Towards the second encounter
Hinata left the inner mansion.
When they confirmed that her presence disappeared, the four continued their conversation.
「What a pitiful child. She seriously thinks herself a hero?」
「She wouldn’t even reach the last one’s feet!」
「But it is true that she is the strongest we have」
「But was this fine? To send Hinata without the princess’ permission?」
「Last time, all seven of us went and she still hadn’t completely recovered」
「But Hinata cannot be compared to that person…」
They said, exchanging glances.
Each one was confirming the other,
「We don’t know what that being is, but I’m glad it appeared」
「But we can’t leave it as is」
「No matter the cost, we have to recover that person…」
They said nodding.
The current representative was far too inept.
But her heart was far too weak.
The weakness of her heart prevented her from achieving this.
And she doesn’t even notice this herself. Also that her flesh has stopped growing.
With her body frozen at the age of seventeen due to the spirit’s blessing, she can no longer age.
Cool and logical.
But where she lacks the most is emotion.
Never being loved as a child has corrupted her heart.
Regrettably, they could not expect a further awakening from her.
So as long as she scouted the power of the new demon lord, that would be enough.
「Have we reached an understanding?」
「We’ll declare that she acted on her own」
「Right, and then we will grandly declare our recognition of the Monster Country Tempest!」
Hinata was a disposable pawn.
And they knew was how to avoid taking responsibility.
All was done for the … shrouded in darkness…
And soon enough the Sages’ presence faded into darkness.
I soon found out that Sakaguchi Hinata has set off towards my Monster Country Tempest.
Without doubt, she only chose the strongest knights who would not hinder her in the slightest.
She immediately noticed that half-baked soldiers would be completely worthless.
But… I thought with regret.
Frankly, what is she aiming for in the future?
But that would inevitably lead to a great war.
In the end, Hinata and the church are moving by forcing their ideals onto others.
I do not believe any justice can be found in these acts.
I did realize she was a person who disregards what others have to say.
Does she believe that they would be able to display their true power when a war starts?
Just a thought, but I had been expecting her to act according to modern Japanese common sense, but doesn’t she completely lack it?
Moreover, I don’t know much about modern education, so how much do they teach these days?
At the end of the day, whether you can put your knowledge into practice depends on the person themselves.
There’s nothing we can do about the fact that she was given great power while still a child.
There’s no point in saying anything anymore.
I have to crush my enemy.
I gathered the department heads and went over the situation.
On my decree, he had sent spies into the major cities of the Ingracia Kingdom and Farmas Kingdom.
When we sent an emissary to the church, I also sent spies all the way to the Holy Empire Ruberion.
Since entering it was dangerous, further confirmation was obtained by the power of gold, so whether the information can be trusted or not…
Even I, who taught him, am surprised by how much it fits him.
Though he probably taught him a bunch of devious things, so it’s not like anyone could accomplish this much. I see, I thought satisfied.
And among the information they acquired was the fact that there were strangely too many Knights Templar in the Ingracia Kingdom.
No matter how many roads they make or how safe they are, they move far too quickly.
In the end, over the course of three days, a hundred templars had set off.
She’s quite famous so information bureaus immediately found out.
In other words, they are taking the fastest route towards our country.
With that mind, I should praise Souei for obtaining the information that quickly.
He has become truly reliable.
「As expected, you’ve obtained crucial data within a short period of time. Keep up the good work in the future」
「No, at this point I still have many things to improve」
When I praised him, Souei thus quietly accepted the praise.
His beautiful face is completely expressionless.
Now then, using the acquired information we can come up with a plan.
In that case, they are an army of 100 A ranked individuals. Led by Hinata.
I am not planning on going out alone this time. Not planning on a suicide, you see.
I asked the department heads for their opinion.
「How about we cut them all down?」
I won’t say who said it, but let’s just say that this person is an idiot.
That’s why she wished for such a useless unique skill.
