Chapter 27

――Honestly, I was on the verge of death.

I somehow managed to play the role of the Demon King of Ten Thousand Demons [Herian], but I could only use about 60% of the script I had prepared in advance. The rest had to be improvised based on the reactions of the people. I somehow managed to maintain a calm appearance, but my legs were shaking the whole time. I felt like congratulating myself for standing until the end. The fact that I could walk back to the balcony on my own was almost a miracle.

However, from the reactions of the people, I can judge that I received sufficient approval.

At the very least, I covered the key points such as 'dispelling the people's anxiety,' 'declaring the determination to rescue the people of Latestwood,' and 'unifying the will to resolve the situation.' I achieved the minimum objectives. If that's the case, then it's good enough. What I should think about now is not the events that have already passed, but the problems I will face next.

"Lord Herian, we are about to enter the capital region of... no, the capital of Latestwood."

Leive, walking beside him, whispered.

Currently, the group was advancing toward the capital of Latestwood, which was under the control of Noblewood.

If the <Map> is opened, detailed topographical information of the capital is displayed.

This is the result of the Fourth and Seventh Legions, who have passed through the Abyssal Forest, fully utilizing their information-gathering capabilities, through long-distance exploration magic and reconnaissance by stealth units.

Since the time available for investigation was limited, the exact positions of every living being in the capital could not be determined, but just knowing the topographical information made a big difference.

The investigation prioritized speed over stealth.

There was a possibility that Noblewood, or even other forces, might have detected our presence, but it couldn't be helped. We couldn't face the virtual enemy in front of us with our eyes closed.

On the <Map>, the capital is covered by a wall that looks like stakes driven between giant trees. There are holes in the east, west, south, and north, which are likely the gates.

Among them, several yellow light points are visible at the South Gate, which Herian and his group are about to enter.

These light points, detected by the reconnaissance magic beforehand, are soldiers of Noblewood.

Yellow indicates virtual enemies or neutral units leaning towards the enemy.

It is not red, which indicates enemies.

It's not yet decided that they are completely enemies.

"Let's go. As I explained earlier, do not attack unless Noblewood makes a move. No matter what they say, do not attack from our side unless I give the order. Understand?"

"Hai"

"Yes, sir."

Leive and Ertina responded.

The only companions from Alkymira were these two.

Camilla also had a traveler's setting, but since her existence was unknown to Noblewood, she was currently hiding and waiting like the other legions.

All legions, except for the minimum defense force, have already passed through the Abyssal Forest.

With a single command from Herian, the fusion beasts would bare their fangs instantly.

"Lord Reifa, are you ready?"

"Yes... there's no problem. And please, call me Reifa. I don't need any honorifics..."

"...I see. Then, I will call you Reifa."

It became the same way of addressing as when they first met.

However, the meaning contained in it was completely different.

Their relationship had inevitably changed after revealing their positions to each other.

...Feeling lonely about it is probably just my selfishness.

"Lord Herian. The elves of Noblewood seem to have noticed us."

The Noblewood soldiers standing in front of the gate were about to draw their bows.

To show that they had no hostile intentions, Herian and his group stopped and raised their hands.

As planned, Reifa stepped forward and raised her voice.

"Elves of Noblewood! I am Reifa Rim Latestwood, the queen of Latestwood! As requested, I have brought a group of travelers!"

In response to Reifa's declaration, the Noblewood soldiers approached cautiously.

When they were close enough to see each other's faces, they put their arrows back into the quivers on their backs.

"...Well, you came without running away."

"That seems to be the case, Sergeant."

The elf who arrived later, the one called Sergeant, muttered in amazement.

The other elves had bows in their hands, but he did not. Instead, he had two short swords sheathed at his waist.

He seemed to be a leader, but not a Hunter Leader. According to the information they had, a Sergeant was the leader of the front-line forces under the Hunter Leader.

"Follow me. Come along."

The Sergeant pointed in the direction of the capital with a nod of his chin.

Although his attitude was arrogant for welcoming a messenger, Leive and Ertina followed the king's orders and remained silent.

When Herian passed through the gate of the capital, he saw a city with clear signs of war.

There were collapsed houses and buildings crushed by fallen giant trees everywhere.

In fact, there were fewer intact houses.

Most noticeable were the buildings that were black and charred.

They were severely damaged by the flames, Reifa had said.

This was the result of the devastation before his eyes.

And, to his horror, among the charred buildings, there were not only the remains of structures but also human-sized lumps of blackened charcoal—

"..."

He didn't see it.

He didn't see anything.

There was no time to be distracted by unnecessary things now.

"---You arrived earlier than expected. Your attitude is commendable."

