Royal Palace Post Demon King's Raid
This chapter starts from Alma Papa's POV
Lunati, I and Sword King Spadia-sama are kneeling before Firie Kingdom's King in the audience chamber.
The king wished to speak with us after Demon King retreated.
"Sword King Dukeris, Archmage Lunatiara. Your valiant effort warrants my gratitude... You need not kneel, raise your heads. For you are saviors of mine."
"It is our honor, your majesty."
"And Spadia, your return has done wonder. Neither I nor these two could be speaking like this here if not for your arrival."
"...No, your majesty, it is only thanks to those two that your majesty is safe and sound. I have failed you...!"
"Mind it not. It was I who gave you the command to move behind the scenes while making it look like you had gone missing. You are not to fret."
"However, not only had I failed to be present during the demon attack a month ago, I had also arrived late to the scene while Demon King had his ways. My only recourse is to cut open my stomach this insta--"
"You shall not! I commend your loyalty, but must you always be so extreme!"
Firie King hurriedly stopped Spadia-sama who took a knife and tried to stab himself in the stomach with it.
He usually acts like a wild man incarnate yet he's the very picture of a knight before the king he serves. He's a bit, no, quite extreme.
Only those who are close to him understands that his loyalty is genuine and not just for show. The man is a true patriot to the core.
...The swings between two extremes are a bit much, many people find it hard to deal with him, however.
"Haa... Do not casually throw your life away if you wish to make amends. I forbid you to forfeit your life until the threat of demons has passed and peace has come yet again."
"My liege...! Your compassion, knows no bounds...!"
"Fine, fine... Speaking with you is always fatiguing."
The king sipped his tea to compose himself.
I was afraid there would be side effects from having his heart smashed, but thanks to Lunati's prompt advanced healing magic, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with his body.
"And, Spadia. How fare that matter?"
"Yes my liege. We have succeeded eliminating Demon leaders on the first and second continent with the cooperation of Anti-Demon Army."
""!""
Lunati and I reflexively turned to look at Spadia-sama.
I was wondering what he was up to all this time. Can't believe he'd gone and defeated demon leaders on other continents.
"Initially the plan was to eliminate the leader on this fifth continent. But they surpassed our expectations at hiding, we failed to pinpoint their citadel until it was too late."
"In the end, they had the first strike on us, and I could not participate during crucial time. A shame I would bear for the rest of my life..."
"That is the result of my command. If anyone is at fault, it is me."
I wonder why go to such a length.
"Your majesty, I beg your permission to speak."
"Mwu, you may speak."
"My lord... May we inquire about the command your majesty ordained to Spadia-sama?"
"Umu, I shall divulge that matter with you."
According to his majesty, around half a year ago, someone betrayed the army and joined the demons which dealt them a huge blow due to the information he provided to demons.
Afterward, they kept experiencing fatal setbacks and regiments acting out on their own during crucial plans that could only imply the existence of demon spies in the army.
It all sounded far-fetched at first yet it's also true that some military authorities failed to react promptly during the demon raid a month ago. They were put through a 'Truth Judgment' interrogation and the kingdom found those spies were in fact real.
It's one thing if they were just some rank and file soldiers but for even generals to be under demon's thumbs means things were dire.
Marching to the demon citadel in that situation could end up getting the tables turned instead.
Yet, they can't leave them be and let the demons progress with their plan.
And thus, Spadia-sama who has an undying loyalty and power to match was given a top secret mission.
'Go look for Demon Citadel with a small but elite group while remaining hidden from demons.'
...Well, continent five is very vast after all so they failed their mission and the demons managed to launch their raid first.
Afterward, the group departed this continent and went around defeating demon leaders on other continents. But they never would have thought things could progress to this point.
"Was it wise to let Spadia-sama go to other continents and risk your safety, my lord?"
"That's what I said as well but his majesty wished to expel those demons as soon as possible."
"My heir would succeed me even if I were to pass on. Spadia's power is better served toward the goal of swiftly eliminating demons than to protect this replaceable body."
"Nothing in this world shall replace your majesty!"
"That goes for the populace as well. Kings and the people may have different roles, yet the weight of their life are all the same. The best course of action is to end this as swiftly as to minimize casualties."
"Your majesty..."
...The fourth continent's king must have had the same line of thinking.
Apparently he had atrocious criminal slaves act as staff members working in the royal palace while using his own life as a decoy to protect the country's core personnel.
These two kingdoms are ruled by individuals who put their countries above their own safety. Truly admirable mindset.
"...Hmph, I spoke those word yet I could not stop myself shaking and despairing when Demon King stood before me. Truly pathetic of me."
"That is only natural your majesty. That thing is far stronger and wicked than anything I have ever encountered."
"I lost count how many times I would have died during our fight..."
"It is said that he's the strongest Demon King in all history but I never would have imagined, it would be to such extent..."
He's not just strong. That Demon King is the reincarnated form of a past hero.
He likely has inherited his past combat experience, Skills and perhaps even Attributes as well.
The biggest headache is his use of 'Menu Function'. There's no safe place in this world as long as Demon King got that.
"Former hero of a Demon King is it... In all likelihoods, that hero is..."
"The only person who could have known Black Dragon-sama's name would be the hero of Firie Kingdom, Ryota Soma... How deplorable."
"Black Dragon cast away his name the moment Hero Soma left this world. It was also erased in all known records. The word 'Bahamut' was unheard of until Demon King uttered it."
"How shall I convey this to Ranaia..."
With Black Dragon taken away, Firie Kingdom has lost a major power backing them.
What does Demon King plan to do with Black Dragon. Is he trying to win him over to his side by disclosing he's Ryota Soma reborn?
In that case, we might one day end up having to fight Black Dragon.
...We let him go a few times now, but if he ever turns against humanity on Demon King's side, we might be forced to deal the finishing blow for real.
"Now that we the demon leaders on first and second continent are no more, all that's left is the one on third continent and Demon King... I suppose we can't be too optimistic."
"Word is cheap, however I cannot even begin to imagine a method capable of defeating that Demon King... He is, far too powerful."
"...I'm ashamed to admit that I have no chance of victory even if I were to work together with these two as well."
"Furthermore, it appears his power is greatly diminished outside Demon King Castle... His full power is unfathomable..."
"Duke. Will the hero under your guidance gain sufficient strength to triumph over Demon King?"
"Even after he's had a Job Change and obtained the special ability usable only to heroes... Frankly, it's unlikely to be enough."
"Whatever shall we do..."
...Neora-kun is probably stronger than me once he has got a Job Change.
But that is not enough. Far from it. Demon King is simply too strong.
We need another element in the equation if we hope to close the gap on such an overwhelming power.
...That hope being him. Whether he would bring something useful back or not.
"Speaking of which, Spadia-sama. Alan-kun has been fuming about your sudden disappearance."
"Urgh... Suppose, I could turn up later..."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
~~~~~~~~~'Him' Pov~~~~~~~~~
Slide
"Oh so hot~! It's way hot I'mma die~!"
Slide
Creak...
"Maaaav!! Don't let go of me! Maaaaaaaaav!!!"
BAM
Whirl...
"I will now mash you all up--"
Whirl... Zzp
...I've lost count how many doors I opened. I'm about to snap.
Is there really one that connects to Parallecia...
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