Chapter 66

When I arrived at the transfer room in Ivalice, I immediately summoned Jiron.

I wanted to hear the details of the situation.

When I returned to my office, I rang the bell.

It was a special bell.

It was enchanted with magic so that only certain people could hear it.

When they heard the bell, Jiron hurried over.

The orc strategist Jiron, as soon as he opened the door to my office, shouted,

"Sir, sir, it's terrible!"

It was his usual line.

However, this time, it was the 7th Legion's commander, Sefiro, who was in a dire situation.

I could understand his feelings, but today, Jiron seemed to be sweating more than usual.

It must be that dire of a situation, I thought, feeling a chill run down my spine.

Sefiro was currently invading the city of Aresta in the northwest of Ivalice. It was a city that the 2nd Legion's Gelmour had attempted to conquer and failed miserably.

He had said that now, after the victory at the Battle of Arsenam, we might be able to take it, but I never thought he would fail.

"Is the commander retreating? Is he safe?"

I couldn't help but ask, but the one who answered was not Jiron, but an unexpected person.

She said her usual catchphrase in her usual tone.

"---Is that so?"

Her voice was distinctive, but even if it weren't, there was only one person in the world who would say such a catchphrase.

I turned to the voice and bowed deeply on one knee.

Sati also bowed respectfully.

Only Jiron stood there, looking bewildered.

I remembered that Jiron had never met the Demon King.

It was understandable that he was stunned.

However, I never expected him to be so rude.

Jiron said to the Demon King, who had suddenly appeared,

"Hey, little girl, I don't know how you snuck in, but this isn't a place for little demons like you. This is the mansion of the 7th Legion's Deputy Commander Ike. If you want to play, go outside and play cat's cradle or jacks."

Hearing those words, I was probably the one who felt the most chill.

"You idiot."

I didn't even have time to say that.

Jiron was trying to carry the small Demon King out of the room.

I felt sorry for Jiron, who was sure to be turned into roast pork, but surprisingly, that didn't happen.

The Demon King said to me with a blank expression,

"You have an interesting subordinate."

"…He is occasionally useful. Please forgive him."

I apologized on Jiron's behalf and explained to him.

"---This is the Demon King Dairokuten."

When Jiron heard those words, he released the Demon King, but he still didn't seem to believe it.

"No way, sir, you can't fool me like that. The Demon King is the king of demons. He should have more dignity."

"Hmm, do I lack dignity?"

"No, you don't."

Jiron said it bluntly.

"I heard the Demon King has nine heads, each with a crown, six arms and legs, each with terrible claws, and three tails, each with a poison needle, a paralysis needle, and a sleep needle. I can't believe it's a little girl like this."

It was as if he was signing his own death warrant with his own tongue.

I thought I couldn't protect him anymore, but the Demon King surprisingly said,

"So, that's what the commoners think of me. I didn't know."

She only let out a wry smile.

However, I couldn't leave Jiron alone any longer.

I forcibly transferred Jiron.

The place didn't matter.

I transferred him to the farthest place within the range of my magic and apologized to the Demon King again.

"I'm sorry. I failed to manage my subordinate."

"Don't worry. Not many demons know my face. There will be those who react like that. Besides, you were also confused when you first met me."

"…I was blushing."

That was all I could say.

Indeed, when I first met her, I had similar thoughts to Jiron.

I never dreamed that the Demon King of the Demon Army would be such a delicate girl.

Well, I didn't say anything as stupid as Jiron did.

As I was thinking that, the Demon King spoke.

"First, I commend you for successfully negotiating with Zenobia on my behalf."

I bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kind words," but it seemed she had already heard the news.

As expected of the Demon King, she had the ears of the underworld.

"I also heard that you are going to marry. I will send a gift when you get married."

…It seemed even information I didn't want to be known had leaked.

In that case, all I had to do was hand over the detailed contract of the trade treaty with Zenobia.

However, there was something I had to do first.

"I will report the details of the treaty with Zenobia later. Right now, there is something more urgent—"

"I know, it's about Sefiro's situation."

The Demon King interrupted me.

It seemed she had the same purpose for coming to the mansion.

She explained.

"Currently, Sefiro is attacking Aresta with the full force of the 7th Legion, leading all but your brigade."

"But I never thought that commander would lose."

The Demon King corrected me.

"He hasn't lost yet. He is in the process of losing, so to speak."

"What do you mean?"

"He successfully captured Aresta, but it was a trap."

"So, the humans deliberately lured the Demon Army into the city and surrounded them, is that it?"

"Exactly."

The Demon King said it briefly.

"The humans are quite clever. To outsmart a sharp-witted person like Sefiro."

