--Highland Castle, large conference room.

'What's going on!　Why would the Demon King's army attack first!
　The Highland Prince is tapping the floor with his shoe in an irritated tone.
　

　The other sides have similar expressions.
　They are all nervous and tense.

　After receiving the news that the Demon King's army is on the march, the brave men, priestesses, royalty and nobles of each country will gather again.
　However, Friae-san must not get tangled up again, so she is staying at the inn.
　Sa-san and Lucy are with her, so she'll be safe if she stays at the inn.　
　One point of concern is the movement of Esther, the Goddess of Destiny's priestess, but she didn't seem to be interested in me.

''Esther-san, I'll check it out.''
'Yes, Master Noel. What is it?
　Princess Noel's tense voice rang out.

''The Great Demon King is only a-ha-ha-ha, but he's not a-ha-ha-ha-ha. Are you sure?
''There's no doubt about it. There's still time for the resurrection of the Great Demon Lord. This march must be an impatience on their part.
　Priestess Esther's voice is as calm and collected as before.

''I don't understand. What is there to rush about?''
　The Great Sage Master, who did not participate in the last meeting, was sullenly holding his cheekbones.

''Come on, I don't know what the lowly demon race is thinking. However, this is an opportunity. This time, the Demon King's army has dispersed its forces. The Dragon King Ashtaroth isn't participating in this event.
　Priestess Esther has a spare look on her face.
　As if to say that the Demon King's army's march is not a big deal.

If that thing gets serious, a country will be destroyed in one night.
　The Great Sage-sama's murmur makes the air in the conference room even heavier.

''The strongest demon king, Ashtaroth, who is said to have been unable to defeat even Saviour Abel-sama.......''
　General Talisker continued in a grave tone.
''There's a theory that he was on par with the Great Demon King... although I'm sure the rumors are exaggerated by the quicksilver...''
　It was someone from the Five Holy Nobles who said in a joking tone.

''Well, he's not part of the Demon King's army this time. Instead, do you have a good plan to deal with the Demon King's army of the 'King of Beasts' and the 'Sea Devil King'?
　Another Five Saint Nobleman appealed to the others in a flipped-out voice.

''I will speak to you about that.
　The one who came forward was Esther, the priestess of the Goddess of Fate.
　........Isn't someone from the Highlands going to be in charge?

"You couldn't foresee the Demon King's army's advance this time, could you, Mister Esther?
　The First Prince of the Highlands, in a sarcastic tone, agitated Esther.

''Prince Gaius. I have been anticipating this march. I just minimized the number of people to tell, so as not to cause unnecessary confusion. I've said to His Majesty the Highland King, His Holiness the Pope, the Grand Sage, Princess Noel, and the Chancellor of the Order of the Sun.
　Heh.........so that's why you have a comfortable attitude.

I'm not worthy of being told.
　The prince spat bitterly and clicked his tongue.
　Esther, the miko, smiled back.
　''You're so brazen.

''I was able to predict the advance of the Demon King's army this time. Moreover, there is no great demon king among the enemies this time. It's natural since he hasn't been resurrected. Therefore, I'd rather see this as an opportunity to break the corner of the three Demon Kings. I'm aware of the Demon King's army's movements with my fate magic and future vision. Based on that, I asked President Ewain of the Order of the Sun and General Talisker of the Fire Nation to come up with a plan of action.

　At Estelle's words, the people in the large conference room exclaimed in admiration, "Oh!
　Certainly, if it is a strategy based on future vision, there is nothing more reassuring than that.

''Well, then, I'd like to hear from President Ewain about that strategy, but first.
　The priestess Esther turned her head towards Princess Noel.

''Lady Noel. I would like to advise you. You must take the 'Test of the Saint' now. I'm sure you will be able to become a 'saint' now.
''But.......I can't leave the royal capital under such circumstances.... Besides, I had another ordeal half a year ago, but I couldn't give the 'oracle' from the Sun Goddess.
　Suddenly, Esther, the priestess, had a word in her mouth that was unfamiliar to her.

'Sophia. What is the 'Trial of the Saint'?
　I sneaked a question to Princess Sophia next to me.