When he raised his head at the sarcastic tone, he saw a familiar face on the high ground overlooking them. It was the Hunter Leader of Noblewood, Salawin, who had attacked Reifa that time.

"Is the representative of Noblewood... is the person we are to negotiate with, you?"

The Sergeant, who had finished guiding them, left the scene.

Hundreds of elves surrounded Herian's group from a distance, but none of them approached.

Apart from the Hunter Leader, Salawin, who appeared with his attendants, there were no other elves who looked like they held high positions.

"Negotiation? What are you talking about?"

"We came here at the request of the queen of Latestwood. We were not brought here by force, but came of our own free will. I want to make that clear first."

Salawin frowned irritably.

"Then?"

"We want to negotiate. We are seeking a dialogue."

Yes, first, we need to negotiate.

To have a dialogue with the representative of Noblewood.

Of course, there is no intention to hand over as requested.

However, there is no intention to resort to force from the beginning.

If the high magic power of Ertina or some kind of magic is the purpose, there is still a possibility of resolving the situation through negotiation.

...At the same time, as a sensible person born in Japan, he also wanted to consider using force as a last resort.

"I believe there is room for negotiation with your country."

What am I saying after giving such a speech, he thought to himself.

However, resorting to force means entering a state of war.

A war can start with a single command from Herian.

People will die because of my words.

Just thinking about it made his hands tremble.

His legs were about to stop.

If he could just go back and dive into his futon and sleep, how happy he would be.

However, every time he was about to be swallowed by cowardice, Herian looked at his right hand.

He looked at the pinky finger he had made a promise with a girl.

Reifa is waiting ahead.

The girl who made a pinky promise is waiting to be rescued.

If Herian abandons her, she will surely be lost.

There is no way he can abandon her.

There is no way he can abandon her when she can be saved.

That must be what a strong person can do.

A person who can make the judgment to sacrifice the small to save the large without hesitation.

Such a person has the potential to be a great leader.

But for Herian, it is impossible.

To deliberately abandon someone who can be saved.

Such a terrifying thing is impossible.

"We want to know the purpose of calling us. It seems that you need High Elves, but what is the purpose? Is it because of their high magic power? Or ancient magic? Depending on the circumstances, we are willing to cooperate peacefully."

"Humans, you bark without knowing your place. ...High Elf, do you have anything to say?"

Ertina, who was addressed, stood tall despite the elves' impolite gazes and spoke.

"I have entrusted the negotiation to Herian... to the human. I have nothing to add."

"Still, you are a High Elf. I know you possess unusual magic power from the incident the other day. You wield techniques unknown even to us elves and have the strength to repel even me. There is no one other than the High Elves, the ancestors of the elves. Why do you follow humans? They are a barbaric and inferior race."

"I do not deny that I belong to the elven lineage, but my values seem to be quite different from yours."

"Hmph... Have you forgotten your pride as an elf? Well, it's fine. In fact, it's even more convenient for us."

His words were unbearable.

"Convenient? What do you mean?"

"Understand this, human. Open your dirty eyes and look well."

Salawin raised his right hand to the sky while looking down on Herian. In response, a shrill sound came from the sky, like the wailing of a ghost.

When he looked up, a black shadow was there.

The shadow rapidly descended and landed behind Salawin, revealing its form.

"...A dragon?"

Its appearance was that of a Western dragon.

It was covered with scales of a color between silver and white, and its total length was nearly twenty meters. However, its body was emaciated, with visible ribs, giving it a somewhat eerie impression. Its long neck extended to a head shaped like a lizard, with a single thin horn.

It had six wings.

However, the three pairs of six wings were different from the wings of dragons that Herian was familiar with. They were like butterfly wings, translucent and iridescent, with a fragility and beauty that seemed to shatter at a touch.

Herian, who had almost memorized all the races in [Tactics Chronicle], had never seen such a dragon before.

"Could it be a fairy dragon...?"

Reifa muttered in astonishment.

"Indeed. A being with the blood of the elves, though tainted. I see, you knew."

"You mean you have unsealed it!?"

"Unbelievable," Reifa raised her voice, filled with disbelief.

It seemed to be a special dragon, but Herian and the others couldn't fully understand.

It was different from a typical dragon. It seemed to have considerable power.

However, if it was just a powerful dragon, Reifa would have seen them in flocks at Alkymira's castle. In comparison, the dragon in front of them was a single, mysterious dragon. Her panic was incomprehensible.

"Reifa, what is that? Is it so powerful?"

"...That is a dragon that appears in the epic of the elven race."

Reifa's voice was trembling.

"According to legend, it is said to be a divine dragon created by the ancient gods for the elves. It is said to have wielded its power as the guardian