Part 3

The news of a demihuman alliance one that comprised a massive army crushing the strongest central fortress and its vast quantities of soldiers, then subsequently crossing the wall, had already begun spreading throughout the Holy Kingdom.

The leader of the demihuman alliance was called the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth.

He was a demon who had caused great havoc in the Kingdom, and he had used powerful magic to shred the wall like tissue paper.

The demihuman alliance was made up of eighteen species, and their numbers were estimated in excess of one hundred thousand. This army of demihumans was now focused on destroying the walls and fortifications, and their advance had ground to a halt.

After learning this, the leader of the Holy Kingdom the Holy Queen issued a general mobilization order to the entire nation.

Since the Holy Kingdoms territory was stretched around the northern and southern edges of a central bay, any mobilized forces would naturally be formed into two armies the Northern Holy Kingdom Army and the Southern Holy Kingdom Army.

The armies each moved towards their own important locations the city of Kalinsha in the north, and the city of Debonei in the south where they spied on the enemys movements for several days.

The reports they received from the troops observing the wall made the situation even more pressing.

The demihuman alliance, in all its strength, was moving west

They would reach the northern fortress city of Kalinsha in a few days

Really now? So this place is going to become a battlefield after all

The speaker was the Holy Queen, Calca Bessarez.

Due to her low place in the order of succession only males had inherited the Holy Kingdom until now she should never have taken the position of Holy Queen. However, due to two qualities she had, the crown had eventually been placed upon her brow.

The first was her beautiful looks. Her face was as beautiful as a freshly-bloomed flower, filled with cuteness and dignity, and it was praised as the treasure of Roble, while her radiant, vibrant long hair was like threads of spun gold. Since it resembled an angels halo, many who saw her gentle smile went on to describe her as a saint.

The other quality was her excellence as a divine magic caster. She was a genius who could use fourth tier spells at the tender age of fifteen, and she had ascended to the throne with the firm backing of the previous Holy King and the temples.

Almost ten years had passed since then, while certain voices disapproved of her excessive kindness, she had not made any mistakes which could be considered critical and thus she had ruled the Holy Kingdom to this day. However, this rule was not solid, and embers smoldered out of sight.

I understand your sadness, Calca-sama, but the people who live in Kalinsha do so because they have prepared themselves for a day like this. In the past, there was also ahem, that battle, where this city was the heart of the fighting. Thats why the walls here are even taller and sturdier than anywhere else.

The person trying to console her was a woman with brown hair.

While she was as beautiful as the Holy Queen, her eyes contained a cold, razor-sharp look, like the edge of a blade. She was dressed in a suit of silvery full plate armor and a surcoat. These were the traditional vestments of the Paladin Orders Captain, an ancient article of magical masterwork. The most important thing was the sword at her waist, whose name was known to everyone in the Holy Kingdom.

It was renowned as one of the four Holy Swords, the holy sword Safalrisia.

One of the Thirteen Heroes, known as Black Knight, was said to have carried four swords the evil blade Hyumilis, the demonic blade Kilineyram, the blade of rot Crocdabal, and the fatal blade Sfeiz. This was one of the four swords which existed as a counterpart to them. Incidentally, the other three holy swords were known as the sword of law, the sword of justice, and the sword of life.

Wielding a powerful sword often led to one becoming drunk on its power and neglecting the fundamentals of swordsmanship. Therefore, the fact that she carried that sword which she would normally never carry was a sign of her unshakable determination to join the upcoming battle, and to win it.

Her name was Remedios Custodio.

She was a close friend of Calca, and as the strongest Captain of the order in history, a feat founded upon her fighting prowess. She was White of the Nine Colors.

Yup, yup. And weve also sent all the noncombatants off to take shelter so there wont be casualties among them. Rather, dont you think the more pressing problem after the war will be the expenses incurred during the fighting?

The person going ufufufufu in an indecent way was a woman.

While the shape of her eyes and mouth varied slightly, her face still bore a close resemblance to that of Remedios. However, those faint differences were enough to change the impression others had of her. She always looked like she was plotting something or in less polite terms, that she was surrounded by a sinister air.

She was Remedioss sister, younger than her by two years, Queralt Custodio.

She was the high priestess of the temples, and leader of the priesthood.

It was public knowledge that she could use divine magic of the fourth tier.

However, that was but a deception; those close to her knew that she could cast fifth tier spells.

Incidentally, she was not one of the Nine Colors. While the temples were under the Holy Queen, it was government policy not to bestow a Color title on one of their number in order to avoid problems with the balance of power.

These sisters were known as the genius Custodio sisters, the twin wings of the Holy Queen.

