[WN] Shut-In : Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Beyond the Teleportation

Translator : PolterGlast

After hearing the story from Lirica, I decided to immediately visit Alice. She seemed busy, as expected, but since my matter was also important, I had her make time for me.

「I see, so those are the circumstances...」

「So, because of that, I'm thinking of lending my power to Lirica to make her the Demon Lord.」

「Did you go out of your way to come here just to tell me that...?」

「That is one of the reasons, yes. And the other is...」

The reason I hurried to Alice was because of a hunch born from past experience. I hadn't found anything when I came regularly to check before, but... within the range of my current Magic Power Perception, there was a spot-on bingo of a reaction.

「Yeah, just as I thought... a demon has come inside this castle.」

「...Is that true?」

「Mhm, my skill is telling me so, so there's no mistake.」

Previously, when I went to negotiate with Emilia to have her accept the Heroes, I discovered a demon inside the Imperial Castle Novark. Demons are surprisingly good at blending in with humans. In fact, according to Emilia, there are even demons who live disguised among humans. It would be fine if they were just peacefully disguising themselves as humans, but... if the demon that came to this castle today belongs to the Subjugation Faction, things will get incredibly bad. Right now, when I don't know how long it will take to train Lirica, it would be disastrous if Odd led a raid on us with his demons.

「For now, I'll go catch him. Is it alright if I beat him half to death before throwing him into the guest room?」

「Yes, that is... my own lack of virtue. To think there was a demon inside the Grisnia Royal Castle...」

After getting permission, I took a shortcut using Jaunt and headed towards the demon. Since I had the map of the Royal Castle somewhat memorized, combining that with Perception made reaching the source of the reaction take only an instant.

「Is this... a warehouse?」

The place I arrived at by following the reaction appeared to be a food delivery area on the first floor of the Royal Castle. Looking over, I saw merchants talking with guards out of the corner of my eye. Inside a carriage parked to the side were wooden containers, which were currently being inspected.

「Oh, Masaru-sama! Good morning!」

Probably because he knew what I had done to the king, the guard instantly gave an incredibly fast salute the moment he saw me. ...He twitched and looked terrified for a split second there. A terrifyingly fast switch in demeanor... if it wasn't me, I would've missed it.

「Umm...」

Checking the source of the Magic Power Perception reaction, it turned out to be a slightly chubby man who was unloading the inspected goods. When I told the guard things were about to get a bit rough, he replied with a cracked voice, saying he understood. Am I, by any chance, feared immensely? ...Well, if it serves as a deterrent, maybe I shouldn't worry about it too much.

「You there, you're a demon, aren't you?」

「—!? ...Who the hell are you?」

「Let me ask you one thing. Are you with the Integration Faction, or the Neutral Faction?」

「T-The Integration Faction!」

I approached the demon and simply said, "Is that so." But just as I broke eye contact using the carriage and turned back toward the guard, Perception caught the demon's movements.

「Die!!」

What the demon unleashed was Fire Magic that produced dark red flames, very similar to the ones the maid demon had used before. When I purposefully created an opening, he fell for it so easily it was actually funny.

「You die... Maelstrom.」

Using Jaunt, I slipped behind him and knocked the demon unconscious. Also, since I didn't know the scale of his magic, I used Maelstrom, a Water Magic spell learned at LV 7, to extinguish the flames. At the cost of flooding the supplies, I successfully prevented an explosion and neutralized the situation beforehand.

「Is it standard for demons to go wild the moment their identity is exposed...? Ah, Mr. Guard, is it alright if we take custody of this guy?」

「Sir, of course, sir!」

「Also, I'm sorry, I ended up soaking the supplies, so regarding the compensation for that...」

「No, everything was due to our own incompetence, so please do not worry about it, Masaru-sama!」

After thanking the endlessly apologetic guard, I headed toward Lirica and the other, whom I had just granted permission to become my disciples.

