Volume 12 Chapter 4 part2

Part 2
The deepest part of the Inner Court. In the 《Prayer of Fire Room》, a refreshing aroma wafted about.
Playing with incenses at a time like this──was not what was happening. It was the scent of a herb that had the effect of calming the heart. It was to make decisions calmly since this was a time of emergency. That was probably the consideration behind it.
A gigantic table was placed at the center of the room, and a map that had the royal capital and the area around it drawn was spread out on it.
Lumachina was sitting down in the chair at the back.
Toria and the other Holy Knights, who seemed to have been talking with her, bowed and left the room. As if taking their place, they entered the room.
Diablo was already in an appearance that was no different than usual.
However, since his weapon was smashed in his previous fight, he didn’t bring it along with him.
Rem still had the appearance of a young man.
They were fortunately able to recover her and Shera’s clothes along with the carriage but……
Clothes where belly buttons and cleavage could be seen aren’t appropriate for the Inner Court──that is the frank advice they were given by Holy Knight Toria, so they continued their crossdressing even now.
Rem asked a question.
「……Sorry. Did we intrude on something?」
「No, our discussion had just ended.」
Lumachina responded with a hard expression.
「……Could you tell us about the situation?」
But of course──that is what she said as she stood up from the chair, and pointed at the eastern direction of the large map.
「The Imperial Army is making its pursuit from the east.」
「……So they’ve already come.」
「They sure don’t know fatigue. I thought that it was a considerably absurd campaign plan though.」
「……Is that also from sorcery?」
「I don’t know. The Lifelia Kingdom Army is running away, looking like they were being chased by the Imperial Army. Right now, they are entering the royal capital from the eastern gate.」
「……What about the evacuation of the royal capital citizens?」
This time, Lumachina pointed to the western side.
「It seems that the gates from the Sixth District to the Eleventh District were opened. Those interested are evacuating from the royal capital……however, how will that turn out? The Gelmedo Imperial Army has already drawn near. There is no telling if they can escape without any guards.」
「……That certainly is difficult.」
There was a high possibility that a detached force of the Empire was blockading the main roads. The kingdom’s army shouldn’t have the reserve power to only crush them.
Diablo asked a question.
「What does the Church plan on doing?」
「At the very least, I will remain. Leaving the believers in the royal capital behind and escaping by myself is something I cannot do after all.」
「Hmph……How very much like you.」
「Diablo-sama, you as well, you are kind. To be staying here like this.」
Lumachina looked at him. She looked like limitless trust was made into a picture and placed in a picture frame.
──St, stop it.
Diablo held his head in his mind.
Although he thought that it would be bad if they didn’t escape, he only remained with reason being that “a Demon King running away at full speed was uncool”.
He didn’t want war, and he didn’t think of protecting the royal capital from the Imperial Army.
Even Rem nodded.
「……If it’s Diablo, he should be able to do something even about this situation……that is what I believe as well.」
──Hie.
「Hmph……I am a Demon King, you know? Are you not making a mistake in who you are seeking help from?」
Although he tried saying that, the girls’ gazes didn’t change.
Lumachina pointed to a door that led to the next room.
「Shera-san and the others are already gathered.」
「Yes.」
Rem headed over there.
Diablo was also about to walk over there, but Lumachina called him to a stop.
「Please wait.」
「Mu?」
「The other day, I heard a story about an article that bothered me from the Royal Capital Magician’s Association……」
「Is that something that concerns me?」
「I have no conclusive evidence, but it might be of use──that is why I had it sent over.」
When she called out, a person came in from yet another room.