Chapter 119
Chapter 119. Meal and Outlook
That day, I was having a late-night meal with Platy.
It’s been a while since we ate together. Platy, being a high-ranking medical officer, was busy, and coordinating our training schedules made it hard to have quality time as mother and son.
If I were just a normal kid, I would have been crying for my mom.
‘At that time, I would protect you, so don’t worry.’
If I were just a normal kid, I wouldn’t have even met you, you know?
“This is rather delicious.”
With elegant knife and fork skills, Platy brought the cut fish meunière to her mouth.
It was white fish meunière. Fresh seafood in the inland Demon Lord Castle, and it didn’t look spoiled or rotten at all—it was quite fresh and of high quality.
“It’s really tasty. It’s addictive.”
I also savored it. Growing up inland and having traveled around in my previous life, I had only been to the sea a handful of times, but I still liked seafood.
The wheat-coated, crispy fish crumbled easily, and the perfect harmony of butter and fish fat was beautifully complemented by a splash of lemon juice—absolutely irresistible.
“You seem to really like it.”
Platy smiled as she watched me devour the food.
“This was a gift from Razriel.”
“Huh?”
From the mother of the first Demon Lord’s Prince? I instinctively paused my meal to check my ring with my right index finger. It was a magical item imbued with poison detection and antidote properties.
“Hehe, it’s okay. I had someone taste it for poison first.”
“It’s harmless,” she said, smiling, as she brought the meunière to her mouth.
Well, if Platy is eating it without a care… yeah…
“Why that lady, though? She didn’t seem to have a close relationship with my mother…”
“You were getting along with the third Demon Lord’s Prince the other day, right?”
Platy had a slightly mischievous smile.
“Seems she was worried you’d get taken in by the second Demon Lord’s faction. She was probing.”
“Ah, I see…”
Depending on how you look at it, it could have been a secret meeting… although it was pretty much that…
Yeah… it was pretty much that…
Of course, I had reported everything about it to Platy, so there wasn’t much else to say. It wasn’t the kind of topic for dinner chats either.
“If I think I could eat this because of that, it was worth it.”
“If you like it that much, I could arrange for more to be delivered. Maybe Razriel’s schemes are quite something, huh?”
“If she gets into business, she might turn out to be quite a good manager.”
“Hahaha! That’s a masterpiece!”
Platy burst into laughter at my comment.
I wasn’t being sarcastic; I genuinely thought she might be good at business…
“If I get any snide remarks next time, I’ll throw that back at her. I can’t wait to see her face!”
That’s fine, but don’t bring my name into it.
As we continued enjoying our seafood in silence, Platy opened her mouth again.
“So, I’ve been thinking about your deployment.”
—Once again, my eating came to a halt.
“Of course, it’s not something that’s happening today or tomorrow.”
Observing my expression, Platy continued in a calm tone.
“You know this too. The Defteros Kingdom is about to fall.”
…I know that.
It’s about time.
Before I participated in the assault mission on the Demon Lord Castle, I was last battling at the frontlines of the neighboring Proe-Refshi Allied Kingdom.
At that time, Defteros Kingdom was in the rear. But shortly after I reincarnated, the Proe-Refshi Allied Kingdom fell, making Defteros Kingdom the “frontline”—
For a while, both the northern and southern fronts were active, and the eastern front was rather quiet, but from last year to this year, there was a major offensive, and Defteros Kingdom rapidly lost territory.
“Next year, the Demon Lord Kingdom’s flag will be flying in the capital. The assault on the capital is a great honor. If you participate, it will be a glorious debut.”
With a dazzling gaze, Platy looked at me. …Officially, I’ve already claimed trophies, but I still have no actual combat experience against the alliance.
Assaulting the capital. Yeah, that would definitely be a glorious combat debut…!!
“My skills are itching.”
I kept my breathing steady, relaxed my shoulders, and spoke nonchalantly, my heart rate calming down to match.
“Hehe. You seem calm for someone so excited. A typical young Demon Race would be more hot-blooded right now.”
As if to say “as expected,” Platy nodded in satisfaction.
‘There’s a sort of carefree attitude in this girl that is oddly comforting.’
Uh, yeah… being isolated from the regular Demon Race might have worked out for the better…
“But, Zilbagias. When fighting the alliance, it’s not like you can just rely on the night elves and beastmen servants like before.”
Oh, is the main topic of this dinner finally surfacing?
