Assault on the Royal Capital (1)
Elmaile has been annihilated by the Progenitor Vampire.
The staggering news, almost too outrageous to believe, raced through the Abilia Kingdom by message-orb, and the royal capital of Lexia was no exception.
"M-Minister!"
A soldier clad head to toe in iron plate burst into the palace's shared office, his silver armor clattering with every frantic step. The heavy, breathless racket of that full plate alone announced just how urgent the situation was.
"It's terrible! An emergency report from Elmaile!"
"Hmm? What is it?"
Mijael, Minister of the Abilia Kingdom, looked up from her work. Her plum-colored hair was beautifully braided and coiled, and even at this late hour a pen, papers, and a softly glowing magic-stone lantern still sat before her.
"What's going on? Has something happened?"
Sensing the soldier's unusual agitation, she set her work aside and asked. A trembling voice spilled from beneath his iron helm.
"A-an emergency report, ma'am. Elmaile has been annihilated beyond any hope of recovery."
"E-Elmaile, annihilated?!"
Mijael's expression hardened at the news that the great city representing the kingdom's west had fallen.
"Th-that's impossible! Who could possibly have—"
In sheer scale, Elmaile ranked second only to the capital itself. And a city of that size had the military power to match. S-class adventurers would have been inside its walls, and not far to the southeast lay the headquarters of the mercenary guild Stormhound. In a crisis, Elmaile could muster enough force to wipe a small nation off the map—yet it had been invaded and crushed to the point of annihilation?
"I-is this confirmed? Who brought the report?"
Having seen Elmaile's fortifications with her own eyes, Mijael could not easily accept it. At her doubt-laden question, the soldier's iron helm bobbed up and down.
"We received it directly from Elmaile only moments ago. It's certain."
"…"
The soldier's firm answer drained the color from Mijael's face. The work she had been doing vanished from her mind as thoughts began to whirl.
Elmaile annihilated? Who could have done it? Humans? Demons? Monsters?
What kind of being could bring Elmaile to ruin?
A human invasion of a fellow human city was unlikely. Ever since the Age of Peace began, war between humans had been tacitly forbidden. Blaming the only hostile race, the demons, was equally unconvincing—Elmaile lay far too distant from their territory. The demons of the far north would never leapfrog every city in between just to strike Elmaile out of nowhere. And a monster incursion? The adventurers inside the city alone should have been more than enough to handle that. So who—what race—had annihilated Elmaile? Had anything that dangerous even been living near the city to begin with…?
"It can't be…?!"
A thought struck her like a bolt.
Yes. There was exactly one thing near Elmaile. One monster dangerous enough to bring the city down.
"The Progenitor Vampire…"
The Progenitor Vampire. Humanity's greatest calamity, sealed a thousand years ago. Only two days earlier she had received a report that the legendary monster had awakened in the Dungeon of Immortality, the magic-tainted land near Elmaile. The local lord had requested reinforcements at the same time, and she had already been assembling a force to send them—had they fallen to that vampire after all?
"…That's correct. The Progenitor Vampire that awoke not long ago invaded the city and reduced it to rubble."
"…"
The soldier confirmed her hypothesis. Mijael bowed her head at the grim news. He hurried on with the rest of his report.
"B-but that's not the real problem right now. The vampire has seized Elmaile's Teleportation Hub—which means it could come here, to the capital."
"…!!"
Mijael's eyes flew wide.
"It took the Hub…?"
"Yes. The first thing it did upon entering the city was seize the Teleportation Hub. We believe the entire reason it attacked Elmaile was to capture the Hub and jump to other cities."
"Damn it."
If the soldier was right, this was a catastrophe. With the Hub under its control, that calamity could appear from inside any city it chose.
"…Exactly when did you receive the report from Elmaile?"
"Ah—about seven minutes ago."
"Seven minutes!"
Seven minutes might sound short, but it was more than enough time to activate a Teleportation Hub and arrive in another city. For all she knew, the device was already running and the vampire was on its way.
"D-does the Prime Minister know? Does she know about this?"
Cold sweat beaded on Mijael's brow as she asked whether Lilianel Greenfield—the de facto highest authority in the Abilia Kingdom—was aware of the situation. The soldier shook his head.
