84 - An Anticlimactic End
The entrance to Nordende. Once again, this place has become the front line of the battle between the Demon King's Army and the Laurel Kingdom Army. Having recovered their positions, the Laurel Kingdom Army advanced their massive force all at once.
In response, the Demon King's Army put up a desperate resistance. Having lost a significant number of troops due to the failure of their rear disruption operation, the battle had become grueling for them.
The fortress conference room. It was a wide hall where representatives of many races and tribes could gather, but now it was sparsely populated. In the midst of such a disadvantage, they could not afford to spare people for meetings. Most were out fighting, leaving only the Demon King and his close aides.
"...The status of the battle?"
The Demon King asked his aide about the situation.
"We are being pushed back considerably. After all, the difference in numbers is simply too great."
"That was true from the start."
"Even so, our numbers have decreased further."
From the beginning of the battle, the Laurel Kingdom Army had been overwhelmingly superior in number. However, it was the Demon King who had further worsened this numerical disadvantage.
"...It is because an impossible operation was executed."
Yet, the Demon King refused to admit his mistake. Even though playing dumb now was meaningless.
"The Undead Legion performed their duty."
"They did not. That is why they were destroyed."
"Did you not mean 'destroyed them'?"
The aide knew the reason why the Undead Legion had lost to the Laurel Kingdom Army. He knew because he himself had been involved in that atrocity.
"...No, I am not mistaken. The Undead Legion was slain by the Laurel Kingdom Army."
The Demon King knew that the aide knew the truth. Even so, he had no intention of admitting it.
"What I am concerned with is the cause."
Though he had been part of the atrocity, the aide now regretted it deeply. He had not imagined things would turn out like this. He was foolish, but he was slightly better than the Demon King, who was still trying to evade responsibility even at this stage.
"The cause... I do not know what you are worrying about, but what will come of pursuing it?"
If the truth came to light, the Demon King's Army would split. The Demon King was asking if he was okay with that. It was a threat to keep him silent.
"...Whether we pursue it or not, the result may not change."
Defeat was decisive. The aide was saying that there was no point in fearing a split now.
"That is not true. If reinforcements arrive, we can still turn the tide."
"And where exactly are these reinforcements?"
If reinforcements existed, they would have joined them long ago. The aide took this as a mere excuse to gloss over the situation.
"There are still many allies in Nordende."
"...Do you intend to drive women and children into battle!?"
Indeed, there were still many of the Demon Race in Nordende. To protect those demons, the Demon King's Army was fighting desperately to prevent the Laurel Kingdom Army from breaking through.
"Women can fight too. In fact, there are already warriors who are fighting, are there not?"
The idea that women are weak is a result of comparison within a species. Depending on the race, there are women who can fight on equal terms with males of other races. The Demon King was stating a fact.
"They are people with no will to fight."
But if they had the will to fight, they would already be here. Because they did not, they would not leave Nordende.
"This is no time for such talk. If we lose, they will be forced to fight whether they want to or not. If that is the case, they should fight here."
If the Demon King's Army were defeated and the Laurel Kingdom Army invaded Nordende, they would have no choice but to fight. Therefore, the Demon King believed they should fight now to prevent the invasion. It could not be said that this line of thinking was entirely wrong.
"...The Demon King-sama does not have the authority to force that."
"What?"
"Whether or not to participate in the Demon King's Army is for each king to decide. Surely, you will not deny this?"
The Demon King was not the king of all demons. He was more like the commander of the army, the generalissimo. While the demons participating in the Demon King's Army had a responsibility to follow orders, he had no coercive power over those who did not.
"...Then, issue instructions to each king."
"Is that alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"Some kings may defy you. Are you still certain you wish to issue the order?"
There were likely many kings who would object to sending women, children, or comrades without the strength to fight into the battlefield. It was for the sake of protecting such people that those with power fought.
"...Tell them to consider what will happen to Nordende if they defy me."
"...Understood. I shall issue the orders immediately."
If he conveyed that, far from accepting reinforcements, some might withdraw their entire race. Nordende was a place they lived in only because they had been driven there by the Human Race. It was not a place worth protecting at the cost of their comrades. And the Demon King was not a being that had to be protected. What they had to protect were the lives of their own race and tribal comrades.
The aide thought this, but he did not put it into words. He turned to leave the conference room.
"Your tribe is no exception."
The Demon King told the aide's back to convey that his tribe should also provide reinforcements.