“This winter, I’m considering a trip back to the Reiju tribe’s territory. You need to meet with your relatives too. At the same time, we’ll need to scout personnel who will fight alongside you on the battlefield.”
I don’t want it…
I really, really don’t want such personnel…
“Usually, you’d partner with someone your age, but… in your case, the only ones your age are kids…”
“But I’m also a kid, you know?”
“Hehe. —Right now, you could probably hold your own against a young adult freshly into maturity.”
‘What a funny joke,’ why must this go on?
“But are you sure it’s okay? Partnering with older folks like that.”
Shoving the rest of the meunière into my mouth in a reckless manner, I said.
“Hehehe. Just so you know, in a mock battle with magic, there are only a handful of Reiju tribe members, including the tribe leader, who could ever get a hit in on me.”
…Wait, are there really any? That surprises me. The tribe leader must be quite strong.
“Considering that you, who has trained without holding back in real combat, would do just fine against a young adult. It should be like twisting the arm of a babe… Though they probably won’t think so, so I bet you’ll be welcomed warmly right after returning home.”
Platy laughed mischievously. So there’s going to be that absurd incident with that natural monument again?
In a situation with tribe members, I can’t just go breaking horns, and that’s a pain.
‘What if I make an example out of one to solidify the name of “Zilbagias the Horn Breaker”?’
It wouldn’t be a bad idea if I could take down one of the Reiju tribe who are under the Demon Lord Kingdom’s medical staff…
By the way, “Horn Breaker” seems to be solidifying as my nickname because of that absurd incident. Whether that or “The Reincarnation of Diagias” is better is a matter of debate.
But really, am I going to have subordinates who are less skilled than me…? They’d be a hindrance in various ways. It’s honestly better if they just don’t show up.
“My magic tends to affect those around me too, so it’s easier when I’m alone, you know?”
“That… might be true, but…”
Remembering the restrictions of magic she had experienced multiple times, Platy’s expression darkened.
“…You remind me a lot of Diagias. Your fighting style too… and more.”
Stop making that slightly awkward face after saying that. I don’t know how to respond either.
But, still, it seems Diagias didn’t bring any attendants with him. Well, if all his attendants were, you know, all lustful, then it’s only natural…
“But in your case, we can’t ignore that. We need to let the tribe’s young folks gain achievements too.”
“So… that’s it?”
Damn it, what achievements? How many will suffer because of these guys…
“…I can’t guarantee I can protect them.”
I said that with a face that seemed to say, “It can’t be helped.”
Definitely, I said that.
“If you’re coming to the battlefield, you should be prepared.”
Platy lightly brushed against my words and nodded unconcernedly.
“……..”
Still, it seems like sacrifices are unavoidable.
I already feel heavy about this… To distract myself from that inner feeling, I threw the last bite of the high-end fish dish into my mouth and leaned back in my chair, gazing out the window.
As if to try to see the distant—distant road to the frontlines—
†††
—Defteros Kingdom, Capital of Evaroti.
This country, which hadn’t seen major warfare for several hundred years, was finally running out of luck.
To ensure transportation convenience, the capital had no proper walls, and the shabby emergency dirt walls and defenses starkly reflected the country’s dire situation compared to its once prospering streets.
But being the capital, it wasn’t completely unprepared for battle.
Several robust fortresses surrounded the capital, almost like satellites. During an emergency, they were meant to work together and unite against external enemies—at least, that was the idea.
In any case, it was better than nothing.
And in one of those fortresses—
“To this day, cheers!”
“Cheers to our tomorrow and valor.”
The two clinked their wooden mugs together, exchanging ale.
“Tonight’s dinner is extravagant.”
“Wow, it’s amazing! I can’t believe so much was left!”
The Sword Saint Barbara and Hessel looked down at the table with smiles.
—A wilted apple, moldy cheese, and discolored sausage.
And a bowl of gruel resembling white water.
“Luck was on our side. Who would’ve thought we’d get to eat meat?”
Hessel leaned back, having propped his large sword against the wall, completely relaxed as he tossed a sausage into his mouth.
“Mm… well, it’s still edible.”
“Just being able to eat is a luxury.”
For a brief moment, Hessel froze, while Barbara, without a care, took a huge bite of the sausage and declared, “Delicious!”
…They had completed the retreat from the fortress on the frontlines.
The two were stationed in the fortress as the elite of the reorganized defensive force, preparing for the Demon Lord Army, which could come at any time.
—
Tomorrow’s perspective will be Barbara.
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