Until now, many nobles had their doubts about Calcas ascension to the throne as a female, and they wondered if she had done something with or to the sisters. Therefore, they often spoke ill of all three of them at the same time.

While many rumors about them had been cleared up, one particular piece of gossip remained. All three of them were unmarried without so much as a male lover and so it was said that their relationship was anything but ordinary. However much Calca denied it, she could not shake herself free of that rumor, and it was a major source of frustration for her.

Just hearing that gives me a headache. Its pretty bad that we wont stand to gain anything even if we win.

Still, they say that the demihumans this time round are outfitted pretty well. Why not sell their gear?

Thats right you know I cant approve of that, nee-sama. Lets say we wanted to sell their armor where would we sell it? You havent thought about that, have you? We can only sell them overseas, but demihuman armor isnt going to command anything but bargain basement prices. Besides, we ought to avoid strengthening other countries arsenals until the destroyed wall is rebuilt. In particular, I hope they dont fall into the hands of the Sorcerous Kingdom.

Huh? You dont like the Sorcerous Kingdom? Ive never heard you say that in court, though.

No priest would like them. Youre the same way too, right, Calca-sama?

Calca pondered the matter. As part of the clergy and the Holy Queen, she disliked them. However, as a head of state

A kings duty is to love his nation, love his people, and grant them peace. As long as he does that, it should be fine, right?

The sisters looked at each other in front of Calca.

Love? No way. Could an undead being ever think like that?

I agree with nee-sama. The undead I dont think they could love like you do, Calca-sama.

The two of you are harsh. Still, you cant just badmouth people without even seeing them, right?

The puzzled looks on their faces looked very similar. Calca mused that they were siblings after all, and after quelling the smile on her face, her voice turned serious.

What did your adjutants say? Queralt, tell me our plan for dealing with Jaldabaoth.

The Holy Queen did not take part in strategy meetings. Instead, she went around the soldiers to boost their morale. While the Holy Kingdoms troops were better trained than those of other nations, they were ultimately conscripts. It was important to motivate them.

Yes. Were already discussing how to deal with situations where the demihumans encircle this city, bypass it, advance to the south, split up to accomplish different objectives, and so on.

It was times like these that reaffirmed her belief that the sisters were similar, but not alike. If she had asked the elder sister that question, the answer she would get would make her want to grab her head in frustration.

I see then, which possibility do you think is the most likely?

Given the invasion path of the demihumans so far, its most likely that they will choose to encircle this city. However, there is a problem with that.

Mm, yes.

What do you mean?

Remedios had not participated in the meetings either, given that she was Calcas bodyguard. However, the fact that she had not grasped the answer which the Holy Queen had instantly realized was due to another problem.

Nee-sama. Im talking about the demon who wrought havoc in the Kingdom, Jaldabaoth. While theres no telling how smart he is, demons are skilled at schemes and trickery. He might adopt a plan we did not foresee.

I see the adjutants who have to handle strategy and planning sure have it tough

While there was much she wanted to say to the leader of the Paladin Order, Calca resisted the urge to do so

This is quite vexing. Then, if the demihumans encircle this city, what will happen after that? While food supplies are ample, fighting a defensive siege is going to wreak horrors on morale. Have you considered that as well?

Yes. Normally, all we would have to do is wait for reinforcements from the south to arrive, but we have reports saying that Jaldabaoth used a mysterious power to destroy the wall in a single blow. As long as that tremendous factor of uncertainty in play

The three of them frowned as one.

Anyone would be upset when they thought of what had happened to the wall, but Calca knew what was going on.

Remedios was simply imitating what the other two had done.

Remedios did not like to think, and she was a very stubborn person. That was a flaw, but it was also the reason that she could embody absolute justice.

The nature of justice was difficult to contemplate. For instance, imagine if there were two children, one human and one demihuman. Being pure and innocent, they became friends. However, if the demihuman child was discovered by adults, he would be locked up, and the human child would plead for his life. However, if they let the demihuman child go, he might grow up to become a threat to humanity. Was killing the demihuman child just or unjust? This was not a question that could be easily answered.

Calca would have spared him without any hesitation.

Remedios, however, would kill him without any doubts. In addition, she would insist that she was righteous, and not feel a shred of guilt about it. In her heart, anything she did for the sake of the nation and people was acceptable.

When she took the throne of the Holy Queen, Calca had declared to her two close friends, I will grant happiness to the smallfolk, and make a country where nobody will cry. In response, she had said, I will support you and uphold your just cause. With that pledge in her heart, she was more forthright than anyone else, her heart filled with conviction, and the light in her eyes was like that of a fanatic.

