Maou No Utsuwa

A very black dot between the trees. The little dots, one by one, get together and become black chunks. It gathers together even more and becomes a big chunk.

Upon the sight and about of the lodging, the Knights, who were on watch, saw the sight and lost their words.

The black dots are demons. At first, it was only marginally ascertainable, and now it is as if it had painted a black corner of the slope of the mountain.

"Look, give me a report. The expected number of demons is 500."

A noisy voice prompts another Knights member under Yagura to report.

"... five hundred"

Unexpected numbers also solidify the Knights who hear about it.

"Quick! They're getting closer!

"Okay!

One of the buildings is designated a command, and there, teachers of the pull and superiors of the Knights are gathered. A hundred generals even when it comes to superiors. I'm not supposed to be in a position to participate in command.

Still, that's not what I'm talking about right now. Anyway, we're going to gather the superiors and try to deal with it in the future.

Reports of demons jumping in there one after the other. Regardless of the Knights, the teachers, they are completely wolfed.

"What do you do?!

"Please calm down. We haven't checked all the information yet."

Dan, the Knights' hundred generals, is trying to calm down a wolfing teacher.

"But a thousand means..."

The number of demons has increased to a thousand. Several reports have shown no further increase, so it will be confirmed almost by this number. But a thousand, five times as many students as this one.

"It's not a number you can never defeat. If that's just goblins."

"Was there an orga?

"That's what we're going to hear. … keep reporting."

"Ha, we haven't been able to confirm Auga's appearance at this time. Just..."

"Just what?

"The population that seems to be goblins is repeatedly rendezvous. The group that gathered earlier remains at a certain point."

"You're trying to say you have control, aren't you?

"Yes."

Everyone knows what this means if you're a Knights. Just goblins are not such demons.

"Right...... All right, keep watching."

"Ha!"

When he told the Knights to return to the report, Dan put his hand on his forehead and thought about it.

"Um, what do you mean? Is there an orga after all?

"As reported. We don't know what Auga looks like."

"But..."

Dan's atmosphere doesn't seem happy that Auga isn't here.

"Yes, Goblin's controlled behavior means the presence of those who do it. There's a good chance there's some kind of superior species, even if it's not an orga."

It is a goblin acting in groups, but that is not what was ordered. Well, if it's a battle, it's normal to just, you know, come at me.

Regardless of the rendezvous, Dan was convinced of the presence of the superior species, daring to keep this one in front of him.

If it's about hygoblin, there's a chance that we can manage it. But I don't think Hygoblin can lead thousands of his own people. Considering there's an ogre, I'm pretty much sure.

"... if Auga was there"

"You should assume the worst case scenario"

"What's the worst?

"Auga is the top species. Some gatherings could include goblins as well as high goblins. And then, in this number, it's very unprotected."

"You're running, aren't you?

"Yes, it's just hard to get away at once. We have hundreds of students. I can't promise you I'll be able to protect everything. And if the confusion spreads, we may not even be able to escape properly."

"... you say you split into several parts and run away?

"Yes, it is"

"You want me to be the student you left behind?

Even teachers who are not military know this much.

"It's better not to be put in your mouth..."

Dan's words affirm the teacher's ideas.

"Again, that's the thing! We don't run together because then all the demons will come after us! So you're thinking of leaving people here and stopping the demons that come after you!

"To help a little more students! If you get together and run, if you do poorly, you have a greater chance of being wiped out! I'm suggesting the best way to do it!

"You want me to sacrifice my students for that?!

"Students are not the only ones who will be sacrificed! I'll leave all the knights but the escort of the escaping students!

"I can't tell you to sacrifice to your students!

"He says it's to help! Or are you telling all students to sacrifice equally!?

"It's..."

The momentum of the teacher withered at once in Dan's outgoing dialogue. It reminded me that not all students are equal.

"Do you understand? Now, gather the students. Explain what you're going to do. There may be confusion, but please help us then."

"Yes......"

Among the students is the Imperial Princess Claudia, a royal family. Instead of equalizing all students, they must be helped even at the expense of all students.

The teacher who figured it out had to snort.

◇ ◇ ◇

All the students were gathered in the middle of the camp.

The students also know what's going on. What will happen to us now? Anxiety and tension made the faces of many students tense.

Eventually, in the front of such students, a knight stood. Behind it, the teachers are also lined up.

"I'm Dan from the Knights of the Empire. Explain future policies. I want you to calm down and listen."

…………

"You already know what's happening right now. A group of demons is approaching this camp. Thousands of them."

"... thousand!" "Oh, no!" "Are you okay?!

Most people know about the number of demons for the first time. More than expected, the students raised their voices of anxiety simultaneously.

"Quiet! There are currently hundreds of Knights here. I can never fight, but when it comes to protecting you, I don't know what's going to happen!

…………

This alone does not tell the students what the situation is.

