The orcs still lying on the ground said in unison, "You have no right to say such things!"
"I can't help you. Okay, but this won't happen again, okay?"
"Yes, thank you!"
He was the Republic's most powerful assassin, yet he acted like a small-time thug. Cui hurriedly fled with the little rabbits.
Then, while Mei was treating the beastmen—
"I'm so sorry, Tsui was disrespectful to you, Onee-sama."
Lutilis approached, and Mei uttered a smacking sound, unbecoming of a beautiful woman. Seeing her disgusted expression, Lutilis let out a strange moan for a moment, but continued.
"Don't look at her like that. She's a hero to the Bunnymen. Especially to the children, she's their idol."
"Eh? Are the bunnymen's brains okay? Do you need me to cast regeneration magic on them?"
Such feelings are quite normal. Lutilis smiled wryly and continued:
"The Bunnymen were originally a gentle race, not very good at fighting."
"That seems to be the case. The bunny people I know are very positive, so I didn't think so before, but after coming here, I have a real experience of it."
Most of them worked in farming, cleaning, sewing, or as servants in the palace, jobs that had nothing to do with combat. Thinking of the bunny people, Meier agreed with her.
"Because they are conscientious and honest in everything they do, logistical tasks can be entrusted to them without any worries. However, they often seem to harbor feelings of inferiority regarding their own racial nature."
Especially during wartime, being unable to help in combat makes them feel inferior.
"So, Cui is special?"
"She is undoubtedly a special child. As if as a counter-effect of her gentle personality, exceptionally powerful children are born every few hundred years among the Bunnymen."
Looking in the direction where Cui fled, Lutilis said with the expression of a queen who loves her people:
"I believe the child's actions and words stem from his consideration for his family—his fellow Bunnymen."
"Concerns? What do you mean?"
"'Because we couldn't help, the burden fell on Tsui alone. It's unbearable to let her risk her life.' That's what the Bunnymen...especially the adults, always say."
"...I see. That's why she's pretending she's not that great, so she can tell her family not to feel bad about it..."
"Yes, that girl may not say it, but for her country and her comrades, she would not hesitate to risk her life. Because she is a loyal warrior."
The scene was filled with a harmonious atmosphere. The beastmen lying on the ground seemed to share Lutilis's words, and they looked at each other with wry smiles on their faces.
At this moment, the voice of Cui, who should have already escaped, was heard from behind the thick fog... She should be talking to Meredy, and the content seemed to be about the rabbit-man Chiara who was working hard as a supporter.
"No, there's no need to introduce them to me. Tsui is physically unable to tolerate people like that. Should I say they're naive? Those people seem to have fulfilling lives, and just seeing them makes Tsui feel uncomfortable."
Her comments were truly terrible, and that's not all.
"Huh!? Being a supporter doesn't require infiltration or assassination?! All I have to do is live in town!? And there's even a house to live in!? Even when I'm struggling, I'll get support!? Such a wonderful workplace! Meredith—no, Boss, from today on, Tsui is your rabbit! Please let Tsui join the Liberator!"
Everyone's gaze shifted towards Lutilis, and it was clear what they were thinking.
Concern for his own kind? A loyal warrior? ...That guy is really just a scumbag rabbit, right?
"Hey, Ryu, is it really okay to let that kid be the Warrior Captain?"
“No, no problem, it’ll be fine… Maybe… maybe…”
Needless to say, from that day on, Cui was also glared at by His Majesty for other reasons.
Prequel Zero 4 Illustrations
Volume 11 Chapter 1 The Demon King's Invitation
The Taiwanese version is from the Kingdom of Light
Image source: Otonashi
Scan the picture:
Input: kid
Photo editing: masturbation girl
The sun shone brightly. For those who had just emerged from the icy and snowy region of the year—the [Shuni Snowfield]—this should have been the greatest reward.
Especially after conquering the final maze - [Ice and Snow Cave], you should be delighted with such a reward.
However, this reward sunshine is now completely blocked out.
A terrifying number of gray dragons.
The general of the Demonic Kingdom of Galant, who rides on a giant white dragon (Uranus), protects the world──Fried Bagoa.
Eri Nakamura has gray hair and wings, an unusual appearance, and a sticky smile on her face.
And──
(…Tsk, there’s more than one.)
The worst disaster that made one grumble inwardly was the five hundred "Apostles of God."
They filled the sky, blocking out all sunlight as if to deprive the earth of all light, their bodies reflecting a silver glow.
Even though it was broad daylight, the scene looked like a sky full of stars.
It was spectacular to the point of being absolutely beautiful, but the sight of so many expressionless, identical faces lined up side by side looked unspeakably horrifying.
"Don't be impulsive, Anomaly. We have no intention of engaging in war with you."
"Really? I thought you were just looking for a fight, young master."
Hajime's sneer made Freed narrow his narrow eyes slightly.
If the goal wasn't to fight, the amount of fighting power it brought was too much. "If no one's so overprotective, you can't negotiate?" This was Hajime's hidden meaning, and Freed understood his meaning perfectly.
"For a madman like you, such a grand reception is certainly appropriate."
If they were to be bombed without hesitation by military annihilation weapons like they had been during the previous invasion of the Kingdom of Heilig, there would be no hope. Only by restraining them with such an excess of military power would there be a chance for both sides to begin a dialogue.
Fried replied with a cold, mocking look. But—
"Calm down first. Your eyes have been filled with murderous intent since just now, and it's sending shivers down my spine."
Many missions had failed, and most of his compatriots had been wiped out without a trace. The hatred within Friede couldn't have been anything but deep. Even though he tried to remain calm, Hajime could sense the murderous intent in his tone.
As the two of them greeted each other with overly malicious jokes, Hajime continued to think while maintaining the "Instant Light" state he had activated beforehand.
(What should I do now?)
After finally passing the final maze, the Ice and Snow Cave, he encountered this unexpected situation as soon as he walked out of the Schnee Snowfield. He could feel that his other companions were also quite nervous.
The experienced Yue, Shia, Tio, and Kaori all have extraordinary courage and can control their tension within a moderate range and naturally take a combat readiness posture.
However, others have bigger problems.
As for Kouki, who was unable to pass the Great Labyrinth on his own and even threatened Hajime with murderous intent, but was defeated after a direct challenge, let alone Kouki. Even when Eri unceremoniously declared her love for him, he was simply confused and unable to respond.
The same goes for Ling, who came to seek an opportunity to talk to Huili. Faced with this sudden situation and Huili's changed appearance, she was at a loss and couldn't say anything.
Shizuku and Ryuutarou were still able to maintain their combat readiness, but they seemed to be a little timid in the face of the immense pressure from the "Apostle of God".
Retreat temporarily—this thought flashed through Hajime’s mind for a split second.
Behind them lay the boundary between the Shuuni Snowfield and the outside world—an invisible boundary.
Although this was a snowy plain shrouded in extreme cold and fierce snowstorms for thousands of years, if one took a step beyond the boundary, one would find the ordinary, warm climate of the southern continent, where not a single snowfall fell. It looked like a blank wall formed by fierce snowstorms.
Therefore, if I just rush over there, I should have a good cover effect. However, whether this will buy me enough time to use the Crystal Key to escape to a distant place is another question...
"Please don't do unnecessary things."
I have to think that this is going to be difficult.
As if reading through Hajime's thoughts, a flat, unwavering voice echoed from above. The apostle closest to Freed turned his glassy eyes towards him, showing no intention of letting Hajime and his group go.
The white dragon Uranus flapped its wings vigorously and moved forward.
In the face of headwind, Fried explained his purpose:
"Next, I will convey the Demon King's will—'Welcome everyone to my castle.'"
"The Demon King's invitation?"
"Yes. That's why we're here."
It was truly unexpected. It seemed the enemy had no intention of engaging. I had originally thought they had deployed so many apostles in an attempt to completely annihilate us, and I was bracing for a life-or-death battle...
