333 - Army of the Dead vs. Army of the Dead
――Liel's forces.
At the main camp, they were hurriedly constructing fences and preparing moats using magic.
General Broa, who was dealing with the army of the dead from the inside of the fences to prevent them from approaching, remained unfazed by Liel's absence from the returning forces.
Something was still visible at the ruins of the Central Royal Palace, and combat was still occurring. If that was the case, the battle was continuing――meaning there was a possibility that Liel was still alive.
"However, this number is――"
The armored skeleton army filling the space before them emerged one after another from the walls of Central. Having faced them, Broa realized their strength wasn't particularly great. However, they regenerated from ordinary attacks.
If they were blown away with magic, they wouldn't regenerate, but it was impossible to keep firing magic forever.
"An overwhelming amount of numbers, is it? Well, it is a foolproof method of victory."
Baldoor rushed to the side of General Broa, who was breaking into a cold sweat. Maxim and Alette were with him.
"General Broa, I want you to prepare a unit to rescue Liel-sama!"
"N-no, but in this situation――"
Alette tried her best to persuade Baldoor, but Baldoor would not listen.
When Baldoor said that, Maxim shook his head toward General Broa. He must have tried to persuade him, but it didn't work.
General Broa scratched his hair.
"...The Valkyries are operational, and the battle is still continuing. Furthermore, in this situation, I wonder if we could even reach the royal palace by charging. No, reaching it would be impossible."
Looking at Baldoor's face, General Broa understood that Baldoor was not making a rational judgment. His emotions were getting ahead of him.
The feeling of wanting to help his lord was correct, but that wouldn't win the war. Baldoor, looking frustrated, clenched his fist.
"I won't just let him be killed――"
Just as he said that, several blue lights appeared. Two lights suddenly appeared beyond the fences.
The three of them and the surrounding soldiers turned their gaze toward them.
"This is no good. A commander must always remain calm. Those around them will become agitated."
The one who appeared from the light was Maisel, holding a saber in one hand. He traced his beard with his left hand, and then swung the saber in his right hand.
The skeleton soldiers around them were blown away, falling apart.
From the other light, a woman emerged.
"The woman over there should be more dignified. Being considerate of one's husband and being hesitant are different things. If you don't say what needs to be said, men will not understand."
The woman holding a staff was――Claire, Liel's mother. She raised her staff, blowing away the surrounding skeletons with magical wind.
Maisel imbued the blade of his saber with lightning and swung it.
"Hahaha, I can't argue with that. However, there are a bit too many. As I thought, we should call them."
Claire nodded at Maisel's opinion.
"Yes, at the very least――we must protect the place where Liel will return."
Then, a large door appeared in front of the fences. Soldiers began to emerge from it one after another.
Baldoor ran forward in surprise.
There, he saw Bale on horseback. Baldoor and Bale reunited across the fences.
"U-Uncle――"
Baldoor could not comprehend the appearance of Maisel and Bale, who were supposed to be dead, along with many soldiers and knights, but he looked upon the figure of the uncle he once admired.
He was in the magnificent form of a knight, from before he was driven mad by Celes.
"Baldoor, have you been well!"
Among those emerging from the door were knights and soldiers who had lost their lives fighting Liel, and even those who had died long ago.
As soldiers gathered around Maisel, they began defeating the approaching dead soldiers.
"Bale!"
"Yes!"
As Bale rushed to Maisel's side on horseback, Maisel thrust his saber into the ground.
"...As parents, we have no face to show him. But, at the very least, I want to be useful. I put that child through a lot of hardship."
"...We feel the same, Maisel-sama. Everyone's feelings remain unchanged."
Claire looked down and gripped her staff.
"...Liel, you have become magnificent. I have no right to say this. But, if it helps you even just a little bit..."
The forces appearing one after another defeated the skeleton soldiers. Seeing this, the living soldiers of the House of Wolt rushed over.
Many of them were shedding tears.
"Father, Father!!"
A middle-aged soldier shouted at a young soldier.
