Faith

“My father… died in battle a year ago, while commanding a Partisan suppression operation.”

Count Leus’s voice trembled, still bearing youthful traits.

Loen silently nodded.

So that’s why he became lord at such a young age.

Seraphine asked.

“Then, where is the former countess?”

“Mother… passed away from illness three years ago… sob.”

Finally, tears burst from the count’s eyes that he had been holding back.

“Oh…”

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Seraphine’s face.

“Wow, this is…”

Seraphine glared at Psyche’s muttering.

Awkward silence enveloped the reception room.

While everyone gazed sympathetically at the count.

Loen abruptly brought up the main point.

“Count Leus, which retainers support you?”

At speech that seemed to have discarded all sensitivity – a what-about-the-tears approach – Seraphine’s mouth fell open.

The count hesitated at Loen’s question.

“Surely not no one?”

“N-not exactly none… the defense commander is my only loyal retainer.”

Only loyal retainer?

Loen thought inwardly.

‘Only a year since the former count’s death. During that time, most retainers turned their backs on the young lord?’

It was obvious without looking.

Surely the bishop had worked with others to swallow the city.

A city like Haven with hundreds of thousands of residents would have been quite a tempting prey.

Loen’s eyes assessed Leus.

Average height, drooping kind-looking eyes, docile impression.

A face overflowing with obvious meekness to anyone’s eyes.

Even his actions were timid.

Perhaps not feeling this way alone, Psyche approached with mischievous face and asked.

“But why is your face so red? Your hands are trembling too. Anyone would think we’re going to eat you~”

“Th-that’s…”

The count was flustered.

Certainly being surrounded by three inspectors was enough to make the young count nervous.

But it seemed not just because of that.

A more fundamental cause.

Count Leus’s eyes kept glancing at Loen. Continuously since earlier.

Indeed. Count Leus was at a vigorously youthful age.

Seraphine and Psyche couldn’t miss that subtle atmosphere.

The two exchanged secret signals.

‘Seems he’s fallen for her?’

‘I think the same.’

Soon, a pleased smile appeared on Psyche’s lips.

For Loen among us three? Definite taste~

Meanwhile Seraphine sighed inwardly.

Of all people, Loen… how pitiful.

Her pride was slightly hurt seeing his gaze directed at Loen, not herself, but soon replaced by sympathy.

Her pitying eyes turned to Loen.

Can’t you see that fierce gaze, Count?

That gaze filled with thoughts of how to crush enemies.

In Seraphine’s view, Loen was the type who, even in deep sleep, would instantly flash her eyes and jump up at just the word “demon.”

Just like now.

BANG!

The defense commander opened the reception room door and delivered shocking news.

“My Lord! Big trouble! De-demons have appeared in the city!”

Sure enough.

Loen’s head turned first, faster than anyone.

What? Demons?

“Did you just say demons?”

The defense commander stammered, answering under Loen’s fierce pressure.

“Yes? Ah, yes. Groups presumed to be lesser demons…”

“Lead the way immediately.”

Loen strode out of the reception room.

Seraphine, Psyche, and Count Leus hastily followed.

“All forces in the castle immediately assemble at the open area!”

The defense commander’s shout as he guided the party to the walls.

Finally they reached the edge of the wall overlooking the entire city.

Under faint moonlight.

The city panorama that should be dark was burning red.

Crowds with torches approached the lord’s castle from numerous streets.

And in the sky.

Hideous goblin-like demon groups flew chaotically with spread wings across the night sky.

Count Leus panicked at this unbelievable sight.

“Wh-what’s this suddenly!? Demons in the middle of the night!”

The count floundered.

Then, Loen’s hands firmly gripped both his shoulders. The count inhaled sharply in surprise. “Hup!” Loen faced him and said.

“Count Leus. From this moment, I’ll take command of defense forces. Do you understand me?”

The count nodded frantically.

“Stay close to us as it might be dangerous.”

“Y-yes, understood.”

Loen’s back turned to face the city.

Count Leus unconsciously stared at her figure, entranced.

His eyes were tinged with deep admiration.

Central city square.

