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“Jun! I’m sorry! I made a mistake!”

They cried desperately as they were being dragged away.

They say they’re sorry, but they don’t know what they’re sorry about and what they’ve done wrong.

I added to Nova.

“Apparently they took my brother and used him to blackmail them.”

“Shall we interrogate them?”

“I’d appreciate it if you could.”

“Of course.”

Nova smiled. It was a bright smile, the exact opposite of the way he had cruelly agonized over them earlier.

I ruffled Nova’s auburn hair as I spoke to the trio of the Special Unit.

“Now let’s be diligent because the second Holy Demon War is about to begin.”

CHAPTER 18. The Holy Demon War

Upon entering the Imperial Palace, I immediately turned on the “party member” status window to check the status, level, skills, etc. of all Black Knights personnel.

Then I fell into trouble.

The special unit was the second of the so-called elite units, and still lacked the level of the elite.

However, the problem was that the difference was not large. It was enough to be covered by leveling up in the Demon King dungeon…

They were all equally talented, and their skills were unique, so there was a great deal of choice.

I and Meyer are unconditionally one set, but… I am wondering how to fill the remaining five.

Then Anasta came to visit me.

“What? You’re going to fall out of the Demon King battle?”

“Yes. I know that I am short of Priest August, but I still thought that the Vice Commander might be distressed.”

Anasta’s complexion was slender as she said this. She looked very distressed mentally when she heard that Fabian had tried to use my family to brainwash me.

She was in a dilemma, wondering if her choices had driven Fabian this way.

I said repeatedly that it was different, but Anasta’s guilt was too deep to let it go at that.

“I’m not sure how focused I’d be in a dungeon. If I defeat the Demon King, I can become a grand duke, which is a tremendous position… I’m not sure I’m allowed to enjoy that honor. You believed me, and I’m sorry to show you that I’m vulnerable in this way, caught up in an old causal relationship.”

“No.”

I murmured with regret.

Anasta said with a grin, as she tried to pull the corners of her mouth.

“If there are other positions available that you need, I will do my best.”

I couldn’t catch it when she said that… To tell the truth… I felt more at ease because Anasta said so.

“… Yes. The Demon King’s Gate will be opened and the demons will come out to the empire. Take care of this place while I’m inside the Demon King’s Castle.”

“Yes. I don’t know how much you can trust my will after my weak words earlier, but… Even if I should die, I will endeavor to ensure that demons do not harm people.”

“Don’t die.”

Anasta nodded, smiling more powerfully than ever.

So Anasta left and the healer was fixed with August.

With Anasta gone, Jeanne also became difficult to take with us.

All that was left now was how to choose four people between the wizard attackers Axion and Sevi, the physical attackers Tragula, and the defenders Nova, Julieta, and Robur.

While I was having so much trouble, the surroundings turned serious.

The cooperation of the other expeditions, the interrogation of the Fabian group…

Meyer denounced the other expeditions. He instantly resolved the chaos that could have led to a riot.

It seemed that, because of the situation, he used means that were closer, more convenient, and quicker than words and law. The effect was, of course, outstanding.

Nova, who had tracked down Eugene’s whereabouts through interrogation, immediately rescued him. He did not bring him to me, however, but only made a report to me.

“There are signs of fear and beating, but there are no signs of illness. What should I do?”

Nova, speaking about Eugene, seemed sad and pouty, out of his usual state.

Especially considering that Eugene was a 12-year-old child.

I asked back in wonder.

“But he’s my little brother, so I thought I’d take one look at his face for the first time in a while… He hasn’t been seriously hurt, has he?”

Indeed, even if he was seriously injured, there are so many healers in the Imperial City…

Although my stepmother and father were somewhat shameless, the young Eugene was just used. I didn’t mean to ask Eugene to pay the price.

But Nova hesitated for a long time and asked again.

“… Do you really need to see him?”

Oh… I was complacent.

Looking at Nova’s reaction, I got the hang of it. After I joined the Black Knights, my stepmother and father would have repeatedly cursed me.

It’s been two years.

Long enough for my brother, who was cocky with his sister, to turn against her.

When I clicked my tongue, Nova smiled bitterly and tried to joke in a bright voice.

