race. He was acting with the Demon Race because he had a purpose. That was what Geel believed.
"Being sound is my way."
The orthodox approach, the standard method. That was Sieg's way. Even if Geel criticized it, he remained unshaken.
"...Are you fine with five thousand of our allies being killed?"
"Those are the people who set out with that resolve. As I said before, we cannot let their sacrifice be in vain. For that reason, I want you to participate in the assault on the fortress. Do you understand? This is an order."
Even among the Three Pillars of Knights, Sieg was a general and the overall commander of this army. His orders were absolute within the military.
"...Understood. I shall obey the General-sama's orders."
While uttering words that sounded like a vow of submission, Geel stood up and attempted to leave the tent.
"Hey! Geel!"
Without listening to Sieg's voice of restraint and without looking back, Geel walked outside.
"...I heard you found Ray."
Cecil was waiting for Geel.
"You're quick. How did you find out?"
Only the upper echelons should have known about Ray yet. Yet it had already reached Cecil's ears.
"It doesn't matter. More importantly, is it true?"
"Yeah, it's true. He came to the vanguard army's camp alone, killed Alfred, and fled."
"Alone, he killed Alfred-sama..."
One of the greatest knights in the Laurel Kingdom. Hearing that Ray had killed Alfred, even Cecil was surprised.
"That bastard threw away his humanity. Ah, he wasn't human to begin with, he's an Otherworlder."
"Where is this Ray?"
"Probably the eastern mountains."
"I see."
Cecil's previously stiff expression softened. Knowing Ray's location made her happy.
"I don't think you'll be able to meet him even if you go."
"Why!?"
"I figured you intended to go."
"............"
Silence was the answer. There was no way Cecil could stay still knowing Ray's location.
"Most likely, a separate detachment and the Demon King's army are fighting in the eastern mountains. If you just search blindly, you'll only be found and killed by the Demon Race."
"...But Ray is—"
"That Ray is with the Demon King's army. There's no way you can meet."
It was true that Ray was with the Demon King's army. However, it wasn't that they couldn't meet. The Demon Race consisted of Kai, three of the Vampio race, and Sansei. If she knew the location, the possibility of meeting Ray was high. But Geel did not know that.
"Then I have no choice but to defeat that Demon King's army."
"The way you say that so casually scares me. But you're right. If you want to meet Ray, you either wait for him to approach or eliminate those who get in the way."
"When is the battle?"
"Soon. First, we take the fortress. After that."
There was no way just the two of them could take the Demon King's fortress. That was the reality, but Geel was fired up after learning of Ray's astonishing growth upon meeting him after a long time. And Cecil, feeling Ray's presence nearby and soaring with the expectation that she might finally meet him, was in a mood to actually carry it out.
◇◇◇
The Laurel Kingdom army was not the only one surprised by Alfred's death. The enemy, the Demon King's army, was also greatly surprised by the fact.
"...The one who killed Alfred was that human brat?"
The Demon King, in particular, could not hide his unexpected agitation.
"Yes. It seems so."
"Why the Undead Legion?"
Why were the Undead Legion, who should have been in the mountains, able to attack the Laurel Kingdom army on the other side of the mountains? This question was based on the Demon King's misunderstanding.
"It wasn't that the Undead Legion moved, but rather that the Legion Commander accomplished it alone."
"Impossible..."
Hearing that Ray had executed it alone, the Demon King became even more agitated. An enemy commander had died. Normally, this should be a cause for joy, but the Demon King showed no such sign.
"With the death of Alfred, who was called the Martial Sage and the Dancing Sword, the enemy's strength has been greatly diminished. I never imagined the commander of that Undead Legion could achieve such a thing."
The reporter was pleased with Ray's success. After all, Alfred, who had been the enemy's overall commander until the reinforcements arrived, was dead.
"...I don't recall giving such an order."
The Demon King said this without hiding his displeasure. He disliked that Ray had taken the initiative to achieve a feat, bypassing him. He was jealous of Ray for accomplishing what he himself could not.
"King Dracul. Have you not pinpointed the location of the Undead Legion?"
The Demon King further attempted to take his frustration out on King Dracul.
"No, I have. They annihilated one of the enemy units and are operating with that unit's garrison as their base."
"Then why are they at the front line?"
"Likely because they found an opportunity to slay the enemy commander. And they succeeded brilliantly."
"I did not give such an order."
"Then does that mean he thought for himself and executed it? He was a far more capable talent than I imagined."
King Dracul praised Ray's capability, with a hint of sarcasm directed at the Demon King. He wanted those around him to acknowledge Ray's strength.
"It was just a fluke. He was lucky."
In response, the Demon King tried to deny Ray's achievement somehow.
"True. However, is that luck not exactly what we need?"
While victory isn't purely a matter of luck, strength isn't everything. Luck is also necessary to pull the flow of battle to one's side.
"We will win even without luck. What of the enemy's movements?"
The Demon King cut off the conversation about Ray. He understood what King Dracul was thinking and diverted the topic to prevent him from saying it.
"There is no doubt they will attack soon. It will likely be the most severe battle so far."
"Even though Alfred is dead?"
"Precisely because he is dead. The Laurel Kingdom army will be driven by a desire for revenge—one might even say they'll be provoked—and I believe they will launch a fierce assault."
It would have been different if the reinforcements hadn't arrived. But now Sieg was the overall commander. He would use Alfred's death—to put it bluntly—to raise the army's morale under the guise of a revenge war. Conversely, if he didn't, the vanguard army that Alfred had led would not be able to recover.
"...Hurry the preparations to intercept them."
"And the Undead Legion?"
"What use are undead! They should just crawl around in the mountains!"