"Who cries on the battlefield! If we lose here, what do you intend to say to the young master! ...If we caused you trouble, pay us back with that spear in your hand! You are my son, aren't you!"
Also, a knight who reunited with a friend gripped each other's hands.
Then, Maisel raised his voice.
"Brave soldiers of the House of Wolt. And soldiers of Liel. The match is not yet decided. I ask this of you, despite the shame. Just for a little while... could you lend your strength to this Maisel Wolt! In order to achieve victory!"
Crossing the fences, knights and soldiers jumped out one by one, lining up beside the comrades they once fought with. The morale, which had been falling, began to rise.
General Broa watched the scene.
"This is no longer an ordinary battlefield, is it."
As he muttered that, General Broa saw a blue light appearing beside him――.
――The Eastern Army, with Fanbayle as its main force.
In the camp of the Margrave of Resnou, his son Balfeld was present. Baulis, who had been sitting, stood up and approached his son.
"Y-you――you're alive"
Then, Balfeld smiled somewhat sadly.
"Sorry, Father. I died. I've just been given a little bit of time. That's why I came to apologize. I'm sorry."
Baulis, shedding tears, wiped them away.
"I regretted sending you to a place of death. I've wanted to apologize for a long time. Sending you under someone like Celes... I'm sorry."
As Baulis collapsed, Balfeld placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Father... lend me your strength. I cannot leave that person alone. If left alone, not just the continent, but the world will end. Father's... the strength of you all, please lend it to me."
Baulis stood up. Then, he looked at something in the shape of a person floating in the sky in the direction Balfeld was looking.
"...I understand. Leave it to me. Also, Parselena and Braubay are doing well."
Hearing that, Balfeld――the heir who was once sent as a hostage from the Margrave of Resnou to the Banseime royal family, smiled――.
"I see. Then, I can be at peace too."
――In Fanbayle's camp, the king and his aides were paralyzed with fear.
Before them stood the demon who had once hunted them down and carved away their territories.
His name was Broad Wolt. He was the Seventh Generation of the House of Wolt.
"It has been a long time, brat. You've become quite magnificent. By the way, I want to ask... why is your army preparing to flee?"
Around the Seventh Generation were soldiers of the House of Wolt, casting glares at the surroundings. They weren't necessary for the Seventh Generation, but he had brought them to increase the sense of intimidation.
"T-that is――"
To the trembling King of Fanbayle, the Seventh Generation smiled gently. However, his eyes were not smiling.
"Surely you aren't saying you'll flee, leaving behind my grandson, the leader, but I'll tell you just in case. ...If you flee, I will chase you to the ends of the earth. I hope the speed of your escape shown on the battlefield is still intact."
Saying so, the Seventh Generation left the tent and stood before his gathered forces.
"Hmm! Is it not a magnificent sight! As expected of my army."
The Seventh Generation was satisfied before the army he had personally trained and organized. Then, he spoke to the soldiers.
"――Elites of the House of Wolt. If we remain silent in this crisis, it will affect the lives of my grandson and great-grandson. It is not good for the dead to interfere, but for the sake of my grandson, Liel, who fights against the Goddess, I want you to lend your strength."
Everyone straightened their posture in a perfectly synchronized movement. The Seventh Generation nodded and looked at the youth who had brought his horse. It was Zel-jisan in his youth.
Mounting the horse, the Seventh Generation said to Zel.
"Zel, thank you for taking care of my grandson. I want you to work one more time. Accompany me."
"It is an important battle for the young master. I will gladly accompany you, Broad-sama!"
The Seventh Generation advanced on horseback through the center of the lined-up army. The soldiers performed a right-about-face and followed the Seventh Generation. In front of them, the skeleton army was approaching.
The Seventh Generation aimed his gun.
"Charge."
As the forces of the House of Wolt began to move, the surrounding forces of Fanbayle watched with their mouths agape. The skeleton soldiers were kicked aside and blown away――.
――The King of Fanbayle was tearing up in the tent where the Seventh Generation had disappeared.
