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Chapter 9 – Right Before the Decisive Battle

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Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Tony Yon English Source: MadoSpicy TL
Editor(s): Crash

The dispute between Imperial Crimson and Amitia Kingdom was decided one-sidedly by the upper echelon of Amitia Kingdom, ignoring the processes of mutual criticism, followed-up negotiations, behind the scenes negotiations, meetings between the concerned parties, or meeting to reach a resolution. It ended up becoming an all-out war in areas connected to the Kingdom, the Aquira Plateau—or to be more precise, they didn’t have any other options.

And against that declaration of war—according to their official announcement their reason to declare war is because Imperial Crimson had sent an assassin to end the life of the third prince, Acyl Claude Amitia. It’s something that is substantial enough to proclaim war—our response is,

“If you really want war then we will gladly accept. We will wait patiently until you guys finish your preparations, so anyone who wants to die, come forth.”

That’s the response of Imperial Crimson’s queen—Actually there’s someone who wanted to bridge the gap between the two concerned parties, Alra City’s guild master, Collard. He gave an implicit letter that was full of decorative words but—it all ended without negotiations and proceeded to all-out war.

Toward that response that ignored international common sense, even the Amitia Kingdom can’t hide their bewilderment. However, before long at the adjacent Aquira Plateau, a myriad of monsters appeared as if they were falling from the sky. It’s plain to see that they’re under Imperial Crimson command, thus making them understand that the queen of Imperial Crimson’s words were not exaggerations. And to defeat them, they hurriedly gathered the forces inside their own country—while the Imperial Crimson’s side kept their word, “We will wait patiently until you guys finish your preparations.” They didn’t make any attacks nor did any looting, but just patiently stood by—and finally the kingdom gathered forces several times greater than their opponent.

To break it down, the commander is a member of the House of Nobles, Earl Giovani Antonio. The army under the direct control of the kingdom is around 5,500 people. The Allied Lords’ cavalry is around 3,500 people. Infantry units, consisting of footmen and archers, are around 10,000 people. A mix between mercenaries and adventurers which totalled around 2,500 people. Volunteer soldiers totalled around 12,000 people. Also their treasured magician corps was 150 people. Clergyman dispatched from the Aeon temple was around 70 people.

Additionally, the trump card of the kingdom, 13 dragoons that were mounted upon wyverns. All in all, it crossed over 30,000 by far, and became a giant force that was unimaginable in recent years.

They have one common motto:
“Divine punishment towards monsters that killed Prince Acyl Claude!”


“…then, those guys are heading to battle to avenge Prince Acyl. What do you think, Maroudo?”

There is an atmosphere that lacks tension, which is unbecoming of the decisive war (from Amitia Kingdom’s perspective though). —Since a while ago, they kept playing rock-paper-scissors to determine who would receive the role of vanguard.

Sometimes there’s a cheer of joy or a groan of someone who lost, followed by their fat bodies falling to the ground (it seriously sounds like an earthquake so I hope they stop it).

There’s also angry voices such as, “You threw it later than me!” and also “I’ll use paper!” Those kinds of bargaining words can be heard.

I ask the one beside me who abstained from it, a man with full plate armour—however without a helmet, but instead a red demon mask—a knight with reddish blond hair.

“If the prince heard it, he might weep in happiness.”

The knight answered in a carefree manner and shrugged his shoulders—even though he seems like an ordinary human, he has bluish white skin that no human would possess. It is one of my family, a Dracula.

“How about you?”

“I don’t feel anything special. Right now, I am nothing more than the princess’ sword.”

“—you’re too familiar. Watch your mouth Maroudo. Even though you’re the princess’ family, you’re just a newbie.”

Hearing the irritated warning from Tengai, Maroudo apologized respectfully, “My apology, Leader of the Four Heavenly Evil Kings Leader, Lord Tengai.”

Though his attitude was respectful, it’s still questionable what expression he had since he wore a mask. Tengai squinted and tried to guess his true colors.

I tried to confirm once again.

“Are you sure this is alright? If you wish, I can return you to the same place with your little sister.”

“I can’t find my sister there in that world. It seems that she didn’t go to the same place as I did. Since that’s the case, being close to the princess who I respect and love, unexpectedly brings me happiness.”

“—of course. It is obvious even if you don’t say it. Maroudo, it seems your awe and respect towards the princess is still not enough.”

Though Tengai was snorting, that would also mean that his vigilance toward Maroudo was loosening. Sometimes he even showed a tender expression.

Maroudo once again gave his apology and bowed his head, however when he rose and looked at me, it seemed he remembered something and his mouth turned into a loose grin.

“Actually, when I arrived here I thought this place was heaven, ah—…to think that the ceremony has that kind of benefit…”

He touched his yet to dry forelock while saying that.

“UWahh! Uwaah!!” I, who remembered ‘it’, tried to act as if I didn’t hear anything and covered both my ears with my hands.

Or rather, who the hell proposed that kind of thing as a ceremony—?!?!

