第１４１掘：魔王城攻略 前夜 (Part1)
### Dig 141: Eve of the Demon King Castle Siege
**Side: Liliana**
Finally, the history of the demons being isolated from all other races is coming to an end.
Or rather, it will, provided we can successfully conquer the Demon King Castle standing before me.
I stare for a while at the castle, which looms against the backdrop of a massive moon, before returning to the main camp.
"Welcome back, Liliana-san. ...How was it? Seeing the castle after all this time?"
"It’s hard to say. I don’t know if I should be happy, or sad that I had to run away from it."
"…I imagine so. While it is a joy to see your fellow demons being saved, it is undeniable that many lives were lost during your escape, Liliana-dono."
Ares-dono is right.
When I fled, most of the soldiers who could be called my confidants were struck down by Dekira and his ilk.
They were perverts, yes, but outside of their private lives, they were quite capable and thorough in their preparations.
Yes, they were perverts.
"But once the sun rises, a single battle will settle this. I will protect you, Liliana-dono, so do not worry and focus on calling out to them from the front lines. You saved my sister, Elju. I can at least do this much."
"Thank you, Onee-sama, Lowell."
"Don't worry about it, Elju. It isn't just about that, either. Starting with Liliana, the demons have been enduring with all their might until now. This is the greatest chance to help them, and I will not let it slip by. We of Gartz never abandon friends who fight bravely."
With those words, Lowell-dono readies her family’s heirloom shield. When it comes to defense, she is truly formidable.
"However, I doubt a strategy involving internal betrayal will work this time. Or rather, even if it could, they have likely already taken countermeasures. And this main camp has already been discovered by the enemy. The question is how we shall attack."
Crack-dono notes that this battle will be a difficult one.
Naturally. There are those who fled from the barrier and reported back, so in a standard engagement, a hard-fought battle is inevitable.
Well, I suspect Crack-san knows that already.
"I would prefer not to harm the residents if possible. Liliana-dono, let me confirm once more: most of the residents are demons or their families who did not become demons, correct?"
"Yes. They are merely being forced to obey by the… the Demon King. However, it was not a forced command like a slave collar, so I do not believe the residents will become our enemies. If we do not inflict harm upon them, they will likely welcome us with open arms. For them, liberation is something to be desired."
"I see. However, that could cause confusion if the residents form volunteer militias. We must consider how to handle that…"
"Indeed. While I appreciate the sentiment of a volunteer army, if they cannot coordinate with us, they will only be a hindrance. If they force their way to the front lines, we might not be able to cover for them."
It is true; if the residents were to rise up all at once and form a volunteer army, the Allied Forces would lose all coordination and fall into chaos.
However, we have actually made arrangements to intentionally trigger that uprising.
This is not to suppress them, but to lead the uprising ourselves, thereby controlling the movements of the volunteer army, making it easier to coordinate with the Allied Forces and preventing them from becoming a burden.
Truly, the idea of taking an uncertain factor and manipulating it to one's advantage is absurd.
What exactly is going on inside that man’s head?
He anticipates the concerns raised by the leaders of this Allied Force and implements precise countermeasures.
When you think about it, it makes sense; when it’s pointed out, it seems obvious.
But not everyone can reach that line of reasoning.
His knowledge feels like the culmination of answers reached by countless sages who have built upon history far longer than this Allied Force.
I recall he is from the same place as the "Otherworld Hero" said to be in Ranks.
If he is just an ordinary person and not a hero, yet possesses such ideas, what kind of place is this "other world"?
Before I get lost in such thoughts, I must dispel the Allied Forces' concerns.
"I believe the volunteer army will be fine."
"Why is that?"
"During the capture of the barrier, I had one of my allies slip into the retreating forces. They should have returned with them and be explaining the situation to the volunteers now. They will tell them that acting recklessly will only cause trouble, and they will adjust their movements accordingly. That person is a friend of mine. They have a talent for commanding people..."
"I see. If you say so, Liliana-dono, then it must be true. We have also seen the valiant efforts of your friends during the barrier capture. We shall trust your friend. Is that acceptable to everyone?"
"No objections."
"I have no issues with it either."
The Allied leadership trusted my words, and it was decided that the volunteer army would be handled by a small group, with the majority participating in the siege.
Now, all that remains is to wait for dawn.
Since I have no tactical preparations to make, unlike the other leaders, I stepped out of the tent to gaze at the moon.
"Oh? What’s the matter, Liliana?"
Perhaps she had been following me, or perhaps she had been quiet until now, but Seraria-sama spoke up for the first time.
"No, there is nothing left for me to do, so I was just looking at the moon. How are your preparations going?"
"Hm? That operation? Everything is ready. We even argued over who would get to play the role of the Demon King."
"I-I see..."
Why is she so lighthearted?
How can they be like this before such a major, critical operation?
"Are we too casual? Does it seem strange? But you see, for us, we cannot afford to stop at just this level."
"Eh?"
"This isn't the end. Once this war is over, we must find a way to forge peace with other nations without conflict and create a safe world."
Seraria-sama says this, then walks past me to look up at the moon as well.
"That path is not something that will end so easily. If you have served as a queen, Liliana, you understand, don't you? How fragile and difficult it is to maintain the balance of peace."
"…Yes."
I desired peace deeply and sought methods that would not involve bloodshed, but in the end, I allowed the hardliners to rise.
In a sense, I shattered the balance of peace I had maintained until now and forced bloodshed upon many people.