Chapter 80: Conversion

　◇ [Arthur’s perspective]

　——9:00 on May 7, in the center of the border.

　A vast plain near the border served as the location for the ceasefire negotiations. There were no buildings, only a wooden table and a few chairs placed in the center.

The demon army, united forces, and others were waiting at a distance of about 100 meters from the negotiation site.

　Takumi and the others were at the forefront of the demon army, closest to the negotiation site. Now that I had taken control of the kingdom’s forces, they were allies, not enemies. Nevertheless, the situation was unpredictable, and having Takumi and the others nearby was reassuring.

The united forces were arranged in three layers, closest to the negotiation site were the Melchid Kingdom forces, followed by the Adventurers Guild, and then the Elven army. Eldor and Legolas returned to their respective forces to take command.

Gibson and Mary were in the center of the Melchid Kingdom forces, waiting. I had wanted them to stay close to me, away from the enemy Adventurers Guild and Elven army. However, Gibson opposed the idea, and as a compromise, they were waiting in the center. He didn’t know about my connection with the demon army, so it was natural for him to suggest keeping Mary away from the enemy demons.

　——With both sides prepared, Princess Karla and I took our seats. Following us, the civilian officials also sat down. Among them was Gail, who served as a civilian official. As a civilian official, he could have at least brought pen and paper…

“Now then, let’s begin—”

At that moment, Eldor’s voice interrupted Princess Karla’s words, resonating around the area.

“Hehehe. I am Eldor, serving as the Grand General of the united forces.”

Looking towards the source of the voice, I saw several floating spheres in the sky. Were they magical tools acting as speakers?

“Dear demons, the man before the princess is called Arthur. He’s the one who killed your brethren. You’re all such idiots. Finally, you manage to bring the escaped princess right in front of the executioner…”

What is that fox-woman thinking?

“Now, General Arthur, go ahead and kill the princess right in front of the demons as planned.”

Is this Eldor’s cunning plan? To think that the demons would fall for such lies, that’s too shallow of an assumption. Princess Karla and Gail didn’t react to it.

　——At that moment, a loud scream came from the demon army.

“Princess, run! This old man will protect you!”

Who is that massive man… a demon?

Then, the other demons, unsure of what to do, followed after him in confusion. How could they fall for such a trick!?

As Princess Karla and Gail hurriedly stood up, intending to stop them, something unexpected happened.

　Suddenly, a girl appeared before the approaching demons. What is that… a Japanese… priestess outfit? …with a tail?

I-I don’t understand.

At this rate, that girl will be in danger. I have to go help her.

——At that moment, a dense smell of death filled the air.

It was such an intense and adhesive death that even breathing felt repulsive. A suffocating sensation enveloped my body, and sweat started to pour out.

What is this… Could it be the girl’s killing intent?

The charging demons halted their steps slightly away from the girl and trembled in fear.

To that spot where the demons were, Takumi, Mia, and another girl identical to the first arrived… twins?

As Takumi and the giant demon were conversing, the girl who had appeared first vanished without a trace.

　Then, I received a telepathic message from Takumi.

“Sorry to startle you. I never expected them to fall for such a trick.”

“That’s not the problem. Who is that girl?”

“She’s an ally. It’ll take too long to explain now. The Elves have initiated this attack, so should we cancel the ceasefire plan? What will you do, Karla?”

Even during the ceasefire negotiation, we had considered the possibility of a surprise attack from the Elven army and the Adventurers Guild.

For such a case, we had prepared a plan, of course.

“True. Let’s change the plan then. As discussed, let’s go with the counterattack plan by the demon and kingdom forces!”

◇ [Mary’s perspective]

“How dull. It wasn’t supposed to be that simple.”

Eldor’s voice echoed through the speakers.

As condescending as ever.

“Well then, let’s change the target, shall we…?”

Immediately after, explosions erupted in various places behind the kingdom’s forces.

On closer inspection, magic and arrows were flying from the rear.

The Adventurers Guild was attacking the kingdom’s forces.

But the damage was minimal.

That was because my brother had explained the possibility of being attacked by the Adventurers Guild and the Elven army during the ceasefire negotiations and the countermeasures to be taken. He had conveyed the information to the army.

“All forces, turn around! The enemy is not the demon army but the Adventurers Guild and the Elven army! Each squad, proceed as planned!”

My brother’s voice resounded.

Next to me, Gibson-sama nodded and mounted his horse.

“Mary, we need to evacuate from here. Get on the horse quickly.”

　Gibson-sama, on horseback, reached out and lifted me onto it.

“We’re moving from here. Hold onto me tightly and don’t let go until I say so!”

“Y-Yes.”

Afterward, Gibson-sama rode his horse, threading through allies and friends.

I held onto Gibson-sama’s waist tightly, trying not to fall.

　”Ugh, ughh… this shaking is making me feel sick. I might fall off the horse if I’m not careful.”

“Mary, where is Gibson headed? According to the plan, he should be joining me.”

Why does my brother have to send a telepathic message at a time like this… ugh, the horse’s movements are making me feel queasy.

“I’m sorry. The shaking is severe, and the direction keeps changing rapidly… I can’t ask Gibson-sama right now.”

“He’s trying to leave our formation. He’s moving slightly away from the Adventurers Guild.”

Just then, right before us, the figures of the kingdom’s soldiers disappeared, and we found ourselves in an uninhabited wilderness.

It seemed that we had managed to break free from the kingdom’s camp.

The horse continued to gallop, distancing us from the battlefield on the deserted plains.

The swaying lessened slightly without any zigzags.

“Gibson-sama, where are you planning to go? We’re getting away from our own formation.”

“It’s been about three minutes. At this distance… I think it’s safe.”

With that, Gibson-sama grabbed the hand that was holding onto his waist.

Startled, I tried tobreak free of his hand, but he wouldn’t release his grip.

Something is off. And his tone seems different from usual…

“Gibson-sama, please stop joking at a time like this. We should return to the main camp—”

What’s happening?

My abdomen… feels hot…

“Mary, I’m sorry for deceiving you. Your sacrifice won’t be in vain. I’ll take over from here…”

　I had a shortsword stuck in my stomach.

　When the hell did he … Gibson-sama… remained facing forward while riding the horse.

He held the reins with one hand… and with the other, he was holding my hand.

My consciousness is fading… at least…

“——Brother… Gibson is… an impostor…”

“Mary, no, don’t faint yet.”

　Guhah… The short sword stuck in my stomach was twisted up.

“Mary, what’s happening? What’s going on!? Quickly return the protection to yourself! Restore the protection, Mary!”

My brother’s… voice… protection?

That’s right. I need to apply the protection to myself…

Huh? Why isn’t it working?… The skill isn’t activating.

“Hehehe. Ahahahaha. Mary, you’ve done well. Your role ends here. Now, rest peacefully.”

Gibson-sama released his grip on my hand.

As I lost consciousness, I fell to the ground.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter