Sekai Saikyou no Maou desuga Daremo Toubatsushinikitekurenainode, Yuusha Ikusei Kikan ni Sennyuusuru

Chapter 1. [Episode 41]
“Senate Meeting”

 

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Aglaia, the capital of the Elberian Empire.

In a corner of the metropolis, just north of Mildiana in the southern territories, there is a facility for holding Senate meetings.

They had set up several layers of magical barriers and a security system that could not even harm senators who did not have the strength to fight anyone who attacked them.

The senators assembled there numbered less than 20.

All of them are from prestigious families, led by dukes.

They were all lined up at the long table with uniformly grim looks on their faces.

Without a second thought, Ludio Lambert, Commander-in-Chief of the Mildiana Territory of the Imperial Army, opened his mouth.

[Ehh. Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us this time.]

[What is the meaning of this, Lieutenant General Lambert? You are supposed to inform us of the Senate meeting at least a month in advance. It is outrageous to call a meeting in just seven days. Keep your jokes to your long ears.]

There was a lowly chuckle, but Ludio kept a cool face.

[I am sorry, but as I stated in my letter, this is an urgent meeting. I hope you will forgive me.]

[Hmm, that thing about the Mildianas being attacked by monsters?]

[Yes. Most of you probably already know this, but let me explain how it happened.]

About half a month has passed after the incident in which the Heavenly Demon attacked the Mildiana territory.

Ludio held an emergency meeting with only the highest-ranking senators in the empire.

Normally, the emperor and prime minister of the Elberian Empire would have attended the meeting, but since the emperor is not in good health and the meeting is an emergency, he is not present to attend to his official duties.

And when Ludio finished recounting the story of the disappearance of the elves in the empire, he was immediately greeted with a flurry of comments.

[It seems that the attack of these demons caused many casualties, doesn’t it? The power of Mildiana’s army has fallen to the ground.]

As the words “it must be” continued, one elf woman sitting in a chair opened her mouth.

[Right. The Mildiana army was utter because many people like you despised the elves. This is nothing but the result of the anti-Elfists.]

The nobles voiced their disapproval of what Queen Eynlana Kirfiniska of the Kingdom of Tsefte Aria said.

[Despise elves? Not at all. We are already allies.]

[I am proud to say that we are doing everything we can for the elves. We have given titles to elves, officers to elves, abolished slavery to elves–we are proud to say that we are giving the elves the best of all worlds.]

Eynlana’s eyes are as cold as ice as she gazes at the nobles who smile at her.

She can read the mind of the person in front of her. It’s a kind of trait that is handed down only to Elven royalty, and many of the nobility know it.

However, it is no longer a matter of sensing the true feelings of a person. She can clearly understand what the person is thinking.

[How privileged you are! But because of this, there is no end to your recriminations. If things continue as they are, it is not surprising that the alliance will eventually break down.]

The senators were outraged by the deafening statement.

[What do you mean? You don’t even know how many concessions we have made to the elves!]

[Resentment? Speak nonsense! This obvious favoritism is an insult to our human pride! This Elberian empire belongs to us humans, not to you!]

Should it be stopped now?

When Ludio was about to open his mouth, at the far end of the conference room, a tall man who was not sitting in a chair but standing with his back against the wall said,

[Be still.]

Everyone turns their attention to the dignified words that seem to echo in the pit of their stomachs.

The senators spoke out.

[General Claude Duras ……!]

[The Great Hero of War ……!]

The man, called Claude, was wearing black armor, the hallmark of the Elberian Imperial Army.

Blond hair and blue eyes. The face is less than 30 years old and looks as if it were a sculpture turned directly into a human being.

However, his face, which had not yet lost its youthfulness, was nearly expressionless and filled with an atmosphere of unapproachability.

He turned his piercing eyes to Eynlana.

[Her Majesty Queen Eynlana Kirfiniska. This agenda item is not about pursuing the issue of discrimination. Unnecessary remarks will hinder the meeting. Please refrain from it.]

[…… yes, you’re right. My apologies.]

[General Lambert. Resume the briefing.]

[Hah!]

Ludio quickly complied.

