Surviving a Harsh Fantasy with Cheat Items (WN)

The bewitching witch of Castilia.

Her vivid purple curls, natural or dyed, complement her form-fitting dress that accentuates her ample figure. The dress’s daringly low-cut neckline and sharply slit skirt boldly reveal her thighs.

Court Mage ‘Fascination’ Celestina Siren, holding the phallic fascinum, attempts her spell once more.

Celestina’s unique magic, ‘Fascination’.

「Here resides fortune, Hic Viet Felicitas.」

Celestina’s enchanting breath is released, but the soldiers from the royal castle of Silesie are not swayed as before. They charge at her with spears, causing her to scream in feigned terror and flee in mock panic.

It was an anticipated situation; her scream was not of genuine fear but playful taunting.

Her reptilian guards arrive promptly to protect Celestina.

She thanks them cheerfully and runs lightly on her feet towards Revenant.

Her scantily clad dress, in a sense, allows for easy movement. 「Hmm, have we entered the range of Dispel Magic?」

Mage General Revenant tries his wind magic, but instead of the expected whirlwind, only a gentle breeze ruffles his bangs.

With no other choice, he sends his reserved troops to the front lines to clash with the enemy forces emerging from the royal capital.

「Hey, Revenant. It’s because of that old man from Silesie, isn’t it?」

Celestina sidles up to him, boldly displaying her thighs, and Revenant nods with a frown.

Thinking of the old man she refers to—Prime Minister and Advance Mage Nicola Laertius of Silesie—reminds him not to let his guard down.

Prime Minister Nicola Laertius of Silesie, though an advance mage, does not possess exceptional magical power. The Laertius family, despite its noble lineage, has a withered line of mages that must resort to forbidden genetic manipulation spells.

It is rather the old scholar Nicola’s strength that lies in his unique magic—a Dispel Magic honed to such a degree that it could be called a unique magic.

Dispel Magic, one of the most basic spells learned by mages, is used to negate others’ magic and is considered quite unremarkable.

For a powerful advance mage, it’s a spell hardly worth noting, as they typically focus on mastering more flamboyant and potent magic.

This is because advance mages need to showcase their power with flashy magic that even amateurs can understand, to elevate their status.

Being skilled in Dispel Magic doesn’t lead to recognition as a mage. It’s a fundamental counter-spell magic that everyone is expected to perform adequately—unassuming and inconspicuous.

Nicola devoted his life to enhancing this spell through research. He also encouraged his group of five intermediate mages to practice Dispel Magic, creating an organized field of large-scale counter-magic.

As a result, his Dispel Magic became so powerful that it could suppress even the genius demon Kaara, who at just nineteen years old had mastered both human and demon magic to the highest level on the Eura continent.

In the royal capital protected by Nicola’s meticulously cast barriers, opposing mages lose their power. Even ‘Fascination’, the strongest mage of Castilia Kingdom, is no exception.

Revenant, himself an advance mage, grimaced at the terror of this invisible force. No, it’s alright. This is a battle of wits.

Because magic is nullified, we have prepared demons adept at close combat. Perhaps we should also scatter Dispel Magic and turn the battlefield into a space where magic is ineffective. Then the enemy, unable to use their mage corps for attack, will be at a disadvantage.

And we have a hostage; turning around, Revenant narrowed his eyes at Sarah, wrapped up like a cocoon inside the carriage.

「What?!」

「Kukuku, it seems the time has come for you, the hostage, to be of use.」

「No, stop it!」

「Be quiet now. If you resist, you’ll get hurt.」

Despite being bound, Sarah-chan’s legs were free, and she delivered several powerful kicks to Revenant’s face as he approached with a blissful expression.

The allies looked on with distaste as Revenant caught the struggling Sarah and hooked her onto a large cross atop a cart.

Taking hostages is an utterly despicable strategy and is frowned upon even by the ethics of this world.

However, such norms do not apply to the Mage General Revenant. He is indiscriminate in his means, and even in his goals. All that exists for him is his own twisted sense of beauty.

Rather, he eagerly does what everyone else says not to do with delight.

Whether an enemy or an ally, he was a pervert of the worst kind. This made him a formidable opponent.

※※※

In the capital city of Silesie, confusion reigned among the soldiers guarding the outer walls.

Just as two thousand soldiers surrounded Silesie’s outer walls, Acting General Sarah Rodd of the volunteer army was taken hostage and displayed on a large cross, her small body bound for all to see.

「Captain Sarah has been taken hostage!」

「Hey, calm down.」

Using a young girl as a hostage is not commonly seen in proper warfare between nations.

According to chivalry, taking women as hostages is taboo. While history has seen such cases due to the cruelty of war, it’s not common.

Such an act would significantly tarnish one’s reputation as a coward and is not considered an effective strategy; hence it has not been seen in recent years. This might indicate that war has once again entered a grim era.

Moreover, the hostage was a well-known young girl who had been active since the founding of the volunteer army. Among the soldiers defending the castle, those from the volunteer army were particularly shaken.

