Ch.266266. Omission

●

Turning back time a bit.

The servants within Elphante are people who, due to the nature of their job, encounter all sorts of individuals.

Given their occupation, they meet everyone from royalty of any country to different species, and even beings from other dimensions that pop out from different worlds. After all, Elphante is a treasure trove of all kinds of mysteries and unknowns.

However, even so.

No one could handle the current situation with any sense of “familiarity.”

In other words.

If one were to see a mechanical giant and a Demonic Vessel sitting together for tea time, anyone would probably have similar thoughts.

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence had fallen.

It was clear that Professor Astrid was not friendly toward them, and it was equally clear that Darwood was not friendly toward this giant. This meant that it was extremely difficult to decide what attitude to take between these two.

In such a situation, all one could do was keep quiet and read the room.

“Children.”

Breaking through the silence, a synthesized mechanical voice dropped.

“I’ll only show you for three seconds, so look carefully.”

The tip of a slightly raised finger opened slightly and projected some kind of image into the air. If Darwood had seen it, he would have immediately thought of the word hologram.

Of course, if he had been here, he would have suffered a headache upon seeing what was being done with such advanced technology.

“It’s a baby picture of Darwood.”

With those words, a picture of baby Darwood sleeping peacefully with his eyes closed appeared above the round table where everyone was sitting.

It was truly unexpected, but the reaction was nothing short of dramatic.

“…”

“…”

“…”

The silence remained, but the exchange of glances throughout the room was absolutely breathtaking.

If human gazes had physical force, it wouldn’t have been strange for sparks to fly right there in the room.

Even for a moment, just a brief instant, a “observation” at terrifying speed continued as everyone tried to store that image in their retinas…!

“Alright. That’s it.”

“…Ah.”

And true to her word, Professor Astrid showed it for only three seconds before removing it, causing disappointed sighs from unknown individuals around the room.

“…But why did you only show it for three seconds?”

Faynol was the first to ask this question.

He probably had the leisure to ask because he had used magic to physically “save” it in his brain space as soon as he saw it.

‘…You’d go that far?’

Elia, who had witnessed this process from the side, was thinking with a disgusted expression.

“Well, it’s a picture I cherish too.”

“…”

“Be grateful. It’s a picture I wouldn’t want to show to others even if I died.”

“…I am grateful, but why did you show it then?”

…He’s actually grateful amid all this.

As Elia thought this while looking at the pair with a dumbfounded expression, Professor Astrid continued speaking nonchalantly.

“Well, let’s just call it a light submission of evidence.”

“Evidence…?”

“That I possess a lot of ‘information’ about that child that others don’t know.”

“…”

As if they had grasped how the conversation would flow, the expressions of the humans present changed in various ways.

The sentiments they each harbored were soon crystallized by Professor Astrid’s next comment.

“I don’t like you all very much, and you probably don’t like me very much either. So let’s be frank and just talk about ‘what we need.’ Understand?”

“…If you mean what we need.”

And Elnore, who had been sitting quietly until now, opened her mouth with a solemn voice.

She was also the one who had stared most intensely at Darwood’s baby picture, but at least she was clearly the one maintaining the most composure now.

“What exactly do you mean?”

“That child plans to take all the blame on himself this time too.”

“…”

She did twitch her eyebrow immediately at the following sentence.

“If you’re somewhat intelligent, you probably already know that a war is about to break out. Darwood seems to be trying to prevent it. But.”

Professor Astrid continued with a deep sigh.

“There’s no need to take the difficult path when there’s an easier way.”

“…What are you saying exactly?”

“If we combine the strength of everyone here, we could easily topple an entire country. So why should we let Darwood struggle alone again?”

“Indeed.”

Riru also chimed in, crossing her arms.

“When that incident with the Red Night or whatever happened before, that guy tried to do everything alone again. Looks like nothing’s changed this time either. That idiot.”

“Yes, yes. The Great Chieftain’s daughter knows something.”

Professor Astrid, adding an affirmative to Riru’s words, looked around with a slightly amused voice.

“Before that child has to come begging to us, let’s proactively help him a bit. You all can do that much, can’t you?”

“And that Count Rebel fellow will definitely try to harm Darwood somehow.”

“…”

At those words, the expressions of everyone present became quite… ‘grim.’

Riru snorted while resting her chin on her hand, Faynol concealed a sharply gleaming smile beneath his face, and Elia crossed her legs as if she had heard something interesting.

“…How brave of him.”

As Faynol added those words in a chilling voice, Professor Astrid continued.

“So, here’s a proposal. To whoever helps that child the most, I’ll give a gift.”

“…When you say help?”

“Uprooting the civil war so it can’t even begin.”

Professor Astrid continued with a grin.

“It’s possible if ‘all’ of you step up, right?”

“…”

Everyone was lost in deep thought.

It was probably because they couldn’t understand the intention behind such a proposal.

But then came the next sentence.

“You all have bloodshot eyes wanting to devour that boy, don’t you? Right?”

Everyone would probably testify.

Behind the mechanical giant with absolutely no facial expression, they definitely saw a hallucination of a ‘lewd smiling face.’

“…That’s a bit crude, but everyone is indeed desperate to win the ‘race.'”

Elia looked around with a bitter smile.

Indeed, as soon as they heard those words, everyone showed their respective ’embarrassment’ and averted their gazes.

Except for just one person.