"…No. Before coming to you, Minister, I went to see the Prime Minister first. She refused the audience outright, citing poor health."
"Ugh, that damned old hag of an elf…"
Poor health? She was just being lazy.
Mijael ground her teeth at the Prime Minister's usual carefree, utterly irresponsible behavior. The woman dumped every scrap of work on her Minister in ordinary times, and now, in a crisis this urgent, she had even blocked visitors in advance. Imagining Lilianel's snickering face made Mijael's blood boil.
"…We don't have time."
Still, time was the one thing they lacked. The Progenitor Vampire might already be heading for the capital. If the Prime Minister could not be reached, then she—the next highest authority—had to take charge of the crisis.
Mijael began issuing orders to the soldier.
"First, contact the soldiers guarding the Teleportation Hub and have them shut it down immediately."
It might already be too late, but they had to do everything possible to stop the vampire from crossing from Elmaile to the capital.
"…Next, issue an emergency evacuation order. Move every civilian in the Third Wall into the Second Wall."
The capital of Lexia was protected by three concentric walls, and the Teleportation Hub sat in the outermost—the Third Wall. If the vampire had already used the Hub, it would appear there. The people living in that district had to be evacuated at once.
"The people's safety comes first. Every second counts."
Under the Prime Minister's irresponsible rule, the kingdom was a playground for corrupt nobles who looked after nothing but their own interests. In a situation like this they would scramble only to save their own skins—but Mijael would not abandon the people. As Minister of the realm, she had a duty to fulfill her charge faithfully, a duty to stand at the front and protect them.
"…Mobilize the entire army. Put the elite troops in the front ranks and the regular soldiers behind them, and deploy them to the Third Citadel. Station the mage corps and archers on the Second Wall to provide covering fire, and infiltrate large numbers of assassins to strike the vampire from the rear."
"Understood!"
"…Our front line will be the Third Citadel. If that monster reaches the Second Citadel, where most of the population lives, the casualties will be catastrophic. We have to stop it at the Third no matter what."
The Third Citadel held farmland and production facilities; the Second was home to ordinary citizens; the First housed the nobility and the royal family. If the vampire broke through the Second Wall into the densely populated Second Citadel, civilian losses would skyrocket and the fighting would devolve into chaotic street combat. They had to destroy the monster in the relatively sparsely populated Third Citadel, with its open fields.
Fortunately, troops had already been mustered to reinforce Elmaile. Gathering them and sending them to the Third Citadel would not take long.
"…Ah—are any of the Hero's companions still in the capital?"
A thought struck Mijael, and she asked the soldier.
The Hero Belia Grandius and his companions possessed power beyond even S-class adventurers. The Hero himself had gone north to repel demons that had crossed the kingdom's borders, but if even one of his companions remained in the capital, it would be an enormous help.
After a moment's thought, the soldier nodded.
"Yes. The Sword Princess, Maiden Alice, remained in the capital due to illness."
"Alice is here!"
Color returned to Mijael's face.
Maiden Alice, known as the Sword Princess, was a brilliant commander and swordswoman already marked as the kingdom's next knight-commander. With her leading the charge—skilled in large-scale command and a veteran of monster subjugation—the capital's soldiers would fight with twice their usual strength and potential.
"Then entrust overall command of the forces to her. If the Hub is sealed before the vampire arrives, have the troops stand by at the Third Citadel as they are."
"Understood!"
"There's no time. Relay these orders to the other soldiers by message-orb at once."
"Leave it to me!"
The soldier saluted Mijael with full military courtesy. She returned the gesture with a bow of her head and left him with a final, grave warning.
"…The sealing was a thousand years ago, so we have no precise records—but our opponent is strong enough to have annihilated Elmaile. Do not let your guard down. Do not grow arrogant."
Elmaile would have rallied its S-class adventurers and even Stormhound's mercenaries to mount a desperate defense—and the vampire had still defeated them. A single being that could be treated as an entire nation's army. Even the forces of Abilia, strongest on the continent, would court defeat if they grew careless or overconfident.
"Think only of your duty. Remember that your families stand behind you. Fight with caution, and give it everything you have."
