“W-What nonsense… Such nonsense!?”
Inside the camping tent, the shout of Duke Arclight echoed.
As a high-ranking noble, especially as a hidden believer who had kept his faith in the Cross Religion, he had never shown his emotions in public, but in front of such alarming news that was hard to believe, it was only natural for him to let out a scream.
“The capital has fallen, you say…? Ugh, the Apostle! What was Twelfth Apostle Lord Mariabel doing!?”
“Twelfth Apostle Lord Mariabel fought valiantly to protect the royal castle from the encroaching Rebel Army… but fell before Demon King Chrono.”
“The Apostle… lost…? Is she… dead?”
“Her head is frozen and displayed in front of the main gate of the royal castle.”
Already, the death of the Twelfth Apostle had been widely spread.
This would cause the numerous Cross Religion followers in the capital to lose their will to rebel. It has been a common tactic since ancient times to crush the enemy’s morale by taking down a renowned enemy commander and putting them on display, but if an Apostle of the Cross Religion were subjected to that, it would affect not only morale but also faith.
This is the worst. The worst possible scenario has occurred.
“I… underestimated the power of the Demon King…”
Confident in his superiority, he had come to hunt down the Rebel Army.
It was understood that a resistance force was rampant in the city, but he believed that the defenses of the capital were solid. With sufficient troops stationed and the protection of the Apostles, it was impossible to ask for anything more. If he had demanded more, they would not have been able to move even a step from the royal castle.
“Baron Visseendorf’s main force as well as the Rune fleet that appeared in Selene were all a diversion… The Demon King’s target was merely the head of the Apostle in the capital.”
Unless he was at an overwhelming advantage, there was no reason for him to aim for the head of an Apostle.
Indeed, Chrono had already defeated the Seventh Apostle Sariel. But it was said that it had been a battle during the Galahad War, a time when both armies were clashing and the Crusaders were already starting to retreat.
At that time, the Seventh Apostle was in a position of disadvantage, defending a retreating army.
However, this time was different. No matter how active the resistance was, they could not surpass the defensive combat strength of the capital Avalon—if that was overturned, it meant that the specialized combat power led by Demon King Chrono was strong enough to make up for the disadvantage in numbers.
“What does this mean… He already had the power worthy of calling himself a Demon King…”
“What will you do, Your Excellency?”
Regrets began to swirl about not foreseeing the danger of the Demon King earlier, but he switched his thoughts at the inquiry from his subordinate.
“Quickly return to the capital. If we hurry, we may still be able to reclaim it.”
“Understood!”
There was no other course of action.
Even losing the capital temporarily was a huge blunder, but allowing the entire land of Avalon to fall into the hands of the Demon King must absolutely be prevented.
“Calm down… Yes, it’s still not too late…”
Fortunately, the main force of the Rebel Army led by Baron Visseendorf had yet to engage in battle even once.
They had assumed there would be a battle in a small plain and had prepared their defenses, but the Rebel Army had shown no signs of moving, remaining holed up in the nearby town. Although they had superior combat strength, attacking an opponent holed up in a stone-walled town would surely incur significant damage.
However, considering the purpose of the Rebel Army, they couldn’t remain in the town forever, so during the tense standoff between both armies that lasted several days, this report had reached him.
It has now become clear that the main force of the Rebel Army led by Baron Visseendorf was also a diversion, avoiding a decisive battle with them, but that meant that the subjugation army led by Duke Arclight was still intact.
In order to swiftly annihilate the Rebel Army, they were assembled with far more elite troops than those left behind for the defense of the capital. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they were the main force remaining in Avalon.
As long as they were here, the Neo Avalon Army had not yet lost.
“Listen, despite having taken down the Apostles, the damage to their side must also be considerable. If we return to the capital in perfect condition, we will reclaim the royal castle in one fell swoop!”
The enemy had shattered the capital’s defense forces and the Apostles, injured but had only declared their occupation. They shouldn’t have been able to establish a posture to defend it.
However, the more time passed, the more the enemy would fortify their defenses. Therefore, returning to the capital as quickly as possible became crucial, as Duke Arclight inspired his soldiers and set out for home.
He left only a minimum rear guard to avoid being attacked by the main force of the Rebel Army during the retreat, abandoning supplies like food and only taking a concentrated fighting force as they advanced down the road.
