Chapter 362: It’s All Thanks to You

Alone, I walked through soldiers going here and there, getting ready for battle.

The Takao Sisters headed for Sogou.

The current location of the Subjugation Alliance is behind the royal capital of the Holy Kingdom of Neia.

……Well, strictly speaking, it’s actually diagonally behind Neia.

In any case, thanks to this, we were able to receive a great amount of supplies.

After this, we can also expect supplies from Urza and Mira, which are further behind us.

For the time being, there seems to be no need to worry about logistics or being ambushed from the rear.

The Sacrament army is apparently advancing straight towards us along the main road.

Scouts riding Bakuos’ Black Dragons said they were a fairly large force.

[Black Dragons sure are very useful to have on our side.]

Golden-eyed monsters are shot down by the Sacred Eye when they exceed a certain altitude.

However, Bakuos’ Black Dragons are categorized as ordinary monsters.

Because they don’t have golden eyes, they can fly above the Golden-eyed monsters.

They will not be shot down by the Sacred Eye.

Of course, if they raise their altitude too high, the problem with low oxygen may arise.

[Hey.]

[……………..]

[……Hey.]

[……………..]

[HEY!]

[Hm? What is it, Liese?]

The person who stopped me was Lieselotte Ornick.

I mean, I did already notice her presence.

She really was calling out to me huh.

[I had been repeatedly calling you, what the heck is wrong with you!?]

Well……

I mean, she obviously wasn’t looking at me when she called out, you know?

[Even if you tell me that…… By the way, what are you doing here?]

Thereupon, with a twitching smile on her lips……

[“By the way”!? You’re just nonchalantly slipping out of that huh……  ———–Hmph!]

With her arms folded, Liese (still as short as ever) puffed out her chest……

[Well, I guess I can answer your question!]

[Nah, I’m not really forcing you to answer. See you later then.]

[Wait…… Stop right there———- Wait for me……!]

I was about to walk away when she flusteredly rushed after me.

I stopped and turned around……

[I’m just kidding.]

[Geez———– Geez! Why are you being so mean to me!? Geez……]

Liese squared her shoulders, before looking away with a hmph.

……She was pouting, but she kinda looked a bit happy.

Seriously, she sure is an easy-to-understand fellow……

[Even though a big battle is coming up, you don’t seem to be overly anxious. I’m relieved about that.]

As I started walking, Liese walked alongside me.

[You think so? Even though I may not seem like it, I am nervous, you know? It’s just, well, you’re here on our side after all.]

[You don’t feel pressured when I’m around?]

[I mean, you…… Look, you don’t fight battles you don’t think you can win, right? I’m looking at this battle that way.]

[Well, it’s quite an honor hearing Faraway Country’s Prime Minister-sama say that.]

[Uuuu…… You sound kind of sarcastic though? Can’t you just be upfront———-]

[No, I’m simply flattered.]

[————–Uuuu, ……I- I told you to stop with the surprise attacks, right!? The heck is with you!?]

[…………………]

Seriously, she really is easy to understand.

This Arachnid Prime Minister.

Since we’ve met here, I guess I’ll ask her something I’ve been a bit curious about.

[Are you going to be able to get along with the other members of the Alliance?]

For the people of the Faraway Country, they are citizens of the outside world that they are not familiar with.

They have only been in the outside world for a short time.

And yet, they were now going to fight side by side with those people from the outside world.

There might be some problems that occur because of this.

If that happens, I hope I can step in and smooth things out between them but————

[Right…… I think I was, no, rather than me, I think Mira’s Emperor and Neia’s Queen had done a great job on that matter. They seem to make it easier for Demi-Humans and monsters to blend in. They take care of things like placements and movements for ease of integration———– Ah, right, right.]

Liese, seemingly having remembered something……

[After this, I’m going to visit Mira’s Demi-Human warriors.]

[Mira’s Demi-Human troops from the western part of the country huh.]

[Well, you see…… We have been living hidden in the Faraway Country, and I think we should consider the thoughts of those who continue to live in the outside world. We’re going to fight together from now on after all…… so having significant grudges between us could be problematic.]

[Probing how they feel about the Faraway Country huh.]

Thereupon, as the slightest hint of resignation showed on Liese’s face……

[If they happen to dislike us, I don’t intend to force reconciliation. If they’re hostile towards us, then I would consider consulting with Mira’s emperor to change our placements.]

[…………………]

Heehhh……

It seems that she has also changed.

“I don’t want to abandon my stance of discussing things out to reach a mutual understanding.”

That was what she used to say.

However……

“No matter what kind of person they are, I’m sure we can understand each other if we just talk things through.”

Her way of thinking isn’t solely focused on that one direction anymore.

“If it’s impossible, it’s impossible. Taking things into account, I will make adjustments so that it doesn’t have a negative impact on the overall situation.”

She can do such a thing now.

Liese holds out her arms, seemingly shrugging her shoulders……

[When I go to meet the other side, I’m going to bring Gio and Qir with me. I tend to get hotheaded and lose my temper———– Annoying this may be——— but Gio is a surprisingly calm guy. Even if I get hotheaded, I believe he’ll keep me in check. As for Qir, with that personality of hers, she’ll lighten the atmosphere, she’s probably better at gaining their trust. She’s the right person for negotiations.]

Hmmm……

[I see you’ve learned your strengths and weaknesses, and am now able to rely on the help of those around you.]

