Chapter 85

"Invading!?"

The next noon.

The entire army of the Second Prince's faction, after waiting for the arrival of the Mithril-armed soldiers of the Lumberjack Earl's family, launched a full-scale attack on the royal castle.

"Don't panic! The difference in strength is decisive! Buy time! Hold the fort! If we can hold out until the reinforcements arrive, we win!"

The Prime Minister, Bal, barked at the flustered Third Knight Regiment Commander of Jarm. However, a few minutes later, the Prime Minister noticed the existence of the Mithril-armed soldiers.

The Lumberjack soldiers formed a seamless formation, moving like an amoeba, pushing the First Prince's faction soldiers into the royal castle.

The difference in equipment was evident. The Mithril swords and spears that could fell an enemy with one strike, and the Mithril armor that could withstand two or three strikes, were incredibly lightweight and allowed for swift movement. With two thousand such equipped soldiers, the battle was not even a contest against regular soldiers.

"Prepare the magic barrier! ... Fire!"

The performance was not limited to the reinforcements. The First Court Magicians' Regiment, in particular, showed remarkable prowess.

Using their agility, they moved to the rear and simultaneously launched the magic barrier—specifically, the Type 1. The magic rained down from a 45-degree angle like a heavy downpour, striking fear into the enemy army. With no way to defend against it, they could only flee in terror.

Moreover, the most effective aspect was that the rain "would not stop." Unlike other spells like Type 2 or Type 4, which required preparation time, Type 1 had a very short preparation and cooldown time. By forming a line and taking turns, the First Court Magicians' Regiment created a "non-stop rain." Each shot, though individually insignificant, became devastating due to the INT boost, resulting in a significant increase in wounded soldiers. This was a more troublesome situation than a high number of casualties.

"Damn it! Fall back! Reorganize the formation and flank the magicians' regiment!"

The enemy commander, in a desperate attempt to regroup, issued a command.

Just as they were regrouping... they were struck by even more terror.

"!?"

The right arm of the commander, who had just raised his sword and issued an order, was blown off in an instant.

No one understood what had happened.

"It's... a sniper...!"

The commander's voice was hoarse. At that point, the formation was meaningless, and they were paralyzed by fear.

This was understandable. Being sniped from an invisible position with a bow that could blow off an arm through armor with one shot... it was a nightmare.

Everyone must have thought, "Next is the head."

It was a single strike from Sylvia Virginia, a combination of Rank 9 Rook Archery and Rank 9 Knight Archery.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

... And finally, the Second Prince's faction surrounded the royal castle.

The battle had not lasted two hours. It was a brilliant endgame, using the minimum necessary pieces to tightly encircle the castle. This was undoubtedly due to Winfield's command.

"Where did you hide such a force! Where did you get enough Mithril to arm so many soldiers!"

The Prime Minister, unable to accept the reality before him, clutched his head in denial.

He was unaware that the Mithril, which he found so extraordinary, had been collected by Second in just over a month. Yes, he knew that Mithril was being collected, but he never imagined it would be in such quantities.

"Where are the reinforcements!!"

Frustrated, he repeatedly opened his communication and repeatedly urged for reinforcements.

However... he received no official response to his requests for reinforcements.

No matter how long he waited, there was no reply.

"......I see."

Finally, he realized.

He had been abandoned.

"......Why... Why... Ahhh, ahhh...!"

His insides boiled. He let out a soundless cry, writhing in agony.

If the reinforcements had come, they could have won. If the empire had sent reinforcements, the Mithril-armed soldiers would have been nothing.

But, but, but—!

In his anger, the Prime Minister clenched his molars until they shattered. Blood trickled from his clenched fist.

"You bastards!!"

---

"Everyone, move aside."

Outside the castle gates, Eko called out in a surprisingly cheerful voice.

The surrounding soldiers, as planned, cleared a path for Eko.

Eko, heading towards the castle gates, prepared to activate the Rook Shield Skill. This was not a defensive shield skill but an offensive one.

It was a skill that charged forward, repelling everything in front with STR and VIT values, performing a multiplier attack. Her Rook Shield Skill was Rank 9, with a multiplier of 250%. Its power was immeasurable.

"Transform!"

She then used the Transformation skill. The rank was 1, with a buff effect of 280% on all stats.

A murmur of surprise spread among both allies and enemies. This was the first time many had seen the Transformation skill. Eko transformed into an earth element, encased in a rugged, rock-like armor, resembling a small demon in armor.

