The Descent of Calamity
The central square of Tenebris was steeped in solemnity from the first light of dawn. Demons clad in armor of every design stood in rigid formation, waiting for someone. The ordinary citizens of Tenebris, fearful of getting caught up in anything unpleasant, kept their distance and merely watched the scene from afar.
The inauguration of a new Cezar. Even though this was the moment a new ruler would ascend to lead Ravilis, the atmosphere was far from celebratory. The reason was simple. The previous Cezar had caused Ravilis’s prestige to shrink dramatically. Tenebris itself had become pitifully small, and the war had drastically reduced the population of young males. The future did not look bright.
“The Calamity is entering!”
The murmuring that not even the Legion Commanders could fully suppress died away in an instant at the shout of a heavily armored knight standing near the high platform. Everyone wanted to see the new Cezar’s face. They wanted to judge whether he truly possessed the dignity to lead them.
Fortunately, his appearance overflowed with exactly that dignity. Unlike his predecessor, he had an imposing height that could be recognized from a distance, broad shoulders, and powerful muscles clearly visible even beneath his clothes. On top of that, his sharp, vivid features were so clear that even the distant citizens could make them out. He was handsome enough that, even without the title of Cezar, passersby would turn their heads.
“He’s really good-looking.”
“Right? If someone like him becomes Cezar, I’m all for it.”
“Oh my, are you choosing a Cezar based on looks alone?”
“Then are you against it, sis?”
“Against it? Of course I’m in favor. I’m even thinking of aiming for a concubine position.”
“Silence! The Cezar has arrived!”
What silenced the gradually rising chatter was not the Legion Commander’s booming voice.
A deep, resonant voice. Even though the microphone slightly distorted it, the overwhelming dignity in his tone made the citizens instinctively lower their voices so they could focus on every word.
When Ira Cezar’s expressionless face spoke and his voice reached even the citizens in the very back, the anxiety that had filled every face vanished without a trace.
Among the crowd, some were wiping away tears. Everyone remembered. Those difficult times. The day the honor of the demon race was trampled. The day two men breathing fire had pierced their previous ruler’s abdomen. The day a red sunset had fallen over the skies of Tenebris. They could never forget.
Ira Cezar had just declared that he would repay every moment of that humiliation. He would make the demon race great once more. That was his declaration.
Thunderous applause and cheers engulfed the square. By the time Ira Cezar finally turned and withdrew, not a single person still in armor spoke of anxiety. Only voices filled with hope for a bright tomorrow could be heard in the back rows.
**
“Hah, this is disgustingly exhausting. Bring me some cold water, Anima.”
“Here it is.”
“Thanks. Did I do well?”
“You were excellent.”
“Your expression says otherwise.”
“It is a perfectly ordinary expression.”
“…Then I suppose it is.”
The moment I stepped down from the platform, the streams of sweat pouring down my body made me certain I could no longer stand wearing these heavy, hot garments. I immediately threw off the thick coat, wiped away the sweat, and drank a glass of cold water. Only then did I feel alive again.
But what bothered me more was Anima’s still gloomy face.
“Shall I guess why your face looks so sulky right now?”
“…It is not sulky.”
“It absolutely is. You have so much you want to say but you’re holding it in. We’ve been together far too long for me not to notice. It’s because of the Legion Commanders, isn’t it? I saw that none of them clapped earlier.”
“It was to be expected.”
“I suppose so. Each of them wanted to claim the position for themselves, right?”
“Yes.”
From what I had heard, before my resurrection there had been a massive conflict over the summoning ritual. Three Legion Commanders had lost their lives in the process. It was worth fighting over—successfully summoning the Calamity meant that legion would earn the Cezar’s absolute trust.
“Well, don’t worry about it. As you said, Anima, I have now become an existence that they cannot touch even if they complain.”
“…I am aware.”
“Then why do you still look so sulky?”
“I am not sulky.”
“Yes, yes, of course you aren’t. Anyway, how are things progressing on that matter?”
“That… Ah, yes. It is proceeding smoothly.”
“Good. I’m counting on you. This is something for you, for me, and for all of us.”
“Please leave it to me.”
The very first thing I would do as Cezar had already been decided long ago. Internal reorganization? Or benevolent governance? No, such things were unnecessary. Demons were beings who lived by strength and instinct alone. The only way to make those who submitted to power bow their heads was to display even greater power.