Someone like that was clearly dangerous, yet Calca did not distance herself from her friend. The righteous impulses of loving others, loving peace, hating evil, and the desire to aid the weak were all things she ought to welcome.

And it was because of that nature of hers that what she thought and what she did were the same. Because she did not think about her words, everything she said came from her heart.

Any organization particularly those that had stood for a long time would become sluggish due to worries and cares. In addition, their original purity of purpose would tarnish and grow dim.

Since power rested in the hand of one person, it was only natural that power struggles would take place. Even if a victor was decided, the battle against suspicion, jealousy, and fear would continue, until one side eventually perished.

Calca had been freed from this curse halfway though. That was because she had attained magical power that ranked highly even when compared to the past generations of Holy Kings. Others had lauded her for it, and her heart was at ease. Therefore, Calca could put aside her mental preparations to take the throne of the Holy Queen, but her brothers did not feel the same way.

There was only one elder brother among her relatives whom she could trust: Caspond.

Since she lived like this all this time, Remedios was a spiritual oasis for Calca.

Umu. Such unbelievable power makes me think of the might of the Demon Gods from the stories.

Nee-sama, even the Demon Gods werent this powerful. For all we know, Jaldabaoth might be a being superior to the Demon Gods.

What a pain. Then how shall we beat him?

What are you worrying about, Calca-sama! They say he was defeated by the adamantite ranked adventurers of the Kingdom. Dont you think we could do the same too?

That is true. If adventurers comparable to us could do it but the problem now lies in whether or not Jaldabaoth can repeatedly use that power which brought down the wall.

On that note, the adjutants feel that given the wall was only struck once, he ought to have problems using it in succession.

Thats understandable. If he could use it repeatedly, then he could have just done so. He didnt because he could only attack once.

Calca agreed with Remedioss opinion. If there was a way to do it, there was no reason not to repeatedly use that attack.

It was the same with Calca. She lightly stroked the crown she wore. It was a magic item that was the binding focus for the grand ritual spell that had been passed down through the Holy Kingdom, the Last Holy War.

Well, we can conscript high ranking adventurers, the kind who are used to defeating monsters and the like, as part of mobilizing our people. If we muster up our full fighting power, Jaldabaoths hardly an unbeatable foe. The fact is, hes already been defeated once before.

The Adventurers Guild had strongly protested the conscription of adventurers into the army, but Calca had not revoked her order. It was only to be expected this was a matter of national importance, and splitting their strength was foolish in the extreme. In addition, the Adventurers Guild was hardly as powerful as the Holy Kingdom itself, so forcing them to obey was a simple task.

Thats true. Though I guess we failed in that we didnt gain detailed intelligence about Jaldabaoths activities in the Kingdom.

I apologize for that.

No, I didnt mean that, Queralt. Youre not at fault. The blame lies with me, since I didnt pay attention to news about other countries.

Certainly not, Calca-sama. Its definitely Queralts fault.

Nee-sama

Well, its certainly not my fault. I did my job by protecting Calca-sama and clearing away monsters! I didnt mess up in my job. Thats what they call making appropriate use of talent!

Remedios puffed up her chest and hmphed in triumph.

She was correct to say so. That said, it still bothered her.

Could it be that Jaldabaoth was behind those incidents where all the people from several villages went missing?

That might be the case

Some time ago, the residents of quite a few villages had all gone missing. In the end, they had not managed to collect any information pointing to a culprit, but it was possible that Jaldabaoth was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

In that case, we need to sort this out before we defeat Jaldabaoth. Speaking of which, if only the Kingdom had properly finished him off, we wouldnt have had trouble like this did Gazef Stronoff fight him?

Queralt looked at Calca with a puzzled look on her face.

Her eyes seemed to be asking, Didnt you tell Nee-sama about it? Therefore, Calca gave her an answer which laid those doubts to rest, and then she smiled tiredly.

Translated, it meant, Of course I told her. I told her about how Jaldabaoth attacked the Royal Capital, how the adventurers defeated Jaldabaoth, the other demons that appeared, and how the Warrior-Captain defeated them all. I told her everything so it must have been squeezed out by other things and gone in one ear and out the other.

I really feel sorry for Nee-samas Vice-Captains.

Hm? Why are you talking about them all of a sudden?

Queralt did not answer that question, instead curling a lock of hair around her finger.

Since Remedios did not do any thinking, then there had to be someone to cover her ass. That would be them.

She could keenly appreciate the suffering they went through. However, Remedioss innocence or stupidity, if one were not inclined to be polite also had a healing effect on the soul, so the positives and negatives cancelled each other out.