There was no leeway for the Rebel Army… or rather, should it now be called the Demon Army, to harass the returning subjugation army.
The formidable army led by the Demon King seemed to be holed up in the capital, and there were no traps or ambushes for the subjugation army as they progressed along the road.
Thus, on the 7th day of the first month, in the morning…
Having pushed through all night, the subjugation army led by Duke Arclight finally reached the capital Avalon.
Ominous dark clouds loomed overhead, bringing about a sense of impending heavy rain and thunder.
No matter how much it rained or how much lightning struck, they could never stop before a capital occupied by the enemy.
With anger and fighting spirit boiling over that shook off the fatigue of the march, Duke Arclight stepped forward in front of his entire army.
“From here on, we shall reclaim our capital!”
“OOOHHH!” The soldiers of the subjugation army responded enthusiastically, determined to take back their home.
On the other side of the road leading to the capital stood the giant main gate that symbolizes Avalon. The gate they had passed through in a grand farewell when they set out was now firmly shut against them.
This should be unacceptable. It must not be allowed. The capital Avalon would now be transformed into a center for spreading the teachings of the White God across Pandora Continent, a holy city.
They would retrieve it from the evil Demon King’s grasp—just as everyone was high in morale and ready to begin their assault.
“—I am Miriard Julius Elroad, King of Avalon.”
As a solemn voice echoed, a large figure was projected in the sky.
It was clearly visible from the subjugation army preparing to storm the capital. It glowed like a square window above the main gate.
What could be seen was an unimpressive middle-aged man. Yet, he held a crown and scepter, adorned in a splendid crimson robe and black formal wear befitting the King of Avalon.
“Y-You… Miriard, you’ve returned!”
As friends in childhood, and as vassals in adulthood. But in his heart, he had never acknowledged him as either a friend or a master. A pitiful naked king who was fated to be driven from the throne now stood before him once again as a true king, causing Duke Arclight to boil over with rage and humiliation, making his vision turn red.
“You traitors, who dare to name yourselves Neo Avalon. Surrender! Avalon has already returned to me, its rightful king.”
“Shut up! Who would recognize a commoner like you, a filthy Demon King’s bloodline, as the ruler of this land!!”
“—Hmm, Heine, your words sting. You always offer me harsh counsel.”
“W-What? You can hear me…?”
What he thought was merely a one-sided declaration before the battle was, in fact, a response to his words from the Miriard who appeared in the sky.
Their sound had carried all the way across. But so what? It was a useless trick.
“Oh yes, I can hear you. Just as you said, I am merely a commoner. I have allowed the country to be taken from me so clumsily, grant the Cross Religion that vile cult the ability to toy with Avalon. I shall surely be remembered as a foolish king for generations to come. That such a fool could be considered a worthy ruler of this great Avalon is simply inconceivable.”
“Stop this pathetic self-deprecation… Is it a jest to say we will be defeated by such fools, Miriard!”
“No, Heine, this is a declaration.”
“A declaration, you say?”
“Indeed. I will pass the throne to someone truly worthy of ruling Avalon.”
“N-No way! You can’t be serious!?”
“Our great progenitor, Mia Elroad’s blessing has been bestowed upon the new Demon King, Emperor Chrono of the Elroad Empire. Avalon shall submit and pledge loyalty.”
A ripple of shock ran through the subjugation army at the declaration to surrender the entire country.
Everyone was aware that the scheming Demon King Chrono was targeting Avalon. However, for the rightful King of Avalon, Miriard, to acknowledge that and voluntarily relinquish his kingdom was something nobody could have ever imagined. Even if a concession were made, he would likely become a puppet king and control Avalon from behind the scenes.
However, it meant that the Demon King genuinely desired to have Avalon in both name and reality.
“Heine, I say once more. Surrender. A true ruler, the Demon King, now reigns over this Avalon. There is no longer even the slightest chance of victory for you.”
“Damn you, Miriard! Have you forgotten your dignity as a king!!”
He had never sworn loyalty to the nation of Avalon. However, to so easily declare handing over his country was an unimaginable folly for a king’s decision.
Understanding the situation that with King Miriard ousted, the Cross Religion had taken control of Avalon, he could see that the only force he could depend on was the Demon Elroad Empire… but such an ignoble choice, one that would sell the entire nation to seek aid, could never be permitted for a king.
