Maou No Utsuwa

One messenger visited the Imperial Capital in an attempt to replace it with Kamui, who returned to the territory.

He's a Renatus Divine Cardinal named Jean Riel.

Despite the presence of the Archbishop in the Church branch of the Imperial capital, the Cardinal appeared purposefully from Headquarters as a messenger. It is such an important matter, but it is not something that I can welcome as an imperial side to receive a visit. Because it's mostly not a busy thing for the church to say.

Moreover, in this case, we have deliberately designated only a limited number of visitors.

The emperor's legs heading to the visiting room were heavy. When I took only the Chancellor into the room, according to their wishes, there was only one other person.

"Thank you for waiting"

"No, not so much. Thank you for your time. First, let me thank you for that."

"It was a small number of people, so I brought only the Prime Minister. Are you sure about that?

"Yes. Fine. For the first time, it's on your eyes. I am a Cardinal at Lenatus Church of God, my name is Jean Riel."

"I am Friedrich Ray Weilburg, Emperor of the Schutz Alten Empire. So, can I ask you something quickly?

"Yes, I am not willing to waste Your Majesty's valuable time. This time, I asked you about Northende, which is located in the territory of the Empire."

"What's Nort Ende?

The emperor's vigilance intensified at once. Nort Ende, inhabited by the divine and demonic tribes. There is no more incompatible relationship.

"This time, the Church of God has decided to crusade the Northende."

"What!?

"We would like to report and discuss it."

"What a fool! Nort Ende is the territory of the Empire! No matter how many churches, there's no way I can forgive that!

"I'm in trouble if you don't forgive me. I'm not going to tell you what, I'm not going to give you a territory."

"So what are you going to do!?

"Please calm down. I'm going to talk about that."

"... Now let me ask you something"

"From what the Church has examined, Northende is ruled by the Demon King."

"Stupid! That can't be happening!

"No, it's true. Nort Ende is governed by the Demons. It is testified by those who were the inhabitants of Northende."

Just because he lives in Nort Ende doesn't mean that all of his residents have friendly feelings for the Demon Nation, Kamui has expelled particularly tough knights and residents from Nort Ende in pushing for measures. The church used the resentment of these people.

It's the harm of Kamui's behavior, which hastened to enrich Northende.

"Isn't that some kind of mistake? It is the Viscount of Kreutz who governs. Viscount Kreutz was originally a nobleman of the Empire. I'm not a demon or anything."

"That's superficial, I'm just showing it so. Let's talk a little bit more about this. Since the current Viscount of Kreutz's reign, the Demons have suddenly begun to benefit their width in the realm."

"It's Viscount Kreutz trying to take advantage of the Demons."

"No, it's not. I mean, here's the thing. The Demons have always plotted to regain control of Nort Ende. When it's ready, it's still being replaced by a young Viscount Kreutz, who manipulates as much as he wants in the back as a puppet."

"It's completely unfounded."

"I am claiming to have testimony from a former resident. From what they've told us, there are many demons working all over the territory, right? Doesn't that seem strange to you?

"So, that's what it means to use it."

"Hmm. So His Majesty thinks the Demons will obey the nobility of the people greatly?

"... I'm not following, I'm cooperating"

The Demons will never obey in the true sense. If the Demons obey, the Emperor also knows that it is only against the Demon King.

"Why did you start doing that all of a sudden after you replaced him? If you're willing to cooperate, it shouldn't be strange to do so for a long time."

"So the Cardinal wants to say that Viscount Kreutz is the Demon King?

"I also thought about that possibility. But it is the Church's conclusion that this is not the case."

"Can you also tell me why?

"Demon King's Testimony"

"What?"

"If you are Your Majesty, naturally, you know that. the existence of a sword, a testament to the Demon King."

"Of course. But why are we talking about it now?

"Where is that now?

It's in this castle.

"You should. After the battle against the former Demon King, the sword is to be retrieved and kept strictly in the Empire. But is there really?

"... what are you trying to say?

A thoughtful way to put it. That spreads anxiety to the emperor's heart.

"Things go back about eight years. There must have been a demon invasion of this castle."

"How do you know that?

The incident, in which the intruding demon tribe could not be captured and its intentions were not even known, was the intention of the previous emperor, and a decree has been issued to the parties concerned. It's a case the Church can't possibly know about.

