kscans

Chapter 407 - Demon Lord's Army

Hayato and the others set off for the Demon Capital Zardogia by airship.

Stampedes were occurring in the Empire and the Spirit Country as well, but he doubted the event would stop just by defeating the monsters. There was a possibility they would have to keep fighting endlessly, so he concluded that their only option was to deal with Curtis, the root of the problem.

Curtis was apparently doing this for his own amusement, but forcing people into an endless battle, whether they had their memories or not, was cruel just to imagine. The announcement suggested it wasn't life-threatening, but falling into a sleep from which one could not awaken was no different from death.

Infinity had told him, "It would be good of you to help them." Hayato gritted his teeth, realizing this was what it meant.

And though the exact timing was unclear, this had likely been going on since the day he and the others were unable to log in. Everyone who had continued to fight while facing the fear of death must have been under immense stress. With that in mind, Hayato had told Rose she could use all of the sweets that were in the base's storage. A sweet way to relieve stress.

He never thought the parfaits he'd made in huge quantities for Esha would be useful in this way, but it had turned out for the best.

After sharing information about the situation in reality and the situation here, Hayato bowed his head.

"Everyone, I'm sorry."

As Hayato said this, everyone tilted their heads.

Simon approached Hayato with his arms crossed.

"Why are you apologizing, Hayato?"

"Well, I was late. To make you all continue such a battle for so long—"

"What are you saying. You could have abandoned us, yet you came. Even if it was just for Diite's sake, we are grateful to you, Hayato. Besides, you did not know of this, so no apology is needed."

"Yeah, yeah! And I totally believed you’d come save us, Hayacchi! ...Oh, was it just for Diitecchi? But still, I know if you had known, you definitely would’ve come to help!"

Everyone who had come along laughed and agreed with Benitsuru's words.

"Yes, and thanks to you, Hayato-sama, we have received reports that those defending in other countries have rallied. In the Spirit Country, Demon King Mikan-sama, and in the Empire, the members of Orchestra Brunhilde have gained the strength to win even in the Stampede. At this rate, they should be able to hold out for several days."

Hayato nodded at the Maid Chief's words.

They were heading to the Demon Country by airship, and in that time, there had been several more Stampede announcements. It seemed that in each case, a raid boss that would normally take over a hundred people to defeat was attacking, and they were occurring in succession.

However, everywhere but the Demon Country, they were fighting with the upper hand. It was no longer a matter of just enduring until the raid boss retreated. Now, it was only a matter of how quickly they could end this Stampede.

To do that, they needed to enter the Demon Lord's Castle, but it was highly likely they couldn't conquer it with just the members currently on the airship.

They had brought some combat-capable members from the Royal Capital, but while the Demon Lord's Castle was large, it wasn't as wide open as the outdoors. The narrowness of the battle areas was a bottleneck, requiring a small, elite force.

Therefore, it was decided that they would storm the Demon Lord's Castle with Rosalie, Gil, and the others. Rosalie's group had been informed of this and had asked them to come quickly.

"So only the Demon Country is left. I'm worried about Gil-san and the others."

The Maid Chief nodded with a serious expression at Hayato's words. However, her face was not one of despair, but one of determination, as if she would absolutely go to him.

"Yes, Gil-sama and the others have also regained their memories, but the absence of Demon Lord Lunaria-sama and Xenobia-sama seems to have been a mental blow. I have informed them that they are safe, so I believe they have calmed down a little."

"That's good, then—"

"A Stampede has occurred in the Demon Capital Zardogia. Beelzebub, King of Flies, has begun its invasion. Please proceed to repel it. I repeat—"

He was surprised by the sudden announcement, but even more surprising was the giant fly with skull patterns on its wings that flew past the airship at tremendous speed.

From a quick glance, its appearance wasn't that realistic, but fighting that thing would be mentally taxing.

But now was not the time for such thoughts. If Rosalie, Gil, and the others were defeated, conquering the Demon Lord's Castle would become difficult.

"Let's hurry!"

Everyone nodded, and the airship gave chase, pursuing the fly at full speed.

The Demon Capital Zardogia was mostly in ruins, likely due to the Stampede. It seemed that unlike the previous Stampede, where only certain buildings could be destroyed, everything was a target this time.

