Chapter 467: Those who like sacrifices and those who don’t

The eastern part of the continent. The area under the influence of the Bolvat Dynasty was more prosperous than other nations.

This could be seen in many ways, such as the construction of bridges over the river by command of a local Lord, advanced medical treatment in the villages by skilled sorcerers, increase in exorcising magical beasts, and the presence of magical fuel.

In any case, it could be said that the villagers were ultimately living better lives than people from other countries.

Although it wasn’t as large as the Gharast Kingdom, which monopolized the fertile land in the center of the continent, the Bolvat Dynasty, if one looked at each village individually, was a wealthy nation, and far richer than the Gharast Kingdom.

In one small village, even though it was the season of death snow, young children were running around in the village square. They were happy and cheerful.

The Lord had told them that it would be okay to go outside today. Of course, they couldn’t go outside the village, since the territory was now ruled by the Great Demon.

Both adults and children were showing slight smiles.

There were many issues to be addressed, and although it was still in its early stages of development, the Bolvat Dynasty certainly showed signs of a great magical civilization.

But now, that good prospective was on the verge of collapse.

「Do you understand why you, humans, cannot defeat us, demons? 」

A magical devilish being. Poisonous Junelva asked, fixing his bird of prey eyes on the small village that stood in front of him.

A man dressed in what appeared to be a sorcerer’s clothes bowed respectfully and spoke. A fawning smile appeared on his face.

「Yes…I think it’s because we have less magical power and less strength than you, demons. 」

「You think so? Ahhhh, hahahaha. 」

Junelva laughed aloud in response with a high-pitched tone that resembled a bird’s cry. And at that moment, Junelva ate the man’s skull.

The man died without a scream or a death cry. The sound of chewing bones echoed in the air, and the man’s blood stained Junelva’s feathers.

The sorcerers who had been following him as if they were personal guards let out pathetic shrieks and shook their shoulders.

There was no doubt that they saw a monster in their eyes. But they would never try to oppose this demon. They had quickly realized they couldn’t defeat this monster, and had volunteered to become his subordinates, fearing for their own lives.

But no one could blame them. Whatever the circumstances, the Bolvat nation was now nothing more than a prisoner of Vrilligant. The only options left were submission or death.

In that respect, they knew where they stood.

After Junelva had devoured the man’s skull, a different man stepped forward behind him with his head bowed.

「Lord Demon, can I answer? 」

「Huh? What? Did you understand my question, human? 」

The man nodded with a smile. It was a gentle smile, as if he were playing with words.

「Yes. We are weak because we allow the weak to live. We don’t kill those that should be eliminated. That’s why all humans have become weak. 」

Junelva looked at the man’s face and strengthened his gaze. He was probably pondering how to interpret this answer.

The man’s gentle expression didn’t distort, but he did harden his eyes. Sweat ran down his neck.

After a moment, Junelva opened his beak.

「I see. 」

With that short word, the man was sure that his words had touched the demon’s heartstrings. Unable to contain his excitement, Junelva beat his chest and screamed excitedly.

The human subordinates’ expressions stiffened for a moment, but they quickly behaved so as not to upset the demon, now their master.

Ever since he heard that the magical devilish being Junelva would be touring the territory today, the man had prepared something to favor him.

The master of this country was the Great Demon now, but it was the magical devilish beings who actually gave instructions and orders. So if anyone wanted to be on their side, it would be them.

The man waited a moment, pushing his glasses back in place after a cold sweat, and then said.

「…Look, Lord Demon. We humans can redeem ourselves, so let’s cut off the weak! That’s why we are here. 」

The man spoke and raised his arm to give a signal.

After a moment, smoke rose from the area around the village. That green smoke was not ordinary smoke. It was proof of a fire ignited by magical fuel. It didn’t go out easily, and it lit the flames faster.

Magical fuel was originally provided in villages to help them overcome the freezing periods of death snow. The green smoke now covered the village. It was faster and more vicious, leaving no one to escape.

…Then, an inaudible voice was heard. The smell of burning flesh drifted from far away.

Cries, screams, and shrieks. The smoke rose as if to engulf all the voices. The fire grew stronger as if blown by the wind, killing the villagers. The green smoke turned black.

Junelva seemed satisfied with the situation, and this time he let out a small chuckle and spoke.

「Guahahaha! That’s pretty good for a human like you. So, what’s your name? 」

The man swallowed hard. Demons didn’t call humans by name. They probably didn’t even want to remember.

But if a magical devilish being, the pinnacle of demonic powers, asked for his name, he would be in for a treat. The man chuckled to himself.

