Ch.178Total War. (2)

A vast number of people gathered on the snow-covered plains.

Knights on white horses moved in groups of hundreds, displaying their grandeur. Even at a glance, there were thousands of knights visible. An equal number of priests chanted magnificent hymns to boost morale.

Other kingdoms had also staked their survival on this battle, hiring an enormous number of free knights and mercenary groups.

There were no amateurs here. All the knights were formally appointed, and most of the mercenaries had lived by the sword for over a decade.

While some joined the war tempted by large sums of money, many others participated out of faith in Aether, the Goddess of Light.

Holy War.

Looking at the massive crowd, Livga once again realized the weight that phrase carried.

Priests and clerics gathered around Livga. They bestowed various blessings upon the weapons of the knights and commanders.

“If demons and monsters appear during battle, don’t hesitate to seek help from the priests. And…”

Livga explained countermeasures to the best of her ability. However, the Serial Murderer’s face remained indifferent.

“…Can’t I just kill them all?”

“Kid, high-level monsters aren’t so easily killed.”

“That’s because you’re weak.”

The Serial Murderer, still pretending to be a disciple, said.

“…What? What did you just say?”

Seemingly provoked, Olivia’s disciple Jayna Eculane shouted. The Serial Murderer snorted dismissively, as if her words weren’t even worth responding to.

“Hey! When someone speaks to you…!”

“Jayna.”

Melina Diviae, who had been listening quietly, murmured. Jayna flinched at her cold tone and looked at Melina.

“Don’t act rashly.”

“But…”

“He merely takes the form of a boy, but his age is far greater. Even if all four of you attacked together, you’d likely lose.”

“R-really?”

Jayna continued, flustered.

“But why would someone like that pretend to be a disciple… oh…”

Something seemed to dawn on her, and Jayna pressed her lips shut.

Kiel Rothschild wasn’t idle either. He grabbed the Serial Murderer’s shoulder and shot him a fierce glare. Having apparently been disciplined harshly by Kiel before, the Serial Murderer quickly quieted down.

“…Lord Johan will command the 3rd Army, Lord Frantz and I will take the 2nd Army, and Lord Kiel will lead the 1st Army. Melina, I’d like to ask you to control the magic corps.”

“Saintess, Duke Kiel and the Tower Master were part of the Empire until just a few years ago.”

It was Johan, the First Sword of the Holy Kingdom’s Four Knights.

“Isn’t it too risky to entrust them with command of our forces?”

“Knight Johan, the concerns you have will not come to pass.”

Kiel was resolute as always.

“Even if we were once citizens of the Empire, we will never betray the Holy Kingdom.”

“…If you insist so strongly, I understand.”

Johan sat down with a satisfied expression.

Given the positions of those in this meeting, it was necessary to at least address these concerns.

And Johan had taken on that role.

Livga slowly looked around. Many powerful individuals sat in chairs, watching her.

1st Corps Commander, Sword Master Kiel Rothschild.

His subordinate, the Serial Murderer.

Magic Corps Commander-in-Chief, Grandmaster Melina Diviae.

Deputy Commander of the Magic Corps, Grandmaster Aramis. Adjutants Jayna Eculane and Ro Fernandi. And the mature dragon, Glacia.

Papal Representative, Saintess Livga.

Under her command, the Holy Kingdom’s Four Knights, led by Knight Commander Johan.

The two empty seats belonged to Wavemaster of Icail Esthie Aquar and King of Martial Arts Ashe Balthar.

All the continent’s renowned powers had gathered on this plain.

“…The Imperial Army has arrived!”

The knight’s face was ashen, likely from rushing here. Though the news was shocking, no one showed any sign of agitation.

Everyone present had already made their own decisions.

They were prepared to kill and to die, so why be surprised?

Livga stepped outside the tent and narrowed her eyes, staring across the plain.

Imperial knights were gathering one after another. They seemed to have no intention of attacking immediately, as they were establishing their position beyond the range of sniper magic.

It was a distance that could be covered in 20 minutes at full gallop.

Whoosh!

