Chapter 7

After the anti-Lagias faction had been taken away, several seats in the conference room were left empty. In time with their departure, the civil officials began distributing new documents. Written there were the enemy’s expected forces and strategy, as well as the kingdom’s countermeasures.

“The decisive battle will take place in the Lagias Domain. On the night of the new moon, the road leading to the ‘Gate to the Otherworld’ will appear. You, the kingdom’s army, will fight at that location.”

The kingdom would form an army that mobilized everything, not only the Knight Order and the Mage Corps, but also the Royal Guard Corps, adventurers, priests from the Church, and more. With the clear intent that nothing would be held back, each person steeled themselves.

“During this battle, full authority over the Knight Order and the Mage Corps will be granted to the respective vice commanders. Strohk Larc will serve as commander of the Knight Order, and Merlan Looney will serve as commander of the Mage Corps.”

“…Understood. I will do everything in my power.”

“I shall most certainly live up to Your Majesty’s expectations.”

Strohk and Merlan accepted.

The Knight Order and the Mage Corps had no commanders. That position was determined to belong to the king who ruled the country, and in times of emergency, its purpose was to indicate a clear chain of command.

For Strohk, the acting vice commander, to be temporarily selected as commander was unprecedented, and as for Merlan, she would become the first female commander of the Mage Corps.

“The supreme commander of the kingdom’s army will be Baccus Abriate. Can you do it?”

“What a heavy role. I was just thinking it was about time I retired…”

Baccus smiled wryly. He sent a meaningful glance toward Glanz, who had left the Mage Corps five years earlier. It looked as though his eyes were saying, You alone got away unfairly.

After that, Alderic made official requests to external organizations such as the Adventurers Association, the Apothecaries Association, and the Maria Church. Every organization accepted.

Even if they were told it was a crisis in which the world might collapse, it lacked a sense of reality, but it was clear that if the Kingdom of Diabalet, a great nation, glared at them, it would hinder their future activities. In practice, they had no choice but to nod.

“Your Majesty. I would like to confirm something. Against the Freak Trading Company—the enemy soldiers—the kingdom’s military strength seems somewhat excessive…”

Duke Alight posed a natural question. It was true that enemies such as Elzen and the other powerful opponents, along with soldiers who had gained the power of the spirits, were clearly skilled fighters. It was also true that they were a sufficient threat, considering they had been acting as they pleased in the kingdom from the shadows. However, if almost all of the kingdom’s forces were deployed, it was expected that the difference in numbers might instead make fighting more difficult.

“Hanhanberu Plant. He was connected to the Freak Trading Company. Assume that all information about the Knight Order has been leaked to the enemy. They can reproduce the power of specific people. …In other words, the enemy has the Knight Order.”

Zeke added an explanation. In the past, Zeke had been the first to notice the betrayal of Hanhanberu, a former vice commander of the Knight Order, and had the achievement of capturing him.

“I see. Those shadow-like beings, then. One of them was the very image of me.”

There had been not only Baccus, but even a fake Zeke. Zeke was implying that there might be beings among the enemy who had copied the entirety of the Knight Order. That alone was threat enough.

“The entrance examination where you people showed your disgrace, and the attacks aimed at Osten and Westen as well. Those people possess a method of controlling monsters. A great number of monsters will likely swarm the battlefield.”

“!? Those damn bastards… Looking down on us.”

Hares, who had commanded the entrance examination two years ago, cursed. To him, the entrance examination was an unforgettable event. There had been an endless monster assault, and allied knights and mages had fallen one after another. Many young applicants who had hoped to join had died.

In the sense of an unforgettable event, it was the same for Strohk, Brink, Yorn, and Luke as well. Their battle against Rovinz, who had interfered with the ley lines to create an artificial dungeon and intentionally caused a monster stampede. —Naturally, strength filled their bodies.

“Alight. The forces being deployed are reasonable. Rather, there is even a possibility that they will be insufficient.”

“…Forgive my presumptuous statement. What shall be done about requesting aid from neighboring countries?”

“Normally, that would be what we should do, but there is no time. We will strike with the forces we have now.”