「Captain, the enemy is shouting something about exchanging the hostage for Princess Elizabeth.」

「Hah, as if we could do such a thing!」

The captain of the royal city’s soldiers, old man Gil Heron, ran atop the outer walls to calm the soldiers’ unrest and ordered them not to engage.

While keeping the enemy army at bay, he commanded his subordinates to quickly summon the King General.

「The King General is currently visiting Regent Lyle…」

「A visit? The enemy is at the gates of the capital! Never mind the King General then. It could be the Prime Minister, Her Majesty the Queen, anyone. Just report the situation to someone important in the castle!」

Gil was panicking. He was a veteran captain who had led three hundred castle soldiers for over ten years, continuously defending the capital city of Silesie.

When it came to defending Silesie, he could be called a professional.

Even if the enemy attacked with ten times their number, he was confident they would not breach the capital’s defenses. This time, they had both mages and volunteer soldiers for defense, so that aspect was secure.

The problem was that there was no general on-site to take responsibility.

The volunteer army had numbers, but even their captains had been lured away by enemy feints and were all out.

Captain Gil did not want to take responsibility for Captain Sarah’s safety (or rather, she had been promoted and was now Acting General).

All that a faint-hearted man like Captain Gil could do was defend the castle. He had survived this long by avoiding troublesome and difficult situations.

He had no intention or authority to engage in difficult negotiations with the enemy army over hostages.

「Argh, why does this have to happen when I’m the only one here? Prime Minister, Queen, King General, anyone, please come quickly!」

「Did someone call for me, Captain Gil?」

Floating in on a demon girl’s back was King General Sawatari Takeru, Silesie’s hero. Seeing him, Captain Gil opened his mouth in shock and hastily saluted.

「I apologize for my rudeness, King General! Regarding the current situation…」

「No need for reports. I can see what’s happening.」

King General Sawatari Takeru landed atop the outer wall, crossed his arms, and flashed a daring smile.

Captain Gil had heard from the captain of the volunteer army that Sarah was the King General’s beloved mistress.

He wondered how one could remain so calm when their woman was taken hostage by the enemy.

Despite his youth, he truly is a legendary hero, Gil thought admiringly.

Regaining his composure from the panic, Gil set about his duty, instructing his soldiers to fortify the castle’s defenses.

With a general above to take responsibility, Captain Gil was indeed a capable military officer.

※※※

「Now then, what to do?」

「The enemy has proposed exchanging Princess Elizabeth for the hostage.」

「That’s impossible.」

「Of course. When we refused, they insolently demanded that I come alone to retrieve her!」

Trying to appear calm in front of his subordinates, the situation with Sarah-chan being held hostage by the enemy was indeed difficult.

Of course, it was impossible to hand over the princess as a substitute. However, he could not think of a way out of this predicament.

Normally, Lyle-sensei would offer wisdom, but he was not here now.

Come to think of it, he had told him to leave Sarah-chan’s rescue to Milk-kun. He had entrusted him with a magic gun rifle and a magic-resistant cloak.

「Captain Gil, could you find and call Milk Rossa from the volunteer army?」

「Yes, sir.」

Milk-kun had not returned to the battle with the southern nobles. Although he could serve as a commander there due to his vice-captain rank, he must be mingling with the volunteer army defending the capital as a soldier to save Sarah-chan.

His earnestness as a young man was admirable, but if he didn’t control his desperate resolve, he might truly die for Sarah-chan.

Before he could decide what to command, Milk-kun rushed in with a fierce dash.

「Hey, long time no see.」

「Hero-sama, please save Deputy Sarah, please save her!」

He approached with an intense expression, earnestly pleading for Sarah’s rescue. He was serious about saving her, solely focused on that one goal.

He would do everything within his power, and if that wasn’t enough, he would calmly ask anyone for help, bow his head, and even risk his life. When it came to Sarah-chan, this young man had a dangerous resolve.

「Calm down, that’s why I called you.」

「If it’s for that cause, I’ll do anything. If I can save Sarah, I don’t care if I die!」

「That resolve is admirable, but think of a way where both can survive. Here, from Lyle-sensei.」

「What?」

Milk-kun was once again handed the magic gun rifle and the magic-resistant cloak that had been taken from him.

「Do you understand what it means to be entrusted with these again by the sensei?」

「I understand. I’ll find a chance and rescue Sarah.」

With a serious nod, Milk-kun took the weapon and cloak and hurriedly equipped them before dashing off. Good, he understood.

To be honest, I don’t quite understand what the sensei meant when he said to let Milk-kun handle the rescue.

The strategists are playing a game of shogi with the world as their board.

Milk-kun, armed with weapons, and even I, who boasts as the King General, am just a piece in this game called King General.

「Well, as one of the pieces, I’ll do my best.」

Prime Minister Nicola and the mage corps must have come from the royal castle; they rushed to the outer wall. Even Queen Silhouette came along with her escort. I didn’t want her too close to the battlefield, but having her in sight might be reassuring.

