“Well then, I suppose I should begin the post-battle cleanup. We have the two captives to deal with, after all.”
“Yes. In that case, I will head back to Father.”
“Very well, Reiko. Please look after My Lord. Also, tell him that last night, we successfully released the individual near Reinhard who was under mental manipulation.”
“Understood.”
Reiko set off toward Kaina Village. Meanwhile, Laojun began his operations to fulfill his duties.
“Now then, for the aftermath. Let us begin with the interrogations...”
Laojun issued instructions to have the captives currently held inside the Falcon remaining in the Klein Kingdom interrogated.
＊ ＊ ＊
Reinhard was at the supply base, situated about a kilometer north of the city of Astan.
It was a rocky area where the natural environment had been cleverly utilized. By carving into the stone, erecting pillars, and laying beams, the military had constructed watchtowers, warehouses, barracks, and stables.
“I feel so heavy-hearted.”
Muttering to himself, Reinhard walked between the barracks alongside Mattheus. They had just finished breakfast.
The day before, on the journey to the base, Mattheus—who was guarding him—had bombarded him with questions. “What were those two black golems?” “Are they new Black Knights?” “How did they vanish so suddenly?” Reinhard had managed to deflect the scrutiny with vague excuses like “I’m not really sure,” “I don't know,” “They seemed to be allies, so isn't it fine?” and “I’m just exhausted and want to sleep.”
Whether Mattheus had sensed the delicate situation or simply given up, he hadn’t pressed for any more details this morning.
However, there was one more person at this base whom Reinhard did not wish to encounter.
“Oh, if it isn’t Reinhard. So you did come this way.”
Reinhard winced, though only inwardly.
The man who appeared was Elsa’s older brother, Fritz.
Since it was time for a rotation, he, too, was on his way back to the empire. He was accompanied by several subordinates who wore worried expressions.
“I heard you were attacked. I’ll be lodging a formal protest with Celuroa myself. Well, I suppose this place is less comfortable than an inn, but at least it’s safe.”
Fritz spoke with a pleasant smile. Reinhard felt a slight sense of incongruity.
“Hmm? What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”
Fritz asked with a puzzled look, noticing that Reinhard was staring intently at him.
“N-No, nothing’s on your face. I just thought your atmosphere felt different somehow.”
“Hmm, really? Everyone I’ve met since this morning has said the same thing, but I’m still just me, you know?”
Seeing Fritz chuckle, Mattheus could no longer remain silent.
“Major, did something truly not happen?”
At that question, Fritz furrowed his brow just a fraction.
“Nothing at all. If I had to say anything, it’s just that I had some bad dreams.”
“Bad dreams?”
“Yeah. Of all things, I had a dream where someone hit me on the head and I lost consciousness.”
“...”
“It was just a dream, though. It’s not like I actually have a bump on my head.”
Fritz patted his head repeatedly to demonstrate. Seeing this, Reinhard became utterly baffled.
“W-Well, that’s fine. I’m going to my room.”
For the time being, he chose to make a hasty exit.
“Ah, I see. Once my shift is over, I’ll drop by your place....Mattheus, come with me. I want to hear the details of yesterday’s events.”
When Reinhard returned to the barracks, a familiar magic tool was sitting on the table. It was a manacam.
“When did this... You truly are something else, Jin.”
Reinhard gave a single nod and tucked it into his pocket.
＊ ＊ ＊
“How did the mission go?”
Laojun asked via the manacam to Deneb 30, one of the Quinta units who had been secretly dispatched from the submersible base to Reinhard’s location.
“Yes. I used Shock magic and handled the matter successfully. No one noticed my presence.”
“So it seems. Just a moment ago, I received a report from Cosmos, a member of Reinhard’s dedicated Secret Mobile Unit (SP). She confirmed that the magic suspected to be Seduce cast upon Major Fritz has indeed been dispelled.”
＊ ＊ ＊
In Asunt, the capital of the Kingdom of Egerea.
Minister of Finance Braorot was holding his head in his hands. Due to this latest attack, the burden on the national treasury had increased even further.
Furthermore, Minister of Defense Judle and the Chancellor, Marquis Boyd Norse Galueri, were also both holding their heads in despair.
“In any case, if this list is genuine, it is a matter of grave concern.”
A single sheet of parchment lay spread before Minister of Defense Judle. On it was a list of over a dozen names. All of them were nobles who held key positions in various ministries or were involved in governing important cities.
