Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume16 Chapter5 (section)

===Part 4===

After Rubia's rousing speech, the gathering of Demon King cultists was dismissed&mdash;

Kamito and company were taken to a level below the great cavern, a hall similar to a conference room.

According to Siska, who left immediately after leading Kamito's group to the place, it had been used as a headquarters for army staff during the Ranbal War.

Covered by solid walls of rock, the hall was not only extremely soundproofed but also had isolation magic carved to block infiltration from espionage-type militarized spirits.

Kamito and company sat down at the long table in the center and waited for Rubia to arrive.

Restia turned back into the demon sword to standby, whereas Muir simply took a nap, hunched over the table. The ability to enter sleep swiftly no matter where was a skill shared by everyone trained at the Instructional School.

"What is Nee-sama planning...?"

Claire murmured worriedly to herself.

...Well, one could hardly blame her for worrying. The Rubia delivering the speech earlier was truly quite different from the Rubia they knew.

"...She was apparently talking about the Demon King's resurrection. What on earth did she mean?"

"The refugees gathered here are all Demon King cultists persecuted by Sjora Kahn as heretics. The Cardinal intends to rouse their faith and loyalty, I expect."

Velsaria offered her own interpretation.

"Then talk of the Demon King's resurrection is just misdirection...?"

"Perhaps&mdash;"

With her chin resting on her fingers, Fianna spoke ambiguously.

"By using Soul Recall magic, for example, the Demon King really could be revived or some such&mdash;"

Hearing her quiet murmurs, Kamito suddenly came to a realization.

(...Speaking of which, Rubia had awakened Nepenthes Lore before.)

Thinking back now, it seemed a long time ago, but it had happened during the preliminary round of the Blade Dance.

At the time, she had used the taboo spell of Soul Recall to revive Nepenthes Lore, a monster that had inherited the Demon King's power. Essentially a failed Demon King specimen, the monster singlehandedly destroyed Milla Bassett's team belonging to the Principality of Rossvale and utterly demolished Team Scarlet's base.

"However, even for Rubia-sama, resurrecting the Demon King himself would be absolutely impossible."

"Indeed, no one even knows where the Demon King's remains vanished to."

"Yes, I know, but this is just speculation&mdash;"

Fianna shrugged and shook her head. At that moment...

"&mdash;Thank you for waiting."

The door to the hall opened and Rubia appeared.

"...!"

Everyone present all looked towards Rubia.

She had taken off the princess maiden attire from just now and changed to the Theocracy's military uniform.

The demon mask was also removed to reveal her true face.

Sitting at the head of the table, Rubia swept her gaze over everyone's face in turn, then slowly began to speak.

"First of all, I apologize for being unable to meet up in Dracunia. During the past few days, the situation in the Theocracy has changed dramatically. Consequently, it became essential to take control of this city ahead of schedule&mdash;"

"From what we saw earlier, looks like you succeeded."

Kamito remarked at this time.

"Yes, I have already reached an agreement with the Demon King cult cadre leading the refugees. In exchange for rescuing Saladia Kahn, they have pledged to enter an alliance with Legitimate Ordesia."

"...Nothing less expected from you."

While feeling impressed inside, Kamito stared sharply at Rubia.

"&mdash;However, fabricating false hope with lies about the Demon King's resurrection, that's a bit much."

He voiced the doubts that had been occupying his heart since earlier.

The numerous refugees were all mesmerized by Rubia's speech.

They believed from the bottom of their hearts that their savior, the Demon King, was going to resurrect.

He was quite displeased with Rubia's methods in exploiting other people's faith, even for the sake of winning over the rebel army.

From what he could tell, Claire and the girls felt similarly.

However, Rubia took on Kamito's gaze directly&mdash;

"I had no intention of fabricating false hope."

Then she said that.

"...?"

Kamito looked at her in surprise.

"Don't tell me you're really gonna revive Demon King Solomon?"

"No&mdash;"

Rubia shook her head and slowly declared:

"&mdash;''The Demon King is already here''."

"...Huh?"

Everyone present began to doubt what they had heard.
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