Chapter 140: Ancient Race
For the past few days, I’ve been busy with Ignat and the others, subjugating monsters from the sky.
I had no plans today and was thinking of heading out there again, but King Nagira’s speech suddenly started.
Thanks to that, I somehow ended up having to barge in.
Even though Grandpa and the Prime Minister were nearby, why me?
No, I know the reason; they said it was more convenient for someone whose face is well-known…
Ah, with this, I won’t be able to walk around the Empire’s towns anymore…
Well, I don’t think I’d go anywhere other than Shen’s place anyway.
Despite this frustrating situation, I understand why we had to quickly counter his speech.
It’s easy to imagine that if he were recognized as a god, problems would persist endlessly for future generations.
Having no choice, I received support from Mei, Grandpa, and the Prime Minister, and desperately appealed that King Nagira and I were human.
No, I look human no matter how you see it.
…Why do they doubt me?
Thanks to Mei, I can hear everything you guys are saying!
It was just as I was getting grumpy.
For some reason, my vision was suddenly returned to the room.
Surprised, I looked at the screen Mei was projecting, and my holographic image disappeared. At the same time, an intruder appeared from the sky above.
“Ho, I came to see what this giant object was, and to think there’s another of that rare species here. This is a fine discovery.”
Saying that, it descended from the sky to around the top of the castle.
It had wings on its back and horns on its head that looked like they could be used for a lightning mark, but otherwise, it looked no different from a human.
Aside from those unusual features, he was a ruggedly handsome older man.
“That’s Maso, right?”
It looked far too natural, but it wasn’t flapping its wings, nor could I see any wind propulsion.
So, there was the question of how it was floating, but I asked about that first.
“Judging from the connection points, it is not Maso.
It is presumed to be an Ancient Race, inhabiting another continent.”
“A-Ancient Race, you say!?”
“What is this Ancient Race…?”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Yuri-san as she slammed the platform and stood up, and Grandpa questioned her.
“Yes, when our ancestors were still on another continent, they were a mere handful of monsters that withstood the main ship’s full-power attack.
It was recorded that if we hadn’t continued the full-power bombardment to restrict the monsters’ movements while evacuating to space, we would have most certainly been defeated.”
“” “–!?”””
S-Such dangerous guys exist!?
She did say there were some they couldn’t defeat even at full power, but I didn’t hear they were that bad!?
“We continued a full-power bombardment from super long range for several minutes, and even then, their losses were only to the extent that they could still pursue us.
It’s not the same monster, but I recommend not provoking that one.”
Ah, so that’s why Mei cut off my image.
That’s a relief.
While Mei was explaining, the situation progressed.
“Interesting species, humans. Entertain me. If you satisfy me, I may even grant you my protection, you know?”
It appeared amidst an already chaotic situation.
The Osaka faction, which doesn’t have an Ark, doesn’t know what that is.
But that guy sees things in terms of species.
If things go wrong, we could all be in the same boat.
So, I hurriedly asked Mei to forcibly convey through the link equipment that it was an Ancient Race, including to the Kyoto Faction.
A few seconds later, King Nagira reacted, his face turning pale.
Apparently, he already knew about the Ancient Race. Just when I felt relieved that this was settled…
“What insolence from a mere monster in the presence of a god!
Someone, cut that thing down!!”
The one who raised that furious voice was the Pope, the head of the Northern Church.
However, the Temple Knights were no longer there.
The Royal Guards nearby also looked bewildered. If only King Nagira would stop him during this time.
That’s what I thought, but…
“Ho, I see, I see. So, I should start by showing my power.
It was like this last time too, at first.
They’re a species that could easily go extinct if I take my eyes off them for a bit. I suppose I must hold back as much as possible.”
Saying that, the Ancient Race monster waved its hand towards an empty plain, and a terrifyingly dense mass of magical power shot out like a slash, obliterating everything around the point of impact.
The crater created by the explosion was large enough to cover more than twenty percent of the Imperial Capital.
Even we, who were far away, were silenced by the sheer astonishment at its power.
In the midst of it, a large tremor reached us here as well.
As everyone around me froze with wide eyes, a strong question welled up, and I couldn’t help but speak.
“Mei, what was that? There was no magic circle, so it wasn’t magic, right?”
“I do not know. It is an uncertain conjecture, but perhaps a mass of magical power given directionality.”
S-Can something like that even be done!?
Ah, but if you can change its properties, could you make it into something that causes a huge explosion on impact?
Hahaha… what is that? That’s a cheat.
What are we supposed to do about this?
