Volume 7 Chapter 10 Orphée Bleu Awakening
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Lady Fabulanova?”
”Ah, I apologize. His Majesty Shifa has conveyed something outrageous… I may have misjudged his capability…”
”What did His Majesty say?”
”He has recognized the independence of the Black Dragon Dukedom. He even wrote that he wants to become an equal ally. Moreover, he has made a request for our Black Dragon clan’s marriage, which is forbidden by the Kingdom… In other words, it seems the Kingdom has given up on claiming the west?”
Nord also had a look of surprise at Shifa’s proposal.
I also thought there was no way the Kingdom would so easily acknowledge the independence of the west, and I was waiting for Gertroud to destroy Shifa while seeking an opportunity for independence, but I didn’t expect a letter of acceptance for independence and a strategic marriage to arrive first.
”To acknowledge independence so easily… Is His Majesty Shifa a fool? He will go down in history as the Demon Lord who dismantled the Kingdom. However, at this rate, it’s a waste to let Gertroud kill him. We can’t just let a Demon Lord who officially recognizes independence die…”
”Indeed… I had planned to sit back and wait, but… with these conditions presented, we must engage in battle. However, this means I will have to obtain territory through the merits of war.”
”Yes. I have a feeling that Aldo from earlier will become our point of contact for negotiations. We must be cautious, as you never know what he might set up for us; vigilance is necessary.”
”Let’s be careful.”
After that, I returned a letter to Aldo indicating my intention to join the fight.
Clayd, who healed his lost arm thanks to a high-level magician, reignited his fighting spirit upon hearing about the campaign against Gertroud.
Thus, our Black Dragon army set out to advance toward the Capital City to confront Gertroud once again.
* * *
*Kent’s perspective
Gertroud failed the initial surprise attack and has been holed up in its camp without launching any attacks.
He has shifted to a war of attrition.
The Capital City is home to 3 hundred thousand people, and the amount of food and essential goods they consume is enormous.
Traders come to the Capital City with horse-drawn carts to sell their goods, most of which are supplied via imports from other regions.
The Gertroud army had begun ambushing those carts.
The makeshift command post built on the castle walls had developed into a solid structure within a month, and a strategy board was set up inside.
”My lord… it’s the worst. Gertroud has drawn this out into a war of attrition. The enemy is ambushing carts headed for the Capital City, stealing supplies. There are already those in the castle running low on food, and while military rations are being distributed… we can hold out for just one more week.”
I had anticipated Gertroud adopting a war of attrition, but I never thought that an army of 50 thousand could completely besiege the Capital City, so we hadn’t stocked enough food supplies.
However, once the war started, after the surprise attack on the first day, Gertroud withdrew into its camp and halted its offensive, sending ambush units out onto the surrounding streets to kill traders and plunder supplies.
As a result, the number of traders approaching the Capital City dwindled drastically, and now even supply convoys with escorts were falling victim to attacks, leading to a drastic decline in morale.
”Indeed. Kent’s strategy to lure out ambush units has had some effect, but it hasn’t completely dispelled the traders’ fear… I completely misread Gertroud’s tactics… However, there is some good news. It seems Aldo has succeeded in persuading the two kings. Just now, a messenger from Aldo rushed in to report. It seems Prince Rashid has made my brother the commander and is advancing south after recapturing the northern fortress, and he will be in a position to aid us in 3 days. Prince Fabulanova is also leading his forces to assist us.”
Learning of Aldo’s diplomatic success in convincing the two kings, we felt relieved that we might be able to avoid an endless siege.
”So Gwain is alive… Well, I didn’t think he was the type to die easily. Rashid is certainly taking a gamble, putting the man who annihilated 50 thousand as their commander.”
”My brother has nothing left to protect. You shouldn’t think of him as the same man he used to be. He’ll do anything to win.”
My father-in-law seemed to know that Gwain had lost his power base in Capital City and was warning me.
”Understood. I’ll be careful.”
”Good. Gertroud, if they stay holed up like this, the two kings’ armies will steal all the glory. Three days after my brother and Duke Fabulanova arrive, we will also go on the offensive. Let’s settle this with a field battle.”
As the strategy was decided in the war council, Shifa entered the room.
”Kent, Arbalest. So you’ve chosen a field battle.”
”Yes. It may be unfortunate for Your Majesty Majesty, but my brother is alive. He is leading 30 thousand soldiers south, and Duke Fabulanova is coming to Capital City with ten thousand reinforcements. If we miss this opportunity, we’ll be dried up in Capital City.”
