◆ Fourest Mountains, Base, Hidden Cave ◆
It seems that the Noibranz Army has already advanced deep into the Avangarde Territory. The Nation of Negesta has been occupied in the blink of an eye, and they are sending troops one after another from that stronghold. I thought that if the Kingdom of Avangarde was in such a state, they might retreat or come to our aid, but that was naive. The Noibranz Army is determined to advance, even if it means clashing with Vandalsia’s minions. It appears they have already engaged in battle with Vandalsia’s forces several times, resulting in a back-and-forth struggle.
I wonder why they refuse to back down so fiercely. According to Lord Hast, if they can repel Vandalsia’s army in this battle, the Kingdom of Avangarde will lose all standing. They plan to take care of the complete reconstruction of the devastated nation while simultaneously fulfilling their ambition of conquering the continent. In other words, whether Vandalsia or Noibranz wins, the future looks grim. Kurinka summarized Lord Hast’s explanation for me.
“Perhaps the Ten Destroyers are being deployed as well. Even so, it feels a bit daunting to face the Vandalsia army, which is fully equipped with Calamity Class forces… or at least, that’s the normal reaction.”
“That’s right. If Vandalsia shows up, the Noibranz troops would be annihilated in an instant. I know this because I’ve fought them.”
“The Noibranz royal family has inherited a certain Divine Nature through the generations. To put it simply, if they didn’t possess that Divine Nature, they wouldn’t even be able to maintain a stalemate.”
“A certain Divine Nature?”
“My assessment suggests it is likely… ‘Invasion.’ If that’s the case, there’s a possibility that King Braamd himself has also taken the field in this battle.”
Invasion Nature. I don’t know the details, but Lord Hast predicts that it enhances the morale and abilities of allies regarding invasion. I thought it was a different nature from my own destruction. A Divine Nature that influences those around, affecting tens of thousands of people, is incomparable to mere destruction. But that’s fine; I don’t intend to rely solely on that.
Still, the fact that the Nation of Negesta has been occupied is troubling. There should be Fist Saint Baran there. Was he unable to do anything against such an opponent?
“Um, wait a minute. Even if we manage to deal with the Noibranz Army, there are still Vandalsia’s forces. And even if we defeat Vandalsia, the Noibranz Army will still be there. What should we do?”
“Both are not opponents that can be dealt with easily, no matter how many strategies we have…”
“I met the Noibranz Dragon Cavalry. They were being attacked by Hell’s Berg, so I helped them, but if they’re invading, maybe I shouldn’t have…”
“…Did you really defeat Hell’s Berg?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t that big of a deal.”
“W-well… You have been called the ‘Conqueror of the Sky’ for exterminating flying creatures in less than a year… I see, I have come to recognize your power once again.”
It feels like the scale of things is enormous. I’m glad I managed to defeat such a monster before it could rampage.
“I’ll handle both, so you all don’t need to worry.”
“Don’t underestimate the Noibranz Army. Especially the ‘World’s Strongest Man’ who reigns at the top of the Ten Destroyers… He gives off a scent similar to yours.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Look here.”
[The adventurers of the Royal Capital have cast their votes! Who do you think is the strongest person in this world?]
World’s Strongest Man: 568 votes
Tiferia: 212 votes
Eeks: 206 votes
Weiss: 178 votes
Lua: 175 votes
Baran: 152 votes
Rainis: 85 votes
Mugen: 79 votes
Shinbu: 50 votes
Greyman: 1 vote
Combo: 1 vote
What is this? Who is Combo? Even Baran and Rainis are incredibly strong, so why do they have so few votes? I worked hard too, so what are people looking at?
“I voted for Lua-chan because I believe she’s the strongest!”
“Out of 175, one is Kurinka, huh…”
“W-wait! I did too!”
“So, with Kurinka and Kiki, that’s two votes.”
“I also… voted… grrgh…”
Including Seigel, who answered in his sleep, three of the 175 were acquaintances. When did this even happen? Lord Hast, what are you doing?
“By the way, I also made a ranking for female adventurers you’d like to marry and a bust size ranking. Want to see?”
“I don’t want to! More importantly, what does this mean?!”
“Tch, Kurinka-chan is such a boring girl. What this means is that despite Lua’s achievements being burned into the eyes of many, the unshakeable number one is the World’s Strongest Man. I’ve never met him directly, but I could tell at a glance that it’s best to avoid him. After all, he’s completely naked.”
