Konjiki no Moji Tsukai

110 The Imprisoned Ones

Eveam:

Did you say War?

Eveam was repeating what had come from Victorias King Rudolfs mouth. She hoped that she had heard wrong.

Rudolf:

Thats right. War

It seems like he had no intention of making this conference a success.

Eveam:

W-Why? If we were to join hands we could avoid conflict, so for what reason would you willingly start a war?!

A stern expression came to Rudolfs face as Eveam fixed her eyes on him.

Rudolf:

In order to destroy you to destroy the Evila, I have sacrificed many things. Soldiers, the people, and even my daughters

Judoms eyebrow twitched at the mention of Rudolfs daughters.

Rudolf:

This is what my friend Judom said. He said that we should desire peace for the sake of my sacrificed daughters. That they would be happy if that happened

From his eyes, a single tear fell.

Rudolf:

But that is wrong. My first daughter Miti was still very young, but I think that she was a clever child. My second daughter Aselia had a very strong heart. And now, although not yet dead, my daughter Fara who has become a living corpse was a kind-natured child. Before they died, those girls said to me, Please defeat the Evila no matter what

Rudolf slowly met Eveams gaze.

Rudolf:

My daughters, and those who have been killed, do not wish for peace! They wish to see the seed of misfortune plaguing Edea disappear, by eradicating you Evila!

That was already an obvious declaration of war. And at that exact moment, the thread of peace that connected the Humas and Evila snapped.

Bang!

The round table was abruptly destroyed. Aquinas jumped to Eveams side to protect her, while the human soldiers moved to guard Rudolf. Everyone simultaneously looked at the man who had caused this.

Judom:

Dont fuck with me Rudolf!

That was the Victorias Guild Master Judom Lankars. His fist stuck out over the table. That strong arm was quivering in fury.

Rudolf:

Judom, regardless of what you say here, this has already been decided

Judom:

Shut up Rudolf! Why What foolishness is this?

Dennis:

Bastard! A mere Guild Master cant speak to the king like that!

Judom:

Butt out of this you lackey bastard!

Terrific pressure began to rain down on Cabinet Minister Dennis and the soldiers around him.

Dennis:

Hii!1

Dennis pitifully fell to the ground. The soldiers reactions werent as extreme as Denniss, but they were also overwhelmed by that persons presence and began to sweat profusely.

Eveam:

(A-Amazing! Is this pressure really that of a retired soldier?)

Eveam gulped, sensing from his enormous pressure that he was no ordinary individual.

Aquinas:

(As expected of Judom Lankars. This pressure Hes in the same domain as us)

Aquinas had once fought with Judom in the past, and he couldnt help but give a faint smile after witnessing his extraordinary growth.

Marione:

(Muu2 So this man is the former SSS-Ranker called Impact King)

Marione also gave him a high evaluation. Kiria also stared at him with a thoughtful expression.

Judom:

Oi Rudolf, do you really understand the meaning of what youre doing you bastard?

Rudolf:

Do I look like I do not understand?

Judom:

Yeah, you do. At least, when you were younger you wouldnt have done such stupid things!

Rudolf:

And now I have matured

Judom:

Dont make me laugh! Youve degenerated!

Dennis:

Y-You bastard! Again and again you speak like that towards the king!

Judom:

A retainer who cant even support the king doesnt have the right to talk!

Dennis:

Hii!

Again he glared at Dennis to intimidate him.

Judom:

And you lot! A retainer isnt just about making the kings life easy. A true retainer is supposed to guide the king onto the right path!

Eveam, who was deeply moved by his words, could only stare at him and remain silent.

Judom:

If the king starts to stray from the proper path, a true advisor would advise him, even if he had to risk his own life! A king is not absolute! Even a country is not absolute!

Aquinas whispered into Eveams ear.

Aquinas:

Observe him carefully. He possesses the qualities of a king

Eveam nodded again and continued to stare intently at Judom.

Judom:

Something that is absolute doesnt exist! Because of that, a king cannot make the very best decisions without the support of the people around him! To become closer to being absolute, to abate the mistakes he makes, that is the attitude that will bring us closer to becoming a good country!

Everyone was silently watching Judom, but Rudolf closed his eyes and stopped moving.

Judom:

A king is also human. He still makes mistakes. But what you absolutely cannot do is make a mistake when peoples lives hang on the kings decision! Why dont you understand that, Rudolf! Your decision will cost the lives of your fellow countrymen!

Rudolf, having determined that Judoms speech had ended, slowly opened his eyes and stared at him.

Rudolf:

I am a king, a husband, and a father. My daughters lives Do you think I truly wished to part with them, Judom?

Once again he begins to cry.