When he had finished outlining the entire case, every senator’s complexion was tinged with astonishment.

[–We found a strange creature with a green body surface in the basement of the High School of Magic. Only two of them survived. As I explained earlier, these creatures had created the last drops.]

[Such a thing at the High School of Magic ……!]

[I don’t believe it! Show me the creature!”]

[Impossible. It is nearly five meters long. How am I supposed to carry it to this place? It is even a dangerous monster.]

Every one of the senators was upset as if they could not believe it.

It’s not unreasonable. Most of the people here probably do not even know about Mira’s bloodbath. The incident has been hidden and faded away to such an extent.

Eynlana, who was “also the biggest factor” in the fading of the incident, adds.

[After the incident, I saw the creature up close. It was not interested in humans, but the moment it saw me, an elf, it made a move to take and eat me. Nothing happened, though, because she was stuck on top of the magic circle.]

[What in the world is that creature? It’s not the kind of creature you’d expect to find in the wild!]

[That is the question I would like to ask. But if my guess is correct, it is probably a magical creature created in the magical kingdom of Chiaro De Luna. The appearance of the creature that lives ‘only to expel the last drops’ is truly a biological weapon itself.]

[Magical creatures ……! Those creatures are no longer introduced in the Empire, but ……]

One of the council members muttered, and Ludio nodded.

[Yes. Magical creatures have not been imported into the empire for at least 300 years. Moreover, various inhumane acts have been committed in the process of manufacturing them. Although diplomatic relations with the country have faded, and the articles have been dismantled, His Majesty the Emperor declared 300 years ago that the importation of these creatures is prohibited.]

[Then, such creatures were secretly brought into the country. Are there any records of the importation of magical creatures with the same characteristics in the past?]

[After I was assigned to the military, I studied various references from the past. Naturally, I am also aware of the list of magical creatures that were ‘officially’ traded with the magical powers in the past, but none with such characteristics existed.]

Ludio continues further.

[Ensign Miriam Stasis was possessed by Ghislain, who is believed to be the mastermind behind this case, but we could not confirm any connection between her and the magic power itself. However, this time the disappearance of the elves occurred outside of Mildiana. That would mean that there is a possibility that the magical creatures are being secretly kept in other territories as well.]

[That’s absurd!]

[You mean to tell us that someone still has close ties to a magical superpower! Where and when did these disappearances occur? Thoroughly investigate!]

[Of course, we will do so, but we anticipate it will take quite a while.]

Eynlana makes a no-no.

[I understand that your country is now preparing to support the Kingdom of Rugal. I have heard that the two major armies of the north and the east will be mobilized. I don’t think we will be able to conduct a proper investigation for some time.]

Immediately the senators answer.

[The other party of the beasts is also the Kingdom of Chiaro De Luna. …… If the kingdom is involved in this matter as well, then I will be more inclined to support Rugal.]

[We should not only investigate the Empire, but also intervene in the war between the two countries as soon as possible, and quickly conquer the Kingdom of Chiaro De Luna. Afterward, we can investigate this Ghislain or whatever she is.]

[Yes, that is true. Especially this time, there are two great armies of the Northern and the Eastern General. The two generals of the north and the east are at their strongest this time. I am sure that we can take out Chiaro at any moment.]

In the end, they switched to talking about the war. Eynlana crossed her arms and let out a sigh with a look of wanting to say so.

The reason for the Elberian Empire’s support for the Rugal Kingdom is that it is deeply entwined with its interests, even though it has the cause of protecting the oppressed beasts.

The senators’ attention had already shifted from the disappearance of the elves, which was no longer over, to the next battle.

Rather, it is forbidden to talk about the scandals of the High School of Magic. You never know what will happen to your neck if you carelessly say something.

That is how highly classified and inviolable that institution is. No one is allowed to touch its secrets for any reason without the permission of not only the military but also the Senate and the emperor.

Even if it is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

At that moment, General Claude Duras, who had been listening in silence, said,

[Lieutenant General Lambert. I have a few questions.]

[Ha. Anything.]

[Can we say that the case of the missing elves is closed?]