Alderic explained that even if they suddenly requested aid from other countries by saying it was a crisis for the world, there was no way they would be believed. It would only invite unnecessary confusion, with others suspecting it was some sort of scheme.

“Your Majesty… Regarding the road leading to this Gate to the Otherworld, what about using teleportation magic or the like to get ahead of the enemy?”

The one who answered the question from Merlan, the mature woman serving as vice commander of the Mage Corps, was Zeke.

“Impossible. Not only the ‘Gate to the Otherworld,’ but even the road has unstable mana. If you force yourself to teleport there, the result will be getting stranded between spaces. —Though those who possess the spirits’ blessings are another matter.”

“…Are these spirits really that troublesome?”

“They are aggregates of mana with wills. These spirits are what nearly caused the world to collapse in the first place. —There is no way they would be weak.”

According to Zeke, Elzen and the others possessed the blessings of spirits—the factors of spirits, or gods. Through ancient magic that did not exist in the modern age, they had obtained powerful abilities. In other words, unlike them, the moment the road appeared on the night of the new moon, they would be able to teleport to the Gate to the Otherworld.

“What!? Then won’t they just open the gate!?”

“…Are you stupid? Only two ‘keys’ have been gathered so far. Were you even listening, failure?”

Van shrank under Zeke’s gaze, which looked at him as though he were something pitiful. Atri and the others seemed embarrassed. From the national military and the nobles, emotions leaked out as if they were wondering whether he was truly the grandson of the Sword Saint.

“From our side, deploying a massive force onto the road would only get in the way. From their side as well, they will not want to let miscellaneous small fry near the Gate to the Otherworld. That is why the battlefield will naturally become the point where the road appears—the lake behind Lagias Manor.”

Van gave an ambiguous nod, making it unclear whether he truly understood or not. Atri kicked him in the shin as if telling him to be quiet already, leaving him teary-eyed.

“A small elite unit is preferable for the Gate to the Otherworld, where Elzen Freak and the others will be waiting. You people will bear that role—heroes.”

The ones Alderic designated were Van’s group. Van, Ciel, and Luke, who were inheritors of the “keys.” Selen, who served as Ciel’s bodyguard. Atri, the “Guide” whose role had ended. And Glanz, the Sage who had guided them this far.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty. In a situation where the keys are being targeted, I find it questionable to send those three…”

“Brink, your thinking is reasonable. …Of course, there is a reason.”

Elzen stood at the center of the spirits’ blessings. Because Elzen existed outside the laws of the world, no attack would reach him. Alderic explained that no matter how much they attacked him from their side, he had become an undead being who could not be killed.

“That is true. I killed him three times. Twice I pierced his heart, and I cut off his head. Even so, Elzen revived.”

Elzen, who had become the strongest swordsman of the modern age now that the Sword Saint was gone, had become an immortal. In addition, with the power of the spirits added to him, Elzen was literally the strongest.

“…However, he is not invincible. If we do not have the spirits’ blessings, then we simply have to obtain them. If he stands outside the laws, then we only need to stand on the same stage. For that purpose, we will use the inheritors.”

If one were to put it that way, Van and the other two were also equivalent to having received the spirits’ blessings. In other words, Zeke explained that they were beings who possessed the same power as Elzen.

“Attacks from those three will reach him to the end. In other words, they can finish him off. …If they fail, they will be used as the final ‘key,’ though.”

“So it is high risk, high return. Ciel is a sacred arts practitioner, so she is not suited for combat. …That means the great role will inevitably fall to one of the other two…”

At the end of Aktor’s gaze were Van and Luke. The regimental commanders’ gazes also gathered there, but most of them were directed toward Luke. That was only natural. Even if Van was the grandson of the Sword Saint, there was far too great a difference between an almost unknown Van and Luke, who had abundant experience and accomplishments.

“The one who will strike down Elzen—is that failure.”

The one Zeke designated was Van. Van himself was surprised, and the people around them were shocked as well. Considering the relationship between Zeke and Luke, everyone had thought that the role would go to Luke.

“This entire incident originated from the Freak family. Then having that failure, a member of the family, take responsibility is only natural.”

“Zeke. I understand your logic, but… frankly speaking, the burden is far too heavy for him. I will be harsh, but it would not even be a contest.”

