[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : 20- 2

20-2

The Army from the Abyss

Translator : PolterGlast

Four days after that―― an urgent report came flying in via the Fimbul Dukedom on the surface. Upon hearing it, I deeply regretted why I hadn't immediately headed over to help Georg-aniue. Aniue is currently being forced into a siege battle in Ratatosk City, which has those high city walls. The enemy is not just the monsters of the Abyss. A man who shouldn't have appeared there led an army and attacked Georg-aniue, who was fighting the monsters of the Abyss. It was Prince Yord, who was supposed to be commanding the Knight Order at the battlefield in the southern part of the Empire... The elites of the Knight Order led by him, and the Imperial 5th Army which betrayed Aniue, threw away their duty of frontier defense and assaulted Aniue and Ratatosk City. They got us... I hadn't even imagined they would make such a move. If Georg-aniue is struck down, we will lose our charisma. Without Aniue, this civil war cannot be stopped. I am an abominable child possessing a dragon's eye, a Prince who has been kept hidden. I cannot fulfill the same role as Aniue. I absolutely had to rescue him. Fortunately, soldiers were gathering in the underground empire from various places. It wasn't just elves and beastmen. The lords near Fimbul who believed in our potential also dispatched troops. According to the report, the enemy's numbers are not that large either. Therefore, we aimed for the outskirts of Ratatosk City using the northern underground tunnel that we hadn't yet opened up. Our military strength is three thousand. It's a mixed force of beastmen excelling in combat power and elves capable of using magic. Even if we are inferior in numbers, if the elites of the First Army led by Aniue and the citizens of Ratatosk, who are full of adventurers with abundant combat experience, join hands, we have a sufficient chance of winning. Until I witnessed the battlefield where, for some reason, the army of the Abyss and Yord were fighting together, that's what I thought. It's a harsh situation. If things were going to turn out like this, I should have dragged Sigrun along. That gal was curious about the battle in the southern part of the Imperial Capital and didn't want to leave Erin.

「What are we going to do, Ashley?」

「What do you mean 'what', it was a promise only up to halfway, Aneue...」

「Now that it's come to this, it can't be helped, deshu. Durin and Atomina-sama will prepare some medicine, deshu.」

Another problem is Atomina-aneue... With Georg-aniue in a predicament, there was no way Aneue would stay quiet in the underground empire...

「If it gets dangerous, please retreat immediately...」

「I know that much, deshu yo. Ashley-sama, please leave that to Durin, deshu.」

「I'm counting on you... I'll make contact with Aniue inside.」

The entrance of the underground tunnel was cleverly concealed with magic. Looking down from this high ground, there is a particularly large tent, so Yord and the other commanders must be there. There is also the option of using the passage I'm about to create as an escape route, letting Aniue and the citizens escape from the underground to here. We could probably shelter the people of Ratatosk in that underground empire as well. However, if we don't defeat Yord here, we will eventually have to fight the Southern Army, which has even joined hands with the army of the Abyss. Before that, there was even a possibility that the Northern Army led by Uncle and the others would collapse, leaving us helpless against a Dark Dynasty teamed up with the Abyss. I went down into the underground tunnel and dug out a new branch path from the road built by the First Emperor.

「Father, Wagahai shall go and see the situation above.」

「Yeah... But Zirant, when will we be able to return to our old dynamic...?」

「What are you saying, Father. This is exactly how we should be. You, who revived that underground empire, are none other than Father.」

「Does that mean we can never go back...」

The coordinates could have been managed somehow with my intuition, but with Zirant's assistance, we were able to strike much more accurate coordinates. Namely, that was――

「Aniue, I'm here.」

Right in the middle of a strategy meeting, directly at Aniue's feet.

「Kukuku... Wagahai and Father will specially help you. ...No, should I call you Uncle Georg here?」

「That figure is Zirant-sama!? Have you come to save us!?」

There was also some bigwig I had seen somewhere before. If I recall correctly, was it the city mayor here? He was deeply moved by the surreal sight of us sprouting from under his feet.

「Where on earth do you appear from, you...」

「Well, there was a slightly more common-sense way to make contact, but considering the war situation, we'd want to hurry even by a single second. Tell me about your situation, Aniue.」

Borrowing Aniue's hand to crawl up from the ground, I joined the strategy meeting.

