Chapter 399: And What is Passed Down……

Various people had gathered in the Queen’s chamber.

Aside from me, Rinji and Oru were here too.

“Leaving aside Tomohiro…… isn’t it a bit out of place for me and Oru to be here?”

Rinji muttered, voicing what I’d also been wondering.

But Lili, overhearing, chimed in.

“In the past, the Drunken Sword Party was famous for being full of skilled fighters…… and Rinji-san, you were the one leading them, right? If us current Drunken Sword Party members are here, then there’s no reason why Rinji-san, who once led the former Drunken Sword Party, shouldn’t be here too.”

In the end, we eventually settled on the fact that……

“If the Queen approves it, then isn’t it fine?”

Now——— the war council had reached its final stages.

“The Sacrament Army is approaching.”

Everyone gathered around the table, which was cluttered with maps and other essentials for this battle.

Saintess Curia began with a serious expression.

[Final confirmation. There are two main entrances to Azziz: the East Gate and the South Gate. This castle, which holds the Sacred Eye, is surrounded by three Guardian Walls——— the first, second, and the final. In short, if the Final Wall is breached, the enemy could enter the castle, stop the Sacred Eye and it will be our defeat…… that’s the situation.]

Wright asked a question.

[Just to confirm, when it comes to the Sacred Eye, we don’t need to worry about long-range attacks like catapults bypassing the walls, right?]

[That’s correct. The Sacred Eye is protected by a transparent barrier. In the past, no attack has ever managed to breach that barrier. To touch the Sacred Eye, one must first get through this castle.]

I nodded in understanding.

The Sacred Eye appeared to be exposed and defenseless, but it seemed there was some invisible barrier in place.

The White Wolf King growled softly.

[As for the Capital, not just the Sacred Eye…… During the recent Grand Invasion, none of the Guardian Walls were damaged. I’ve heard they’re quite sturdy, but it seems the Guardian Walls are just as tough. Like the Sacred Eye, I suppose we don’t need to worry about them being destroyed by catapults or large magic tools.]

Apparently, those Guardian Walls “appeared” from underground when the Sacred Eye was first activated.

The current Azziz has transformed its castle and districts over a long time to accommodate those Guardian Walls.

Whether it’s the will of the Sacred Eye or not, it seems underground passages and sewers have been “conveniently secured” as well.

Directing a straight gaze at everyone, Curia spoke.

[However…… while direct attacks on the Holy Eye are meaningless, and no matter how strong the protective walls are, the attacks from catapults can still cross over. Naturally, those inside the walls could suffer damage. Additionally, just like in a normal siege, if siege towers are used, the enemy could invade over the walls. No…… it’s possible that a massive Sacrament is present, and it might just “carry” other Sacraments over. Or perhaps……]

With eyes that seemed to recall memories of the past, Curia continued.

[Just like how the Great Demon Emperor’s Confidant…… Dreikuva had caused us so much trouble during the Grand Invasion, they might have no shortage of Sacraments.]

Dreikuva possessed the ability to teleport over short distances.

They were apparently able to easily “jump” over the Guardian Walls with their teleportation.

That surprise attack led to the Guardian Walls being opened from the inside.

Because of that, Azziz suffered immense damage.

[In the end, we allowed the enemy to invade as far as the front of the castle, and we had no choice but to respond with the Sacred Cavalry, which was our last resort———— Still, it was a narrow victory achieved by adopting Asagi Ikusaba’s plan.]

When she brought up Asagi’s name though, the Queen grimaced.

On the other hand, Lili seemed to be feeling nostalgic.

[Asagi huh…… I heard later that she was also there in Mira’s Imperial Capital just like we were not long ago. But we never met in Mira, so after parting ways here in Azziz, we haven’t seen each other even once. She did take the training seriously but…… I don’t know, she was a bit elusive.]

Another member of the Drunken Sword Party also seemed to be feeling nostalgic.

[Speaking of which, I wonder how Kobato-chan is doing? That girl was so honest and sweet that it was strange to see her in her group.]

(Asagi-san…… Kashima-san……)

During the Grand Invasion, Asagi’s group was in the Western Front fighting alongside the Drunken Sword Party in Jonato.

(So many different places, so many different people meeting…… reconnecting……)

Wright threw a question at Curia.

[Those gates aside, what about the possibility of an invasion from the North or West Gates?]

