Chapter 514: Long-Awaited Reunion

「Where are you two~? Oh, you’re here!」

The footsteps were Haruna’s. She looks around as she enters the room and finds Chinatsu and Touko. However, it seems that there are two people who are restrained on both of Haruna’s shoulders.

「――!? …… Acerola, you’ve been captured, huh?」

The man who was terribly surprised said the name of the 『Wind Demon General』 Acerola. And it wasn’t a mistake. One of the people Haruna is carrying seems to have lost consciousness, but Acerola is conscious, and the man was able to recognize her face.

「S-Sorry…. I-I wasn’t… careless… but…」

Acerola’s expression, which was in anguish, became even gloomier when she was in front of the man. At the same time as receiving unbearable humiliation, she was ashamed of herself for not being able to anything, and was driven by the feelings of remorse―― it seemed that she had such complex thoughts running through her mind.

「Haruna, who are those people?」

「You see, I felt a strange magic power during the search. I thought that it was teleportation magic, so I used Gravietas to forcibly pull them toward me and caught them. Thinking that something like this might happen, Shishō taught me how to distinguish magic power and how to deal with teleportation magic~」

「Oh, as expected of Danna! His f-fo-fore, err, whatever―― anyway, he’s amazing!」

「It’s foresight. So, one of the is the Great Eight Generals who uses wind magic, right?」

「The one who used teleportation magic was this woman. As for the man… he fainted before I knew it!」

「…… Haruna, were you giving it your all when you caught him?」

「Yes, as usual!」

Setting aside the Great Eight Generals, if a normal person were caught while being swung around by Haruna’s full speed, they would faint. Chinatsu realized this and felt sorry for the unfortunate enemy.

「Ugh…」

Then, Acerola fainted. Correction, it seems that it was quite painful even for the Great Eight Generals.

「So, who is that king-like person over there?」

「The self-proclaimed Emperor Titos.」

「He seems to be a body double, you know?」

「A body double!? Wow, it’s the first time I’m seeing one!」

It was the kind of reaction Touko had just a moment ago.

「…… I understand. I will retract my lie and surrender completely. Of course, I will tell you the truth as much as you want. So please treat that person carefully.」

The man claiming to be Emperor Titos lets go of his sword and kneels there with his hands raised.

「I’m Ernest, the 『Ice General』. For some reason, I’m acting as a substitute for Emperor Titos. Please take my head instead.」

「Hey, things don’t work that well in real life.」

「If Ernest-san is a fake, the one fainted here is the real Emperor Titos, right? In short, he’s our target, right? If the target is here, there’s no point in taking Ernest-san’s head. Then, we can’t treat him carefully like you asked.」

The color of emotion disappears from Haruna’s eyes, which until a while ago had been showing a smile appropriate for her age. Those eyes are the kind that shows no mercy in battle.

(――――!?)

Seeing her like that, Ernest felt a chill run down his spine. Because of his line of work, Ernest has faced various people until now. He faced them, conquered them, and used them as sustenance for the empire. However, everything he has accumulated so far won’t work on the girl in front of him. On the contrary, there’s something overwhelming about her that makes him think that he would be the one being devoured instead. He can’t expect a mercy, and the emperor would die at this rate. Ernesto’s conviction prompted him to take immediate action and spit out the following words from his mouth.

「Please don’t be hasty. I have good reason to take his place.」

「Reason?」

「As of this moment, the imperial throne of Elderado Great Empire has been officially transferred to me. I have also changed my name from Ernest to Titos Elderado. In other words, I’m really the emperor of Elderado, Titos Elderado.」

「Wha…!?」

「「???」」

Chinatsu understands the development and is bewildered. On the other hand, the two are unable to catch up with the development and they let out black smoke from their heads.

「W-Wait. Then, what about this unconscious person?」

「He was His Majesty Titos, but now he has given up his position and changed his name, just like me. His family register registered in the country is completely different than before, but it’s a legitimate change. His position is no different from that of an ordinary citizen of Elderado. Therefore, his head is worth nothing. The reason he was acting with Acerola, who is a user of teleportation magic, was because he intended to escape from the imperial capital when he saw an opportunity. You caught them on the way, though.」

「………」

Chinatsu recalled the victory condition in this war. Victory or defeat will be decided by the life or death of Titos Elderado, the emperor of Elderado. Carmine’s victory would be achieved with the death of Titos――something like that was certainly written in the rules.

「You outwitted the rule, huh? Certainly, the rules stated that the emperor named Titos would be the standard for victory or defeat. Now that you have officially inherited the throne and have changed your name according to the procedures, you’re the true Emperor Titos. Is that right?」

「Yes. Just like General Zool, I’m aware of Carmine’s power. While knowing that, I searched for what I could do and what I should do. It’s impossible for us to win by fighting head-on against Vakala’s army that’s seriously coming to destroy this country. So, this is my answer.」

「Hmm? Oi, what does that mean? In the end, which one should we defeat?」

「To fulfill the victory condition, we should defeat Ernest-san.」

「R-Right! Actually, I thought so too!」

「Hmm…. But what’s the point of that? Even if the original emperor survives, you would still lose the war, right?」

Haruna asked Ernest a genuine question. The winner can treat the loser as they like. Even though it is a verbal agreement, it is a war with such a statement at the end of the rules. It’s only natural to think that it would be meaningless if they lost.

「Heh, are you, Vakala’s subordinate, really saying that? If this is supposed to be some kind of joke, it’s not funny at all. Elderado is all about royal blood, and if that blood is cut off, there is nothing but destruction ahead. The one who cast such a curse is none other than you guys, right?」

Ernest spoke with a self-deprecating tone, but only question marks floated above the girls’ heads. Seeing the three of them like that, Ernest seems to begin to feel something is strange.

「……? Don’t tell me, are you really don’t know any――」

「――Oh, let’s ■ unnecessary ■ here.」

――――Zhu…!

The moment a familiar man’s voice was heard, part of the steel ceiling suddenly rotted, and someone flew down through it. He landed just behind Ernest, blocking Ernest’s mouth with his hand to prevent him from talking any further. Then, he spoke even though he didn’t have a mouth.

「■, it’s been a while. Are you ■? I really ■ to see you guys.」n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

「…… That annoying voice, are you that bastard Akira?」