A storm-like series of events had passed, and it was time to organize what lay ahead.
I had been absent for half a year, but the position of the goddess of immigration I held was largely symbolic, and since there was not much to do, the long absence wasn’t a significant issue.
I had not arrived before the expedition in spring, but I had not deviated too far from the originally scheduled return period.
Thus, I could immediately focus on other matters.
Friegoss’s southern expedition beyond the Takla Desert and the defeat, along with the Einherjar Algul of Orcus who had come over from the eastern continent.
This was a response to one of the culprits that had devastated the eastern continent crossing over to the western continent.
After a chaotic incident, Saras and Anya took Palas away to calm him down, and only Gal, Alia, and Antrea remained at the center of the Room of Worlds’ throne.
Gal was solely concerned with examining the barrier, indifferent to what we had to say, so the three of us had to discuss what to do next.
“First, let’s sort out the situation. Friegoss has been defeated, right?”
Alia and Antrea nodded in agreement.
“What is the current situation of Friegoss?”
“I lost my left arm and lost combat ability, and while I was retreating, we faced losses in a few skirmishes, but we haven’t suffered significant damage since the first battle. Right now, we’re likely buying time against the enemy that has crossed the desert, evacuating the participants in the towns or cities that lie in our path. There are surviving soldiers from the battle, but considering the increasing number of refugees and the depletion of supplies, rescue is essential.”
“What happened in the first battle?”
Antrea recalled the battle, touched the stump of her severed left arm as if feeling pain, and continued her story.
“Initially, the army led by Mutuk, who was acting on behalf of King Friegoss in the south, was indeed impressive, but I didn’t think much of it when we first engaged. Even though the enemy had more soldiers riding camels, which are easier to maneuver in the desert, as you know, Master, I believed that ordinary humans wouldn’t be able to stand against us or the army of King Friegoss.”
Nodding at Antrea’s words, I recalled that ten years ago, excluding the capital of Pohelrn, the majority of soldiers elsewhere were merely villagers wielding metal weapons, swinging them on instinct after having grown somewhat.
In contrast, facing a systematic force with ample combat experience, resources, and even martial arts learned, how could a group of ordinary humans hold them back?
Even within the same Pohelrenia, there was a significant difference between the capital Pohelrn and other areas, like that between civilization and savagery.
“Considering that the enemy is a united army that has consolidated the south, it’s true that they were elite compared to the armies we had faced in previous expeditions, but we still overwhelmed them. The problem arose after the clash when the chaos ensued. An anomaly appeared from the shadows created by the entangled fighting forces.”
“Shadows?”
“Yes. Shadows. They emerged from the places where Orcus’s army was battling amidst the chaos.”
A method of concealment through shadows.
Thinking that I couldn’t perform such a feat, it was a power close to divine ability.
It was one of the specialties among succubi, including Lamia, who had fought against me in the past.
“Is shadow travel common in the eastern continent?”
“…Shadow travel is the power of my father, the Roa of Night and Death. We inherited it, but Orcus did not.”
Alia shook her head and stated emphatically.
“Then do you think there are other allies aside from Algul and Orcus?”
“…It’s not impossible, but Algul likely wanted to completely claim my father’s core in the west. I think it’s highly unlikely that such a greedy being would team up with another entity to share it.”
“What then?”
“Algul, as Orcus’s Einherjar, is not only an excellent warrior but also a sorcerer who lays the souls of dead Orcus warriors to rest. I believe he overcame my father’s curse and created his own strength.”
“Um…”
Was he a seasoned warrior who had lived for hundreds of years, skilled in grappling and extraordinary strength?
It was a serious situation where defeat might change the course of Western history, but I felt a surge of adventurous spirit.
‘Ick.’
It was only half a year ago that I had suffered humiliation, unaware of the world’s dangers.
The opponent was an Einherjar born like me, committing the atrocious act of killing his own parents, joining forces with his siblings to seize their power, and presumed to have overcome the curse left by Elder Roa Ul Kanadiel to forge his own strength.
Moreover, whereas Gal’s case had ended with that humiliation, if I were to be defeated this time, the likelihood of securing my own life would be slim.
Honestly, I didn’t think I would lose, but caution was necessary.
“Then, was the reason for the defeat due to Orcus’s appearance?”
“I believe that’s the main reason. But it’s not the whole story.”
“Hmm?”
“Orcus doesn’t have a lifespan as long as ours. It’s likely similar to humans. They grow quickly and are naturally strong, but, well… they die of old age once they’ve survived and become relatively strong, leading to a generational turnover. Orcus is indeed strong, but our soldiers were able to respond. Considering they were caught off guard by a sudden ambush, we actually performed quite well.”
“Based on what you’ve told me, it seems there was a defeat due to a momentary disadvantage, but there doesn’t appear to be a reason to retreat in full.”
“The problem is what happened next.”
With a sigh and a furrowed brow, Antrea continued her explanation.
“The balance was broken completely when Algul and those disturbing and insane witches known as the Witches of Takla participated, along with the three odd piglets they always brought along, referred to as the Triune.”
“Your tone is rather harsh.”
