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In the middle of that church, a man who deserved a state funeral was lying in a coffin with no place to go, under the rule of invaders.

“…Ha, to think he really ended up dead.” (Yuri)

In front of me was the coffin containing the corpse of Fritz Roni. Covering my nose as I looked at his face, it had somewhat decayed and crumbled, but it was indeed the face of the man I had seen a little while ago.

I was planning to make use of him.

“I have never met him, but he was apparently quite skilled.” (Myaro)

“A guy who could pull an army from the Kururuan Dragon Empire that quickly can’t be anything but skilled.” (Yuri)

“That’s true.” (Myaro)

It’s such a waste, really. Who would have thought he’d be killed by a robber at his mistress’s place?

“Those who aren’t trained die so easily from something small.” (Yuri)

He wasn’t a soldier, so it couldn’t be helped, but he should have done some training. It’s the kind of world we’re living in.

“Well… but they say he fought and defeated three people, so he might have had some knowledge, at least.” (Myaro)

“I suppose so.” (Yuri)

He might have been stronger than the average person.

“Even so, it’s a problem, isn’t it? It seems Berbeo Hatran is disliked by the citizens.” (Myaro)

A man named Berbeo quickly raised a white flag and surrendered the moment our army approached this city, then tried to curry favor by welcoming us.

To put it plainly, he wass spineless, and his actions drew the ire of the citizens. It was the complete opposite of what Fritz was trying to do, and as a politician, he showed no leadership at all. Initially, we didn’t intend to impose harsh conditions on the citizens to make them suffer, so we proposed the conditions we had prepared at first, but Berbeo spread the word that these were results he had achieved through negotiations. Although there was no rebellion, the military was still full of dissatisfaction, and remnants in other areas were continuing to prepare for thorough resistance.

“Trash like that lacks conviction. He won’t plot a rebellion, and even if he did, he’s so incompetent that we’d find out immediately. In that sense, he’s convenient.” (Yuri)

“Yes, I think so too.” (Myaro)

“Well… until a suitable person appears, we can let him do his best.” (Yuri)

“And after that?” (Myaro)

“It won’t be hard to depose a fool who leans on us.” (Yuri)

Even without giving specific instructions, Myaro could come up with ten or twenty ways to do it in just a few minutes.

“Yes, that’s true. Once he’s served his purpose, we can fabricate some scandal or other.” (Myaro)

“Yeah… the problem is who comes after him.” (Yuri)

“There should be some competent people around. Once the real Berbeo-bashing starts, maybe we could let one of them lead that movement? The citizens would welcome it, and it would also improve our reputation.” (Myaro)

Dragging down an incompetent and unpopular person, while raising up someone popular for criticizing them. This would temporarily increase trust in the ruler. The person who replaces him may not necessarily have the appropriate abilities as a ruler, but choosing leaders based on public opinion is a repetition of such things, so it could be considered standard practice.

“That’s right. After that, well… we’ll just have to take it slow.” (Yuri)

“First, let’s start by demolishing that large church.” (Myaro)

“Ah… yes, that’s right.” (Yuri)

Shantinion, which is supposed to be an ancient capital, had changed so much over 900 years that it’s difficult to find remnants of its former days. Due to a complicated history, the large church, which is now apparently being used as a government office, was built after destroying the royal castle that once housed the empress.

The citizens of Shantinion or rather Galilianin regard that large church as a symbol of the city.

However, from our perspective, we can’t just leave that large church, which is merely a humiliating trace of past invasions. Such things should be done quickly right after the conquest when opposition is still weak. As time passes, there tends to be a shift towards listening to the voices of the citizens and cooperating with them. When that happens, there will inevitably be a movement to preserve the large church.

At that point, if we take a firm stance and say, “We’ll destroy it and rebuild the castle”, it will cause another clash. Ultimately, making a quick decision and tearing it down now is the most peaceful solution in the long run and makes it easier for us. After all, our plan is to replace the population in a few hundred years.

“…Hmm?” (Yuri)

At that moment, the door behind me opened.

“Excuse me.” (??)

A man from the royal guard, serving as security, opened the door and entered. Due to my and Myaro’s presence, this church was being heavily guarded.

“What is it?” (Yuri)

“Um… there’s a woman with a child who wants to enter.” (??)

“Is she a relative?” (Yuri)

“It’s hard to say since we don’t understand the language… but I think she might be.” (??)

A relative of Fritz Roni, perhaps? A woman with a child… could she be his mistress?

“Just check that she doesn’t have any weapons, and let her through.”

—

“Hello.” (Nozette)

It was a widow with a child who greeted us in the Telor language. She was wearing mourning clothes, and her face was covered with a black veil.

“Hello. If you have business with him, please go ahead.” (Yuri)

I said this and let her pass.

“Yuri-kun, then… shall we go back?” (Myaro)

“Take half of the guards with you and leave first. I want to have a little conversation.” (Yuri)

“…I see. Well, knowing you, Yuri-kun, I’m sure you’ll be fine… but please be careful.” (Myaro)

Myaro said this and left the church. The widow was offering a prayer in front of the coffin. Her daughter, also dressed in black, looked sorrowful, having just lost her father. After that, the widow continued to pray for a while. I sat on one of the pews for worshippers, waiting without interrupting her prayers. If she had nothing to say when she finished, I planned to simply offer my condolences and leave.

