The Place Where He Was Reincarnated Was Hell - The 300-Year-Old Frontier Defense Line of the Margrave Family - Episode 26

–That morning, an eerie silence hung over the royal capital of Adriana.

　Although the sun was supposed to be rising, gray clouds spread across the sky, refusing to let the light penetrate, as if the sky was holding its breath.

The cobblestones that lined the streets had lost their color, and the whole town was silent and heavy, as if anticipating something.

The large square at the center of the royal capital was already crowded with tens of thousands of people.

　Men and women of all ages, merchants, soldiers’ families, priests, orphans, scholars, artisans…people from all walks of life had gathered together, relying on a single piece of information.

____it is

　The King himself will be making a major announcement.

　Those were the words that had been announced throughout Adriana, including the royal capital, for the past three days. The residents of the royal capital were filled with anxiety, but they could not help but gather at the square.

“Could this be a war…?”

“No, I haven’t heard that story?

Has something like this ever happened before?…”

“…Please, just don’t enforce the conscription law…”

　Someone’s mutterings quickly turn into someone else’s speculation. A voiceless voice fills the square.

　The people’s attention was directed towards the podium in the center of the square. Carved into the base was the double-winged crest, the symbol of the royal family, and around it was a triple magic circle of light.

　This was a voice expansion spell that allowed the king’s voice to resonate throughout the plaza.

And behind him, the Minister of Magic, Muriel, was casting an Illusion Magic Formula for Image Projection.

The royal capital had been working with all its might for this day. Today’s speech had been saved in a magical device called a projector by Muriel’s magic, and the contents were also viewable in each of the nobles’ territories.

_____shortly

The palace gates quietly slid open.

King Reynold stepped forward, wearing a solemn air.

　Following them were those at the core of the monarchy, including Prime Minister Marquis Rowell, Queen Elisabelle, Minister of War Marquis Craig, Minister of Magic Marquis Muriel, Minister of Finance Count Raymar, and Minister of the Interior Duke Evans.

　The noise of the people stopped.

King Reynold stood at the podium and quietly raised his hand.

“…my people. My beloved people of Adriana.”

　That voice echoed throughout the sky.

　Thanks to the power of the magic circle, every word of his voice was transmitted clearly. There was no trembling or muddiness. However, the way he began to speak so “quietly” made the people’s hearts flutter.

“I am here to tell you the truth that has been hidden for the past 300 years, the truth that this country, no, this world, is facing.”

　There was a shiver that ran throughout the entire square.

“The peace we have enjoyed has not been given to us by chance.

A “disaster” was always threatening to erode our country.”

　As she spoke, Muriel’s illusion magic covered the sky.

What was reflected there was a former neighboring country.

–This is footage created based on the records of the Church’s demise, confirmed by Vanguard.

　The spire of faith collapses with a thunderous roar, the sky is enveloped in a black mist, the ground cracks, and the town burns. The screams, tears, and death throes of the people echo through the air with such vividness.

and,

What appeared from the dark mist was-

　　　　　”Eclipse”

　　　　　Invading Thing

　It was no longer something that could be called a “living thing.”

Twisting, crumbling, expanding, devouring, groaning, writhing. A disgusting mass of evil and chaos that cannot be shaped by human hands.

It suddenly takes on a human form and transforms into a beast, with countless rotten eyes and severed arms writhing about.

____Screams could be heard from all over the square.

“Wh, what is that…?!” “It’s a nightmare!? What is that?!” “I’ve never seen anything like this before!! Isn’t it a monster!!” “Stop… Stop…!”

Someone dropped to their knees and covered their eyes, and someone else held a small child in their arms, crying and covering their eyes.

Queen Elisabelle also quietly lowers her eyes in response to the sheer horror.

“This is the invading thing, Eclipse… the calamity that destroyed the Church nation and approached our borders.”

　The king spoke solemnly.

“There are people who have been preventing this disaster for nearly three hundred years – their names are…

　　　　　”Vanguard”

They are the ones who have continued to fend off the monsters that seek to devour this “Adriana”. The reason we can smile and live in this land is because they have stood in our way for so long, fighting with their lives on the line!!”

____The sky image changes.

Here, the new projection is

The actual situation on the ground at the Frontline Fort Battlefield was recorded by the Vanguard Knights using magic and compiled by Isabella.

–Various lights flash in the sky, and the fortress appears.

Knights in black armor lined up to take on the approaching horde of monsters, with their spears at the ready.

The next moment–

_____Roaring sounds and explosions dominated the battlefield.

　It was a torrent of crimson magical power, as if the mouth of hell had opened.

Standing majestically in the center is

–Darius von Vanguard

A magic circle of fire formed around him, and with a roar, hundreds of Eclipses were blown away in an instant.

