Chapter 457
There were hardly any decent countries.
“The news that the special guerrilla force led by Ellen Artorius has succeeded in reclaiming the direct control of Lambator, Your Majesty.”
“… … okay. That’s a good thing.”
In the throne room of the throne room, Bertus touched the scepter and nodded slowly.
Last month, Imperial Emperor Nelliod de Gradias passed away.
The previous emperor survived the great war of the Pandemonium War, but after the Gate Incident, his energy began to decline, and he eventually died.
Responsibility, guilt, and pressure for this situation eventually killed the emperor.
Bertus de Gradias inherited the throne without even a proper coronation ceremony.
Bertus took the position of emperor he so much wanted in a way he did not want at all.
the twilight of mankind.
At the moment that can only be expressed like that, Bertus was fighting a war that staked the fate of mankind.
Purposeless monsters roam all over the continent, moving only to kill humans.
Negotiation and diplomacy are impossible.
It was a war whose only goal was to annihilate each other.
And in all of this, everyone has some degree of responsibility.
the devil himself.
The demon king’s subordinates activated Akasha to save the demon king.
An empire that did not believe the words of the Demon King.
However, the details of the situation were not spread, and most people knew only the fact that this situation was caused by the demon king at face value.
Only the Popes of the Five Major Churches, the Commander of the Knights Templar, and some members of the imperial family, including Ellen, were aware of this situation.
Since the Gate incident, everything has been hopeless, but not without progress.
“Your Majesty, the 1st Shanafell Special Forces led by Sir Saviolin Tana have succeeded in spreading the warp gate of Hashfell, the capital of Haig Kingdom.”
“… … nice.”
If the guerrilla force led by Ellen Artorius was tasked with slaying all the monsters in the ruined city, Saviolin Tana had already arrived in the ruined city before him, destroyed all the warp gates pouring out the monsters, and returned to that point. I was entrusted with a more dangerous mission to escape.
If Ellen works for local restoration, Saviolin Tana works for local restoration.
Both were on very dangerous missions.
The role of the two is now very important.
Saviolin Tana is the strongest human being in both name and reality. Ellen Artorius as the savior of mankind with two holy relics.
Olivia Ranze and the Demon King were playing the role of hope for mankind in a world that had disappeared with the holy relics.
Not just their skills, but they were two powerful supports that supported humanity in despair.
The belief that Ellen Artorius will save mankind.
Among the five main religions, Tuan and Als chose the demon king as well as those who disappeared with the demon king.
That is why the Cult of Braves, who believed in Ellen Artorius as a prophet, had already eroded popular beliefs, and even a laughable result appeared.
The empire’s national power declined, and numerous feudal states collapsed.
Countries that are still alive were only barely guarding the capital and a few key cities.
Destroy all warp gates on the continent and annihilate monsters from other worlds scattered all over the continent.
The rebuilding of mankind begins after that.
But will that day ever come?
‘Reinhardt… … .’
Bertus gritted his teeth.
‘Yes, I was wrong. Everything, from one to ten I was wrong.’
I couldn’t believe it, so I couldn’t believe it.
In return, they had to stand at the crossroads of the fall and reconstruction of mankind every moment.
The imperial capital of Gradium was filled with shanty towns overrun by refugees from vast regions.
After all the hardships, those who were safe from the monster’s clutches and the people who were rescued could not be left alone, so they had to bring them to the ecliptic.
They had to somehow survive here and there in the ecliptic.
Relief supplies were in short supply, and there was no bread to give them, so criminals inevitably occurred in countless numbers.
The shantytown outside the borders of the imperial capital was therefore a vast crime zone.
It was impossible to know when they would suddenly turn into a mob and attack the imperial palace.
The powerless people flocked to the imperial palace and what could they do, but if all the mobs were killed, where could the legitimacy of the empire be found?
Two years after the Gate incident, the size of the Imperial Gradium has more than tripled since the refugees flocked to it.
It was also not uncommon for monsters that reached the edge of the ecliptic to attack the outskirts of the ecliptic after leaving the gate and wandering the land.
And that wasn’t the only problem.
The refugees of the shantytown are those who have flowed into the imperial capital in one way or another, and they have mostly received help from the empire.
Soon, there were a significant number of people who directly experienced the prestige of Ellen Artorius.
After Ellen cut down hundreds of monsters, many were rescued.
So, most of the refugees believed in the cult of warriors.
“The persecution of the followers of Tuan and Ars… … . It is going too far.”
“… … yes.”
