Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 84

84: An Agreement

“…First, I would like to thank you for accepting our request for a joint training exercise.”

“It is only natural, as comrades in the Demon King’s army.”

I stood opposite Bridget, dressed in my Lord of Disease regalia. However, I had entrusted my staff to Samarkand, and I wasn’t wearing my mask.

We were in a room in Fort Litalside, discussing the upcoming joint training exercise between the Sixth Army and the Second Army, the Dark Knights.

Liz stood at my right, slightly behind me. Rebecca, Samarkand, and Harken were lined up behind her.

Behind Bridget, a row of dark knights stood at attention, clad in black armor. She, too, wore her crimson armor, her silver ponytail a striking contrast.

The sense of intimidation was immense.

Bringit Finis, the Blood Knight, Commander of the Second Army, and a supreme commander of the Demon King’s army of the Listrea Demon Kingdom.

Along with the Third Army, the beastmen, and the Fourth Army, the undead, the Dark Knights were a symbol of the nation’s military might, and she was at their helm. So, the sense of intimidation was to be expected.

We continued our discussion, standing.

“The exercise will take place in one week. It will be a series of mock battles, using wooden swords. Any objections?”

“None. Please continue.”

“We will each select members to compete. …Our request is…” Bridget glanced at the knights behind her. One of them, the youngest-looking among them, a man with platinum blonde hair slicked back, stepped forward and bowed.

Dark elves aged slowly, so he was likely older than his apparent twenty-some years. But he was undoubtedly young, relatively speaking.

“I would be honored to test my skills against the Lord of Disease herself. …I wish to see the abilities that have earned her the command of the Sixth Army…” His tone was a perfect example of insincere politeness.

So transparent.

“Of course. However, Bringit Finis, I would like to make a… ‘slight’ alteration to your proposal.”

“…Which part?” Bridget raised an eyebrow.

I placed a hand on my chest and declared,

“I will be the only one to fight.”

“…What?” Bridget frowned.

“Ten opponents should suffice. You may select them from among your younger, more… dissatisfied… knights.”

“…I wouldn’t say… dissatisfied…”

“—Let’s dispense with the pleasantries.” I responded to the young knight’s insincere politeness with a tone of my own.

“I will face you with all of my abilities.”

“…As expected of the Lord of Disease…”

“I am not a supreme commander for nothing.” I gave him a cold look.

“Even a fledgling can chirp its dissatisfaction. I shall teach you a lesson you won’t soon forget.”

“Fledgling…?! —Us?”

“If you disagree, prove it with your swords.” I chuckled softly.

“I shall face you… honorably… according to the rules.”

I gestured with my hand. Liz stepped forward, holding a document. The rules for our little exercise.

“I have taken the liberty of setting the rules. Of course, if you have any objections or questions, we can discuss them. Though I trust the proud Dark Knights will have no complaints…”

“Of course not!” the young knight exclaimed, stepping forward.

Bridget raised her gauntleted hand.

“Enough. —Let me see.” Her gaze was sharp. “I appreciate your high opinion of us. But if the rules are clearly disadvantageous, I will not hesitate to request a change.”

“Of course.” I nodded. As expected of Bridget. She doesn’t rise to the bait.

“However… I must admit, I’m surprised by your appearance, Lord of Disease.”

And as for this one… I glanced at the young knight, then sent a mental message of pity and sympathy to Bridget.

The Dark Knights are a large unit. She must have her hands full.

“Why don’t you just ask if I’m human?”

“…So, it’s true?”

“There’s no point in hiding it anymore. At least, not within the army.” I said dismissively, then smiled.

“Consider this an opportunity to train against a human.”

I considered Bridget a friend, and I wanted to help her. But I wasn’t a Dark Knight.

So, there was only one thing I could do.

Make my declaration a reality.

“I will be waiting in the room you’ve provided. …If there are no problems, we will use oath magic to swear by these rules. —Samarkand, you will act as liaison.”

“Yes, my master. …Commander. May I wait outside the room?”

“You have my permission. We’ll need about thirty minutes. Perhaps more.”

“Of course. Then, I look forward to an ‘honorable’ battle.”

The oath magic was successfully cast.

After the oath magic, we returned to the hotel. The Lord of Disease was training with Harken in the courtyard, with Samarkand on guard.

And Liz, alone with Rebecca, clasped her hands together and confessed, facing the direction of Fort Litalside.

“Oh… Bridget-neesama, I’m so sorry…”

“…Liz? What are you apologizing for?” Rebecca tilted her head.

“Ten of the Dark Knights are about to be… thoroughly and disappointingly defeated… and the aftermath will be a lot of work…”

“…What?”

“Master said so, didn’t she?” Liz’s voice was filled with conviction.

“Even if they’re just fledglings, they’re still the Dark Knights. Master has no chance of winning with a wooden sword.” Rebecca stated the obvious.

“Isn’t this supposed to be an honorable way to let them blow off some steam?”

“…Honorable?” Liz’s smile was cynical.

“Our Master? The Lord of Disease…?”

With complete conviction, she explained the reality to Rebecca, who had yet to fully grasp her new master.

“Our Master, a sore loser of the highest order, a coward, a monster who lives up to her name, a supreme commander-class villain… would never engage in an honorable battle she has no chance of winning.”

“Wait, what are you saying?” Rebecca still looked confused.

“Is she… planning to defeat the Dark Knights with a sword?”

“She has no intention of losing…”

“But the rules… she’ll have to fight them head-on, honorably.”

“I don’t know the full plan… but I can say one thing.” Liz sighed, a mixture of resignation and trust in her voice.

“She’s a true villain.”