by Hyougetsu
“The demon army may have integrated itself into the southern cities, but the people are still a little wary of demons. Human hearts waver easily.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“How is it a werewolf like yourself knows... No, I suppose it’s not that strange considering it’s you.”
I was once human after all. Forne slapped his hand against Eleora’s letter to emphasize his point.
“This woman is dangerous. I’ve heard the rumors coming from the north. She’s unbelievably popular with the citizenry. They’re calling her names like the Liberator Princess and the Sonnenlicht Goddess.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Eleora was the foreign princess who’d destroyed the old, decaying rule of the corrupt Senate. And publicly, she claimed to support the autonomy of Meraldia’s residents. Forne rolled up the letter and smacked Shatina on the head with it. Sighing, he added, “At this rate, even our people will start supporting Eleora. Look, she’s already managed to win over one viceroy here.”
“Ugh... I’m sorry.”
I was starting to feel a little sorry for Shatina. Turning back to Forne, I changed the subject.
“Since you’re complaining so much, I take it you have a plan to deal with this?”
The only time Forne complained was when he had some sort of countermeasure in mind. As expected, Forne grinned and said, “Our people need a symbol to rally behind. If Rolmund has a banner, then it’s time the demon army had a banner of their own.”
Looks like you’re up to something big.
“Just leave the preparations to me. I’ll show you what I have in mind during the next council meeting.”
“Lady Airia, I would love nothing more than to share my fate with you. However...”
“What’s the matter, Lord Veight?”
“Forgive me, Lady Airia. But a life of battle is the only life for me.”
“Don’t go, Lord Veight! You have no reason to fight for humans!”
“I know, but I wish to protect Ryunheit. This city is your home.”
I watched soap-opera-cum-play unfold on the stage below. Obviously, it was about me and Airia. They hadn’t even bothered to change our names. The actor playing me looked much like I did in my human form, but he was at least three times more attractive. His title in the play was the same as my real one, the Demon Lord’s loyal and wise vice-commander, and leader of the werewolves. In the play, he falls in love with Airia after capturing Ryunheit. But then, after bringing peace to the southern half of Meraldia, the Hero Herbert appears.
“So you’re the Black Werewolf King! Draw your sword!”
“Lay down your weapons, o’ mighty Hero. What reason is there for us to fight?”
“Even if this battle is meaningless, I must defeat you. For those are my orders.”
“Who gave you such orders, Hero?”
“The Senate!”
Apparently the Hero’s lover was taken hostage by the Senate, which is why he has no choice but to fight. After a fierce battle, I slay him. I then lament that such a valiant man had to die for no reason, but have little time to grieve since the Senate sends an army of 100,000 against me.
“What is that rumbling? Impossible, is that the footsteps of the army marching on Ryunheit!?”
Finally, I go out to face the approaching army all on my own.
“My name is Veight, Ryunheit’s Black Werewolf King!”
A hopeless battle of one man against 100,000 begins.
The curtains closed over the stage. I gave the actors a vigorous round of applause, then turned to Forne and grumbled, “What the hell is this?”
“Isn’t it obvious? A dramatic retelling of your story. I put Veira’s best actors, screenwriters, and musicians on this production. It’s the ultimate play. Oh, and part two is currently in production.”
“So what’s the point of having Veira’s best make a play like this?”
Forne sighed, “You’re the most famous person in the demon army. Not only do you have good looks, but also you’re a capable commander. We might as well put those qualities of yours to use to spread the demon army’s fame.”
“Am I really all that?”
“Are you truly not aware of it?”
I mean I figured people knew my name since I was the one personally handling most of the diplomacy, but it never really felt like I was famous. I don’t really like standing out anyway. Beside me, Airia was clapping with surprising enthusiasm.
“That was a wonderful play.”
“Doesn’t it bother you that they paired you with me, Lady Airia?”
I couldn’t imagine she was happy being shipped with a werewolf. However, Airia’s response was unexpected.
“Not at all. This is for the sake of the Southern Commonwealth. In fact, I consider it an honor.”
“You certainly are broad-minded...”
“You flatter me. Fufufu.”
I’m just glad she didn’t hate it. To be honest, I broke out in a cold sweat when I first saw that development. But that aside, it was a little embarrassing to watch a play like this. It exaggerated my feats so much to the point where it made me out to be some kind of demigod. Don’t you think this is overdoing it a little? I didn’t have any problem worshiping others, but I didn’t want to be worshiped myself. I wasn’t really worthy of it. The thought that this play was being shown throughout the Commonwealth made me want to go back to my village and hide forever.
“Hey Forne, don’t you think you should tone down my achievements a little...”
“The purpose of this play is to sell you as a person, toning down your achievements would run counter to that purpose.”
“I get that, but...”
This is just so awkward.
“I’ll have you know I already toned it down quite a bit out of consideration for you.”
“You did?”
