Volume 9 Chapter 55 Day Three (Death of the Traitor)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Weed was the only commander in McGaref who had experienced a “normal war.”
With his right hand Kanare already fallen in battle, he faced nothing but hardships.
”So… the west gate has opened, huh. So Cartera’s come inside…”
”Councilor Gandolf and the Adamantine Witch-sama have moved into the city streets. Scaya-sama is said to be on the way here.”
”Clarice arrived from the north gate at last, and I was glad… but it’s a hard spot. The first army spread out and seized the walls again, didn’t they?”
”Yes. From the armor seen on the walls, they likely split off from the eastern army. And also…”
”Chinatsu… either dead or captured. No hope there.”
Thanks to Asakura Chinatsu’s fierce struggle, Clarice and the others had barely made it through the north gate into McGaref.
But the figure who should have followed—Chinatsu—was absent. With the first army deployed, the north gate was sealed again.
”Still, Clarice. Chinatsu was something, wasn’t she. To slay that Bernhardt in single combat, head-on.”
”Yes. She was incredibly strong. I don’t think she was human.”
Listening to Clarice’s report, Weed narrowed his eyes.
He had found that warrior by chance: taking a Japanese sword from the labyrinth, bringing it to McGaref, and giving it freely to Chinatsu.
That it had led to Bernhardt’s defeat left him truly satisfied.
”I see… but the situation is harsh.”
”What will you do, Weed-san?”
”The west gate has turned into a street battle, right? With Cartera gone from there, maybe this is our best chance.”
Looking out at the city streets, lightning sometimes rumbled.
The Magic Cannon’s blasts had strangely ceased, but considering how it had wiped out the Gonan Kingdom’s reinforcements in an instant, it was clearly holding back.
If that lightning struck the streets, tens of thousands would die in a single blow.
”By the way, Weed-san. As you ordered, I haven’t set up the Defensive Barrier yet. But I ate, I slept thirty minutes—I’m fine now.”
”Clarice. Don’t put up the barrier yet. Rest again until I give the word.”
”…Understood. I’ll sleep.”
Trusting his orders without doubt, Clarice bowed and went downstairs.
Weed, having lost most of his forces, had only two choices left.
Fight to the last using the walls, then fall back into the streets—or…
”Risk it all, gather what’s left, and try to break the siege. I need to show Chinatsu I can be cool too. Don’t want to be thought of as just some old guy who loves taverns and brothels… No. Not yet. This is the time to endure.”
McGaref’s defense was already badly worn down.
He knew Takumi Nasu was gathering scattered troops from the weak Seron Duchy to come in aid…
But he also knew it would be no more than a drop in the bucket.
”When will Haruka reach McGaref… Until then, Clarice must be saved. Cartera is bloodthirsty—if Clarice shows up, she’ll rush in eager to kill her. Until sword and shield—Haruka and Clarice—stand together, we cannot face Cartera head-on.”
Until then, no matter how much McGaref was trampled, Weed decided it would be held by nothing but the Adamantine Witch and Scaya’s Defensive Barrier.
Luckily, the eastern gate showed no sign of fighting spirit.
With a heavy sigh, Weed looked out over McGaref’s city from the walls.
”To send all these citizens fleeing at once… impossible. Panic would kill them. Women and children shoved down and trampled… If they were ready to die, maybe… No. Too cruel. To repeat Bakdu Fortress…”
In vast McGaref, panic near the west gate had not yet spread widely.
But once fear grew, nothing could stop it… and with that worry unresolved, Weed returned to command the war.
* * *
The general of the second army, the Holy Corpse General Raphastia, had entered McGaref after Cartera through the west gate.
He strengthened the defenses near the gate so the citizens could not flee.
One of his staff approached.
”Raphastia-sama, there is one requesting an audience.”
”Hmm, an audience with me?”
”Yes. He calls himself Katarina.”
”Ah, the one who opened the gates. We have orders from His Majesty: kill him on sight.”
At those words, the officer tilted his head. “Meritorious service” and “kill” were clearly contradictory.
The skeletal face twisted into a rattling laugh.
”He may be skilled, but he’s a vile wretch. Kill him. …Ah, and a councilor named Mafat as well. Same order—kill.”
Having given the order, Raphastia showed no further concern and resumed his field fortifications.
His Human Control Skill made his troops work with ruthless efficiency.
”How nostalgic. When I was emperor, McGaref was still an independent nation.”