Van looked down at Aktor’s observation. If he was told head-on that he lacked the ability, he could not even argue back. Van reacted that way precisely because he himself understood it was true. The thoughts of those around them seemed to be the same, as though they agreed with Aktor.

“Probably. Even if it were someone other than that failure, the premise itself is severe. —That man is a swordsman second only to the Sword Saint. He fought roughly only because he could not die, but next time he will definitely correct that. …However, there is a chance of victory.”

The conference room fell silent. Everyone waited for Zeke’s next words.

“I will give that failure special training. Even if he cannot become equal to him, I will push him up to the level where he can cling to him. —That will raise our chance of victory.”

“S-Special training!? …I was wondering what you would say, but… There is only about one month until the next new moon, you know? Raising him to the level of a Sword Saint candidate in that time is impossible.”

“We will do it whether it is impossible or reckless. We have no choice but to do it. If we lose, everything will disappear. Everything will become meaningless. The deaths of Lagias will become pointless. —That is why I will fight. —I will definitely win. —Even if I die, I will win. This is the power I gained for that purpose.”

Aktor closed his mouth before Zeke’s intensity. Van simply stared at Zeke in a daze.

“I see. The Forest of Death, then.”

“Hmph, you understand, you damned chin beard. Arrange it at once.”

Calling the king a damned chin beard was an insult at the highest level of disrespect. The people around them were busy reacting, from speechless shock to recoiling in disbelief.

The Forest of Death Alderic spoke of was a massive sea of trees spreading across the continent. It was a monster territory adjacent not only to the Kingdom of Diabalet, but also to multiple countries. In the past, each country had attempted territorial expansion there, but all had ended in failure. Humans had been powerless before monsters that boasted strength and ferocity on an entirely different scale.

It was currently treated as a buffer zone, a sea of trees no one approached, commonly called the Forest of Death. Zeke said he would train Van there.

“You intend to go to a place where even national military forces would be repelled with only two people—no, effectively by yourself? —You will die.”

“I will not die. I need to fulfill my responsibility as the last Lagias. …The lord of the Lagias Domain wished for the happiness of this country’s people until the moment he died. He said he wanted them to be forgiven, not for revenge to be taken. —Then I have no choice but to fight. Against this unreasonable reality.”

Zeke’s will was firm. Judging that nothing he said would stop him, Aktor gave up trying to persuade him and closed his mouth. …But Van, the person directly involved, was wavering.

“Time is limited. The moment I judge that there is no hope, I will abandon you and leave. I will not force or compel you. —If you want to win even if it kills you, follow me. I will show you hell.”

“I…”

“However, Zeke. Suppose this Van truly falls partway through. What will you do then? He may be a risk, but he is also a trump card against Elzen, is he not?”

“In that case, I will have Luke kill him. If certainty and efficiency are the priority, then no matter how you think about it, Luke is the best choice. …If you can accept that, that is.”

Zeke looked merciless, but he was faithful to his obligations. Those who knew him understood that. He was giving Van a choice. —So that he would have no regrets.

“If you are going to the Forest of Death, you will need a dedicated sacred arts practitioner. I shall dispatch one.”

“Your Majesty. In that case, I will accompany Zeke.”

The one who reacted first to Alderic’s statement was Arnica. Though she was a princess, she was also a skilled sacred arts practitioner.

Normally, it would be unthinkable for royalty to go to a dangerous area crawling with monsters. Naturally, the people around them showed disapproval, but…

“I do not need you. You would only increase the unnecessary baggage. I can use sacred arts as well. Do not think that only you royal-family people are special.”

It was a complete rejection.

The people around them wanted to welcome the fact that he had refused her accompaniment, but surely there had been a better way to say it, and once again they were put off. …Arnica herself acted bravely, but to Baccus, who had known her since she was young, she only looked as though she was pretending to be calm.

“Listen, you pieces of trash. I will say it as many times as necessary, but if we lose, it is over. Do not assume the person beside you will still be with you in the future. Hold nothing back. Throw everything you have at this. The royal family and the ducal houses must mobilize all sacred arts practitioners.”