“I had high hopes because you said he looked like your brother, but there was no resemblance to you at all.”

“I never said that we looked alike. I said I remembered him.”

I replied with a chuckle. It seemed like yesterday when I met Nova two years ago in the first round.

“You didn’t just say something snide in a roundabout way because you didn’t like me, did you?”

“Haha, that could have been the case.”

I laughed out loud at Nova’s plausible change of air.

In the meantime, I decided to send Eugene to Nokentoria Castle. I added an approximate explanation of the situation to Vince the butler.

As long as he was well monitored, he could use him as a stable keeper or as a gardener assistant.

This is not a bad choice, at least for Eugene, because meals will be served on time and he will be safe.

If he didn’t come to his senses when I came out and defeated the Demon Lord…

I was not going to raise a reckless brother in my name, so I was going to take special measures then.

I hope Eugene understands that this is the last time I will give him a chance. I clicked my tongue low.

***

Countess Nerus, the “Big Mother,” was brought in. She continued to plead her innocence.

However, no one would listen to her words because of the critical situation just before the opening of the Demon King Gate.

Even if they did, her liver was not big enough to defend against the crime of kidnapping and trying to brainwash the Vice Commander of the Black Knights and even hiding a mental wizard in the Imperial Palace where the Black Knights had gathered.

The Fabian Expedition was also brought in.

They remained at the Imperial Palace, unaware of Fabian’s ulterior motives. They were flustered by the Commander’s failure to return and his sudden imprisonment.

On the day before Countess Nerus’s trial, Tragula barely made it to the Imperial Palace.

While the results debriefing was being held, he seemed to have come in a hurry after hearing the news that the Demon King Gate had been opened as soon as he left after closing the dungeon.

“Countess… Nerus?”

Tragula’s face hardened at the unexpected news.

Soon he smiled bitterly.

“She deserves it. I was surprised to hear that.”

Tragula looked confused and delicate when he heard that Countess Nerus’ trial was tomorrow.

Even though I thought it was fortunate that he arrived early, it was a day full of emotions that he should have arrived after everything was over.

I outlined with a sigh.

“As for Countess Nerus, I think she intended to use Fabian… Since it was related to the mental wizard and also because the other leader, Fabian, escaped, she has to be held responsible for everything. I’m not sure if the mental wizard is quite loyal or not, he’s always been quiet, but in the end, it’s hard for him to survive. The family itself may be destroyed.”

“…”

Tragula’s complexion grew darker than before. He opened his lips as if he had something to say. I asked in wonder.

“Is there a problem?”

“… No.”

Tragula shook his head. I grinned at his pointless attitude, patted him on the shoulder, and stood up.

“Then you should rest for a while, as it must have been hard work getting to the capital. Because once the gates start opening from now on, you won’t have a bit of time to rest.”

“Vice Commander… Where are you going?”

“To open the loyal dog’s mouth. That way I’ll know what he’s got in his mouth.”

I said so and shrugged my shoulders.

I didn’t mean to go out myself, but I couldn’t help it because the mental wizard held out quite longer than I thought.

Did he have guts, is he deeply loyal, or does he just not open his mouth… I will have to get answers before the trial.

So I left Tragula and headed for the underground prison where the mental wizard was locked up…

***

The underground prison was gloomy and dreary. The chill of the walls seeped into my skin as if I had entered a dungeon.

The prison guards immediately brought in a wizard from the spiritual world.

He was wearing a magic restraint, and his appearance was unbearable to behold.

The inquisitors seemed to be in a hurry to get information, as tomorrow was the day of Count Nels’ trial.

Thrown in front of me, he made a distressed sound.

I asked the usual questions to ascertain his identity.

“Pedica Lenea. A mental wizard who’s posing as a shield keeper. Am I right?”

Pedica did not even reply. I thought maybe he couldn’t.

I clicked my tongue.

“I don’t have time.”

Then I clapped my hands. The interrogation room door opened and August, as I had called him, entered, his large body crumpled into a big frame.

Even in the dark, his white priest’s uniform shone brightly, but his hard smile and large size were intimidating.

I said with a grin.

“I think I’ll try to be more effective.”