Chapter 50
Yuurai asked Gilka for the details.
Gilka explained that she had sent three subordinates each to the towns of Yusef and Rugimano, near Grimoire.
The three who went to Yusef got caught up in a small fight and were arrested as thugs. During the interrogation by the guards, it was revealed that the three were minions of the vile Demon King, Dark Lich.
Of the three who were captured, two were held hostage by the town, while one was sent back to Grimoire as a messenger.
The man who was sent back bore severe injuries all over his body, but let's set that aside for now.
And, the provisional lord of Yusef has declared, 'If you don't want the two to be killed, hand over the head of Dark Lich.'
So it seems.
"......Are they seriously saying that? No matter how you look at it, isn't that an unreasonable deal?"
Hearing Gilka's story, Yuurai tilted her head. Exchanging the lives of subordinates for the life of their boss is simply unthinkable. It's akin to a king sacrificing their life to save two citizens.
"Well, I also think it's an unreasonable demand. If you think about it calmly, there's no way a Demon King would offer their head for mere underlings."
"Why would they even propose such a deal......?"
"There seem to be various reasons, but first of all, it appears that the original lord and other powerful figures who governed Yusef are all dead. Their relatives participated in the recent battle and seem to have been caught in that Chain of Death."
"Ahh...... So, there's no ruler now?"
"Not exactly absent, but the one in charge is a retired former Count Yuzef. Apparently, he's lost himself to rage over the deaths of his son and grandson."
In other words, the one who participated in the battle was the grandson of the former Count Yuzef. From the former Count's perspective, both his child and grandchild were killed. It's no wonder he's gone mad with anger.
He probably wouldn't listen to opinions like, 'You struck first.'
"......Well, if you kill that many, you're bound to earn hatred. When it came to Grimoire, I wiped out the entire town, so I don't think there are many left who hate me."
(If I had to say, maybe the relatives of Eleanore, who was apparently the princess of this country. Something might happen someday...... But anyway, let's put that aside.)
Yuurai corrected her slightly wandering thoughts. Tilting her head, she spoke to Gilka.
"But still, isn't this reinstated Count going too far in losing himself? Trying to negotiate with a monster who annihilated an army of ten thousand using the lives of two subordinates?"
"......Normally, you'd think so. However, it seems there's an unusual atmosphere not just with the ruler, but across the entire country. For starters, public safety has drastically deteriorated......"
According to Gilka's subordinates.
The number of soldiers has sharply decreased, and the lord lacks much power. Crime control is no longer thorough.
Additionally, due to the terror of the Demon King being nearby, many have fled. Even those who remain in the town, with nowhere to go, are driven mad by the fear of when they might be killed.
Furthermore, those who have lost family or loved ones are burning with a desire for revenge. They no longer even care about their own lives.
"......I see. So, there are hardly any calm people left in the town. The ones who remain are mostly citizens who have half-turned into a mob...... In that case, they might do incomprehensible things along with their ruler......"
"It seems so......"
"Well, I understand the situation. So, what will you do, Gilka? Are you going to come for my head for the sake of your subordinates?"
When Yuurai asked in a light joking tone, Claire generated a chilling breeze. Yuurai believed it wasn't an embodiment of killing intent, but simply the use of magic.
"......Gilka, you're not seriously going to say you'd lay a hand on Yuurai, right......?"
At Claire's chilling voice, Gilka gave a wry smile. Turning to Yuurai, she spoke in a light tone.
"I prioritize Yuurai-sama's life over my subordinates. I would never harm Yuurai-sama."
The cold air emanating from Claire dissipated. Yuurai also felt relieved.
Shrugging her shoulders, Gilka continued.
"That said, I'm not so heartless as to do nothing while my subordinates are captured. As their former leader, I'll go help them out a bit."
"Got it. But...... can I come along? I think Gilka alone is enough for the rescue, but I feel like I should show my face too."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm here to avoid scaring others, but from their perspective, I seem to be an unknown threat, which isn't good either. They don't know what I'm thinking, and not knowing when I might attack other towns only breeds fear. So, I think I should show myself and clearly declare that I have no intention of attacking other towns."
"......That might be a good idea. However, if Yuurai-sama goes, some kind of conflict is likely to arise."
"Yeah...... I'll try to minimize the damage as much as possible."
"......Understood. Then, let's prepare quickly. We'll depart as soon as possible."
"Mm."
Gilka walked away.
Seeing her off, Yuurai checked with the two beside her.
"Are you two coming?"
"......I'm coming."
Though hesitant, Lipia answered first.
"You don't have to force yourself to come along, you know? We'll probably see some unpleasant things."
"......But I'm coming. I'm going to live alongside Yuurai."
"I see. Got it. What about you, Claire?"
Claire showed a hint of hesitation.
"Is that an order to come along?"
"Hmm......"
(It's not really an order, but...... she seems to want me to say it is.)
"......Let's call it an order."
"Then, I have no choice."
(How long are we going to keep up this exchange? I feel like it's unnecessary now...... But since Claire is a former Holy Knight, maybe she wants an excuse like following orders out of necessity.)
"......Alright, let's go. Oh, Jeevy and the others can do as they please. Ceres...... shouldn't you head back already?"
"I ain't goin' back."
"Oh, okay. Well, whatever. As for...... Aquell and the others, I'll just leave them be."
Yuurai stood up and left the dining hall with Claire and Lipia in tow.
After hurriedly preparing, they left the lord's castle behind.
While walking through the snow-covered expansive courtyard, a thought struck Yuurai.
"......It's not good if there's no one left to protect the town. I'll leave some guards behind. Demon Summoning."
A sinister black-purple Magic Circle appeared in the courtyard.
After a burst of light, what emerged was a towering black demon, three meters tall. Its stern face bore two horns, and its excessively intimidating muscular body was terrifying. It held a massive battle axe in its right hand, though it wore no armor—just a piece of cloth around its waist.
Its combat strength exceeds fifty thousand, so it should be more than adequate as a guard dog.
"If there are intruders, capture them. Try not to kill them. Don't destroy the town. And protect this town and its residents."
Upon giving the instructions, the demon nodded with a grunt. It can't speak, but it understands verbal commands.
However, its intelligence isn't very high, and its fighting style is crude. Even if told not to kill, it might accidentally do so in the heat of the moment. If a battle breaks out, there might be some damage to the town.
"......It's better than having no one to protect at all, I guess."
Afterward, they met up with Gilka in the Southern District of the town.
"Let's use these for travel. Army of the Undead, small."
Once again, a black-purple Magic Circle appeared, and this time, four Skeleton horses emerged. They even came equipped with reins and saddles for easy riding.
"Alright, everyone, hop on—"
Yuurai had intended for each person to ride one Skeleton horse, but.
"Hey, Yuurai. I don't know how to ride a horse. Can I ride with you?"
"Hm? Oh, sure."
"Yay!"
(They're not real horses, so just sitting on them is enough...... Ugh, Claire's gaze is cold.)
Claire was wearing her Holy Knight armor but had removed her helmet. Her sharp gaze was fixed on Lipia.
"......Claire?"
"......What?"
"Let's ride together on the way back."
"......If that's what Yuurai wants."
Claire's expression softened.
(......It's hard keeping the balance. I should try not to increase the number of Undead too much......)
After dismissing one of the Skeleton horses, Yuurai and the others departed the town as snowflakes danced in the air.
(Things probably won't end peacefully, but I hope nothing bad happens......)