Kenja no Mago
Volume 9 - The Astounding Invasion of the Devils
101 – Emergency
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(Flashing back in real-time with the demon group)
A few days before Pope Ekaterina was attacked.
In the former imperial capital within the demon's territory, Schtrom called Zest, the head of the intelligence unit, to speak with him.
"It seems like a lot of different things are now motion"
"Excuse me. I'm afraid I have foolishly hoped to find something for you to peruse, Master Schtrom."
"Hmm. I see. But I think it is better to put an end to that for now."
"What do you mean?"
"The results of Miss Miria's experiments finally arrived"
"Well, that's…" – hearing this news made Zest nervous.
After hearing about Schtrom's past, Miria had proposed an experiment. The contents of the experiment were very important, because it might determine the future of themselves, the devils.
The first stage of the experiment was successfully completed. After the completion, Zest and the other devils were waiting for the result, but he has been informed that the results had arrived.
"The results found are…"
Zest is holding his breath while waiting for the rest of the news.
(Switching back in realtime with the remaining group)
A call came in from Diseum asking for Shin's help; Pope Ekaterina had been stabbed with a poison blade and the poison could not be cured by normal means.
And by the time Shin went to Ys with Merlin, August and the others, who had sent Shin off, looked at each other with grimeace faces.
"Shin… Will you be in time?" – Thor worrisome words express everyone's inner thoughts.
"If she's still alive… I'm sure he can handle it. The only question is whether he'll get there in time…"
The gathered people have a great deal of faith in Shin. Everyone trusted him without a doubt that Shin would be able to heal anything but the dead. However, once you die, even Shin cannot revive the dead. That's why he will remind them often not to die. If you only suffer wounds and don't die, something could be done about it.
Knowing that he can use that much healing magic, he will manage the healing if only she is alive. Everyone here belong to the Creationist religion, whether they are devout or not. That's why they were was desperately praying that he would somehow make it in time while she was still alive.
At that moment. The bell on August's communication device rings again.
"Hello! Shin!? What's wrong!?"
Seeing Shin has just headed for Ys with gate moments earlier, August wonders why he is contacting him so soon, making him shout at the communicator… Imagining the worst scenarios.
"Sorry, August. I'm not Shin"
"…Oh, it is you father. I'm sorry for shouting at you."
"No, it is fine. You're worried about Ekaterina, so don't worry about it. More than that, I have bad news, about something horrible that has happened!"
Bad news coming from the king of the great kingdom of Earlshide. Those words send a chill down August's spine.
"What do you mean by 'bad news'?"
"I'm sorry, but hurry up to the frontline"
"To the front lines?"
"Oh, at the frontline… a disaster-class monster has appeared!"
"What? A disaster class?"
With the number of devils decreasing, the disaster class was believed to have proportionately decreased as well, but one had appeared. August grits his teeth at the words of Diseum, wondering if he had overlooked something. However, a disaster class is actually appearing at this very moment, he can't afford to regret this oversight right now.
"I understand! I'm heading out immediately!"
"Please do! I need you to move closer to the location via gate, and from there go to the frontline using a carriage at full speed! Is Mark-Bean there with you!?
"Mark! Your father needs you!"
"Oh, is it me this time?"
"It's an emergency! Quickly!"
"Y-ye-ye-yes! We-We have switched! This is M-Ma-Ma-Mark Bean!"
Mark, who had somewhat become accustomed to the situation that any ordinary person would be overwhelmed, like being name called by king and rebuked by the crown prince, oddly answers the communication device while biting his tongue.
"Mark! Did you work on the carriage itself at Bean's Workshop!?"
Diseum knew that the Bean's Workshop only manufactured and sold the parts for the carriages in order to avoid uproar in the market. However, Diseum had a certain suspicion.
"Ye-yes! We have created a larger one at the request of Wolford!"
"Yes, of course you did. In the name of Diseum, King of Earlshide, I command you! Use that carriage to send the Ultimate Magicians to the frontline! I'll tell Shin later! Move out!"
Diseum was convinced that there was no reason why Shin hadn't used his developed technology to make a carriage for himself. So he had decided beforehand that he would use Shin's carriage for this mission.
"Un-Understood!"
"Good! Then go!"
"Y-Ye-Yes!"
With that said, the communication from Diseum was cut off.
"So, Your Highness!"
"You heard what my father said! Let's get to the workshop now!"
"Understood"
Mark opens the gate to the workshop, which is also his home, and everyone walks through it. There was a single newly completed carriage inside the workshop.
"Dad!"
"Fool! I have told you to call me master when you are in the workshop!" - The workshop owner, Mark's father, screams out loudly as he stands next to the carriage.
"That's not the point! Wolford's carriage, can it be used soon?!"
"Ah? Yes. I'm ready to deliver the completed carriage any day now"
"It's an edict from His Majesty! We're going to have to use that carriage!
