Strengthening Defenses

The next day, I set to work on bolstering the territory’s defenses.

Our military strength currently consisted almost entirely of Mercenaries. However, these were strictly freelancers. If you asked me whether they would risk their lives for the territory in a true crisis, the answer was a resounding "no." If they realized they were outmatched, they would prioritize their own survival. That was simply the nature of being a Mercenary; it was how they stayed alive.

I couldn't afford to rely on them too much. It would be pathetic if our entire defense crumbled just because they decided to pack up and leave.

Furthermore, while our solid City Walls made us resilient against ground-based Attacks, we were facing the Demon Race. I had to account for the possibility of aerial assaults or magical bombardments. As things stood, our current situation was unacceptable. If we were targeted by magic, the City Walls would actually become a hindrance, trapping us with nowhere to run.

There was magic to create walls for protection or to buff the body, but those spells were designed to protect individuals. None of them were large enough to shield an entire territory.

"It would’ve been nice if there was a spell like a Barrier," I mused.

"Actually, there is," Emilina said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Really!?"

"Yes. Within Ultimate Light Attribute Magic, there is a Barrier Magic designed to protect entire cities. The reason the Church is located in the Royal Capital is specifically to maintain the Barrier that shields the town."

"I see. So we could protect the territory with that... But who can actually use Ultimate Light Magic like that?"

"...I suppose it is impossible right now, isn't it?"

Eventually, Emilina or Emma might become capable of casting it, but the Demon Race would likely attack long before then. We didn't have the luxury of time.

"We won't be able to use it immediately, then."

"What will you do instead?" Emilina asked.

"The Demon Race is weak to Light, right?"

"That is correct. It is generally accepted that the Light Attribute is their weakness."

In that case, if I could detonated a Magic Stone infused with Light Magic Power, it should inflict a decent amount of damage. If I recalled correctly, the item was called a Bomb Stone (Light). In the game, its effect was: When used in battle, deals Light Attribute damage to the enemy.

The necessary materials were Magic Stones, Gunpowder, and Light Magic. With Emilina or Emma’s help, it would be relatively easy to mass-produce. In this case, Emma was the better choice for the task. Emilina had to return to the Church in the Royal Capital frequently, meaning she couldn't be here to provide constant protection.

I decided I would have Emma use her Light Magic to her absolute limit every day. This would force her Light Magic Level to rise quickly until she finally unlocked that Barrier Magic.

"Lord Yuri, you look like you’re having fun," Emma noted.

"Do I?"

"Yeah. You're grinning like crazy."

Well, it doesn't matter who the subject is; grinding Levels is always satisfying.

◇　◇　◇

The following day, Hero Emma’s special training began in earnest.

At dawn, just as the sun began to peek over the horizon, I gathered with Fee, Emma, and Fritz at a plaza near the mansion—a site currently slated for future construction. It was the Hero Party, minus Emilina.

"Yaaawn... Why did you have to wake me up this early...?" Emma asked, mid-yawn.

"Because we have work to do for the territory during the day. The only time we can spare for training is dawn or late at night."

"I guess that makes sense... So, what is this 'training' anyway?"

"It's simple. All you have to do is channel your Light Magic into these."

I produced a massive pile of Magic Stones. Emma’s face immediately fell into an expression of utter exasperation.

"Just how many are there? With my current Magic Power, I’d be completely tapped out after filling just one stone."

"That’s exactly why we're doing this. Your capacity is too low. I want to pull it up until you can last at least a full day."

"...Where on earth do you find a human who can use magic for an entire day?"

"I can," I replied flatly.

"No way..."

"It’s the truth. Besides, your Magic Power won't run out just from one stone."

To demonstrate, I infused Magic Power into a stone myself. Seeing this sparked a competitive fire in Emma; she gripped a Magic Stone and began infusing it with her own power.

"What should I do?" Fritz asked.

To be honest, I hadn't actually invited Fritz. When I mentioned I was training Emma for the Demon Lord subjugation, he had simply tagged along on his own.

"For you, Fritz? I guess you should stick to practice swings."

"I don't see how just swinging a sword around is going to make me stronger."

"That's not true. If you neglect the basics, you'll never reach the top."

"Ugh... Fine. I get it."

Fritz began to swing his Shovel. Why he insisted on using a Shovel remained a complete mystery to me, but I let it slide.

◇　◆　◇

In the Royal Capital, within the Lousouth House mansion, sat the office of Baron Balan. Although the sun had long since set, the room was dark, illuminated only by the cold glow of the moon. Balan sat at his desk, peering at a letter.