“…You’ll understand when you see it yourself, Master. You might empathize with my feelings. They cackle and laugh at random, summon fog onto the battlefield, or cast illusions on soldiers fighting to cause infighting… I’ve severed the heads of those madwomen several times with my younger siblings, but there are still quite a few left.”
“…That must have been a disaster.”
While it didn’t seem to be a particularly lethal method, it might have been even more deadly amidst the chaotic circumstances of war.
“And as I barely managed to regroup the surviving soldiers from the brawl and take care of Friegoss, I was slashed by one of the pigs referred to as a Triune.”
Antrea gently stroked her bandaged left shoulder with a bitter expression.
Alia looked at her younger sister, who had lost a part of herself in the war, with deep concern.
“…Did the others avoid injury?”
“There are some minor wounds, but thankfully, besides me, nobody was seriously hurt.”
“Um… I see.”
Feeling a bit awkward, I scratched my cheek and then inquired about the rest of the situation.
“How many soldiers survived without dying?”
“I didn’t take a proper count due to the chaos, but excluding the seriously injured, there were probably less than a third of the combatants left from when we first set out on our expedition.”
“…That’s a devastating number.”
From what I gathered regarding the initial response, while the opposing side would also suffer losses due to the qualitative difference in their forces, given the effort invested in each of my soldiers, it would be fair to call it a decisive defeat.
I tapped my index finger on the throne as I summarized the discussion.
“The enemy has suffered, but they still retain a formidable army in the south, and it seems Algul has brought over the Orcuses using shadow magic from the east. And then there are the witches known as the Witches of Takla. Hmm.”
As the tapping sound continued, I pondered for a while.
“Alia.”
“Yes, Araya.”
“Algul and Orcus, I will take upon myself as promised.”
Alia’s face brightened.
“But you must resolve the remaining humans and those called the Witches of Takla.”
“Of course.”
“And Antrea, don’t overexert yourself by heading to the battlefield. While you are indeed a succubus with much sturdier constitution than a human’s, if you miss the right timing for treatment, your life as a warrior could also be in jeopardy.”
“…Understood.”
“Alia, once the recruitment and organization of soldiers to rescue Friegoss is complete, come to me. I will move alongside you. Let’s wrap up this discussion for now.”
At that, Alia hurriedly dashed outside, and Antrea bowed her head to me before following her. I watched as Antrea’s somewhat off-balance figure disappeared before I got up from the long-awaited throne and headed for the room.
◈ ◈ ◈
“So it seems some vermin have crossed over from the east. Is it the remnants of the beings from the past east?”
“Have you heard?”
“I wasn’t particularly keen to hear, but I wasn’t exactly deaf either.”
As I exited the room, Gal, who had been examining the Deus Ex Machina, paused his actions and followed me.
“Well, that’s pretty much how it is. While I am somewhat bothered by Terato’s matter, the urgent side is this one.”
“Should I assist?”
Startled by that question, I halted in my tracks and looked up at Gal.
…Did he just say he would help me now?
This arrogant, lazy being who saw me as a mere toy and cared for nothing else but his own amusement?
As I looked up in shock, Gal gazed down at me with an expression that seemed to question what the issue was.
I stared at him for a moment before a chuckle escaped my lips, and I expressed my refusal.
“…No thanks. As you said, the things that came from the east are mere vermin. It’s excessive for you to move directly.”
“Alright.”
Gal didn’t press the issue any further.
As I began to walk again, Gal resumed following me.
For some reason, his persistent following behind me felt like an oversized dog, but I refrained from voicing it as that would surely anger him.
“I’ll guide you to my room, so could you stay there for a while?”
“Is there anywhere else to go?”
“As I mentioned earlier, I have to ask my brothers for help.”
“I will go as well.”
“…If you go, it’s guaranteed there will be another fight. I don’t wish for any disturbances, so please wait in the room.”
“My actions will not be restricted by the sentiments of mere creatures. In the reverse, it may be another matter.”
Gal said with a frown.
He had seemed commendable just a moment ago, but suddenly, he was back to his stubborn self.
Thinking back to Palas earlier, bringing Gal there would be like adding fuel to a fire.
Wondering if there was a way to persuade Gal, an idea popped into my mind—something I had overheard from the priestesses residing in the temple.
Hmm…
Even setting aside the sense of self-loathing that might arise from acting on it, I questioned whether it would even work on Gal, a being not human but a dragon.
‘…Well, since I have no other choice.’
Taking a deep breath, I quietly called out to Gal.
“Gal.”
“Hmm?”
“Could you please wait in the room for just a bit? I’ll return as soon as the discussion is over.”
I felt some self-loathing for having to resort to this.
I tilted my head slightly up at Gal and spoke in a wistful (at least that’s what I thought) tone, quite different from my usual manner, one I would seldom use even with family.
Gal simply continued to stare down at me, his expression as blank as usual, saying nothing.
The awkward silence stretched out as we held our positions, Gal looking down and I glancing up at him, both standing still like statues.
‘Did I fail? Usually, this would elicit a positive reaction. Then again, Gal isn’t human nor strictly gendered.’
Embarrassment caused my cheeks to warm slightly as I began to acknowledge my failure and think of another method when suddenly.
“…I will wait. Be quick in returning.”
Surprisingly, Gal granted permission in a voice that sounded somewhat stiff and different from his usual tone.