「Fight them all head on? If we do that, there will certainly be casualties」
Yup. Benimaru seems to have abandoned prideful thoughts.
Well, he often trains with Hakurou so this is the evidence of his growth.
I always say that we should leave it to our general, but maybe that’s actually a good idea.
「How about we use my Hiryuu Division to attack them from the sky?」
Even if we attack from above, we won’t be able to pierce through their barrier.
「As you say. My division is numerous. And if we just need to stop them, they won’t be able to harm us all that much」
That’s how the conversation proceeded.
Just when everyone was safe and sound. I won’t stand to see my friends die.
When we last fought I was able to run away–my goal, but if we fought to the death I would have certainly died.
Presently, only I can oppose her.
Moreover, the knights pose a different problem. How should we treat them?
They are humanity’s guardians blessed by the spirits.
They prevent further casualties. Most of them hate monsters. And these templars are the embodiment of hopes, expectations, and prayers of every victim.
Maybe this time if I can talk to Hinata I can clarify the misunderstanding.
Not that I don’t understand their point.
And it is true that many mindless monsters pointlessly rampage.
And, we displaced no monsters from these lands, it seems.
If we massacre all the knights, who would protect those lands?
How annoying. It’s all because Hinata doesn’t listen.
Nor are they an opponent we can fight while holding back.
If we win with overwhelming strength maybe we could convince them of our good intentions.
Anyways, I want to win without producing a single casualty.
If I defeat Hinata, the knight’s will will break.
Without knowing her true strength I cannot expect things to go according to plan…
「Alright, I decided. We will win without killing a single knight.
Which is why,
Do not permit a single knight to enter our city.
Support whichever section is engaged in combat.
If the enemy reaches it, annihilate them.
Gabil’s Hiryu.
Yomigaeri will engage in battle directly. Even if they can’t win, they are immortal so they will slow them down.
Engage in a hit and run tactic to disturb their movements.
Last, Hiryu will engage from the skies.
And, engage with the intention of fighting a single one at a time.
Souei will observe the battle from the shadows.
If you see exceedingly strong knights, I’ll leave them to you.
Also, should the enemy prove far stronger than expected and our chances of victory next to none, Benimaru, immediately begin the retreat.
If I fall, Veldora will face Hinata.
That is all.」
I decided on what could hardly be called a strategy.
I made the plan while considering all of their propositions.
Frankly, Wisdom King Raphael believes this to be the course of action that produces the fewest casualties.
This whole plan collapses if I have a hard time fighting her or lose.
I think this every time, but isn’t Raphael an exceedingly confident individual?
Well, the Wisdom King trusts my strength. Which I don’t trust–hence our greatest difference.
I look at the department heads hither assembled.
And,
「In other words, we decapitate all of them, right?」
「Just kidding.
In the meantime, Rimuru-sama will bring us their general’s head!」
Seems like they got it.
But if Shion understood, then everyone else did too.
I’ll punch the sleeping Gobuta later, so that’ll also be fine.
「Now then, just so that everyone understands, I will say it again.
I leave that decision to Diablo and Benimaru.
I hope we can all weather this storm safely. That is all!」
「「「Ay, your will be done!!!」」」
They all consented.
In order to assure my victory, I’ve set some devices up.
Me aside, the department heads will have a hard time if the enemy sets up a holy barrier.
These devices prevent the barrier from working.
The simplest such device would purify magical energy using spirits. But, you need a lot of spirit power for that.
So, what is the alternative?
Open up a hole in the barrier.
Of course, the exit to the tunnel is located such that Benimaru can easily hit it will all he’s got.
The entrance will be laid at a spot on the battlefield we deem most appropriate.
I don’t want any casualties within the forest, so we’ll fight them on an open plain.
And that’s when I thought of having Veldora guard the tunnels. And we’ll have him release his usual aura when the battle starts.
Everything is in order.
Now, I am merely looking forwards towards the second encounter.