On a day in March, an urgent message arrived from Amagi Castle. Over ten Dragons had landed in Retisencia’s imperial capital, Kobaldia. What was surprising was that each Dragon was carrying something resembling a box or a beast carriage. The Scout Order had only observed from outside Kobaldia, so details were unclear, but it was easy to predict that these beast carriages were likely being used for troop transport.
The Dragons were said to be about one size larger than Athena and Eos, exceeding 60 meters in length. Working backward from that, the boxes seemed to be about 20 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 3 meters high. Considering they likely made overnight stops, and knowing that Demon Race don’t need to eat if they have Magic Power, if this was indeed troop transport, each box could hold around 50 people. With at least 10 boxes, that would mean over 500 demon race soldiers sent from Abaricia.
“So, they’ve finally come.”
“Yes. His Majesty has ordered me to report to the castle immediately.”
Lucas, who brought the information, was also an Ancient Tigari, so it seemed he would accompany me.
“Understood. However, Mana just gave birth to Saki, and Rika and Prim, along with Flam, are pregnant. They won’t be able to participate in the fight.”
“His Majesty is aware of that. It will be a painful loss to be without Flam’s support, but we won’t do something as reckless as taking pregnant women to the battlefield.”
That’s true. Fighting on the battlefield while pregnant would be nothing short of suicide. As Lucas said, losing Prim’s fire and Flam’s rear support would be a significant blow to our forces, but we wouldn’t suggest anything so inhumane.
“After I talk with His Majesty, I think we’ll be heading straight to Polar. We might not be back for a while, is everyone okay with that?”
“Of course.”
“We’ve talked about this before, so there’s no problem.”
“With over 500 demon race soldiers, Trial Hearts alone won’t be able to contain them. We have no choice but to go.”
Rudia and Athena answered immediately. Of course, Mina, Mako, and I felt the same way. Polar, which is the front line with Retisencia, is in Count Bernstein’s Territory, so Carol also wishes to accompany us. Raus and Rebecca also intend to participate. At Polar, we have Trial Hearts led by Baut, an Ancient Wolf. However, even with an Ancient Class, one person cannot stop over 500 demon race soldiers. Therefore, we must hurry to Polar.
“Yes. Well then, Prim, Mana, Rika, Flam. I’m off.”
“I’m truly sorry I can’t be of help at this crucial time.”
“Please be careful.”
“I pray for your safe return.”
“Saki is waiting for you, so don’t take any unnecessary risks, okay?”
“I understand. Saki, I’m leaving now.”
Prim, Flam, Rika, and Mana, who were forced to stay behind, spoke to Yamato with concern. I understood their feelings perfectly. It was better to be able to accompany him, but the coming battle was likely to be the one in Gaia’s premonition, so the possibility of the worst couldn’t be ruled out. In the premonition, Yamato survives, and it’s confirmed he will marry Yuri and Aria a few years later. However, thinking about those left behind made my heart ache.
“We don’t know for sure yet, do we? Saki, your father is going to work now, so let’s wait nicely, okay?”
Saki is only two months old, so she can see and respond when smiled at. This was the case now too; she turned a very charming smile towards Yamato, who spoke to her.
“I’ve gotten energy from Saki too, so let’s go.”
“We can’t do anything to make Saki cry, can we?”
Rudia is right. She probably doesn’t know what’s happening yet, but we all received energy from Saki, so we certainly won’t do anything to make her cry.
**Side: Reinhardt**
About 30 minutes after giving Lucas of Noble Order permission to use my mansion in Ou Renten Street and asking him to deliver a message to Yamato, Yamato and the currently combat-ready members of Wing Crest gathered at Amagi Castle. Normally, it would have taken longer to go through the Fraydlancia’s Celestial Lord’s Mansion, but since speed was of the utmost importance, passing through Ou Renten Street was the fastest and most reliable route.
“Sorry for the delay.”
“No, it’s fine. As Lucas probably told you, multiple Dragons have landed in Kobaldia. Given what happened before, it seems Kobaldia isn’t being overrun by Dragons, but it’s easy to predict that the demon race sent from Abaricia will be heading south.”
“I agree. That’s why, after we finish here, I intend to fly directly to Polar.”
I had intended for him to do just that, but Yamato had the same idea. Currently, Trial Hearts is at Polar. However, no matter how strong Trial Hearts is, they are bound to be defeated. This is a battle Yamato cannot avoid. I had also heard about it, and as long as we believe the outcome of Gaia-dono’s premonition, the demon race will be annihilated by two suddenly appearing Humans. Yamato will be in a desperate situation, but I also heard he survives, and more importantly, Amister is on the brink of destruction. So, I feel sorry for him, but I intend to use him.
“I’m sorry, but I’m counting on you. I wanted to accompany you, but I cannot leave Amagi Castle right now. Rex has already been dispatched, so please fall under his command at Polar.”
“Understood.”