・ To summarize, Ratatosk City is apparently being attacked from both the inside and the outside. The city mayor said that the labyrinth of stakes went out of control at the worst possible timing. Because of that, not only the monsters of the Abyss but even an intelligent army of the Abyss are overflowing from the labyrinth. The biggest problem is the largest stake towering in the center of the town, from which forces of the Abyss were apparently overflowing into reality. It seems this will lead to a bad situation later if we don't crush it. The plan to escape collapsed early on.

「Our remaining military strength is 2,000, and the mixed unit you brought is 3,000, huh. It's a number that isn't impossible to overturn.」

Aniue would say so even if it were a lie. As for the opposing army on the other side―― I don't know, but their numbers are more than double. Even so, a chance of winning floated on Aniue's face.

「I'm glad you're my younger brother. If we use the underground tunnel you created, we can strike the enemy's back. Leaving the absolute minimum necessary soldiers in Ratatosk, we will charge the enemy's main camp from the rear. We will settle this with a surprise attack.」

「Isn't that just a surprise attack and brute force...」

「You are too used to your own power. Think about it, Ashley. The enemy army you're supposed to be besieging appears right behind you. The front is the city wall of Ratatosk, the rear is our elites; from the enemy's perspective, your power is a nightmare. Your power is the strongest power in military tactics.」

「Kuku... Wagahai is in favor. I'll accompany you to buy time until you cut down Yord.」

The strategy was decided on a counterattack from the rear using the underground passage. We will strike down Prince Yord in the main camp and the general of the Imperial 5th Army, and seize control of the remnants with Georg-aniue's charisma. After that, we will eliminate the army of the Abyss and correct the anomaly of the labyrinth of stakes. This is a battle we can win.

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[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Special 4

Volume 5 Release Commemorative Special Episode

The Former Master and Servant ① - Large-Scale Detour Tactic

Translator : PolterGlast

Grat, the Third Prince of the Imperial Army, and Weiss, who gained the moniker Black Hawk of the Gale in the second world—on this day, the two lined up their pieces for the first time and wielded command on the battlefield. It was almost as if... it was reminiscent of the original history from the past, which has now been altered.

Here, the story shifts its scene to an event that occurred in the past, a battle waged while Takuhir was living his second life, and the chance meeting of the two men involved in it. To the tale of a former master and servant who, in Takuhir's third life, did not become master and servant due to his intervention in history...

During Takuhir's second life, when he was nineteen and struggling against a large-scale drought, this master and servant were facing a formidable enemy on the exact same battlefield as now, the wetland region known as Big Bridge.

◇◇◇ Second Life, Kyle Calendar 512 (3 Years Ago)

Having driven out the Principality of Sura Army—which had at one point surged close to Ende—from Imperial Territory, and having overcome bitter battles at various places along the border with a succession of victories, the master and servant had now pushed the enemy forces far to the southwest, advancing the front line all the way to the marshland region called Big Bridge. On the other hand, the Principality of Sura Army, whose numbers had been reduced to ten thousand, laid an ambush in this marshland region called Big Bridge and lay in wait for them.

「Even so... Big Bridge is an ironic place name.」

It is no wonder the Third Prince muttered so. Far from a big bridge, there was absolutely nothing here that could even be called a bridge. To traverse the vast marshland, there was only a low, crude bridge—merely planks of wood lined up just wide enough for people to barely pass each other—stretching endlessly across the center of the swamp.

「The bridge itself is certainly so. However, in terms of its length, narrowness, and the difficulty of capturing it, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a 『big thing』.」

The one who was asked had no choice but to answer with a wry smile mixed in. While being self-aware that it was, in a sense, an ironic and forced explanation...

「Hahaha, a bridge laden with a big problem, huh. Even so, General, thanks to your efforts we were finally able to advance the army this far, but... they really fled into a troublesome place.」

「It is likely the correct choice for the enemy. We cannot deploy troops in the marshland spread out here, let alone attack across that narrow bridge. In that case, we have no choice but to bypass the marshland and attack from the left and right, but...」

「If we do that, we play right into their hands... They will advance troops from their fortress line in the rear and strike our flanks while we are engaged. If we ignore them, bypass the area, and proceed with capturing the fortress line, then the enemy soldiers who fled into the marshland will strike our rear this time. Quite a villainous method.」

Indeed, although they had been victorious in their battles thus far, the Principality of Sura was also a major power; apart from the enemy before them, they still possessed over sixty thousand troops. Because fifty thousand of them were holed up in a fortress line spanning three locations, watching for an opportunity to reinvade at any moment...