「Masaru-sama, what exactly is that...?」

「I caught a demon in the Royal Castle. I thought it'd be best to find out which faction he belongs to.」

「Given that he is operating in a highly visible place like the Royal Castle, he is undoubtedly from the Subjugation Faction. They wouldn't do such things unless they looked down on humans.」

「I see, so that's how it is...」

In that case, the maid demon from back then was probably from the Subjugation Faction too. I'm a little relieved. When I first heard the story, I wondered what I'd do if she had been part of the Integration Faction and just genuinely liked humans.

「I heard this from Alice as well, but it seems only a very small handful of people, starting with the former king's close aides, were informed that you and Lirica were coming. Even so, I want to prevent information from leaking to the Subjugation Faction as much as possible, so for a while, is it alright if my policy is to just defeat any demons I find on sight?」

「...No, we cannot trouble Masaru-sama's hands with something of that level.」

Saying only that, Priola cleanly sliced the demon's neck with a hand chop. ...Fast. Faster than the drawing technique of the Revenant samurai. If my Agility hadn't broken past its limit, I probably wouldn't have been able to perceive that. Making an exception for the Knight of the Holy Corpse, she's probably the strongest out of all the living creatures I've seen.

「I will hand over a few magic tools to you. If it is a magic tool invented in my territory, it should be able to distinguish a disguised demon at the very least.」

「Heh... Magic tools developed in Priola-san's territory, huh.」

In the Rusara Territory, Kingsglaive, where Priola-san serves as the feudal lord, the adaptation of human technology is exceptionally widespread among demons. There are many items that are demon-style adaptations of magic tools created by humans, and among them are apparently magic tools that can almost certainly identify demons.

「In that case, I'd be grateful if you lent them to me. If possible, I'd like enough not just for the Kingdom, but for the Empire as well...」

「I can distribute as many of those as you need... Also, Masaru-sama. Please, call me Priola. I cannot have the person who will be Lirica's master use polite speech with me.」

「...Mhm, understood, Priola.」

But even if we can identify demons, is there anyone in the current Kingdom capable of defeating them? The Empire, which can put up a good fight against demons, will probably be fine, but I feel some lingering anxiety about the Kingdom...

(...No, wait. There was one person. A guy who won a one-on-one duel against a demon and is now using his opponent's weapon.)

And so, after receiving the magic tools from Priola (surprisingly, Priola was a user of Space-Time Magic just like me!), and informing Alice and Lirica of the conditions, I immediately set off to visit the guy who is likely enjoying his other-world life in the Imperial Capital Elmoagrad...

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[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : 19 - 6

19-6

Beyond the Tunnel Was...

Translator : PolterGlast

On the night of the second day since departing Fimbul, we finally arrived in Elfinshil. According to Yumil, arriving in two days is absolutely impossible, but since we had indeed arrived in two days, it couldn't be helped.

「Wh-What are you people...?」

There is one more trivial problem. The underground tunnel built by the First Emperor, for some reason I don't understand, connected to a bathhouse. There was a single half-naked young elf boy there, bashfully hiding his crotch.

「Yumil, what is the meaning of this?」

「I-I don't know!?」

「Wahaha, yours is so tiny!」

「I-I'm not looking, wan, I didn't see anything, wan...!」

From a third party's perspective, we probably looked less like diplomatic envoys and more like absolute assassins. However, that boy just stared at me with wide eyes.

「Sorry, it seems I connected to the wrong place. My apologies for interrupting your bath, I'll close it back up now.」

「...Could it be, are you Ausar-sama? The legendary one who, in the olden days, appeared by smashing through the bathhouse...」

First Emperor, what on earth were you doing...? I'm also to blame for proceeding down the path you built without a shred of doubt, but why did you connect it to a bath...?

「Wahaha, then this will be quick! Shovel Man, show him your dragon's eye and arm! That will settle the matter!」

「Is that—are you sure that's really okay...」

However, it seemed faster than explaining with words, and since that suited my preferences, I complied. It was frightening to expose my grotesque form, but perhaps I had an expectation that he might acknowledge me.

