Volume 4 Chapter 2 Flying Dragon
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Zaharu, how is the battery production coming along? Are things on schedule?” General Peacock called over to Zaharu and Bear, checking in.
”Yes, thanks to everyone’s efforts, we expect to open the Gate almost on schedule,” Zaharu replied.
”Excellent. Inform Lord Asunabal, and have the spirit clan start making arrangements. At last, our long-cherished goal is within reach. That idiot Demon King couldn’t achieve this in five hundred years, but I will!” General Peacock’s voice was thick with triumph.
”Congratulations, General. Your name will be etched forever into the history of this continent. Now, about the Gate Fixation Technique—what about the mages assigned for that?” Zaharu asked.
”Don’t worry. The Imperial Capital side has already prepared them. Starting next week, the Flying Dragon will begin moving them here,” the General assured.
”Understood. We will continue our preparations,” Zaharu bowed respectfully.
”General, once the Gate is complete, is it acceptable to dispose of Reina and that Beastfolk girl?” Bear grumbled with disgust. “That brat—she kept babbling behind people’s backs during the work!”
”Yes, do as you wish. I heard from Zaharu you have a thing for that sort. Well, cherish her until you drop her from heaven to hell. And don’t forget the lieutenant,” General Peacock chuckled darkly.
”Like I said… reptiles are not my type,” Bear muttered in protest.
* * *
”Tomorrow, the mage vanguard will arrive to inspect the batteries you prepared. If there’s any slack work, it will be found out. Make sure everything is ready,” Zaharu instructed. Melon and Reina began setting up the finished storage batteries in the allocated space. Since there were many to arrange, it would take more than a day or two. The enemy mages would then inspect the arranged batteries.
”Ms. Melon, things are really tightening up… Are you alright?” Reina asked quietly.
”Yes, Lieutenant. I never intended to complete the Gate,” Melon replied firmly. “We’ll create an opening to escape from here and send word to Her Majesty.”
”And the plan—is tomorrow night suitable for the operation?”
”Hmm. That’s sudden. Why so?”
”Because the vanguard is arriving tomorrow… meaning the Flying Dragon will likely be here overnight.”
”Lieutenant! That’s reckless, acting so without a plan!”
”It’s not reckless. I’ve been considering this for a while. Even if we get out, running all the way to the Imperial Capital isn’t realistic. Don’t worry. If we can reach the Flying Dragon, I’ll handle the rest.”
”Understood… then please, take care,” Reina whispered.
As they arranged batteries, they spoke in hushed tones.
* * *
”Chief Secretary, these are the bombs used for tunnel excavation by the military. Smuggling them took some effort,” Major Artemis said with a proud grin, displaying several slim explosives to Puruun.
”Impressive work, Major. But if detonated as-is, won’t the prisoners inside the cell be blasted as well?” Puruun cautiously asked.
”Ah, there’s a technique. You drill a hole just big enough to fit this bomb inside the rock and detonate it there. That way, the shock fractures only the rock, and the blast doesn’t spread much,” Artemis explained.
”Seriously, drilling those holes in the field with no time or expertise? Impossible!” Ms. Catherine groaned, unimpressed.
”Heh, right. Then we’ll have to find a demolition expert…”
”Now? You really are foolish,” Catherine scoffed, while the Major scratched the back of his head.
”No choice—we’ll have to do it ourselves. I’ll go as well. Drilling rock is easy magic for me,” Emperor Your Majesty declared, causing both Ms. Catherine and the Major to panic.
”No, Your Majesty, that’s far too dangerous—”
”But the temporary Gate for escape is also at stake. I must accompany you. I can’t let you bear all the risks while I stay safe.”
”Um… Emperor Your Majesty, may I interject?” Ms. Norca, the mistress of the house, spoke up.
”My husband was an engineer in the military. He and his soldiers should know how to handle these. So if any prisoners are familiar with this, they might be of some help.”
”I see… that possibility is not zero. Very well. Emperor Your Majesty will join the rescue, but entering Rock Prison will be the last resort. If the prisoners cooperate, you needn’t cross dangerous ground and can focus on escape,” Puruun suggested.
”Agreed, Ms. Puruun. I have no objections,” the Emperor said, and both Ms. Catherine and the Major nodded.
* * *
”Sir Aaron, we have fresh intelligence from Imperial Capital collaborators. The mages there appear to be moving somewhere.”
”Hmm. That means the batteries are ready, and they’re starting the Gate fixation. Melon is probably there, but with the batteries complete, can she stay safe? Locate their destination quickly.”
”Yes, sir!” The messenger bowed and hurried off.
Beyond the border, the Demon Clan army seemed almost fully deployed, ready to advance. Completing the Gate and making peace with the spirit clan before attacking our land is almost certain from the situation. Balmstra has been eliminated as expected—or is there more…?
Yet our Elf Army will not fall easily. Neighboring lords have joined forces, and Lord Mihail of Ilman leads the coalition. Though, it feels strange that those who once opposed our king now fight alongside him.
A further report arrived from Imperial Capital.
”The Flying Dragon carrying the mages appears to be heading west…”
Karin and Sharlin had gone to Suicelma Territory to gather information, and rumors say Emperor Balmstra fled there. It’s possible Balmstra is behind this entire incident.
Aaron connected the Magic Communication Device to Zerlant Royal Palace.
”Elder Brother Aaron, what is the matter? Please speak.”
”Asuka, the batteries are nearly complete, and the Gate’s opening is imminent. If we do nothing, Melon’s life is at risk. Therefore, I advise ordering Sharlin to destroy the Gate. Fortunately, current intelligence places Sharlin and Karin closest to the area. Please.”
”…”
”It will be difficult, but abandon thoughts of Yuuta and Claudel for now. We must survive this crisis first, or you will be remembered as the king who destroyed the country for personal reasons.”
”…Yes… understood. Please take care of it…”
Ending the magic communication, Aaron gave orders to his subordinates.
”I want Sharlin strictly commanded to destroy the Gate during the next scheduled shortwave broadcast.”
”Sir Aaron, is it really okay to leave this to just Ms. Sharlin? Shouldn’t Karin come along?”
”Sorry, Akari. Sharlin and Karin are the only reliable ones now. Even if someone else tries to rush here, Suicelma Territory is too far… and about Yuuta’s return… I apologize.”
”Ah…” Akari began to cry and sank to the ground.
”But, Akari, I won’t just wait here idly. The Demon Clan mages left the Imperial Capital aboard the Flying Dragon heading west. I plan to rush to the Imperial Capital and seize the Flying Dragon. That way, I can quickly send troops westward.”
”Sir Aaron… but attacking from our side—”
”Ha! They won’t expect a surprise attack from us, so they’ll be off guard. Besides, Akari, we have a righteous cause for our attack.”
”Oh? What is it?”
”Rescue Chief Secretary Puruun! Honestly, the reason for war doesn’t matter.”
Notes:
• Zaharu – Male. A specialist in charge of transporting and installing the gate. He works closely with Reina to ensure the gate’s functionality and security.
• Artemis – A commander of the Emperor’s direct guard. Initially acts as a lecherous and aggressive antagonist, but later reveals his loyalty to the Emperor. He has a wife and children in the imperial capital and is afraid of his wife.
• Ms. Norca – Orc woman; host of the Emperor.
• Rock Prison – A high-security prison located near a rocky area. It is guarded by the spirit clan and holds captured dukes and their subordinates. The prison is a key location for the rescue operation.
• Suicelma Territory – Located within the Apocalypse Empire. It is a demon tribe’s territory, situated about 3 days northeast of the Spirit Clan’s land.
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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