Ch.301Chapter 301 – The Resistance Fortress

# A Room in the Firena Palace

Serious was gazing at the night sky.

As she quietly looked up at the heavens, she soon raised her glass and drank the liquid it contained.

The red liquid in the glass quietly moistened her lips, staining them with a slight crimson hue.

Behind her came a thudding sound.

“You’ve arrived, Minos.”

“Hmph.”

A massive demon with a bull’s head stood behind her.

Serious gave him a light bow.

“Did you come alone? What about Virginia and Howl?”

“Those two aren’t coming here, vampire.”

The bull-headed demon looked down at Serious as he spoke.

“Following the king’s proposal, we’ve deployed soul-draining formations around neighboring countries. Virginia and Howl are each carrying out separate destruction operations.”

“I see.”

Perhaps she hadn’t received the update while stationed here.

Serious took another sip from her glass, and Minos, the demon, looked down at her and asked:

“Is that blood?”

“No. It’s wine supplied to the royal family here. I heard it has quite a reputation for its flavor, so I received a bottle and am enjoying it.”

“I was wondering. I found it strange that the maid behind you was unharmed.”

Following Minos’s gaze, one could see a maid trembling in the corner.

Looking at the maid, Serious smiled and said:

“Ah, she’s a human assigned by the king to attend to me. When I considered drinking blood, I was told she’s valuable personnel. So I’ve refrained from touching her.”

Serious added that the maid had brought her the wine.

Then she smiled and asked:

“Would you like a glass?”

“I decline. Such things don’t help in battle. I don’t understand why you enjoy them.”

At Minos’s words, Serious smiled again.

“As expected, the Minotaur clan truly are born warriors.”

“That’s right. We are warriors.”

Minos looked down at Serious and said:

“Unlike you pampered vampires.”

“Is that so?”

Serious responded indifferently and took another sip of wine.

Minos, who had been expecting some reaction, seemed slightly deflated by her response and asked:

“You don’t even get angry when your race is insulted?”

“Well… it’s not exactly wrong, is it?”

Serious answered and then smiled as she continued:

“There are many vampires like that. Vampires who, like the old Demon Lord, rant about ruling over humans with blood and violence. The type who, when asked to take action, rarely move.”

Serious smiled quietly and said:

“They complain loudly about the one who advocates peace and coexistence, questioning why our leader follows him, but when called to step forward, they immediately hide in their coffins like cowards. I can’t really argue when a warrior like you calls them pampered.”

“You’re quite harsh toward your own kind.”

“Can you blame me? As someone who works both in the open and behind the scenes, I honestly think I’ve earned the right to criticize them.”

After saying this, Serious smiled wryly and continued:

“They’ve been suppressed for so long, and now that the Demon Lord is making claims that perfectly align with their views and giving them seemingly easy missions, they’re all too happy to move, thinking it’s their chance to shine. Honestly, I wonder why they couldn’t have shown such initiative earlier. It’s always the people working in the field who suffer. It’s exhausting.”

There was a hint of darkness in the vampire’s words.

Minos couldn’t bring himself to respond to that atmosphere.

Soon, Serious sighed again and said:

“That aside… with you and the Minotaur warriors here, things should be easier. Honestly, I’m relieved.”

Serious smiled as she spoke.

Then Minos quietly said:

“The white dragon?”

“It was here in this land.”

At Serious’s words, Minos nodded.

“That’s fortunate. I’ve wanted to face it.”

“It’s time to show the power of the new commander, I see.”

“That’s right.”

Soon, he smiled with a look of fighting spirit.

Watching him, Serious quietly said:

“When the time comes, I’ll call for you. Until then, please rest with your warriors at the designated location.”

“Understood.”

Minos soon turned around.

As he did, he quietly said:

“As the Demon Lord wishes, I will bring blood and violence to this land.”

With those words, Minos left the room.

The thudding sound echoed for a while, and Serious quietly looked up at the night sky.

Then, with a light smile, she said:

“Now then, it’s your turn.”

“M-me?”

“Yes, you.”

Serious smiled at the frightened maid.

