Trouble always arrives when you least expect it.
I knew that, of course, but I usually forgot it until I was staring it in the face. It is only when I am actually confronting trouble that I remember its nature.
The trouble came from the southeastern sky. It was a long, slender, inverted pyramid of rock with a castle perched on top. My first impression? A flying soft-serve ice cream cone. Though, looking at it, I felt like the "ice cream" portion was a bit skimpy.
A flying castle is the stuff of dreams. It reminded me of the anime I had watched as a child. If possible, I would have loved to visit it. Even if I couldn't go inside, just seeing it from a distance was enough to make my heart race.
That is, assuming it was harmless.
Granmaria and the others had reported its presence about ten days ago, noting that it was slowly drifting toward the Village of the Great Tree. I had watched it myself, confirming that it was gradually growing larger as it approached. I estimated its altitude to be around a thousand meters.
Hakuren, Rusty, Tia, and Granmaria were debating who should go on a scouting mission. But while they were bickering over the roster, the flying soft-serve cone was polite enough to issue us a formal declaration of war.
A three-dimensional projection—a hologram, I suppose—appeared in front of my mansion. It was a slightly translucent, ten-meter-tall man. He had bat-like wings on his back, marking him as a member of the Devil Race.
"My name is Kuzuden! Foolish humans! Tremble, for this castle has been occupied by our hand! Your hopes have been extinguished! Now, wallow in despair! Muhahaha!"
...
For the moment, I consulted with those nearby. We officially designated the flying soft-serve as an enemy. Since it was inching closer to the village, we decided that shooting it down immediately was our best bet.
I hurled the spear form of the Universal Farming Tool. The weapon flew true, striking the "cone" portion of the floating fortress. About a third of the base broke off and plummeted toward the earth.
"Was that a bit high?" I asked.
"It seems so," Granmaria agreed.
I adjusted my aim for the next throw, intending to go a bit higher. At that moment, the holographic Kuzuden dropped into a frantic dogeza.
"I'm sorry! Please, have mercy!"
Well, he broke fast.
I listened to Kuzuden’s explanation. The flying soft-serve was officially known as the Sun Castle. According to ancient texts, it was a celestial fortress first recorded over two thousand years ago. It had once been inhabited by a race known as the God-kin, who had reportedly sided with humanity and attacked the Demon Race. The Devil Race, in particular, had been their primary target.
That was the state of things a thousand years ago. Over the following centuries, the God-kin and the Devil Race clashed repeatedly over the castle. Finally, about five hundred years ago, the Devil Race drove the God-kin out and claimed victory. They "occupied" the castle, but in reality, they only controlled about a twentieth of it and didn't have full mastery over the structure.
Most importantly, the God-kin who resisted until the end had set the Sun Castle to autopilot before fleeing. The Devils couldn't control its movements. To make matters worse, the castle had ascended to a high altitude, leaving the occupying force stranded.
Initially, they had tried to find a way down, but after a decade, they gave up and adapted to life in the sky. Kuzuden himself was a Devil born on the castle.
"So, why did you suddenly declare war on us?" I asked.
"According to an ancient contract, the castle moved to support humanity..."
Apparently, there had been an automated announcement within the castle. An "in-castle announcement," huh? In my mind, the castle was demoted from a legendary wonder to a theme park attraction.
Essentially, the automated system had steered the castle toward the village on its own. Seeing a potential conflict, the Devils had issued a formal declaration of war in accordance with ancient tradition.
"Yes, that’s exactly what happened," Kuzuden confirmed.
"Is everyone in the castle that eager to fight?"
"H-Half of them... no, not even a quarter."
"Only a quarter have the will to fight?"
"The generation that actually conquered the castle was my great-grandfather’s. Hardly any of them are left."
"But you had the will to fight?"
"I’m so sorry."
Kuzuden was remarkably good at the dogeza. He explained that he’d just been caught up in the excitement of his first war. I see. And because of my attack, the castle's atmosphere had shifted entirely toward surrender.
Well, that was good news, but...
