Maou No Utsuwa

Conference room in the castle of West Mid. In that place, Oscar and Claudia were alone across the street. I want to talk to you without turning in the others. As a result of this offer.

He seems to have a thin sense of what Oscar wants to talk about, and Claudia stays silent looking like he does at first sight.

"... Do you know the ceremony for the selection of brave men?

To that Claudia, in no way did Oscar ask about the ceremony of brave selection. It also took courage for Oscar to hear this.

"... of course I know that"

I can't say I don't know. We're already bragging in front of the Oscars.

"So... do you know what the contents of that ritual are?

"It's..."

Claudia gets stuck in words. This is the same thing I confess to knowing.

"You know, don't you?

"... because I left it to Lenatus"

Claudia now pretends not to know about Oscar's push.

"Are you saying that that Lenatus... sacrificed the wizard of our country on his own?

"It's..."

Claudia won't be able to talk about anything again. There's no way Lenatus can do that on his own. Even Claudia can tell that pretensions of ignorance don't work.

"Why...?

It was something I knew. Oscar was sad that Claudia could still make a fine sacrifice of herself. That ruthless Claudia is Oscar's master.

"... With brave men, the world will be at peace"

A few moments apart, Claudia's mouth gave a reason. That's why Oscar isn't convinced at all.

"The war is over and the world is at peace. And yet why?"

"There's been a revolt. The world is not at peace yet."

"But His Majesty had thought of the ceremony of selection of the brave before the rebellion took place"

Those who became brave were chosen at the Imperial-sponsored swordsmanship tournament. That was before the Kingdom of Sidvest revolted.

"That's not true"

Claudia, who doesn't know the basis for Oscar, shows off in a blink of an eye.

"No, it is. His Majesty was told that the top eight of the swordsmanship tournaments were going to be brave. That's what I've been thinking for a long time before I knew Nicholas of the Federal Republic was going to resign."

…………

I have no objection. I just have to shut up about Oscar's explanation.

"Even if it were to suppress rebellion, would we need brave men to fight the kingdoms of Sidvest and Oppenheim?

"... there are demons in the kingdom of Sidvest."

"I'm also in the Federal Republic of Artenkreutz"

"So...!

Now Oscar already has a ceremony for the selection of brave men. Now we know the real reason. to fight the Federal Republic of Artenkreutz. I knew this, too, and I just got the backing.

"The Federal Republic of Artenkreutz, Kamui, has decided to submit to the Empire. His purpose is obvious. Heterogeneous coexistence, that is, peace, not by themselves taking hegemony"

The Empire doubts Kamui's ambitions. But Oscar doesn't. Kamui is not interested in power, but believes that Kamui built the country and became king because it was necessary to serve its purpose.

Now that that purpose is about to be fulfilled, there is no reason for Kamui to seek battle.

"It's..."

Claudia is dissatisfied when she heard about Oscar. Claudia doubts Kamui's ambitions. There is no basis for Oscar to disagree. Because otherwise you cannot justify your actions.

"Why are you hostile to that Kamui? Don't you see what Kamui thinks when he finds out about the existence of a brave man? Is Your Majesty seeking war!? Are you looking for people to die!?

The battle against the Federal Republic of Artenkreutz can be disastrous even if it wins. That is the result of the Battle of the Royer Plains.

The battle of the brave requires the sacrifice of our allies. It's the same as the ritual of selection.

…………

Claudia, who found the Oscar story to be referring to the Battle of the Royer Plains, just got awkward, looking down to avoid Oscar's gaze, silenced.

"Your Majesty... please think again about what is important. Take the action you need for this world."

It's the first thing Oscar ever said to Claudia. The desire to go faster and with courage was spreading to Oscar's mind.

"... I'm thinking about it."

In response to Oscar's words, Claudia shrugged as she leaned down.

"Again there. Your Majesty..."

"I'm thinking!

Claudia shouted, blocking Oscar's words as he tried to repeat them.

"Sire?"

"Mr. Oscar, I really think about this world. It's the consequent behavior."

With a strong gaze at Oscar, Claudia spoke. I have such an attitude that I wonder what it was like to be odd earlier.

"Kamui is wrong. Heterogeneous coexistence? It's against the logic of this world."

"... the reason of the world, is it?

What a word of world reason comes out of Claudia's mouth, and Oscar is eating.

"If people and demons coexist, the pure blood of the demons will no longer be preserved. So how does the Demons want to do their part? If blood is mixed with people, it is no longer a demon. They're human beings."

