Unless humans planned from the beginning and set a trap, there were very few cases where a Corps Commander could b captured by a group of mere humans. If Silua was in the thick of battle on the front lines and was relaxed, she would not be captured but would rather obliterate them.
In fact, she encountered the Murderous Knights and overwhelmed them in the battle that took place. If she hadn't taken the time to play with them, the knights' lives would have ended there.
Fortunately, the Corps Commander's leisure provided an opportunity to extend the lifespan of the members.
"... Huh?"
"..."
"What is this?"
A fighting style that closely resembled that of Deon Hardt, Commander of the 0th Corps of the Demon King's Army.
Since they were fighting against an overwhelming enemy, it was a style that would have shown great power if there were many instead of a few. If they were on the battlefield, they would probably influence the morale of both enemy and friendly forces.
Coincidentally, Silua was a fanatical fanatic of Deon Hardt's fighting style. Her eyes sparkled and she spoke to the human gnashing his teeth beneath her feet.
"Your fighting style is similar to someone I respect..."
"..."
"Do you know him as Deon Hart?"
"... Why is our captain's name spoken here?"
"Captain? Deon?"
"Deon? What is your relationship with our captain?"
After that, their friendship was built in an instant.
"Oh my god, he was that famous in the human world? Of course, Deon!"
"I can't believe he had that much influence even in the demon realm...! As expected, Captain!"
Silua opened her mouth as a thought occurred to her about how long it had been since they had been talking about Deon Hardt's status and anecdotes from each faction.
"You said you wanted to meet Deon, right? Well... you're his subordinates, so I guess it's okay. It's still hard to completely believe it, but..."
If it becomes a problem, she could just kill them then, so it didn't matter.She lightly shrugged her shoulders and added as if something occurred to her.
"Still, I don't want to get scolded by the Demon King, so let's have you take on the bad role."
"...?"
"You, Deon's subordinates, are very skilled, so you captured me. I couldn't help it."
... That was the beginning of the commotion and this was the scene Deon Hardt saw when he came out.
***
'Those crazy guys.'
How did they catch the 7th Corps Commander? No, looking at the atmosphere, it looks like the 7th Corps Commander had been captured.
Facing the bizarre sight, I unconsciously placed my hand on the handle of the dagger at my waist. Every time I left the room, I wore a dagger sheath as if I was fully armed, but that's not why I wore it.
I suppressed my impulse by clenching my fists and took a step towards that group of people. The demons who recognized Deon Hardt moved to the side and began to make way for me.
I paused for a moment.
'... I don't want to talk to them.'
I thought it would be very bothersome in the future if I talked to them. Why not just pretend not to know? The road was open and they could see clearly, but they haven't seen m yet. As I was contemplating whether to just keep walking, a voice full of joy rang out.
"Ah, Captain!"
"Captain? Where!"
"... Ah."
"Wow, it's really the Captain!"
I couldn't go back now.
I straightened my back and approached the unscrupulous hostage takers while maintaining an appropriate stride. With everyone's attention, a restrained voice flowed out elegantly.
"What are you doing here?"
"What are we doing? I came to see the Captain!"
"It's too much for you to abandon us!"
"More than that, boss! Have you become too gaunt? Are you really starving here?!"
"Evil demons! How dare you starve our leader!"
This was the den of those evil demons...
I was looking at the people circling around me and making a fuss, at a loss for words, and raised my hand and touched my mouth. A faint sigh escaped.
It was a very faint sigh, but there was no way those who had been watching my expression would miss it. Sighing was usually a negative thing! Seizing the opportunity, Silua spoke with shining eyes.
"Deon, would it be okay for this 'evil demon bastard' to kill those soft-spoken humans?"
"Even though they look like that, they are my subordinates. Don't do that."
"Subordinates... I couldn't believe it, but they were really your subordinates..."
The demon soldier stepped back as if she was shocked. I turned my eyes again and saw the mad dogs who were not at all discouraged even in the demon world.
How did they get here? I didn't think Lien would have just watched it.
... Oh yeah. Lien.
"What about Sir Lien?"
"That..."
"..."
"So..."
They ran away from her.
I was like that now, too. I changed the direction of my hand that was going up to the back of my neck and touched my forehead.
The flow of thought quickly changed.
'... Now is not the time to just hold on to these guys and argue with them.'
I looked up. I caught my eye on the 7th Corps Commander, who was smiling alone as if she had nothing to do with it.
"Silua. The 7th Corps should be on the border... why are you here?"
"Oh, I came here for a moment to relay something!"
"Relay?"
"Yes, I received a request from the Commander of the 2nd Corps. She said she was busy gathering information. She even asked me to forgive them for their rudeness in not being able to visit in person."
I accepted the box pushed in front of him. It felt quite heavy in the hand. At first glance, I could smell the fishy smell of blood.
Was the blood scent from somewhere else or did it come from here?
I was looking at it with a frown as I had no idea which side it was or what it was, and opened the lid without hesitation.
"..."
The strong smell of blood spread everywhere.
The demons become agitated and Dan, who was standing behind them, let out an exclamation.
For a moment, my expression hardened and they made a fuss disguised as curiosity, the Murderous Knights asking what it was, but I quietly looked down at the box without any expression.