"But if he has taken the city, it means he is holed up in a fortress city. He should be able to hold out for a while."

"Yes."

She nodded.

"However, the enemy is not foolish. There is probably no food left in the city. Sefiro probably only prepared enough for the expedition. In other words, their food supplies are about to run out."

"…That's not good. There are no examples in history of a hungry army winning."

"They won't be able to requisition, or rather, plunder from the humans. If this is a strategy, they must have taken food from the city's residents as well."

"…Cunning. Even among humans."

"But it must be effective. Outside the city walls are well-fed human soldiers, and inside are starving residents. If things go badly, they might be attacked from both sides. I would do the same if I were in the humans' position."

"In that case, there isn't much time left."

"Exactly, about a month."

"By the way, how many enemies are there?"

"5000."

"Half of what we faced during the rescue of Arsenam."

"However, Sefiro's troops are reduced and exhausted. There are no available legions to send for rescue at the moment."

The Demon King said definitively.

"We are currently facing simultaneous invasions in various places. The only troops you can move are your brigade."

"So, you're telling me to face 5000 soldiers with my 600-strong brigade?"

"That's right."

After saying that, the Demon King fell silent.

"---However, I am not a demon. I will give you a choice."

"A choice?"

"Yes. There are two paths. One is to go to Sefiro's rescue and die with him. The other is to abandon Sefiro and become the commander of the 7th Legion afterward."

"……"

I was speechless.

"…Very demon-like thinking."

"I am the Demon King."

She smiled, but her expression was like a Noh mask.

"However, I want to make it clear that I am not abandoning or discarding Sefiro. I am just giving up. If I send you to his rescue, you will die as well. That would be an immeasurable loss for the Demon Army."

"That would be very problematic…" The Demon King showed a girl-like face for the first time.

She can make such a face, I thought, but even without her giving me a choice, my decision was already made.

"Sefiro is a playful superior, but she is like a sister to me. I can't abandon her."

"…So, you are choosing the first path?"

The Demon King asked as if confirming, but I nodded silently.

"You must also leave some troops to defend this city. So, the number of troops you can prepare is less than 500. Are you going to challenge ten times your number with that many?"

"Crying won't increase the number of troops. …So, I won't cry."

The Demon King was right.

The number of troops the Undying Brigade could mobilize was 500. Even if 100 of them were elite soldiers equipped with guns, facing ten times their number was too dangerous.

No, it was foolish.

Moreover, this time, it was not a siege but a field battle against the enemy.

Honestly, challenging ten times your number head-on was something only a fool would do.

No competent general would make such a reckless move.

However, I couldn't abandon Sefiro.

I said firmly,

"I'll try with 500 troops."

Just then, someone interrupted me.

An unexpected person joined the conversation.

Sati had brought the Dwarf King Gunther.

Sati apologized to me.

"I'm sorry. Lord Gunther asked me…"

Sati bowed deeply.

Gunther said,

"The girl is not at fault. I forced it out of her. Please forgive her."

I sighed.

I could imagine the scene.

Sati is bad at lying and keeping secrets.

I hadn't told her to keep it a secret, so it wasn't surprising that this happened.

"It seems I can finally repay my debt, Lord Ike."

"You've already repaid it more than enough, in the form of 'guns.'"

"I am not the one who makes the guns. The Dwarf craftsmen do."

Gunther said this and raised the war axe in his right hand, slicing the air.

*Thwack!*

It was so fast that it seemed to tear the air.

To be able to wield such a large war axe with one hand was a tremendous feat of strength.

Dwarves are known not only for their skilled craftsmen but also for their strong miners.

Many Dwarves can become first-rate warriors by turning their picks into axes.

"There are not only craftsmen but also Dwarf warriors in this city. Their number is about 100. If they join the battle, they will be a great help to Lord Ike."

"Is that alright? This war has nothing to do with the Dwarves."

"No."

Gunther shook his head.

"If the Demon Army unifies this world, will you create a Dwarf nation?"

Gunther looked at me with sincere eyes.

I glanced at the Demon King.

She nodded silently.

"I promise this on my name. However, as you know, the Demon Army is currently struggling. There is a possibility that I might not be able to fulfill this promise."

"Then, so be it. It means my judgment was wrong. I will accept it."

But the Dwarf King continued,

"Lord Ike gave a place to the Dwarves who wandered the lands and couldn't find a home. At the very least, I must repay that favor. Dwarves do not forget a debt of gratitude once received."

Saying this, he offered to send reinforcements.

I thought he would follow me anyway, so I extended my hand to Gunther.

"I appreciate your help."

"It is an honor to work for you."

He shook my hand firmly.