[Perhaps. It would not be surprising if some think the same thing once more, but considering the current situation, there is little reason for the magic powerhouse to send someone with power equal to that of Ghislain to the empire. Therefore, it is safe to assume that nothing will happen for a while.]

[What is your opinion of the High School of Magic?]

[…… urgently to ask His Majesty to stop the internal corruption as soon as possible. This is just my personal opinion.]

Ludio is a little pressured by his opponent, who is not even half his age.

In the previous battle against the Zenan Dragon Kingdom, there were five people called heroes, including himself.

Although he was the youngest among them, he was the savior of the war, cutting his way to the front lines single-handedly, without losing a single battle, and without sustaining even a scratch against numerous powerful dragon clans and dragon people.

The only one chosen who can wield the “The Great Goddess of Creation, Orphelia”.

Therefore, the man who was called a great hero was General Claude Duras himself.

He is a duke and his rank is that of a general, which is unusual for a man of his age. Had he been a little older, he would undoubtedly have attained the rank of marshal.

He is without a doubt the strongest person Ludio has ever known.

He is not just a man of many battles. Even Ludio cannot help but tremble at the sharpness of his eyes, which are comparable to those of a god of war.

It was not just Ludio, of course.

There is no way that there is anyone in this place who does not feel fear in the face of Claude’s eyes.

Everyone stiffens up in fear of what he has to say, as he is supposed to be only a young man.

[Then let me ask you one last question. Is there anyone here who has conspired with this Ghislain?]

The place was buzzing at once.

Claude keeps his expression expressionless and stares at Ludio.

Mildiana’s territorial commander-in-chief looks nervously at the elf queen.

He watched as she cowered her shoulders and then slowly shook her head.

[I wouldn’t go so far as to say we can rule it out completely, but I don’t think there are any.]

[I see. That’s all from me.]

That was all Claude said, and he closed his mouth again.

The Senate meeting then proceeded solemnly and was adjourned.

– – –

Senate Chamber in the Imperial City of Aglaia.

The man was standing in the doorway of a venue that had no more people.

As soon as he noticed him, he said, without even smiling at his friend whom he had not seen in a long time,

[Ludio.Continue what you couldn’t tell me at the Senate meeting.]

[I’d like to know if you can’t handle your impatience with ……, Claude. We should at least have a chat once in a while.]

[I am afraid time is of the essence. I, too, as the sitting commander-in-chief of the West, cannot stay here for very long.]

Outside of public places, both address each other by first name, not by last name.

Ludio and Claude were old friends. They were comrades-in-arms and even best friends.

Seeing them, the current queen of the elves laughed.

[I had heard that you were a good friend of Ludio’s, but you are a hard man, aren’t you? Why don’t you learn a little from this great hero?]

[I would like to be at least sociable.]

Chuckling, Ludio decided to get down to business.

[It’s about Ghislain and those behind her.]

[Yes. In light of the facts, you have told us, Ghislain and the others can’t have committed this crime alone, even if they had collaborators in the Imperial Army. How much did you reveal there? There must be something you haven’t told us yet.]

Eynlana watches the events unfold without interrupting.

–100 years ago, when the alliance between the Elberian Empire and the Kingdom of Tsefte Aria was formed.

There was an event that was never ostensibly announced.

It was ‘to destroy all records related to the Mira’s Bloodbath incident in both the Elberian Empire and the Kingdom of Tsefte Aria.

Why was it necessary to conceal more than necessary a case that most people did not even know existed 100 years ago?

The formation of an alliance between the empire and Tsefte Aria will lead to a reconciliation between humans and elves.

To bring their relationship as close as possible and make them dear neighbors, they had to avoid, at all costs, public knowledge of the fact that “by performing a ritual using elves, it is possible to create something that can amplify magic power with extremely high precision”.

When Ludio first heard about this story, he was indignant.

The reason was that the identity of the mastermind could not be ascertained, and the possibility that someone might do something similar again could not be dismissed if the incident itself was covered up.

And, as it turns out, what should have been a groundless fear became a reality when a certain someone made it happen. Ludio tells it.

[Something called ‘The Goddess’ is involved in the case.]

[What is that? Is that some kind of metaphor?]

