Chapter 171 - A Tale from Afar. Spokesperson for All Dogs

『This is Military State communications officer UL, transmitting to all units stationed near Amitengrad.』

The voice that rang out around Amitengrad was as stiff and dry as the Military State itself.

One person—just one—sent her voice through dozens of golems synchronized with her, transmitting it to the nearby units. The capital defense forces, military police, supply units, and perimeter guards all stopped what they were doing and listened closely to the voice issuing from their communications golems.

『Four entities with a Level 5 threat rating are currently approaching the Military State's capital at speed. They are traveling in a straight line from the northeast. Estimated arrival: approximately two hours.』

Amitengrad, the Military State's capital, had communications facilities. And in case those heavy, conspicuous facilities were damaged for any reason, communications officers were always on standby as well. There was certainly at least one, but no one knew how many more there might be. That was classified.

In any event, these orders came directly from the heart of the Military State. Every unit waited with bated breath for what would follow.

『Standard units of Level 3 or below cannot halt them. Level 4 units can conduct delaying operations but inflict no meaningful damage. An effective suppression operation is estimated to require, at minimum, a Level 5 unit and two of the Six Generals.』

But the communications officer's dispassionate assessment left every nearby unit holding its breath for another reason.

A Level 5 unit and two of the Six Generals. That was a force fit for war against another nation. It meant that efficiently subduing these four would require the very best of the best, elites deployed only when fighting an entire country.

And efficient suppression did not necessarily mean few friendly casualties.

How many would die in this little war?

『However, their propensity for violence is extremely low. No combat fatalities have occurred thus far, and even if we vacate our positions, civilian casualties are expected to be minimal or nonexistent. For these reasons, avoiding engagement is deemed the rational course. All units near Amitengrad are hereby ordered to take active measures to avoid engagement.』

At the assurance that civilians would not be harmed, some looked relieved, while others frowned.

There was relief at not having to fight opponents that powerful. Complaints that they were soldiers, after all—could they really surrender even the capital? Arguments that, powerful or not, those people would not live forever, so surely they would piss off if treated decently. Retorts that standing by while their homeland was trampled would leave them with no dignity at all. Shouts that anyone who didn't like it could disobey orders and go fight.

And then came the self-justification as they withdrew: ordinarily, they would have laid down their lives to slay the intruders, but orders obliged them to let this slide.

『Perimeter units expected to lie along their route are to withdraw from their path. Take all equipment and proceed to Supply Base Three. All capital defense forces, with the exception of Defense Command, are hereby ordered to evacuate.』

Whatever their feelings, orders had to be obeyed. The officers immediately began urging their troops to pack and gather their equipment.

All to actively avoid engagement.

Yet no one in the Military State knew that the four they were taking such active measures to avoid had already slipped into Amitengrad under cover of night.

High-ranking vampires could manipulate darkness and swim through deep shadows.

Far above even Amitengrad's tallest building, an ominous pair of crimson stars gazed down upon the Military State's capital.

“... So this is the Military State's royal capital?”

Amitengrad, which Tyrkanzyaka had been told was the Military State's capital, looked nothing like she had imagined.

There was no imposing royal castle built with wealth gathered from every corner of the land. Nor were there enormous walls stretching around the city. Instead, Amitengrad resembled a vast, crouching dragon, ready to crush its enemies with its sheer bulk alone.

To maximize density and retain warmth, all the dwellings were stacked neatly into multiple stories. Rows of dim streetlights stood between blocks cut into squares. Here and there, places blazed like lighthouses in the pitch-black darkness.

Even at night, countless people walked the streets like corpses.

The sun had sunk entirely into the west. Dusk had fallen, and shadows shrouded the sky on this quiet night. Hovering unsupported as she surveyed the whole of Amitengrad, Tyrkanzyaka murmured,

“... It is exceedingly large. As though dozens of cities have been joined together. Even from a height where humans look as small as ants, I cannot take in the city at a glance. I begin to understand... what it means for there to be countless people.”

Shei, floating with wind wrapped around her whole body, replied.

“Well, it is the most populated city in the Military State. The population alone is almost a million...”

“How are we to find Hugh among all those people?”

“I knew that was what you wanted to ask. Don't worry. There's a way.”

Even Shei could not pick out a single person from the crowds packing the city. But she was a Regressor, and she had a method or two prepared for situations like this.

“There are three ways to find someone in the Military State.”

Shei intended to explain each of the three in turn. But Tyrkanzyaka spoke without a moment's hesitation.

“Let us use them all.”

“No. That's not really feasible.”

“Writing a letter with your right arm does not stop your left from moving. Why can we not employ all three means at our disposal? And if a method cannot be used in the first place, why present it as an option?”

Shei had only meant to list their options and explain a little about the country. Unexpectedly subjected to a lecture, she answered, somewhat deflated.

“Well, the first is to tell the Military State to find him for us. They're experts at tracking down their own citizens. The problem is...”

