Chapter 442
Chapter 442: The Demon Lord’s Prince Descends
From above, I surveyed the imperial army’s camp.
What a typical circular formation. They were spread out over the plains where the main road runs, but despite hearing that they had more than 20,000 troops, they looked to be only about 15,000, including supply units. They probably diverted forces to the occupation army in Sokufar.
“Hey, there’s a very shiny carriage at the center!”
Leila said with a hint of curiosity.
…She’s right. Straining my eyes, I could see it even with my bad vision. At the center of the circle, a gaudy, gigantic carriage glimmered with gold plating.
Could it be the Emperor’s private carriage?
“Is it normal for the people to have a statue atop the carriage?”
Huh? No, that’s the first I’m hearing of it… I’ve never seen one myself…
“A statue holding a shiny sword is up there.”
That’s probably the Emperor’s carriage for sure… Sounds like something he would do. I thought he would stay in the lord’s mansion or something in Sokufar.
“If the carriage is that enormous, the interior must be luxurious. It might be more comfortable than the residence of a small country’s rural nobility.”
Antendeixis pointed out. That makes sense. In any case, it’s convenient if the Emperor is at the front lines.
“Shall we just stomp on them from above?”
Leila was ready to dive at any moment. Wild, indeed. But that’s the kind of thing dragons can actually do if they set their minds to it.
If we circled overhead and unleashed our breath attack—how many of those troops would be able to manage? Without the wind magic and archery support of the Forest Elves, the humans would have very few options against a flying dragon. Actually, none at all.
If Leila went all out, they’d be trampled in no time…
“With this many, it might be a bit tough; I might run out of breath.”
Leila modestly estimated that we could take out about half… I couldn’t help but laugh at her thoughts.
A dragon could singlehandedly cripple a troop of over a thousand; that’s not just fancy talk. They were feared as the strongest race ruling the skies and the earth until the demon race emerged.
“I can fight alongside you, Alex.”
Leila said in a somewhat stiff voice.
“I don’t want you to take risky actions, Alex.”
Does that look dangerous to you, Leila?
“Um… not dangerous, but it’s a bridge I wouldn’t want to cross. It looks like it’ll crumble if I just step on it…”
So she sees the imperial army as fragile enough to worry about.
Well, in reality, that’s true. Unless I’m extremely careless, I should be fine.
I think it’s just that I’ve gotten too used to the demon army. The human army looks incredibly thin in terms of magical might.
But even if their magic is weak, the humans can demonstrate unexpected resilience when they combine their individual strengths. It’s hard to say what could happen depending on their training. And ultimately, you won’t know their competence until you clash blades directly—
Still, I’m well-versed in human tactics, so I shouldn’t fall behind too much.
While I appreciate Leila’s eagerness, she’s just too conspicuous; I’d like to keep her out of this one.
“Mmm…”
Leila looked dissatisfied.
… I want to avoid confirming the rumor of a White Dragon accompanying Zilbagias. Though it was spread in a flyer, there are still plenty of people who are skeptical, and I don’t want to unnecessarily worsen the position of the White Dragons living in the alliance territory.
“Still, I… value you, Alex, much more than my blood relatives whose faces and names I don’t even know…”
Thank you. It makes me happy that you think that much of me…
But the White Dragons should become a significant fighting force on the day of the coming counterattack. I want to avoid doing anything that could strain our relationship.
More than anything, we need to remain hidden in the alliance territory until next summer. If Leila’s identity were to be exposed, it would complicate things and become a real mess.
“…You’re right. I hadn’t considered that…”
Leila sighed. Particles of light, remnants of her failed breath attack, scattered from her teeth.
“I understand. I’ll leave it to you this time, Alex.”
That’s a relief.
Even with a concealment spell active, if we go too close to the camp, they might realize there’s a dragon around. I want Leila to drop me close enough to the outer edge of that formation and quickly pull back.
I had been thinking about scouting more to find thinly defended spots to attack, but decided to make a direct assault. It seems like they’re quite alert for night attacks from the principality and have no obvious weaknesses.
