Maou No Utsuwa

There is a presence called [grass]. It's not about plants. It is about those who hide their identity, live in enemy land, assimilate themselves with the inhabitants of enemy land, and mutilate their enemies from within.

Decades, in some cases, generations, some just keep waiting for orders to come. The tasks assigned to them vary. Information gathering, intelligence manipulation, sabotage activities, and assassinations.

Many of them have been sent from the kingdom to the Empire. And the Empire is naturally sending such people into the kingdom as well.

The difference between the empire and the kingdom is the status that its grass has gained. That was a good thing to say it was simply a difference in luck.

Four months have passed since the emperor fell into the Ministry of Personnel.

The absence of the ruler, the emperor, has become a matter of even more applause for the disruption of the empire, but with desperate adjustments in the upper echelons, the appearance is beginning to regain some calm.

The present empire may be referred to as a system of collective governance by means of a system of consultation between the three princess princesses who have the right to inherit the throne and the Prime Minister, the Knights of the Empire and the Chief of the Imperial Mage.

If the Empress were to participate here, a large number would lean towards the Sophilian Empress, but the Empress herself did not do it any good.

That's why I want to focus on the emperor's care, and that I don't want the influence of my parents, the Western House, to grow.

So far, there has been no problem with this system of council. Though issues have not yet been discussed between Prince Therese and Princess Sophilia on which opinions differ greatly.

The current problems of the Empire are still dominated by Kamui and Nort Ende.

Princess Sophilia appeared on the occasion of the regular meeting. The Knights leader, who was in the conference room earlier, speaks to the Sophilia Empress.

"How is Your Majesty?

"As always. I can't tell you a proper story."

"Really..."

"Kraw is still at your father's. I think we're gonna be late, so let's get this meeting started."

"Prince Therese is not here yet"

It was the Chancellor who hung up waiting for the Sophilia Empress to hold the meeting.

"What are you doing?

"I have a little research to do, so I'm late."

"Yes. Then you have no choice. Let's get started."

"But"

"Do you have any resolutions?

"No. The report from the Knights Commander is on the agenda for today"

"Then don't worry about it. Knights Leader, please report."

As the Chancellor tried to shake it off, Princess Sophilia moved on with the meeting.

"Ha, I'll go first from Northende's report."

"What did you find out?

"Finally, a report from a reconnaissance team who entered Northende said that they would not see any Knights of God in their territory."

"How far have you looked?

"Half so far, but the results won't be the same if we move forward with the investigation."

"What makes you think that?

"We said we wouldn't be seen earlier, but just a short distance from Nortwagh, we found traces of the battle. It seems to have been a rather tragic situation, but we can confirm from the remnants that it is the Knights of God."

"What's miserable?

"You seemed pretty scattered by the Warcraft. Not a single body has stopped its shape as a human being, and from the number of armor and so on, it is estimated that the number of corpses is five thousand."

I was not seen as a person. That's what the Knights said.

"Yes...... The army of the Knights of the Divinity that entered Nort Ende is 10,000. Half?"

To the explanation of the chief of the knights, he was the princess of Sophilia with a face on his face, but the awareness that it was he who partitioned the occasion kept the conversation going.

"Plus the number of deaths in the battle against the former Viscount Kreutz, and the city's guards, it's eight thousand."

"What about the other two thousand?

"I guess it's been corpsed around there. The testimony of the inhabitants confirms that the Knights of the Divine Church once called the troops from each city back to Nortwagh and left with the entire army."

"Eh?

"Okay, from the beginning. Initially, the Knights of God who invaded for 10,000 have reduced their numbers to less than 9,000 in the battle in Northvagh."

The Knight Commander began his explanation from scratch for the Princess Sophilia, who did not understand one thing at the moment.

"Yes."

"You're not surprised, are you?

"Nine thousand won't surprise you if it's a battle of demonic opponents."

"Now give me one important piece of information. The demons of Nort Ende had taken an oath of immortality. This is the testimony of those who listened directly to the former Viscount of Kreutz, so there is no doubt about it."

"What is the oath of immortality?

"You mean exactly what you say. People don't kill. With that vow, the Demons fought against the Knights of God."

"... you're lying, right?

This question means that Empress Sophilia did not correctly understand the nature of the Demon race that the contract was absolute. Even though Kamui had spoken many times.

"I guess it's true. Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia is right. Fight the Demons, sacrifice is too little for a thousand. But if the Demons didn't do anything to stop them, I'm convinced. If it's just an injury, it's the Knights of Divinity, even if it rots. Recovery magic will be your favorite."

"Then to whom are the thousand victims?

"You're the former Viscount Kreutz and his wife. Thousands even if you just give them a stop. It means he was still alive."

