Episode 7: The Hero Takes His Own Life (7) – Barrier of Light / Prison of Despair
After the village was destroyed by the monsters, I returned to the royal capital before Hroboros' army reached it. I was trying to get my friends, who had been speaking out against the bad rumors about the heroes, out of the capital and into the land of the elves――― I did not want to "see what happened after" to those who had cooperated with Alberic's honor to the end and who were friendly with the Hero's Party. ……It was sad, though, that there were only less than five of them.
I can say that the transfer went smoothly because everyone followed my words that there was no time to spare without asking too many questions.
As for where to take shelter, I asked Luqur in advance if she could shelter my friends in the capital of the Elven Kingdom. Since she secretly sent us an escort from the Elven Kingdom, they were able to travel to the Elven Kingdom without any problems.
At about the same time that everyone was able to escape, the Royal Capital was finally aware that an unusual number of demonic troops were heading toward the city, and it turned into a flurry of activity.
The army, relieved that the Demon King was dead and completely at peace, was slower than a tortoise, its actions delayed until it was too late to respond in any way.
The approach of the demon army was already at a stage where it would strike in a matter of days, it was far too close for all the people in the capital to escape, and there was really no way to flee at this point in time, so it was too late to do anything about it. The messengers from the midway fortress and the fast horses from the villages may have been taken care of around the time the village of Alberic was destroyed, but honestly, I could not care less.
In the midst of all this, I was summoned by the King and granted an audience while keeping my thoughts secret.
When I knelt in front of the throne, the blue-faced king, with only his pouty demeanor, shouted out instructions to me in a hushed voice.
Celestial Knight, you will carry on the hero's legacy and deal with the threat to the Royal Capital, and don't forget to fortify the city in case of emergency!! You could do that with a barrier so strong that demons can't easily break through it, couldn't you?! As I recall, the barrier is supposed to remain even if you die, so hurry up!! I don't like scum."
The stout attitude, which seemed to hide his fear with bravado, and the extremely selfish words, made me almost burst out laughing. Oh, but of course, I will follow the hero's will, I thought with a sneer in my mind, so I will move following his final wishes.
"―――Yes, I understand. As you wish."
This is because, while I have no loyalty whatsoever, and I will still see the end of this country, it would surely be worse to leave them hoping.
Thus I packed up what little I had and left the castle that day, but as soon as I was outside the castle they raised the drawbridge and both the knights and the soldiers showed a stance of seclusion. I laughed because it seemed that after shutting me out, no one was going to go outside, and they planned to leave me on my own. ……Well, it doesn't matter because I'm never coming back to this country.
Then I walked to the hill overlooking the royal city. ……This was also the place where Alberic took his life.
I released a sigh, and then I launched my "Celestial Knight" technique as I looked down on the city.
As soon as the barrier of light was deployed to surround the city, the inhabitants were relieved to see it, and each one gave a joyful sigh of relief.
……But while that barrier is solid, it's not indestructible. I've done what I said I would do, deploying the barrier, but that doesn't mean it's absolutely safe, you know?
Indeed, the barrier completely isolates the inside from the outside. It prevents entry until it is destroyed, but instead, no one in the royal capital can get out ――― or rather, escape ――― until it is destroyed. It truly is a prison specially made by a Celestial Knight.
It was the King himself who gave the instructions, so this is the way he wanted his kingdom to end. ……And I'll be here to "see" it through.
Eventually, Hroboros' army reached the royal capital, but its invasion was successfully thwarted as its momentum was killed by the city's defensive barrier.
There was enough cheering from within the city to reach here, but it wouldn't be long before the abusive language hurled at the demons outside the castle, and the voices filled with praise for the king would be tinged with resentment and despair. Because no one can get out of the castle.
I put the liquor bottle to my mouth, swallowed it with a gulp, and continued to watch the scene leisurely, waiting for the doom that would soon come.
Unable to invade the capital, the forces of Hroboros formed an encirclement around the city. People inside the city walls did not realize what was wrong with this scene, instead deciding to make fun of the forces outside. To begin with, surviving a siege was only possible if there were reinforcements and a garrison on the outside.
It was not only foolish, but out of the question, to stay in the castle as if you were shut up in a shell. What awaited them was either self-destruction and death from starvation after running out of supplies, or the destruction of the barrier. It reminded me of the battle of Odawara Castle, which I was familiar with as knowledge from my previous life.
――――One day passed, three days passed, and then came the fifth.
The army of monsters outside the castle showed no signs of moving; rather, they continued to repeatedly attack the defenses day and night. The king may have thought that the demons would leave the area after failing to break through the defensive barrier, but he was naive.
The elaborate carnage in "that village" was conducted with a clear desire to kill. That was why there was no way they would walk away from this huge cage in front of them.
The swarms of monsters were blocked by the barrier, and even when the small fry died, one after another followed by a suicide attack on the barrier, killing themselves. The durability of the barrier was slowly but steadily being whittled away. What lies beyond it being broken―――?
Then, with no internal and external traffic and limited resources in the royal city, they have to endure the never-ending invasion....... I wonder how long the people's hearts and minds will last.
"Kukuku, is it all right, Celestial Knight? With your "Heavenly Sword", you would be able to push back a crowd of small fry of that size all by yourself. If you fight to the death, you will have a good match against Hroboros, who will eventually make a direct assault. I'm not trying to flatter you, but I'd say there's an 80% chance that you can bring this to a close. "
I turned my head to look at the voice and before I knew it, "that" was standing right next to me.
She was a beautiful woman dressed in a frilly maid's uniform, but unlike humans, she had bull-like horns growing out of the side of her head.
Her loose, fluffy silver hair had a strange purple tint in the right light and was different from the demons I knew, including her iridescent irises. ……Well, I'm not interested in who this person is, and I don't really care, but I'll answer her question to relieve the boredom.
"I don't owe them my life."
The woman laughed out loud at my reply as if she was truly amused.
"Hahahahahaha! Well, excuse me. But yes, you certainly have no reason to help them."
After she finished laughing, she continued to chuckle softly, seemingly unable to bear the feeling. When I looked at her suspiciously, the woman straightened her posture and reverently said her name.
"――――Oh, I'm sorry, I'm a bit late to introduce myself, I am called "Devil". One of the world-destroying phenomena of which Alberic, the hero, was informed."
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Sousaku - 創作 - We Create! 