Chapter 214: The Invasion of the Demon General
「Knight Commander Barland, I’ll help you, but there are conditions.」
「Oh, Asama’s Hero-sama is willing to help us!」
「Hold on, I said there are conditions. First, there’s something bothering me: the way you treated Rara-chan when we arrived here.」
「We have already apologized for that oversight.」
「That’s not the main issue. I have no obligation to fight against the demons.」
「But the demons are humanity’s arch-enemies!」
「That’s exactly the problem. The name ‘Holy Abysspanian Queendom’ bothers me from the start. I have a demon wife and employ demon mercenaries. Just look at Rara-chan. In Eura Continent, the integration between humans and demons is progressing.」
「Are you really saying this, Asama’s Hero-sama?」
Although the integration on the Eura Continent isn’t as advanced as I’d like, since there are so many demons on the Abyss continent, I decided to create a country here where demons and humans coexist harmoniously.
I want to establish a comfortable place for my son, Orakeru, who is a half-demon. The Afri Continent, where Rara-chan is from, is one option, but the Abyss Continent could also become such a land. 「That’s right. I’ve climbed the ‘Tower of Trials’ built by Queen Liliella, and I don’t like her self-righteousness about being the only chosen and holy one.」
「Even so, look at the ‘Silver Feather’ of Queen Amorette. We are the people chosen by the Goddess of Creation Asama.」
「If you’re talking about feathers, I’ve received them directly from Asama myself. See, I have more than one.」
「What!」
I’m glad I collected so many feathers. It’s clear who Asama expects more from.
「The failed ‘Old Testament’ with Queen Liliella from twelve hundred years ago is long past. Also, I’ve received the ‘Neutral Sword’ from the Mother of Chaos.」
I show the silver-glowing ‘Neutral Sword’. Since I can’t use Asama’s ‘Sword of Light’, this is my only support on the Abyss continent. The fact that I still possess this power means the Mother of Chaos isn’t opposed to what I’m doing.
In fact, since coming to the Abyss, I feel my power has grown stronger. Though it’s not as straightforward as Asama’s support, I believe the Mother of Chaos understands and supports my intentions.
「The Mother of Chaos is considered an evil god worshipped by demons!」
「Such thinking is why Queen Liliella’s country fell after two hundred years. The Mother of Chaos isn’t an evil god. She existed before the Goddess of Creation Asama and isn’t necessarily opposed to her. Unlike a thousand years ago, there’s no longer antagonism. It’s just that their ways of thinking were so different that they clashed. The era of harmony is already upon us.」
「Even so, we have fought against the Demon Country for a thousand years, believing in the first Queen Liliella.」
「Then it’s time to reconsider that stance. I came here to create a new world where demons and humans can coexist. Both Asama and the Mother of Chaos are not opposed to that.」
I haven’t exactly secured their agreement, though.
Asama has adopted a policy of leaving things to the ways of humanity after the failure of the Holy Liliella Queendom.
As for the Mother of Chaos, even when speaking using the ‘furuki sha’, her will remains completely unclear.
She might not have a clear will at all. That’s why we must forge a new era ourselves.
I believe Asama and the Mother of Chaos bestowed the sword upon me precisely for that reason.
Hearing my strong declaration, Barland questions with skepticism.
「But… aren’t the demons of the Demon Country killing and enslaving humans?」
「If that’s the case, then as the ‘Neutral Hero’, I will punish such a nation to change their ways. If they refuse to change, I will destroy them.」
「So you are saying that you will help our country?」
「Exactly, but are you sure you’re not doing the same to demons? Killing them or enslaving them?」
「Well, there were times when such things happened in the past…」
I was right about my bad premonitions.
Both demons and humans aren’t necessarily good just because they’re on one side or the other. It’s easy to assume that if demons commit evil deeds, humans might be doing the same.
It’s important not to think that the weaker or oppressed side is always good. The Abysspania likely does not enslave demons simply because they have become too weak to do so.
History is full of examples where oppressed peoples, once they become strong, end up oppressing others in the same way.