''You know about one of Savior Abel's companions, 'Saint Anna', who defeated the Great Demon King a thousand years ago, right?　Originally a priestess of the sun, Anna-sama overcame the Sun Goddess' ordeal to become a 'saint' and save her savior, Abel. Princess Noel has undergone that ordeal several times...
You mean you haven't cleared it yet?
　Princess Sophia gave a small nod of her head in a small way.
　Princess Noel is the next king of the Highlands and an important figure in the Goddess Church.
　Probably the same or even more strenuous work as Princess Sophia, but they're even making her undergo such an ordeal.......

''Can't another priestess do that?''
　Even if it's not the busy Princess Noel, isn't that exactly what Esther should do?

'The saint must be united with the brave men of light, right?　Mako.
　Princess Sophia shook her head.

(Uh ..., no then.)

　It has been decided that Sakurai-kun, the brave man of light, will have Princess Noel as his opponent.
　While we were having this conversation, the agenda had moved on to the next topic.
It seems that the topic of "The Trial of the Saint" has been put on hold.


''With that, I will now inform you of the formation of the Allied Forces that will intercept the Demon King's Army.
　A low voice, well-passed, echoed through the large conference room.
　The owner of the voice was General Ewain Bradnock, the general of the Highland State Army.

''First of all, brave and courageous Mr. Sakurai, please go with the Great Sage to the Begg Coast in the northern part of the Land of Commerce (Cameron). There, the 'King of Beasts' and the main force of the enemy should be there.
　President Ewain, the organization is being read out.
　An important piece of information suddenly came out of nowhere.
　Just when I thought I couldn't miss this, I was tapped on the shoulder from next to me.

'Military operations will be announced in the order of the Sun Country (Highland) and the Fire Country (Great Keith). Probably the Land of Water (Roses) will be last.
　Princess Sophia whispered in my ear.
　It seems that the weakest water country (Roses) in terms of military strength is treated as too much.
　So, if I'm going to be the last person to be called by my name.

"Wait, wait, wait!　Why does the brave Lord of Light need to go out first⁉ The brave Lord of Light should stay in King's Landing and the advance party should reduce the Demon King's power.
　It's the First Prince of the Highlands who is making a lot of noise again.　
　It's an act that interrupts the meeting, but

(Isn't that a pretty decent opinion?)
　I agreed with Oji's opinion.
　Isn't it dangerous to throw Sakurai-kun, the "Hero of Light", who is the trump card, into the game?

''That's because the enemy thinks that way too, Prince Gaius. They don't expect that Sakurai-sama, the reincarnation of the Savior, the 'Brave Man of Light', will be the first to arrive. And the Demon King Zagan, who is originally located deep in the Demon Continent, is coming in a heartbeat. There's no way to miss this.
　The one who answered was Esther the priestess.

''.......Doesn't that mean the Demon Lord is there?''
He will be there. I have a clear view through my fate magic and future vision.
"But you don't have to be a brave lord of light to be the first...
''Being a poor warrior will only give the enemy momentum. Besides, if the Demon King is wounded, he will immediately retreat to the Demon Continent. In my future vision, this is the only time we have.
....
　The prince was debunked.
　It's useless to argue with him when he gives out a fate magic/future vision.

''May I?　Then, next....
　Once again, President Ewain made an announcement about the organization of the army.

　A moment later, a voice came from the audience.

A question, President. I know that the army of Zagan is advancing from the direction of the land of commerce (Cameron). Who is going to deal with the Sea Devil Forneus?
　The voice was Gerald Ballantyne, the brave man of lightning.

(Not at all like his usual thug tone!)
　You should have done that on a routine basis.

"Hit me where Forneus the Sea Demon King appears. My "Sword of Thunder" will pass through if it's a water-based demon king. I'll kill you to death!''
　Oh, we're back to the usual Jera.

''Hey, kid, have you forgotten what happened last time you lost to the Spirit Master? Have you forgotten what happened last time you lost to the Spirit Master?　The water magic would have gotten to you, though.
'Yuck, I've grown up since then. I won't lose anymore, old lady!　Ugh!
　It was the Great Sage who called Jera-san a monk.　
　And Jera-san is being kicked away by the Great Sage.
　It's kind of contrived only over there.
　And because Grand Sage-sama called him a genie messenger, my eyes were drawn to this side.

