Chapter 48

That’s something that has always been taken for granted, and I had never really paid attention to it before...

But now, what I had never cared about before caught my eye.

This is probably the correct way to feel.

I had never really thought about slaves before.

I only recognized that there were people in such a position... but seeing the subjugated demi-humans made my heart ache.

I think it was right not to bring Orphe and the others here.

Elise, who stands beside me, turns her gaze to me with concern.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, sorry."

After a brief response, I start walking again.

Here, this is the norm.

"You shouldn’t worry too much. This is normal here, right?"

"That’s true. It was normal before, but still..."

"I have my thoughts too. But we’re here for a different purpose, aren’t we?"

"Yeah, you’re right."

Elise is correct.

There’s no way to solve the discrimination problem of the upper world here.

"I wonder what will happen to the demi-humans after this commotion is over."

"That’s true. At best, they’ll be turned into even more tightly controlled slaves. At worst, all demi-humans might be executed."

"..."

That’s right.

It’s far too dangerous to keep those who have the potential to rebel alive...

As we move further in, the facilities for training soldiers become more prominent.

And beyond that, we enter a towering building.

We are led to the audience chamber, where a man with a gentle smile bows to us.

"Lady Elise, Lord Crest. This is the first time I have the pleasure of speaking with both of you. I am Gran Bittor."

He bows politely.

I glance at Elise, who returns the bow slowly.

"Gran. We had a brief exchange at the gate, but we need to hurry to the capital. Is it possible to prepare the horses?"

"Yes, of course. We have also received information that the demi-humans who have appeared from the lower world are rampaging towards the capital. The king will be greatly relieved when you return. The preparations are underway."

"I see. ...I need to confirm, how is the demi-human army doing now?"

"We have just heard that they have passed through Luterdan."

Luterdan.

A large city located to the south of the capital.

"I see. They couldn’t stop the invasion, then?"

"…Yes. They are likely to clash in the capital. We are currently gathering forces, so I don’t think we will lose."

Gran said this with a smile.

…Indeed, if we gather all the forces within the country, we should be able to suppress them under normal circumstances.

But Reinhart’s power is… not normal.

Especially his magic and skills are adept at wiping out groups in an instant.

If we gather carelessly, there’s a risk of being taken down all at once.

We can think about the battle strategy later.

What’s most important is arriving at the capital first.

If we miss the battle in the capital, everything will be over.

"How long will it take to prepare the horses?"

"We can depart by tomorrow morning. Please take your time until then. We have also prepared rooms for you both."

He smiles.

Gran’s noble smile reminds me of something nostalgic.

…The troublesome politicking among nobles.

I don’t intend to deny it, but I don’t plan to be friendly with him either.

"I have companions outside, so I’ll rest there. Elise, you’re free to do as you please."

"I will rest with Crest as well. Gran, please inform us when the preparations are complete."

At Elise’s words, Gran’s eyes widen in surprise before he slowly nods.

"…Understood."

"Milady Minu! The demi-human army is in sight! Prepare for the sortie!"

A soldier serving the king bursts into my waiting room.

Despite being part of the capital’s garrison, his face is filled with anxiety.

The reason is simple.

Eighty percent of the capital’s garrison is not made up of capable individuals but is determined by family lineage.

They have never done any difficult work, and the rare instances of monster extermination have been left to soldiers from other cities.

Even now, with dimensional rifts appearing everywhere, the people of the capital are doing their best to avoid dangerous situations.

The most prominent of these are the nobles of the capital.

Including the king, my father, and Norvark, the head of the Rifeheld family, many famous nobles have already left the capital.

Thus, the command has been left to me.

The reason many nobles fled is symbolic of the kingdom’s history.

In other words, if these precious bloodlines were to die, even if the country remained, it would be meaningless.

But perhaps I’m the only one who thinks it doesn’t matter if their bloodlines are cut off.

As the chosen one, I am not allowed to flee and must remain in the capital alone.

If I survive, I might be hailed as a hero, but if I die, the country will be taken, and I might be cursed by the nobles who are still alive.

Perhaps it would be better to die.

If the country falls, the nobles who fled will face a harsh fate.

Though I won’t be able to see their desperate faces.

To flee, huh.

I shake my head, thinking of the people I’ve fought alongside and the lives I’ve saved.

I can’t be so irresponsible.

If I have any regrets, it’s that I wish I could see Crest one last time.

I walk out of the city with the soldier.

We knew the demi-humans were marching towards the capital, so we had set up our battlefield outside to avoid causing more damage in the city.

As I climb a raised platform, I see the various defensive walls built to withstand the demi-humans’ attacks.

Looking in the direction where the demi-humans are supposed to be, I can indeed see them.

They are still small dots, but a group of what appear to be demi-humans is approaching.

By focusing my magic power in my eyes, my vision is enhanced, allowing me to see far into the distance.

Since gaining this skill, I immediately use it to observe the enemy.

At the forefront of their group, I can see a man in a hood with a smug smile.

As they get closer, the tension builds.

New series! ↓ Please read from the link below!

I was helping with my sister’s dungeon streaming, and I accidentally went on a rampage against an S-rank monster, causing a huge buzz.

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The dark knight who time-leaped uses future knowledge to go on a rampage—how I rose from the bottom as an unlucky class.

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9795ig/