Are you referring to a regular female knight, or a trash-tier female knight?
I walked at the head of the group, inwardly seething as I watched reckless Luna’s brown back.
Is she an idiot?
Seriously, is this princess really that dumb?
What’s with the picnic? Is she joking?
Going out without any escorts except for me and Flau isn’t sane.
Do you have no awareness that you’re the leader of a faction in the middle of a power struggle?
“Never expected a picnic at this timing… If it comes to it, I’m counting on you to be my shield.”
Flau said this with a serious expression. What’s she talking about? It’s the opposite.
If it comes down to it, I’ll use her as a meat shield.
“This timing is precisely why. Now that we’ve managed to recruit the Dark Knight, one of the Four Heavenly Kings and the highest combat force in the Demon King’s army, into the Tenran faction, it’s the perfect opportunity to show some vulnerability.”
Luna turned around while saying this, her face an icy cold expressionless mask. In other words, she’s Luna the cold-hearted machine for demon prosperity. Scary.
Still, showing vulnerability as the optimal strategy? That can’t be right.
Fundamentally, one shouldn’t show any openings at all.
“Until now, my brother thought he could slowly crush us given enough time. In fact, due to the overwhelming difference in combat strength, my faction would naturally self-destruct given enough time. In terms of avoiding unnecessary losses, my brother made a good choice.”
Luna explained while walking. Indeed, things would have been overwhelmed if left as they were.
Then again, stop acting like an idiotic princess.
“But now, an irregular existence capable of overturning that combat difference has suddenly joined the faction struggle. In that case, simply waiting leisurely won’t work anymore. Even my foolish brother should understand that.”
The balance of power seems to be shifting dramatically. Whose fault is this supposed to be…
“Ah. Again, ‘this’ is the cause, huh. Again.”
Flau grimaced as if truly disgusted. Hey, don’t point at me.
And what exactly is the cause! I only joined because I was asked to…!
Moreover, it’s not like I’m alone trying to make sudden moves in this pathetic faction struggle!
“We don’t have much time left. We need to settle this quickly within this short period. To do that, first, we need to provoke them into making a move so we can gain moral justification…”
Well, a prolonged conflict doesn’t hold much meaning anyway. The shorter, the better, obviously.
Especially for someone cowardly like me. Given that the Tenran faction is already being pressured by the mainstream faction, they probably won’t be able to launch aggressive attacks.
That’s why demons won’t follow them. Which is precisely why we need to provoke the mainstream faction into attacking.
“By coming outside the Demon King’s castle like this, they’ll probably attack soon. Inside the castle would be too obvious even for them.”
Hmm… I understand what Luna is saying. Even someone like Dennis wouldn’t be able to kill his sister inside the Demon King’s castle.
It would definitely be discovered. But even if they killed her here outside the Demon King’s castle, wouldn’t it still obviously be Dennis’s doing?
Even an amateur like me would think that way, so surely they wouldn’t make a move here. I believe that.
Don’t call it wishful thinking. Don’t say I’m not facing reality. I absolutely refuse to fight assassins.
“I absolutely refuse too. Assassins aren’t compatible with me.”
Are there even any who are compatible with you? As I thought that, my body suddenly moved at high speed on its own!
My destination was Luna. After scooping up her body, I immediately moved away from that spot…
Boom! With a heavy sound, something pierced where Luna had just been standing. What happened?!
“…As expected.”
With her white hair dirtied by sand and dust, held tightly in hard armor, Luna muttered emotionlessly. This girl doesn’t even scream, she’s truly not a stupid princess.
Rather, it’s terrifying how she can normally use her own life as bait. Though, given that she went this far and dragged me into it too, I’d be angry if she panicked here.
Me? I’m already in full panic mode, but?
“However, I never expected you to come personally. One of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s army… Otto.”
Crushing soil underfoot, appearing from the sand and smoke was Otto, someone in the same position as me. Alright, Flau. It’s your turn. Be a meat shield.
◆
“Good day, Princess. Sorry, but I need you to die here.”
Bending his waist gracefully, Otto smiled at Luna. While demons aren’t as obsessed with blood as humans, addressing the Demon King’s biological child in such a manner is still quite taboo.
Nevertheless, considering the purpose this time – the princess’s assassination – Otto believed extending such greetings was only natural.
“My brother’s orders, I presume? Such a decisive action deserves praise.”
Despite receiving such shocking news, Luna maintained her composed expression. She wasn’t panicking or making a fuss.
Her clearly different attitude from usual made him frown… But perhaps it was because of the man standing before her. Indeed, if ‘that man’ was protecting her, she likely wouldn’t fear anyone becoming an enemy.
Even himself, if that man were an ally, he probably wouldn’t have steeled his resolve to march onto the battlefield like now.
“It was largely due to my strong recommendation. Well, since he made the decision regardless, it doesn’t matter. Your elder brother must have been concerned. About that Dark Knight joining the Tenran faction.”
The Dark Knight. A giant man covered in black miasma and grotesque armor. He realized those abyss-like hollows were gazing at him.
[…Otto] “Yeah. So you’re willing to talk to me now? How delightful. If you had joined the mainstream faction, I would’ve wanted to chat every day.”
The Dark Knight rarely speaks. Even during gatherings of the Demon King and Four Heavenly Kings, he hardly ever talks.
Being called by name by him made his cheeks unconsciously relax.
[Enough with the chatter] “…………”
However, such feelings were swiftly dismissed. The Dark Knight beckoned, provoking Otto.
[Come at me. Show me your strength.]
The Dark Knight might not have intended to provoke. But it was enough to make Otto’s head boil.
“Don’t regret this, Dark Knight!”
Otto challenges the strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings.