“Let’s get started.”
With a word from Akira Sakura, the main conference began.
“Then I will give the report.”
That said, it was a naval intelligence officer who stood up.
The last few days had been pretty much the same, but today was different.
“The enemy coalition fleet has made a port call at Atlantis.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir. The call came from a local intelligence officer, so there’s no doubt about it.”
“It’s still the largest military port among the several supply areas, you know. But how can you be sure it’s not a deception?”
“As you say. There are several archipelagos in the Great South Sea. There was also a report that Azalea is setting up a secret base there. Have you sent agents there as well?”
The general asks, and the Minister of the Navy follows suit.
The intelligence officer answers those questions without hesitation.
“There are too many of them to reach all the islands, sir. However, the number of enemy ships remaining in port at Atlantis matches the information we received prior to our sortie, and the possibility of a separate fleet has been eliminated. An Imperial Navy warship has been captured. They’re planning to stay here and work on their maintenance, to frustrate our will to fight.”
The Imperial Navy’s crushing defeat was already known to the Imperial Headquarters. So no one is surprised now, but they can’t keep quiet when they hear that their ship has been captured.
“The enemy’s movements were superimposed. And, um, have any of our ships succeeded in escaping?”
“No, of course not. If there was, they would have contacted us long ago.
The surprisingly brazen Chief of Staff pointed out.
He seems to have cooled off, as he said he would, and his point is accurate.
“As you say, Mr. Chief of Staff, I believe it is safe to assume that every ship in our fleet has been captured.”
“Tch! Then it’s as if we’ve already increased the enemy’s strength!”
“It can’t be helped. We were dealing with an unknown enemy, a demon. Even if it were me in the room, the result would have been the same.”
The Chief refutes the Army Minister’s statement.
“Excuse me. I didn’t mean to insult the Navy. It’s just that I’m frustrated…”
“I accept your apology. We all have the same regrets.”
The meeting was tense.
They are in the tightest situation since the beginning of the Empire’s history.
The Imperial Fleet, which had prided itself on being the strongest in the world, had been defeated. Moreover, many ships, including the most advanced ones, have fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Everyone was anxious and worried about the unprecedented danger. There was no point in complaining, but even a whine would still pop out.
If the commander-in-chief hadn’t acted like a grown-up, the situation would have been even bleaker.
In a slightly relaxed atmosphere, Akira Sakura, not missing the opportunity, opens his mouth.
“So, are our soldiers still being held as prisoners of war?”
That question makes the naval participants tense. The safety of their comrades, their loved ones, is a cause for concern. Of course, they were important to the army as well, a matter of great importance to their comrades and also of great consequence to their future plans.
If this were a normal war, the wartime agreement would have guaranteed the safety of the prisoners of war. But this time, that premise could be undermined by the involvement of an unknown invader.
If it was the same as before, fine.
If it wasn’t…
His gaze fell on the intelligence officer.
“That is…”
“What’s the matter? Get on with your answer!”
The stagnant intelligence officer stammered, but was urged by his superior officer to continue.
“According to eyewitness reports, a group of Imperial Navy generals were steering the captured vessel with their own hands. There were also enemy soldiers on board, but they were in very small numbers. There was no sign of gunfire, and it appeared as if they had turned over of their own volition.”
It was natural to stammer, everyone thought.
And the same was true of Akira. A proud soldier of the Imperial Guard would never abandon his duties so easily. And moreover, it was unthinkable that he would turn over to the enemy.
“That wouldn’t make Kondou-san, who risked his life for it, any happier…”
Minamoto’s murmurings echoed through the silent chamber.
‘It is better to believe in the possibility of being controlled by a demon.’ That is the true feelings of everyone present.
And Velgrynd cheerfully affirms that thought.
“Hmmm, silly. Don’t worry. None of your friends are going to betray you.”
It was Velgrynd.
The naval officers could not believe that their comrades had betrayed them, and they were puzzled by the circumstantial evidence that suggested it. That’s why they found hope in Velgrynd’s statement.
“What do you mean by that, Ryuo-dono?”
The Minister of the Navy asks on behalf of everyone.
Velgrynd smiled and replied.
“It’s simple. Demons have the ability to possess people. They’re new and don’t have much power in our world, but by possessing people and taking their bodies, they can slowly become more and more powerful. They don’t have much magic element as a source of power, and it will take some time for them to fully assimilate, don’t you think?”
That was exactly the hope.
“I see. So they’re being controlled after all!”
“If it takes so long to assimilate, does that mean we can help them now?”
“We can’t allow them to mock our friends! We will destroy you, demons!”
“We must immediately launch a rescue mission—”
“Wait a minute, things aren’t that easy.”
The chamber was in an uproar.
Some wondered how she knew so much about it, but then they reminded themselves that it was no surprise when she was Emperor’s trump card, and they accepted her word with open arms.
Then they all agreed on rescuing their comrades, but then they remembered that it was a conundrum and regained their composure.
To begin with, the empire has just lost the war for its own survival. A rescue mission is not something that comes easily to mind.
First of all, there weren’t enough ships left in the kingdom.
Six aircraft carriers.
Four battleships.
Four heavy cruiser ships.
Two light cruiser ships.
Eighteen destroyer ships.
After losing so many ships, even if they could gather them from all over the Empire, they could only gather less than half of these ships.
They would only need to assemble a single fleet. If they were sent to rescue everyone, then the defense of the mainland would become a challenge.
“But the world’s leaders are aware of the current situation. Shouldn’t we make peace in secret and concentrate on the true enemy, the demons 22 ?”
“Everyone knows that. This is impossible with the army in its grasp.”
“Other countries are not happy, but they are the same as us. We have not been able to keep track of the army troops we have sent to China.”
“And more importantly, we’ve just been robbed of our decisive force…”
Even if the leadership had made peace, it wouldn’t have solved anything.
There’s no way to announce an end to the war if the military is still out of control. Therefore, the first step in resolving the situation is to deal with the demon.
Before that, there was a concern that everyone was aware of, but couldn’t say anything about.
What was it?
“Is there anyone here in possession of the demon?”
It was the Minister of War who finally uttered it.
From the way he stared at the naval participants, it was obvious what he was thinking.
“Huh! Do you doubt us?”
“No, no, I don’t think that’s what I said. But from what you’ve just told me, I’m sure you can’t blame me for suspecting it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! If you say that, then so does the army, they’re running amok in China!”
“Nuh-uh, that’s…”
The atmosphere in the chamber was almost engulfed in a terrible atmosphere, but it was interrupted by Akira Sakura.
“The good news is that our brave soldiers are safe. It is only natural that we should rescue them, but can we really achieve this by squabbling here? I’m sure you know the right answer, brave men.”
““Yes, Your Majesty! I beg your pardon!””
With those words, everyone became calm.
It’s a very dignified thing to say, but for Akira, he still felt like he was walking a tightrope.
Simply being upset won’t solve the situation, so there is no choice here but to strongly rebuke. He can understand the anxiety of the officers, but Akira Sakura also felt frustrated at his inability to do anything.
“Ryuo-dono, I understand the War Minister’s concern, but are you able to distinguish between humans and demons?”
It was Gensei who asked this question.
If they couldn’t tell friend from foe apart, then they couldn’t talk about anything.
That’s the premise for all of their countermeasures.
It was quiet again in the chamber as everyone waited for Velgrynd’s answer.
“There’s no way any of them are. If there were, I would have told you first.”
Everyone was relieved to hear that.
“Yes, that’s right.”
The same was true for Gensei.
If a demon of the heavenly demon class had transformed into a human being, there was a chance they couldn’t tell them apart. If even Velgrynd here couldn’t do it, then there would have been nothing left to do but give up.
