Chapter 120 (2/2)
Towards those words, Gaharudo guessed that the Hauria were independent from Fair Bergen, however they single-mindedly interfered in order to save their fellow Demi-humans (although it was actually only for the Usagininzoku).
[Is that so. I get the idea now. That’s why, release us already. An unreasonable request was made to be done by tomorrow. If I don’t act now I probably wouldn’t be able to make it on time]
[……That’s good. We Hauria will always be watching you guys. Don’t even think about forgetting it in your dreams either]
Towards those last words, the spotlights disappeared and silence surrounded the hall. At the same time that his presence perception informed him that the Hauria were withdrawing, Hajime received a transmission.
—-Boss. This is Alpha 1. All troops have withdrawn. For all the help, we cannot thank you enough
—-It was for Shia’s sake. Don’t mind it. Besides, everythings not over yet. Stay cautious. Or rather, what’s up ahead is the true battle. There’s no guarantee that there wouldn’t be an idiot who’ll think “Eliminate the Emperor’s clan”.
—-I’ll take it to heart, boss. Since the beginning, we’ve been resoluted and prepared to fight. This path, is the path that the new Hauria tribe has decided to walk down.
Towards Cam’s words filled with resolution and drive, Hajime’s lips raised up. And he gave them a pure praise.
—-Is that so. If you’re resolute then there’s nothing else for it. To all Hauria tribesmen. You were superb!
Towards the boss who they loved, respected and led them, all Hauria’s Usamimis extended straight up! and after a beat passed by.
In the next moment through the telepathy stone, a grand shout erupted.
—-Oo~OOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
That was the cry of victory. For hundreds of years, they were the losers of losers who continued suffering bitter experiences, it was the cry of delight after finally bringing down a huge enemy for the first time.
Being completely honest, what lays ahead is a sight where it’s prohibited to enslave and persecute Demi-humans, prohibited to interfere with the Sea of Trees, and Demi-humans are protected. Exactly as Hajime said, people who desired Demi-humans as slaves would come and try to eradicate the Emperor’s clan, there’s even a possibility that there’s a hole in the oath which the Empire may use to oppress the Demi-humans again.
That’s exactly why, it was appropriate to say that the Hauria’s battle starts now.
At the very least, the oath was imposed, by now, if the Empire invades the Sea of Trees, the Hauria wouldn’t be able to do anything. With this earned time, the Hauria can save and gather power and numbers, and if necessary acquire high level techniques (Assassination) and guerrilla tactics. That way, even if the Empire is prepared to overcome the Oath, they won’t get what they want so easily.
Right, the point of the strategy right now was to make the people at the top of the Empire wear collars and buy time to allow the Hauria to gather strength to be able to withstand the Empire. As such, certainly, the victor of this fight was unmistakably the Hauria Usagininzoku from the weakest Demi-human species.
[Damn, those guys, I shouldn’t have left them unattended. …..Someone, the lights….a~a, that’s right is anyone there…..tte, kora~a! Hajime Nagumo! You bastard, how long do you plan on pretending! At any rate, you’re uninjured! Do something about this situation!]
Hajime narrowed his eyes as the Hauria’s shout of joy was being communicated, at the same time Shia was embracing and rubbing up on Hajime because of the strategies success, from the other side (even in the darkness Hajime could see Gaharudo’s appearance rolling around) of the darkness, and began to hear Gaharudo’s angry voice.
By the way, the moment that he was embraced by Shia, Ririana who he was holding onto was cast aside without hesitation. Towards the sudden attack which caused the death of her fiance, Ririana could only be stunned, after being treated so by Hajime, with tears in her eyes, [Even though, I’m a Princess~!], while muttering about her constant grief, she crumbled onto the ground like a woman who was deserted by her lover.
[alright, I hear you……]
While embracing Shia with one hand, he took out an ore from the “Treasure Warehouse” which flew up towards the ceiling and emitted light. The light stone that floated towards the ceiling in the darkness caused the hall to brighten up just like daytime when they were brought to the hall.
The party hall became completely visible, “horrifying” was the perfect word for it. There were huge quantities of blood splattered everywhere and countless heads on the ground. Besides the heads on the ground which didn’t have time to say goodbyes, everyone else seemed to be alright, though they were all groaning and crawling on the floor with their tendons in their hands and feet cut.
There were lots of mademoiselles who had toilet accidents due to the fear and pain. The moment when the hall was lit up and the disastrous scene was seen, many lost their consciousness, in a certain sense it was good fortune.
Though some of the courageous mademoiselles were just barely conscious, the moment they saw Shia’s Usamimis, they gave out screams and fainted as the whites in their eyes showed. Even the men who didn’t fear much was frightened when they saw Shia.
It appears that the fear of the Hauria tribe was deeply carved into them.
Within that, Hajime’s group and the Hero’s group was clearly completely unhurt. The people who were fighting until they end were giving them stares full of hatred. It appears that they completely believed that it was a conspiracy.
