The Hero Menace Page 9

  The nomads that roamed the surrounding desert were not part of Meraldia. Meaning that Shardier often had to deal with nomadic raids and assaults on their trading caravans. They often tried to extort a fee from travelers as well. While they weren’t violent so long as they got their fee, none of the city folk trusted the nomads. For that reason, Shardier needed a sizable army.

  120 men were barely enough to patrol the city. And a trading city like Shardier needed more soldiers than usual to man the gates and inspect arriving goods. Technically Meraldia had promised they would send the regular army over if Shardier ever faced a true emergency, but if that army couldn’t make it in time it was useless.

  The moment Aram had assumed office, he’d started using his vast treasury to recruit mercenaries and adventurers to his cause. Those men I’d seen in Shardier had been part of his private army. No one knew the exact scope of Aram’s forces, but rumor had it that he had around 200 men. Furthermore, from what I could tell, they were as well-trained as Meraldia’s garrison troops, and just as well-disciplined too.

  Raising a private army like this was in violation of Meraldia’s laws, however. Aram hadn’t wanted Meraldia’s troops in his city because he was worried about getting caught. No wonder he seemed so timid when I first met him. For a coward, he sure made some bold moves. He seemed like the type to get tripped up by his own schemes. However, his weakness was something the demon army was in perfect position to exploit. If we could convince him of our strength, he’d be sure to join us.

  I’ll pay him another visit soon.

  When I was next able to get some time away from work, I went back to visit Shardier. Though this was meant to be a much more peaceful visit than the last, it appeared I wasn’t welcome. Rumors of my exaggerated atrocities had spread throughout the city. It made conversing with anyone difficult. Because no matter what I said, it was misinterpreted in a sinister way. With a heavy heart, I made my way to Aram’s manor.

  “My apologies for the repeated unannounced visits.”

  I snuck a glance at Aram, who appeared as pale as before.

  “My apologies, but I’m afraid we have yet to come to a decision...”

  “Fear not, I didn’t come here to press you for an answer. I just came here to gift you with some silverware I thought you would appreciate. I hear you’re quite the gourmand.”

  Aram frowned as he accepted the ornate set of forks and spoons I handed him. I take that back, he doesn’t look as pale as before, he looks worse. If he was this stressed, I doubted he could even taste the food he was eating these days. I guess I should start by coming here often enough that he gets used to me. If relations between Meraldia and Shardier were worsening, then Aram would eventually be forced to join our side. At least, that was what I thought, but Aram was acting strangely. He looked like a cornered rat.

  “I... I have no intention of exposing my people to danger...”

  I tilted my head as Aram suddenly blurted that out, “Did something happen, Lord Aram?”

  “You act as if I have a choice, but I can tell this is all a trap...”

  “A trap?”

  “Th-That’s right. If one of the demon army’s leaders keeps visiting Shardier, eventually rumors will start to spread. Meraldia will begin to think that Shardier is already friends with the demon army.”

  I see now. You could take it that way. Though I think you’re overthinking it a little.

  “Calm yourself, Lord Aram. I have come in secret and in an unofficial capacity every time. I doubt anyone in Meraldia’s Senate will notice.”

  “That’s not good enough! I-I cannot allow my relationship with Meraldia to grow any worse! I’m sorry, but I will be negotiating with the demon army no longer!”

  I’d thought he was just a spineless nerd, but he had a surprising amount of backbone. Even if he did sound a little hysterical.

  “Shardier is a member of the Meraldian Federation, and we won’t betray them so easily! Th-Threaten me all you like, but if you think you can rule humans through force alone you’re making a huge mistake!”

  I’d tried to be as peaceful with my negotiations as possible, but it seemed that hadn’t worked. Regardless of my intentions, I’d pressured Aram more than expected. Now that it had come to this, threatening him was my only option. I’d scare him a little, then force him to accede to my demands. I slowly transformed into my werewolf form. The blood drained from Aram’s face as he watched me.

  “Lord Aram, does this mean you refuse my invitation to join our alliance?”

  “Th-That’s right!” Aram raised a trembling fist. “I, Aram Sukh Shazaf, have made my decisions as the viceroy of Shardier! You don’t scare me, you k-killer of f-four thousand!”

  Seriously, it was only 400. And I only killed 3 of those 400 personally.

