"All right, gentlemen. We are about to enter the enemy's stronghold. ......

　Just as they were about to land ......, Hercule gathered his vassals.
　Accompanying Hercule this time were Karolina, Galfis, Christos, Loukanos, Todoris, Nia, and six more than a hundred guards.

　The political situation in Lemuria is very unstable, and anything can happen.
　That's why we've gathered people who are skilled in combat.

　I'll handle Kronos Clorius with political pressure. I can handle the already disgraced Patriarch of Lemuria. The problem is Cecilia. If I were Gregory, I'd let go of Cronus Clorius, but I wouldn't let go of Cecilia.

　If Millennia's will is correct, Cecilia has already inherited the magic as a medium.
　If that's the case, I can't give Cecilia, the true heir, to Hercule.

　In exchange for giving up Cecilia, I will negotiate with ...... to secure the custody of Cronus Clorius. In the meantime, you are to find out where Cecilia is. We will rescue Cecilia when she returns home, and take her home with us.

　After stating his rather aggressive plan, Hercule concluded with a note of caution.

　As you know, Lemuria has a ward of exorcism. As you know, there is an exorcism ward in Lemuria City, and therefore, it is impossible to use necromancy.

　Exorcism wards.
　It's a special kind of magic developed by the Church of Messiah.

　In fact, spirits are demons.
　Asmodeus, with whom Hercule has a contract, is a particularly famous demon.

　According to Messianic doctrine, it is not allowed to speak with demons.

　However, when the Messianic religion was recognized by the Lemurian Empire, it was decided that it would be inappropriate to continue to use ...... spirits as demons.
　Therefore, the doctrine was changed to say that spirits are spirits and not demons.

　Or they are demons, but they are good demons, so they are safe.
　This is sometimes explained by mysterious theories.

　To begin with, the seventy-two demons that Hercule, Carolina, and the others have contracts with were originally used by the Great King of the Six Star Sect, the origin of Messianism.

　But no matter how good the excuse is, a demon is still a demon and will be rejected by the exorcism wards.

　So it's your job, ...... Nia, to rescue Cecilia. Do you understand?
　Yes, Your Majesty. Yes, Your Majesty. I know, ...... and I will save her.

　Nia nodded.

　In the event that you are not able to use spirit magic, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages of throwing in high status people like Karolina and Galfis.
　But Nia, although she was the daughter of Loukanos, was still his adopted son, and she was also a Nightmare.

　And even if we cut her off, it won't affect the national government.

　And she has ......
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

　And ...... Christos, you are to stay out of Lemuria City and protect the ship. Galfis, you're to wait outside Lemuria City with a hundred men. I'll take about 20 guards. Carolina, Loukanos, Todris, and Nia will enter Lemuria City with me.

　Hercule gave the final instructions: ......
　They finally landed at the outer harbor, a short distance from Lemuria City.







　By the time Hercule arrived in Lemuria, Kronos' execution was only three days away.
　At the back of the Lemurian Cathedral, Gregorius was waiting for him.

　"Welcome, Hercule (・・・・・・)!　Let us welcome you.

　Hercule frowned in displeasure.
　Hercule had never given this man permission to call him by his name.

　I don't remember giving you permission not to use honorifics.

　But ...... telling him not to call me by my name here is not mature.

　So Hercule smiled.

　"Oh, thank you for inviting me. You may refer to me as Hercule ....... Gregorius.

　With that, Hercule gave a very friendly smile and patted Gregorius on the shoulder.
　Of course, with the strength of the elves, it was not a pat but a tap.

　Gregorius' face scrunched up.

　However, it was Gregorius who had first called Hercule "His Majesty Hercule".
　He could not blame him, and could only smile bitterly.

　(You long-eared monkey. ...... I'll excommunicate you.)
　(You've got some nerve calling me by my name. The only people who are allowed to call me by my name are my father, mother, god, the previous princess miko (medium), Carolina, Cecilia, Sasan VIII, and Ikan Kagan.

　That's a lot.

　Now, it's not a good idea to talk about politics right after meeting.
　So, a dinner party was held that day.

　"Oh no, Mr. Gregorius!　Mr. Gregorius!

　At the dinner table, Hercule was talking to Gregorius in a very friendly manner.
　To the casual observer, he seemed like a very nice guy.

　But Karolina, Lucanos and the others felt like they were on a bed of needles.
　That was because all the Lemurian clergy, including Gregory, looked very unhappy.

