The Demon King Seems to Conquer the World

This was the first time I got on an eagle since the crash I missed the feeling of coursing through the wind on my cheeks and swimming freely in the air.

When I went down the road along the river like a fish aiming for the sea from the upstream, I could see that the width of the river gradually widened and the cliffs along the river became shallower. The altitude difference wasn’t so great that the vegetation changed suddenly, so the appearance of the trees didn’t change so much.

When I flew low while looking down carefully, it seemed that something dark was covering the road in the distance.

Once I got off the road, I raised the altitude.

‘If I go up to an altitude where I could only be seen as big as a rice grain from the ground, people on the ground couldn’t tell whether it was an Eagle King or a normal bird since it exceeds the limit of human vision, unless they are very familiar with it.’

After rising to that height, I took a position where I could observe the ground with the sun on my back.

As I gradually moved to a lower altitude, the appearance began to become clear.

‘Certainly, there is a group of people climbing the road we have taken. It’s a relatively full-scale unit with carriages. There is no port where large ships can be ported, so did horses and carriages also land by ships? That’s an extraordinary obsession.

However, those who ride horses… there are about ten percent of them. The other soldiers are sprinting. Thanks to that, it seems that the speed of the carriages are rushed a little even though it’s on foot.’

‘Needless to say, it’s a forced march that will not last long. I can’t be sure about the armament from this distance, but I think they are running with armor and armament equipped. Running in a mere march isn’t usually done except for training. This running isn’t so much about the skill of the soldiers whether they are skillful or not.’

‘After all, no matter how I think about it, it’s strange in terms of military action. I was thinking if there was a purpose such as to threaten our rear or going to invade Shaalta after they had done with us. However, if so, there is no point in conducting an unsustainable forced march.’

‘Besides, even if we were defeated, there are up to ten thousand soldiers in the Rube Household’s territory. Even if they assume that the household is foolish, they shouldn’t expect that there are only 200 to 300 soldiers in the household’s territory. I don’t know who is their commander since they are in the area where soldiers may appear on their rear no matter how much they want to achieve victory, but still, it doesn’t make sense for them to rush in.’

‘It’s too reckless. Is there a very focused operation intention? Somehow, there’s a leak. After all, no matter how I think about it, there are elements of Carol and Telor. I’m concerned that there is a time difference, but perhaps, Reform fell in a haste.’

‘However, no matter how much worth those two, do they have to go this far? I feel some kind of extreme obsession. Is it delusion… no, thirst… I don’t know. In any case, I just do what I can.’

I controlled the eagle and climbed the altitude again. While feeling unresponsive to the eagle, that I didn’t even know its name and riding it for the first time, I reached the rear of the unit of one thousand people. The carriages were in the middle.

‘Well, it’s on the run, so I don’t know if I’ll hit.’

I took out the lighter and pinched the fuse of the Molotov cocktail while pressing my upper body against the eagle.

The leather gloves covering the lighter were burned and the wire was ignited. I burned it into the oil cloth that popped out of the unglazed bottle, and then, I dropped the eagle head-on.

While taking a trajectory along the road, I descended steadily.

I untied the rope that tied the Molotov cocktail while turning to a rise in a rather modest place than when doing with Stardust.

I pulled the reins, ascended, twisted and looked down. The lump of four bottles struck a red fire like a tail, drew a parabola, and fell almost where the carriage was. I saw the flames spread out.

‘I wish I had hit it. If I could take water and food away, it would deter the march. They aren’t on the river where they can easily go down the cliff to drink water, and it’s said that they can’t fight if they are hungry. So, it’s not possible to fight after running for a day without drinking and eating. However, it’s too wishful thinking to think that all the carriages are broken.’

—

By the time I came back, the sun had already begun to fade.

When I started maintaining in the sky, there must be some attentive people. Things were removed from the open land, and a small space was created in an emergency.

When I got off while creating wind pressure, Myaro rushed over.

‘Is it her instruction that made the landing place? I guess she was waiting since she would pay attention to this place as a place to descend.’

I took off the belt and got off the eagle. When I looked around, the original owner of the eagle was also there.

“Thanks. It really helps.” (Yuri)

I handed over the reins of the eagle I borrowed. I had Guy to lend his eagle to me.

“No, I’m rather honored…” (Guy)

‘This man is too humble.’

“You have a very good eagle. It was an easy ride.” (Yuri)

“Thank you very much.” (Guy)

Taking my eyes off Guy, who had bowed, I turned to Myaro.

“Myaro.” (Yuri)

“As instructed, today’s move is over and everyone is preparing to cook.” (Myaro)

‘It seems to be no delay.’

“I want to talk to the executives. Can you gather them?” (Yuri)

“It’s done.” (Myaro)

‘She seemed to have gathered them. Should I say as expected of her?’

“Well then, shall we?” (Yuri)

—

“You have gathered.” (Yuri)

In the depth part of the forest, there was a simple enclosure made by a passing cloth. It can be said as jinmaku or military enclosure. Here, there were Carol and Liao.

Military Enclosure

A small bonfire was lit, and four simple folding chairs surrounded the bonfire.

“…” (Liao)

Liao was silent. Carol was also in a bad mood when I looked at her. She was frowning.

‘It’s a strange atmosphere. Is it a quarrel?’

“How was it?” (Carol)

Carol said. She probably already knew the situation.

