Maou No Utsuwa

Brave selection ritual. The news emanating from the Lenatus Divine Church spread throughout the continent.

Naturally, that will also go into the ears of the Schutz Alten Empire.

"Then I will begin today's meeting"

The regular Heavy Town Conference. Prince Thales, Empress Claudia, and three roles and their auxiliaries, deputy secretaries, participate. It is Zion, acting as Prime Minister, who will conduct the proceedings.

"The first agenda comes from a report on the Devil King's trends."

"Has there been any change?

It was Oscar who first responded to Prime Minister Zion's proxy's words. I still care about Kamui.

"Yes. We finally got the information. I've already told you that the Demons are raiding the Divine Churches everywhere, but it seems they were moving otherwise."

"Other than that?

"It appears that they were also carrying out raids on the Knights of God stationed in various countries. The sacrifices of the Knights of the Divine Church found at the moment range from 20,000 to 30,000. You'll lose less than half your strength."

"Thirty thousand... Why couldn't you grasp it before?

"The raids were carried out outside our country, mainly in the Kingdom of Ruthua and its surrounding countries. That's why we're late in communicating information here."

"Is there no damage within the Empire?

Only slight expectations arose for those present outside the Oscars who threw the inquiry, but it vanished in an instant in the words of the next Chancellor Zion.

"There isn't. Most importantly, the Knights of the Divinity, who were stationed within the Empire in the invasion of Nort Ende, have also done considerable damage. I don't even dare to attack a garrison in the Empire."

"Do you mean just behind..."

Soon Kamui will also come to the Empire with the Demons. Everyone in this room is afraid of it.

"No, at least we can say that the Knights of God are quite unlikely to be raided within the Empire"

"What do you mean?

"The Knights of the Divine Church are pulling up simultaneously from each garrison at the behest of the Divine Church. It seems to be a reason to consolidate the defense system of the Patriarchate."

"Does the Church believe that the Devil Nation will also attack the Patriarchate?

"Probably."

"War..."

"Yes. The Divine Nation and the Demon Nation are in a state of war. I was wondering if I could say that."

"So you mean the brave man?

"Well, yeah. As for the brave, I'd like to talk later about what we're going to do with the Empire."

"The Empire?

"We're talking about how to prepare for the Demons. Currently, there is little confirmation of the activities of the Demonic Nation within the Empire. But there is no guarantee that it will always be"

"But..."

Empress Claudia opened her mouth in such a way as to be horrified here.

"Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia, please do not hesitate to speak."

"Ugh, yeah. Is it not possible that the Demon King is not hostile to the Empire?

"... do you have a reason to think so?

"The Demon King was born and raised in the Empire. Wouldn't that make you feel special? I know some of them."

"I'm not saying it's completely unlikely, but how about hoping for it and saying we're not prepared for anything?

"I didn't say that. But I don't know if I'm going to make it. I think it's hard to prepare for the enemy."

"Yes, because moving the military in a hoax can be a difficult burden on the treasury. At what point, how far will you be prepared? I want to make up my mind about that."

"Don't you know what time they're coming?

"Huh?"

I have no idea what Princess Claudia is trying to say to Chancellor Zion's deputy. That is not the only substitute for Chancellor Zion. Almost everyone in this room felt the same way.

"I know someone, so I was wondering if you could ask someone like that."

In the words of the ensuing Princess Claudia, finally there were those who understood. Prime Minister Zion is one of them.

"Assuming you knew, would it be something you could ask and tell me? I don't think so."

"Well, there's a lot to ask..."

"Oh, Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia is telling you to capture the suspicious and torture them, but listen up."

"Oh, no."

I didn't call you inside like Theresa did. Empress Claudia is just making herself smell what she wants to say. I knew it. Prime Minister Zion's deputy rode the thought of Princess Claudia.

The result is this. With her brutal thoughts clearly spoken, Empress Claudia will wander off.

"Isn't it?

"Chi, no. But... there are ways to do that."

"... Speaking of which, Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia was a classmate of the Demon King."

"Wow, I don't know!

"You don't have to rush like that...... I am not saying that Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia speaks to the Demon King."

I deny it, but where I dare to put it into words, there is malice towards the Princess Claudia on behalf of Chancellor Zion.

"So what?

"It depends on who you think you know."

"... right. I wonder if there are some of them."

"Hmm. So can you tell me who that person is?

"Uh... I think the closest thing to you was Mr. Hildegand"

"Holy shit!? Are you telling Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia to torture Her Royal Highness Lady Hildegand?

"Chi, no! Talk about who's closest. As far as I can tell, Mr. Hildegand."

"No matter how much the story of Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia, that's all. Is there any basis that Her Royal Highness the Lady of Hildegand has information about the Demon King?