Shifa made a face like he’d bitten into a bitter bug when he heard that Gwain was alive, but then, as if he had made up his mind, he announced the departure for battle.
”Arbalest. I will also depart! I am a Demon Lord, so I should be able to strengthen everyone with my Skill. Don’t worry about me in the battle! As long as we defeat Gertroud, even if I fall, the next Demon Lord won’t be in trouble.”
”Your Majesty Majesty! What are you saying!”
My father-in-law tried to stop Shifa from going to battle.
”It’s fine. I, as the Demon Lord, must defeat Gertroud. That man is a great villain who has killed many people of the Kingdom. If I don’t defeat him, who will?”
”That task will be done by me and my foolish son. Your Majesty Majesty, please await good news in Capital City.”
”No. I will not allow that.”
Shifa seemed to have no intention of giving up on going to battle.
Both my father-in-law and I were worn down by his determination and ended up allowing Shifa to go to battle.
* * *
Three days later, we were finally able to contact Gwain and Fabulanova’s armies, and it was decided that we would finally launch a pincer attack on the Gertroud army in a field battle.
We were to depart from the east gate of Capital City with an army of 15 thousand soldiers.
With Shifa in the center, encouraging the allied forces alongside his father-in-law, the morale that had been stagnant was now extremely high.
I was entrusted with leading the vanguard by my father-in-law and began the march toward Gertroud’s position with my subordinates and Letticia.
Sensing our departure, Gertroud opened his ranks and came rushing toward us.
Since we had only lost about 5 thousand soldiers in the siege, there were still 45 thousand soldiers remaining, and they all began their attack on us.
”Lina! Carly! Now you can activate a large-scale magic! Reduce the enemy forces, even if it’s just a little!”
Lina and Carly immediately began chanting their magic.
They were equipped with a large amount of high-purity Magic Stones and mana recovery potions.
Immediately, a large-scale Advanced-level Attack Magic was activated within the enemy army.
It seemed like lava flowed out from the ground, which had risen up like a volcano, cremating the surrounding Living Dead one after another.
Then, as if a tornado had appeared, the tornado sucking up the nearby Living Dead, tearing them to pieces with sand and pebbles.
The large-scale magic unleashed by the two created a gap in the center of the enemy army, turning hundreds of Living Dead into black mist.
Garvey, leading his soldiers, dove into that space and began pushing enemy soldiers out toward the outside.
”General! I’ll hold the front! Give the Charge order to Ane!”
Garvey and his men were shouting as they beat down the approaching Living Dead.
I gave instructions to Ane, who was next to me.
”Ane! Destroy the enemy from the side!”
”Got it! Let’s go, Cavalry! Load the guns!”
Ane led the Cavalry under her command and charged towards the flank of the enemy army.
To ensure the cavalry didn’t come under attack, Fristoph and Charlotte’s units spread out on both wings.
Upon reaching the flank, Ane and her troops used the momentum of their downhill charge to rip through the enemy’s right flank.
The Living Dead, distracted by the enemy in front, were successively bowled over by the hooves of Ane’s cavalry thundering in from the side.
Following the heavy cavalry’s war cries, the gun cavalry’s close-range shooting blew the heads and bodies of the Living Dead away.
Soon, Ane’s cavalry successfully crossed through the enemy lines.
Several stragglers were noticed.
However, thanks to Kerstin’s continuous fire with the AK-MK02, the isolated soldiers were safely rescued.
”Kerstin, you’re a lifesaver. Keep up the supporting fire.”
”Got it. ‘Black Bullet’ is all about the support! I don’t think there’s anyone dumb enough to friendly-fire our members, but stay vigilant anyway!”
Kerstin kept firing the AK-MK02 while barking out instructions to the team at the top of her lungs.
The battle was progressing in their favor thanks to the South District army’s frontline efforts, but as time passed, the difference in numbers began to show in fatigue.
”Gwain and Fabulanova are still out there!”
”Flames are rising from the enemy’s rear! Ah, that’s the True Demon Dukedom’s flag! It looks like the reinforcements have taken Gertroud’s main camp!”
Flames were indeed rising from the enemy’s rear, with smoke billowing up.
Before long, the pressure on Garvey, Fristoph, and Charlotte at the vanguard began to ease.
”Sir Kent, the enemy is in disarray from the flanking attack. I and Akebus will clear a path to Gertroud!”