"The former Viscount Kreutz was listening, but he's strong to his wife?

"Didn't you know? The Wizard Commander knows his wife very well."

Don't say anything unnecessary.

The wizard captain who was told the story looked grumpy to see, complaining to the knight captain.

"Whether it's true or not"

"What have you got to say it's true?"

"I wonder what he was like?

Blocking her complaint against the Knights Commander, Empress Sophilia threw the inquiry at the Wizards Commander.

"... If she hadn't accompanied the former Viscount Kreutz and gone to Nort Ende, she'd be the one sitting here right now. That's what I'm talking about."

Exactly. I can't even complain about the Sophilia princess opponent, and the Wizard Commander returned the answer properly.

"... I can't believe the leader of the Enchantress acknowledges that. You look good."

Wizards have high pride. It's not normal for a magician captain at the top to admit he's above himself.

"That's all she is, so she could have followed Northende."

"Yes."

"And now that his wife is gone, the leader of the Enchantress Corps has become an evil outrageous man with nothing but research on his mind."

Here again, the Knights Commander interrupts. Naturally, the Wizard Commander will not hold his anger against this.

"I'm telling you not to say anything unnecessary!

"It's nothing extra! This is the time, let me tell you! She's dead! Forget it!"

The Knights Commander is the same as the Wizards Commander, or he has provoked more anger than that.

"Even if you don't tell me, I'll just forget about it!

"Then why don't you try to see your family properly! Wife of form only, parent and child of form only. I can't help but feel sorry for them when I think of all the love they've been through!

…………

The words of the Knights Commander distort the face of the Wizards Commander. It was not something I could argue with because I had too much in mind.

"This is my last piece of advice as my former best friend. Look at your family. Love your family. If you don't, you and your family will just be unhappy."

"... I know"

"Uh..."

Suddenly Princess Sophilia was surprised by the two people who started a fight involving romance. This is the first time I've heard that the Knights Commander and the Wizards Commander, who are considered to be friends of the Dog Monkeys, were best friends.

"I'm sorry. I've brought some personal matters to the conference room."

"No. Well, that was an interesting story."

"Shall I calm down a bit? How about a cup of tea and change your mind?

You've thought about soothing the atmosphere in the conference room that still remains awkward, and the Chancellor has rarely suggested such a thing.

"Right. Let's do that."

With the consent of Princess Sophilia, the Prime Minister directs those who keep tea preparation outside the door.

Without having to wait for the most tea, the Knights Commander continued his conversation calmly.

"To get back to you, the Knights of the Divine Church left Nortwagh in seven thousand or so armies. It's a stupid story. With a 30% casualty rate, they say it's already a loss."

"Really?

"If 30% can no longer move, the morale of the soldiers will collapse and those who flee the battle will also come out. Then it won't be a fight. The unfortunate thing about the Knights of the Divine Church is that they were too few. Even with three thousand sacrifices, the target is a hundred units. I'm guessing you didn't feel the magnitude of the sacrifice because of the difference in numbers."

"That's what this is all about."

"Now the Knights of God marched in seven thousand armies. And the number of bodies is estimated at five thousand. Now, that's the same thing as total annihilation. If the one who made all that sacrifice becomes someone, there is no alternative to Kamui."

"... Kamui's army is certain when he leaves the battlefield"

"It's about a hundred. Well, I don't think that's all. Because some demons would have joined us at Nort Ende."

"That's all the original power of the Demon Nation has. Does that mean Kamui was making you swear not to kill people?

"We also have testimony about it. The fact that Kamui is the leader of the Demon Clan is beyond question."

"Demon King Kamui."

"You denied that. There must be a king or something in the devil clan that has no country."

"That doesn't matter, does it?

It's important, but it certainly doesn't matter to the Empire right now. Though in a different way than the words of the Empress Sophilia.

"Well, yes."

"You're pretty sure Kamui's in Northende, aren't you?

"It's likely, but you can't even say it's absolute. Before his death, Viscount Kreutz seemed to expect that Kamui would leave Northende"

"What do you do away? There's no way the Demons can live without a base, is there?

"Hmm. That's the first thing you do. The answer to that would be revenge."

"To church? I can't do that. Sure, the authority of the Church will be further eroded by this one, but still, it's not like the Church's influence will be lost at all, is it?

"I guess so. But think about it. What does Kamui fear of the Church?

"What?"

"What the Empire fears is that the people of the Empire will make a scene under the influence of the Church. The empire's power is greatly weakened by the mere refusal to pay taxes without even going to the insurgency. But does Kamui need to be afraid that the people will break out?

"You don't. Yes, you turn the church against the enemy."