‘There was still hope,’ Gensei felt.
But Velgrynd was different.
“I’m surprised. Can’t you even tell if you’re one of them or not? Demons, I call them phantoms, but they possess people because they have to. So that they can live in this world. And once they’ve fully assimilated, they can no longer be considered human.”
If assimilation isn’t complete, the ‘Barrier’ guarding this imperial city should be enough to see through it. They may be able to transform into humans, but their very nature is foreign.
It’s because of such instability that they won’t go out until stable, Velgrynd explained.
“And you see, the lowest-ranking ‘grunts’ are wise, but not self-aware. They’re small fry who follow orders from their superiors, so you can figure them out with a quick questioning.”
The memory of a possessed person can be read, but it is only the surface level. If you ask about the deeper parts, they will not be able to answer and will get messed up.
When Velgrynd explained this, the mood in the chamber was one of relief.
The explanation continued further.
It was until this time that the meeting was serious.
From this point forward, Velgrynd was on her own.
“Since you don’t seem to know anything about it, I have to tell you that there is a definite hierarchy of ranks among the phantoms. That ‘soldier’ you just mentioned is a small fry. And since they’re only one level of strength away from being fully assimilated, they’re only as strong as the most advanced demon (youkai).”
It’s easy to say that it’s a advanced demon, but it’s a level of danger that requires a task force. However, the Velgrynd could not care less.
“R-Ryuo-dono, does that mean that if they fully assimilate, this ‘soldier’ will become a heavenly-class demon?”
The Minister of the Army asked, to which Velgrynd replied firmly.
“Clever man, you’re right.”
“Huh?!”
The Army Minister’s exclamation wasn’t because he felt ridiculed. He was speechless at the desperate situation of the lowest-ranked soldiers being the equivalent of the Heavenly Demon class.
The temperature difference between him and Velgrynd was so great that it was pitiful.
There was no one here who could laugh at the Army Minister. They all felt the same way.
“Why are you surprised? If that was the case, even Gensei can beat it. If you're a" commander "class who commands a group of soldiers, they may have a hard time, but they can't beat him.”
The lower-ranked “commander” class is equivalent to the A rank in strength in the other world—but until their possession is complete, they are only slightly stronger than the B rank.
Once it was fully assimilated into the mythical/dragon class, it would be an inevitable struggle. But even so, Velgrynd decided that Gensei would be enough to defeat it.
“It pains me to say this,” he said, “but against two of them, even Kondou lost. I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“You shouldn’t be so weak. Kondou stuck to his beliefs until the end, you know.”
That reminds Gensei.
He realized IHe realized that he had been weak.
Then, he realized how blind he had been. He could feel the heat of the sword at his side.
That primed Gensei to regain his confidence.
“Yes, you’re right. If we act weak, we will lose battles that could have been won.”
“Right. Well, if you’re feeling weak, I’m here, so there’s no way you can lose.”
It was Velgrynd who ruined Gensei’s resolve.
***
Just like that, the flow of the main conference has changed.
Velgrynd’s explanation continued.
“The higher up they are, the stronger they are, but their energy is too high for them to come into our world. Maybe they’re only here now up to the lower echelon, the ‘general’ level. So…”
“Wait, wait, wait!”
“What is it?”
The explanation was interrupted, and Velgrynd grimaced. Had it not been in front of Akira Sakura, she wouldn’t have forgiven anyone for interrupting her.
“Well, the ranks of the phantom, are we to assume that they are the same as those of the military?”
“Are you doubting my language skills?”
“No, I don’t mean to, but it does raise the question of whether there is a ‘lieutenant’ or ‘colonel’ rank between ‘commander’ and ‘general’…”
It was the Minister of the Navy who heard about it, but this was on everyone’s mind as well. It may be insignificant to Velgrynd, but to the inhabitants of this world, they are a desperate opponent.
“If Gensei-dono is going to have a hard time, would the ‘commander’ class be the equivalent of a mythical/dragon demon?”
“Yes, I think that’s the same opponent that Kondou lost to, so it’s almost certainly true.”
“Then how strong is a ‘general’?”
He’s as strong as a mythical/dragon class or even a god/buddha class.
Since it cannot be beat by humans, it is classified as a god/buddha class. If such an opponent attacked, any resistance was meaningless.
One by one, their faces grew pale as they realized this.
“So perhaps Kondou had been defeated by this ‘general.’
“Maybe so, but I’m not interested. I don’t care either way.”
It doesn’t matter who you lose to, Velgrynd doesn’t care.
All that mattered was the fact that you had lost.
“Oh yeah, and since I remember, I should tell you that there are only two ways for a phantom to appear in this world. Either you go through the Underworld Gate, or you’re summoned by a superior. I’m guessing he was summoned because there would be no ‘gate’ at sea.”
“The General could have called in more than 10,000 of them,” Velgrynd said in a light-hearted tone.
To the listeners’ point of view, it was a hopeless number.
Everyone could only stare at the Velgrynd in awe.
“Would Ryuo-dono, I mean, can you win?”
‘That was the only hope,’ the Minister of the Navy asked.
‘That’s a ridiculous question,’ he thought to himself and started laughing.
Even against an enemy general-level unit, this enemy would be powerful enough to destroy mankind.
And now that it leads its subordinates, there is nothing they can do about it.
No matter how strong the mysterious woman who called herself Ryuo was, there was no way she could take on the Legion individually.
“Isn’t the opponent an army of god class with unimaginable power? In all times and places, we have only heard of stories of man’s victory over the gods in myths…”
“Isn’t there no choice but to pray that the world will not be destroyed?”
The Chief of Staff and the Army Minister felt the same way as the Navy Minister, and so they followed suit.
Velgrynd snickered.
“Silly you. If anyone could beat me, it would be only Feldway, the king of the phantoms, wouldn’t it? But I don’t intend to lose, and he won’t be able to manifest himself over here.”
Why do you know the name of the enemy king—and so many other questions. But no one was there to point them out.
It occurred to them that this woman should be no different.
There was one thing they had to make sure of.
“I don’t doubt that you are strong, Ryuo-sama. So I would like to ask you…”
It was the inspectorate general of education who had been silent the whole time and had watched the proceedings with great courage. He was one of the three Secretaries of the Army and a mediator in the event of a conflict.
Velgrynd turned to the inspectorate general.
“What is it?”
“This country is on the verge of extinction, so will you then go out and take on the enemy?”
“No, I will not. Because I have only one life left.”
Of course, that was a lie.
With her ‘Parallel Existence,’ it is possible to defeat the ene y while protecting the Emperor.
But there’s no reason to tell them that. Velgrynd used her identity as the ‘Guardian of the Emperor’ as a shield and declared that she would devote herself to his protection.
For one reason only.
It’s a calculated decision.
One cannot grow further if they only look to others for help in times of trouble. She doesn’t think a country like that would have a future anyway.
If that was the case, then it would be the same even if everyone died here.
Velgrynd is affectionate and has not yet abandoned this country, or mankind. If this were Velzard, she would not have let those with such a feeble mind live.
Before she set out on her journey, she would have thought that she would take care of everything until Rudra died, but anything after that was of no concern to Velgrynd. But now she can see the bigger picture. This, too, was a change that came about because of her encounter with Rimuru and his perspective.
All that mattered to Velgrynd now was Rudra and his beloved people. And to protect the bloodline that goes on and on.
That’s why, as always, she makes sure that the people left behind will be able to do something when she’s gone.
The words are harsh, but Velgrynd declares that she will not move out.
“But don’t worry. Your Majesty will be safe with me. So I suggest you do the best you can.”
In short, it was a matter of showing some guts.
***
Now that the strength of the enemy is known, the direction of the Congress will be shifted to future measures.
