Chapter 74 (1/2)

At The Imperial Capital

“……I am sorry, Captain. It was my fault”

“Geez, didn't you promised to not say that. Besides, the General was killed and that person lost as well, we'd lose sooner or later even if we fought any further. If it's going to end up like that, I'm glad we're able to pull out while there's still the semblance of an army. If it had carried on as it is, everybody would've been turned into dead spirits”

“Even that Suzaku-sama could not win. I was watching from afar as well; it was not just that boy, the others were also quite powerful”

“Eeh. It's to the extent that each and every one of them rivals Suzaku-sama. We're unable to go up against such opponents with just us. Hence, there's nothing for Cel to worry about”

I console Cel who blames himself. However, Cel looks at my neck and makes a pained expression. Although it's imprudent, to think that I can have Cel worry about me thanks to this mark on my neck. It's ironic huh.

It has been a week since the battle with the Demihuman Country. After that, I, who made a contract with the unknown who appeared in the enemy country, Hardt, had Hardt undo Cel curse.

Immediately when Hardt dispels the curse, the swollen bluish-black part that was cursed heals and Cel also recovers to the state before he was cursed.

I had the mark of servitude placed on my neck by Hardt as compensation for that though. According to Hardt, it seems it won't tighten on me as long as I don't oppose him, but I can't trust such a fellow so I have to be cautious.

“So what will we do from now on? I will be frank, if I can save Captain……no, if I can save Cecilia, I will do as that guy says”

……Stop it. We still haven't even returned to the room yet! If you say such things to me, I'm going to want to a.s.sault you here, won't I! Furthermore, it's such a serious gaze……uuu, it's detestable that it's the outside!

“……Thanks, Cel. As for now, let's return to the Imperial Capital like this. The General is gone; the other Captains died; those who are wounded and I are the only ones who live. It's futile even if we remain when the number of soldiers had been reduced by almost half. We might be punished if it's just us, but Suzaku-sama was also defeated. We probably won't be badly reproached”

Cel who's convinced by my words. Let's return to that person's side for the time being. To the side of the one who let us rise all the way here, the Empress.

“……I'll bury it here as well”

I bury a black stone that I have in my hand, a magic crystal that Boss created with his own magic power, into the ground. I had come here, Glenburg Empire's Imperial Capital, under Boss' order.

What I'm currently doing; I'm sowing teleportation magic crystals around this vast Imperial Capital. It's an order that I was given from Boss.

Although it feels like I planted a fair bit, the Imperial Capital is inordinately vast. I'm still not even half done yet. I can just leave them someplace if I just only have to plant them, but it's meaningless if it teleports to somewhere useless, so I have to put a little thought into it.