"You don't have to say that. The question is what did the Demons sneak into the castle at their own risk for? Do you need an explanation for this?

"I broke in to steal my sword. Is that what the Cardinal wants to say?

"Yes. Now, what if it is? This is what I can think of. The Demon King already existed at that time. Or there was a Demon King candidate who needed that sword to be recognized as Demon King."

The sword picks the opponent. No one tribe knows that. And I don't know that the person the sword chooses has nothing to do with race, age, strong weakness, etc. Just a sign that having it is a demon king. I only have that degree of awareness.

"At that time Viscount Kreutz was still a member of the Honfleet family, but also a pupil in the preschool department. There is no way that it exists. Well, apart from the fact that the sword is true, it's not a calm decision."

"Because we must not mistakenly look at the true enemy. Even the church has carefully considered it."

"So who does the Church consider to be the Demon King?

"First the former Viscount"

"Impossible! The former Viscount is a trusted man of his predecessor. There's no way the Viscount could be the Demon King."

"I guess so. Perhaps one of the demons in Northende. The Church believes that the former Viscount is also likely to be manipulated."

"That's hard to think about. And isn't that strange to talk about? The Demon King is standing, why do the Demons work for the Empire?

"It's not for the Empire, it's only for the Demons. Though the Demons, it should be better to live in a rich place. We should assume that people are being used to enrich their lives."

"But"

"In any case, please check the location of the sword first. Any more stories would be better if we made sure of that."

"... right. Let's find out right away."

Immediately the emperor headed to confirm his sword himself. Where the sword is, only the emperor knows and only the emperor can open it.

How Aur stole the sword out of it. I didn't steal it, I asked my predecessor to borrow it.

The Demons are not alone in Nort Ende. The demons, who could not accept living under the rule of the people, were dotted everywhere.

I want to gather demons in Northende in order to protect those demons from crusades, and before they even find themselves in a difficult situation with fewer numbers and more children. Aur explained to his predecessor that to do so, he needed the power to make him listen. The power to make the demon tribe obey, it is the demon sword Kamui.

The first emperor, who granted Aur's appeal, accepted to lend him his sword, but that was not something he could do publicly. The emperor never told anyone about it. And he had died without even telling the current emperor.

Seeing the complexion of the Emperor, who had returned some time later, the Cardinal understood that it was true that the sword had been stolen, without having to listen.

With a bright blue face, the emperor sits down to crumble on the throne.

"I don't even have to listen to you, but I'll make sure for once. Did you have a sword?

"... None"

"Again, was it? Then there's no doubt about the existence of the Demon King."

"Unbelievable. I wonder how I could have stolen it?

"Find out more about that later. Now it's time for you to think about how you can handle it."

"Send troops to the Demon King Crusade. Is that what you're saying?

"No. The Demon King Crusade will be conducted by the Knights of God"

"What do you mean?

"That is the mission of Lenatus."

It is clear what the Church is thinking. In my last failure, I intend to regain the authority of the Church, which has completely fallen, in this case. Crusading the Demon King to the Empire does nothing to the Church. It makes sense to do it alone.

"Are you going to be chosen brave?

"No. It's only been a short time since my last selection. A brave man is not so mild."

From the outcome of the Empire's battle, the Church believed that the Demon King crusade could be done without having to rely on the presence of a brave man.

"Are you saying that the Knights of God alone can make things happen?

"Yes, our request to His Majesty the Emperor would like to begin with the passage within the realm of the Knights of Divinity and the support of supplies to it"

"First of all, is there something else?

Without saying no to the words of the Cardinal, the Emperor returned them with questions.

"Yes. Even after the Demon King crusade, the Knights of God will be stationed in Nort Ende for a while. I'd like your permission."

"Is that what this is all about..."

The emperor found out some of the thoughts of divinity that he had suddenly said, such as the Crusade of the Demon King. These days, Nort Ende has been rapidly enriched. The exploitation of that wealth is the purpose of the Church.

"The purpose is to crusade the Residual Demons"

"Crusade. Not capture?

"... in some cases, that would be the case. No matter how many demonic opponents you have, useless killing is not something you prefer as a church."

And the enslavement of demons is included in it. Once again, the emperor thought of the strength of theism.

"Do you still have something? If there is, tell me everything. On top of that, we'll discuss it and we'll get back to you."

"... I see. Now, I'd like the Empire to send troops."