"It's not what you can do when you're in Northende. I don't know how far you intend to go, but the Church is not all about the Church."

"You need to work all over the territory. But that's not gonna happen again, is it?

Empress Sophilia looked slightly lighter, knowing that Kamui's spearhead was headed for the church.

"That would involve an earlier question, too. The Demons are not alone in Nort Ende. That's what's scattered all over the country."

"That demon clan will also cooperate with Kamui?

"I said it earlier. Kamui said he was the leader of the demon clan. I wonder if there is a difference between the word demon king and his ruler who denies being a demon king."

"What's the difference?

"It's easy if you take it in the right way."

"... I don't know"

"Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia. Why don't you put in a little bit of a habit of thinking for yourself? It's good to listen to your subordinates, but don't ask for anything from your subordinates."

"I'm sorry. Yeah, but now I'm wasting my time thinking about it."

"... you have no choice. Now let me explain it to you."

"Don't sound great. Though you'd be the recipient of Non's ideas."

This is what happened when I thought I was thinking deeply about not being a knight captain and not having anything to do with the battle.

"... you are the one to say the unnecessary things. Well, you mean exactly what you say. Demon King, but if you consider this the same as the king of the people, will all obey the king?

"On the surface, we'll obey, won't we?

"If so, I wouldn't be interested in rebellion or anything. There are other kings, even within the Emperor, who defy His Majesty the Emperor. That's what happens when you're a king. So what about those who lead the Demon Clan? Save the extra thought, it means exactly what you say."

"All demons will be led?

"That's right. Kamui is the one who heads the demon tribe. No one else will change, and all demons will follow Kamui."

"... That's very powerful."

"The number of demons is small, but still, if put together, it could be said to be the strongest on the continent by force"

"... you say stronger than the Empire?

Fear of Kamui was also springing up in the chest of Empress Sophilia.

"If all armies fight at once, you'll win. But that's impossible as a real problem. That's the harm of the high number. During the procurement phase."

"But once the Empire won a battle with the Demons."

"Yes... There are many mysteries in that battle. If I raise it, I won't cut it."

Neither does the Knights of the Empire know the truth. However, only battle experts were aware that what was commonly said was not true.

"Tell me."

"I'll explain a few things. First of all, the demons easily allowed the intrusion into Northende. Now, the roads are well developed, but they were originally mountainous forests. It's a good battlefield for the Demons, but they didn't attack us."

"... yes"

"And this is the biggest mystery. Ultimately, the Empire, led by the Knight himself, took over the Demon King and his side in the form of an ambush. But it is. Against His Majesty the First Emperor, though not uncomfortable, how much could His Majesty the First Emperor, who was said to be the symbol of the Empire's martial arts, take the Demon King and his side in small numbers?

"What do you mean?

"I don't know that. If there was anything to know, only His Majesty the First Emperor himself and the former Viscount Kreutz, who was the only survivor among the accompanying knights. And those two are dead now, too"

"The mystery remains a mystery."

"You will. All I can tell you is that if Noun were to lead the Knights of the Empire and confront all demons now, he would not be able to promise a definitive victory."

…………

The more you listen to the Knights Commander, the darker clouds will spread across the chest of the Sophilia Empress.

Weren't I making a big mistake? Was there no mistake in easily letting go of Kamui's hand with all that power?

Even though I didn't think I could get the help of Kamui, the demon king, I had that feeling.

"Oh, I think I got my tea"

There was no way to worry about the fact that Empress Sophilia had blocked in, and the Chancellor, in reaction to the sound of knocking on the door, told me so.

"Tea..."

"Well, I think you should moisten your throat a little. I think it's going to be a lot more shocking."

"What do you mean?

"I will provide you with a supplementary explanation once the report of the Knights Chief has been completed. Let's do it while we're at it."

"A little?"

Empress Sophilia can't hide her upset at the words of the thoughtless Chancellor. Regardless, the Chancellor took a seat to receive the tea. When I place the basin at the table near the entrance, I carry the tea to everyone myself.

"It's not what the Chancellor would do."

"Well, yes, but now we can't let the others in. And then I'm the youngest of them all."

"So is that."

When he finished distributing all his share, with his own tea, the Chancellor returned to his seat. In a slow motion, after a sip of tea, the Chancellor finally opened his mouth when he exhaled gently.

"What's the story of the Knights Chief?

"It's like this from Non."

"Then let me continue with mine. The report is based on the testimony of the former Viscount Kreutz."

"Hmm? Even the Knights have heard that."

"I know that. However, it seemed to have a slightly different perspective, which was not in the report of the Knights Chief. So I just said supplement."

"Right. Then talk to me."