Hah. I only know the rough details, but apparently, he fought with another demon, which was covered in scales.

Really now. Well, if he had defeated Jaldabaoth, things wouldnt have ended up like this. Or dont tell me those adamantite ranked adventurers are stronger than him?

Im not too sure about that, but I think that might be the case.

Remedios frowned in distaste.

She was probably unhappy because someone whose strength she had acknowledged was being slighted by someone else.

Well, all he knows is how to use a sword. If he had anti-demon attacks like we do, things would probably have been different.

In pure fighting power, paladins were a notch below warriors. However, that was not the case when fighting evil beings. Remedios was right, but Queralt still sighed quietly.

Just then, Calca imagined that she had heard the sound of bells.

Remedios immediately sprang into action. At times like this, she was still the first to act.

She flung open the windows.

The early autumn air flowed in, and the air warmed by their three bodies flowed out.

The bracing, cool air brought with it the sound of ringing bells. That was proof that what she had heard earlier was not a ghost sound caused by her ears ringing. No, it would have been much better if she had just misheard things.

At the same time, she heard the sound of several footsteps from the hallway.

Calca-sama, please stand behind me.

Remedios quickly drew the holy sword Safalrisia and moved up, putting herself between Calca and the door.

The door opened with a pon.

Your Majesty!

She recognized the first man to enter the room as he shouted at the top of his voice he was the chief of staff.

What happened? Why are you in such a rush?

Remedioss voice carried a hint of rebuke, and the chief of staff replied in a clearly disconcerted tone.

There was no time to slowly walk over! Your Majesty! Its Jaldabaoth! Jaldabaoths appeared inside the city! Hes begun destroying the city with many demons in tow! Also, the demihumans have made their move! It looks like theyre advancing on this place!

What did you say!?

Weve sighted the demihuman army in the vicinity. We dont know how they deceived our sentries, but we were fed false information! The fightings going to start any moment now!

While the sudden excess of information confused her, that lasted for only a second. Calca immediately resumed her queenly demeanor and gave orders.

While this is a great departure from our plans, we will begin combat with Jaldabaoth now. While we stall him, prepare to engage the demihuman army. Convey my orders to the adventurers!

As she heard her subordinates words, the doubts in Calcas heart flooded back again.

Had she underestimated Jaldabaoth?

Of course, she had no intention of underestimating the demon who could easily destroy the wall. But was the feeling that she could beat him a mistake in itself? Would it not have been better to fall back until they had finished learning about their enemy?

No. Calca waved away the budding weakness in her heart.

If they did not fight now, then when would they fight? While it was important to know the enemy, now was the only chance they had to strike with all their might. After this, the attrition of battle would deplete their resources, and it would become more and more difficult to muster the power they could command now.

In addition, continuously retreating until they had completed their intelligence-gathering operations was essentially permitting their country to be trampled underfoot.

If that were the case, an unimaginable number of her citizens would end up suffering.

I will let the smallfolk live their days in happiness, and make this a country where nobody will be hurt.

Indeed, Calca-sama!

All smiles, Remedios followed up on Calcas self-directed mutterings.

However, those were words she had spoken in the past, before she knew the truth of the world. Things being what they were now, it seemed a nigh-impossible aim to achieve.

Hmph! Hes gotten cocky now that hes crossed the wall, but to think he didnt bring his demihuman army with him! Remedios fumed angrily.

Was it really like that? No, it ought to have been that way. Yet, she could not peel away the undeniable sense that something was wrong which coiled around her heart.

Dont lower your guard, okay? Is this the way you ought to be treating an opponent of such power?

Of course, Calca-sama! I dont intend to be careless at all! With this holy sword, I shall relieve the demon of his head and present it to you!

No good. I cant calm her down any more.

That was what Calca thought, but she was not worried about her. That was because Remedios was a different person when she stepped onto the battlefield.

Ahh~ theres no need to bother with the head, but your loyalty makes me very happy. In that case, regarding the plan to defeat Jaldabaoth can you buy us some time?

But of course. Your servant has already dispatched an advance force to carry out our plans.

At that moment, Calca felt a dull ache in her heart. That was because carrying out that order was actually sending them out to die. The soldiers would be going out to fight Jaldabaoth, despite having no chance of victory.

One of her duties as a monarch was to trade the lives of the few for the survival of the many. Therefore, she could not weep or wail here. The soldiers were giving their lives for her, so she would need to put on a show to convince them that this was a glorious assignment.

She would have to play the part of the supreme queen, the Holy Queen who was respected above all others.

In that case, lets head out!

The ringing clap of her hands was the signal for everyone to make their move.