After all, seeing the apostles and the demons on the same side naturally led one to believe that the god Esid, worshipped by the Holy Church, was colluding with them. It was also natural to assume that they were seeking revenge for the previous Noin War.
Fried denied this speculation and nodded exaggeratedly, saying:
"You will meet our gods. This is an honor you never would have the chance to receive."
"...God? You say that, as if God and the Demon King are the same being."
Fried's words puzzled everyone. Before Hajime could speak, Yue raised the question in surprise. Fried's gaze shifted to Yue, and at that moment, his expression, which had been suppressed and expressionless, suddenly shifted to a look of delight and trance.
"That's right. Our Demon King is a god, without a doubt. He is the sole subordinate god of the great Creator God—God Esid."
His name is Yarbu.
The "Demon King" is not only the head of state, but also a shaman who conveys oracles, and is the spokesperson for God. This is how the Demon King was previously understood in the Demon Kingdom, and this is also the case in other countries.
But in reality, the Demon King is the vessel of God. In other words, the Demon King's words and orders are the will of God himself.
Even Fried, who held the highest position in the Demon Kingdom, only learned of this fact after the arrival of the apostles.
"For thousands of years, God has been with us at all times. This time, God's army has finally been summoned and has arrived to save us, the demon race! ... Do you understand what this means?"
Fried opened his arms and looked down at the people on the ground like a stage actor.
"We have been recognized. We, the demon race, are the truly chosen race, the ones most qualified to govern and lead the world as God's chosen ones!"
Fried spoke eloquently, as if he were giving a speech.
If he were to give a speech like this in the Demon Kingdom's capital, there would surely be explosive cheers.
However, the people here certainly didn't react with any emotion. Hajime even started digging his ears with his pinky finger.
A vein popped up on Fried's forehead at the sight. Tio, who had been observing the situation from the side, stepped forward. She glanced at Kouki and the others to check on their composure.
Before they knew it, Shia had joined Suzu and Shizuku, while Kaori had joined Kouki and Ryuutarou. It seemed they were both trying to calm Suzu and the others while Hajime was talking to Freed. Yue's question to Freed was undoubtedly a bid for time.
However, Tio seemed to think that they still needed to buy some time. So she asked another question:
"Can you answer a question for me?"
"...Speak, Dragonite survivor."
Fried's tone became flat again, and his expression vanished. His mood swings were extremely abnormal, and he could even be said to be more like a madman than Hajime.
"Since you're also a Captor, then you should know the truth about the world, right?"
This question made Shizuku, Kaori and the others suddenly realize something, and their reactions were more obvious than Fried's.
That's right. Logically, Freed should have known. As a conqueror of the Great Labyrinth, he should have heard the stories left by the liberators.
Hajime and the others already knew the story, so they didn't pay much attention to it. However, there is indeed a room within the Ice Cave that hints at the story. Bandu Schoni passed down the truth through paintings and carvings.
Moreover, although he had mixed dragon-human blood, Bandu Schnee was also a demon, and was even connected to the Demon King's bloodline. Tio raised this question, implying that if Fried knew that his noble kin had fought alongside other races in ancient times, why would he stand on the same side with Esid?
Fried understood what she meant. His response was—
"How can you be sure that's the truth?"
He denied it with a cold expression.
"Why don't you suspect that those are just lies of the liberators—no, the rebels?"
"Well, you think that's hypocritical, don't you?"
"That's right, after all, there's no evidence."
Hajime interrupted, shrugging his shoulders.
Shizuku and the others looked at him with astonishment. They all thought Hajime believed the truth the Liberator had explained.
However, Hajime's true feelings were, "It doesn't matter whether it's true or false." Ultimately, whether the gods were good or evil, or even if they were gods at all, was irrelevant. For Hajime, the only criterion for judgment was whether they would hinder him. That was all.
However, for Fried, this was not a matter of "not caring".
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