Claudia is making a claim to the purebloodness of the Demonic Nation as it is. If those who know what's going on have heard, they might think Claudia's words do think about the world. But at the same time, you'll wonder why it's coming out of Claudia's mouth.

"... what is Your Majesty trying to do?

Oscar doesn't know what Claudia is talking about. Depending on what you hear, I wonder what Claudia has to say that seems to me to be appealing for the protection of the Demons. Oscar knows Claudia hates the Demons.

"Keeping the world order. This is my job."

"It's..."

world order. The Ruthuan Empire, which unites this continent, certainly has its part to play. But to Oscar, Claudia sounded like she was talking about something else.

Bigger, I wonder if that's what Claudia put into words to protect the logic of the world.

"We must not destroy the demons. It is to destroy the Demons that pure blood is lost. This is what Kamui doesn't understand. No, if you know and want to do it, you still have to destroy Kamui."

"... is that what makes Kamui hostile?

"Yeah, that's right. I'm here to protect this world."

Claudia's appearance is no different than it used to be, the voice of Claudia I'm used to hearing. But Claudia, who speaks of this, was not Claudia, whom Oscar knew.

"... who are you...?

Even though he felt strongly that he should not ask, Oscar put this question in his mouth. It feels like you're about to touch something you shouldn't.

"... I don't like it, Mr. Oscar. What kind of joke is that?

Claudia answered the question...... it was Claudia.

"What are you talking about? Yeah, yeah... sorry."

Claudia how she really thought about what she was talking about. Apparently I remembered that. It was an apology to get out of Claudia's mouth.

"... Um, Your Majesty?

"Because Lenatus said he needed help. So I allowed it without thinking about it. I can't believe that's happening."

This is obviously a lie. There have been several ceremonies of brave selection. That didn't make sense, but it doesn't work. But what bothered Oscar is that Claudia's story is back to the beginning, rather than this.

"... it"

Oscar doesn't know what to ask from. Oscar stuffs words and thinks.

"Your Majesty."

As if to disturb that thought, there should only be two of them, so a third party voice sounded in the room.

"... Ok. What's the matter with you? I'm in a meeting."

One of the brave men, Ok, stood by the door.

"I'm sorry. We're in a hurry."

An attitude of obscenity. It is only against Claudia that the brave men turn these attitudes. Oscar now noticed this fact.

"What happened?

Lenatus has been killed.

"What!? Lenatus?

Surprise Claudia, but it's Oscar who's more upset than Claudia. I didn't think Oscar would find out so soon.

"Yes, I couldn't see him, so I looked for him, and he was placed in the morgue with the other bodies"

"... in a ritual?

"No. He's been stabbed in the stomach and his neck is dropped."

"Yes..."

"Who remitted it..."

He has this dialogue in his mouth, but Och's gaze captures Oscar straight.

"Well, then, you can't do rituals anymore."

Are you noticing Och's gaze or not? Claudia began talking about a ceremony for the selection of brave men.

"No, it is possible to perform the ritual. Because we, the brave ones, have that power."

"Oh, really?

Claudia is showing joy knowing the ritual can continue. You don't seem to have Oscar's words on your mind at all.

"Yes. The ritual can continue. We just don't have the personnel we need to perform the ritual."

"That's... that's it"

Claudia seemed to remember in Ok's words. It's really deliberate and keeps my gaze off Oscar.

"It's a different story."

"What, it changes?

"Yes. I'm talking about something that has nothing to do with rituals, but we've got some information"

"What information is that?

"Apparently, there are people in this king's capital with illegal slaves."

"... illegal slavery?

Claudia doesn't know why Ok brought this story up.

"Yes, don't forgive the undelivered for committing illegal acts in the King's capital."

"Right."

"So we sent troops to protect illegal slaves."

"What?"

Claudia doesn't know how big it is, but Och sent his troops out. The problem is that this Claudia doesn't understand. Och moved his army without the permission of Claudia, the king.

"We have determined it to be highly urgent. If such facts are revealed, the Kingdom of Dia will not know what kind of disposition it will receive from the Ruthua Empire"

"Oh, yeah."

If viewed as defying the life of Emperor Nicolai, it would be a pretty heavy sin. Think like this, upset Claudia.

It's just a little weird what Ok said. Ok is an Imperial Knight. It should be the position on the side of the rebellion against the kingdom of Dia, which originally left illegal slaves unattended.