  “You have, have you?”

  I took a step forward, and Aram jumped.

  “I-I-If you’re going to kill me for it, then so be it! But I won’t let you lay a hand on my people!”

  It might be rude of me to say this, but Aram’s skill with the blade was a little better than an amateur’s. Judging by how he held his stance, he was even weaker than Airia. The fact that he denied me despite knowing he stood no chance spoke volumes about his resolve. Like Airia, he was willing to put his life on the line to save his citizens. Still, I was surprised. For a supposed schemer, this nerd sure was hot-blooded. Then again, a true schemer would never have done something as obvious as gather his own private army. This guy really wasn’t suited to plotting. Though I doubted I needed to, I decided to test his resolve.

  “You mean to say that you would be willing to die if it was for the sake of your citizens?”

  “Th-That’s right!” He was trembling in fear, but the light in his eyes hadn’t dimmed in the slightest. “You demons might be strong. But strength alone isn’t enough to rule over humans! Don’t think Shardier will be yours if you kill me!”

  He was right. With demons, their leader was always the strongest among them. If that leader died, then the next-strongest warrior took over. And almost always, they were inevitably worse at leadership. However, humans didn’t work like that. You could kill as many human leaders as you liked, but more would always appear. And generally they tended to have actual leadership skills. This was one of the biggest differences between humans and demons. And the primary reason why demons could never beat humans.

  All that aside, I was honestly surprised by the passion in Aram’s voice. I hadn’t expected him to be such a straightforward guy. Alright, that’s enough intimidation. It wouldn’t work anyway, and it was looking like being honest with him was a better strategy. If he didn’t care about the benefits of joining the demon army, maybe he’d listen to reason instead.

  “Don’t worry. Neither me nor the Demon Lord wish for bloodshed.”

  I wanted to say the entire demon army didn’t, but the second regiment existed, so I couldn’t.

  “Even when I conquered Ryunheit, the city’s only casualties were seven soldiers. We didn’t harm a single one of the civilians. And while I won’t deny that we annihilated an army of four hundred Thuvan soldiers, that was because they tried to invade Ryunheit.”

  Aram’s face relaxed somewhat.

  “D-Do you speak truly?”

  “I do. If we were really as barbaric as the rumors make us out to be, Lady Airia would never have joined hands with us. Surely you know that as well?”

  That seemed to have to give Aram something to think about, and he fell silent. I followed up a little irritably, “We don’t want to rule over humans, nor do we want to slaughter them all. In fact, you guys are the ones who tried to annihilate us demons. That’s the only reason we took up arms.”

  “I-I suppose I can’t deny that...”

  “The Demon Lord wishes for demons to coexist with humans. Unlike Meraldia, we hold no grudge against the people of Shardier. I guarantee you an alliance between us would work to our mutual benefit.”

  Aram bit his lip, his
expression difficult to read.

  “B-But if I accept an alliance with the demon army, it will put my people in danger... I have a responsibility to protect them.”

  If they joined hands with the demons, Shardier’s entire world would be turned upside-down. There was no way the Meraldian Senate, who desired to maintain the status quo, would accept such an alliance. That being said, we had no intention of rolling over and letting ourselves be destroyed either. It was imperative that demons carved out a place for themselves in this world. And we’d use force to do it, if we had to.

  “And I have a responsibility to protect my own people. Humans have been encroaching on demon territory for centuries, driving us into a corner. We can no longer afford to keep retreating. If you agree to ally yourselves with us, I swear the demon army will protect Shardier. Together, we can change the world.”

  Aram bit his lip so hard he drew blood, his brow furrowed so deeply it left deep grooves in his forehead.

  “I understand well the need for change. A boat floating downstream can only fight the current for so long. But similarly, if it tries to race down the current too fast, it will find itself capsizing. Those were my father’s words. It was he who taught me when to fight the current and when to aid it.”

  I see, so it’s his dad who taught him how to act like a schemer. I knew all too well how tiring it could be to keep up an act like that.

  “If we ride the flow that is coexistence with demons, then the ship known as Meraldia will no doubt capsize. And when that happens, who’s to say Shardier’s tiny raft won’t capsize with it?”

  I shook my head.