Up until now, he had been oppressed by the Sorcerer General and the other famous sorcerers and had been treated very poorly. But it would be different from now on. That troublesome Sorcerer General was gone, and this country would be ruled by demons. If that meant he could be favored, then he would finally see the light of day.

The man spoke with a gentle smile.

「Yes, my name is Kiel Bazarov. Please remember my name, Lord Demon. 」

The flames burning in the village lit up the surrounding area, shining brightly onto Kiel’s bowed cheeks.

—

Within the walls of Garoua Maria, Caria Burdnick spoke, narrowing her silver eyes slightly.

「The loss of Filaret as a result of joining forces with the Sorcerer General…is a heavy price to pay. 」

Caria spoke as normally as possible, without showing any emotion. She knew very well that if she got too emotional, it would provoke Lugis.

Lugis had not spoken a word inside the room, just placing a polishing cloth on his sword. Even for Caria, who had known him for a long time, it was rare for him to be this silent.

Of course, he must have been tired from comforting the soldiers and holding long meetings with the Sorcerer General. Still, he would often make frivolous jokes when he was alone with Caria.

But now, his gaze was even more menacing as he polished the sword. From the outside, it looked extremely vicious.

Caria didn’t mind watching him like that. But it would become worrying if it continued for too long.

Even Caria wasn’t taking the fact that Filaret had been taken by demons lightly. The sense of frustration was clear in her heart, and she was gritting her teeth. She could also sense the emotions Lugis was feeling.

However, letting that kind of frustration show wasn’t good for someone who led others. In that respect, Caria learned how to separate emotion from reason during her training as a knight.

However, that reason melted away in Lugis’ presence. If anything, Caria believed herself to be the calm type.

As Caria stared at him with her silver eyes tightening. Lugis sighed and said the following words.

「Don’t worry, Caria. I’d rather you praise me for my growth. In fact, if it were me from the past, I’d be using a horse and riding into Bolvat right now. 」

Lugis said with a twisted mouth, and Caria couldn’t help but shrug and smile bitterly.

He never knew how to hold himself back for even a moment. In that sense, it could be called growth.

「That’s right. For someone like you, I’d even say you have brilliant patience. I’ll admit it. 」

It was good to make light jokes right now. A knock on the door was heard just as Caria breathed a sigh of relief. The serious manner in which that someone knocked was undoubtedly that of Vestaline, the leader of mercenaries.

「Excuse me, Commander…and also, Lady Caria. I have something to report to you. 」

Vestaline first saw Lugis, and then, after a while, caught sight of Caria in the corner of her eyes. She must have known of Caria’s presence before she entered the room.

Her beautiful face looked serious and obedient at first glance, but to Caria it was more like a glaring blade. These kind of people…once they saw someone as an enemy, they would never change that perception for the rest of their lives. Their integrity made them evil.

It was as if she was showing her a glimpse of her older self, and Caria’s cheeks twitched in response. Vestaline would surely not mind showing her fangs to Caria if necessary. That was the kind of look she had.

In stark contrast, Vestaline spoke to Lugis with a soft tone.

「Messengers have come from the major city-states. They have various matters to discuss, but…since a ceasefire was agreed with the Bolvat Dynasty, they have changed their stance from inaction to opportunism. 」

Vestaline’s report made Caria sigh involuntarily.

It was good to see that those people, who hadn’t even tried to meet the Heraldic messengers during the war, were in such good spirits. Caria could guess what most of the city-states were thinking.

They probably wanted to negotiate by forming a coalition by using the Bolvat Dynasty as a tool, taking advantage of the fact that Bolvat had once assaulted them. In the end, they would be happy if they could receive some compensation for Bolvat’s invasion. Perhaps, they would be happy for a non-aggression pact too.

Weeds grew happily in fertile soil. Caria had a bitter expression on her face, but she thought that Lugis wouldn’t treat them badly. For better or worse, he was too tolerant.

Lugis raised his gaze to Vestaline, still polishing his sword with a cloth. The color of purple lightning was reflected in his eyes.

He slowly spoke.

「Turn them back. And I don’t want to hear from them again. 」

First Vestaline, then Caria…both of them opened their eyes wide. For a moment, they couldn’t believe their ears since Lugis’ words were so unlike him. Lugis carefully polished his sword and spoke.

「Filaret wasn’t kidnapped for their safety. The soldiers who accompanied me didn’t die for their sake. Do you understand? Vestaline, tell them these words. 」

It was only then that Caria finally understood. And it strangely made sense to her.

「…I won’t allow them to insult my comrade and soldiers. I’ll make sure they won’t take advantage of the situation. 」

Lugis was not calm, nor was he his usual self.

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Lugis is so serious now. I think I liked his goofy side way better. But let’s see how it goes from now on.

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