Volume 7 Chapter 1 Shifa・Secundadi
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After completing a week-long journey, we arrived at the capital city. The lodging they provided was an old, outlying palace located away from the royal palace. It seemed to have been built by the Demon Lord 5 generations ago and had been left to decay.
While it was in a state of disrepair, the living quarters were spacious enough for the entire expeditionary force to rest comfortably under a roof.
”I wonder what this is all about… It seems like Your Majesty’s entourage is deliberately trying to keep us out of the capital.”
I speak to Milly, who is nearby, while wiping down an old sofa.
”You’re right. From the perspective of the nobles in the capital, Kent would probably be seen as a savage from an uncivilized land. What with the Ghost Clan incident and all, they probably just want us to act as guard dogs outside the house.”
Milly replies while changing the sheets on an old bed.
Before our arrival, reports had been coming in through Nikka about the situation of Gwain and Fabulanova, who were engaged in battle in the north. The battle in the north was a stalemate.
Gwain was holding off Gertroud’s fierce attacks, but the Black Dragon army led by the dependable Fabulanova had been stalled by Nokin, a general under Gertroud’s command, leaving the situation in a deadlock.
”It seems like Gwain and Fabulanova are having a tough time against Gertroud. It looks like we might be staying here a little longer…”
”…The fact that Gertroud has undead soldiers gives him an advantage… They don’t need food and will keep fighting until they’re destroyed. If this drags on, Gwain and Fabulanova will likely lose.”
Milly spoke as if predicting the course of the war in the north.
Just as she said, the undead soldiers mobilized by Gertroud were a terrifying force.
Reports indicated that these resurrected corpses, brought back by the Demon Lord’s treasured artifact known as the [Staff of the Dead], moved just as they did in life.
They transformed into relentless killing machines that didn’t stop fighting even if their bodies were damaged. Worse still, they had a horrible special ability: anyone bitten by them and died would also become an undead soldier.
The only way to neutralize them was to completely sever their heads or burn them to ashes with fire or fire-based magic.
As a result, reports from Gwain’s northern army stated that infections from the undead soldiers were beginning to appear. However, Gwain, a seasoned commander, successfully isolated the infected and prevented the spread of the damage, managing to hold the fortress.
”If Gertroud wins, will the capital or the South District be next?”
”If Gertroud, who has conquered the east, defeats Gwain and Fabulanova, her next target will surely be the capital. After all, she’s a person who denies the Demon Lord.”
Knowing I’m in the capital, Gertroud would probably come attacking with glee.
I felt a chill at the thought of staying stationed in the capital.
I wished I could abandon the defense of the capital and return to the South District, but current circumstances didn’t allow for that.
”Well, anyway. I guess I’ll play it safe in the capital until the northern battle is decided.”
”Yeah. The forces I’ve led here aren’t exactly numerous. And it’s not set in stone that Gertroud will win. There are already anti-establishment factions plotting within the Demon God Emperor’s realm. Our intelligence network has been contacted by several resistance groups.”
I was informed that Milly had been using the intelligence network to stir up trouble in the east.
Probably using folks from Nikka and the Dream Demon’s village to make inroads with the resistance organizations in the Demon God Emperor’s realm.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Knock, knock.
”Sir Kent, there’s a messenger from the palace.”
”Annabella. Let the messenger in.”
It was an old nobleman with white hair that had come to see them.
His physique didn’t look like it was hardened by years of battles; he was slender. But his sharp eyes hinted at a life spent navigating the treacherous waters of royal court intrigue.
”It’s my pleasure to meet you, Viscount Blackdagger. My name is Belt Veris. I hold the title of Count from the Kingdom.”
”Count Veris, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Kent Blackdagger.”
Veris approached and extended his hand.
As soon as his hand clasped mine, a shiver ran down my spine.
I had a bad feeling about this.
”I’ve heard good things about you even in the capital. You’re the youngest general in the Kingdom, and a decorated warrior who married the renowned Dream Demon, Lady Miriallia.”
”Oh, I’m just an ordinary guy. My subordinates are the real heroes.”
I forced a bitter smile at Veris.
He returned a polite smile, but his eyes didn’t hold any warmth.
”Don’t be so modest. A truly competent man wouldn’t be surrounded by such capable subordinates.”
”Speaking of which, Count Veris, what brings you here?”
Milly changed the subject, trying to steer Veris away from his probing questions.
”Oh, my apologies. I got caught up in thinking about Viscount Blackdagger. Forgive me, Lady Miriallia. My visit is due to a summons from Your Majesty. I’ve come to escort you.”
Veris delivered the news with an unnerving calm.
I could meet the Demon Lord…
Milly had told me that the current Demon Lord, Shifa, was a Demon Lord installed by Gwain.
”I’m surprised by this sudden request…to be granted an audience with His Majesty is an enormous honor. Please wait a moment while I prepare.”
”Kent… I’d rather not… Ms. Annabella and Ludmila can handle the arrangements.”
Milly had been reluctant to meet with His Majesty.
From Milly’s perspective, she probably didn’t want to go meet the man who had broken up with her.
”Alright. Well, I’m sorry, but make sure you get some rest before I get back.”
”Yes, I’ll capture Beatrice and spruce her up.”
Milly left the room to search for Beatrice.
”Lady Miriallia won’t be able to come… well, I suppose it’s understandable given her position with His Majesty. I’ll make sure to convey it to His Majesty properly.”
It seems Veris also knows about Milly and His Majesty’s history.
”Lord Veris, thank you for your understanding.”
