Chapter 192
Chapter 192. The Rising Sun
“The East City Gate has been breached,” the messenger from the Izanis Tribe reported, but in reality, it would be more accurate to express it as “the gate has been forcefully thrown open.”
However, the scene of the Dwarf Blacksmith Warriors bursting out like a flood after blowing away the Demon Race warriors and Demon Soldiers attached to the gate could only be described as “breached.”
“Go, go, goooo!”
“Outta the way, outta the way!”
“Clear the path for the darkness, you ruffians!”
With axes, war hammers, and shining weapons in hand, the Dwarf Blacksmith Warriors charged forward as one. The Demon Race fell like paper in front of the protection spells they were clad in.
A severely wounded member of the Reiju Tribe tried to close up their wounds using the Teleportation Spell, but it was all deflected by the finely crafted magical armor, causing them to breathe their last.
The scene was a true massacre.
The streets of the capital, Evaroti, suddenly soaked in blue blood.
“Uoooh!”
“We follow closely!”
“Long live the Defteros Kingdom!”
Following that, the human warriors clad in uniform red-bronze armor pried open the breach created by the Dwarves.
These were the treasured Royal Guards of the Defteros Kingdom.
A group made up entirely of noble scions and powerful magic users from the common folk, this knightly order boasted coordination rivaling that of ordinary soldiers, and magical resistance comparable to that of a hero or priest, making them a unique assembly among humans.
“[We wield both divine and royal might]”
“[Let our noble spirit take the form of blades!]”
Flames danced around their swords, and the Royal Guards charged towards the Demon Race. Although their power did not match that of the hero’s holy attribute, their curses deeply pierced through the protective spells. This was a special magic passed down within the Royal Guards, woven from the long history of the Defteros Kingdom.
As the escape route secured by the Royal Guards was established, civilians with children rushed through. Forest Elves scattered here and there cast Accelerate spells, and general soldiers with shields followed closely behind, guiding noble heirs ordered to escape the capital while using protective magic.
“Run, you weaklings!”
Realizing the intent behind the Royal Army’s actions, the Demon Lord’s army finally understood what was happening.
“[Freeze those feet!]”
“[Rot away!]”
“[Burn to ashes!]”
Demon warriors and Demon soldiers chanted wicked spells, Beastman soldiers gripped stones, and Night Elf soldiers drew their bows.
They were released all at once.
Curses, thrown stones, and arrows surged towards the fleeing people from the capital—
“[We, to protect the people]”
“[I shall be the shield!]”
With a swish, the Royal Guards formed their shields simultaneously. Behind them, shadowy figures flickered like heat haze, shaping the image of knights with massive shields.
—They were the souls of past Royal Guards.
The magic spun from their souls and wishes.
The Holy Great Tree still towering over the Royal Castle resonated as if to bless them, giving clearer outlines to the phantom knights who were strengthening the shield wall against malevolent magic.
They repelled stones and arrows, protecting the people—!
“How dare you!”
However, perhaps due to the limits of being human, they could not withstand such overwhelming magical force. The cursed flames broke through the light shields, turning the Royal Guards behind into charred remains. Moreover, the pinpoint shots from the Night Elf soldiers pierced through the gaps of the huge shields without mercy, mercilessly shooting down fleeing civilians and Forest Elf mages.
With a piercing wind that made the hair stand on end, another black feathered arrow was about to strike a girl being led by her mother—
“Ugh!”
Just in time, a shield-bearing soldier threw himself forward to block it. The arrow, powerful enough to shatter shields, likely belonged to a strong archer closing in on the Bow Saint.
“Uncle!”
“It’s okay! Hurry and run, Nina! I’ll catch up later…!”
The soldier smiled as he ran, reaching out to the girl who looked back. But blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. The arrow that pierced the shield had lodged itself in his chest.
Yet—
The soldier did not fall.
He tore his gaze from the girl and stood firm, lifting the shield that was nearly in pieces, to protect the fleeing civilians behind him…!
“Tch!”
