Chapter 452: The Sorceress’ Honor

After my mind was stuck in a ferocious fight between a cat and a dog, I was finally able to have a military council-like discussion.

Caria and Filaret still didn’t try to hide the sharp light in their eyes.

「…What would happen if we were to charge head-on with all our military strength and without any defenses? 」

I leaned my elbows on my desk and moved my dry lips. Caria’s expression sharpened when she heard my words. Her silver eyes distorted as if they were in a gloomy mood.

「We won’t last. It will be over by the time the sun rises in the sky, and all the soldiers will get killed. 」

She spoke as if it was obvious. My heart became heavy.

I knew that her words were true, but the way she spoke was different from when we thought for ourselves, and when someone told you differently, we would question it without hesitation. I wished she had been a little gentler with her words. I didn’t realize it, but my eyes started to hurt.

Up until now, I had been called the hero of the Heraldic Order, but in the end, I was only a guest. The leader of the Heraldic Order was Saint Matia, not me.

But the situation was different now. There were just under four thousand soldiers of the Heraldic Order, including mercenaries. We could be a little more if I included the citizens of Garoua Maria and the people of the surrounding villages. However, hundreds of thousands of people’s lives were now in my hands.

It was too much for me to bear. It was embarrassing to call myself a general. But that didn’t mean I would throw it all away.

「Charging head-on means instant death, but a siege will be like being strangled with cotton. So why don’t we use a few soldiers to charge like we did at Sanyo? 」

Unlike Caria, Filaret spoke with a slightly slippery voice. I couldn’t help but look back at her black eyes and noticed that Filaret moved her cheeks in an impatient manner.

Her eyes, which always seemed strong, looked weak today.

「…What? Do you think I’ll let my guard down just because they’re Bolvat’s soldiers? That’s impossible. Sorcerers are fierce people who will fight to the death. Just because we’re from the same nation doesn’t give me a reason to let my guard down. 」

Even if it’s my father, Filaret added at the end.

There was a bit of audacity in her voice, but I didn’t think Filaret would ever let her guard down.

Filaret was of an honest nature, even more than Caria. She wasn’t good at lying, let alone lying to herself.

And she wasn’t a weak woman either. She was a person who knew very well what she should do when it was time to fight. At least, that was the Filaret La Volgograd I came to know and yearn for.

So my concerns were elsewhere.

「Don’t worry. You’re the best sorcerer, aren’t you? But I do have one concern, which is quite troublesome…the magical devilish being named Rabel. What do you think, Agathos? I’d like to hear whatever you have to say. 」

The Jewel Agathos was still leaning against Filaret, almost lying down. I wanted to ask her about that magical devilish being, the one behind the advances of the Bolvat army.

Perhaps feeling sleepy, Agathos yawned and twisted her shoulders.

「I told you before. I have no obligation to answer even if I know something. I’m not your mother. You’ll have to pay the price if you want wisdom. That’s the ancient custom. Well, how about offering me your heart? I’ll tell you all about the demon race. 」

「It will be over for me if I offer you my heart. Hey, how many human hearts have you consumed? 」

Agathos had been acting like this for a while now. She looked completely oblivious.

It was true that she provided crucial information about the magical devilish being Drigman when we were fighting, albeit in a roundabout way. But she had been listless ever since.

Ah, what a pestering demonic being. It was so annoying. If that was the case, then I wished she would pay Filaret at least for taking care of her.

Agathos looked up at Filaret for a moment. Then, she spoke with a voice full of arrogance and pride.

「Well, there’s no need to worry. I’ll take care of her myself. Humans should do what humans can do. I’ll put an end to this ugly and pointless battle. 」

「Oh, I look forward to it. It’s like praying to God. 」

I was being sarcastic. In other words, there was nothing to look forward to.

First of all, we didn’t know what kind of demon the other magical devilish being was, and we didn’t know how long the conflict between demons would last.

If the Bolvat army was being led by demons, then waiting for Agathos to win was too optimistic.

In that case, we, as humans, should do what we could do. My fingers touched my lips while my thoughts tore my nerves.

Charging head-on was impossible. The enemy’s forces were too thick for a single breakthrough, mostly because of the elite soldiers. Even Vestaline and her mercenaries wouldn’t be able to succeed with a frontal attack.

In that case, the best we could do was a diversion. But how far could we go with that plan?

I held my head in my hands, not knowing what to do. The more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was being pushed into the corner of the board.

…Come to think of it, this had happened before.

There had been several occurrences of this type on my previous journey. I was at a dead end no matter how I thought about it. There wasn’t even a shred of hope left.

Suddenly, that golden person floated behind my eyelids. I looked up at the ceiling, wondering what that hero would’ve done in this situation.

Then, I decided. Of course, that hero wouldn’t give up. How troublesome. My cheeks relaxed in response.

「I’ve decided. This is war. Let’s push ourselves a little. We need to fulfill our heroic duties if we want to keep playing heroes. 」

In an instant, the silver and black eyes were heavily distorted. I felt that all trust had disappeared from the color of their eyes.

—

At the Bolvat army’s headquarters, Eileen Ray Rakiador voiced her contempt. She seemed used at despising other people.

「…Failing to kill the enemy’s general while looking down on him is a disgrace to the Bolvat army, Hind. It’s unthinkable as a sorcerer. 」

Hind fought and retreated after the intervention of a demon even though the enemy general Lugis was right in front of him. After hearing the report, Eileen curled her long eyelashes and tightened her lips.

On the other hand, Hind Busse knew this was common occurrence. Eileen continued to speak to their general without trying to hide the displeased look in her eyes.

「That’s all for now. It’s as Vice-Commander Rakiador said, so I will make no excuses. 」

Without any ulterior motives, Hind bowed his head and spoke to Mastigius La Volgograd. His honesty was his virtue, but it was also his flaw.

Perhaps he was a commoner eager for spotlessness. He didn’t have the devilish obsession with power and success that aristocrats often had. Rather, he was a person who valued personal pride.

Eileen still looked dissatisfied, while Mastigius listened with a soft expression on his face.

「It’s fine. It’s not your fault for having your magic dispelled and causing confusion in our soldiers. This enemy is not easy to deal with. 」

Although Mastigius used firm words, his voice was by no means harsh.

After all, this wasn’t a battle Mastigius wanted. A stake of guilt was driven into his heart, and he was constantly tormented by doubts about whether this was really the right thing to do.

Still, he couldn’t go against the words of the magical devilish being Rabel. That’s why they continued their march up to this point.

However, at last, their advance came to a halt in Garoua Maria. The bearer of the crimson light, the one called Lugis, and the new demon stopped them.

It was as if Rabel’s plan had finally failed, and there was a certain amount of satisfaction.

It was also good that the new demonic being was taking an antagonistic stance towards Rabel. This time, they might see the opening they longed for… Mastigius spoke these words to himself, tightening his lips.

As Mastigius remained silent for a moment, Eileen pulled her chin back and her shrewd eyes sparkled in response.

「…Since Your Excellency says so, I will not pursue the matter myself. And no matter what uncertainties there may be, our victory is unshakable. Today, we were the ones who attacked. We were not defeated. I am certain of it. 」

Eileen’s words were overflowing with confidence. No, she had always spoken like this.

「Your Excellency, please grant me the honor to carry a siege tomorrow. My magic is as impregnable as a fortress. I will definitely show my prowess in taking Garoua Maria. 」

I swear on the name of Ray Rakiador, Eileen said with a dignified demeanor, as if her words became a melody.

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