"Wai… an edict?!"
The carriage was built by Harold himself from start to finish at the Bean's Workshop, which was made-to-order by Shin. Since it would be for Shin himself, and wouldn't be sell to other people, Shin went all out and requested it with various functions without discretion. Why would Shin not use floating magic, or gate magic instead? That being said, it's simply his obsession for real traveling in pleasure as part of his journey that he desired for That's just among the reasons why men have a weakness for the phrase "state-of-the-art".
Such an outrageous carriage is said to be used under the command of the king. Harold Bean, the owner of Bean's workshop, was astonished and burdened at the call of "king's edict".
"I'm sorry, but I don't have time to explain! I'll tell Shin about the situation later! Where are the horses!?"
"Ye-Yes! If you don't mind using my horses…"
August tells the stunned Harold, to prepare the horses. This workshop has a carriage to deliver the completed items made by the workshop, using their own horses, although they are not special war horses. Incidentally, this were also the horses that pulled the carriage during shin's carriage test drive.
"That's fine with me! Please fit any carriage horse harness you can find! Hurry!"
"Ye-Yes!" Hey, bastards! Get the harnesses mounted on the double!"
"YES SIR!"
At August's command to hurry, the craftsmen in the workshop quickly install the harness and they are ready to leave.
"I'm sorry to put you on the spot! Mark, please assist! All aboard! We're leaving now!"
"Yes!"
August designates Mark as a coachman, who may be accustomed to maneuvering this new carriage, and instructs everyone else to board the carriage. They know the direction and head towards the frontline, which is located within demon's territory. The Gate is opened linking to the point where the Earlshide's Army and the Allied Forces of each country were jointly dealing with the disaster class demon.
"Mark, Go!"
"Understood!"
Mark immediately drives the carriage towards the gate at August's command. The craftsmen of Bean's Workshop gaze in amazement as August and the others suddenly appeared and left in a flash.
"All of the Ultimate Magicians are dispatched? What had happen to have such urgent … to leave in such a hurry…"
Harold mutters his thoughts which are being shared by all who are present there. And they were struck by the tremendous anxiety as to why the invincible group had been in such a hurry.
The carriage that passed through the gate was running toward the frontline where the surveillance network was established.
"Keep your heads inside the carriage, please! It's dangerous!"
Mark cautions the people in the carriage behind him, while coaching the horses as he transfers magical power into the harness from the coachman's seat.
That's how what it should be.
"Wow… is this really a carriage?" – Maria exclaimed.
"The scenery outside the window… is passing by at a speed I've never seen before…" – Julius cries out.
"And is not shaking that much to boot…" – Thor mutters.
"This is the carriage developed by Shin… he… made something ridiculous again…" – August moans.
This was because this carriage was running at an unprecedented speed.
Maria leaks a surprised voice, Julius is stunned by the scenery passing by at an unusual speed, and Thor wonders how little swaying there is at such a pace. August then sighs, in a way that could not be taken as either dismay or anger, at Shin, who created something ridiculous.
"However, thanks to the carriage Shin built, we'll be able to get to the site in no time."
Sicily defends Shin, with her position as his fiancée. And that was indeed true.
"Surely… I think Shin might have saved us again this time…"
"Oh, there's a fridge!"
August and the rest can't use levitation magic. Because of that, it would have taken them a long time to get to the scene, but thanks to the carriage developed by Shin, they can now reduce the time it takes to get there. August acknowledges he is saved by this, but the presence of the refrigerator that Alice has discovered makes his temples twitch.
"And this couch, it's fluffy."
"The inside of the carriage is bright, and if we weren't heading to the frontline for battle, it may appear that we're using this carriage to visit a resort."
"The regulated temperature it is nice too. As usual he doesn't pull his punches"
As Lynn says, the couch they're sitting on is very soft. As Tony indicated, there is a lamp probably made of magic stones that is always on. Even during this season when it feels chilly even though it is spring, the room has a comfortable temperature. This must also be temperature-controlled with magic stones.
– How much technology did he put into this carriage? Even though it wouldn't be put up for sale, August dreads at the fact that Shin had gone all out.
"Huh… well, don't you agree that you will not be exhausted… by the time we get to the site?"
Normally, August would have shouted at Shin because of his lack of common sense, but this time he decided to overlook it. It's because it's prioritized as an emergency. Thanks to this carriage, they should be able to arrive at the site in perfect condition.
And also because…
"But Shin will be disappointed. He was looking forward to the completion of this carriage."
August chuckles when Sicily worriedly mentions it.
Yes, August secretly feel sorry that they are the first to ride in the carriage that Shin had specially built instead of Shin himself, so August inwardly accepts his decision in not being too harsh on him.
