Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Battle Near Nevan (1)
Having received the Emperor's command, Rudian and Luciella immediately set out to fulfill their respective roles.
"We've already lost considerable time explaining the situation. While Sonya Bluephil is conducting delaying tactics throughout the dawn, if those bastards notice that I'm not there, the chances of them catching on will increase greatly."
"Unlike our side which has some leeway, things must be quite difficult over there."
"Fortunately, we've deployed all available forces, so we shouldn't be pushed back."
As they left the Imperial audience chamber, Rebecca and Matheus Kepler were waiting outside with the psychics.
"Are you going as well, sir?"
At Rudian's words, Matheus chuckled.
"Sir... That's an unfamiliar form of address. Still, I'm not quite ready to be considered a has-been yet, so shouldn't I lend a hand?"
A has-been, he says.
Matheus Kepler is a strong individual who's definitely in the realm of superhumans.
It's just that his daughter is so extraordinarily beyond normal standards.
"It would be reassuring if you joined us, sir."
If someone joins, then naturally someone else must leave.
Rudian forcibly sent Rebecca back.
"I want to help too!"
"Absolutely not. Keep your promise!"
The two glared at each other face to face at the palace entrance, growling.
This whole affair was half-forced from the beginning anyway.
Rebecca had overheard Luciella's situation and stubbornly insisted that she could be of help, so Rudian had no choice but to include her.
Although Rebecca's power would be of great help in the upcoming battle, Rudian had never intended to drag Rebecca into this burden from the start.
"Hmph..."
"Acting cute won't work. Besides, right now your physical abilities are at ordinary human levels, so it's too dangerous."
"Huh? That doesn't seem right though..."
Rebecca waved her arms and legs in appeal, but Rudian deliberately turned his head away and ignored her.
Actually, Rudian knew. Right now, having absorbed Marbas's magic, Rebecca's combat power had temporarily increased dramatically.
"Enough. Take those girls and wait at the mansion. We need someone to watch them anyway, and if they cause trouble, you should be able to subdue them sufficiently."
"..."
At that moment, shadows fell around Rebecca's eyes.
"Ah, those girls?"
Her voice dropped by about two tones.
And the atmosphere also dropped by about 20 degrees.
Where Rebecca's gaze was directed, about twenty maids brought from the palace - that is, the succubi - were waiting demurely.
"...Rudian?"
"...Yes."
"You've made it big, haven't you? I heard that nobles... What's it called, harem? They enjoy that sort of thing. I guess our Rudian likes that kind of thing too?"
"..."
...A dagger flew straight into his heart.
These were individuals he had brought out with the Emperor's permission because it was unsafe to keep them constantly by the Emperor's side, but it was also awkward to kill them since they had already been controlled by the Command of Domination.
Rudian had planned to decide their fate after the battle was completely over, but Rebecca didn't seem pleased with that.
Hmm, would the misunderstanding be cleared if I bet both my money and limbs?
"You need not worry about that."
At that moment, the head maid leading the group, the Queen who led the succubi, raised both hands in a bow and spoke.
"We are our master's faithful slaves. Since our master's magical power far transcends the capabilities of our former master Asmodeus, there is absolutely no possibility of us betraying him. Please be at ease."
The Queen spoke words denying the possibility of betrayal, but what Rebecca actually focused on was a different part.
"...Slaves, you say?"
"No, wait."
The atmosphere was already chilly enough - why are you suddenly stepping forward to create an ice age?
The Queen spoke out of a desire to prove her loyalty, but honestly, it was no different from throwing a fireball into a house that was already on fire.
"Hehe..."
'That one, could it be?'
The other succubi were terrified, having realized Rebecca's Demon Eater nature, but the Queen actually seemed to be fired up about something.
After intense arguing... Or rather, mediation disguised as arguing, Rudian ended up promising to grant Rebecca one small wish.
"I'm exhausted..."
After Rebecca left, Rudian exited the palace looking completely drained.
Matheus watched Rudian's profile and chuckled.
"You don't seem to have properly fought yet, but your energy has already been completely drained."
