Side: Mako
We headed to the slum after we were ready, and the slum we arrived at was cleaner than I expected.
I had heard that the sanitation was better than in the city of Deseo, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.
“The buildings are certainly dilapidated, but as far as I can see, public toilets are properly installed, and there doesn’t seem to be a gloomy atmosphere.”
“I was surprised when I first entered. Of course, there were watchful eyes, but no one attacked us carelessly.”
David-san replied to Yamato-kun’s impression.
“When I think of slums, I usually imagine that uninvited intruders are attacked and stripped, or even killed. Is Deseo different?”
“As far as I’ve heard. The residents of Deseo despise the slum dwellers as outcasts, but there are rumors that life is easier in the slums. So, to improve their own lives, there are frequent intruders.”
Hearing that, it’s hard to tell who is a slum dweller and who isn’t.
“Does this mean that since slum dwellers are treated as outcasts, not only can they steal from outcasts, but they can also kill them without punishment?”
“That’s what they said. However, even for the Solemne Army, attacking a slum carelessly would result in heavy casualties. Several times, the Deseo garrison was dispatched under the guise of purifying the slum, but the result was near-total annihilation, and the Emperor had to give up.”
It seems they are inferior not only in quality of life but also in quality of soldiers.
Since the slum dwellers did not commit crimes in Deseo, they did not have to gather soldiers from all over the country. However, it’s hard to believe that the ambitious Emperor could have refrained from attacking the slum for that reason alone.
“Ah, regarding that, the reason seems to be that the leader of the slum we are about to meet infiltrated the Emperor’s Castle directly.”
Just as I was thinking that, David-san told me something incredible.
The female leader of the slum, who also holds the title of former general of the Solemne Army, became fed up when soldiers were finally sent against them and infiltrated the Emperor’s Castle alone.
Even the imperial guards who noticed her were all killed, and she reached the Emperor’s bedroom alive.
Then, she pointed her sword at the Emperor, proved that she could take his life at any moment, and yet deliberately spared his life.
The Emperor, terrified, immediately withdrew his army, and has not dared to attack the slum since.
“I thought she was a strong woman because she unified the slum, but it seems there was another reason for that.”
“Ah. I don’t know her level, but judging from the fact that the imperial guards were no match for her, it’s unlikely to be below 50.”
I suppose so.
Even among High Class individuals, there are clear differences in magic power and combat ability due to level differences.
Especially when the level difference is 5, it is said to be extremely difficult to overcome.
I don’t know the level of the Solemne imperial guards, but few of them had evolved into High Class, so it’s unlikely that being an imperial guard means you’re High Class.
Also, it is said that there are not many Solemne High Class individuals, at most less than 200, and none of them have surpassed level 50, so their average level would be around 44 or 45.
Based on that, the female leader’s level is definitely 50 or higher, and possibly close to 55.
“Even if she had participated in the war, the outcome would not have changed, but our casualties would have increased.”
“So she was that kind of person.”
“Yes. We were initially wary, but now we have a certain level of cooperation.”
This means that the slum dwellers either welcome us or are willing to cooperate with us, even if not fully.
“However, we cannot incorporate them into our forces without His Majesty’s permission, so we are only providing food assistance.”
“Then, whether or not they can join the Soldier’s Guild is up to me?”
“Yes. Originally, after obtaining permission, I or Lord Dianos intended to negotiate.”
“I also want to meet such a person. It will be easier to convey our seriousness and sincerity.”
Indeed, Lady Hilde is right.
While David-san and Lord Dianos could convey some of it, it would be difficult to convey seriousness and sincerity, as they are a temporary unit until the Soldier’s Guild is dispatched.
However, Lady Hilde is here in Deseo as Emperor Reinhardt’s representative, and it’s her first day, so it will be easy to convey both sincerity and seriousness.
“We will arrive soon. The herald also said that they welcome our visit, but is it alright? Without informing them of His Majesty’s visit?”
“If we inform them of my visit in advance, there is a possibility that we will be refused, so it can’t be helped. I don’t intend to surprise them, but it’s better to act quickly.”
Well, that’s true.
Whether we are to be registered in the Soldier’s Guild or faced with swords, it is certainly better to respond quickly.
However, knowing the outcome of the previous war, they are unlikely to point their swords at us.
Oh, it seems we have arrived.
“Here… is it?”
“Yes. It seems to have originally been a noble’s villa. However, when this area was separated from the slum dwellers, they took up residence here, as I understand it.”
What we arrived at was a residence that was a little small for a noble’s mansion.
However, the garden is wide, and the walls are quite thick.
The walls seem to have been thickened afterwards, making them resemble a fortress, and it also serves as a shelter in case of emergency.
“A shelter. Given the thickness of the walls, it must be a preparation for when the Solemne attack.”
“That’s what I’ve heard.”
What about other monsters?
Deseo is also covered by a barrier, so even An species cannot enter. However, it is useless against Catastrophe Species and Demise Species, and Bristers are essential for maintaining the barrier. There are also rumors that the barrier in Deseo, or rather in Solemne, has significantly weakened.
The barrier was created by Inn magic called ritual magic, but Solemne cannot use Inn magic, and they also massacred Bristers, so they probably didn’t consider maintaining the barrier, or they mistakenly thought it was permanent.
“Halt! Lord David?”
“I believe the herald has arrived, but I wish to meet with Lord Aquila.”
“I’ve heard. And you are?”
“My companions who arrived today.”
“Understood. Please, come through.”
David-san seems to know the gatekeepers, and we were quickly shown into the mansion.
On second thought, this gatekeeper is High Class.
“My apologies.”
“I’ve been helped by both Saber and Order.”
