Sword of the Philosopher

"Based on the fact that we are collecting villagers, we can also think of possibilities such as securing a workforce to complete weapons. In that case, though, that's not what we're going to do at the stage we've been attacking. It would be weird if it hadn't moved more than before."

I snort at Croix's words.

"Sure you do."

"Additionally, even if it's an evacuation, it's weird to bother moving it in a direction where Bizel's base is located, not the nearest town. We're marching that way in the first place. Even in the name of evacuation, discomfort arises"

"Yes, I agree with that too"

Sophia replied - even as an evacuation, I certainly doubt the direction. From the information I have, Croix seems to have some idea.

"Having met the boy, I thought of another possibility... which is the accusation of the villagers"

"Villagers and weapons of war...... you think these two are related?

Croix concurs with this question,

"Yes... you may think it's a little impossible to interpret, but listen... maybe Bizel is using the villagers as a source of magic for weapons of war"

... What?

"A source of magic...... what?

"If we use weapons, we need magic, just like magic. If it is also named a weapon, a corresponding amount is naturally required. I thought you used the villagers to twist it out."

"Exactly, though logic seems to be leaping"

And, Sophia pinched her mouth.

"I do have some doubts about the whereabouts of the villagers..."

"We're talking about possibilities... even if we were to use weapons hypothetically, the question of the source of magic was stuck. I thought this might be the way to get rid of it."

"The way Croix put it, it sounds like you're speculating in an outrageous way, even when it comes to magic sources"

I tell you with my hand against my mouth.

"Even if I assume I'm using it for a source of magic, I usually think about letting the villagers I took home instill magic... but Croix is sacrificing the villagers themselves, you think?

"... right"

His words were extremely heavy. That's where I go on.

"Another thing, Croix's rhetoric is that the weapon is complete."

To this confirmation he immediately shook his head vertically.

"Oh, yeah"

"If so, Bizel is currently preparing to use his weapon... but the demon who is observing the area around his castle is not capturing such a thing"

"It could be anywhere but the castle. Plus, there's not one weapon, there's two, there's three. It's not even zero chance."

... That's the worst case scenario ever. If the weapon is a threat, for example, there is a chance that me or Sophia can solve the problem by going to destroy it. But if there's more than one, it's just as hard.

"Stay tuned on the issue of the source of magic, whether it's finished or not. Even if my guess is wrong, it's not there."

"Can't you do it with magic sleeping in a land of demons?

This is Sophia's opinion.

"In the battle against the Demon King, we had Demon King executives setting up castles on our continent and planting them on the earth… it was an act of instilling their own magic in the earth, but on the contrary, is it possible to suck it out?

"If we use the magic of the earth, we face challenges. Such magic cannot be converted into weapons as it is. We should need a massive transducer, but if those things are running, there should be a change in magic, and we'll notice this one."

"Really..."

"In addition, there are many demons who can exercise large-scale magic and so on, and that is what some magic can do to suck up and unleash the magic of the earth. But the defense hasn't shut up either. To counter such powerful magic, the defense has developed magic detection techniques, and has set the stage to discover that it is sucking up magic even within enemy territory... my territory and that of Amel are the same there"

... I see, what Croix is trying to say is,

"If we supply magic through the earth, no matter how we raise it, we will be noticed. If you move to avoid exposure, there is no other way to gather magic except by interfering with the earth."

"Is that... the villagers?

"That's right. Evacuation is only an excuse. Suck out the magic of sleeping on the villagers in some way and convert them into weapons... that's what I think"

"... from Croix's description, it certainly has to be."

After I say so, I look at him and talk.

"It just seems like the logic is leaping, after all, as Sophia said..."

"Exactly, I also think this... but the villagers are making a lot of uncomfortable moves, and I'm sure Mr. Luon and the others can understand that."

Me and Sophia agreed to his words at the same time.

"So I'm not just trying to trap you... I think so"

Croix's expression, which speaks that way, is harsh everywhere. And I had my doubts here.

"Croix, can I have one?

"Oh."

"It seems that Amel felt he was a being who didn't care about Bizell, but at least he has the qualities to be a candidate for Demon King... he held that view. But Croix doesn't have a very good impression of Bizel... is there any basis for that?

"It may be thin in terms of grounds, but I fear about Bizell's identity. He is the one who may have existed since the time the Demon King was sealed."

With that said, Croix breathed.

"I hear that the Demon Clan before it was sealed was much more bloody than it is now... and that was even the kind of person who was plotting to put the Demon King's sleeping neck around. It was absolute, but it was also jealous to my fellow countrymen."

"You think Bizel was one of them?

"That's what I think"

- He knows that Bizel existed before the Demon King was sealed, and he also knows about the weapons of war that existed in those days. So I don't think of Bizel like Amel, and there is something... is that how you interpret it?

"... I understand that my guess is absurd"

Croix lost sight of us as we talked.

"Just in case that was possible... I thought it would be a bad idea and I checked the village"

"... Croix is right, it's just hard to imagine that we're sacrificing villagers to secure a source of magic. All you can think about is that you evacuated him because there's a trap after all?

"I guess so. Trap... is that an ambush, or do you use a weapon of war... in which if you need a large amount of magic supply, you should be able to detect it with a reconnaissance or Mr. Luon's demon. I think we can deal with it if we grasp it in advance…"

"Right."

If the weapon of war is complete, you may need to take the appropriate measures... Sophia seems to share my view again, with a rugged look.

"It's just that the weapon is powerful but therefore consumes a lot of magic, and that's why it shouldn't be something that can be so rampant... I mean, I wish I could do something about it once, but that's a tough one"

"Right...... what to do"

Croix leaned down - and when I saw what he did, I had one idea.

"... Croix"

When I call him by name, he turns his gaze to me.

"What's up?

Asked - after I left a little silence,

"... No, I'm sorry. I knew it. First of all, we've completed the investigation, so let's get some rest for today."

Croix agreed with the proposal, "Right," and the discussion was to be closed.

- Huh, what I came up with. That's an unfounded guess. But if Shiso's speculation was true, this battle may roll in unexpected directions.

Nevertheless, is that just too much thought or truth...... Either way, there is one thing to do.

"Tomorrow, I'm going to use the demon to check out Bizell's territory. Find out if there's anything suspicious."

"Please."

Croix bows his head. Is his concern fulfilled and hit... Unknown, the night went on.