... the day after the party was held.

Naiji and Armadillo were having a morning meal with Armadillo, and information came in that was suspicious to their ears.

The chamberlain of the castle who rushed in was in a terrible panic.

The chamberlain seemed to have forgotten to knock and thank you. He opened the door violently and pushed his knees to fall to the floor.

What the hell is going on?

"I will report to you!" We have confirmed the demonic invasion of Japan! "

In the words that rushed out of the mouth of the chamberlain, "Is it finally here", such tension runs on everyone.

If that's the case, how can you be rude enough to jump into a room like this?

Armadillaus replies calmly to the still restless chamberlain.

Understood. And what about the defenses in the North?

"No, but the situation has already reached the point of urgency..."

"What? Be honest."

Haha! It's said that the demon army has already reached the vicinity of the King's City!

--For a moment, I didn't know what the chamberlain was talking about.

The army of the demons has reached the vicinity of the king's city.

When I broke down the rumors in my brain and reconnected them, I was able to recognize what I was saying.

Teatania noticed at the same time, and she stood up forcefully from the chair.

What do you mean near the capital?

Hah! The demon army has already moved its troops from the King's City to 18 miles (about 75 km), so they are investigating the details of the size of the army!

What are you talking about!?

"Such a stupid story..."

As expected, Armadillas could not stop his rough voice, and Graziella stared at him.

Everyone who was there was exhausted because of the impossible.

Titania asks again.

"Oh... is that really true?"

Haha! If we march at this rate, it will take us two days to reach the capital.

"What was the border guard's uncle doing...?" I didn't realize that the demon tribe had invaded..... "

"You are currently waiting to be contacted, but according to the person who confirmed it, it seems like you jumped a long distance and suddenly appeared..."

"What the hell do you mean... no, you can back off now." If you find anything, please report it to us. "

Haha!

The chamberlain leaps in and leaves the room with the permission of Armadillas.

After a long silence, Mizuki finally raised her voice in agitation.

Y-You, Riji! A demon invasion!

"... yeah. I don't know, but I guess it's true."

"Eighteen miles is probably not even a hundred miles!?"

"Um... yeah, I think so."

Even though the road is not well-maintained, there is no time to give.

Riji turned his gaze to Armadillas.

Your Majesty

“It's hard to think of, but I don't think this is a lie. Even if you look at it wrongly, it's impossible."

If it was a joke, it would make me want to stroke my neck because I have too many bad hobbies.

Armadillas nodded vaguely at Graziella's harsh words.

“Not if you're eating, Tier.”

"Yes, we should head to the tower first." If it means 12 miles, I think I can probably see it from there. "

"Lord Rage, I'm in a hurry to confirm the facts." If I have to, I need your help. "

Yes, of course!

Armadillas' expressions were strange and hard.

Riji and the others followed Titania's suggestion and rushed out of the room after the meal.

●

During the meal, it was reported that a large army of demons had appeared near the King's capital.

Although the report was too sudden, it was scarce, but Niji and the others immediately stepped into the tallest tower in Camelia under the guidance of Titania.

From the window of the tower, you can see the royal capital underneath and the mountain range (Yamanami) far ahead.

And then,

"That's..."

"Shh..."

It was at the end of a view that was cut squarely out of the tower's window.

In the distance, I saw a black mass that was stupid. It wasn't a mountain. Not even in the woods.

The black mass is a horde of creatures, each showing its own movement. In the winter, they gathered together to remind me of the bugs.

It is not a cloud of rain or thunder that covers the sky above it. It must be a horde of demons too.

Riji narrowed her eyes in an attempt to capture more details.

When I made a circle with my thumb and index finger and passed my gaze through the middle of it, the outline came up thanks to my enhanced vision or even though it was not very detailed.

What you can see is the demonic silhouette of the black and cloudy power of the demonic race and the winged demonic race.

There was no doubt about the legions of demons.

Graziella asks.

How about that?

Definitely. It's a demon race.

What do you think about the speed of march?

"That's..."

"I don't know the details from here, but at that position, the regular army would have one or two days." The demons are a mixture of various shapes, so even if you take that into account, it would be about two or three or four days. "

In a word, Titania makes a guess.