Tiamata and Alsbringer chose the demon king.
That’s why the Braves didn’t like the other five main cults, but the Tuan and Als cults were actually treating them as demonic religions.
It was not uncommon for members of both orders to be stoned to death, and it was not uncommon to speak ill of the priests of the Order of Tuan sent to treat the wounded.
Faith without substance was becoming more and more firmly rooted in the civilian population thanks to the activities of Ellen Artorius, a powerful entity.
And another problem stemming from the cult of warriors.
“your majesty… … . Is it a presumptuous word… … .”
As if he could understand what he meant just by looking at the minister’s expression, Bertus narrowed his brows.
“Did there be another protest to hand over Charlotte?”
“… … yes.”
The angry warriors wanted a scapegoat.
Charlotte de Gradias must have been cursed by the demon king.
Believers in the cult of warriors were already screaming beyond the rumor that Charlotte had been cursed by the demon king, that she was a co-operator of the demon king, so she had to be killed.
The protests calling for the death of the princess were already gaining support from a large number of people.
It was useless to say that nothing would change even if the princess was killed.
The most important enemy is the Demon King.
However, since the Demon King cannot be found in the world, people want a scapegoat.
People were shouting that they should kill the devil’s collaborator, Charlotte de Gradias.
However, there is only one reason why the followers of the cult of warriors do not show more extreme actions than demonstrations.
Because Charlotte’s Guardian Knight is Ellen Artorius, the savior of mankind whom they worship.
Charlotte’s life is in danger as Ellen’s active faith grows stronger.
However, because of that, a strange phenomenon was occurring where Ellen’s reputation became a shield protecting Charlotte.
* * *
After finishing his morning duties, Bertus visited the Spring Palace.
Entering the extremely small but heavily guarded Palace of Spring, Bertus headed straight for Charlotte’s bedroom.
In the bedroom was his brother, Charlotte de Gradias, sitting odokani in the dark.
Charlotte had been in that state for some time and was unable to return to normal.
“sibling.”
“… … .”
Charlotte turned her head to look at Bertus.
Charlotte, with black hair and red devil eyes, was unable to go outside.
Anyone could see, even Bertus who was trying to protect Charlotte, it was certain that Charlotte’s image had been cursed by the demon king.
In fact, Bertus knew that even more horrifyingly, the demon king and Charlotte’s souls were fused.
The princess was not cursed by the demon lord, but that the demon lord’s soul had entered her.
If you tell the truth, the crowd will surely go mad.
If Charlotte in the form of a devil is put in front of an unspecified crowd, and the truth is that the first princess did nothing wrong, who the hell would believe it?
Who would believe the first princess, who was the embodiment of the ominous itself?
“Have you eaten?”
At Bertus’ question, Charlotte silently shook her head.
Bertus brought a chair and sat down by Charlotte’s bed.
After the Gate Incident, monsters also appeared at the Gate hidden in the basement of the Palace of Spring.
Charlotte killed the monster and destroyed the gate with her own power.
However, after the situation continued and calmed down somewhat, Bertus explained everything to Charlotte.
It seemed that the Demon King was really trying to prevent this situation.
It’s certain that the Demon King’s subordinates caused this situation, but it seems that Reinhardt really didn’t want this situation.
A brother in despair who was used by the demon king from beginning to end. From this bizarre appearance, he said it because he wanted to be able to return to normal.
it wasn’t taken advantage of.
It’s hard to believe, but Reinhardt really seemed to be for humans and for you.
It was something he had hoped would help Charlotte.
But in the end, that was my biggest mistake.
As if regretting some of the words he had uttered.
She couldn’t even breathe properly and sobbed, and Charlotte lost consciousness.
After that, Charlotte woke up and started acting like she was almost speechless.
Perhaps because of the sin he had committed with his words, he stopped speaking except for the bare minimum.
However, Charlotte could not come out of the bedroom of the Palace of Spring and did not try to come out on her own.
Bertus could guess that it was because of regret for the numerous curse words that Charlotte herself had spoken to the demon king, feeling betrayed by him.
was used by the demon king.
So, he cursed the person who had saved him several times to die the most miserable death in the world.
Like Ellen, there weren’t a couple of people who felt they were responsible for all of this, and Charlotte was one of them.
In shock and guilt, Charlotte was suffering.
Because it is in the form of a cursed fear, it cannot help anyone or even take a step outside the Palace of Spring.
That’s why Charlotte was slowly sinking into the darkness where spring should be.
The crowd wants Charlotte dead.