Many people gathered with swords and spears, spewing madness.

Among them, a man shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Everyone! Look up at the sky!”

“Demons! Demons have appeared!”

Disguised Partisans responded to his shout.

“All this! Is happening because Bishop Marcus who protected us from demons has died!”

“Let’s drive out the wicked inspector bitch who killed the bishop! And the incompetent lord who permitted it!”

“Especially in such chaotic times, we must step forward ourselves!”

Partisan forces began marching toward the lord’s castle, inciting the crowd.

Not just the central square.

Throughout Haven city, simultaneous riots cleverly planned by Partisans were erupting.

The city instantly fell into chaos.

“They’re all insane. Such actions even after the bishop confessed his crimes…!”

“Quickly close the windows!”

Most citizens hid in their homes, terrified.

Therefore, citizens joining Partisans were few.

But even that was a significant number.

“Block the main routes to the castle first!”

City guards who had hurriedly equipped and deployed formed defensive lines to block pathways.

“Squad Leader. What’s suddenly happening? And those flying monsters in the sky?”

“How would I know? Until further instructions from the Captain, we defend this street. Don’t think about anything else.”

Soon.

On the widest central road connecting the city gate and lord’s castle.

Before the guards defending that place.

Thousands of protesters appeared.

A massive wave of people filling the street.

Guards holding shields involuntarily gulped at this overwhelming sight.

Because the city was so vast, defense forces were scattered everywhere. As a result, the guards here numbered only about three hundred.

The squad leader stepped forward and shouted.

“Stop immediately! Marching toward the lord’s castle in groups with weapons without permission! This is clearly rebellion!”

“Silence! You demon minions!”

Someone at the protesters’ front countered with a shout.

Who’s calling who!

The squad leader’s face flushed.

“Who are demon minions! In this situation, you people inciting others—”

“Everyone charge! Trample them and proceed!”

“Crazy bastards…! All guards, raise shields!”

Guards arranged in line raised shields forming a defensive formation.

But thousands flowed toward them. Estimated at least four thousand.

‘Can we hold them?’

However, a bigger problem existed.

‘After all, aren’t they fellow Haven citizens like us?’

Should they attack with full force,

or just focus on blocking – even that was questionable.

Soon both sides violently collided.

THUD! THUD-THUD! ARG! PUSH!! PUSH HARD! BLOCK! MUST NOT BREAK THROUGH!

The crowd’s wave pushed against the shield wall.

Protesters mercilessly struck weapons.

Meanwhile, guards defensively focused, taking passive stance.

“Squad Leader! We’ll all die at this rate! Give attack orders immediately!”

“Wait! Until Captain’s further instructions…”

“Gaaack.”

A spear penetrating shield gaps impaled a guard’s abdomen.

Surrounding soldiers’ faces turned deathly pale.

“Damn, just my luck today.”

The squad leader bit his lips and was about to finally order counterattack when.

RUMBLE—!

The ground began shaking.

Vibrations intensified, shaking the entire street.

At this unexpected situation, both sides halted and looked back.

This sound, could it be!?

What soon appeared in people’s view was.

About a hundred knights armored in equipment engraved with magical patterns.

The lead knight held Southern Corps’ fluttering banner.

“Why are corps knights… here?”

“Could they be reinforcements!?”

Conflicting reactions erupted.

Simultaneously, dismay was evident on everyone’s faces.

Because corps forces entering city interior without permission was clear overreach.

What’s going on?

Just then.

From the distant lord’s castle direction, a red flare cut through night sky.

Swish — BANG!

Then came firework sounds.

Loen’s order signal to the entire corps.

Seeing this, the lead knight issued commands.

“Lances forward!”

Long lances simultaneously tilted forward toward protesters, and warhorses snorted roughly pawing the ground.

Tense atmosphere wrapped the street.

Realizing something was wrong, the protest leader desperately shouted.

“Damn… Spearmen! No, everyone with spears forward!”

At his cry, those with spears jumped forward forming defensive formation.

A systematic movement impossible to believe from mere protesters.

“Never retreat! The knights too are demon minions!”

