「「A miracle that splits the sky?」」
Amilia and I tilted our heads in confusion. What could that be about…?
「That… is it referring to ‘that’?」
Amilia swung her arm, mimicking the motion of her『Sky Eater』.
「Ah… but I’ve never actually split the sky, right?」
「Well, I suppose that must have changed over the course of the oral tradition.」
「I guess that’s the only explanation…」
With that conclusion, Amilia turned to face Count Baldor.
「Understood. Let’s go to the training grounds.」
「Excellent, excellent! I look forward to it!」
「Then everyone, let’s head to the training grounds. Amilia and Count Baldor, please change your clothes before joining us.」
「Right!」
「Yes.」
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
While waiting for the two of them to arrive at the training grounds, I set up spectator seating using magical items for defensive magic. Then, I had Shia prepare some tea.
「Honestly, Count Baldor can be such a handful.」
「It can’t be helped. Besides, if the legends we know about the Saintess are correct, we can subdue the enemy nation. That way, there would be no casualties.」
「A-And there’s also what Demon King-sama has been doing lately. With that, they would have no choice but to surrender.」
「What is Demon King-sama going to do!?」
「Ah, ahaha… I’d rather not if I can help it…」
About half of the mountain is made of nutrient-rich soil, so I want to preserve it as a resource. I plan to reduce the mountain to about a third of its current size, using the hard bedrock layer as a base.
When I explained the specifics of the plan, everyone aside from Count Letias, who already knew, was stunned.
「What I want is their government, so I intend to pressure them into an unconditional surrender.」
If we add military defections into the mix, the enemy’s combat capability would be almost nonexistent.
(There is one thing I’m concerned about, though…)
The “Germination” and the “Medicine”… how many of those have they mass-produced…
(If it comes to it, I’ll also have to protect the people of the royal capital. I want to secure as much force as possible from those who defect.)
「Well, there’s no use counting your chickens before they hatch. We won’t know until we open the lid.」
Then, the two finished changing and entered. Amilia was wearing her usual light armor.
Count Baldor was fully decked out in full plate armor, a large axe resting on his shoulder.
They faced each other and readied their weapons.
「Alright you two, don’t overdo it.」
「Of course!」
「Right!」
「Begin!」
As soon as I gave the signal to start, Count Baldor charged in. Wait, why are ‘you’ the one attacking first!?
「Uoooooooh!!」
———CRASH! ——GRIND, GRIND, GRIND!
Heavy metal clanged, and sparks flew as their weapons ground against each other.
「Guh!? What!? To think you could block that!?」
「Guuh… It’s heavyyyyy!!」
Amilia, who had blocked it, spun around, deflecting the blow. Immediately after, a sound like the ground shattering rang out, and a cloud of dust rose.
「Haaaaah!!」
Amilia spun, and her blade struck Count Baldor’s hand right through his gauntlet. A tremendous sound echoed, and the count reeled back, stumbling.
「What incredible strength…」
「For Baldor-dono to be forced back like that…」
「Tremble, tremble…」
「Amazing!」
The nobles, who likely had thought she was just an ordinary human, were full of astonishment.
「It’s about time I finish this!」
Amilia put some distance between them and readied her stance. Magic power overflowed from her entire body, converging on her sword.
「Ah, that’s not good.」
「「「「「Ehh!?」」」」」
At my mutter, everyone turned to look at me in surprise.
「Should we not stop her?」
Liliana looked at me with a worried expression.
「Ah, when I say it’s not good, I don’t mean someone’s going to be seriously injured.」
「Huh?」
「Here I go! 『Sky Eater!!』」
「Come!!」
She closed the distance in an instant. At the moment she swung her sword up, the training blade, unable to withstand the magical energy, shattered.
「Eh? Kyaaaaaah!?」
「Nuuooooooh!?」
The magical energy was released, and Amilia was sent flying through the air. I caught her mid-flight and set her down on the ground.
「Are you alright, Amilia?」
「Y-yes… Thank you…」
I helped Amilia to her feet and looked beyond the cloud of dust. Count Baldor was there, the upper half of his plate armor blown away, sitting flat on the ground.
「Un, looks like you’re okay too, Count Baldor.」
Afterward, I cast recovery magic on Amilia and Count Baldor, and restored the count’s armor using 『Restoration』.
「There, all fixed.」
「Demon King-sama… I am grateful…」
「Well, it wasn’t intentional, but Amilia did break it.」
「So, are you convinced?」
I asked as I handed back the armor, and the nobles all nodded.
「I shall assist Demon King-sama.」
「As will I. Please, allow me to help the Saintess.」
「I have no objections either.」
「Me too! I’ll help as well!」
Everyone responded favorably, and the gathering was adjourned.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
The next day, I woke up a little earlier than usual to a perfectly clear sky without a single cloud.
From the window, I could see the castle town bustling with people, the atmosphere of a festival spilling out everywhere.
「Mmnn～ I slept well…」
I stretched wide and stood up. Then, there was a knock at the door.
「Oh? Master, you’re already awake.」
「Un, I just got up. What are you doing here, Shia?」
「The princesses’ preparations are all finished, and since Master is usually asleep at this time, I thought I’d sneak in…」
「So that’s why your scent sometimes lingers…」
「Ehh, what’s wrong with that? I’m the only one who’s been patient all this time～」
Saying that, Shia clung to me. Lately, she had become quite affectionate.
「Well, I’m not going to stop you for now… but when we go to the other world, you need to hold back…」
「Okaaay!」
She answered in a tone that made it unclear whether she understood or not.
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