With Velgrynd’s help, the Emperor’s safety was assured.
The officers in the main camp are not stupid and they understand what Velgrynd is saying. That’s why they decided to take care of it themselves first.
“Then keep a strict eye on the movements of the enemy fleet.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll double and triple my hands and give orders not to miss the movement.”
“How much time do we have before the demon possesses a person and completely assimilates with them?”
“Well, if there are a lot of demons, it won’t take more than a week, but over here, I think it’ll take at least two months.”
In front of Rudra, Velgrynd also answers honestly without hiding what is asked. As a result, the policy was set without hesitation.
“It will take at least a month for the enemy fleet to finish replenishment and maintenance and leave port. The timing is consistent, so can we assume that the enemy won’t move until a month from now?”
“I’m not so sure about that. It may take some time to re-organize our freshly captured fleet, but with both the Azalea and Chinese fleets now in operation, wouldn’t it be possible to launch them with just a refueling run?”
“If that’s the case, then it would be less than two weeks from Atlantis to the Empire. It’ll depend on the weather, but…”
“It won’t be done. Weather control is so basic, so think of it as sailing at maximum ship speed.”
“Huh… yes!”
By this time, the officers had begun to grasp Velgrynd’s personality.
Although she had an arrogant attitude, she had a surprisingly caring side to her.
She answers questions seriously and will give advice.
She’s a great ally.
If there is no way to take advantage of it, the talented ones will ask questions everywhere. And as a result, they had developed a general plan of attack.
“Oh. We could intercept them on the mainland, but that would make it impossible for us to rescue our brave brothers and sisters who are being held captive. Perhaps we should strike out and destroy the enemy ringleaders.”
“That’s right. I agree with you, but there is the question of who should go.”
“If Ryuo-dono is protecting His Majesty, there will be no hindsight. I’ll come with you.”
“Oh, if Araki-dono will join us, it’s a good thing.”
“The entire swordsmanship squad, please join us!”
“Minamoto-kun, I’m counting on you!”
And so it seemed that the conversation was settled.
That’s when Velgrynd interrupted.
“…Are you guys serious? Or are you just having suicidal thoughts?”
“What do you mean?”
The Army Minister looked at Velgrynd with a shine in his eye.
He had hoped that maybe she would join them, but that was too sweet an idea.
“I’ll give you credit for showing that you are willing to work hard on your own, but that’s not enough. The enemy is powerful, so we have make sure to do our best.”
Most of them thought, “What are you talking about?” but some of them figured out the answer.
One of them was the army’s Chief of Staff.
“Am I to understand that we need more than our own country?”
This was surprising to Velgrynd.
He had been the first one to turn on her, so she was under the impression he was more impulsive.
Good thing I didn’t give up on him too soon.
Velgrynd nodded, disguising her true feelings.
“It is true that this is not the time to see this global crisis as an opportunity for nations to fight each other. We understand that, but as I have just explained, our military is in overdrive.”
The army chief of staff says that he is frustrated too.
But then Minamoto says,
“As I thought, we should also get cooperation from other countries! If we’re only half-hearted, we’ll be defeated and possessed by demons. That’s why we’re taking on the challenge with only our own elite troops, so we have no choice but to ask other countries to send their elite troops as well.”
Hearing that, the others agree.
“It’s the only way to go. This isn’t a war anymore. We’re locked in a race for survival against monsters, so this is no time to choose our bets. Before the outcome of the war, we must drive the demon out first.”
“Right. This isn’t just an imperial matter anymore.”
“That’s right. We should contact you as soon as possible and keep in step.”
Just because it was the only way, he expressed his opinion.
“Correct. You guys are weak, and you need to use your brains more.”
Hearing this, Velgrynd smiled with satisfaction and replied. But from the office’s point of view, it was an absurd story.
“Please wait! I’m sure the world leaders understand that things aren’t going well. But that doesn’t mean they’ll join hands and cooperate.”
“Hmm, that would be difficult. No country is going to nod yes to an offer of a ceasefire out of the blue.”
“We don’t want that kind of suggestion in our country, do we?”
Those are very sensible opinions.
Anything happens during the ceasefire is a disaster. For that to be possible, they need to at least get control of the military, which is out of control.
Besides, there are many other problems.
Even the popular opinion of the people won’t be convinced.
Some countries might use this as an opportunity to plot.
The doubts were endless.
Some argued that they could not move forward with suspicion, but if those fears are not cleared, then it is impossible to go hand in hand.
There is no such thing as a partnership in this situation, but Velgrynd smiled and said,
“Will you give up without trying? Well, that’s okay, then. I’ll protect His Majesty and this Imperial City, His Majesty’s home.”
When she says that like he’s a fool, the diplomatic officer has no choice but to retort.
“Okay. Then I’ll try to contact them. Let’s show our utmost sincerity and at least arrange for a meeting!”
Although he was close to retorting, he was still successful in meeting Velgrynd’s challenge.
“That’s right. Either way, we must do it, or we will perish.”
“It may destroy me if I try, but I’d like to show my determination anyway.”
“That’s right. Even if we lose, we’re going to have to fight back with everything we’ve got.”
“I’m sorry for my people and my family, but…”
“It can’t be helped. I don’t care if they’re under agreement, the enemy is a demon. It’s a race for survival. A loss means the end for our nation. We must do all we can right now or we’ll regret it.”
And all the officers were well agitated.
Velgrynd is happy to have it her way.
That’s fine. Act before you argue about whether or not you can do it. And if you make a mistake, I’ll do something about it.
She whispered the words in her heart and smiled.
Everyone knew what to do and acted accordingly.
Thus began the last stand of the empire.
***
Atlantis continent.
It is the smallest continent located at the eastern end of the United States of Azalea.
The climate is of a tropical rainforest. Most of it was heavily forested and jungle-like.
But this continent had a more significant characteristic.
There were iron ore mines and oil-producing wells. By harnessing its rich reserves, it had become the largest military base in Azalea’s sphere of influence.
And that was the beginning of the misfortune.
There was an ancient ruin near the military base, but unluckily there was also an “Underworld Gate” that led to the other world.
Long ago, there was a ceremony performed by the native tribes. They may have attempted to communicate with the gods, but as a result, a small rupture in space-time occurred. It was discovered by a phantom race and is now firmly anchored as a stable Underworld Gate.
The phantoms welcomed the indigenous Azalean people as their new targets for possession. They stole the military facilities they had built and used them as a foothold for their invasion.
A man in a reddish-brown military uniform in the national defense guard, commanded a multitude of men of various races.
His black hair was brushed back. His thin, narrow eyes gleamed intelligently behind his glasses.
He is Cornu’s second in command from the heavenly realm. Before he mutated and became a phantom, he was active as a cherub 23 .
He didn’t have a name, but he now calls himself Amari Masahiko. It was the name of the man whose body he incarnated when he appeared in this world.
Incidentally, the three demon 24 leaders may name their subordinates after their themselves. Cornu didn’t value the bond between the demons and their followers, which is why the demons in Cornu’s group didn’t have names.
Race was of no concern to the Phantoms, but Amari Masahiko was Japanese. He was an agent who had come to explore Azalea’s military facilities and was a rival to Kondou.
He was a brilliant but unlucky man.
There was no news of Kondou’s defeat, and by the time he learned of the enemy’s full extent, it was too late.
He was outnumbered and defeated, and his body was taken over.
The body of Masahiko was strengthened by the ‘Ki Fighting Method (Battlewill)’ and was the best material for a phantom to use. More than a hundred days had passed since his manifestation, and the senior-ranked, second-in-command, had become fully capable of exerting his power even in this world.