"...I am aware."
He understood he was no exception. But that did not mean he would obey. That was what the aide told the Demon King. He himself was among the kings who might defy him. Being a close aide did not make him an exception.
There was strong resistance to fleeing from the battlefield. Abandoning the fight was a breach of promise. This was the same for all demons. That was why King Dracul of the Vampio race had forcibly created a pretext to withdraw from the Demon King's Army.
However, the preservation of the species was their highest priority. They could not allow their own race or tribe to be exterminated. Even if it meant staining their pride as demons.
◇◇◇
The balance of the front line, which had been maintained by a thread, collapsed the moment the Demon King's order was conveyed. The number of warriors in the Demon King's Army was already small, and it decreased to the point where they could no longer hold back the offensive of the Laurel Kingdom Army.
Few races or tribes abandoned the fight entirely. However, each race and tribe reduced the number of participants. They would not commit desertion as a species. But considering the aftermath of defeat, they withdrew enough people from the front line to ensure the comrades remaining in Nordende could escape. It was a compromise between preserving their pride and the survival of the species.
The Demon King's Army continued to retreat, suffering many casualties. Defeat was certain. All that remained was to hole up in the fortress and hold out with the expectation of total annihilation to buy time for their comrades to flee Nordende. Or so they intended.
"...It's burning."
Fire was already rising from the fortress where they were supposed to hole up.
"What does this mean? Could they have circled around to the rear?"
It was known that the Laurel Kingdom Army was attempting to create an invasion route through the eastern mountains. Some thought that route had been used.
"If that were the case, the human forces should be here."
The Laurel Kingdom Army was not around the fortress. It seemed unlikely they were inside the blazing fortress either.
"Then why is the fortress burning?"
"...If it wasn't the work of the Laurel Kingdom Army, whose was it?"
"Could it be... our own allies?"
"There is a possibility a fire started naturally. But would it spread this far?"
It was possible it was an accidental fire, but if so, why had their allies allowed it to spread to the entire fortress?
"...In other words, they fled first."
There were no allies left in the fortress. Upon realizing this, voices of anger rose from all directions.
"We cannot criticize them. It is simply that we had already lost long ago."
Those present had no right to criticize the flight. They had intended to fight to the end. But they too had helped comrades escape from the front line.
"...It's the end."
"Yeah, it's the end. I'm not sure if we should be happy about having survived, though."
"It just means we aren't dying here. Whether we've actually survived will be clear much later."
Even if they fled, it would not be easy. There was no way the Laurel Kingdom Army would just leave them be.
"True. Regardless, time is precious. Let's just disband here."
"Yeah. If we're both lucky, maybe we'll meet again. Until then, farewell."
"Yeah. Farewell."
In this manner, the Demon King's Army disbanded anticlimactically. The battle with the Laurel Kingdom Army ended in the Demon King's Army's defeat.
But their struggle was far from over. Not as the Demon King's Army, but as races and tribes, a battle for survival awaited them.
◇◇◇
The Laurel Kingdom Army ended the battle in victory. However, they did not have the luxury of slowly soaking in the joy. Although they had disbanded the Demon King's Army, they had not exterminated the demons. The battle for that was yet to come. Moreover, a battle in Nordende, which could be called the demons' home ground, awaited them.
Sieg immediately entered into considerations for the future.
"What is the estimated number of demon survivors?"
"We have no information at all regarding the number of demons living within Nordende."
There was no answer to Sieg's question. This was how the meeting started. The joy of victory vanished.
"...The remaining strength of the Demon King's Army?"
"I believe it is less than two thousand."
An answer came, but it was very vague.
"...And the Demon King?"
"We believe he escaped."
It wasn't a definitive statement, but finally, a reasonable answer was given.
"Is there a possibility he is waiting within Nordende?"
Sieg did not know about the collapse of the Demon King's Army. He believed that although they had lost control and fled during a losing battle, they would regroup once things settled down. That would be the case for the Laurel Kingdom Army, but the Demon King's Army was different. It was not the army of a single nation, but a coalition. Sieg did not understand this. Even if he did, he would likely still believe that resistance as the Demon King's Army would continue.
"We have almost no information on the interior of Nordende. I believe we should avoid venturing too deep too easily."
"I know. That is why it was painful to have the fortress burned."
The invasion of Nordende was planned from the start to be carried out cautiously and over time. The extermination of the demons could not possibly be completed in one or two months. Even half a year or a year would be impossible.
