Attack

When I next opened my eyes, Totto and I were lying in beds at the inn.

"Did we... make it?" I croaked.

"Looks like it," Totto replied.

My head was still swimming, a lingering fog likely caused by pushing my Teleportation Magic far beyond its natural limits. Even with the Misanga to assist us, we had overexerted ourselves; a little mental confusion was the least I could expect.

"Are you awake?"

For some reason, the Saint was right there by our side, offering a gentle smile. It was a dazzling, radiant expression—entirely too bright for people like us, who lived in the Dark of a Dark Guild. I reflexively looked away, unable to meet her eyes.

"Is something the matter?" she asked.

"No, it’s nothing. More importantly... why is the Saint here?"

"Well, I heard there were people in need of memory erasure... I mean, I heard there were people with injuries, so I came to check on you."

I decided to ignore that unsettling slip of the tongue. The fact that she’d gone out of her way to check on total strangers made her seem like an actual angel.

"Thanks to you, I don't have a scratch on me. Thank you."

"I’m glad to hear it. By the way, why did you suddenly teleport into the Women's Bath... I mean, into the inn?"

She asked with a smile that felt strangely heavy with pressure.

"Th-that’s right! I have to tell Yuri-sama immediately..."

"To Yuri-sama? He’s out at the moment. Has something happened?"

I hesitated. Should I really tell the Saint everything? When you work in a world where betrayal is the only constant, knowing who to trust is the difference between life and death.

"...Saint, whose side are you on, exactly?"

"Who do you think?" she countered.

It didn't seem like she was going to show her hand so easily. Totto sat up beside me, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"We don't have time for mind games. Yuri is the lord of this place, and he’s gone, right? Then who’s actually running this territory right now? Call them."

"I understand. Please wait a moment."

Emilina left the room and returned shortly thereafter, leading a girl even smaller than herself.

"My name is Sasha Lousouth," the girl said.

She was Yuri’s younger sister.

"I’m Ren. Does the name 'Crow' mean anything to you?"

Sasha’s brow furrowed the instant the name left my lips. To her credit, she didn't let any other emotion leak onto her face.

"I am the Guild Master of 'Crow'."

"And what business do you have with me?" she asked.

"I’m not one for beating around the bush. I'll give it to you straight: we need you to hide us."

Sasha likely knew that 'Crow' was a Dark Guild—one her father, Balan, frequently employed for assassinations and gathering intel. It was only natural for her to doubt us.

"I’d already told Yuri-sama that I intended to persuade Totto and return here. But we ran into a bit of trouble during the process..."

"O-ni... I mean, you’ve already spoken to my brother. Then, tell me: who are we supposed to be hiding you from?"

"...From your father," Totto cut in, exposing the truth without a hint of hesitation. He fixed Sasha with a piercing gaze.

"I see," Sasha said softly. "So you two are victims of my father as well. Very well. You may stay in this town for as long as you wish."

"...You're sure?" I asked.

"Of course."

Sasha looked a little downcast as she gave her consent. I suppose even if he was a monster, he was still her biological father. Being his daughter, she likely understood better than anyone how dangerous an enemy he was. Totto let out a small, satisfied grunt at her immediate answer.

"...I see. I can see why Ren took a liking to them."

I gave a wry smile at Totto’s comment. Actually, the one I took a liking to was Yuri, not this girl.

"Then let me give you one more piece of news," Totto continued. "This territory is being targeted. Calculating the travel time, I’d say you’re going to be attacked within the next few days."

The sudden, contextless warning left Sasha frozen in shock.

"W-what do you mean!?"

The voice came from Emilina, who had been silent until then.

"It seems you lot stood out too much," Totto explained. "Balan—that man—decided you were an eyesore. He’s planning to have the Demon Race attack this place."

"B-but the Demon Lord is staying right here!"

"Did someone call?"