“It seems impossible to escape.” (Yuri)

“Ugh…” (Carol)

Carol distorted her face as if she was having a heartbreak.

I sat on a folding chair. Myaro also sat on a chair right next to me.

“They seem to be elite soldiers. All the soldiers were running up this road. The contact is.. tomorrow morning or noon… with hope, it’s about 2 or 3PM, maybe.” (Yuri)

‘The exact time is unknown. On the way back, I saw trees were knocked down by Liao’s instructions and the road was blocked in several places. However, if they pull the trees to the side, we can earn some time.’

‘Although horse-drawn carriages cannot pass through, the land along the highway is also suitable for loggings, so there’s no such thing as large trees that go beyond 100 years old. This is because trees that have grown to the point where they can be sold at high prices are cut down and sold. They knocked down trees and blocked the road. However, if they have tens of people who are proud of their strength, it wouldn’t be a big problem.’

“Let me say this first. I’m not going to die from this job.” (Liao)

Liao said. He had said this before.

“Then, are you going to push the people away, cross the bridge and do nothing while the slaughter happens across the bridge? So, you’re calling yourself a General household if your Knights are capable of doing that?” (Carol)

Carol said. Looking at her facial expression, she was quite frustrated.

“I’ve told you many times. I have to uphold my position. My life is for the Rube’s territory, not the life I can spend here. It will be the same for you.” (Liao)

‘Is this the reason why they were looking like that earlier? Well, it doesn’t matter.’

“That’s why, you…” (Carol)

“Stop it.” (Yuri)

I interrupted Carol.

“Liao, what you say is true, but can you imagine the situation that Carol said earlier?” (Yuri)

“It’s a problem, but I can’t help it.” (Liao)

Liao looked grumpy.

“The hearts of the soldiers would be hurt, you know. Besides, our reputation will also fall in the drain.” (Yuri)

‘Regardless of military rationality, people hate the army that doesn’t protect them. You’ll be treated as a coward if you say that you can’t win if you fight them, and you’re not going out to fight.’

“Besides, as long as you’ve taken the job of an escort, whatever your innate role is, it’s your job as a unit to protect the people.” (Yuri)

‘We don’t undertake other than a thousand people, but since those thousand people will be the last to go, in reality, it has the same meaning.’

“Then, Yuri-dono, are you going to fight? What can we do in front of a thousand soldiers? It’s like a piece of paper going against a spear.” (Liao)

‘It was a good analogy. In other words, leave the people behind and run away. If it’s just a paper, it’s better not to put it against the spear. It’s only a foolish idea to use the paper that has room for growth in the future.’

‘That’s the right argument. But still, it’s imprudent. Liao isn’t a fool, so he should know the future disadvantages of overlooking the slaughter.’

‘We couldn’t win even if we fight, so he wants to pull back. It would be nice if the victims are garbage people, but they are human beings. They would abandon a large number of people in front of you, and blow up the bridge while watching the slaughter. After doing that, can the soldiers return to their daily lives? It would be nice to drink alcohol to relieve the anxiety, but I don’t think that’s enough.’

‘Besides, the army that turns away from the people is weak. When Liao becomes the head of the family, the Rube Household would be vulnerable if they become less popular due to past deeds.’

‘Liao made an easy decision probably because he isn’t the head of the household. As a head, he would have no choice whether to abandon the refugees or not, so he doesn’t have the responsibility. There’s a difference in position.’

“If it’s a piece of paper that would be torn when a spear is stabbed, don’t let it stab.” (Yuri)

I simply stated my thoughts.

“What?” (Liao)

I stopped Liao’s remark by hand.

“Myaro.” (Yuri)

I called her.

“Yes.” (Myaro)

“If the refugees cross the bridge smoothly, when will we cross?” (Yuri)

“It’s a pretty rough estimation, but… It may be around tomorrow evening, I think. If it’s around afternoon… I think it’s quite impossible.” (Myaro)

‘Is that so? It would be useless if it takes time until the middle of the night, but it seems so.’

“If they go as it is, well, if we earn half a day or so, can they safely cross the bridge?” (Yuri)

“Yes. If they are late for half a day, I think they will be safe. It also depends on how you break the bridge.” (Myaro)

“If it’s that much, I wonder what we can do.” (Yuri)

‘Whatever we do, it’s still risky.’

“What are you going to do?” (Liao)

Liao urged me by asking the question in the middle of the conversation.

“Are you really going to fight?” (Liao)

“It’s not necessarily a fight.” (Yuri)

‘Rather, it’s best if we don’t have to fight. Well, it’s not a mistake to say that.’

“But the enemy is coming. How can you avoid fighting? And if you don’t fight, it’s the same if you cross to the other side.” (Liao)

‘If the plan is to push the people away without fighting and left them on this side without fighting, it would be smarter to cross over to the other side from the beginning. We have weapons, so it’s not difficult to break through the refugees and cross the bridge.’

“No, soldiers are necessary. Without soldiers, it wouldn’t be a threat to the enemy.” (Yuri)

“Threat…?” (Liao)

Liao was puzzled.

“You can’t turn a piece of paper into an iron plate, but you can prevent it from being torn by a spear. It’s a human being who controls the spear. I will explain the plan from now on.” (Yuri)

—

TLN:

• Special thanks to picture owner.