Cheat Magician (Hazure Hantei) Chapter 86

Truth

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The monsters that have been generated at a maximum level may come rushing in.

The day after Rondal's group returned from Volzard, the City of Lastock has become like a battlefield.

Lastock is a town that was born from a large-scale reclamation project that took place fifteen years ago, and with a large river flowing between it and the Devil's Forest, ordinary households were not prepared for monsters.

If a large-scale outbreak were to occur in this state, it would cause enormous damage.

The first thing Camilla started with was setting up a shelter for the people of the city.

If they were to reinforce the ordinary homes one by one, there would not be enough time.

Therefore, it seems that they decided to reinforce a building that can accommodate a large number of people and use it as a shelter for the people.

The barracks where my classmates were housed was originally built to be sturdy, so it was used as an evacuation shelter.

In addition, schools, churches, auditoriums, etc. have been selected as evacuation shelters, and not only the garrison members, but also adventurers and townspeople were working together to reinforce them.

While proceeding with reinforcement work, food is also being brought in from grain warehouses.

Due to the sudden situation and large-scale construction, people are rushing around the site, but it doesn't look like a big mess.

This is because there is a knight who leads the work at each site, checking the progress and giving instructions for the next work to be done.

[ Fred, do their instructions follow Camilla's plan? ]

[ That's right ... She hasn't slept much since she got the news ... ]

Since Rondal's group returned from Volzard, Camilla has been making plans with almost no sleep or rest, except for short naps, and has been issuing new instructions after receiving progress reports.

Camilla acts as the brain, the knights act as the nerves and convey information, and the adventurers and residents act as the limbs.

Indeed, the entire city of Lastock seems to function like a single organism.

[ I thought Klaus-san was amazing, but I feel like Camilla is even moreso. ]

[ Exactly the vessel of a virtuous ruler ... Compared to Camilla, the other royals are rubbish ... ]

With this much practical ability, and moreover, she doesn't lack consideration for knights and residents, so it's only natural that she'll be popular.

To be honest, if our treatment was justifiable, wouldn't all of my classmates have voluntarily cooperated with Camilla?

I take a look around the city where the reinforcement work is progressing until just before noon, and then return to Volzard.

When I went to the garrison's temporary dormitory, they were doing a final check of the letter that the teachers had written.

Our demands are an official apology from the Kingdom of Resenburg, a total compensation of 70 million Helts to the family of the dead Funayama and us who suffered inconvenience, and the return to our original world.

If she accepts this request, we will help the Fourth Prince succeed the throne.

However, if you refuse the request, we will interfere with Lastock's countermeasures against the maximum outbreak.

I've just seen the people of Lastock working hard to take measures, so it's a bit heartbreaking, but if Camilla accepts the request, I'm willing to cooperate.

All the teachers agreed with the contents of the letter, and Oda-sensei closed the envelope.

"Then, Kokubu, please deliver this letter to Princess Camilla in such a way that the Second Prince faction, nor the First Prince faction or the King's faction will not find out, and receive a reply to the letter."

"Understood, I think I'll probably get in touch later tonight, or even tomorrow morning ..."

"No, we'll be waiting here tonight, so please come and report, even if it's late."

"I understand."

After receiving the letter, I return to Lastock.

I thought about going to the garrison's cafeteria, but since I was being hit hard by various things, I decided against it.

Let's have lunch at the Lastock garrison, as usual.

Earth-attribute mages are the main force of the reinforcement work.

They will focus on reinforcing the entrances and windows of the buildings selected as evacuation centers, as well as the walls on the first floor.

The buildings in this world seem to be basically built with earth-attribute magic, and the wooden framework is coated with soil, and the soil is hardened using magic.

It seems that the more skillful earth-attribute mages can harden a large amount of soil at once, and the stronger the hardened soil will be.

[ Reinhardt, to what extent can they increase the strength of that hardening? ]

[ In general architecture, a skilled craftsman is about the same as a natural stone, and a fledgeling crafstman is hardened but weak ... ]

[ Is it impossible to make something stronger and harder than iron? ]

[ Most of the crafstmen who make weapons are also earth-attribute magicians, but when making swords and spears, it seems that they start by carefully selecting the materials. ]

[ I see, there is a limit to the use of soil in that area. ]

[ Indeed, there are people who specialize in carefully selecting the materials. ]

I see, it takes a lot of time to make a single sword ... Huh? What's going on with the weapons that Reinhardt-tachi are using?