His unparalleled power could reach 10 million EP.
This was the result of his own knowledge and skill level, and his power had increased greatly.
“Hurry up with the expansion work. The gate is too small for Cornu-sama to descend.”
Originally, only those who had a magicule amount less than the size of the “Underworld Gate” could fully manifest from the Otherworld.
Those who did not had to leave their main body in the Otherworld and send out ‘split bodies’ linked by a ‘Soul Corridor’ to gradually regain their power.
But…
The only ones who do not apply to this description are the Three Demons 25 .
The power of the three demons is so great that an Underworld Gate wouldn’t do them justice. It must be at least a million-level gate to make them appear.
Incidentally, as long as the main body remained in the otherworld, they could be resurrected even if the alter ego died! However, because that gate hasn’t fully manifested, they can only display a weakened power of less than half at most.
Also, even if they were revived, only memories and experiences are inherited, and it is necessary to find another possessor.
There were advantages, but the disadvantages were greater.
By expanding the "Underworld Gate", they could return to another world even if they are incarnated, so the phantoms were aiming for complete manifestation.
The “Underworld Gate” was expanding day by day, and it was expanding faster than Velgrynd had expected. It was about 100,000 in existence value, so a low-intermediate level “lieutenant” would be able to fully manifest without any problems.
The mental-controlled captives were lined up in front of the Underworld Gate. One by one, they are possessed by demons.
The greatest advantage to the incarnation is that the phantoms can take their names. As half-mental life forms, they are unstable beings. By acquiring a body and a name, they established a strong sense of self.
As a result of the knowledge they gain from the body they possess, even the lowest-ranking soldier had become useful in their own right.
“There’s no need to be so hasty Masahiko-sama. Our plan is on track. I’ve surveyed our world’s strength and found few who pose a threat.”
It was David Reagan who advised Masahiko to use the demon lord’s powers. The demon that possessed him was of the rank of General, one of the highest-ranking Demon Lord Seeds. He is one of the strongest demons to achieve full manifestation, with an existence value of up to six hundred thousand.
No wonder Kondou couldn’t win.
David’s opponent, Li Jinlong, is the one to complain about this.
“I told you many times. Do you remember, Fist Saint Xianhua is still here? The way I remember her, she’s as good a match as any officer could have.”
An “officer” is a mid-range phantom rank. In the Otherworld, they are as powerful as Demon Lord Seeds and were the leaders of a thousand-man regiment that was the key to the invasion.
Unlike the lower-ranked ones, they were a formidable force, and losing them would seriously affect their plans. Li Jinlong’s advice was right.
But David laughs.
“It’s all right. That man, Pulcinella-sama, has been sent to take care of him. Xianhua is no match for him.”
Li Jinlong is surprised to hear this, but was convinced with a grin.
Mystery Monk Pulcinella, one of mankind’s best hope for the future. He left the oracle behind and went on a quest to find out what happened. There he fought fierce battles with demons, but was cruelly defeated and captured.
There was only one reason for this.
The only reason he was taken prisoner was to have a demon of the same rank as Masahiko and his “chief strategist” as an excellent retainer.
That tragedy was fulfilled. He was now a demon of the same rank as Amari Masahiko.
“Seriously? I was going to go in there, but I was beaten to it. It’s easy enough to kill them, but we’d destroy them too. Well, Pulcinella-sama won’t have a problem with that.”
David agreed, if a little irreverently.
Humans in this world were weak. In such a situation, Xianhua, who has outstanding strength, can withstand as a substitute, enough to stand in for their chief, Cornu. It’s because everyone thinks so that they are hesitant to leave it to the subordinates.
They were too strong, even for their own rank, against humans. It wouldn’t be a fight if they tried, but it was hard to go easy on them in these unfamiliar bodies. Cornu’s lieutenants are on a different level, so they should be able to carry out the mission without difficulty.
Because of their absolute trust, David laughed that Xianhua’s fate was as good as done.
“Well, if Cornu-sama doesn’t want a woman’s body, then we’ll find a replacement and I’ll take Xianhua’s place. The man who owned my body was very attached to her, and I couldn’t stop thinking about her.”
“Soft and tender. Cornu-sama won’t care about your gender, so you won’t have to worry about that.”
Thinking that the problem was already solved, Li Jinlong and David started a silly conversation.
As he listened to them, Masahiko couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
It’s not that he was dissatisfied with the results at this point. He was not satisfied, but he could say that they have launched an invasion of this world.
Under Cornu’s command, the two top general counsels and the four generals have already been revealed.
The expansion of the Underworld Gate was on track, and a replacement for Cornu was on the horizon.
The machinations of Pulcinella and the two remaining generals have come to fruition and the world is on the verge of ruin.
All that remains is to reveal Cornu to the world.
That should be the case. There’s nothing to reverse from here. I haven’t overlooked anything…
After calmly analyzing the situation, he had come to the conclusion that there was nothing wrong with it.
However, the anxiety of Amari Masahiko was correct.
It was impossible to assume that Velgrynd had appeared.
“Human resistance is insignificant, but we must not be caught off guard. There are still some finishing touches to be made. Everyone pull together and get to work.”
As if to shake off his uneasiness, Masahiko ordered everyone to do so.
***
After the main conference was over, the first thing Velgrynd did was to go to the main library.
It is no exaggeration to say that the library had a huge collection of books on its vast floor.
The reason why she went there is because there was something that was said in the meeting that bothered her.
It was the names of nations and some of the names of people.
For example, the Holy Arcia Empire.
This seems to have some connection to the Arcia Kingdom she led.
Or the name of the president of the United States of Azalea
George Hayes, apparently, is the same one she had contact with before the space-time leap.
If Velgrynd’s memory was correct, his father was the owner of as piece of Rudra’s soul. His name was Laurent Hayes, and she was with him from his youth until he died a mortal death.
There are many other things she was curious about, but she had to look into those matters.
If they were in the same world, she could be sure that they were the same nation and the same person, but there are also similar worlds in other dimensions.
Since there are clear differences in the origins and laws of the world, it is concluded that it is not a parallel world, but for some reason the names are similar
Again, the possibility of this being a coincidence was undeniable, so Velgrynd decided to look into the history.
The first thing she looked up was the origins of the Holy Arcia Empire, and the description of the Arcia Kingdom was confirmed. She recognized the name of the king and his chief advisors, and she was convinced that this world was descended from the Arcia Kingdom.
Next, she looked up George Hayes
“Oh, that’s right. His father’s name was Laurent Hayes. He was the president seven generations ago, so that must be it. So…George-kun could have been president, too.”
Velgrynd smiles, remembering the respect George had for his father.
He wanted to be a great president, just like his father.
Laurent died at the age of 62, while George was only 27 then. Today’s George is fifty-two years old, so in this space-time leap, she appeared 25 years later in the same world.
Twenty-five years ago, Akira Sakura would have been alive and well, so someone with a piece of Rudra’s soul must have existed at the same time.
That is a very rare pattern, but since the soul reacts strongly to death, it was not absolutely certain.
That is why, while doubting the possibility of another person, she went to the large library in this way.
By the way, Laurent was surrounded and almost killed by a gang. It was there that Velgrynd was called in to rescue him, which is how she got to know Laurent.
Remembering that, Velgrynd feels nostalgic.
She switches her mind and resumes her research.
“George-kun had a little boy, right?”
Velgrynd gave her blessing, so there’s no doubt about it. She checked the names in the book of names and found his son’s name was listed.
Emile Hayes—she was convinced that it was no longer doubtful because it matched the name she remembered.
Velgrynd nods with satisfaction.
It was then that she discovered an entry in the Biographical Directory that bothered her.
“Eh!? Was it my fault that Laurent’s marriage was delayed?”