Only the buildings in the northeast area remained somewhat intact, and they had received a report that Rosalie and her forces were holding out there.

Monsters were focusing their attacks on that area as well. Beelzebub and its kin, medium-sized flies, had surrounded the buildings and were attacking.

Giant insect-type monsters were disliked by players, but this sight was mentally taxing on another level.

"Time for a counterattack."

But as if to say such things had no effect on her, Simon spoke and nocked an arrow to her giant bow. The other members capable of long-range attacks also took their positions. And Hayato finished preparing the cannons installed on the airship.

"Fire!"

As the airship came within range, a volley of attacks was unleashed at Simon's command.

Among them, the arrow Simon fired pierced Beelzebub at an impossible speed, taking several of its surrounding kin with it.

However, it wouldn't go down with just that. After spotting them, Beelzebub charged toward them at high speed.

"Brace for impact!"

Following Simon's command, everyone prepared to avoid falling off the airship. Some grabbed masts or railings, others secured themselves with ropes, and some went inside the ship. Their responses varied, but each prepared for the impact.

A moment later, the airship shook violently.

Beelzebub had rammed the bottom of the ship.

But Hayato's airship was made of World Tree lumber. Its durability was high, and it wasn't something that could be destroyed by a single ramming attack.

"I'll restore the durability!"

Hayato immediately began repairing the ship. Thanks to the Creator skill, he didn't need materials for ship repairs. In what felt like an instant, the airship was as good as new.

With a cheer, the attacks resumed. Arrows, magic, bullets, cannonballs, every kind of long-range attack rained down on Beelzebub.

The airship flew alongside Beelzebub, racing through the sky. Beelzebub attacked the airship with ramming attacks and various magic, but everyone on deck fought back without fail.

No matter how strong the monster, its AI wasn't that good. Beelzebub didn't flee when it knew it would lose, nor did it change its strategy. It foolishly repeated its ramming and magic attacks on the airship. But no matter how many times it tried, Hayato could repair it.

The only thing they had to be careful of was falling from the airship due to the impact. They had taken some measures against that, and as long as they weren't rammed at a strange angle, it wouldn't be a problem.

Damage accumulated on Beelzebub as it repeated its futile attacks, and at last, its wings were broken. It still had HP left, but unable to fly, Beelzebub fell to the ground.

Just as he thought it would be a ground battle from here, Rosalie, who had been fighting the minion flies near the building, started running towards Beelzebub.

Cloaked in a red aura, Rosalie closed in on Beelzebub at high speed. A downward swing from the giant scythe in her hand, Scream, dealt massive damage. Then Rosalie began to carve it up as if dancing.

"You damn fly!"

It was straightforward, but Hayato, who somehow understood her feelings, lowered the airship's altitude and approached.

Then Gil and the others approached as well. They were each riding giant horses shrouded in black mist, moving at high speed in formation.

"Hayato-dono! And Maid Chief-dono, too!"

Gil, with his grim face but cheerful laugh, was a reassuring sight. He waved at the airship, but only for a moment. He immediately put on his helmet, and all the Dark Knights took the same stance. The sight of them holding their weapons vertically in front of their chests like knights was a fine thing to see.

Gil and his men charged Beelzebub on horseback.

A simultaneous attack with the momentum of their charge. The timing must have been perfect. Beelzebub's giant body was sent flying violently, rolling across the ground.

"That was dangerous!"

"My apologies, Rosalie-dono. It seems seeing Hayato-dono got my spirits up. But I imagine it was the same for you?"

"It pains me to admit it, but you are correct. Well then, everyone, let us vent all our frustrations here and now. Stress is bad for the skin, after all."

At Rosalie's words, the members of the Black Rose, who had arrived on giant crows, grinned wickedly and readied their weapons.

A moment later, they all descended upon Beelzebub.

"Beelzebub, King of Flies, has been repelled. I repeat—"

As that announcement flowed, cheers erupted in the Demon Country. Some people collapsed where they stood, their strength gone, but their faces were smiling.

"Hayato!"

In the midst of it all, Rosalie, with a desperate look on her face, approached Hayato, who had disembarked from the airship.

"Lunaria-sama and Xenobia-sama, they’re safe, aren’t they!?"

"Yeah, they are. I think you heard from the Maid Chief-san, but everyone is in the real world. Lunaria-san and the others were really worried about you all. You should thank them later. I was able to get here thanks to Lunaria-san, too."

Hearing Hayato's words, Rosalie and the others let out a huge breath and sat down.

"Thank goodness Lunaria-sama and the others are safe..."

Several members of the Black Rose were crying. Even if their memories had returned, their concern for Lunaria and Xenobia meant their loyalty, or rather, their respect, must be genuine, Hayato thought.

"Oh, that's right. Lunaria-san said she's going to have you all make clothes for her in the real world, so you should start thinking about designs now."

The members of the Black Rose all looked dumbfounded. But soon, Rosalie grabbed Hayato by the collar.

"I-i-is that, t-t-true...?"

"Yeah, it is. Lunaria-san is going to be quite wealthy, so she said she wants an exclusive designer. She asked me to tell you that she's going to take over the world as a model and needs your help. Oh, right, Ney, who is already rich, said she wants you to make clothes for her, too."

It was hard to tell if it was a joke or not, but Ney and Jolth were saying they would make Lunaria the head of the foundations to manage everything. Even without that, she was sure to become extremely wealthy with the technology from the research institute.

Rosalie and the others still looked like they couldn't comprehend it, their mouths agape, so Hayato continued.

"Um, reality is about a hundred years past when you all were alive, so it might be a shock, but resources have become somewhat more available, so you can make all sorts of clothes—"

"That does not matter! A hundred years, a thousand years, it makes no difference to me!"

"Seriously..."

"To make clothes for Lunaria-sama and Ney in reality...! I understand! What must I do! How can I log out! Answer me, you fool!"

Hayato was surrounded by all the members of the Black Rose. Some people might enjoy such a situation, but it wasn't that great. In fact, he felt his life was in danger.

"Rosalie-dono, Hayato-dono will collapse. That is enough."

The Dark Knights pulled the members of the Black Rose away. They were grumbling, but seemed to have accepted it, and were now all discussing designs.

"You saved me..."

"Not at all. We are the ones who were saved. When we heard the announcement that Hayato-dono had logged in, my heart leaped for the first time in a long while."

Gil, who had been smiling, immediately put on a serious face and gave Hayato a military salute. The other Dark Knights did the same.

"We are the Zodiac Foundation's special forces unit, ‘Nightmare.’ We have determined that continuing the mission of the Another Frontier Project is impossible, and from this point forward, we will enter under the command of Hayato-dono. Please give us your orders."

"O-oh...?"

Hayato was surprised by his words. He didn't know how to respond, but now was not the time to be surprised.

"Then, let's keep our relationship as it has been."

"As it has been...?"

"Gil-san, you and your group are my friends and the Demon Lord's Army's Ten Dark Knights. Um, if you are entering under my command, then my orders are absolute, right?"

The faces of Gil and the Dark Knights became as blank as Rosalie's had been just moments before. Then, gradually, they broke into smiles.

"Understood. We are no match for you, Hayato-dono!"

"I have many things I want to ask, but let's save that for later. We are about to enter the Demon Lord's Castle, so I would like to request your escort."

"Of course. For a friend, we would follow you to the depths of hell!"

"You don't have to go that far. Besides, if you belong to the Zodiac Foundation, you should serve Lunaria-san. She is the successor to the Zodiac Foundation."

Gil and the others' eyes widened.

"Is that true?"

"It’s something that was found out, or rather, decided recently. But with this, you can protect Lunaria-san in reality as well. Ah, as a unit, you’d be considered military. Is that different from being bodyguards...?"

"That is a trivial matter. However, if that is the case, we must return to reality no matter what. Of course, there are other reasons as well."

Gil said this and glanced at the Maid Chief, who was watching from a short distance away. The Maid Chief, whose gaze was met, blushed faintly.

It would be boorish to say anything here.

Hayato smiled slightly, then ended the conversation and immediately began maintenance on the weapons Gil and his men had been using.

Afterwards, Hayato prepared God-tier equipment and made a large amount of food and medicine. He gave these to the people who had been fighting in the Demon Country, and then, with Benitsuru, Simon, the Maid Chief, the Ten Black Rose Saints, and the Ten Dark Knights, he headed for the Demon Lord's Castle.