"Mr. Hildegand has been in close contact with the Demon King several times"

"Hey, what!? When? Doesn't that mean the Demon King is breaking into the castle? Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia knows that, and why, has it ever been hidden?

"Chi, no! Back in Royal College!

"... Oh, is that so? That was before you were called the Demon King, wasn't it?

"But I'm pretty sure you're close."

"Uhm...... His Royal Highness Prince Therese, can I help you? Whatever you say, it's about your wife."

"Hi, Hilda, I've been seeing you, it's my move."

"Is it a measure?

"This one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one."

"... I see. That's a story you don't really want on the agenda right now. It's not like we're fighting for inheritance right now."

Chancellor Zion's proxy utters words condemning the insignificant Princess Claudia.

"Ugh, I'm lying! Mr. Hildegand."

Princess Claudia raised her voice again to argue with it.

"Ka, Kamui was, who's, knight, was?

"... sister"

"Shit, intimate, is. Oh, well, the faction."

Princess Claudia's attempt to discredit Hildegand was turned upside down here, by Prince Thales. Then, Chancellor Zion's deputy takes the story and pushes it further.

"Are you a faction of Her Royal Highness the late Sophilia...... Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia, who is the closest of them all?

"And I don't know"

"That can't be right, can it? Earlier, you said you knew a few people. It is now an imperial crisis. Forget your personal feelings, as a royal family, and do what you deserve. Who is it?

…………

"Can't you answer...... So do you know the Knights Commander? The Knights are in different classes, but you were in the same grade."

"I..."

"Again, I can't get an answer for this. I'm in trouble. You're going to wonder if there's anything you can't tell me about the Demon King, right?

"... it's Deefleet"

I speak the name of Deefleet lightly. Oscar is a samurai, not a politician. Coming out in these rushing places is a mistake in the first place.

"And Serene Erickson, Otto"

"I know Lord Deefreet Oppenheim, but who are the other two?

"Serene Ericsson is from the southern periphery. Otto is a merchant. You should be in Nort Ende now. As the deputy of His Highness Hildegand."

"Oh, my God? That again."

"I think I'm Otto if I'm going to interrogate him. Chances are he knows best."

It is somewhat rewinded here in Oscar's driving, but not Prince Thales, who forgives it.

"Oh, and, again, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

"It's..."

"Oh, Otto, here, here, here, here, here. Oh, my, uh, hindsight, but if it weren't for me, I'd be on the street, lost, lost."

"I remember. Your late Royal Highness Princess Sophilia is the guarantor, and you are the one who was doing business with the products of Nortoende. So you lost both of your shields at the same time?"

"Ka, Kamui, to Knock, Knock, Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock."

"You seem to be a merchant who moves by profit, you see. I don't want to be. Now, then, Lord Dieffried and his two Serene Ericksons will be questioned, but they are difficult opponents inside. One, no matter what, is the Western Uncle House, the other is the Border Territory. I don't even want to stimulate the border area now, but what can I do? Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia."

And Prime Minister Zion's proxy removes Otto from the subject without going into any particular debate. As for Serene, there is no reason for Deefreet to allow it.

"Wow, me?

"The drafter is Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia."

"What do you call a planner?

"It means exactly what you say. Are you sure you want to summon the names of Lord Deefreet Oppenheim and Serene Ericsson for questioning?

"That's... oh, Marie was close to the Demon King, too"

"It's misinformation."

"Why!?

"Lord Marie was forced to obey the Demon King using his magic props. We've already confirmed that."

"What's a demon prop?

"I hope the Wizard Commander will explain more"

"What, it's me?

Suddenly the head of the Michael Demon Commander who was given a name is not worthy of that status, it's a rush. Again, this is not the person who can come out to these places.

"Oh, I don't know. Really...... Okay, we have no choice. I'll explain it to you. It would hurt the honor of the former magician, but forgive me."

"I don't mind..."

"There is a magic prop called a subordinate collar. The magic object is a magic object that kills the will of the other person and forces them to listen, and because of its effect, it was contraindicated a long time ago."

"The Demon King did that?

"No, it was the former head of the Wizards who brought it back to life. The Demon King got it and used it on Lord Marie. This is your testimony, Lord Marie, so I'm sure."

"... do you still have that magic prop?

"No, everything has been discarded. Including those that know how to make it."

"What?"

"I touched on the contraindications, so it's a natural procedure. Even if it hadn't happened to the former magician, he would have died."

"Oh, yeah."

Princess Claudia's disturbing thoughts were to be blown away in an instant. While no one even noticed the blown up Chancellor Zion substitute.

"It's why we were being forced, so we can't say we're close?

"Right..."

"Could you give me a minute? Why don't I, the head of the Wizard Corps, know such a serious thing?

"That's inside the Wizards, so to me. It's what incriminates the Daddy of the Wizard Corps, so didn't those around you take into account?