The Night Elf soldier who had shot the arrow clicked their tongue upon witnessing this. Their pride was wounded as their arrow that they thought would certainly hit was intercepted by the soldier.
“……”
Narrowing their eyes coldly, the Night Elf nocked another arrow.
Deliberately, they aimed at the girl who had escaped their aim earlier. They would let the soldier hear the dying scream of that little girl—yes, just keep running straight—right up to the next gap in the shields—now!
“Damn you!”
But just as they were about to release the arrow, they were tapped on the head with a muttered voice. The aim faltered, and the arrow flew in a completely different direction.
“What are you doing?!”
The irate Night Elf turned to find the source of the voice and widened their eyes.
—A young Demon with a displeased expression.
It was far too familiar to overlook. Demon Lord’s Prince No. 7 Zilbagias = Reiju!
“Ah… Your Highness!”
It was bad enough to have a mere Demon as an enemy, but to hurl insults at a royal who had great favor with the Night Elf tribe was a critical mistake that caused the already pale Night Elf to turn even more ashen.
“I-I deeply apologize…!”
“Cut that out. If you have time to aim for children, aim for the enemy warriors instead.”
“I-I’m so sorry!!”
Flustered, the Night Elf started firing arrows at the soldiers and Royal Guards. After seeing this, Zilbagias snorted and shifted his gaze to the city’s defense forces.
No—should we call it the escape forces instead? It was clearly a coordinated effort, but not all forces were retreating. The proof being that resistance at the Royal Castle was still ongoing, and the barrier of the Holy Great Tree remained intact, with spells flying to support the escape forces.
It was evidence that there was still some fighting strength left at the Royal Castle.
As he observed, it seemed the evacuees had largely managed to escape, and the line of people being expelled from the castle gates had finally ceased.
—Oooh, a powerful war cry echoed louder, overpowering the agonized screams of the Demon Lord’s army drowned out by the intense clashing of swords.
“Come on! Bring it on, Demon Lord’s army!”
“Step forward if you want to die!”
“I’ll add your spears to my collection!!”
Looking over, the Dwarf Blacksmith Warriors had returned. They seemed to have decided to entrust the lead to the Royal Guards while taking up the rear.
The magical blades released from their axes, the remote strikes from their hammers, and the nearly unbreakable magical resistance of their armor troubled the Demon Race immensely. No one was better suited for this rear guard position.
While intimidating the Demon Lord’s army, the Dwarves retreated slowly in time with the civilians fleeing behind them—
“Ah, it’s you!”
“What a fine piece!”
“You’ve been here all along!”
Even in such a tense situation, they quickly noticed Zilbagias.
Well, it wasn’t hard to see; even in the faint light of dawn, the silver-scaled armor stood out.
“Hey! Long time no see!”
Waving his hand cheerfully, Zilbagias declared—
“—Fisero!”
With those words, he announced the name.
“What did you say?”
For a moment, the Dwarves stopped in their tracks, eyes wide.
“Fisero! Fisero = Don = Technitis?!”
“He’s alive! That guy!!”
“If it’s his creation, then I’m convinced!!”
Screaming with excitement, the Dwarves began to retreat.
“Haha, I see I’m a celebrity here!”
Zilbagias couldn’t help but laugh.
“But that guy’s specialty is armor, right?!”
“The sword must be from someone else, right?!”
“Hey, whose sword is that?!”
“Damn it, if it’s from Fisero’s workshop, I want to see more of it!”
“Come closer! Show us more!!”
“Actually, why don’t you come at us?!”
Amidst their noisy chatter, Zilbagias waved goodbye to the Dwarves as they retreated.
“……Is it alright not to chase?”
Veteranos, who had somehow appeared nearby, asked.
“……I can’t exactly shout this too loudly.”
Zilbagias lowered his voice, stroking his silver-scaled armor.
“To obtain this, I swore an oath with the Dwarf Blacksmiths. While wearing this, I cannot lay hands on any Dwarf.”
“Ah, I see how it is.”
Understanding and nodding at Zilbagias’ laid-back demeanor, Veteranos remarked.
