Chapter 157 – Freedom (1/2)

“It’s a boring mission, isn’t it?”

Straddling the special horse, which only lives in the settlement of the blue-skinned demons, and gazing at the humans’ military forces that can be seen on the other side of the wastelands, Bashim, who is the general of the demon’s army, pinned down and stroke his beard with a finger, he had licked, while venting his dissatisfaction.

The mission he was given is 「reconnaissance」 to the bitter end. He had been instructed to keep the combat to a minimum. Simply put, he is to fight for just a bit to confirm the humans’ way of fighting.

The result of this operation is an important move that decides whether they will aim for hostility or peaceful exchange, but even if he understands it with his head, his dissatisfaction only piles up as far as Bashim is concerned.

“At last we were finally liberated. Shouldn’t we let all races know about our existence by raising flashy war achievements?” (Bashim)

Due to the death of the former king, who was quite strong, a new king took the reins.

The details regarding that have been concealed. Excluding Vepar, who became the ruler, the majority of the personnel, who frequented the castle, including Vepar’s subordinates, has died or gone missing.

Even Bashim wasn’t informed of what happened in the castle as he wasn’t promoted into one of the opened posts. Among some of the rumours it’s even said that it had to do something with a joke-like powerful human, but Bashim hasn’t believed in that from the very beginning.

“The former king had the hobby of experimenting and researching magic. In that case it’s only natural to think that some kind of accident occurred during one of his experiments.” (Bashim)

It was said that the former king Agachion obtained an immortal body as result of his magic experiments. The fact that he died is also proof that the rumours weren’t true, I guess. However, there was no room to doubt his knowledge and strength. At the very least it’s correct that he was strong to a degree that made others think that he’s immortal.

Bashim sensed something unnatural about Vepar’s rise to power as well.

“Surely, her court rank might be high. But, even as the king’s vessel, I can’t believe that she’s possessing that much strength.” (Bashim)

For now I will obey, but it’s not like I gave up on aiming for the top once I see a chance. Now that Agachion, who was the king, and his powerful subordinates Beleto and Phegor were eradicated, I will check if there’s a possibility for me to rise up.

“Let’s make use of this operation for that sake.” (Bashim)

While he was muttering his monologue, a single soldier on horse arrived from the encampment where the humans took up position.

“I’m a messenger from Vichy’s central committee. We are requesting an explanation why you have brought your soldiers in front of our country and why you have taken up camp here while facing our way.”

It was inevitable for Bashim to find the soldier, who frantically suppressed the trembling in his voice, funny.

Though it remains only in books, it’s said that the ones called humans are far weaker at magic and also physical strength than elves, not to speak of demons. Only their numbers are high, but mankind is split in settlements which are scrambling for soil and people by fighting against each other.

It’s a fact that there are demons who returned from the outside, albeit only few, but because Vepar is keeping their stories to herself, Bashim isn’t aware of it.

There’s no necessity to hide it, I guess, Bashim exposed a mocking gaze and had his favourite horse step forward.

“I’m the general. What’s your business?” (Bashim)

Due to Bashim’s attitude of “Since I didn’t hear it, say it one more time”, the young messenger ground his teeth.

“It’s just as I told you before. I’d like you to tell us for what reason you came here!”

Bashim snorts at the words loaded with anger and replies,

“Hmm. Isn’t such kind of attitude impolite? I have come to this kind of place as representative of the demon race. Shouldn’t you kneel and beg if you want to know?” (Bashim)

At last the messenger couldn’t stand the Bashim’s attitude which he expressed by not changing the haughtiness in his words.

The messenger was trembling in rage, but when he suddenly sees the soldiers lining up behind Bashim, he talked with obvious ridicule.

“… After all you are mere demi-humans, huh? It seems you don’t comprehend neither dignity nor the truth of the matter. There’s nothing to talk about. Just regret for having come here with a small military force.”

The messenger, who turned around, started to return to the humans’ encampment without even looking back.

When he advanced around a single metre, his body was pierced by a blade.

“… Ha?”

Seeing a sword penetrating his own chest, the messenger shook violently and fell off the horse unbeknownst whether he was able to understand anything.

“The ones called humans are this stupid? They turn their backs on their enemy without any vigilance while announcing their hostility.” (Bashim)

The soldiers who were nearby raised laughters at at the words of Bashim who looked over his shoulder after erasing the sword he created with magic.

“Well then, gentlemen, shall we teach the retarded humans the true way of battle?” (Bashim)

At the time when the demons raised a war cry, Vichy’s army was swept away by the unexpected situation of their messenger being killed.

And army of around 50 demons against Vichy’s forces of around 250.

The battle began with an attack by the minority.

☺☻☺

“Hello. There’s something I have to deliver, but…”

“Ah, thanks… huh? A demon-san?” (Reni)

The one who came visiting Reni’s place was Vepar’s subordinate, Nyarl.

“… How did you get inside?” (Reni)

“I came with everyone in front of the city and entrusted my weapons to the city’s soldier-san.” (Nyarl)

Due to Nyarl presenting a thin, folded, wooden board with a “here,” Helen got close while feeling uneasy about the defence measures of the city, and received it.

She hands it over to Reni just like that.

“Thank you. Please sit down, demon-san. Helen are there any sweets and tea left?” (Reni)

“There are, but hold back on eating them a bit, okay?” (Helen)

“Ah, please don’t mind me.” (Nyarl)

The vigilante corpse, which includes a part of the elves, and the demons are confronting each other at the city’s entrance, but for the time being it won’t develop into an uproar, it seems.

As for the demon who wanted to hand a letter to Reni; the vigilante corps apparently gave its permission as long as it’s only a single person.

Nyarl thanks for the tea, which was swiftly prepared by Helen, and tastes it. It appears that she doesn’t have any worry that it might be poisoned at all.

Helen was unable to judge whether she’s bold or a natural airhead.

“So, what’s written on it?” (Helen)

“They are requesting our cooperation in the fight against the humans, it says.” (Reni)

“Can I have you write a reply, too?” (Nyarl)

“Understood.” (Reni)

Reni lets the quill pen fluently run across a parchment. Her writing style shows no hesitation. She apparently decided on her reply while reading the letter.

Watching Reni fold the paper in an inefficient and unfamiliar manner, Helen kept Reni’s cup away so that it isn’t knocked over by Reni getting hooked on it.

Since there isn’t anything like a sealing wax, Reni hands over the letter which has been only folded tightly with her soft fingers.

Nyarl, who drank tea and stuffed her cheeks with fruits, that were cut into mouth size, without any reservations, wiped the fruit juice, which clung to her fingers, away at the cuff of her clothes and received the letter.

“Please hand this to the king of the demons.” (Reni)

“Yes, thank you very much. Thanks for the delicious meal as well.” (Nyarl)

“Thanks for your hard work~.” (Reni)

Reni waves at Nyarl who runs away with a *tetete* while holding the letter in her hand.

“… So, what did you answer?” (Helen)

“Maybe next time since the circumstances are bad is what I wrote.” (Reni)