Two days after departing from Milrose, I arrived at one of the plains near the royal capital.
「Wow, they really split into two armies…」
「Yes, and that one over there looks much bigger, doesn’t it?」
Croco pointed at the group positioned a little distance from the capital.
「That’s probably the anti-war faction, or rather, the opposition faction, that Ulberick-san is with.」
「There are so many…」
「Yeah, a lot…」
It looked like roughly two-thirds of the current forces had joined the anti-war side. The bat faction had probably already started moving too.
「Well, shall we get started first?」
「Yes!」
「Okay, Croco, I’m counting on you.」
「Understood!」
A huge amount of earth poured out from my shadow at tremendous speed. I moved in a slow spiral, piling up the soil.
「It kinda looks like making soft serve ice cream…」
「What’s soft serve?」
Croco asked from inside the shadow.
「It’s a delicious sweet food from my world. It’s similar to the shaved ice we made yesterday.」
「Like that?! It was so good…」
Croco let out a dreamy voice. Even though I couldn’t see her face, she was surely making an enraptured expression.
「Ice cream is even better. It uses milk, so the flavor is richer.」
「Uuu… I want to eat it…」
「Hmm… I can probably make something similar, so let’s try next time.」
「Yes! Also, Yuuki onii-chan, the first hill is almost done.」
「Got it. Once it’s finished, let’s move on.」
And so, we worked through the night and completed the hill.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
Three days after leaving Milrose, we set up camp at a spot where both the royal capital and the hill for the secret plan were visible.
But right now, something rather strange was happening.
「Wow… that’s impressive…」
「I had heard about it, but still…」
「It looks like the battle might be decided before it even starts.」
「No no, it’s best if there’s no fighting at all.」
Everyone compared the two armies. Natalia-san should be arriving soon…
「Demon King-sama! Ladies!」
Natalia-san arrived fully equipped. With this, the operation could begin.
「Then I’ll go contact the anti-war faction with Amilia and Natalia-san. Liliana, you’re in command of the army. Selene and Marel-san, please guard her. I’m counting on you!」
「「「「「Yes!」」」」」
◇◆◇◆
We slipped out of the Demon King’s army and slowly headed toward the anti-war faction. As we did, the entire army began to stir noisily.
「All right, Amilia. Do your best.」
「Y-Yes…」
I handed her the magic tool for voice amplification (a megaphone) and waited for her words.
「Suuu, haaa… Suuu, haaa… Okay…」
She turned to face the army and lifted her face. Her eyes were filled with confidence.
「I am Amilia Philresia! The rightful successor to the throne of this country, the Kingdom of Philresia, and also the 【Saintess of Amatrius Church】!」
The murmuring grew even louder at her words.
「And I am also the 【Sword Saintess】 herself!」
She drew the second Holy Sword. Even in daylight, it emitted a blinding light.
「I love this country! My late father and late mother loved this country too! But the false king who assassinated my parents has taken over the nation, and the country is now in ruins!」
When Amilia mentioned the assassination of the previous king and that it was done by Baldan, sorrowful voices and quiet sobs rose from the anti-war faction.
「Because of the false king, the gap between rich and poor has widened, farmland has turned to wasteland, and the country has been exhausted by repeated reckless attacks on the Demon King’s territory. As a result, many slums have appeared in the capital! Those of you who have lived in the capital for a long time must know this well!」
Amilia paused for a moment.
「But I had no power. I was thrown into the slums, became skin and bones trying to protect my little sister, and still couldn’t protect her. Our lives’ flames were about to go out… But by good fortune, I met the hero sent by God! That is the person standing beside me!」
Wait, the flow of the story changed, didn’t it? And why is Amilia’s face so flushed? It’s bright red!?
「And with his natural bravery, he saved me! With that power, he also saved the princess of the demon territory! I love him with all my heart!!」
No, that has nothing to do with this, right!? And why is Natalia-san crying? I can hear sobbing from the anti-war faction too!?
「Hey, Amilia… you’re going off topic…」
I tapped her shoulder and whispered. She snapped back to herself with a startled expression.
「R-Right…」
She turned forward again, held up the magic tool, and raised her voice once more.
「Everyone! Please lend me your strength!」
「「「「「Uoooooooh!!!」」」」」
Somehow… it seems to have wrapped up nicely? There’s even applause…
In a somewhat speechless state, I returned to the camp together with Amilia and the anti-war faction we had brought over.
「Well, we managed to bring them to our side, so that’s good enough…!」
After that, when the entire Demon King’s army gathered, the difference in numbers became quite significant.
「Now it’s my turn. I’ll be back in a bit.」
「Yuuki-sama, please be careful!」
「Yuuki-san, do your best!」
「Yuuki, I’m counting on you…」
Everyone looked at me with anxious faces.
「Well, I’ll take it easy. I’m just going to make them surrender…」
I headed alone toward the remaining enemy army.
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