Akatsuki Translations

“…Ahem. My strategy exploits this very instinct. First, because the Wicked Dragon rampages and moves at will, causing enormous damage to the populace, we’ll lure it to a deserted land. This area should be appropriate,” Mirage stated, clearing his throat and continuing his explanation. He then marked a cross on a large map spread out in the conference room.

This location was a vast plain to the north of the territory currently inhabited by the Wicked Dragon and the cat demon clan.

Small villages and towns also lay along the line connecting the two points. However, Mirage had determined that with proper evacuation, these would not be an issue. He had chosen this route, taking into consideration the distance and time required for the move.

“Then, we’ll lure the Wicked Dragon here… and kill it. I’ve considered sending it back to the Germania Empire, but that seems a bit unrealistic.” -Mirage

Mirage anticipated that the Wicked Dragon would not leave until it had ravaged the demon territory. The dragon was drawn to magical energy, which was produced within living beings but also floated in the air in the form of magicules. When a creature died, the magic within them dispersed into the air as magicules. Thus, it was more efficient to kill the demon, who held more magic, than a human. The dragon’s instinct to retaliate against attackers was likely driven by its search for food.

“Hmm, and you have a means of killing this Wicked Dragon, Mirage-dono?”  -Elder

The first to express doubt was the elder. Everyone might have already noticed, but Mirage’s plan was fraught with contradictions. Could there possibly be an attack capable of defeating a foe that had proven immune to magic? Without it, the strategy would be nothing more than an empty theory with no meaning.

“Of course, there is. But to gather enough magic for that, we’ll need a significant amount of time. We certainly can’t afford to be leisurely in front of the Wicked Dragon. If it moves from its current position and takes too long to be lured, my magic will run out first. No matter how many times I calculate, the distance indicated on this map is optimal. As for luring the dragon, close-range magic would lead to instant death, so long-range magic will be the main method. However, ineffective attacks might be ignored. Considering the dragon’s instincts, the one luring it should either be a powerful attraction as prey or using a large number of soldiers like the Germania Emp—” -Mirage

” ――Enough! Do you even understand what you’re saying?” -Astarte

This was Astarte’s anger, flaring up for who knows how many times. But this time, her voice was chillingly calm and cold.

Anyone could see the problem with the plan: Mirage would gather magic at the luring destination while waiting for the Wicked Dragon. But without Mirage, who could handle teleportation magic, what would happen to those luring the dragon? The moment they cast ineffective magic to lure the dragon, the demons unable to use enhancement magic, would have no chance to escape. This could easily be inferred from the fact that all the units that had fought the dragon had been annihilated. One side was a flying dragon, moreover, it could move swiftly with enhancement magic, but the decoy had to flee with nothing but themselves.

Furthermore, other issues also arise.

“Regardless, those who lived along the route to the dragon’s luring location would lose their homes and fields, their livelihoods shattered. On top of that, those playing the role of lure would lose their lives, while you, the crucial player who can use teleportation magic, would merely be waiting. I will never approve of such a strategy! Rather than waste lives in vain, it’s more realistic to use all our forces to defeat the Wicked Dragon. I acknowledge your magic, but the idea that you can defeat the dragon alone is overly optimistic. Instead, we should all work together to find a way for everyone to survive!” -Astarte

Astarte’s heartrending reprimand, a cry that could also be called a shriek, echoed through the conference room. It was known to all that she respected her father, loved the people, and cherished her subordinates. That’s why she couldn’t accept Mirage’s proposed strategy. However, she knew in her heart that a plan where everyone survived was an overly optimistic dream.

Despite this, no one here thought that Mirage was a man who would cruelly decide to sacrifice someone without thought. They also understood Astarte’s inability to accept this.

“My dear Tart-chan, thank you for considering the people and our lives, and for your anger. I’m glad to see you’ve grown into such a good person. Grandpa is happy.” the elder said, not as a subordinate, but as the grandpa who had watched Astarte grow up.

“Grandpa… if you agree, then let’s oppose Mirage’s pla—” -Astarte

“—However, the fact remains that there’s no other viable strategy. And if we waste time, the Wicked Dragon might start moving immediately. Mirage, feel free to use this old man’s life as you see fit.” -Elder

The elder’s decision shattered Astarte’s hopes. Mirage felt a pang in his chest as if his heart had made a noise. He had hoped that everyone would oppose him like Astarte, that an alternative plan would be proposed, that they would give up on him for proposing such a ruthless strategy.

Mirage was not conceited, but he was well aware of his intelligence and therefore understood that the only way to defeat the dragon was through a cruel strategy. Perhaps it would’ve been simpler to be condemned and expelled on the spot. It would provide a clear, uncomplicated reason to leave the Demon Lord’s army, and it might’ve even alleviated some of the guilt.

However, once the elder agreed, Mirage could easily foresee the subsequent developments.

“Grandpa! Even you… what are you…?” -Astarte

“Hmm, I lost my wife and children in an ancient battle with the Golden Horns. I have no family left to mourn me. Maybe I’ve been looking for a place like this to die all along. Let me serve as a guide, too. It would be pitiful to let an old man die alone.” -Astarte

“I’m unmarried at my age. My beloved Belzebuth-sama has a cute daughter now, and I was wondering what to do. Well, if I can protect the one I love, their family, and our comrades, then it’s what I want. I’ll join too.” -Officer

“Hah! You’ve been married for hundreds of years and you’re still infatuated with the general! If a woman like you is willing to risk her life, a man who does nothing will be shamed. Count me in too.” -Officer

“I volunteer as well.” -Officer

One after another, the officers raised their voices in agreement. Only Astarte was left with an expression of disbelief, her gaze darting from left to right, unable to comprehend what was happening.