"Here I come!"

"Whenever you're ready!"

Eko gave the signal, and from a distance, Sylvia, who had taken position, responded. She had also transformed and was preparing a combination of Rank 9 Rook Archery, Rank 9 Knight Archery, and Rank 9 Fire Element Type 3—her current highest damage output.

"Let's go!"

"Understood!"

Just before Sylvia fired, Eko activated her Rook Shield Skill with a full smile and charged towards the castle gates. Their combination, honed from multiple runs through the Limpart Dungeon, was impeccable.

"Trouble!"—Despite being just two people, the First Prince's faction soldiers instinctively sensed the danger and fired their arrows in unison.

Normally, it would be impossible to get close through such a rain of arrows. But... Eko's charge, with its massive shield, obliterated everything in its path, never stopping. This was the terrifying power of the Rook Shield Skill.

"Boom!"

"!?"

Sylvia's magic arrow struck almost simultaneously with Eko's charge, hitting the castle gates.

The impact shook the entire wall... and the castle gates were destroyed with a deafening roar.

Impossible! No human could destroy a castle gate with one strike!

Everyone thought this, only to be proven wrong by the gruesome scene before them.

If anyone were told that one was a former female knight who had been a failure and the other a former failed beastman from the Royal Magic School, no one would believe it.

"All troops, charge!"

Thus, the castle gates were easily breached.

Normally, it would take dozens of soldiers using siege weapons, enduring countless arrows, magic, boiling oil, and stones, to finally break through the gates after multiple attempts. But here, just two people, with a single strike, broke through without any casualties.

The siege was supposed to be advantageous for the Prime Minister's side. They were expected to hold out for several days. However, who could have predicted that the castle gates would be breached so quickly, and from the front?

... No. The Prime Minister should have taken some countermeasures when the training ground wall was destroyed by Second the day before. If it was something that could be done in just one day.

A speed battle... exactly as Winfield had said, a super-fast, relentless assault. It was like Oda Nobunaga, who, after being attacked by both Marunaga and Wada castles, left Kiyosu Castle before dawn and, in just half a day, launched a surprise attack on the Imagawa main force at Takeda Narai during a heavy rain, defeating them.

The desperate siege was easily shattered. The large hole in the castle gates allowed the Mithril-armed soldiers to flood into the castle, and no one could stop their charge.

And thus, the royal castle fell in an instant—

"You did it."

In a room so opulent that it defied description, a man muttered to himself.

He had a beauty that everyone envied, a perfectly sculpted physique, and a presence that rivaled the room itself.

"Melson, what do you think?"

"I believed we should send reinforcements."

"Hahaha, I know. That's why I'm asking you."

Sitting across from the man was a young woman, perhaps a generation younger than him, with a beauty that rivaled his own.

"The subjugation of the kingdom has failed. We need to change our approach."

"Hmm. Already looking ahead. Speak your mind."

The man, finding it highly entertaining, coaxed the woman, as if indulging a beloved child.

"I will subdue the kingdom and bring down the divine nation."

"How will you subdue the kingdom? They are wary of me after this incident."

"It's simple. I will marry into the kingdom."

A moment of silence. The man's smile faded as he faced the woman.

"A good plan. But you are not someone to be given to a mere kingdom."

"Your words are too kind."

"Do you think I'm praising you? No. If you think that a brat like Mein can bring down the kingdom by marrying you, you are naive."

"Why? The other party is a young king, is he not?"

"Fool. From this incident, it seems you understand nothing."

"Is it... related to why you refused the reinforcement request?"

"The shadow's report, you heard it, didn't you?"

"Surely, you don't believe such nonsense?"

"Hahaha! You're growing. Just watch. It will be a good lesson for you."

"I understand. If you say so, Father."

"The divine nation will no longer be able to interfere with the kingdom. This will be interesting."

"It sounds exciting, Father."

"A man like that challenged me. How can I not enjoy it?"

---

"Aa, I feel so heavy..."

On the way to the border territory.

I was alone, brooding. Like when you're trying to figure out how to apologize to a friend you've upset.

When was the last time I used the Magic Summoning?

Since the incident where she almost killed a companion.

I kept putting it off. I didn't know how to approach her, so I unconsciously avoided her.

But the time has come. That's all there is to it.

I finally have to make a decision.

