Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume16 Chapter2 (section)

===Part 3===

The sky over the desert was currently shrouded by thick black clouds.

The Theocracy's capital of Zohar was the city that Demon King Solomon had founded a thousand years ago.

During the Demon King War, Sacred Maiden Areishia had led the Salvation Army to burn down the city, turning it into ruins. A couple centuries later, it was revived as a major metropolis, serving as a transport hub in continental trade.

At the heart of Zohar was Scorpia, the Demon Scorpion Palace where the hierarch resided.

Although people always thought of Scorpia as the castle where Demon King Solomon lived, that was actually not  true. During the time of the Demon King War, it was merely the location of a military stronghold. The Demon King's true residence remained a mystery to this day.

Scorpia at Zohar had been built three hundred years ago. Due to the tyrannical administration at the time, it was known as the era of the Mad Lord, Targal Solomon, who styled himself as the reincarnation of the Demon King. He was assassinated by his retainer Hajid Kahn. Thereafter, his legacy was inherited by his descendants as successive hierarchs of the Demon King cult.

Right now, the one sitting on the hierarch's throne was Sjora Kahn, the Witch of Venomous Snakes.

After the conclusion of the Blade Dance tournament, she had assassinated her own father to usurp the throne.

The witch with eyes of red&mdash;

"...What a pain. They keep popping up endlessly like maggots no matter how many we kill."

Standing at a balcony of the palace, Sjora looked at the plaza and gnashed her teeth in annoyance.

Displayed on the palace plaza were the decapitated corpses of traitors.

This was meant to warn those who disrespected her. However, even after executing more than half of the old retainers, traitorous rebels still kept appearing out of the woodwork.

Thanks to the Holy Kingdom's aid, the coup d'etat itself was a success, but Sjora's control of the nation was nowhere near firm. Opposition to Sjora's ascension was erupting all over the Theocracy, producing insurgencies in various cities. Led by Dracunia, first and foremost, the surrounding nations were also watching menacingly. Then there was Murders, the merchant faction local to Zohar, that regarded this as a business opportunity and was secretly fanning flames of civil unrest.

"...Why, why isn't everything in my control!?"

Unable to suppress her anger, Sjora threw a wine glass against a wall, smashing it.

"Sjora-sama! Is something  wrong!?"

Hearing the commotion, princess maidens ran to the balcony in panic.

A girl named Valmira had been looking after Sjora's daily needs ever since childhood. She was Sjora's closest of confidants and her only trusted retainer in the palace.

"...Nothing. Go bring me a replacement glass."

"As you wish&mdash;"

Looking at the timid girl who had her head down, Sjora asked impatiently:

"Do you have something to report to me?"

"U-Umm..."

Valmira hesitated before shutting her mouth.

"Out with it, quick. Or would you like to join those people lying in the plaza?"

After Sjora spoke with threatening tone, Valmira finally mustered her determination and spoke:

"Just now, I received news of the rebel army gathering at the military stronghold of the Demon's Fist."

"The Demon's Fist&mdash;"

Sjora narrowed her eyes slightly.

The Demon's Fist was an impregnable fortress built at the mining city of Mordis, situated northeast of Zohar. On top of a rocky mountain, it was named for its appearance that resembled a raised fist. Mordis was not only an important military base but also the top producer of spirit crystals in the country. Without a hold on Mordis, any talk of unifying the country would be utterly ludicrous.

"All previous rebellions had been small in scale within towns and cities, but this time they have united together. I fear that relying on our domestic forces will no longer be enough."

Valmira's gaze showed urgency.

In truth, the Theocracy's army was pitifully weak compared to that of Ordesia or Dracunia. Furthermore, their morale had fallen dramatically after suppressing these increasingly serious rebellions. Not only that, a substantial proportion had deserted the army and betrayed the hierarch by secretly joining the rebel army. If their own nation's army failed to quell the rebellions, it would give other countries a pretext for military intervention.

"Of course, these traitors deserve nothing less than the hammer of punishment&mdash;"

Valmira timidly sneaked a glance at her monarch's face.

But unexpectedly, Sjora did not show signs of anger.

Licking her blood-red lips, she sneered with delight.

"Is that so? For them to gather in one spot, how perfect."

"...May I ask what do you mean by that?"

"I have grown weary of playing with bugs. This is an excellent chance to exterminate them in one fell swoop, these fools who dare to oppose me."

"Well, you have a point there, but..."

Valmira swallowed the words that were about to leave her lips.

Easier said than done. Since ancient times, the Demon's Fist had been an impregnable fortress. That was presumably the reason why the rebel army had chosen it as their stronghold. Given the Theocracy's current military strength, conquering it would not be that easy.

"&mdash;Let's use ''that'' and we'll be able to take care of them instantly."

"''That''...?"

Valmira cocked her head... What on earth was she talking about?

"Yes, it would be perfect as a test subject, wouldn't you agree?"

"...!?"

The moment Sjora Kahn grinned with a sneer...

Valmira finally understood her intent.

"...No way, you intend to release that seal!?"
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