“Good. Let us go.”

As though any problems were of no consequence, Tyrkanzyaka cheerfully swept a finger through the air. The enormous coffin floating in midair began moving forward through the darkness and shadows.

Shei hastily maneuvered Sky Cherry Blossom to follow her.

“... No! Listen to the problem first! There's no way the Military State will just do what we ask!”

“If we seek them out, they will act. If they willingly comply with our demands, all is well.”

“What if the Military State tries to take him hostage?”

“They would?”

Tyrkanzyaka gave a faint, amused smile.

“Would they truly? They dared not fight us out of fear. Would they hold him even at the cost of provoking us? Not unless they wish to see their country burn.”

Tyrkanzyaka had read the Military State's intentions precisely.

Born the daughter of a poor physician, she had been reborn as the Progenitor, then single-handedly led armies tens of thousands strong and reigned as an absolute ruler. Even renowned kingdoms had knelt before her and sworn fealty. She had found herself involved in politics despite her wishes.

“Active avoidance of engagement. What a grand way to dress it up. Whatever they call it, they have no wish to squander their strength upon us when we bear them no particular ill will. In that case, there is no reason not to make use of them.”

Murmuring this, Tyrkanzyaka looked down and caught sight of a figure.

The King of Dogs was striding down the Military State's streets as though they were her own front yard.

Tyrkanzyaka narrowed her eyes and murmured,

“In any event, even without me, they will have to settle matters.”

Not with the Progenitor, but with the King of Dogs.

District 1. Capital Defense Headquarters.

An intruder appeared at the headquarters where the command staff were dividing their forces into ever smaller units and dispersing them across the region.

The sentry failed to recognize her as an intruder. She had entered far too confidently, her attire was far too outlandish, and she displayed no hostility whatsoever.

Having boldly walked through the main gate, the intruder immediately addressed the first human she encountered.

“Human. Please call your king.”

Major Riktos of Capital Defense Headquarters, who happened to be there, blinked.

They were busy carrying out the evacuation order. Already disgruntled that the work he was doing beneath his proud rank insignia amounted to running away, he now had a beastkin girl suddenly approaching him, tail wagging vigorously, with a bizarre demand.

“What? How did you get in here?”

The beastkin answered.

“Call your king.”

“This is a restricted facility. Get the hell out.”

“Call your king.”

“Leave immediately, or I'll attack!”

“Call your king.”

His patience exhausted by the beastkin repeating herself like a parrot, Major Riktos drew his saber and pointed it at Azi.

“You've had your warning! I'll kill you!”

THUD.

He stepped forward and swung his saber. That single step cracked the concrete floor. Drawing the ground toward him in an instant with Earth energy arts, he brought his saber down as though splitting firewood. It cut through the air with a vicious whistle.

CRUNCH.

The sound of steel crumpling between teeth was several times more chilling.

The impact nearly dislocated Major Riktos's wrist, sending him staggering backward. Steadying his trembling body, he looked down at his beloved sword. Half the saber's blade above the hilt was gone.

Its edge had not been chipped—it had been bitten off. As Major Riktos's eyes widened in horror, she spoke.

“Call your king.”

Only then did Major Riktos look anew at the beastkin girl before him.

Against the dim full moon, her ears and tail stood erect. Her gaze was friendly, yet it carried an inexplicable authority and dignity.

Like a gentle king who cherished her subjects...

Major Riktos, who had helped overthrow the Kingdom and establish the Military State, clenched his teeth in revulsion.

“We have no king, beast. Unlike your kind.”

It was a remark intended to provoke her, laden with contempt for beastkin.

But the beastkin girl nodded and accepted his words.

“King, mayor, village chief, maripgan, chair, sovereign, lord, emperor, general. The title doesn't matter. I just. Need to meet your representative.”

The head of Defense Headquarters was General Buidun, the defense commander. With his formidable martial prowess and distinguished service on many battlefields, he was one of the Military State's great stars.

But this was the relatively safe capital. His energy arts might be as formidable as those of other generals, but he was nowhere near the Six Generals' level.

If that girl were to harm the general...

The command would be annihilated.

“As if I'd let an intruder like you through!”

Major Riktos shouted, veins bulging in his neck. It was both an expression of his resolve to die and a signal to those who would be watching from behind him.

Riktos prayed inwardly. Please, let someone understand what he meant.

Ironically, the first to understand his words was the beastkin girl.

Her tail drooped as she answered regretfully.

“You don't want to talk to me.”

It was a declaration, and it was true.

Riktos loathed the monster who had bitten through a swinging blade—a blade cloaked in energy arts, at that. That she was a beastkin only deepened his fear and disgust.

The girl looked at the man directing his fear and disgust toward her. She sensed the terror in his eyes. She knew, too, that she was its source.

It saddened her, but there was nothing to be done.

That was what humans were.

