Chapter 348 - The Fly King's Proxy

<Takao Hijiri POV>

After the departure of Mimori Touka……

Mira’s main army moved slightly eased from Monroy.

Now, they stopped marching and took a short rest.

I, Takao Hijiri, marched with them in the front lines as Touka’s proxy.

Though I say that, it’s not like I made any major movements.

I just mainly received reports and consultations from the Mad Emperor and gave him my opinions.

Clad in the Fly Knight outfit, I spoke to him.

[We didn’t seem to have enough information to find out Vysis’ movements huh.]

[Yes, that seems to be the case.]

Mira’s army had captured some spies on Alion’s side at Monroy.

I was present during the interrogations.

The spies noncommittally gave out information but……

[Even though Seras wasn’t present, it was good that you had the ability to see through lies.]

I could also see through lies.

Therefore, the information given out by spies intended for distraction was meaningless.

In fact, because I could tell they were all lies, we were able to answer some of the questions we had in mind.

It seems that Monroy had sent information to Vysis by magical war pigeon.

[It seems that the information that the Fly King Squadron has entered Monroy has been delivered. I suppose it’s safe to assume that the information they delivered was just as we had expected. It seems that no other information that should be concealed has been leaked.]

We had hidden information that needed to be hidden, and revealed what could be revealed.

[So far, I think we can assume that things are going exactly as the Fly King———– as he plans.]

The Mad Emperor silently smiled.

[What is it?]

[Well, I think you’re a perfect proxy for the Fly King. I can understand why Touka left you in charge.]

Hearing her words, I kept myself unruffled.

[I am honored by your praise.]

[……How is she?]

The Mad Emperor looked at the carriage where Sogou Ayaka was.

Ayaka is sleeping at the moment.

The time when she falls asleep has become irregular.

The times she sleeps are also longer than average.

However, I could see that she definitely is getting better.

At least, that is how it appears to me.

[The reunion with Dragonslayer-sana seems to have worked in the right direction. I think she’ll be able to return to battle for the time being———— but personally, I don’t want her to have a moment in which she needs to fight.]

[You’re worried?]

[I still can’t say that she’s completely stable after all.]

Ayaka is still worried about the classmates left behind in Alion.

She doesn’t say it out loud anymore, but I can tell by looking at her.

She has become calm during the day, but there are still times when she’s mentally unstable at night.

At those times, she would creep into my bed as much as possible, and I would lull her to sleep.

[Especially at nights, it seems better if she’s still with me. As expected, I can’t let her stay in the same bed as Dragonslayer-san.]

[Even if Ayaka accepts that, I think the Dragonslayer himself would refuse her.]

At his words, I couldn’t help chuckling.

[You’re right.]

He is an actual “mature” adult.

In that sense, I can entrust Ayaka, with how she currently is, to him with peace of mind.

However, even though he has been recovering better than expected……

It can be said that the current Banewolf is still weak as a fighting force.

If he actually participates in the decisive battle, he will be at risk of losing his life.

Thereupon, the Mad Emperor spoke.

[Also, as for Asagi’s group, I’ve decided to attach a select group of people to them from my Brilliant Squadron.]

Incidentally, the other day, Asagi group’s members met with Ayaka.

At first, it was only Kobato who had met her.

Ayaka seemed uneasy when she met her though, perhaps feeling some guilt.

Kobato was very concerned about Ayaka’s situation, and on the contrary, was even apologizing to her.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t share your burden”, or so she said.

The next day, Ayaka also met with the other Heroes of Asagi’s group.

Of course, that also includes Asagi.

I just kept myself hidden and watched over them when they met each other, but things didn’t get weird.

Asagi group also welcomed Ayaka with a bright atmosphere.

As is the case with Touka, Asagi must have told them various things beforehand.

“Sogou Ayaka, at that time, had just turned crazy because of the Goddess.”

She must have given them information like that.

If Asagi’s storytelling reinforces it, the girls in Asagi’s group should have also thought the same thing.

“It can’t be helped then.”

“It’s not Prez’s fault.”

They just simply and readily thought of it that way.

[…………………]

“Even if they meet each other, it should be alright.”

After judging that, I let Asagi and the others meet up with Ayaka, but as a result, it seemed that Ayaka was also relieved from some lingering thoughts in her mind.

Relieved, I patted my chest.

I couldn’t say that it would be absolutely alright for them to meet up after all.

[Regarding Asagi Group———– Asagi Squad…… Hereafter, are they basically operating under your management, separate from the Fly King Squadron and us sisters…… Is this correct?]

In other words, they will be treated as a separate unit.