Meanwhile, Graziella gave a strange expression when she heard it.

"But where did they come from?" It's impossible to think with common sense that no one will ever know you're here..... "

That's true. If there is an invasion of that magnitude, the nobility defending the frontier will be the first to notice and report.

It is hard to think first of all that the report was missed or that it was completely destroyed shortly before the report was sent.

Then why. Why. How did you do that?

However, Riji was aware of this mysterious march.

Yes, it was because Minami had previously told me that there was a demon clan that controlled the space.

If only it could connect the space of the demonic realm with the space of the Astral Realm.

I thought it might be possible to move a large army in an instant.

Considering the total amount of power consumed at that time, it may not be like a treat, but it is not an impossible story.

"... it may have been the work of the demons that emerged from the previous war"

"Riji-kun, Riji-kun. What is this demon race?"

"It's about the demons that came out when the demons invaded Nelferia." With golden hair, with horns, um... "

"... I see. You mean the demon race that you were talking to that man?"

I guess Graziella remembers it too.

At that time, the demon tribe certainly called itself Rishabaam. Meanwhile, Ariake called it Kudrak.

"But why now? If we could do this, we could have invaded earlier?" It should also be used to attack Nelferia in the first place. "

“I don't know. But that's all I can think of with the information I have.”

"Why, I can't help thinking about it. I'm right in front of you. That fact cannot be bent. Teatania, what's going on with Astell's army?”

"It seems that they are currently forming an army." We've already sent people to the region to request reinforcements, so they'll arrive soon. ”

"I just wish that [...] chi [...] would be as soon as possible."

Graziella's expression is considerably steeper than in previous wars.

"Mr. Graziella..."

It's probably going to be a castle battle from now on.

Is it a castle battle...?

Fight your way into castles and cities. It was the first time for Riji.

Fighting in the usual flatlands and mountains would be a different kind of fight.

"Don't worry about that. It doesn't mean we have to destroy them all. You just have to hold on until reinforcements from the lords around you arrive."

But it breaks my bones to exceed that number, doesn't it?

Is His Highness Titania confident that he can protect the King's City?

"The fact that the king's capital will be invaded is that it hasn't been for decades. No matter what happens, it's not strange.”

I mean, there's no one here who's experienced it.

After all, it's going to be a tough fight.

"When the Minami people aren't here..."

It's been about a week since you guys left, right? Maybe she's already back? "

Let's hurry up and contact the Imperial City.

"Hmm. We're in a hurry." If he's back, I'll do something about it. "

If it was Minami, I wouldn't be able to go to... in a moment, but I was hoping that she would come here immediately using magic. That's what it looks like, no matter what.

Titania opens her mouth.

Lady Rage, perhaps the first battle will be ahead of us.

"Yeah. To raise the morale of the soldiers, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

Graziella made an unexpected look at Riji.

Oh, my God. You have more room than I thought.

“Yes, I have this.”

Riji said that and took the prearmed Sacrament out of his pocket.

A mysterious piece filled with a pale glow in a silver ornament. If someone you don't know sees it, they won't know it's a weapon.

Sacramento, an anomalous weapon held by one of the former summoners of the Eiji Summoning Ritual.

Did you say "Ishar Cluster"? A tremendous weapon, and certainly your strength. "

Ah, a legendary weapon!

“Yes, I don't think we'll lose with this.”

"That's right!" I could have defeated such a big golem! Even the great army of demons can handle it! "

Mizuki was right. With this power, it is not impossible to cross the great armies.

In our own world, we have heard from Shiming's mouth before that it has been proven.

If we crossed with many modern weapons in one, we wouldn't be able to pull off the demon army.

Besides, when you have this, you feel confident that you can fight from nowhere.

Such morale is completely unfounded, so that no matter who you're dealing with, you can keep fighting indefinitely.

But...

........

Look at the "Shattered Azure (Lapis Udaikus)" embedded in the Sacrament.

A gem with a glow so pale that it seems to be sucked in. If you keep looking at it, you will fall into the illusion of a deep water bottom or a blue sky everywhere.

Was the series of calls made in anticipation of this battle?

Seek. Please. Reach out. When you close your eyes, such a voice comes back to your head.