"…Understood."
"Then—may fortune favor you."
An unwelcome crisis had crashed down upon them without warning. The young Minister of Abilia clenched both fists, praying the matter would be resolved safely. Then, in a voice only she could hear, she murmured:
"…O great ancestors, we shall carry on your righteous will."
"Hurry! We have to shut down the Hub!"
The legendary vampire of calamity would soon ride the Teleportation Hub into the capital. Soldiers of the Third Wall, orders from the Minister still ringing in their ears, sprinted to seal the Hub. Outside, the hoofbeats of the capital's elite troops already thundered toward them.
"Quickly! Cut the mana supply!"
Fortunately, the Hub still showed no reaction—and no vampire. The soldiers who reached it scrambled to cut its mana feed. Once the supply was severed, at least the capital with its vast population would be safe. The immediate fire would be out.
But the god of time did not take their side.
"Huh…?"
Mere seconds before the mana supply to the Teleportation Hub was fully cut, golden light suddenly poured from the device that had seemed destined to stay forever silent.
The Hub was activating.
"Th-the Hub…"
"It's working…"
And at this hour of the night, when Hub use was forbidden, only one person would force their way through it to the capital.
The Progenitor Vampire.
"Th-the vampire is comingggg!!"
"Everyone, fall back!!"
They had sprinted the moment the order came through the wall's message-orb—and still failed, by a hair's breadth, to stop the legendary monster's arrival.
"G-go! Get outside!"
"Link up with Lady Alice's army!"
Realizing the situation had gone wrong, they fled the Hub building without hesitation. And just before they cleared the exit entirely, three figures entered their vision.
An elderly butler in an elegant, refined suit.
An undead maid with pale blue skin, a monstrous greatsword strapped to her back.
"That's…"
…And a beautiful girl with ash-gray hair.
"…I'm back."
A thousand years bound in the Goddess's chains, sealed in misery. At last I had returned to the capital. The air here felt strangely wistful, as if I had come home after a long absence.
"…"
I stepped out of the Hub building. The area around the device was a mess—someone had clearly been here only moments ago.
"…Refreshing."
The wind outside was even fresher. A thousand years was nothing to dismiss; the atmosphere around me had changed a great deal. But the nostalgic energy rising from the very bones of the land itself had not changed at all.
The weather was fine. The moon hanging in the night sky was beautiful. The chorus of insects was pleasant to the ear, and even the broad fields stretching around us were lovely. Maybe it was just my imagination, but everything around me seemed to be celebrating the fact that my seal had broken—that I had returned to the capital once more.
—Progenitor Vampire!
"…"
…Except for the army led by that blonde knightess, that is.
"Haa…"
I sighed. I had thought I'd arrived as quickly as possible, yet somehow word had already reached the capital. Nearly eighty thousand troops stood assembled across from the Teleportation Hub.
"Master, a large number of mages and archers are concealed on the wall ahead."
"…And quite a few little rats hiding themselves with Stealth, as well."
Tina and Alfred each added a word. Just as my summons reported, it wasn't only the army in front of me. Mages and archers on the walls, assassins in the surroundings—enemies of every kind had been stationed throughout the area. Their numbers were far from small; it looked as if they meant to fight a full-scale war. To prepare this much force in so short a time… the capital's military system truly could not be underestimated.
"…Brings back memories."
The army facing me. The torches blazing. The full moon overhead. The scene was so similar to the day I fought Varius's army a thousand years ago that a bitter smile rose to my lips. Was this, too, some thoughtful little event the Abilia Kingdom had arranged to stir my nostalgia?
—Progenitor Vampire! I am Maiden Alice, knight of the Abilia Kingdom's Order!
"…"
The blonde knightess leading the army shouted toward me. The firm will and polish in her accent marked her as a thoroughly trained soldier. She drew her sword and leveled it at me.
—Kneel and surrender at once! Or face only the iron hammer of justice!
Even knowing I had reduced Elmaile to rubble, she showed not a shred of intimidation as she demanded my surrender. Confidence born of overwhelming numbers, perhaps. The soldiers under her command wore the same easy composure on their faces.
"…That's annoying."
