[WN] Shut-In : Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Power Play

Translator : PolterGlast

Heading further northwest, the city of Ronack, considered the Demon Territory Zwaarth, finally came into view. Thankfully for us on the attacking side, demon feudal lords basically only possess a single city. In demon culture, where strength is justice, demons seeking protection gather under a strong demon. Because cities are formed in that manner, the structure inherently makes it impossible to build a second or third city. The strong demons protect them, and in exchange, they can do whatever they want to the weak demons. Since such a twisted set of values seems to be the default, their very foundation of thinking must be completely different from us humans. I had considered bringing the Subjugation Faction over to our side since they obey the strong, but thinking about the future, it might be best to just defeat all of them—except for the Integration Faction and a portion of the Neutral Faction, who hold views relatively closer to humans.

「Heh, so that's the city of Ronack...」

As I drew closer, the full picture of the city came into view. As expected, or rather somehow, it was completely different from the cities I knew. There were no city walls surrounding it; there was only a moat dug as a mere formality. However, even in that state, a massive castle could be seen in what appeared to be the center of the city. Since there were no monster reactions in the surroundings, only demons would be coming here. If that's the case, this level of defense might not be an issue.

(Crushing them all at once is an option, but...)

Spamming LV 10 magic without thinking about the consequences and destroying the entire city would be the easiest method, but this city is ruled by demons of the Subjugation Faction. Judging from what Emilia and Sae-san told me, it is entirely possible that abducted humans are inside. Furthermore, just because it's ruled by the Subjugation Faction, there might be demons from the Neutral Faction or Integration Faction inside who are following them reluctantly.

「...Alright, in times like this, I'll just obediently rely on others.」

At this stage, I decided to stop thinking about it on my own. There's no way someone like me, who can only put in a little more effort than others, could instantly come up with the correct answer. Since there are actual demons on my side, talking with Lirica and Priola, whom I've left waiting, will surely yield a better answer. Just as I was about to use Door Placement to return to the Royal Capital...

「...Ah, my Home leveled up!」

My Home had leveled up for the first time in quite a while. It had been so long recently that I had completely given up on it. Checking my Gift once more, it seemed a new ability had been added. I see, this is... Thinking about what's to come, this seems like it could be quite useful. To confirm if I could actually use it, I returned to Lirica and the others, who should be waiting at the Royal Castle.

「...And that's how it is. If possible, I want to save everyone inside before taking them down, but do you have any good ideas?」

「T-That's tremendous...」

「To think you defeated that many demons in such a short amount of time...」

Having heard the circumstances, both Lirica and Priola were a little put off by my story. Well, reaching the Demon Territory in a few hours and annihilating them in the blink of an eye is certainly a bit absurd, I suppose (treating it as someone else's problem).

「I can think of a few methods, but... in that case, I think going with the demon way of doing things would be best.」

「The demon way of doing things?」

「Yes. In short... you just need to resolve everything with power.」

The method Priola mentioned while laughing was indeed a power play fit for a demon. True, with that, we wouldn't have to worry about the uninvolved people.

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[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : 19 - 14

19-14

The Entrusted Hidden Treasure

Translator : PolterGlast

「If we are to connect a scattered world into one, reviving that place would be the fastest way. Even if I become Emperor, in the underground society, beastmen would continue to be kidnapped, and elves would have no choice but to live gathered in specific districts. If so, we just need to revive that place and create a land where all races truly coexist.」

That place connects to various parts of the world. The underground passages that run beneath mountains and great rivers can reach a destination faster than any other route. That place is a key traffic hub. Towns are born at key traffic hubs. If many people come and go, and witness the coexistence of those living there, we might be able to correct the distortions of the Empire.

「Fools! If there was a way to revive it, I would have done it long ago! Father and Mother took the sun that was in that land, the hidden treasure that illuminated the underground empire, and left this world with it in their hands! They could have just left it for us, those obstinate fools!!」

A method to create a sun, huh... Even if I asked the folks of the Horned race, this might be impossible. But to give up is—

「If that's the case, it's right here.」

「...Eh.」

From Zirant's throat, the faint voice of a young girl echoed. What did she just say? It's here...? Didn't the First Emperor take it away?