「Th-The real one...!?」

「No, I am not the First Emperor. I am his distant descendant, Ashley. Some people call me a throwback to my ancestor, but I am me. Much more so than the ancestor who smashed through a bathhouse.」

Then, that boy, whatever he was thinking, knelt at my feet. And he raised a gaze full of expectation.

「I apologize for the delayed introduction. I am the one acting as the King of this country, named Gufen. We have been waiting for the day you would appear again, Ausar-sama. Ah... we were not forsaken by you all, were we...」

「...Yeah, if you'll swallow our demands, I don't mind playing the part of Ausar. First, my apologies, but let's see, let us borrow a bath first.」

「Y-Yes, as you command...」

「You're too much at your own pace, wan...」

「But that's the kind of person Ausar-kun is, after all... Mmm, but living in a hole has left us sticky and muddy. Perhaps I will take you up on that offer...」

When King Gufen called a page, as expected, they seemed surprised by us ruffians. But since the King was convinced, it didn't matter. When my companions left the bathroom, I had a naked bonding session with him, who was quite youthful for a King.

「You're quite young though, aren't you.」

「No, I have accumulated more years than this appearance suggests.」

「Then shall I do something befitting someone younger? King Gufen, I will wash your back.」

「...You are an eccentric, just like the legends.」

「Like I said, that's just an accidental resemblance. I am Ashley, Prince of the A-Zir Empire. The reason we came here is—」

「The demise of the Emperor. An incomplete coronation ceremony. A blood-soaked dispute among siblings. The situation over there seems to be at its worst.」

「Well, that's about it. For that reason, King, lend us your strength. If we mess up, it'll turn into a war involving the whole world. We want to avoid that.」

「Requests of that sort have been coming from every conceivable faction within the Empire. However—no, let's relax for now.」

We washed each other's backs, and after freshening up, we headed to the audience chamber. It seemed that even as a King, he could not act on his own authority regarding such matters.

◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

When we gathered in the audience chamber, there was an elderly Horned man next to the King. He was apparently an advisor, and Gufen explained to me that no important decisions would pass without his approval.

「Sigrun, huh... You've grown.」

「Wahaha, it's not just my breasts that have grown!」

「Sigrun-sama, nobody said anything about that, kyan!」

「Is that so!? More importantly, who are you, old man!?」

「I just know you from when you were young... Child of Calamity, you haven't changed.」

「What, you're from the same hometown, geezer?!」

She thumped her chest loudly as if boasting about it, dumbfounding those who did not know her personality.

「We shouldn't have brought her...」

「Sorry, you can just ignore this one. She'll only complicate the conversation.」

「Don't say that! You people of Elfinshil, cooperate with us! I, a Horned person, guarantee that this Ashley and Georg are the winning horses! Ouch, what are you doing, Yumil!?」

Yumil pulled Sigrun, who had stepped forward, back in. Is there anyone who would agree to such a demand? Being suddenly disrupted like that, we lost track of our next words.

「Gufen-sama, about this matter...」

「W-Wait, wan! We want you to pretend Sigrun-sama didn't say that, kyan!」

The advisor, the Horned person, declared flatly.

「Accept them. Her words and actions are crude, but there is some truth to that ruffian's words.」

「I am also in favor. Let us form an alliance with them.」

Accept them, he said. It wasn't even a negotiation anymore, and we companions looked at each other in confusion.

「What do you mean? It would sit better with us if you hesitated a little more...」

「I merely thought strategically as an advisor. The truth is, similar invitations have been coming from various factions on the Empire's side. Some forces try to conciliate us with gold or territorial cessions, while others have even gone as far as saying they will harm the elves in Imperial territory or destroy this country in the future if we do not obey.」

「That is a disgrace to the Empire... I apologize.」

「However, I hear that you have revived the white underground tunnels. If you have that, it's a different story. As long as you have that, you are undoubtedly the winning horse.」

Having thought it over rationally, he said he would side with us.