To engage in a long-term war, a base was necessary, and he had thought the Demon King's Army's fortress would be perfect for that.
"What shall we do? If we are to rebuild, I believe we should start immediately."
"Yes. We will begin that right away. Give instructions to build a sturdy fortress, even if it is done in stages."
A fortress that would serve as the starting point for the invasion of Nordende. A fortress that could be easily taken would be useless.
"I will begin considerations as soon as the meeting ends."
"Until then, the number of forces... we have no choice but to maintain them."
Normally, he would want to withdraw to the royal capital, leaving only the minimum necessary forces, but that was not an option. The Laurel Kingdom Army had won. However, the Demon King's Army's retreat had been too abrupt, and he lacked certainty on whether they had inflicted enough damage to strip them of the power to resist, which had been their goal.
"I am thinking of dispatching an advance force."
"...Before that, let's first have them scout the surroundings. Organize several scout units and send them into Nordende."
"Understood."
Sieg was cautious. Even though he had won the battle here, he was not letting his guard down.
"Are we not attacking all at once?"
The one who raised a dissatisfied voice was Fumiya.
"...Nordende is said to be a dangerous land, but we do not even know how it is dangerous. The information we have is too scarce."
"Isn't it dangerous simply because demons are there?"
"That is also unknown. It is possible the demons are just intentionally spreading such rumors."
"If so—"
"The possibility that it is true cannot be denied. We have no choice but to investigate to find out which it is."
Attacking all at once while riding the momentum. Sieg also thought that was one option. But he could not afford to get carried away and stumble here.
The real battle for the Laurel Kingdom was just beginning. In aiming for continental conquest, they could not afford to fall behind other great powers.
"...Then, I'll participate in the reconnaissance too."
"What?"
"If I'm there, it'll be fine even if demons are waiting. For now, maybe it's better to make the scale a bit larger? A 'reconnaissance-in-force,' as they call it."
"...Are you serious?"
"Of course. My mission is to slay the Demon King. That is not yet finished."
Fumiya's mission was to contribute to the Laurel Kingdom's continental conquest. The perception differed between the person and the state. To Fumiya, that didn't matter.
"...Hmm."
Sieg wondered if it was alright to expose the Hero, a precious military asset, to danger.
"It's okay. I won't lose. I think I've become even stronger in this battle."
"I see..."
Fumiya was certainly strong. That was exactly why Sieg hesitated to send him on reconnaissance. He was worried that Fumiya might be intoxicated by his own strength.
"If you're worried, we can just increase the numbers. If we push in with a substantial number, we won't lose."
That wouldn't be reconnaissance.
"............"
"I'll be fine."
"Understood."
"Alright! Then, I'll get ready right away!"
Fumiya stood up happily and left the tent. Behind him followed Akemi, who looked like she found the whole thing tedious.
"...Is this alright?"
A subordinate asked Sieg, who had permitted Fumiya's participation in the reconnaissance team. The subordinate asking this was opposed to it.
"Organize everything as cavalry. Also, prepare a backup force."
"A backup force?"
Sieg was sending Fumiya on reconnaissance on the premise that combat would occur. That was even more surprising to the subordinate.
"There will likely be demons who challenge us. This is for that preparation."
Just as the subordinate thought, Sieg was prepared for a fight. However, he wasn't just wary of the Demon King's Army. There was a person who was likely targeting the Hero personally. Considering the possibility that this person would attack, he deliberately sent the Hero on reconnaissance.
"...Understood. I will organize the units on that premise."
It would not end as mere reconnaissance. The subordinate thought so after hearing Sieg's explanation.
As a result, unlike what Sieg had initially envisioned, a force far too large for the purpose of reconnaissance was organized, and they invaded Nordende.
This change in plan was unfortunate for the demons. The time they needed to get far away from Nordende would be greatly reduced.
◇◇◇
Near the Undead Legion's garrison. Ray was fighting Magic Beasts along with Cecil. This had become a daily routine lately. The goals were Cecil's training and the securing of Magic Beast corpses.
"...Freeze!"
A mist-like spell was released from Cecil's hand as she finished the incantation. It flew toward the Magic Beast in front of her... and vanished. The Magic Beast had dodged it.
"Tch."
"Get back, quickly!"
Ray's voice flew toward Cecil, who was clicking her tongue. Reacting to it, Cecil hurriedly stepped back. A Magic Beast's claw swung through the space where she had been standing.