"Isn't the Demon King crusade done by the Knights of God alone?

"I have a little operation. And I want you to help me."

Let me tell you about the operation.

"Of course it is. From the empire, the kingdom will send troops near the eastern border. It will be a sizeable army."

"... the kingdom is also involved, isn't it?

"Well......"

As the Cardinal, who was going to surprise me a little, he seemed to be sorry to be spotted lightly as indicating also the invasion of the kingdom.

"Please continue"

"Yes...... I would ask you to send troops in the name of preventing that invasion. And the order must also be given to Viscount Kreutz."

"I see. Is it to take the lead of Viscount Kreutz's army out of the realm?"

"Exactly."

"That's all you think you can do about the Demonic Crusade in Northende by the Knights of Divinity alone?

"Is there a problem?

"In the last battle against the Demon King, the Empire was half of the Knights of the Empire and the Imperial Army that follows it. We are putting in half of the Oriental Uncle's army and all of the Northern Uncle's army."

"What!?

"Didn't the Cardinal know about the last battle? Not only were the brave men defeated, but there must have been considerable sacrifices for the Knights of God?

"It is...... I haven't been in this position yet."

Cardinal Jean Riel is the person who sat in the trunk of an empty seat after all the Cardinals took responsibility and left his position due to the failure of the last Crusade of the Demon King. I was not informed of the details.

The sacrifice of the Knights of God, led by the brave, is modest even in the word quite.

It was almost wiped out. And even that sacrifice was hidden so as not to harm the authority of the Church at all.

"The Demons are strong. I was wondering if I shouldn't think too easily."

"But weren't all the demons who were the Lord in the last battle supposed to have defeated them?

"Even so, where is the guarantee that those who replace it are not represented? The Church thinks a new demon king has stood, doesn't it?

"Yes, it is."

"Why don't you go back once and be considered again? The Demon King's presence has not been confirmed, nor has the Demon Clan done anything about it. I think we can afford that, though?

"... the Knights of the Divine Church have already been ordered to convene. The kingdom should be ready."

"Are you moving things forward without this consent?

"You never refuse, do you? The Demon King is the enemy of all nations. The empire and kingdom should now join hands and turn to a common enemy."

"We discussed what to do, and we said we'd answer."

"If you refuse, it seems the Empire is forming itself into a demon king"

"Is that a threat?

"How you take it, you take it."

"... I'd like to ask you one thing?

"What is it?

"What is the Viscount Kreutz's army going to do when it fishes out of Northende territory? Because there are no Knights of God on the spot, you don't mind if we treat them at this discretion."

"That's..., why don't you talk to the kingdom?

"With the kingdom?

"If Viscount Kreutz is dangerous, I think we need to take care of it."

"I mean, talk to him."

"Well, I will"

"Oh, let's hear this, too. How many troops does the kingdom plan to send out?

"I don't know the details either, but isn't it about 10,000?

"Is that what the kingdom says?

"I'm not sure, but if you're going to take the body of an invasion of the Empire, you seem to think it's unnatural, at least not that much,"

"At least."

Gradually, the Emperor saw what was behind this. The purpose of the Church is wealth and fame, and the purpose of the kingdom is, as always, empire.

"Okay, one more thing. Did you hear from inside the church about this? Or was it brought from the kingdom?

"… is determined inside the Church"

"Really? Good to know. Well, if there's nothing else, this one wants to come in for a quick consultation?

"Oh, I was wondering if that's okay"

"Now we will have a room for the Cardinal, so rest there until we reach a conclusion"

"Thank you for your concern"

"Chancellor, I need your guidance."

"Yes."

"It is bad for the Cardinal, because the guidance is only good to instruct another. When that's done, will you get me the Knights Commander and the Mages Commander? I want to talk to just the four of us about this first."

"Yes, sir."

Cardinal Riel is taken out of the room by the Chancellor. The Emperor's face, which dropped off its back, was full of anger.

To the Church, and to the wrath of the kingdom, which seeks to take advantage of the demonic tribes who live in adulthood for their own benefit.

◇ ◇ ◇

After the emperor himself explained his interaction with the Cardinal, the conference room had been surrounded by silence for some time.

The two captains of the Knights of the Empire and the Commander of the Enchantress who heard the story look like they chewed up a bitter worm.