[I was the one who invited Asagi and the others here. Before I joined hands with the Fly King Squadron, I originally planned to attack Vysis with Mira’s chosen elites together with Asagi’s group. Their detached group and all details around them are moving as we had originally planned.]

“Meanwhile, the Fly King Squadron will join as guerilla troops, moving in the battlefield as they pleased.”

That was originally what had been discussed with the Fly King as well.

The Mad Emperor added further to that.

[Understood. Well then, I’ll leave the girls to you. However, if there are some matters at hand, please don’t hesitate to consult with me.]

[Umu, I’m counting on you.]

[Same goes for him too.]

[ ? ]

[It seems that Touka Mimori is also relying on His Majesty, including your skills. From my point of view, that is.]

In fact, the Mad Emperor is brilliantly organizing the army.

After a few moments of silence……

[Does it look that way to you?]

[Yes.]

[Fumu———–, ……I see. In that case, I suppose…… I must live up to his expectations.]

[…………………….]

I see.

So this is that “aspect appropriate for his age” that Mimori talked about.

Putting that aside, I looked up to the sky.

Mimori had brought the familiar with him to their battlefield but……

“Another familiar may come to report later”

He left with these words.

However, no animal that looked like a familiar has contacted us yet.

We have ceased contact with Erika Anarveil’s familiars.

In this situation, we’d have to depend on Mira’s spies to track Vysis’ movements in Alion’s royal capital but————-

[Your Majesty, have you perhaps heard anything about————]

[My apologies, but may I have a moment?]

I guessed the contents of the sudden visitor’s words and stopped.

The Royal Guards were guarding the perimeter around me and the Mad Emperor from a short distance away.

Her face was enough of a safe pass for her to quickly pass through the encirclement and approach our way.

The Heroine, Yoyo Ord.

The Mad Emperor looked at her, seemingly sensing something was amiss……

[The fact that you came here…… means word arrived from Enoh?]

[Indeed. From our spies who have infiltrated Alion’s royal capital———— A magical war pigeon has been sent.]

Just like the familiars, we have also hadn’t heard of them for a while.

Something must have happened.

From Mira’s spies, who was feared that that was also the case for them, word had arrived.

Breathing a small sigh of relief, the Mad Emperor asked.

[So they’re safe. And so, what kind of report was it?]

Yoyo looked at me, who was wearing my Fly Knight outfit.

The only other place near here is the carriage with Ayaka, Munin and the others.

My little sister, Itsuki is together with Munin in the carriage.

Ayaka is sleeping.

Therefore, Banewolf has gone out to eat and is now away from here.

When he was wordlessly asked if it was okay to give the report in this place, the Mad Emperor nodded.

[Don’t mind her, give out the report.]

[Understood. I will now give the report.

Giving a bow, Yoyo slightly lowered her voice.

[The familiar under the control of Fly King-dono’s comrade has made contact with Nyantan Kikeepat———–]

[ ! ]

The Mad Emperor reacted, and I too sharply focused on her next words.

[Nyantan Kikeepat has left Alion’s Royal Capital Enoh, and is currently traveling on horses prepared by our Mira’s spies…… and together with her were three carriages———–]

She has———– escaped from Alion’s Royal Capital huh.

[………………]

The question now is———–

[The Heroes who were left in the Royal Castle…… as well as Tamotsu Zakurogi————- including Nyantan Kikeepat’s little sisters who were used as hostages against her, they were all riding in those carriages, having escaped with her.]

As some expression leaked out of my face……

[You did it, Nyantan.]

A small smile appeared on my lips.

Thereupon, I was reminded of something and understood what was going on.

The disposition of familiars, when a certain method is used, the burden may cause the user to lose consciousness.

I heard that depending on the degree of the burden, the user may end up in that state for several days.

In other words———— The reason why we lost communication with Erika……

Erika had made contact with Nyantan……

Not through the letter board that she could use when talking to Mimori, but through actual speech.

Thereupon———– Yoyo had a rather strange look on her face.

It’s as if…….

What she’s going to be reporting now seems unrealistic————

[What’s the matter?]

To the Mad Emperor who asked that, seemingly prompting her to continue……

[No…… It’s just, what I’m about to report…… I’m personally somewhat bewildered about it. As a matter of fact—————-]

▽

When Yoyo finished giving said information……

[What did you……?]

The Mad Emperor raised an eyebrow.

Well, it’s no wonder he reacted that way.

Yes————– What Yoyo just reported was indeed information that was out of the realm of expectations.

<Nyantan Kikeepat POV>

Time goes back a bit————

△

Alion’s Royal Castle———— the King’s Chamber.

The Vysis was in a good mood as she sat on the throne.

[Sitting on a throne is not bad once in a while♪]