Black Iron Magician

The one who moved swiftly to deal with this situation was the 『Flame General』 Zool, who was in command of the castle. He is the second oldest general after Galesse, and he is like the leader of the Great Eight Generals. He has the achievements of overcoming any obstacles, and he’s the only general who has reached level 8. It’s even said that the Emperor Titos trusted him the most.

…… However, perhaps that is why Zool knows best the difference in strength between his own country and Carmain. When he had a one-on-one duel with the enemy general, it seemed like a good fight, but in fact, he knew that the enemy was clearly holding back. At times, he was being led easily, and at times, the opponent was fighting against him with eyes closed. His pride and confidence as a warrior, as someone who stands at the pinnacle of human strength, were quickly being shattered. Although he did not show it in his face or behavior, deep down he knew that there was no way they could win this battle.

The reason as to why Zool has been contributing to Elderado despite that is because of his debt of gratitude to the former emperor. Let’s omit the details because it’s too long, but Zool had his life saved by the former emperor. Whether it was God’s mischief or a devil’s curse, the Elderado family has mysteriously all lived short lives, and the former emperor also died at an early age. However, Zool moved his loyalty to Titos, the son of the former emperor, and has served the country to this day. No matter how much his pride was torn apart, he endured it.

「Purple gas is being emitted from the center! Those who can put up a barrier should block the passageway and prevent further influx! Those who can use recovery magic should give priority to healing those who can fight!」

「Zool-sama, the symptoms of the fallen are all the same as those reported. It means….」

「Yeah, the Carmine’s army has already entered the castle. From the order in which the disturbances began, it seems that the source is in the throne room.」

「T-The throne room!? Then, His Majesty is….」

「Don’t worry. His Majesty is in another place―― the magicians over there, get back!」

「Huh? Ah――」

――――Crash!

Immediately after Zool shouted, the barrier blocking the passageway was shattered. The barrier, which should have been carefully infused with magic power, shattered into pieces, and the magicians who created the barrier in groups were unable to react in time and were blown away at the same time the barrier was destroyed.

「You guys should step back too! I will stop it!」

「「「Y-Yes!」」」

Something invisible was approaching from behind the destroyed barrier. Sensing this, Zool hurriedly ordered his subordinates to retreat. And in the blink of an eye, it unleashed a powerful blow at him.

――――Clang!

Sparks flew from the blade of the large sword he’s holding, and a high-pitched metallic sound was heard.

(Ugh! What a heavy and powerful blow…!)

Zool, who went on defense, succeeded in blocking the attack with all his strength. However, his forehead was sweating like a waterfall, and he was convinced that if he relaxed even a little, he would be pushed back.

「Tch! 」

「Huh?」

Zool slashed back with his sword and took a distance from the mysterious enemy. In contrast to Zulu’s anguished voice, the voice coming from the empty space was really light.

「Glass Eyes

!」

One of Zool’s subordinates chanted a magic, and particles of light were scattered around the area. Then, the outline of the unknown enemy, which could not be seen until a moment ago, gradually emerged in the space. Radiant Magic level 40 『Glass Eyes』 is a magic that allows you to spirits that are normally invisible.

「――!? Zool-sama.」

「Yeah, the enemy was such as a young girl, just as reported. I never thought she was as young as my daughter.」

The one who appeared was Haruna, who carried her Doggan Staff on her shoulder.

(Don’t be fooled by her appearance. My direct subordinates here, the 『Imperial Guard』, are all elites who can single-handedly defeat a self-proclaimed Demon King. But it’s impossible for them to fight her. There’s too much difference in strength.)

Zool glared at Haruna as she appeared.

「Ah, could it be that you can see me? If so, I’m sorry. It seems that I was holding back a little too much. I misjudged your ability. This is the second reflection today.」

「You speak more fluently than I imagined. I’ve crossed swords with Carmine’s executives many times before, but this is the first time I’ve faced such a lovely and atrocious opponent. Today is our first meeting, is that correct?」

「Yes. Today is my first time fighting against the people of this country.」

「I see…. This is a war, so it’s not going to be a one-on-one duel, but I’ll introduce myself before the fight. I’m Zool, the 『Flame General』. I will show you the power of the empire’s strongest sword and strongest squad.」

「I’m looking forward to it. Ah, should I introduce myself? I’m the 『Great Battle Staff』, the 31st rank of the Sixty Six Demon Generals of the Corpse Country. Let’s do our best!」

Haruna and Zool stepped forward, and the Imperial Guard deployed around them began to support Zool. A few dozen minutes later, Elderado Castle was completely conquered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

「Gii!」

「Gii-kun, you’re warm today too. It warms my body and soul.」

「Gii?」

In the throne room, which Chinatsu turned into an impregnable base with her barriers, there is Chinatsu sitting on the throne while hugging Gii-kun. There is also Kira, who’s still trying to break out from the barrier prison. Since Chinatsu reinforces the barriers every time it accumulates damage, there is no sign of Kira breaking free of the restraint. There is also no sign of any enemies nearby, so for Chinatsu, this waiting time is the first peaceful time she has in a long time.

「I’m back~」

「Yo, I’m back too!」

「Welcome back. It seems like things have quieted down.」

It seems that this peaceful time is about to end. However, even though it was only for a few minutes, Chinatsu’s heart is as calm as the large sea after experiencing the simple thrill that she had earlier and interacting with Gii-kun.

「I think we’ve conquered the entire castle. After defeating the magicians who were blocking the passages with barriers, the poisonous gas spread all at once. I also defeated one of the Great Eight Generals.」

「I found a guy who looked like a big shot and grabbed him and made him tell me where the emperor was, but all the places were a miss. I don’t think he’s in the castle.」

「Then, he’s probably in the castle town or in a hidden room.」

「Either way, it’s going to be troublesome.」

「Even so, we have to do it.」

「Hey, before that, can I say something? You see, there’s a place I’m curious about.」

「「A place you’re curious about?」」

「Gii?」

「Yes! I just remembered a similar place in Bigar-san’s story!」

「「…… Before that, who’s Bigar-san?」」

「He’s Alezel-san’s secretary!」

「「……?」」

Chinatsu and Touko looked at each other and checked if they understood it. Haruna’s explanation was difficult to understand.