"So we decided to abandon this place! Now we still have enough distance between us and the demons! If you want to retreat, now!

…………

A little relief flows among the students. Now Dan says he can get away with it.

"There are only hundreds of Knights to protect! So we're going to split up into two groups with safety in mind, and we're going to retreat!

"" "Become!

Here again, the pupil's blurring voice gets louder. He noticed what Dan meant by words. It is decided that it is safer to flee first. So in what order can I escape? Unusual anxiety spreads to the minds of the students.

"To be fair, we let the selection take place here. It is a form of selecting the same number of people from each class. Now select the first group! Follow the teacher's instructions and get out front!

Teachers who were lined up behind them head to the class they are in charge of.

Somewhere, I can hear you breathing. Whether you are chosen here or not determines your safety. Naturally the students get nervous.

Those who have been slapped on the shoulders by teachers raise their voices of joy, and the students who have been passed are dropping their shoulders with disappointment.

Wasn't there a disturbing student at the Imperial College?

Where all the chosen students came out, the students who were not chosen found Dan's words to be lies: to be fair.

All that came forward were Hildegand, Deefleet, Oscar, Claudia, and all that surrounding. Students who were happy to have been chosen have now, too, learned of the Knights' intentions, seemingly at first, leaned down.

If you're in Hildegand or Deefleet, you're shaking your hands hard, biting your lips off, and shaking yourself to humiliation.

"Are you there?

"Yes, Mr. Marie is not here."

A teacher tells of Marie's absence.

"What are you talking about!?

Seriously, Dan's voice naturally gets louder.

"I don't know. I don't care who you ask."

"... ok. Those who are not there have no choice. Choose another student"

"But?"

"I don't have time for this! Come on!"

There are no students who are supposed to be there. It's a big problem, but Dan can't take this anymore. I can't afford to waste my time.

Well, no matter how much Marie was the daughter of the leader of the Enchantress, it's not something you can hang on the balance with the Empress.

In the end, ten more were chosen from each group, and they were just halfway with the remaining students. One third of the remaining students are in a truly understandable choice: Group E.

"The departure is eight and a half minutes later. Get ready now!

"I will stay!

It was Hildegand who raised his voice.

"Me too. Instead, let other students go first"

That is followed by Deefleet.

"What a fool!

A great spirit of self-sacrifice, etc., Dan doesn't receive.

"But the rest of us don't know when it's going to be a fight, do we? The members who are now in front of us, whatever they say, are just top performers. Isn't it strange to let the strong escape and leave the weak?

"There is no guarantee that those who flee will be safe. There is a possibility of fighting where there is no fence to protect."

"So why don't we all protect it here?

"I can't do that, so I'm choosing to run away."

"So what happens to those left behind!? Are the Knights going to kill their students!?

The Hildegands are right in their thoughts. You're right, but the knight who says it is not. It is those Hildegands who are giving the knights a bitter choice.

"Please don't! You don't know where you stand! Okay, let's get this straight! You're the only ones who have trouble getting them to die! If anything happens to you, the survivors will be resented at your parents' house! So how do you expect me to live in the Empire!?

…………

A hundred Dunn generals who have exploded their thoughts. To this Dan word, Hildegand and Deefleet, they can't say anything anymore.

It was clearly said that it was our fault to sacrifice the other students.

"If you know what I mean, just get ready! I'm busy too!

I just said I wasn't going to listen to him any more, and then I turned around a little bit, and Dan was fast footed and left the spot.

…………

Left behind, Hildegand was also unable to move, keeping Deefleet facing down.

"Oh, what is that? I guess I don't have a choice?

To those two, hesitant, it was Oscar who spoke up.

"What do you mean, we don't have a choice?

"We serve the Empire. His Royal Highness is here. It's our job to protect Her Royal Highness, isn't it?

"... that's right though. Don't you think?

"Don't be ridiculous. There are places where I think I am. But I intend to remain faithful to the way I am as an Imperial Knight. If you have orders, follow them. Whatever happens, protect the royal family, that's what knights do. That's what I'm saying."

Oscar has Oscar's beliefs. Be prepared and act.

"... well. Sorry."

"Better get ready. It's true we don't have time for this, right?

"Oh."

Though I replied, Deefleet's feelings were not broken. Among those left behind are those who are dear to Deefleet.

"Um, it's my fault, isn't it?

"Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia..."

"Because I've come to this place"

"No, that's not true. Without Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia, after all, it's no different that we take precedence. Get ready to leave without worrying."

"But"

"We don't have time. I don't have time to waste because there are other people I'd like to talk to. Bye."

"Ah."

I know it's an eight hit. Still, I can't hold back my frustrating feelings. There's someone I want to talk to, someone I need to talk to. Hurry up, Deefleet headed to the place.

There was also Hildegand, who had come earlier.

"Sorry."

Deefleet, who stood in front of the Kamuis, could only come up with these words.