Even if the Demon Country, now strengthened by a great demon lord, is malevolent, it could be seen as merely retaliation against the Abysspania, which has been an invader since a thousand years ago.
「If this country continues to be arrogant, considering itself holy and not considering coexisting with demons, then after punishing the Demon Country, I will destroy Abysspania as well. Under the name of Asama’s Hero, Sawatari Takeru!」
As I made this grand proclamation, Barland slumped down, appearing completely devastated. He seemed deeply shocked.
I’m asking him to abandon the ‘Old Testament’ with Queen Liliella and the Goddess of Creation Asama and believe in the ‘New Testament’ I represent. It’s understandable if he can’t respond immediately.
I am, after all, saying things that suit my own convenience.
However, I see this crisis as a chance to forcefully change these outdated ideas.
At that moment, a young nurse maid who had been silently holding Queen Amorette spoke up.
「Darling… should believe in Sawatari Takeru-sama!」
「Darling?」
I wasn’t calling out to her, but I was so surprised that I ended up speaking out. ‘Darling’? Could it be that she’s married to Barland?
「Ah, Nursemaid Pudding is also my wife.」
Knight Commander Barland, now ashen-faced, muttered in a raspy voice.
Given that Barland appears to be in his later years, and Pudding is significantly younger—at least twenty years younger—it’s quite the age gap.
Moreover, since Pudding is his wife, they must already have children. It’s impressive, to say the least.
In this dire situation where the nation is on the brink of collapse, I find it remarkable they are dealing with such personal matters.
Indeed, in such a situation, the bonds between men and women can sometimes grow even stronger.
Barland truly is a capable man. Even in his old age, he remains an active knight commander.
「We, the women of Abysspania, have long been dissatisfied with why there is so much conflict.」
「But you…」
「Both demons and humans have their share of good and evil. There was a time before this great war when there was trade between us.」
「That is true, but…」
「After hearing your thoughts, I now understand clearly. With so many demons on the continent, there was no way we could win by making all of them enemies. The Demon Country won because, rather than simply enslaving people, they flexibly incorporated human talent.」
「So, are you saying that victory was achieved by permitting betrayal?」
「You lost because you saw it as betrayal. The Demon Country’s expansionist policies and autocracy under the great demon king Ifriil were opposed even within their own ranks. That’s why I told you to pursue diplomatic strategies.」
「How can one negotiate with wicked demons!」
The young nursemaid, Pudding, holding a baby, flinched at Barland’s shout and the baby started crying.
Even the seasoned knight, Barland, could only shrug in a pitiful manner when the baby who cried is Queen Amorette herself.
「See, there, there. It’s okay. The knight commander is a bit scary. But Queen Amorette also agrees that Sawatari Takeru-sama is right.」
「Don’t use your position as a nursemaid to decide the queen’s will!」
There it goes again; the baby is crying once more.
I’d prefer if they had their domestic disputes elsewhere. Encouraged by Pudding, I held Queen Amorette.
Having had many children myself, I’m no longer afraid of holding babies.
The baby smiled rather than fussed, even though I’m a stranger. Such a cute girl. If this is the kind of queen we’re saving, then I don’t mind helping.
While I might not like the apparently arrogant Queen Liliella, this descendant seems to be growing into a fine young girl.
「Knight Commander Barland, for now, Pudding and Queen Amorette will be under my protection, so I will ensure their safety.」
「See, you should reconsider and follow hero-sama’s guidance.」
With his own wife telling him so, Barland, still holding the queen, was seated on our side with Rara-chan, looking even more forlorn.
Barland had requested to let the queen and the nurse escape, but now he seems conflicted.
「Ugh, my loyalty…」
「Well, take your time to think it over. If you listen to what I say, I’ll help you, Knight Commander Barland. Oh, and if you help Abysspania, make sure to grant Silesie most-favored-nation status in trade. And of course, zero tariffs.」
Taking advantage of the moment, I pressed the issue, and the knight commander, now acting as both general and minister, was left with his head in his hands.
