72 - Unforgivable People
The struggles of their own national army sent shockwaves through the upper echelons of the Laurel Kingdom. They had not thought it would be an easy victory. However, the casualties of their own army far exceeded the projections. Furthermore, knowing that Ray was the cause, they could not remain calm. Especially the King.
"...Kill him! Hurry up, find that man and snuff out his life!"
The King's roar echoed through the conference room. Few knew the reason why the King was so enraged. The damage from the war was not the only cause.
"As per General Sieg's report, the enemy appears in unexpected locations. Capturing them is not easy—"
"I don't want excuses! Are you saying it is fine for the casualties to keep increasing like this!?"
The King's anger did not subside. On the contrary, hearing his subordinate's explanation, he grew even more agitated.
"We certainly do not think so. We are continuing our search with all our might."
"Then why can he not be found?"
"The area is too wide. It is too wide, and we do not have enough search parties."
That was not all. Even if they were lucky enough to find him, the speed of their horses was different. He would be gone in an instant.
"Then send reinforcements."
"Is that alright? The royal capital will be left vulnerable."
Assuming a decisive battle, they had already sent as many reinforcements as they could. The reinforcement army led by Sieg was an example of this. If they were to send more, they would have no choice but to thin the defenses elsewhere. They could not do that near the borders, so it would have to be the royal capital.
"...I do not care. If we allow the situation to remain as it is, we will become unable to move. While we still have a surplus of supplies, we must resolve this situation."
For the Laurel Kingdom, the most severe damage was the loss of supplies. The Undead Legion was targeting supply depots. Moreover, they were targeting supplies not even intended for the front lines of the battle against the Demon King's Army. That also made tracking them difficult. They could not narrow down the predicted attack sites.
"I will organize them immediately."
"Think of a means of communication for when they are discovered. Even if we find him, it is meaningless if we cannot strike."
"...Yes, sir."
Given such a difficult task, the subordinate's face was bitter. Pursuing the Undead Legion was difficult. That was already understood. Then, how to notify the discovery and capture them with a subjugation force? Thinking of this was not easy.
"Also, narrow down the supply routes to the front lines and thoroughly solidify the defenses there. The supply to the front lines must not stop. Absolutely not."
"Yes, sir."
Supplies running low at the front lines. Such a situation had to be avoided. That could lead to defeat.
"That is all for the orders. Begin preparations immediately."
" " "Yes, sir!" " ""
Following the King's instructions, the conference participants left the room. Those remaining were the King and the Intelligence Department Head.
"...What have you found?"
"Which information are you referring to?"
There were multiple targets the intelligence department had been ordered to investigate.
"...The Demon King's Army."
To the head's question, the King answered with a bitter face.
"The unit he leads is called the Undead Legion. It seems it was originally a useless, unrecognized unit that served as no military force."
"And our country is suffering because of that useless unit?"
"In the past, yes. The current situation shows that is no longer the case. And the reason why that happened is obvious."
"...The reason is that man. But I do not know what that man did."
It was clear that Ray was the cause, but it was not known how he had made the Undead Legion strong.
"The details of what he did are unknown. What we know is that he trained the undead like human soldiers."
"...Is such a thing possible?"
"It has been done. Not only do they ride horses, but they even use bows and arrows. Furthermore, they seem to show movements in perfect unison."
"If the undead are capable of such movements, then..."
Undead have no fear. They should fight exactly as ordered. In that regard, they were superior to the human race's soldiers.
"However, they should lack adaptability. We have not obtained information regarding this."
Moving exactly as ordered. That also meant that if something unexpected occurred beyond the commander's assumptions, they would be unable to cope. However, in the battles so far, the Undead Legion had not shown such a side. This was only within the scope of the information the head had obtained.
"...Which means the commander is superior. Who could he be?"
They had never faltered due to a misunderstanding of orders. The King thought this was because the commander was superior.
"Could it be him?"
"...Do you say he possesses such power?"
The power to manipulate the undead. The King was surprised, thinking that Ray possessed even such an ability.
"Most likely. Otherwise, the Undead Legion would not have been called useless."
The useless Undead Legion had changed. The reason must lie in the change of commander. And if that commander was anyone, it was Ray.
"...I suppose so. He should have been active for some time."
However, there was a slight lack of information here. Even if he had the power from before, it was doubtful whether the Undead Legion could have been active in the Demon King's Army. There was a high possibility they were loathed for being undead and were not allowed to stand on the battlefield.
"Regardless of whether he had the ability or not, it is surprising. He also had the talent of a commander."
"............"
The King remained silent at the head's words. He did not want to acknowledge Ray's abilities.
"I will continue. We have not grasped the exact number. Eyewitness reports say a thousand, but I believe this is suspicious."
"The reason?"
"The Undead Legion fought against the mobile force that was creating the entry route to Nordende. The total number of that mobile force was five thousand."
"...The killed soldiers of the mobile force are being turned into undead, then."
"There is no reason to leave them behind."
For the King, this was a sickening story. Allies who were killed turning against them. Regardless of their own will. It was unforgivable.