“Would you do some work for me? Miss Q.”

The maid, called Q, trembled slightly at the somewhat intimidating smile.

+

About a day and a half after Count Rizolkobu’s death.

We arrived in a deep mountain somewhere in the Kingdom of Firena.

Of course, we didn’t arrive on foot.

“Warp is truly the best, and so are magicians!”

“Shut up.”

Vanilla glared at me slightly and said:

“I thought I was going to die from using so much magical power. Show a little sincere gratitude.”

As I looked at Vanilla speaking like that, I glanced behind me.

Armored soldiers were emerging from a large warp gate in orderly rows.

“It’s impressive that so many people can pass through.”

“It took an enormous amount of magical power to create the warp gate.”

Vanilla grumbled that the calculations were also complex.

Looking closely, she seemed quite exhausted.

“Honestly, it was possible because your companion, that magician, is so exceptional. I would have struggled on my own.”

“I see.”

I knew Beatrice was skilled, but it seems she was truly exceptional even from another magician’s perspective.

Vanilla was also a commander of demon forces, so her skills must be quite remarkable, but I didn’t expect her to give such generous praise.

Then Vanilla cleared her throat and proudly said:

“Still, um… I’m a bit more skilled. So most of the credit is mine, so be grateful to me.”

“You really have strong pride, don’t you?”

There was no need for her to assert herself like that.

But it seems this was a point Vanilla couldn’t concede.

Actually, Vanilla is a demon, so she’s probably much older than she appears.

So if we compare by age…

“If we compare by age, does that mean Beatrice is much more skilled?”

“White Dragon, you have a tendency to dig your own grave with unnecessary comments.”

I could feel Vanilla’s killing intent.

Still, it was less intense than Sia’s.

While I was bantering with her, Archery and Domestica approached from behind.

They bowed to Vanilla and said:

“Thank you, Lady Vanilla. Without you, we would have had to travel here on foot.”

“And we might have encountered the Church or royal forces.”

Archery solemnly added that they could have been annihilated if things had gone wrong.

Then he bowed deeply and said:

“Thanks to you, we’ve avoided further casualties among my subordinates. Thank you.”

“Well, I didn’t do it alone. No need to be so grateful.”

Vanilla said this and turned away from Archery and Domestica.

But I could see her ears twitching up and down slightly, suggesting she was actually pleased with the praise.

“Your body is honest.”

“Shut up.”

Behind us, Beatrice approached and said:

“All the soldiers have been transported. The warp is closed.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Beatrice.”

At Archery’s words, Beatrice just waved her hand.

Then Vanilla smiled at Beatrice and said:

“I was surprised. I didn’t expect to find a human who could handle magical power so well. Thanks to you, we were able to open a large warp gate stably.”

“I am quite skilled. Maybe even better than you?”

Beatrice smiled at Vanilla’s compliment.

Soon, Vanilla made a slightly displeased expression and said:

“Hey now. Honestly, I opened almost the entire warp.”

“I helped open it too! And I optimized the magical power needed to maintain it and stabilize the space.”

“That’s enough.”

I cut in as they seemed about to get into a pride battle.

Surprisingly, Beatrice smiled and said:

“This is just playful banter, Togu.”

“It looked like you were about to argue.”

“Magicians are naturally prideful. Saying ‘I did better’ or ‘you did better’ is just our way of acknowledging each other’s efforts.”

Beatrice explained casually.

Apparently this was common sense even in the demon realm, as Vanilla simply shrugged and stepped back.

“Anyway, look, Togu.”

Beatrice grabbed my arm with one hand, pulling me toward her, and used her other hand to raise mine, pointing to a spot.

Trying to ignore the feeling of Beatrice’s body heat, I turned my gaze to see quite large fortress walls.

And Sera, who had been quietly following us, said:

“So that place is…”

“Yes.”

Domestica quietly said:

“That’s the resistance headquarters.”

Domestica pointed to the castle visible through the trees.

Soon, Archery stepped in front of us and said:

“Please follow me. I would appreciate it if you could match the carriage speed to our marching pace.”

