CH 296

Local time, around 2 am.

In the imperial capital of the Alder Empire, there’s one shadow that seemed to be in excitement.

“Alright, that’s it!” (Mitsuha)

Yes, continuing from last night, Mitsuha was going around with a new set of kōsatsu(高札).

This time, she’s working quickly in dark clothes because it would indeed be bad if she’s found hanging around the area.

Well, if they do find her, it would only be a matter of a quick transition……

No matter how big the event was in the evening, the entire imperial capital was not awake throughout the night.

There were no street lights, and the use of oil and candles was not free.

Therefore, it’s common knowledge that the night was for sleeping and resting, and work would begin in the morning, and after the rescue of the injured and the extinguishing of the fire in the Imperial Castle were over, the rest of the Imperial Castle was asleep in the darkness, as usual.

Therefore, Mitsuha’s kōsatsu planting project was completed without being seen by anyone.

……As expected, the non-sleepers will be standing in the notification area before long……

=====

The next morning…

“There’s that notice again! What the……” (Resident 1)

“If you don’t reflect on your actions, in three days the granary area of the imperial capital will be flooded with seawater.” -Notice Board

“That would be bad! In this case, not only will the crops that are growing now be wiped out, but the salt damage will turn the land into a wasteland where even weeds wouldn’t grow! If that happens, this country is finished!” (Resident 1)

“But, you know, flooding the whole area with seawater is kinda doubtful…” (Resident 2)

The man who read the kōsatsu yelled at the man who said such words with a look of disbelief.

“You dumbass!!! Yesterday, when the warehouse of the Bellaury Trading Company caught fire, a lot of water fell……, yes, not ‘rained’, but ‘fell’, a lot of water, all at once……. So, while I heard that all the cargo in the warehouse was ruined, it extinguished the fire and the worst was averted…… but that “fallen water” was…… salty!……” (Resident 1)

“Eh?” (Resident 2)

“And there were a bunch of fish jumping around in the water as it flowed out. It wasn’t river fish, but fish from the sea. I picked up some and brought them home for dinner, so I’m pretty sure!” (Resident 1)

“……Whoa! You got some balls……” (Resident 2)

The man who questioned the behavior of the man who read the kōsatsu aloud looked stunned.

“…Anyway, about this thing. “The angel has nothing to do with falling seawater…

Although I bestowed a divine punishment, I thought that it was a little overkill, and I could only do it on the spot to prevent the spread of the fire…” -Notice Board.” (Resident 2)

“””””””…………“””””””

Those around who had been listening to their conversation stood there in shock.

=====

“…………”

Astonished.

Dumbfounded.

No other words can describe the face of the Emperor.

“What the hell is happening……” (Emperor)

Even if he asked, no one could give any answer.

The imperial castle was destroyed and burned.

Neither the main conference room nor the audience chamber was in any condition to be used, and an emergency meeting was being held in one of the rooms for guests, which was somehow cleared out in a great hurry.

The leading figures of the empire were in attendance, but everyone looked pale……

“As long as we assassinate the nobleman’s daughter, who calls herself God’s messenger, everything will be alright.

That thing is a weapon that cannot be moved easily, as the Kingdom of Zegreius only uses its secret special forces for defensive battles, both in its own country and in the Kingdom of Darrison. If not, they would have tried to pursue our retreating army and inflict a devastating blow.

Therefore, it is impossible for that side to invade our country.

……Isn’t that what you guys said!?” (Emperor)

“””””””…………“””””””

And yet, instead of invading the empire, the first battle was a direct attack on the imperial capital, and the imperial castle was badly damaged.

It was a one-sided attack without even being able to fight back.

……There’s no way they can fight back in the first place.

Exploding balls and flames falling from the sky.

There was no way that anyone could withstand the divine punishment.

Moreover, it was full of leeway for divine punishment, giving warnings in advance not to let people die and even waiting for people to leave the building.

If they were seriously punished without any consideration…

And the next time, if that divine punishment gets inflicted on a nobleman’s imperial mansion, or a fiefdom mansion, instead of a robust imperial castle…….

“Well, if the assassination was successful, it could have been all settled.

If your “definite conclusion after analyzing all the information” is correct, the reason for carrying such a small girl as the commander of the Zegreius Kingdom’s treasured special forces is simply to raise the war morale and use her as a tool to rally the nobles and people by carrying a good-looking girl as a portable shrine, then……

If they lose the “portable shrine” they carry, and if the “few, somewhat special forces” that can only be used for defensive battles and have no mobility cannot be moved to protect the royal capital, their value will drastically be reduced.

A force that can only be used where it has been prepared in advance and is waiting for you……

We can deal with their “secret weapons” after it gets broken in any way we want.

Therefore, in subsequent diplomatic relations and in military actions, the superiority of the Kingdom of Zegreius will be undermined, and negotiations will be possible on an equal, or even our superior, footing as before.

……If only you guys were right.

And the result is this…” (Emperor)

The dignitaries silently turned their heads down to avoid the gaze of the emperor, who glared at them as he said this.

No one thinks that the girl was “just a lowly noble’s daughter” anymore.

The reason was that during last night’s attack, some of those who could see in the dark had witnessed it.

……The figure of what appears to be a young girl, flying in the air along with the exploding balls falling from the sky.

Everyone knew that it had been messed up last night.

If the attack target was not changed to unmanned barracks, storage facilities, merchant warehouses, etc. on the way to the center of the Imperial City, and if the attack was continued at the Imperial Castle…

And the final strike, “Meteorite Drop・Meteor Strike” was made on the Imperial Castle. (『隕石落としメテオ・ストライク』)

If that was repeated…

Also, in the merchant warehouses, even though they would have been completely burned down and destroyed if left as they were, they went out of their way to extinguish the fire by making it rain, a mercy to the innocent people of the Imperial Capital.

……In other words, There was no doubt it meant that they still had plenty of room to spare.

Moreover…

“The problem is the wording on the notice found this morning: “If you don’t reflect on your actions, in three days the granary area of the imperial capital will be flooded with seawater”.

Would that be viable?……” (Emperor)

Not the Prime Minister, but an old man with a scholarly air, answered under the emperor’s gaze.

“Ha~, it has already been confirmed that the rain which extinguished the fire last night was seawater. From the salt content, the fishes, and the seaweeds that were mixed in, there’s no mistake in it……

But what reason would there be that those who could do what they did last night could not do the same for the granary area?……” (Old Man)

“””””””…………“””””””

The air in the room got cold as the scholarly man spoke.

“…Then, you’re saying there’s nothing we can do?” (Emperor)

The man answered the emperor’s question clearly. As if to state the results of his research……

“Yes, there is nothing we can do about it.

Unless His Imperial Majesty has more power than even God, and if you show them your power……” (Old Man)

“””””””…………“””””””