[I don’t know. That is why I refrained from speaking at the senate meeting. I don’t want to confuse the brains of the senators, who have nothing but their self-interests at heart.]

[….. does Her Majesty Queen Kirfiniska have any idea who this goddess is?]

[Five hundred years ago, no matter how much research I did, I couldn’t find anything, and this time, just when I thought I had finally caught the tail of the mastermind, it just ran out.]

[Then where did you get the information about this goddess or whatever she is, Ludio?]

[Ghislain, who was on the verge of a mental breakdown, would often say, “She was obsessed with the goddess. …… and.]

Ludio told the rest of the story.

[This information was also brought to me by a student from our military school who has been very reliable in helping us to solve the recent disappearance. In particular – without ‘him’ I would not be on this earth today.]

[Who is it?]

[He is a boy who has just entered military school this year. His name is Theodore. He is a gem of a boy who was first in his class in all three entrance exams at the military school and then quickly cracked a special exam that I only required special students to pass.]

[He is a very talented man. I am not that familiar with the history of the Imperial Military Academy, but when I saw Ghislain talking with a man who is said to be as skilled as the hero of 500 years ago, it made me realize that there has never been a man in history who could match him]

Eynlana, says in no uncertain terms that he was more than a hero of 500 years ago.

[He was like you said. Thank God he was there.]

[Who is this man? If he is so skilled, he must have been recognized even before he entered the school.]

[According to our investigations, they came from the western territories of the empire, and from Granden, which you protect.]

Claude frowned at Ludio, who said sarcastically.

[Don’t be ridiculous. If there is such a person, word will surely get out. It would be impossible for the military not to hear about it, let alone me.]

[I’m sure he is. No, I can only say that he is a wonderful boy. And he said something interesting. ‘How can I become a hero? And.]

[…… hero?]

[Yes. The last hero who went from this empire to exterminate the demon tribe of Tenebrae was Lady Rena 500 years ago. She did not return after all. And then, Tenebrae stopped sending warriors, and now no one even knows how many times heroes were sent to that country and how many times they failed to return.]

Ludio, who tells with amusement, continued further.

[He also asked me if I had any grudges against the demon tribe. Naturally, the other students did not react well to this, and he seemed disappointed when he found out. It was as if to say that it is natural for humans to hold grudges against demons.]

[Hmmm! Then you act as if you have been under house arrest somewhere and have only recently come outside for the first time to discover the reality of the situation. Very interesting.]

Eynllana also laughs amusedly.

[…… Tenebrae Demon Kingdom?]

Muttering this, Claude looks far to the west.

[Claude, you don’t know anything about that country, do you?]

[Oh. There was a skirmish near the border a few decades ago. We have never had such a situation since then. But I have always thought of it this way. I have always thought that those who were called demon kings, who deserved the highest rank among the demon tribe, are still alive today, and they are strictly controlling their dependents with their strong leadership power.]

[I only know the demon tribe from literature. It is several hundred years old at the most. It is said that demon kings – the highest level of demon gods – existed long before that, even before the founding of this Elberian empire. It is a tremendous story.]

[We can’t rule out the possibility that the disappearance or the demon tribe is involved.]

Ludio did not deny it. Rather, he could not.

The Tenebrae Demon Kingdom is a large country with an area equal to this empire, and most of the demon tribes live there.

And at the top of the list are seven beings called demon kings, and they are very powerful – that’s the extent of the information that can be found no matter how much you scour the literature.

They do not even know what feelings they have toward other races. Some of them are said to have particularly heinous ideas about demons, but nothing is known about them in detail.

[As for the demons, I think we shouldn’t worry too much about them.]

It was Eynlana who said this unexpectedly.

[Queen Kirfiniska. Do you have any basis for your statement?]

[Hmmm …… rationale? Nothing in particular. Just a hunch.]

It was phrased in an implied manner, but the blond general made no further mention of it.

[The Queen’s intuition is not to be trifled with. Let’s hope it is right this time. Considering the current situation in the empire, we cannot afford to be so cautious of the demon tribe, whose lifestyle we do not even know.]

The two officers and the elf queen then conversed for a while before disbanding.

– – – – –