“You still have to keep your promise.”

“I know nothing of that promise! Stop spouting nonsense! If you want to meet someone, follow the proper procedures!”

Of course, Riktos had no intention of letting her meet anyone even if she followed those procedures, nor did he have the authority. He was merely using them as an excuse to buy time.

And Major Riktos's efforts were rewarded.

“You've bought us valuable time, Major Riktos!”

Another voice rang out. Riktos and the beastkin girl looked up simultaneously. At the command building's main entrance, a general bearing a single star raised an arm, his mustache twitching.

“Your efforts were not in vain! Thanks to you, we are ready!”

At his gesture, heavily armed troops descended from all around Defense Headquarters.

A captain here, a major there. Every one of them was at least a company-grade officer, and field-grade officers were a common sight.

As they had been about to obey the evacuation order, they had already gathered all their military armaments and weapons.

Even excluding those who had already departed, this elite force numbered two hundred officers. Considering that rank-and-file soldiers below a certain standard would only get in the way, this was the greatest force the capital could muster on the spot.

“All troops!”

With one crisp movement, the officers slotted their military armaments into their packets.

CLATTER, CLACK.

Enormous steel plates rose, splitting into scales. Vivid blue alchemical light gathered between the metal pieces and chains aligned along their Arche Avatars. Steel interlocked and scales covered their bodies, transforming the officers into warriors clad in full plate armor.

Swords, spears, guns, axes. Holding weapons suited to their energy arts, the officers advanced slowly in armor without a single gap. Chilling energy swirled around their blades.

Even as they donned their military armaments, some hesitated and questioned the order.

“Wait! Weren't we ordered to evacuate? We mustn't engage them!”

“They've already caught up to us. We have no choice. Will you hand the commander over to them?”

After barking his reply, the general turned his glare back on Azi and shouted,

“Disarm and surrender immediately!”

Meanwhile, the girl had been studying him carefully.

“... Not enough.”

Even faced with the deputy commander of Defense Headquarters, a general with a gleaming star, she shook her head.

Firmly and categorically.

“You're not qualified. You can't represent them. You're not even a fragment of your king.”

Who could possibly tell a general of the Military State that he was unqualified? A Level 4 citizen commanding countless soldiers, a powerful practitioner who had mastered Heaven and Earth in his energy arts.

Incensed by what seemed to be her dismissive attitude, the general shouted,

“We are the Military State, born from the overthrow of the royal house! We have no king! If you want a king, go to another country!”

At those words, Azi raised her head.

Glittering light reflected in her gently curved eyes. Not the stars in the night sky, but countless weapons honed to deadly sharpness. Weapons of every kind, holding a savage gleam and concealing murderous intent beneath it.

It was familiar. Humans made promises to the King of Dogs, using the king in exchange for things they would never fulfill. But the King of Dogs was always, always betrayed.

The kings of the past and the present Azi were different beings, but their existence as king was inherited. So was the knowledge of how meaningless promises became in the face of danger.

Even so.

“It doesn't have to be a king. A general is fine. As long as they're qualified to face me. As long as they're qualified to represent humans, even some of them.”

Even so, Azi had to find a human, or a group of humans, who would fulfill the promise.

Because defeating the wolf required a shepherd.

“Come before me, and remember the promise.”

A pitch-black dot appeared on Azi's forehead.

The general was startled. He thought someone had shot her in the forehead.

But first, he noticed the absence of a gunshot. Then he noticed the dot on Azi's forehead gradually growing.

He realized that this was no gunshot wound.

That this entire phenomenon was anything but ordinary.

SCRITCH, SCRITCH.

There came a sound like a sharp carving knife scraping and gouging space itself. As it grew louder, pitch-black cracks appeared along the line of Azi's brow. The cracks twisted this way and that, joining together until they formed a single shape.

Someone saw its shape and murmured,

“... A crown?”

Just as he said, a crown that looked woven from plant stems appeared out of empty air.

It began at Azi's forehead and extended toward the back of her head. Growing as though it were eating into space itself, the crown encircled half her head with a grating sound. Then it stopped without going any farther.

“I kept my promise. I waited in the bottomless pit.”

Azi lifted her head. The crown floating a handspan away from it moved with her.

Unsupported, like an angel's halo that proved its bearer's identity by its very existence.

Only then did the general recall what stood before him.

“... The King of Dogs, speaking on their behalf?”

Beast Kings, the representatives of all beasts.

Normally, they simply lived ordinary lives like any other animal, possessing only their beasts' characteristics.

But when a Beast King chose to speak, or act, on behalf of all their beasts...

They gained the power and authority to do so.

Wearing a half-crown woven from stems that did not exist in this world, Azi stood here as the King of Dogs.

For even if dogs loved humans and gave them their loyalty, their hearts and wills were not for humans to command.

On behalf of all dogs, the King of Dogs declared,

“Now it's your turn to keep your promise.”