The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 26

Chapter 26: Inquiry

Although I thought there might be resistance, the Osuma army readily surrendered. Some soldiers tried to escape, but nearly a thousand troops obediently disarmed themselves.

The castle lord, Irma, was placed with handcuffs and was to be spoken to inside the castle. The handcuffs were not for preventing escape but to prevent self-destruction.

Aria and the others were also present, but I primarily spoke. Aria and the others were there in case something happened to Irma.

“…First of all, do you have any questions for us?”

“…What will happen to the soldiers and the people?”

“For now, the soldiers have disarmed themselves and are under surveillance. If they resist us, we’ll have to take action, but otherwise… I’ve strictly forbidden any looting or mistreatment of prisoners and civilians.”

“…Why are you siding with Gomon? The empire and Gomon shouldn’t have had such connections.”

“To answer that, I have several things I want to ask. How much do you know about the Yomigami?”

Irma fell silent for a while, then sighed and resignedly answered.

“I’ve only heard rumors that they were summoned by a spell devised by Mudou, the head sorcerer of Osuma… The Yomigami can be summoned much faster and in greater numbers than conventional shikigami, thanks to the power of Yomigami that Mudou harnessed for Osuma’s territorial expansion.”

“How do you control the Yomigami?”

“Anyone holding the talismans made by Mudou or him can give orders. I don’t have one.”

…He probably wasn’t lying. While I had Hinowa and the others search inside the castle, nothing related to Yomigami was found. Moreover, we hadn’t confirmed any Yomigami in the castle.

“…How much do you know about the consequences of Yomigami spells?”

“…Consequences?”

Irma hesitated at my question, but eventually shook his head. When he looked at Aria and me, he seemed to realize that we weren’t pretending.

“The Yomigami spells activate the gates of Yomi every time they’re used. This makes demons all over the world stronger.

And if the gates open, demons from Yomi will flood into this world.”

“…Do you expect me to believe that? Even if it’s true, Lord Kuno shouldn’t agree to the possible destruction of Hizuchi. I think it’s more convincing to think that you’re lying to deceive me.”

“Don’t you realize it yourself?”

As I spoke, I watched Irma’s eyebrows twitch slightly.

“Controlling powerful soldiers and manipulating them with a large army, not only launching powerful spells but maintaining them without any consequences… You know that’s impossible, don’t you?”

When I mentioned the consequences, Irma seemed to have some idea. He might have suspected it but avoided thinking about it.

“…Impossible. Lord Kuno would never allow such a thing.”

Irma muttered with his face down. Then I told him what I had been thinking since meeting this man.

“I have a proposal… Won’t you join forces with us?”

At my words, Irma looked up again…