184-Episode 182: A certain knight leader's startle




 Knight of the Sun, 1st Division Commander Ault's point of view.

 --A few days ago.

You're in my way.
Grand Sage. How may I help you today, sir?
 Suddenly, the third highest-ranking person in the Highlands appeared at the meeting of the Commander of the Order of the Sun.
 Chancellor Ewain hurriedly dealt with him.

 
 It's a top-secret fact known only to a few people.
 As a vampire, he is the guardian of the Highlands, where he has lived for a thousand years.
 Even the leaders of the Order of the Sun, who boast of being the best in the Highlands, can't hide their nervousness when they are near them.

You'll be able to find out more about them.
What's that about...?
 It's rare.
 I can't remember the first time a great sage, who has no interest in power or politics, would give an order to someone.
 Perhaps it was something to do with the war, but what on earth........

''Who's going to work with the spirit user from the Water Country (Roses)?
Wow! It's me! It's 1st Division Commander Ort!
 I came forward in a hurry.
 I hadn't expected it to be about me.
 The Great Sage Master looked at me and narrowed his eyes in amusement.

''Ho? That's a lot of leeway to attach the first division. Isn't that our elite (ace). Don't you need to take it to the main battlefield?
''Of course, the main force will be working with me, the president, and the brave Lord Sakurai of Light. However, the country of the moon (Rafiroig) is not safe and many snake cultists are said to be hiding in the area. I think it is necessary to take care of our own.
 President Ewain replied stammeringly.

'Yeah, I'm sure you're right. 'Hey, 1st Division Commander,'
Ha!
 When the Great Sage Master called out to me, my body became stiff with tension.

"I'm a spirit messenger from the Land of Water (Roses)... if you're messing with the Demon King's army, you can't stop me, right?
 The instructions from the Great Sage Master were something I hadn't expected.
''........What does that mean?''
''Great Sage, this battle is a strategy to avoid unnecessary battles as much as possible. You know that, don't you?
 President Ewain added to my doubts.
 Even though he is a brave man of the Water Country (Roses), he will not be allowed to act on his own.
 Even if he wants to fight the demons, he will still follow our plan.

"Hey, Spirit Master, you've heard the stories about the Great Keith that it stopped the comet, right?
I've been informed by General Talisker about that.
 It is said that he single-handedly prevented a huge comet that could have blown up the royal capital of the Fire Nation (Great Keith).
 There are those who doubt that statement, but it was Lord Makoto who used the water magic method to swallow five thousand demons from a thousand years ago in Symphonia, the royal capital of the Highlands.
 Seeing that in front of me, I could believe the story.

I'm sure that his spirit magic has reached a range of more than ten thousand in military strength. Then there is no way to not use it, right?
 The Great Sage Master, who usually has a Buddha's face, grinned and continued to speak happily.
 On the contrary, President Ewain's expression is grim.

''Ummm ... but ...''
 Great Sage-sama's words are in direct contradiction to the policy of this operation.
 Furthermore, letting Lord Makoto, an apostle of the evil gods, play an active role in this operation, could also provoke the wrath of His Holiness the Pope, who hates the evil gods.
 Therefore, I advised the Chancellor and the Grand Sage.

'With all due respect, Grand Sage, I am afraid to tell you this. If you allow the heroic Lord Makoto of the Water Kingdom (Roses) to act alone, the military discipline will be disturbed. Therefore, let's say that the actions of the heroic Makoto-dono are 'secret orders from the Great Sage'?
It's Ort, it's...
I don't care. If they don't like it, it's fair to say that you couldn't disobey my orders.
 I suppose I was asking a lot, but the Great Sage readily agreed to it.

But I don't think that would satisfy His Holiness. It would be fine if it was just a complaint, but if it is done poorly, it could be seen as Grand Sage trying to interfere in the army and create a new faction. I know you don't like to go through all that trouble, are you sure?
 President Ewain conveyed his concerns.
 That's right.
 The nobility and the clergy of the Sun State do not like the rise of new powers.

I don't care, just silence their nonsense with performance. "I don't care, just silence your nonsense with performance.
 The Great Sage Master's voice showed a certain trust in him.
 Why would he put so much faith in a brave man from another country?