“Not only as a king, but as a human, as a man, you’ve fallen to the depths!”
“You may berate me as much as you like. However, if you are indeed a general leading an army, think calmly. Do you really believe you can win against the mighty Demon Army at this point?”
“Shut it! All troops, battle stations! I shall personally take the head of that shameful foolish king!!”
In response to Duke Arclight’s rallying cry, the subjugation army answered.
With one more command for the attack to begin, they would charge into the capital.
The charged atmosphere was palpable, on the brink of exploding, as two armies exceeded a thousand clashed in battle.
“Then, I shall issue my final command as King of Avalon—attack the traitors claiming to be Neo Avalon!”
The capital’s defense forces… were nowhere to be found.
From the closed main gate of the capital, there was not a single battle cry, nor even a command; it remained silent. It was an eerie quiet, as if Miriard were alone.
“Ha, I see you’re weary enough to not even raise your voice. Such weak soldiers befit a foolish king who has abandoned his country.”
At that moment, when he so despised the extraordinary silence…
It was not a sound but a shadow that appeared.
A shadow. A large black shadow coming down from above.
“What the hell is that…”
“Is it real? That can’t be…”
Before even chastising the soldiers whispering about it, Duke Arclight looked up at the sky.
There he saw a massive presence casting the shadow of doom over the subjugation army.
“Is it an aerial fortress! Why… why is there such a thing in Avalona!?”
The aerial fortress Peaceful Heart, boasted by Eleventh Apostle Misa.
Its flying castle was well known in the capital Avalon; no one was unaware of it. Naturally, because something that huge couldn’t be hidden, hovering in the air, dominating all view.
While it had been floating insolently right above the royal castle of Avalon, it served as a stronghold suitable for representing the abode of the divine messengers, instilling fear of the Cross Religion into the people of the capital.
Furthermore, from the perspective of military knights, it was only natural to imagine how much threat such a floating fortress could pose on the battlefield. Everyone concluded it was a good thing to have an ally with such a superhuman ancient weapon.
Yet, knowing that existence had caused fear, for everyone, including those from the subjugation army composed of people from Avalon, including Duke Arclight, they all feared it.
Now, just above their heads, shattering the ominous overcast sky, the pitch-black hull of the Demon King’s aerial fortress revealed itself—and they could only tremble.
“Good morning, everyone! It’s me, Lily!!”
The overwhelming presence and intimidating aura of the black aerial fortress roared with a carefree voice that was in stark contrast to its severe exterior.
Listening to that cute voice conjured images of a playful innocent child, who would crush insects for fun, showcasing an unsettling cruelty.
“Bad kids who don’t listen to me—are in for a big surprise!”
Boom!!
In an instant, a massive column of fire erupted by the side of the road.
With a deafening loud bang, the rushing shockwave hit the subjugation army. All the soldiers, who had been on the verge of charging into the capital, covered their ears and hunched their bodies against the scorching winds.
“What… What was that… Did we just get shot at… from that thing?”
Duke Arclight wore an expression of disbelief, no, one of unwillingness to believe, constantly shifting his gaze between the floating black fortress above and the explosion site spewing thick black smoke by the roadside.
In the chaotic confusion of an impossible situation, a calm part of him confirmed that the barrel of the aerial fortress, slightly lifting smoke, was indeed aimed directly at the explosion point.
They had been shot at. There was no question; the massive cannon mounted on that aerial fortress was not just for show. It had functioned spectacularly as an ancient weapon, unleashing tremendous destructive power.
Fortunately, it hadn’t exploded in the middle of the subjugation army… not because it missed, but because it had not aimed to hit them. It dawned upon him that this had been a warning shot.
If they were shot at again, it would be over. They would be blown away and annihilated. Nothing could be done from there, it would be one-sided.
The cool analysis indicated a terribly desperate situation, and there his thoughts came to a halt.
Roar!!
Then, another resounding roar further stiffened his body.
Looking, he saw winged dragons circling around the massive aerial fortress.
Not dragon knights… they were enormous, far larger than any mountable flying dragon.
It only struck him once he stared in blank amazement; the aerial fortress alone was so gigantic that the black dragon spiraling above it dwarfed any mountable flying dragon.
He felt as though he understood the emotions of a small creature being hunted by a mighty bird of prey.