Akebus and Kondrad, who had been holding back from the battle, proposed making a push into the enemy ranks.
”Got it. Don’t push yourself too hard, just try to hit the enemy as much as you can. I’ll have ‘Black Wing’ provide support. Ludmila! I’m counting on you for backup.”
As Ludmila raises her hand high, she takes off on her Draganewt to launch an attack.
The Dragonewts following her are each gripping stone projectiles.
Even as Ludmila advances close to the enemy’s center, no magic counterattacks were launched against her.
And then, when a multitude of stone projectiles are dropped, the impact of their descent increases the power, causing the Living Dead to be knocked down one after another, significantly reducing the density of the enemy forces in the center.
Seizing the opportunity, Kondrad and Akebus push into the enemy forces to carve a path forward.
The central area, now thinned out from the stone projectile attack, crumbled under the two’s battle cry, piercing forward like a spear into the heart of the enemy.
In the rear, Gwain’s army is also pushing forward, using their Cavalry as momentum to shove against Gertroud’s forces, but the sudden loud explosion sounds unsettle me.
Gwain’s advance is swift… what kind of tricks are they pulling…
”Kent! The path to the center is opening up!”
”At this rate, we’re going to fall behind Gwain, so I’ll move ahead! Let my father-in-law and Your Majesty Shifa know to advance the troops as well!”
As the messenger dashes out, I lead my Hunting Group forward.
Eventually, I succeed in catching up to Kondrad and Akebus’s unit, and by providing support for them, we manage to push all the way to what is believed to be the center where Gertroud is located.
Breaking through the Living Dead, I catch sight of Gertroud’s face, clad in dimly glowing armor, entering my field of vision.
I immediately tap Milly on the shoulder who is nearby.
”Milly! Signal the others! Lana, Lina, and Carly, I need you to set up the magic barrier!”
Once Milly confirms our approach to Gertroud, she launches a bright sphere of light that can be seen even in daylight.
Per our prior arrangements with Gwain and Fabulanova, it’s been communicated that if this light sphere goes up, I can’t guarantee our safety if we pull back, so as soon as the sphere reaches its peak, I begin chanting Divine Magic.
The soldiers around me retreated towards the magic barrier created by Lana and the others.
As I stood right in front of the enemy army, the incantation was nearing completion.
Then, I unleashed the Divine Magic after finishing the chant.
”Take this! Divine Thunderbolt!!”
I released the Divine Thunderbolt, which expanded to fill my entire field of vision, towards the Gertroud army.
The black mist that had been lingering on the battlefield gathered in one spot, forming a dark cloud that enveloped the sky, and thunder roared all around as hundreds of lightning bolts rained down on the Gertroud army.
The Living Dead that had been approaching me evaporated into black mist when struck by the lightning.
”Hah, hah, did I do it…?”
In the battlefield shrouded in black mist, where visibility was extremely poor, I was searching for Gertroud’s corpse.
* * *
*Gertroud’s Perspective
Just as I thought numerous flashes of lightning lit up the battlefield, thunder rained down on my army.
So many lightning bolts struck that the ground trembled.
”Hehehe… Ahahaha! Kent! You’re doing something interesting, aren’t you? As expected of the finest vessel I created! To blow away my soldiers with Divine Thunderbolt… But, this saves me some trouble. I’ll use this magic element to remove the cursed shackles of that detestable Supreme God, Sazukrain.”
I began the incantation while watching the thick mist of magic element that had become so dense it could no longer blend into the surrounding atmosphere.
The concentration of magic element released by those who had turned from humans to Living Dead had increased hundreds of times, and I was waiting for the moment when Kent would target my neck and launch an attack.
”Gather the drifting magic element, and unleash the ability hidden within my body. ‘Ability Release!’”
The mist of magic elements (mana) floating around began to gather into my body, seeping in through every pore.
This Divine Magic can only be activated in areas with a certain concentration of magic elements (mana), but once activated, it should grant the ability to break through the barrier of the Supreme God (Sazukrain)’s shackles, the ‘Judgment of God (God of Judgment),’ for a certain period of time.
As the activation was completed and the mist cleared, the body of the man who had been my host was blown away, and my body from the era of the Demon Lord, created artificially by magic elements (mana), was restored.
That body was a familiar one with black hair, black eyes, and fair skin.
Unquestionably, as the cursed shackles fell away, skills and jobs were liberated one after another.
”Heh heh heh, this body won’t last long, but it should do until I kill Kent. Ah! The power is surging! Kent! I’ll wipe out your soul quickly!”