Furthermore, with a blow that cut through the wind, the boy cut the neck of the giant Eclipse in one stroke.

–Raven von Vanguard

He runs at an unbelievable speed, and with the power of the blessing that resides within his body, he cuts through even the giants with ease.

Furthermore, a formation of knights moved in to surround them.

He uses a combination of shield and spear to push back the horde, and even though he is seriously injured, he still protects his comrades. Royce and the Lynels can also be seen there.

The atmosphere in the square changes at the sheer intensity of the scene.

What the people saw was a group of people bravely fighting against terrifying monsters, fighting in the face of death.

___Exactly.

　　　　”The appearance of heroes.”

　”…I’ve never seen such magical power…it’s amazing…” “So these are…the people from Vanguard…” “…with those monsters…every day…!?”

“They’ve been fighting in that hell for 300 years… That’s just too scary!!!!!!”

Someone lets out a sob.

Everyone’s fists shook and tears flowed at the reality that they were the only ones fighting against such a thing.

　The King takes a step forward.

“For three hundred years, we have supported them with funds and supplies, kept in close contact with them, and entrusted this land to them alone.”

“Eclipse is special.

If you face them, your mind will be corrupted. You will panic and won’t be able to fight properly.

However, Vanguard has received the blessing from God to “destroy them,” which allows him to repel the mental contamination.

___But!!!

Because of this blessing, the Vanguard bloodlines cannot leave or flee the Vanguard territory!!!”

The speech took my breath away.

I can no longer even tell that I’m breathing…

“…I’m no longer a Vanguard…

At the age of six, they are forced to hold a sword, and at the age of fifteen, they enter ” that hell. “

As for the Margrave’s son, he was ten years old.

–and

Most of them will begin their journey to death before they reach the age of twenty…”

“Can you imagine that?

What goes through the mind of a parent to make their child fight in such a hellish environment?!?!?

I have Aristella too…

Something like this…just imagining it makes my heart burst!!!

Although we are in different positions, the feelings of parents who care for their children are the same!!!

Margrave Darius is…

I was prepared !!! I knew that the only future I could see was going to the battlefield, even at this age

If that’s the case!!! First of all, I want to show my resolve !!!

I sent my 10-year-old child to this hell!!!

He would have lamented his powerlessness…

I’m sure!!! That must have been frustrating!!!

Not Vanguard!!!

____The future is narrower than when you were born!

They have no choice but to fight it!!

____Their families struggled desperately in this hell!! They shed tears!!

It has endured for 300 years!!!”

Everyone in the townspeople shed tears of pain. Parents who cared for their children trembled as they imagined their future.

I could no longer stand.

Even though it’s not my problem, it’s too terrible ____

“But only a few know this. We have shrouded the truth in silence. We believed that the threat of these “Eclipses” would lead to unrest in the country out of fear. The peace of the people is more important than anything else for the running of the country.”

“____But I’ve reached my limit.

“Vanguard” is now cornered more than ever before.

Can you imagine, my people?

Every day, potentially tens of thousands of Eclipses kick up dust and try to devour us!

They’re going to overrun us! They’re going to attack us!

No matter how many times I knock it down, the next day

It’s the same scene again.

　This is “Eclipse’s Despair”!!

Don’t mishear me!!

Yes!! This is what happens every day !!”

The king’s voice trembled.

The people were thinking about the pain of sending their children to the battlefield, but then they heard a further shocking truth.

The brain is unable to process information properly, and you are unable to move.

It was a story that was simply unimaginable.

“Today marks the end of that silence. We are now at a critical moment.

–Eclipse’s invasions grow stronger every year, and the frontline fortresses held down by Vanguard are reaching their limits.

When Vanguard truly collapsed.

Let me be honest.

Then there will be no future for us either.”

　And the King cried out:

“Now is the time for the entire country to unite! We must not in vain destroy what the Vanguard have risked their lives to protect!”

“Here, in my name

–I am declaring a national emergency!”

“From now on, the Magic Research Institute will use all of its resources to pursue technology to combat mental contamination! Vanguard’s support will be the top priority in terms of materials, supplies, and manpower! This will involve not only our country but also other countries as well. We can no longer afford to skimp on funds.”

“And so, let us hereby swear that to free this country… this world, from the curse of Eclipse, King and people will unite!”

The king’s words were sent flying into the sky of the royal capital.

　–That was the moment.

　At that very moment, the king’s shout echoed throughout the entire plaza.

The sky was ablaze with light.

_____White light.

It is not the flash of lightning.

A white ray of light that pierces the soul, making even the sun lose its color.

For an instant, daylight vanished, and the entire sky turned a fiery white.

And then a world-shaking roar split the earth.

–thunder.

It was no longer the sound of nature, but the thunder of the abyss, tearing through space, like a god slamming his fist in anger.