I was able to imagine it when I strengthened it, but I don't even know the material ... yeah, let's just assume that I lost if I think about it.

It seems that the people who have finished the reinforcement work of the shelter will be sent to maintain the riverbank protection this time.

Until now, the riverbanks on the Lastock side had only a drawbridge connecting the highway and a dock for fishing boats in the river.

They are digging down the riverbank and piling up the dug-down soil to create a riverbank protection.

In other words, they are trying to build a rampart in addition to having the river, which is a natural water moat.

"For the time being, it should be hardened enough that it won't crumble."

"What's wrong, we don't have enough core material, bring more quickly!"

After the contruction of the evacuation centers, people began to gather, and I thought that the construction would proceed smoothly, but it seems that there is a shortage of materials.

Unlike the reinforcement of the shelter, the construction of the embankment covers a wide area, and the hardening of the earth attribute magic cannot keep up with it, so it seems that the soil is piled up after building the core of wood.

In other words, if there is no core material, the soil cannot be piled up, and if the soil cannot be piled up, it cannot be dug-down.

"Hey, what happened to the lumber used for the core material?"

"It seems that the inventory has run out because it was sent to the construction of the shelters."

"Then, is it useless if we don't start logging?"

"I hear another group is out, but it seems they haven't returned yet."

"Damn it ... it's been going well so far ..."

With dusk approaching, some people are starting to stand around and talk on the banks of the river.

If this continues, the construction work will be halted completely.

When I moved to the garrison office, Camilla was holding her head.

I thought she was looking at the paperwork, but she stood up and looked out the window at the training grounds of the garrison.

From the window of the office, you can see the training grounds and the gates of the garrison, but it seems that those who have left for the logging that Camilla is looking forward to have not returned yet.

When I asked Art to scout, it seems that the people who headed out for logging are on their way to Lastock, and it will take some time for them to arrive.

[ Even Camilla can't do everything according to calculation, right? ]

[ That's right, but the construction of the shelter may have progressed faster than planned. ]

[ Ah, I see ... Construction is progressing unexpectedly fast and there is not enough lumber ... Big projects are difficult, aren't they? ]

[ That's right, even in battle, if the logistics are cut off, you won't be able to fight. In construction, meals, personnel, they need to pay attention to meals and breaks so personnel can move. ]

[ I wonder what Camilla will do after this. ]

[ Even in that area, you may be able to see the qualities of those who stand at the top. ]

Camilla was staring out the window with her arms crossed, but then she nodded with determination, then opened the window and yelled.

"Clemens! Finish today's work, except for the lumber manager! Work will continue tomorrow, so tell them to get plenty of rest!"

"Yes! Understood!"

There was still some time until sunset, but Camilla decided to finish today's work.

[ How is it? Reinhardt. ]

[ Good decision. Without materials, the work cannot proceed. Continuing to lazily work will only increase fatigue. ]

After closing the window, Camilla returned to her desk and resumed checking the process.

Surprisingly, even Camilla's secretary and security guards were dispatched to the scene, leaving Camilla alone in the office.

Even the office door is left open for those who come to report.

Camilla wrinkles her brows as she compares the schedule with the list of materials.

Even if you use horses and ask for reinforcements, in the current situation where support has not arrived from anywhere, it is obvious that the materials will run out.

Like timber, if you cut it down, you can get it, but you can't ready things like nails and hooks right away.

"Even if the worst-case shelter is managed somehow, the river wall won't be in time ..."

After that, the knights who had finished supervising the scene came to report one after another, but all they asked was about the deliver of materials.

Metal fittings are necessary to connect the pieces of wood together, and the metal fittings can be substituted by hardening them with earth-attribute magicians. It seems to be connected.

"Camilla-sama, at this rate, the construction of the river wall will not proceed."

"Although there are still metal fittings, there is still an overwhelming lack of lumber."

"Is there no choice but to increase the number of people in charge of logging?"

"Is there no support from the capital?'

All of the opinions are reasonable, and Camilla is well aware of that.

If you increase the number of people for logging, the number of people involved in the construction will decrease, but if you don't have the materials, the construction won't proceed.