「Well... thinking with common sense, it could be said to be the optimal tactic. It is a simple and narrow-minded method of dedicating themselves to fleeing, focusing solely on buying time, and surging forward when we pull back, after all.」

The man called General replied thus, evaluating the enemy's tactics with an expression that could even be considered insolent. Without even clouding his expression in this seemingly dead-end situation.

『What a mysterious man... He is not only brave and daring but also extremely excellent in terms of tactics, a hard-to-come-by general. But why was a man of this caliber buried in the Kyle Kingdom? To drive him out, are they nothing but idiots?』

The Third Prince could not help but think this anew. To begin with, his encounter with him dated back ten years. He was the commander of a mercenary group, leading those who had volunteered as mercenaries while living a wandering life, but he had only a mere ten members under his command, a situation where even calling themselves a mercenary group was a cause for hesitation. However, this man's skill with a sword was tremendous; despite the fierceness of his merciless swordplay when fighting, he was usually a man of few words with a calm demeanor, knowing moderation and never displaying a rough attitude. The Third Prince took a liking to this man, who possessed an atmosphere with a hint of shadow, and suddenly selected him as a general to lead a thousand men. The man did not betray those expectations; he continued to show remarkable performances in the subsequent battles and was promoted, eventually coming to be called a General commanding ten thousand cavalry.

「So, General, how do you read what lies ahead?」

「Let me see... The terrain here is not suited for an attack by cavalry. Moreover, I believe the enemy army's calculation is to gradually retreat while exhausting us, luring us into the fortress line they have built.」

「What a troublesome matter. With this, no matter how much we repel them, they will ultimately hole up in their fortress line, and if we pull back, they will come out again. It's endless...」

Just as the Third Prince said, if the Imperial Army achieved a certain amount of battle results and retreated, it was clearer than looking at a fire that the Principality of Sura Army would sortie from their fortresses once more, begin advancing north, and close in near Ende. In contrast, the military force led by the Third Prince was only thirty thousand, and they could not remain in the occupied territory of an enemy nation for long. Precisely because they understood this, the Principality of Sura Army, which boasted a total military force of over sixty thousand, was repeatedly surging forward and pulling back.

「To deal them a decisive blow, we must destroy that fortress line and achieve victory. However, at the same time, capturing that fortress line from the front is likely a monumental task. Denka, you would need at least another thirty thousand soldiers.」

「If I had such a military force, matters would be simple, but...」

Both Weiss and the Third Prince understood that this was an impossible demand. It would be a different story if the Third Prince had the authority to command the entire Imperial Army, but in the current situation, both he and the faction opposing him could only mobilize military forces of about thirty thousand each.

「Perhaps the enemy, and the enemies among our allies as well, are expecting that Denka, having run out of patience, will move to capture the fortress line. However... the defense utilizing the geographical advantage is solid, and capturing it with our current fighting strength is likely impossible.」

Saying so, Weiss stared at the map in his hand. Beyond passing through Big Bridge, a steep mountain range stretching north and south across the Principality of Sura lay in a row. To pass through that mountain range and move west, they had no choice but to go through the only three available bypaths, but the principality's army had fortified those three locations and constructed a robust defensive line. With the military forces on hand, they could at most capture only one location, but if they did that, they would be struck in the flank and rear by enemy forces advancing from the other two locations. Therefore, even to capture one, a fighting strength sufficient to cap the other two locations was indispensable.

「So, what will the General do?」

「To dare strike head-on against a solid fortress line is the act of a fool, but simply sitting idly and maintaining the status quo will likely leave this expedition without much of a result, won't it.」

「And that is exactly why that guy (Glorious) is resting peacefully in the Imperial Capital Griffin, merely waiting for my self-destruction, right?」

「Most likely... On their side as well, there is a close aide (Harry) who cannot be let off guard and who can see the times. If we force an attack, the damages will be great, and contrary to that, the results will be small. Even if we force the capture, it will merely give them material to condemn Denka.」

「Then what should I do?」

「Even without capturing the fortress line from the front, a large-scale detached force will make a major detour and strike their vitals. If we do so, the enemy soldiers holed up in the fortresses will surely panic and retreat. If Denka's main force strikes there...」

「However, detouring is not as simple as it sounds. There is a high possibility that the detached force will be isolated amidst the enemy, caught in a pincer attack, and annihilated.」

「Normally... that would be exactly right. However, we will march at an absurd speed, secure strategic points, and then buy time. Taking advantage of that, Denka's army will...」

Answering so, Weiss floated a fearless expression and smiled. As if to say he would prove he could do what was considered utterly impossible, his expression was brimming with confidence.

