Chapter 529: An Ownership’s Struggle

Whether it was a coincidence or a deliberate attempt to lure them in was unclear. But when the Silver-Rimmed Ultramarine Valerie Brightness beheaded the last demon, the man was right behind her.

He was a strange man, exuding a ferocious, beast-like presence on the battlefield, but strangely skilled at keeping his presence hidden on the battlefield.

The man ran his hands over his crimson spear, glaring at the fleeing horde of demons, and said the following words.

「Hey, Brightness. Just in time. 」

「How insincere of you. As a knight, you should speak frankly. 」

Garras Gargantia glanced at Valerie, while showing a wry smile on his face.

“Insincere” was exactly what she meant. Both Valerie and Garras were guardians appointed by the Saint and commanders of the army.

They weren’t in a position to leave their posts as they pleased even if it was only a matter of wiping out a few hordes of demons.

In other words, the fact that Garras had bothered to be here meant he had some kind of motive. Valerie couldn’t help but pout in displeasure.

To be honest, Valerie and Garras didn’t get along.

While Valerie always tried to be the shield and sword of her country, Garras seemed somewhat frivolous in his affairs. He was by no means the type to be loyal to anything. It was strange that he wanted a role so serious as a Cathedral Knight.

Garras left Valerie’s thoughts behind, and spoke, baring his canines.

「What do you think of those two? No, what to do think of the whole idea of guardians being heroes? 」

Garras, Valerie thought, really wasn’t what one would expect from a knight. A knight should speak more clearly and stick to the facts. His words were strangely indirect.

「…I don’t really think so. As long as the demons are defeated and the Heraldic Order is destroyed, then that’s fine with me. But what about you, Gargantia? 」

「Sorry to say this, but I can’t think as seriously as you. I always suspect there’s always an ulterior motive…Do those two seem normal to you, Brightness? I don’t think they’re normal at all. In fact, they seem much more demonic to me. 」

Valerie could guess who he was referring to.

Namely, the Apostle Giluel Harno and the Cathedral Knight Helot Stanley, who were appointed as guardians alongside Valerie and the others.

The criteria for their selection was known only to the Saint and God. To be honest, even Valerie could see the mysterious nature of those two.

Giluel was originally just a nun. She wasn’t from a family of sorcerers, nor was she connected to the military.

And yet, after being discovered by the Saint and appointed as an Apostle, she began to display her supernatural powers as if she was a completely different person.

Yes, exactly like a different person. Valerie had heard similar stories surrounding Helot Stanley.

Of course, there was nothing she could say in response after being told it was the result of extraordinary faith. It was undeniably strange and eerie.

Garras continued.

「Of course, I believe that the process and the conclusion are more important. A wrong process can only produce a wrong result. 」

「…Gargantia. You can leave it at that. Better turn a blind eye. 」

Valerie glanced fixedly at Garras as she put on her magical armor. He distorted his lips and looked at Valerie’s face.

「That’s pretty cold. I didn’t know you had such devout faith. In fact, I thought your loyalty to your country was paramount. 」

Valerie’s eyes widened from the gaps in her magical armor. She had never expected to receive such a fair evaluation from this man. From such a beast-like man.

So Valerie blurted out, with her large eyes visible from behind her magical armor.

「Gargantia. It’s true something wrong may have happened. And we may have completely overlooked it. 」

But…Valerie moved her lips.

「…But whatever the mistake we’ve made, the rampant activity of the Heraldic Over is, above all else, a fatal mistake. 」

Without them, the world would be a more peaceful place.

Without them, the world would be a happier place.

Without them…her ally, Richard, would surely be by her side.

They were the reason everything was so bad right now. Valerie’s thoughts seemed to be filled with maniacal hatred. Her eyes spoke even more deeply than her words.

—

The Gharast and the Heraldic Order’s coalition forces were in a war tent. Words were spilled out one by one amid the oppressive atmosphere.

「That’s great. So you want to be hostile towards the elves, huh. That’s really annoying. 」

The crystal-clear voice of the Elf Queen, Finn Eldith, pierced the tent. Everyone’s expressions instantly got tense, and a cold sweat crawled down their spines.

Eldith’s tone was far from a joke.

Saint Matia was the first to respond.

