Kuro no Maou

Although inferior to the Galahad Fortress, it can nevertheless be seen that the Alsace Fortress is of considerable size as a single castle. In the Galahad war, it was nearly a hundred thousand large armies, including the Daedalus warrior. Since it is the base from which it is assembled, is this size natural? At least, I could tell from a distance that Honmaru was bigger than Ischia Ancient Castle two times or more.

Both castles and towers try to be very different from boneless sparda styles for quality rigidity. Especially a quadrangular roof on a high defensive tower. Somewhere similar to a church spire. Is it the architectural style of the Sinclair tradition?

Most importantly, the overall robust stone construction, no matter how designed, is no different. Villagers may have an inorganic and cold impression of a giant building in gray, but now they will have the reliability to guarantee their safety. Even for me, I can expect this fortress to be enough to intercept Gratney Octo.

However, in the other half of my mind, the fact that I came back to a place of memories in a way made some of my emotions complex.

"Now with one shot of water magic, you're not going to be able to drop the bridge."

Leaks himself inside the helm as he crosses the bridge to enter the fortress. Don't even sound like Ursula walking right next door with the perfect fit.

The village of Alsace is a mid-state terrain sandwiched with rivers between East and West. That's why I chose this place as a line of defense to intercept the Crusaders. And no matter how many shadows of the village were lost and the fortress was built instead, naturally, the terrain itself remains the same.

From what I hear, the only route to enter the fortress is a bridge between East and West, just like the village of Alsace. One that goes in from the Daedalus side and one that goes out to the Sparda side.

Even though the places on the bridge are the same, there is a difference between the size and the construction of the cloud mud. The poor wooden bridge, once a screen of dumb heavy knights, has now turned into a solid stone building where loaded dragon cars can pass in rows without freaking out. And two lanes.

It is the high and thick gates and walls that make you feel willing to reject what comes before you cross such a large bridge.

Oh, I can't help but think, as far as I'm concerned, that with such stone and iron hardened walls, the Alsace defense would have been an easy win as well. I feel terribly nostalgic at that time when I was desperately protecting it with a steep wooden fence and barbed wire.

"Really, there's no shadow anymore..."

With the villagers, if you enter the castle through an open gate as it is, there is only a square of boneless fortresses, which does not match any view of the village in my memory. Just look here, and I'll never know this place is Alsace.

From the position of the river and the bridge, the site of the Alsace Village Adventurer Guild, which was our fort... is it around there? Now there is a thick, large defensive tower connected to the walls.

Let's not. Looking for the shadow of the village of Alsace is too barren an act.

Instead of pushing my gushing sentimental thoughts to death, I decided to calmly analyze the fortress's construction.

The Alsace Fortress, although large in size, is only Honmaru in composition. There is only the inner castle and the walls built along the river. The walls enclose almost all the site of the village of Alsace, and the rivers on both sides are built to be used as natural water mounds as they are.

Still, since Alsace fell, it's not a big deal to build a fortress so far in just two or three months. Although magic is also used in castle architecture, it is remarkable speed. Perhaps the years of war of aggression have brought Sinclair's ability to build a base to a considerable level.

If you think the enemy nation is going to push over, it will be out of consideration that it will be invaded from the Sparda side in the first place, although the lack of two circles, three circles, is a somewhat uneasy defense, so it is still necessary in its present form.

If Sparda's momentum in winning the Galahad war is to stop him immediately in the Battle of Liberation of Daedalus, I'd just like to aim within the present, where his defenses have not yet been consolidated and cut.

Speaking of which, I haven't been through a siege battle against the enemy's castle with all the defense. Well, one day we'll be doing it, but we want to avoid situations where we have to challenge the Great Fortress of Difficult Defeat directly from the front.

"Hey, Lord Chloe, are you there?"

If you're blurring around like a tourist, you can hear me calling my name.

Seeing, Cliff was about to come chattering his armor as he followed several of his men.

"What's up, Cliff?"