Leila can wait in the sky or watch from that mountain… I plan to leave while keeping an eye on the timing and head north along the main road. I’d appreciate it if they could come pick me up when I shake off any pursuers.
“Understood.”
Then, I fully utilized our telepathic connection through 【Kizuna】 to finalize the rendezvous point.
“Ah, finally this moment has arrived.”
Barbara floated up from the spear strapped to my luggage, her expression reflecting a complex mix of emotions—
“Well, it’s really their own fault. They were the ones who kicked off this war. They attacked first and now they don’t want to deal with a powerful enemy; it’s not going to happen that way.”
But she quickly turned around! Barbara, that’s impressive switching gears…!
“Alex! Show those deluded folks what happens when they make the Demon Lord’s Prince their enemy!”
Haha… I couldn’t laugh too much. I’m one of the ones who fought the Demon Lord’s Prince and died. His demeanor is something else…
While this was happening, Leila was gradually descending.
“【Sleep, Adamas】”
As I chanted, the blade trembled reluctantly and began to fade. I can’t have the Demon Lord’s Prince swinging a holy sword enveloped in sacred silver.
Sorry… I’ll finish this quickly.
Next, I pulled out a clump of bones from my luggage and shaped them into a stick. I attached a dormant Adamas to the tip, making a spear.
…Damn, it feels right again after such a long time. I’m sorry to all the seasoned soldiers and the remains for this.
— I could very vividly picture the elder soldier shrugging and letting out a big, exaggerated sigh.
“Ah, right. Speaking of faces, it might be better for you to hide yours as well.”
Antendeixis suddenly suggested as if struck by inspiration.
“If you’re going to stay hidden as Alex, the resemblance to Zilbagias is a bit too close for comfort.”
That’s true. Worst case, I can at least take on the appearance I had in my previous life, but if Zilbagias’s face becomes widely known, it would bring nothing but trouble. It would be quite the hassle if they made a wanted poster or something.
Using the leftover bones, I’ll make a mask. Something jagged and ominous. I’ll even give the mouth area terrifying fangs.
It’s been a while since I did bone-carving as a pastime… Come to think of it, I’ve lived as Hero Alexander ever since coming to the alliance territory.
I’ve had a lot of fun being back in the skin of a human again.
I put on the mask. The kind of “face” that screams “Demon Lord’s Prince”—
The ground was approaching. Leila spread her wings, slowing her descent, stirring up dust as she hovered just above the surface.
“See you later.”
“Be careful not to overdo it, or good luck…” What do I say? Leila seemed to be overthinking it and landed on the final remaining feeling of wanting to “meet again safely.”
While expressing my gratitude, I released 【Kizuna】 and stepped down to the ground. The sight of Leila, cloaked in a concealment spell, quickly blended into the dim night sky, becoming indistinguishable.
…I’m sorry for always worrying you.
“Now then.”
The remaining Antendeixis smiled quietly.
“Shall we go?”
Yeah, let’s go.
—To kill.
†††
Kaizaan Imperial Army, camp, outer perimeter—
The soldiers on guard were busy maintaining their weapons in the glow of the campfire.
In preparation for a possible night raid from the principality, they were taking turns to watch this night. The Emperor himself was seated at the center of this formation. If they let their guard down even a little, it would be a disgrace to their whole lineage. The soldiers sharpened their swords and shields while nervously peering into the darkness.
“… Hmm?”
One soldier suddenly gazed up at the sky.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well… I think I saw an incredibly huge bird passing by—”
“A bird?”
They all looked up, but it turned out to be nothing more than a crescent moon in the clear starry sky.
“Nothing special appears to be—”
The moment a sentry was about to respond.
A tremendous gust of wind rushed in.
Tents flapped wildly, and the campfire threatened to be blown away.
“Whoa!”
“Whoah!?”
“What the heck!?”
Just a moment ago, there hadn’t even been a breeze! It felt like a whirlwind—but it stopped just as suddenly.
The sentries found themselves in a daze, but the ripples of unease spreading throughout the camp revealed the current strange wind was no summer night’s dream.
It was an eerie wind.
As if the night darkness had attempted to chase away the light.
