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Chapter 57: Omen
Midnight.
The surroundings were shrouded in darkness, and most people were asleep.
“Hmm…I see, it’s been undone.”
After several days of work, I finally lifted the numerous layers of defensive magic placed on the “Magic Flute of Domination.” I placed the magnifying glass I had been holding onto the desk and examined it again with my naked eyes.
“Hmm…what’s this?”
What I had thought were scratches up until now were starting to disappear, faint traces of magical power was in it, and it seemed as though they could fade away at any given moment.
“I see…what a splendid technique.”
This was some kind of technology I didn’t know about. Perhaps it was the kind that was activated when all of the defensive magic was lifted.
It had been cleverly concealed, but the amount of information that could be conveyed by this level of magical power was limited. I wonder if the original owner of the flute has been informed that all of the defensive magic placed on it had been lifted.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, I’m not running or hiding so…”
“Luke, are you still awake?”
A voice came from the direction of the bed.
When I turned around, Alice, holding onto Dia, was there.
“Luke-sama has been staying up until this time lately, Alice-sama.”
“Oh, really? Staying up late is not good for your skin, you know.”
“…?”
These two seem to be strangely close.
Is it because they both have the “Ice” attribute? I also considered that it was because Alice was my fiancée, but she’s not even like that with Mia… although Mia also seems to have some hostility towards Dia.
“Why are you always in my room as if it’s normal? We have a party tomorrow. If someone sees you…”
“Don’t worry. I asked Julia-sama, and she kindly gave me permission. She said, ‘Just don’t overdo it, okay?'”
“…Mother did.”
Mother is a gentle person. No…she’s too kind. But, how should I put it…she’s a little loose, or something like that…
“Luke-sama, may I ask you a question?”
“What is it?”
I won’t nitpick about “why did she even ask,” I’m too tired for that.
“Why do you want to become stronger?”
However, that question stuck with me.
“What does that mean?”
“Two hundred years. I have never seen anyone stronger than myself. Yet, Luke-sama defeated me. Why do you seek more strength despite that?”
“Hmm…”
Dia looked at me with no ulterior motives, her question pure and clear.
Well, it’s natural for someone like her, born strong, to be curious and ask that question.
Why do I seek strength?
“To achieve the natural victory of the strong over the strong.”
I meant it.
My true heart is to keep winning to obtain happiness.
“I have never doubted that I am the strongest. But whether the strong will always be the winner… I do not know. Weakness may devour strength, and it often happens that way. Filling in the slightest gap that the weakness can exploit. That is what I think ‘effort’ is.”
…sigh.
To win. To keep winning.
Instead of rejecting “Luke,” I accepted him. I don’t think that choice was wrong… but why do I feel like I’m being pushed around by everyone?
Why do all these powerful characters seem to gather around me?
…Well, it’s not that bad.
“Hehe, that’s just like you. But let’s go to bed now. Come over here quickly.”
“Hey, don’t tempt me.”
“I’m not tempting you. I’m just inviting you to bed.”
“…Tch, that’s what I mean-”
Knock knock
At that moment, the sound of knocking on the window echoed. When I looked, there were two people wearing turbans.
§
The Great Forest of Isprit.
This forest, blessed by spirits, that brings various abundant blessings, but there is also a characteristic that as you go deeper into the forest, more vicious monsters inhabit it.
It is truly an expression of a natural fortress.
The terrorist organization “Vritra” led by the elves is based in this Isprit Forest.
“Unbelievable… Everything has been solved? In just a few days?”
Clank.
Arthur, a young elf, stood up unconsciously. His unusual behavior was too apparent, and everyone in the room stopped and looked at him.
“What’s wrong, Arthur…?”
After a moment of silence, Marius, Arthur’s childhood friend and the No. 2 of this organization, asked.
“…Sorry, Marius. Let me think for a bit.”
“Understood.”
Arthur put his hand on his chin and started to ponder right there. The air became tense.
However, this action by Arthur was not uncommon at all, and for those who knew him well, it was a familiar sight. There was an absolute trust that he always made the right choice.
But…
“We have no choice but to start a war and destroy them.”
“W-what…? Arthur, does that mean…to destroy the Beast Kingdom…?”
Arthur’s words were not readily accepted, no matter how much trust they had in him.
“No, Marius.”
“Then where…?”
On the other side of the Myrstia Kingdom, across the Isprit Forest, is the beastman country. It is called the “Regalio Beast Kingdom.” There is no king in this country, and all important decisions are made by the “Beast King Conference,” the highest executive body consisting of chiefs of each tribe and various officials.
The Beast Kingdom’s characteristic is that they are still in a small struggle to bring the Elves, who do not have a country, under their control. Therefore, Marius asked if they were going to destroy the Beast Kingdom.
However, Arthur’s answer was,
“What we must destroy is the Myrstia Kingdom.”
“Ha!”
Marius was not the only one who couldn’t hide his surprise. Everyone was confused to the extent that someone even dropped what they were holding.
“… Arthur, you must have a reason.”
“Yeah… all the defensive magic cast on the ‘flute’ has been released. It is probably dark magic.”
This was already beyond surprise and left everyone speechless. Everyone here knew that the ‘flute’ had incredibly advanced defense magic layered multiple times.
“That… must be some kind of mistake.”
“It is a fact. We have no time to turn a blind eye. If the technology of that ‘flute’ leaks out, everything will be for nothing. Everyone, please realize that we are in a race against time.”
The tension in the air rose sharply. Now they understood the seriousness of the situation they were in.
“… But Myrstia is an old powerhouse, and we have little information about them. And we want to avoid drawing too much attention to ourselves.”
Again, Arthur lost in thought. Nobody intervened, and everyone watched in silence. And then…
“We will complete the ‘flute’ and dominate countless demons. By doing so, we will cause the ‘Stampede.’ It would be even better if we could make it look like the Beast Kingdom’s doing. Even if we cannot destroy them, we will be able to grasp Myrstia’s military power at the very least.”
This was the answer that was derived, and there was no one who objected.
“In about three months from now, we will carry out the plan. I’m counting on all of you.”
Preparing everything within this three-month period is by no means an easy task. Everyone works tirelessly day and night, and it’s finally that time. Even so,
“Leave it to us, Arthur!”
“Three months? That’s too easy.”
“Shall we do it?”
“Ugh… I’m so tired… no, no, no, I’ll do it! Let’s do it!”
“Arthur said it, so there’s nothing we can do! I’ll do my best too!”
They accepted Arthur’s request with a smile.
They were bound together by a strong bond like family.
“Thank you.”
While looking at these lovely people, Arthur expressed his gratitude.
And then, the terrorist organization “Vritra” by the elves began to move.
In order to achieve their long-cherished desire of true freedom without being dominated by anyone.