Chapter 35
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 35
Fall of the Capital (1)
A peaceful afternoon as usual. The 2nd Knight Order was on their way back to the capital during a demon subjugation mission.
Captain Luxen looked down indifferently at the letter engraved with the royal seal.
-Abort the mission and urgently return to the capital
That was all that was written.
There was neither a reason nor an elaboration.
"Hmm. The demons' stronghold was right in front of our noses."
He muttered with a regretful expression, but he couldn't disobey His Majesty's command. He folded the sealed letter and put it in his embrace.
Just in time, coming out of the forest, the capital was seen. Wind blew in the fields, and the sky was unnecessarily clear.
"Increase speed."
"Yes!"
Along with the calm command, the 2nd Knight Order returned to the capital.
The castle gate was wide open, and the guards were standing as usual.
"Hmm?"
...However, somehow a sense of incongruity was felt.
Before finding out the cause of it, a familiar face came out to meet him.
"You're here now."
"Oh! Isn't it Captain Leohar."
Luxen got off his horse and patted Leohar's shoulder.
"Haha. To think you would come out to meet me. Have the injuries you suffered from Captain Carmil completely healed?"
"...Let's go. Your Majesty is waiting."
He gave only a short answer and turned his body. Seeing that appearance, Luxen chuckled.
Well, it's understandable. Since the 1st Knight Order's status fell to the ground after that day.
Of course, the 2nd Knight Order was no exception to that, but Luxen thought it was rather a good thing. In a way, Carmil woke him up from his laziness until now.
So he believed Leohar would also shake it off quickly and stand up. Whatever happened, his skill at least leaves no room for doubt.
Who knows. Whether he would someday cross that wall and stand shoulder to shoulder with Carmil. Imagining the two people supporting this country together naturally made his heart beat.
'Fufu. I wish I could be included in that spot too.'
Thinking so and entering the city, Luxen felt an unfamiliar sense of heterogeneity from his familiar hometown.
"Hmm...?"
It was definitely a street no different from usual.
People were coming and going, and merchants were selling goods as usual too.
But why is it.
"It seems excessively quiet."
"..."
The vitality of the square that was always noisy couldn't be felt. Especially, recently he heard it was overflowing with citizens protesting because Captain Carmil went to the North, but now not a single person was seen.
He stopped for a moment and called Leohar.
"Look here. Leohar. For a moment..."
"We're here. Follow quickly."
"Hmm."
Well, I can ask later. Maybe the citizens already lost interest in Captain Carmil too. First of all, seeing His Majesty was the priority.
Entering the castle, Luxen stretched with a pleasant smile.
"Haha. Is it because I went on a mission for a long time. Home is indeed good."
After sparring with Captain Carmil, he volunteered for missions and went out every day. Thanks to that, he could also realize anew how much Carmil had suffered.
He had only been away for about ten days, but he was already looking forward to his wife's cooking and his children's laughter.
"Oh. Isn't that Princess Camellia over there."
While going to the King's office like that, he ran into Camellia standing on the opposite side. The dress with a flashy ribbon on her pink hair was a lovely appearance anytime.
He approached her and showed courtesy.
"2nd Knight Order Captain Luxen. I greet the Princess returning from a mission."
Luxen thought she would smile energetically and wave her hand as usual.
"..."
But why is it. No matter how much he waited, she didn't say anything. Eventually, he braved rudeness and looked at her face.
"...Princess?"
She was definitely smiling.
Bright, lovely, a child's face not knowing any worries. It was the smile he always saw.
However, something was strange.
That smile wasn't wavering even a bit.
Eyes. Corners of the mouth. Even breath.
What was stranger was that Leohar was staring at such her terrifyingly intently.
"..."
"Look here. Leohar?"
Only after Luxen called did he slowly withdraw that gaze.
"It's nothing. Let's keep going."
The two passed by her after lightly bowing. He glanced back, but she was still standing in that spot.
Walking in silence for a while like that, Luxen opened his mouth.
"Look here, Leohar. What happened in the capital while I was away?"
"..."
But there was no returning answer. Instead, he stopped in front of the door and looked at him.
"Go in. Your Majesty is waiting."
"Hmm..."
Luxen stared at him intently. Why is it. We should definitely be on the same side, but his instinct kept shouting to grab the sword.
But instead of grabbing the sword, he grabbed and turned the doorknob. At the same time the door opened, a familiar smell brushed past the tip of his nose.
"Hmm?"
But before noticing the identity of that smell, he froze as he was.
Because he saw some strange woman sitting in His Majesty's seat.
"Huh, you're here now?"
A demon with horns waved her hand gladly.
"Peek-a-boo."
"You bastaaaaard!! Where is Your Majesty!?"
Sh-ring- Reflexively, just as Luxen drew his sword and was about to rush at her.
Thrust! The metal that pierced his back was seen clearly before his eyes.
The tip of the sword that penetrated his heart remained in the empty air, filling Luxen's vision.
"Keo, keoheok..."
Clatter- His body drooped powerlessly and dropped the sword held in his hand. Turning his head, Leohar was standing there.
"Just why... h-how could you..."
"I'm sorry. Comrade in arms."
But a short apology was all that returned.
Slaaash- As the sword was pulled out, Luxen's body collapsed like an unstrung doll. As blood water overturned the floor, he finally realized.
The fact that the smell that brushed past when opening the door was exactly this.
He placed his trembling hand on his chest.
