Read The Legendary Rebuilding of a World by a Realist Demon King

171 - - Now, Ismaria Castle

Back

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Having won the battle in the field, we will lay siege to the castle of Ismaria.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Although we are in small numbers, the morale of the enemy forces is low, and unless they break out of the castle, the siege will be established.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　When I expressed these insights, Toshizo came back from the battlefield and asked me a question.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Sir, what is the purpose of our army of Ashtaroth?　Do we continue to besiege the castle and attack them for food? Or do we attack the castle by force and let it fall? Which is it?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

We could set the town on fire and sack it.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

I don't think so. He's not that kind of a man.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Well, you're right. Well, it's not my cup of tea.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I jokingly replied, "I'll tell you my strategy.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"If we keep the castle surrounded, we'll be able to feed them. But even so, they will be able to hold us off for three months. During that time, if another demon king comes after my territory, I'm screwed. And the human kingdom may come to our rescue.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Indeed, the situation is very unpredictable.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve nodded her head.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Then should we attack?　The damage is too much for us and for them.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"If the castle of Ismaria is a strategic point, then yes, but it's not worth it. The Ashtaroth army is too thin to maintain it even if we forced them to take it."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Then what are you going to do?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Then what are you going to do with it?" "I'm going to leave the castle to the Count of Isrealia. Too bad it doesn't pay interest."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

What do you mean?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

We'll go to the negotiating table and make them agree to our terms. Well, a non-war treaty, open borders, and the submission of materials and gold coins.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

You mean you want to talk peacefully?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Yes. A castle alliance.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I say this, and Eve retorts.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"I think it's good to enforce the castle alliance, but I don't think it's right for the master to negotiate..."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Wait, why do you think I'm going?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Because you're going, aren't you?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Yes, but...

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

I am against it. Count Ismaria is trapped. He may not be able to make a right decision and cut down the master.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

He might. But it is more likely that the messenger will be cut down.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Are you willing to be cut down yourself?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Eve, the reason you're willing to risk your life for me, a novice demon king, is because I'm always on the front lines. You risk your life for me, a novice demon king, because I always fight on the front lines. I don't want to break that principle at this point in time."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"I understand. Then you'll take Eve with you.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

I can't do that. But I know it's dangerous, so I'm taking Toshizo, Jeanne, and Robin with me. They are all fierce warriors."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"But ......"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Jeanne says to Eve, who is still having trouble with the idea.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Maids are selfish. I was left alone by the Demon King. He wouldn't take me to the castle of Ismaria, and we only met up with him a few minutes ago.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Jeanne's cheeks puffed out in anger.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It would be a fool's errand to say that he had forgotten all about Jeanne. He's in a good mood.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Jeanne's out there running amok, so the guards are thin. Thank God."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Yes, it was. When Kotaro told me that the Demon King had been captured, I was so angry that I went to the castle town to wage a guerrilla war.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Jeanne said proudly.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"But we didn't bother the civilians. We just went on a rampage in the soldiers' quarter.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"You are a bold saint. Well, rest assured we'll be taking out some of these monstrosities in our army.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve may not have been satisfied with that, but I guess she didn't want to get involved any further in the military discussion. In the end, she agrees.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I changed into my formal attire at her suggestion and tried to go straight to the castle of Isrealia, but I was stopped by an unexpected person.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I was stopped by an unexpected person.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The person appeared like the wind and told only the truth at the speed of the wind.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

The castle of Ismaria has just fallen. It was brought down by a mysterious group of people who appeared from underground.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Looking up, smoke was indeed rising from Isrealia Castle.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Some soldiers opened the gates and ran away.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"What is this all about, Master?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve was unusually puzzled, but only Toshizo and I had a rough idea of what was going on.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It must have something to do with the old man we had just met.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The old man who helped us underground must have invaded this castle. Probably from the basement.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　But he's too clever. The old man was the best of warriors but an unknown commander. To bring down a castle so boldly like this, one senses the presence of another.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　And it would have taken a certain number of men to take the castle down.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Troops do not spring from space. There must be an entity behind the scenes that has some kind of mechanism and troops.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　But thinking here is not going to get us anywhere.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I'm going to make a sudden change in strategy.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Cancel the meeting with Count Ismariah. Instead, I'm going to help him.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

You're going to ingratiate yourself with him?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve confirms.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"It's not like he's a ball of gold to ingratiate himself with me," Toshizo said.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　This is what Toshizo said, but that did not mean he was ready to abandon the Count.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"The Count and his daughter have treated me badly, but I cannot abandon them. Besides, it would be politically advantageous to secure the Count.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"After the fall of Isreal, we'll have a good reason to retake this castle."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

That's right. Now it's all hands on deck. All heroic commanders will participate.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　At this, Toshizo, Jeanne, Robin, and Kotaro nodded.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I noticed that Eve was casually rolling up the sleeves of her maid's uniform, so when I reassigned her to stay, she looked disappointed.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　But without further complaint, he brought Toshizo's Izumimori Kanetada and my unmarked longsword.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　We accepted them.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Toshizo put Izumimamori Kanenari on his waist as if to kiss it. He seemed to miss having his beloved sword on his hip.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Well, we're a thousand strong now. You can each have 100 men."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The other heroes smiled wryly, but Toshizo now looked as if he could really slay a thousand men by himself.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I touched Toshizo's shoulder and headed straight for the castle of Ismalia to take advantage of the extra weight.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Back

Table of Contents

Next

Back

Table of Contents

Next