Grand Order’s Master Rex Fallheight, upon receiving the report, had already departed for Polar with his wives. Like Miranda, Associate Order’s Master, he is an Ancient Class. However, it’s not as if the top two of the Order’s Guild can both move. Normally, deciding which one should go would be difficult, but since Rex’s three wives are also all Ancient Class, dispatching Rex means four Ancient Class individuals can be deployed. That’s why Miranda’s deployment isn’t really being considered in situations like this.
“Your Majesty, regarding the Dragons, will they be heading directly for Polar?”
Mako’s question is natural. With aerial transport like Dragons, the demon race could easily bypass Polar and even Count Bernstein’s Territory, possibly attacking Float directly. Of course, we are on alert for that, and it’s precisely why I cannot move. However, I expect the reason the demon race landed in Kobaldia includes scrutinizing information we obtained previously. After the war with Solemne and the Labyrinth, it’s no exaggeration to say that the number of Ancient Class on the Philia Continent has reached an all-time high. Especially after the war with Solemne, Retisencia had means of obtaining information, and we were also disseminating information. So, they should have grasp of the information from that time. I don’t think there’s any new information for the demon race, but as this is a march, confirmation of information is necessary even if the situation hasn’t changed. Moreover, now that the snow has melted, we must also consider a counter-offensive via land routes. The biggest reason the demon race would target Polar is because that’s where we’ve prepared our forces.
“We have Human soldiers led by Element Human Yamato, as well as many Ancient Classes deployed. While the demon race is certainly powerful, it would be difficult to face the Ancient Classes without High Demons. As reinforcements from Abaricia, High Demons will likely be included, but the main force will probably be Dragons, so their numbers shouldn’t be too great.”
Even if Amagi Castle were to fall, the forces gathered at Polar would not diminish. Alka has Mana, and as a precaution, the heir, Rest, and the newborn Regina will be evacuated with their father and the others. Therefore, even if I were to be killed, the Celestial Emperor’s Family would not be extinguished. Of course, it would be counterproductive if the Amagi Tree were to be felled, but its trunk circumference is several kilometers, so even the demon race couldn’t easily break it. Furthermore, Ancient Classes can use Long-distance Teleportation Magic, Traveling, so they can return to Float immediately.
“I see. So, even if they were to attack Float first, the demon race would suffer considerable damage. They want to suppress or annihilate the forces gathered at Polar, thus removing any worries about the rear, correct?”
“That’s just my prediction, but likely so.”
Of course, this is just my prediction, but surprise attacks from the rear by Ancient Classes are something the demon race must guard against, so it’s probably not far off.
“Even though they are demon race, they were originally Humans, so there’s a possibility they have excellent commanders.”
The true identity of the demon race is Humans who used Demon Crystal. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and I’ve received reports of the demon race defeated by Trial Hearts at Polar. So, I know that the demon race isn’t some race of unknown origin. While not needing food is attractive for an army, the Oracle decreed that Demon Crystal has a negative impact on Treasure Trees. Therefore, Demon Crystal is a Class 1 prohibited item and something that must be eradicated from this world. This applies to the demon race as well; they must all be defeated, regardless of whether they are reinforcements from Abaricia. However, since they were originally ordinary Humans and their consciousness remains clear, there is little difference between them and their former selves, aside from abilities unique to the demon race. Because of this, excellent commanders remain excellent, and there is no doubt that the dispatched demon race are excellent soldiers.
“That’s precisely why they can’t ignore Polar, isn’t it?”
“Even if they were to attack Float by some miscalculation, since almost all Ancient Classes can use Traveling, they can teleport back immediately. I don’t know how fast Dragons are, but they certainly can’t be faster than teleportation. So, even if they ignore Polar, it’s entirely possible to wait for them at Float.”
“The fact that they can take that approach is why we can say they are gathering their forces at Polar.”
Yamato seems well-versed in military matters, sharing almost the same thoughts as me. Of course, there’s a possibility they might attack towns located between Polar and Float, but with Traveling, that can also be dealt with. I don’t know if the demon race is aware of this, but the Abyssal Emperor was prevented from invading the Philia Continent 30 years ago by Ancient Classes using Traveling at the time. They must know that Grand Hunter’s Master can use Traveling, so they likely won’t be completely unguarded.
“Well, it’s strange to say ‘I’m counting on that,’ but I’ll act with that in mind.”
“If they manage to pass through Polar, it will be troublesome, but don’t let your guard down regarding Float either.”
“I understand.”
The concern is that since the reinforcements from Abaricia are being transported by Dragon airlifts, no matter how much preparation we make, rapid response would normally be difficult. Order and Hunter members in Count Bernstein’s Territory, including Polar, could respond immediately, but in other regions, it’s conceivable that Polar could fall before reinforcements arrive. Therefore, vigilance regarding Traveling also includes a large degree of wishful thinking on our part. While aerial transport was anticipated, I hadn’t realized it would be implemented to this extent. This situation was brought about by my own oversight, but it’s fortunate that the large number of Traveling users can cover for it. This time, I will not be going to the battlefield, but I must make defense preparations here at Float. After Yamato and the others depart, I need to have a meeting with Miranda and the others immediately. Before that, I’ll get permission to evacuate Rest and Regina to Alka.