I was regaining my prime power through the surging magic elements (mana) within me.
But if I couldn’t regain Kent’s body, my existence would be permanently erased.
~New Character~
Mild Dracul
- Race/Clan: Dream Demon Clan (Incubus)
- Age: 30
- Position: Eldest son of the Dracul family, heir apparent
- Role: General of Gwain’s personal guard
- Details:
Ordered by his father to accompany Gwain, Mild turned to a military career.
Appointed as General of Gwain’s personal guard, just as he aspired.
A man rich in military talent, adept at fighting unwinnable battles,
but quick to secure an exit when he deems a battle cannot be won.
—
Lynthia
- Race/Clan: Dream Demon Clan (Succubus)
- Age: 28
- Gender: Female
- Rank: 5th among the succubi
- Height: 168 cm
- Weight: 58 kg
- Measurements: B93 / W58 / H89 (G-cup)
- Hair Color: Green
- Eye Color: Green
- Skin Color: Pale
- Hair Style: Straight, long
- Self-proclaimed: “I”
- Nickname for Gwain: “Master”
- Details:
Gwain’s possession, ranked fifth among the succubi.
Often active as a commander, particularly skilled in leading infantry.
Once a low-level officer in the army, she caught Gwain’s eye
and was promoted to lead a contingent of his personal guard after entering a contract.
She is a favorite tool that Gwain always takes on his expeditions.
—
Philia
- Race/Clan: Dream Demon Clan (Succubus)
- Age: 40
- Gender: Female
- Rank: 10th among the succubi
- Height: 156 cm
- Weight: 54 kg
- Measurements: B99 / W56 / H86 (I-cup)
- Hair Color: Purple
- Eye Color: Black
- Skin Color: Pale
- Hair Style: Short cut
- Self-proclaimed: “I”
- Nickname for Gwain: “Sir Gwain”
- Details:
Gwain’s possession, ranked tenth among the succubi.
She excels in bureaucratic abilities and manages affairs in the northern Haydon Marquis territory.
A former subordinate of Lila, her administrative skills are said to be on par with Lila’s.
She currently serves as Gwain’s Treasurer.
—
Austronesia
- Race/Clan: Dream Demon Clan (Succubus)
- Age: 19
- Gender: Female
- Rank: 29th among the succubi
- Height: 161 cm
- Weight: 55 kg
- Measurements: B97 / W54 / H90 (H-cup)
- Hair Color: Purple
- Eye Color: Black
- Skin Color: Pale
- Hair Style: Shoulder-length
- Self-proclaimed: “I”
- Nickname for Gwain: “My Master”
- Details:
Gwain’s possession, ranked 29th among the succubi.
Her mother is Philia, the 10th-ranked succubus, and she is Gwain’s acknowledged daughter.
However, her mother insisted on entering a contract with Gwain after Austronesia came of age.
Possesses the Gift Skill 【Swift March】.
A young general, distinguishing herself as a Cavalry Officer.
Being his acknowledged daughter, Gwain only gives her enough semen to keep her alive.
—
Zai
- Race/Clan: Asura Clan (Varuṇa species)
- Gender: Male
- Age: 50s
- Relation: Gwain’s maternal relative
- Role: General of the Eastern Army
- Details:
Through connections, Zai became a General of the Eastern Army.
However, he repeatedly caused problems due to inappropriate relations with female subordinates.
Gwain often bailed him out whenever there were demands for his removal.
After the Gertroud Rebellion, Zai served the Demon God Emperor nation
and was appointed captain of the garrison guarding the northern fortress that had been captured.
—
~New Magic~
Divine Magic
【Ability Release】
- Incantation:
_”Gather, drifting magic element (mana). Unlock the hidden ability within my body!”_
- Attribute: None
- Target: Self
- Range: None
- Effect:
Releases hidden abilities within the user.
Temporarily cancels the effects of 【God of Judgment】.
During activation, the user’s ability card turns 【Red】.
—
【God of Judgment】
- Incantation:
_”With magic element (mana), bestow the shackles of ability upon all people!”_
- Attribute: Curse
- Target: Everyone (except God-Race beings)
- Range: Entire world of Grimoire
- Effect:
This wide-area Divine Magic creates a barrier across the world of Grimoire.
It assigns a colored ability card to every person (excluding God-Race beings).
Through this magic, people’s abilities are regulated and restricted by the color of their cards.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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