Elnore, who was quietly staring at the table with eyes deep in thought.

‘…What’s going on?’

For this kind of topic, she would definitely get angry just from hearing it.

Saying things like Darwood is mine, don’t even think about setting your eyes on him.

But before she could continue that thought, an unmissable sentence dropped from Astrid.

“Perhaps I might know a method that will ‘definitely work’ on that child?”

“…”

Still, much of what this person says is unbelievable.

Her intentions are unclear too.

But.

“…Hmm.”

Without a doubt.

The ‘bait’ being dangled is too attractive…!

●

That was probably the beginning of everything.

The reason why they were creating the most disastrous night of Syston’s life—the man in charge of Count Rebel’s military forces.

To summarize.

Count Rebel’s military forces were currently being demolished by a few female students.

“Lieutenant. Say that again. What did you say?”

“We’re fucked, sir.”

“…”

It’s not easy to hold an important position in the count’s territory.

Unwavering judgment in front of subordinates, intelligence to avoid all sorts of slander, and outstanding combat ability.

These three basics must be possessed, and above all, it’s important to maintain absolute dignity so that subordinates won’t stab you in the back.

In that respect, Syston was somehow able to deliver the next sentence while feigning calmness.

Though in his heart, he wanted to scream in panic.

“So.”

He cleared his throat and opened his mouth with a composed voice.

“Lieutenant. Am I seeing something wrong?”

“…”

Of course, there was not a hint of composure in what he was saying.

“…First, could you please tell me what you’re seeing, sir?”

That would be the right order of things.

Syston nodded and opened his mouth.

“It seems like one dark-skinned woman is destroying the entire cavalry unit with just her fists.”

“If that’s what you’re seeing, I see it too. Fortunately, you haven’t gone insane, sir.”

“…”

It would be better if he told me I was insane.

For the upcoming ‘operation’ that will determine the fate of the nation, Count Rebel’s soldiers have been training day and night.

As close to real combat as possible, fully armed, and with the intent to kill any intruders.

Such a formidable cavalry unit was now being demolished by a single woman who was barely half their age.

With each punch and kick, knights and their horses—which were undoubtedly extremely heavy—were flying through the air like feathers, making the whole scene feel utterly surreal.

“Wait. Count Rebel hasn’t done anything to incur the wrath of such a powerful person. There might be some misunderstanding—”

“Where is that bastard Count Rebel?!”

“…”

Syston’s hopeful observation was shattered by the female warrior’s thunderous shout.

It seems clear that she came with a very specific purpose.

“…It certainly doesn’t seem that way, sir.”

“…”

I know that, you bastard.

Syston barely swallowed the urge to strike his lieutenant and continued.

“Then let me ask one more thing.”

“Go ahead, sir.”

“It seems like the outer wall is being split apart with just a few sword strikes.”

Built by a famous architectural firm with the finest materials,

The defensive wall was being carved away like a rotten old tree with each swing of the swords by two women outside.

Defensive facilities that could withstand siege engines were being demolished moment by moment by the swords wielded by two women who were probably not even half their age.

“…How remarkable, Yuria. I feel you’ve gotten a bit stronger than before.”

“Y-You too, Your Highness…”

They were even leisurely exchanging such words while continuing their ‘work.’

Even a sandcastle would be harder to demolish than this…!

As he was thinking this, his lieutenant coldly cut in.

“Yes. You’re seeing that correctly too, sir.”

“…Hmm.”

Syston stroked his chin several times.

It was an action to suppress the urge to scream like a girl, clutch his head, foam at the mouth, and faint.

Even that was becoming quite difficult.

It wouldn’t have been strange if the subordinates around him had found his increasingly trembling legs odd, but now was not the time to worry about such things.

“…Alright. Have all the equipment from the Demonic Spire brought out. If that’s all they have, we should be able to handle them somehow.”

Insane acts that seemed impossible were happening all around, but the equipment brought from the Demonic Spire was still intact.

If they mobilized all of that, somehow…!

“Sir! Look at the sky!”

“…”

Damn it.

What now?

As Syston turned his head while stroking his chin as if he might tear it off, there was.

A sky that was ‘turning red’ came into view.

And the massive pillar of fire causing this phenomenon.

“…What the fuck are those?!”

“Sir. Your dignity is crumbling in your speech.”

So what?

Am I in a situation to care about that?

With the utmost self-control, he didn’t blurt that out openly, but he couldn’t help but point in that direction with a reddened face and shout.

“Is that… the Red Demon? The Red Night incident? Have they brought the Demonic Vessel?!”

Syston’s eyes widened.

“Whoever it is, are they in their right mind? If rumors spread that demonic powers are involved, it will turn the entire continent against us—!”

“Sir, if I may speak boldly.”

Beside the enraged Syston, his lieutenant’s calm statement dropped.

“If they completely demolish us here, don’t you think they won’t need to deal with the aftermath?”

“…”

Does it work that way?

Syston gritted his teeth and quickly calculated in his head.

“…Request help from other elder council forces nearby. If we do it now, they might arrive just in time!”

Even at its worst, it’s still one of the continent’s top military organizations. If they mobilize everything, they can somehow suppress this absurd offensive.

It’s far outside the plan to use forces that would plunge the Empire into chaos, but given the situation, there’s no choice…

“Sir! A hero wielding a holy sword has been spotted at the front—!”

Syston finally lost consciousness.

●