Chapter 158: The Place We Finally Reached.
Above Berkuld Cathedral.
Although we’d arrived, the two non-combatants, Natalia-san and Honoka, insisted on coming along, which caused a bit of a delay.
And after some discussion, it was decided they would indeed accompany us.
Since I’d already said I’d leave it to them, I couldn’t really refuse.
Well, protecting them wouldn’t be too difficult. Just in case, I summoned two child units of the Ark.
They were to be used as automatic defense systems. Quite a luxurious setup.
With this, they definitely wouldn’t die.
And so, we finally landed on the grounds of the cathedral.
We touched down in front of the cathedral, still in stealth mode.
The moment we landed, we became visible and were spotted by Imperial Soldiers.
“Wha-!? How did you get in! This is a restricted area! No, now that you’re in, we can’t forgive you. Kill them!!”
And so, several Knights charged at us.
As expected of the Empire. They treat lives so lightly. Apparently, just standing in front of a church is enough to get you killed.
“What should we do? Who’s taking them?”
“I’ll do it!” Natalia-san raised her hand.
“Your Highness!?” Ignat turned to me with a look of blame for some reason.
Hold on. Was that my fault just now!?
However, the defense system was already active.
There’s no way these small-fry Knights could do anything against it.
While I was thinking that, Natalia-san defeated them with her Shushu Punch.
Shouting “Shushu!”, she threw a punch, and the Knights went flying.
Even though the first punch hit and sent them flying, Natalia-san threw a second one.
The Knights were being taken down by her completely amateurish moves.
It was so amusing I pointed and laughed.
In the meantime, Ignat and Kai moved and defeated the remaining Knights.
“Rui, you shouldn’t point,” I was scolded. “Sorry, sorry,” I apologized, still chuckling as we proceeded deeper inside.
“Hmph. How was that?” Natalia-san said to Ignat with a smug look.
“I know Ria can do it, but I’m still worried,” Ignat said, offering praise he didn’t mean while feigning concern.
Kai and Yukina-san were their usual stable selves.
“I’ll be watching, you know?”
“Haha, then I can’t let you see me looking uncool.”
“You already looked cool, so it’s fine!”
And so, they continued their steady flirting.
“Lloyd-san, I… I’m getting a strong feeling that this isn’t it…”
“Well, I feel the same way. It’s better than it being grim, but it’s still troubling.”
Lloyd and Honoka followed with exasperated looks, exchanging wary and proper remarks.
Each of them moving freely, we reached a closed door deep within the cathedral.
Beyond this, there were stairs leading to the dungeon.
I’d spoken with Yuri, and we decided to take the official route, so we’d break through here.
“Everyone, step back a bit.”
And then, I manifested the Maso I’d always wanted to try, which could be called a new weapon.
A giant robot-style Maso.
“””Eh!?”””
As everyone around me stared in amazement, I was sucked into the cockpit in the chest armor.
Once inside, I asked Mei to bring up a screen to secure my external view.
I tried operating the Maso, opening and closing its hand, and it worked normally.
In that case, I reared back and punched the iron door.
DOOOOOOOOOM
Along with the sound, shields appeared around everyone who had frozen in place.
It was the Ark child units’ defense system.
The movements seemed fine, so I deactivated the Maso and landed on the ground.
“Sorry, I made it unnecessarily strong.”
As I apologized and approached, Lloyd and Honoka backed away.
“Wh-what are you… All of that is a Maso, and you can control it… What’s going on?”
“It means I defeated enough monsters to absorb all their Magic Stones. And this isn’t even half of my power, you know?”
Their cheeks twitched, but they followed properly when we moved on.
It was fine proceeding like this, but the monsters were far too weak.
It couldn’t be helped since it was the upper floors of the dungeon, but with so many companions, I couldn’t move at high speed.
I considered turning the child units into vehicles for them to ride, but Natalia-san wanted to play, and even Yukina-san joined in.
Well, Yukina-san originally had a Hunter license, so I could understand her feelings.
But I forced them to move down to a floor at least suitable for their abilities.
After making them have a proper, serious battle, they quieted down within an hour.
We boarded the Ark again and headed for the lowest floor.
When it seemed about time, just Yuri and I got off and donned our Maso.
“Well, it’s been a while since we’ve been in a dungeon.”
“Yes. It’s strangely calming, isn’t it?”
Well, there aren’t any monsters left on this continent that can satisfy us, but just to get in the mood, the two of us dashed around, slaughtering monsters.
“Hey, hey, is this a competition again?”
“Yes. Otherwise, there’s no fun, is there?”
