— Fort Kaspar, A fort near Galia Fortress occupied by the Imperial Army .
Captain Samuel is dead .
Fort Kaspar’s alertness level had been risen by the news, the news brought by soldiers who had patrolled Canary Road . The gates were lit brighter than usual, and its guards were wearier . One by one, several covered corpses had been brought into the fort through the man-door next too the large double gates .
“So, is it true that Captain Samuel was killed…?”
General Osvanne, fifty years old, asked with a puzzled face . A heavyweight in the Urthbelt Empire . He had led the imperial army on its campaign to conquer the Farnesse Kingdom . He was also widely known as a warrior who fought in a way that left his opponents little room to attack .
A young officer raised his head and replied quietly .
“Yes . When the patrol arrived on the scene, they found Captain Samuel’s decapitated body . There were also ten other bodies . We’re currently in the middle of bringing them to the fort . ”
“Decapitated…? Maybe its the Kingdom’s doing . Possibly in an attempt to make an example of him . ”
“No, It was not the Kingdom’s doing . ”
The officer refuted shortly after, which caused General Osvanne’s eyebrows to rise .
“Not the Kingdom’s doing? Then who slaughtered Captain Samuel and his men? It couldn’t possibly be just some random bandits . ”
“About that… It’s…”
The officer hesitated, but Colonel Paris, one of General Osvanne’s staff officers, gave the officer a cold, sharp glare that urged him to continue on .
“The-The surviving soldiers said they were attacked by a ‘Female monster’ who wielded a ‘black sword . '”
“Female monster?”
Colonel Paris hadn’t expected what he just heard .
“Yes, they said the female monster is headed towards the Kingdom’s Capital to volunteer for their army . ”
The young officer’s report almost sounded like a delusion, which caused Colonel Paris to laugh . His original position was in the intelligence division . Listening to such nonsense about a female monster, with a friendly “Is that so?” . He was sure the information had been jumbled somewhere along the road .
“That’s an entertaining story . Very well, I’ll just question that soldier directly . Bring him here . ”
Paris commanded with anger . The young officer trembled as he shook his head vigorously .
“Its unfortunate, but the soldier in question is not a position to talk properly . He appears to have been traumatized by the event . Some of the other soldiers who had seen him are also beginning to create a ruckus . They’re scared that such a monster being sent against us by the Kingdom . ”
“Ah, is that so…? Perhaps that means he isn’t completely wrong?”
“Your Excellency, are you trying to say that–“
“Colonel Paris, no need to waste more time . ”
General Osvanne raised his left up slowly . A signal for Colonel Paris to stop talking . There were plenty of things the Colonel wanted to say . However, the soldier in question was too delirious . They’d probably never get a definite answer . So, as General Osvanne noted, it’d be a waste of time to discuss it . Time was always in short supply, after all .
“I-I was just a bit curious about it . My apology . ”
As General Osvanne urged the officer to leave, another had been waiting to meet with him . He wore a robe black as night, and his features were obscured by its hood . Simply stated, he was creepy . Despite still being in his thirties, he looked as if he were sixty . When his countenance was seen on occasion, what could be seen as a strangely gaunt face with sad eyes .
He was Prime Minister Dalmes . A man who often visited the fort under the Emperor’s order to check on the situation . Colonel Paris had heard that Dalmes had formerly belonged to the analysis team, and had no prospects of promotion . However, within recent years, he had advanced quickly through the ranks . Now, as the Prime Minister of the glorious Urthbelt Empire, his influence was second only to the Emperor .
Rumour was that the Emperor declared unification of the continent due to Minister Dalmes’s strong advocation . The man rarely spoke, and many called him the “Silent Prime Minster . ”
“Does something bother you, Prime Minister-dono?”
General Osvanne inquired . Minister Dalmes, on the other hand, merely waved his hand and smiled .
“No, no . It’s not a big deal . However, I do feel slightly concerned about that black sword– By chance, could you describe how it looked in more detail?”
Minister Dalmes sought a better report from the young officer . Not expecting the Prime Minister would speak to him, the officer was obviously excited .
“No need to be so nervous . Please answer my question with what you know . ”
He spoke with a gentle tone . Even under the dim light of the candles, the sweat was visible on the officer’s forehead . It was only natural for him to be nervous . A person with such influence within the empire had actually spoken with a mere officer such as himself .
“Don’t make his Excellency wait, just tell us what you know!”
Colonel Paris reprimanded him .
“–n, no . I haven’t really asked in particular! I just thought of it as a regular black sword!”
Seeing the young officer’s nervousness, Minister Dalmes smiled .
“Is that so? I see . Well, you may leave now . ”
“Yes! P-Please excuse me!”
The officer quickly saluted before he fleed the tenet . Almost in concert, Minister Dalmes stood from his chair .
“Its already late, thank you for your hard work today . ”
“No, no . ”
Minister Dalmes raised his hand slightly when Colonel Paris bowed to him . He was careful not to let his robe, he left the tent with a slow gait . As for General Osvanne, for some reason, he stared at the tent’s flap as he went . His face a ghastly pale .
“Your Excellency, what’s wrong? You’re pale . ”
“…”
“…”
“Your Excellency!”
It was only when Colonel Paris shook the General’s shoulder did he regain his wits .
“You’re awake, are you alright?”
“N-No, its nothing . Do not worry about it . ”
General Osvanne said with a smile .
“Is that so? Very well, then… Regarding that monster– Girl . If the story is true, then we’ll receive some more information from the spies we’ve placed everywhere . ”
“U-uwu . In-Indeed . First of all, we must stay vigilant . ”
“What will be par for course . Well then, there is still the matter of Captain Samuel’s body, so please excuse me . ”
After he confirmed Colonel Paris had really gone, only then did the General fall back on his chair . Chills ran down his spine, and his heart rammed against his chest . With trembling hands, he took out a cigar from his breast pocket and forced himself to light it . After he smoked for a short while, he dared to recall that scene .
The scene of a nightmare .
“Paris seemed to not notice… But what was that just now? Prime Minister-dono’s shadow… It was shaking as if it were a living creature…“