Those Who Bring Chaos
The Luine Kingdom, which has stepped into the battle against the Izrim Empire, has invaded the east with 10,000 Black Iron Knights as its advanced force. There are only two options for the countries. Either they follow the Luine Kingdom, or they follow the Izrim Empire and fight the Black Iron Knights. No country has so far chosen the latter. No country has the power to fight the Luine Kingdom on its own.
The Luine Kingdom is leading the Black Iron Knights greatly in anticipation of that. They did not want to exhaust their own forces before fighting the main army of the Izrim Empire. They were using diplomacy, and sometimes even intimidation, to draw the countries in the invasion route to their side.
However, the steady march would soon have to be slowed down. The closer they got to the countries that were already vassals to the Izrim Empire, the more countries would weigh the Luine Kingdom and the Izrim Empire in the balance. These are countries that cannot be easily trusted even if they are promised vassalage.
The Emil Kingdom is the first of these countries. The Black Iron Knights did not immediately cross the border, but waited for a report from the diplomatic corps that had preceded them.
"Emil Kingdom has promised to obey our country."
The report from the messenger is a good one. But Hutton, the leader of the Black Iron Knights, could not be reassured by the report alone.
"Does the messenger believe that the promise will definitely be fulfilled?"
"They're saying that they'll offer us a hostage as proof of their obedience."
"What kind of person is that hostage?"
"The Crown Prince. I can think of no better hostage."
The next king is to be offered as a hostage. As the messenger said, this is the best condition for a hostage.
"…Have you grasped the movements of the Izrim Empire?"
The leader of the Black Iron Knights, Hutton, stopped talking to the messenger and asked his subordinate if there was any movement in the Izrim Empire. He was still unsure if he should trust the Emil Kingdom's promise and proceed with his army after hearing the messenger's explanation.
"The neighboring Fasimir Kingdom is active, and it seems that they are gathering an army on the border. However, we have been able to confirm that it is only the Fasimir Kingdom's army, and we do not know the whereabouts of the Izrim Empire's army."
"...How many Fasimir Kingdom troops are there?"
"About three thousand."
"I see……"
As a small country, the Fasimir Kingdom has a considerable number of troops concentrated on its borders. But it is still only a third of the Black Iron Knights. The number is not to be feared.
However, on the contrary, it seems suspicious to Hutton, the Black Iron Knights Commander, that they are trying to actively challenge the battle with such a number.
"......Have you heard anything from the demons?"
"They are planning to go deep into the Izrim Empire and collect information. They may be passing through the Fasimir Kingdom."
The Luine Kingdom decides to rely on the demons for difficult intelligence activities. It is a form of learning from the Nord Empire's ways.
"That's right... but at least we haven't received any reports of the Izrim Empire Army moving. If it comes down to whether we should proceed or wait, we should proceed."
To the east of the Emil Kingdom, a mountain range stretches from north to south, and the border leading to the neighboring Fasimir Kingdom is narrow. If the Izrim Empire is really not moving, they can choose to break through the border in the meantime.
"There is also the option of waiting for those we sent to the Fasimir Kingdom."
The diplomatic representative of the Luine Kingdom is also on their way to the Fasimir Kingdom. The messenger suggested that they wait for the results of those negotiations before making a decision.
"...They are even more untrustworthy."
It would be great if they could get the neighboring Fasimir Kingdom to follow them, but they are already ready for battle. Moreover, the neighboring country of the Fasimir Kingdom is already a subordinate country of the Izrim Empire. Diplomatic resolution is highly unlikely.
"Then what are we going to do?"
"...We will proceed. Do we know when the hostage will arrive?"
"Their departure should be only a couple of days later than us."
"I see...... I understand. Then we will join them on the way. If they don't seem to be joining us, then we'll think about it again."
They don't want to take any risks, but they don't have much time. There is a possibility that the Izrim Empire Army will show up while they are still waiting. Commander Hutton decided to advance his army inside the Emil Kingdom.
◇◇◇
The Izrim Empire currently has the largest territory on the continent, but the misfortune for the people living there is that the size of the territory is not in proportion to the wealth of the country. Much of this is due to the maladministration of the upstart rulers, but that is not the whole story. The Izrim Empire has not fully recovered from the countries it has conquered, and it has begun a battle with the Eastern Alliance and is about to begin a full-scale battle with the Luine Kingdom in the west as well. The Izrim Empire has been pouring its human and financial resources into the military, so it is unable to do anything else, even if it wants to.