“I see,” I said, sighing at the monsters that died in a single hit, but still focusing on the competition.
With my current power, I could extend my magical power throughout the floor and manipulate it to kill everything in an instant, but I had no intention of cheating against Yuri, so I was just subjugating them normally with my Maso.
Subjugating them while playfully competing like this is fun, after all.
And so, I proceeded while confirming that the Ark was properly following us.
“Ignat-san and the others are on board, so isn’t it fine to not worry about what’s behind us?”
“That’s true, but this dungeon, you know… I wouldn’t like it if there was some enemy secret weapon.”
“You worry too much. They can’t do that; such a big attack would be a suicide mission.”
“That’s certainly true, but just in case,” we chatted as we advanced, and soon reached the boss’s location.
The moment I started to say, “This one looks like we can play with it a bit…”, Yuri lopped off its head.
“Eh? Ah, I just… did it reflexively,” Yuri said, scratching her head. That’s rare for her.
And so, having reached the lowest floor, I spectacularly blew a hole in the wall.
The wall of the boss room was destroyed, revealing the city of Osaka.
Wooooo— The sound of sirens blared.
A warning announcement about rising Mana Essence levels continued to play, and before it stopped, Divine Soldiers flew towards us.
On our side, we had countless drones fly out to try and ascertain King Nagira’s whereabouts.
“You two, want to go?” I asked Ignat and Kai if they wanted a chance to shine, and they both replied, “Please leave it to us.”
So, we switched offense and defense, and I boarded the Ark, but for some reason, Lloyd and Honoka also went out.
“Eh?” I was a little troubled but assigned one Ark unit to the two of them.
While thinking I should have prepared more, I observed them fighting.
“Wh-why are the two of you so strong!!”
Honoka shouted as she and Lloyd held back one Divine Soldier.
“Ahaha, well, we are some of the strongest Knights in the world, you know.”
Kai replied, looking somewhat troubled, while continuing his rampage.
As their numbers dwindled, Mei contacted me, saying, “We’ve already pinpointed his location.”
Replying with “Understood,” I extended my magical power in the direction he was said to be.
I was able to extend my magical power to the approximate location, so I melted everything in a straight line except for people with my magical power, restrained all the humans there with Maso, and brought them here.
They began to come into view, middle-aged to old men, restrained and floating through the air towards us.
By the time they arrived, our battle was completely over, so we went outside and gathered together.
“Um, King Nagira is… Ah, there he is. You’ve really done a number on us. I came to drag you out.”
“Y-you! From Belfast!!!”
“Not ‘from Belfast’! How many do you think died because of you? We’ll decide your punishment according to the law and execute you without fail, you bastard!!”
My suppressed irritation leaked out, and when I inadvertently intensified my anger, he fainted.
Ah, by the time I realized it, it was too late; Natalia-san and Yukina-san were also on their knees.
“Sorry. When I thought about how all the wars up until now were his fault, I just…”
“No, I understand how you feel. I feel the same way…”
Ignat also showed an angry expression, a serious look he rarely displayed.
“What… what’s going on…?” Honoka asked about the situation, her eyes filled with fear directed at me.
Right, I hadn’t told them anything, I thought, and briefly explained the events up to now.
The circumstances of how he manipulated the Empire from behind the scenes.
And my own intentions as well.
After explaining the series of events so far, I repeated the words I had once said to the Imperial citizens.
“They used this level of technology to make you mistakenly believe they were gods. I told you, didn’t I? They’re just ordinary people.”
“Wait… They made us go to war because they wanted Belfast!? Using our country… our lives?”
“That’s right. They roped in Mildrad, made him send Estoc and Ignat, and next were Lloyd and the others. We had no choice but to keep getting stronger. That’s what our current strength means. That’s why we’ll crush the Empire and have a proper person like Shen-kun govern it. We don’t even want the Empire’s land. Even though they were Imperials who were deceived and tried to kill us, we have no intention of committing a massacre. That’s why we set that as our endpoint. That’s all. That’s why the one I mainly resent is him.”
And I pointed at King Nagira.
“So you don’t resent the Empire?”
“Of course, I’m pissed. I think they’re all idiots. They’re too corrupt. That’s why I’ll depose the emperor and destroy the country once. After that, if someone works hard to clean it up, I don’t intend to interfere any further.”
“And you chose Marquis Ignat as that someone, huh?”
“Yeah. That’s right.”
“What’s with that?” Honoka fumed about the previous topic, while beside her, Lloyd looked relieved.
In the midst of that, I received a report from Mei that she had regained control of all systems.