“And…there’s no need for us to chase after them anyway, there are still plenty of prey left.”
Zilbagias grinned, glancing up at—
—the towering Royal Castle and the dazzling giant tree.
†††
“……They’ve left, huh.”
At the top of the Royal Castle, on the main tower’s observation deck, Osshimaier XIII muttered quietly while tenderly stroking his belt.
Surrounding him were senior former Royal Guards and dignitaries of the kingdom. Most had sustained wounds of varying severity, with only Osshimaier XIII appearing uninjured.
“I cannot thank the Dwarf Warriors enough.”
“We must prepare medals for them.”
In response to Osshimaier XIII’s statement, one of the ministers replied solemnly, causing the group to involuntarily smile.
It had been some time since they barricaded themselves in the main tower. The doors below had been sealed with the minister’s magic, and brave soldiers were steadfastly guarding before the doors.
However, how long could they last against the Demon Race…?
“……Well, everyone, it has finally come time to open this.”
Osshimaier XIII carefully took a bottle of liquor from a small box at his feet.
“Oooh! Is that the treasured liquor of His Majesty…!”
His retainers buzzed with excitement.
“Yes. It’s a 35-year-old bottle of ‘Ariyan Beemi’…”
Ariyan Beemi—a strong distilled liquor made from barley, famed from the western grain-producing regions of the kingdom.
As Osshimaier XIII raised the bottle, squinting nostalgically, his retainers fell silent.
A 35-year vintage—
They instantly recognized it as the year Osshimaier XIII ascended to the throne.
“……It has done well to be preserved until today. I couldn’t have held back and would have opened it along the way!”
“No doubt! To leave such a precious liquor like Ariyan Beemi to age tests one’s patience greatly!”
However, pretending not to notice anything, they laughed.
“How wonderful will it taste? I can’t wait, Your Majesty!”
“Let’s toast quickly!”
—Downstairs was noisy. The Demon Lord’s army was closing in.
“Very well, very well. Don’t rush me.”
Osshimaier XIII, clutching the bottle, gently tapped the securely sealed cap and recited a spell with his dwindling magic.
The seal fell away.
“Now, everyone, raise your cups.”
Osshimaier XIII personally poured the clear liquor into the glasses of the ministers.
“You too. No need to be shy.”
He similarly encouraged the former Royal Guards.
“Such an honor… Your Majesty.”
The knights smiled happily, and for those without glasses, they filled their helmets to the brim.
Finally, Osshimaier XIII poured a mere drop of liquor into his own glass.
“……I am honored to share this moment with you all. Thank you.”
—Everyone was smiling. Even those among the retainers who were pale from injury or holding back tears. They were all smiling.
“To the Defteros Kingdom!”
One of the ministers raised his glass.
“To His Majesty Osshimaier!”
The Royal Guards followed suit.
“To our invaluable retainers!”
Osshimaier XIII joined in as well.
Ah… the sun rising from the horizon.
Shone into their glasses, sparkling with brilliance.
“And to the youth and the future of humanity—cheers!”
Cheers!! they chorused.
“May Osshimaier XIV and the people of the Defteros Kingdom be blessed…!”
With that, they drank heartily.
The wonderfully fragrant, ultimate fine liquor of their lives—
Seeming as if to capture the sun’s radiance and light of hope in their glasses before—
†††
—On that day, the black flags of the Demon Lord’s Kingdom waved over the Royal Castle of Evaroti.
The fall was alarmingly swift, just two days since the siege on the capital began.
King Osshimaier XIII and the dignitaries of the kingdom committed ritual suicide after barricading themselves in the main tower.
The glorious history of the Defteros Kingdom came to a close here.
…However, the treasured sword denoting the legitimate heir to the throne escaped with Osshimaier XIV and the forces evacuating the capital.
Most of the heirs from various noble houses and the children remaining in the capital also succeeded in their escape.
The Royal Guards maintained their combat strength.
Hope remains.
Yet, at the same time, it marked the beginning of a difficult road for the exiled government of the Defteros Kingdom led by Osshimaier XIV—