"Five thousand at most. No, perhaps more."
"It seems not all corpses become undead. The probability is about half."
"Then two thousand five hundred or more. We do not know the original number."
"That is true, but according to the mages, there is a limit to the number of undead one can manipulate. They say they have never heard of a number like two thousand five hundred."
"Is that so?"
"This is only based on the knowledge of our country's mages. It is called Necromancy, but there are no mages in our country who can use it. It seems uncertain if there are any among all the human race."
"Then..."
The information was not certain. He could not bring himself to believe it and underestimate the enemy.
"General Sieg is trying to find the base of the Undead Legion. He believes there must be a base somewhere."
"I see."
If they could not pursue a fleeing enemy, they had no choice but to ambush them somewhere. At a place where the enemy would certainly appear. The King was satisfied with Sieg's plan.
"Though I believe discovery will be difficult."
However, the head uttered negative words.
"Why?"
"What kind of place would the Undead Legion's base be? Like our army's, surrounded by fences, with watchtowers installed and tents lined up?"
"...You are saying it is not like that?"
"Yes. When the surprise attack by the undead soldiers first occurred, the enemy was reportedly hiding underground. If they can remain like that normally, discovery will be difficult."
If they investigated well, they would find it. But how would they know a place was suspicious? They would have to find them gathering and hiding underground. That would require luck. The head did not say that relying on luck would succeed.
"Can that man also hide underground?"
"He might be able to, but even if he cannot, finding him alone is difficult. It would be better if there were many other living beings."
"Then what shall we do? We cannot give up just because it is difficult."
"Yes. We have no choice but to search steadily. Gather eyewitness reports, find the area with the most reports, and probe there. No matter how much they detour, they should eventually return to the same place. We will be able to calculate it someday."
"True. We have no choice but to do that."
Gathering these eyewitness reports was itself difficult, but the King and the head did not know that at the time. They could not imagine that there were their own citizens being bribed by the Undead Legion.
"...There is one more piece of information. Would you like to hear it?"
Another order he had received. The head asked the King if he should report the result.
"...I will hear it."
"Regarding the child born to Princess Ekaterina, it is almost certainly his child."
"...I see."
It was something he knew. If he had been told it was a child made with another man, the King would have been shocked in a different sense. He did not want his daughter to be someone who gave her body to multiple men. That said, he had not the slightest intention of acknowledging Ray.
"It is a boy."
"I-I see..."
The next king would be Prince Neil. After that, Prince Neil's son should become king. The throne would not pass to Princess Ekaterina's child. Even so, hearing it was a boy, the King became shaken.
"He has black hair. As expected, he must have had black hair originally."
"I do not care about the hair color."
"The Princess likely will not listen even to Your Majesty's orders. She has declared that if anything happens to the child, she will take her own life."
"Does she intend to threaten me?"
"It would be good if that were the case. But she is likely serious. Your Majesty must also understand that."
"............"
The King also understood Princess Ekaterina's resolve. To give birth to Ray's child, she had deceived the King and those around her to leave the royal capital. She had hidden her pregnancy persistently, not even letting the knights who accompanied her as guards notice. By the time the King learned of the pregnancy, it was too late. It was not a period where it could be dealt with.
"What shall we do? This incident is also due to our incompetence. If you give the order, we will do anything."
It was not only the knights who failed to notice the pregnancy. The head's subordinates were the same. This was a failure for the intelligence department. When the fact became known, the head blamed his subordinates and himself.
"...If she is serious about taking her own life, I cannot make a clumsy move."
He had no intention of acknowledging Ray's child as a grandson. But Princess Ekaterina was his beloved daughter. He could not let her die.
"What about the public announcement of the fact?"
"I have no intention of doing so."
"In that case, conversely, we must keep the secret. May I take this as an order to do so?"
"...Yes. Do that."
Even if she was in distant Anfang, if it became known there was a child, the rumor would certainly spread. He could not let the people know any more of Princess Ekaterina's scandal.
"I have one request."
"What is it?"
"Could you summon the guard knights? We will provide replacement knights here."
He said knights, but he meant spies pretending to be knights. He intended to separate the knights who might leak the secret, eliminate them if necessary, and solidify the area around Princess Ekaterina with those who would keep the secret.
"...Very well. I will issue the order."
"I appreciate it."
"Is that all for the report?"
"One last thing. It is not a report, but..."
"What?"
"Regarding the matter of Ray Tsukiya, I deeply apologize for the repeated failures."
The intelligence department's failure regarding Ray. The head apologized to the King for it.
"...Apologies are unnecessary. It is not the responsibility of the intelligence department alone."
"Even so, I should have pleaded more strongly for his necessity. That in some cases, he should be prioritized over the Hero."
"That is... no, if that is the case, then I am the one who failed. I should have judged as a father, not as a king. Though saying this now is too late."
"...Yes. It is too late."
If only they had not let Ray go. If only they had acknowledged him being by Princess Ekaterina's side. The current situation would not have happened. But there was no point in thinking about this. Currently, Ray had become an enemy and the greatest threat to the Laurel Kingdom. Both the King and the head knew this. He just wanted to be a little sentimental and consider the possibility. The possibility that Ray was working for the Laurel Kingdom.