Just then, a soldier burst in, looking panicked.
「Knight Commander Barland, it’s urgent!」
「What now? Is there something else?」
「A group of flying demon beasts has appeared in the sky over the city. A general from the Demon Country is demanding to speak with Knight Commander Barland.」
「What!?」
The emergency call was the second of the day. With his face turning pale and red, Knight Commander Barland was having a particularly challenging day.
No wonder his hair was turning gray.
As I climbed to the top of the fortress, I saw a massive beast resembling a giant eagle flying in the sky.
It was about two and a half meters long, with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. A griffon, perhaps?
On the back of this griffon, someone was shouting.
At first, I thought it was a black panther, but it turned out to be a demon warrior wearing a black panther pelt on his head.
While the pelt of a slain beast is a symbol of a brave warrior, the battle axe he wielded and the lamellar armor he wore made him seem more like a barbarian than a demon.
「Fwahahaha! I am General Barbaricha of the Linmon Kingdom, one of the Six Great Demon Countries! Bow before my army of beasts!」
It might be an attempt at surrender, but it’s rather casual for a general to announce himself so boldly. The arrows flying from the watchtower seemed to do no harm at all. The griffon was quite strong.
「Let me show you the difference in strength!」
General Barbaricha, leading the griffon army, charged into the soldiers who were shooting arrows, scattering them. One unlucky soldier was caught by the griffon’s sharp beak, and despite his attempts to escape, his body was torn in half.
「Help! Aaaah!」
The unfortunate young soldier, screaming in his final moments, was bitten in half by the griffon and then spat out. It seems this beast not only possesses physical might but also a level of intelligence to intimidate and display its kills.
「Fuhaha! How pathetic!」
「How dare you, Rantz!」
It appears that the soldier who was killed was Rantz, the young man I had spoken with at the city gates. The soldier leader, Renton, enraged by the death of his subordinate, bravely leaped at the griffon to defeat Barbaricha, but was struck deeply by a thrown battle axe and fell to the ground.
「Another blow! Kuhahaha, how boring with all these weaklings. Is there no general here?」
「Barbaricha, I will be your opponent!」
Mounted on a white warhorse, Knight Commander Barland appeared, ready to take on the general in place of Renton.
As Barland aimed his silver steel lance, General Barbaricha laughed heartily from atop his griffon.
「Fuhaha! So, the knight of Abysspania appears. You have been quite a challenge, but this is where our rivalry ends.」
「That’s what I was going to say. I’ll settle this here, Barbaricha!」
It seems they were about to engage in a fateful duel.
Meanwhile, I was setting up my magical rifle from my backpack.
Curiously, Rara-chan asked,
「What are you doing?」
「Well, I think the magical rifle should work since it’s not damp. Since we have a perfect target, I’m thinking of testing it out.」
Although it fell into the sea, I had covered it with a waterproof sheet and wrapped it in oil paper. As long as it’s not completely wet, it should work.
「Are you going to shoot down that shouting old man?」
「Yes, that’s the plan.」
It seems Barland is doing a great job drawing the enemy general’s attention, making it a perfect opportunity.
The enemy isn’t foolish, so they’re taking care to avoid the archers’ aim, but the range of my magical rifle is much greater than that.
While not highly precise, the scope I made allows for targeting at visible distances.
I have only one chance. I calmly took a deep breath and aimed at General Barbaricha’s head, who was causing a commotion in the sky, then pulled the trigger.
「—Gah!」
Before he could say anything, the shot rang out, and the demon general’s head was pierced, causing him to fall to the ground with a thud.
It was over in one shot—so anticlimactic.
With General Barbaricha down from the sudden gunshot, both allies and enemies are left stunned, not knowing what happened.
Even our archers have forgotten to shoot, standing in bewilderment.
It’s a familiar reaction.
It seems the Abyss Continent still hasn’t seen firearms.
With everyone frozen, this is a perfect target. I aimed my rifle at another demon commander in ornate armor and fired, planning to take down two or three more generals.