Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 209

209: Riding Double with a Maid on a White (Bone) Horse

The next day, after a night spent in the castle of the Fourth Army…

Perhaps due to the scarcity of the living, the mess hall was the type where you could order in detail.

So, starting with a fluffy omelet with two eggs, I ordered a variety of dishes, wanting to see the chef’s skill, and both the cooks and the bakers were excellent.

Come to think of it, this was a region with few entertainments. The living who were dispatched here were quite elite, and if the food wasn’t good, the turnover rate would probably be high.

“…You’re in high spirits, Master.”

After a more substantial meal than usual, as I was enjoying a café au lait with a little bit of high-quality coffee, Liz said, her expression a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

“An army marches on its stomach. And I slept well, thanks to you.”

“Normally, a vice-commander doesn’t serve as a body pillow…”

Thanks to the wonderful pillow, I had slept well.

“How about every day?”

“…No, not every day.”

“Oh, that’s a shame.” I sighed, and drank the last of my café au lait.

“Well, let’s go see Eldritch-san. He said he wanted to talk again tomorrow.”

“He was a little… off-topic… after you left.”

“Off-topic? I was just building a relationship of trust with a fellow supreme commander.”

“…The way you twist logic is supreme commander-level, Master.”

“My apologies, Lord of Disease, something has come up.”

“Oh.” I had gone to the same conference room as yesterday with Liz and Samarkand, and I could only nod at Eldritch-san’s words.

“A ‘husk’ has appeared. I will take command.”

“Liz, a ‘husk’… is that…”

“Yes, an undead that has lost its sense of self. …Literally, the husk of an undead.”

“Yes. …It has been consuming the local wildlife and growing in power. It cannot control its hunger, and if it is left to its own devices, it will eventually consume everything, and even seems to be unaware of the simple logic that even a child in Listrea is taught.”

The Listrea Demon Kingdom provided a basic elementary education. Reading, writing, arithmetic… probably about the level of an elementary school student in Japan, but as someone from a country that valued education, I was impressed.

The human nations were all different, but in general, education seemed to be limited to those with money.

The Holy Kingdom of Etrantal was the most focused on education, but since their objective was to enable their citizens to read the scriptures, the church was in charge, and doctrine was inevitably drilled into their heads.

The Perte Empire, with its strict division of labor and de facto hereditary system, didn’t focus much on education, but they did have a national military academy. I’d heard they also had a strong focus on vocational training.

And Rank Kingdom’s stance was, “Is there a need to give wisdom to the common people?” The only education they had, which was common in the other nations as well, was probably the apprentice system in the various guilds.

In comparison, a unique feature of the Listrea Demon Kingdom was that they had education about other races. In particular, the dark elves and beastmen, who formed the core of the nation, were taught the basics about the undead—and how to prepare for them.

Because someday, they, too, might become undead.

They sometimes even had direct conversations with the undead. It reminded me of the social studies field trips I had taken when I was still innocent, when I had never dreamed I would be called a heartless monster in another world, or the comprehensive learning hours where we had guests come to the school to speak.

Incidentally, I, too, had been taught these things, albeit briefly, by Liz. And I had also been asking Rebecca and Harken about the undead, Samarkand about demons, and recently, Aithys about beastmen.

“—We cannot let it be. At this rate, the Badlands will expand.”

Eldritch-san spat out the words and sighed. And the blue-green will-o’-the-wisps burning in his dark eye sockets looked at me.

“Will you accompany us?”

“Huh?”

“We have enough forces. There is no danger. …It might be good for you to see.”

“I see. …Liz?”

“If Eldritch-sama says so. It depends on the degree, but I have dealt with husks before. Samarkand, you have no problem, do you?”

“None. Whatever the opponent, I will be my master’s shield.”

“Yes. Then you shall accompany us.”

Eldritch-san nodded, and it was decided. After a quick word with Aithys, who was staying behind to take care of Leaf, we went to the designated square in the castle, where preparations were already nearly complete.

