Chapter 143 – The Monster (2/2)
“The rabbit beastman-san just now… Viine-san came here while saying an admirable thing like she just wants to be at his side, however do you believe that Origa-san will allow that?” (Imeraria)
“Uuh…” (Sabnak)
“And, the moment a quarrel occurs between them, will you be able to remonstrate them to be nice to each other, Sabnak-san?” (Imeraria)
“I-Isn’t that a task that exceeds my abilities…?” (Sabnak)
Imeraria’s gaze switches from Sabnak to Vaiya.
“Even for me, to barge in on such situation is a bit…” (Vaiya)
Hearing the timid answers of the two adults, Imeraria sighed deeply.
“We will be able to form a relationship with the elves, who are said to wield powerful magic, and the beastmen who were our former enemy. That in itself is something great. The matter of creating a friendship with them will likely be of benefit for Orsongrande.” (Imeraria)
“For that reason”, Imeraria made a short pause.
“We should avoid unnecessary troubles to the best of our abilities. Even Origa-san will be obedient in front of Hifumi-sama. I will also request Alyssa-san to lay the groundwork thoroughly.” (Imeraria)
“”Acknowledged.”” (Sabnak & Vaiya)
Imeraria informed the two, who matched their voices, about another matter.
“I will explain the strategy, I drew up, before the arrival of the main force. Let’s have dinner together. You two and Alyssa-san. And let’s invite those beastmen from before as well. I will have them decide whether they want to stay at Münster temporarily or remain here after explaining the current state.” (Imeraria)
It looks like it will take a full two days for the main force of the reinforcements to arrive even if they are quick. It will also be necessary to explain things to Nelgal who will arrive together with the main army, but I will push this strategy forth even if I have to basically threaten him, was her intention.
All of it is for the sake of her squaring off against Hifumi while keeping her pride as queen.
☺☻☺
“Bast-…”
Before the guarding soldier finished speaking, Hifumi cut his windpipe just slightly with the tip of his katana in one go and the body, which had lost its soul, collapsed alongside a sound of air leaking out.
“It’s this. I came here to complain about this.” (Hifumi)
While lowering the drawn katana, Hifumi stands in front of Horant’s prime minster who was sitting at his desk.
“W-Who are you bastard…?” (Kuzemu)
“The lord of Fokalore, Hifumi. The man who killed this place’s crown prince.” (Hifumi)
“What…” (Kuzemu)
Kuzemu, who has become pale while drenched in sweat, carefully examines the man standing in front of him from top to bottom.
Kuzemu himself never saw Hifumi, but he was aware about the person called Hifumi and about the uproar within the castle.
“How foolish. To reach this place all by yourself…” (Kuzemu)
“That’s it. That.” (Hifumi)
Hifumi points at the corpse of the soldier he killed himself a moment ago.
“It’s the same for this guy as well, but you are far too careless. Entering the country, entering the city and entering the castle, all of it was at a level of being extremely easy to degree of making me yawn. Your men are just walking around leisurely and don’t have any kind of vigilance in addition to that either. Isn’t that as if you are telling me to break in?” (Hifumi)
“For example”, Hifumi retrieved a light magic tool from his darkness storage.
“I can’t use anything but darkness magic, but research in magic has advanced in Horant, right? I heard that even this lamp was created in Horant. In that case, noticing an intruder, sounding a general alert once someone discovered an enemy or doing various things is possible, isn’t it?” (Hifumi)
“Uuh, but such things, except for those intended for battle, are developed by private merchants… buh!?” (Kuzemu)
Just as he began to line up excuses, Hifumi slapped Kuzemu’s cheek with his palm after stabbing the katana into the floor.
Is his field of vision flickering? Hifumi brings his face close to Kuzemu who is repeatedly blinking.
“You, don’t you think that a method for attacking means it is intended for battle?” (Hifumi)
Picking up the katana, he holds it out in front of Kuzemu’s eyes so that he can see its hamon.