“Eh?”
“Naked.”
I really don’t understand. I know he’s strong, but that doesn’t mean I can just do nothing. First, I need to drive out the Noibranz Army, then defeat Vandalsia’s forces. That’s my plan. It would be great if I could convince the Noibranz Army, but I probably won’t be able to, so it seems I’ll have to fight.
“Are you perhaps thinking of dealing with Vandalsia after defeating the Noibranz Army?”
“H-how did you know?!”
“Because it seems simple.”
“That’s harsh, isn’t it?”
“It would be more beneficial to let them weaken each other rather than engage directly. That’s why we’re hiding here until the last moment. It may seem dirty, but there’s no point in being honorable against an opponent like this. Until then, we need to gather as much strength as possible. If we can gather scattered A-Rank members, our chances of winning will greatly increase.”
“Moreover, Vandalsia’s side has the Evil Nobility, which is truly troublesome.”
“You mentioned that earlier, but are they really that strong?”
The Evil Nobility, the wives and children of Vandalsia, who dominate various districts of the Royal Capital. I’ve heard that the defenses of the mansions where the Evil Nobility reside are extraordinary, guarded even by semi-Calamity Class forces, making it dangerous to approach carelessly. And above all, the Evil Nobility are direct descendants of Vandalsia. Although Vandalsia is cruel, he seems to have a soft spot for his family. If anything were to happen to the Evil Nobility, who knows what would happen to the people of the Royal Capital? The people there are in a situation where they are tormented, neither alive nor dead, so as long as we don’t touch the Evil Nobility, they should be safe for now. This was explained to me roughly, but I still don’t quite grasp it. The idea that it’s better than being killed doesn’t sit right with me. But I can’t just do nothing.
“The Evil Nobility likely possesses strength that is close to Calamity level. If we were to engage them head-on, we would need to consider our chances of winning.”
“But I defeated Vandalsia, right? Unless it’s someone extraordinary, I don’t feel like I would lose.”
“…Can you really save everyone by yourself? A reckless action by one person could cost many lives. It’s not just about defeating the enemy.”
“But while we’re sitting here, people are suffering at Vandalsia’s hands, right?!”
“Rushing into action won’t yield good results. To save as many as possible, we must increase our chances by even one percent. I acknowledge your strength, but against many Calamities, there’s no way to minimize sacrifices. Especially Lesser Than and Rulud are in a league of their own; in terms of strength, they could even surpass Vandalsia.”
“And yet they follow Vandalsia?”
“See? There are many things you don’t know, right? By the way, what he’s currently searching for with bloodshot eyes is this.”
What Lord Hast showed me was that Ribbon. It was the one that was inside the Treasure Chest after defeating Vandalsia.
“He is gathering similar Ribbons from all over the country, and at the same time, Lua, there are proclamations to capture ‘the girl who wields the Demon Sword with blue hair,’ dead or alive. In other words, he is already aware of your existence. He is not a fool. Because he has faced defeat once, he will surely take measures.”
“Vandalsia is after me…”
“If you go to the Royal Capital now, it would be like jumping into his stomach. Calm down; there is nothing good about overestimating your own power.”
“O-overestimating?! What do you know about me, Lord Hast?! You were the one who told me to defeat the unreasonable!”
“Lua-chan, calm down! Lord Hast, maybe you should choose your words more carefully…”
“Shut up! If you’re going to keep yapping, just get out!”
I was yelled at by someone who had been sulking. I had forgotten that there were many people here drowning in despair. My rising emotions cooled a bit from that outburst. But I still don’t understand what Lord Hast is thinking. If the Calamity Class consists mostly of opponents like Vandalsia, then no matter how many A-Rank individuals gather, we wouldn’t stand a chance. Just remembering Vandalsia’s Catastrophe is terrifying. It’s the strongest magic that can strip away and erase any defense.
“The Noibranz Army is making slow but steady progress, even if it’s a back-and-forth battle. At the same time, the forces of Lord Vandalsia are being worn down,” he explained.
“The people of Noibranz? They don’t seem that strong to me,” I replied, skepticism lacing my words.
“It’s not just the Ten Destroyers. Among them, there are commanders and captains who can rival even S-rank warriors. What’s most frightening is that despite the current state of Avangarde, they show no signs of relenting in their offensive stance…”
If Noibranz were to win, it would change nothing. The one in control would simply be different, and the situation would remain the same. I still couldn’t agree with Lord Hast’s methods.
