Chapter 219 Those Who Prepare for the Decisive Battle with the Evil God
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The day was an absolute gauntlet. I spent every waking second issuing orders to the knighthood and coordinating the civilian evacuation.
To prepare for the moment the Evil God¹ might strike, I had the townspeople huddle together in a far corner of the city.
(Even for a frontier town, the population is surprisingly high… I suppose that’s the lingering legacy of its days as an adventurer’s hub.)
The Kaibel capital might be the edge of the world in the Empire’s eyes, but the town itself is quite expansive. Some even say it was at its peak during the era when adventurers flocked here.
Evacuating everyone living in the city was an ordeal. We were working against the clock, and since we lacked any local knowledge, deciding on a central gathering point was a constant struggle.
In the end, I offloaded the entire responsibility onto the Lord, making it his head on the line. According to the report, he consolidated everyone in the warehouse district in the northwest.
(With that, most of the capital is now a ghost town. Even if the fighting turns catastrophic, we should be able to keep civilian casualties to a minimum.)
I gave strict instructions to every unit: do not engage in the northwest.
Still, there’s no telling where the Evil God will manifest. I’ve had to leave those tactical decisions to the professionals.
* * *
By the following evening, my sisters and I were stationed on the top floor of the southern watchtower. My guards, Clary and Tianic, stood close by.
”It’s finally time, isn’t it-desuwa, big sis?” Lista asked.
”Yeah… heh. I never thought I’d actually be squaring off against a literal God,” Judy replied. “When my transfer to the frontier was decided as your watchdog, I thought it was a total insult. But now? I’m glad I came.”
I recalled the military council’s report from noon. The Beastman Knighthood² had been split into several squads, scattered strategically across the city.
If the Evil God appears, every unit is positioned to converge on the site instantly. Since the streets are completely empty, our elites can strike in a straight line without any obstacles.
The tower where we waited was a relic from the days when adventurers still challenged the Demon Forest. From here, they used to keep watch over the woods and the crowds of adventurers below.
Lord Glazheim and Lord Belius are expected to join us shortly. The moment the God is sighted, the plan is to deploy immediately.
”Are you… actually looking forward to fighting that thing, Sister?” Lista asked.
”Huh? You bet your life I am,” Judy said. “I’m sick to death of fighting humans. None of them can even keep up with me!”
It is quite common for those of Imperial blood to serve as knights, but Judy is exceptionally bellicose. I decided to ask her something that had been on my mind.
”Is that why you’ve pushed yourself so hard? To win glory on the field… is it all for the sake of the clan?” Lista asked.
”…What?” Judy muttered.
I heard Clary and Tianic catch their breath behind me. Sister didn’t turn her head; she just cut her eyes toward me.
The Empire was built with the beastman race at the helm, and they remain at the center of power. But “beastman” is a broad category; there are countless different tribes.
The Empire adopted the human class system and put its own spin on it. Territories are ranked, and your status as a subject changes based on your birthplace.
Being a beastman doesn’t automatically make you a First-class citizen³. There are many beastman tribes relegated to the Second-class.
That said, the Empire’s system is a bit more meritocratic than the human version. If you are strong enough, you can rise as high as you want.
(But that status only applies to the individual… it isn’t granted to the entire tribe.)
Sister’s tribe is Second-class. Even if a child is born to the Emperor, the sacred name of “Roa” is withheld from those of the lower tribes. They are barred from the line of succession.
But if Sister-the Emperor’s own daughter-achieves a feat of arms that no one can deny… the tribe might finally be recognized for its service. They could become First-class.
If she slays the Evil God, the achievement will be undeniable. With Lord Glazheim and myself as witnesses, the state would be forced to grant a reward.
”Hmph… I couldn’t care less about the tribe,” Judy said. “Some people moan about being ‘Second-class’ despite being beastmen, but that’s just weakness. If you have a problem with it, show your strength and take the status you want. Just like Clary and Tianic did.”