「Eh, eeh, what does that mean!?」

「Step outside this house and look up at the sky. What is up there is the very thing that once illuminated the A-Zir underground empire. You can take it with you.」

Zirant stood there in a daze. However, that was only for a moment; she immediately dashed out of the study and went outside the house. When we followed after her a little late, we found Zirant slumped on her knees beneath the eaves of the house. Looking up at the sky of the underground cavity, something light purple was glowing faintly. Looking closely, it was spherical, and when told it was a sun, it certainly looked like one.

「In such a... hiding it in such a place... Father, Mother... you're too wicked...」

I don't understand it completely, but maybe its output has been lowered. If I just show something like this to Plea of the Horned race, she'll probably handle the rest properly on her own.

「At the time, there were also many who tried to resurrect the underground empire. But they believed that leaving the gods' hidden treasure there would hinder the growth of their children.」

「Now that you are sufficiently independent, they would surely say they don't mind handing it over. The fact that they didn't take it with them implies as much.」

When Azato released a spell, the purple sun descended.

「Wa, wa, the sky is falling, uwa!?」

「Wahahaha, delightful, delightful!」

「Are you alright, Carral?」

It gave the illusion that the sky itself was falling. I supported Carral, who was so surprised she almost gave out at the knees, while leaving Sigrun, who had fallen on her rear and flipped backwards, exactly as she was.

「Th-Thanks... Haa, that really startled me, geez...」

「Heyyy, Shinza, help sessha up too, it's cold.」

「You aren't that delicate, right... Heave-ho.」

After helping Sigrun up, I turned my eyes to the fallen sun. Approaching it while lending Carral my shoulder, I saw it was only about the size of two human heads. It was huge if you could call it huge, but as a sun, it was much too small a sphere.

「But, is everyone going to be okay...? Won't you be troubled if this is gone...?」

「Lizardmen are a race that originally lived in holes. The light from the luminous moss alone is no problem. My wife, however, might be a little troubled...」

「I will follow along with you, dear. If we can live in that underground empire once more, I want to help with its revival.」

After smiling at Azato, his wife also gave me a smile. It was the same for Azato. The two of them stared at me as if to confirm something, then exchanged glances and seemed convinced.

「Will it really... will that place really be resurrected...?」

「Seems like it.」

Zirant was still slumped on the ground. Since Carral seemed to be fine now, I stood in front of Zirant and offered my hand. Then, with eyes like a child's, full of wonder, Zirant merely stared at the palm of my hand.

「Isn't this great! With this, we can station a massive army right beneath the Fimbul territory! After that, if Shinza creates a path leading right beneath the enemy's feet and suppresses their core, the civil war will be an instant checkmate!」

「That would work if the opposing force was single. But this time it's a civil war; there are too many enemy heads. If we play the card of a surprise attack from underground once, they'll be on guard against it afterwards.」

That aside, how long am I supposed to wait with my hand held out... However, when I returned my gaze to Zirant once more, large drops of tears were welling up in the god's eyes.

「Father...?」

Stop saying it like that with a tearful voice; it's making my chest tighten. I unilaterally grabbed Zirant's hand and pulled her up a bit roughly.

「If I truly am the same person as Ausar, I wouldn't mind becoming another father to you. But if so, please act a bit more like an adorable daughter.」

「......Is that true?」

「N-No, you accepted that surprisingly obediently... You can get mad at me in your usual tone, you know...?」

「Impossible... Wagahai was abandoned by Father... Ashley, I command you. Become Wagahai's father...」

「You're far older than me. Don't be unreasonable...」

I was bewildered by the obedient and frail Zirant. But perhaps this is the true Zirant. The existences she thought of as father and mother left the world, leaving only heavy responsibilities behind. What a cruel life. Amidst this, the bizarre book glowed without reading the room, and a new mission was added to its pages.

 

- Pioneer - 【Revive the underground empire A-Zir】

·         Reward: EXP 5000 / Flower Garden and Fertile Land

『Wagahai wants to see that shining world once more... Please, revive that paradise. And, become Wagahai's father...』

 

I never thought Zirant's true nature was that of a daughter with such an extreme father complex... If she desires the revival of that land to such an extent, I will gladly contribute to the project as well. As for the father treatment... I'm not mentally prepared for that yet, so give me a break... I only meant it as a joke...