"Fufu. I-If I knew it would be like this, I should have also learned how not to be stabbed from Captain Carmil..."
Laughing hollowly, the light slowly faded from his eyes.
"..."
Leohar just looked silently at his corpse being offered as a sacrifice.
...Two days before Luxen returned to the capital.
The King's office vibrated with the stench of blood.
"Kuaaaak!!"
Another person. A meaningless scream echoed in the room.
The corpse of the Royal Guard Captain torn in two by a monster sprawled haphazardly. Because the blood water of over ten soldiers was already flowing on the floor.
She made a satisfied smile watching that scene.
"Fufu... Nice. Is this why humans raise children?"
She stroked the head of the monster that massacred the soldiers.
"It's rewarding to farm children. If I raise it more, it could even deal with Heroes?"
"J-Just how did you enter! How could a demon in this capital..."
"Huh? Did you guys really not know?"
She pointed her finger downwards.
"Well, we were always in the underground sewer. These kids are also all monsters that were there."
"U-Underground sewer?"
At the flustered King's expression, she laughed mischievously.
"Ahaha. That's why I'm saying, why did you stop working halfway. If you had handled up to the last underground sewer, this wouldn't have happened."
Only then did he realize. That what Carmil had been warning about all this time was exactly this.
"Ah, aaah..."
But it was already too late to realize.
Carmil was no longer here, and the price returned like this now.
Looking at the corpses of the dead soldiers, the King started racking his brains to survive somehow.
"Now. Since we've seen all the fun sights. Shall we slowly wrap up?"
"W-Wait. Wait just a moment! Maybe I could be of help to you!"
"Huh?"
At those words, she stopped her hand that was about to give an order. Seeing that, the King was relieved and continued speaking.
"If you tell me what you guys want, I will help with whatever it is. I promise!"
"Ooh. Really?"
"Y-Yes! So at least me..."
Crunch- At that moment, a creepy sound was heard from his feet. Looking down, the huge mouth of a monster was swallowing his leg.
"U, uuh. Uuuuuh?"
"Oh my? Sorry. Our kid is a bit impatient."
"Kuaaaaaaaaaaaak!!"
The King let out a scream at the pain he experienced for the first time in his life. He tried to run away, but rather, the monster's teeth dug deeper.
"Stay still. Our kid is having a hard time swallowing."
"Aaaaaaaak! Let go. I said let go quickly!!"
"Your Majesty!?"
At that moment, the 1st Knight Order, discovering the signal of the magic tool left by the Royal Guard Captain, ran in. They made an expression as if dreaming looking at the King covered in blood.
"S-Save me! Anyone save me right now!!"
At those words, Leohar immediately drew his sword. Seeing the Aura dwelling in that sword, she pondered for a moment, then soon smiled as if a good idea came to her.
"Hey you there. Are you the guy called the Kingdom's Best Sword?"
"Shut up. I have nothing to talk about with the likes of a demon."
"Hehe. Really? But if this guy dies, aren't you next?"
At those words, Leohar, who was about to swing his sword, paused. She didn't miss that moment.
"Think carefully. I heard this guy doesn't even have a son. If you sit in that seat, you could have everything?"
"..."
"You just have to offer a few sacrifices to us."
At her words, Leohar's eyes looking at the King narrowed.
Come to think of it, there was nothing more for him to gain in this country.
After losing to Carmil, his reputation among citizens fell to the ground, and even fellow knights often whispered behind his back. Even Princess Ilene's gaze looking at him became different from before.
Soon, he gripped his sword tightly.
"Kuaaaak! What are you doing. Leohar!? Instead of saving me quickly!!"
"...Yes. Let's do that."
Splash. Splash. Splattering blood water, he walked to the King. But the one he was saving wasn't the King crawling on the floor.
Push- He started pushing the King in with his foot so the monster could swallow easier.
"Y-You bastard. Just what are you doing! Have you lost your mind!!"
"Tell me about it... You should have been a bit nicer to me."
"N-No! No. I said save me right now!!"
Push. Push. He started pushing the resisting King's head harder. At that unbelievable sight, the members also lost their words all at once.
"Uwaaaaaak!! What are you doing. Instead of dragging out this traitor right now!!"
"Th-That is..."
"Everyone stay in your places. If you don't want to die."
Leohar drew his sword and aimed it at the members. At that momentum, they had no choice but to stand as they were doing nothing.
What was in front of the King falling into despair like that was only the loyal subject of this country kicking towards him.
"You worked hard all this time. I will take good care of the Princesses."
"Le-Leohar!! Please. Please do not do this! I beg you so anyone save me! Luxen! Royal Guard Captain!!" "Both are already dead. Go and meet them." "Uwaaaaaah! Th-There's no way! Carmil. Where is Captain Carmil!? Please bring him-"
-Crunch. However, the King's latter words couldn't be completed in the end.
The moment the monster's jaws closed, he disappeared without a trace.
"..."
What remained like that was only a terrible smell of blood and quiet silence.
Leohar indifferently shook off the blood splattered on his clothes and looked at the demon.
"I believe you will keep the promise."
"Fufu. Don't worry. We demons keep our promises well."
She nonchalantly held out her hand. Leohar also grabbed that hand without even a moment of hesitation.
Through the crack of the cabinet door, small eyes blinked slowly.
'D-Dad...?'
Camellia, who was playing hide-and-seek with invisibility magic, was watching that scene while swallowing trembling breaths.