—Trisen Castle
How many enemies had I cut down? It felt like a long time had passed since I jumped off Dahak, which was soaring through the sky. While adjusting my position with flight to enter the hole in the castle wall that Efil had created in the main castle, I, having infiltrated as intended, was running towards the top floor.
I proceeded while searching for Trisen’s Princess, using the map Sera had drawn as a reference, but as expected of Trisen Castle, the soldier’s guard was thick. Even carefully subdued fighting them while trying not to destroy the castle was a struggle. I checked places that seemed likely, like the Princess’s private room, but the Princess was nowhere to be found. I thought there was a slight possibility due to the complex locks and high-level barrier, but all I found was a pile of cute fancy goods, including a bear plush toy.
(No way, to hide this? …That can’t be right.)
I had heard she was a general of the dark division, but she seemed quite different from my image. More importantly, the Princess was apparently in the section that Sera’s senses couldn’t reach, the top floor of this castle. Resuming my search, and occasionally receiving support from Efil, I discovered a hidden passage in the hall of the throne room, but at that moment, I sensed a powerful presence outside the castle.
“… Melfina. I didn’t make the wrong choice, did I? The enemy outside isn’t stronger than the Demon King, is it?”
“It’s okay. Probably, perhaps?”
Hey, that last part was definitely a question. Teacher Melfina, I’m incredibly anxious. I couldn’t even fight the White Wolf that Sera and the others fought to the death, and if the Demon King turned out to be a dud, I’d cry.
“It’s abnormal that people with this level of power are appearing one after another. Look, you. It seems you’re supposed to go outside.”
As Melfina said, the passage led outside. It was a terrace that allowed a view of the castle town, or rather, the entire castle from very close to the top floor. Was King Zel looking down at his kingdom from here? In the headquarters of the Mixed Beast Corps on the east side of the castle, a blue, gigantic Golem was clashing with Dahak and Boga. It stimulated my fighting spirit and my desire to create golems. Ah, I could cry…
No, wait, thinking calmly, what is that!?
“Older Kel!”
Suddenly, I received a telepathic message from Rion. It was from the opposite direction of the path I had taken. There was a similar passage on that side as well. I checked the map just in case. Yes, the reaction was indeed coming from the opposite path. I contacted Efil telepathically and left the giant Golem to her.
“Ah! It really is Older Kel!”
“Haa, haa… fiyun…”
Carried by Rion, who had a beaming smile, was Colette, who was struggling to breathe, followed by her partner Alex, who emerged from around the corner of the passage. It seemed they had arrived here via a different route. Even with Alex’s escort, catching up to me while carrying Colette was impressive. But is Colette okay? She’s saying things like “fiyun.”
“Rion’s here too.”
“Yeah! Colette activated the transfer gate, so Delamis’s soldiers and the Dragon Knights led by Azukki came as reinforcements from Pars. The enemy soldiers were in total chaos with the reinforcements from the main castle, and Pritia-chan should be moving as a skirmisher after finishing her decoy role. I was exploring the main castle looking for strong people myself, but—”
“—And it seems the only one fitting the description was on the top floor.”
“Ahaha, I’m late…”
While patting Rion, who was dejected, I looked up at the grand staircase leading to the castle’s top floor. The staircase was positioned in the exact center, facing the passage I and Rion had come through, and according to the map, the only way to the top floor was from this terrace. For now, there was no sign of movement from that direction.
“So, why did you bring Colette too? We can’t possibly involve her in a fight with the Demon King. …Before that, she looks unwell.”
“I-I’m fine. I feel much better after throwing up once. Mentally, I’m in perfect condition.”
Even so, Colette’s legs were like a newborn deer’s as she was lowered by Rion. It would be pitiful to leave her like this, so I cast Great Recovery and Refreshment. She didn’t seem to be depleted of MP, so I didn’t think she needed an MP recovery potion. Wait, why is she getting a nosebleed right after being healed!?
“The reason I brought Colette was… to deal with the Princess, or rather, for safety measures?”
“Safety measures?”
Is she going to try to persuade the Princess?
“Don’t worry. I’m in my best condition right now!”
She doesn’t look like it at all. Let’s stop the dripping from her nose first.
“You’ll be alright. Colette is a child who is strong in adversity.”
“Whoa!?”
I was startled by the sudden voice right next to my ear. Melfina had materialized from my magic power and appeared with her chin resting on my shoulder, leaning her weight on me.
“See, I told Colette you two are husband and wife. We have to show something like this.”
“Normal couples don’t do that in public.”
Let’s get back to the conversation after putting Melfina down.
“W-well, if Mel says so, I have no choice but to believe her. Go for it, Colette.”
“Colette, your faith is genuine. I know that better than anyone. I trust you.”
“You got it, Colette! Older Kel and Mel-nee said it’s okay to accompany you! You have to do your best with that plan!”
Rion hugged Colette from behind, overjoyed as if it were her own achievement. Colette’s expression, which had been exhausted until a moment ago, became determined—
(Is this… a love triangle!?)
Am I having some illicit thoughts? I hope it’s just my imagination. I want to believe it’s my imagination. As I was thinking this, I felt another presence coming from Rion’s side of the passage.
“Hmph! Hey, isn’t that Lord Kelvin!”
The source of the presence was General Dan. But he’s fast too.
“Are you looking for the Princess too, General?”
“More precisely, I’m looking for Shutra-sama and the King. I came here believing this was the only place, but the guard seems thin. Did my reading fail me…?”
No, your reading was spot on. I believe the guard is thin because Rion and I have been clearing our path.
After confirming each other’s situations with General Dan, Colette stepped forward in front of him. …Colette’s atmosphere seems different from just now.
“You are General Dan Dalba of the Ironclad Knights, correct?”
“Hmph, I am, but you are… What, Colette Delamilus, the Shrine Maiden of Delamis! Why is Delamis’s second-in-command on the front lines of the battlefield…!?”
“There are circumstances on our end as well… More importantly, General Dan, I have a consultation regarding Shutra-sama’s rescue…”
“Shutra-sama’s?”
Colette, who had suddenly entered her shrine maiden mode, began negotiating with General Dan. Unlucky words like brainwashing and hostage were skillfully used, and Dan listened intently to Colette’s story.
“—Using the Shrine Maiden’s secret art? But is that possible?”
“Yes, if I can borrow the power of General Dan, I guarantee it in the name of Delamis’s Shrine Maiden. Will you cooperate?”
“…If you say it like that. Very well. I shall lend my strength to you, Lady Colette.”
The negotiation was successful.
“Thank you, Grandpa Dan!”
“D-Grandpa Dan!? That way of calling me is a bit embarrassing.”
“…No?”
“…I have no choice.”
With Colette gaining his cooperation, Rion managed to charm Grandpa Dan. If Jera-jii saw this, he’d get jealous! …No, never mind. Pretend you didn’t hear that. Melfina, don’t read my mind!
“Melfina-sama, Kelvin-sama. Rion-sama and I will explain the plan we devised. Please lend us your ear for a moment.”