Thus, bringing along Azato, his wife, and a small elite group of Lizardmen, we rendezvoused with the Hez Company's merchant fleet at the next anchorage. Everyone was surprised by the appearance of Lizardmen, a Dragonoid, and an angel, but strangely enough, everyone hit it off immediately. That's all thanks to Sigrun. Because for that woman, the walls between people simply don't exist. There are even parts that make you think the Lizardmen are more pure-hearted and decent than Sigrun.

The fleet overtook everything at an extraordinary cruising speed, and eventually—guided us to Erin Port, which was built on those sheer cliffs. A civil war had already broken out on the Empire's mainland. Dragging in the feuds from Father's era, the imperial lords had split into northern and southern forces, eagerly awaiting the start of the decisive battle.

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[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Chapter 402

Chapter 402

(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)

Southern Front ⑱ - The Demon King's Hammer

Translator : PolterGlast

Hundreds of metal spheres fired from each Magic Cannon cleaved through the atmosphere and took flight, landing on the earth 1 km behind the positioned First Prince's Army. The earth was gouged out with a thunderous roar, sending up dense clouds of dust.

「Hii!」

The First Prince unconsciously let out a small scream and clung to his thrashing mount. This was because the horrifying memory of the past, the terror he was shown at the Battle of Teigoon, had been vividly brought back to his mind.

「Hey! That is...」

「Yeah, I've seen that before. It's the Demon King's Hammer.」

「It's hopeless, we should retreat...」

「Hey, it landed far behind us! Do you understand what that means!」

Those who had formerly served in the Royal Guard Army understood the situation far more accurately than the violently shaken First Prince. Just as it was called a warning shot, there was absolutely no damage to them, but the earth in the rear where the shots landed had been gouged out in various places, completely changing the landscape. As if to foretell that this would be their own fate in the future...

「You must have understood well enough by now. That you have carelessly stepped deep into our firing range. There is no escape for you. Never forget that it is our army that holds the power of life and death over you right now.」

「N-No way, the Demon King is...」

「That can't be! How much distance do you think there is!」

「I heard he is currently fighting the enemy army far to the north!」

「Then why is that weapon here!」

Even the commander class, who knew the circumstances to some extent, were violently shaken, falling into an unmanageable state. Not to mention the soldiers who had just been told the truth.

「How is it, do you understand now? Some of you may know it, but this is the tactic of my friend. There is no other way to replicate it. You lot cannot gather allies without selling off pieces of the national territory. But I have a friend who supports me. Officers and soldiers. Return to your roots once more and consider what loyalty to the Empire truly means.」

These words uttered by the Third Prince could be said to be the final blow for the soldiers belonging to the rebel army. They were just about to throw down their weapons and move to surrender when it happened.

「Denka! Issue the order for a full-scale attack immediately!」

While everyone was dumbfounded in this worst-case scenario, the old general who had pushed his horse all the way to the front row shouted beside the First Prince. He, who had always acted as the brakes for one thing or another, had been alienated this time as well and placed at the very rear, but...

「Harry, but with that attack...」

「What are you spacing out for! At this rate, everything will be over!」

He alone was still brimming with fighting spirit, glaring at the fort that had unleashed the attack just moments ago. Even in this impending crisis, his face was full of confidence.

「The power and range of that catapult are beyond imagination, that is certainly true. However, that is only if they can aim at us accurately. Retreating is precisely the folly of falling into the enemy's trap and diving right into their firing range!」

「W... What do you mean.」

「Do you not understand? There is no way such a large-scale contraption of a catapult can easily adjust its firing angle. In that case, we simply need to advance and burn them away with our own concealed weapons.」

「With that... can we win?」

Seeing through the fact that the First Prince had already nearly lost all his will to fight from the previous attack, Harry usurped command on his own authority.

「We must now find life in the midst of death, Mage Unit, follow me! Soldiers, do not be misled by the enemy army's schemes! If we move forward, that attack will not come flying at us!」

Saying so, he took along the soldiers under his direct command and the mages belonging to the Principality of Fearalt Rebel Army, and they charged forward all at once.

「We shall serve as your arrow shields! Once we reach 300 m, sweep the top of the city walls with Fire Magic and Lightning Magic!」

Those who followed his words, a group of 300 cavalrymen, followed while surrounding the 30 mages.

※

Our hope that the rebel army's morale would drop from the simultaneous volley of the Magic Cannons and that this would settle things was betrayed. This was because, drawn in by the group of over three hundred cavalry riding at the vanguard, the Imperial Army also began to show signs of gradually advancing.