"Oh, Lord Chloe, there you are."

Speaking of which, after experiencing this man's escape from the supply base, I feel that he has become rather loving towards me and more courteous in dealing with me.

From Cliff's point of view, me and Ursula could both be the benefactors in life. Without the two of us, it would have been impossible to escape with the villagers, I'm pretty sure from the power of the 203rd supply base.

Still, I guess he's serious or benevolently thick when he thinks of Cliff's position as a civilian or less aristocratic than a knight that he cares about me in a frigid adventurer style that hides his face. Well, if I find out who I am, I'll give my hands back to the boulder.

"I'm sorry I arrived early, but could you join me in the military debate?"

"Why me?

"You are more than anyone else, aren't you defeating that abominable Devilfish monster? Instead, it would be weird not to hear from you, wouldn't it?

In short, do you want me to report monster information with actual combat experience as well?

Indeed, not so many soldiers engaged with Octopus at the 203rd Supply Base, only two of us, me and Ursula, defeated the 10m class guy.

Is it a harsh story to report to Ursula, a child on a boulder, in front of the great crusader? Most importantly, a smarter girlfriend might be able to organize the information more accurately than I am and give me a brilliant anti-Gratney Oct presentation.

"Besides, it shouldn't be a bad story for you either. If you tell him directly about that activity, he'll color the bounty as well. Whatever it is, I'll testify that it's true too."

I don't want the money, but as a Cliff, he's moving on as a natural benefit, more than I'm using the pre-construction name Adventurer. Good intentions, I don't know, this.

But the most important thing for me is to hide who I am. Isn't it hard to say no here for good reason?

Besides, even if you don't have my report, you'll be ready for Gratney Octo. Even Cliff already knows they're vulnerable to fire, and he can't finally tell the existence of that super giant Gratney Octo, a monster of trials.

"I'm sorry, but let me shy away. I don't really want to expose myself."

"Then you don't have to worry. We've already talked this through. With your helm on, there's nothing to be disrespected about."

Ha ha, and Cliff grinning refreshingly. Goddamn it, dude, let me distract you and do something extra... So what kind of decision is the Crusader giving out OK? Don't invite a suspicious black knight with his face hidden into a military conference. What would you do if you were an enemy? Enemy, though.

"Besides, from the way the battle went ahead, I hear His Excellency Baron Hellman is interested in you, who can be revealed at base command. If it works, there might be some officers who treat you pretty well."

Seriously, were you already blinded?

I already know from Saliel's story that Baron Hellman is one of the executives who leads the Third Army in a noble and interactive manner with the Earl of Bergunt of the Admiral. This also means that the baron was in the battlefield of Galahad.

I'd like to think you haven't found out who you are yet... but, heck, beyond this period, it looks like we should meet and talk in person already. Perhaps even if you say no here, the next invitation will come or you may get tangled up from the other side.

And most importantly, you can't leave this Alsace fortress until you defeat Gratney Octo. In short, there's no escape.

"Okay, let's go to a military conference. But give me some time before I do. I want to keep Ursula with my sister."

"Got it. You'll be ready. Come to the command room in an hour."

Okay, let's just assume the worst case scenario and let's go.

It's a nightmare. A nightmare wears black armor and stands in front of you.

An important defensive mission in preparation for the arrival of the Spartan army at the Alsace Fortress, sounds good, but in fact, there was one deputy general of the Crusader Third Army who was just pressed to blame for the defeat, and Baron Hellman continued to wear a mask of majesty and majesty, desperately preserving his majesty as a nobleman, by pushing and killing a drool of anxiety and fear in his heart.

(Again, this man... definitely, the moment he came in, I just knew at first sight)

Unbeknownst, the wide body that has fattened with the years trembles.

About an hour ago, a man showed up in this command room. His name is Chloe. It is obvious that he wears a set of heavy knight (Armor Knight) armor helmets officially adopted by the Crusaders, but never a knight.