"...Understood. To battle! Hurry the preparations!"
"\"\"\"Ooh!!\"\"\""
The two armies clashed for the countless time. Among those, the most intense battle was about to begin.
◇◇◇
While the battle spirit was rising on the plains at the foot of the mountain, the Undead Legion's garrison in the eastern mountains was also filled with heat. Though in the Undead Legion, where most were undead, they could not actually feel heat.
"Next! Don't leave gaps!"
In response to Ray's voice, three skeleton soldiers stepped forward and readied their swords.
"Come!"
"\"\"\"!!!\"\"\""
The skeleton soldiers moved and surrounded Ray. From there, they simultaneously swung their swords at him. Ray evaded them by shifting his body, parrying with his sword, and dodging.
"Sharper!"
Ray shouted after dodging every sword swing from the skeleton soldiers. In response, the skeleton soldiers attacked Ray again. Even with three attacking simultaneously, their swords did not reach Ray.
"More! Don't forget coordination! Consider your spacing!"
Following Ray's instructions, the skeleton soldiers moved. Maintaining similar distances, the skeleton soldiers surrounded Ray. First, the skeleton soldier behind him moved. As Ray turned and parried the attack with his sword, another skeleton soldier attacked from behind. Ray managed to dodge that as well, but there was still one more. A sword thrust into the position where Ray had dodged. Only Ray could have reacted to that. It was an attack without any openings.
"Good! That was a good feeling!"
"\"\"\"!!!\"\"\""
The skeleton soldiers seemed happy to be praised by Ray.
"Other squads, take note! Next!"
Then, the next three squads stepped in front of Ray. Ray had been doing this for hours.
"...Unbelievable."
Watching the training, a man of the Vampio race muttered.
"Are you talking about Ray? Or the soldiers?"
Kai asked the man who had muttered.
"Both. Ray-dono's movements are quite something. His individual strength also seems very high."
"Ray isn't satisfied, though."
"Well, there are still some naive parts remaining."
From the perspective of a Vampio warrior, there were still openings in Ray's movements. Praising Ray was only at the level of 'for a human.'
"That's not... or maybe it is. Because the place Ray aims for is surely very high."
Ray's current movements were not his full power. Since he was prioritizing training the skeleton soldiers, he was holding back his strength. However, it didn't change the fact that he wasn't satisfied. Kai knew that.
"The skeleton soldiers too. I never imagined they could move to that extent."
When people thought of undead, they thought of slow movements that were almost useless in actual combat. The Vampio men had thought so. But now, the movements of the skeleton soldiers training before their eyes, while far inferior to the Demon Race, were not inferior to human soldiers.
"...I told you Ray isn't normal."
"Are you saying they are special skeleton soldiers?"
"Not that, but it seems Ray himself isn't normal."
"He himself... eh? Isn't the one manipulating the skeleton soldiers the one who was here from the start?"
The one manipulating the skeleton soldiers was Sansei, the Lich. The Vampio men had thought so.
"He is, but Ray is too."
"...How?"
The men had no idea how Ray had acquired necromancy. It shouldn't be something that could be acquired easily.
"I wasn't taught that."
The source of information was Sansei. However, Sansei also did not try to explain the details.
"He certainly isn't normal."
"I don't think that's what it means, though..."
The meaning of the words "Ray is not normal" spoken by Sansei was not about acquiring necromancy. As for what it was, Kai had not been told that either.
"He increased them."
"Eh?"
"He increased the number of opponents. But doubling them all of a sudden?"
Six skeleton soldiers stood before Ray. Double the number from before. Ray began sparring against double the number of skeleton soldiers. With the number doubled, unlike before, he looked quite desperate.
Still, Ray continued to dodge the soldiers' attacks somehow. He did not counterattack. He was purely on the defensive, dodging or parrying with his sword.
"They've been swapped. What does this mean?"
The skeleton soldiers Ray was facing had been swapped. Fatigue should be irrelevant. If anyone were to get tired, it would be the caster controlling them; the skeleton soldiers themselves should not experience fatigue.
"...The rank insignia look higher, so maybe they were replaced by stronger soldiers?"
The skeleton soldiers wore rank insignia. They were things taken from the Laurel Kingdom army. Now, the soldiers facing Ray were those with higher rank insignia. In the Undead Legion, rank was almost synonymous with strength. The appearance of higher-ranking soldiers meant exactly that.
"Their movements are certainly different... to think there's this much individual difference..."
The Vampio men, provided they were in this place, were not well-versed in necromancy. They were surprised that there were individual differences in the strength of skeleton soldiers.
"He looks like he's struggling now."
The number had doubled, and they had been replaced by stronger soldiers. Ray, who was facing them, looked quite strained.
But this was fine. Right now, he wasn't training the skeleton soldiers; it was Ray's time for training.
"...He's diligent."
Ray continued his training without rest. Such habits were not common among the Vampio men. Of course, they also trained, but that was, to put it nicely, practical, and to put it bluntly, just a contest of strength. They had no concept of overcoming weaknesses or extending strengths.
"That's just Ray."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ray put in incredible effort to survive in the 'Forest of Bewilderment.' I think he's probably continued that ever since."
"I see..."
Kai's passionate emotion did not reach the men. They were different from Kai, who knew Ray, who had made efforts to live without giving up even in a situation facing death.
"Alright! Training is over!"
The training time finally ended. For those who had just been watching, it meant the boring time had ended.
"Hurry the preparations for departure! We will launch a night attack on the enemy's base! There is no time! Hurry!"
Ray was ordering the departure. Immediately after the boring time ended—though there was still the time for the march—it was actual combat. For the Vampio men, it was the actual combat they desired. Regardless of whether there would be a turn for them.