You've bought a lot of brave men from the Water Kingdom, haven't you?
 President Ewain said the words that spoke for everyone's feelings.
'Not so much, eh? If you are a brave man of light, you will not be defeated even against a hundred thousand demons. The Spirit Master isn't even close to that level yet.
 The words of the Great Sage Lord that came back were curt.
 Everyone's gaze was drawn to the 7th Division's Commander and Brave Lord of Light, Sakurai-sama.

''I don't have any experience fighting a hundred thousand demons, so it's hard to say.
 The reply from the brave Lord Sakurai of Light was a modest one.
 However, it was a reply that could be taken to mean that he intends to win if he does.
 I agree.
 This is because now, even if all the leaders of the Order of the Sun took on the Hero of Light, they would not be able to defeat him.

''Hey, don't bother with such a reply. We had to deal with a million Demon King armies a thousand years ago, remember?
 But apparently the Great Sage Master wasn't satisfied with Sakurai-sama's reply.
 He must be referring to the legendary battle in which only four savior Abel-sama's party defeated the million demon king's army.

''Great Sage-sama you're talking about the era of Savior Abel-sama, right? We know from research that the Demon Continent can't prepare an army of a million men.
 President Ewain said softly.
I am aware of that. The spirit user's magic is useful in war. It's a good idea to keep training them. You will be held accountable for your actions.
 Saying that, the Great Sage-sama left in a spatial transition (teleportation).

''.....................''
 The rest of the day was silent.
 After a few moments, President Ewain opened his mouth. 

'It's Ort.
Ha!
 President Ewain called his name and straightened his posture.

'As ordered by the Great Sage, you need not restrict the actions of the brave Lord of the Water Country. However, if it is likely to have a significant negative impact on the war situation, make a decision as the leader of the First Division and act accordingly. The army of the Water Kingdom is under the command of the Order of the Sun. They will not disobey the commander's orders.
'Ha! Yes, sir!
 If it's the Patriarch's decision, I will follow it until I comply.

'But ... what does the Great Sage have in mind?
Maybe the rumor's true.
 I heard such a voice.
 Speaking of the Great Sage's rumors I've heard them too.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
 Grinning and talking about menial topics is the commander of the 6th Division.
 It is probably because he is young in years and close to Lord Sakurai that this conversation is possible.
 Although it is somewhat inappropriate for the occasion.

''No...I don't think it's possible for Takatsuki-kun to say he's a mistress with the Great Sage, right?''
 Lord Sakurai denied it with a bitter smile.
 It seems that the hero of the Water Kingdom and Lord Sakurai are close friends from the previous world.
 It's just a rumor, after all.
 However, the Great Sage Master's concern just now was no ordinary matter.
 The other leaders are also buzzing.

''Don't believe the rumors on the street. According to the report from the Intelligence Bureau, the Great Sage has only had contact with the Water Kingdom's heroic lord three times. It has been verified that this is not such a relationship.
 President Ewain glanced over at the group leaders with a glum look and stopped them from saying anything else.

 ........I didn't know you were investigating such things.
 When you are the head of the Order of the Sun, you have to gather various information as well as military force.
 It's a difficult task.

''Then, although there have been some changes to some of the plans, let's go over the 'Northern Expedition Plan' again.
 We nodded broadly at the Patriarch's words.

 That was the conversation we had a few days ago.


 
 ◇



 -- In front of me, the heroic Lord of the Water Country, clad in stormy magic power (mana), is looking out to sea.

'Ort-san, can I chase away the demons over there?'
 What a mess.
 It's just as the Great Sage-sama said.

''Mako-dono.......have you forgotten what Esther-sama said? This war is forbidden to be carelessly handled. We must conserve our forces for the upcoming Great Demon War.
 I reminded Makoto-dono of this plan.

''Yes, but those guys think our magic can't reach them. If we're going to make a preemptive attack there, what's the point?
Can you deliver it?
 Visually, the distance from here to the Demon King's Army is about the distance from one end of the royal capital to the other.
 There are few wizards in the Order of the Sun who are capable of effective magic attacks from this distance.
 If it is possible, then it is indeed ideal.
 However..........

''That magic power (mana) won't be enough against a demon under the 10,000 Demon Kings,''
 I assured him.
 The amount of magic power that Makoto-dono borrowed from the spirits is enormous.
 However, the demons in the sea right now are under the direct control of Demon King Forneus.
 The magic power that Makoto-dono wears is more than any of the wizards in the first division, but it's still not enough to fight the demon king's army.
 That was his decision as the Commander.