Sharon and Jill-san were escorting Silhouette. If by any chance the royal castle falls, we must consider escaping; it might be better than staying in the castle.

「Nation’s Father, do you require a strategy?」

「Speak your mind.」

Kaara flew in to offer her strategy, but for some reason, she brought Ria along with her. Despite being a sister of the Asama Church, Ria seems to get along well with demons. I can’t help but give a wry smile.

If I asked what happened to their supposed enmity, would she reply that she’s no longer a sister? It’s good that they get along, though.

「I’ll approach using my invisibility and rescue the hostages for you to see!」

「That’s rejected, Kaara. Going out there alone will only get you picked off one by one. The enemy won’t hesitate to use any means necessary; they’re not to be underestimated.」

I know this is a trap meant to lure us out.

Going alone wouldn’t work out well. Kaara must have known that and proposed her plan to keep me out of danger.

Kaara once took my place and was gravely injured.

Demons have a troublesome trait; despite their great power, healing potions don’t work on them. We must not repeat that mistake.

「But Nation’s Father.」

「You are my precious last resort. I will signal you when it’s time, and I’ll be counting on you then.」

I have to say this, or Kaara won’t back down.

At that time, I never thought we’d be pushed to a point where we’d have to rely on her.

「What do you think we should do, Ria?」

「I believe…」

Ria didn’t expect to be asked for her opinion. She hesitated with a surprised look on her face.

I’m not sure why I asked Ria either, but after thinking for a bit, it made sense.

「I am a hero. You may no longer be a sister, but you are still a saintess accompanying the hero.」

「If there are captured allies, then the hero must lead from the front and rescue them at all costs…」

「I wanted to hear those words from you, Ria.」

「But I am no longer a sister; I can’t tell Takeru to go!」

Ria was unusually serious.

I want to save Sarah-chan. But Lyle-sensei has forbidden it. I was hoping Ria would give me the push I needed, but it seems she won’t do that.

「The enemy is waiting for me. If I don’t go now, can I even call myself a hero?」

「I have become the Holy Mother.」

Ria’s sudden declaration took me by surprise.

「Hey, Oracle. What Ria is saying is…」

「Hmm… It’s likely true what the lass from Asama says. The fetus is still too small to be certain, but there’s a sense that it’s there.」

What kind of half-baked feeling is that? Even when asking Oracle-sensei, an expert in such matters, the opinion was ambiguous.

Is she pregnant or not? Be clear about it.

「I received an annunciation from Asama. If a hero’s child is conceived, a saintess becomes a Holy Mother, and her power grows.」

「So Asama provides that kind of service too.」

It’s funny how even the goddess herself is so down-to-earth.

Does she personally come to tell each believer, ‘You have a child on the way’? No wonder she’s so busy.

The power of the Holy Mother bestowed upon me feels like a congratulatory gift from a superior for childbirth.

As always, there’s a charming homeliness to the Church of Asama.

「This must also be part of Asama’s script. To bestow the power of the Holy Mother because we are fated to fight.」

「Then I have no choice but to go.」

Ria embraced me.

It wasn’t her usual fierce hug but a gentle cradle of my shoulders, yet I could feel the strength of her clinging.

「That’s why I know it will be a dangerous battle. Even if Asama tells me to go, I don’t want to send Takeru.」

「Thank you for worrying about me.」

From Ria’s soft skin, a new strength was transmitted to me.

The hero and the saintess are linked. Their power grows stronger as their bond deepens. Having a child who shares both their blood is the ultimate manifestation of that bond.

I’m sure, with my current strength, I can overcome anything that comes my way.

I don’t fully accept this ‘script’ of Asama, but I do believe in fate.

I’m not entirely comfortable with following the goddess’s words, but I don’t regret becoming one with Ria.

「Takeru, I…」

「Look, Ria. It seems like I really have to go.」

Sarah-chan was tied to a wooden cross on a pedestal, wrapped in ropes and suspended before the two thousand troops of the Castilia Kingdom’s army.

And there stood a young girl, bravely facing them alone. A girl even younger than Sarah-chan, an eight-year-old child.

Her Highness Elizabeth Germania Germanicus, the last successor of the Germania Empire.

All she had with her was her cheerful minstrel’s Zither, even in front of the enemy army.

「Truly, Her Imperial Highness of Germania seems braver than any hero.」

With a smile to Ria, I leaped off the outer wall and ran towards Princess Elizabeth.

It was reckless and not something to be praised for, but I was moved by the courage of the princess who boldly appeared before the enemy.

I don’t know who informed the young princess about the hostage situation.

She must have realized that she herself had become a bargaining chip.

Elizabeth had received imperial education befitting a princess of Germania.

Fueled by anger at the enemy’s cowardly hostage strategy, she had stepped forward.

I believe it was fate that led to this moment.

With Sarah-chan taken hostage and even a noble young maiden burning with anger leaping into action, how could I not step forward?

To hide in the shadows of allies would be laughable for a hero.

A hero must go forth.