「Hahaha, so that is the display of the true worth of the one called the 『Black Hawk of the Gale』? Can you do it? If my movements do not coordinate perfectly, it's a strategy that will only result in being surrounded and annihilated by an army of tens of thousands, you know?」

「Because I believe in Denka's command.」

For Grat, these words were enough. In the battles up until now, he had heavily favored Weiss, who had been nothing more than an unknown wanderer, and Weiss too had answered that trust, accumulating battle results, to the point that he had now come to be called an ever-victorious General. Between these two, a strong bond surpassing the trust between master and servant had been forged.

「In that case, shall I also believe in the General and send you off? How about entrusting ten thousand cavalry to the General?」

「It is more than enough.」

After this exchange between master and servant, a Large-Scale Detour Tactic—which would normally be called reckless—and the accompanying diversionary battle were put into execution. Staking the fates of the two of them...

On this day, ten thousand cavalry soldiers secretly disappeared from the Imperial Army. And with astonishing speed, they bypassed the desert region spreading across the territory of the Eral Knight Kingdom, and suddenly appearing within the Principality of Sura, they pulled off a large-scale detour operation to the point of being absurd. The Black Hawk of the Gale, true to his name, seized the heart of the Principality of Sura Defense Army with his talons. This very battle was the beginning that would later sway the fate of the neighboring country, the Kyle Kingdom. However, that was a story that even they, the parties involved, did not yet know. Here, a new history entangling the Griffonia Empire, the Principality of Sura, and even the Kyle Kingdom had begun to move.

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[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : 20- 1

20-1

The Day the Rebellious Underground Empire Revives

Translator : PolterGlast

Summary of the Previous Chapter

The days of turmoil that occurred after the Emperor's death. A fierce power struggle. The frequent outbreaks of Abyss monsters in various places. To protect the people, Prince Georg led his elites and deployed troops to Ratatosk City, east of the Imperial Capital. Meanwhile, Ashley revived the ancient underground tunnels to gather forces from all over the world. In the ruined city, he met the immortal Azato and his wife, and obtained the key to reviving the lost underground empire of A-Zir. Amidst such turbulence, a great battle that would split the Empire in two was about to begin on the plains south of the Imperial Capital.

 

The Song Sung by Fallen Gods

As soon as I returned to the country, I was suddenly hugged by older sister Atomina and clung to in tears by Puis. I was told that my older brother, to protect the people, ignored the impending battle right in front of him and dispatched troops to Ratatosk City. If one were thinking of self-preservation, they should side with either the Northern Army of Uncle Morac and Aunt Du, or the Southern Army led by Princes Julius and Yord, but it seems my beloved brother has no such notions. Puis, having had his energy completely drained by Aunt Du barging in day after day, was half-crying despite being a man.

「Sorry, but I'm in a hurry. Please tell Aunt that I will follow brother Georg's decision.」

「Please wait, Ashley-sama... Am I the one who has to convey that to that old hag...? I can't stand it anymore, a person like that!」

「But time is precious right now. Now that it has turned into such a great war, we must overturn this board before the damage spreads.」

When I answered like that, the Administrator of Erin, Puis, looked at my face suspiciously. The me from a little while ago would probably have given up on the Empire and tried to run away.

「That is true... however, what do you intend to do? No matter how capable Ashley-sama is, this situation is...」

「I will revive the forgotten Imperial Capital, A-Zir. Then, gathering reinforcements from all over the world in the underground of the Fimbul territory, I'll prepare a force capable of crushing them, and then strike both the Southern and Northern armies after they've exhausted themselves in battle.」

Even if I joined the great southern battle as a third force right now, it would only turn the fight into a three-way deadlock. With my brother absent, the First Imperial Army cannot exert its full power either.

「You intend to crush them without belonging to either side...? That is... that is quite not bad. However, what does the revival of A-Zir mean?」

「It's said that there used to be a shining sun in the sky of that great underground cavity. However, by some trick of fate, I was given that sun during my travels.」

「Umm... Ashley-sama.」

「What is it?」

「My imagination can't keep up, so please let me organize my thoughts for a bit...」

「I see. ...Well anyway, I'm going to revive the underground empire now. I'll hide the soldiers I've gathered from all over the world in the old capital A-Zir, and using the underground tunnels built by the First Emperor, I'll end the civil war they started with a blitzkrieg. I might as well help brother Georg out while I'm heading over there.」

This is not my strategy. The strategy itself, devised by the First Emperor Ausar, is those underground tunnels connecting all over the world. I merely decided to reuse that strategy. In that case, the remaining problem is military strength. As long as I can secure forces, I can forcibly end this civil war through a surprise attack.

