episode_0142

The monster subjugation battle was conducted under the supervision of Demeia Academy, but the imperial family of the empire was deeply involved in it. It was a situation where one had to look at the opinions of neighboring countries to mobilize knights and soldiers.

The troop movement of the Infractus Empire, a military powerhouse, had considerable significance. Neighboring countries paid close attention to the empire’s every move, and took immediate action when they discovered any abnormalities.

Because of this situation, the empire was reluctant to mobilize large numbers of troops. Subjugation of monsters, which is based on quantity warfare, also requires the deployment of large numbers of giant soldiers, so the vigilance of neighboring countries had to be heightened.

Of course, it was wrong for a powerful empire to neglect subjugating monsters out of concern for neighboring countries, so it was the right decision to proceed.

In fact, in countries that failed to subdue monsters in time, a so-called monster wave occurred, in which monsters with an increased population invaded the territory in groups. It wasn’t impossible to stop it as long as there were giant soldiers, but the problem was that they would suffer damage that they wouldn’t have to suffer if they had suppressed it early.

In particular, if a powerful country like the Empire suffered damage due to its inability to stop the monster’s rampage, it was an act that tarnished the Empire’s prestige. Considering the medieval era’s emphasis on face, this was such a humiliating situation that a monster wave had to be prevented.

The reason why Demeia Academy went out to subdue monsters periodically was because this situation was taken into consideration. On the surface, it was decorated as a volunteer activity for the cadets’ practical combat experience and stabilization of the people’s livelihood, but in reality, it was calculated to soften the vigilance of neighboring countries and preserve the prestige of the empire.

Politics is always difficult.

Gilbert sighed and looked out of the carriage. He specialized in fighting, but had no aptitude for political fighting. It didn’t suit my personality to weigh the pros and cons or to dwell on the other person’s faults.

When he was carrying out his feat of being the embodiment of politics, which he had failed to do several times, he seriously considered quitting the game. I got sick of failing no matter how many times I tried.

If it hadn’t been a dramatic success in the last episode, I might have really given up on the game.

“Gilbert. What are you looking at?”

Camilla, who was sitting close to the seat next to Gilbert, asked as she looked around to see where Gilbert was looking. Gilbert, who was sitting by the window, looked outside for hours and seemed interested in seeing if there was anything interesting.

“I was organizing my thoughts.”

“Well, even if you were outside the carriage, there would be nothing but scenery.”

Camilla hummed and leaned against Gilbert.

Gilbert, feeling the unnecessary pressure on his arms and shoulders, twitched his eyebrows.

Lately, I’ve had a strong feeling that Camilla is clinging to me, and that’s because she was like that again today.

“Camilla. Do you think it would be better to fall?”

Before Gilbert could say a word, Brynhild, who was sitting across from Gilbert, laughed and pointed out that point. However, her eyes were not smiling at all, so it felt rather creepy.

Truly the great warrior of the Sigurd clan.

The method of applying pressure was different from others. He was personally showing that a smiling face can look scary.

However, the biggest problem with this method was that it did no harm to Camilla.

“Why? Are you saying that close friends can’t even have this level of skinship?”

“Does skinship include superficial rubbing of the body?”

“You mean vulgar? This is an expression of intimacy that can easily be expressed between close friends.”

Camilla did not give in to Brynhild’s persecution. On the contrary, he was further held in Gilbert’s arms as if to show off.

“Camilla… . Calm down.”

Lily, who was worse off, stopped Camilla. In the opinion of her other best friend, Lily, Camilla’s behavior seemed excessive.

When a young lady from an old noble family becomes attached to a man, it is often accompanied by bad rumors. This was the same no matter how interesting Camilla lived her life.

Lily felt the need to remind Camilla of that fact.

“Camilla. Do you know that this doesn’t help you or Gilbert?”

“Is there such a thing as skinship between best friends?”

“Ha. Before best friends, we were a man and a woman.”