“…Lord Hast. So, we just need to gather more reliable allies, right?”
“Indeed,” he confirmed.
“Then I have an idea. I believe in Lua-chan’s strength, but I can’t disregard the opinion of Lord Hast, who has helped me so much.”
“Oh? And what is this idea of yours?”
“I want you to transfer us to a certain location.”
◆ Avangarde Castle, King’s Chamber ◆
As I gazed upon the elegant figure seated on the throne with a dignified expression, I felt reassured that my judgment was not mistaken. Titles like Captain of the Royal Guard were unnecessary; it was Lord Vandalsia and Lord Belmund who had granted me my remarkable power. Unlike the nominal king who merely lounged in his chair, offering vague responses while being promised a life above the common folk, that man was the true king of the next generation.
“…None of these are correct.”
“Well, when it comes to ribbons, there’s a wide range from poor quality to excellent…”
“Who gave you permission to make excuses?”
“Haha! My apologies!”
“And what about the movements of that girl?”
“We’re searching the entire country, but we have yet to find her.”
Only Prime Minister Belmund could engage in a proper conversation with Lord Vandalsia. It was clear that Lord Vandalsia held a fondness for him. If I, Garlyle, were to make excuses, I would have been eliminated on the spot.
The girl in question is none other than Flash Strike Girl Lua. It’s hard to believe, but she once defeated Lord Vandalsia in the Abyss Cave. Whether it was luck or some other miracle, I cannot say. But since Lord Vandalsia himself has stated it, it must be an undeniable fact.
“It seems the world is praising her as Flash Strike Girl. How troublesome. I, Belmund, have also been defeated by her, so I wonder what to do.”
“Give me your honest opinion. What do I have that can defeat her?”
“If it’s the Queen of Absolute Darkness Lesser Than or the Eternal Spirit Emperor Lurudo, then perhaps…”
“Where is Lesser Than?”
“It appears she is not in this vicinity.”
If I were to boldly declare that I would take down Lua, it would demonstrate my loyalty. No, the only way to show loyalty to Lord Vandalsia is to crush my left arm if commanded. There can be no hesitation in that. That is all there is to it. Motivation, sincerity, such superficial ideals have already been seen through by him. Truly remarkable. Yet, I also want to test this power of mine. Please, grant me one command. Command me, Garlyle, to take down Lua. Oh, please, give me that command.
“Papa! That maid named Miton made me eat terrible food! And, and! She spilled some soup on my sleeve! Papa!”
“Go to, eliminate that maid and her family. Prepare a change of clothes afterward.”
“That’s my Papa! I love you, Papa!”
Rolling in like a whirlwind was the Third Evil Prince, Goto. He was the son of the Third Evil Empress Hatra, dressed in a snug suit that accentuated his round physique. His large, red lips were one of his charming features. Ah, indeed, the blood of that man runs through him, making every evil noble captivating in their own way. His lively dancing and twirling were utterly adorable.
“Papa, are you still looking for that filthy little brat named Lua? Should I go take her down?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. While I did set the condition of her being alive or dead, I would prefer to have her brought to my side alive.”
“Eh? Why’s that?”
“Because I wish to welcome her as my 496th consort.”
“…What?”
“To subdue a strong daughter and bear a strong child. This will make my reign eternal.”
For a moment, all thoughts vanished from my mind. Like ripples spreading across the surface of a beautiful lake, Lord Vandalsia’s noble thoughts gradually sank in. It seems I was the only one thinking on such a shallow level as revenge.
“Eh! I’d rather have that blonde girl over that filthy brat! She’s cute! I want her to be my bride!”
“…Indeed. There is potential in that direction as well.”
Flash Strike Girl Lua has made the gravest mistake. She has allowed Lord Vandalsia to learn of something precious to her. She likely never anticipated that this could become her weakness. Even if I cannot defeat Lua, I might have a chance with that other girl. With this newfound power in my hands, she would stand no chance. Yes, this is truly a form that surpasses humanity.
◆ Shin Report ◆
I’m hungry.
Monster Compendium
【Hellsberg the Sky-Soaring Tyrant Bird HP 132500】
There was a time when it was said that air supremacy belonged to Hellsberg. There was a time when not a single bird flew in the sky. If it weren’t for the tyrant bird, the flying machines developed in that era would still be soaring today. Hellsberg’s absolute zero, which twisted even civilization, left no room for life to survive. A calamity that changed an era, that is Hellsberg.