Dawn was approaching, but despite being rather fatigued, Diablo couldn’t fall asleep. He’d seen too much death. Lying down in his room only made his nerves more strained.
There’s already light outside...
In this world, curtains and glass windows were items of luxury. The Inner Sanctum was being repaired and maintained from the believers’ donations, but most of it was built frugally. And so, the windows were mostly closed off with planks if they needed to be closed. Light streamed in from the gap between the boards.
“...Morning already.”
In his old world, Diablo would often stay up all night gaming, only going to sleep once the sky started getting bright.
Diablo’s thoughts were disturbed by a knock on the door.
“Mm? Who is it?” he asked in his Demon Lord-ly voice.
“Good morning, Lord Diablo. It’s me, Lumachina.”
What was the High Priest herself doing here alone this early in the morning? Diablo thought it unusual, but then again, he was technically the Paladin Captain. This probably wasn’t all that surprising.
“Come in, I permit it.”
But as soon as Diablo said it, he realized he was naked from the waist up. Sevenwall had a warm climate, so the women often slept in thin gowns and the men slept half-naked. Lumachina, of course, didn’t enter the room in a nightgown. She was clad in a holy woman’s outfit, and looked as if she’d just stepped out of a painting.
“Pardon me for approaching you so early, Lord Diablo.”
“I don’t mind. What is it?” Diablo said, getting to his feet.
He opened the window and let some fresh air into the room. Lumachina strode up beside him. The window offered a view of the streets where, despite it being a time of war, the Church’s believers were already diligently moving about the streets. Breakfasts were being prepared, weapons were being serviced, and places were even being cleaned.
Diablo moved his gaze further away. On the other side of the river was Castle Grandiose, which was currently occupied by the Gelmed Imperial Army. Lumachina fixed her gaze on the castle as well.
“Scouts report the Empire has moved their main force into the castle,” she said.
“I imagined as much.”
“We’ve assumed they might attack at dawn, but there are no signs of any movements from their side yet.”
“Mm.”
Was it taking them that long to recover, or were they waiting for something? Diablo couldn’t tell. Maybe if he was into war stories or played more war simulation games, or perhaps if he was obsessed with some master strategist like Zhuge Liang, he’d be able to promptly come up with the answer.
But sadly, Diablo was the ultimate solo player instead. His expertise was in defeating the enemies lined up before him, and he wasn’t any good when it came to moving soldiers or predicting what an enemy army might do. He couldn’t even lead a six man party, much less an army.
There were, however, things he knew.
“I’d imagine the enemy army’s commander is sitting on the throne and thinking himself king of the castle,” Diablo said.
“You think so, Lord Diablo?”
“That’s what people in power are like.”
“To act in such a manner after so many have perished...” Lumachina muttered, seemingly unable to fully believe it.
Diablo was convinced of it, though.
Anyone who’d lead an army into the enemy castle would definitely be sitting on the throne! Doing it would feel awesome, after all. And since he’s the kind of scum who’d take hostages, place enslavement magic on people, and force those girls to fight for him, he’d definitely do something like that.
Lumachina changed the subject. Apparently, that wasn’t the reason for her visit.
“...Alicia didn’t come back from the battle yesterday.”
“What?”
“I thought she might have been injured, so I checked all the first aid tents... As well as the morgues.”
Diablo felt a cold chill rush down his spine. He’d heard Alicia went out to fight, and had challenged a Magimatic Sol to battle in order to let Rem escape.
“I cannot imagine she died so easily,” Diablo said.
He wanted to believe that.
“I agree.” Lumachina nodded. “But there was another report that a person fitting Alicia’s description was taken captive by the Empire.”
Diablo clicked his tongue in frustration.
She was taken prisoner...
Alicia was an Imperial Knight, and was dressed differently from the other people fighting. The enemy likely assumed that she had more value as a prisoner compared to the other soldiers.
“Hmph... If she isn’t dead, we need only take her back.”
“Yes.” Lumachina nodded.
But her face then turned even more severe. Apparently, this wasn’t all she came here for. She hung her head and began speaking.
“And it seems that some kind of curse has been placed on Miss Rem.”
“What?!” Diablo exclaimed, his voice coming out more aggressive than he’d intended.
Lumachina’s bodyguards flinched and stood at the ready. Lumachina raised a hand to calm them.
“...It is likely a curse that constantly traces her position. It does nothing to harm her. But its effect being so faint serves to make it that much harder to dispel.”
“You can’t manage it?”
“It will take time. Otherwise, the caster would have to lift the curse themselves.”
“Or I defeat them first.”
“...Yes.”
Diablo deliberated over what he should do.
“There’s something I’ve realized — the Empire is not capable of employing teleportation magic, yes?”
