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Chapter 110 【Domination】
"General Leah and the hundred under her command! We have just returned from Harnest!"
"...Hmm, thank you for your hard work."
In the royal capital of Corcut, Keiron, in the royal castle. In the audience chamber, my lord Seatham-sama deeply nodded while sitting on the throne. He had white hair and a slender figure, and the few wrinkles around the mouth hinted at the hardships endured. However, there was a somewhat vacant expression, which caught my attention.
"I will hear the report another day... I am tired."
"Tired... Wait, Your Majesty!"
Ignoring my voice trying to stop him, he unilaterally concluded the audience and withdrew into the inner chambers. Indeed, he seemed tired, but he didn't even hear the report on the flooding of monsters let alone about the cancellation of the joint military exercises.
After leaving the audience chamber, I headed to Rugolf-dono's quarters. To verify the truth of what I heard from Kyrie-dono and others. However, what really bothered me was His Majesty's condition.
"Something is strange..."
He was usually gentle, prioritizing his vassals and the people over himself. It's inconceivable that such a person would claim to be tired without listening to any reports and just withdraw into his inner chambers.
"What's strange? Onee-chan!"
"Oops!"
A blonde woman leaped from behind, causing me to lose a bit of balance. I, too engrossed in my thoughts, failed to notice her approach. There's also the fact that she's skilled at masking her presence.
"Bute, it's dangerous to suddenly jump like that. You're not a child anymore."
Her name is Bute. Like me, she served Seatham-sama and was supposed to be the commander leading a division, but she just couldn't seem to shake off her childishness. I didn't really understand why she called me 'Onee-chan' when we weren't blood-related...
"Well, I was just so happy to see you again, onee-chan!"
"It's been only about two weeks since we last met..."
"Bute, that's enough. Don't trouble Leah too much."
A tall man with dark skin and white hair grabbed Bute's collar and lifted her up. Seemed I was really absent-minded not to notice his presence.
"Come on, Garp, don't ruin my reunion with onee-chan!"
In the grip of Garp, Bute frowned and resisted with punches and kicks. Despite her efforts, she couldn't reach Garp, who stood over two meters tall, with her relatively smaller limbs.
"Let her down, Garp. The usual routine, isn't it?"
"You never change, Leah. Whether you have a big heart or you're just being a good person."
With a toss, Garp casually threw her, and she rotated like a cat in the air before landing gracefully. Then, she lunged at Garp.
"Hey! What's with that treatment towards a lady? Seriously, it's the worst!"
"A lady... huh."
"You got something to say? If you have, say it clearly."
"Could you both stop fighting..."
As usual, I stepped in to stop the usual scene.
The three of us have been friends since childhood, so-called childhood friends. There's Garp, a half-blood of the giant and demon races, and Bute, who persistently calls me 'onee-chan'. Before becoming soldiers, we used to play together since childhood, and now we work together as soldiers.
"By the way, Leah, you seemed in a hurry. Where are you headed?"
"To Rugolf-dono's private quarters. There's something I need to discuss in confidence."
"Rugolf-dono... Not someone we hear good rumors about. I may not be in a position to say much about his background either."
"Onee-chan, I'm coming too!"
It was expected for Bute to say this. Normally, I would refuse, but if Rugolf-dono were to go berserk, I'd feel vulnerable alone. With her and Garp, the three of us would feel more secure.
"Alright, come along."
"Yay!"
"Garp, will you join us too? It would be reassuring with both of you."
"Huh, even Garp? Ugh, onee-chan, you're too soft."
While chuckling at Bute's pouting, Garp nodded.
"We'll catch up on things later."
"Let's finish the business quickly and then enjoy some interesting stories."
"Mmm, onee-chan..."
Quickly, huh? If what Kyrie-dono said was true, it wouldn't be a straightforward matter. With a brief knock, we entered Rugolf-dono's room after receiving a somewhat irritated response. The gloomy demon with black hair, who seemed uninterested in welcoming guests, lay lazily on the sofa.
"Excuse us, Rugolf-dono. We have a few things to inquire about."
"Ugh, it's such a hassle... As you can see, I'm tired."
"I apologize for bothering you in such a state. However, it's an important matter."
"Important matter...? You mean, like Taltus-sama trying to take over the kingdom's territory...?"
"W-What...!?"
Did he just say that...? He confessed so easily before we even asked...!?
"S-So, um... the story about the attacks on the regular army and demi-human forces being staged...!"
"That's true... Well, you're done here, right? If so, then that's enough... yawn."
What was he thinking? I couldn't read Rugolf's thoughts. Confessing unfavorable information without even being asked about it. What was the meaning of this attitude? It was as if he knew I was coming and the content of the conversation in advance...
"...Alright, if you're done, then... Judas."
The moment Rugolf called out to the empty space, a vortex of wind swept through the room. I shielded my face from the gust, and when the wind subsided, a woman in a robe appeared.
"Hey, who are you...!"
"Nice to meet you, Leah-san. I'm Judas, the Oracle of Paladis."
"Paladis... meaning you're working with Taltus-sama—no, Taltus's collaborator...!"
"Huh? Did you just casually call Taltus-sama by his first name...?"
Rugolf, rising from the sofa, expressed his anger.
"I don't care, Taltus's rebellion is now clear."
"Rugolf, I'll report this matter to King Seatham! Await the consequences!"
"Huh? Seatham...? Hey, don't you realize it yet? He's already my puppet. Just like those two over there..."
In the next moment, Rugolf flaunted the bracelet on his left arm.
"Aha, onee-chan♪"
"What...!"
Bute hugged me from behind, and Garp drew his sword, pressing it against my neck.
"This is my Gift, the power of 【Domination】... Didn't you hear it from the hero? Or maybe you thought it was a Gift that could only control monsters... Kukuku..."
"You... are manipulating the two of them...! Even King Seatham!"
"More precisely, Seatham and the Prime Minister, as well as a few ministers and generals... In short, the top figures of this country are all under my control... I just used 【Domination】 when they entered the room a moment ago..."
Damn it... then this country is...!
"In other words, this country is practically under the control of our Lord Taltus. Fuwa..."
"Ugh... let go, Bute! Garp!"
This is bad, the situation is bad! Bute's strength is too much, I can't break free!
"I hate troublesome things, you know... So I just pass them on to someone else. I'll just sleep, and those I control will handle the fighting and work as ordered... Isn't that the best...?"
The gem emitted a black brilliance.
An uncomfortable sensation flowed into my head.
Right after that, my consciousness was abruptly cut off.
●●●
The three demon generals stood near the entrance with vague expressions. Bute, Garp, and Leah, now puppets devoid of self-awareness, faithfully carried out the given orders. With the work seemingly done, Rugolf sprawled on the sofa.
"Fuahhh... increased the number again... Hey, I did what I was told, but I did say it's tiring... Why the hell add three more?"
"Thank you for your hard work, Rugolf-san. This is for my plan, necessary pawns. Now, all that's left is to lure the hero to this castle and finish them off in a favorable situation. If we kill the hero and obtain the other half of the Saint, Lord Lucius will surely be pleased."
"Well, that's nice... Faaah, thinking is a pain, and I leave all the strategies to you."
"Troublesome, is it? Quite different from the grandpa who left his name in history as a paragon of curiosity."
"...Tch, don't talk about the old man. I went through a lot because of him."
Smirking at Rugolf's displeasure, the prophet raised the corners of her mouth.
She knew Rugolf's reasons for favoring Chimera, the source of its strength, and the origin of its personality. She laughed at him with that knowledge.
"My apologies. Leave everything to me. I will make use of everything and make sure everything goes smoothly. Ufufu."
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