Episode 156 Intentional lightning strike
The Moonlight Society was a force that exceeded the expectations of both Melgate Cathedral and the national army. The Holy Knights are annihilated, and the military infiltrates special forces and retreats.
The general, Ari Karutacus, was explaining the results of the operation to the king, ministers, and military personnel.
"--That's all. We failed to annihilate the Gekkokai, but we are currently gathering information."
His report is close to a mission failure.
Naturally, criticism will arise.
"According to the general's report, it seems that most of the work was left to the Holy Knights...but isn't that a case of negligence towards the mission?"
“And they even retreated after the holy knights were all wiped out.”
"No, no. I think the general's decision was correct. The Holy Knights were destroyed, so I think it was a better decision than being subjected to a clumsy assault."
"However, there is no change in the fact that I issued an order that ignored His Majesty's wishes."
"It would be better than wasting His Majesty's soldiers for nothing."
Early's judgment is a point where opinions are divided. 70% criticize and 30% defend.
However, the final decision was still made by the king.
"Okay. He did a good job. His judgment was not wrong. Let's praise him for infiltrating the Gekkokai without wasting our country's military strength."
"Ha! Thank you for your kindness, His Majesty."
"You are doing well. Please continue to serve me."
If the king says it's good, all that remains is Early's accomplishments. He was forgiven for not being able to annihilate the Gekkokai.
There are very few people who can object to this decision.
However, there were people here who could do that.
This is Grand Duke Balgate Armania.
"Your Majesty, the threat of the Moonlight Society is not over. Also, it seems that General Kartacus has not been able to annihilate the Moonlight Society. In that case, you must continue to accomplish your mission."
It was a delicate way of saying it as a direct criticism or objection to the king, but in short, it was a request for him to take responsibility.
"Alright, brother. This is no longer a matter to be left to General Kartacus alone. We need to gather information and make a detailed plan."
"That's too naive, Your Majesty. The Gekkokai is rapidly gaining power. The longer we leave it alone, the more we can't control it...I'm sure you understand that. We must eradicate it as soon as possible." If your Majesty allows it, I will lead the annihilation plan.''
"What? Big brother?"
“It has been revealed that the Gekkokai is using the underground sewerage system that I manage.Then I should also take responsibility.Isn’t that so?”
“Do you have a point?”
To summarize the story, Valgate will lead the plan, and Early will take command during the actual annihilation battle.
And this proposal comes from the Grand Duke.
There is no one who opposes it.
King Dolphance turned his attention to Early, who was the party involved. Then he senses her intention and answers.
"Your Majesty. I am ready to fulfill my responsibility."
"...Very well.Then, I will entrust the annihilation of the Moonlight Society to the Archduke. General Kartacus will assist him."
The policy of the Armand Kingdom has been decided.
As planned, Balgate gained the initiative to move the army. The people present felt at ease, not knowing that they were assisting in the worst possible plan.
(With this... we're one step closer to the plan again. The troublesome one is General Cultacus, but now that I'm in command, he can't go against me. I have to act so as not to provoke that monster.)
Valgate was secretly frightened of Hades.
I intend to use it, but its capriciousness is threatening.
Therefore, Early, who is a superficial commander, is essential as a shield.
However, you can't underestimate him as being timid. After all, Hades is a symbol of an existence that should never be made into an enemy.
◆◆◆
Shu and Iris had almost finished analyzing the magic stone.
And in order to cooperate with Sage Geist, I decided to lure the Holy Knight into the underground sewers.
"Then let's do it."
"ah"
The two were floating above Melgate Cathedral.
And expose your face.
The two people wanted by the demon religion had one purpose in going out of their way to show their faces. This is an invitation from a holy knight.
Iris stopped time.
“The magic circle is flat, right?”
"It's easier to understand that way. We did it."
Even in a world where time has stopped due to magic equipment, Shu and Iris can still move. Iris then used her immense magical power to weave a spell and projected a huge magic circle into the sky.
It was a large magic circle that covered the entire capital, Melgate.
Naturally, it is a forbidden spell class.
After awakening, Iris' magical power continued to recover naturally, and she easily completed the forbidden spell.
"It's completed. You can release it anytime!"
"Do it"
As soon as I heard those words, the time stop was released.
In other words, a large magic circle that covered Mel Gate appeared in an instant. And the priests of the cathedral looking up at the sky naturally discover Shu and Iris.
A face I've seen somewhere before.
Something caught on her face.
And then they notice. Hades and the Witch appear and are about to use great magic.
But it's already late.
The forbidden spell that manipulates nature has met the conditions for a lightning strike.
“It’s 《Ryuga Lightning Strike Lightning》!”
The lightning strikes the cathedral.
It was an extremely powerful blow that made lightning strikes in the natural world irrelevant. Of course, lightning itself has no destructive power. However, when it destroys a lightning object, the shock wave blows away surrounding objects. The windows of the cathedral are shattered by the shock wave, the Joule heat generated by the lightning strike burns the wooden parts, and the scattered sparks cause further damage.
