Kuro no Maou

Avalon Royal Castle, Throne Room.

It is a brilliantly pure white hall lined with flags engraved with crossbow emblems and neo-Avalon flags.

On the white throne adorned with the shine of holy silver, Mithril, God-recognized king Nero had an openly grumpy expression.

---- Is that true?

"Haha, thank you for the fact, His Majesty King Nero.Foolishly, the Great Devil, Chrono, calls himself the Devil King and declares the resurrection of the Elrod Empire. "

The birth of Chrono, the new demon king who was blessed by the ancient demon king Mia Erlord, is now spreading throughout the Atlas Desert.

Monoliths in the countries surrounding Atlas, which became part of the Empire, reflect such propaganda broadcasts on a daily basis, and even in Verdoria, the only neighboring country that kicked in the Empire, the broadcast is playing on its own.From Verdoria, where the Hidden Crosses have been hiding for a long time, including the remnants of the Sylvarian Familia, the information was quickly conveyed to this Avalon.

Together, it has also been confirmed that Chrono is working to go to the allies through transfer and make them admit that he is a demon king.

It seemed that Chrono was seriously trying to become the Demon King.

"I see, the Demon King..."No, I guess I should say so.From the beginning, that man was aiming for the demon king. "

Nero's mumbling expression was cold without any emotional colors, but a silver aura gushed out from his body.

It's just what I expected. I really felt that way from the beginning.However, if you actually know that, you can't control your emotions.

It was a physiological, instinctive abomination, an unforgivable abomination, and surely, there must be jealousy that would never admit itself.

"Chrono, kill him." Now it's time to do it with this hand. "

Dressed in the great aura of the Apostle, Nero clearly declares with a raised face.

"I'm afraid, Your Majesty, the Great Devil Chrono is lurking in the castle's pandemonium, the former Karamala at the end of the south."I don't think it will hit the center of Pandora on my side right now, but as a first step to consolidating my faction, I think I won't be able to move for a while. ”

"That's true." That's why we're going on a big expedition. "

If you don't come out, we'll come out.As a matter of course, Nero said that he would have to march to the ends of the continent on an ultra-long expedition.

Normally, a proposal for madness.No matter how much magical power there is, or whether there is a flying presence like Pegasus or Weyburn, basically soldiers have to walk on their own feet.An army is a big job, just moving around.The longer you travel, the more people drop out without fighting in proportion.

Expeditions can be tough just to get to the battlefield.

"Nnh, that's amazing! Well done on your decision, His Majesty King Nero!After all, you are the holy king who deserves to rule the Pandora continent!! "

Shit, it's as exciting as ever, Gregorius.

With tears in his eyes, Bishop Gregorius honored Nero's great expedition with a big round of applause and gestures.Instead of that deliberate compliment, Nero gave a disgusted expression that he had been filled with water.

Without a choice, Nero looks at the other person.

What do you say, Heine, what do you think of my expedition?

"Huh, just calling ourselves a demon king is a great sin against our faith, but if there is a dangerous person who deserves to be called a great demon, it is not a question of throwing it away."His Majesty King Nero's swift and decisive expedition orders only gave this Heine en Arclight. ”

"Come on, you don't have to imitate Gregorius."If you're naughty, you can clearly say it's naughty. "

With a sloppy cheek stick on the throne, Nero says to the Duke of Arkwright, who is now a heartless man.

Apparently, she was aware that it was difficult to lead a large army to the southern tip of the continent.

"It's not just a follow-through compliment.Let us say that it is by no means impossible to carry out a great expedition.From the beginning, we will launch early and plan to invade Parthia first before the Crusaders. "

After the founding of Neo Avalon and the capture of Sparda by the Crusaders, what should we do next?

The Crusader General, Cardinal Arthur, and the Grail Alliance have formed an equal alliance between the Crusaders and Neo-Avalon.This is a mutually dependable ally, but at the same time a rival that takes over the territory of the Pandora.

Nero didn't move at all, and there was no choice but to keep this Avalon territory.However, the Crusaders, who took Sparda and finally secured the route to all of the continent, will soon increase their occupation.If things go smoothly, all but Nero's Avalon territory could be crusaders.

When all the continent has fallen into the hands of the Crusaders, how long will you be able to maintain your independence?Even if independence is recognized, if we can contain everything around us, we cannot help but be influenced.There was a good chance that Avalon would be treated like a kingdom even as Nero was honored as a king.

That's why Nero can't stop here.

In order to create the world of your choice, you must rule the world in your own hands.Not as a demon king, but as a king.

Therefore, even if it weren't for Chrono, Neo Avalon would still have to contend with the Crusaders in the battle for the continent.

The Parthian invasion was planned as a first step.

Oh, I'll get Parthia first.

