The moon over the Demon Kingdom is red.
Its light is faint, and now, within the forest where we’ve halted after our march, darkness surrounds us.
Three zombies, including Shes, stand silently behind the trees, waiting for my command, positioned to protect me from the front and flanks.
── There were just five minutes left before the start of the operation.
Both within the forest and beyond, it was eerily quiet, more than I had anticipated.
It’s almost hard to believe that a battle is about to begin… No, it’s not as if I could deny it; after all, the situation has already begun.
…Agito and the aerial unit should have already infiltrated Elden from the west by now, tearing down the makeshift temples used by priests to establish magic-sealing barriers.
I keep watch on the objective about a kilometer ahead, the tall walls surrounding the town of Elden. There should be a lookout tower on top of the northern gate, though from here it’s a blind spot, and I can’t see anything. Lacking experience, I’m unable to gauge the situation.
Is the aerial unit’s mission going well?
…Am I really prepared to initiate this operation, even with such limited knowledge of the situation?
“Alaya-dono, have you ever witnessed the onset of battle?”
Lost in thought as I narrowed my gaze toward Elden, I was addressed by a green-skinned, red-eyed demon man—Major Evillwarg, the leader of the ground forces.
“No, I haven’t.”
“Most people haven’t. And most people imagine battle begins with an earth-shaking roar, followed by explosions, and the loud clanging of swords clashing… that’s usually the perception.”
“Isn’t that the case?”
“It depends. But in operations like these, held at night or early morning, things are different.”
Evillwarg looked out toward Elden.
“At this distance, you likely won’t hear much sound at all. And we’ll avoid using visible flames. The battle will start with a quiet intensity.”
“Is that so…”
“Yes, that’s right. So quiet, you might even miss it. Like a nocturne.”
He began moving his fingers slowly, as if playing a piano.
“Something like, ten↓ten↑te-te-te… gently drenched in the morning mist, softly whispered on the breeze…”
“I… I see…”
Evillwarg continued his air piano performance with vivid passion. He’s quite an unusual fellow. Even with a major battle on the horizon, he seemed calm and collected.
“So, Alaya-dono. Proceed with the operation precisely on schedule. There’s no need to overly tense yourself or strain your eyes.”
“…I see, thank you.”
I see now. Major Evillwarg was trying to ease my nerves. Apparently, I seemed a bit too tense to those around me.
…What a considerate individual. I am grateful.
“I appreciate your advice, Major Evillwarg.”
“Oh, not at all. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, please feel free to ask.”
Evillwarg gave a gentle smile.
…Come to think of it, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask.
“Major Evillwarg, the reclamation of Elden is a pretty critical mission, isn’t it?”
“Indeed, it is.”
“In that case, wouldn’t the success rate be far higher if we had the Demon King himself join us? Is there a reason he can’t?”
The Demon King Lumac… I’ve seen a glimpse of his power before.
He is a truly overwhelming force, someone who defeated Germ, the former “King of the Deadlands,” without even leaving his throne, while Milphobia and Shes struggled against him.
However, Demon King Lumac showed no sign of moving from the demon castle for this operation. Maybe he’s bogged down by official duties, but wouldn’t reclaiming territory take precedence? I can’t understand why he wouldn’t join this mission.
“Ah, it can’t be helped. His Majesty is keeping a watch on the ‘Beast’ to the west.”
“The… ‘Beast’ to the west?”
“Yes, meaning in the western lands—”
──Suddenly, a blinding light engulfed the surroundings.
The source was Elden.
From beyond its tall walls, a brilliant explosion lit up the night. A moment later, a thunderous roar followed, unmistakably marking the onset of battle in Elden.
Evillwarg and I exchanged bewildered glances.
…Didn’t you say the battle would begin quietly?
“This… this isn’t right…! The aerial unit wasn’t supposed to create such a scene!”
“Could it be a counterattack from the kingdom’s soldiers?”
“Even if there were a stationed garrison, they wouldn’t conduct such a massive explosion in the middle of the night! That would cause too much collateral damage! For a counterattack, they’d use firearms!”
The explosions continued, one after another.
It appeared even Evillwarg was at a loss for what was happening.
I checked my pocket watch.
There was a minute and a half until the operation’s start.
“Major Evillwarg, could this possibly be a ‘signal’?”
“…! Alaya-dono, are you suggesting that this is Agito-sama’s signal to us?”
I couldn’t say for sure. But otherwise, there’s no point to such an excessive display.
In times like this, it’s best to consider alternative viewpoints—like whether this situation offers us any advantage.
“Major Evillwarg, with all this noise… perhaps it might help mask the sounds of my operation?”
“Indeed… you may be right.”
Evillwarg checked his pocket watch.
There was a minute left until the operation’s start.
Should we sit here and wait, or…
“I understand, Alaya-dono. Let’s initiate the operation! I’ll go inform the other leaders.”
“Yes, understood.”
Evillwarg turned his back on me.
I took one last glance at my pocket watch before pocketing it.
With just under fifty seconds remaining, I set my plan into motion.
…Alright, let’s get to work. Once this job is done, twelve million gold will be mine!
“Rise, the dead.”
As I spoke, the ground around me began to swell and bubble. From it, hands and heads started emerging, crawling up to the surface.
These were zombies.
Five hundred in total, created by Germ’s power and commanded to follow my orders. They had been lying buried here, waiting for the moment to arise.
“Now then, my zombies.”
I led the swarm of zombies out from the forest. The northern gate’s watchtower, roughly a kilometer southwest of our current position, remained a blind spot. No one was in sight. The operation could proceed smoothly. I pointed to the northern gate and issued the command.
“Form up in ten rows and charge forward!”