"Damn it! Damn it! That's why I didn't want to get involved with the House of Wolt! Those people, they continue to torment Fanbayle even after death! Just how far do they intend to chase me!"
The trauma of being hunted in the past resurfaced, and this time, the man himself had appeared.
Those around him could not scold the king. Because they felt the same way.
Then, a blue light appeared.
The King of Fanbayle, who was flailing on the floor, screamed.
"Again! Who is it this time! Fines! Is it that legendary demon!"
Before the King of Fanbayle, who called the Sixth Generation a demon, appeared the king's father――the previous king in his youth.
He was also a powerhouse who had fought Fines.
"...What is that appearance."
Then, the surrounding dignitaries also widened their eyes in surprise, though it was a different kind of surprise than with the Seventh Generation. Although he lost to Fines, he was a magnificent man as a king. Many of the dignitaries had admired him in their youth.
"F-father..."
Facing his aged son, the previous king crossed his arms. Standing firmly.
"To be paralyzed with fear at such a critical time! At your age, you should have children! What happened to your grandchildren! Why are they not here!"
The King of Fanbayle averted his gaze.
"N-no... my sons each have their own business."
Then, the previous king dropped a fist on the King of Fanbayle. He had seen through the fact that the King of Fanbayle was plotting something.
"You used a cowardly trick again! What are you doing in this crisis, you fool! Enough! Gather the soldiers immediately. Know that this battle will become a legend told for generations! Hey, you brat over there!"
The previous king called the knight commander, who wore magnificent armor and had graying hair, a brat. The knight commander straightened his posture.
"Y-yes!"
"There are soldiers I brought with me. Incorporate them under my command immediately. Even I cannot remain silent while that Fines is here. Show the pride of Fanbayle!"
The tent became frantic――.
――Liel's main camp. Rear.
"Hop, step, right straight!"
The one blown away by Mireia's right fist was Ralph, who had been trying to lead the court nobles of Central to flee.
Miranda and Shannon were watching Mireia from behind.
Both of them were completely put off.
"Y-you! Who are you!"
Ralph shouted at Mireia, but he was holding his cheek with his left hand and his legs were shaking, unable to stand up. She had punched him with considerable force.
Then, with a smile, Mireia drew her gun and fired near Ralph's right ear.
"Hie!"
"Oh? To forget Mireia-chan, who scolded you when you misbehaved, is cruel for a grandson. Grandma is so sad that she might slip up next time."
With the gun Mireia held and her tone of voice, Ralph remembered that the person before him was his grandmother, Mireia.
"G-grandmother died, and besides, you're so young――hie!"
Once again, a bullet grazed Ralph's body. Mireia loaded bullets into her two guns.
"Using your daughter to climb up, that's very fine. Since you are a court noble, I'm not particularly angry about that."
"U-um... grandmother?"
The once dignified Ralph was now reading her expression. Miranda and Shannon watched this while hugging each other. They were scared.
"But you know, in the end, you've lost everything now, right? That's a failure, isn't it? ...I don't like the nerve of trying to act as if you never clung to your daughter. Besides, as a former landed noble, I cannot forgive it. Kicking out your daughter... Grandma is so sad."
Mireia pointed the muzzle of the gun at Ralph's temple. Those around them tried to restrain Mireia, but they couldn't approach because she kept them at bay.
"P-please forgive me, grandmother!"
"I will."
However, Mireia's expression changed instantly, and she smiled. However, the next words she spoke were.
"However, if you intend to climb back up from here, show me your resolve. Not in the rear, but fight on the front line with a weapon in your hand. It's okay, Grandma will help you. At the very least, if you don't do that, I won't forgive these children either. Also... fulfill your duties as nobles, you pieces of shit!"
Mireia fired into the air, intimidating the court nobles who were trying to flee.
"You aren't thinking of clinging on like pests without doing anything, are you? When you put your life on the line, do it properly. People who try to suck the sweet nectar for free are people I――hate enough to want to kill."