The gunpowder stored in the cathedral ignited.
Now that weapons such as guns and bombs are becoming commonplace, it is outdated for Holy Knights of the Cathedral to fight only with swords and spears. Regardless of that type of magical equipment, it's not uncommon to have a gun as a sub-weapon.
However, it became an enemy.
The stockpiled gunpowder causes a huge explosion and part of the cathedral is blown away.
"That's enough."
"It's amazing. Ah, there's someone looking at me."
"As planned."
He caused such a big incident.
Shu and Iris, who are clearly the culprits, end up attracting attention. And of course, if you attract attention, you will realize its true identity.
Shu also heard words like Hades and Witch being shouted here and there.
“Let’s go to the old town.”
“Yes, it is.”
Iris is also 131 years old. Although she maintains a youthful and beautiful appearance that does not give any impression of it, the years she has lived are incredible. Naturally, she has also mastered flight magic. She doesn't even need Shu's help anymore.
The two flew toward the old city at a speed that even ordinary people could see.
◆◆◆
"Uh... ah..."
"Bishop! Bishop Aldburg! You're awake!"
"I?"
"Please don't force yourself to speak. The bishop is seriously injured."
Oldberg gradually clarified his vague thoughts. Then he remembered his last memory.
(That's right. As I was praying, I heard a white light and a roar... ugh)
A burning pain throughout my entire body prevented me from thinking.
Although he regained consciousness, he suffered burns all over his body. The reason I didn't die was because I was healed by positive magic. The priest who was accompanying him explained the situation.
"There was a magical attack on the cathedral. The bishop was the victim. The chapel was destroyed by fire, and the storehouse was destroyed by the gunpowder igniting. This inner room escaped damage. However, many of the priests were also injured, and several people were killed.
In fact, I should be happy that only a few people died due to the forbidden spell, but that was simply because Iris wanted to reduce the number of deaths. Originally, ``Dragon Fang Lightning Lightning'' was a magic with a small damage range, so tricks like this were possible.
"The culprits are probably Hades and witches. They are people who do evil to God. Many people have witnessed them. And after shooting magic, they disappear into the old city. They are now waiting for reinforcements from the nearby cathedral. This is where I am.”
A direct attack on the cathedral by Hades Arclight and Witch Iris.
It is the first incident in history. Although entire towns and cities have been destroyed, the cathedral has never been targeted with pinpoint accuracy.
"I-I...I'm...sleeping..."
"The Bishop has been asleep for only one day. The holy knights to support him will arrive tomorrow. Please heal the Bishop's wounds slowly. A priest who uses positive magic will arrive in a little while. First of all. Please heal your body.”
The cathedral is in chaos due to this major incident.
The bishop, who is also the administrator of the cathedral, was seriously injured, and many other priests were also injured. Also, word of the appearance of Hades has spread among the citizens, and Melgate itself is shrouded in fear. They are desperately trying to hide information in cooperation with the royal family, but it will only be a matter of time before it escalates into a riot.
It was exactly as Hades had planned.
◆◆◆
Sage Geist was worried.
The cause of this is Hades and the Witch relaxing in front of me.
"...What a wonderful thing you did."
"But thanks to you, a large number of magicians will come all at once? I think it's going according to plan."
"That's true though."
Shu's goal is the Philosopher's Stone.
In order to do that, it is necessary to prepare a large number of magicians as sacrifices. Since the higher compatibility of the magic stone produced by extracting magic equipment is the Philosopher's Stone, the required number of magicians who are the material is quite large. I hope that military mages and holy knights will arrive en masse.
Of course, if it's Shu, it won't be a problem at all.
It is also possible to be gentle and only take away consciousness.
"You'll keep your promise, right?"
"Oh, if only you could show me the Philosopher's Stone."
"You've done so much for us. We'll have you adjust to our circumstances."
From Geist's point of view, what Shu had done was outrageous. He is trying to lure in a great power before all the preparations are complete.
If you have normal sensibilities, the situation where a large number of holy knights and military magicians arrive all at once is the worst.
Although it is possible to raise the level of fighting power with magic stones, there is a limit.
"That's fine. What do you want?"
"It will take a little longer to complete the magic circle that generates the Philosopher's Stone. I would like you to assist me with that."
"What? It wasn't finished yet?"
"We no longer need the support of Balgate. We have enough materials. But even if we use all the believers, it will take ten days."
“In that case, tell that to Balgate.”
"Hmm. I was thinking the same thing. I'll keep pace with the Holy Knights and tell them to go to battle after we are completed."
From the beginning, I never thought that Geist would be able to control Hades. However, I could not have predicted that it would be so difficult to handle.
It's outrageous that they can increase the number of enemies without permission.
(It's completely unplanned. However, my true purpose... I won't let even Hades get in the way!)
Geist also has a purpose.
For that purpose, he organized the Gekkokai and developed the Philosopher's Stone.
Even if it's Hades, I don't want him to get in the way. He too was eyeing it with a keen eye. The life of Hades, who would get in the way.
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