The Veil Lifts Over Taego Forest
Nella experienced flight magic for the first time, cradled in Neromeltia’s arms. By the time she had grown accustomed to the sensation of soaring through the air, the party had reached the vicinity of Taego Forest and began their gradual descent. The journey thus far had been marked by nothing but blackened earth choked with pollutants, yet the wasteland between Caboni Forest and Taego Forest still held scattered signs of life. The soil itself remained marginally viable. In stark contrast, Taego Forest—despite the sparse weeds and vines clinging to the nameless wasteland—appeared utterly desolate, devoid of any living presence.
No blades of grass, no mushrooms, not even a single patch of moss could be found. Only withered, crumbling ancient trees remained, their forms barely holding the shape of a forest. It was a land of death.
“This is… I think the wasteland we just crossed had more life in it.”
“When the elves abandoned Taego Forest, the pollution had already advanced considerably. Current reports indicate that everything has dried up and turned barren.”
Nella, who had been beaming like a delighted child while flying in Neromeltia’s embrace, now stood with the rigid posture of a disciplined soldier, her earlier cuteness vanished. Neromeltia, mildly disappointed, considered coaxing her to relax, but a far more pressing matter demanded immediate attention.
“This is a barrier, isn’t it?”
“The pattern feels familiar… Surely it can’t be…”
“Ugh… I think I know exactly what you’re talking about…”
“If it’s that woman, the zombie incident makes sense… but showing us this twisted barrier practically confirms it…”
Lusteria and Neromeltia began exchanging thoughts, clearly sharing the same suspicion about a particular individual. Their mutual certainty left little doubt that the person they had in mind was deeply involved in the scene before them.
Neromeltia had briefly considered investigating the massive zombie horde Lusteria had reported first. A slight detour on the way to Taego Forest would have allowed them to examine the undead before arriving. Yet she had flown straight here because she was certain Taego Forest was connected to the anomaly. A horde of zombies that had appeared from nowhere encircled Caboni Forest without encroaching upon it—an already suspicious pattern. The fact that the same horde also surrounded Taego Forest only strengthened her conviction: the zombies were guarding both forests, and their origin lay within Taego Forest itself.
With that plausible theory in mind, she had come directly here. Now her suspicion had hardened into near-certainty, and she could even name the culprit responsible.
“Your Majesty… do you know the cause?”
“Yes. I know exactly who caused this. Looking closely, the forest is still quite vibrant and alive.”
“…To my unworthy eyes, only dead trees are visible, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, don’t use words like ‘unworthy.’ It’s nothing grand. I’ll show you right away—just wait.”
Nella could not comprehend how the Demon Lord could describe this utterly dead forest as “vibrant and alive.” She simply voiced her honest impression. Neromeltia, displeased by the self-deprecating tone in Nella’s words, firmly corrected her. She disliked hearing anyone belittle themselves, especially those close to her.
Rather than intervene directly, Neromeltia turned to another.
“Beatrice.”
“…Hic…… Y-yes…! M-Master……!”
“…As expected, you’re useless right now. Lust!”
“Shall I break the barrier, Master?”
“Wipe it away cleanly.”
Beatrice stood trembling, knees pressed together, barely managing a reply. Neromeltia spared her no further attention and simply ordered Lusteria to dismantle the barrier.
At her master’s command, Lusteria extended both hands forward, drawing up her mana. Complex magic circles materialized in the air—dozens of them, each inscribed with intricate formulas too dense to read at a glance. They appeared in various sizes, rapidly filling the space ahead.
“Nella, if you had to neutralize a single siege tank, what methods would you use?”
While Lusteria prepared to break the barrier, Neromeltia posed an unrelated question. Nella was momentarily flustered but answered with utmost sincerity.
“I could remove several bolts to detach the wheels and halt its movement. The armor is thick, so external attacks would be ineffective, but setting fire to the undercarriage would engulf the interior instantly. Pouring large amounts of water to turn the ground into mud would trap the heavy wheels. Filling the surroundings with smoke would suffocate everyone inside.”
Nella listed every method that came to mind, clearly explaining the principle and outcome of each. Pleased by her concise, systematic response, Neromeltia smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Doesn’t Lusteria seem impressive, being able to detect and dismantle a barrier you didn’t even notice?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s remarkable.”
“If I ordered Lusteria to deal with a siege tank using soldiers, could she come up with solutions at your level? She’s capable, so she might suggest traps or terrain-based tactics, but could she provide structurally detailed answers like yours?”
Nella finally understood the purpose behind the seemingly random question. It had been meant solely for her—an indirect lesson.
“Everyone has their proper place and their own field of expertise. Lusteria excels at broad strategy and solving problems directly with magic, but she’s only one person. War isn’t fought alone; you need commanders who can direct soldiers effectively. A thousand catapults are far more terrifying than a single high-tier spell. Neromeltia and I must fight at the front, so who will command the Demon Lord’s army on the field?”
Though Neromeltia did not state it outright, the message was crystal clear. Even the humble Nella could see that, in the scenarios described, she would be the one most capable of solving such problems. No one surpassed her in engineering corps tactics, and in close-quarters command, only her elder brother could rival her. This was her pride in the paths they had each walked—well-founded confidence. Neromeltia had gently guided her to realize it herself.
Chuuuuum!!
“Formula protection barrier destroyed. Mana interference counter-formula destroyed. Mana supply circuit severed. Main control circuit severed. Mana conversion formula released.”
Clang! Clang! Crash!!
With each incantation Lusteria uttered, large and small magic circles activated and vanished, accompanied by a cacophony of shattering sounds. The scenery ahead began to warp and twist. Cracks spread like fractures in old glass; some objects dissolved into dust; others distorted beyond recognition. The entire desolate view of dead Taego Forest fractured and dissolved, its false form unraveling into unreality.
“Full-scale formula destruction activated.”
Kwaaaaaah!!
When Lusteria triggered the remaining seven circles simultaneously, a thunderous roar filled the air as if a massive vortex had opened. The circles blazed with searing red light, their inscribed runes and mana circuits spinning wildly. The false scenery lost all structural integrity, fading like a summer heat haze. Beyond the collapsing illusion, a new landscape gradually emerged.
Chirp-chirp-chirp! Tweet-tweet! Tweet-tweet!
A forest brimming with lush green foliage appeared. The rustling leaves alone radiated vibrant life, and the lively calls of small forest creatures filled the air. A cool breeze carried the fresh scent of the woods, mingled with the rich aroma of moist, healthy soil.
“Shall we enter, Master?”
Lusteria spoke with a triumphant smile, having perfectly executed her master’s order. Neromeltia patted her head in praise, then slipped an arm around her waist as they stepped into the forest together. Flustered yet delighted by the sudden intimacy, Lusteria blushed and followed obediently.
Neromeltia, however, wore a far more complicated expression beneath her composed demeanor. This living, breathing nature was a priceless gift—yet knowing who had created it filled her with reluctance. The individual was undeniably a talented, versatile asset, but also an unpredictable calamity. Someone Neromeltia was genuinely glad to see, yet found troublesome and unsettling all the same.
Lusteria, unaware of her master’s inner conflict, simply basked in the warmth of the hand at her waist. Nella, trailing behind, felt her heart pounding fiercely as she gazed at Neromeltia with flushed cheeks.