"Why did you move the army on your own?

Even if Claudia is convinced, Oscar isn't. Oscar is in the position of the Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Dia. You can't keep your mouth shut when they move your subordination on their own.

"I'm reporting now"

"Shouldn't we be making a report before we move the troops?

Oscar's claim is true. Oku's act is transcendent from the side of the kingdom of Dia. We should protest strictly.

"We didn't have time for that. There were reports that he was trying to escape because he sensed a secret had been leaked."

Och doesn't seem to care about Oscar's protest at all. That's it, no matter how many Oscars complain. I know Claudia will never dispose of herself as a brave man.

"... how do you know that?

"I said I got the information. It's just moving based on that."

"Can you trust that source?

"Whatever I could trust, I could take the back as soon as I looked into it. There are illegal slaves in the slums of Wangdu. Sounds like a famous story."

"... Did you send troops to the Glades?

"Yeah, but?

Oscar doesn't even know what's in Wangdu Glades, in fact. But I had just realized that there was some connection to Kamui.

It is predictable that Kamui and the slum dwellers who were in the orphanage have some connection. It is well known that many more demons work in pleasure streets. It's stranger not to be suspicious.

It is, in a way, Oscar's arbitrariness that has left it until now.

Oscar wasn't the only one who noticed, but no matter how much he explored, there was no evidence of a connection. The only way to stay is to force an investigation, an investigation by moving the army, but Oscar wouldn't allow it.

Och said he sent troops to that Wang Du favela.

"So what happened?

"I don't know that yet. We made our move, but we're not back yet."

"... get it back right away"

"What?

"I'm telling you to get your troops back immediately! No, good. I command you!

Apart from Claudia, the king, the supreme commander of the kingdom of Dia is Oscar. Nothing. You don't have to give orders through the och. Ok has no authority to order the guards in the first place.

"Don't be silly. We have illegal slaves, don't we?

"You can't be here. That information is bullshit."

If the ghetto is connected to Kamui, there can be no illegal slavery. And Oscar is convinced that the Glades and Kamui are connected.

"That's something you can find out if you look into it. You don't have to put your troops back."

"I'm telling you to go back! You have no authority to give orders to the Royal Deer Army!

"That's why I've come to your majesty for recognition."

"His Majesty has not accepted!

As Oscar put it, Claudia is surprised or upset, but has nothing specific to say about the troop's deployment.

"I will. If only you'd heard my explanation."

"What?

"Your Majesty. Actually, there is another reason to rush for the protection of illegal slaves"

Ok turned to Claudia and started explaining.

"Why?"

"Yes. Many illegal slaves are superior to magic. I was wondering if maybe you could help me with the ceremony for the selection of the brave."

"... stupid"

Help with the ritual. Oscar knows that this doesn't mean what he says.

"How about that?

Ignoring Oscar's whining, Och asked Claudia to acknowledge.

"... right. It would help if you could help me."

"Your Majesty!?

Oscar has no idea what Claudia is thinking. What you were talking about with heat earlier is the protection of the Demons. But now we allow the demons to sacrifice themselves. What you're doing is ruptured.

"His Majesty's judgment went down. You're not complaining about this, are you?

"... you think you can cheaply get your hands on the ghetto and just do it?

"What are you saying? Fear of the villains in the city, and you're still the Knights leader?

"... are you in love? Or do you really not understand?

Oscar thought Ok was deliberately trying to get his hands on the Glades to provoke Kamui. But Ok's reaction makes him feel like he's not.

"What are you talking about?

"The Glades..."

Oscar tried to talk about the relationship between the Glades and Kamui, at that time - the floor rocked tremendously with the sound of the impact.

"What is it!?

Should it be too late? Oscar's concerns changed shape slightly from what Oscar thought to become a reality.

◇ ◇ ◇

Protection of illegal slaves being captured in slums. It was the guards in charge of policing the King's capital who ordered this. This is not the first time that the control of illegal activities in slums has been carried out. It's been done countless times in the past. It's just that the last few years have been in a state of war all along, and a lot of it hasn't been done.

It's been a long time since the captain of the guard left. The troublesome work was meant to be done, and I was getting into the ghetto.

If you search some place and give it some results, that's it. The mission can be accomplished, and a thank you will be received later from the Glades. That kind of relationship could have been made between the Guard and the Glades, it should have been.

"What do you mean!? What's going on!?

"It's a raid! We've been raided!

"What!?