Hundreds of sharp spearheads pointed at knights.

Anyone charging into that thorn field would be skewered.

Swish — BANG!

Then a second red flare decorated the sky.

When firework sounds were heard again.

The lead knight shouted to the guards.

“Move aside!”

“All guards to both sides!!”

The quick-witted squad leader understood and hastily ordered. Three hundred guards hurriedly pressed against building walls on both sides.

The lead knight raised his voice again.

“The Corps Commander ordered! Eliminate all who side with demons!”

“Nonsense! You’re the demon minions—”

“So don’t hesitate and sweep away every last one! Understood?”

The knight ignored protesters’ shouts, and the entire knight order responded with resounding cheers.

Finally, earth-shaking orders were issued.

“Charge!”

A wall of thorns made of hundreds of spears.

The corps knights, as if mocking it, broke through with overwhelming speed and power, then.

Continued charging and literally crushed thousands of protesters blocking the way.

“Don’t leave any alive!”

“W-wait—! AAGH!”

“I just followed without knowing any… Gurgk.”

Excuses came too late.

Having appeared with weapons, they were all elimination targets.

City guards watched this horrific scene dumbfounded.

“Squad Leader… sh-shouldn’t we help too?”

“Help what? Just prepare to clean up corpses scattered across streets after the battle.”

Though it resembled one-sided slaughter rather than battle. Anyway.

Similar incidents occurred throughout the city.

Following the bishop’s execution, under orders from the knight commander who went to corps camp on Loen’s instruction.

Corps forces quickly sealed city entrances and poured inside like a flood.

“Fire!”

BANG! TA-TA-TANG!

Corps infantry armed with new weapons and cannons swept away all protesters, or rather Partisan forces, on the streets.

Narrow streets blocked by buildings on both sides.

Partisans clustered between them faced a bullet barrage.

The protesters’ morale began plummeting at the corps’ unexpected raid.

Watching this, guards muttered with blank faces.

“W-what is that?”

“I’d rather ask you.”

To them, mere city guards not imperial soldiers, the Southern Corps overwhelming enemies with firepower alone without swords or spears was truly shock and terror incarnate.

Just when it seemed the civil unrest would be quickly suppressed.

Demon groups observing from the sky finally launched full-scale attacks.

“Keep firing!”

“Don’t retreat!”

Under corps commanders’ shouts.

Musket barrels aimed skyward simultaneously, and bullet hails decorated the night sky.

Bullets raining toward sky, guards staring blankly with swords and spears, lesser demons attacking from all directions.

BOOM!

Just as many lesser demons fell powerlessly.

A huge demon, easily three building stories tall, landed in the middle of the street.

The ground sank under its enormous weight.

The giant demon resembled the ferocious beast Ogre, thought nearly extinct.

Thick, solid gray skin, muscular body about to burst, twisted horns atop its head.

“Grrrrrr.”

The Ogre demon growled, looking around.

“Of all places, such a monster where there are no knights…!”

A guard’s face turned white with despair.

While knights using mana might handle it.

For ordinary soldiers, a demon of that size was practically a natural disaster.

It seemed neither swords, spears, nor even the corps’ new weapons would work.

As if the demon targeted this spot for that reason.

It showed a cunning smile, revealing sharp teeth.

But unlike the retreating hesitant guards.

The corps commander issued orders with calm face.

In truth, he too was burning inside, but he steadied himself, recalling steel, gunpowder, and faith in the corps commander.

“Cannons fire!”

“Yes!”

FIRE!

BOOM! BOOM!

As soon as orders fell, four new cannons waiting at the rear fired simultaneously.

“Grrr…gk?”

In that moment, four black dots flying toward itself reflected in the Ogre demon’s blood-red pupils.

CRASH!

Soon after, with tremendous impact sound, large holes appeared in the demon’s body.

Then came a desperate death rattle. The demon collapsed backwards lifelessly.

THUD—! The ground shook as its massive body fell.

“…”

“…?”

Silence flowed through the street.

Not just city guards but even corps infantry could only look back and forth between the smoking cannons and the horrifically fallen demon corpse, as if in disbelief.