I was in my formal attire, though without my mask, holding my staff.

“—We will depart as soon as preparations are complete. And the Lord of Disease and three others will be accompanying us. Be advised.”

The thirty or so who had gathered nodded silently. They showed no particular reaction to my face.

There were five dark elves in white robes. The rest were from the Death Knight order, led by the death knight who had been by the throne yesterday.

“Lord of Disease, I do not think you will need to assist, but if you deem it necessary, you may do so.”

“I will try not to get in the way.” I bowed my head slightly. And I continued.

“As we discussed yesterday, I can deploy the Barghests.”

“…Yes. It is not as planned… but could you provide us with about twelve, for reconnaissance?”

“Yes. —Come.” I shook my robe and released twelve Barghests.

The Barghests formed a circle around me and Eldritch-san, who was standing in front of me.

I could feel the tension in the air. My Barghests were not showing any signs of aggression. But Black Hound Barghests were the natural enemy of the undead. To see their master surrounded by their natural enemy—

“A chilling sight, even knowing they are on our side. If I had a spine, that is.”

Eldritch-san’s undead joke eased the tension.

I, too, in an effort to relax, hugged the necks of two of the Barghests and petted their heads.

“To have the Barghests as allies is reassuring. —Lord of Disease, how skilled are you at riding?”

Liz answered for me.

“She has never ridden before, but I will support her. We would like to borrow two horses for Samarkand and ourselves.”

Then, Samarkand interjected.

“Liz-sama, that is unnecessary. I will serve as a hound with the Barghests on this occasion.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. In an emergency, I am faster on my own than on horseback. Therefore, Eldritch-sama, I would like to borrow one horse for my master.”

“Yes. Then I will have a two-seater prepared. …Many of our army’s horses are designed for two riders. —Reyhan, you heard that. Prepare one.”

“As you wish…” The black knight in the full plate armor, who had been at the throne yesterday, nodded and headed for the stables.

He was quick, but he only gave a brief bow and returned to his preparations. A cool person.

“That is Reyhan-sama. His race is wraith, and he is the commander of the Death Knight order. He is third in command of the Fourth Army.”

“Thank you, Liz.”

The first and third in command were going out in person. This was a rather large operation. Well, if the first in command was going, he would need a suitable escort.

“…By the way, wasn’t he in the bromides?”

“Huh? Was he?” Liz tilted her head.

“…You were the one who supervised them, weren’t you?”

“I only supervised the ones I knew. Specifically, the cute girls.”

“…That’s so you, Master.” Liz sighed.

“Now, Master. Can you get on?”

“Don’t underestimate me. Of course I can’t get on by myself.” I puffed out my chest.

“…I’ll support your butt, so please get on. And on horseback… no, during this march, you will follow my, and Eldritch-sama’s, instructions.”

“—Of course. I do not think I am the greatest, or the wisest.”

I switched to the composed tone of the Lord of Disease.

“I hope so…”

With Liz’s support, I got on the horse more easily than I’d expected. Liz, as if she had placed her foot in a stirrup, leaped up behind me. And she took the reins. And… well… Something soft was pressing against my back.

The two-seater position, where I was nestled in Liz’s arms, was a little… stimulating… for my maiden heart.

I decided to ignore it and changed the subject.

“…Liz, you can ride a horse.”

“I may be an assassin, but I am a regular soldier. While mounted combat is a specialized skill, we do ride for transport, and we are all taught the basics.”

“I wasn’t.”

“I’m surprised you consider yourself a regular soldier. …There is no one other than the Lord of Disease who has become a supreme commander from a position with no rank, no even a military registration.”

“I see. But Liz, you look like a princess on a white horse.”

“…This is a skeleton horse, and I’m a maid.”

“I like maids more than princesses.”

“For a supreme commander to say such a thing, right before a deployment…” Liz’s words trailed off.

“…No, never mind.”

I think she had been about to say something about another supreme commander—specifically, the supreme commander of the Fourth Army.