"Binding!"
This time it was Ray's magic. The Magic Beast that received it slowed down. Seizing that opening, Ray thrust his sword deep into the Magic Beast.
"Gih, gyaaaaaah!"
The Magic Beast's scream echoed through the forest.
"...Alright."
The Magic Beast lay prone and stopped moving. Confirming its death, Ray pulled the sword from its body.
"...I'm sorry."
The voice of apology heard from behind was Cecil's. She was apologizing for failing to slay the Magic Beast.
"No need for apologies. This is training, so failure is expected."
"But..."
"As I thought, it would be better to prioritize training your basic physical strength."
"But I'm better at magic."
Even for a mage, basic physical strength is necessary. Cecil understood this as well. Geel had told her so several times.
Still, Cecil's insistence on magic came from her impatience. She was anxious over the fact that, for now, she was of no use to Ray at all.
"To reliably hit a Magic Beast with magic, I believe you need to close the distance more. But for the current Cecil-san, that is impossible. You would be killed by the Magic Beast."
She lacked the confidence to dodge a Magic Beast's attack. Therefore, she could not close the distance. When the distance was wide, it gave the Magic Beast room to dodge. Therefore, she didn't hit. That was how Ray saw it.
"...How much do I have to train?"
"Do not think about that. This is not enough for training anyway."
"You're right."
This was also something she had learned from Geel and Ray. There is no end to training. One must pursue strength until death.
Cecil did not have a desire to become that strong, but as she was now, she could not stay by Ray's side. That was a major problem.
"...Ah. They're back."
"Eh?"
"The reconnaissance."
"...Ah."
The crows descending from the sky—their bodies were so damaged they could hardly be called crows anymore—were the reconnaissance officers of the Undead Legion. Undead Crows.
"...It seems the Demon King's Army lost."
"I see..."
Cecil had no emotional attachment to the Demon King's Army; hearing they had lost did not move her heart.
"The Hero led a force into Nordende. About a thousand? No, more?"
Ray read the information from the reconnaissance crows. Cecil was impressed that he could do such a thing. However, it wasn't simple for Ray either.
(...It means there are several units. How many... Come on, give me a clearer image.)
The one complaining in Ray's mind was the personality that had become the leader of the reconnaissance crows. It was a female personality whose origin even Ray did not understand.
"...Two, no, three."
Ray was reading the information that the personality had read from the reconnaissance crows. It was tedious to intentionally put a sub-personality in the middle, but by making that personality a specialist, he strengthened the control of the reconnaissance crows and increased the accuracy of the information reading.
"...Are we going to fight?"
"Eh?"
"Ah, I'm sorry."
She had interrupted Ray's thoughts. Realizing this, Cecil apologized.
"Cecil-san, you've been apologizing a lot lately, haven't you? You don't have to be so considerate."
Ray gave a wry smile in response.
"...Yes."
"I have no intention of fighting. We aren't ready to fight yet. Besides, I have no intention of interfering in the battle between the Laurel Kingdom Army and the demons. I hope they fight to their heart's content."
"...I see."
Ray had no intention of helping the demons. She already knew that. But Cecil found it strange that Ray could say it so nonchalantly.
Ray thought he didn't understand Cecil well, but Cecil felt the same. Kindness and cruelty. Cecil was bewildered by Ray, who showed different natures depending on the moment.
"There is a possibility of a trap... Huh? If that's the case, is it aimed at the demons?"
If not, who would they be trying to trap? It didn't even require thought.
"The fact that I'm alive might have been leaked. If so..."
Ray sank back into deep thought. To Cecil, it just looked like he was thinking, but in reality, it was not. He wasn't just thinking by himself; he was consulting with Kamui in his mind. That was something Cecil, watching from the outside, could not know.
"...First, a countermeasure for that magic tool. And... her."
"Her?"
Cecil reacted, knowing there was a woman in Kamui's thoughts.
"...Katsura-san. She is a natural enemy to us."
"Ah, her."
Cecil's eyes narrowed. Knowing that Ray viewed Hinata as a nuisance, she felt irritated at that Hinata.
"Could you also think about it, Cecil-san? Devising a countermeasure against Light attribute magic is absolutely necessary in rebuilding the Undead Legion."
"Yes. Please leave it to me."
Ray placed his expectations on Cecil's knowledge of magic tools, but Cecil took it in a different way. Ray did not notice this. There was no way he would notice.