Parthia, a vast meadow country ruled by the Centaurs.Immediately behind the city-state on the south side across the Lemurian Sea, it becomes the territory of this great power.

If you're heading south from the Mid-Continent region, where Avalon and Sparda are located, you're bound to hit Parthia.If we can contain all of this, we will be able to block their path.

Covering a vast territory called Parthia, the southern half of the Pandora, which is still largely out of the hands of the Crusaders, can be carefully captured without being disturbed by the Crusaders.That way, we'd have half of the Pandora continent.Too much territory to claim the continent's hegemony is likely to be in sight.

From there, what happens to the next invasion route?

“You'll have to take the shortest route south.It is the Dwarf Adamantria and the Beastman's Varna Hundred Beasts Alliance that are sure to stand in the way. ”

In a country made up mainly of demons and aliens, the Hidden Cross had no hand.For the purpose of gathering information, it is sufficient to hide a small number of people.

Conversely, if you are in a country or region where there are many other people, you can be on our side.

“The small countries around Parthia and Adamantria already have a crossing.In addition, Salawin, the city-state that is the gateway to the Varna Forest Sea, has been suppressing our gestures since ancient times.If His Majesty King Nero shows up, that's all we need to do. ”

It looks like we can harden the ground just enough to attack Adamantria and Varna.

"Yes, and through the woods, it's already in the Atlas Desert."You can drop the biggest port city, Rockwell, or you can use Verdoria on the west side of the desert, or you can march on the pandemonium from both sides. ”

I see, you're on the right track.

It will be a long journey, but you can restock your troops and supplies if you securely drop a country and capture it.Parthia, Adamantria, Varuna, and so on, the path to the Pandemonium will open up.

"Very well, we will proceed with the expedition according to that policy."First, concentrate on the Parthian assault. "

The order of the expedition was largely due to Nero's personal feelings, but there was still reason to think of realistic execution.As far as I'm concerned, I would never want to do Chrono and the Female right now... but I don't need to be in a hurry.

Sooner or later, the time for settlement will come.And there can never be a defeat in who I am now that I have the strongest power as an apostle.

By the way, who will lead the expedition?

"You know I'm going."

"Oh, King Nero, you have promised to be victorious!"The morale of the soldiers fighting alongside you will be unknown to the ceiling.Oh, that's the kind of God's army that deserves jihad! ”

Nero made it clear that he would lead the Expeditionary Force, although Gregorius's words could not have been overtly lifted.

On the other hand, the Duke of Arkwright grabbed Chilla and Gregorius and then sandwiched his mouth.

"If you leave it to me, I will definitely raise the rank of the con man who tricked the demon king to see it."In this Avalon, His Majesty the King simply waits for the news of his victory. "

"Come on, I'm not the king of decorations."I'll leave the war to the general, unlike my father. "

Nero interrupts the words of the Duke of Arkwright, who asked for the great expedition to be entrusted to him.

"I am the king and the apostle."Then this expedition is my business.I'm not giving it to anyone else. "

"Haha, I apologize for the rudeness.Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I understand your noble determination to fulfill the divine mission of His Majesty. ”

"No, that's fine. I guess I'll have to stop it for a while if I'm going to be a housemate."That's how it is, Avalon, I'll leave it to you. "

I respectfully order you to do so.

Nero can win tremendous support from the crucifixions simply by being an apostle.But even without its divinity, Neo Avalon has already had enough of the influence of the Crucifixion.

For six other great nobles are united in the name of God, starting with the Duke of Arkwright, who heads the twelve nobles.If you want to rule Avalon territory alone, it is enough for the Duke to be at the top, and he is better than Nero to forge alliances with his neighbors.

"Now, in order to quickly carry out the expedition, we will select the expeditionary forces ----"

"---- Sigh, can you not proceed with the important talk without me?"

Gigigi, a rude person pushes open the door between the throne and the throne.

Of course, only a fellow apostle can work so disrespectfully on the king.

The two were the Eleventh Apostle Mass, who had a mischievous smile, and the Twelfth Apostle Marybell, who had a dazzling look on her face.

"Oh my God, Mass. Are you coming with me?"

"Ahhhh!" I'm not going, I'm not going! "

"I'll kill Chrono without you."

"I'm the one who killed him."I'll never cede it to you. "

Often, the throne of Nero and the Mass of the Aojishi Nishi, standing unassumingly on the royal shore, meet.

"Oh dear, you're a worse woman than Shal."Well, you can do whatever you want. "

”Hmm, I'll let you do it without telling me”

Nero let out a small sigh as he laughed unstoppably in his arms.

The egotistical character of Mass is so obvious that I hate just a few dates.Even so, since this is an apostle, it cannot be easily suppressed, so it cannot be dealt with.

As a result, I think it's better to let Mass do what she likes rather than order it.