As the commander of the Purple Dragon Knights, Judy is a First-class citizen.
And it is clear she seized that rank through her own blood and sweat.
”What I can’t stand are the bastards who act like they own the place just because they were born into the First-class, despite having no power of their own,” Judy said. “The only way to shut people like that up is with real merit.”
”…Are you talking about the Captain of the Red Dragon Knights?” Lista asked.
”Tch.”
It is no secret that Sister and Captain Brocken of the Red Dragon Knights are like oil and water.
The Red Dragon Knights occupy a very specific niche among the orders.
(It’s essentially an honorary position…)
Unlike other orders, the Red Dragons never leave the capital. Their job is the security of the palace and vital facilities. They manage the safety of the nobility.
Historically, that order is composed exclusively of First-class citizens. And, well… they tend to be a bit overbearing.
Some of them have the nerve to say, ‘The dirty work outside the capital is for the mixed-blood orders. The capital belongs to the pure-blooded Red Dragons.’ Captain Brocken is one of them.
They believe working for status is ‘beneath’ them, since they were born with it. Naturally, he and Sister don’t see eye to eye.
But Judy’s martial prowess is the real deal. Her intense rivalry with Brocken felt slightly out of place.
”…Did something else happen?” Lista asked.
”Captain Brocken’s name has been proposed as a candidate for the Princess’s hand,” Clary whispered.
”Hey! Clary!” Judy snapped.
”My…” Lista breathed.
The news must have broken before we arrived at the Kaibel capital.
Apparently, Brocken had the nerve to say, ‘She may be Second-class by birth, but she has the blood and a Captaincy. I suppose she’s “adequate” enough for me to marry.’
Sister flew into a rage, but the story had already reached her tribal chief. To the chief, a marriage to Brocken is a golden ticket to elevating their status.
”Some prick who hit the birth lottery thinks he can talk down to me? Screw that!” Judy growled. “The only man who’s ever going to touch me is a man who’s stronger than me!”
”P-please, Lady Judy, calm down!” Clary cried.
I see. I finally understand. Brocken might be an elitist, but he is a powerhouse. His strength is the only reason his personality is tolerated.
On the other hand, since he never leaves the capital, he has no real glory to his name.
If Sister boasts about killing humans, he’ll just scoff and say he could do the same.
But an Evil God? That’s a threat beyond comprehension.
If she wins this, her standing will skyrocket. She’ll have the leverage to silence Brocken and kill the engagement for good.
”Daaaamn, sounds like you guys are havin’ a real juicy conversation in here,” Belius said.
Lord Glazheim and Lord Belius entered the watchtower. It was time.
”…Belius. You reek,” Judy said.
”Yeah, well, I’m about to fight a God. I’m so wound up I can’t stand it,” Belius replied. “Me and the boys had to use a few human women to take the edge off.”
The Black Dragon Knights had been running wild since last night.
They were officially here on a ‘recreational trip,’ which was really just code for causing trouble. To Belius, he was just doing his job.
”You ain’t got a problem with that, do ya?” Belius asked. “After we kill the God, I’m plannin’ on gettin’ serious.”
”You pig…” Judy muttered.
”Whoa, why the long face? Relax, I didn’t kill any of ’em,” Belius said.
He might not have killed the women, but I’m certain the men were beaten within an inch of their lives.
Still, this was the role High Command gave the Black Dragon Knights. It wasn’t my place to interfere.
Besides, this is a low-tier territory. Here, the word of a beastman is the law.
”I’ll kill your God for you, so just sit tight,” Belius said. “The Black Dragons are professionals when it comes to the dirty work.”
”Tch… shut up,” Judy snapped.
”…Enough talk. The sun is setting,” Glazheim said.
At Glazheim’s word, the room went cold. From our vantage point, we watched the sun dip below the horizon.
”Are we ready?” Lista asked.
”Of course,” Glazheim replied.