I had no idea if a mere play like this would be able to improve the demon army’s image, but in retrospect, there wasn’t any television or internet here. The people of this world had basically no exposure to marketing. Besides, watching coverage of past presidential elections back on earth had made it clear marketing worked. Furthermore, I’d asked Forne to make sure no names of actually deceased people showed up in the play. Which was why Ranhart and Arshes had been turned into a different, fictional Hero. Profiting off of slandering the dead was the one thing I wouldn’t abide. Perhaps that was soft of me, but my decision there was final.
“But do you really think this’ll work?”
Forne grinned in response.
“I will make it work. Consider it my way of making up for failing to bring Welheim over to our side.”
“Well, I’m counting on you then.”
“I’ve also prepared a play starring Firnir as well, so please let her know later to come watch. Incidentally, I have a few more starring you that I wish for you to see.”
Seriously?
* * * *
—Eleora’s War Records: Part 3—
“It’s a shame our corps lost five men in the previous battle.”
Eleora traced the names of the dead on the report with her finger.
“Menchev’s horrible coin tricks never worked, but it pains me that we’ll never be able to see them again.”
“Even if he never got them right, they were entertaining to watch.”
Borsche smiled sadly. Eleora closed her eyes, clasped her arms together, and offered a Sonnenlicht prayer for her departed subordinate, “Those who gave their lives for my cause, watch over me. I swear I won’t fail.”
“That’s the princess I know and love.”
“Don’t keep treating me like a child, Borsche. I won’t cry anymore.”
Eleora gave Borsche a wan smile, then stroked the Blast Grimoire in her hands. Borsche pointed to the next page of the report.
“Your Highness, allotting two medics to each platoon proved to be a wise choice. Lieutenant Schwarz and eleven other men were saved because they received immed
iate treatment.”
“All members of the mage corps can use healing magic to some degree, but there’s a lot of injuries that require a dedicated healer.”
Eleora nodded to herself.
“Incidentally, did you recover all of the Blast Canes lost by the mage corps?”
“But of course. After the funeral, I returned the extras to the quartermaster. Everyone’s equipment is accounted for.”
“Good work. We absolutely do not want him to get his hands on these.”
Borsche cocked his head.
“Who do you mean by ‘him’?”
“Ryunheit’s Black Werewolf King. Chances are he learned too much already from our siege of Vongang. He’s the type of commander to take to the front lines himself.”
Borsche grinned again.
“He’s like you, Your Highness. Always causing trouble for his men.”
Eleora pouted a little.
“And just who was it that declined the teaching post at the magic academy that I set up for him and disobeyed my orders to join the front lines with me, Borsche?”
“Hahaha. The Norlinskar family motto is ‘Work hard while you’re still young,’ remember?”
“You’re far from young. Aren’t you already forty-two?”
“You mean only forty-two, Your Highness.”
The light banter brought Eleora some peace of mind. Grateful to Borsche for easing her grief, Eleora said, “Annoying officers like yourself should just retire already. But I suppose if I want you to have time to actually enjoy your retirement I should finish this campaign quickly. How did the Rabbits fare?”
“Interestingly enough, most headed west. Though a few stayed where they were and froze to death.”
Eleora looked down at her map.
“I suppose they’re heading toward the Boltz Mine. I’d heard the demon army destroyed it during their invasion, and it’s only just now been rebuilt.”
“Mining operations have resumed, but it’s a simple iron mine, Your Highness.”
After thinking for a few seconds, Eleora nodded.
“That can’t be all there is to it. Those who’ve lost everything will flock to the place that seems most reliable. Have platoon five investigate the Boltz Mine.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
There was a knock on the door, and one of Eleora’s officers, Warrant Officer Natalia, walked into the room.
“Princess, the citizens have sent us a petition.”
“For what, Natalia?”
“Vongang’s Mondstrahl Church is requesting that we let them freely practice their religion.”
“Here too?” Eleora sighed. “Our Holy Rolmund Empire has united thousands of people under the single banner of the great Sonnenlicht Order. While we may call ourselves a liberation army, remember that we are invaders. You understand, right Natalia?”
“Y-Yes, ma’am. But...”
Natalia seemed to pity the Mondstrahl adherents. Eleora furrowed her brows and picked her words carefully.
“Keep in mind, the majority of the northern residents are Sonnenlicht believers. For the sake of maintaining order, it would be best to convert the few heretics that exist.”
“Yet...”
“Are you dissatisfied, Natalia? For a daughter of a Sonnenlicht Order bishop, you sure are kind.”
Natalia timidly nodded.
“Yes, ma’am. My father always said the true teachings of Sonnenlicht tell us to be tolerant of heretics.”
Eleora closed her eyes and reminisced for a moment.
“As a result of what your father preached, he was banished by the inquisitors. Within Rolmund, the Sonnenlicht Order is a tool of the government, a religion far removed from ideals such as virtue and truth.”
It was for this reason Eleora hesitated to do anything the government back home would be displeased with.
“In order to turn Meraldia into empire territory, we have no choice but to snuff out the Mondstrahl Church.”
“Yes, ma’am...”
Seeing how dispirited Natalia looked, Eleora smiled gently.