As his hatred for the Demon King grows, so does his hatred for Charlotte.
If the people’s will to kill Charlotte instead because they can’t kill the demon king reaches a critical point, Charlotte might really have to become a scapegoat.
Bertus quietly held Charlotte’s hand.
It was thin.
“sibling… … .”
“… … .”
It was a rival that I hated to the point of wanting to kill it, but at some point I became pitiful and couldn’t hate it anymore.
Two years after the Gate Incident.
Now Bertus wanted to protect Charlotte somehow.
but.
One day, Bertus may have to hand Charlotte over to the crowd with his own hands.
Even though he doesn’t want to kill anymore, he may be forced to decide to kill Charlotte with his own hands.
Charlotte and Empire.
Hanging the two on the scales puts Bertus in a position where he has to choose the Empire.
Because the emperor has to do that.
“Me too these days… … . It’s hard… … .”
Bertus left with those words.
After Bertus left, Charlotte was quietly looking out the window of the Palace of Spring.
Even if the world perishes
Even if the fortunes of mankind are at stake.
A dark dark cloud was over my heart, and even if that darkness tried to swallow me.
The sun was brilliant.
* * *
While Ellen is taking on the role of humanity’s hope and dealing with monsters, the other students of the Temple have also been put into battle, each with their own mission.
– Kyaaaaaagh!
“Huh!”
At the three-headed snake that slid across the floor from in front, Ludwig swung his sword at the snake’s head, dodging the attack with fluid movements.
– Squeak!
Ludwig, who was wrapped in burning blue magic all over his body, cut off one snake’s head and gave it up when the other head tried to bite his arm.
– Knock!
Rather, Ludwig put his hand into the snake’s mouth, pulled out the snake’s tongue with his burning hand with blue magic power, and at the same time cut off the remaining head.
-thud!
The three-headed snake’s torso crawled on the ground and began to wobble, and Ludwig stepped back in a cold sweat.
“Whoa… … . Whoa… … .”
“Ludwig! above!”
“huh?”
After dealing with a huge snake, a huge flying monster began to fall with its sharp claws in order to snatch Ludwig from the sky.
But before the monster’s claws reached Ludwig, sparks struck the monster’s head.
-Kukwang!
Due to the impact following the explosion, the huge body staggered and crashed into the ground to the right of Ludwig, causing the monster to stumble.
“Huh!”
Ludwig immediately thrust his sword into the head of the flying monster, and the monster immediately stopped struggling.
“Whoa… … . Thanks, Delphine.”
“Be careful, you keep forgetting that it’s not just one or two monsters.”
“It should be… … .”
Ludwig looked around as he brushed off the blood and grease from his sword.
Temple’s students were being sent to the battlefield, though not as dangerous as Ellen’s.
“But being a spirit is really amazing.”
Ludwig said that while looking at the strange creatures that were neither ghosts nor monsters floating next to Delphine Izadra.
“Anything will help in this situation.”
The one who hit the flying monster just now was the flame-clad bird-shaped spirit floating on Delphine’s right.
During the fight against the Gate Avalanche, Delphine Izzad, originally gifted in archery, entered the battlefield using a bow.
However, at the moment of crisis when Ludwig almost lost his life to the monster, Delphine summoned a spirit to protect Ludwig from the attack.
Neither Delphine nor the Empire knew what a spirit was.
I could only guess that it would be an inexplicable power similar to supernatural power.
Delphine doesn’t know why the spirits are helping her.
The Empire showed interest in spiritism, but did not have the time to study it.
Delphine Izzad, the only elemental spirit in the world, summoned the spirits of wind, fire, and lightning to fight.
‘Reinhardt… … .’
Ludwig heads to the next battlefield with his sword in his hand.
Climbing over the broken buildings and the corpses of dead soldiers, Ludwig gritted his teeth.
‘One day, I’ll make you pay for all of this.’
There are still more people who do not know the controlled truth.
That’s why the world is overflowing with people who hate the demon lord.
* * *
Masts begin to rise one by one from beyond the horizon.
“How many were there the last time I saw you?”
“maybe… … . There must have been eight hundred people?”
At my question, Harriet tilted her head for a moment before answering.
Extermination of monsters and rescue of civilians on the continent.
After escorting the refugees to Port Mocna, a port connecting the continent and the Edina Islands, they are put on a ship and sent to the Edina Islands.
My troops on the continent continued to rescue and ship homeless wanderers and refugees to the Edina Archipelago.
The Empire does not know that I have established a base in the Edina Archipelago.
