“I want to avoid having those merely swept up in the moment, or worse, going with the majority, stand on the battlefield.”
“But what about those with the genuine resolve to fight?”
“Resolve and a weapon alone do not make one a warrior. The belief that they’re supporting the cause as they uphold day-to-day life will suffice.”
“Aren’t you underestimating your citizens a bit much?”
“They’ve forgotten in their zeal, but the Demon Queen is still a horrific foe capable of freezing a mountain whole. Against her, a group of untrained soldiers would be walking to their deaths.” There was logic to his words. If they really knew what the fight entailed, I doubt many citizens would volunteer to join it.
“Yeah, I guess you’re not wrong there,” Rod said.
“It’s best we keep our forces to a minimum regardless. That way we can fight around Claire and mitigate the Demon Queen’s wide-area attacks.”
“I’m surprised,” Rod said. “I didn’t think you were the type to look at things from a military perspective.”
“I’m not. I’m simply weak, unlike you and our sister, and have to see things from such a weak man’s perspective.” Thane’s words went straight past humble all the way to self-deprecating, but his perspective was genuinely critical. His skills placed him far above an average person, but he was still able to calmly judge things from the perspective of the weak and powerless, and that was a valuable asset to have as a ruler.
“Hey, don’t be so negative. And I still think we should at least try to make use of the people’s help.”
“How can we do that?”
“Head over to the First Corps’ laboratory once you get back to Bauer. I already gave them the heads-up, so go ahead and give what’s there to the citizens for me.”
“You have something planned?”
“Perhaps,” Rod said with a grin.
“I see. On another note, I’d like to attempt to get the Demon Queen to agree to settle this over one decisive battle with humanity, if at all possible, that is. That way we can avoid meaningless death.”
“You think the Demon Queen would accept?”
“I don’t know. She’s trying to destroy the world; there’s no telling what she’ll do.”
“Right. Well, whatever plan we go with, it’ll still involve us sending Claire into danger,” Rod said bitterly.
“At least we avoided the worst-case scenario. We managed to prevent our own people from turning against Claire—or Rae. I’d have hated to see it come to that.”
“How unusual. I feel exactly the same way.”
“This might just be the first time we’ve come to agree on something.”
They smiled, and I thought it was a little heartwarming. They always seemed slightly reserved around one another, so seeing them ease up a bit like this was nice.
I turned my attention back to my conversation with Claire and the pope. “At any rate, it looks like it’s decided that we’re going to fight the demons instead of just handing Claire over.”
“Allow me to join the battle. I still regret not making it to help defend the capital. I left as soon as word of the Demon Queen’s appearance reached me at the cathedral, but unfortunately I was too far away.” The pope sounded truly apologetic.
“There’s nothing you could have done about that. Rather than fret about the past, let’s think about the future. Your area healing magic is powerful, and we would be glad to have you with us,” I said.
“Thank you.” She gave us a slight nod. “I have to focus on travel, so I’ll be ending communications here. If something happens, please contact me through TAIM.”
“Got it.”
“Until next time, Rae Taylor.”
“Oh, wait! One more thing.”
“Yes?” The pope tilted her head curiously.
I sat upright and bowed my head deeply. “I apologize for what TAIM has done to you and every other person with the same face as me. If it weren’t for the Demon Queen, my other self, making such a stupid—”
“Don’t be mistaken, Rae Taylor,” she interrupted me, though she continued in a somewhat gentle tone. “Certainly, I was a little surprised to hear of my origin. I was even a bit angry when TAIM referred to me as your by-product. But that is fate. I mustn’t forget that no matter what the reason behind it was, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t exist. At present, I feel nothing but gratitude toward you.
“Besides, you’re an artificial human born because of the Demon Queen as well, aren’t you? Instead of apologizing to us fellow lost children of spirits, you should be joining us in telling that Demon Queen a thing or two.”
I was a bit taken aback to hear the pope use such an uncharacteristically youthful phrase. “Your Holiness…are you really fine with that?”
“Yes. Let’s go nag her together, ‘Will you quit causing us trouble already?’ Or something of the like.”
“Aha ha ha.” Perchance, did the pope actually have a sense of humor?
“Was that all?”
“Oh, yes. Sorry for keeping you.”
“Not at all. I’ll see you soon, then.”
“See you soon.”
The telepathy cut off there.
“I had no idea you were worried about such a thing, Rae.” Claire wore a look of surprise. She was probably talking about the whole thing where I felt guilty about the lost children of spirits.
“How could I not be? Their situation’s basically all my fault.”
“If you bear fault, then I bear some fault too.”
“No, it’s all my fault.”
“Don’t be unreasonable!”
Somehow, we began outright squabbling.
“P-please, leave it at that, you two! Let’s just agree that it’s the Demon Queen’s fault!” Lilly tried to smooth things over, TAIM’s control over her having now dissipated.
“Allow me to apologize to you too, Lilly,” I said. “It’s not right that TAIM uses your body as she pleases.”
“I-It’s fine! I’m just happy I can be helpful to everyone. B-but I wouldn’t mind being used as you pleased…”
“Lilly?” Claire said.
“N-nothing, Miss Claire! …Feh, get a room why don’t you…”
Claire and I fell stone silent.
“Aaaah, n-no, no, I’m so sorry!” Lilly said with tears in her eyes. She was cute, but I already had Claire, so…yeah.
At any rate, all that was left was to defeat the Demon Queen. Not an easy feat, for sure, but it had to be done. We had more allies now than at the time of the revolution, and many of them were among humanity’s strongest. If this wasn’t enough, nothing would be.
“Oh, just you wait. I’m coming, me.” I cracked my knuckles, dying to go smack some sense into my other self.