Butcher Demon

Chapter 121

『Ceasefire?』

『Yes. While you attack the subhuman stronghold, we will not touch Titania camp. Likewise, you will not touch our city』

『Why would you do that?』

『Because it's more convenient for us. If you attack the subhuman stronghold, we have no reason to stop you. We won't stand in your way, so go wild.』

Dantalion stroked his chin as he continued.

『'Besides, because of the damage you did to us the other day, Faymbaum won't be able to sufficiently prepare to fight the Titans for some time. Of course, the city won't fall so easily, but Faymbaum is located at a strategic geographical point, slightly outside the front lines. It's not like we only have to deal with you guys. If the surrounding subhuman armies get wind of the situation during the battle with the Titans and launch a large-scale attack, it would be extremely difficult to withstand.』

I think you're right, but why would you say that to me, your enemy?

『There's a squad coming from elysium to kill us right? I'm not going to let you stall that easily, Dantalion. We can change the plan and destroy Feybaum first.』

『I take it you're referring to the destroyer. It's not within our control. We can't interfere with the movements of the Demon Lord's direct forces. And even if you are able to destroy Faymbaum first, the destroyer will continue to pursue you. There is no change in the situation regarding of the order. It will be more difficult for you to deal with them when you are exhausted from fighting us.』

『It's easier to destroy each of you separately, of course.』

Dantalion made a little grunt in his throat at my words.

『If possible, we'd like to leave you to the destroyer. It would be more efficient, and we can't afford to waste any more of Faymbaum's strength. In short, this ceasefire agreement is unofficial, but I can assure you that we will not move our forces until your work is done, with the priority being the reconstruction of Faymbaum. Furthermore, if you don't attack us, we won't be actively involved in fighting you afterward. What do you think?』

So confidence. It seems that this destroyer unit is quite strong.

But then again, I do talk a lot. I'm going crazy. ...... Am I being deceived by any chance?

『I can't trust you. How do I know you're not lying?』

『............ Well, you never know. But we demons can't lie. Everything I just said is true, at least in my knowing. I haven't talked to Orlando yet because I've been in a hurry since I got smacked awake by Mustachio's Windtalker, but this proposal is mutually beneficial and I know you'll take it.』

What is that? demons can't lie, you say?

『You want me to believe that?』

Dantalion silently shrugged his shoulders.

What am I supposed to do, ......?

Oh no. I'm not very good at this kind of gut-wrenching conversation. I need a good stand-in. .......

But I can't find it here, so I'm going to turn my brain to full speed.

............ Is it true or false? It's not a bad idea to take it.

It is true that, as Dantalion said, Faymbaum is also being stared at by humanity. A head-on collision with those insects would be quite exhausting. Even if I were in charge of Faymbaum, I wouldn't want to fight them right now. If reinforcements are coming, we should wait for them while preserving our strength.

On the other hand, if we were to attack Faymbaum, we would have a problem. It's a war between the armies. We might have to fight for a month or even several months. If we are slowed down by the resistance of guerrilla warfare, we will have to continue fighting with the reinforcements that follow. And if the alien cities around us start to gather, we won't even be able to tell it. It would be all-out war. If that happened, I wouldn't be able to leave Titania.

I couldn't leave Abigail for that long. I also have an appointment with Lydia and the others. I'm going to put the Fort first for the time being.

So there is no advantage to fighting each other right now. It would be a relief if we could make a ceasefire while I'm away from Titania. The proposal is convincing to a certain extent.

The problem is that if we leave Faymbaum behind, They may find the reinforcements and attack us all at once. Dantalion, who calls himself an honest man, must be aiming for that in his heart. Our long-term strategy is also to destroy Faymbaum, after all.

This reminded me of one important thing. the geographic uniqueness of the area.

It's the front line, so if the aliens deploy a large army, there's a good chance that the humans will sally forth as well. If that happens, we can expect a chaotic three-way battlefield.

There is a risk that we will be caught in the middle, but so will the aliens. I don't think they want an unpredictable battle. Even if the reinforcements join them at Faymbaum, they may not be at full strength right away. If we can get somewhere in the meantime....