Afterward, I changed into the Kingdom military officer uniform and, with Veris and the others leading the way, we set off for the royal palace in the capital city by carriage.
* * *
The capital city began as a town built on the plateau of the Florimant region, a strategic transportation hub that allowed the first Demon Lord, Orphée Bleu, to quickly move his army across the continent when he conquered the land.
Since then, the city walls have been extended numerous times by successive Demon Lords, and now it boasts a sprawling metropolis with ten layers of walls, housing a population of 3 hundred thousand.
The capital city is called Eternita, which means “Eternal City.”
As its name suggests, since the first Demon Lord, there hasn’t been a single period where this place wasn’t the capital.
”Wow… this is the capital city? It’s a pretty nice town… I heard the capital was full of unemployed people… but there aren’t that many…”
The houses visible from the carriage window were neatly built, and the clean streets and shops lining the road overflowed with goods.
Reina, the representative of the bureaucrats, leaned over to whisper in my ear.
”Sir Kent, the area this carriage is passing through is designated for advanced-level citizens. The residents here are major traders, high-ranking officers from the Kingdom Army, and nobles. Regular citizens, low-level citizens, and slaves are gathered in the outer districts. There’s no place as beautiful as this, and there are fewer goods available too.”
”…Is that really true, Reina? You’re saying this is just the surface of the royal capital?”
”Yes. I was born into a merchant family, but after my family went bankrupt, I lived in the outer districts. It’s nothing compared to here.”
Was Veris inviting me on this route because he didn’t want me to know too much about the royal capital?
Or maybe it’s a road exclusively for nobles.
”Thank you, Reina. Since we seem to have some time, I’ll explore the lower town of the royal capital next time. I’d appreciate your guidance then.”
”I’ll be the one guiding you!”
Est, who was next to Reina, raised her hand to volunteer.
She was also from the royal capital and had transferred to the South District Army, so she was well-informed about the city.
”Senior Est, how sneaky! Sir Kent! I can show you around to some great places!”
Seema jumped in, eager not to be outdone by the two seniors.
”Um, Sir Kent… we should probably prioritize your audience with Her Majesty first.”
Annabella brought the conversation back to the main topic.
The atmosphere in the carriage tightened with Annabella’s cough.
It was a scene I hadn’t seen in a while.
As expected, Annabella… always knows how to keep everyone focused.
”The gates to the palace are opening──so spacious!”
Feria, who had been quietly gazing out the window, stood up and shouted out loud.
Choosing Feria as an attendant might’ve been a mistake…
This time, along with the attendants who would be meeting Her Majesty, there were 3 bureaucrats from the royal capital: Annabella, the now-female Charlotte, the former Black Dragon Duke’s sister Ludmila, and Feria, making it a total of 7.
I wasn’t sure why Feria was chosen as an attendant, but Annabella insisted very strongly for it to happen.
”Feria, you need to behave yourself. Sir Kent… no, the reputation of the Blackdagger family is at stake! Sit down quietly.”
Annabella gently admonished Feria.
Having become a mother, Annabella had gained even more composure and dignity. Even after such an incident, she remained a figure of authority and respect, second only to the Blackdagger family’s legitimate wife.
Even Charlotte, the newly appointed concubine, didn’t dare to defy Annabella.
It was likely that Annabella’s ability to carefully adjust the hopes and desires of the other concubines, providing them with a comfortable life, also contributed to her popularity.
Even I, speaking of which, would have been clueless about the proper placement of my undergarments without Annabella’s guidance.
As we continued through the vast gardens, we finally came upon the royal palace.
Constructed from stone, its sturdy exterior walls and lavishly decorated details illuminated the grandeur of the place.
It’s at least ten times more luxurious than my own castle… I heard it cost a fortune to build… The Demon Lord’s residence is on another level entirely.
Even though I’m often called one of the Kingdom’s wealthiest individuals, seeing the opulence of the royal palace makes me realize I still have a long way to go.
”We’ve arrived…”
A guard opened the carriage door to welcome us.
We followed Lord Veris and the guards, walking a long way down a corridor lined with plush carpets.
We finally reached the Throne Room, the place where the Kingdom’s political affairs were handled.
The vast room, large enough to hold at least 2 hundred people, had a throne placed in a dimly lit alcove behind sheer curtains.
To the left and right of the throne stood a variety of richly dressed nobles, ministers, and individuals who appeared to be military officers.
Each of them observed us, the guests of honor for the day, with eyes that seemed to treat us like exotic animals.
I feel like we’re being put on display.
”Lord Blackdagger. Please wait a moment… His Majesty will be here shortly.”
Lord Veris bowed his head and knelt in a respectful greeting. We followed his lead and bowed as well.
”The arrival of His Majesty Shifa!”
The courtiers flanking the sides bowed their heads to avoid looking directly at His Majesty.
A rustling sound of fabric echoed throughout the room.
”Everyone, raise your heads.”
Hearing Shifa’s words, I lifted my head.
But no one around me raised theirs.
This is bad… Did I mess up…?
”Hehe, it’s fine. I have no intention of mocking those who lack manners. I understand that coming from the South District, you may not be well-versed in court etiquette.”
Before me sat a tall, slender young man from the Asura Clan, smiling as he lounged on the throne.
His features were strikingly handsome; I couldn’t help but think he truly deserved the title of Handsome Guy.
A buzz of murmurs spread among those gathered in the audience chamber at Shifa’s words.
”Everyone, raise your heads. Kent is probably feeling awkward.”
At Shifa’s command, everyone lifted their heads.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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