“If that’s the case, then it can’t be helped, Captain. However, he was the one who brought me here and fought desperately to protect me. If possible, please— you understand what I’m saying, right?”
It was not Remedios, but Gustavo who nodded deeply.
“All right, then there is one thing I must verify first. Is there anyone in this country who can see through shapeshifting or illusions?”
“Why do you ask, Your Majesty?”
“That is because I am wary of demons using magic to hide themselves among the imprisoned people.”
Caspond looked at Remedios.
“Captain, can you answer His Majesty’s question?”
“Ah, my apologies. Please answer on my behalf, Vice-Captain. I do not recall anyone like that.”
The Sorcerer King went “Mm—” and sank into contemplation. Caspond then asked Remedios another question.
“If it troubles the Sorcerer King so, that clearly indicates that this must be a vital question. I shall ask you again. Can you swear to the gods that you do not know?”
The two paladins nodded, and then Caspond’s gaze turned to Neia. Surely he would not know a squire like herself, right? As Neia thought that, she hurriedly nodded as well.
“So even Squire Baraja does not know… what’s wrong? You look puzzled. I’ve heard your name from the Captain. I’m very grateful that you can serve by His Majesty’s side.”
“My deepest thanks!”
Neia hurriedly bowed to Caspond.
“Just so. She is exceptional. I would like a follower like that.”
“What, surely, you must jest…”
Neia’s voice was trembling. As he saw her in that state, the Sorcerer King and Caspond laughed happily. Then, they resumed their — although the Sorcerer King had no facial expressions, of course — serious looks.
“While it shames me to admit my ignorance, do demons possess the power to transform into other people?”
“Demons can take human form to make people fall, but that does not mean they can transform into others. It is simply that they can take human form, not that they can imitate anyone’s looks. Therefore... if there is anyone unfamiliar among the people imprisoned here… there will be a need to be careful.”
“In that case, we will need to have the people who were captured vouch for each other…”
“Now, illusions are more troublesome. With illusions, one can take the faces of others. For instance…”
The Sorcerer King cast a spell, and his skeletal face transformed into that of Caspond.
“This is an illusion. However, low level illusions like this one might be able to change one’s attire, but not one’s voice. Also, they cannot imitate memories and thoughts. Therefore, they will be immediately exposed if someone close to the subject speaks to them.”
The Sorcerer King’s face resumed its skeletal form.
“There are many ways to disguise one’s clothes and voice. Therefore, the best way is to speak to them and check for a sense of wrongness.”
His questions to the Orcs must have been intended to guard against that, Neia mused.
As expected of His Majesty. His considerations are surprisingly thorough.
“I see… well, you heard that, no? Go check it out immediately.”
“A moment please. You should also consider the possibility of a demon running amok once it is exposed. Do you not think that letting a powerful person like Captain Custodio stay by your side to protect you would be better?”
“I see. I understand. I will perform investigations with the Captain as a witness.”
Gustavo bowed his head.
“Royal Brother-dono. That is all I wished to verify. If you have more to say, then by all means.”
“Then — Your Majesty. As for our future plans, I feel it is necessary for us to head south, link up with the local forces and then launch a full-scale attack. That is because there were several nobles imprisoned with me, and I wish to ask them to see who can lend their strength to us. That is the plan I intend to adopt.”
“Mm. I do not understand this country’s nobles, so if you feel that is best, then by all means… Will you not attack the other prison camps and rescue the prisoners there?”
“It is not yet time for that. Leading many people to areas controlled by Jaldabaoth is very obvious, and our rate of advance will become very slow. I wish to avoid an outcome where we lose more than we gain by helping others.”
“...Then why not let the civilians flee south while we alone attack the prison camps?”
“Captain Custodio. You were allowed to be present, but I did not seek your opinion.”
Caspond spoke in a tone that was completely different from how he addressed the Sorcerer King.
Remedios clenched her teeth as she bit back her anger.
“I also approve of Royal Brother — no, Gaspond-dono’s opinion. However, you have already taken two prison camps, including this place. I imagine you can continue to skillfully apply the experience gained here, do you not?”
“We shall do nothing,” Caspond shrugged. “I do not feel we can take this land back without deaths or wounded. The number of casualties will grow from the tens, to the hundreds, to the thousands. There is something else which is more important than this.”
As they heard his words, which cast the people aside, Neia saw looks of shock cross Remedios’s and Gustavo’s faces. As for Neia herself, she calmly thought, This is all ordinary royals amount to.
“Caspond-sama, you’ve changed. In the past, you were a great man who was as kind to the masses as Her Majesty.”
“What’s this, Captain Custodio? Are you disappointed? Hmph!”
Caspond’s face twisted. His lips curled, baring his teeth. His razor-sharp gaze was full of mockery.
“Your heart would be as twisted as mine if you had tasted the same hell I did. I can’t spout pretty words any more, huh. They make me sick… As for what did they do to us… I guess you haven’t heard yet. In that case, go find someone and ask them. That way, you’ll know exactly how evil and blasphemous demons are.”
He was like a completely different person, Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the inky black substance under his forcibly-repaired personality had emerged again.
“If possible, I’d like to kill all those demihumans…”
He glanced at the Sorcerer King, who shrugged and answered:
“You may do as you please after you’ve questioned them. I’ve already liberated the Orcs.”
“That can’t be helped, then. What a shame. Well, the Orcs tasted misery alongside me… although, could you hand them over to me in exchange for the holy sword?”
“I am a magic caster. What would I do with a sword even if you gave it to me?”
Caspond chuckled at the Sorcerer King’s playful reply.
On the other hand, Remedios’s blank face stood as a contrast to Gustavo’s pale features.
It sounded like a joke, but Caspond was probably serious.
Neia’s body trembled. To think he hated those imprisoned demihumans enough that he was willing to hand over a national treasure just to get them back in his hands… What on earth had happened to him?
“So you will abandon this city?”
“I would like to if I could. But before that, I want to interview some of the prisoners and send messengers to the south. I think that will take a week at the earliest. When we take this land back, I shall offer you a gratuity corresponding to your kindness in addition to what Captain Custodio has already arranged.”
“I do look forward to that.”
The Sorcerer King left with Neia a minute later. Caspond went, “All right. Since the Sorcerer King is already gone, let’s get to the main event.”