「I hear that in the past, the rebelling Empire led by Ausar built roads beneath the enemy's strongholds and recaptured the country through surprise attacks. If Ashley-sama possesses the same power as his ancestor, then siding with him will lead to victory. Assuming it turns into a war, that is.」

「Ooh, you understand quite well despite being a geezer! That's right, by the hands of this Ashley, the wealth of scoundrels will—Funguuu?!!」

Yumil and Yashu pounced and covered the mouth of Zirant's favorite troublemaker. I do not want the world to find out that the chivalrous thief Pretty Bell was actually a man... Ah, I'm saved...

「Are you truly sure about this?」

「Yes, because we always believed that the day you returned would come.」

「Gufen... Like I've been saying, my ancestor and I are different people...」

「To us, you are the same.」

It didn't quite sit right with me, but in this way, the great eastern power of Elfinshil became our ally. They said they would provide financial aid and dispatch troops using the underground tunnels. In order to solidify those arrangements, it was decided that Miss Yumil would remain here. But our final destination is not here. From here, we will turn back to the ruins of the underground empire and aim south this time. This is why we borrowed Yashu as a companion. Our goal is the beastman country of Kaha. By opening up this path leading south, we will make it so that we can obtain additional reinforcements from Kaha at any time. If we gain the strength of the Elves in the east, the Horned race in the west, and the Beastmen in the south, we should be able to prevent a civil war.

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[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Chapter 392

Chapter 392

(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)

Southern Front ⑧ –Late-Night Visitors

Translator : PolterGlast

After confirming the situation on the battlefield, we made a large detour to the north once, and changed direction upon reaching the highway connecting Big Bridge Fort and Ende, this time we advanced our army straight toward the south. At this time, I raised the military banner indicating the First Prince's army (the Royal Guard Army) that Accelerata had meticulously prepared, and once we reached the highway, we marched openly from there. Actually, within the dispatched army, starting with commander-class individuals like Eisen, Fellow, Felm, and Yaulun, there are many who formerly served as Iron Cavalry in the First Prince's Royal Guard Army. This time, when organizing the expeditionary force, I had also made things clear with them.

※

After the dispatch was decided, I convened a closed council, summoning the commander-class individuals who were former Imperial soldiers and spoke to them face-to-face with my own words.

「 This expeditionary force will operate strictly on a voluntary system. So you are free to decline your deployment without reservation. The opponents we fight are not only a foreign invasion force, but there is a possibility that your former master and the brothers-in-arms you once fought alongside are also included. Even if you decline, there are opportunities to participate actively on other battlefields, and I will not hold anything against you because of it. 」

I told them that, explained the unvarnished situation as much as possible, and gave consideration so it wouldn't become a burden on their minds. However, their reaction was completely different. Or rather... they were infuriated in various meanings.

「 Do not say such pathetic, insulting things! We are individuals who had our lives saved and received immense favors we cannot fully repay! To us Knights, unyielding 『Righteousness』is exactly what cannot be replaced by anything, much less our motherland for us right now is the Demon Territory Dukedom! 」

「 To be honest, we also have feelings toward our former homeland and former compatriots. However! That is the sentiment as those who reside in the Empire, as those who took up swords to protect the country! Toward those who damage the homeland we once loved, we wish to resolutely swing our swords without a single drop of hesitation! 」

「 To our former selves, our master was the Empire itself! We only served His Highness Glorious because his station as the rightful heir to the throne! Casually selling out the Empire to a foreign invader borders on absolute, un-pardonable treason! Our blades shall never permit it! 」

「 Who is trying to protect the Empire, and who is reaching out a hand to protect the Empire? To us, that is an obvious fact. While we indeed feel gratitude for saving our former motherland, we wish to work as proud members of the Demon Territory Knights Order. Please take us with you! 」

Saying so, everyone volunteered for the expeditionary force, furiously angry. They were infuriated at the First Prince, who sought his own power and was trying to sell off the Empire, and shed tears of gratitude toward the Demon Territory Dukedom's policy of trying to save the citizens residing in the Empire. To them, there are of course feelings toward their former motherland. But right now, the Empire does not equal the First Prince. Their former lord was in the position of a rebel, and they showed no hesitation in punishing that. Of course, I could also see the feeling that their current motherland is the Demon Territory Dukedom, and protecting it is what's important.