"..."
Matheus continued speaking, his cheeks twitching with apparent amusement.
"Hehehe, women's troubles - when seen up close they're tragic, but from a distance there's nothing more entertaining."
...How do you know that saying?
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing much. There's no particularly deep meaning."
Then why are the corners of your mouth slightly raised?
Rudian was about to make a sarcastic remark but desperately held back.
No matter what, Matheus was Maria's father and still held great influence in the Psychic Luminous.
It would be terrible if feelings got hurt over a pointless argument.
"But I won't be able to watch this from a distance."
"Huh? What did you just say?"
"Nothing at all."
He had muttered in a very small voice while Rudian's attention was elsewhere, so Rudian missed the content.
Matheus Kepler closed his mouth after that remark.
Well, it was nice that it became quiet, but why was there this strange feeling of unease?
***
Outside the palace, all the psychics of the Psychic Luminous still remaining in the capital, the Glory Knights, and the Imperial Guard members who had decided to join this battle were gathered and waiting.
At that moment, Rudian spotted someone incongruous at the head of the Imperial Guards and his eyes widened.
'Huh...? That person is?'
A sturdy build and an expression overflowing with confidence.
At first glance, he was a sharp-featured blonde handsome man, but the bloodstains and wounds scattered all over his armor created a menacing atmosphere that made it difficult to evaluate his appearance easily.
Most of all, the sight of him holding someone's heads in both hands was even somewhat chilling.
The blonde man approached Rudian with a bright smile.
"Greetings. I've heard much about you from my master."
"Who might you be...?"
Rudian already knew his identity, but asked out of courtesy anyway.
While holding a head in one hand, the man showed knightly courtesy with his other hand and revealed his name.
"Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, Crux von Richthofen."
As expected...
Along with the Bloody Witch Rebecca, the Magic God Gray, the Spirit Guardian Evan and others, he was one who appeared as a main character and protagonist of .
'Sword Saint Crux!'
Rudian couldn't help but admire the fighting spirit flowing from Crux's entire body.
This was the first time seeing him in person, but should this be called truly living up to his reputation?
'A Sword Master at that age!'
Moreover, considering the identity of the head Crux was holding, it was clear that Crux had reached a considerable level - not just barely crossing the threshold.
Crux showed Rudian the head he was holding and spoke.
"Here is the head of Godran Hans Valentine, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard and traitor who sided with the demons."
"...Impressive. That man must have been a Sword Master as well."
Moreover, given his position, Godran wouldn't have been alone. Yet to so confidently bring back his head like this!
Crux answered with a refreshing smile.
"He wasn't particularly difficult opponent."
"..."
Was it just his imagination that Gray's smirk seemed to overlap with that face?
'All geniuses are insufferably arrogant.'
When Gray reaches that age, he'll probably be at least 8th Class as a baseline, right?
Suddenly, this thought occurred to Rudian:
'Will Elvin be able to surpass this guy?'
A Sword Master in his mid-twenties.
And in about 15 years, an absolute God of War who would surpass even Archduke Quihiller would be born.
Rudian shook his head to dispel his anxiety.
'I can't accept that!'
As a companion, Rudian had chosen Elvin over Crux.
Of course, the more the merrier, so if the opportunity arose, Rudian was thinking of attempting to recruit Crux as well... But even so, his pride in choosing Elvin would not tolerate the idea that Elvin was inferior to Crux!
When Rudian glared at Crux with blazing eyes, Crux also met his gaze with a provocative smile.
"Hah, so you have the same thoughts as I do."
"...?"
What are you suddenly talking about?
"As someone of the same generation, I understand well that desire to determine superiority in skill, but wouldn't it be better to decide that after this matter is concluded?"
It seemed Crux had interpreted Rudian's gaze as a challenge.
"This is also my first time meeting a genius who reached Master level at a younger age than me. I'm very much looking forward to the day we cross swords."
'...I won't fight you.'
Rudian quietly tucked his tail between his legs inwardly.