“…Phew.” (Nozette)

The widow finished her prayers and stood up.

Is she planning to leave?

However, she walked over to me, seemingly wanting to say something.

“And you? What is your position?” (Nozette)

She spoke to me as she looked at me.

“I am the regent of the Shaalta Kingdom.” (Yuri

“Regent… that would make you Yuri Hou, wouldn’t it?” (Nozette)

Could she be a well-educated person? The term “regent” isn’t something familiar to the general public. If she’s a native speaker with some education, understanding that would be natural, but knowing my name suggests she has some understanding of the situation in the Shaalta Kingdom’s royal family.

“Yes, that’s my name.” (Yuri)

“Then, you are… the Demon King?” (Nozette)

The widow uttered the nickname I am commonly called in the Isus religious region.

“I’ve never been a king, but you’re probably right.” (Yuri)

When I said this, the widow looked slightly surprised.

Well, it’s no wonder she’d be surprised to run into a national leader in a place like this.

“…So, why are you here?” (Nozette)

“I met him once before the battle. I came to pay my respects.” (Yuri)

In truth, I was here to confirm his identity. If he had faked his death and was planning some sort of resistance movement somewhere, that would be troublesome.

“I see… Is that so?” (Nozette)

The widow seemed dejected. She probably wasn’t just a mistress who was after his money.

“He was a very talented man. I would have preferred for him to be alive.” (Yuri)

When I said that, the widow narrowed her eyes slightly and glared at me.

“If you wanted him alive, you shouldn’t have invaded.” (Nozette)

It seems she is blaming me. Well, even though a thief killed him, it’s true that the deterioration of public safety, which led to this, was my fault. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I’m fundamentally responsible.

“That’s true. Perhaps I have no right to say I wanted him alive.” (Yuri)

“Yes. You do not.” (Nozette)

She still seemed angry.

“I apologize. That was inappropriate of me.” (Yuri)

“You apologize so easily… Then, why did you start this invasion?” (Nozette)

Invasion, huh? Well, from their perspective, there’s no doubt that this is an invasion.

This land was originally ours, the Shanti’s. However, that is an event from long before she was born, so claiming that wouldn’t mean much to her. She wants to know the reason, not hear about the historical justification.

“Why, you ask? Perhaps, in reality, it’s about seeking revenge for what was done to us.” (Yuri)

The crusades’ acts of aggression were carried out far away from this person, so she likely has no real sense of them and didn’t feel their effects in the past. But for the Shanti, it’s different. The hatred of being invaded and the humiliation of being enslaved have lingered deeply. I, too, have not forgotten the resentment of losing Carol, Rook, and Suzuya.

“For that, you’re willing to kill innocent people who have nothing to do with it?” (Nozette)

“Yes. It’s possible that perpetrators are always unaware of their actions. In this war, I’m sure many people who were just trying to live good lives were inconvenienced.” (Yuri)

That is indeed a fact. If I had to say, I could argue that the adults who accepted a social system that allowed the Shanti to be enslaved bear an unforgivable guilt. Still, the children who knew nothing of this are innocent. Children with no guilt, like the one standing beside this widow, are the ones who have been caught up in this misfortune.

“Is that so? Do you not think about that at all?” (Nozette)

“I do think about it. But to me, these people are strangers, so I don’t care. It’s the same way you likely didn’t care when your country invaded ours.” (Yuri)

“…I suppose I might have felt that way. But you’re actually here now, aren’t you?” (Nozette)

Well, I am here, and maybe I’m even seeing a dead body. But does she have some sort of misunderstanding?

“Hmm, do you think the person in that coffin qualifies as one of those innocent people?” (Yuri)

“…Pardon?” (Nozette)

She had been glancing at the coffin occasionally, but did she really think that? Fritz Roni, an innocent person? That’s quite the misunderstanding.

“Did you not know? He was the supreme commander of the Galilia Union Army in the 15^th and 16^th Crusades.” (Yuri)

I said.

“In the 16^th Crusade, which ended in a crushing defeat, they couldn’t capture any slaves, but in the 15^th Crusade, the Galilia Union captured hundreds of thousands of Shanti as slaves. Do you think those people didn’t have families?” (Yuri)

As I said this, the widow’s expression shifted to one of surprise and even dizziness.

“I don’t know if he was aware of his actions or not. But because of what he did, over a hundred thousand families were torn apart. Countless children, just like your beloved daughter here, were taken away as slaves. Some of those girls are still out there, being forced to work as prostitutes. The boys are subjected to miserable labor, beaten with whips. Can you not imagine that at all?” (Yuri)

“… So, what are you trying to say? That he was a villain just like you?” (Nozette)

“A villain? Not necessarily. But if you’re saying I’m unaware of my actions, then he, and you, are the same. You can dress it up however you want, that you may caught up in the times, no ill intent, doing it for the country. That sort of justification could apply to me as well. This land was taken in an invasion hundreds of years ago, so you could say it’s only right we took it back. If you didn’t want this to happen, you should have left.” (Yuri)

“…” (Nozette)

She fell silent.