Driven by that profound psychological ignition, not a single vacancy appeared among the former Imperial soldiers, and everyone besides them also volunteered with fierce momentum. With such circumstances as well, the army's camouflage putting those who were former Royal Guard Army at the front was, so to speak, close to perfect

※

I thought the enemy army would probably discover us marching openly south on the highway. Because as we approached Big Bridge, it was anticipated we would naturally be caught in the besieging army's patrol network. But they would surely think that the First Prince had participated in the war leading reinforcements for them. First, we are an army that absolutely shouldn't be here. Second, because we were deliberately marching openly and slowly as if boasting a majestic appearance. Furthermore, we were marching while having those who were former Imperial soldiers sing songs praising the Empire.

This was the tactic I came up with at that time, but there was actually a historical event it was based on. It was an anecdote of Yamakawa Hiroshi, a young chief retainer of the Aizu domain who left an interesting episode during the Boshin War at the end of the Edo period. It is said that when he entered Aizu Wakamatsu Castle, which was completely surrounded by the new government army, he made a procession of flutes and drums and marched openly while having them perform the Higan Jishi, a traditional performing art of Aizu. He passed in front of the enemy army who were taken aback wondering 『Whose army (ally) is that? 』, and without receiving a single artillery shell or losing a single soldier, he holds the anecdote of successfully entering the castle openly.

People are all confused by actions outside common sense. As a result, they selfishly make judgments based on the information within their known scope.

Around the time dusk approached, we advanced to a point about 5 km from the fort and halted our march, setting up camp as if strictly lying in wait for the fleeing enemy soldiers (the Third Prince's army). At that time, we intentionally feigned the appearance of taking a leisurely rest from an outsider's perspective, and let the soldiers rest in shifts. Of course, we laid a vigilance network in the surroundings, and prepared only an immediate response system just in case, but...

Entering the night, the top brass of the Turncoat Kingdom army surrounding Big Bridge Fort was in confusion. Because there was a report from soldiers sent out on patrol that the Imperial Army led by the First Prince had left Ende and was heading this way.

※

「 What on earth does that arrogant bastard think he is playing at?! To choose this exact time to nonchalantly stroll onto our active battlefield at this late stage! 」

「 It has already been twenty days since we surrounded this place. He likely couldn't wait any longer and came out, right? 」

「 But according to the initial agreement this is our territory, there is no reason for them to interfere! Besides, unlike those barbarians (the Sura Principality army), we haven't raised a single thing that can be called a war result! 」

「 That's right. Let us send an interrogating messenger straight to the Imperial encampment even tomorrow morning. We will likely need to tell him something like, 'Wait silently exactly as per the agreement'. 」

After such an exchange was passed around among the top brass of the Turncoat Kingdom, they went to sleep with unpleasant feelings. Precisely because even they were well aware regarding the severe political internal affairs of the Empire. That is exactly why it can be said they had an assumption regarding an army that appeared at an impossible timing and in an impossible place normally.

And late at night... In the darkness, an army with gags in their horses' mouths was secretly creeping up to the rear of the Turncoat Kingdom army deployed on the east side. The scouts placed on their path of advance had been secretly silenced by those creeping up clad in darkness (Raphael and others) who went ahead.

Once they crept up to the outer edge illuminated by the grandly burning bonfires, they simultaneously unleashed arrows before mounting their horses. Ten thousand arrows accelerated by Wind Mages assaulted the forces deployed on the east side of Big Bridge Fort.

