Chapter 16: Demon Tribe Army
In a garrison located near the border of the Weimar Kingdom and the Demon Tribe Nation, a meeting was taking place inside a particularly large tent where the commanders of the battlefield had gathered.
“Hey, isn’t the Weimar army getting bigger?”
The one who spoke was a large man with two horns protruding from his forehead.
“That’s true. Their magic may be weak, but their strength is formidable. If they swarm us, it’ll be a real headache.”
A man with pointed ears and a nose, about the height of a human child, sighed as he replied.
“The number of troops has definitely increased. From what I’ve seen, their equipment is all over the place. They might have conscripted civilians.”
A glamorous woman with small wings on her back shared her observations and analysis with the group.
“Conscription or volunteer soldiers… If the humans are this desperate, it’s going to be troublesome…”
The largest man with blue skin crossed his arms and grunted.
“What should we do? This battle is just a test of the waters. Should we temporarily retreat?”
From the way the small man spoke, it was clear he was the commander of this battlefield.
“Yeah… Let’s prepare for that. However, I want to know why so many civilians have gathered. Mona.”
“Yes?”
Mona, the glamorous woman, responded.
“Can you use your unit to infiltrate the Weimar Royal Capital?”
“Understood. Please wait a few days.”
“Thanks.”
Mona nodded and immediately left the tent, marking the end of that day’s meeting.
A few days later, Mona returned and gathered the same group of personnel.
“I’m back.”
“Ah, good work. So? Did you find out anything?”
As the commander asked, Mona began reading from her notes.
“Yes, several things have come to light. First, the reason why so many civilians suddenly gathered… It seems there was an explosion incident at the Royal Castle recently, and the culprits are believed to be us, the Demon Tribe, which has led to a surge in volunteer soldiers.”
“Huh!?”
Everyone present gasped in surprise at Mona’s report.
“Wait, wait. Is there someone who actually did such a thing?”
When the commander asked, Mona nodded slightly.
“I was curious too, so I checked with the soldiers here. It turns out, no one has done anything like that.”
Upon hearing this, everyone in the tent looked relieved.
“That makes sense. If someone could blow up the Royal Castle without anyone noticing, they should just take out the royal family while they’re at it.”
“The fact that they didn’t means it wasn’t us.”
“…If that’s the case, does that mean we’ve been falsely accused?”
“That’s what it seems.”
With Mona affirming the commander’s insight, tension filled the air.
“Who did this!? Causing unnecessary trouble!”
“Exactly. What a nuisance.”
The large man expressed his anger vehemently, while the small man simmered quietly.
Amidst this, the commander remained somewhat calm and urged Mona to continue.
“So, do you have any leads on the culprit?”
After a moment of hesitation, Mona quietly replied, “Probably… I have a guess.”
“That’s fine. Just tell me.”
As the commander said this, Mona pulled out a wanted poster.
Upon seeing it, everyone’s faces twisted in disgust.
“Tch! That annoying face again!”
“Right? I heard he’s wanted across the entire human nation. Serves him right.”
“…But that wanted status was lifted only in Weimar.”
“Huh!?”
Mona’s statement drew another collective gasp from the men.
“The lifting happened right after the explosion incident at the Royal Castle. It’s possible that the Weimar Kingdom did something to him, provoking him to blow up the castle. Then, fearing repercussions, they lifted the wanted status… That’s just a hypothesis, though. There’s no evidence.”
Though Mona stated it as a guess, to those present, it felt like the truth.
“…So, we’re being toyed with by him again?”
“That’s just a hypothesis.”
“I know. But…”
The commander said this, then closed his eyes while still crossing his arms.
He remained in that position for a while, but eventually opened his eyes and looked at Mona.
“Do you have any idea where he… Kenta Maya is?”
“Yes. It’s a public secret.”
“I see. Then… can you go check the situation?”
When the commander said this, Mona’s expression tightened, and she clenched her teeth.
“Me…?”
At her words, the commander nodded nonchalantly.
“Yes. Kenta Maya is our sworn enemy. It must be infuriating to even lay eyes on him… But we’ve been falsely accused as a Demon Tribe. We cannot ignore his connection to Weimar. We must investigate.”
After the commander spoke, Mona fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.
“…If I get the chance, can I take him down?”
The commander was momentarily taken aback by her words but quickly regained his composure.
“That person is capable of taking down the Emperor himself, you know?”
As the commander said this, Mona bit her lower lip hard enough to draw blood.
“That’s true. It’s clear I’d be overwhelmed…”
While Mona didn’t show it on her face, the commander felt a sense of relief wash over him.
“As long as you understand. You are an important asset to our nation. It’s best to avoid unnecessary sacrifices.”
“…Understood.”
Though reluctantly, Mona accepted the commander’s words, and then the two men spoke up.
“If Mona isn’t going, then I will take care of it!”
“I’ll do it too!”
With hatred burning in their eyes, the two men were eager to confront Kenta immediately, but the commander firmly stated.
“No.”
“What!? Why not!?”
“Please tell us the reason!”
The two men were dissatisfied with the commander’s refusal and pressed him for an explanation.
Seeing their reaction, the commander sighed.
“Do you understand what this mission entails? We’re going to investigate the relationship between Kenta Maya and Weimar. If it were you two, you’d abandon the investigation to chase after Kenta Maya, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course we would!!”
“…I have no confidence that we could just conduct the investigation.”
“I see that you two are unfit for this mission. Mona, I’m counting on you.”
“…Yes.”
While the commander’s expectations were encouraging, Mona herself was unsure if she could remain calm in front of her sworn enemy.
However, since this was a mission entrusted to her by the commander, she had to meet those expectations.
After grappling with her inner conflict, Mona accepted the mission.
“Alright, since this is a battle to observe the humans’ movements, we want to avoid further complications at this stage. We will retreat for now. Relay the orders to the entire army!”
“Yes, sir!”
Following the commander’s orders, the three of them filed out of the tent.
As the commander watched Mona’s departing figure, he muttered to himself.
“Kenta Maya… the Emperor’s nemesis… One day, without fail, I will take you down with my own hands…”
As he spoke, a drop of blood trickled from his clenched fist.
The Demon Tribe’s hatred for Kenta ran deep.