I glanced over at the villagers, who were huddled together nearby. They were currently debating the best place to crash-land the castle. Their fighting spirit was still at a fever pitch. Apparently, they didn't appreciate Kuzuden apologizing through a screen. They wanted an apology delivered in person. I could see their point.
"Kuzuden. Is it impossible for you to come down here?"
"Well... the thing is, we can't leave the castle."
"Why not?"
"The parts we don't control are infested with monsters and Magic Beasts."
"..."
It seemed Kuzuden and his kin were effectively prisoners in their own fortress. It was a mystery how he’d managed to sound so arrogant during his initial speech.
We scrapped the plan to shoot the castle down. It would kill the Devils, and dealing with any surviving monsters would be a headache. I considered just leaving it alone, but Kuzuden mentioned the possibility of the castle lingering directly over the village.
That would be a nuisance. Besides, having a giant rock floating over your head without knowing when it might fall is terrifying. Thus, we decided to send a suppression force.
The debate over who would go was intense. Very intense. In the end, we resorted to drawing lots. I raised my hand to volunteer, but Lu and Tia immediately brought Alfred and Tiselle over and stood there in silence.
...
"My apologies."
I withdrew my bid. Yet, Lu and Tia still intended to go! I couldn't win that argument. I’m counting on you, God of Lotteries!
Hakuren and Rusty were automatic includes since they provided the transport. They were both raring to go. Next, the fliers—Lu, Tia, Granmaria, Kudel, Corone, and Kierbit—were given priority.
Wait, what happened to the lottery? Isn't this cheating?
"Yes!"
"I did it!"
Daga the Lizardman and Galf the Beastman both won their spots. They were thrilled. A few other Lizardmen and High Elves made the cut, though Ria didn't. Ya, the Mountain Elf, won a spot as well. Several other Mountain Elves also volunteered and drew winning lots. It was unusual for them to join a combat mission like this.
"We’re curious about the internal mechanisms of a floating castle," Ya explained.
"I understand, but don't overdo it."
"We won't."
The First Conquest Team consisted of Hakuren, Lu, Tia, Granmaria, Kudel, Corone, Kierbit, Daga, Galf, and Ya. In addition, there were four Lizardmen, three High Elves, and eight Mountain Elves, totaling twenty-five people.
The Second Conquest Team consisted of Rusty and one hundred of Kuro's offspring.
The First Team would infiltrate from the upper levels, meet with Kuzuden, gather intel, and attempt to seize control of the Sun Castle’s systems. The Second Team would enter from the lower levels to clear out any monsters and Magic Beasts.
Since Rusty could only safely carry fifty wolves at a time, she would make multiple trips: forty for the first wave, then two groups of thirty. The first forty were the absolute elite, including Uno and Kurosan.
I prayed they would all return safely. Lu and the others had analyzed the monster data from Kuzuden and decided it was well within their capabilities, but I couldn't help but worry.
"We won't do anything reckless," Lu said, coming over to me before they left. "Controlling the castle might require specific knowledge. That's why I have to go."
"I know. Just make sure you don't get hurt."
"Leave it to me."
Next was Tia.
"I'm going because I can act as the key."
"The key?"
"Yes. Those 'God-kin' Kuzuden mentioned? They were actually the Angel Race. Controlling the Sun Castle will likely require Angel authentication."
"Wait, really?"
"The Angels of the past were... a bit conceited. I intend to properly dispose of the shame of the past."
"Shame of the past?"
"Nowadays, there shouldn't be anyone who uses the term 'God-kin'."
Ah, so that's it. That explained why Granmaria, Kierbit, and the others were so fired up despite their blushing faces.
...
"Make sure you protect Kuzuden and his people."
"I know. We have to bring them here to apologize, after all. Though I think there will be plenty of time for a little 'chat' before that."
Granmaria smiled. I could only nod in response. Kuzuden had apologized immediately after my attack, so he couldn't be a total fool. I could only hope he was quick on the uptake when the girls arrived.
Despite the winter chill, the villagers gathered outside, cheering and raising their fists in support. With those cheers behind them, Hakuren’s First Team and Rusty’s Second Team took to the skies.