「Oho, it seems there are some quite spirited individuals in the enemy army as well. To attempt a charge, offering themselves as a sacrifice to restore morale. However, that attack... it does not seem like a mere charge.」

The Commander is certainly right. "There are no weak soldiers under a brave general," as they say. To think they would turn it around and exploit the weakness of the large-scale Magic Cannons... Moreover, I have a bad feeling about this.

「Relay this to all Magic Cannons! Distance yourselves from your respective cannons immediately! Inform Denka (His Highness) to temporarily pull back to the rear as well! Issue an evacuation advisory to the surrounding Imperial Army too!」

To begin with, the Magic Cannons stand out. Since they are installed on top of the city walls, their imposing appearance can be clearly seen from the enemy camp. Conversely, they could easily become prime targets. Due to the circumstance of Yoltia handling three roles by herself, all three units are installed adjacent to each other, making them stand out all the more.

「Orders for Christoph! Quickly move west from your current position and prepare to attack with 『Long Spear』! At the same time, have the Special Fire Corps prepare for suppressive fire after moving!」

At this time, I ignored the chain of command for the defensive battle and moved to deal with the situation on my own authority. Because I judged that we wouldn't make it in time if I went asking for permission for every little thing.

「The enemy cavalry has temporarily halted at the 300-m mark. It appears the Imperial Army on the city walls has begun preparations to fire the Catapults!」

「Hmph... They are planning something, aren't they? I will head down below and begin preparations for the Demon Territory Knights to sortie.」

Just as the Commander said, I feel something too. Because there is no way they would launch a meaningless attack at this late stage.

「Evacuation status?」

「Numbers one through three have completed evacuation to the interior!」

「Grat-denka has also temporarily stepped under the eaves.」

「The Special Fire Corps is moving to the western edge of the north wall. They will be in position shortly!」

Almost simultaneously with that report, just as a thunderous roar echoed in the sky, a flash of light pierced through the Magic Cannons. Immediately after, masses of hellfire rained down from the sky, aiming right at the Magic Cannons!

「Damn it! Just as I thought!」

There was no mistaking it; that was an annihilation attack by the Magic Corps of the Principality of Fearalt. So they had still survived after all!

「Takuhir-sama, please evacuate too!」

Walrus, who came forward to advise this, was desperately deploying Water Magic and supporting me so that the flames would not reach where I was. The Imperial Soldiers on the city walls were running about in a great panic.

「I'm fine! At this rate, the second volley will come! Is the bell unharmed? Have them start striking it three times after a rapid beating! Counterattacking with 『Long Spear』 is the top priority!」

Once the rapid beating of the bell begins, my safety will be conveyed to everyone. With that, they should fulfill their own roles according to the previous orders.

※

When the enemy army's weapons that threatened their lives were engulfed in flames by the mages' attack, the disheartened First Prince, his staff officers, and a portion of the Imperial Soldiers raised a massive cheer.

「Hahaha, how unsightly. Is this the result of all that big talk! We also have concealed weapons (Magic Soldiers). The weapons threatening us are now lost. Seize this opportunity and have the entire army transition to a full-scale attack!」

The First Prince, who had been disheartened, suddenly regained his momentum and issued the attack order. The soldiers responding to it also began to move all at once.

「No... is this okay? I believe attacking in the middle of negotiations after sending a military envoy is an unforgivable act...」

「That's right, I haven't forgotten the conversation from earlier. Pulling off a sneak attack like this concerns the honor of the Imperial Army too.」

「Stop it, stop it, I'm starting to feel this is ridiculous.」

「Our unit shall stand by and watch from here! Participation in the attack is strictly forbidden!」

「Entire army, break formation for now! Our unit will secure a retreat path!」

Within the thirty thousand-strong army led by the First Prince, there were those who raised such voices of doubt. Because they were a minority within the army of thirty thousand, it did not lead to concrete rebellion, but they avoided participating in the battle line, choosing to command their own troops and stand by and watch. Here, a fierce battle was about to begin between the approximately twenty-five thousand Imperial Army led by the First Prince, and the Big Bridge Fort Garrison Army.

The Magic Cannons deployed at the center of the city wall were engulfed in hellfire, flames rose from various places atop the north wall, and the means to intercept them were steadily being lost.

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