“Are you all sure about this? Honestly agreeing to a proposal from an upstart like me? To be honest, the success rate isn’t very high. The chance of failure is greater, especially given my role. I might even get scared and run away in the middle of it.” -Mirage

Despite it seeming like a last-ditch effort, Mirage deliberately stirred up uncertainty. In reality, the linchpin of the plan was Mirage’s battle with the Wicked Dragon. If anything went wrong, it could result in the futile death of everyone.

Furthermore, Mirage, who could use teleportation magic, could pretend to be killed in battle and escape.

The same was true for those serving as guides. If even one person succumbed to fear and fled, it would open up too much distance from the Wicked Dragon and make the next guide’s job impossible.

The operation could only be successful if, while maintaining the optimal distance and using the most effective attack magic, the guides led the Wicked Dragon to Mirage, who would have accumulated the perfect amount of magic power.

Knowing firsthand the terror of the Wicked Dragon, Mirage was worried about breaking down if he had to face the monster with even a shred of doubt.

“Hahaha. You’re the one who suggested it, so don’t be so pessimistic. You’re also risking your life on a plan that could fail, right?” -Officer

“Ah, well, yes. Honestly, the amount of magic power I have to gather is abnormal. If I fail, I might die first. Hahaha.” -Mirage

Mirage responded with a laugh, as if without any tension. The method he had in mind to kill the Wicked Dragon was to use mysterious magic that, like the dragon, absorbed magic power.

He had managed to scrape off some of the dragon’s scales when he half-heartedly tried it, and it seemed feasible. Still, Mirage believed the success rate was less than ten percent.

Physically, even using the same magic, a hybrid of a human and a demon like Mirage was no match for a dragon.

On top of that, the dragon had an overwhelming amount of magic power. The only hope was to get on a level playing field, but only for a limited time until his magic power ran out.

If they could fight multiple times, they might consider a different strategy. However, they couldn’t afford to leave the Wicked Dragon, which had killed two thousand demons in three days, alone any longer.

According to Mirage’s calculations, the minimum number of casualties would be twenty officers and the two thousand demons already dead.

“Heh, I’ve been on the battlefield since before you were born. I can tell if a guy is ready to die just by looking into his eyes, even if it’s just one eye.” -Officer

“That’s exactly right. No matter how old I get, I’m not so senile that I can’t figure that out. Mirage-dono… I entrust the rest to you.” -Elder

Mirage felt truly outmatched. As a deputy, he usually assisted Astarte, trying to live as comfortably as possible.

To trust someone like him was absurd. If he were in their shoes, could he act like this? Perhaps Astarte’s reaction was the normal one.

“After this is over… as the worst commander who sacrificed his subordinates as decoys, there is a possibility I might face a military tribunal and be executed. Well, if I’m still alive at that time, I’ll handle it appropriately.” -Mirage

“Even everyone else?! No! Please stop! …S-Stop…” -Astarte

Even so, Astarte continued to resist, but she eventually collapsed and slumped onto the desk.

“Oh my, oh my, Deputy-dono seems to be terrible at putting people to sleep. It reminds me of young Belzebuth when Tart-chan was little. However, it’s quite a serious matter for the commanding officer responsible for guarding the castle to fall asleep. Fufufu.” -Elder

“Well, she’ll wake up soon. We can’t let her be there if we end up failing.” -Mirage

“You’ll be resented.” -Elder

“I am prepared for that.” -Mirage

Mirage replied briefly to the elder’s statement.

Most of the individuals present here were silver-horned demons, and among the other races, they were the chosen veterans who had spent hundreds of years together with Belzebuth. Even before the establishment of the Demon Lord’s army, they had been mortal enemies with the golden-horned demons and had fought each other many times, yet they had survived.

They had experienced death up close more than anyone, been wounded more than anyone, and loved their comrades more than anyone. There was no way they would want to send Astarte, whom they had watched grow up from childhood, into a death trap.

Mirage had always intended to leave Astarte behind in this place, so he used sleep magic on her from the beginning. Even magic that was usually resisted could become more effective if one’s mind was disturbed.

Astarte, who excelled in illusion and mind-control magic, was more cautious about these types of spells than anyone else, never neglecting countermeasures. That’s why it was necessary to deliberately excite her and make her completely lose her composure.

And the officers who noticed his actions would only trust Mirage even more.

As if they were swearing loyalty to Heavenly Kings, Belzebuth.

“Now then, everyone, we will begin the operation to subjugate the Wicked Dragon immediately. Considering the movements of the past three days, there is a high possibility that the Wicked Dragon will move right away. Don’t worry about guiding the evacuations of the surrounding residents; I’ve already instructed the troops on site. And… if possible, I hope you can all survive. Let’s defeat this Wicked Dragon no matter what!” -Mirage

In response to Mirage’s words, the roar of the twenty officers echoed beyond the castle walls, and the small birds perched in the surrounding trees hastily flew away. Their faces were surprisingly bright, as if they were not heading to their deaths, but rather to an enjoyable experience.

After confirming the general arrangement and sharing the timings for each of them to attack the Wicked Dragon, Mirage and the others disappeared from the conference room using teleportation magic.

“do…don’t… go…” -Astarte

The only one left in the room, Astarte, had tears flowing down her closed eyes, thinking of them. And the time she would wake up would be after everything had ended.