Black. Yes, black. A heavily knighted full body armor (full plate armor) polished to silver that reveals the glory of a white god is colored in pitch-black like darkness at night. Too bad a hobby, no, if you're a bad believer, you might get mad at me for being disrespectful. Not so much, unlikely coloring.

Most of all, white or black, but rainbow, things are definitely heavy knight armor. Defense of the iron wall covering the entire body without gaps. The alloy armor of silver, steel and misrills, which does not give the enemy a gap to follow, covers and hides from the toenail tip of the foot to the ceiling of the head.

I mean, the man's face hides behind a thick helm, invisible.

But Hellman knew. Who this man is. And also portraying the face of that horrible demon, beyond one faceguard apart, in your brain, often.

"- Um, I get it. He used to gather so much information against unknown monsters. Thank you, Knight Cliff."

"Ha ha, thank you, Baron Hellman!

By both the name of this Black Knight Chloe and Cliff, platoon leader of the Heavy Knights unit, a monster's battle report called 'Gratney Octo' was already about to come to an end.

A report hard to believe for Russia that it is large enough to reach 10,000, that it flies through the sky in white mist and that there are several huge solids in it that exceed ten meters. In particular, it is such a content as should be smiled at that you may have seen even hallucinations due to fear, such as being as large as the mountain you heard at the end of the story.

But the shaky truth that all the villages on the west side had vanished over the 201st proved the existence of this terrible monster.

Some of the officers gathered here will be half-hearted, but at least Hellman decides to believe the report for the first time. We intend to consider countermeasures, taking into account the vulnerability to fire found in the report and the effectiveness of foggy wind junctions.

Most importantly, in the current Alsace Fortress, where the soldiers of the Third Army are completely swept away, the power of the war is limited. It's not a very optimistic situation to intercept.

But there is a more imminent crisis in Hellman today. A black nightmare is in front of me, much scarier than a mysterious monster octopus.

"Well, you can go back now"

Speak of Cliff's unspoiled grace and his mouth announcing his departure from the room. And Chloe, standing next to him, also, somewhat graciously, then returned her heels to follow him.

So Herman decided to be ready. More than thirty years ago, it is a great resolve, as it was when I duelled with my real brother over my wife.

"Wait. Lord Chloe would like you to stay a while longer."

Pitali, and the walk of the Black Knight stops. Herman's heart was also about to stop.

At the next moment, I wondered if a pitch-black blade was piercing my chest. And I was wondering if that blade would explode and not leave any shards.

"What, it's not a big deal. I would like to express my personal gratitude to many people and to Lord Chloe for saving the plight of our soldiers -"

I'm so nervous, I don't think I know what I'm talking about.

Still, as an aristocratic end of the baron, Herman speaks without prejudging the dialogue. Furthermore, by the time the officers present besides Cliff, the soldiers of the escort, have already finished rooting. Ready. After that, only ride to the stream at once.

"- And that's wacky, but, yeah, let's ask the others to take their seats off. I'm sorry, guys, but for a little while, okay?

"Ha! Whatever your Excellency says!

The officers who were present at the military conference promptly leave the room with Zorozolo, with a face that was taken for granted as ordered.

Cliff with half the look of suspicion and confusion on the overly inexplicable payroll. His reaction is correct. Then even if you think, "Oh, why, something's wrong," the response without pinching your mouth would also be right as a knight.

In the meantime, only Herman, seated in the upper seat, was left in the command room, and Chloe, seated in an upright immovable position with an ancient stone statue in front of the door.

……

There are no words from Chloe. But the feeling of being squashed by silent pressure. Never on the battlefield, or in the Sinclair court, where I was once only invited twice, have I ever felt this breathless.

I can't help it either. Herman is in a situation like standing in front of a naked, hungry dragon right now. Depending on his mood, his life is easily scattered.

A situation that should not be in a general of an army, an impossible situation. Still, I still believe that putting my life on his palm is the best thing for the soldiers who lead as well as myself.