"The one who wins the fastest is the one who wins."Try not to fall behind me. "

"You're a king, you just have to flip around behind you."Mass-sama will kill all the chrono and all the shit that obeys him! "

So, I'm furious with you, Mariabelle, but what are you going to do?

"Otherwise, Mass is nothing to me or my partner."Until now, we have had no choice but to act together. ”

Too much misunderstanding, Mariabelle sharpens her mouth.Nero, of course, understood the irony.

After making such a preface, Mariabelle says in a calm tone, unlike Mass.

"I'll let Avalon stay."The Black Dragon is still in training, too. "

Though not visible from this throne room, Nero turned his gaze toward the garden where the "company of fire" was located.Outside the window, you can only see the clear blue sky and the abundant greenery of the garden.

However, Nero's sixth sense was that even beyond the [Cathedral Barrier (Sanctuary)] surrounding this royal castle, there was definitely a sign that the swirling white magic power, the black magic power, and the vast amount of magic power of the two colors were all coming together.

"Baba is also very sticky."At this rate, it's going to take a while, Mariabelle. "

"Don't worry, it's only a matter of time before he succumbs."Besides, I'm not on Avalon's side. "

"That's right." You've been a Crusader since the beginning. "

Cardinal Arth, General Commander of the Crusaders.Mariabelle is his hometown and has a long history of friendship rather than awakening to the Apostle.

Above all, Archbishop Ryukyrum, the heart of Ars, is the real brother of Mariabelle.The bond with them is deeper than anything else, as they have lived through the conflict of their childhood, when they lived through misery together.

Therefore, Mariabelle does not imitate selfishness like Ai and Mass, and shows a positive attitude of cooperation towards the crusader Ars.It has been Arthur's decision that staying in this Avalon would be strategically better for you now.

But that's not the only reason, right?

"Yeah, I don't want to hide this either. I have the Holy Grail."It's my mission now to protect it. "

"That's right! If it's a chalice, it's very much in our hands."If you are not a holy apostle, you are not entitled to this crystalline chalice of God's miracles.The Twelfth Apostle, Sir Mariabelle, says that if you keep a close eye on the "Holy Grail of the Pure Blood of the Virgin Mary", we will feel safe and secure in its holy prestige. "

Neither Nero, nor Mass, nor, in particular, Jesus, say anything about the white Gregorian explanation.

Nero stuck his cheek stick in disinterest.Mass glanced at the impatient Mariabelle holding the Holy Grail with a small smile.

"That's why I can't move quickly."But don't worry, when you enter into the "Grail Alliance", I'll open the account for you. "

"I see, that's fine." I'll leave the alliance to Heine, so if you help me, I can help. "

"I promise you that."Unlike Mass, I do my job properly. "

"Hmm, you're a boring man like a hard-only official, aren't you?"

"It's better than an irresponsible player."

"Ahhn?"

"Come on, if you want to quarrel, go outside."

Nero rises from the throne as he duly admires the juggling of Mass and Mariabelle.

While turning over the robe, he declared majestically.

"In this great expedition, we will kill Chrono and crush his evil empire."The legend of the demon king that spreads in Pandora will not descend, and I will destroy the fantasy of this king Nero. "

"----" "Two Styles Dress" "

Rather than being sharp, the piercing hands of the funnel wrapped in a pale aura were flying at a speed that made them illusory as if the arm itself had disappeared.

Sharper than a spear, but still more intense than the fire attribute attack magic, Kourijutsu's blow just cuts through the sky without hitting anything, leaving its tremendous power in Nell's white hand.

"Sure enough, isn't it okay..."

Huh, while sweating a large grain of sweat, Nell touches the void in front of her with an elegant hand, as if the violent thrust she just made was a lie.

Without a thing, I just cut the sky with my hand, and now I told her how hard it felt.

Right now, Nell stands at the garden entrance of Avalon Castle.A five-minute walk from here is the "Fire Company", where Belcrosen, a mentor, lives.

But we can't go a step further than this.Nothing seemed to stand in her way... but there was a terribly solid transparent wall here.

Princess Nell, whatever you do, this [Cathedral Barrier (Sanctuary)] will never be broken.

Ufufu, it was the real noble lady who called out with an aristocratic smile.

Her name is Helen, and her house name is Azrael.

And Princess Nell, the head of the SS.

Since childhood, Nell was the daughter of a marquis who had made friendships with her. She went to the seminary together with Nell when she was studying at Sparda, and she was a girl who was secretly forming a SS group to guard against the princess while protecting her from the shadows.

But her house, the Marquis of Azrael, was made the family of the twelve nobles of Avalon; and now, like the Duke of Arkwright, it is the family of the betrayal of her ancestors, who continued to believe in the Crucifixion.Arkwright's Celis disobeyed his faith, but Helen embraced the Doctrine of the Cross honestly everywhere.He is a good crucifix worthy of the family of Azrael.