Anko, the dark wolf demon born in the eternal darkness of the Isolais underground library, a rare mutation of a black flame wolf.

She is my trump card, acquired after countless days of effort, and a massive landmine, unpredictable in her actions.

To be honest, I was a bit scared.

I don't know why, but the thought of meeting her and talking to her again was terrifying.

Was it the guilt of keeping her in isolation, the sense of sin for using her as a tool, or perhaps an instinctive fear? Or maybe... the "overwhelming love" I had vaguely sensed from her.

Well, I won't know until I talk to her.

"... Shall I summon her?"

After brooding for about three hours, I finally made the decision.

Fortunately, it was midnight, and we were in the middle of a night journey.

I stopped by the roadside and got off Seven Stay O.

In the dim forest road, illuminated only by the moonlight, I took a deep breath and activated the Magic Summoning.

Immediately, the darkness in the air twisted, and a dark figure clad in black robes took shape, revealing a seductive woman.

Her eyes were narrowed like threads, and her mouth smiled gently, not showing any specific emotion. She knelt silently and bowed her head.

"..."

Silence fell.

A few seconds later, I realized. "Do not act without my permission," I had commanded her then.

... Anko had been following my command obediently for such a long time, even though she was left alone.

A shiver ran down my spine, and a question arose. What made her do this? I realized I didn't know much about her.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. You can speak now."

When I gave her permission, Anko bowed even deeper and spoke respectfully.

"Oh, Master. My beloved Master. I have longed to see you."

And again, silence fell.

... Is that all? After being left alone for so long, all she says is that she loves me and has missed me?

I felt a strange pleasure, like when you apologize to a friend you thought was angry, only to find out they weren't. But it wasn't just that. Beneath the relief, there was a perverse joy in having an absolutely obedient woman. A convenient woman. I felt like I could indulge in her.

But that's not right. It's not right. I must resist the temptation with a firm mind.

"Tell me your true feelings, Anko. We need to have an honest talk."

I squatted down, met her eyes, and spoke to her.

Anko, looking surprised, furrowed her brow, her eyes moistening, and began to speak slowly.

"Only you, Master, can kill me. Only you, Master, can keep me alive. I love you more than anything. That's all there is to it. Now that you have freed me from the god's curse, I am completely satisfied."

"Do you mean that because I tamed you, you love me?"

"No! I love you because you are my Master. No one else, only you!"

A passionate declaration. It was very touching. But... I still couldn't quite accept it. Does she love me because she obeys me? Does she endure for love? Is that enough for her?

"... I see the doubt in your face, Master. Very well, I have made up my mind. I will speak my heart completely."

Anko, reading my expression, pouted slightly and said, looking a bit defiant. The mole at the corner of her mouth was surprisingly sexy.

"First, Master, you have a misunderstanding. If you think anyone who can tame me will be loved by me, you are greatly mistaken. Bring such a person here now! You will see. There is no one greater than you, now or ever. You are unique and irreplaceable."

"O, okay."

"Second. Master, you apologized for keeping me waiting. Why? I have no complaints about being used as a tool. On the contrary, it feels very good! Of course, I wish to be closer to you, but the pleasure of being left alone as a dark wolf is even greater!"

"O, okay..."

"Being used is a blissful experience! Serving you is a peak of pleasure! Oh, Master! I am your Anko! That is enough for me! Please do not forget!"

"O, okay. I understand. I get it!"

She pressed me with incredible intensity. I could only nod.

Perhaps I have opened a terrible Pandora's box.

"Oh, I am glad you understand. Master, please use this Anko as a tool. I will be a spear to slay anything, a shield to block anything. Please, do as you wish."

Anko, with a blissful expression, moved closer, rubbing against me.

... Indeed, I understand.

Thinking back, every time I gave her a command, she had a melting expression. Being commanded, being used, was a source of pleasure for her. Having spent centuries in solitude as the strongest being in the Isolais underground library, she found great joy in being used by a stronger being. It just happened to be me. She had been waiting for someone like me for decades, centuries. And when I appeared, she naturally became "twisted." It was a deep, intense love, not just dependence. It was her life, her soul. She had bet everything on me.

"... A..."

Just as our lips were about to touch, I pulled away. Anko, looking disappointed, seemed even more attractive than before.

"Don't be sad. I won't treat you badly."

I must accept her twisted emotions, as her master. It is my responsibility, having tamed her, and