It is not only the general public that is dissatisfied with this situation. There are people of high status who feel threatened by the politics of the Empire and demand a change in the status quo. But many of those who hold such views do not have the power to influence the politics of the Empire, let alone those of its dependencies. The only exceptions are the old vassals of the former Lemberg Empire. They are the ones who serve Jin.
"I don't think the Eastern Alliance will attack us aggressively."
"…Certainly, the Eastern Alliance may not have the power to invade again. That said, it is dangerous to assume that they never will."
Jin denies the retainer's idea. He is not an optimistic person by nature, but regardless of that, he has reason to feel uneasy about the Eastern Alliance.
"With the cooperation of the Nord Empire?"
Even his ministers know that. Those who served the Lemberg Empire did not underestimate the Nord Empire, partly because the late Heinz had a high opinion of Ren.
"No information about that yet?"
"To be honest, it's quite difficult to get information if the Nord Empire is involved. If we can't get any information, it's proof that they are involved, but I don't recommend trying that."
The Lemberg Kingdom's intelligence organization is far behind that of the Nord Empire. If an information blockade is executed, no information can be obtained. If they still try to force it, it will only destroy the organization.
"But then we would not be able to make any decisions."
"So I say let's proceed with what we can determine."
"...Is that a ceasefire offer?"
What the minister is proposing is to offer a cease-fire to the Eastern Alliance. It's a pretty bold proposal.
"Yes. It is quite risky to march on the Eastern Alliance without any information. If the result is that we cannot advance our forces, then a cease-fire would be the same thing."
"......That is not a decision I can make on my own."
A truce with the Eastern Alliance without permission is unacceptable. Although Jin is the king of the Lemberg Kingdom, he is in a position to serve Mei, the emperor of the Izrim Empire.
"You can make a decision. With His Majesty's permission, I am ready to send a messenger immediately."
Even the minister knows that. He knows, and he's asking for his own action.
"...Are you telling me to rebel against the Empire?"
"I am not saying that. I am saying that we should implement practical measures. Our country may have suffered less damage in the war than other countries. But that is only because other countries are too severe. I believe we should now focus on calming our people down and restoring our former productive capacity."
"That's... I know."
Thanks to the cunning of the usurpation methods, there has been little fighting within the Lemberg Kingdom. But even though the damage from the fighting has been minimal, it has not been entirely without impact on national power.
"If you understand, why don't you do what you should do as the king of this country?"
"...Messenger to the empire"
"What is the point in that? The Empire does not think about the subordinate nations. It does not care how much its people suffer, does it?"
"That's... an exaggeration."
The words of the retainer are a complete criticism of the empire. If this becomes known, they could be punished.
"No, let me make it clear at this time. I am not asking you to go against the Empire. However, His Majesty should put more priority on the country you rule. The Lemberg Kingdom is the country that you rule."
"…Am I even qualified to rule this country?"
Jin was the one who tricked the Emperor of the Lemberg Empire. He spoke words of regret for that now.
"Qualifications are irrelevant. Right now, His Majesty is definitely the king of this country."
This retainer does not completely approve of Jin's deeds. However, in order to protect the Lemberg Kingdom, he has no choice but to work with Jin.
"......Even if a ceasefire were to be reached, what would that do?"
"First of all, the people will be able to live with peace of mind. Since we will be able to allocate people and funds to domestic affairs, we will be able to improve their lives."
The reason he first talked about the lives of the people was to appeal to Jin's heart. He wanted to give Jin a reason to make a decision.
"It will not be easy."
"Yes. But if we don't do it, people's lives will remain harsh."
"...That's right."
It is as the minister says. Things can't get better by doing nothing.
"If possible, if a ceasefire is realized, we would like to take a step further."
"What do you mean by step further?"
"It is to normalize diplomatic relations. We will need various supplies to rebuild our country. But all parts of the Izrim Empire are in a state of chaos, and we are unable to procure them. That is why we are asking for help from the Eastern Alliance."
"...That kind of thing... no, we don't know if we don't try it."
Jin thought that such a convenient negotiation would never go well, but this was also something that could not be done without trying.
"The first step is to take the first step. That's what we need to do to get things back on track."
"First step..."