In the end, all Camilla could do was to increase the number of people involved in logging.

On the way, she only ate a sandwich that was delivered, but after listening to the report and working out countermeasures, before I knew it, Camilla was left alone in the office.

Occasionally, she is holding her left hand to her temple because she is experiencing a mild headache.

But let me do my job.

I ask Basten to guard the corridor, and have Reinhardt as an escort and Fred will hold down Camilla if she acts violently.

Even if Reinhardt follow me out of the world of shadows and I stand in front of her desk, Camilla continues to move her pen forward without noticing.

She suddenly stopped her hand and Camilla casually raised her gaze, and our gazes met.

"Wh, who are you ..."

Fred's sword was placed in front of the throat that tried to scream, and Camilla stopped moving.

"Please be quiet, I don't want to anything violent ..."

To be honest, I was a little nervous in front of Camilla, but I acted like I had some composure.

"Is that so ... you were from that time ..."

"As expected. Did you remember me ..."

"Kuh ... what the hell is that? Did I fail right from the beginning ..."

Camilla threw the pen in her right hand onto the desk.

Apparently she didn't intend to act violently, so I let Fred withdraw his sword.

"To come straight to the point, we ..."

"I understand. If it's your request, I understand it well ..."

Camilla slowly stood up, turned around the desk, faced me, and suddenly threw off her outer garment.

"Huh? Hey ...?"

While I was frozen at her unexpected action, Camilla knelt on the floor and bowed deeply.

"Eeeeh ... hey, what are you doing ..."

"Maou, I don't care what happens, I'll give you this body ... Please don't mess with my people ..."

"Eh, uh ... what ..."

"No way ... I guess, after all, in Lastock ... No, the women in Resenburg will be violated until their bodies are destroyed ..."

"Hey, that's not right!"

When Camilla looked up at my words, her eyes were like a dead fish.

"I see ... not now, not in such an unpopular place, but in front of the knights ... no, in front of the gathered people, you're going to expose my defiled appearance ... I'm sure I'll be thrown to the Maou's army and get pregnant ... Nkya!"

I unintentionally knocked on Camilla's head.

"Listen! No one is asking for that!"

"Eh ... but when it comes to the Maou's request ..."

"Noisy, put on your coat and sit down!"

I decided to sit on the sofa and wait until Camilla finished putting on her coat.

"I, I kept you waiting, so, what can this me do for you ..."

"It's no use trying to look good now."

"Kuh ... this is the Maou, so he's gradually shaving away my spirit like this ..."

"Haa ... From before, you've been calling me Maou, Maou, but for what reason are you calling me a Maou?"

"Of course it's because you are a summoned person."

"Huh? Isn't it a Hero that gets summoned?"

"Fumu, I see, so you only know the story of the hero passed down by the people?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Maou is the ruins of what once was a summoned person."

"Huh?"

"The fairy tales passed down among the people are stories made up by the royal family and are not true."

Camilla told the truth about the Hero and the Maou that has been handed down in the royal family.

A long time ago, there was a kingdom in the southern continent, which is now ruled by monsters.

The kingdom, which is connected by a narrow peninsula, had been at war for a long time, and it is said that during the reign of a certain King, Resenburg was in danger of being destroyed.

At that time, it was the first Hero summoning.

It is said that the summoned Hero manipulated a huge amount of magical power and various attributes to repel the forces of the Southern Kingdom.

Up to this point, he did a perfect job as a Hero, but the more his battle results increased, the more he grew, and he began to make various demands.

Money, status, fame, and women.

It is said that the Hero took every woman he liked as his own.

Regardless of whether the woman had a fiancee or was married, he would mercilessly deprive her of her innocence, and use his inhuman physical strength to continue to violate her until her body broke.

Not only that, but when the hero used healing magic to treat a broken woman's body, he inflicted violence on her so her body would break again, and continued to play with her until her spirit collapsed.

"The Resenburg royal family decided to banish him and even tried to assassinate him, but the Hero apparently escaped to the southern continent."

Camilla told me as if spitting it out.

The southern continent was ruled by the banished Hero, and it seems that the banished Hero reigned as the King of the Demons alongside the Demons.

And then the Maou began to reach out to Resenburg with the evil hand of revenge, and the impoverished royal family once again summoned a Hero.