The title of that list was: “Puppets of the Unifilar.”
“Regardless, there is nothing we can do but investigate them one by one.”
“Indeed. At the very end, it says ‘To dispel Seduce, one must use Shock magic,’ but could that be the truth?”
“Who can say... I have never even heard of a spell called Seduce. Didn’t you say the same?”
“Yes. I, Judle, have been negligent in my studies.”
＊ ＊ ＊
In the western city of the Klein Kingdom, Tetrada, order was finally being restored as the afternoon arrived.
“Vice-commander, the units are all lined up!”
“Good. Thank you for your hard work.”
The Third Ritter Order of the Klein Kingdom was lined up, but since they had no armor, helmets, swords, or spears, the display lacked its usual prestige.
“The situation remains unclear, but the Kingdom of Franz army has retreated. Squads 1 and 2 went out for reconnaissance and confirmed it. There is no mistake.”
A slight murmur arose among the men, but it quickly died down.
“If that giant golem had been so inclined, it could have annihilated us—and the enemy army too. After all, everyone had lost consciousness. On top of that, our weapons and armor are gone.”
Vice-commander Niklas spoke to the temporary adjutant beside him.
“That is true. I wonder where on earth it came from.”
“Thinking about it won't give us an answer. More importantly, we must think about what comes next. How many casualties do we have this time?”
“T-That’s just it...”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
The temporary adjutant hesitated. Sensing something was off, Niklas furrowed his brow.
“Don’t tell me... the losses are high?”
The temporary adjutant quickly denied it.
“N-No, it’s the opposite! There are no casualties!”
“What?”
“There were many who were injured in the battles from yesterday through today. Some were even critically wounded in yesterday's fight. However, when I checked just now, every single one of them has fully recovered.”
“What... did you say...?”
It was a story that defied logic. Severely wounded men had recovered without anyone doing anything. No, perhaps... Niklas hypothesized.
“That giant golem... it might have done something.”
Then, he recalled the words the giant golem had spoken.
“‘Do not look back at the past, but exert your strength to build the future. Live not for destruction, but for creation,’ was it? Perhaps such a world isn't merely a dream after all.”
＊ ＊ ＊
“The thermal balloons dispatched to the Klein Kingdom and the Kingdom of Egerea have lost contact.”
“What?! You’re saying someone could shoot those down? It would be one thing if it were one or two, but all of them?”
“The Kingdom of Franz army is reportedly retreating toward the border.”
“What about the golems?! What happened to the golems? The combat golems we secretly moved into Asunt Castle!”
“The pigeons brought a report saying those were also destroyed.”
“Grrr... Just what on earth has happened!”
“My Liege.”
At that moment, a voice like the chiming of silver bells cut in.
“O-Oh, Elena. Where are you now?”
“I am on my way back with Donald.”
“I see. I can finally see your face again. I look forward to it. So, what happened to Reinhard?”
“I tried to eliminate him, but I was hindered by some loathsome golems.”
“What? If you’re the one saying that, Elena...”
“Yes, as I mentioned before, it seems there is someone who carries the lineage of my sworn enemy.”
“Hmm, could it be...”
“Do you have some idea who it might be?”
“Yes, a short while ago, there was someone who wiped out the 8th branch. Apparently, he’s a golem user named Jin.”
“Please tell me more.”
“Very well. That man is...”
Elena listened to the explanation in silence, but when it was over, her voice sharpened with irritation.
“My Liege, I wish you had told me that a little sooner.”
“M-My apologies. I didn't think there were any golems that could rival our own.”
Elena seemed to have unilaterally cut off the communication, as her voice could no longer be heard.
＊ ＊ ＊
The square in Kaina Village was thick with smoke.
“Cough, it’s so smoky. I’ll leave the rest to you, Sara.”
“Yes, Master.”
In Kaina Village, they were currently burning chips made from finely crushed query tree wood to smoke the mountain deer meat that Rock and the others had caught.
Rather than burning the wood, they were smoldering it to produce a thick cloud of smoke, making the air difficult to breathe. That was where Sara came in. As a golem maid who didn't need to breathe, Sara performed the tasks silently, and the preparations for smoking were finished in no time.
Now, they just had to keep the fire smoldering until the moisture was drawn from the meat.
“I’m looking forward to this. The sake tonight is bound to be delicious!”
“You! No drinking too much!”
Kaina Village was at peace.