She grumbled in dissatisfaction.
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she thought.
Laurent Hayes had a shadow of a beautiful woman who had always followed him around, and so on, according to the biographical data.
It was true, but Velgrynd was neither aware nor malicious in heart. Therefore, she dissatisfied with this.
She always said he was free to fall in love, and she never meant to hold Laurent back. But there are certainly not many women who would court a man with such a beautiful woman at his side.
By all accounts, it was Velgrynd who was responsible for the considerable delay in Laurent’s marriage.
“I don’t know who wrote this, but I’d like to complain about it…”
The author was long dead, but that may have been fortunate in a way.
Even after she had finished her research, Velgrynd was enjoying her free time.
There was no one to stop her.
The only one who could, was Akira, but he was the one who let Velgrynd do what she wanted. Because he instinctively knew that this would lead to the most benign outcome.
Of course, there were those who would get involved with Velgrynd.
Not the soldiers who knew her true nature, but their wives.
The Empress, Akira’s wife, was one of them.
“What a mess. A woman who doesn't know the bones of any horse approaches His Majesty before he knows it.”
It was a fight from the very beginning.
The Empress, from the Duke’s family, was fifty years old.
The Empress was still full of energy at this time when the average age was about 60 years old due to the development of medicine and magic.
Nevertheless, for Velgrynd, she was still pretty. This had happened a lot during the long time she had spent with Rudra.
“Oh my, you’ll ruin your pretty face if you get so angry. I think even Akira Sakura would want his wife to always be beautiful.”
And then she refused to fight with her.
And then she even patted the Empress’ face.
It was so fast that the empress didn’t even have time to try to escape, but lo and behold, her skin was instantly rejuvenated. Before long, the empress’s skin was regaining its freshness.
“See, you’re beautiful now. But it’s important to keep it that way. I’m going to teach you a breathing technique to regulate your energy, so you can practice it properly.”
“—What?”
The Empress was stunned.
This is exactly what it means to be unable to speak.
The wives of the high ranking officials who followed her are looking at her the same way.
After all, the Empress had regained her beauty right before their eyes. They were right to be amazed.
“You don’t think…that’s the secret of rejuvenation?”
They muttered to no one, but Velgrynd laughed and denied it.
“That’s not rejuvenation. This is just a way to revitalize your cells and make you look better. It doesn’t change your race, and your lifespan remains finite.”
There is a finite lifespan. Velgrynd explained that she only activated the cells by manipulating the spirit of life, and thus could not extend their lifespan, but this was misleading.
From the perspective of Velgrynd, it is a small margin of error, but the life is extended.
It makes the body healthier and cures it of most diseases. The energy intake would be more efficient and one would have a perfect resistance to aging (anti-aging).
As a result, the life expectancy of the Empress was more than doubled.
If you learn and practice breathing techniques from Velgrynd, you will live a longer life.
“Ryuo-sama, I’m afraid I was wrong about you.”
The Empress instantly fell in love with Velgrynd.
Of course, the same was true of her attendants.
“Me too!”
“I as well!”
“I’d love for you to teach us how to breathe!”
They shouted out tried desperately to regain their youth.
***
It has been a few days since Velgrynd arrived in this world.
Teaching the ladies breathing techniques and enjoying tea times, Velgrynd was gracefully at ease.
The military, on the other hand, has been busy.
Discussions with the leaders of each country were difficult, and the prospects for meetings were unclear.
Due to lack of progress, the main conference has been canceled. Instead of wasting time on useless meetings, it has been decided that the effort should be focused on something constructive.
Akira Sakura has given his permission.
So Velgrynd has no complaints.
But the frustration is growing.
They were losing valuable time.
Even while doing this, it seems that the demons are ready, so if they don't do it early, they will not be able to hold international meetings. In that case, they would have to leave before humanity could come together.
Well, okay. If that happens, the war won’t end even if we do something about the phantoms…
That would be a problem, Velgrynd thought melancholy.
So she decided to help out a bit.
After all, Velgrynd is a very caring person.
“Are the negotiations going well?”
While asking that question, she rushed into the Foreign Ministry’s intelligence office.
It’s a quiet time in the afternoon, but the intelligence office is a scene of chaos. The bureaucrats are in a panic because of the intrusion.
But Velgrynd was unconcerned.
“You’re not supposed to be here. This is a restricted area…”
“Shut up. It’s been three days now, and I wonder if any country has agreed to meet with you yet?”
“Well, I don’t think so…”
The person in charge opens his mouth heavily.
The reply from China was a conditional acceptance on the condition that the other nations would join. The same was true of the Great Roziam Dynasty, which was synonymous with reluctant refusal.
This is because the United States of Azalea and the Holy Arcia Empire responded that this was not the case.
Under these circumstances, it is out of the question for the leaders to go abroad. Even if they were holding a communications conference, they could not afford to do so, that was the truth of the matter.
“We are patiently trying to persuade them to do so.”
And the person in charge sounds annoyed.
Hearing this, Velgrynd is puzzled.
“That will take a long time. It can’t be helped, so let me help you with that a little bit.”
From the point of view of Masayuki and others, it was the very definition of tsundere.
But the hard-headed and proud bureaucrats are not convinced.
“But—”
“If you listen silently, you’ll be fine! I agree that you’re strong and beautiful, but information strategy is our domain. I wish you’d keep your mouth shut.”
Even though he was angry, he had to admit that Velgrynd was beautiful. It was understandable that such a high official didn’t want to be interfered with by amateurs, but this was a bad reaction.
“If it’s left up to you, we won’t be able to make a move in time for the enemy to come to us!”
And well, it made Velgrynd grumpy.
‘Just switch seats,’ Velgrynd said, and took her place in front of the communications equipment.
She knows how to use it with a quick glance. Dhnr can easily make the connection to Azalea’s U.S. intelligence in one motion.
“You hear me, don’t you?”
Velgrynd calls out from above without even checking the other party. The other party won’t have to answer, but it responds uncomfortably.
“You are persistent. I’ve told my superiors what your country wants, but the President is busy. Please understand that there is no time for negotiations.”
Although it’s an enemy country, it was the same in that they were used by demons. That’s why they didn’t despise them, and they handled it well.
But they still couldn’t get to the meeting because of the turmoil within the United States. The Imperial side knew that, too, and that’s why they couldn’t push it through.
But that was none of Velgrynd’s business.
“Come on, call your president, George-kun.”
“I don’t understand you. And it’s not polite to mention the president’s name so casually. You know he is busy here—”
“If you tell him that Velgrynd is calling, I’m sure he’ll listen to you.”
“What did you say?”
There was a hint of confusion on the other end, but Velgrynd cut the communication.
Since the alleged enemy president of the United States of Azalea is acquainted with her, there is no way to take advantage of that.
The rest is up to them.
If she can get a message to President George, then they can move quickly. Otherwise, she would be going to go to them herself.
That is where she was twenty-five years ago, so she has the coordinates for George’s country. The space-time lapse was also reflected in the coordinates, so ‘Spatial Transportation’ could be performed without any problem.
If I don’t hear from him after a day of waiting, I’ll go to him.
So Velgrynd decided to approach the Holy Arcia Empire this time.
She had an idea of how to handle those negotiations as well.
She precisely manipulated their magical communication circuits and connected them to the channel in an instant. She called up the number and made her demands unilaterally.
“Tell the emperor that he must do as I ask. Then I will provide you with another sacred artifact. Sword, spear, bow, whatever you wish. I, Velgrynd, will make you a promise so you should move quickly.”
The person being told is puzzled.
They don't remember being obliged to obey a woman who calls herself Velgrynd, but the call is on a formal international line. There was no option to ignore it.