“Ah. Right, they likely don’t.”
If they could teleport at will, they’d have reached the capital long ago. Especially since they knew where Rem was right now.
“And one more thing. The reason they’re not hurrying to attack us is because of the curse.”
“Oh...”
“A Magimatic Sol can move faster than a horse. They likely think that even if they take their time, Rem wouldn’t be able to escape.”
Diablo noted to himself that Girls’ Arms had nothing in the way of teleportation. It then occurred to him that since the 《Teleportation》 spell didn’t exist in that game, the Gelmed Empire was unaware of its existence — and thus weren’t wary of it.
“This might be useful information.”
“What do you mean, Lord Diablo?”
“No...”
He still needed to think this through carefully. Dying in this world meant real, actual death — there were no respawns or second chances. There was no trying it out and relying on return by death if he failed.
The Paladin Tria entered Diablo’s room and kneeled before Lumachina.
“It is time, High Priest.”
“I’ll be right over.”
Time for what?
Perhaps sensing Diablo’s question, Lumachina leaned her head in and whispered.
“Funerals for those who had passed on yesterday, and prayers for good fortune and martial success for those still alive.”
“Oh. Hmm...” Diablo uttered, and then asked Lumachina, who had bowed her head “...How many died?”
She cast down her gaze.
“Not everyone is accounted for yet, but roughly three thousand of the Church’s people,” Tria answered in Lumachina’s stead. “The kingdom’s army reports they’ve lost anywhere between five to ten thousand men, and there’s no counting how many civilians perished. We can only hope those that have fled the capital have made their way to safety.”
Diablo was speechless. So many people.
“May the souls of the deceased find their way to paradise...” Lumachina said, her eyes glistening with tears. “All I can do, however, is merely pray...”
“M-Mm...” Diablo uttered.
“If you are leaving, Lord Diablo, do stay safe.”
“Have no fear. No one can threaten me.”
Tria motioned for Lumachina to go, and the two left Diablo’s room. Even if the High Priest herself were to pray for him, the 《Demon Lord’s Ring》 would reflect it. But even knowing that, some part of Diablo wished he could indulge in God’s protection today.
His feelings were slowly solidifying.
†
If this war didn’t end, countless people would go on to die again. And those girls — forced to do battle against their will — would have to fight again. Diablo had to stop it.
After Lumachina left, Diablo glared out the window, his gaze fixed on Castle Grandiose. There was one man and one man only he had to defeat.
“The Commander of the Invasion army... Doriadanph.”
Diablo took out 《Tenma’s Staff》 from his pouch.
“...Are you thinking of going there on your own?” a voice called out behind him.
It was Rem. She’d entered the room at some point. She might have even heard his exchange with Lumachina.
“What do you mean?”
“...I can tell, Diablo. How long do you think we’ve spent together? I can guess what you’re thinking.”
As inappropriate as it was given the situation, Rem’s words made his heart flutter with an embarrassing, slightly ticklish sort of emotion.
“Hmph!” He hardened his expression, which very nearly crumbled into a light smile.
“...I’m coming with you.”
“Fool. You’re the one the enemy is after.”
“...In that case, the safest place I could be is at your side. You would never lose to anyone, after all.”
“Err, uhm... No, I, well, I have no intention of losing of course, but...”
“And I believe I’ve become skilled enough to not be a burden.”
Should I take Rem along? Would she be safer if I left her with Sylvie, like yesterday?
The Empire was now constantly aware of Rem’s position, and they were apparently very much obsessed with her. What if they sent all their Magimatic Sols to attack the Inner Sanctum? How well would Diablo be able to protect her given this situation? And what’s more, despite being a considerably high level adventurer, Rem couldn’t successfully shake them off last time.
“I could teleport you alone to Faltra...” Diablo began speaking.
“You’re telling me to run away on my own?!” Rem said, her eyes widening in anger.
“Nng,” Diablo was taken aback.
It might have been the first time he’d ever seen her direct so much anger toward him. He feigned composure, but he was actually quite panicked on the inside.
“...Can you really say for certain the Empire can’t use teleportation?” Rem then said, her expression wavering.
“What?”
“...If I’m the one they’re after, they could be waiting for me to get away so they can have a chance to swoop in and abduct me.”
“You’re saying it’s a trap?”
That was plausible. While they were currently quite backed into a corridor, the Church’s troops were a considerable force, and Diablo did destroy two Magimatic Sols. He didn’t know how many more units they had left, but it couldn’t have been many.
What if they really were waiting for Rem to move somewhere else — away from Diablo — for a chance to teleport to her position and kidnap her? Diablo had no means of communicating with her, after all. She could be taken away at some point when he wasn’t there to protect her and he’d be none the wiser.