[Oi, kora, Hajime Nagumo. Quit flirting already and help out. What kind of nerves do you have to be able to admire a woman in this situation, and on top of that an Usagininzoku woman at that]
[Nah, look, Shia’s a weak rabbit after all, the raid from earlier frightened her. She’s so pitiful. Those guys were truly fearsome people. All I could do was protect myself]
While saying those foolish things, Hajime was shivering unnaturally.
Veins appeared on Gaharudo’s forehead. Even the people whose tongues were cut to seal off there chants, while on the ground glared at them cruelly as if stating, [We’ll kill you with glares!]. Kouki and them who had strong nerves even trembled from the gazes.
[How impudent…..in any case, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re unhurt. If you hold no malice against the Empire then, nurse us, being needed by people is good isn’t it*I think this line means this, ????????????????????*?]
[However about that, your subordinates are giving out blood thirst as if saying that the instant they’re healed they’ll attack us……In that case, is it alright if I just finish them off?]
[There’s no way that’s alright! Oi, you guys! Don’t ever lay your hands on that monster over there! Even if he’s just a damn cheeky brat whos always being surrounded by great women and surely started a conspiracy with the Haruia tribe, don’t you dare go waste your lives!]
The surviving subordinate’s eyes distort due to their masters command for them to stay alive with regret. Hajime saw their eyes distorting.
[Look, even if I want to kill you guys, there’s no one here stupid enough to willingly jump into a monster’s jaws. I won’t have it. If we don’t get started soon some people are going to bleed out. I’m begging you, Hajime Nagumo]
[Ma~a, I don’t particularly mind if you guys won’t be coming at me. I’m relying on you, Kaori]
[Un~, leave it to me…..”Sacred Text”!]
Without chanting. Without magic formations. the wave of first-class recovery magic shined immediately after calling out the magic name and rippled throughout the entire party hall. With that the wounded people were healed up instantly.
[Even recovery skills are monster class. ……I can’t take this*I think? ????????*]
Gaharudo complained with a tired expression after he noticed that Kaori’s recovery magic wasn’t normal. Gaharudo’s subordinates were dumbfounded as well to be completely healed in an instant. To be able to immediately cast first-class magic was impossible for the general people so it was natural.
Disregarding the mademoiselles who fainted and didn’t get back up, those who could fight immediately gathered around Gaharudo and they looked towards Hajime with stern and cautioned expressions.
[I’ve already said it, give it up already. If you release blood lust like awhile ago and cause a counterattack we’d all get completely annihilated]
[But your Majesty! These guys clearly guided them in!]
[That’s right! Even the Crowned Prince……we can’t just leave them alone!]
[At this rate the Empire’s pride will fall to the ground!]
Gaharudo’s troublesome subordinates all speak out in sequence.
Even though they felt that Kaori’s recovery magic wasn’t normal, they had not witnessed Hajime’s powers with their own eyes. Moreover, some of them previously saw Kouki and the Emperor’s fight at the Kingdom, because of this they “alternatively” used it as reference.
Above that, the damage that the Hauria caused was massive. After all, they placed a “Curse” on the present Emperor and his clan, although that was largely the reason, it was also because the next-in-term Emperor was beheaded. They couldn’t back down easily.
Towards the subordinates rage, Gaharudo sighed out while gaining drive. For them who groaned and staggered, Gaharudo’s voice filled with dignity turned towards the people within the hall.
[Quit making so much noise! I believe I’ve already said, don’t go dying pointlessly. Got it, that white haired eyepatch wearing fellow is a true flesh and blood monster. Even if we brought out an entire army, he alone would annihilate it, that’s who we’re facing. ……They’re strong, don’t even step on their shadows. I’m not saying we have to follow what that guy says but, as people who adhere to the principle that abilities reign supreme, at least have the ability to judge the opponents strength!]
With an angry and shaking voice, the subordinates and even the aristocrats stiffen up.
[It goes the same for the Hauria tribe. Those guys who should have had the weakest power came and challenged the entire Empire. The reason why we were done in was because we were stupid and weak? I don’t intend to leave things off like this, those guys also probably think the same……but first admit it. We lost. The losers follow the victor. That is the Empire’s rule! Even still, if you have a complaint then let me hear it! Convince me through power, make me follow you! Just like those guys did!]
Gaharudo’s angry voice echoed throughout the party hall. Those who couldn’t stand looked towards him, after the subordinates around Gaharudo hesitated slightly, they hung their heads down before him. Deep within themselves they knew, the one who fought until the final moment was Gaharudo. Gaharudo’s words, more than anything was heavy.
[Un, with this it’s case closed]
Towards Hajime’s satisfied words, everyone turned to look at Hajime with hatred. Those gazes spoke more than words. That is, [You’re one to talk! You God of Plague!].
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Even while hiding their hostility against Hajime and them, the surviving Empire soldiers had to face the reality that they were unable to meaninglessly throw away their lives, Little by little they regain their composure because of Gaharudo.
Although the drawbridge was destroyed empire soldiers began to arrive at the castle and the silent party hall began to become noisy once again, control was quickly brought back from the confusing situation.