Rubbing the bridge of her nose with her fingertips, Liese bashfully averted her gaze.

[Well——— Yeah…… right? S- Speaking of which———–]

Not just shifting her gaze, Liese also diverted the topic to hide her embarrassment.

[The “key” you guys got also safely arrived!]

Key?

[……Ahh, to the Great Treasury……]

After defeating Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries, we had a chance to negotiate with the Mad Emperor.

There, we were given a list of the items in their Great Treasury.

At that time, Liese and the others said they wanted some of the items on the list.

And so, I entrusted those items to the messenger heading towards the Faraway Country.

[There was an armory in the castle that we hadn’t been able to open for a long time. Many tried to open it without the key in the past, but no matter what they tried, it apparently wouldn’t budge. Of course, my generation tried it as well, but it was futile. However, there were old documents passed down, with illustrations, describing what kind of key was needed to open it. It’s just, within our country, we haven’t found any hint of finding it at all.]

Incidentally, that document apparently also mentioned that that locked room was an “armory”.

[And then, we found something in that list that looked like that key.]

[I see.]

However, even Liese doesn’t seem sure if it really was the key.

Just with the thought that perhaps, it was the key to that armory, she asked me to acquire that key.

Well, even though we call it key, it was shaped more like a crystal.

[That means you opened it, right?]

[That’s right!]

Thereupon, Liese snorted, proudly puffing out her chest again.

[Inside, there were old weapons and magic tools, and about half of them were still in usable condition. There were also some suspicious liquids labeled as “nostrums”…… b- but well…… Considering the length of time they were left untouched, I don’t really feel like they’re safe to drink…… Although there were notes saying they wouldn’t spoil…… Drinking that is still a bit……]

Finding it difficult to explain herself, Liese could only wryly smile.

From what I heard, those sound like really ancient drugs……

When it comes to something you drink, I can understand why she wouldn’t have the courage to try it.

[Come to think of it…… On a postscript written in the cut-off part of that document, it said something about dragon’s blood. Niko groaned when she saw that, looking like she was thinking about something…… but species-wise, I wonder if she had any thoughts regarding an item like that?]

Dragonewt Kokoroniko Doran———– nicknamed Niko.

This time, she’s part of the group staying behind.

Incidentally, hearing about dragon’s blood also reminds me of Dragonslayer Banewolf but……

His ability is more about transforming into a Dragonewt.

Well, both of them aren’t likely to participate in the battle against Vysis this time.

[Right, right, there were magic tools that could unleash quite impressive attack spells when we tried them! Qir also got her hands on an ancient magic bow! Gio too, even though he hasn’t shown them to you yet, but he got two ancient katanas from the armory, and combined with the ones he previously used…… he now carries four katanas on his waist!]

Liese proudly puffed out her chest once again.

As if it was her own achievement.

However———— Seemingly regaining her bearings, Liese stopped.

Thereupon, as if to start the conversation anew, the Arachnid Prime Minister cleared her throat.

[I- In any case…… Our strength has improved, so I think we can be of some help. That’s all I wanted to say. That’s all, okay?]

[It’s great that that armory being opened has boosted your strength, but even without it, I already have faith in you. Besides———–]

This is something I’ve already told Gio but……

[For Liese and the others too, this battle is undoubtedly important.]

This is a battle that is directly related to the future of the Faraway Country.

[Right. Our movements in this battle will define the perception the outside world will have towards us, Demi-Humans and monsters——— towards us of the Faraway Country…… I feel like this battle will largely determine the initial impression they have of us.]

[I heard that since joining, you’ve been actively going around to greet both the Mira camp and the camps from other countries.]

[W- What the heck…… So you knew……?]

[I’ve mostly heard it through reports though.]

Thereupon……

[You’re right.]

Liese’s expression turned serious.

[I’m not cut out for combat, so when the battle starts, I’ll probably just be thinking hard and giving instructions from the rear. Compared to our comrades on the front lines, it’s almost like there’s no danger for me. On the other hand, our comrades on the front lines are fighting in a high-risk situation where they could lose their lives…… That’s why, I have to move decisively wherever I can. I have to give my all in fulfilling my duty. I can’t contribute in battles…… so I will do those that I can more than anyone else.]

How should I say this……

[You’ve grown.]

[…………It’s all thanks to you.]

It was a whisper———- or so it should be meant to be……

However, her whisper reached my ears.

Though I say that……

I decided to just play dumb.

[Hmm? You said something?]

[I- I said nothing! Geez! You’re still acting arrogant, looking down on me!]

[Sorry. No, rather than arrogance…… It’s more like parental love from watching your daughter grow up or something like that?]

[Who the heck is your daughter!? You’re now treating me like a child!?]

[No, I think———– You’re old enough already.]

Seemingly caught off guard, Liese’s eyes widened.

And then, after a few moments, she blushed red.

[Wait, what are you suddenly———- Hey, wait———– ……T- That aside——— That Fly King outfit sure looks amazing, doesn’t it!?]

Once again, Lieselotte Ornick diverts the topic to hide her embarrassment.

▽

Seras and I stood side by side, watching black dragons soaring in the blue sky.

[Touka-dono.]

[Yeah.]

[It looks like they’re finally here.]

Our camp was set up on top of a small hill.

And at the moment, the Sacrament army had finally drawn near enough for them to be visible in the distance.

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