“…After that, everyone from the Knights Order returned to the Royal Capital. I watched as the people of the Royal Capital were gradually being brainwashed by Tect while I was invisible, but I couldn’t stop it in the end, and since I don’t have any Magical Power, I escaped into the sewers for the time being. Tect left a message saying that when Kaine returns, to restrain him and bring him to the Demon Lord’s Castle.”
Einima finished speaking, and I was finally able to grasp the situation.
“This is quite troublesome.”
“Yes, the Four Heavenly Kings are truly troublesome…”
Erna’s tone was lower than usual, probably because she was angry. Well, of course, her master was subjected to such a thing.
I’m also quite angry.
“If this continues, all the manipulated citizens could be killed.”
However, Erna denied that statement.
“No, if that were the case, some people should have already been killed… But the fact that Tect returned to the Demon Lord’s Castle means that he’s manipulating them for now, but doesn’t intend to kill them? Is that what it means?”
“Well, it’s true that in the current state of this country, fighting the Demon Lord’s Army is impossible.”
With the Royal Capital occupied, there’s almost nothing that poses a threat to the Demon Lord’s Army.
If I had to name something, it would be us and Olto-san and the others who are on an expedition?
The surrounding countries are weaker than ours, so the Demon Lord’s Army could easily destroy them if they wanted to.
“But, we still need to defeat Tect. We have to do something quickly…”
Just as I was about to say that, Einima said.
“Actually… recently, the country has suddenly started preparing for war.”
“…Why? It seems impossible to fight the Demon Lord’s Army while being manipulated…”
“Um… could it be…”
“What is it? Cliff, did you figure out the objective?”
“Ah, no, it’s just a possibility… Could it be that Tect is trying to make this country destroy the surrounding countries?”
“What…!”
“I see, so that’s what it is… Tect, you’re really making me angry…”
“…What do you mean?”
Einima seems to be the only one who doesn’t understand.
“It means exactly what it sounds like. Tect is probably manipulating this country to fight the surrounding countries and drastically reduce humanity’s war potential.”
“That’s why they’re preparing for war. This country is strong, but it can’t possibly win against all the surrounding countries. At best, they’ll take down two or three countries. However, because of Tect’s brainwashing, even those who can’t fight will be forced to participate in the war. And even with injuries that would normally make them unable to move, they’ll be able to keep moving until they die…
They probably won’t even declare war. Considering all of that, they might be able to take down about five surrounding countries… Even if they lose, it won’t be a major blow to the Demon Lord’s Army. They’re just pawns…”
Einima, who finally understood after hearing the explanation, became angry this time.
“Demon Lord’s Army… I won’t forgive them.”
“But… it’s going to be a bit tough to defeat Tect before this country invades other countries.”
“It will take at least a month from the start of war preparations, but if we’re talking about pawns, it’s a different story. From here to the neighboring country of Kunitra, it would take about a week to walk…”
“That’s right… that’s about the time limit.”
We have to reach the Demon Lord’s Castle and defeat Tect in a week.
Honestly, reaching the Demon Lord’s Castle, which is said to take 20 days to reach, and defeating Tect within a week is extremely difficult, but we have no choice but to go.
“U-um… Kaine-san.”
“What is it, Cliff? Tell me anything!”
“Please tell us anything, Cliff-san!”
“I don’t know you, but tell me anything?”
Cliff has a lot of popularity.
“Um… can’t you use Kaine-san’s Shukuchi to fly to the Demon Lord’s Castle?”
““Nice, Cliff””
The points have reached 8900!
Actually, I always take pictures when the points become a palindrome… but I missed 8888 points while I was sleeping, so I couldn’t take it…
Thank you to everyone who always reads!
Let’s aim for 10000 points!