Leaders of the survivors were gathered, despite being in the middle of night they were holding an emergency meeting to adhere the oaths. Mid-way in, one of the leaders who wasn’t at the party hall laughed at the foolish contents of the oath……
That moment, the lights in the conference room instantaneously died out, when the lights came back on the horror of a subordinate’s head laying on the table appeared, it was the subordinate of the man who was opposing them. The man could do nothing but nod away while turning pale. The other leaders were reminded of the party and began to tremble. The later talks seemed to have been settled quickly.
While compiling damage reports from every place, the laws for the Demi-humans were rapidly made (the draft prepared by the Hauria). At this point, Gaharudo found out that the Hauria had not laid their hands on the general public.
However, from the fact that none of the general facilities were reported to have been destroyed through explosions, he received a message that it was possible to blow them up at anytime and began to worry substantially because of all the possible bombs planted in their facilities.
And within the middle of the night, soldiers were woken up because of the explosions, their individually owned slaves were guided to the countless temporarily raised tents on the open plot of land from the previous demon turmoil. They immediately began to retrieve the slaves in the next building where slaves were being held.
Naturally, fierce resistance was bound to happen. Just when they were woken up in the middle of night, the owned slaves were being forcefully seized. In particular, the slave association was showing symptoms of becoming bankrupted. Financial compensation was promised to be given at a later time, even though it was a royal command by the Emperor, they weren’t able to easily consent to it.
Nevertheless, it was a direct order from the country, they had no choice but to compromise…..stretching time in between then and now, there were many who folded and whined, roughly all of those people were found beheaded in the morning.
And when the afternoon of the next day came to pass, an abnormal situation with Demi-humans gathered in one place in the capital caused citizens to gather and the announcement from the Empire was announced. About the consent of the oath and the additional laws that were established.
Towards the bluntly reported announcement, the citizens became dumbfounded. That was to be expected. Their familiar and convenient tools were suddenly taken away from them. Moreover, it was forbidden to capture them in the future. The situation was honestly one where they couldn’t comprehend.
Eventually, the obvious and natural complaints began to flow out and it quickly became a large and strong opposition. It was about to become a riot, the Empire soldiers began defending the Demi-human slaves from the people in cold sweat, but it became quiet after the announcement made with exquisite timing.
In other words,
[All actions towards Demi-humans was because an “Oracle” from “Ehto-sama”!]
Furthermore, with the appearance of Kaori who fluttered her silver wings and was shining as she descended down from the sky, Kouki showed the light and appearance of his sacred sword. As a result, the announcement held credibility.
Towards the divine appearance (being produced by Hajime’s artifacts) the citizens all got down on one knee and prayed.
Actually, Kaori was trying hard not to run away as she was blushing in shame, if Kaori felt like it, the silver feathers that were being worshiped by the citizens, [Thank you~], could easily be turned into weapons that decomposed everything, Gaharudo who was at wits end on how to explain the laws and emancipation of slaves was simply proposed, [wouldn’t it be alright if we just use Ehto?], Hajime who was in high spirits was chuckling to himself about how amusing it was that the citizens were so serious……Everyone could surely faint peacefully together.
Obtaining and holding onto “God’s Apostle’s feathers”, reluctantly the slave owners backed down as there was also compensation from the country and the majority of citizens were cheerful. In front of their eyes, several thousands of slave’s shackles were being removed by the soldiers one after the other.
The Demi-humans seemed to have been stunned but accepted it with silence. Being completely honest they weren’t sure about what was happening at the moment. Even if they understood they likely wouldn’t be able to believe it.
Before long, with some time the slave’s shackles were all removed and Kouki who showed natural charisma led the Demi-humans outside of the capital. Along with him was also obviously Gaharudo as well as Hajime and them.
The Demi-humans were stunned as they left the capital, amplifying her voice with physical reinforcement Shia shouted out, [You guys are free~! Return to your homes~!], they finally seemed to realize that they were “liberated” and they all shouted out in joy all at once which caused the ground to shake.
Under the cheerful blue sky, while at the Empire’s outer walls, several thousands of Demi-humans headed towards home. Towards the impossible illusion, tears were falling down and Demi-humans were joyfully patting eachothers shoulders.
Within those, there were many who received cruel physical and mental wounds as well, but they were healed through Reproduction Magic and Spirit Magic. Because even Yue couldn’t accurately erase their memories enmass, she compromised that it was necessary for them to be surrounded by family and friends in the long-term.
There were also many Demi-humans that were transported to many different towns, Hajime and them couldn’t be responsible to heal them. They as well, after returning to the Sea of Trees, have no choice but to allow their minds to be supported by the people around them.
Even still, they’ll be able to once again live in their hometown, they can meet their important people that they were separated from once again…..it was surely suitable to call this event a “Miracle”. Hajime who was looking at the Demi-humans shouting in joy, began thinking about his family in Japan, [Someday I too will……], he muttered inside himself and quietly clenched Yue’s hand who snuggled up closely. The cute lover was as if saying, [It’s alright], gently returned strength into Hajime’s hand.