"I'll just say this first so there's no misunderstanding. We will not harm you. [M] Never hostile. And wherever you disappear, I won't look."

"... what are you talking about"

Herman strokes his chest down to the point that it was not the blade with the black flame that returned, but the human word.

"I know who you are. But knowing it, I'm telling you."

"What are you gonna do?"

Chloe's response does not sound cold, but it is sufficient. For one thing, I can see you listening to me.

"I don't want to die. I don't want my soldiers to die either. And you don't want to die either... No, you wouldn't, but still, I want to avoid any trouble I can. Didn't I?

"Don't you want to have an extra fight under the imminent circumstances of a large group of monsters"

"Quick talk. That'll help."

From the bottom of my heart, I think so.

Honestly, Hellman has no idea what race it is to be a Demon, and hence a Spartan. It is also difficult for people to get to the negotiating table of discourse if they don't know roughly what the culture, values and things are.

Fortunately, Chloe's short answer alone revealed that there was nothing strange about him from the Sinclairs, that he was a man of legitimate thought and value.

"I want to work with you to make things right. On the face of it, I'll treat you like an adventurer. I don't know who you are. I won't let you tell me if anyone knows who you are."

"... are you going to betray the Crusaders?

"We lost, isn't it God who betrayed us!

He said he had bothered to bring it down to the second consignment to start the Pandora invasion, but the result is like this. It would be natural for me to want to put even one of my assholes on God. Well, if a nobleman, like himself, thinks more of the interests of the territory than of the faith.

"Leave the war on your own, if you lose, that's it"

When it was a silence, I immediately realize. No, even if you don't notice the far-fetched statements, there won't be any blunt people who can't feel the signs of anger coming from this man to Russia, which already reaches the realm of killing.

"Wait, wait! I'm not fighting Sparda anymore! All I want is to return safely to my land with the soldiers I led!

It would be pointless to discuss the absolute necessity of war against the human beings of the enemy countries. Especially in a situation where the opponent is holding his own life, it is tantamount to suicidal behaviour, such as appealing the legitimacy of the battle.

"My Baron Hellman family draws their hand from the Pandora expedition. I am pressed to blame for this defeat after the death of Count Bergunt. I have nothing more to offer to the Crusaders."

The resentment of the current position, to put it out, is not Kiri. Really, I feel like I've been pulled off a hell of a lot of poverty.

Neither that nor this, if the Earl of Bergunt did not run wild - but the underlying cause of it, it seems, starts with this man in front of him having his beloved daughter in his hands.

Even if I did say that, it would end with Chloe saying, "That's the bad side of the war we started earlier," with the most genuine objection.

"We are sorry to die here. Monsters kill me, you kill me. Therefore, we will cooperate. Because neither brother-in-law to the Crusades nor faith in God can replace life."

Almost sincere.

As an aristocrat, it is a bad idea to make sincere opinions in the negotiating arena, but the opponent is a dubious demon man as to whether the rush or whisperer makes sense. In these cases, it is best to speak honestly as a human being in the end.

"Please, could you help us!

"I don't trust you very much."

That would be so. From him, we are hateful invaders.

Even if a monster attacks me and says it's a pinch, help me, etc., it's weirder to have ears to listen to. In the first place, it's even unclear why he helped evacuate the villagers in this way.

"You won't have to trust me. Because you can kill me whenever you want, and it's not impossible to escape slowly after you've tragically killed a general in this fort."

Each other's power relationship is obvious. Therefore, there is no need for him to doubt.

If you don't like it, I'll kill you. The man is equipped with the power to penetrate violent will by pure means, which is never tolerated by man.

"... fine. I want to avoid useless disputes, too."

"Thanks, that'll help."

Chloe's clarification of her cooperation made Herman feel like a load of shoulders all at once. Now for one thing, he won't be killed all of a sudden.

"However, there are a few conditions"

"Say anything. Let's try to do what you want."

