Thieves, bandits, pirates—there are various terms, but there is a time when the number of “bandits” who attack innocent people to plunder money or lives is most prevalent.
That time is immediately after a war.
The phenomenon of defeated soldiers turning into bandits occurs as naturally as a natural disaster, both on the Pandora Continent and the Ark Continent.
Four months ago, on the 7th day of the Month of Distant Thunder, a great battle took place in the Goldran Hills, located northeast of Daedalus.
The Daedalus Army, led by the Black Dragon King, suffered a brutal defeat at the hands of a human army claiming to be Crusaders from across the sea.
Then, the remnants of the fleeing Daedalus Army transformed into bandits, saying,
“Those vile Demon race have finally revealed their wicked nature.”
Now, they rampaged freely across the territory of Daedalus, governed by humans of the Sinclair Republic.
“The young one from Lucrom is naïve. Whether soldiers or civilians, a Demon is a Demon. If you don’t deal with them properly, this is what happens!”
The one grumbling with a huff is Count Bergunt, the leader of the noble faction of the Crusaders responsible for the conquest of Spada.
His eyes, shimmering green from the influence of wind-based magical power, may now appear to burn with red from his anger.
Though he is in his middle age, his tall, fit frame shows no signs of decline and is adorned with beautiful silver ornaments, while at the same time possessing a high level of magical defense, clad in luxurious light armor that fuses the beauty and martial prowess typical of nobles.
He wears a sacred silver short sword at his waist and carries a deep green longbow on his back, maximizing his prowess with wind attributes.
The reason he is fully armed is not solely to rush out for a Demon hunt in anger but because the appearance of Demon thieves necessitated immediate action.
This is Arz Village—no, it should now be referred to as the Alsace Fortress, a sturdy citadel established at the front line of the Spada campaign and simultaneously a defensive base protecting the territory of the Republic of Daedalus.
Just days ago, news reached Count Bergunt that a large-scale group of Demon thieves had appeared while preparing for the upcoming assault on Galahad Fortress, focusing on fort construction and soldier training in Alsace.
A dark-armored group mixed with Beastmen, Orcs, and Lizardmen, showing movements that were clearly not those of amateurs, but experienced warriors.
Even a low-ranking soldier who rose from the ranks of farmers, endowed with a sharp mind, could easily imagine that this group was comprised of the remnants of the defeated Daedalus soldiers.
Additionally, it has only been recently—specifically, after entering the Month of Platinum—when the activities of these former Daedalus Army thieves became notably active, rather than immediately after the battle of Goldran.
Rumors suggest that the scattered remnants of the Daedalus Army have been secretly communicating among themselves, plotting to retake the capital.
Regardless of the truth of these rumors, the fact that bandits are rampant is undeniable; this is a grave situation for Bergunt, who aims to launch an assault on Spada.
If the territory of Daedalus is in chaos, there will be no room to launch an attack on other countries; even if it doesn’t go that far, there is a sufficient risk that the back support will be disrupted by the plundering of bandits.
Such situations can be found repeatedly in the war history of the Ark Continent.
They wish to begin the attack next month, but with the bandits wreaking havoc, they cannot proceed, and they must cut off worries from behind as much as possible.
Thus, it is understandable that complaints arise towards Lucrom, the de facto commander of the Crusaders responsible for maintaining order within the Daedalus territory.
“What is the situation?”
Stepping out from the command center of the Alsace Fortress, he asks his subordinate while mounting his finely prepared gray horse.
“There are no new reports; the thieves are still believed to be barricaded in Kuar Village.”
A soldier wearing superior surcoat and iron helmet replies smoothly.
“Kuar Village has stone walls, doesn’t it? Damn, what a troublesome place…”
Considering the number of troops at his disposal, it would be easy to suppress a mere collective of defeated soldiers turned thieves.
However, he does not want to exhaust his soldiers needlessly; above all, there have been unfortunate precedents in Alsace that happened while he stands here, so he cannot let his guard down.
“No, perhaps that’s exactly it—Demons possess at least that degree of intelligence… Also, there are rumors that this could be part of an operation to reclaim the capital.”
Regardless, the thieves who attacked Kuar Village, where they utilize military supplies for the Spada campaign and where a considerable number of settlers have already occupied, need to be dealt with as soon as possible.
Bergunt comes to stand before his prideful troops, having completed preparations for departure, beginning to think not about the thieves’ motives but about how to breach a village protected by stone walls.
If they leave now, they may reach Kuar Village as early as the day after tomorrow.
While pondering this under the clear blue sky and looking up at the sun that is now reaching its zenith, Bergunt notices a small shadow.
“Hmm, what is that…?”
With his enhanced vision magic active, Bergunt quickly perceives its existence.
However, that shadow seems to be flying at considerable speed against the sun, and his subordinate soldiers also soon begin to notice.
By the time the soldiers recognize that the flying mysterious shadow is heading straight toward them, Bergunt’s eyes had already clearly discerned what it was.
“The Seventh Apostle… Apostle Sariel!?”