The box contained the head of a man.
'The King of Rweche's younger brother.'
It's a face I've seen before. Because Develania had shown me a portrait.
I looked at it for a while and then closed the lid. I tried to hand it over to Dan, but he looked horrified, so I handed it over to Ed and called Dan.
"You'll be busy with the work I told you to do, so you don't have to stay here. Go ahead and do your job."
"Yes."
Dan glanced at Ed, who looked oddly triumphant, and briefly bowed his head before walking away. The members of the Murderous Knights who discovered him belatedly raised their voices and said, "Huh?"
"Wow, did you abandon us and follow the captain alone?
"You traitor!"
"If you had known, you should have told us instead of following along alone!"
"How carefully we taught you!"
"You bastard!"
"... Let's stop and go inside. Follow me."
"Ah, Captain. What on earth is that tone of voice? I can't get used to it... Ack!"
A dagger was stuck in front of the feet of the guy who was talking nonsense.
The members looked up in horror and met Deon's gaze in the air.
He had a gentle smile on his face just as he was throwing the dagger.
"Don't you think we need to have a detailed conversation?"
"I think it'll be okay..."
"Shut up and follow me."
"Yes."
They were in big trouble. Their captain smiled like Marquis Primero.
The fear engraved in their mind reacted reflexively. For a moment, the members' bodies froze and they trembled and obediently followed him.
***
"Aaaah! No, no...!!"
His younger brother died. The King of Rweche lay down on the body covered with a white cloth and let out a sobbing scream. Since it was a headless body, it was tempting to deny the truth, but he had already accepted the reality. He already tried to deny it several times.
"Please... please tell me that this child is not my brother."
"Your Highness..."
"He... has no head. So it might not be him. Huh?"
He was a strong kid. He'd lived my whole life righteously without any of the common deviations, so how could the end be like this? At least the body must be intact.
"Brother... I'm sorry... I'm sorry for everything..."
Tears fell as if they were draining all the moisture from his body.
Rweche clearly requested support from the alliance as soon as the demons stood in front of the castle gate. However, the Shanguk sent insufficient troops, and the Empire, which was most expected, seemed to be delayed in responding. Even though relief came, the quality of the troops fell for a while, causing despair. It was clearly visible to anyone that commoners and poor people had been conscripted.
In the end, his younger brother, who was worse off, came forward.
'I will go.'
'No. It's dangerous.'
'I am the general of this kingdom. I must fulfill my duty.'
'There are still other generals in the kingdom besides you. If I send them...'
'You know that they are not enough.'
'But.'
'I'm sorry, Your Highness.'
'...'
He should have stopped him. No, the alliance itself should not have been formed in the first place. Rweche had done a lot for the empire, but was this the repayment?
Sadness and frustration soon turned into anger.
The King raised his head. A determination appeared in the two eyes, which were bloodshot, with tears streaming down them.
When he opened his mouth to say something, his subordinate spoke.
"Your Majesty. The commander of the Empire's support requested an audience. What should I do?"
"... Send them in."
He didn't know what they were trying to say in this situation by shamelessly requesting an audience.
The king, who accepted the request with the intention of venting his anger, had to keep silent when the other person knelt before coming in to show courtesy.
"There is no shame. Sorry."
"..."
In fact, regardless of the quality of the troops, he knew that the knight in front of him did his best. Therefore, even if he was angry at the Empire, he should not be angry at her.
Because the anger over losing his younger brother has not subsided.
"What's your name?"
"This is Lien Reiner."
"Yes, Lord Reiner. Why are you alive?"
A harsh voice came out, as if it would cut me at any moment.
"My brother is dead. The king's brother, the general of this country, is dead, so why are you alive and standing in front of me?"
"... I;m sorry."
"I don't want to hear that! I asked me why you are alive!"
"Sorry."
Lien answered silently with her head down.
In fact, she was a little tired. The lord she served ha sided with the demons, and even the knights under her command had fled. Naturally, everyone's hostility was focused on her.
The look of suspicion that clung to her every move was so blatant.
Not even the Emperor or her family could offset this. All of Rweche's resentment was crushed, and it became her responsibility to lead the abandoned group that would come to this place where they could possibly die.
'But as a commander, I have an obligation to return the brought troops to the Empire as safely as possible.'
Aside from being exhausted, she was unable to give up her duties and had to meet the king to save the rest.
She bowed his head and politely held out her left hand as if offering it.
"I will give you my wrist."
"..."
"I know that I can't appease Your Majesty's anger just like that. I also want to sacrifice my life, but I know that the aftermath could be detrimental to Your Majesty..."
In fact, the Emperor told her not to do that.
Although he never said it directly, in a short conversation before Lien went to provide support as a commander, he made a remark that implied the idea of saving oneself.
It was the Emperor's own defense after noticing Lien Reiner's exhausted psychological state.
'Blame me.'
'... What do you mean? How dare I?'
'You are too upright. You will probably try to take responsibility for the soldiers under your command.'
Even though she was only a temporary leader. No, since they were more like civilians, she will try to save them somehow. If they end up dying, she will feel guilty.
'In that sense, let me tell it myself.'
'...'