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Chapter 306 part 1

In Bern, several days had passed since the end of what would later be known as the Agrarian Campaign – the second invasion of the Arkrest Kingdom by the Demon King’s Army.

Bern, no longer a village but more fittingly called a capital, was home to an array of unique and talented individuals. These included eccentrics, geniuses, and exceptionally skilled people, not only from the kingdom but also from surrounding nations.

They were individuals who, due to economic reasons or being shunned by their peers, had been obscured in history’s shadows. Bern, offering them extensive funding, materials, and research facilities, had gathered them.

Each day, numerous failures and significantly fewer successes were repeated, and one such successful research outcome was now being utilized throughout Bern.

Recently installed in busy streets, frequently visited intersections, the walls of the few high-rise buildings, and popular squares, was an intriguing device.

A gigantic, thick glass panel, as large as the wall of an average house, was set within a white metal frame. Numerous tubes stretched out from its back, and it was mounted on walls or upright boards.

Had Haruto, who last year fiercely competed with Dran at the Magic Festival, been there, he might have recalled an item from his homeland and uttered something like, “A TV?”

The massive black screen emitted a small popping sound and lit up. Those familiar with it stopped in their tracks or ceased their work to watch, while first-time viewers gazed in amazement.

Displayed on the screen was a bird woman in a refined pure white dress, her olive-brown hair curled attractively. She sat at a table covered with a tablecloth bearing the Barony of Bern’s crest. In front of her lay a plate with “HOLOMIS” inscribed on it.

「Good day, ladies and gentlemen. This is the time for today’s official Bern broadcast, covering the events in the Barony of Bern. I, Holomis, will be presenting today’s program.」

Viewers seeing this for the first time reacted with surprise or open-mouthed astonishment at the woman speaking from the other side of the monitor.

An elderly Dwarf merchant, who had been drinking barley wine at a stall since noon, turned to the young goat-man stall owner in confusion.

「Hey, hey, what is that? I knew there were such boards around Bern, but how does it show people and emit their voices?」

The stall owner, accustomed to such reactions, answered nonchalantly while also serving roasted chicken breast and cheese on a small plate.

「As you see and hear. In other territories, lords post announcements, right? It’s like that, but they speak the message. I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard it’s a magic application that transmits voice and images over distances. There’s a building called the Bern Broadcasting Station near the baron’s mansion, broadcasting live what they’re filming there.」

The Dwarf merchant, seemingly understanding yet lost in thought, ate the snacks and sipped his barley wine.

「So, even those who can’t read understand the lord’s messages at a glance. But this is quite luxurious. Not just the financial power to boldly use such magical items, but also the technological strength and creativity to utilize such unprecedented items. This land really is the center of attention. Had it not been for the war, more people would have gathered here.」

「You must be new here. People are returning day by day. Luckily, it seems we’re winning the war, and the baron is buying up various things. You must have come here for business too, right?」

「Indeed. Dwarf-refined metals are popular everywhere, but the current lord here has been eagerly buying them since his appointment. With the war underway, the demand has only increased.」

「I hope the war ends soon. Usually, the broadcasts feature singers, amateur and street musicians’ performances, and theater plays – a source of entertainment for everyone. But since the war started, there’s been more focus on broadcasting about the war.」

「Well, it’s a war, after all. It’s not just Bern, but a large-scale war involving the northern lords. Though, despite that, things here seem rather calm.」

「No casualties or injured have returned from the battlefield yet, probably because many priests from various sects have joined as medics. Oh, they’re about to broadcast the war situation.」

「The battle between the Demon King’s Army from Mundus Carnus, advancing from The Dark Wilderness, and the combined forces of the Bern Army led by Baron Bern and the lords, has concluded. The Demon King’s Army is retreating northward, and Baron Bern and the lords are currently heading to Jogan Fortress…」

While such news of the Demon King’s Army’s defeat was being broadcast in Bern, Christina and the lords had entered Jogan Fortress in northwest Bern and were preparing for a meeting, just as announced.

This was after a thorough review of the damages from the battle, depleted resources, and the movements of the retreating Demon King’s Army.

Fort Jogan, now an impressive fortress vital to national defense, caused many soldiers stationed there to grimace or doubt their eyes at the sight of the Bern Army and its allies.

The self-propelled golems with mounted cannons were still acceptable, as there were examples of large creatures towing and using cannons. However, a fortress moving on legs or using tracks like the Demon King’s Army’s land battleships was unbelievable.

The existence of the Demon King’s Army’s land battleships had already shocked the Arkrest Kingdom soldiers, but they were unaware that their allies had similar contraptions.

Among the fort golems scattered across The Dark Wilderness, about three had gathered at Jogan Fortress, both as part of the surveillance network against the Demon King’s Army and in preparation for emergencies.

Moreover, what surprised them besides the fort golems was the arrival of several wise dragons at the fortress.

The Arkrest Kingdom army, though indirectly allied through Bern, had to share information and opinions with the dragons of the Mores Mountains about future strategies.

Vaje, incapable of such sensitive interspecies negotiations, was currently in Dragonian form, visiting the fort golem where Selina and others were waiting.

After landing on the grounds, the dragons observed the kingdom soldiers with intense curiosity. Despite having fought against the same enemy, these dragons had only battled in the skies, lacking the opportunity to closely observe human soldiers on the ground.