「Didn't I ask you to wait a bit...」

「Sorry about that. I just wanted to tell you quickly.」

「Well, it's not bad. There's no benefit to joining a quagmire of a battle, and barring the anxiety of relying entirely on Ashley-sama, I suppose it's a very powerful strategy. And if that's the case, that means—I will have to continue to refuse High Priestess Du's persistent solicitations tomorrow, and for a long time to come, won't I... Haaaa...」

「Tell Aunt that we have no intention of joining her, and not to come.」

「It doesn't work like that... For this land to maintain its neutrality, a gray, non-committal response is necessary...」

「Ah... now that you mention it, I suppose so. I always cause you trouble. Choosing you as Administrator was the right answer.」

「If you think so, please do something about your wandering habit...」

However, the conversation was interrupted there. The door to what was practically Puis's study was pushed open, and older sister Atomina burst in.

「I heard everything! Take me with you too, Ashley, I'm already sick and tired of dealing with Aunt Du...!」

「W-Wait, you can't do that, Atomina-sama... Then, won't I be the only one left to deal with that person...?」

「Do your best.」

「I cannot do my best! That person goes against my aesthetics!!」

Puis seemed to have complaints, but that's how it was decided. Using the underground tunnel leading directly to the Imperial Capital that I had built for emergencies, I aimed for the forgotten Imperial Capital, A-Zir.

The companions turned out to be older sister Atomina and her page Durin. Engineers of the Horned race. The Dragonoid Azato and his wife, as well as all their children, the Lizardmen. Along the way, I was told mountains of stories about the lost paradise A-Zir by Zirant.

「There was a golden wheat field. Flowers of various colors bloomed in profusion, towns crowded the highlands, and vast farmlands continued to the very ends of the underground cavity! There, all kinds of races coexisted, laughed together, and under the protection of Father and Mother, enjoyed eternal prosperity! Wagahai knows of no world more perfect than that!」

Truly, I was told the exact same story over and over like a child... Being told this many times makes me want to doubt whether such a perfect world truly existed. I suspect it might be what they call 'rose-tinted glasses' in the words of the other world...

「Do not say such rude things!」

「I didn't say it, you're just reading my thoughts as you please...」

「Fufu, I want to see it soon too. The paradise built by His Majesty the First Emperor must surely be a dream-like world.」

「While saying that, why are you patting my head, Sister...?」

「Because Ashley is always, always disappearing. Geez, you and Georg are both so reckless all the time... you should consider your big sister's feelings.」

The journey was just plain noisy. Azato and his wife watched our exchanges with warm gazes, eagerly awaiting our arrival at the old capital.

And so, we arrived at the paradise of darkness. In the dark world that had lost its sun, the deep darkness swallowed everything, even the light of the sun fragments picked up here, and even the flames of torches heavily coated in oil. I saw that sun fragment leave my hand as if drawn away, getting swallowed by the sun's hidden treasure that once reigned over this land. It felt as if it had finished its role of guiding Ashley and returned to where it belonged.

The sun's hidden treasure was glowing faintly in purple. Because it's huge, after all, carrying it all the way here was quite a pain. Instead of a horse, I pulled it on a cart along with sister Atomina.

「Father... this is a ritual that Father must perform. Now, raise the sun to the heavens.」

「Who is your father...」

Lately, Zirant has stopped hesitating to superimpose the First Emperor onto me. Given that I, who possesses an appearance similar to her father's, am reviving the world of memories where she lived with her father and mother, I suppose it's understandable that she's immersed in deep emotion, but... Being called 'Father' by someone far older than me brings a sense of resistance... No, on the other hand, because Zirant, who used to be so un-docile, is showing such a childish side, I've ended up feeling a desire to protect her as well.

「Somehow, I feel a dangerous world between you two, deshu...」

「I wonder what happened on your journey, ufufu♪ Has Ashley finally awakened to romance?」

「I myself am the most bewildered one here, so please don't say whatever you please...」

Even though we're about to revive a lost world, there is no tension or solemnity whatsoever. The light emitted by the sun's hidden treasure was still weak, and the great cavity was enveloped in darkness. When I placed my palm on that hidden treasure, the purple light slowly changed into a white brilliance.