"However, the holy barrier given by this white god is not only impossible to break, but also impossible to put in one wound and one crack."If you're going to break this and run away, I must say it's a barren thing to do. "

"I won't run or hide.But if there's a wall that never breaks, it's just the right tool for training. ”

Without turning back to Helen, Nell responded impatiently.

Then, I took up the stance of ancient jujitsu again, and entered the "training Qi" that refines the magic power in my body.

"Even under these circumstances, the uplift of Princess Nell, who fiercely pushed into training, is amazing."Go ahead, until you're satisfied.I will be here to keep quiet and not disturb you. "

Helen arrived at the table that was set up next to her, and under the sun umbrella of the maid, she opened her mouth to a cup of tea scented only by the young lady's taste.

Her appearance had already disappeared from Nell's consciousness.

This Helen is turning to the Crucifixion faction in the midst of Nero's rebellion.Beyond being a hidden crucifixionist who has believed for generations, it should be said that betrayal has revealed more of its own nature, but for Nell, it doesn't matter either.

She doesn't have much fighting power of her own.However, there was no more optimal person to serve as a watchdog and caretaker for Nell, who would be placed under house arrest in the Imperial Castle.

I know Nero, the Marquis Daughter of Azrael, and I think that Helen would be just enough to take care of her sister if Nell actually had a relationship as a friend since she was young.However, since Celice betrayed her, even though she was her real daughter, she told the Marquis of Azrael to be careful.

In any case, Helen's presence is depressing for Nell, but on the contrary, there are no more shackles than her presence.The neighborhood is a driftwood, a deep consideration for my beloved sister.

And as Nero had said before, the barrier to trap Nell had now been extended to cover most of the royal castle.

I didn't have any magic at all.However, it always triggers when Nell moves out of the room.

It seems that the Nell's surveillance and the surgeons to trigger it are working closely together.Now that it's at the end of the garden, it's active.

The barrier extends to the edge of the city walls, but the garden is exceptionally isolated.It is a corner of the garden with the "Fire Company" as the center.

Nell already thinks something happened to Belcrozen... but I don't know what's really going on with her now.However, from the signs of that strong black magic power, I was sure that I was still alive, but it was weakening day by day.

At this rate, I can't feel the magic power in it, and I feel that it's not far away that the magic power itself will be interrupted.

"I'm sorry, Belle-sama... I can't even rush under you..."

I want to cast healing magic on Velcrozen right now.I know there's a weakened girlfriend just ahead.

However, this extremely transparent, colorless barrier, which at first glance appears to be nothing, absolutely prevents Nell from going anywhere.

If you just touch it gently or hit it with some speed and momentum, it will be blocked by a hard feel like metal.

However, this barrier will soon change its nature if the Nell strikes more than a certain amount of powerful attacks, such as the special blows accumulated by the [Training Qi].Nevertheless, all the power is scattered through the sky, so sucked into the vastness of space magic (dimension).

Any magic or martial arts would vanish before this.The barrier itself has not received an attack.If so, it will be a state that can only be expressed.

The "Cathedral Barrier (Sanctuary)" created by a girl named Reinfeld, which Nero was in, was more powerful than any barrier that Nell knew.

Rather than protecting the royal castle, the "Cathedral Barrier (Sanctuary)" is unfolded only to lock up Nell, but the magician Reinfeld himself, who built the barrier, is not even in Avalon anymore, not in the royal castle.

Dedicated barrier machines have been installed throughout the Imperial Castle, and several crucifixion priests take turns activating and maintaining them.If you eliminate this barrier machine and the priest who is the sorcerer, the "Shrine Barrier (Sanctuary)" will be immediately disarmed...... it is impossible to attack multiple places by Nell alone.Above all, the barrier that traps Nell and serves as a strong defense for the Royal Castle itself is particularly tightly controlled.

I tried to walk around the royal castle as much as I could, but I couldn't find a way out.

Nero left for the expedition a few days early.

Without her brother or Reinfeld, Nell would remain trapped in this royal castle.

"But what I can do now..."

Telling himself that it was the only way, Nell grew more focused.

Whether you flee from here or do something, you cannot do anything without first having the means to break this "cathedral barrier".

Fortunately, Helen doesn't seem to want to intercept Nell for this, and she's been talking a lot about things she knows, including Nero's great expedition.Nell is probably aware of the current state of Neo Avalon, but that's why she can't be a caged bird forever.

"If I don't do something..."

The country cannot be saved. No one can be saved.Right in front of you, even Belcrozen.

While burning his chest with a sense of helplessness and impatience, Nell sank deeper and deeper into his consciousness.

Destroy your own damn cage.Seeking strength for this, to the abyss of ancient jujitsu ————