◇◇◇
The northern town of Anfang. The town where Princess Ekaterina lived was a small town with few people. In that small town was a vast royal estate, and Princess Ekaterina lived in that estate. Anfang was a town built as a royal villa. The people living there were mostly those who worked at the villa and their families.
"...Miria. Why don't you go to sleep?"
In a dark room where the lights were off, Princess Ekaterina seemed exasperated by Miria, who would not sleep.
"Just in case something happens."
"That is true, but you cannot stay awake all night, can you?"
"No, I will stay awake all night. During the day, others are by your side. If something happens, I will be woken up."
Protecting not Princess Ekaterina, but her child. For that purpose, Miria spent every day in tension. It could not be helped. If there was an order from the King, the guard knights would follow it without hesitation. They would become enemies.
"...I appreciate the feeling, but your body and mind will not hold out if you keep this up."
"I am fine. I am the Princess's Royal Guard."
There was a reason why Miria pushed herself. She regretted not being able to protect Princess Ekaterina from Ray. Even though Princess Ekaterina did not think for a moment that she wanted to be protected.
"...My resolve should have reached my father. He should not do anything because of that."
There was a wish mixed in this. She wanted to believe in her father. She wanted to believe she was loved as a daughter. This wish of Princess Ekaterina's could be granted, but at this point, she did not know that.
"Why such a resolve? Do you feel that way about that Ray guy?"
Miria naturally knew of Princess Ekaterina's resolve. However, she was not convinced by the act of making such a resolve. To Miria, the most important person was Princess Ekaterina herself.
"I love Ray. If I could be by his side, I would be willing to throw everything away. That is what I thought."
"I see..."
"But now, something has been created that I cannot throw away. I love Ray. But this child, regardless of whose child he is, is a more precious existence than anyone else."
Her son sleeping peacefully in the bed. Princess Ekaterina gently stroked the child's soft cheek with her finger, so as not to wake him.
"...Is a child an existence that can be directed with such feelings?"
"You will understand once you give birth, Miria."
"...I have no partner."
It was not that Miria did not want to give birth. Even if she wanted to, she had no partner to make a child with.
"You will not find one just by waiting."
"They are not there even if I search."
"...What kind of man is Miria's preference? Come to think of it, I have never heard it."
In the first place, they had never talked about such things. Princess Ekaterina herself was not in a position to engage in free love. Until she met Ray, she had never thought of such things. Since there was no point in talking about it, Miria knew this and had been considerate, not bringing up topics like preferences in men.
"My preference? I like strong men."
"And?"
"...I like kind men."
"That is ordinary. I cannot get a concrete image. Is there no one you know who is close to your preference?"
Strong and kind. Depending on the degree, these were conditions that seemed to be included in the answer of anyone asked. That was not interesting to Princess Ekaterina.
"...Lord Sieg."
"...Anyone else?"
"Wait? Please do not brush off Lord Sieg."
"General Sieg is... someone you cannot meet very often, right?"
There was no possibility. Princess Ekaterina tried to express it this way.
"...Was this not just an example of a preferred man?"
It was not a conversation about actually wanting something to happen with Sieg. Miria was speaking with that intent. Sieg was an object of admiration, but she did not think she would actually have romantic feelings.
"I suppose. But there are not many men like General Sieg. Miria, your ideals are high."
"No, as I said, he is just an object of admiration. The person I would actually fall in love with would be someone I could have silly conversations with and enjoy that kind of time, while also being someone who could stimulate each other... I will not lose to this guy..."
"...What is it?"
"No, I just thought I have never met such a person."
"Is that so? But Ray used to tease you sometimes, and you enjoyed that, Miria..."
This time, it was Princess Ekaterina's turn to stop the conversation halfway.
"...N-no, that is not it. Even if I hate Ray, I absolutely have no romantic feelings for him."
"I wonder?"
Princess Ekaterina glared at Miria with suspicious eyes.
"I absolutely do not! It is true! Please believe me!"
"It is a joke. You do not have to deny it that much."
"...That is a bad joke."
Miria showed a relieved expression. If her feelings for Ray were suspected, it would be troublesome if things became awkward from now on. Even if Princess Ekaterina meant it as a joke, Miria had been seriously panicked.
"The jealousy was a joke... but I want you not to hate him."
"Princess Ekaterina..."
"Far from resenting Ray, I love him. I have no regrets about giving birth to Ray's child. I am grateful that he was born."
"...I understand those feelings of yours, Princess Ekaterina. That is exactly why I cannot forgive that man."
"Why?"
"Because he is not by your side. He ignored your feelings, Princess Ekaterina, and became an enemy of this country. He created a wall between himself and you of his own accord."
The reason Miria resented Ray was that he did not try to respond to Princess Ekaterina's feelings. He was hurting Princess Ekaterina's heart, not her body.
"It is alright. I have this child. The existence of this child makes me happy."
"...Yes. I will protect the happiness of you two."
"Thank you."