Chapter 082 (2/2)

In response to Zekwell who had remained calm right to the end, Vermudol stopped smiling and answered.

「Yeah, let me declare this without a single bit of deception. In that case, whether it be the Hero or whatever, I will provide enough war potential to kick them about. But naturally, if your country is to betray us, then that war potential will be turned onto your country.」

「……I see. I am grateful for your answer.」

Staring at Zekwell’s face that looked satisfied, Sarigan realized the meaning of that and his face turned pale.

「Wait, wait! Did you say the Hero! What do you mean by that!」

「There is nothing to it. It means just as it sounds.」

Vermudol had cold water thrown on him, and he immediately became displeased.

If the Demon King were to appear, then naturally, the Hero would also appear.

In that case, it meant that the war would change from strife between fellow countries, to a strife between mankind and the Mazoku.

Vermudol was trying to pull the Sylphid out from the framework of that strife.

But, that was merely all.

「……You will, become an enemy of the Gods.」

「In that case, let’s drive back the Gods as well.」

That’s right, that’s all there was to it.

Since the true enemy was most likely the God of Life, there was nothing else to do at this point.

「You’re mad……This country is a country that has faith in the God of Water Aklia and the God of Wind Wyrm, you know. That kind of proposal is……!」

Fainell glared at the Sylphid general that shouted that.

Stopping her with his hand, Vermudol nodded.

「If you are saying that you can’t go along with this, then that means that the meaning of these negotiations will change though.」

「What do you mean by that!」

The cat beastman general that was about to draw his weapon was blown back along with his chair, and hit the wall.

The one that got down to the place where that general had been sitting, was Fainell.

Fainell had stood up from her seat, jumped over the desk and sent the cat beastman general flying along with his chair with a kick.

「It is simple. Demon King-sama has a wonderful suggestion within him that is able to eliminate all of your worries……that is what he means.」

Fainell announced that while going around the desk……and returned to her seat beside Vermudol.

「Well, that’s how it is. With this plan, you all will be released from your troubles.」

After Vermudol said that, he announced his next proposal with a clear voice.

「Capitulate. Submit to the Zadark Kingdom. If you do that, then I will protect you from all threats.」

Sarigan understood that to be Vermudol saying that they should become the Zadark Kingdom’s……the Mazoku’s subordinates.

But, Vermudol’s following words crushed Sarigan’s expectations.

「I am not telling you to become subordinates. In reality, it’s an annexation. The Zadark Kingdom will promise to treat the citizens of the Jiol Forest Kingdom as equals.」

There wasn’t a single hidden meaning or lie in that.

In the Zadark Kingdom, although there are differences in official positions, essentially, whether they are a Dragon, a Beastia, or a Goblin, all races were equal.

「……Naturally, the executive power in this land will belong to us, right?」

Zekwell opened his mouth before faster than Sarigan.

「Of course. I will have you accept several arrangements but……in the general framework of it, it won’t be any different from how it is now.」

「May I take that as there being no bad blood between us for fighting against the Mazoku in the past?」

「Is this about Luuty? You don’t need to worry. The citizens of the Zadark Kingdom have already divided the past as being something of the past.」

「Wait……wait!」

Sarigan cut into the progressing exchange between Vermudol and Zekwell.

After clicking his tongue sounding displeased, Vermudol turned his gaze to Sarigan.

「What is it, Sarigan-dono.」

「Don’t what is it me! Something like that……it isn’t something that can be decided in this place!」

「I see. In that case, you aren’t needed. Since I will treat you as former royalty, you can just be quiet.」

「Wha……」

Leaving Sarigan, who had become even more pale, as he was, Vermudol looked at each of the Jiol Forest Kingdom generals that had become noisy.

「That goes for all of you as well. Anyone that is unable to declare that they will obey me here……in particular, anyone that has plans to take action as a rebellious member after all of this, I would like for you to say it now. It will save me the trouble of finding and crushing you in the distant future after all.」

Being told that, there was no one that would make a remark.

They merely gazed at Vermudol with eyes filled with strong determination. All except Zekwell.

For Zekwell, he couldn’t just abandon his country, but no matter what, he couldn’t help but think of prioritize his beloved Luuty.

What should be done to let Luuty live, what should be done to leave this country that Luuty lives in in its best form……it was speech and conduct that desperately thought about those things.

Though, as a statesman, it was a decision that should absolutely not be made.

Although Vermudol thought that, he had no intention of criticizing him for it.

It was because Zekwell was the wisest one here, and had become the one that was most understanding.

「Well then, may I judge this as you accepting the advice to capitulate?」

「……ial……ards.」

「Nn?」

Hearing the words of Sarigan, whose face had completely gone into a ruddy complexion, Vermudol turned his gaze towards him.

「Call the Royal Palace Imperial Guards!」

With those words, a commotion spread amongst the generals as well.

「Why you……I’ve understood everything, damned Demon King! By creating this situation, you’re aiming to make this country your foothold for your invasion on mankind, aren’t you! This Sarigan will not fall for your evil schemes!」

「Hou. What splendid words……If you exclude how stupid you are that is.」

「I will make you understand……which one of us is the stupid one!」

After breathing a sigh, Vermudol turned his gaze to Fainell.

「Fainell. Go retrieve Zekwell.」

「Yes.」

After confirming that Fainell had forcibly carried Zekwell in her arms, Vermudol unleashed the magical power he had been holding down.

At the same time his dense magical power covered the royal castle, the Royal Palace Imperial Guard rushed into the council room.

「O brave warriors of the Jiol Forest Kingdom! Defeat the Demon King!」

With Sarigan’s command, the half-absentminded generals also drew their swords and shouted.

「……Demon King-sama.」

「There is no need.」

Vermudol interrupted Fainell’s words.

「More importantly, bring Zekwell to where Luuty is.」

「……Yessir.」

Seeing Fainell, who vanished with Transfer Magic, off, Vermudol lightly received a sword that was swung to cut off his head.

「Wha……」

「What a worthless good-for-nothing.」

After making a yawn, Vermudol muttered only one word.

「──Volsaber」

What was born in his hands in response to that word, were blades of lightning.

It was the signature move of the Eastern General Fainell, as well as her original magic.

Swinging his arm that was clad in blades of lightning, Vermudol mowed down the body of the general that slashed at him.

「A……gagibuagagagagaraa!!」

Raising a death agony shout where no one could no longer understand what language it might be in, the general was enveloped in intense sparks……became human-shaped charcoal, and before long, turned into ash where not even his bones remained and crumbled down.

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「Fumu……I wonder if she’d get mad if she knew that I selfishly ripped off her technique. But still, this thing sure is handy.」

With a lighthearted tone that wasn’t fitting for the gruesomeness of the place, Vermudol muttered that.

「Ahh, you all can come at me at once, you know? In the end, all of you will be massacred. The only difference is how fast or slow it happens, you know?」

Smiling with a gentle face, he declared that.