I Favor the Villainess

Annihilating the demons, isn't that a nice way of putting it?

This is the conference room of the Provisional United Forces set up in the Imperial City.

The main people from each country are busy working together.

When I honestly praised Philine for finishing her broadcast, she was embarrassed and said, "You can't tell me to run away because it's dangerous.

'I thought it would cause a panic if I told her to run away because it was dangerous. If I told you that this is part of our action to overthrow the demon race, you would be more proactive and calm, right?

Philine is probably right.

There's a difference in the impression you get between being told that a crisis is coming and being told that you're going to make it disappear.

This is the same person who, until recently, couldn't even call out Hilda, so you never know what human beings are like.

'In fact, Hilda and I came up with the manuscript for this speech together.

Philine flicked her tongue out, as if she were trying to shed some light on the subject.

She looked somewhat awkward, but I was still admiring her.

'Even if it was, that was a fine speech you just gave. It was as dignified as Dorothea's.

It's ...... strange. You had such an aversion to being compared to your mother, but now you accept it so readily.

I'm sure that's because Philine has gained a lot of confidence.

For her, the deportation must have been a major setback.

But Philine overcame it, took down Dorothea, and brought her people together in this way.

The shy, shy girl is almost gone.

'The hard part is just beginning, Princess.

Hilda, who was standing by her side, said.

''Yes, I understand. We also need to quickly put together a plan to guide the people to evacuate and deal with the approaching demon army ......

That's the thing, though.

It was Dorothea who interrupted Philine's words.

''I will take over the Lord of the Retreat,''

The Lord of Retreats - that's where you're most likely to lose your life.

'I can't let your mother go to that place!

'Let go of your personal feelings, Philine. It's for the best. Who else can serve as Lord Commander with me?

Indeed, there are few who are more than Dorothea in terms of combat ability.

It's just a question of whether or not Manaria-sama is on par with them, including magic.

I'm sure he's right, though, that he's perfectly suited to serve as a lord.

But if you are killed in action, the consequences are enormous.

Lady Claire has a good point.

Dorothea is one of humanity's trump cards.

If they were to lose it this early in the battle against the demons, it would be a major blow to the human race.

That's not the only effect.

"Dorothea. If you are killed in battle, the will of the imperial army will be devastated. Are you aware of that?

Even though he has already retired from the emperor's throne, Dorothea can be said to be the spiritual pillar of the empire.

Even though Filene has made remarkable progress, Dorothea's presence is still significant.

"Of course I will. "Of course, I don't intend to die. But you can't win a war unless you're willing to take on a fight to the death.

Dorothea has no intention of giving it up either.

'...... I understand. I'll ask your mother for your lord.

Hmm.

In return, you must promise me this.

Something.

Philine took Dorothea's hand in both of hers and said as she clasped it.

'Be sure, you will return home alive. Dying will not be allowed by this Emperor Philine-Nar.

'...... Huh, you're barking. But good. I promise.

Thus, the battle for the imperial retreat began.

◆◇◆◆◆

'You didn't have to arrive, Ray-Taylor and Claire-François!

Dorothea shouted as she cut the ogre in both directions.

'I didn't mean to come with you!

Claire-sama also shot out countless flaming spears and burned down a group of orcs.

''That's the way it is!　Self-consciousness is not a good thing, Dorothea!

Ha, let's put it that way!

Dorothea laughed at my words as she froze her whole surroundings and slaughtered two more ogres.

The swordsmanship that cut both sides of the ogre's torso, which is as thick as a giant tree, still looks as inhuman as ever.

This is the front line where the human and demon sides intersect.

Claire-sama and I were on this battlefield with Dorothea.

It was Dorothea who was to serve as the Lord, but she offered to join us in order to help her in any way possible.

The evacuation of the inhabitants should still be taking place in the Imperial City.

Since we don't know what's going on in the imperial capital, there's very little we can do to help over there, so this is how we're participating in the battle, but there are more demons than we expected.

''Claire-sama, take this!

You're a lifesaver!

Claire-sama received the potion bottle I threw over to her and drank it down.

Unlike Dorothea, who can continue to fight with sword skills as long as her strength lasts, Claire-sama and I have the restriction of depleting our magic power.

We brought quite a lot of potions with us, but the depletion was so great that we only had about a quarter of them left.

It's time for us to think about retreating.

However--''

"Hmm. ....... Wasn't this the kind of thing you guys call "stuck in the middle of nowhere"?

With its frock-coat-like appearance and bat wings, it emerged.

'Aristo--!

'Hi, Claire-François. You had a good run the other day. Very fitting for a loser.

You said it's ......?

At the very direct mockery, Claire-sama's eyebrows turned upside down.

''Don't get on, Lady Claire. It's a cheap provocation.

...... Yes, you do.

Normally, Claire-sama would have responded with such a visible provocation, a snicker and a curse or two.

Seeing that she can't do that, it seems that Claire-sama is also quite worn out.

This is not good.

The other day you were able to get away with it, but this time--maybe this time.

A large object flew towards Aristo, who was trying to torture it with words.

It was the corpse of an ogre, which Aristo bothered to fling off.

''It's you, the demon tribe that claims to have killed Kristoff.

It was Dorothea, of course, who threw it at him.

She shakes off the body fluids of the demons clinging to the black sword as she leisurely approaches towards Aristo.

Along the way, a number of demons attacked Dorothea, but she didn't stop walking as she cut off every one of them.

'Kristoff ...... who's that?　I can't remember human names that often.

Aristo responded to Dorothea with a spare look.

'Well, then die.'

With that one word, Dorothea's figure is drowned out.

Oops.

The next moment, Dorothea's figure was behind Aristo.

Aristo had his arms behind his back, catching Dorothea's sword shot with his claws.

'Lattes has told me about you. "Rathes told me you had powers not fit for a human being. Isn't that what you are, Dorothea-Nar?

How true. I am Dorothea. But don't let my name be mentioned by any demon.

Dorothea's arms blurred into a blur.

'Mmm!'

He must have sensed the danger.

Aristo tries to jump back in a big way, but loses his balance on the way and falls.

'There's no way he can get away with it now,'

If you look, Aristo's wings have been cut off at the base.

"We'll leave this to me and my troops. You guys go, Ray-Taylor, Claire-François.

Dorothea: "Dorothea: ......

Let's go, Miss Claire.

I tugged on Lady Claire's hand as she looked at Dorothea with concern, and I started to run.

Behind my back, I heard Dorothea's angry voice.

I didn't think she had any mother's compassion, but she was surprisingly angry. You are not going to die easily, demon.