Manowa: Intermission 3

Intermission 3: Queen of the Setting Sun


That day, Minshiana's Royal Capital Shubain was embroiled in tumult.

Everyone doubted their eyes at the scene in front of them. Outside the city was a cloud of dust behind a throng of giants. It was the appearance of a swarm of Ogres, a horde that surpassed the『Berserk Ogre Swarm Subjugation』disaster that befell Winlard. There were more than 1000 Ogres, and they would soon be close enough to threaten the Royal Capital Shubain.

The people were filled with fear and astonishment, and they wondered if every Ogre in the Zaltsu Mountains and Black Stone Forest had gathered together. But the Minshiana army had noticed the horde before the public and were extremely calm as they prepared to deal with the swarm. It might be different if it was another city, but the soldiers knew the outcome of the battle had been decided the moment they attacked Minshiana's capital.

And when the preparations were finished, the young heir to the throne urged his white dragon forward at the head of the capital's army of 1500 soldiers, and they calmly advanced. The fearful voices of the people transformed into cheers for the soldiers.



◎ Minshiana Kingdom, Royal Capital Shubain, Royal Castle Delgura, Army Executive Room


「Hm. It seems the war situation is moving favorably for us.」

An hour had already passed since the start of the battle by the time Dios Galbaros appeared in the army executive room, which had become the emergency tactical command room.

「General Dios, I never thought you would arrive so early.」

General Dios' adjutant was there and had ushered General Dios into the room. The adjutant saying General Dios arrived early when an hour had already passed wasn't sarcasm, since General Dios had a reasonable excuse.

「No, being this late is inexcusable.」

General Dios had gone to inspect the rank A dungeon『Golden Ruins』in Gordios City yesterday. Then he heard about the Ogre invasion at dawn, so he rushed back with the Flying Dragon Service.

「Status report.」

「Yes. The army is currently marching in formation with Prince Sieg at the head. The connection between the White Sword and the Naga Line is already complete, and we've witnessed the firing of three White Fangs so far. Around half the Ogres have been annihilated by those, so it has changed into a cleanup battle.」

「I see. And where is Her Majesty the Queen?」

「She is standing by in the throne room.」

「It seems she isn't planning to go out to the front.」

The adjutant smiled bitterly at General Dios' words.

「Since it's a valuable opportunity for the prince to play the leading role, she probably wants to demonstrate Minshiana's white dragon and White Sword possessing hero. If she went herself she would likely annihilate them in 5 minutes.」

「......What a dreadful person.」

Without noticing the slight pause before General Dios' words, the adjutant replied「Truly.」

「I wonder if a person who can win against that lady exists, especially now that she has obtained those Accumulators.」

「That's true. Well then, I'll go greet the queen. I have to apologize for being late in such a situation.」

「It couldn't be helped. There was no method to return faster from Gordios City than the Flying Dragon Service.」

General Dios shook his head after the adjutant spoke.

「It's the military's responsibility for not grasping the situation earlier, and my responsibility. It's not something that will end with a mere reprimand.」

So saying, General Dios flourished his cloak and left the executive room while being saluted by the adjutant and other soldiers in that place.



◎ Minshiana Kingdom, Near Royal Capital Shubain


「Connection with the Naga line complete. Charge!」

Prince Sieg held the White Sword with both hands and thrust it toward the sky as he spoke, and a large-scale magic circle developed around him. Then a huge amount of Magic Power poured into the White Sword through the magic circle, and a white light filled the center of the divided sword.

Although he fired it in Rock Hold Cave previously, that glow now contained dozens of times more Magic Power than before. The Magic Power surging from the sword became a huge pillar of light that extended into the sky, and then,

「Gooo, White Fangggg!!!」

Prince Sieg immediately swung downward.

Then the huge White Fang instantly gouged out the earth and swallowed up dozens of Ogres. It was the maximum strength attack fired by pouring the huge amount of magical power flowing around the area into the White Sword.

Like the other major cities, Royal Capital Shubain was built in a place where the Naga Line intersected and magical power accumulated. And the treasured『White Sword』was the intermediary through which that huge energy became power to protect the city.

It was called the cornerstone of the Minshiana Kingdom's national defense, like Tsuvara's Guardian Beast『Ruby Griffon』, Soldard's Guardian Knight『Elbaron』, Hyvern's God Spear『Gungnir』, Orto Empire's Black Idol『Deus Ex』, Anemone Kingdom's Guardian Dragon『Kuro』, etc. It was the country protecting strongest weapon.