"Yes, in the last conversation the former Viscount Kreutz was talking to the side, the former Viscount Kreutz seemed to resent the Empire quite a bit"

"Stupid? Only the Viscount of Kreutz before His Majesty's loyalty."

"My loyalty to His Majesty the First Emperor has not changed. The previous Viscount Kreutz had been accused of failing to protect the demons entrusted to His Majesty the Emperor."

"If that's the case, I know"

"And it is my anger at the Empire, which has made His Majesty the Emperor unwilling."

"... that's it"

"This is my guess, wasn't the former Viscount Kreutz ordered by His Majesty the Emperor not to rule the Demons, but to protect them?

"Why do you think so?

"One of the reasons is the mystery that the Knights Commander said."

"Non?

"I'd like to ask the Knights Commander what the General's thoughts are on challenging a battle with no chance of winning? Through will, even if you know you will lose, you will be fought ready to be wiped out?

"Sometimes that happens. but most would try to survive one soldier"

"Don't you think the Demon King thought so, too?

"No way?"

Without the need for the Chancellor to explain to the end, the Knights Commander seems to have figured out what he wants to say. What the Prime Minister is saying is that it is a natural idea to lead the army.

"I'm guessing there was."

"... That's possible"

"Hey, can you explain it properly to me, too?

The Empress Sophilia, who was neither a soldier, nor yet stood above a man, had not seen the story of the two.

"The Chancellor says the Demon King gave himself his neck to avoid the total annihilation of the Demon Clan."

"You said you had a deal?

"That's right. I can't prove it, but assuming it is, I can solve that battle mystery. The Demon King was about to lose from the start. In exchange, His Majesty the First Emperor assured us of the life of the Demons in Northende. And entrusted it to the former Viscount Kreutz"

"I feel like I know somehow. That was good for the Empire, wasn't it?

"Yes, you must have done a great deal of damage when you were ready to be destroyed and fought by the demons."

"So the former Viscount Kreutz was angry that the Empire broke its promise?

"I thought so. Conversely, otherwise, I cannot explain the feelings of the former Viscount Kreutz, who struck only anger at the Empire."

"I know how you feel... There is also the position of the Empire. Even if they blame you for that."

"Yes, from our point of view, the anger of the former Viscount Kreutz is close to winning eight."

"Right. I'm sorry to sound so bad about the deceased."

"But..."

"What?"

"What if it's not from us, but from the Demons?

"From the devil clan..."

"From the point of view of the Demon Nation, does it not mean that the Empire has broken the promise it made until it gave him the neck of the Demon King and the heavy minister?

"What are you trying to say?

"Doesn't it mean that the Empire betrayed the Demons and sold themselves when they kept their promises and made love to them?

"Speak clearly!

"The Empire is a traitor to the Demons. I mean, it's the enemy."

"Oh no..."

Princess Sophilia is stunned by what she didn't even think about. Empress Sophilia's fear is against the fact that she may have turned Kamui, who knows her powers well, against her enemies in earnest.

"Now, why don't you think about the nature of someone named Kamui Kreutz here?

He has further pinched his mouth as if the Chancellor were to supplement him.

"I don't think so now..."

"As far as I can tell, a man named Kamui Kreutz has no mercy for his enemies. Let me give you one example. It took a little while to find out."

"What?"

"The impossibility of the Honfleet family. That's probably Kamui Kreutz pulling the thread behind it. It's not because I've been allotted. The Honfried family released an assassin to Kamui Kreutz. It's retaliation."

…………

"Kamui Kreutz is a man who can do just that, even if he's the one with the blood connected to him. Would that Kamui Kreutz forgive the empire that caused his parents and demons to be killed? I don't think so."

"Ka, Kamui, lead the Demon Nation in a battle against the Empire?

"What do you think? By reason now, Kamui Kreutz will turn not only the Empire, but also the Church and Kingdom against the enemy. If you defeat these three, it's already the world's champion."

"... sounds kind of fun"

The Prime Minister's words do not sound very fearful of that fact. On the contrary, there is even a slight but grin on the expression.

"Really? That's troubling. You can't hide your heart when it comes to the end."

"What are you talking about?

There's already an obvious grin on the Chancellor's face that he's in trouble. That kind of creeps me out for the Sophilia Empress.

"What? This is what I'm saying. He said he was happy to carry it the way he wanted."

…………

"I am. It's a grass sent by the kingdom to discredit the empire."

The face of the Chancellor who said this had changed as if it were someone else. Sounds like a good crowd, well, the atmosphere that makes you feel a little humbled disappears, a faceless face that your emotions don't make you feel. Its chilled gaze stared at the Sophilia Empress.