Fort Mokna isn’t even a very important port, and the Empire has a lot of places to take care of.
“I should have explained better. I’m tired of seeing people jumping into the water in panic as soon as they get off the boat.”
“You must have done well.”
“I wish I could please.”
The Edina Islands are no ordinary place.
First of all, I, the leader, am the demon king.
And some of those who come and go on the streets are demons.
From demons including orcs and goblins, to succubus, of course, there weren’t that many large species, but apparently ogres were also living in the Edina Archipelago.
After being rescued by unknown people and following the distant sea, I was tired of seeing them screaming that they were devoured by demons.
Fortunately, the people of the archipelago have all become accustomed to the scene where demons come and go.
Of course, I still occasionally see children peeing at orcs and ogres.
Fortunately, there were no visible conflicts, and even if the demons and humans did not completely harmonize, they were living without much trouble.
It wasn’t without dissatisfaction and fear.
However, dissatisfaction quickly subsided as rumors spread about the continent becoming hell with the arrival of refugees.
Everyone knows that if you reject my rule and flee to the continent, you will only end up dying.
I was standing at the docks of Razak with Harriet. I was at the front, and many people were waiting to lead the people of the refugee ship that had just arrived.
It was originally a large port city, but the size of the port was much larger than before because a large fleet carrying refugees, not trade goods, repeatedly entered and departed.
-Sreuk
While waiting to enter the port, Harriet and I could see a figure approaching as we swam in the clear waters.
“Ah, there… … .”
“uh.”
Soon, that something that came right in front of my nose only revealed its upper body from the sea.
“Your Highness, I prepared the food you mentioned on the west coast. It will be washed up by the current soon.”
A being with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish.
It was a mermaid, that is, a mermaid.
“Yeah, keep people waiting there. There is always a lot of trouble.”
“no. It is an honor for us to serve Your Highness.”
As demons living in the sea, mermaids could not become the demon king’s servants.
But now the beach is my base.
The mermaids, who weren’t particularly hostile towards humans, became very strong allies when I came in contact with them.
In this situation where food is always scarce, it has been responsible for collecting marine food resources.
Because of the efficiency that is incomparable to fishermen, he was actually responsible for the food situation of the Edina Islands, especially the food situation of Razak.
The red-haired mermaid, in the form of a woman, immediately dived into the sea and swam through the water like a dart before disappearing. Harriet watches her mermaid glide through the sea.
“The mermaids… … . It looks really pretty.”
As Harriet said, mermaids were more beautiful creatures than I could have imagined. I didn’t even know it existed in the first place.
Of course, he always appeared naked with his upper body uncovered, so when I met him, I had to nag him for a long time to come out wearing some seaweed.
Just now, she showed up with something similar to kelp wrapped around her chest.
Aside from the ability to control the demons, if I were to say it, they died. Should I say that I am thrilled just by looking at my face?
So the demons were unconditionally on my side.
anyway.
It is true that mermaids are pretty.
“It doesn’t.”
“… … .”
At my words, Harriet stares at me.
what is it
Are you angry?
“Oh no what… … . you said it first… … !”
“what. you idiot.”
Ships approach from the horizon.
The Edina Archipelago is originally a place where being far from the continent acts as a fatal disadvantage, but in this situation, it could be a refuge for all beings who are damaged by the gate crisis.
I could see the boats arriving one by one and the refugees disembarking one by one following the guidance of the soldiers.
Fortunately, the captain and crew did a good job explaining the refugees, but they didn’t scream or try to run away, although they seemed to feel fear in the scenery where the demons were mixed.
They are people who have seen Hell from the continent. They had no place to go, but they were wandering aimlessly to avoid the monsters.
In a life where they do not know when they will die, the only choice they can make is to live with the demons.
Refugees are supposed to stay for a while in temporary shelters.
Succubuses were out at the entrance of the huge temporary shelter where they would arrive, guided by them.
All of them had all the horns that had been cut off, and of course they had grown in number.
Due to my commandments, all the severed horns of the succubus, which should not grow back, have grown.
Among the succubus, there were succubus who stayed by Airi’s side, but there were also a lot of succubus who went back to the Dark Land.
I brought back the succubus who went back to the Dark Land.
Succubus with regrown horns.
Although they were afraid because they were demons, the refugees who were fascinated by their appearance were staring blankly at the succubus.
It was the same with Harriet.
“Who would have imagined that succubuses could do something like that… … .”
As Harriet said, it’s absurd.
Now the succubuses were doing something similar to psychotherapists.