"Right......"

Michael, the Commander of Magic, turns his gaze to the deputy, but the deputy is familiar. As a result, it has shown around that the current leader of the Enchantress is a mere presence of fame.

"Well, let me get back to it. Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia, what is your proposal?

"... I don't think it's a good idea to be forced to ask."

"In other words?"

"… I will take it down"

"I understand. Does anyone else say the same thing?

…………

"So the matter is dismissed. Now let's get back to business."

There is no absolute decision-maker named Emperor, and no one jumps through the participants and is powerful.

Unless we are talking about a majority vote, those with valves standing, and those in charge of progression, will prevail in the meeting. Princess Claudia, who should have won the headcount, had no right to take the lead in the conference.

"If we don't be clear about what we're prepared for, we won't think about it."

"Yes. You're right about the Knights Commander. We believe that there are three subjects that the Empire must prepare for at the moment."

"Demon King and Kingdom, what's next?

"It's a periphery. The central part of the Empire is continually in disarray due to repeated misfortunes. Look at that. I don't think the border area is just watching in silence."

"The border... But there's no one to keep it together."

"Isn't it hard to cope in the empire today, even if it's beeped up individually?

"Why, do you think so?

"What if the kingdom invaded where the East, West, North, South, and all over the place where the Imperial Army was dispersed? What if the Demon King targets the Imperial Army that's dispersed all over the place?

"... I mean, what do you want me to do?

"That is at the discretion of the Knights Commander. How would you like it?

"It's..."

Except for Oscars who excel in martial arts as a strategy and tactic. It's not that I don't have talent. It's just a lack of experience, a knight captain who hasn't been in action, etc. that hasn't once existed in the Empire. Such an Oscar can do because he has an adjunct who is serving from his father's place, but his adjuncts are not qualified to attend this occasion.

"Do you grasp the motion of the kingdom?

Seeing an Oscar stuck in words, the only deputy commander on this spot came pinching his mouth. Rather than help Oscar, it's because he doesn't want to obscure the Knights' policy.

In sequence, the seat of the Knights captain, who was likely to be himself. Neither the vice president nor his feelings for Oscar are favourable.

"So far, no movement at all. It is the judgment of the present state that the kingdom cannot move until it has grasped the demon king's trends."

"And you mean you can't move any more than you can grab this one. What a passive thing."

"And it's in the devil's favor to be his passive."

"The opponent is free to decide where to attack. This one moves after you figure it out. Then there's nothing I can do."

"When you do, do you want to move on to today's selection of true brave men?

"I wonder if that would be better. If the matter of the brave moves, the demon king will always move. It's a great opportunity to capture trends."

"Then I will. Now, as you all know, the Church of God has announced the selection of the brave. We would like to discuss our response to that."

"What's in it?

"The main considerations are threefold. One is about the brave man himself, what do you do? This time, the Church is seriously trying to find the brave. It's not about the breathtaking of the Church, it's about looking for the truly strong."

"So that means the Church has a sense of crisis too?

"Definitely. The other two are after the brave selection. What to do if a companion is nominated by imperial personnel? What to do if you are asked to send troops. First of all, I'm a brave man from the first, but what do you think you should do? Send out the Imperial One to the Brave Candidate or don't do it"

"Um, what happens when you send it out?

This question of Princess Claudia comes not from ignorance, but from the selection of the brave.

"If I were chosen, it would be an honor"

"That's all?"

"If you survive, the Empire will have one strong man."

"Eh?

"When you are chosen as a brave man, God's protection is granted by the Church. Simply put, it means you can be stronger. I don't know how much God's protection there really is, but that's what we're told."

Prime Minister Zion's proxy was just rushing into knowledge because it would be on the agenda.

"Yes. What if I don't do that?

"In that case, it involves the second consideration. You may be nominated as a companion for someone you don't want. Well, even if the Emperor becomes a brave man, I can't say enough to avoid this."

"If you were to be nominated as a companion, who would you be?

"It depends on how far the Church knows the talent of the Empire, but, by and large, I can imagine"

"I don't know."

"Her Royal Highness Lady Hildegand, Commander of the Knights, Lord Deefreet,"

"I knew..."

"Your Royal Highness Princess Claudia."

"Wah, to me!?

"I am a user of divine magic, so I wonder if it is possible"

"Oh, yeah."

Empress Claudia's thought that if she could accompany Hildegand and kick him out of the Imperial Capital collapsed. The nomination is for the Church to do in the name of the brave, not necessarily to become Hildegand. It could be me. As Princess Claudia, I have no choice but not to accompany her if I were to draw a conclusion now.

"Now a brave candidate, does anyone have an opinion?

And what about Mr. Hildegand?

"… does Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia have any thoughts on Her Royal Highness Lady Hildegand?