I decided that I should accept this proposal.

In response to the proposal, Bug and the others will continue to be alert and prepared for Faymbaum and the unknown destroyer force. In the meantime, I'll retrieve Abigail, and after I've had my fill of rampaging, we'll all take advantage of the ceasefire agreement to run away together and move to a more defensible location. If Abigail is here, she should be able to talk to Titania.

As long as we can talk to Titania, we can do anything. That's what I feel.

Yes, if only I could talk to Titania, ----.

This was one of the thing I was not used to, but I tried to negotiate.

『 Dantalion, I'd take you up on that offer, but I'm afraid you'll have to give me the telepathic crystal』

『Do you think I'd bother sending salt to my enemies? I know that you are not able to communicate with Titania. And you're going to be dysfunctional for the time being.』

『Right.』

damn it.

『 Yes, yes,――But you know, if you know that much, you'll know that I can't tell Titania about the ceasefire now, can I? So, give it to me. 』

Using a cunning, bossy pose. I forcefully begged with both hands.

Then Dantalion saw me and seemed to twist his mouth a little

『I'm sure Titania has seen and heard it already.』

『……?』

At that time, a silver butterfly fluttered down from the sky. It was Miller.

It descended to the ground next to me and flapped its wings.

A few powdery particles fluttered down from the wings of the Miller, and when they finally glowed, they formed the silhouette of a voluptuous woman.

The familiar silver-haired Titania slowly opened her eyelids.

"――――◇◎▼▲★、◎＃§□□§▽＃〒▽□◎◇"

"〆＆〒◎■。Titania ○、○◎▼■☆§※〆〓§"

Wow, .......

Well, it's a little sudden, but I think it's a hologram right? amazing.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one who was surprised. The aliens, with the exception of Dantalion, also seemed confused.

Titania and Dantalion. They both act like generals.

Both of them are conversing with each other in a confident manner, but at the same time, I can feel the tension tingling on their skin.

She looks like a different person than the pouty girl in front of me. Titania is a woman I can rely on. I fell in love with her all over again. Please make me your pimp.

It didn't take long for the two of them to talk.

Finally, the holographic Titania leaned in close to me. As her figure, began to fade out like an early morning breeze, Miller, who had completed its task, rested its wingspan on my shoulder.

A perfectly timed lifeboat. Thank you very much. If I hadn't, I might have collapsed with a fever.

『We've talked about this. Take the crystal with you. I want to keep the channel to talk to her. You can have the whole thing.』

Oh. Can I talk to Titania now, by any chance?

As I gazed at the two crystals in our hands, I heard Dantalion's teasing voice.

『No, you can't. It can only communicate with our pair of crystals. You can't use it for telekinesis, especially since you don't have telepathic skills.』

...... I wonder if you can tell what I want to say by the look on my face.

『Hey Gevaudan.』

Dantalion spoke to me as he yanked his sword out of the ground

『For your own good, I have another personal proposal for you. You can attack the subhuman stronghold on your own, but how about joining forces with us instead?』

『Why?』

『Former subhuman attacks subhuman. That's very unusual. I heard something about rescuing someone from here and I think there are some compelling reasons to do it. But for your case, I don't know what it is, but they say the enemy of my enemy is my friend. What I'm most concerned about right now is a situation where you and subhumans join forces. I'd be more than willing to support you guys if that's what it takes.』

Oh, Do you say that here too?

『I don't want to let you off that easily, but if you can kill more than twice as many subhumans as you killed and take down a fort or two, it will be worth it. That fort, in particular, has been an obstacle to our advance for many years. Capturing it would be of immeasurable value. If we use that as a souvenir, we might be able to persuade the empire to convince them to stop pursuing you.』

As I listened in silence, unable to comprehend his true intentions, he put his sword in his waist and continued.

