<Cattleya Stramius POV>
The armies that had been waiting outside the labyrinth were under my command.
After the labyrinth vanished, they began preparing to join the battle.
The Sound gem seems to have been used, but not as a signal of success……
But to announce contact with Vysis.
If the battle was still ongoing inside, perhaps we could offer some form of support.
And then———– while we were finishing our preparations and heading toward the royal castle, a report came in.
[Within the royal capital———- Sacraments are overflowing into this area! It appears they’re emerging from underground……!]
I immediately understood.
[It’s safe to assume these are the Sacraments that were stored beneath the city, the ones created to invade Heaven……][W- What should we do!?]
I thought for a moment, recalling the information I’d been given.
The Sacraments in the underground weren’t meant to be used now……
[In other words, the group that entered the labyrinth is pressing Vysis hard———— that’s how we should see this.]
If that’s the case……
[Somewhere within the former labyrinth’s range…… most likely toward the royal castle, the ones who entered are fighting right now. Which means the Sacraments overflowing to the surface must be something Vysis unleashed to hinder them.]
I drew my sword from its scabbard.
Raising it high to mark my position, I turned to the troops behind me.
[Then…… we must ensure that those fighting inside aren’t hindered any further. We’ll purge the Sacraments here. Most likely, this will be———- the final battle of this Goddess Subjugation War.]
The horns sounded, the banners waved.
[Umm……]
I turned to see the Heroes who had remained outside the labyrinth approaching.
At their head was a girl, Kayako, if I recall.
[We’ll fight too.]
To be honest, I didn’t want to expose them to any more danger.
I’d heard quite a bit regarding Ayaka Sogou’s situation.
But refusing them here would be wrong.
They were not weak———— and judging from their resolve, they wouldn’t accept simply standing by.
[Very well. However, since you can't ride a horse, you’ll join the infantry and secure the rear. We’ll be charging down that main road soon, and if we’re attacked from behind, that would be troublesome. If we’re surrounded———– you’ll be the ones guarding our backs.]
[Y- Yes…… Everyone, prepare for battle.]
Kayako began giving orders to the other Heroes.
Meanwhile, I leaned closer to one of my aides and whispered instructions……
To have them fight in a way that would keep the Heroes safe.
And———— to never take their eyes off them.I let out a soft sigh.
(If any of them were to die here, even if we win, it would be…… rather awkward for me afterward.)
[Your Majesty-san.]
[Ara?]
Two giant wolves drew up beside my horse.
On one of them……
[I learned a bit of self-defense from Shisenko and the others in the Faraway Country, nya!]
———sat Nyaki, the Divine Beast.
Her wolf growled, brimming with battle spirit.
She patted its head fondly.
[This big wolf-san isn’t just fast, it’s really strong nya!]
[Pakyuu~~]
On the other wolf, Slei was perched, looking as adorable as ever in her first form.
She could hardly be considered a fighter, but since the Sacraments were scattered widely, it might actually be safer to keep her close.
Around me and behind were the Holy Knights of Neia.
The current captain, Esmeralda, and the former one were absent, but those gathered here were still seasoned veterans.
Preparations for the charge were complete.
In some areas, battles with the approaching Sacraments had already begun.
[Then, we too……]
I kicked my horse’s flank and surged forward.
[Let’s go!]
Behind me, and further east and west, other nations’ armies were also advancing.
Duke Polarie led the Alion forces.
Yoyo Ord commanded the Mira army.
Though her physical condition was poor, she ignored everyone’s attempts to dissuade her.
"The Emperor and Chester are too considerate of us old folks. At this age, good health days are the rare ones. I’m used to feeling lousy. Hmph…… Besides, when the Emperor and his heir are fighting for their lives up ahead, what honor would we of the Three Elected Imperial Households would have if I didn’t do my part?"
Thus, she personally took command of Mira’s army.
As for Urza’s army……
"I told them I can’t fight, that I’d just be dead weight…… but the Urzans begged me, saying "You’re a symbol of Urza! Please!", so now I’m here as a figurehead to boost morale…… Well, if it helps those risking their lives up ahead, fine.]
They had entrusted command to the Dragonslayer.
The army of the Faraway Country was under the command of the Harpy, Gratora.
Monsters and Demi-Humans were mixed into each army, supporting the charge.
With thunderous hooves, we closed in on the swarm of Sacraments.
I turn my gaze to the sky.
Alongside the Harpies of the Faraway Country———–
Black dragons were flying.
Bakuos’ Black Dragon Knights.
(It still feels strange to me even now…… the Dragon Knight Order of the country that destroyed my Neia, and yet now we’re helping each other…… fighting together like this……)
I wonder why?
This should be the very midst of a battle on which the fate of the world hangs.
Strangely though, something refreshingly light stirs inside my chest.
I lowered my gaze a little.
(And———- you……)
I fixed my gaze on the distant royal castle……
(Win, and come back safely———– together with that man.)
Feeling a smile creeping up my lips, I kept my eyes on the castle, and raised my voice.
[If you don’t———– I won’t forgive you, Seras!]
It was a smile that must have left anyone who saw it feeling almost exhilarated.
Those words suddenly came from their queen’s mouth……
Yet the Holy Knights around me did not seem particularly surprised.
Probably because they knew me well.
They knew the feelings Neia's Queen had toward her High-Elf Princess Knight.
No———- they knew the strong feelings "Princess Cattleya" herself had towards her.
Even though a fierce battle was about to begin, the Holy Knights protecting me wore smiles on their faces.
I pointed with the tip of my sword at the mass of holy constructs ahead.