By the way, August and the others in the cabin would not be drained of their strength during the travel, but what about Mark in the coachman seat? In fact, consideration were given not only to the luxurious and comfortable cabin, but attention to the details were also provided for the coachman's seat, running the carriage at high speed. Unlike the cabin, the coachman seat is exposed. When the carriage is driven at high speed, it will have a fairly strong wind clashing head on.
The human body can wear out unexpectedly when strong winds continue to clash with it. Therefore, consideration was given by activating wind magic around the coachman's seat to prevent the wind from impacting the coachman and exhausting his physical stamina. Naturally, this is also invoked by a constant supply of magical power from the magic stones.
The carriage is darting at a speed of about 60 kilometers per hour constantly. Typically, normal horses are not be able to pull a carriage at that speed, but this carriage is equipped with a power-assist. In addition, the horses wears magical harness that constantly restores his physical stamina, , allowing the carriage to continue at a breakneck speed even in comparison to Shin's previous life's knowledge … which is already beyond the norm of this world.
In the interior of the carriage, the cabin is partitioned by a curtain, and everyone but Mark had changed into battle gear. And after running for a few minutes, the frontline they were aiming for came into view.
"Your Highness! I can see it!"
"Ok! All members be ready for battle! Mark, when you stop the carriage, change your clothes and put the carriage in the dimensional-space storage before joining up with us!"
"What about the horses?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't be bothered with that detail! Release them and we will bring them back if they are safe. If they runs away or get injured during the agitation of battle… simply give up on the, the royal family will take responsibility for replacement cost"
"…Understood!"
"… I'm sorry about that. They are your family's horses. You may have an attachment to them…"
"No. This is an emergency. If I've to sacrifice myself for it, I'm willing to do it."
"I'm sorry… your faces are being slapped all over the place for the sake of human convenience…"
The carriage built by Shin could be stored in an alternative dimension space, but not living things. August apologizes to Mark, and to the horses as well, since the horses may be killed for his own convenience.
"Your Highness… Thank you very much…"
"What are you saying? All we have to do is protect these horses from harm. Let's get out there!"
The frontline is approaching in front of them. On August's orders, everyone climbed up to the roof from inside the carriage.
Jet boots activate! Let's go!"
"Oh!"
"I'll be there in a minute myself!"
Everyone except for Mark literally fly over the frontline soldiers, who once again are engaged with an unprecedented opponent, a "horde of disaster-class demons, while using their jet boots. Then, after stopping the carriage and changing into his combat gear inside the cabin, Mark detached the horses from the carriage and stored the carriage in the alternative dimensional space storage.
Then…
"You better survive, okay?"
Then Mark slaps the horses' behind. The sudden impacts cause the horses to gallop away from that place.
"…I'll pick you up later."
Mark remarks, and then he too activates his jet boots to rush towards the battlefield.
(Another flashback at the frontline before present time)
Meanwhile before August and the rest arrive at the frontline.
In the middle of the Earlshide's camp, a watchtower was set up. From there, soldiers are observing through a telescope that had been enchanted with far-sight magic.
"No sign of life in Demon City today… "
The old imperial capital occupied by demons within the demon territory. The name 'Demon City' was given among the soldiers as it's now commonly called.
From the frontline where this surveillance network is established, that Demon City cannot be seen through the naked eye. The surveillance network was placed in a position where this Demon City could barely be observed by using a magic tool with a far-sight magic enchantment. The monitoring is done from such far away point because it was concluded that this was the best way to monitor Schtrom and the others demons without provoking them.
After marching to this position a few days ago and related communication was provided to other allied nation's armies, the coordianted armies were finally able to camp themselves in this position. With the surveillance network completed, it was just a matter of monitoring the Demon City and relay the communication of any possible abnormality.
Although the Ultimate Magicians must visit later to prepare gate points in case something were to occur that would need immediate intervention; the soldiers have an unfounded belief that such a situation will not happen any time soon. It's not too surprising to have such idealistic thinking. After defeating the devils that had attacked each country, no disaster-class demons had appeared, and they were able to march up to this very point rather smoothly. The initial sense of urgency had faded while the operation progressed without issues, the soldiers felt that this mission could be completed without any problems.
One of the soldiers that is tasked with the observations spotted something through the magic tools in the distance with this relaxed state in mind.
"Hmm? The gates along the Demon City's walls are opened?"
"What?"
One of the soldiers in charge of surveillance noticed that the gates of the wall surrounding the Demon City were opened, and leaks a mutter that was heard by other soldier. The nearby soldier who hears the muttering also looked into the far-sight magic tool and confirmed the exact same situation.
"It's true… they were closed earlier, weren't they?"
"Oh, what is this…?"
The soldier who uttered earlier that gasps. Because…
Because from inside the gate, a large army of demons came out.