“Who’s going to drive the carriage?”

“I’ll do it.”

In response to Beatrice’s question, Eve volunteered to drive the carriage.

Soon, Eve, Chris, and Sera climbed onto the driver’s seat, and we began walking slowly to match the marching pace.

“By the way, this is quite an interesting fortress.”

“What’s interesting about it?”

Eve’s comment drew a reaction from Chris.

Then Eve quietly said:

“The fact that there’s a fortress in this mountainous area.”

“Isn’t it here because it’s an important stronghold?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t know if there are any roads or important cities around here.”

Eve, who had learned about this location from Beatrice beforehand, spoke with curiosity.

Seeing this, Domestica smiled slightly and said:

“It was a fortress used in the ancient wars against the demons.”

“A fortress?”

“Yes. Apparently, this area was the front line during the demon wars, despite how it looks now.”

Domestica quietly explained that even back then, the surrounding villages suffered great damage and became ruins, and before proper reconstruction could take place, landslides changed the terrain, essentially abandoning the fortress.

“It’s impressive that it maintained its original form.”

“The resistance did renovation work to give it its current impressive appearance.”

Archery mentioned that when it was first discovered, both the interior and walls were quite a mess.

“The construction work was really difficult.”

Archery’s eyes momentarily lost focus.

For some reason, I felt as if I had experienced something similar.

For the sake of my mental health, I decided not to delve deeper into what had happened.

“In a way, the resistance has restored a relic from the demon war era.”

“I wonder if there were many materials or artifacts from that period inside…”

“I’m looking forward to it. Artifacts from that era, the Age of Heroes…”

Sia and Sera looked at the fortress with expectant expressions.

I also noticed Domestica slightly averting her gaze.

I quietly approached Domestica and asked:

“…Is there anything left?”

“There… should be.”

Domestica answered but avoided eye contact.

It seemed the resistance had probably taken most of the artifacts.

“Artifacts don’t put food on the table, but don’t you feel guilty seeing those two so excited?”

“…We’re always short on money, and we need to feed our subordinates.”

Gigas’s comment prompted Archery to mutter defensively.

It seemed that no matter what, Sia and Sera wouldn’t find what they were hoping for inside.

I made a mental note to tell them in advance that there were likely no artifacts left, but by then we had arrived at the gates.

“Halt, halt! Move and we’ll shoot!”

“They’re doing it here too.”

“At least they don’t shoot first and ask questions later.”

As I muttered looking at the soldiers on the wall, Gigas added his comment.

Then Archery, who had been behind us, cleared his throat, stepped forward, and shouted:

“Royal Guard Knight Grishini Archery! Open the gates!”

At Archery’s voice, the soldiers on the wall became momentarily noisy.

Shortly after, someone who looked like a captain climbed onto the wall and shouted:

“Confirmed, Sir Archery! We’ll open the gates!”

The heavy gates began to open.

Soon, Archery took the lead and began moving.

Naturally, the fortress soldiers tried to stop us, as we weren’t wearing resistance uniforms.

“Wait, those people…”

“They are guests of Princess Gabriella. I will take responsibility, so please allow them entry.”

At Archery’s words, the soldiers backed down.

And so we entered the fortress one by one.

+

The interior of the fortress was more lively than expected.

Soldiers and what appeared to be civilians were moving around inside, and I could see elaborately dressed individuals arguing among themselves as they walked around.

Still, there was no hindrance to our movement, as people naturally made way for Archery and his soldiers who were marching in formation.

Then Archery addressed us:

“My soldiers and I plan to head to the training grounds.”

“There shouldn’t have been any stragglers, right?”

“We still need to do it formally.”

Archery explained that they needed to check not only the personnel but also equipment and physical condition.

After that, he planned to let them rest.

“What will you do, Sir Kei?”

“I think I need to meet Princess Gabriella first.”

I said, taking out the wooden boat from my pocket.

I need to discuss the deal with the princess again.

Archery, having heard about this before, quietly nodded.

“I hope for a good outcome.”

“Thank you.”