''Gerald-sama. We can't defeat 'King of the Sea Demon (Forneus)' in this war.
　It was Esther, another miko, who broke into the contrast.
'Ah?　Why not?!
　Jera is barking.
　Shouldn't you get up first?
　You're still in the same position that the Great Sage kicked you out of?

Sea Devil Forneus' doesn't really invade the western continent. The demons under Forneus' command attack cities on the continent's shores and then return to the sea. No movement to land and invade deeply is in sight.
So it's a diversion.
　President Ewain took over Esther's words.

''The aim is probably to prevent the six-nation coalition from coming together. In Master Estelle's future vision, she sees only the appearance of demons under the control of the Sea Demon King (Forneus) in several coastal cities on the continent.
''Gerald-sama, I will ask you to go to the place where the King of the Sea Demons (Forneus) is most likely to be located among them. Is that all right?
Okay.
　At Estelle's words, Jera nodded, slightly dissatisfied.

　The announcement about the formation of the army continued.

''Prince Leonard, the brave prince of the ice and snow, along with the army of the woodland.......''
　Oh, Prince Leonard seems to be working with the tree country.
　If you're the brave Maximilian of the Wind Tree, it's safe.

''That's all. ........Any questions?
　President Ewain folded the paper he was reading from.
　Huh?

Oh, wait!　There is another brave man in the water country!
　Princess Sophia shouted out in a panic.

'Foolishly, giving a role to the Messenger of the Evil One. You don't know when they will cut your head off in your sleep.'
　Staring at us is the Pope of the Goddess Church.

''Well as far as I'm concerned, this is not the time to preserve our forces, but...''
　President Ewain softly took our side.

'Sir Chancellor, you have an opinion about the Pope!
I'm afraid that's a little out of line.
　I quickly pulled back.
　As I recall, the Pope is the second greatest person in the Land of the Sun.
　I suppose I don't have a choice.
　Above the Pope is.....

"Sofia, is there no king in the Land of the Sun (Highlands)?
　I visited something that had been bothering me for a while.
　The King of Highland, the supreme head of the Land of the Sun, doesn't show up much.
''His Majesty, the King of the Sun Country (Highland)........is not feeling well. He probably won't show up....
　Is there a problem?
　I don't think we can count on it.
　At this rate, we'll be out of this war.


　He can escape from the dangerous battlefield.

''Your Holiness, Pope, he is also a brave man of Roses. It would be a shame to leave the forces at play. Let's leave a suitable area of the frontier to him. It's an area where some demon hordes will come to the diversion anyway, so it will be just right for a dewdrop.
　Priestess Esther gave her opinion to the Pope.
　No, no, no, I wouldn't listen to the opinion of a priestess from another country....

Well it's not much of a choice.
　Oh, come on, the Pope's broken.
　And it seems I'm going to be sent off to battle after all.

So, where is Roses' heroic lord headed...

　The place I was told was the name of a town I'd never heard of.
　Well, I heard it's in the middle of nowhere.
　I'll ask Princess Sophia or Lucy later.

　Thus, the long meeting was over.



　◇



　Princess Sophia remains at the Highland Castle, apparently to talk with Princess Noel and her friends.
　I returned to the inn and told my companions about these plans.

'Cornet?　You're going to that city!　I get it!
　Sa-san was the first to reply cheerfully.
　He had nothing but peace and leisure while he was away.

'A cornet...'
　Lucy tilted her head and looked at Friae-san, as if something was bothering her.
　Friere-san folded her arms with a grim face after hearing me speak.

''Princess?　What's wrong?
　There was no reply from Furiae-san to my question.

'Makoto, Cornet is not the name of a city.... A thousand years ago, the name of the most prosperous city in the lunar country of Rafiroig was Cornet. But now that place is.....
　It was Lucy who answered instead.
　However, she didn't finish and cut off her words to muddle through.

'Well, the wizard is right, Cornet isn't a city. It's a rubble-filled ruin.''
　Mr. Furiae opened his mouth heavily.

'The deceased city of Cornet the place where I was born and raised.