『I don't want to crush your heart. So you can return to Agartha with her and live quietly. If you don't want to intervene in this war or on the side of the subhumans, I'm fine with that.』

『That'so generous of you. You smell fishy. I'm gonna blow my nose after this.』

『Of course, normally I would never offer such a thing. You've done so much. Many of my men are dead, as are many of my people in Elysium. Wherever you run, I will hunt you down and eliminate you. But considering the current wartime situation, your combat skills, your reasonable behavior, the power of Titania, and the strength of the Titans, it is in Feybaum's best interest that we do not interfere with each other. I won't shed blood for something I can't profit from.』

『 If you have a grudge, come at me. I'll settle it once and for all. I will not run and hide.』

『If we get caught up in trivial things like emotions, we will lose sight of the true objective. The supreme mission we have been given by the Demon Lord is to win the war. Butchers who have escaped and wanted fugitives who have lost are nothing but noise.』

Wow. I wish I could give humanity a taste of your wisdom.

In fact, Dantarion has not shown the slightest reaction to my provocation. It's also possible that I'm not very good at stirring things up.

『Gevaudan. You need to take a step back from those feelings and take a look at yourself.』

Dantalion raised one hand, and the deadly energy surrounding me dissipated.

『Why are you plotting to attack Feybaum again?』

『I hate you.』

『Why do you hate us?』

『Do you really think this kind of vindictiveness will work on me when I have been degraded to this state?』

『Hmm. I don't know about that, but destroying Faymbaum isn't going to change anything Butcher.』

『I'm annoyed by the existence of you people who create monsters like this without a care in the world. If I wipe them off the face of the earth, at least my soul will be in peace.』

At that moment『That's it. Gevaudan』Dantalion said, pointing at me.

『Is that really your grudge or it is that woman's? Ask yourself that question. The answer will come to you.』

『What?』

『Titania is the daughter of Oberon. It is said that she wields the power of domination. It erodes your will and changes its characteristics, leaving the form of your soul intact. But it is not so forceful as to twist your logical thinking. That's the tricky part, though......』

『……』

『Anyway, use your head, Gevaudan. Contemplation will help you. There is nothing to be gained by killing without purpose. What is it that you want? If you reason about it, you will be able to find your way. Again, there is no benefit to you in destroying Faymbaum. Rather, you will finally be targeted by Elysium. You'll just be rolling down a path of destruction from which there is no turning back. No matter how hard you and Titania fight, don't think you can survive with all of Elysium as your enemy.』

Hmmm, I see. I don't know. .......

It's hard, Dantalion. Please be merciful for the beginner.......

There was no way I was able to ask for help in this tense and very important situation, so I just cleared my throat as if I understood.

In these situations, I have to be with Abigail. She's the one who can talk to me in a perfect way and give me advice. I'll ask her to teach me how to talk to Titania. I've heard that she understands some of the alien languages. I'll give her a summary of what I've just said, and let her use her best human brain to figure out the rest. That much cheating is allowed, right?

But there was one thing that made me realize.

--There is nothing to be gained by killing without a purpose.

That's true. I still have a part of me that's human. That's why I have the right to take revenge. I just have to remember that, or the Butcher's madness will eat me alive.

『...... You're quite moderate, Dantalion. Isn't it the spirit of a soldier to double down when the enemy is hurt? It's as if you're afraid of me.』

Wanting desperately to anger Dantalion as he walked away, I challenged him back.

He looked back over his shoulder at me.

『―If you are leaving for Agartha without antagonizing Faymbaum or Elysium, then I will leave you alone. And let you go. ...... This is the solution your former employer insisted on.』

Dantalion said, and disappeared into the shadows created by the morning sun.

Diamond on my shoulder relaxed into a heaving heap As I stroked his head, I looked up at the golden light

...... I'm just a soldier. I don't know anything lofty or difficult.

Everyone says I've been taken over by Titania. That's fine with me. As long as I can end up as a soldier for her cause, I'll be happy.

She saved my soul. I want to use it for her.

But my intention is to execute the people who betrayed me. The vengeful spirit that sustained me in hell is not Titania's will. It belongs to me. That much is certain. Absolutely. It has to be.

I twisted the knob of the door that led to the sewage.