The black dragon soared overhead, as if to declare itself the ruler of the skies, and after showing off its majestic flying ability, it landed on the very top of the massive ship.
It stood proudly on the highest part, one resembling a ship’s bridge.
“I am Demon King Chrono.”
The weighty voice of the man fell upon them.
“O soldiers of Neo Avalon, kneel. Be afraid, look up and behold.”
This was the Demon Army. The absolute power that ruled the skies.
This display was more than enough to illustrate that they had no chance of winning, not even a minuscule one.
“I am not as kind as Miriard. Kneel down immediately—”
“—Well, I’m glad the subjugation army surrendered.”
“That’s great!”
Sitting in the captain’s seat inside the Sky Battleship Shangri-La, I let out a sigh of relief with the young girl Lily on my lap.
On the day we took control of the royal castle and completed the liberation of the capital Avalon, the first thing I did was reactivate the Original Monolith.
By doing so, reopening the teleportation to Pandemonium became my top priority, above all else. In other words, if this succeeded, the capital’s defense would be solidified.
Of course, if teleportation was possible, we could send the Imperial Army trained in Pandemonium straight here. Joseph and Zenongart had endured much trouble.
Among the reinforcements from our headquarters, the main feature was, of course, the Sky Battleship Shangri-La, which Marshal Lily was so proud of.
Once radiant with shimmering silver hulls, that was a story of the past. The ship had been repainted to a robust jet black, as it was being remodeled to become fitting for Demon King Chrono, according to Lily. As of now, it seemed like this was merely a base coat. Nevertheless, it appeared sufficiently intimidating to hover in the sky.
Just having this floating above was enough to make any number of dragon knights futile against us.
The enemy seemed aware of the existence of the flying battleship from Misa’s Peaceful Heart, but knowing it would not allow for immediate countermeasures. The Apostles, their hopes, had already been taken down, leaving no hope for a miraculous turnaround.
Thus, the morale of the enemy was broken by showcasing this decisive weapon, but in reality, it was rather close.
I knew it was possible to teleport Shangri-La using the Original Monolith, given Lily had proven it by moving from Destiny Land to Pandemonium. However, it wasn’t as simple as doing it whenever and however often I pleased.
Teleportation burned a significant amount of energy from Shangri-La.
It was unclear if this was the standard function or if it resulted from not fully restoring it to its previous capabilities, but after teleporting, the remaining energy appeared to be insufficient for immediate battle.
It might have been fine to fire one warning shell, but it was limited to two or three more at best.
If Duke Arclight went all out in desperation, sending his dragon knights with the intention to wipe them out, there was a high possibility they would incur significant damages.
Well, that’s why both I and Belkrosen stepped in. In a pinch, I was ready to unleash Bel’s dragon breath and swiftly eradicate the subjugation army.
“I’m sorry for relying on you in the end, Lily.”
“Mufufu, you can rely on me more!”
Lily proudly said, but after forming an alliance with the Runes and leading the fleet to Selene, after I liberated the capital, she had returned here and flown to Pandemonium to ride Shangri-La back—just how much work had I left for her.
Despite that, since she was the only one who could fully maneuver the Shangri-La as the representative of the Empire with full authority to conduct diplomacy, it can’t be helped that I was fully reliant on her. It was indeed urgent to nurture someone capable of handling such important tasks in her stead.
“Really, I appreciate it. This Avalon Liberation Operation, settled almost solely by my own decision, has been safely completed.”
“Yup!”
From now, the issues stacked up to be resolved would include the reconstruction and governance of Avalon, which had been ravaged due to Nero’s tyranny, and territory defenses against the main Crusader unit in Spada.
Nonetheless, successfully incorporating Avalon into the Empire was a significant achievement and would hold immense importance for the future strategy against the Crusaders.
For now, with today ending in a happy resolution—
“Then when we return, let’s have an important talk, okay?”
Nel’s fervent proposal.
The fateful contract with Belkrosen.
Individually, they seemed like wonderful relations, but for me, they were seeds of a war more terrifying than the Crusaders.
In fact, they were already a mess. Right on the day Lily had arrived from Selene to the capital Avalon.
It had only gotten worse, and not yet resolved at all.
Ahh, what do I do with this… I really might be in serious trouble this time…
With a distant gaze, I gently petted Lily’s head as she joyfully bounced on my lap. It felt like I was touching the launch switch for a nuclear missile.