CHAPTER 7
THE DARK LORDS ASSEMBLE
Imperial Standard Time, 15:00.
Voids formed like sea monsters swarmed in the horizon. A Void Reef, a gigantic Void Hive, was slowly drawing in on the capital.
“The estimated time of its arrival is 15:10 hours. If that thing reaches us, Float VI and Float III are projected to take fatal damage,” said a royal guard knight, standing atop the deck of the Hyperion battleship.
“How goes the civilians’ evacuation?” The Empire’s fourth princess asked him, her eyes fixed on the horizon.
“The civilians are currently being directed to the shelters, however…”
“The shelters will be meaningless if those Voids arrive…,” she whispered, hugging Carbuncle the Elemental in her arms.
“Princess Altiria…”
“We must stop it, no matter what.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
The royal guard serving the princess hardened their features in grim resolve. The fact the princess, still twelve years of age, had to stand on the front lines, was a source of endless shame for them. And had she, with her royal blood, not been here, the ship would not have been able to exhibit its full power.
The Anti-Void Battleship Hyperion, and twenty-four combat vessels. This was the extent of the force that guarded the capital’s surrounding waters. Its sister vessel, the Endymion, was currently deployed far away in the Second Assault Garden, and it would take twenty-seven hours to come to their aid, even if it traveled at top speed.
“This battle will determine the capital’s survival,” Altiria said, her voice travelling loudly across the deck. “May the blessings of the Planet and our Holy Swords be with us!”
The fleet opened fire on the approaching Void swarm at once. Conventional weaponry had no effect on Voids, but this was done solely to buy time for the capital’s knights to set up their defenses.
However…
A massive tentacle rose out of the water with a loud splash and slammed down on one of the accompanying ships, breaking it in two.
“Your Highness, get back!” One of the royal knights manifested his Holy Sword and guarded Altiria.
The water’s surface surged up, and a gigantic sea monster with countless writhing tentacles surfaced.
…I am…the Demon Ocean King, Neredigoth…
A cracked, eerie voice echoed from the waves.
“…A Void Lord?!” Altiria swallowed nervously.
The creature rose up from the depths, as large as a mountain range. It was a sight that invoked utter despair.
“Aah… Aaaah…”
May the seas of emptiness…consume you…
The tentacles extended to the sky, then swung down at the ships scattered across the waters.
“…!”
Altiria brought her hands together and closed her eyes in prayer. An image came to mind—the one she saw that day, through her hazy consciousness, of a boy…
Slash!
The sound of something bursting filled the water.
“…Eh?”
Altiria opened her eyes in amazement and looked up. The sea monster’s tentacles were all cut into pieces.
“Wh-what…?”
She turned to look at the royal guard, hoping to grasp the situation. The cut-up tentacles fell into the ocean, producing countless pillars of spraying seawater.
“The Demon Ocean King? You give yourself lofty titles when you’re a weakling whose only virtue lies in his size.”
Farther down the Hyperion’s deck appeared a figure—a girl with beautiful, amethyst-colored hair, dressed in a transparent, liquid-like raiment.
Did she just do that…?
Altiria swallowed the lump in her throat and called out to the girl facing away from her.
“Wh-who are you…?”
“I am the true ruler of the seas…,” said the girl expressionlessly, her eyes fixed on the Voids swarming in the horizon.
“Huh…?”
“And I do owe Leonis a debt of gratitude.”
The girl slowly extended a hand, and her transparent raiment glowed.
Brrr…!
A massive whirlpool appeared in the water and began swallowing up the sea monsters one by one.
“Leo’s not here?”
“Yes, Dragon Lord. My lord is away at present,” Shary said, her eyes on Veira, who was looking down at her from atop the rubble.
Aaah, another troublesome person joined the mix…, she thought to herself.
“Cheeky little…” The Dragon Lord let off an intimidating aura, making Shary flinch away. “I didn’t mean you. It’s cheeky of Leo to be away when I came to all the trouble of dropping by to visit…” She pouted in displeasure and brushed a hand through her crimson hair. “But fine, I understand. When will he be coming back?”
“I-I’m afraid I don’t know that, either…” Shary shook her head gingerly.
But then—
“Guh… Curse yooooou!” A cry of hatred erupted from the rubble Veira was standing on.
The Void Lord got up, pushing the rubble away.
“Dragon Lord?!” Shary called out in alarm.
“Y-you will pay! I, the Monster Duke Bolzaaza, shall show you my true form—”
“Oh, shut up.”
Thud!
Veira, who had jumped up into the air, landed on the Void Lord’s head. Shary could hear his flesh being crushed by her kick, and the Monster Duke was squished without time to unveil his true form.
“Hmph, he was surprisingly durable. What was he, undead?” Veira asked, cocking a brow in disgust. She snapped her fingers, and the massive lump of Bolzaaza’s flesh was enveloped in crimson flames. “That should do it. Well, if Leo isn’t around, I have no business here.”
“E-erm, Lord Veira!” Shary called out in a hurry.
“What?” Veira glared at her, making Shary back away.
“W-would you please use your power to help defend this city, until my lord returns?”
Veira placed her hands on her hips and looked down at Shary. “A human kingdom means less than nothing to me.”
Shary predicted she would say that, of course. “You’re absolutely right, Dragon Lord. I was not expecting you to do this without recompense.” Nodding, Shary rummaged through her sleeve. “I offer you this this as tribute.”
“…?” Veira eyed the maid’s offering with dubious eyes.
“These are sticky donuts, a limited-time product,” Shary explained.
“…This is a treat?”
“Try it, please.”
“Hmm…” Veira took the donut and nibbled on it. She chewed on it animatedly in a cute manner that didn’t fit her intimidating appearance as the Lord of Dragons. “…It’s pretty good. ” Veira licked her fingers and then shrugged. “Still, this isn’t enough to earn the Dragon Lord’s assistance.”
Shary nodded in understanding. “The forces of mankind cannot reach your or my lord’s ankles, Dragon Lord. But they have created many things, like these donuts, that I am certain will be to your liking. Letting these unpure monsters reduce these things to ashes surely will not benefit you, Dragon Lord.”
Veira paused for thought. “You have a point.” She nodded and then smiled. “Oh, fine. Leo will owe me one for this, so that’s worth it.”
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