As I entered the bath in preparation for war (My exclusive bath will give me a boost for 30 minutes after I stay submerged for 1 minute, but now it can be extended to a 24 hours boost for submerging up to 48 minutes while retaining the 1:30 ratio. Though it can’t go beyond that), as if it was natural, all the round table members entered the bath?!

Even Mikoto and Utsuho take off their clothes without complaints. Do monsters not have any sense of shame!? …… it seems so.

Well, if it was only that then I might still have been able to hold myself! It’s still a broad interpretation of ‘going to the bath with your ‘pet’. However, this time even Maroudo also entered, what was that?!

“…I’ve burned it into my eyes. Soaked with hot water, pink coloured skin, also those pure pink coloured flowe—“

“Uwah!!!” I tried to hit him with all my might while weeping in agony, but he evaded it. Tsk, after turning into a vampire his basic stats were doubled, and he became more and more unmanageable.

Or rather, his illness became worse, I feel wronged in many ways.

“…Err,” And while we were in that kind of mood, guild master Collard, raised his hand timidly, “Is it okay for me to talk?”

Since Tengai took a glance toward me, asking for confirmation, I nodded lightly.

“Very well. I will permit a direct report to the throne.”

Even while saying ‘Yes, it’s really an unobtainable happiness’ guild master Collard cocked his head in confusion, “…why am I here?”

Hearing that question, I folded my hands, “That’s a hard question. Why do humans born and exist, every individual has their own answers.”

“No no, I don’t mean it as a philosophical question, why am I, who should have been in Alra City’s guild master room, being kidnapped and brought here…”

Instinctively I looked toward the kidnapping culprit—Tengai, “You didn’t explain it to him?”

“Of course I mentioned it to him. I said, ‘The princess is calling, go quickly’.”

Yup, he didn’t explain the reason.

“Well, sorry for being sudden, I’m thinking of making you this kingdom’s king.”

“Eh….EEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhh?!?!” Understanding the reason, Collard was taken aback. Yup, as always, his reaction is excellent. Nevertheless he’s a capable person.

After he was incapable of making any comprehensible words for a while, I pressed for an answer.

“Well, I am a person who doesn’t have any interest in ruling or politics, you know? That’s why after I end this farce, we need to change the current leader right? So I’m thinking of leaving it to another human to govern. Then, certainly I want to leave it to someone who has experience in ruling, and also has a great sense of balance like Guild master Collard—”

“There’s no way I can do it!!!”

He screams with full power.

“Well, it’ll be fine. The current upper echelon is a group of stupid people who tried to bluff and quarrel with me you know? Either they can’t see ahead because of their stupid greed, or because they feel superior which makes them look down on others and unable to see the bigger picture. If they’re compared to you, you’re still a million times better.”

“….I don’t know whether it’s really praise, but I still think it’s impossible. I don’t know anything about national politics…”

Guild master Collard sighed, and shook his head.

“National politics is about domestic affairs and external affairs right? For external affairs we’ll use our glare, so there’s no country that will invade—well for argument’s sake if they do invade we’ll crush them though. For domestic affairs, you can leave it to office workers and they’ll somehow make do right?”
“For human management we won’t meddle much, so you can do as you please. Won’t it be like a man’s dream, being the ‘king of the whole country’? I’ll also let Maroudo help you, he will be useful.”

Toward the saluting Maroudo who gave his greeting, Guild master Collard showed a suspicious look. However it seems like he noticed something and his eyes got wider and wider, almost as if they would roll out from their sockets. And with a trembling hand, he pointed at Maroudo.

“……no, no…way…Your Highness Prince A…!?”

“You must be mistaken. I am the faithful manservant of the princess, Maroudo. Well, there you have it, please treat me favorably, Your Majesty the King.”

As Maroudo patted him on the shoulder, Guild master Collard’s face looked as if his soul was taken out.

“Didn’t I tell you already, this is a farce.” While I shrugged my shoulders, there’s movement in the enemy army. From the enemy lines, ten wyverns flew out—is that the rumored Dragoon?

At the same time, our grand rock-paper-scissors battle also seems to have been concluded.

“—Alright! I win! I am the vanguard!!”

A tiger with 10 meter long wings—one of the seven sacred Beasts of Calamity, the king of Tigers—Kurashi, danced in happiness. …Actually I don’t really care, but, how does he do rock paper scissors with that paw?

“–Well then, princess. On this occasion, please bestow upon us your speech.” Hearing Tengai’s words, everyone’s gaze focused on me.

Aah…must I say something? What should I do, I am basically a person who only has only slight interactions with others, so words that I can use are limited—.

…well, whatever. Let’s use the default phrase I usually use when ordering my pets in the game.

“Everyone, let’s annihilate the enemy that stands before us!”
“Ye—es!!”

In an instant, the surroundings filled with tension and blood thirst.

Wait, I unconsciously said ‘annihilate’, even if I try to take it back now, I don’t think anyone will hear it. They can’t take a joke, so perhaps they will seriously annihilate them till not even one soldier remains…

We-well, it will be fine. That’s the job of Mr. Soldier right?

For now, let’s prevent their over enthusiasm from blowing up even the royal capital.



 

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