However, there was no way he could see the Emperor as a communications officer, even if he wanted to. The real intention was not to make a mess.
But he still reported to his superiors.
The reason being the word ‘sacred artifact.’
In the Holy Arcia Empire, there was a fighting group that was well known in other lands.
As a national force, they are known as the Seven Sacred Vessels. These seven possess abilities beyond human knowledge… but it is their weapons that are the most famous.
Only when they are chosen to be owners of the weapons can they call themselves one of the Seven Vessels.
This story has been handed down since the beginning of the nation’s history and is known to all of Arcia’s people. Of course, others knew it, but it was a great sin to speak of it so casually.
That’s more than one man would ever say in a conversation on the phone between nations.
Since the contents of the communication were recorded as evidence, it was no wonder the war had escalated because of it.
That is why there was no choice but to tell them.
Anticipating this, Velgrynd’s negotiating skills were evident.
But it was awful for those who were listening.
“You! It was enough with the United States of Azalea. No, it’s not good, but I would argue that you’re not the only one responsible. But there’s no excuse for the Holy Arcia Empire!”
“Yes, that’s right! Moreover, using an alias is a brazen thing to do. It’ll be found out, and we’ll be in big trouble!”
Velgrynd had no intention of using a false name, but to an uninformed person it seemed like she was trying to deceive them. It was a misunderstanding, but Velgrynd was too lazy to explain, so she let it slide.
Either way, it’s up to them. There was no point in making a fuss here.
***
That’s how Velgrynd finished her preparations.
Ignore the complaints.
Gracefully, She prepared a cup of tea and enjoyed it while waiting for word.
The Ministry of Foreign Affair’s chief of intelligence fell silent, looking furious. Depending on how the other side responds, he’d do whatever it took to blame Velgrynd.
I’ll give you credit for being strong, girl. But I’m not fooled. I kept silent because I was in front of His Majesty, but I imagine that she has a mind to deceive us with her grandiose lies while everyone’s minds are weak.
He was engulfed in fumes during the main conference, but in retrospect, Velgrynd’s story is too wild to be true.
If they are true, there is no hope left for mankind. No matter how powerful Velgrynd is, they are no match for the mythical army.
With that in mind, the official’s hostility toward the Velgrynd was growing.
It was the flip side of his fear, but he was unaware of it. He just drowned his fears in anger.
And then he waits for a while.
“Velgrynd? It’s me, Velgrynd!”
The call was from the United States of Azalea.
This is surprisingly fast compared to usual.
And there’s no doubt in her mind who the caller is…
“Oh, George-kun, right? I hear that you’re the president now? I wish Laurent could have seen you as a grown-up.”
It was President George himself.
“Oh, you really are Velgrynd! I’m so glad. I didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again.”
Those who were listening to the conversation were amazed beyond words.
Ah!? Wasn’t “Velgrynd” a fake name? No, that’s not important. I seriously don’t understand how Ryuo-dono could know the President…
The senior official was also confused.
He was about to dismiss her as an insolent liar, and now he’s developed respect for her.
Velgrynd didn’t care what people thought.
“So, George-kun. I’m sorry, but we have to get to the important stuff first and can catch up later. Do you understand the situation?”
“Yes, you’re right. I’ve got something I want to talk to you about too. Can you listen to me after this matter?”
“Of course. You’re Laurent’s pride and joy, so you’re like a child to me too.”
“Thank you. That’s a relief to hear. So, it’s quite a situation, but I think we’ll have to reconcile it.”
“I agree. So, then, can you agree to what we ask of you?”
“Not a problem. When will the meeting take place?”
“I’ll check with Rudra—the Emperor—and get back to you.”
“Well, so there was another one at the same time as my father, wasn’t there? All right. I can’t wait right here, but I’ll make arrangements to be available at any time.”
And so, the call ended.
Velgrynd had successfully made an appointment with the President.
It wasn’t long before word from Arcia arrived.
“Is Velgrynd-sama there?”
“It’s me.”
“Excuse me. I am Bright, First Chair of the Seven Vessels of the Holy Arcia Empire. I have the honor of speaking with Velgrynd-sama, but I would like to confirm one point.”
“…What is it?”
“Is it true that you are the Goddess herself?”
“What? What’s the point of that question?”
He was talking about how he was going to find out if Velgrynd’s words were true or false.
“Or is there anyone still alive who can judge the truth of my words?”
“No, that’s not…”
“In the first place, I didn’t think the king wouldn’t respond to my name when I mentioned it. It’s pathetic. Shin’s descendants have become so small.”
“Shin? You mean, His Majesty Shin, the Emperor? You are insulting the Imperial Family of Arcia—”
“And I’ve been wondering, why are you called the Seven Sacred Vessels? I left you twelve mythical-grade vessels. I don’t think it’s true, but were they lost or stolen? I mean, what makes you think that there isn’t someone out there who’s qualified to be a mastermind?”
Bright’s anger fizzled out.
The chief of the Seven Vessels was convinced at this point.
The woman who answered his questions, the one who claimed to be Velgrynd, was undoubtedly the true goddess.
I remember hearing from my master that there were twelve sacred artifacts. This is a true story that has only survived by oral tradition, so the one who knows this must be the real one.
There used to be twelve sacred artifacts.
Because they were a national asset and trump card, it was stipulated that only seven would be disclosed.
But that doesn’t mean there are twelve owners of the artifacts. As Velgrynd pointed out, there were only eight of them at the moment.
In the more than four thousand years of history of the Holy Arcia Empire, three of its sacred artifacts had been lost. One betrayal and two non-returnees. Now there are only nine artifacts left in Arcia’s possession.
And now there is only one secret member of the emperor’s secret army, and one masterless artifact still languishing in a treasure trove of dead treasure.
The fact that Velgrynd had guessed so well upset Bright.
But that’s not the only reason.
All Bright had to do was to hear Velgrynd’s voice and he was overwhelmed. It was more that he sensed that Velgrynd’s voice was real.
So, regardless of what Velgrynd said, Bright bowed down to the communications equipment.
It didn’t matter if he didn’t see her or not. It was his respect for Velgrynd that made him do it.
“I’m sorry, Goddess. I will immediately send a message to Emperor Arcia and inform him of your request!”
“…Oh, really? Well in that case, it’s okay to entrust it to you, so move quickly.”
“Haha!”
Velgrynd wasn’t quite ready to complain yet, but she allowed Bright to go ahead with her goal.
Thus, the Holy Arcia Empire agreed to her request.
***
“Well then, next is the Great Roziam Dynasty.”
With that muttered, Velgrynd once again turned on the communications equipment and channeled it to the Foreign Intelligence Agency of the Great Roziam Dynasty.
However, the signal that was supposed to connect was blocked by some kind of interference.
“That’s odd. You there, when was the last time you contacted the Great Roziam Dynasty?”
The designated representative replies hastily.
“In the early hours of the morning today! We’ve been in regular contact six times a day, day and night.”
Since it was wartime, the window was open regardless of time difference. This is an action in accordance with the agreement of each country, and it is a measure to negotiate quickly according to the war situation.
Normally they would negotiate a ceasefire, but this time they are using it to share information on the common enemy, the demon.
Since both sides were in a position to allow the military to run amok, they were also trying to understand the current situation when considering the timings to explain to the people.
“There was nothing unusual in that case, was there?”
“Yes, not particularly…”
There was no progress, but there was nothing unusual. The person in charge replied, puzzled.
Now is just the time for a regular lunchtime call. It’s unlikely that the other party is not at home, and since the communication facility is not in one place, it’s unlikely that the machine is malfunctioning.
Certainly, there was a high probability that something out of the ordinary had occurred, even the person in charge had come to the conclusion.
