0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 50: A Human's Warfare (2) (Part 1)
“Wait.”
Karos was flustered. The final sentence was indeed alarming.
“This is just a rural territory. The Sun God Church and the Empire couldn’t find it, so how…?”
As Karos stammered, his eyes quickly began to calm down.
“No, it can’t be just that one territory.”
“Yes, there must be another backer.”
“Under whose influence is that territory?”
A few family names flashed in Karos’s mind, and if Irina mentioned any of them, it would be truly dangerous. However, Karos’s face turned cold at her next words.
“It’s the Count Hareida’s family.”
“Hareida… Oh. What? It’s just a false accusation? I was worried for nothing.”
Karos grumbled. Irina spoke with a worried expression.
“How can you be so sure? They might have truly noticed.”
“The Hareida family has nothing to do with the Demon King.”
They existed within the Empire and didn’t significantly influence the frontlines. They also didn’t associate closely with those who worshipped the gods. They were just another human family.
“Such a place realizing something that even the Empire couldn’t? That’s nonsense. It’s just a simple false accusation.”
Attacking under the pretext of associating with suspicious forces was a time-honored tradition. As long as evidence could be handled and created as needed, this situation was no different. The problem was simply that they were indeed cooperating.
“So we can ignore it then?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a relief.”
Irina sighed with relief, seemingly very worried. Karos shredded the letter into pieces.
“But why are they targeting you?”
The Hareida family was just another human family. They knew only that there was no connection, nothing more.
“The Hareida family is conservative.”
Irina answered Karos’s question.
“They probably don’t like that a woman became a lord.”
“That’s a rather insignificant reason.”
“That’s how nobles are.”
But they couldn’t act directly out of dislike. Opposing factions would interfere, potentially leading to a massive war. So they incited nearby territories to attack instead. This straightforward method eased Karos’s concerns even further.
“I was really worried for nothing.”
Karos grumbled and asked Irina.
“Tell me about that territory. What kind of lord is there?”
“It’s the place that dealt with my foolish brother.”
A small sneer appeared on Irina’s face.
“They’re probably similar in level.”
“You mean they’re idiots?”
“Exactly. But their territory is larger than ours.”
Although it was like comparing acorns, there was still a significant difference that couldn’t be easily bridged in such a small territory.
“They probably have more troops too. Normally, it would be a tough fight.”
“But we have mercenaries.”
Experienced mercenaries, who were powerful enough to be considered upper-tier in terms of combat strength, were an absolute force in small territorial battles.
“Are you ready?”
“Roughly. I’ve informed both the soldiers and the mercenaries. They seem fine with it, being used to such situations.”
“Then that’s settled. You need to prepare as well. We have to meet soon, don’t we?”
“Right.”
Irina ran her hand through her hair with an annoyed look.
“Such an annoying law. I’ll come back in the evening.”
“Take care.”
Irina left. Bathesia poked her head out.
“What’s up?”
“…What are you doing?”
Karos frowned at the sight of Bathesia, buried in slimes with only her head sticking out. He asked cautiously, just in case.
“Did you really roll here like that?”
“Yep. Let’s go, guys.”
“Qoo. Qoo.”
The slimes cried out as they moved, carrying Bathesia into the room.
“…I shouldn’t be saying this, but what about the dignity of a sovereign?”
“What does it matter when my subordinates aren’t around? I need to tidy up my hair and take a break.”
Karos dropped his head at Bathesia’s confident words. There was no point in arguing; it would just give him a headache.
“Soccu went to help, right?”
“She’s playing with Sinclair in the room that blocks holy power. They’re getting along well.”
“The issue was the holy power. They were friendly from the start.”
Thanks to the room that blocked holy power, Sinclair was very happy. Craving warmth, she hugged Soccu every night as she slept.
“So what’s the matter?”
“We have to use the mercenaries we brought.”
“Oh, I see.”
Bathesia realized.
“Then we have to stay here.”
“Right.”
Bathesia and Sinclair possessed powers beyond the human realm. They couldn’t go to the battlefield. Bathesia spun around, buried in the slimes.
“I have no hobby of tormenting weaklings. Good luck. I’ll play with the slimes.”
“Tell Sinclair not to come out either.”
“Got it. Hmm.”
Bathesia muttered with a curious look.
“It’s not a war between humans and demons, but a war between humans and humans.”
* * *
Irina sipped her tea with an annoyed expression. She was now alone in the territory that had declared war on her.
‘Annoying law.’
The law required that the lord go directly to the opposing party to talk. If no agreement was reached, a territorial battle would ensue. That was the current law.
Irina found it annoying. They were going to kill each other anyway, so what was the point of talking? Moreover, having to come alone often resulted in the lord being killed by the enemy. She thought it was a very foolish law.
“The lord has arrived.”
The maid, who had been silent, spoke. The door opened, and a fat pig walked in.
“…Oh.”
The pig was slightly surprised to see Irina. Soon, greed began to fill his face.
“This is unexpected. For a lowly woman without honor, you have quite a face.”
The pig looked her up and down as if licking her. Irina sneered inwardly at his predictable behavior.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Irina Astoria.”
Hiding her true feelings, she greeted him politely. The pig sat in the chair opposite her. A heavy sound echoed.
“I am Stukov Isaac. Hey, pour the tea.”
“Yes…”
The maid, trembling, poured tea into a cup. The pig stared at her intently, stroking his chin.
“Who are you?”
“Re-Redka. The blacksmith’s second daughter…”
“Good.”
The pig rubbed the maid’s arm.
“Come to my room tonight.”
“Ah…”