Manowa: Intermission 7

 Intermission 7 - Kingdom's Guardian Deity


Soldard Kingdom.


The country was formerly on the verge of a direct confrontation with the neighboring Minshiana Kingdom, but a man named Barom Soldard suddenly appeared and usurped the kingship, so it was currently in a state of civil war between Barom and the aristocrats who escaped.


Though with that said, the only royal family member remaining was the third princess, Mirière Soldard, and since her husband was Barom, the current king, the aristocrats couldn't obtain sufficient just cause. Moreover, Barom was simply letting those who had the power to resist him swim free until the domestic purge was finished to a certain extent.

Brazen opposition was easier to manage than secret resistance. While the expelled aristocrats acted like that, Barom was thoroughly suppressing the eminent aristocrats and continuing to remake the country as he wished.


「Barom, the sky is dark today, don't you think?」

「Indeed. It will probably rain this evening. This cold wind may be poisonous to your stomach. It would be best to go inside soon.」


Royal Castle Barolga at the center of Royal Capital Mauerdent. On the balcony for the exclusive use of the royal family was Mirière Soldard, the current queen who was once called third princess.

After he talked to the woman with a very young appearance, Barom started walking to the throne room. He was still a young man, just over 20 years old. However, his expression was like that of a veteran warrior.


「Good grief, she's easygoing.」

『Well, that's right. She's considerably tough in her own way.』


A voice from somewhere replied to the words Barom muttered when he entered the throne room.


『She understands that a stupid woman is desirable for you. Once her child is born, she'll probably link hands with the aristocrats outside and set out to assassinate you.』

「You're the one inciting her that way, aren't you?」

While saying that, Barom sat down on the throne with a thud.

『It could be said that she's obeying precisely because such feed is before her. She has nothing left but resentment toward the street boy who got her pregnant.』

Barom laughed at that voice.

「Even though all her blood relatives were killed by me, she's so shameless. If that blood is a requirement for succession, it makes me want to dispose of her as soon as possible.」

『That would be troubling. For me, the disappearance of Soldard's lineage would be the same as losing myself.』

「In any case, I'm sure you've secured a blood relative I don't know about.」

After Barom's sarcastic words, the voice laughed.

『A person with the king's blood taking the throne back from a usurper is a classic tale, don't you think?』

「Tch, you're the same as ever, Elbaron. The moment I thought that you'd returned after a long time, you're like that?」

『Even if you say that I've returned, this has always been my only real body.』


The owner of that voice was a white armor about 4 meters tall standing behind the throne. No one was inside it, but there was certainly a presence coming from it, as well as that voice.


The true character of that armor was Soldard's Guardian Armament, Guardian Knight『Elbaron』.


Similar to Minshiana's treasured『White Sword』, Tsuvara's Guardian Beast『Ruby Griffon』, and Hyvern's God Spear『Gungnir』, it was an armor possessing its own will that could connect to the Magical Power River and wield mighty power. And like Norman from Hyvern, he was also a being called a god.

Barom Soldard, who came from the streets, won the throne not only because he married the princess, but also because this Elbaron recognized Barom. Barom asked that Elbaron.


「Setting aside your real body, your consciousness should have been possessing that armor. If I remember correctly, weren't you supposed to be doing something in Lindo Kingdom?」


After Barom's words, Elbaron seemed a little happy as he replied.


『We failed.』

「... Hou.」


Barom's eyes narrowed after those words.


「That's been a constant thing recently.」

『Not really, but, well, this time was because a stupid companion playfully made a move on an opponent we should have avoided. He suffered a painful burn and went scurrying home.』

「What's with that. There's an opponent you guys fear?」

Barom laughed with amusement.

『Aye. In various meanings, it's an opponent who's tough to turn our hands to. The『White Party』became that strong in just a few months.』

「Hou. I've heard that name before.」

Barom recalled that they were a genuine Dragon Slayer party that had killed several dragons in the last few months. He had also heard that they had a close relationship with the central figures of Minshiana and Hyvern, but naturally, Barom never expected that their name would be said here.