[First, to start, we’ll scatter that lot over there! First wave, CHAAAAARGE————!]
<Goddess Vysis POV>
[……………………]
The noise within the castle and around it was growing louder.
The scale was smaller than I had anticipated……
But still, some of the Sacraments I activated seemed to have been released onto the surface.
However, this increase in presences……
It wasn’t just the Sacraments.
……So that’s how it is.
The first Sound Orb……
That must have been a signal sent to their allies they haven’t regrouped with yet.
Then, the second Sound Orb……
Most likely, that one was for those who had already gathered, waiting for the cue.
Now that all the pieces were on the board———– they must be planning to make their move.
My arm-blades carved a gash across Ayaka’s arm.
(I’d rather end this before her allies can merge with her but……)
Ayaka’s more persistent than I expected.
The wound wasn’t deep, but I had the upper hand now.
How thoroughly annoying———— disgusting brat.
[ ! ]
A new enemy appeared in the courtyard.
A first-version Fly King Outfit……
Their face was hidden behind a mask; the identity unknown.
(The only allies I’ve seen here are that guy in the later-version Fly King Outfit and Seras…… Ayaka seems slightly shaken but……)
Is that one…… the Forbidden Curse-user?
I shifted my footing and leapt toward the one in the first-version Fly King Outfit———-
But Ayaka moved to block me, clashing blades with mine.
I instantly pulled back, widening the gap between us.
(……No Forbidden Curse attack. Perhaps she had no room to cast…… or maybe this one isn’t the Forbidden Curse-user at all? Or could it be Mimori herself……?)
Yes.
That earlier flicker of agitation might have been an act.
"The one who seems rattled at the start, Vysis will dismiss them from her focus."
That’s what they could be aiming for.
I jumped backward and landed lightly.
Behind me, my clone continued to fight Seras.
I could see through its eyes———– my gaze extended even behind me.
(The Forbidden Curses can only be used by those who possess the crest…… And without a change in species, Forbidden Curse-users are never numerous…… Even if they are among the enemy, there can only be one, two…… at most, a few……)
A faint smile rose to my lips.
Those accursed Forbidden Curses.
But that is precisely why I’ve studied them———– and the Forbidden Curse-users who wield them.
Even if it meant experimenting on those I captured.
Among them were———- indeed those who bore the crest.
Do they really believe I act without thinking?
Foul scum.
[……………………]
Leaning forward slightly, I gauged the distance between myself and Ayaka.
The surroundings had grown even more tumultuous……
The sound of battle.
I understood at once.
(So Mimori’s companions are fighting desperately nearby…… to keep the Sacraments from approaching this place.)
In other words, they didn’t want anything to interfere with our final battle.
At that moment———–
People in first-version Fly King Outfits began appearing one after another.
There were also some not wearing Fly King Outfits, likely acting as their protectors.
(First-version Fly King Outfits…… their body types are inconsistent, but it seems they’ve gathered those most similar to you, haven’t they……)
And even then, I only have a hazy memory of Touka Mimori’s build.
When summoned, he wore the same school uniform as the others.
I had seen his form for only a brief time, from his summoning to his disposal.
And when viewed through the eyes of my Divine Servants, he had been clad in the later-version Fly King Outfit, its loose design concealing his figure.
(Tch…… they’ve even gone so far as to modify the first-version Outfits, masking the curves of the body……. the chest’s contours, so I can’t even discern whether they’re male or female……)
Even binding their chests with cloth could flatten it enough to make it less noticeable.
I forced out the Status Window display.
Ayaka’s Status Window appeared before me, dragged out by my command.
However…… among those gathered in the first-version Fly King Outfits, there was no Hero.
(So, Mimori must have tampered with the system somehow, preventing his Status Window from being displayed…… that’s the most reasonable conclusion.)
Whether a Status Window appeared or not couldn’t confirm the identity of whoever was inside that later-version Fly King Outfit.
But Ayaka’s window was visible.
Which meant she was one of those who hadn’t yet regrouped.
She must have just joined the others here.
That would explain why she hadn’t had time to apply any concealment trick.
(In other words…… someone among their allies who had already regrouped was capable of such tampering.)
I guess it has to be Loqierra, right?
Well…… it’s also possible that the tampering could only be done for one person at a time.
(……And also……)
She seemed to no longer be in any condition for proper combat, but……
(The Takao sisters……)
They weren’t present during the fight against Wormungandr either.
So like Ayaka, they must have been among those who hadn’t regrouped.
At least, the elder sister should still be somewhat capable as fighting power.
If they had already regrouped, they would have used her in the Wormungandr battle.
Thus, I could conclude they weren’t there yet.
And without any tampering, their Status Windows should appear here.
Meaning———– the sisters were not among those wearing the first-version Fly King Outfits currently before me.
(Of course, I must still consider the possibility that they’ll attempt to interfere elsewhere……)
Or rather……
(Considering that the authority to decide when to use the second Sound Orb lay with that one in the later-version Fly King Outfit, I was almost certain its wearer was Mimori……)
But it was also possible that Mimori herself was among these people in the first-version Fly King Outfits.
No……
Even that assumption about the Sound Orb wasn’t decisive proof of that one being the real one.
Anyone could have followed a set of prearranged signals.
And besides, it might not even be Mimori at all.
(In fact…… that other possibility may be even more likely.)
Yes……
Among these first-version Fly King Outfits, there might be that silver-haired Forbidden Curse-user hiding among them————-
[…………………………………………Very well.]
I quietly intensified my stance.
[I’ll take you all on.]
■
The Goddess Subjugation War—————
The moment of its conclusion was drawing near.