''Yes, it's too good to be true.
 My words, Makoto-dono said casually. 

'Well, I'll get ready now.
What?
 I couldn't understand what he was saying. 
 Isn't that the best you can do?

 When I was unable to say anything, Lord Makoto quickly approached his companions.
 Then he turned to the Moon Priestess and said, "Princess, I need you to help me get rid of them.

'Princess, I need you to help me get rid of those guys. Can you give me a hand?
Okay, but what?
 A moon maiden with a suspicious look on her face.
 I grab that silky white hand.


 --Tuned (synchronized)


 I heard a small murmur.
 I didn't know what they were doing, but it seemed that Mako-dono's companions did as well.

'Mako?' 
What are you doing?
We'll find out soon. Here he comes. Hi...


 A thud, like a heavy blow to his stomach.
 Following that, something pierced my spine.
 The fighting spirit (aura) I was wearing was blown away and I felt as if I was standing in an extremely cold snowstorm.

(Ko, this!?!)
 When I look, I see that the moon maiden near me also has a very pale face.

''Wow, my knight! If you're going to summon the Great Spirit, say it first!
Oh, I'm sorry, Princess.
 He scratched his cheeks and laughed.

'Great Spirit of Water (Undine), hold back your magic a bit. Touch your right hand a little.'
 Makoto-dono is talking to the right side of the room, where no one is supposed to be.

 ...Oh, there is.
 Something unseen is definitely there.
 It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for, but it's not a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

 The sea is raging with high waves.
 A light rainstorm enveloped us as dimly as a fog.
 Strangely enough, it was raining only around here, and in the distant landscape, the sun's rays lit up the land as usual.

 And around Makoto-dono, an increasingly powerful magical force is swirling around the atmosphere and the earth, vibrating in small ways.
 I wouldn't be surprised if they told me that a natural cataclysm was about to occur.

''Mako-dono! What are you going to do?
 I asked, suppressing a scream.
'What?' So I'll use my magic to chase the demons away.

 No need!
 If the demon had intelligence, it would definitely run away if it felt this ridiculous magical power.
 No, it would run away on instinct.

''Well, let's go then...''
 Along with the loose words, a terrifying sense of menace dominated the area.
 I realized that it was emanating from the right hand of the Water Country's hero.



 I heard a mumbling, soliloquy.

'My knight! Just get on with it!
Look, Mako! There's a demon on the loose!
 As Lady Lucy said, even the demons under the Demon King's control are breaking up the ranks of the herd as if they were bewildered.
 They should retreat if they give it time.

''Huh? d*mn it, let me go!
Makoto-dono?
 A different kind of objective...
 You can let him go!

Takatsuki-kun, have you decided on the magic?
 Aya-dono, the brave Lord of the Fire Nation, who is the only one in this group who is keeping his composure, is looking into Mako-dono's face with his hands clasped behind his back.

''Ah, let's go with that one.''
 Nii," smiled the heroic Makoto of the Water Country, looking really happy.
 And then he stuck out his right hand in front of him and said
 What in the world is your magic....



Eternal Death Blizzard! ....they will die.



 It was the first time I had ever heard the name of magic.

 Crazy magic power (mana) manifests as magic.
 More than a thousand magic circles float irregularly in the air.
 There is no lawfulness or anything else, it's a chaotic and disorderly landscape.
 It's the complete opposite of the refined magic of the Highland wizards, which is stripped down and refined.
 It is a crude magic formula that is wasteful and wasteful.
 A miracle like Haribo, forcibly created with infinite magic power.
 And the magic was completed.

 In the next moment, everything in front of me was covered in white and silver.



''........Snow?''
 The rain that had been falling earlier had turned to snow.
 The air outside was so chilly that I wondered if the season had changed.

''Yes........''
'Wow....'
I'm cold! Takatsuki-kun!
 The voices of Mako-dono's companions were shaking.
 One of them seems to be due to the cold, though.

''Wha........what.......what?''
 And my voice was shaking too.
 My brain couldn't keep up with the scene in front of me.


 -- until beyond the horizon, the sea turned into a frozen icy land.

 In a world of pure white death, all the demons were frozen in place.