"In the fight, stay out of my way"

I was anxious to give all the troops command and what to do if they told me, but I felt like I ate a little shoulder watermark for something that was not even a condition.

"Of course. If you need me, I'll spare you some backup."

"Next, I'll be in the military. If they set up a proper operation, they'll be in trouble."

"Okay, I'll have your seat ready."

As it stands, it must be Chloe who is familiar with this Gratney Octo monster and has extensive combat experience. His opinions were both here and where I wanted to seek them.

"When this battle is over, miss us."

"Fine. Whether you go home to Sparta or infiltrate Daedalus, we will not interfere."

It is better that you disappear on your own, even here, wishing and fulfilling.

I'm not going to betray you, and I don't need that. Even if we defeated Gratney Octo at the end of the day, there would be a lot of damage here. If you're going to chase Chloe, who escaped in such a state, the total annihilation is natural, and if you're bad, you can come back to this fortress with anger and revenge.

No matter how much damage the Crusaders do to Chloe in the future by letting her go here, that's none of my business anymore. He who wants to, you just have to keep the war on this continent as long as you like.

"Oh, come on, we just said that, didn't we?

"Oh, there's one of us"

"No way, those people..."

"No extra prying."

"Yes!? I'm sorry!

I know a lot about the person who took him, but apparently this was the part he shouldn't have touched. When I was a child, from Herman, who had experience of a viper popping up if I really poked him, this Te's avoidance of crisis is a top priority.

Even if the identity of Chloe's companion was a saint representing the Crucifixion… yes, for example, 'the Apostle' or something, it has nothing to do with me now. If you are a true saint, give yourself to the devil with joy to save our lives.

"And anyway... I'll lay down a warrant for your company as well"

"That's fine. I'll keep my face hidden as long as I can."

Yes, I don't know anything about this one. In the last Battle of Galahad, the seventh Apostle Saliel, who descended, is set on a fabrication without roots or leaves, such as rumours that only numerous witness testimonies are missing after a duel with one demon.

"Anything else? If you want, I'll offer you more than the fair price for your adventurer's quest, and if you want weapons or equipment, you can use whatever you want with what's here. I won't spare your cooperation."

At least I can say that there is no stronger than Chloe in this Alsace fortress. My knight is never a weak soldier, but no one jumps through and possesses strong powers or special abilities.

It used to be a dream to have a knight proud of his superhuman powers, but ironically Chloe is close to that ideal. A trump card that you can rely on even when you're in a pinch.

It was also a natural choice to give him such spare support in terms of equipment. Never just be in a good mood.

"Well, then, that's enough. And one last thing."

Please, don't let him be unscrupulous, and Herman heard Chloe's words as he prayed to God.

"Gratney oct as big as a flying mountain. I'll take care of it."

Thus, the cooperative relationship with Chloe was successfully concluded with the agreement of both parties.

Herman takes a deep sigh after the Black Knight, who emits unusual signs, leaves. I feel like I got my whole life into nine deaths.

"Again, you're a hell of a mad warrior, I'm..."

Yes, the man, in an isolated battlefield, slashed into the enemy line by himself, letting him capture the daughter of Count Bergunt, Lienfeld.

Moreover, after the Count's death, during his transition to the retreat, the Seventh Apostle Saliel was descended to help the Crusaders. Against the most powerful man the Crucifixion boasts, he began to cut and fight head-on.

The upside of that battle is that the retreating Hellman did not come true until the end, but because he thus appeared before him, he cannot help but understand.

This man said he defeated the Apostle.

"Oh, how can you see me like this... Hurry up, I want to go home... I'm going home..."

And furthermore, now the beginning and end of purposefully declaring that the monster's big boss is my prey. Nothing more than a battle-hungry combat fanatic.

Hellman, who was to bring such a horrible man into his nostalgia, merely laments his unfortunate predicament.

Truly a nightmare. Hellman sincerely thought so, as the Crusaders stuck to a hard and cold desk, the hatred of the man he named in this battle - "The Nightmare of Galahad" was right.