As if on cue, Lucille strolled into the room. Totto bolted upright, instinctively reaching for a weapon he didn't have. He’d arrived here on the verge of death; he was completely unarmed.

"H-has the Demon Race already started the assault!?" he yelled.

"...What are you blathering about?" Lucille asked, looking utterly exasperated. "There is no way the Demon Race would attack."

From her perspective, she hadn't issued any such orders. Therefore, an attack was impossible. After letting Emilina pat her head for a moment, Lucille realized there was no food in the room and immediately turned tail toward the dining hall.

"I see... I guess if the Demon Lord is here, the Demon Race wouldn't attack," Totto muttered, nodding to himself.

Sasha, however, looked unconvinced. I could tell what she was thinking: if it was her father, he was perfectly capable of driving a wedge between the Demon Lord and her subjects, orchestrating an attack, and then framing someone else for the fallout.

And it wasn't just the Demon Race.

Even though they had reached an understanding with the Beast King, the First Princess of the Beast Kingdom, Elu, was also here. She might have given up on the throne, but there were plenty who still saw her as a threat.

Bad premonitions usually have a habit of coming true.

"Sasha-sama, Emilina-sama, there you are. We have a problem."

Elu burst into the room, looking panicked, with her brother Kamil trailing behind her.

"What is it?"

"The soldiers of the Beast Kingdom led by Guiche-sama are mobilizing! They’re preparing to attack the territory to 'Strike down the Traitor, Elu!'"

"No... you’re kidding..."

Why did every problem imaginable have to hit the moment Yuri was gone? Then again, maybe Yuri had seen this coming. He’d headed for a high-rank dungeon with only two others, leaving the Mercenary forces behind to guard the town.

Of course, that was a complete misunderstanding of his actual intentions, but it felt right at the time.

"I understand. We need to plan a defense—"

"T-this is bad! Sebas, Sebas is...!"

Lucille, who had only just left for the dining hall, returned dragging a man covered in blood. Sebas was semi-conscious and bleeding heavily, and because Lucille was dragging him by one leg, she was inadvertently adding to his injuries with every step.

"Now what!?"

"Haa... haa... P-please, allow me to explain," Sebas wheezed, struggling to prop himself up. "A rebellion... has broken out in the Demon Kingdom."

"What!?" Lucille barked. "Who did it!?"

"It was Dibro... your Body Double. It seems he has been whispering in the ears of the Four Heavenly Kings. Half of them have sided with him... and they are marching here to slay the Demon Lord."

So the Demon Race was attacking after all. And the Beastmen were coming too.

"W-well, we have to prepare for the assault regardless," Sasha declared, her voice trembling with urgency.

But the nightmare wasn't over.

"Emilina-sama, a letter has arrived," a Mercenary said, rushing into the room.

Emilina tore it open and read it on the spot. Her face went pale.

"No... Sasha-sama, look at this..."

Sasha took the letter. As she read, her jaw dropped in pure disbelief.

"The Holy Principality of Ames has declared war. They say... 'A territory where different races coexist cannot be recognized in the name of God. We shall deliver Divine Punishment to these Holy Enemy forces'..."

"You’ve got to be kidding me!" I yelled.

I knew this place would make enemies, but three nations attacking simultaneously? This was no coincidence. Someone had pulled the strings. And there was only one man capable of manipulating international politics on this scale.

"Father... you really intend to crush my brother, don't you...?" Sasha whispered.

"Sasha-sama, we have to hold a strategy meeting immediately. Gather everyone..."

"Y-yes. Totto-san, Ren-san, will you help us?"

"Yeah," I said. "Obviously."

"And we need to contact my brother immediately—"

"Tell me where he is," I interrupted. "I’ll go myself. With my teleportation, I'm the fastest option."

If I moved now, I might actually make it before the walls came crumbling down.

"Understood," Sasha said. "Please. We're counting on you."

And so, the frantic meeting to decide the survival of the territory began.