While not exactly an exchange, non-hazardous interactions between humans and Dragonkin were taking place. In one of the conference rooms facing the fortress’s courtyard, those who could be called the top echelon of the coalition’s upper echelon were meeting.

These included General Kajoka, a Black Fox-tribe member dispatched from the House of Almadia, and others with significant influence or military contributions from their respective houses.

Among them, the Barony of Bern, with only a baronial rank and a mere force of just over 500, was normally a small power hardly qualified to attend such a meeting.

However, after the fierce battle with the Demon King’s Army, no one there would underestimate the Barony of Bern.

The small force of 500 was an elite group, supported by extraordinary equipment, boasting supernatural strength that easily overwhelmed numbers.

Christina, demonstrating overwhelming power far beyond what was shown at the Magic Tournament, and Dran, now assisting her in the conference room, had shown abilities making the rumors of him being the successor to the Arc Witch seem plausible.

Everyone understood that the Barony of Bern’s power was absolutely necessary in the upcoming battle against the Demon King’s Army.

This necessity extended beyond Bern’s simple military might to its connections. An example was the earth dragon that suddenly attended the conference by poking its head through a large hole in the conference room wall.

Giorda, the old earth dragon representing the dragons of the Mores Mountains, possessed hidden power rumored to be at the level of a Dragon Duke or Dragon King. He had achieved significant success in the battle against the Demon King’s Army’s faux dragons, alongside Vaje.

Despite his gentle nature, Giorda was, considering the current human technological level, an extraordinary monster nearly impossible to defeat by conventional forces.

Except for Giorda, whose head protruded oddly from the wall, all attendees were seated around the round table. The meeting was being facilitated by the elderly human-bear, Viscount Bearbe Hitoguma.

While Bearmen have the appearance of humans with bear-like features, Hitokuma are bears that walk on two legs like humans, with slightly altered limb proportions to match.

Viscount Bearbe, his dark fur neatly enclosed in a military uniform adorned with numerous medals, declared the commencement of the meeting without being perturbed by Giorda’s presence.

「Now, we shall commence the meeting on countermeasures against the Demon King’s Army. Additionally, this time we have the honor of the presence of Giorda-dono, representing the dragonkin of the Mores Mountains. I request Giorda-sama, to please provide your uninhibited opinions during this meeting.」

Giorda, within her limited range of movement, nodded her head in response to Bearbe, who bowed as if she were a bear.

「I mostly deal with fake dragons, but I have managed to grasp a general understanding of the enemy’s aerial forces. I recognize the importance of sharing information with you, and as we will be fighting together against them in the future, I understand the need to show up like this.」

「If you say that you will continue to fight with us as our allies, it is an immense relief for us.」

Giorda’s words brought relief not only to Bearbe but also to other lords and their attendants.

Sadly, it’s undeniable that the Demon King’s Army is superior in basic technological capabilities. The assistance of the powerful Dragonkin of the Mores Mountains is indispensable to combat the Demon King’s Army with its formidable aerial forces.

The lords who had combated the Demon King’s Army were acutely aware of this fact. Dran and Christina were relieved to see that the dragonkin of the Mores Mountains and other humans seemed able to coordinate.

「Now, regarding the Demon King’s Army – led by Vengitta, a living puppet, and Quince, a wise spider – thanks to the cooperation of the dragonfolk, they have already retreated over half a month’s march from Jogan Fortress.

They continue to retreat towards Mundus Carnus, their home country, likely attempting to rendezvous with reinforcements from their homeland.」

As Bearbe spoke, the attendees exchanged words and opinions with those seated nearby and those accompanying them. Giorda was using telekinesis – psychic powers – to scroll through specially large printed paper documents for himself.

To his right sat Christina, with Dran standing behind her. To his left sat Lilyeltiel, the Dragon Succubus goddess from Caravis Tower.

One of the attendees, a young lizardman officer with tea-brown scales from Nelneshia’s family, the Apienia family, raised his hand to speak. His aide, a one-eyed Dark Elf exuding a veteran’s presence, was dispatched to provide the promising officer with experience.

In Apienia, Vaje occasionally visited Nelneshia and Fatima for play, engaging in mock battles with Nelneshia herself, her parents, or their military forces.

「It’s possible they are receiving reinforcements from their homeland, but merging with the forces headed for the Romal Empire is also conceivable. The Demon King’s Army temporarily halted internal conflicts and succession disputes, uniting the Princess and Grand Duke factions against them.

Recently, both the Princess and Grand Duke were attacked by the Demon King’s Army’s Demon Six Generals but managed to repel them, significantly pushing back the enemy’s front line, similar to ours. It’s conceivable that those frustrated by our strengths may join forces, aiming to strike either the kingdom or the empire first.」

The Apienia family, known for their martial prowess in the Arkrest Kingdom, had an extensive information network reaching beyond the kingdom. The young lizardman’s words carried a sense of reality that deeply resonated with the lords and ladies in attendance.

Next to speak was a woman with dark brown skin and long blue hair, adorned with white painted patterns on her skin and bat wings sprouting from her hair and waist – a bat person.

「The Demon Six Generals leading the enemy army. Only Baron Berne and his aides have directly fought them. How did they fare? Do you think we can overpower them with numbers?」

Count Lestel, the bat woman, posed her question, to which Christina confidently responded, reminding herself not to be nervous and expecting such an inquiry.