Under such circumstances, Velgrynd is operating normally.
Magical interference is just not on this world’s level. In other words, it’s safe to assume that the demon has done something. But they’re still unlucky to have done it when I’m on to them. No. It’s different. Rudra’s luck must be working. That’s my Rudra!
She was responding with happy thoughts.
Well, magic and witchcraft are the norm in this world, and it is difficult to use magic that can interfere with the laws of the world. So Velgrynd’s guess was indeed correct.
However, complimenting Rudra here was an overestimate. This is because the current Akira Sakura does not have such power, so this situation was just a coincidence.
In other words, the phantoms were unlucky. The plan for the invasion was guaranteed to fall apart once Velgrynd intervened in earnest.
Velgrynd quickly manipulated the communication equipment and drew a precise magic circle in the air. Two magic circles no larger than thirty centimeters in diameter illuminated the communications equipment with a mysterious glow.
Velgrynd’s magic was transformed into radio waves that are delivered to the land of the Great Roziam Dynasty at a distance. There it became an interference wave again, instantly destroying the sabotage the phantom was attempting to create.
To an ordinary person—No, even to the master-level sorcerers of this world—this was a feat beyond comprehension.
“Is there someone here? Please tell me if there is anyone to reply…”
“We’re connected! Help, a demon has invaded the royal palace! They cut off all means of communication to the outside world, and we were at a loss!”
“Don’t panic, fool. We belong to the Great Japanese Empire. I’m not saying that we won’t cooperate, but we can’t just have you asking for help out of the blue.”
It was a valid argument.
The Great Roziam soldiers have regained their composure after hearing Velgrynd’s response. There was a brief pause, as if they were consulting. Then they were replaced by a calmer voice and the conversation resumed.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I am Sergei, Director of Foreign Intelligence of the Grand Roziam Dynasty. At the risk of sounding disgraceful, we need your support. We are sending out a series of dispatches to the various Great Roziam locations, but nobody is responding. Will your country please contact us?”
If she was willing, Sergei will give an encryption code that will lead to various military bases.
The resistance in the royal palace continues, but the power of the demon was overwhelming.
They’re hiding out for now, but it’s clear that if they don’t do something, they’ll be traced back to their refuge. She knows that if that happens, she won’t be able to protect the royals he took out.
That’s why Sergei has decided to send for reinforcements from all over the country to help escape from the demons in the chaos.
Now, the fate of the Great Roziam Dynasty rested on the Empire’s response.
And yet…
“I told you, I don’t want you to make arbitrary demands.”
“Wait, if you help us—”
“Calm down. I don’t care about your situation. All you have to do is nod to my request.”
She doesn’t listen to people’s requests, but rather conveys her requests. Moreover, Velgrynd says she only accepts consent.
That attitude was very Velgrynd-like.
“What’s the matter with you…”
“I will convey your request. I will hold an international conference to ascertain the will of the world, and you will bring royalty or someone in command to it. If you do, I will help you.”
A question should have been asked about this, but for some reason Sergei believed it. He glanced around the room and saw the noblemen who huddled there, needing to be protected.
It’s my job to protect these men. Now —
Sergei understood that there was no other way.
Trusting the word of a stranger is a folly he would never normally take. But now, even if he was deceived by those words, he still had no time to waste.
In terms of risk, it’s no different whether I believe it or not. Then in the end, it’s fun to dream of hope. I apoligize if I implicate the noblemen of the realm in my own stupidity.
But Sergei is prepared to do so.
“Forgive me, I know you think this is a stupid time to ask, but it is requested that we hold an international meeting. Would it be possible for His Majesty to participate?”
“I will.”
It was the highest authority in the room who answered that.
………
……
…
Emperor Magellan of the Great Russian Dynasty, 35 years old. Although still young, he has been on the throne for ten years. He was so ambitious that he decided to invade China to take over the northern continent as absolute ruler.
Of course, there were objections from the military, but there were also many bellicose opinions, and the war began with Magellan’s will taking precedence…
Magellan also suffered a major setback here.
He was tormented by a sense of helplessness in the face of an enemy that could not be measured by human common sense.
After all this time, Magellan regrets his decision.
He had launched a campaign against China, but it had led to political instability.
Magellan had a penchant for luxury, but not for misrule. The people would not object to the emperor living a noble life if their lives were relieved.
But the war had changed the situation.
It would deprive their people of their rich granaries.
They want to take an ice-free harbor for national defense.
What began as a policy of only looking out for their own interests turned into a disaster when the Holy Arcia Empire invaded the Great Roziam Dynasty.
They were caught between a rock and a hard place.
By the time the demon’s plan had worked, the situation was already too chaotic to recover from.
It was so foolish when I think about it now. I shouldn’t have listened to his words at that time…
It was true that the words of his confidant at the time had turned Magellan’s attention to the war. It was later revealed that his confidant was taken over by a demon.
Demons are mysterious beings who tend to enjoy causing humanity to fight each other and leading the world to destruction rather than destroying it with their own hands.
That’s why Magellan is still alive.
That demon was fearsome. We can’t win. Even with Pulcinella, we would still be defeated.
Magellan shuddered as he remembered the smiling demon with a confused look on his face.
Even Mystery Monk Pulcinella, their lifeline, was now in the hands of the enemy.
That’s why there are riots in the capital.
It’s true that it is wartime now and there’s unrest among the people. But the country hadn’t been exposed to the fire, and the food supply hadn’t been cut off.
The situation was not quite rioting, but it was getting worse.
It was a Phantom who encouraged the followers of Pulcinella.
Now it was no longer possible for the Imperial Guard to protect the palace alone. With the danger outside the palace, it seemed only a matter of time before they were caught.
So Magellan had no choice but to nod in agreement with the enemy’s offer without hope.
………
……
…
“Understood! 26 ”
Sergei saluted at Magellan’s words.
Then he turned to the communications equipment and resumed his conversation with Velgrynd.
“I approve of everything. But unfortunately—”
The Great Roziam Dynasty is in the middle of an emergency.
Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t go…and Sergei tried to tell her.
They will help if they accept the meeting, so they will send reinforcements. If the Empire moves quickly to rescue them, there’s a chance they can get out of this themselves. No, Sergei did not want to risk his own life… but he knew that the imperial family, the symbol of the dynasty, must be saved at all costs.
But then a surprising thing happens.
Velgrynd said she would help.
If so, it was bound to be a fixed future.
“Good. I’m glad to see that you’re not an idiot. Okay, a gate will appear there, so please go through it and come over here immediately.”
As soon as Velgrynd finished speaking, the space in front of Sergei’s eyes became distorted. And on the other side of that chasm was the place where Velgrynd sat.
This was the ‘Spacetime Connection,’ a supernatural phenomenon that connected two different spatial coordinates without regard for distance.
“““No way—”””
That was the moment when the hearts of everyone there, except for Velgrynd, became one.
There was no hierarchy of who was the best. They all understood that this woman—Velgrynd—was the only one who absolutely could not be made an enemy.
***
“I mean, what? Why are the Great Roziam people here?”
“No, no, no, no, is this a dream? I mean, it hurts…”
Some of those who could not acknowledge reality even tried to pinch their own cheeks.
“Unbelievable. According to the literature, there are some people in the God/Buddha class who handle transference spells, but…”
There were those who tried their best to analyze the phenomenon that had just occurred, but their understanding was not up to par. It couldn’t be helped since it was an unimaginable supernatural power, such as connecting spaces separated by a distance.
“In the blink of an eye, the three countries…”
The best of them may have been the ones who shifted their thinking in a practical direction.
Anyway…
“Goddess, you are indeed a goddess!”
