Necromancer 57

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57. Intercepting the Demon King's Army

The Demon King's forces are advancing toward the royal capital from the eastern regions of the kingdom.

Their number is roughly 500.

Most of them are lower-class demons, with about ten being mid-class demons.

――After receiving this report from the scouts, I gathered all my classmates in the lounge.

That said, not everyone was participating.

About half of them ignored me from the start, as they'd always ridiculed me for being the lowest on the caste system not too long ago.

The remaining half were those who had come to reevaluate me due to my recent accomplishments――such as defeating demons and excelling in mock battles.

“Hey, honestly, do we stand a chance against ten mid-class demons?”

The question came from Tsukishiro Hazuki, who casually raised her hand.

She was one of the top beauties not just in the class but likely in the entire academy.

Her chestnut hair, which flowed down to her back, swayed as she briskly walked over.

Usually, her bright smile was her trademark, but now her face bore a serious expression.

“Didn’t Tanaka and Suzuki get killed during the last battle?”

“Yeah. The Blood Claw we fought back then was a formidable enemy.”

“But according to the king, even among mid-class demons, there's a range of strength. Blood Claw was one of the stronger ones.”

“Still, ten of them? If we don’t stand a chance, I’m not going.”

Hazuki spoke firmly.

“I don’t want to die, you know.”

“No one wants to die,” I said, locking eyes with her.

“But if we don’t defeat the Demon King’s army――no, the Demon King himself――we can’t return to our original world. We have no choice but to keep fighting, gaining strength along the way.”

“Gaining strength through battle――that assumes we survive, right?”

Hazuki stared me down.

“That’s why this fight is just to test the waters.”

“Huh?”

“First, we gauge the strength of these ‘ten mid-class demons’. If we can handle them, we’ll take them down on the spot. If not, we retreat and devise a plan.”

I looked around at everyone.

“...You should’ve said that from the start. Now I look like the only scared one.”

“Sorry, I didn’t explain it well… I’m not used to addressing large groups like this.”

I apologized to Hazuki.

“Besides, I’m just as scared as you are. Honestly, I’m terrified.”

“Pfft...” 

Hazuki chuckled.

She entwined her arm around mine.

Having someone as beautiful as Hazuki do that naturally made my heart race.

Especially with her ample chest pressing against me――it made my heart pound even harder.

…Not that this was the time to be thinking about that.

“Let’s both do our best, okay?”

“Let’s fight together. Let’s survive together.”

I looked at Hazuki, then at everyone else.

“Seriously, no one wants to get wiped out right away.”

This remark came from Kishi Hironobu, someone I’d fought in a mock battle before.

He was a stocky boy with a serious demeanor who also served as the class representative.

“I won’t let us get wiped out.” 

I said, meeting Kishi’s gaze.

“I’m much stronger than I was before. I believe I can handle multiple mid-class demons now.”

And――though I hadn’t explained this to everyone yet.

I have the ability to turn defeated enemies into undead servants.

If I manage to defeat all ten mid-class demons and turn them into my minions――

My army’s strength will grow exponentially.

That was the most important aspect of this battle.

I’ll win, bolster my forces,

then use my strengthened army to defeat more demon units, further increasing my power――.

And ultimately, I’ll take down the Demon King.

After that, I selected the participants for this operation.

First, there was me and Hazuki.

Then, Kishi Hironobu, Kaneko Yuji, Miyao Chika, Shindo Moe, and Sera Seira――all classmates whose abilities I’d evaluated during previous mock battles.

From a tactical standpoint, I’d like Ran to join too――

But that’s not possible for now.

“Our departure is in three days. I want the participants to rest up and prepare. Those not participating should also mentally ready themselves. This is war, and anything can happen.”

Yes, this is war.

None of us, having come from peaceful Japan, had any experience with war――.

No one could predict how things would unfold.

Nor could anyone foresee the unexpected events that might occur on the battlefield.

From now on, there may never be another time when we can afford to let our guard down――.