　At first, they were angry at the rude monk for calling their lord by name, but ......
　However, Hercule's attitude made me feel afraid of him.

　There is such a thing as TPO in this world.
　If you are too friendly, you will be very rude to the other person.

　Of course, Hercule knew that.

　If I scolded him to respect the TPO, Hercule would reply with a strange look.

　You do know what you're doing.



　"Well, it's good to drink with you, Gregorius!　Come on, Gregorius, have a drink!　
　No, no, no. ...... I've had enough. ......
　What are you talking about?　What are you talking about? You haven't had a drink at all since last time!

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.
　He says he hasn't drunk at all, but two bottles of wine have already been emptied.

　(Is he drunk?)

　Todoris asked Karolina in a whisper.
　Karolina shook her head.

　(I don't know, ......, I've never seen you drunk.)

　Lucanos gave a small shake of his head and agreed with Karolina.

　(Me too. He's a strong man. ...... It's obvious that he's faking his drunkenness. He's probably trying to get Gregorius drunk and out of sorts before the meeting tomorrow.

　He's a genius when it comes to annoying people.
　He's a genius when it comes to annoying people, thought Carolina, Loukanos and Todoris.

　(((I'm glad I'm your subject ......)))


　By the time the meeting was over, Gregorius was completely drunk.
　As a result, Cecilia's left middle toe nail was saved, which was a good thing.






　Meanwhile, Nia was canvassing the city of Lemuria.
　Her goal was to find out where Cecilia was.

　Lemuria City, though desolate, was still home to its citizens.
　Naturally, many of them were sympathetic to Cecilia.

　Among them, I was able to obtain some powerful information.

　According to ...... Gregory has a taste for tyranny.
　He has a torture chamber in the basement of his ...... villa.
　He says that ...... suspected heretics are regularly brought there and that they always confess.
　...... Kronos Clorius was also taken there.
　Says ...... Someone was taken there seventeen days ago.

　Near decided that it was most likely Cecilia who was taken in.

　And ......



　"Come on, spit it out!
　"Ugh. ......

　He kidnapped one of the soldiers who had been going in and out of the villa and lynched him in an alleyway.
　Beat him, kick him, kick him in the head.
　No mercy.

　In Nia's mind, Erukyuu-sama is absolute justice, and anyone who disobeys Erukyuu-sama or interferes with him is absolute evil.
　And it is right to use the power of justice to defeat evil.

　For the sake of Erukyuu-sama, any action is permissible.

　He is gagged and cannot speak, but ......
　The soldier shakes his head.
　Nia took that to mean a negative.

　Oh, well, ...... that's too bad.

　Near smiled a lecherous smile and ......
　He kicked the soldier in the groin as hard as he could.

　Butch.

　Something that should not be crushed was crushed.


　"！！！！！！

　The soldier turned white and fainted.
　But Nia punched the soldier in the face again and again, forcing him to wake up again.

　I've just crushed the right side. I'm thinking of crushing the left side as well since it's unbalanced.　If you want me to crush it, just shake your head, if you don't want me to, just shake your head?

　Nia gave a cute smile.
　The soldier cried and shook his head.

　Nia removes the gag.
　But since Nia's foot is still wedged between the soldier's legs,......, a shout would immediately put all of Nia's weight on the foot and cause the soldier to lose his reproductive function.

　Well, there's no doubt ...... that Cecilia Peter is locked up. She's suspected of having intercourse with the devil!
　Are you sure?
　It's true!　Trust me. ......
　Really? ......

　Nia smiled and ......
　He gagged the soldier again.

　He kicks the soldier in the groin as hard as he can.

　Boom!

　The left side was crushed.
　Fortunately or unfortunately, he did not faint this time.

　He ungagged the sobbing, sniveling soldier. ......
　Nia whispers in the soldier's ear.

　"You're lying to me, aren't you?
　"No, I'm not!　I'm telling you the truth. ...... You have to believe me!

　It seems to be true.
　Nia nodded in satisfaction. ......

　He drew his sword and killed the soldier.

　"Please dispose of this.

　Nia ordered the men assigned by Hercule to dispose of the soldier's body.
　Soon after this, the bodies of the soldiers will be dismembered and washed into the river that runs through the city.



　"Well, ......, even if it's just one soldier, it's still a mess if he disappears. We have to save him by the day after tomorrow. ......

　Then Nia looked up at the sky ......
　I'm sorry," he muttered.

　I'm not going to let you die until you ...... apologize to me.