「That’s a misunderstanding, Finn Eldith. We are in no way hostile…」

The extremely calm voice tried to soothe the mood. However, someone else seemed to take advantage of this and responded immediately.

「No, Saint Matia. This isn’t a misunderstanding. The consequences of this should never be put off. He’s not an emissary of the Bolvat Dynasty, nor an elven knight, but a member of the Gharast Kingdom. Isn’t that right? 」

「Yes. He’s a hero of the Heraldic Order, Princess. 」

At Matia’s response, Philos’ white eye shot up, and her monocle tilted. The tense atmosphere made everyone’s lungs heavy, even numb.

The situation was like a container overflowing with water. If even a little more was poured in, then the boundaries wouldn’t hold, and everything would collapse in a tragic way.

However, everyone was merely using a modicum of reason to stop themselves from going just one step…no, half a step…over. That was how it seemed.

Things got so dire when the leaders of the three factions came together. Inside the tent, where the air seemed to be about to explode, I turned my gaze to old man Richard, hoping to find some sort of salvation.

The old man rested his chin on one hand and met my gaze. It seemed he got my point. Without saying a word, the old man spoke eloquently with his gaze.

…Solve this mess quickly.

He threw my begging hand away.

You’ve got to be kidding me. I had to sort this out, yes, sort a situation that was like a hot pot boiling over. That was supposed to be Ann’s job. I looked around but I couldn’t see her.

Damn it. She always bought me meals and drinks, yet she disappeared at a time like this. She was surely running errands in the royal capital. That was the kind of woman she was.

「…This isn’t the time to be talking about that. The Bolvat Dynasty is alarmed, wondering whether the allied forces are friends or foes. Please respond to the messenger quickly. 」

「You’re right, Lugis. That’s what it comes down to. All I need is for you to simply declare that you’re my knight. 」

The vision of Eldith amusingly turned the conversation around and smiled at me. Was it my imagination or was I sensing a strange anger in that smile? It seemed like she had no intention of letting me escape.

Well, I suppose it would be a small price to pay. But Matia bit my words off the moment I opened my mouth.

「No. It’s already established, both inside and outside, that he’s a hero of the Heraldic Order. Since the contract has been fulfilled, we should avoid creating unnecessary confusion. 」

What was this contract about?

I tried to search my memory, but I couldn’t recall ever making any kind of contract with the Heraldic Order. But since Matia had made the effort to speak it out, it seemed there must have been some meaning to it.

Just as the tent was freezing again with numbing tension, one of the generals finally spoke up. It seemed he was trying to bring the situation back to the war council, despite the increasingly tense atmosphere.

「However, Your Highness, this is an opportune time. If the Bolvat Dynasty is in chaos, we can truly encircle and occupy their territory. The Bolvat Dynasty has invaded the city-states, and that will serve as a just cause. From now on, we will have no more side worries while we fight against the demonic forces. 」

The general spoke in a calm, yet passionate voice. As if drawn back by something, everyone’s faces became sharp and heated again. For a moment, Filaret’s black eyes seemed to waver.

The general’s words sounded legitimate. While it was true that the Bolvat Dynasty was driven by demonic forces, actually, they did launch an attack.

If the people here captured the capital as a counterattack, they’d be fully prepared to fight back against the demons in the future. At first glance, it looked great. Surely there was no mistake.

Philos, the commander of this army, dressed in her black uniform, put her finger to her lips. It seemed that the princess thought the general’s words were worth considering.

「…Lugis. I want to hear your opinion. You put this crown on me, didn’t you? So speak up. 」

Philos’ words made her cheeks tighten and her eyes narrow.

Perhaps I could’ve chosen my words more appropriately for this occasion.

It seemed as though Philos’ actions had caused the looks from those around her to become harsher. I gritted my molars several times, then calmed my voice and spoke out loud.

「…Let’s see. Humanity no longer has time for war amongst itself. If you insist on fighting, then I’ll stop you even if it means siding with the Bolvat Dynasty. 」

Philos nodded and declared.

「Then, let’s do that. The plan has been decided. Welcome Bolvat’s emissary. 」

A thought suddenly occurred to me as the generals and soldiers hustled about Philos’ response.

Perhaps Philos had just placed a huge responsibility on my shoulders.

Beside me, I heard Caria sigh exaggeratedly.

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