The damage sustained in the retreat from the capital was less than we’d predicted. For the most part, only soldiers had lost their lives, and even then, only those in the rearguard. Considering how dire the situation had been, the fact that the citizens were largely unharmed was a miracle.
Of course, that didn’t change the fact that lives were lost. Words of condolences for Dorothea and the others who’d died were sent from not just other cities in the Nur Empire but the surrounding countries as well. Those countries had heard of how the empire had protected its own citizens, as well as how they’d bravely fought against the Demon Queen and her army to protect humanity. Personally, I was heavily against glorifying the act of death for a greater cause, but all the same, I mourned the loss of those who’d given their lives to see their duty through.
“All right, shall we begin discussing our plans for the future?” Manaria said, to get the meeting rolling.
We were in Zurück, a Nur city near the border of Bauer. It was a fortified citadel built by the empire in anticipation of a war with the kingdom, so it served well as a base of operations against the demons. We had borrowed a large municipal conference room as we discussed preparations for our next course of action.
Most of the attendees were those who had participated in the retreat. Claire and I were present, naturally, as was Manaria, representing Sousse; William, representing the Alpes; Thane, Dole, and Rod, representing Bauer; Philine and Hilda, representing Nur; and Yu, Misha, and Lilly, representing the Spiritual Church. It was quite the spectacle to see so many important political and religious figures in a single room.
“Have the demons made any moves?” Manaria asked.
“Allow me to answer that,” Hilda said. “According to the reports from our scouts, the demon army hasn’t moved since occupying the capital.”
“What are the damages to the capital?” Philine asked.
“About that… Strangely, there hasn’t been much damage at all to the buildings and other facilities. They seem to have rummaged through places for provisions, but there have been no sightings of any destruction for destruction’s sake,” Hilda said.
“How ominous,” Thane said with a frown.
“No, no, no, we should just be happy that they aren’t wrecking the city,” William said nonchalantly. “Just think how easy recovery will be once we take it back.”
“Bill, we should be focusing on driving back the demons for now,” Dole lightly admonished him. “We can think about recovery afterward.”
“What’s the status of the anti-demon barrier?” I asked. If the city wasn’t in ruins, then maybe it was still up.
“It’s been destroyed, as is to be expected,” Hilda said. “Magic stones located in the four cardinal directions maintained the barrier, and we have received a report that they have all been broken.”
“So the demons have entered the city?” Claire asked.
“Yes,” Hilda said. “Platos and the Demon Queen seem to have taken up residence in the imperial castle.”
“What about Socrat?” Claire asked.
“His location remains unknown. There’s a chance he might have remained back in demon territory to protect it, but—”
“That’d be wishful thinking, wouldn’t it?” Claire finished.
At any rate, we didn’t have Dorothea anymore. We would have to fight the remaining two of the Three Great Archdemons and the Demon Queen without her.
“Philine,” said Manaria, “there’s a good chance the imperial capital will become our next battlefield. Is that all right with you?”
Philine didn’t respond, seeming to be in a daze.
“Your Imperial Majesty.” Hilda lightly shook Philine’s shoulder.
“Oh… I’m sorry, what were we talking about?” Philine asked.
“It’s quite all right. You’ve only just lost your mother,” Dole said sadly.
“Thank you, Dole. But this is no time for me to be out of sorts. I’m the Empress of Nur now. Mother would laugh at me if I were to let this hold me back.” Philine smiled bravely, but it was clear that she was pushing herself. Dorothea had been dearly important to her. Without wavering, she continued, “While I’m a little reluctant to have the capital be our battlefield, I see no other choice. At least we’ll have a familiarity with the area, which we can use to our advantage.”
Philine loved her people. Choosing to spill blood on the streets of their home had to be a painful decision.
“All right. All that’s left is to determine what we can do against the Demon Queen,” Manaria said with a sigh.
“Your report said the Demon Queen’s true identity was Rae, but just what in the world is that supposed to mean?” William asked, looking at me for an explanation.
I didn’t really know myself, either, so I wasn’t sure how to answer.
“While we don’t know the details, there’s no doubt that the Demon Queen is indeed Rae,” said Claire. “I guarantee it.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Rae’s right here!” he complained. “Or are you trying to say there are two Raes or some such?”
“That is what we believe,” she said.
“Ha ha, you’re kidding, yes?” he said with a wry grin.
Dole furrowed his brow. “While there is some level of credence to this claim when it comes from you, Claire, most people find it difficult to believe that there could be two of the same person.”
“I’ll admit it’s baffling, but there’s no doubt that the Demon Queen is Rae. There’s no way I’d mistake her for anyone else,” Claire said, not budging.
“What do you think of this, Rae?” Thane asked me.
“Honestly? I don’t know. The Demon Queen’s voice and face certainly match mine. But according to Manaria, the magic shrouding her and the structure of the spells she used is different. There might be a chance she’s just mimicking—”
“No,” Claire firmly interrupted me. “She is Rae.”
“Hmm, doesn’t seem like we can agree here,” Manaria said. “But really, the Demon Queen’s identity doesn’t matter all that much. We just have to beat her. The problem is that it looks like it will be next to impossible to defeat her in a head-on battle. We need more intel if we’re to win—although maybe her identity could be a clue in that regard?”
“Is there anyone else who might know something about the Demon Queen?” William turned to Yu. “What about the Church? Do they know anything about her?”
“The existence of a ‘Demon Queen’ doesn’t seem to have been passed down within our records,” Yu said. “Is that correct, Misha?”
“Yes. I’ve had a chance to look through some of the Church’s old tomes, and while there were various detailed accounts of demons, there wasn’t a single mention of any Demon Queen.”
“So not even the Church, after all its years of opposing the demons, knows anything,” Thane said with a grim look.
Seeing no way forward, a silence fell over us.
A voice suddenly broke the silence. “I suppose I should explain, then. Although I doubt many of you will be able to understand.”
“Miss Lilly?” I said.
“The time’s just about right. We’ve finally managed to pull the Demon Queen onto the stage.” Lilly’s tone was light.
“Huh?” I asked. “But I thought the Church didn’t—”
“Rae.” Claire stopped me. “That’s not Lilly speaking.”
“Ah.” I finally understood.
“Am I wrong, apostle?” Claire asked.
The apostle confirmed Claire’s suspicions with a smile.