There are subtle differences in each thought, but only one thing we have in common is bitter thoughts about the kingdom's plot.

It is clear that the true purpose of the kingdom is to sharpen the power of the Empire at all, under the pretext of the Demon King and others.

"You don't have a choice to poke at a church request, do you?

The Knights chief opened his mouth even though he had been thinking about it for a long time.

"Right. If the Church and kingdom are united and the power to crush is in the Empire today, there is another choice."

It is a rare radical statement to an emperor of a serene character. The anger has not yet healed among the emperors.

"I can't do this right now."

"That's a shame. Then you have no choice but to say no."

"Really?"

So again, the Knights captain kept his mouth shut and thought about it. Originally, the Knights Commander is not a man of skill in contrivance. I didn't come up with a good idea and start talking.

"Why don't you wash out the problem first?

That's just what the twisted prime minister has suggested to the appearance that there is no sign of any progress at all.

"The problem is losing Kamui."

"Do you think Viscount Kreutz deserves that much?

"Well, isn't that what the Chancellor thinks?"

"No, I also know what Viscount Kreutz does. I think losing that martial arts is painful. But wouldn't that put the Empire in danger?

"Are you serious?

"Do you mean it, let me just state it as one fact"

"I see. The Chancellor doesn't have much of a good impression on Kamui."

"It is...... Now, let me be honest with you. I listened to the Cardinal, and I thought maybe that's what happened."

Let me ask you why.

"Yes, Viscount Kreutz's behavior, but that seems to be trying to cause confusion to the Empire"

"Confusion? Where?

"It's a matter of a dispute over succession to the throne. The Crown Prince should have had no problem with His Royal Highness Prince Therese. However, the Viscount Kreutz instigated that Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia wanted the throne."

"Hmm."

"And Viscount Kreutz, by virtue of his own activism, gave His Royal Highness the reputation of His Royal Highness Princess Sophilia, who was supposed to be disadvantaged, and gave the Crown Prince contention the opposite advantage"

"Right."

"Yet the subsequent movement of Viscount Kreutz is odd. I have also dealt normally with His Royal Highness Prince Therese, who is supposed to be a competitor, and have my doubts around whether my support is really with Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia. Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia, you seem to be deliberately breaking down the situation in your favor."

"In other words?"

"Isn't Viscount Kreutz trying to divide the Empire by complicating and prolonging the Crown Prince feud and intensifying the feud?

"I see. When you do hear the Chancellor's explanation, don't doubt Kamui's actions"

"It is my view that Viscount Kreutz does more harm than benefit the Empire. That being so, I think this case is fortunate for the Empire as well.

He was the prime minister who thought the Knights chief was in tune with his story and came to a conclusion at once, but that was a little too soon.

"But there are many incorrect assumptions"

"Yes?"

Even if I say I'm not good at plotting, I'm at the top of the Knights of the Empire. There is no reason why everything is politically oriented. The Knights Commander is the Knights Commander and has a good grasp of Kamui's behavior and the ramifications associated with it.

"From whom did the Chancellor hear the story now?

"That's because you're familiar with Viscount Kreutz."

"Who told you that?"

"It's..."

"Fair enough. I guess I can predict. Well, why don't you tell us something, too?

The Knight Commander suddenly waved the story here to the Mage Commander.

"Hmm? Why?

"Even if he talks about Kamui, he'll take it like a snore or something."

"You're close enough to say you're inside?

"Shut up. Fine, explain it to the Chancellor from your mouth"

"It's a hassle, but, well, this time there's no choice. It's not about the Empire. Well, that's what Kamui Kreutz did."

"Um, is the Commander of the Enchantress sheltering Viscount Kreutz?

The Chancellor, surprised to learn that the chief of the Taoists, the Prince Therese, would make a statement defending Kamui, asked.

"It's not about shelter. Don't just tell the truth."

"Ah, yes."

"That being said, where did it come from? Well, let's not start by pointing out mistakes. Kamui Kreutz sparked a crown prince dispute. This is the first mistake. Even if it didn't do anything, Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia was concerned about it. That's why Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia joined the Imperial College."

"... Really?"

"And the activity of the one favored Princess Sophilia. This fits, but you don't seem to know exactly how it went. Activity in the swordsmanship match triggered is not what he wanted. And it was Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia who used it."