“Fortunately, its objective does not seem to be to destroy us, so it would be appropriate to observe its actions and formulate countermeasures.”
“Indeed. It’s pitiful, but the people of the Empire will have to serve as the litmus test.”
When the Prime Minister muttered that, everyone frowned but continued to watch the situation.
Just then, an urgent communication request arrived from Kyoto, so we connected the video call directly.
They also seemed terribly perplexed.
“Fujimiya-sama, for now, please prioritize notifying Yamato.
I believe we have some time, but in any case, we must not provoke it right now.”
“Y-Yes. Gramps, there’s no need to call a meeting for this. Move with utmost priority.”
“Understood. I will begin communications with the surface along with notifying the council members.”
While expressing gratitude to her for her swift action, the Prime Minister conveyed everything currently known.
“Um… I heard you possess multiple Arks. When evacuating to space, would you be willing to take on our people, enough for one Ark?
If there is any compensation we can offer, we will pay it.”
Surprised by those words, I looked around, and both Yuri-san and Grandpa averted their gazes awkwardly.
“I see, so we too will go to space… Mei, please read my thoughts.”
I was about to be disheartened, thinking they also intended to flee at the Prime Minister’s words, but Mei’s voice made me realize it was a misunderstanding.
“This audio will not reach the other party. Please listen with that understanding.
The main ship can evacuate the entire population of Old Belfast.
Including the people of Old Mildrad would impose restrictions on navigation and significantly lower the success rate of evacuation.
Master Aso says that lending out a sub-unit might be possible depending on the circumstances. He wishes to convey that if considering space travel, it would be better to borrow their strength as well.”
Yuri-san’s eyes widened at that voice, but Grandpa, who had his eyes downcast, opened them and gave a slight nod.
The reason it was conveyed only to us was likely because the matter of the main ship is being kept secret from Kyoto as well.
I wonder if there are ownership issues or something?
“Indeed, if it’s about one Ark, there might be room for negotiation.
However, we are still observing the situation for now. We haven’t sought His Majesty the King’s decision either.”
“Eh… I see.
But, um, we don’t know if that thing will allow us time.”
“Indeed. However, we have decided to live together, so we have no choice but to resist adversity together within our own framework.”
“I see. Understood.
Then, we will contact you again once our meeting here concludes.”
“Yes. I will convey that.”
She was probably eager to switch her attention back to the footage of what was happening in the Empire, as her gaze kept flickering towards the relayed video while she spoke.
Like that, she gave a bow and quickly ended the call.
“Speaking of which, where’s Pops?”
“He is observing the situation here. Shall I connect you?”
“No, he’s probably gathering people for a meeting, so if he’s watching, that’s fine.
If he wants to connect from his end, he doesn’t need permission.”
I have to keep an eye on that Ancient Race’s movements, I thought, continuing to stare at the footage.
Right now, it has descended to where the emperors are, standing with its arms crossed, confronting them.
“Hmm, they quieted down with one shot. Perhaps the humans here are more understanding.
So, what will you do? Interesting species that taught me words. I have given you time, give me an answer.”
The Imperial faction, though confronted and questioned, merely showed strong vigilance and didn’t utter a word in response.
King Nagira, likely feeling uneasy about this, changed his size and stood in the same place to ask a question.
“I-I perceive you to be a species that has lived since ancient times. I wish to ask what it is you primarily seek.”
“Anything is fine. I have simply grown tired of mutual slaughter.
As long as you are not disrespectful, I will not kill. Show me anything you can do.
If the reward for that is protection from other Ancient Races, that would be cheap, wouldn’t it?”
Huh… I was imagining something much worse…
It feels like it might be more reasonable than I imagined.
Hey, why is King Nagira wearing such a sly smile?
“Then, before that, I must know more about you. I can’t even guess what you find enjoyable.”
“Hmm. It seems it generally won’t change. He was saying that sensibilities and tastes are within the realm of individual differences.
However, I don’t need a boring woman who just serves. That one was a hindrance.”
“Oh, in that case, it doesn’t seem impossible.
Then, if the hospitality is satisfactory, would you perhaps be willing to reclaim our lands for us?”
At those words, the Ancient Race man said, “Hoh,” and put a hand to his chin.
Huh…?
Hold on a sec!!
If that cheat sides with the Empire, wouldn’t that be bad?
No, I mean, it’d be a problem if he came to our side too, but him siding with them is even scarier.
“Th-this is not good! If he limits his attacks to us, it’ll be over in an instant!
Mei, what’s the best move!?”
“Insufficient information.
However, assuming the Ancient Race sides with the Empire, evacuating with only those present here is likely the most realistic option.