“However, forcing them to convert will not be easy. For now, let us simply impose a tax on those who do not follow Sonnenlicht. Those who cannot afford the tax may make up the difference through volunteer labor.”
Natalia’s expression cleared up in an instant.
“Wha? Are you sure!?”
Eleora opened up the missive containing her orders from the homeland, and read through it again, “According to my orders, I am not allowed to give heretics treatment equal to that of faithful Sonnenlicht believers. But if I tax the heretics, their treatment is no longer equal, correct?”
Of course, Eleora knew the Mondstrahl members would not be happy about this. But she had no other choice.
“I am just as worried as you are that if we force the heretics to convert and start executing them to make examples of those who don’t, that the people will revolt. We should take our time and use less coercive methods once our grasp on Meraldia is secure.”
Beaming, Natalia gave Eleora a crisp salute.
“Th-Thank you very much, Princess! I love you!”
“No, thank you, Warrant Officer Natalia. As a nonbeliever, I often forget just how serious these matters can become.”
Just then, another messenger came in with a new report.
“Your Highness, Welheim has surrendered to the liberation army.”
“They made the right choice.” Eleora nodded in satisfaction. “It looks like I win the first skirmish with the Black Werewolf King. Though if I lost here, I’d have no chance of beating him.”
Borsche turned to Eleora and said, “I think it would be best to put Welheim under surveillance. Who knows if the Black Werewolf King left any presents for us in that town.”
“You think so as well?”
“No general would hand over a city to the enemy for free. Even if they’re forced to retreat without a fight, they’ll at least poison the wells. Of course, I mean that as a figure of speech.”
“That’s a very military-minded figure of speech, Captain Borsche.”
Eleora grinned viciously.
“Keep an eye on Viceroy Kurst, lest he poisons our wine. Take members from platoons one through four and create a surveillance team. I’ll leave deciding the individual members to you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Eleora looked back down at the map and muttered, “Incidentally the messenger I sent to Zaria has failed to sway the city’s viceroy.”
“While Zaria’s viceroy might be a child, she has perceptive guardians to guide her. Simply claiming we got revenge for her father won’t be enough...”
“Veira’s viceroy is too shrewd to swindle, and Thuvan and Bernheinen have demon viceroys. None of them will be swayed. I suppose we have no choice but to resort to military might.”
Eleora massaged her temples.
“But all of the catapults that belonged to Vongang were stolen by the south during the siege of Zaria. This throws a wrench into our plans.”
“With the help of the various cities’ viceroys, we’ve begun gathering the members of the old engineering corps that was disbanded when the catapults were stolen.”
“We owe them an even greater debt now, though. There’s nothing more expensive than free aid.”
One way or another, Eleora knew she’d need to repay that debt. Chances were, the viceroys would ask for more authority over their cities.
“If we want to build new catapults, we’ll need to order special materials. Those materials can be easily traced, so it’ll become obvious we’re stockpiling catapults. And catapults are used for one thing and one thing alone, sieging cities. Our war preparations will become known to the south, and that will affect future diplomacy. Do not start building new catapults until we’ve exhausted all other options.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Borsche saluted, and Natalia tilted her head quizzically.
“But Princess, do we really need catapults? Ou
r sniper squad is more than capable of breaking through city gates...”
Eleora shook her head.
“I want to avoid sacrificing any more of my men. Blast Canes have impressive firepower, but both their range and their fire rate are inferior to bows. If we utilized them for future sieges, we’d lose men.”
Of the five casualties Eleora had suffered during Vongang’s siege, three had come from the sniper squad. Another had died during the initial charge into the city. Meaning that four of the five deaths had occurred during the breach.
“Besides, the south is nothing like the north. We can’t afford to underestimate the demon army. There are armies of undead soldiers protecting all of the Commonwealth’s frontier cities.”
“Waaah!”
Natalia hugged her shoulders, terrified. Borsche raised an eyebrow.
“To think Meraldia would use the forbidden black magic of necromancy for war. Now this is troubling.”
Grimacing, Eleora signed the papers on her desk.
“Why do you think a soldier like me is trying to win through diplomacy first? It’s laughable, isn’t it? I’m trying to win enemies over instead of crushing them.”
“Not at all, Your Highness. It makes me glad to see you grow so.”
Eleora glared at Borsche.
“Mark my words, I’ll make you into a military instructor one of these days.”
“Please be merciful, Your Highness.”
Smiling, Eleora handed Borsche the stack of documents.
“Then you better work so hard I don’t feel like getting rid of you. While we’re trying to undermine the south’s solidarity, we need to also focus on solidifying our power base. Summon the viceroys!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
* * * *
While Forne was busy drumming up popular support in his own weird way, I decided to organize our forces. At the end of the day, when diplomacy failed it was down to armies. I gathered all of the demon army’s chief officers and held a strategy meeting. Everyone from knight commander Baltze to the captain of one of the canine squads came. Anyone in a leadership position, no matter how small, was required to attend.
