“Ah, finally! I’ve returned to the surface!!”
Navigating the Chaos was surprisingly smooth. After all, the Chaos itself was dangerous, and it was impossible for other living beings to operate within it. In a way, all we had to worry about was the Chaos itself.
“Hmm, that was closer than I thought,” Instructor Fushio commented.
However, the methods required to be careful were indeed troublesome.
As Eshlee offered a prayer of gratitude on the ship’s deck, Instructor Kio and I examined the hull.
“Doesn’t this area look discolored?” I asked.
“Don’t touch it carelessly. It’s starting to turn into Chaos. Even you, Master, wouldn’t be safe if you touched it.”
“Ah, understood.”
The ship must have been pristine before we entered the Chaos. But after traveling through it and back, it was visibly damaged in several places. The decorations were completely gone, and there were areas where the hull’s surface had melted.
One might think that once it melts, it would return to its original state upon contact with the outside air and cooling. However, the hull, which was transforming into Chaos, showed no signs of reverting to its original form. It was a stark reminder of just how dangerous the Chaos was.
“So, where are we?”
“I don’t know. We escaped the Chaos based on the instructions of your spirit, Master. I don’t even know the terrestrial coordinates. The spirit escaped the dangerous zone according to the instructions of your spirit, Master. I don’t even know the terrestrial coordinates.”
Having escaped such a dangerous area, we were greeted by a full moon and a marshland that had become a Chaos swamp. Our ship was currently floating above this Chaos swamp, having emerged from the Chaos. While it was an improvement from before, we were still in a dangerous area.
“Why are we in a place like this?”
“When you escape the Chaos, it erupts. It’s impossible to emerge in urban or even inhabited areas. This is probably the consideration given to that.”
There wasn’t a single person, or even a monster, in sight. As I mused about the quiet atmosphere, Instructor Kio said, “As proof of that, look, here comes our welcoming party.”
“Wow, what a warm welcome,” I remarked.
“It would be better to rephrase that as ‘a strict welcome’,” Instructor Kio corrected.
Floating in the moonlit sky was the Demon Lord’s Castle. I knew it could function as a mobile fortress, but to use it as an escort vehicle… just how much VIP treatment were we receiving? Logically, it made sense to come and pick up two Generals. However, that would be the case if it weren’t for the dragons flying around it and the large Oni standing on its tip.
“Was it a mistake to engage the Divine Sword?” I wondered.
“I’d like to believe there’s some room for leniency,” Instructor Kio replied.
As the Demon Lord’s Castle approached with an extremely strict security posture, Instructor Kio and I were contemplating our next move. “Eshlee, it’s great that you’re happy to be back, but you should face reality already.” I noticed her glance at the sky before quickly looking away.
“We just fought without a formal declaration,” I said.
“We couldn’t retreat. If we claim self-defense, would that work?”
“Hahahaha, I have no intention of getting angry at the heroes of this endeavor and their subordinates who have returned safely. Those were my bodyguards.”
Then, a voice echoed from seemingly nowhere. I spun around, and there was the President, smiling gently and waving. “Yo, Nōraifu. It’s good to see you in good health.”
It seemed he couldn’t wait and had teleported here. Behind him, I could see the Tree King, Lunaria, providing escort, letting out a large sigh. The Demon Lord’s Castle, prepared for safety, and its escorts were effectively rendered useless.
Ignoring our feelings, the President, not out of sarcasm but genuinely, declared that Instructor Kio, who was heavily injured, looked well. He approached and embraced him. “Your return, I welcome it with all my heart.”
“Hahaha, those are overly kind words for an old man like me,” Instructor Kio said.
“No, it means I was still immature. It deeply affects me when a companion I’ve walked with for so long departs. Even God couldn’t confirm your presence until now, and I was worried sick.”
Even though his appearance had changed, there was no doubt he was still the instructor. The President’s actions were resolute. After a few seconds of embrace, the President gently pulled away.
“Human King, I thank you too. You have admirably fulfilled this great mission. The destruction of the Divine Sword, the subjugation of a traitor, and this ship—you can expect rewards.”
“That’s good news to hear. I shall anticipate them fully.”
This time, he was congratulating me. While there was no hug, he greeted me with a cheerful smile. This was so different from my previous company.
“Now, Eshlee.”
“Y-Yes!”
The President turned to Eshlee, the other key contributor, without forgetting her. In response, Eshlee stood at attention, stiff as a board. “Your wish has been granted. I will also arrange for you to meet with your family later, so you can rest your body and soul.”
“Yes! Thank you!”
Rewarding merit and punishing demerit. He always repaid those who fulfilled their assigned tasks. It was precisely because the President adhered to this principle that I could honestly respect him.
“Ah, Eshlee, I’m sorry to interrupt your moment of emotion, but it would be best if you moved three steps to your right and two steps back. As soon as possible.”
Apparently, the situation in Isal was not like this. I warned Eshlee, who was shedding tears like a waterfall in her emotion, that her current position was dangerous.
“Huh?”
Tilting her head in confusion, she did as I said. Immediately after.
A large object, strong enough to shake the ship, landed on the deck.
“Nōraifu!!”
“Kaka, that voice… I haven’t heard it in a long time, but you sound well, Raidou.”
