「Well then… Holy Knight-sama, thank you for coming so late.」
After Amilia finished her dinner and fell into a deep, exhausted sleep, I cast protective wards around her room and attended the private night audience with the two monarchs.
「Forgive us for calling you at this hour. During the day there were the mock battles with the soldiers, and in the evening the head chef kept begging for lessons in future cuisine…」
「And we heard you also held a fierce sparring match with the Saintess-sama…」
「I might have been a little strict, but anything gentler wouldn’t really count as proper training.」
When I said that with a casual smile, both rulers drew back slightly, their expressions a mix of awe and mild horror.
Quickly changing the subject, they began talking about dinner instead.
「By the gods, it was delicious! That soup you called ‘stew’ was heavenly!」
「I was especially fond of the lamb cutlet. And that soft bread… revolutionary, truly.」
「I’m glad you liked them. I gave the head chef some yeast, so he should be able to make good use of it.」
During New Year’s when I baked bread with Yuwa and the others, I’d saved some leftover raisin yeast and taught him the method.
If anything went wrong, I’d also explained how to use wine as a starter, so he’d manage somehow.
「Thank you… Now then, there is something important we must discuss with you, Holy Knight-sama.」
「That is precisely why we summoned you tonight. We also have a few questions of our own.」
「I’ll answer anything within my power… So, what is it you need to tell me?」
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
Both rulers exchanged a glance before the human king slowly began to speak.
「The truth is… the being known as the Evil God was once human.」
「And not just any human, my own elder brother.」
「…I see. So why did he become something called an ‘Evil God’?」
「Well, you see….」
The king launched into his personal history.
To summarize:
This nation chooses one ruler from the demon side and one from the human side, governing together as dual monarchs, and the two are also wedded partners.
The problem began long ago.
The elder brother had been in love with the queen since their youth.
But his innate arrogance, refusal to learn proper governance, and endless indulgence in womanizing wore everyone’s patience thin.
Finally, the previous king grew utterly fed up.
He declared a duel for the right of succession.
The younger brother won, and the elder was banished from the kingdom.
And then, thirty years ago, two years back from now, his elder brother returned at the head of an army numbering tens of thousands of demon beasts and monsters.
The northern half of the kingdom was utterly devastated.
People were taken as slaves or fed to the creatures, and a grotesque castle was raised from the ruins.
「After that, we assembled three separate subjugation forces and marched against him… but each time we fell just short of victory and were driven back.」
「Indeed… That so-called Evil God retained the form of a man, yet he had become something utterly incomprehensible.」
「No matter how deeply we cut him, he would not die. Even when scorched by magic, he remained utterly unfazed.」
(Something about this feels… awfully familiar. Isn’t this just like an evil god*…? I always thought those were manifestations of the world’s malice, but… maybe there’s some deeper reason behind it?)
TN: The way they are written are different but same meaning.
「Ah… actually, I’ve defeated something very similar before.」
「「Truly!?」」
Both rulers leaned forward so eagerly that I instinctively rocked back in my seat.
「W-well… it’s only a guess, but the thing I fought was extremely close to what you’re describing…」
「Even so, that is a ray of hope.」
「Indeed… Up until now, our only remaining option was to erect a massive defensive line and have humanity huddle behind it in desperation…」
「So then, what was it you wanted to ask me?」
I spoke just as relief began to soften their tense expressions.
Their faces immediately grew serious once more.
「It concerns the Saintess-sama.」
Ah. So, word had already reached them about what I told the Minister of Military Affairs earlier today.
「We heard that Saintess-sama’s parents were assassinated. Is that true?」
「Yes, it’s true. As far as Amilia knows, her parents simply vanished without a trace. I myself was only summoned to her side quite recently, so I don’t know all the details.」
「I see… Thank you for telling us.」
「Yeah… I figured it would be awkward for you to ask her directly.」
「Additionally, General Varicius will be returning soon. He commands our current front lines and will have the most detailed information about the situation there. When he arrives, we will hold a war council. If you would lend us your strength then… we would be deeply grateful.」
「Understood. If I can help, I’m happy to.」
After that, the conversation lightened.
We spoke of this nation’s customs, its history, and little everyday things, sipping wine and nibbling on snacks long into the night.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
◇Marian’s Side◇
「I’m so sorryyyyy!!」
I prostrated myself flat on the floor in front of Yuuki-san’s wives and Rie-chan.
「Umm… well, it can’t be helped. This time he was just dragged along by Amilia-chan anyway.」
「Th-that’s… during that exact period, I was completely absorbed in creating another world…」
Sweat poured down my face in rivers as I tried to explain.
「Ahh… yeah, I mean… I’ve messed up pretty badly myself before, so…」
Rie-chan stared off into the distance with a faraway look.
「Well… at least Yuuki was there? Maybe?」
「At the very least, Amilia-chan’s world is still continuing. Yuuki-sama being summoned was probably inevitable.」
「True. Since it’s a world that exists as part of history, everything Yuuki does can be observed as events that have already happened in the past.」
「Hmm. Like that recent sci-fi anime we watched.」
「Anyway〜 let’s take a look at what happens next, shall we?」
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
◇??? Side◇
「Damn it! Full retreat! Abandon the forward fortress! Pour the oil and set it ablaze!」
I led the crumbling army in a desperate withdrawal.
Up until just a few days ago, our battles against the monsters had been evenly matched.
But now their strength had suddenly surged.
「Why… why is this happening!?」
「General!! Uwaah!?」
「Romure!」
A sudden ambush struck from the hilltop, slamming into our flank.
One of the royal guards was unhorsed in an instant.
「I’m coming to help right now, !」
「What are you saying!? I’m fine! Get out of here, now!!」
「Tch… Sorry!!」
I wheeled my horse around and galloped away with the few remaining troops under my command.
(They’ve never fought like this before… When did they suddenly gain this much intelligence!?)
My molars ground together painfully, but there was no time to dwell on it.
I had to find a way to turn this disaster around…
When I glanced back over my shoulder, flames were finally rising from the forward fortress.
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