That’s one of my bad habits, turning things into a sort of debate. Her husband has been dead for less than a week, so it’s understandable she’d want to lash out at an enemy if she encountered one. Letting her vent might lower her emotional temperature, and it wouldn’t cause me any harm. Not that I’m obliged to let her say whatever she wants to blow off steam.

“Is that what you believe as well?” (Nozette)

“What?” (Yuri)

“That reclaiming this land is only right.” (Nozette)

“No, I don’t think that.” (Yuri)

I have no such thing as patriotism. I don’t feel any attachment to constructs like Shantilla or the Shaalta Kingdom. I simply took back Shantinion because it was a long-standing desire of the vast majority of my people, and as their leader, I fulfilled that wish. You could even say it’s a reward to the people who shed blood following my personal quest.

“I’m just fighting for my own personal revenge and to protect the people I care about. And for that purpose, I don’t care how many voices of resentment are raised against me. It’s natural for you to hate me. But no matter how much I’m hated, it doesn’t bother me.” (Yuri)

“… I see.” (Nozette)

The widow spoke almost in a whisper.

“I do hate you. But I don’t think my husband was killed by you. I think he was killed by this country.” (Yuri)

Hmm? What does she mean by that? Well, the thief was probably someone from the lower rungs of this country, and being killed by such a person could be seen as being killed by the country itself. Is that what she means?

“This may be off-topic, but… the reason I approached you is that I wanted to ask for some of my husband’s ashes. We plan to go to a southern country with them.” (Nozette)

“I see. I have no problem with that. If that’s the case, I’ll keep this between us, away from the official wife. If she opposes, it might complicate things. Or would you prefer to get formal permission?” (Yuri)

“… No, I don’t want to talk to her.” (Nozette)

Is that so? Well, as a mistress, she might not want to speak with the official wife. I can understand that. it would be awkward.

“However, the south? I wouldn’t recommend it.” (Yuri)

“… What? Why?” (Nozette)

“Because I plan to conquer it. The Papal States, and even the Peninsula Kingdom. There’s no need for you to be caught in the crossfire of war twice, both where you lived and where you fled to.” (Yuri)

“… I’m astonished at your love for war.” (Nozette)

It’s not that I love war. But it’s understandable if she sees it that way. Just as I can’t understand her, she can’t understand me either. We don’t have the time to talk it out, nor do we need to.

“If you’re not particular about the religious sect, I’d recommend moving to the Albio Republic. Especially the Isle of small Albio, one of the safest places in the Telor-speaking world.” (Yuri)

“… I’ll consider it.” (Nozette)

“Alright. I’ll have the ashes delivered to your home later. Will that be alright?” (Yuri)

“Yes… Well then, if you’ll excuse me.” (Nozette)

Clearly not wanting to talk anymore, the widow briefly said her goodbye and gave a slight bow.

As she turned to leave, the young girl who had been clinging to the widow’s side broke away and ran toward me.

“—Muzette!” (Nozette)

“Onii-san!” (Muzette)

The little girl spoke to me. A cute little girl. And with a child like this, he went and died.

“What is it?” (Yuri)

“Onii-san, is your job hard?” (Muzette)

Huh? What kind of question is that?

“Not particularly, no.” (Yuri)

“You’re just like Otou-san. You seem like you don’t have much energy.” (Muzette)

“Is that so… Maybe your Otou-san, like me, kept doing a job he wasn’t suited for.” (Yuri)

Not suited for, or in my case, it’s more like a job I’m capable of but isn’t quite right for me.

If I had a simpler personality that allowed me to be genuinely happy after winning a war, that would have been easier. But I can’t think like that. I can imagine the lives of those I’ve killed, the misfortunes that follow. I fight wars with a grimace and, when victorious, only feel relief that I didn’t lose. There’s no joy or satisfaction in winning.

“If it’s a job you’re not suited for, you should quit.” (Muzette)

What kind of child is this?

“Otou-san kept doing a job he wasn’t suited for, and he died… That’s why I think it’s best to do what you love.” (Muzette)

Was Fritz believed to have died from overwork? Maybe she wasn’t at the scene. Luckily for her.

“Muzette wants to be a cook one day and open a restaurant. I like helping out with cooking.” (Muzette)

“Is that so? That’s a great dream for the future.” (Yuri)

“When I do, will you come to eat?” (Muzette)

Come eat? Hmm…

“Yeah, I’ll come to eat. That’s a promise.” (Yuri)

I doubt I’ll be able to go, but it’s fine to say this for now. If she opens a restaurant in the Albio Republic, I might be able to make it.

“Okay. Promise, okay? See you again.” (Muzette)

“Yes. Goodbye.” (Yuri)

I waved casually, and the widow, looking slightly troubled, took the little girl named Muzette by the hand and walked away.

What a fool. To leave behind a child like that and go die. Then again, maybe I’m just as foolish, doing what I’m doing.

I thought as I stood up from my chair. As someone working in a job not suited for me, I had plenty to do in this newly occupied city.

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