Elzen was trying to remake the world. There was no guarantee anywhere that they would be able to exist in that world.

“I do not know what Elzen will wish for, but if he desires it, you people may become pigs. …Though that would be funny in its own way.”

“O-Orcs!? T-That is no joke!”

Aktor’s face turned pale and he panicked at Zeke’s unfunny joke. Zeke followed up by saying, You would be a silver pig, making him even more flustered.

“…It seems the discussion is settled. Everyone—‘Please wait, Your Majesty!’”

The one who interrupted Alderic’s closing words was, in a certain sense, an eccentric of the kingdom known to everyone. His lineage was excellent, but the person himself was a strange one—or rather, an oddball. Those who knew him were instead impressed that he had stayed quiet this long.

“Ah! Mooooore! Have you forgotten me, my friend?”

The one who raised his leg high and struck a pose was Aaron of the Royal Guard Corps. The madman with a hidden side spun as he danced his way over to Zeke. Even Alderic, faced with Aaron’s bizarre behavior, was unusually shaken.

“My friend, what am I to do?”

“…That brat’s main body is stuck to Elzen, but if he has a temporary body, he can move freely. —Pariaach will definitely appear on the battlefield. In order to throw the kingdom’s army into confusion.”

“…”

The atmosphere around Aaron changed completely when he heard Pariaach’s name. Before the killing intent leaking from him, the ridiculous atmosphere scattered in an instant like mist.

“You will strike down Pariaach. …You are going to avenge them, are you not?”

Aaron’s brothers, Clotted and Tsaity, had been tempted by Pariaach and betrayed the country. His second older brother, Tsaity, had been turned into a spare “key,” while his eldest brother, Clotted, had been captured. Normally, they would have deserved the death penalty, but thanks to the recommendation of the person who captured them and Aktor’s arrangement, they had escaped execution.

Because of the rebellion of his two older brothers, there had been a possibility that the Marquis House of Izosaar would be dismantled. Even so, to Aaron, they were still his precious brothers. He had believed that a day would come when they could understand one another, but in the end, that never came true. Aaron too had a reason to fight.

“…Yes, my lord. I swear upon my sword. I will finish off that kid.”

After making a commotion, Aaron suddenly released killing intent and swore an oath to Zeke, who was not even a king. To anyone who did not know the circumstances, it was an incomprehensible situation. Aaron, who had been at the center of the commotion, quietly returned to his original seat.

“Your Majesty, I have a question as well. How will he move on the battlefield?”

The question from Eltia, a regimental commander of the Knight Order, was important information when looking at the kingdom’s army as a whole. Naturally, attention gathered on it.

“I do not intend to clarify that in particular. As for Lagias, including the private army, I will leave it to those involved.”

“Of course. I have no reason to take orders from you.”

At this point, no one reprimanded him anymore. Everyone understood that no matter what they said, it would be useless.

“I see… That is unfortunate. I thought I might be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with you on the battlefield.”

“H-How can you say whatever you want! Why are you even here like it’s only natural!? Go sit in a prison cell!”

“That’s right! We haven’t forgotten that false accusation against Zeke!”

Eris and Kratz booed her. From their perspective, Eltia, who had moved to capture Zeke, was naturally present in the kingdom’s army. They could not accept that. Though he did not show it on his face, Simon was probably furious inside as well.

“That was caused by an unfortunate misunderstanding. I had no choice but to follow the Knight Order’s policy. —From now on, let us join hands and do our best together.”

“You sure say that easily. You were really into it, though.”

“…Were you not dismissed?”

“I intended that too, but somehow I was told to keep working. Honestly, it was quite troublesome…”

“…As I thought, you are ridiculous.”

Eltia gave a shameless excuse, while Yorn teased her. Eris and Kratz glared at Eltia, and Eltia detested Yorn. It did not seem as though the bad blood between them would be resolved easily.
In the first place, not limited to them, the current situation was one where all sorts of groups had gathered together, and normally it would take a great deal of time for them to become one. They had to bring it into shape within one month. It was understandable that Baccus was reluctant.

“—Then this meeting is adjourned. Everyone, prepare for battle.”

With Alderic’s command, the first strategy meeting came to an end.