“Wh… what…!?” “The sky… split…!?” “What just happened…!?” “The scale of it! It couldn’t have been magic!”

The crowd roared, the surrounding area became chaotic, screams were heard, children were crying, and men looked around anxiously.

At first, the King on the podium lost his voice.

But at that moment, a magician appeared from behind the podium.

–The Magic Transmission Officer came running in, out of breath.

　The sorcerer approached the king, knelt, and whispered in his ear.

“…I, I’ve just detected an abnormal release of magical power near the Frontline Fort… I, after analyzing it with the Ministry of Magic’s magic formulas, it turns out that an unprecedented, extreme lightning-type magic was used…”

“And then, I received a magical transmission from Lady Isabella Cranbert…

It seems that just a few hours ago, Vanguard abandoned the frontline fort and retreated, leaving their rear guard on the middle line…

However, in that situation, a flock of 10,000 Eclipses appeared…

Before the main force of Vanguard could retreat to Middle Line Fort, they and their lords would be overrun, and everything would end.

Just when that possibility arose, Darius’ son, Victor, appeared…

I can’t believe it, but we’ve received a report that thousands, no, tens of thousands of Eclipses have been annihilated in a single blow!!”

　King Reynold’s eyes widened.

“Wh… what did you say…?”

　The magician collapsed, seemingly exhausted. The chamberlain immediately rushed over and picked him up, but…

“The calculation part of my brain is being burned! Overloaded by magical transmission…!”

　The King slowly looked up.

　And then he releases the words like a roar.

The murmuring masses all held their breath. There was silence for a few seconds, as if time had stopped.

　It was King Reynold’s yell that broke the balance.

“Everyone, listen up!”

The King raised his voice and stepped to the top of the platform.

“Just now, on the front lines of our kingdom, a single boy swept away ten thousand enemies!

Vanguard’s new hero! Victor von Vanguard! He has shown that there are heroes here!”

The voice reverberated throughout the plaza due to the magic circle.

At first, no one could understand

The square erupted with screams.

　”You’ve got to be kidding me…?” “Thousands of yen by yourself…?” “That’s impossible…!” “…Victor…!!” “He’s a hero…”

“…A hero…”

However, gradually, the quality of the noise began to change.

　“…Is he fighting desperately in that hell…” “Not yet… I haven’t given up yet…!” “Vanguard isn’t finished…!!”

　Boiling heat rises from the ground.

　”Woooooooooo!!!!!!”

Someone shouted, and someone raised their fist, which caused the screams to grow louder and louder.

The voice was not fear, but ___

　”We can’t lose either!”

　”Let’s rise up together with the King and the Vanguard!!” “Let’s protect this country with our own hands!!”

　Joy and tears filled the square. An old man cried and shouted. A young man clenched his fist. A woman chanted “Thank you, thank you” with tears in her eyes.

　The child, who had been hugging his knees, stood up and held his mother’s hand tightly.

　Overlooking the scene, the King on the stage clenched his fist and shouted again.

“Look!! This is a ray of hope!!”

“As Victor has shown, we still have the will to fight! We still have the power to choose our future!”

　The entire square responded to that shout with roaring cheers.

　Minister of War, Marquis Craig, stepped forward and raised his voice.

“We, the military, will immediately strengthen our support for Vanguard!”

“We ask all citizens to help by donating supplies! Researchers and magical engineers, deliver them to the Minister of Magic!”

　Minister of Magic Muriel continued.

“The development of the magical tool that blocks mental pollution is showing results, although limited! We will invest more of the national budget in this and speed up its completion!”

　Home Secretary Evans also shouted.

“Send notices to all noble territories! Keep public unrest to a minimum. All labor and technology is for the future of the country!”

　and–

　King Reynold spread his arms and addressed his people with some final words.

“From today, we are one! It doesn’t matter if someone is a noble or a commoner!”

“Our country… as one life, Adriana, we will stand together against this threat!

We have heroes! And we have pride!”

“Come on, people! Stand up!”

It was impossible to measure the number of cheers that erupted in response.

　Tens of thousands of people raised their fists, shed tears, and shouted.

　–And all of this was delivered to the back of one boy.

◆

　Before long, the kings left the podium and slowly made their way out of the square.

　The eyes of the people continue to follow his back.

　The country is not yet destroyed.

　But we are certainly on the edge of that precipice.

　Even so.

As long as the Vanguard is standing. As long as they are fighting.

–The light of hope has not yet gone out

◆

If heroes are “light,”

　The abyss will follow his steps as a shadow.

The stronger the light,

　The “shadow” sinks deep, and eventually, it contains a silent “end.”

“It is only natural that the more hope shines forth, the fresher despair grows.

　　”The red lips grinned.