“What was that… just now…”
One soldier murmured as he added logs to the faltering campfire.
“… Hmm?”
His hand froze. Footsteps. From the shadows across the road where the light of their bonfire couldn’t reach, something was stealthily approaching.
He raised his shield and drew his sword. He only heard one pair of footsteps, but it could be a distraction. Perhaps the other soldiers had noticed as well, as they followed suit and drew their swords.
Soon—
A figure stepped into the light of the bonfire.
A bizarre appearance.
Of medium height. By the build, it seemed to be a young boy on the verge of manhood. Clad in some kind of smooth white leather clothing, he held an old, oddly shaped unsheathed sword with an abnormally long hilt.
His hair was a cold silver. Even under the warm light of the bonfire, his skin remained pale. His face was obscured by a malevolent bone mask, with hair decorations resembling the horns of some ferocious beast.
It looked as if it were a costume mimicking a local evil spirit; if you said that, you’d almost believe it.
—No, it was as if he were the evil spirit itself—
“Stop! Drop your weapons!”
“This is the sacred ground of the Kaizaan Empire!”
“If you make any foolish moves, I’ll show no mercy even to a child!”
The agitated soldiers shouted in unison, and the “evil spirit” came to a complete halt.
“Hah!”
He laughed.
“For a mere human, calling yourselves an Empire is laughable.”
As the evil spirit lifted his face, the soldiers gasped.
From the eyepieces of the mask, red eyes glinted.
Pierced by a gaze that seemed filled with madness, like one under the heat of delirium.
“Dark fiend!?”
Their alertness skyrocketed in an instant.
“Who are you!? State your name!!”
At one soldier’s demand, beneath the mask, his lips seemed to curl up.
“Very well. Listen well, you weak humans.”
He thrust his spear into the ground, and the evil spirit spoke in a haunting tone.
“【My name is――】”
The world shook violently.
“【――Zilbagias Reiju!】”
A torrent of dark, powerful magical energy spilled forth, more sinister than the night’s darkness!
“The seventh Demon Lord’s Prince of the Demon Lord Kingdom!!”
An explosion. The world screamed from the overwhelming intimidation.
I thought another gust of wind had hit. Instinctively, I took a step back. I couldn’t stop trembling!
Zilbagias!? The Demon Lord’s Prince!? No way! That’s impossible!
What is he doing here—!?
“Oh, so this is the so-called Kaizaan Empire! You claim to be the hope of humanity, arrogantly declaring the extermination of the Demon Lord’s Kingdom as your national policy! Tell me, do you truly have the right to do so… I shall personally verify it!”
He swung his spear. The wind howled.
“Now… let’s start with a little test.”
Dark magical energy swirled in his open left hand—
“【Die】”
It was unleashed.
Like a dam breaking, an overwhelming torrent of dark power surged forth, rushing straight toward the soldiers.
—They were swallowed.
The soldiers, tossed around like leaves in a current of malice and intent to kill.
Fell lifelessly, like puppets with their strings cut.
“… What is this?”
Incredible astonishment and fear was plastered on the faces of the soldiers, laid upon their backs staring at the night sky.
Their eyes reflected nothing anymore.
—They were dead.
All from a curse that commanded them to “die.”
Close to thirty soldiers, nothing more than helpless victims, fell dead in an instant.
“… What is this…”
A shaking voice echoed.
But it was from anger, not from fear.
“Are you looking down on us…!?”
The voice belonged to—Zilbagias.
The very one responsible for killing the soldiers was trembling with rage.
“… I gave you such an obvious cue, casting a simple curse easy to resist! And yet! You stood there, without forming ranks! Not reciting a protective chant! Doing nothing, staring blankly and taking it straight to your end!?”
His burning, bright red eyes blazed.
“Don’t screw with me!”
The furious Demon Lord’s Prince’s roar echoed through the night sky.
“What kind of hope do you claim to be for humanity? Do you even have any fighting spirit—!?”
The enraged Demon Lord’s Prince raised his spear and charged at the imperial army—
Thus began, in an unjust and extreme manner, the battle that would later be known as “The Tragedy of Kaemuran.”