"That's not true. The strongest one just now is Mr. Hildegand, so I was just wondering"

"Can you beat the Demon King? I have heard that the Demon King was on Her Royal Highness Lady Hildegand in Imperial College."

"But with God's blessing,"

"I was wondering if it would be better not to consider the Demon King the same as it was back then. With less information, we also perform a power analysis on the Demon King's side here. May I report the results?

"Ah, yes."

"First the Demon King. It was a swordsmanship battle against a kingdom that showed overwhelming power, but then the investigation showed that I still didn't mean it."

"" "Become!?

This is the first time Prime Minister Zion's deputy has spoken of this except in advance to Prince Therese. Many voiced surprises.

"I don't think you need to explain that magic has inner magic such as physical strengthening and outer magic that releases magic to attack, but in that adversarial battle, there is no indication that the Demon King used inner magic. It may be a mistake to think of the magic of the Demon Nation in the same way as that of a human race, but at least the referee has testified that he did nothing to prepare for physical strengthening, etc."

"Wouldn't the Demons not use chanting in the first place?

"Yes. Still, that wasn't beyond that at workout. They say the Demon King doesn't use magic during workouts. This is the testimony of Her Royal Highness Lady Hildegand."

"Really?"

"And the Demon King seems to be able to use outside magic. This is a report from someone who investigated the fight against the Knights of Divinity. Well, he's the Demon King, so it's only natural."

"... ok"

"And the Demon King has four subordinates. Lutz first. Need an explanation? At least this man was stronger than Her Royal Highness Lady Hildegand when he was at Imperial College."

This is somewhat exaggerated. In fact, it was mutual in Hildegand's feel. The report of the Acting Chancellor Zion reflects the intention of Prince Thales. You must not fight Kamui. If you're going to fight, that's once. Definitely when you are ready to defeat Kamui or when the possibility of reconciliation arises. That is the idea of Prince Therese.

"No way..."

"Didn't you know? Well, the guy named Lutz was hiding his strength, too. And Alto. We don't know too much about this person, but Alto is certainly not what many people know."

"Really..."

"And there are two: Ignats and Maria. I wasn't at Imperial College, so it's not very well known, but these two magical powers have determined that no one wins in the empire today."

"Such an idiot!?

"This is the result of a report of a battle on the Iskamp Plains that I asked the Mages to analyze."

"I didn't ask! My sister, what does Marie say!?

"I haven't spoken directly, so I need to know more. The report said that you can use one of the greatest magic that Lord Marie possesses, perhaps with more power than Lord Marie."

"No... I can't believe it's more than Marie."

At least in talent, Michael, the head of the Wizards, considers his sister, Marie, the supreme of the Empire. How envious you are of it.

"I wonder if these five are the only ones, but there are even more demons. The demons they called their masters. Now, can the brave take this down? The battle is amateur me, but I don't think I can win very well. If you send brave men and companions out of the Empire, you will simply lose your talent."

"So what do you do?

"Are you sure you understand that if the Demon King's spearhead goes towards the Empire? In that case, you have nothing but to fight multiple times the number of your opponents. You're not talking about anything new. Only a number of powers can a person beat a demon clan. This has been a well-known fact for a long time."

"... what about reconciliation? There's no possibility of reconciliation?

"Does the Empire do that alone? If we do that, we could turn all other countries against our enemies."

"All you have to do is relax, unknown to any other country."

"... well, that's one hand, but how?

"I think we should just hand over the hostages."

"I ask you once, who are you?

"That, after all, is Mr. Hildegand"

Here again, name Hildegand. This obstinacy is also the strength of Empress Claudia.

Most importantly, because no one thinks this stupid honesty is the idea of the Empress Claudia herself, it is something that can be done.

"Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia, that's just it. No, in case that happens, you'll be one of the candidates, but with that said, I think Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia herself."

"Me... does that mean marriage?

"Huh?"

"Because if it became a bond of friendship, after all, that's what happened"

"Well, that's what they agreed to....... sorry. The way I put it now was rude to Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia. It's not about Her Royal Highness Princess Claudia, it's about whether they want a settlement or whether it's appropriate, well, there's a lot of reasons."

"Right. Right."

"May I return that story to the brave selection?

"Ah, go ahead."

"So how do we respond…"

As many laughed bitterly at the words and deeds of Princess Claudia, Prince Therese's face was stern.

It is crushing everything, including measures that are not even measures. But Princess Claudia has no way of punishing her at all, and she persists in her manoeuvres over and over again.

What happens if you can keep doing that all the time?

How can you prevent it all if you get hit with numbers no matter how naive its contents are?

For an overwhelming Demon clan, just push it off in numbers. What Princess Claudia is doing is just like that.

And with that number of powers, the people have prevailed over the Demons.

When he thought of it, Prince Therese felt a chill on his back.