Hifumi, who turns the blade towards below and shifts the handle into his left hand, intended to show it, but Kuzemu was unable to consider it as anything else but threatening. He feels uneasy whether the ominously shining blade will cut his own throat in the same manner as the guard’s.
“A weapon is fine as weapon. If it’s polished up as item that steals a person’s life, it is beautifully sublimed.” (Hifumi)
Drawing back the katana, he returns it into its scabbard.
“But you know, while it may be strong at attacking that doesn’t mean that one can win. It isn’t just a mutual competition and confrontation. Now matter how strong a weapon might be, it will be meaningless if you aren’t able to find a gap to use it.” (Hifumi)
What Hifumi pointed at was the sword which hung at the waist of the corpse. Recognising him as intruder, the soldier tried to call out and yet he didn’t even touch the hilt.
“W-What do you want to tell me?” (Kuzemu)
“You don’t understand?” (Hifumi)
Going away from in front of Kuzemu, Hifumi removed the katana from his waist and sat down on a sofa with a flump.
“You are able to use magic. You were born into this world at great pains. If you are able to use earth magic, you will probably be able to camouflage a trap perfectly. If you can use wind magic, it’s possible to survey a somewhat wide range. If it’s fire magic, one can light a signal fire without using tools. Even by thinking about it for a bit, there are this many possible applications.” (Hifumi)
“Are you asshole telling me that Orsongrande’s military has advanced this far?” (Kuzemu)
“No?” (Hifumi)
Kuzemu looked at Hifumi, who shook his head as he smiled, while wiping away the sweat.
“I wonder whether I gave Orsongrande a bit too much of an advantage. Although it looks like you created a slightly big toy in Horant, those are no good. Even the techniques taught to you by the instruction unit sent by me have parts similar to imitating just the upper surface.” (Hifumi)
“Therefore”, Hifumi tapped the scabbard of his katana.
“I decided to give you various hints regarding magic which is the distinctive characteristic of Horant.” (Hifumi)
“I-Isn’t that an act that serves the interests of your enemy!? What are you planning!?” (Kuzemu)
“What a foolish thing to say. The current you doesn’t even amount to being an enemy for me. Thus it isn’t an act that serves the interests of my enemy.” (Hifumi)
“T-That’s sophistry!” (Kuzemu)
“Even if it’s sophistry, that’s fine. Do you know? A weakling uses sophistry to gloss over, but the strong one uses it while persisting with their egoism.” (Hifumi)
“So, what are you telling me to do?” (Kuzemu)
Finding it already difficult to bring it to a close with words in this situation, Kuzemu asks Hifumi that.
“Since the border probably has already broken down due to the attacks of Orsongrande’s side, I shall instruct you magic techniques I came up with in order for you to retake the border or to defend. I have only the darkness attribute, thus it will just be the theory though. Hey! Hurry up and summon the magicians in charge or the researchers. I don’t have the time to idle around here. The evil hand of Orsongrande might be reaching for this place soon.” (Hifumi)
While saying that, Hifumi rung the bell on top of a low table which is located in front of the sofa.
A maid immediately enters the room.
“You cal-… hii!?”
The maid, who entered while looking down, screamed when she discovered the soldier’s corpse.
“Black tea, please. Also, I’d like something I can take out.” (Hifumi)
Hifumi tells the frightened maid his order.
Due to the words of an unknown person, the maid looked at Kuzemu in her search for help.
“… Prepare it as you were told. And, can you call someone of the castle’s magic researchers?” (Kuzemu)
“C-Certainly!”
Once the maid leaves the room as if running away, Hifumi looks into Kuzemu’s eyes.
Joy is clearly visible on his face.
“Do your best. Imeraria is an amateur, but Fokalore’s soldiers are considerably powerful. I don’t care what you want to do in the end, but you have to persist here for the sake of achieving your dreams.” (Hifumi)
Standing up, Hifumi hit Kuzemu’s shoulder.
“Let’s have a real war with a properly large number of people dying. Okay?” (Hifumi)
Kuzemu was unable to reply as he was merely trembling.