What awaits them after they take the first step? Jin is no fool. He at least senses that his subjects are thinking about something disturbing.
Not only this retainer, but all of the old vassals of the Lemberg Empire who served Jin have hostile intentions toward the Izrim Empire. Jin feels this. It is only natural. The Izrim Empire has done things that are worthy of resentment.
"May I have permission to send a messenger?"
"...I understand. I allow it."
Jin authorized the sending of a ceasefire envoy. He thought that this decision would be an act of betrayal to Mei, and to the Izrim Empire, but he made his decision after knowing that.
It was not for the sake of the people. Jin has lost sight of the value of his own existence. Justice was lost when he usurped the Lemberg Empire and killed the imperial people. He actually abandoned justice when he made the decision to do it.
What is a hero? A question that has remained unanswered for a long time, and Jin keeps repeating it in his mind.
◇◇◇
With the continent now covered in war, he is the only one of the surviving heroes who has done nothing. That is Yuya. It is just that he does not appear on the surface. In fact, Yuya is quite active in order to achieve a certain goal. Whether it can be said that Yuya is active or not is not so clear.
"...Ah, auu... ah..."
Amalia is moaning inexpressibly. The whites of her eyes are devoid of vitality.
"...Amalia, that's no good. Come on, do your best."
Yuya continues to mercilessly torment Amalia. They have been doing it for a long time, or rather, for a number of days.
"...Ah... n-no more... h-help, me..."
There is no love in the current act of the two. Before she knew it, she had become like that.
"......That's impossible. You are a sacrifice."
The two, no, Yuya's one-sided actions are meant to achieve a certain purpose. Amalia was not his lover, but a sacrifice to make it happen.
"...H-help... s-some... one..."
"I'm not done yet. I need you to work harder because you have noble blood. No matter how many ordinary people I did, it won't be effective."
There are many women around the bed where the two continue to act. The naked body of women lying down with the whites of their eyes peeled.
"Poor thing. If you're going to hold a grudge, blame Mei. I thought she could do more, so I waited patiently. After all, no matter how much time passes, she won't be able to free me."
"... Ah... ahh..."
"If you don't try harder, another sacrifice will be needed. So do your best."
"…………"
Contrary to Yuya's request, the voice that leaked out of Amalia's mouth stopped.
"... Come on... huh? No good."
Yuya brings his own hand close to Amalia's mouth, which is spilling drool. Seeing that she has stopped breathing, Yuya gets up from the bed with a twisted expression on his face.
"... Well, what do you think?"
Picking up the sword that had fallen to the floor, Yuya mercilessly swings it down on Amalia's neck. The blood poured out from the cut.
"......This makes me feel like I'm summoning a demon."
Yuya is taking the blood that flows down from Amalia's neck onto himself. Yuya is aware that this is a gruesome ritual. Even so, the reason why Yuya is performing this gruesome act is because he has a strong will to seek it out.
"...As expected, it's not perfect. But, well, I've come this far."
Yuya explores his own neck with the hand opposite to the one holding the fresh head. It's only a few moments before a collar, or more correctly a ring of light that looks like a collar, falls to the floor. Stamped down by Yuya's foot, it fizzled out in an instant.
"Fuu... I never thought I would have to go through all this trouble for a human-like ape... even God left us with boring restrictions... and in the end, it will be like this..."
The figure and voice are Yuya's, but the words spoken by his mouth are clearly those of another personality. The ritual had succeeded, though not completely.
"...Huh? What am I doing now?"
But it's still not perfect. It doesn't have to be.
"...A little more. I need to gain a little more power. That's how I can become a god... Ah, no. I can become a complete hero."
He can't even control the words he speaks. The liberated Yuya is still an unstable being. It is not liberation from the proof of servitude. And it is not Yuya who has been liberated, but the existence that has been lurking within.
"What should I start with? For now, let's get the country. It's strange that I, who is the strongest, isn't the king. I'm stronger than Mei and Jin."
Even so, the thinking is typical of Yuya. The selfish way of thinking has not changed. However, whether this expression is correct or incorrect depends on where one starts from. From the moment he was transferred to this world and received a title such as [Hero Egg], Yuya has been influenced by a being that is not Yuya. He is different from his original self.
It is only now that the world will truly be covered in chaos. The central figure among those who create chaos has finally begun to move. In a way that they are completely unaware of.
No comments:
Post a Comment