‘To think things would turn out like this.’
When I drew near the Lizardman habitat, the only ones I had brought along were Xenon, Ganik, and Soana.
I had no desire to needlessly heighten the Lizardmen’s wariness by pointlessly deploying many Dullahans.
Above all, if a conflict were to break out needlessly, the commotion would likely reach the soldiers who had ventured close to the swamp, and we could not afford to reveal our presence.
My plan was to first release the baby Lizardman, and then perhaps play a few light pranks on the subjugation force.
I still had illegal magical artifacts on hand, and Xenon had shown enthusiasm, actively offering to help. Even without Soana’s stern warning, I had no intention of summoning the Dullahans unnecessarily.
That plan went awry immediately after releasing the baby Lizardman.
「It seems they grew quite attached.」
Even Xenon, who couldn’t understand the monster’s speech, felt it to that degree; the parting between Ganik and the baby Lizardman was poignant and heart-wrenching.
However, Ganik agreed that the baby Lizardman had to be released, so he reluctantly pushed the little one’s back, sending it back toward the habitat.
It didn’t take long for the Lizardmen to notice the baby that had appeared in their territory.
「They said they value their young highly, so they’ll likely take it in.」
「Yes, if it’s communal rearing, then no matter what…」
While exchanging such carefree conversation with Xenon as we waited, Soana, who had been observing the habitat’s movements from above, descended swiftly.
[Captain, the monsters’ movements are strange.]
「Strange?」
Before I could even ask what was strange, Ganik hurriedly stepped forward.
[I will go and see!]
But we had overlooked something. Ganik was a tortoise, and he was very slow….
Before Ganik could even reach the baby Lizardman, a sharp cry erupted from the distance. To Xenon, it would have sounded like an incomprehensible shriek.
But I could hear it clearly.
The shouts of the Lizardmen, crying out that intruders had appeared and to prepare for battle immediately.
‘Not only are they refusing to accept the baby Lizardman, they’re outright declaring it an enemy.’
Moreover, communication was impossible. The Lizardmen seemed to have an inherently belligerent nature. No matter what was said, they refused to listen, making conflict inevitable.
The baby Lizardman, which nearly got torn to shreds by the sharp claws and teeth of the Lizardmen, was rescued and brought back by Ganik.
The baby Lizardman seemed thoroughly frightened by the murderous intent that pierced its skin, clinging tightly to Ganik, who had transformed into a Dullahan, and weeping profusely.
Naturally, the enraged Ganik tried to protect the baby Lizardman, and Soana alone couldn’t help Ganik, so I summoned the other Dullahans…
It was utter chaos. And this commotion reached the subjugation force in an instant.
“It’s fortunate that Maxel’s persistence is so poor.”
I muttered with a sigh of relief.
According to Tristan’s reconnaissance through insects, the subjugation force seemed to have mistaken it for a territorial dispute among monsters in the swamp.
So their plan was to let the Dullahans and Lizardmen fight to exhaustion and then swoop in to catch both rabbits at once.
It was an inevitable step for me, who had no intention of letting that slide, to finally step forward.
“For having brought so many soldiers, they retreated rather easily.”
“In such situations, capturing a high-value human usually resolves things easily.”
“By that logic, isn’t the trash son the most valuable?”
“His value is useless. A gem that cannot be used is no different from a stone.”
I briefly considered breaking Maxel’s leg or something during the assault on the subjugation force, but in the end, I sent him back unharmed.
Even if Maxel were injured here, it was obvious he would be praised for bravely fighting monsters and receiving a glorious wound.
So the target instead became the eldest son of Baron Ruejak.
“With Ruejak’s eldest son seriously injured, even Maxel has no choice but to retreat for now.”
I knew the atmosphere of the Ruejak family well, thanks to my experience of being close with their young lady.
It also meant I knew well how high the Margrave’s expectations and pride in his eldest son were. That was also why he sent his eldest son along on this subjugation.
Perhaps the Margrave had noticed the Crown Prince’s shortcomings and judged that his own eldest son could gain a reputation surpassing the Crown Prince’s through this opportunity.
Simultaneously, Margrave Ruejak greatly envied the Roam family’s standing, so he likely intended to use his influence over the Crown Prince to forge a connection with the imperial family.
But if asked whether all that was a goal worth risking his eldest son’s safety for, the answer was obviously no.
What a perfect target for sowing discord.
“Will they come back?”
“Probably.”
Maxel was not the type to retreat just like that, if only for his pride. Moreover, what’s here now are Dullahans, aren’t they?
Monsters officially declared evil by the Temple. If he could just win the battle, he could instantly gain a reputation incomparable to any other subjugation.
But it didn’t matter how many times he came back. He would lose.
“He’ll come back, get utterly crushed by my Dullahans, and flee.”
“The Dullahans’ infamy will grow even greater.”
Truth be told, that’s somewhat undesirable, but since our appearance has already been revealed, there’s no helping it. Perhaps it’s better to instill such fear that no one dares even think of resisting, now that things have come to this.