The freefall from the Demon Lord’s Castle, still high in the air. Not only was it unfazed by the life-threatening altitude, but the sheer nerve to aim for the deck, which would appear as a mere speck from the sky, all within the dangerous Chaos zone. And the courage to smile broadly the moment he landed.
“You failed to die again!!”
“Ah, it seems my fate is not yet to perish.”
With heavy footsteps, Instructor Kio approached Instructor Fushio. He thrust his fist forward, and Instructor Fushio met it with his own, their fists lightly bumping.
“It’s Jiro’s treat for a banquet! You’re coming, of course, right?”
“Kaka, Jiro’s sake alone won’t be enough, so I’d love to say yes, but I have to make an appearance elsewhere first.”
“Oh, go ahead, go ahead. Your wife, she’s trying so hard to keep a poker face, but it looked like she might disappear if you didn’t come back.”
“Is that so? I’m sorry for making you worry.”
They confirmed each other’s survival, grasping the current situation. It was an exchange between friends who could also be considered comrades in arms. It was a lively interaction, considering they had just returned from the brink of death.
“In the meantime, Jiro will prepare a grand banquet!”
The stray barrage of their cheerful exchange also hit me. I could only shrug and nod at the infectious, unmalicious grin directed at me. I wonder how much thinner my wallet will become. And then I still have to appease my wives, which will make my wallet even thinner. I won’t sigh. I have no regrets about spending money in this way. I’ll go all out and distribute it generously.
“I would very much like to participate in that banquet as well.”
Does this mean I need to elevate the banquet to another level if the President is attending? The survival rate of my remaining balance has skyrocketed.
“At this point, I’ve made up my mind. Please join us.”
I met the President’s winking confirmation with a resigned smile. At this point, it’s a “to hell with it” kind of situation, as if to say, “whatever happens, happens.”
“That is wonderful. In that case, Lunaria, please adjust the schedule.”
“Understood. After confirming the dates, if we insert a Death March, it should work out.”
“…A little more adjustment.”
“Impossible. The other side is already noisy, and the nobles seem to be plotting something. If we were to allocate a whole night here, it would come at a considerable price. Evia provided a well-made schedule.”
However, it seemed the damage was not limited to me, but also extending to the President. Yes, he was desperately trying to get some time off, with a fixed smile, pleading with the Tree King to make adjustments, but he was summarily dismissed with the equivalent of a “one-hit, two-cleave.”
“I intend to uphold that properly. Specifically, until the end of the war.”
“I recall we weren’t even at the opening of hostilities yet.”
The Tree King was relentless. Even the President, who normally held sway, was struggling to gain a vacation. He was told that he was merely postponing work and his futile efforts were brushed aside.
“Alright, alright, I get it. In that case, I’ll involve the Undead King in the post-processing.”
“Kaka, no, unfortunately, my injuries are painful.”
“I’ve made several arrangements for the reorganization of your unit, haven’t I?”
“It cannot be helped.”
In the end, he involved others. He tried to avoid it by citing his injuries, but he couldn’t defy the President, who was acting as Instructor Fushio’s guardian, and his participation in the Death March was decided.
Just when I thought this lively exchange would end, the quality of the Demon Lord’s Army ensured it wouldn’t.
“In that case, Jiro too…”
“Absolutely not!!”
As Instructor Fushio tried to send more stray bullets my way, I stopped him with a palm, like a referee. In the past, it would have been coercion, but now I am a General. Although I am a newcomer, I am his equal.
“We are also working on getting the Dungeon operations on track while simultaneously carrying out rescue operations. After the banquet and appeasing my wives, a Death March awaits, so I have no time for other tasks!!” Refusing when necessary is crucial to avoid ending up in hell. I have firsthand experience with that. To survive in a Black company, one must first learn to refuse.
“You think you can refuse?”
“I refuse!!”
Whether I can refuse depends on the situation. For a moment, I flinched at the glint in Instructor Fushio’s eyes, but I quickly regained my composure and declared firmly.
“Don’t say that, Human King. Let’s enter the Death March together.”
However, the President was now behind me. Instructor Fushio in front, the President behind – a pincer attack of death, the despair was immense.
“That’s enough, Demon Lord. If you impede the Human King’s work, it will be a loss for our army. You understand that once his work is on track, it will bring significant profits, don’t you?”
However, it was the Tree King who extended a helping hand. I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, but I was still not reassured. If I intervened here, the President would find any means necessary to make me help him with his work.
“…Hmph, I suppose I have no choice.”
I decided to remain silent and kept my gaze fixed on him. Eventually, he relented. Even I can’t leave the operational duties entirely to Keiri and the others. After a short break, I will have to undertake a Death March, spend time with my wives, and then another Death March before I can finally return to Normal Operations, a demanding schedule.
“In return, I will be looking forward to the banquet.”
“Yes, I will do my best.”
For the banquet, I will fully utilize my personal funds and ask Memoria’s family for their assistance with preparations. Or perhaps I should ask Kirie-san to prepare some terrestrial alcohol and ingredients. It’s not like this will happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow… it won’t, will it? With Instructor Kio’s eagerness and the President’s desire for even a moment’s rest, we can’t postpone it too much. I glanced at the current secretarial Tree King, and she held up three fingers. Three days, huh… three days… Preparing for a banquet in three days after escaping the Chaos is quite difficult.
Today’s Quote:
After achieving something significant, the reactions are surprisingly calm.
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