286 Marching boldly through enemy territory
After stirring up chaos within the kingdom, the next major task is to advance the demon army toward the elven settlement.
The elven settlement lies within human territory, so advancing there means the demon army will pass through human lands.
Normally, this would have ended beforehand.
The demons had been stalled at the imperial border for years, unable to cross.
Though there was also an element of deliberate delay.
But this time is different.
Several forts guarding the imperial border have fallen, making passage possible.
Even without that, with Natsume and the Vampire Child controlling the interior of the empire, simply deceiving the citizens is sufficient.
Acquire imperial military uniforms and banners in advance, then disguise the demon army as imperial forces.
Of course, there aren’t enough for the entire army, so only conspicuous officers and commanders...
Doing this makes it appear, at first glance, not as a demon army.
Demons, in appearance, are indistinguishable from humans.
Change their attire, and suspicion will not arise.
Normally, heretical inquisitors with divine language鉴定 skills would be scanning the area constantly, tasked with identifying hidden demons infiltrating the region. But in this case, they are cooperating.
They will overlook the fact.
The imperial intelligence corps is the same.
Thus, despite being a demon army, they successfully enter the human territories openly.
The three armies brought this time are the Fourth Army led by Mel, the Eighth Army led by Oni-kun, and the Ninth Army led by myself.
Only these three.
Even the demon lord's personal guard, normally stationed at his side, has been left behind in demon territory with Balt.
Still, even with just three armies, the numbers and combat strength are excessive.
One army alone possesses the combat strength to subjugate a human nation.
Three armies.
To secretly move such a force is fundamentally impossible.
Then there is no choice but to proceed openly and without hesitation.
Even if some sense of unease arises, the sheer boldness of it would make others accept it as inevitable.
Especially since both the Church of the Divine Word and the Empire have declared it openly as an allied force.
As for the behind-the-scenes arrangements, the Pope is handling them—no issue expected.
Regardless of what negotiations the Pope conducted, the army entering imperial territory will be transported via a large-scale teleportation array, located near the elven village, to a small human nation.
Though called a "large-scale teleportation array," it cannot transfer such a massive force in one movement.
Therefore, the force must be divided into smaller units and transported in repeated stages.
This process is time-consuming.
Transferring everything at once would be fastest, but that would drain energy significantly. I’d rather not do it.
Besides, time is not an issue.
Given how far events have progressed, the outcome is now inevitable—like water flowing from high ground to low.
It cannot be stopped.
Only a force capable of overturning the very stage of existence itself, such as D, could prevent it.
In this world, only Black and I possess that capability.
And since both of us are leading this operation, such a reversal is impossible.
Therefore, taking more time poses no problem.
Only the speed of the result differs.
Watching the line of people moving forward in succession.
The number of individuals exceeds the width of the path, resulting in an impossibly long procession.
The front is invisible to ordinary sight.
Leading the front is the Fourth Army, commanded by Mel.
As expected of the orthodox legion that had once been led by Balt, its appearance was utterly ordinary.
Following behind is the Eighth Army, led by Oni-kun.
The group had originally been a haphazard assembly, resulting in a wide variety of mismatched equipment.
In contrast to the other legions, which displayed a cohesive appearance, this one seemed markedly disparate—resembling little more than a gathering of mercenaries.
The Ninth Army, led by me, advances at the rear.
Despite being the fewest in number, they stand out the most.
After all, the entire legion is clad in white uniforms.
There is nothing but an unnatural remark.
It's my fault, after all.
Even an unusual group would not be attacked if they bore the imperial banner—though they might draw suspicious glances.
They have been instructed to yield the way when the army passes, and the populace has learned the proper conduct.
Children waved at the advancing soldiers.
In the end, whether they are demons or humans, it comes down to this.
If one does not know this, there would be no conflict.
Even if the era demands conflict, even if duty compels it, ignorance means there is no reason to fight.
Not knowing—perhaps that is happiness, in a way.
Someone might say ignorance is sin.
"Shiro, are you alright?"
The very person who would say such things is the one worrying about me.
Currently, I, the Demon King, and the Vampire Child are riding in an elegant carriage.
Yet my condition is far from good.
Do I appear alright?
I’m tripped up just from catching a glimpse of the truth of conflict.
You shouldn’t throw someone with my solitary disposition into a crowd.
It makes me dizzy.
Dizzy from the tide of people.
Ugh, nauseous.
The presence of so many people, even through the carriage walls.
Why are people so numerous?
A few less wouldn’t hurt.
Why not eliminate some entirely?
Should I do it?
“Thinking something improper again? That’s not allowed.”
Gurgle.
At least when combat begins, I can switch modes and endure. But this… just moving in silence… is unbearable.
There’s no good in so many people gathering.
Why do people insist on forming groups?
It’s fine alone.
Please, just leave me alone.
Huh!
The fragment detected Yamada-kun’s bait reaction!
Can’t stay idle now!
Must go out—observation requires it!
Not escaping the crowd out of discomfort!
This is strictly work-related!
“Thus, I’m leaving.”
“Only an ESP could understand that with just those words, you know? What’s ‘thus’ about?”
Leaving the bewildered Demon Lord behind, he teleported.
Phew. Finally able to breathe.
Last update of the year. Wishing everyone a happy new year.