Rudolf:

I see. If it was you, you would be able to kill your emotions and betray your family for the sake of the country

Judom:

No, youre wrong Rudolf!

Rudolf:

Nevertheless, I am a father. The Evila which took my daughters lives want to live together with us. That peace I cannot allow it. Everyone whos family has been killed by them would say the same!

Judom:

Those feelings are natural! But if someone doesnt bear it, the whole world will become even more cruel!

Rudolf:

Youre too late Judom. The choice has already been made. This is revenge

Taken aback by Rudolfs words, Judom ground his teeth and scowled.

Judom:

You dont have the qualities to be a king

Rudolf:

It seems, but even you will understand once this is over. That it was a good thing that the Evila perished. In the end, this will be for everybodys sake

Judom walked back towards Rudolf. Of course, the soldiers stood in his way. However

Judom:

Step aside, you brats!

The wind pressure released from waving his hand blew away the soldiers who were on guard. The Demon Lord was also bracing her legs so that she would not be blown away.

Rudolf had also sent flying as far as the wall, but his expression had not changed at all.

Rudolf:

Fuu, as expected of the Impact King. My elite soldiers couldnt even act as a shield

Judom:

Grit your teeth

Bang!

Rudolf:

Gafu!

Judom struck Rudolfs face with a hook and blew him away, crashing into the wall. Blood flowed from his mouth but still he did not feel any fear. He spoke while he was still collapsed on the ground.

Rudolf:

No matter what you do, it has already started. No one can stop it now

Saying that while wiping the blood from his mouth, Dennis and the soldiers rushed over to protect the king.

Judom:

Oi Portnis

Portnis:

What is it, Judom?

Judom spoke to the High Priestess Portnis.

Judom:

Its impossible to escape from this room for twenty-four hours, right? Is there no other method?

Originally, the staff in Portniss hand had the jewel Heros Relic embedded in its tip which allowed one to exit freely, but as it had been destroyed, the only way to leave would be when the barrier weakened after twenty-four hours.

Portnis:

Thats right If we had another Heros Relic we could, but

Judom:

We dont have one right now, huh

Judom looked over to the Demon Lords side, but judging by their reaction they didnt have one. It was unlikely that Rudolfs side was carrying one either. If it were to be used then anyone would be able to leave the barrier, so there would be no merit for them to bring one in with them.

There was some deeper meaning in keeping the Demon Lord and her forces imprisoned here for twenty-four hours. They had wagered that the Demon Lord would not kill them. If they did then the Demon Lords ideals would collapse. Therefore this place was both safe and dangerous to them.

Judom:

Is there another method?

Portnis:

Lets see Information from outside is completely cut off from here, so we have no way to know whats happening outside. Similar to us, people outside have no way of knowing about any abnormalities inside

Judom:

Shit

Portnis:

However

Judom:

What? Is there something else?

Portnis:

Yes. If, in the event that someone outside notices the abnormality and opens the barrier with the Heros Relic

Judom:

Rather unlikely. If no one knows the situation in here, no one would come to help

Judom grit his teeth as he spoke his thoughts.

Rudolf:

Did I not tell you? Anything you do is futile. This Sacred Room has been thoroughly investigated and was determined to be the perfect location to hold the conference in order to carry out this plan. Theres not a single imperfection

Judom:

Kuh Answer me Rudolf, you bastard. Where are the Heroes right now?

Rudolf:

Do you not already have a rough idea?

A smile came to Rudolphs face as he asked.

Eveam:

At the border?

That answer came from Eveam. She had confirmed the appearance of the Heroes with her own eyes. But Rudolf laughed scornfully.

Rudolf:

Fufufu Youre way off the mark Demon Lord

Eveam:

What?

Rudolf:

Allow me to tell you. My strongest war potential right now is at Demon Capital: Xaos

Eveam:

Wha-!?

With just that one comment the faces of everyone on the Demon Lord side turned to shock.

Rudolf:

Fufufu, allow me to tell you another shocking truth. Not only the Heroes, but many Gabranth are headed to the Demon Country. The National Army of the Beast Kingdom, Passion

Eveam:

What did you say!?

Marione:

Fool! Thats impossible! The bridge was destroyed!

That shout was from Marione. As he says, the only connection between the Evila and Gabranth was destroyed by Eveam. Its unthinkable that the army would be able to cross over to the Evila Continent.

Rudolf:

Fufufu, its an alliance

Judom:

Rudolf, you

Rudolf:

We Humas and Gabranth have formed an alliance

Those words left everyone on Eveams side with a shock, like they had been struck by a hammer.

Eveam:

T-Thats

Eveams voice was trembling as she let out a murmur.

Rudolf:

Thats right. Right now the Evila Continent is in the middle of a war