「How many are left?」

After the wind that arose from White Fang's influence died down and the large-scale magic circle was released by the surrounding court magicians, Sieg moved from where the center of the circle had been and asked that to his escort, Sakyure.

「There are around 300 remaining? That's what it seems like, Sieg-sama.」

Sakyure conveyed the words of the distance viewing spell using magician beside her to Prince Sieg.

「Is that so? Then I will whittle down the number of monsters a little more. Karza, let's go!」

After Prince Sieg's words, the white dragon Karza waiting behind roared, then lowered his head so Prince Sieg could climb aboard. When Sakyure saw that she panicked and tried to stop him.

「Please wait, prince. As should be expected, you won't be able to connect to the Naga Line for a while, so you should leave the rest to the soldiers and withdraw.」

Although Sakyure spoke because she was worried about the prince in front of her who was about to fight further, Prince Sieg smiled and shook his head.

「What's wrong? I haven't used up my own power yet, and look.」

4 Accumulators were hanging from the prince's waist.

「With the new power Kazane has given to our country, I can still fight. I can shoot down many monsters and save many soldiers.」

「Prince!」

Without heeding Sakyure's cry, Prince Sieg flew away with the white dragon Karza.


「Really, since when has he been so splendid?」

Sakyure sighed as she watched the back of the ascending white dragon Karza. And Sakyure wondered why boys grew so fast. They became so reliable, then sadly, it felt like they immediately afterward left her strike zone. Without knowing Sakyure's feelings, Prince Sieg went to the battlefield together with Karza.

And the name『White Dragon King Sieg』resounded on the battlefield. The battle with the Ogres would shortly be resolved. And it seemed like the name of the country's young hero would once again be made known.


However, the『true nature』of this disturbance wasn't there. It was at the center of the country, the Royal Castle Delgura. The focus would become known in the throne room.



◎ Royal Castle Delgura, Throne Room


「Your Majesty the Queen Yuuko, excuse me.」

The door opened, and General Dios entered the throne room.

All members of the Royal Knights were lined up, and Queen Yuuko Waiti Shubaina was sitting on the throne, with Roger the Royal Knight Leader and the Vice-Leader to her left and right.

「General Dios, I appreciate your hard work for expressly returning from Gordios City.」

General Dios shook his head after Queen Yuuko's appreciative words.

「No, it's a crisis for the country. More importantly, I'm truly sorry for the army's failure on this occasion.」

So saying, General Dios deeply bowed his head. It was true that the military was largely responsible for not noticing the horde of Ogres approaching the capital city, but Queen Yuuko replied「It couldn't be helped」after Dios' words.

「I was contacted just now. It seems that all the soldiers at the guard posts on that throng's route were killed. It seems one fort also fell. It was reconnaissance from above using flying dragons, though, so it hasn't been investigated yet.」

Minshiana also had a flying dragon corps, though it wasn't to Hyvern's degree. Like in other countries, the flying dragon corps was seen as a unit to mainly focus on reconnaissance rather than battle. Few countries relied on dragon mounts for fighting power like Hyvern.

「What in the world. Then this disturbance is intentional, unlike the Winlard Ogre affair... something like that?」

Yuko deeply nodded after General Dios's words.

「Well, that's how it is. It wouldn't be strange for those idiots in Soldard to pick a fight with our country and attack again, but doing it like this would be odd, right?」

「Well, since sending monsters at the royal capital like this simply makes them prey for the White Sword.」

The existences that guarded the countries all possessed overwhelming power. That had already been proven by the Ogre annihilation.  Under normal circumstances, attacking a capital was something that was done after shaving off a country's territory.

「That's right. I suppose they might have been sent to assess the ability of the White Sword.」

「I can't say it's impossible. There hasn't been a user of the White Sword for quite some time.」

It hadn't been publicly announced, but it was true that the royal family hadn't produced a person who could use the White Sword for several generations. That was why Yuuko Miihara, a person from another world with uncertain social status, could become queen simply because she could use the White Sword.

「By the way, General Dios.」

「Yes?」

The circlet on Queen Yuuko's forehead glittered.

「I'm sorry for asking immediately after your return, but could you tell me why your subordinates entered the treasury?」

「It was entered?」

General Dios tilted his head.

「I'm asking why the group that came with you on the Flying Dragon Service went to search the treasury immediately after they disembarked. Can I hear your answer?」

Together with those words, all the Royal Knights in that place pointed their spears at Dios.