If it were someone like Gray who was still incomplete, that would be one thing, but could he possibly win in a sparring match against a monster who already easily defeats other Master-level opponents?
"As you said, let's think about that later and depart immediately. We need to support Sonya Bluephil, who must be fighting a difficult battle."
"Haha, let's do that."
Crux shrugged his shoulders, showing signs of agreement for now.
'Hmm, I wonder if she's still holding out well?'
Rudian had told her to retreat if things got too difficult, but what kind of situation would be waiting was anyone's guess.
"Rudian!"
Just as Rudian was about to mount his horse and head east, Luciella's voice came from behind.
When he turned his head, he saw her extending her fist toward him and shouting.
"Good fortune in battle!"
Now Rudian would head to a life-or-death battlefield, and she too would head to her own battlefield.
Rudian also bumped fists with Luciella with gratitude, exchanging glances.
"Good fortune in battle..."
Yes, you need at least this much romance to feel energized.
His shoulders felt a little lighter.
***
About half a day earlier.
Upon hearing the report that the main base had been attacked, Asmodeus flew into a rage and led all her forces out of the capital.
"Damn bastard! How dare you break the agreement?"
Even though the main base was said to be under attack, it would take considerable forces to break through that place.
However, among her enemies, Rudian was the only one who knew the identity of the main base, and since the enemy's forces were immeasurable, she had no choice but to respond with full force.
Toward Asmodeus, who had abandoned her usual composure and was rushing excessively, her subordinates offered worried counsel.
"Aren't you rushing too much? With Amdusias and the forces there, they should be able to buy enough time..."
"Shut up! Can't you see that Rigos and all his subordinates were completely defeated? Amdusias alone could never stop that bastard!"
"Then how about at least waiting for Marbas to join us? No matter how much that place falls, the possibility of them activating the 'Core' is very low."
"..."
At her subordinates' logical counsel, Asmodeus finally regained some rationality and fell into thought.
But the conclusion reached after such deliberation was no different after all.
"No. That man is never an opponent to be taken lightly. Just because we can't do it doesn't mean they can't either."
"Indeed! You are truly Asmodeus!"
"Send a subordinate to urge Marbas to move. After all, we need him there to ensure victory."
"Yes!"
Having rushed as much as possible, Asmodeus arrived at the resort near Nevan - that is, the main base - leading all his subordinates.
But when she actually arrived...
"What... Did you just say?"
Seeing Amdusias greet her in a surprisingly intact state, Asmodeus immediately sensed that something had gone wrong.
"Rather than charging in directly, they're thoroughly focusing on magician for long-range harassment, repeatedly dragging out time."
"Didn't you see Rudian himself?"
Amdusias shook his head.
"If my eyes weren't mistaken, the one leading the magician was Duke Bellatrix, Sonya Bluephil."
"...!"
After rushing here upon hearing of a main base attack, the main base hadn't even been breached, and the enemy was just casually probing from long range.
That meant only one thing.
'A diversion?'
This place was their stronghold and greatest weakness.
But if this place was used as a supporting attack, then where exactly had the main attack headed?
"It's the palace, Asmodeus."
"...Marbas!"
Marbas, who arrived late, seemed quite pleased for some reason.
"I saw various parts of the palace burning as I came out. And when I left the capital, Captain Pruna requested a subordinate contract. Then it's obvious. The main attack is over there."
"Wait, you're saying they left this place alone and went to attack the palace?"
Asmodeus looked incredulous.
"No, before that, Marbas! If you knew the palace was the main target, why didn't you head there? You could have done something about it!"
Even at such reproach, Marbas didn't bat an eye.
"The palace isn't that important anyway, so there's no need to divide our forces. After they finish their business there, they'll come this way anyway."
"...What!"
Asmodeus suddenly felt the back of her neck tighten.
'What? The palace isn't important? This fool who doesn't even know the basics of politics!'
Naturally, compared to the importance of this place, the palace could be called trivial, but that didn't mean it was a place to abandon so easily!
Maybe this guy and Rigos were the same kind of fool after all.
She felt deep skepticism as she hung her head.