"However, that summoning only increased the number of Maous to two. 'The royal family that is at a complete loss, cheats ... Hyahaaa!' It seems that he raised a strange voice and incited the second Maou who was hunting for women, and he attacked the first Maou."

Maybe it's a hatred for kindred, the two Maous fought with all their might, and in the end the first Maou won due to the difference in experience.

And the first Maou, who was hiding tattered and exhausted from the battle with the second Maou, was targeted and subjugated by the knights of Resenburg ...

During that battle, an abnormal amount of magic stagnated in the southern continent, and as a result, it turned into a continent ruled by monsters.

And it seems that the traces of the maximum outbreak of Trents that overflowed from the southern continent became the current Devil's Forest.

Reflecting on that time, the Resenburg royal family banned the art of summoning and suppressed it thoroughly.

However, even though they became Maous, it is true that the summoned people possess enormous magical power, and it seems that the ritual of summoning a Hero has been handed down through the royal family as a last resort in an emergency.

"I researched the summoning technique independently, added some arrangements, and performed it. In order to disperse the magical power that was originally concentrated under one person, I increased the number of people, lowered the age, and limited the gender. It was you who were summoned as a result."

"That's why you called us people who have the qualities of a Maou?"

"Hey, you, why do you even know the contents of the personal letter to Volzard ... but it's not a mistake, you should try to remember when you were summoned."

"Huh? Ah ... Funayama ..."

Immediately after being summoned, Funayama lashed out at Camilla and even demanded her hospitality for the night.

If Funayama had obtained a cheat ability, he would have become what Camilla calls a Maou.

That's why Camilla used Funayama as an example and thought she didn't mind him dying.

"Even if you specify an age that is easy to handle and summon them, there is a risk that they will become unmanageable once they grow up.

The Novice Hero Takayama had high fighting power, so he was given good treatment as well as Celia in order to entrap him, but if he started talking about harems even a little, she was planning to get rid of him ... That was dangerous, Takayama.

After cutting off the conversation, Camilla turned her gaze to me, then Reinhardt, and finally Fred, who was ready to restrain her at any time, and let out a sigh.

"However, despite all the preparation, I stumbled at the first step."

Hmm ... Camilla's description of the Maou seems to have a different meaning than the 'Maou' I'm called by Volzard, but it seems like it would be advantageous for negotiating, so let's stop correcting it.

"So, Maou, what are your demands? As I said earlier, I don't care what happens to my body, but if you interfere with my people ... I will kill you by any means."

"Can you do it? The other day, when I rescued my comrades, I was a little careless and was skewered, but I won't let my guard down like that again."

"Kuh ... You were the one Paul said he killed ... even though he said his sword went through your stomach ..."

"Even like that, I still feel pain. Would you like to taste the pain of being skewered with a sword?"

"I, if the people can be saved with that, I will endure any pain and any humiliation."

"Well then, this is our request."

As if to show off, I took out the letter from shadow storage and slid it across the table towards Camilla.

Camilla grabbed the envelope, swallowed sharply, and opened it.

"This is ..."

Camilla, who ran her eyes over the letter, let out a small voice of surprise, and then slowly reread the letter twice.

"Are you investigating the inner workings of the royal family ... so the desertion wasn't guided by the Second Prince's faction ..."

"Actually, there was talk of bypassing you and negotiating with the King, but with that King ..."

"Are you aware of Alphonse-nii and Bernst-nii?"

"Of course ..."

"So you want me to take over?'

I silently nodded.

Camilla seemed to be frantically spinning her head while pretending to review the text.

"Unfortunately, I cannot meet this request."

After closing her eyes for a moment, Camilla looked at me with a determined gaze and said clearly.

"It's a pity, you're also a citizen of Lastock ..."

"Wait, wait, if it's an apology, I'll do anything, just like I said earlier, if you ask me to be your comfort, I'll gladly give you this body. Even if it's impossible, I'll definitely pay it."

"Eh ..."

I expected it somewhere in my heart, but the words that came out of Camilla's mouth contained enough power to freeze me.

It doesn't even look like Camilla, who is desperately insistent, is lying.

"D, don't joke around! You said summoning and repatriation are based as a set ..."

"That's a lie ... a lie I prepared to prevent you guys from rioting, I'm sorry ..."

I couldn't find anything to say as I stood up from the sofa involuntarily.