"La-la-large army of demons…"
The soldier couldn't believe his eyes. Because the demons that came out were…
"Huh? Am I going blind? They all look like disaster-class…"
"No… It looks like way to me too…"
It was because they were all disaster-class. Convinced that they were both seeing the same thing, the soldier on surveillance duty shouted to the soldiers under the watchtower.
"A large number of disaster-class demons have appeared from the Demon City! Relay to all the troops immediately! It's an emergency!"
The soldiers who are waiting under the watchtower are momentarily stunned after hearing the news, but then they return to their senses and dash towards the canopy where the communication devices are stationed. The news gets reported to all the involved nations that a large number of disaster-class demons have emerged from the Demon City, and this information is sent to August via the Diseum.
"Damn! His highnesses have never been here before. We can't get his help in time!"
Although the soldier has just relayed the message, how long does it take for the Ultimate Magicians in the Earlshide's Royal Capital to reach here? The army managed to defeat one disaster-class demon before, but there are dozens of disaster-class demons coming out of the Demon City now.
To put it bluntly, this is more of a state of emergency than an abnormal situation. Will they be able to stop this demon horde's advance? More importantly, will they be able to survive from this?
The soldiers began to prepare for the battle in desperation. Then, a few minutes after reporting the emergency, the demons, the demons finally come into sight as they can't arrive immediately due to the distance from the Demon City.
"Wha-What the hell is that…?"
he soldiers that are stationed in front areas near the camp's barricading walls, built by earth magic, are stunned when they see the horde of demons that came into view. The horde of demons comprises in addition to the standard disaster-class demons such as tigers, lions, and bears, there were also wolves that rarely reached disaster-class, deers based on the report from the other day for the first time, as well as incredibly large boars, rhinoceroses, and even the originally gigantic elephants that reached disaster-class.
"Ah, ah, ah… what is this…?"
"Morons! Don't stand around like idiots! Magic Division! Fire your magic barrage at full force. Knight Division, get ready to chare in with the intention of sacrificing yourselves!"
"WOOOOOO!" - The soldiers' shouts filled with half desperation while staring at the hopeless scene deemed to be so unrealistic.
"FIRE!!"
The magic rounds of the magic division is unleashed all at once at the commander's order.
During this march of more than half a year, the magic division has not neglected its training in controlling its magic power, and the intensity of its magic power level fired as a result is much faster and more ferocious than ever before. And then that magic salvos land on a smaller group of demons with a flashy explosion. But the opponent are disaster-class level. None of the soldiers believe that they can take on the demons with such feeble magic.
"Knights! Activate Jet-boots!"
When the smoke clears up after the magical bombardment, the Knights step forward after the initial attack. Then…
"Chargeee!!"
The knights activate their jet boots and pounce on the demons that are beyond the clearing smoke. Even if the demons are not defeated immediately from the first attack, there are demons that have been damaged by the increased level of magic barrage, and the knights slash at those demons during this opportunity.
"Don't linger in one place for too long! Once you've done some damage, take off!"
The knights use hit-and-run tactics very thoroughly, inflicting damages and withdrawing, and then the magic division unleashes magical attacks afterwards.
Possibly as a results of that battle strategy, the soldiers are able to defeat some of the demons that are rushing in ahead of the pack. They were able to do it but…
"Damn it! These crazy numbers!"
The incoming numbers are extraordinary. Moreover, they are all demons that have reached disaster-class and have huge bodies. Then through the flesh and blood of the titanic demons that are defeated, even more monstrous demons rush in. It is a scene straight out of hell.
The soldiers are barely managing to hold the frontline through the cooperation of the knight and magic divisions, but they are slowly being pushed back by the incoming demons. The deaths from the campaign so far had been few and far between throughout the operations, quickly skyrockets in the blink of an eye.
"Damn! Damn! We were so close!"
One of the soldiers who has prepared for his own death shouts unintentionally, staring ruefully at the crumbling front lines. Such a bad timing. Even though the surveillance network has been established, it is now useless without the Ultimate Magicians being here. They never dreamed such an event like this to come about without being ready to face it.
Since it comes to this, they have no choice but to take down as many demons as possible to reduce the total numbers of demons. This is their desperate resolution they made with themselves. The soldier's eyes go blank for a moment, and then a huge lightning strikes the demons with a thunderous sound.
The soldiers are suddenly robbed of their vision, but when they look around with their restored vision, what they see… are the monsters that had been attacking them until moments ago are scorched black and collapsing.
A huge lightning strike… The power to slaughter a disaster-class demon with a single blow. The soldier turned back in anticipation, knowing that that there is only one person that can release such insane magic. And that one person is…
"Soldiers, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting! We'll take care of the rest!"
It was Prince August and the Ultimate Magicians, clad in lightning all over their bodies and standing on top of the earth barricade.
(Editor: Hah! You thought it was Shin didn't you!?)