Volume 3 Chapter 20 (2/2)
However, even the Kamiko of Light is considered subordinate to the Cardinals. In the lower section, Crane and his companions stood upright as they faced the Cardinals. They each sat on four chairs in the upper section and faced Crane with various expressions. However, none of those expressions were negative; Rea.s.suring, nostalgic, gentle, tender.
Crane began by greeting the Cardinals after all this time away, and introduced the new comrades he had gathered over his journey, Rudius, Haruna, and Justa.
After the pleasantries were out of the way, he decided to cut to the main topic.
”Four Cardinals. There is something we need to talk about. Would you mind if I take a little of your time?” (Crane)
”What else would this order have gathered for if not by the request of Crane…We have some time. Right, everyone?” (Kaizelhan)
Smiling with a gentle expression was an old gentleman with vibrant white hair. He is the spokesman of the Cardinals, Kaizelhan[2], and to his question the other three members nodded.
Looking at this group, it seems only like a group of old people. However, they are all considered to be the closest to the G.o.ddess, the elite among the elite of the Professor Country. They were deeply pious individuals, and being religious himself, Crane was immensely grateful in his heart to have been raised in such an environment that they provided.
”Thank you, Cardinal Kaizelhan. Everyone, the reason why I came back to this city…is because I heard that the Demon King's Army will be invading the capitol Eden.”
”…The Demon King's Army is near the Holy Capitol Eden?” (Kaizelhan)
”In fact, ”Reason” of the Four Heavenly Demon Lords and the commander ”Imperator” of the Demon King's Army were encountered on the Wagonless Road…please believe me.” (Crane)
The four Cardinals stared at Crane who had lowered his head. By chance Kaizelhan made eye contact with Rudius, who also lowered his head. Seeing that response, Kaizelhan stroked his luxuriant white beard.
”Hmm…if that is true, it would be very important to know. However, a.s.suming they will be attacking the entire city as a singular army…where will they come from? And is it necessary to feel threatened?” (Kaizelhan)
”About that, first, here.” Crane pulled out the two colored keys he had previously obtained. Red and orange. Both are part of the seven keys needed to get into the Makai Underworld Empire.
A Cardinal adjusted the bridge of the gla.s.ses he was wearing and looked closer.
”That is?” Kaizelhan asked Crane calmly.
”According to Gurufeil, the ”Power” of the Four Heavenly Demon Lords, they are keys needed for human beings to enter the 'Underworld Empire.' I must collect five others to enter, but the demons could leave from underground anywhere on the the main continents. If we are unlucky, they may even attack from the sea.” (Crane)
”…I see. Then, how would you answer my second question?” (Kaizelhan)
”As for your Eminence's question on if it is necessary to feel threatened…honestly, it is hard to say. But, in addition to the strength of ”Reason” of the Four Heavenly Demon Lords that all four of us struggled to fight against, there is the existence of ”Imperator” that we couldn't compete with at all. Those two specifically make me uneasy.” (Crane)
”An enemy that Crane 'couldn't compete with at all?'…I do not think they will invade with just those two either. If so, then the Demon King's Army is on a scale of its own…I understand what Crane is trying to say. However…currently the Cross Legion Crusaders are at a standoff at the border with the Empire. If we dispatch them to the South, then the protection of the Western side of the continent will be severely weakened.” (Kaizelhan)
Kaizelhan folded his arms.
”By the way, what is the city's current strength?” (Crane)
”We can mobilize 2000 Law Masters, and 3000 armed infantry…I don't know the scale of the Demon King's Army, but I think the movement should slow down in the semi-suburbs…Unfortunately…” (Kaizelhan)
”Did something happen?” Crane asked Kaizelhan as something occurred to him.
At that time, another Cardinal, the one wearing gla.s.ses, told Crane, ”Even though it is coming from Crane, its difficult to believe that 'Reason' and the commander 'Imperator' will both be coming here. In addition, it is even harder to believe that we need to be on alert from the Demon King's Army, as we have heard no reports from the frontier.”
”That's…” (Crane)
”However, Crane, the reason why we're troubled is because we have always been able to trust your words. There is also the matter of the semi-sanctuary areas that we wouldn't think would fall to demons…but perhaps that isn't so.” (Kaizelhan)
”Huh…?” (Crane) What exactly did he mean?
Kaizelhan answered the unspoken question, before Crane could ask. “Did you know that a large portion of the Plains of Vitality are partially sanctified?”
”Y-yes. The area of the Plains of Vitality all the way to the Southern Lake have been turned into a semi-sanctuary. This is possible because of the influence of the Four Cardinal's daily prayers in the white tower, and a few conditions met with the area.”
”Ah…Thanks to that, there was
”Correct…Thanks to that, it is a scenic place with nary a magic beast….But…” (Kaizelhan)
”…What is the problem? No way…” (Crane) The signs of the Demon King's Army have already been happening….!?
”Wait, wait. It's not that big of a problem.” Kaizelhan soothed Crane, who looked as if he was about to jump out of the room. But Crane still had not heard what had happened.
”We have told the guards to watch the situation carefully, and have decided to wait and see what happens…but, well…” Kaizelhan's words were hesitant. ”A demon, and someone else have been battling constantly for about two days.”
”……What?” (Crane)
”No one can get close to it. We don't know how many craters have appeared because of the battle now…but the main problem is that their battle has continued even inside the semi-sanctuary areas. They don't seem even to be affected by the sanctification…” (Kaizelhan)
”Um, would that demon happen to be an Oni with two twisting black horns and dressed in traditional j.a.ppon clothing?” (Crane)
”I hadn't heard too many details in regard to the demon's appearance…but is he also a Demon Lord?” (Kaizelhan)
”No…If anything, he's an ally.”
”Then, would he be fighting with someone from the Demon King's Army?”
”If he's fighting, could it possibly with a man who has blue hair and a Naginata?”
”Yes…do you know him?”
”U-um, Cardinal Kaizelhan.”
Looking closely at the group, Rudius was rubbing his forehead behind the others. Haruna had a bitter smile, while Justa had a slight frown. Only the Four Cardinals had no idea what was going on.
In such a situation, Crane stepped forward and told Kaizelhan. ”Those two people…will try to kill each other regardless of the Demon King's Army. I'd like to stop them, but are you sure you want me to step in?”
”I-I see.” Kaizelhan was taken aback.
Crane also felt a little irritated, wondering just what those two who he were doing right now. However, he can't help but feel like either of them will not die even if they are killed.
In any case, it is unlikely that they can be stopped. Since Crane also didn't want to die, he thought it was for the best to not get involved.
Then, at that time.
The door slammed open loudly, and a soldier rushed in.
”What is it?” Kaizelhan asked the question mildly. However, all of the Cardinals felt unease at the appearance of the fl.u.s.tered soldier.
”It's serious!! The Demon King's Army….The Demon King's Army has appeared from the east side of the Plains of Vitality!!”
Translation Notes
I'm sorry for how slow I am, especially this time. This chapter was rather rough to translate for some reason. Please let me know if there are any errors! I was also sad it wasn't a Shuten chapter, although the second-hand embarra.s.sment about his battle is pretty great.
The ”Four Priests” seem to be important enough that I've decided to designate them as ”Cardinals.” This is due to their religious importance, and the fact that there are 4 of them like the cardinal directions. Especially since Haruna is technically a ”priestess” as a cla.s.s, this should help show a difference. Previous chapters have been fixed. Kaizelhan, カイザルハーン
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