「What did they do? No, they stopped what you guys were trying to do?」

『The erosion of Lindo Kingdom was taking a considerable amount of time. We tried to set an example and display our strength by disposing of a man who was hindering us along with the city he was living in, but...』

「How sloppy.」

『In the end, it was a child's idea.』

After Elbaron curtly answered, Barom laughed.

『I was simply a helper.』

Barom laughed even harder after Elbaron said that excuse, but after a short time, he stopped laughing and spoke a brief comment.


「That's an awful story.」


『However, the other party is a group that has grown fat while continually desiring immortality. If we had been successful, there would have been no problems.』

「But you failed... in spite of that, you seem happy.」

Since some time ago, Elbaron had seemed like he was in a good mood.

『Well, that's so. The reason I became a helper this time was so I could fight a strong swordsman, and although the opponent was different, I was able to achieve my goal.』

After those words came back in a voice full of joy, Barom sighed. And as he had for a long time, he lamented in his heart that his country was dominated by this battle junkie.


「No, wait. What happened to the armaments?」


Barom opened his eyes wide and asked Elbaron.

『The Magic Amplifying Armor was destroyed. The Night King Sword and Heaven Mirror Greatshield were probably stolen away.』

Barom groaned after those words. All of those were arms so powerful they would almost always be controlled by a country.

「What a waste. Should I try saying they were stolen from our country and ask for their return?」

『Only the victor has the right to possess those. That boorish way of thinking is just like a commoner.』

「Yes, yes. That was a joke, dammit.」

So saying, Barom clicked his tongue.

『However, my companion was hurt so badly that he won't be able to move for a while. The problem with the Black Potions will also likely become well-known. At least, our intervention in the Lindo Kingdom will probably end in failure.』

「My condolences.」

As a matter of fact, while Barom was aware of the existence of the Black Potions and the problems they were causing, beyond simple tacit consent, he wasn't particularly involved.

The place and means of manufacturing them were limited, and since there was no risk of overproduction, with only a little bit of control, a situation that would damage the country wouldn't occur, so he let Elbaron's group do as they wished.


『However, the original purpose was achieved, so I suppose there's no problem?』


「Are you talking about the fight with the powerful person you mentioned earlier?」

Barom asked while looking at Elbaron's armor.

『No, a Black Potion experiment. We used that as a medium to build a network through the Magical Power River. It was on the scale of hundreds of people, but it certainly operated better than our estimations.』

Another part of the experiment Elbaron was talking about was confirmation that the intake amount required to transform people into rampaging Hirukos was less than expected. Naturally, the meaning of his words were almost completely lost on Barom.

『It was more efficient than using mental interference waves without any medium, and even a minuscule amount of intake seemed to be okay. In other words, it proved that quantity isn't that important. We've been thinking of plans to increase production, but this means that isn't really necessary anymore.』

「Net Work? If I remember correctly, isn't that a thing to steal souls more efficiently?」

『Something like that. In the past, many people's souls were eaten by a devil through an information network that used lightning, and we're trying to do a similar thing. The wheels of Fate truly are always spinning around.』

「I don't really understand.」

After Barom answered like that, Elbaron's laughter resounded.

『Well, you can continue moving the country the way you consider correct. In the end, it doesn't particularly matter to me if Soldard remains as it is now.』


Even if the ruler changed, as long as there was faith, there were no problems for Elbaron. And when those words ended, one of the many armors decorating the left and right sides of the throne room started moving.


『Well then, I leave the country to you.』

「Hm, I'll do my utmost.」


When that voice resounded from the armor that started moving instead of behind the throne, Barom raised his hand and replied. When the armor left, he slovenly sank back in the throne. And while looking up at the ceiling of the now empty throne room, he thought.


(The White Party? Perhaps those guys can kill even THAT...?)


God Killing. With that possibility in mind, starting from this time, Barom set out to gather information on the White Party.