The next moment, a translucent hemispherical barrier appeared over the Imperial camp. Melina murmured.

“…A barrier made of magic stones. Judging by the formula, it won’t last long. A day at most.”

“Can you break it?”

“I could, but… I don’t see why we should.”

Unless the Imperial Army was at a disadvantage, there was no reason for them to create a barrier for defense.

The barrier was likely installed to indirectly indicate that the full-scale attack would begin tomorrow.

At the same time, it was meant to intimidate and lower morale by displaying the Empire’s might.

Anyone would be shaken seeing a barrier of such overwhelming size.

Even the knights near Melina were swallowing nervously.

“…Look at them. They look ready to flee before the battle even begins.”

Melina clicked her tongue and raised her hand, causing a giant pendulum to appear in the sky.

Dong…!

Using her vast magical power as fuel, the image of an enormous clock formed, enveloping the allied forces.

Brilliant golden magic covered the entire sky, several times larger than the barrier erected by the Imperial Army.

“…Good heavens.”

Ignoring the knights’ murmurs, Melina turned around nonchalantly.

Uwaaaaah!

The soldiers roared. The knights on white horses proudly raised their lances high.

*****

Night was falling.

Olivia stepped outside the tent and glared across the plain. A line of torches. Beyond them, Imperial soldiers in black armor moved about.

“I didn’t call for you yet. Why are you here so early?”

Olivia said, turning her head. Esthie Aquar, who had been standing with her arms crossed and a disgruntled expression, twisted her lips.

“It looks like the war will start tomorrow morning, and I thought you might leave me out. Happy now?”

“…What about the King of Martial Arts?”

“I thought that bastard might cause trouble if I brought him early. I gave him directions, so if he starts running now, he should arrive by tomorrow morning.”

Olivia let out a laugh of disbelief.

If he arrived by tomorrow morning, there wouldn’t be a major problem. If it looked like he would be late, they could always teleport him.

“Anyway, who am I supposed to face tomorrow?”

“The Devilhunter.”

“Even the name sounds dangerous. Not some thug with eight scars on his face, I hope?”

“She’s a woman. An archer. No scars on her face.”

“…Never mind then.”

Esthie said with a grimace.

She didn’t like this terrain either. A snow-covered plain? She wasn’t even hoping for an ocean. Even a river would have given her something to work with.

Her ability was to control water, not snow and ice.

‘…It’s not like I can melt the snow to use it.’

“It’s fine.”

“…Huh?”

“By the time the battle starts, it will all have melted.”

Olivia looked like she had anticipated Esthie’s thoughts.

“…In this weather? It’s so cold that we might freeze to death if a snowstorm hits.”

“There’s a fire-type Grandmaster on the Empire’s side.”

“Are you talking about Galdur? Wasn’t he imprisoned? Besides, he wasn’t even that strong.”

Olivia shook her head.

“I’m not talking about Galdur. Someone else.”

Olivia said, staring at the Imperial camp.

“…If you say so, they must be quite powerful.”

“They are. Though I’ve never fought them directly, so I don’t know for sure.”

“Who on earth could it be?”

“…”

Olivia opened her mouth as if to answer. But then she smiled and shook her head.

[The owner of Clue #14 is ‘?’.]

[The owner of Clue #15 is ‘?’.]

Only two clues remain.

So much has happened to reach this point.

I’ve successfully persuaded seven of the returnees, and now only one step remains until the ending.

<Prerequisite Quest (2) – I Won’t Let Anyone Die.>

– Clear condition: All 15 returnees must survive until the Demon Lord’s advent.

Finally, the main quest will reveal itself.

[9 hours remain until the Demon Lord’s advent.]

And I will face the true ending.

By then, many people will gather for a celebration feast.

The myth of how mere mortals defeated the evil Demon God who came to destroy the continent will spread through oral tradition for hundreds of years.

Those who participated that day will reminisce about that brilliant day under fireworks in the night sky, clinking mugs of cool beer.

But…

“Let’s go inside.”

“…Already?”

“On a day like today, we should get to bed early.”

A faint smile appeared on Olivia’s lips.

“The wind is cold, after all.”