Something about the way they looked at me—as if I were beneath them—soured my mood. I fixed every last one of them with a cold glare and called out in a frigid voice.
"Cut the crap and get lost while I'm still asking nicely."
—Ugh…?!
The killing intent in my warning made the knightess flinch for a moment. But she recovered her composure at once and answered in a voice even braver and firmer than before.
—I will not! You are the one who should surrender quietly, ancient monster.
"…"
More surrender demands. I laughed and asked back,
"And if I refuse?"
—…Then only death awaits you.
"…Want to try a war, then?"
—If you will not surrender, yes.
The knightess kept her sharp blade pointed at me, her expression stern. Looking at her face, I doubted words alone would make her step aside.
"Huu…"
I sighed.
Fine. I hadn't expected to run into an army the moment I arrived, but I had planned to thoroughly wreck the capital anyway. If anything, I was grateful—they had thoughtfully brought their priority combat forces right to me.
I let my eyes blaze and spoke to the knightess.
"Hope you don't regret those words."
…And from my feet, a black magic circle began to spread wide across the ground.
—A m-magic circle…?
—It's enormous.
—Is a circle that size even possible…?
The enemies reeled at a magic circle of a scale they had never seen. But the circle showed no sign of stopping its expansion, stretching farther and farther until it finally filled half the citadel before ceasing to grow.
"Good."
Confirming the skill was ready, I raised a hand toward the sky and murmured,
"…Summon the Undead."
Advanced Skill: Immortal Army
From the magic circle, an enormous host of skeleton soldiers began to rise—enough to surpass the eighty-thousand-strong enemy force. But these were no ordinary skeletons. Clad head to toe in iron plate, each bearing a fine blade and a sturdy shield, they were higher-tier monsters worthy of the name skeleton knights—a true elite army.
—Kieeeeeeeek!!
—Kiyaaaaaaaah!!
The undead host summoned from the circle roared toward the moonlight. Their numbers easily exceeded a hundred thousand. The knightess's face darkened sharply as she took in the Immortal Army that had erupted from the earth without warning.
—Impossible… how can you summon this many at once…
"Hmph."
I looked at her with open contempt. Even knowing I was a necromancer, had she never imagined I could call forth a force of this scale? Shock was written across every enemy face.
…All thanks to Lilianel, who had left nothing but garbage in the records about me. If she had kept proper documentation, the enemy might at least have been a little better prepared.
"…Your choice. Don't regret it."
Having summoned a vast skeleton host in an instant, I spoke coldly. I had given her a choice, and she was the one who had chosen to fight. When someone picked a fight with me, I had no intention of running.
"…Really does bring back those days."
With my own army summoned as well, the nostalgia surged harder than ever. Not the joyous, happy kind—the wretched nostalgia of the day I was betrayed and crushed underfoot.
"…"
Back then, a false hostage had cost me a victory already within my grasp. I would never fall for that trick again. I did not trust the living. As a Necromancer Lord—as Elzerva—the only ones I could trust now were the dead. The dead might have no emotions, but they never lied. There would be no more defeats in my life.
—…You're even more formidable than the reports claimed.
The knightess spoke with a strained smile as she beheld the skeleton host. But far from fleeing, she gripped her reins tighter and prepared to charge.
—But I am a knight. I have no intention of running.
…The blonde knight who had named herself Maiden Alice pointed her sword at me and bellowed with a voice that seemed to reach the moon itself.
—Everyone! Show them your pride! Slay the wraiths! Bring down the iron hammer! All forces—chaaarge!!
—We are the sons of Abilia!!
—We can do this!!
—Uwaaaaaaaaah!!
"…"
In the end, the enemy came thundering toward us in a storm of dust. I simply watched them and smiled.
Yes. This was more like it. This much combat, this much blood—now that was a proper celebration.
"…"
Without a word, I stretched my hand forward. The skeleton soldiers answered with the clatter of shifting bone, blue light flaring in their eye sockets as they charged the enemy.
—Uwaaaaaaaaah!!
—Clatter clatter.
The pride of the living and the silent roar of the dead tangled together and rolled across the capital. Then, at the center of the citadel, the two armies met and crossed blades.
"…"
What came next was nothing but the red blood of the living—and their screams.