Watching the gradually completed encampment, I muttered with mixed feelings.
“It would be better if the subjugation force picked a fight with the Lizardmen instead…”
Unfortunately, that was impossible. Because the Dullahans had practically exterminated almost the entire Lizardman group.
The remaining Lizardmen wouldn’t be able to stand against the subjugation force. I had no desire to hand the subjugation force a victory and needlessly boost their morale.
Clicking my tongue in regret, Xenon spoke with a puzzled voice.
“But were Dullahans originally this strong?”
“Well. Dullahans are originally strong monsters, aren’t they?”
“That’s true. But even so, Lizardmen aren’t low-level monsters either…”
“It was a somewhat overwhelming gap, yes.”
Since the Dullahans accompanying us had virtually no occasion to fight at full strength, this was essentially the first time seeing them fight properly.
‘I was a bit tense because the Lizardmen were so fierce.’
Embarrassingly, despite my inner worries, the knights effortlessly crushed the Lizardmen that charged at them with an immense gap in power.
Even considering Dullahans are strong monsters, could they win that easily?
As I tilted my head in thought, Nadav, who was nearby, spoke.
[It is because we are with you, Captain.]
“Me?”
[Yes. Merely being with you, Captain, makes us stronger. Moreover, as we regain our memories, our past strength is returning. Above all, aside from lacking a head, this Dullahan body possesses conditions very suitable for combat.]
In short, the Dullahan body combined with past strength has made them very powerful. And on top of that, being by the Captain’s side adds to it?
“……Well, being strong is better than being weak.”
If they could defeat Lizardmen this decisively, then a subjugation force shouldn’t be difficult to handle.
I decided to think positively. It would be good to appropriately crush Maxel when he charges in trying to subjugate the Dullahans, and then guide his enraged self to amass military forces.
That way, the imperial palace would also move swiftly.
* * *
The surviving Lizardmen might attack at night. So I decided not to send the Dullahans into the subspace.
The Dullahans repeatedly emphasized that I should rest comfortably, saying they didn’t need to sleep anyway.
Xenon had also cast separate magic around the area, and with all the Dullahans guarding the tent’s surroundings, it was a safer night than ever.
Nevertheless, sleep did not come easily.
Since going outside the tent would only worry the Dullahans, I simply lay on the simple cot, staring blankly into the empty air.
As I blinked aimlessly, waiting for sleep that wouldn’t come, I heard the sound of hushed conversation outside the tent.
[How much do you remember, Soana?]
[Well. Probably similar to you, Mori?]
It was Soana and Mori, speaking in very hushed tones. They likely thought their conversation wouldn’t disturb my sleep.
If I had the hearing of an ordinary person, I wouldn’t have heard the conversation. But as one resurrected, if I concentrate, I can even understand the chatter of insects.
[Tristan, are you trying to lure females even in this situation?]
[Soana, this is all part of training spies. Do you know of any informant more excellent than insects?]
Ah, it seems Tristan was there too.
Listening quietly, Soana was looking after each and every Dullahan, besides Mori and Tristan.
Indeed, she cherished all the Dullahans.
If one had to define it, her role was no different from a caretaker for the Dullahans. Soana was probably like that in the past too.
Because she cherishes the Dullahans, she can bow her head obediently even to me, whom she dislikes.
‘Is that what tolerance is?’
Tolerance. It was something one could search for with eyes wide open in the desolate Roam and never find.
Something I never learned, and never felt the need to possess.
I once heard such words before. That I needed tolerance.
The person who said that was the Empress. At the time, I was busy rationally pointing out Maxel’s emotional aspects.
Maxel was disgusted by me, but I, on the contrary, couldn’t understand his reaction. Seeing me like that, the Empress had advised.
‘You need warm tolerance.’
If I had somehow changed my attitude back then and shown a bit more mercy, perhaps Maxel might have liked me a little.
But the Empress’s advice did not change me. I thought I had no such bothersome emotions, and never would in the future.
[Ganik, was the baby Lizardman not frightened?]
[Fortunately, it’s fine.]
[That one will grow into a great monster.]
[You think so too, Soana?]
Even while I was lost in distracting thoughts, the Dullahans continued their trivial conversations. Their talk was so mundane and peaceful that just by the sound of their voices, one might mistake it for a street in some village.
Come to think of it, had the Dullahans not been held back by the goddess and her proxy, they might have lived ordinary human lives long ago. The moment I realized that, Soana’s words resurfaced.
「I wish you would no longer exploit the knights’ naive loyalty.」
Soana’s resentment was natural. The former Captain exploited the knights, and the current me is also exploiting the knights.
If there is a difference from the past, it is that this time, I am determined to complete the authority and liberate them.
I closed my eyes, trying to force myself to sleep. Within the dark void of consciousness, disordered emotions churned.
‘The final authority.’
I felt I had taken a large step closer to it.