"I see. So the Demon Lord has headed for the Frontier Region."

"The Frontier Region? You mean Lord Yuri’s territory?" his butler asked.

"That’s the only place interesting enough to entice the Demon Lord to move personally." A predatory smile spread across Balan’s face. "That Demon Lord—that little brat—is quite the nuisance. It’s about time I erased her."

"Is that even possible? She is said to be the strongest among the Demon Race, whose Aptitude is already naturally high."

"I am well aware. However, that Frontier Region currently plays host to a Hero, a Saint, and a Dragon Slayer. Don't you think that’s more than enough military might?" Balan let out a sharp chuckle.

"However, those individuals have no reason to go out of their way to subjugate her. Unlike the Demon Lords of old who ravaged human lands, the current one is reportedly a moderate."

"It would be so much better if she would just attack this country and plunge it into chaos... That’s exactly why she’s in the way. We need to install a much more foolish member of the Demon Race as the Demon Lord."

"Can it really be done so easily? I find it hard to imagine."

"That’s what Yuri is for, isn't it? He’s finally found a use for himself." Balan noted that Yuri was specifically traveling with the Dragon Slayer. The boy had inferior Aptitude, but he seems to have a talent for manipulation.

"...I see. You intend to dangle a lure to make them challenge the Demon Lord."

"Exactly. The King has already issued a formal subjugation request. I’m simply providing a little 'support' from my end."

"What do you intend to do, specifically?"

"He likely doesn't know what the Demon Lord actually looks like. I’ll simply have the information leaked to him. Once he realizes she’s right under his nose, he’ll attack."

"It is, after all, a request from the King."

"Precisely. Also, send word to the Crow. The Demon Lord will likely survive the initial clash, but she’ll be pushed to her limits. Tell them to strike when she’s exhausted."

"Understood. I shall contact them immediately." The butler bowed and exited the room.

◇　◆　◇

The Crow was one of the Dark Guilds in the Royal Capital, specializing primarily in assassinations. They were a small, elite group that took on few jobs, but their success rate was unparalleled.

The leader of the Crow, a slender, handsome man named Totto, sat across from the Lousouth butler.

"So, we just need to eliminate the Demon Lord and Yuri?"

"Yes. However, I am told both are formidable. Strike when they are weakened."

"Heh... are you suggesting you don't trust the strength of the Crow?" Totto leveled a sharp, suffocating gaze at the butler. The sheer pressure made the butler flinch involuntarily.

"This operation cannot be allowed to fail. I am simply asking you to choose the most certain path to success."

"...Fine. We’ll follow the script. In exchange, we get to handle the finer details however we please. Understood?"

The butler couldn't quite grasp the true meaning behind the proposal, but seeing no reason to refuse, he nodded. "Of course. We only care that the Demon Lord and Yuri are removed from the stage."

"Then let's talk numbers. One hundred Platinum Coins up front. Nine hundred more upon successful completion. How does that sound?"

"Very well. We agree to those terms."

A Platinum Coin was worth a hundred gold coins, roughly equivalent to one million yen each. This butler really isn't suited for intrigue, Totto thought. The rest of the negotiation was Totto’s show. Since Balan had given the order to spare no expense, the butler agreed to the staggering sum without a fight.

"The contract is sealed. We’ll head for the territory immediately. I assume it’s fine if we blend in normally before stabbing them in the back?"

"Certainly. I leave the methods to you."

Once the talk was over, the butler took the contract and departed. Totto watched him go and let out a long sigh.

"I can't believe I’m being relegated to babysitting..."

"Hey, it’s a Duke’s house. At least the pay is good." Ren, the Crow’s number two, appeared out of nowhere and flopped into the chair the butler had just vacated.

"It’s blood money. Regardless, keep at least one person stationed here at all times just in case."

"...Got it."

Totto didn't trust the butler’s master for a second. Balan would likely try to dispose of the Crow once the mission was over. The massive payment was likely "hush money" in anticipation of that. But Totto wouldn't let it happen.

"The members of this guild are family to me. I won't let any of them get hurt."

"Then you shouldn't have taken the job in the first place!"

"You know how it is, Ren. In our line of work, you can never have enough gold."

"Yeah, yeah. I get it. So, should I go ahead and scout the place?"

"I’m counting on you."

"I literally just got back, you know."

"Consider yourself lucky. It's a fresh start."

"Sigh... You just don't want to make the trip to the Frontier Region yourself, do you?"

Ren stood and walked toward a bare wall. When he placed his hand against it, a door manifested out of raw Magic Power.

"...I’m off."

Ren opened the door, stepping directly into Yuri’s territory.