Before long, a small girl mounted on a pure white-winged heavenly horse descends from the sky.
Bergunt, a count and the supreme commander of the soldiers gathered here, could not be stopped by anyone as she approached him directly without hesitation or reserve.
There is no room for debate regarding which is of higher rank between a holy apostle, closest to the divine, and a count of mere human-appointed status.
In truth, in front of the apostolic girl, whose beauty could only be described as transcendent, glowing with silver aura, none of the soldiers could do anything but stare in awe.
“I apologize for my sudden visit, Count Bergunt.”
The Seventh Apostle Sariel, as she gracefully descended to the ground from her heavenly steed, spoke to him, at which point Count Bergunt had already dismounted and prostrated himself.
“No, I am the one who should apologize for not providing a proper welcome, Apostle Sariel; however, currently we have a situation with Demon thieves occurring—”
Just recently completing an inspection of the Alsace Fortress, Bergunt found it far beyond his prediction as to why she appeared out of whim now, and a slight feeling of resentment crossed his mind that she need not come at this very moment.
Yet, as if to say that such trivial, human thoughts do not concern the divine, Sariel spoke with her usual level voice.
“I have liberated Kuar Village.”
Then, she took out a white package tied to the saddle of her heavenly horse and handed it to Bergunt.
Viewed in that moment, it appeared as if a beautiful girl was delivering a divine gift to a noble clad in splendid armor; however, the lower part of the package was stained with a crimson-black color that emanated an unmistakable odor of foulness.
“W-What is this…?”
Bergunt partially predicted what it was through instinct, but when he confirmed the accuracy, he could not help but let out a gasp of astonishment.
“It is the head of the bandit leader.”
Opening the package revealed a gruesome sight—an orc’s severed head with rolled eyes and an expression of rage.
Even Bergunt, who had experienced many battles, felt a chill of dread seeing the head that seemed poised to reanimate as undead.
However, it was not to the extent of being dazed; Bergunt instantly grasped the implication of this.
In other words, the Seventh Apostle Sariel had single-handedly stormed the Kuar Village, where the thieves had barricaded themselves, and annihilated them.
And that was likely to have happened just this morning.
“It seems I have imposed upon you, Apostle Sariel; I am indebted to you.”
“It is nothing significant.”
Sariel replied without the slightest tremor in her scarlet eyes.
As her words suggested, she likely did not think it burdensome at all to deal with bandits on her own.
For her, beheading a ferocious orc is no more taxing than signing a document—it is nothing more than a mundane task.
Bergunt, also a denizen of the Republic, had heard of the legends of the apostles since childhood, and now as an adult, he still hears of their new achievements being made.
Yet, when confronted with a part of their overwhelming valor like this, he felt an indescribable awe along with a sensation of void as a warrior who wields a sword.
“Thank you. You have saved us from losing soldiers needlessly before the Spada campaign begins.
At the very least, I wish to express my gratitude for your efforts—”
“There is no need for concern.”
There were no ulterior motives in her words; Sariel undoubtedly believed it unnecessary.
“Demon thieves are rampant within the Daedalus territory at present; it is my duty to quell this as soon as possible.”
It appears that Archbishop Lucrom opted to utilize Sariel’s overwhelming military power rather than treating her as a mere decorative commander.
And she herself seems intent on fulfilling her role as the ideal Apostle, executing her mission swiftly.
Having evidently completed her purpose, Sariel turned on her heel and mounted her heavenly horse again.
Just as it seemed she would fly off right away,
“I too hope that the attack on Spada will commence soon, Count Bergunt, may you receive the blessings of the divine.”
Surprised by the unexpected blessing, Count Bergunt raised his head that had been bowed in farewell.
However, by then, Sariel was no longer there.
Having watched her vanish into the sky in an instant, Count Bergunt called out to his soldiers who were still looking upwards.
“Everyone, did you hear the words spoken? The Seventh Apostle Sariel has placed her expectations upon us; we must strive to commence the conquest of Spada at the earliest opportunity!”
In that moment, the Alsace Fortress erupted with overwhelming cheers.
Even though they were Crusaders, they were soldiers serving nobles, and comparatively, their faith was not as strong as that of the church’s soldiers.
Nevertheless, having received encouragement from the beautiful Apostle beloved by the divine, not a single young man of the Republic remained unmotivated.
Bergunt, who leads the army for various reasons, felt the same way.
At that moment, he cast aside all interests, and his passion surged to realize the sacred will desired by the divine from the depths of his heart.
This concludes Chapter 15.
It has been a while since Sariel made an appearance, and it seems she is diligently fulfilling her duties.
July 16, 2012
Regarding the results of the Dengeki Taisho I applied for, unfortunately, I was insufficient and did not pass the first round. I apologize for the disappointing news.
As such, I plan to post this rejected work here. The title is,
“NIGHTMARE WORLD”
From today onward, I will serialize it in multiple parts. Though I was unsuccessful in the first round, there is no slacking off; it is a piece I wrote sincerely. If you’d like, feel free to read it alongside the Black Demon King.
Also, the heroine is yandere.
Thank you very much!