Camilla pursed her lips against Lily’s bruise. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand what she meant. I just didn’t like this situation.

“It’s not fun. Really.”

Camilla, who had fallen away from Gilbert, was still grunting with her lips pouting.

Gilbert, finally freed from Camilla, looked outside again.

Outside the carriage, the flat land still stretched out endlessly.

***

The Count received the recently issued order and was lost in thought. It was not a judgment on whether this was morally right. It’s been a long time since I abandoned those humane sensibilities since I started operating Slaves.

All he could think about was how to carry out orders perfectly. To him, the order was absolute, like a fate that must be kept.

“I’m worried.”

Have your thoughts become deeper?

I talked to myself unusually. I kept thinking about whether there was a more useful method, but there were only a few strategies that could be used against monsters that I couldn’t communicate with.

It makes it more ferocious and stronger.

Although it was very simple, it was the most efficient method.

However, what the Count wanted was to cause significant damage to Demeia Academy, which was engaged in a subjugation war. Even if the monsters were strengthened somewhat, they could not cause significant damage to the academy leading the giant soldiers.

It was clear that if a more innovative strengthening method was not used, there would be a setback in the plan.

– Count.

“Are you here?”

As I was pondering over and over again, a low voice suddenly rang out in the count’s empty office. However, the count welcomed his guest without any embarrassment.

– My lord sent me. Use this.

“This is…?”

A large box suddenly fell on the Count’s desk. When he opened it, he saw a small tempered glass bottle containing a certain amount of black liquid.

– It is a reagent that purifies demonic energy.

“Magira… Did you tell me to use it on monsters?”

– Yes. Monsters that accept demonic energy are no longer called monsters.

“I know. That’s not a monster, it’s a monster.”

Monster.

It was a term used to refer to cursed creatures born from the demonic energy that the Demon King scattered throughout the world.

Unlike the demons, these monstrous creatures have no sense and only want destruction and disorder, and they did not stop their actions even though their king disappeared. Rather, when the demon king who controlled them disappeared, they started running wild like a colt with no reins released.

According to records, the demon king disappeared and research was conducted to tame demons. The idea was that if they could tame their ferocity, they might be able to utilize their power.

In conclusion, the research was a huge failure. The creatures stained with demonic energy could not be controlled, and further research was deemed not worthwhile, so the research was abandoned. However, finding out about demonic energy through research was an achievement, but dealing with demonic energy was a risky action.

Each country recognized its danger and strictly prohibited research on magic energy, but it seemed that it had already reached the level of being produced as a reagent.

The Count looked at the reagent as dark as the pitch-black night sky and then closed the box. He then placed the box in a secret safe that only recognized the count’s mana array.

“Tell the lord that I will handle the matter without mistakes.”

– There was a message left by the lord to the count. He said that it doesn’t matter if you fail somewhat, so make creating confusion your top priority.

“You seem to think you will fail.”

– At best, that would mean that it is the limit for a mid- to low-level monster. Well then, see you next time, Count.

After those words, no voice was heard.

The Count was lost in thought for a while, then opened his mouth as if he had made a decision.

“Use the reagent in the secret safe. No trace of us will ever remain in this matter.”

– All right.

When his remaining subordinates left, there was no one left in the count’s office except him.

The Count, who was continuing his thoughts while tapping the desk, glanced at the letter sent to him.

He looked at the letter with the Demeia Academy emblem on it for a while and read it carefully. Although most of the stories were trivial, there was one passage that he liked.

After reading all the letters, the Count put the letter into an envelope and put it aside.

The Count, who had recently become extremely sensitive because his plans seemed to be going awry, was finally able to calm down his sharp nerves as things seemed to be going as planned. I was confident that if I continued like this, I could reach my goal.

The great world is coming soon.

The Count smiled as he thought about that day.

Thinking that the day the great precepts are carried out will be the day the family’s destiny comes true.

***

It’s been two weeks since I left Demeia Academy.

The punitive force was able to reach their destination.