“As I said before, only Fade and the five elite soldiers under him will accompany me. No one else is needed.”
“This is your first official action as Cezar. Would it not be better to move with a larger force?”
“No. Trust me just this once. I will produce the best possible result.”
“Understood. I will report as soon as preparations are complete.”
“Thank you. I always trust you.”
“You honor me.”
For that purpose, the perfect debut stage was essential.
**
“Has the Legion Commander arrived?”
“Third Legion Commander Fade, answering the Cezar’s summons!”
“…The other Legion Commanders didn’t speak like that. Is this some kind of tradition in the Third Legion?”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Let’s depart.”
A few days later, I finally stepped outside the familiar—though I could hardly call it that—city of Tenebris.
“Cezar, is this coordinate the intended destination?”
“Yes. The Water City, Osril.”
The target was Osril, the coastal city firmly guarded by S-Class Hero Miriam. The reason for choosing Osril was simple. Although it was not particularly close to Tenebris, it possessed a port, meaning even a small attack would deal significant damage. At the same time, its distance from the central capital made a swift response difficult, allowing for an easy escape.
And most importantly—
“Intelligence has confirmed that Miriam is currently stationed in Osril. Will that be acceptable?”
“Yes. That’s exactly why we’re going.”
“Pardon?”
“Do I need to repeat myself?”
“Ah, no. Forgive me.”
“Good. Let’s not make me repeat myself, shall we?”
Yes. The fact that Miriam was there. It was to exact revenge on one of the four heroes who had betrayed me.
Through Anima I had already received the intelligence report. There were currently no other S-Class Heroes near Osril. Apparently, due to the new Hero Association President’s inauguration ceremony, everyone except Miriam had gathered at the central capital. This was the perfect timing to ensure my first move would be a success.
“Alright. Let’s go cause some trouble.”
“By your command.”
I stepped into the gate set with Osril as its coordinate. The six demon heavy infantry soldiers following me filed in behind.
After taking about three steps inside the gate, a sky far brighter than Tenebris’s and a transparent sea came into view. Osril was disgustingly peaceful and cheerful. Truly, disgustingly so.
**
“Lady Miriam!!!! This is terrible!!!!!”
“What? Terrible? What happened?”
“Ravilis has invaded!”
“What?! Suddenly? Why would they come here… How many are there?”
“Seven!”
“Seven…? That’s not even a full platoon. Can’t that be handled without me having to step in?”
“W-well, the thing is…”
The peaceful afternoon tea time of S-Class Rank 3 Hero Miriam was suddenly plunged into chaos without warning. The B-Class Hero “Marina,” who had rushed to deliver the news, couldn’t even finish speaking before a black-clad assailant appeared out of nowhere, grabbed her by the throat, and left her gasping.
“You are Hero Miriam, correct?”
“…Who are you?”
“Fade, clean up outside.”
“By the Cezar’s command!”
A man whose massive frame was easily two heads taller than hers. The sheer size of him inspired instinctive fear, and the mask hiding his expression only deepened that terror.
“Ravilis… Don’t tell me you’re the new Legion Commander?!”
“Legion Commander, Legion Commander… Is that how I look to you?”
“Are you not? No, it doesn’t matter who you are! You will regret appearing before me in person!”
Miriam immediately drew up her mana and began transforming her outfit from her office attire into combat gear. However, the anime-like transformation sequence was never completed.
“I’ve always wondered. Why don’t enemies ever wait for the moment when their opponent is at their weakest?”
“Ugh… kuh…! L-let go! You’ll regret—kuh!”
“How weak. Absurdly so. Is this all the power of S-Class Rank 3 amounts to?”
“You… cowardly… bastard…”
“Go to sleep. When you wake up, the scenery will have changed.”
“Kuh… ke… ack. I… will never… forgive…”
Miriam’s vision narrowed until everything went black. The masked man, whose expression could not be seen, seemed to be wearing a faint, mocking smile.
“Fade!”
“You called?!”
“Finish burning it down and withdraw. You will take this woman and return immediately.”
“Understood!”
That day, the once peaceful city of Osril was engulfed in an unprecedented inferno. The total death toll was two thousand, with six thousand injured. The new Calamity had revealed itself without any prior warning.