The next best option would be to engage in combat with the main ship and evacuate using the sub-craft for as long as time permits.
If he possesses combat strength comparable to the Ancient Race we fought in the past, victory is considered unlikely.”
As silence fell at those words, an image of Pops appeared.
“Hey, isn’t this bad!?”
“Yeah. It’s really not good… What should we do?”
While our cheeks were twitching, the conversation progressed, and I sent my gaze in that direction.
“Is that a wish for me to reclaim your lands from unintelligent, different races?”
“No, it would be from our own kind.”
“What… Asking me to meddle in a family squabble, what a boring thing to say. Handle such things with your own hands.
Besides, I cannot do that!
I made a promise, staking my pride on it.
That I would not kill anyone except those who directly attack me or humans who show extreme disrespect, you see.
I told you, didn’t I? The ones I’ll protect you from are the Ancient Races you lot can’t handle.”
Oh? Could it be he’s actually someone we can reason with?
Anyway, I don’t know how much I can trust him, but for now, it seems we’re okay.
That said, this is hardly a problem we can just ignore.
“Well… It seems we have some time, but what should we do…”
When I asked that, everyone uniformly held their heads in their hands.
“As long as we’re in enemy territory, there’s nothing we can do from our side.
Well, we can attack, but either way, we can’t do anything that might provoke him.
About the only thing we can do is hold a meeting to decide whether or not to evacuate to that ‘space’ place if the worst happens.”
“Yes, that’s right. If we carelessly flee to space, these lands will surely be lost. Assuming that Ancient Race won’t attack us himself, perhaps we should still remain on the surface.”
In that case, we have to make sure to thoroughly convey that they absolutely must not lay a hand on the Ancient Race.
But, how do I tell Lestall…
We’re keeping the matter of the Japanese people a secret, but if we want them to be thorough, we should have them see that strength along with footage of the Ancient Race. But this is a matter with various high hurdles.
After all, it’s technology from the people we brought from the Oldam Dungeon.
I can just picture him, looking displeased alongside the Prime Minister, saying something like, “How dare you show your face so brazenly.”
No, wait, I don’t need to be the one to say it.
Well, we’ll probably meet eventually, and if it gets out that I’m the one who brought this up, it won’t make a difference, I guess.
With such a resigned look, I asked Pops.
“We have to tell Lestall too, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. Video footage seems better than handing over documents, but…
Rui, since you get along well with him, could you go and explain it?”
“Huh? I’m not supposed to make public appearances, am I!?”
“That time is now over with this. There are already things more high-performance than what you can make, right?
Ah, don’t reveal the matter about the Grand Master. With that, you’re free. Good for you.”
H-hey, hold on!?
You’re definitely just dumping this on me because it’s a pain, aren’t you!
As I stared at him with a sullen face, Pops hurriedly opened his mouth, saying, “W-wait.”
“I’m not trying to push troublesome things onto you, you know. There’s a proper reason.
Lestall thinks of you as the one from our side whose relationship he must be most considerate of.
Having you, that most important person, go and say it is also just right for expressing our intentions.”
“But if I say we brought them from the Oldam Dungeon, I’ll definitely get yelled at!”
“Idiot, don’t say that! It’s fine if it gets found out later.
It was originally another country’s business, so there’s no need to tell them everything.
True, from Lestall’s perspective, it’s an inconvenient story, but Oldam was originally our territory.
On top of that, if they wished to live with us, there’s no problem. Be more assertive, be assertive.
Ah, and of course, don’t mention the location of the Tokyo forces, okay?”
No, since we brought them from Oldam, we originally have an obligation to inform them, right?
If it’s decided to hide it as a country, I won’t say anything, but it doesn’t change the fact that I feel bad about it.
I mean, if you’re going to make so many demands, you should go yourself…
Well, I am a prince, after all, so if you say I have to go for national business, I’ll go, but…
This is weighing heavily on me…
“Yurii…”
“Rui, you’ll be fine. Just act dignified. I’ll be by your side, after all.”
“Oh, not bad. As expected of the future queen, eh?”
“N-no way!?” Yuri said, though she didn’t seem entirely displeased.
I’m happy about that, but Pops, don’t use Yuri to solidify things from the outside like that…
And so, thanks to the sudden appearance of the intruder, the war with the Osaka forces became ambiguous, but an even bigger problem descended upon us.
A troublesome meeting with King Lestall is also looming.
That’s bad enough, but what’s with that Ancient Race’s strength?
It’s absolutely impossible, isn’t it…
Ahh, why did it come to this, I lamented, hanging my head with all my might.