My men stepped into the building and pulled it up in a wolfed manner. Some of them are even injured. I was surprised what happened. This was the result of the captain of the guard asking what was going on.

"We were suddenly attacked by those lurking in the shadows."

"How could you do that...?

If we protect some illegal slaves, that's how we plan to pull them up. They should know that too. That being the case, the guard captain doesn't know what it means to make things bigger on purpose.

"Become!?

It was not allowed by the guard captain, such as the troubled margin. An arrow flying from somewhere pierced the captain's shoulder.

Captain!

"Back off! Once we get back to the bridge!

The flying arrow was not one of them. Arrows pour down from the buildings on both sides of the street towards the guards. Surprised by that, the guard rushes to start retreating to the bridge at the entrance to the Glades.

"Call for reinforcements! It's a slum rebellion!

Rebellion. It's even popping up to these words.

However, thanks to this, the looseness disappeared completely from the face of the guard. The policing of Wang capital is their task. We must fight resolutely against those who disturb it.

It ended up out of the bridge and began to line up for re-entry.

- This is what happened roughly half an hour ago. Now the slums are engulfed in flames by fire arrows fired from around them.

The guards tried to re-enter the Glades, but it was pushed back by the glitches of the Glades that emerged from the building.

A guard in a hurry for something serious. The opponent is an amateur in a battle who has never been trained or otherwise, should be. It was something that should not be pushed by it.

Further toward the guard retreating from the Glades, many arrows are unleashed. Guard injuries only increased.

When reinforcements come, the situation remains the same. The only entrance to the Glades is a single bridge hanging from a deep water borehole. No matter how many people there are, there are only a limited number that can be crossed at a time. I don't take advantage of the benefits of numbers.

The means adopted by the guards frustrated by the irrelevant situation are to attack with arrows in the same way. It is also an attack by fire arrows.

If there is one entrance, there is one exit. It would be nice to wait on the other side of the bridge for the burned out slum dwellers to escape.

The opponent is an outlaw living in a slum, and the surrounding area is surrounded by water moats and you don't have to worry about fire spreading. The captain thought it was a pretty good idea.

"... how come no one comes out?

No one fled the Glades.

Already the fire is burning throughout the Glades. Exactly, the captain of the guard is so worried that it's overdone.

Why is no one running away in that situation? The guard captain had no idea why.

"... Ah, here I come!

One of the guards raised his voice.

As the words say, on the other side of the bridge you can see some figures with burning flames on their backs. Although the flame momentum behind me is too strong and all I see is contour.

"I'm just gonna die as it is! Surrender!

Towards that shadow, the guards calling for surrender.

"... come, come, come. Ha, ha, ha!

What returned was a laugh.

"No, it's the same!? I was wondering if you came out brave enough to be a little threatened! Your head stays stupid!

A black shadow bearing a flame. The shadow speaks happily.

"That's the one who attacked me! Hey, this is good, right?!?

"... what are you talking about!?

"This means self-defense! I know self defense!?

"Don't say things you don't understand, just come here! You're going to burn!"

The guards didn't know what the word self-defense meant.

"It's that way to burn to death. Do it."

And I never get this word.

A ball of flame appears from all over the Glades and strikes the guards. Some of the bodies that ate that direct hit burned up.

"Become!? Magic!?

"Sa, back off!

"Magic! Run!"

The guards are in disarray for a real magic attack. Stay away from me and the scene.

"... Well, what happens now? Abandon your home base and live up to your expectations."

"Dear Dark, it's time"

My men were speaking up to Dark, whining to himself.

"Oh, right. If this really burns you to death, you're just an idiot."

"Let's go then"

"That's right. We're leaving our birthplace, so let's keep a memory for the last time."

"Is it a memorial?

"That castle. Can you reshape it a little? I'm tired of seeing the shape now."

Dark to say something extraordinary.

"... join forces for a little while"

And with a smile on his face, his men answered.

"Well, please. When it's over, let's get out of here."

"Okay."

It was not until shortly after this that the castle in West Mid was attacked by magic.

There was no human damage, so much so that the tip of the spire collapsed. The damage can be considered minor. But this is the first time this castle has been attacked since the time of the Schutz Alten Empire. This fact was to have a profound impact on the inhabitants of the King's capital.

After the incident, not a single body was found from the burn in the Glades. No sightings of him escaping from the Glades. All the inhabitants of the Glades had disappeared from the West Mid without leaving any trace.