Chapter 147 : Midgaze Infiltration

 Chapter 147.1

Chapter 147 – Midhaze Infiltration

"Hmm. I suppose I can shift to a location slightly further away from Midhaze. Walking into the city from there would be the quickest option."

With his magical eyes, he scanned the perimeter of Midhaze, searching for a route that was out of reach of the dark barrier and thus easy to access.

Lay said, "Perhaps the majority of the demons are unable to defy Avos Dilhevia's commands. I suspect they are waiting for you to show up."

"I bet."

"There is no sense in knocking them down. When possible, it is preferable to avoid combat."

That's a fair point.

Dealing with anyone other than Avos Dilhevia, Nousgalia, and the Spirit King would be a fruitless endeavor. It's not like we can simply slay them.

Although the royal family alone would be like twisting a baby's hand, my subordinates of 2,000 years ago are present there as well.

"Well, the other side probably can discern that I'm planning to refrain from engaging in war. I can't afford to waste any more time with them. Depending on how things go, we may have no choice but to storm through head-on."

"…Um?" Lina calls out to me. "Would you please bring me with you?"

She had such an earnest look on her face.

If the Spirit King is Shin, then who is this amnesiac girl who is trying to meet him?

The most obvious one is the Great Spirit Reno… A spirit can rise anew even if their source has been exterminated, provided the rumors and lore have not been obliterated. Having said that, I don't recollect any stories of them experiencing amnesia. I also doubt that their faces can be seen.

Furthermore, Titi mentioned that she would never meet Reno anymore. Wouldn't that mean that Reno has been utterly annihilated as a spirit?

Notwithstanding the discovery of Avos Dilhevia's true identity, there are still several mysteries that remain unanswered.

There was something that transpired 2,000 years ago surrounding the birth of Avos Dilhevia. It would be far too coincidental to believe that this girl had nothing to do with it. Alternatively, she may have had her memories sealed by the Spirit King or Nousgalia.

"Let's go together. I have no doubt that you are the same as us."

"The same?"

"That means we are here to tie up loose ends from 2,000 years ago."

Lina blinked and gave a nod.

"…I feel the same way…"

Lina grasps the hand I offer.

Lay, Misha, Eleonore, and other members of my party joined hands, and we all utilized ｢Teleportation Gatom｣.

My vision went black for a moment, then brightened, revealing a road ahead of us.

It is the road leading to Midhaze. Even if we could have gone closer, we would have had to be on the defensive if our position were to be discovered. This area seems to be the appropriate spot.

We continued along the road, getting closer to our destination with the passage of time.

Eventually, the castle walls came into view. The inner part of the wall is dark and has taken on the form of a barrier.

Once we passed through the gate, entering Midhaze was possible, but the gate was closed.

"How do we get in?" Lay asks.

"I guess it would be quicker to barge through while nobody's around, right?"

Misha, who stood next to Sasha, shook her head when she said this.

"Somebody's coming."

Misha directed her demon eyes at the gate.

The interior of the gate was obscured by the dark barrier, but she could see the flow of magical energy at this close range.

Indeed, a considerable number of demons are heading here.

"Shall we hide?"

Using the magic of ｢Illusion Mimicry Rainel｣ and ｢Concealed Magic Power Najira｣, we blended in with the scenery of the place.

After a short while, the gate of the castle opens.

The demons, armed with magic swords, stepped out.

These faces seem familiar to me.

Is it the Midhaze army that served as the advance party during the war with Azeshion?

One of them took a step forward and proclaimed in a loud voice. 

It was the Demon Lord Elio.

"The misfit and his followers who rebel against Avos Dilhevia are heading for this Midhaze. By the magic of Avos Dilhevia-sama's ｢Dark Area Demera｣, the area surrounding Midhaze is impenetrable under the magic of ｢Teleportation Gatom｣. They are expected to appear at one of the city gates!"

Elio issues the order to his men.

"While scouting the perimeter, the first and fourth squads are to move to the west gate, the second and third squads to the east gate, and the fifth squad to the north gate! Not even a single ant is allowed inside Midhaze!"

"Understood!"

Elio's troops were divided into three and moved along the city walls.

All that remains is Elio and two demons, who are possibly his entourage.

Elio stands still, not bothering to close the gate.

This is an eccentric move.

"Misha, do you see anything?"

"A stout heart," Misha mutters in my ear. 

"I see conviction."

Conviction huh.

"Let me go check it out. You guys stay out of sight."

I undo the magic of ｢Illusion Mimicry Rainel｣ that I cast on myself.

Then I walked straight to Elio.

"E-elio-sama…!"

One of the members of the group raises his voice.