…a single, final tear spilled from the corner of his eye down his cheek.
Elroad glanced over at Shuutarou.
It’s as if shedding that one tear has made him a different person.
Elroad’s master was wise, but still very young. Young minds needed time and the right environment to pull themselves together, and Shuutarou had neither.
Elroad understood that Shuutarou’s youth made him vulnerable. He’d realized as much when Shuutarou had witnessed Iron kill its previous master; that had deeply affected the boy.
Although Elroad knew spells for easing the mind, they would not be of help in this case. The situation was different. The threat to his master’s psyche was coming from the boy’s own heart.
His swift deployment orders were excellent, though.
Shuutarou had been calm as he issued commands to his minions. Grief didn’t make him shut down, nor was he blinded by rage. He focused on what had to be done and sent everyone where they were needed.
‘We’ve arrived at Fort Sandras,’ Theodore reported telepathically.
‘We’ll split up to destroy the enemies inside and outside the town,’ said Vampy.
For the front lines, Shuutarou had chosen Vampy, with her unparalleled ability to kill, and Theodore, who boasted both the ability to fly and sublime battle prowess.
Some players might have seen Vampy and Theodore the last time they suppressed a monster invasion. Elroad surmised that this time, Shuutarou wanted them to help the players openly to show that the Evil Overlords were, in fact, allies, not foes.
It is both a rescue mission and a clever plan to clear us of suspicion.
Gallarus, the Evil Overlord with the highest defense, had been sent to Allistras, which had the largest player population. Bertrand, a master of both attack and defense, had been assigned to the second most populous town, Calloah. Meanwhile, the town that was the lowest on the priority list, Emaro, got Beorite.
Shuddering in awe, Elroad deciphered his master’s intention—to be prepared in case the players failed to defend Fort Sandras and possibly let the monsters pass through to the earlier towns.
The one remaining concern is that Ross Maora might be attacked.
Analyzing the situation like a game of chess, Elroad quickly noticed which part of the board had the fewest pieces placed. They’d allowed intruders to reach Ross Maora Castle earlier that day. The castle seemed too exposed to danger without a single Evil Overlord to defend it.
No, my fears are unjustified—Ross Maora has the Abyss Slime, and Kamui and Semui as its guardians, not to mention the residents of Regiuria, whose battle ability is simply extraordinary. Also, we will be back to bolster the castle’s defense as soon as we ensure the girl’s safety. In which case, it is our ability to swiftly find and protect this girl that underpins everything else. This is what is being tested…
Elroad was startled to arrive at the conclusion that his master was testing him. Why would Shuutarou do that? One possibility instantly came to mind.
“Master, I have failed you. I should have been quicker to understand the function of the Prayers…,” Elroad said gravely.
He was certain he had disappointed Shuutarou the most; foolishly, he had not investigated the matter properly, despite his hunch.
“No, you were quick, and that’s helped a lot. Thanks,” Shuutarou replied. His voice was flat and robotic.
Elroad simply nodded, conflicted.