「It's dazzling...」

「Ugu, my eyes... my eyes, are spinning...」

「But it's a nostalgic brilliance. Ah, this place is finally being resurrected...」

「Yes, dear... to think such a day would come once more, I'm so happy...」

The light seemed to be too intense for the Lizardmen and the Dragonoid. Gradually, the sun's hidden treasure lost its weight, and from my scooped-up palms, it returned to the sky of the great cavity. A faint light lit up the world of darkness, and the sun's hidden treasure gradually transformed into a white morning sun that illuminated the world.

The light exposed the hidden appearance of the underground empire A-Zir, revealing the sheer cliffs floating in all directions. The sky covered in bedrock was both mystical and miraculous. We had assumed it was a desolate land full of rocks and nothing else, but in the old capital A-Zir, countless ancient towns were left behind. But the flow of time is cruel. The wheat fields, the flowers, and even the cold streams that Zirant had spoken of, had all disappeared from the world. For some reason, as I gazed at such a world, even I began to feel sad.

「Muu... Wagahai knew it, but it is in ruins...」

「No, we should be satisfied just with the light returning to this land again. We just have to regain its former appearance from here on out.」

Azato's calm voice suppressing his excitement, and the sight of the disheartened Zirant, added to the feelings swirling in my chest. So, I surveyed the four directions of the underground empire, and pondered deeply on what must be done to bring back its former brilliance to this land. However, after a short while――

『Reconnection of the hidden treasure, confirmed. Welcome back, Samael-sama. Did you enjoy your travels?』

A strange voice that didn't seem human echoed through the paradise and laughed. I had heard this voice when I visited this land for the first time. At that time too, the voice called me Samael.

「As expected, you are Father...」

「In that case, I wonder if Zirant-chan becomes my niece♪」

「Atomina-sama, if you stir things up, it'll be pitiful for her, deshu yo...?」

However, the anomalies didn't stop there. The sound of water could even be heard from somewhere. Looking closely at the ground in the distance, countless things that appeared to be dried-up waterways ran across the earth encased in bedrock. The sound of water drew even closer. When I unleashed the Dragon's Eye and focused on the distance, I could see the water reflecting the sun's brilliance, soaking into the parched earth. The earth that I had assumed was bedrock was actually completely dried-out farmland. With water, light, and soil, vegetation will sprout in the near future, and it will gradually regain its proper appearance. The dark great cavity was now the fertile plains of a beginning enveloped in light, an ancient city that could be lived in immediately. This land will be resurrected. As we gazed at the ruined old capital, we were convinced of it.

「How is it! This is the underground empire A-Zir! Compared to the time when Wagahai and the others lived here, it looks quite unreliable... but it possesses this much brilliance! How about it, Ashley, you're moved, right!?」

「Yeah, I'll honestly agree with that. I'm looking forward to the day this place regains its proper form.」

「Let's maintain it, little by little...」

「That's right... Prince Ashley, please leave the role of reviving this land to us.」

The bright sunlight, like that of a southern country, gradually warmed the chilled underground world. I nodded to Azato and his wife, and my eyes were once again captivated by this earth filled with possibilities. If we restore this place, just how beautiful a paradise will it become? Even I want to help with that work. If we manage it patiently and thoroughly from here on out, golden fertile plains will surely be born here once again. Without a doubt.

「Now then, let's call out to the folks up above, and gather our military forces here as planned. Ah, you guys can stay behind. My sister, Durin, and I will go have a talk with the Fimbul Duke family.」

Leaving them immersed in deep emotion, we moved our plan to the next stage. I had already expected it, but in the world above, the army of the beastman country Kaha was stationed. We gathered soldiers and supplies in the underground empire that had regained its light, dispatched messengers to various factions requesting reinforcements, and until the necessary military strength was gathered, I helped with the pioneering to kill time. Even though no seeds had been sown, day by day vegetation sprouted, water filled the streams and waterways, and moistened the dry soil. Soldiers moved into the old towns, and under the names of Ashley and Zirant, they awaited the day of the decisive battle there.

「Father... Father... It's back to normal now... Finally, finally Wagahai was able to come back, right, Father...」

Like I said, stop with that unfamiliar way of calling me Father... I started to say that, but ultimately stopped.

「Please answer me, Father...」

「...Yeah. Welcome back, Zirant. You've done well up until today.」

Zirant was finally able to return to her lost hometown. It couldn't be helped if she regressed to a childish state a little bit. While comforting Zirant, I enjoyed a brief pioneering life in the underground empire. The sweet scent of flowers wafted from somewhere. The paradise created by my distant ancestors was rapidly trying to revive.

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