[I won’t say there’s no possibility of that happening. We plan to allocate some forces in that direction as well. However———– our main defense will still be the East and South Gates.]

The Guardian Walls———- the castle walls boast absolute defensive power.

However, the gates aren’t as sturdy as the walls.

There’s certainly a risk of them being breached by siege equipment.

[Also, I believe the East Gate will bear the brunt of Sacrament Army’s main force. Therefore, we will initially gather our main forces in the east. Next, the South Gate———- allocating the rest to the North and West Gates.]

From there, the conversation shifted to the allocation of forces.

[The South Gate will be centered on the Mira army, with Wright Mira in command. There, the former members of Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries, the Ninth Cavalry, will join.”

Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries.

When I first heard that name, I was filled with a sense of dread.

But after hearing the details, it seems they aren’t the same as “that cavalry”.

The Captain and Vice-Captain of the Ninth Cavalry are present at the war council.

Indeed———– they seemed to have a “different” feel compared to “that cavalry.”

[To the east will be the two Knight Orders led by the White Wolf King and the Magnar army, the Drunken Sword Party, the former members of the Drunken Sword Party———– and the Hero from Another World.]

All eyes turned toward me.

I felt my body stiffen as I awkwardly nodded in response.

Even so———

Thanks to Rinji being next to me, I felt a bit more at ease.

When the Queen of JJonato began to speak, everyone’s attention shifted back to her.

[Our Jonato’s Holy Extermination Force will take charge of the final defense within the castle, including preparations for surprise attacks, and will manage the western and northern walls. Additionally, we will redistribute the Holy Extermination Force to areas where strength is lacking as we observe the situation.]

The White Wolf King, flanked by the Artlight sisters, spoke.

[Will the South Gate be alright……? I assume Mira has sent most of their main forces toward Alion, right? In other words, the Mira forces here are just a reserve that remained in the Capital…… Some of them were even left to protect the refugees near the border. Even if they were together with the former members of the Thirteen Cavalries, it seems there will still be concerns about the overall strength……”

After saying that, the White Wolf King proposed to move the Magnar army slightly south.

The refugees gathered near the border, mentioned earlier.

Most of them were Magnar’s people.

Mira had allocated forces to protect those refugees.

The White Wolf King might have felt sorry about them, which is why he made that suggestion.

However……

“It’s probably best to avoid diverting forces from the East Gate, where the fiercest battles are expected.”

This opinion was shared by many.

[About that———–]

Taking the opportunity to speak, Wright interjected.

[While marching, we received a message from the Faraway Country via a military war pigeon.]

During a previous meeting, he had handed over some military carrier pigeons to the Faraway Country.

[The Undying King, who governs the Faraway Country, has said that they will come to fight with all their remaining Dragon Light Army…… No, everyone who is able to fight on their side is coming. They should be on their way now.]

[Fumu, the Faraway Country huh.]

[However, it seems that most of their main forces have also headed towards Alion.]

[Still———– If we can increase our allies, that would be appreciated……]

(The Faraway Country……)

Hearing them being brought up, I remembered them.

I mean, I could never have forgotten them.

They were the ones who treated me back then.

The Dragon Light Army.

Perhaps that Dragonoid who treated me might be there.

(Even here……)

We’re reconnecting.

Incidentally.

After Wright arrived, I exchanged a few words with him.

“Since the Black Flames Hero is here, I’d like to talk with you.”

He had approached me saying just that.

” “When I find out the movements of Tomohiro Yasu, send out a military war pigeon.” or so the Fly King told me.”

He had apparently made a promise with the Fly King.

Gathering information for later, he apparently wants to hear about my recent situation.

That aside, back at the war council————- the White Wolf King had a grim look on his face.

[Still, to be honest…… It’s a fact that our forces are somewhat lacking due to the exhaustion from the previous battle against the Great Demon Emperor’s Army. However…… that doesn’t mean we plan to quietly let Vysis mess us up, right?]

[Yes.]

The Queen of Jonato nodded strongly.

[Furthermore…… Things aren’t entirely hopeless because there are other forces actively moving toward a resolution.]

[Indeed. The Mira army led by the Mad Emperor, the Fly King Squadron, the Strongest Hero Ayaka Sogou———– there are also the other forces heading to Alion to defeat Vysis. If the rumors about that Divine Servant…… that Exiled Emperor are true, then if Vysis is defeated, the Sacraments that are coming here should also be eliminated. Their presence can indeed be said to be a source of hope for us at this moment.]