"Is that an apology for what? Didn't Dee apologize, did she?

"That's right..."

"So is Hilda. Don't worry about us. Just think about getting away."

"But I am"

"Hilda is a loved one. You can't lose your life in a place like this."

"Important..."

Even at a time like this, it was a kamui that would flag extra. What Kamui wanted to say is that he is important to the Empire, but he is out of words because of the Empire at heart.

"So is Dee. Anyway, take care of your life."

"But I..."

Deefleet's gaze turned towards Serene for a moment.

"If you're worried about Sele, why don't you take her? I'd like Otto to come with me if I can."

"What? But if I did that,"

"Nobody complains. Don't stand out. We need to use what we can use."

"... right"

Not if you're a good person. If anyone wants to protect you, they should protect you, no matter what hand you use.

So Sere and Otto go with Dee.

"I don't like that!

Serene has returned a refusal to Kamui's word to flee.

"Why?"

"I fight with you, too. That's what you're gonna do, right?

"... you can't"

After showing a slight gesture of contemplation, now Kamui denied Serene's words.

"Why not!?

"Now, Sele, then, it's a foot job. Being with you can only get in the way."

"Terrible..."

"It's true. So, Dee, thank you."

Kamui took his gaze off Serene and asked Diefleet about Serene.

"Foot hands together...... Is that me, too?

"Do you need to hear that? But, well, yeah. It's very unlikely a situation where you can fight while sheltering someone."

"Yeah, that's what this is about, isn't it?

I don't know what you're talking about.

He was a kamui in love with his mouth, but Deefleet decided that the invincible grin on his face meant affirmation.

"... ok. Come on, Sele, let's go."

"But"

"Go. The Kamuis want it."

"... idiot, kamui idiot!

"I'm an idiot anyway. Well, we're kind of ready. Hilda and Dee, it's time."

"Um, you're safe."

Hildegand, with a trembling voice, calls out to Kamui. This is all I can say. I feel sorry for myself.

"Well, you'll be fine. If you just survive."

"May I believe that word?

"I don't like lies. It's okay, go ahead and wait."

"Yes...... Waiting."

"Come on, we really don't have time for this anymore. We're ready, too. Excuse me."

Later, Kamui leaves without even looking back. On that Kamui's back, Serene screams arrive.

"Idiot! Kamui is not dead!

In response to that word, a bitter laugh leaks in Kamui's face.

"Look, normally, in this situation, you're not dead, are you?

"Well, because it's Serene"

Alto, who was questioned, is also a frightened face.

"That's why. All right, when I get back, I'll definitely be mean to Sele."

"That's normal, then, isn't it?

Kamui's determination? To, alto has pinched the difference.

"Hmm? So, what do we do?

"On the contrary, isn't it a good idea to give him a gentle hug?

"Huh? Why?

A gentle hug doesn't mean anything. Kamui doesn't understand Alto's intentions.

"I wouldn't have predicted such behavior. I'm sure Serene would be more surprised. It'd be funny if you could see him in a hurry and geek, wouldn't it?

"... Indeed. And so is that."

I was attracted to that unexpectedness when I heard Alto explain it, and I was curious about it Kamui.

Walking a little behind, Alto and Lutz, gasping small, did not appear in its Kamui eyes.

Multilateral relationship building plans are a top priority for both of us at all times.

"Well, actually, what do you think of the problem?

"You can get away with it if you don't even have an orga. That's easy."

"But you're here, right? And I forgot the other students."

"Heh? Are you going to help?

Alto did not have the idea of helping other students.

"As much as I can. Especially those on the border, they can't die here."

"Whoa, that's right. Then…, that's a bit of a hassle"

Alto's expression clouds all at once. For the Kamuis, the rest of the students are nothing but clutched hands. When you hold that foothold and fight, the situation becomes difficult all at once.

"With the Knights, I think it's okay to some extent, but worst case scenario"

"It will show strength"

"... well, there's no choice in this case. If you're in the goblin class, you're still not sure you can win if you do everything you can with an angry august opponent."

"Right."

"But you can't die. Then we'll have to do what we can."

"There's a hand to abandon and run away."

The only thing that matters to Alto is Kamui anyway. With Kamui, we can move towards purpose.

"... well, don't be the worst. But the border people still don't want him to die."

"The problem is outside the border area. The borderline guys are just like us. I hide my powers. Even if I show my power, I won't imitate it like it sounds. On the contrary, if you know your strength, you might be able to listen more seriously."

"Other than that...... Well, it's a battle out there."

"Is that all you got?"

"I can't help but think about something extra right now. Whatever you say, the other guy is an orga who got his kid killed. Just think about surviving."

"Oh. Okay."

For the Kamuis, it's been a long time since we've had a real fight where we feel our lives were in danger. Still, I have no feelings for the Kamuis.

Because I've already experienced countless things like feeling life-threatening.