As everyone hurriedly took weapons in their hands, Mireia turned back to Miranda and Shannon.
"You two, with this, your future is a bit more secure. After that, just gain Liel's love, and you can compete with others. Also... you must serve these children with your lives. If you betray them, I'll kill you. If you hold them back, I'll kill you. Remember that. The women of the House of Wolt――will chase you to the ends of hell."
Mireia smiled at Miranda and Shannon, but glared at the others with sharp eyes and threatened them in a low voice.
"...Sister, great-grandmother is scary."
When Shannon said that while hugging Miranda, Miranda also agreed.
"You're right. I'm scared too."
Then, Mireia looked a bit sad.
"Geez, you two are cruel! Even though I've increased your allies for the sake of your future!"
Mireia got angry in a cute way, as if the sound effect 'pout' could be heard――.
――Cartaphus direction.
A man with long light-blue hair was sitting in seiza before a woman who looked like a small girl.
"...I am sorry for being late! I also had various things to talk about."
Then, the small woman sat in the prepared chair and snapped her fingers with her left hand. It was obvious to everyone around her that she was irritated.
As she snapped her fingers, magic erupted from the ground one after another, blowing away the army of the dead. Fire, wind, water, earth, they erupted from the ground as if explosions were occurring.
"Hmm, so you prioritized that over me."
Ludmila, who was watching this, thought.
What a troublesome woman.
The soldiers of Cartaphus around them were taking advantage of the fact that the small woman who suddenly appeared was blowing away the army of the dead with magic to reorganize themselves.
"No, look... everyone has gathered."
"...Hey, why isn't Fredricks coming here? I think it would be good for Fines and the others to show their faces too."
As she snapped her fingers again, an even larger magic erupted from the ground.
"T-they are also busy with various things... l-look! There are places that are understaffed!"
The small woman slowly stood up.
The man with long hair and glasses jumped and stepped back.
"I'm sorry! I'll call them immediately!"
However, the small woman sighed.
"Haa, enough already. You lead your own vassals and subordinates. Once I've cleaned up the trash in front of me, I'll go to Fredricks and Fines. Also, it was Liel, right? To defeat Banseime and establish an empire, you're not bad. I'll help you, though my strength is meager."
The man――the Fourth Generation, breathed a sigh of relief. Ludmila thought.
Meager? This is meager!?
The army of the undead being blown away by the magic was being destroyed in large numbers with a single spell, falling apart and becoming immobile.
Ludmila shuddered at the small woman who called that meager.
"T-thank goodness. I was worried you would oppose overthrowing the kingdom."
"Why would I? Well, I said I wouldn't do it in my time because I didn't have the power. But... if your hand can reach the world, it's natural to seize it no matter what! Fine, the opportunity to vent years of resentment has come. My blood will reach the world! ...This is interesting."
The small woman's eyes held a strong will, showing her motivation. This time, she snapped her fingers with her right hand, and magic rained down from the sky.
"Ahahaha, I'll make this a grand event! Just watch, Banseime――my blood will end you all!"
Ludmila said to the Fourth Generation.
"It seems like a lot of work. In various ways."
As she said that, the Fourth Generation brushed his hair with his hand.
"She's cute, isn't she."
He said that and smiled. Ludmila thought.
Well, I guess they suit each other. I'd hate a couple like that, though.
While she was thinking that, the small woman spoke to Ludmila.
"Also, you over there."
"Something?"
"...If you're going to become a bride of the House of Wolt, be prepared. I suffered a lot."
"...Eh?"
Ludmila could not understand how the small woman, who was blowing away dead soldiers using magic before her eyes, could have suffered.
Beside her, the Fourth Generation tilted his head.
"Is that so? I feel it's relatively homey, though?"
The small woman covered her face with her hand.
"Homey? That? I was made to suffer by my mother-in-law. Well, fine. I'll check if you're suitable to be a bride of the House of Wolt. Follow me."
"Eh, ah!"
As Ludmila was led away by the hand, the flustered soldiers of Cartaphus followed from behind――.