The war council proceeded, and it was only a matter of waiting for the Sacrament Army’s arrival.

The atmosphere turned toward a dismissal.

Lili approached and began conversing with Rinji.

At that moment, a voice came closer.

[May I have a word?]

It was the White Wolf King.

Beside him stood Diaris.

The one he was calling out to was Lili.

Just as Lili was about to kneel before him, the White Wolf King stopped her.

[I heard from Diaris…… that you’ve been chosen as the next wielder of the Divine Magic Sword, Stormcalibur…… the last remnant of my deceased brother, Sigurd.]

[Ah, yes…… That seems to be the case.]

Perhaps it was due to the presence of a king, but Lili looked rather humbled.

His imposing stature and unmistakable royal aura made it hard not to think “This was indeed a King”.

Diaris placed a hand on her abdomen and smiled.

[As it was another memento of Sigurd as well, I had hoped to be chosen by that sword…… but it seems it did not respond to my call.]

Stormcalibur had apparently been “retrieved”.

From the land where Sigurd Sigmus and the White Wolf Knights had been completely annihilated.

And here———– I learned from the White Wolf King a shocking fact.

The one who wiped out the White Wolf Knights———- was none other than Kirihara Takuto.

(Kirihara-kun did that……?)

Moreover, his corpse was currently stored in Mira’s Imperial capital.

Kirihara Takuto’s corpse, that is.

The news of his death greatly unsettled me.

That Kirihara Takuto——— he was dead.

What had happened?

And why did he kill the White Wolf King’s brother?

Yet, from the way the White Wolf King spoke, it seemed even he didn’t know the details surrounding his brother’s death.

As I grappled with my shock, the conversation continued.

Feeling awkward, Lili apologized.

[Ah, how should I say this———– I’m sorry for being the one chosen as the wielder……]

Diaris showed a caring smile.

[No, no, I’m the one who should apologize for the way I spoke. As I mentioned before, the Divine Magic Sword is said to need only one wielder per era…… being able to find another wielder at this time is a cause for celebration.]

Even though she said that, Lili still seemed to be feeling awkward.

[The deceased Prince Sigurd should have no ties to me…… so I have no idea why it had chosen me……]

[That is something we as well are unable to comprehend…… perhaps it might be a matter of fate. A fortuitous event that only the Deities would understand.]

[I’m actually glad to see another wielder other than Sigurd appearing here.]

The White Wolf King interjected.

[It feels like I can fight alongside him in this battle.]

At the King’s words, Diaris’ eyes softened with a hint of sadness.

Then, saying “However……”, she gave Lily a warning.

[As I mentioned before, please be cautious when using that sword. While it wields immense power…… if allies are nearby, it can potentially harm them as well. Furthermore, prolonged use could cause one to lose their sanity. These two factors are why Sigurd seldom used that sword.]

[Understood.]

At that moment, Diaris seemed to remember something.

[Speaking of needing only one wielder per era, that Chant-Based Magic Tool…… the White Noise, which was brought by the military pigeon with the “smartphone”, had chosen Curia, right? Those guys heading to Alion had apparently been unable to find a wielder on their side.]

[From what I heard, Fly King obtained it during his travels———— when he encountered Vysis’ subordinates, one of the Heroic Sword.]

It was Sicily who spoke up, appearing behind Diaris before I knew it.

The White Wolf King looked deeply moved.

[To think that a wielder would be chosen for both the Divine Magic Sword and the Chant-Based Magic Tool in such a short time…… and on top of that, there’s also a High-ranking Hero from Another World……]

The White Wolf King turned his gaze toward me.

[I want to believe———— these are good omens.]

□

On the day when preparations to confront the Sacraments Army were fully in place, reports came in that reinforcements from the Faraway Country beyond our borders were approaching near the royal capital, Azziz.

Almost at the same moment though————— from atop the walls of Azziz, the approaching Sacraments Army had also been sighted.

▽

As the massive Sacrament Army drew near enough to be visible, the atmosphere atop the East Gate shifted dramatically.

I was also there on the wall, observing the scene alongside others.

A sandy breeze brushed against my cheek, passing by.

Stepping forward to stand beside me, Rinji spoke up.

[They’re finally here.]

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