The bureaucrats in the Foreign Ministry’s Intelligence Bureau were stunned by Velgrynd’s skill and ability.
At this point, no one could go against Velgrynd.
The dignitaries have carefully cultivated the respect they’ve developed for Velgrynd and are now turning themselves to her. They are ready to be loyal dogs.
“The only one left is the Chinese, but now that the three countries have agreed to meet, the terms have been fulfilled, right?”
“Oh, yes, that’s right!”
“So now you guys can negotiate on your own.”
“““Of course!”””
Of course, no one is foolish enough to refuse here.
The bureaucrats are proud of themselves and promise to negotiate a successful deal with the Chinese.
Velgrynd nodded.
Then she turned her gaze to the stunned Great Roziam party.
“Well, is that everyone? I’m sorry, but if you’re asking me to rescue anyone other than the ones in that room, that’s outside the contract. But hey, if we can destroy the demons in a short period of time, I think we can get them all out.”
Those from the camp could only nod in agreement.
It’s true that there were others in the palace who hadn’t escaped. But they were the first to give up on rescuing them.
They couldn’t be so foolish as to pass the blame on to Velgrynd now.
“Thank you for your help.”
Quickly recovering from the chaos, Sergei thanked her.
Magellan hears this, and also thinks it’s time to thank her.
“I thank you as well. And when all this is over, I promise to reward you as you wish.”
Hearing this, Velgrynd snorted disinterestedly. Even if it was the Great Emperor, Velgrynd was arrogant.
“I don’t want it. You can’t give me what I want, anyway. More importantly, I hope you’ll cooperate well with me on future missions.”
“That’s… no, of course.”
Magellan was miffed when someone laughed at him for not wanting a reward. But he didn’t have the temper to be angry here.
Over here, the status of the Emperor of the Great Roziam Dynasty does not mean much. He understood that he was only helped because he was useful.
“Can you at least tell me your name, my benefactor?”
“You can call me Ryuo.”
“Okay. Ryuo-dono please continue to look after us. 27 ”
“Yes, nice to meet you. Well then, I’ll have you contact me when the date for the meeting is set, so you can rest easy until then.”
Velgrynd tells them so.
That attitude is exactly like an Empress. In this place, she was the law.
Quickly, a bureaucrat rises and leaves the room. He’s gone to get a room ready for the unexpected guests.
Another bowed to Magellan and gave him directions. They were to wait in the parlor until the rooms were ready.
Even though they hadn’t had any meetings, the roles were divided up fluidly. Such coordination is a great thing.
For once, Velgrynd took a moment to review the Foreign Ministry’s intelligence officers.
Moreover, at that time…
Sensitive to see the opportunity, the most prominent official gives tea to Velgrynd.
“Ryuo-dono, there’s not only black tea 28 , but also green tea 29 here!”
He didn’t waste time waiting for a reply from the Chinese group and was intent on appealing to her.
“Oh, you’re so witty.”
“Thank you! For me, Yamamoto Kanji 30 , your words alone are enough to fill me up!”
The high ranking official Yamamoto continued to flirt with her with all his might.
It was also a talent, so much so that his subordinates were impressed by it.
“It’s delicious. It has a sweet, fluffy aroma, but it has a refreshing aftertaste.”
“I ordered it from my favorite store, and I’m very proud of it.”
“I like it.”
“In that case, you might enjoy the tea sweets here along with other items.”
Yamamoto took out an elegantly sweet raw chocolate fondant. In this wartime era, it was an extremely luxurious item.
Yamamoto had to ask for money and power to prepare it forhimself, but he offered it to Velgrynd.
It was very good, so Velgrynd was satisfied.
“Yamamoto Kanji, wasn’t it? I’ll remember that name.”
“Haha! I thankfully and happily accept!”
It was Velgrynd who remembered Yamamoto’s name even though she didn’t care about anyone who wasn’t interesting.
She had a surprising weakness for bribes.
But money would not have been the motive, so it could be said that Yamamoto’s tact was a quick win.
And so, it took a while to wait.
“China is responding! They are willing to accept the meeting.”
The long-awaited reply was an acceptance. And now, the meeting of the five heads of state was to take place.
***
“What, is that the truth?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t tell you a lie.”
Akira Sakura was astonished to receive the report from Velgrynd.
A meeting between the two leaders, which was thought to be impossible, turned out to be a simple affair.
As usual, unfathomable. We are fortunate to have this woman on our side, but relationships built on favor are far too distorted to be reliable.
Depending on Velgrynd’s mood, a good relationship could change. Akira Sakura thought that was scary.
A relationship of trust is an accumulation.
If you do too much, the other person will be angry, or even forgiven, and so on.
It is the same between nations, and if you do not share certain values, it is difficult to get along.
If the opponent is an invader such as the phantoms, a conversation will not be established, so they will be recognized as an enemy without any questions. It’s a shame that an intelligent life form has to resort to violence, but they have to draw the line at some point.
However, in the case of Velgrynd…
“Good for you, Rudra. I’ll set up the meeting as well, so what time would be convenient for you?”
It’s obvious that Velgrynd has full confidence in him, and that’s why Akira Sakura feels he has to brace himself.
A favor for a favor.
That’s the conclusion Akira Sakura came to.
He has no choice but to believe in Velgrynd, so there is no need to hesitate. He can only return the gratitude he feels with all his might.
That’s the only way to repay Velgrynd, Akira Sakura thought.
“Thank you, Velgrynd. I hope you will continue to help us.”
“Ufufu. It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”
Velgrynd smiles and looks truly happy.
To her, Rudra’s happiness is her own, so Akira Sakura’s response was the right thing to do.
The date and time of the meeting is set for the next day, after lunch.
Since measures against demons need to be made as soon as possible, there is no time to make extensive adjustments. Therefore, it was Akira Sakura’s decision to prioritize efficiency.
He doesn’t care about the time difference, or even the convenience of the other side.
He told the other nations that this was the case and obtained their approval.
It was hard on the Foreign Ministry’s intelligence department, but Velgrynd couldn’t have cared less.
“It was Yamamoto. Good work.”
You could say that he was giving it the utmost consideration just because he labored so hard.
However, it’s not Yamamoto who worked hard, it’s the bureaucrats who are really poor…
As if it’s just their job and they shouldn’t complain, Velgrynd announces her next request.
“Then make sure the hall is ready by tomorrow morning. Be solemn, so as not to embarrass His Majesty.”
“Yes, I’d be happy to!”
Velgrynd pretends to be quite unreasonable, but Yamamoto had no choice but to accept. On the contrary, he even seemed slightly pleased.
It may have opened a strange door, but that was also not Velgrynd’s concern.
“Oh yeah, just move a set of communication equipment to a slightly larger room.”
“What do you mean?”
Since the meeting was to be held by correspondence, Yamamoto had planned to prepare it in the first conference room instead of the larger room. He couldn’t read the intent of Velgrynd’s statement and couldn’t help but ask back.
“Asking the others to come here, just like you invited the Great Roziam party. Wouldn’t that save us a lot of effort and waste?”
“Huh?”
It wasn’t a matter of opinion, but rather an unorthodox suggestion.
That’s what Yamamoto thinks, but he understands somewhere in his reasoning that it’s better if it’s possible.
“What, do you have a problem with that?”
“No, no! I’ll have it ready to go right away!”
“Yeah? Well, good luck with that.”
Velgrynd recovered, smiled, and left.
The remaining Yamamoto looked around at the bureaucrats.
“What do we do now?”
“Idiot! Of course, we’ll do as we’re told! We’ll review the settings.”
“Underdstood!”
“And in parallel, move all the communication equipment to Conference Room 2!”
“Yes, sir!”
The long night at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Intelligence had begun.
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