With those words, Archery led his soldiers toward the training grounds.

Then Domestica looked at us and said:

“Is there a place to park the carriage?”

“There is inside. I’ll guide you.”

Domestica took the lead and began moving.

Soon enough, we came to a space that seemed designed for parking carriages and carts, and Eve parked the carriage there.

However, she didn’t release Moo.

“Aren’t you going to send Moo to the stables?”

“Since we’re not part of the resistance, I think it would be difficult to use their facilities.”

Eve said this and then smiled:

“But Moo is intelligent. She won’t cause trouble and will rest well in her place.”

Moo-

As if answering, Moo’s cry came from behind.

It somehow felt like she was saying not to worry, she would rest well.

Soon we followed Domestica further into the fortress.

Before long, someone hurriedly approached us.

“Dome, you’re safe!”

“Princess Ella.”

Gabriella embraced Domestica with a tearful face.

Domestica didn’t avoid it but warmly smiled as she accepted the embrace.

Soon, Gabriella spoke with a slightly trembling voice:

“I was afraid I was going to lose someone else who’s like family.”

After a moment, Princess Gabriella pulled away slightly and said:

“…I’m so glad. Really.”

“Princess.”

Gabriella seemed on the verge of tears, genuinely concerned.

I noticed Beatrice watching with a somewhat bitter yet warm gaze.

Just as she caught my glance and nodded as if to say it was okay, Princess Gabriella’s voice reached us:

“By the way, we have guests, and I’ve behaved rather frivolously. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

I responded to the slightly embarrassed Princess Gabriella.

Soon, the princess quietly asked:

“But why have you come here? Beatrice surely has the boat…”

“That’s precisely why we’ve come. To renegotiate that deal.”

I quietly said, showing the small boat.

Princess Gabriella’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she soon smiled and said:

“The deal should be concluded.”

“Unfortunately, we’d like to renegotiate.”

“…I see. However.”

I sensed a slight change in Princess Gabriella’s eyes.

She seemed to be rapidly calculating how to draw us in.

“That aside, it seems odd to talk while standing. Is there a place where we can rest and talk?”

“May I guide you?”

At Domestica’s question, Princess Gabriella seemed to consider for a moment.

Then she said with slight difficulty:

“…Actually, bringing outsiders into the fortress, especially guiding them inside, is a bit problematic.”

“I see.”

“But you saved Dome.”

Princess Gabriella smiled and said:

“Since you saved Dome, my friend, I’ll guide you inside.”

“Is that alright?”

“Of course. I’ll just have to endure some scolding.”

The princess smiled and stepped away from us.

Watching her back, Eve quietly approached me.

“She’s playing mind games from the start.”

“In what way?”

“She’s showing that she’s extending maximum courtesy to us.”

Eve quietly said and then looked at me.

“She’s calculating that she might lose Beatrice if she mishandles this, but she could also draw us in if she plays it right. Even her small acts of kindness are designed to lower our guard.”

“So we shouldn’t let our guard down.”

It seemed that despite our intention to cancel the deal, the princess was trying to use it to her advantage.

I’m curious to see how she’ll approach this.

“Kei, if you want to back out, now’s the only chance. Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

I answered Eve’s question without hesitation.

Before coming here, everyone in our group had already heard most of the story, excluding Beatrice’s true identity, and after various discussions, they had all decided to help.

Eve, too, seemed to have asked just as a final check, as she didn’t question further.

So I turned the question back to her:

“You’ll help, right?”

“I’ll do my best to help. But…”

Eve quietly said:

“She’ll probably try to end the conversation directly with you, Kei, while preventing others from intervening.”

“I expect so.”

That much had already been discussed among ourselves.

Looking back at Princess Gabriella’s retreating figure, I said:

“Let’s start by getting Beatrice out of the resistance. She’s essential to us.”

“You really are something.”

Eve smiled, slightly displeased but resigned.

Then she whispered in my ear:

“Good luck, Kei.”

“Thanks.”

At my response, Eve moved slightly away from me.

Meanwhile, Beatrice had turned her gaze away from me.