Surprised that she’d taken control so quickly, I ignored the two of them and made a nationwide broadcast to the people of the Osaka Divine Nation.
“I am Louis von Belfast, a prince from the country your nation has waged war against. I have come to stop your country’s outrageous acts and to eliminate the root cause.
As of now, all Divine Soldiers have been defeated, and King Nagira has been detained. All systems have fallen into our hands, thanks to Ark Mei. With this, the war your country waged against ours is hereby concluded.
Those who surrender and obey will be treated with care and protected, but those who do not will be left behind. I believe you heard the warning siren; the Dungeon walls have been damaged beyond repair. I recommend you do not resist and surrender. Those who decide to surrender and capitulate will be automatically guided out through the already opened escape routes.
I warn you again. There is not much time left. If you remain here, only death awaits. Those who decide to surrender without hostile intent will be automatically guided out through the already opened escape routes. I promise that, in accordance with our laws, the innocent will not be punished. The choice is yours to make.”
Honestly, I have no obligation to help these people. None at all. But it’s an undeniable dictatorship. If they make an effort to adapt to our culture, I’m prepared to use my own assets to keep my promise.
Well, they possess technology, so I can’t just carelessly release them, nor can I massacre them. No matter what, I have no choice but to protect them.
Ah, I remember wondering in my past life why we accepted people from a country like this, but perhaps there were circumstances like these.
With such thoughts, we boarded the Ark and exited through the escape route where the Divine Soldiers had been transported out.
“Weren’t you going to protect them?”
“Yeah, they have Airships. Since I control everything over there, even if they board their own Airships, they’ll fly to my territory.”
Responding to Honoka’s question, I hurried to my village. I had everyone relax at the mansion and urgently requested a meeting with Count Asou.
“I apologize for asking for your time so suddenly. The matter with Osaka was just settled. As a result, I’ve promised to protect its citizens and would like to request that you accept them here.”
“Is that so? So it’s finally over… No, considering it was a war between nations, it was rather quick, wasn’t it?”
He narrowed his eyes with a deeply reflective expression. As someone who had also been forced to live underground, he must have had his own thoughts on the matter.
“Regarding their protection, understood. Is it alright to conduct scans with the Ark?”
“No, those who refuse the scan will be left behind. Those unwilling to comply cannot operate the escape craft.”
“I see. If that’s already being done, then we shall receive those who come with due care.”
“Yes. I’ve told them that the innocent will not be punished, so please proceed on that basis.”
As the conversation ended and before I left the room, I asked, “This will likely be the last opportunity, but will you speak with King Nagira?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. The rest is at Your Highness’s discretion.”
That was his reply, so I flew directly to Belfast. During the journey, I contacted Pops and relayed the situation.
“Just as planned, I’ve taken down Osaka.”
“I see. How many are coming?”
Ah, right, that information was necessary too. I just left since there was no need for me to be there anymore.
“It’s not clear at all yet. Get the tally from Mei. I told those willing to comply to come of their own volition before I left… Also, I promised those who come that they’d be treated with care and that the innocent wouldn’t be punished. And I’ve captured King Nagira, so I’m bringing him. He’s needed, right?”
“Regarding the people we’re accepting, that direction should be fine. Yes. We need him. We must make it known, punish him, make an example of him, and declare it divine punishment. Otherwise, faith will waver, and those who are lost will have nothing to cling to.”
“Understood. Well then, I’ll be there soon…”
“I’ll make preparations,” he said before cutting the communication. I turned my gaze to Nagira.
It seemed he had woken up; his face was contorted as he looked at me.
“How does it feel to be destroyed because you mistakenly thought you were safe?”
“Do you have no pride as a Japanese person…?”
“No, I only have the memories of a Japanese person, but I have more pride than you. Hiding sneakily in a safe place, spreading misfortune, and making even your own people miserable – you call that pride? Are you underestimating Japanese pride? Is reclaiming the land your pride? That means if you lose your home, you lose your pride. Is your pride really that flimsy?”
I said it while genuinely looking down on him, and he didn’t speak further, so I left him alone.
And so, I returned to the Castle, and Pops made time for me.
After confirming he was secured in the cell Pops had prepared, I discussed the future plans with him.
The discussion with Pops went very smoothly. Right now, our mutual goals align with lasting peace, so we only needed to iron out a few details.
“Well then, I’ll head back once the Empire business is settled.”
“Alright, I’ll be waiting. Take care, okay?”
He roughly ruffled my hair for the first time in a while, but for some reason, I never feel like resisting, so I just accepted it and returned to the mansion.