「I don't know what you're talking about.」

General Dios said, but that didn't affect the queen. The Horus Eye Circlet on her forehead saw through everything. And that was something even the『real』General Dios didn't know.

「What is your aim? Ah, are you seeking Hagas' heart?」

General Dios stared in wonder after Queen Yuuko's words.

「Gore-san of Envy? The Seven Deadly Sins? Isn't that excessively Chuuni?」

「Anti-magic defense!」

Roger felt the bloodlust from Queen Yuuko and ordered everyone to hide behind their greatshields.

「Wait, I am General Dios...」


「You're a devil, aren't you.」


The moment she said that, a magic circle formed under General Dios' feet. General Dios tried to jump away, but he was too late. A vigorous blue flame spouted from the magic circle set as a trap, enveloping General Dios.

「Uoooooo!!!??」

With that excessive amount of heat, Roger felt the fear of being burned to a crisp, even with the magic defense greatshield he possessed. No human being could live through that. Roger had heard that an impostor of General Dios would be coming to the throne room beforehand, and he thought everything was settled, so he looked at Queen Yuko,


「You did it, Your Majes.... run awayyy!?」


And issued an evacuation order to all his subordinates. It wasn't over. When he saw the queen's eyes, Roger ran past her at full speed. His subordinates followed him. The person they should protect, without any compromises, no matter the situation, chanted a spell.


「Spell・Last Magic・Corona Gate!!」


Then the strongest explosion struck the throne room.


Everyone in the royal capital, and even the people outside on the battlefield, could see that radiance, as if the sun had descended to the surface.


Then those people saw something black fly out of the smoke violently billowing from the red melted wall of what looked like the throne room's position, along with a huge fire dragon chasing after it.


『Summoning the Bursting Flame Dragon Salamandra with Corona Gate? Are you really human?』


The black monster that left the throne room and was spreading his wings in the sky over Royal Castle Delgura said. That wasn't a joke, but a serious question. If Queen Yuuko's words were correct, that monster was called Gore of Envy.


「You're saying something rude. Right, Yukei?」

Queen Yuuko was calm as she replied while riding on the head of the Bursting Flame Dragon Salamandra. And beside her was Queen Yuuko's Heroic Spirit, the Witch of Annihilation『Yukei』.

『That's a Heroic Spirit. In other words, you are a player after all. If so, there's a high possibility that you have it. There would be no reason to hide it in some place like the treasury.』

「Well now. That's irrelevant to you, since you'll die here.」

Gore smiled back at the meaningfully smiling Queen Yuuko to hide his lack of composure.

「Let's do it, Yukei.」

「Understood, Yuuko-chan」

Queen Yuuko smiled wryly at the Onee-san style personality her Heroic Spirit Yukei possessed as she took four rings out of her Item Box and threw them into the sky. The thrown rings immediately started floating and span around Queen Yuuko.

And Gore could see Queen Yuuko's magical power rising.

(She can raise her power even further!?)

Gore shuddered. She had requested that enchanted item called an Ouroboros Circle when she visited Johnz Batroa's workshop, and it amplified her magical power. The rings synchronized with the bangles on both of her arms which acted as staff substitutes, which meant her magic could express its maximum effect.


『Hahaha, if I don't fight seriously it seems like I'll lose.』

Gore recognized she wasn't an opponent he could hold back against, and a dreadful amount of magical power was released as he removed his limiter and sprang forward.


「That's just fine! Bring it on!!」

「But you might be overestimating your own ability a little.」

Queen Yuuko and the Heroic Spirit Yukei smiled at each other as they went to meet his attack. The two were nicknamed『The Witch of Annihilation』. They were by no means looking down on their opponent as they said those words. The two accurately understood that there was that degree of ability difference.


And the clash after that was a battle in the realm of the gods, which humans of that era had probably never seen. Black flames flew about, many light spheres resembling the sun were born, and the Royal Castle Delgura was being destroyed.

While screaming from the heat of the melted castle surface, Roger helped people take refuge inside when it appeared that Queen Yuuko and Yukei would continually fire the magic that deserved its status as a Grimoire Last Chapter spell without considering anything nearby.

From appearances, and in actuality, it was clear that the superior power in the match was trending toward Queen Yuuko. Her spell didn't have the highest power among Grimoire Last Chapter spells, since it was an area of effect attack, but that meant even the fast moving Gore couldn't escape the range of its effect. The attacks were one by one shaving off Gore's Astral Body.

(What a monster. She hasn't actually abandoned being human, right?)