「 E-Enemy attack!!! The Sura Principality army has attacked us!!!」

「 It's betrayal!!! Those bastards intend to monopolize the war results!!! 」

「 They're attacking from the west!!! South!!! Flee to the south!!! 」

Amidst the screams raised by the soldiers who had fallen into massive confusion, voices intentionally conveying the situation accurately erupted in various places. Although, if one listened calmly, those voices were coming from the direction of the attacking enemy army, but the fleeing soldiers had no leeway to confirm that. Among those hurriedly fleeing from the late-night surprise attack, there were even those who abandoned their weapons and armor to flee, causing so much confusion that it truly turned into a crucible of chaos, a terrible state.

※

「 They're splendidly confused and their lines have dissolved into absolute disarray. Entire cavalry, we charge in from here now! Commander Weiss, I leave the vanguard to you! 」

「 Leave it to me! Charge!!! 」

After this exchange, Weiss, leading the tip of the arrow formation, commenced the charge. Together with a female knight with fluttering jet-black hair, surrounded and solidified by robust elites.

「 Ughーー?! 」 「 Abeee?! 」 「 Guhak?! 」

Ahead of where they pushed forward, the portion of soldiers who had come out to intercept holding swords also ungracefully clung to the earth while letting out indescribable screams. After that as well, every time they advanced forward, as if apologizing for something, soldiers appearing unable to endure some weight fell to their knees, put both hands on the earth, and collapsed one after another.

While cleaving through the fleeing soldiers, the military rank forming the arrow shape tore through the enemy camp at Weiss's instruction. Their path of advance was mysteriously illuminated brightly despite it being late at night, and those attempting to block their way were deprived of their vision by the dazzling light, standing still helplessly and joining the ranks of the war dead.

On the battlefield this day, when transitioning to the mopping-up operation, the passwords 『Yama』 and 『Kawa』 were exchanged in various places in the darkness, and the enemy soldiers who did not know the meaning were struck down one after another. Furthermore, this is said to have been established as a password not so much because Takuhir repurposed the anecdote of the Ako Ronin raid, but rather to show respect to Yamakawa Hiroshi, whom he imitated the historical event of upon marching.

※

The confusion of those deployed on the east side of Big Bridge successively spilled over to the entire army, and also spilled over to those deployed on the south side.

「 What is the meaning of this! What on earth is happening!! 」

「 Are there no reports from the east yet! 」

While the confusion expanded, there was no one among the top brass gathered at the main camp in the south who could answer the questions. However, it was feared that if things continued like this, the confusion would even reach the army deployed in the south, and in the worst case, lead to the collapse of the entire army. In the midst of that, one of the soldiers tumbled into the camp curtain along with a scream.

 

 

 

「 Reporting! The Sura Principality Army has betrayed us! Starting with General Kilge  who was deployed on the east side, the top brass is annihilated! The enemy army is further expanding the battle line, and our army cannot hold out! 」

「 Wh—Whaaaaaat?! Even Kilge…… 」

「 That can't be…… 」

「 Those barbarians, do they intend to monopolize the war results! 」

「 Your Excellency! We must immediately prepare for interception! 」unable to bear watching the confused and stunned generals, a subordinate raised his voice.

「 Fools! Even if we set up a formation against our routing allies, we'll just get caught! Damn those barbarians... Can we afford not to strike back with an arrow! 」

As one general directed his gaze boiling with anger toward the west, yet another general continued.

「 Issue an immediate instructions to the entire army! We will advance west while detouring the outer edge of the enemy fort! Circle around further to the rear of the enemy attacking the east, and strike the backs of those cowards! 」

「 Concurrently, have a courier run to the east! Tell them to somehow maintain the battle line and hold out until we pincer attack! 」

Their orders were executed immediately. The fifteen thousand men of the Turncoat Kingdom army deployed on the south side suddenly assaulted the five thousand men of the Sura Principality army setting up camp on the adjacent west side. And then... a fierce internecine struggle between allied forces began, and the bloodstained, gruesome night wore on.

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