”Every unit is in position,” Clary said.
”The Lord gave us the green light to level the town if we have to,” Glazheim added. “Once the God shows his face, the only priority is total extermination.”
The tension in the air was suffocating. Surrounded by that wall of fire, the town felt like a tomb.
My job was to take to the skies on Luman the Skygoon and coordinate the battle from above.
More importantly, knights like my sister and Glazheim are the Empire’s greatest assets. If they fall, I have to be there to pull them from the wreckage and fly them to safety.
I just had to make sure I didn’t fly high enough to get caught in the crossfire.
”Ah…”
”The sun is… setting…”
As total darkness fell, the town-lit only by the flickering orange of the fire wall-looked more ominous than ever.
Everyone watched the city with bated breath. But nothing changed.
”………”
”………”
The God hadn’t given us a timetable. He might not show until the dead of night.
I was just beginning to wonder how long we could hold this tension when-
”Guh…!?”
”What…!?”
A massive explosion tore through the center of town. Even all the way in the south, the heat from the blast scorched the air.
The roar was deafening. I watched as the buildings at the heart of the capital were pulverized into dust.
”He’s here…!” Judy cried.
”The town center!” Glazheim shouted.
When the smoke cleared, a massive crater sat where the heart of the city had been. There was no doubt. The Evil God had arrived.
”Move out!” Judy ordered.
In a flash, everyone moved. I scrambled onto Luman’s back and dove into the smoke toward the center of the carnage.
—
Summary:
The Kaibel capital is evacuated as beastman knights prepare for the arrival of the Evil God. Tensions rise among the royal siblings as Judy reveals her motive for the fight: to gain enough merit to cancel an unwanted political engagement. The chapter ends with a massive explosion as the Evil God finally manifests in the town center.
—
Trivia:
- The town was once a famous adventurer hub, explaining its large scale despite being on the frontier.
- Judy’s tribe is only ‘Second-class,’ meaning her children cannot inherit the throne unless she raises the tribe’s status.
- The Red Dragon Knights are a purely ceremonial/internal guard unit that look down on those who fight on the front lines.
- Belius and his Black Dragon Knights are essentially officially sanctioned thugs who harass local populations.
- Lista’s role is non-combatant; she is strictly logistics and medical evac via her Skygoon mount
—
Character Insight:
Judy’s aggression is revealed to be a defensive mechanism against a system that values birth over merit; her desire to slay the God is a practical move for political autonomy. Lista shows a pragmatic side by allowing the Black Dragon Knights’ misconduct to go unpunished for the sake of the mission.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The social stratification of the Empire creates internal friction even within the same species (beastmen), contrasting with traditional ‘human vs monster’ fantasy tropes.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Tianic – A promising new recruit and follower of Judiette. Despite a timid and stuttering demeanor, she has a sharp, dignified face. She has silky grey short-cut hair and wears modest, military-style clothing.
• Clary – A rare beastman sorceress and follower of Judiette. Older than Judiette, she speaks bluntly despite the princess’s status. She has light purple hair split in the middle and reaching down to her waist. She is described as having a large bust and wears dresses with loose necklines.
• Lista – Judiette’s younger half-sister. A fox beastman sorceress and the only Imperial citizen capable of riding the Skygoon. Have long dark hair. Wearing ornate Imperial princess robes with gold trim. A cup.
• Judy – An Imperial Princess of the Egdia Empire and leader of the Purple Dragon Knights. A beastman with orange hair styled in an outward-pointing short cut. She has a brave, fierce face, visible abdominal muscles, and a powerful build. Usually wears a midriff-baring tank top and hot pants in private. She is extremely confident in her physical abilities and her second-grade Secret Treasure Orb.
• Glazheim – Member of the Imperial Heaven Eight Swords. Known as the ‘Castle Slasher.’
• Belius – Leader of the Black Dragon Knight Order. A battle-hardened beastman.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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