Gore thinking so was understandable. Due to her Accumulators, Queen Yuuko was spending Magic Power like water, and she was cooperating with her max level Heroic Spirit Yukei, so even the highest ranking devil Gore wasn't a match.

Then Queen Yuuko and Yukei's finishing blow, the Corona Gate collaboration technique『Sunrise』directly hit Gore. After having most of his Astral Body shaved off by that attack, Gore's strength was finally exhausted, and he crashed into the Royal Castle Delgura's courtyard.


「Motherーーー!!」

Chasing after Gore, who was at death's door, Queen Yuuko descended to the courtyard with the Bursting Flame Dragon Salamandra, and Prince Sieg joined her there on his white dragon. The Royal Knight leader Roger and other Minshiana forces entered the courtyard and surrounded the devil.

「Sieg, withdraw.」

So saying, Queen Yuuko descended from Salamandra and walked over to Gore. Yukei behind her was already disappearing into particles of light due to the summoning time limit. But she could handle the rest without the help of her Heroic Spirit.

『Ku... you really aren't human, are you.』

Then Gore grumbled his genuine impression to the approaching Queen Yuuko. As a highest ranking devil, the power of Queen Yuuko before him was too abnormal.

But Queen Yuuko laughed scornfully at the devil's words.

「I don't want to hear that from a devil who has abandoned his humanity.」

So saying, Queen Yuko held out her hand. The purpose of this devil was the heart of the Black Dragon Hagas. What he intended to use it for was unclear, but if she eradicated the culprit here there should be no problem, and when she was about to give the finishing blow,


「It looks like the heart isn't inside her Item Box, Gore.」


Black lightning fell on Queen Yuuko together with those sudden words. Then a scream echoed in the courtyard.


「Mother!?」

At that sight, Prince Sieg jumped down from the white dragon Karza and ran toward his mother. But his legs stopped halfway. Then Prince Sieg's expression stiffened as he looked toward a certain point.

He noticed that there was a boy standing between Queen Yuuko and Gore. But nobody in that place had noticed the boy was there until now. It was a boy with black hair, black eyes, with features exactly like a『Japanese』person.


「You are.... no way.」

Despite being damaged by the black lightning, Queen Yuuko tried to stand, and she made a surprised expression when she looked at the boy. It wasn't a face she recognized. But Queen Yuuko had an idea about his identity. Then the boy nodded and affirmed Queen Yuuko's prediction.


「My name is Age of Greed. I was formerly a person of your kind.」


「After all... that's how it is?」

Queen Yuuko properly understood those words. She realized that the boy in front of her was the devil of a former player. And the devil who named himself Age continued to talk to Queen Yuuko with a composed expression.

「But, sorry. It's regrettable, but I can't let you finish off Gore. Before I knew it, Diablo of Pride and Zoaral of Sloth were defeated. Any more Sin positions becoming empty would be a little troubling, right?」

So saying, he lifted the fallen Gore. Under normal circumstances, the soldiers should absolutely move to capture the boy, but the intimidating air given off by the being with the appearance of a boy meant that not a single person was able to approach. They would be killed if they moved. Their survival instincts were telling them so.

「Wai... wait!」

Queen Yuuko was the only one able to push aside the pressure and move, and she shouted as she stood. But that was the best even she could do. The black lightning running around her body robbed Queen Yuko's freedom and didn't allow further action.

「However, if you don't have it, then I guess that Ao returned with it after all? Or maybe that suspicious Ogre Killing Princess?」

Age said with a little chuckle, and Queen Yuuko's expression didn't change, but she was inwardly flustered. The person in front of her was dangerous. He wasn't an opponent that Kazane and the others could currently win against.

But even if she thought so, the black lightning was gradually reaping Queen Yuuko's consciousness. Queen Yuuko realized that it was probably a kind of Curse, but that was completely too late. Age watched her with satisfaction,

「Well, shall I check at my leisure?」

And said that as he calmly disappeared in front of everyone's eyes.


「Wai, wait!」

「Capture that guy!」

「What did you do to my mother?!」


At the same time, the previously frozen surrounding people were able to move again and started running.


「Well, see ya.」


So saying, Age and Gore instantly vanished. At the same time, Queen Yuuko quickly opened the Window and booted up the email.

(Bad, bad, this is bad!!?)

As it was, that group's hands would definitely stretch toward her best friends. As Prince Sieg and the others screamed Queen Yuuko's name and ran toward her, Queen Yuuko single-mindedly wrote with the floating keyboard.


「Send!!」


Then Queen Yuuko pressed the Enter key with the last of her power as her consciousness faded.