第１７９掘：ジルバ帝国の落日 王の章
### Chapter 179: The Sunset of the Zilba Empire – The King’s Chapter
**Side: King of the Zilba Empire, Fionha Reiga Zilba, Zilba VIII**
"Is this truly the report from the intelligence unit...?"
"Yes. It is unbelievable, but this is the information that has been brought to us."
Standing beside me was Air, a Magic Sword User said to surpass even Marly in this country. Though she is a Magic Sword User, her aptitude for the magic sword was discovered among commoners, so she could not be entrusted with a legion. Thus, she remains by my side as my personal guard.
Honestly, status is a troublesome thing. It is not that Marly or the Fire-Water sisters are inferior, but nobles value face above all else. There are likely those who feel marginalized because the Magic Sword Users monopolize the war results. However, because they are fellow nobles, no one openly harms them.
But because Air lacks noble backing, she is at risk of being crushed by her own kind. I cannot grant her the public glory or rewards that come with leading a legion. That is why I have her handle tasks like intelligence gathering and monitoring our own people—but this report is strange.
The parchment in my hand reads:
*Regarding the retreat of the Wind Princess Knight Marly and the retreat of the Fire-Water sisters.*
I knew that sentiment toward Magic Sword Users among the nobles had soured recently. A single Magic Sword User is worth ten thousand men. Because of this, their existence has always been viewed with danger or jealousy, though no one openly criticizes them for their service.
This was about the three Magic Sword Users entrusted with legions. The rumors claimed that the Wind Princess Knight had been defeated by mere Orcs and fled back in disgrace. They also suggested that the Fire-Water sisters, who took over the mission in pursuit, were likely just as weak and had also retreated from the Orcs. I had assumed this was just a convenient excuse for the nobles to find fault and strip them of their magic swords.
But the results of the investigation were different.
*The retreat of the Wind Princess Knight Marly is a fact, and the opponent was not Orcs, but a mercenary group.*
The information was hard to believe. It claimed that a Magic Sword User with 2,500 soldiers had lost to a force of only 150. Furthermore, it wasn't a retreat, but a total annihilation and capture. The report stated that after negotiations, Marly had handed over Jessica to have her magic sword and soldiers returned.
"...What do you think?"
"...The information may not be entirely accurate, but this content is, frankly, impossible."
Air seemed to find it as unbelievable as I did.
"This information was extracted from Marly’s subordinates; the intelligence agents did not confirm the situation directly. Perhaps the report is based on the assumption that they were annihilated by a surprise attack, and the soldier who provided this info was confused, leading to misinformation."
"That is plausible. However, the fact that they were captured is not something that can be easily misunderstood, is it?"
"If they had been captured, some should have died. Yet, Marly’s unit has lost no soldiers other than Lady Jessica."
"Hmm... does that mean it wasn't a capture, but something else entirely?"
"Likely. But we cannot verify it. If we do, rumors will spread that the King doubts Lady Marly. My purpose is to protect the standing of us Magic Sword Users..."
"Unless they speak of it themselves, I cannot summon them to interrogate them about what they are hiding."
"There is no loss of troops, and they did bring back the heads of Orcs as war results, so I see no problem."
"Hmm. Very well, let us leave Marly aside. What do you think of the Fire-Water sisters?"
"As we saw during the audience, they are ambitious. They were provoking Lady Marly, and since they took over her mission, I assume they prepared thoroughly. There is no need to worry."
"Indeed. There is no reason for two Magic Sword Users and 5,000 soldiers to lose to a mercenary group. If the sisters bring back results, that is all that matters."
"Yes. It has been two months since the sisters took their army. They may have already acted, achieved results, and be on their way back."
"Hahaha, it takes about a month to reach the target city, does it not? In that case, they wouldn't have time to fight the mercenary group. Are you suggesting they will annihilate them and return in a single day?"
"That would be possible for those sisters."
"I didn't know you could tell jokes. That is impossible. They must scout, and I foresee at least another month."
With that, Air and I dismissed the matter as groundless worry.
That was the end of the information regarding the Magic Sword Users. Just as we were discussing other matters, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway.
"Hm? I have given orders not to run in front of the conference room."
"That is strange. Your Majesty, please step back. Just in case."
I followed Air’s instructions, moving away from the entrance and behind her. While I possess enough skill that common soldiers are no match for me, as a King, I hesitate to step forward needlessly. Besides, with a Magic Sword User like Air present, there is no reason for me to intervene.
Then, the door was knocked, and a voice came from outside.
"Your Majesty, a problem has occurred. May I enter and explain?"
Air and I exchanged a nod. Her subordinates should be outside; if there were a real threat, they would have been eliminated. The fact that they weren't suggested it was a normal soldier. Still, caution is never a waste.
"Very well. Enter."
The door opened slowly, following proper Zilba etiquette. It was indeed a normal soldier. Air lowered her guard.
"Well? What happened?"
The soldier looked troubled and spoke with difficulty.
"A... a group calling themselves mercenaries has forced their way into the royal castle."
"Hmph. Then quickly suppress the insolent fools. Is there a problem with that?"
"W-well, we cannot stop them at all. Ordinary soldiers and even the captain are no match for them. If possible, we would like to borrow your strength, Lady Air."
"Me?"
"Ho, so the mercenaries are that formidable? Air, this is perfect. Show the vassals your strength. It will improve your standing somewhat."
"...Thank you. Then, please lead me to these mercenaries."
"I shall accompany you. It is an act of insolence, but depending on your performance, Air, I may reduce their punishment. Wahahaha..."
Thus, Air and I confronted the mercenaries in the throne room.
"Ho, so you managed to make it this far."
"Hm?"
The one who replied was a man surrounded by women and demi-human women. He looked like an ordinary man... no, he was quite slender. He didn't look like he could swing a sword properly. And he was wearing clothes I had never seen before.
"So, who's the bearded old man?"
"You!! How insolent!!"
"Enough."
I held back Air, who was about to lunge at him. It would be dull to end this without exchanging words.
"I am Zilba VIII. I stand at the pinnacle of the Zilba Empire, and I am its King."
When I said this, my soldiers surrounding the mercenaries knelt and bowed their heads, but...
"Oh, I see. So, what do you want?"
The man replied with such nonchalance.
"What do I want? There is no King who would not judge criminals who force their way into the throne room and fail to show respect to the King."
"Hmm... so what happens if there's a King who can't judge criminals?"
A strange man. He gives peculiar answers.
"Such a person would not be a King. If that were to happen, it would be synonymous with the loss of the King's authority and power. Well, this conversation is not what I expected, but let me at least ask your name before the end."
"Name, huh? Can I ask why it's the end?"
"You not only fail to answer a King's question but return it with another? It is obvious. You have committed such insolence. There is no path to survival for you."
As I said this, Air stepped forward.
"Ugh, again? I thought they might be here... Alright, I choose you, Steve."
"Eh, again?"
"I was the one who dealt with them last time."
"Well, I guess that's true."
"Look, this is an experiment to see if you can use *that*."
"Ah, so I'm the guinea pig again."
A goblin... is talking!?
And then, he took a stance with his sword, perfectly.
"I mean, are Magic Sword Users all a bit twisted in the head? This person feels weird too."
The goblin insulted Air. Ah, he was an interesting goblin, but he is as good as dead. Air has already drawn her magic sword. There is no saving him now.
In the next instant, Air’s figure literally vanished, and I was certain of victory.