I see, they have earned the trust of the slum dwellers.
“We have been waiting for you. Lord Aquila is waiting.”
As we approached the mansion, a butler who looked the part came out.
He showed no flaws, and if he registered with the Butler’s Guild, wouldn’t he be an M-rank, let alone a P-rank?
We were led by that butler to a reception room on the first floor.
“Hello, Lord David. I’ve been expecting you.”
Waiting in the reception room was a human woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties.
She had very short hair and was wearing practical-looking clothes.
“Forgive me for the sudden visit, Lord Aquila.”
“It’s alright. Since that dog died, there are fewer fools trying to mess with the slums. Oh? And who is this?”
“Please forgive my rudeness for this unannounced visit. I am Hildegard Minato Torencia, Queen of Torencia.”
“Wh-what!? P-pardon my disrespect!”
When Lady Hilde introduced herself while showing her Library, the woman called Aquila immediately knelt down.
Solemne also has magic tools to view the Library, so no one doubts the accuracy of the Library.
“Please rise. I’ve heard about you from David, who is with us.”
“Yes!”
“This visit is to report my appointment to Deseo, introduce Lord Delphina, the Grand Soldier’s Master, who will be succeeding Lords David and Dianos, and to discuss your future.”
“I assumed there would be important matters to discuss since Your Majesty herself has come, but our future?”
“Yes. Let’s discuss it step by step. But first, I will introduce my companions.”
Indeed, I hadn’t introduced myself yet.
“This is Grand Soldier’s Master Delphina Via Bell. She will be in charge of the Soldier’s Guild dispatched to succeed Lords David and Dianos.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Lord Aquila Vertex.”
“An Ancient Ogre. I had heard there were many Ancient Classes, but I didn’t expect them to actually be dispatched. Well, considering Your Majesty is an Ancient Vampire, it’s not strange. Ah, I look forward to working with you.”
“These two are Hunters, but both are also Ancient Humans. Lord Yamato Hydrangea Mikami and Lord Mako Katagiri.”
“Hello.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Aquila-san is quite surprised that we are also Ancient Classes, but her next words surprise her even more.
“Lord Yamato is my and Mako’s fiancé, and furthermore, the two of them have a record of subjugating the Slume Lord, a Demise Species of Torencia.”
“I-is that so!?”
“Furthermore, in the recent war, Lord Yamato also subjugated the Antlion Empress.”
I don’t mind Lady Hilde introducing me and Yamato-kun as fiancés, but I didn’t expect the subjugation of a Demise Species to be revealed here.
Lady Hilde may not have intended it, but with four Ancient Classes already present, won’t she be suspected of trying to subjugate them by force?
“Ah, I apologize. I have no intention of subjugating you by force. Even though you are an Ancient Class, you are still young, so I thought it would be better to inform you of Lord Yamato’s achievements beforehand.”
Ah, so that was the intention.
Indeed, it is said that it was common for Ancient Classes to evolve after the age of 30, so it is unbelievable to think that Yamato-kun, who is only 17 years old, has already evolved into an Ancient Class.
“S-so that was your intention.”
She doesn’t seem convinced, but she seems to understand that our lives are not being threatened.
In fact, if she intended to kill Aquila-san, there would be no need to use a herald to announce her visit; sending only Delphina-san would suffice, so she can believe that much.
“I see, the establishment of the Federation Heavenly Empire. I never imagined that the Philia Continent would be united in such a way…”
“Retisencia still exists, but it will eventually be annexed. Therefore, I will govern Solemne as the representative of His Majesty Reinhardt, who will be enthroned as the Celestial Emperor.”
Aquila-san is listening to the explanation while sitting in the reception room’s chair, but she doesn’t seem to have imagined things escalating this much.
Originally, neither Emperor Reinhardt nor Lady Hilde had such intentions, but the advice from His Majesty Gumnos was quickly accepted, and before they knew it, things had become unmanageable.
“Then, will Solemne also be eventually divided and become independent?”
“Regarding that, I can only say it depends on the nobles of Solemne. In some cases, some may have to be punished.”
“Indeed. A few of them are decent nobles, but many are incompetent individuals who scorn the people and can only increase the number of slum dwellers called outcasts.”
Aquila-san is harsh towards the nobles, but this is unavoidable.
In Deseo, and in other cities as well, many people have been driven out as outcasts, and we are witnessing it with our own eyes.
“And you are going to recruit me and the people of the slum into a military force called the Soldier’s Guild?”
“Yes. It is also a place for the Solemne Army to be accepted, but for now, you will be registered as individual Soldiers. This is not because you are a defeated nation, but a result of your past actions.”
“However, since you have the numbers, you cannot be left alone. Furthermore, they are different in nature from the knights of Order and Saber, and since they cannot even register, you have established a new guild specifically for them?”
As a former general, Aquila-san is knowledgeable about guilds.
Especially Saber, as she has been dispatched for rescue numerous times when Aquila-san was an active general, so her reaction is quite favorable.
“That is correct.”
“It is a kind offer, but we are, in a sense, enemies of the soldiers. I don’t think they will allow our registration.”
“Is that what concerns you? But as I mentioned earlier, the Solemne Army can only be registered as individual soldiers. Even if they are High Class, they will not be appointed as Royal Soldiers or Soldier’s Masters. They lack trust.”
“Naturally.”
“However, you have maintained order in the slums, communicated with other slums, and above all, you have succeeded in protecting the people from the Emperor’s grasp. Even if you are hostile to the Solemne Army, we value you more.”
It is undeniable that Aquila-san and her group will achieve better results than incorporating the rebellious Solemne Army and giving them positions.
Emperor Reinhardt will be informed after the fact, but there should be no opposition.