…………

"Your Royal Highness Prince Therese is gone. That Kamui Kreutz was more closely aligned with His Royal Highness Prince Therese's approach. He's the one who can, but he's still young around."

"Really?"

"Does the Chancellor really not grasp what he's talking about?

"Yes, I didn't know."

"If so, why don't you quit the Chancellor?

"What, no, that's"

"I don't think the Imperial Chancellor will serve those who don't understand this extent."

…………

The Wizard Captain's eyes are serious. It's not bullshit, the Chancellor loses the word to return it when he finds out he's serious.

"Commander of the Mage. Now I need you to talk to me about the church."

The emperor gave the prime minister a helping boat.

"His Majesty is sweet to the Chancellor. Just because you found him. Just because you live up to your expectations doesn't mean you'll be able to use it all the time."

"Fine. Give me another novel."

"Ha. It's the duty of those who stand on top to lend ears to the saying, well, it's good now. Now, the harm of losing Kamui Kreutz isn't just about his martial arts, it's about the Crown Prince fight we just talked about."

"What's that?

"So far, Kamui Kreutz holds the deciding hand in the Crown Prince dispute. Because we know that for both factions, contact with nobility is minimal. Instead of stirring up the feud, it's not really where we're holding back."

"Yes......"

"And what happens if Kamui Kreutz is gone in the present situation? The loss of the decision-maker, the Crown Prince, would be prolonged and more intense. I believe that this is the exact opposite of the Prime Minister's explanation."

"Sorry"

"If there was a problem with Kamui Kreutz, he wouldn't have followed His Royal Highness Prince Therese. It depends on His Majesty's decision..."

Whoever is Emperor, Kamui is Kamui. This is also how the Wizard Commander perceives it.

"I have ears to listen to, but I'm not talking about it right now."

"Well, you're not in a situation where you can make that decision now. Because we're about to lose that Kamui Kreutz."

"Shall we get back to business? The Church's offer must be accepted. On top of that, what's the best thing to do for the Empire?

"Why don't we just let it fail?

Immediately upon the emperor's inquiry, the chief of the sorcerer returned his answer. I thought about it beforehand.

"Failure?"

"Demon King, I don't know if you're here, so should I say Demon Crusade? Ask the Church to Fail the Demonic Crusade"

"So?"

"The authority of the Church will fall to the earth, won't it? It's already fallen, but this time, it won't be enough to get back on its feet. And then you don't have to worry about the influence of the church."

"That's not bad. What should we do to do that?

"Nothing."

"Will I fail if I do nothing? I guess so. Because the church doesn't seem to teach you any lesson about your last failure. Then the only problem will be the kingdom."

"It'll be harder that way. Hey, it's time to take your place."

Suddenly his gaze turned to the Knights Commander, who shook the story. I intend to repay you earlier.

"Huh?"

"The kingdom would be a military realm."

"Absolutely. I didn't expect you to shake the hard one. Well, it's a kingdom, but the first thing that comes will be trying to kill Kamui on the battlefield. What about the army of kingdoms?

"I hear at least 10,000."

"I see. Then it's hard for Kamui to escape on his own. I can't fight the kingdom to protect you."

"Right."

"We'll have to restrain this one. I'm worried about the damage, but I can't help it."

The Viscount Kreutz leadership is regarded as the strongest in the Empire. The Knights chief also thinks he actually has that much strength. It was also necessary to be prepared for damage in order to restrain them.

"Because I try to get stupid honest. I wish I could tell Kamui Kreutz everything."

"Right..."

The opinion of the chief of the sorcerer blew off the worries of the chief of that knight brilliantly.

"Give me a messenger. Never deliver to a church or kingdom. So the church fails, the kingdom ends with failure."

"Chi, wait a minute. What does the Demon King do? You have all forgotten the existence of the Demon King. Viscount Kreutz could be manipulated by the Demon King."

"It's not"

"Right. Nor do I."

"Oh no..."

"Is that the behavior of someone who's manipulating you? If you can't tell that, say it again. Quit the Chancellor."

"... I understand. Then I'll make arrangements for the envoy. How far should I tell you?

"The Church is attacking us, and we are caught on the battlefield. It's like that."

"Okay."

There are things that I don't understand, whether I lose my head or the leader of the Mage Corps.

That malice towards Kamui, towards Nort Ende, existed in the Empire long before the arrival of a messenger from the Church. Meaning that.