”Indeed… the First Emperor’s achievements were brilliant. Ah, forgive me.”
”It’s fine. It is fact that he was a greater emperor than I.”
He recalled when the Quvar Empire had only middling power.
It rose to one of the Four Great Nations thanks to the First Emperor expanding its lands.
The office of Underworld administrator was gained then as well.
”Yes, I remember. His Majesty was truly a soft man.”
”Soft… indeed, at first the First Emperor was so.”
”As proof, I am still alive. Ordinarily, a conquered royal would be wiped out.”
Raphastia laughed with dry rattling.
Not only spared, he was kept on as a general.
The Witch of the Dead Arm Almaria, too, served as the First Emperor’s loyal retainer—thanks in part to Raphastia’s survival.
”Even here in McGaref, the councilors were executed, yet the council system itself was left. Looking back, it was far too lenient. Even I urged its abolition.”
The days with the First Emperor had been joyful for Raphastia.
His nation leapt to greatness, while he did nothing but gamble and watch results unfold.
With no burden of rule, he simply enjoyed the rise.
”If my deeds led to Livia’s actions, I owe His Majesty regret.”
”Did you say something?”
”No, just a small confession. Have we secured the church? Then I shall go there too.”
And with Raphastia’s careful measures, the man who once betrayed McGaref—Katarina, who had let Takumi Nasu seize the merchant guild—was killed without a word, denied even the chance to speak.
Notes:
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Weed – He is a retired knight and martial arts master, appeared as a sword seller, known for his bloodthirsty grin and elite ‘Sword Master’ skill.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Cartera – Eternal Witch — The First Emperor’s mistress and a resurrected sorceress of immense power. Cruel and seductive, she takes pleasure in destruction and defilement. Her loyalty to the Emperor is absolute, and she shares his desire to end the world. First appears in v9c3.
• Adamantine Witch – Beria. Ex-Seron court witch, slain and revived in the Ghost Army but still herself. Aristocratic, cruel to subordinates, yet hopelessly devoted to her sister Scaya—defecting mid-battle to rejoin her. Wields adamantine barrier magic, proud and scornful of ‘paupers.’ First appears v9c11. Reminder: Noble witch whose pride hides desperate love for Scaya.
• Scaya – The ‘Flame Witch,’ employed by the Dark Elves; captured after the battle where the Celon Dukedom army was defeated.
• Clarice – The ‘Witch of Abundance’ from Lesta Kingdom.
• Chinatsu – White Wall — Black hair, B-cup. Adventurous, masochistic, Takumi’s first slave & lover. Master of Asakura-ryu Iaijutsu, wields cursed sword Chisame (blood-powered). 12th-ranked fighter, close to Hikari. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Haruka – Witch of Destruction — Silver-haired, F-cup. Former class vice-president, now a powerful witch. Wields the Agilaus Staff, capable of devastating ritual magic. Became the world’s strongest after acquiring the ‘Dark Emperor of the Abyss’ as a familiar. Exhibits exhibitionist tendencies, often seeking public intimacy with Takumi. Deeply devoted to him, balancing her role as a leader with her desires. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Bakdu Fortress – A key fortress of the Seron Dukedom; its unexpected fall prompts concern in McGaref.
• Raphastia – A once-renowned general who now serves the First Emperor in the underworld army. He is referred to as a ‘Holy Corpse,’ indicating his undead state. Raphastia retains his self-awareness and will, which is unusual for the undead, and his loyalty to the Emperor remains unwavering. He is described as having a raspy voice and is one of the key figures in the Emperor’s command post. First appearance in v9c8.
• Almaria – ‘Witch of the Dead Arm,’ ex-Quvar court witch turned 2nd Division vice-commander under Raphastia. Dutiful but hot-tempered, she shoulders his neglect, mocked as everyone’s toy yet deadly with assassins from the underworld. Slew Rex Velacoat, captured Sheryl and Stella. First appears v9c11. Reminder: Earnest witch cursed to babysit a gambling general.
• Livia – 8th-ranked imperial witch, heir of Cartera and friend of Lilus (Neige’s sister), whose death drove her to hate Quvar. Austere, sharp, and feared, she opposed the Ghost Army and toppled Emperor by using then betraying Gritch, secretly backing Princess Sheryl. First appears v9c3. Reminder: Brilliant witch who twists loyalties to save the world.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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