  “I can guarantee you that will not happen. Come see Ryunheit for yourself, if you need proof that humans and demons can live together. So long as we take things one step at a time, coexistence is possible.”

  Aram fell silent, contemplating his options.

  “Could you... give me some time to consider this? I’m not simply stalling this time... I really do need to think your proposal over. Furthermore, I need to see what the rest of my city thinks.”

  His words lacked the rotting stench of a lie, and his expression was deadly serious. I decided to put my faith in him.

  “Very well. Take as much as you need. So long as you don’t try anything strange, the demon army won’t interfere with Shardier’s decision.”

  As I was the one who decided the southern front’s military policy, that was a promise I had the authority to make. And I could tell in Aram’s case, it was better to give him space to think. He stared intently at me for a few minutes.

  “What... are you?”

  “Just one of the demon army’s many vice-commanders.” I turned my back to Aram. “We’ll meet again, Lord Aram.”

  On my return trip to Ryunheit, I reflected on the course negotiations had gone. Recently, I’d started acting more like how the rumors described me. I wasn’t being careful with my words, and I was relying far too heavily on threats to get my way. I was growing conceited because of the power I held. Worse, I saw betrayal and plots behind every utterance, making me paranoid. I needed to remember that sometimes straightforward honesty was actually the best policy. Though in this case, it only worked because Aram himself was an honest man. It was too early to celebrate, but at the very least it seemed there was still room for negotiation.

  ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊

  —Aram’s Royal Records—

  Whenever I find myself faced with a difficult decision, I look back on the Shazaf family tree. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather’s names and deeds are all recorded within. Reading my way up the tree reminds me of their teachings and philosophies. The Shazaf family has protected Shardier since the time it was just a small oasis town, and led it to prosperity.

  During the Meraldian Unification War, my great-grandfather fought bravely against the forces of the north. But in the end, he was defeated. And since his defeat, Shardier has suffered. My grandfather, who became viceroy after him, worked tirelessly to deflect the pressures of the Senate. His unbelievable skill in diplomacy and statecraft were the only reason Shardier still prospers today. After him, my father succeeded the position, armed with the teachings of my grandfather.

  Like my father, and his father before him, I must act wisely if Shardier is to survive. Until now, I’ve used everything my predecessors taught me to survive in the harsh world of Meraldian politics. I even forced myself to grow fatter in order to appear more imposing during negotiations. All for the sake of protecting the people under my care.

  But at some point, I realized the viceroy I’d become wasn’t really me. I had forced on an ill-fitting mask in an attempt to ape my betters. In time, I began to forget who I really was, and what my own strengths were. Before I knew it, I had become a pale imitation of my grandfather. Could such a brittle persona truly protect Shardier and its people?

  Right as those worries began to plague my mind, the werewolf Veight arrived for his audience. I attempted to use the same heavy-handed negotiation tactics my grandfather had mastered. I flaunted our economic, cultural, and military might to emphasize the superiority of our position. But none of it had any effect on the werewolf. I was unable to prove myself superior to him in any way. Not in economic prosperity, not in cultural influence, and naturally not in military might.

  I had been well and truly defeated. This was the limit to what I could achieve by copying others. The realization sent me spiraling into panic. On the other hand, the werewolf seemed unfazed. Throughout our discussion, his tone remained casual, as though he were commenting on the weather. He calmly explained to me the benefits Shardier would receive for joining in his alliance, then threatened me in the same breath. But despite his clearly superior might, he held out the hand of friendship. I knew not whether that hand was sincere, but I lacked the courage to turn him down outright.

  In the end, my mask availed me naught. The techniques of my grandfather were only useful in the hands of someone as crafty, as charismatic, and as experienced as him. Simply mimicking them was meaningless. My disastrous audience with Veight had taught me that very well. The person currently leading Shardier is neither my father nor my grandfather. It’s me. And I can’t be anyone but myself. I need to believe in myself and hope that my own abilities prove sufficient.

  I rolled up the Shazaf family tree one last time and put it back in its wardrobe. I suspect I will not need to examine it again. I lack the wits to survive in this world on schemes alone. So from here on out, I’ll fight using my own methods.

  ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊

  A few days later, Shardier’s viceroy asked to visit Ryunheit. So he’s finally ready to give me a reply. While I was glad he was willing to talk once more, I’d made a slight miscalculation. Considering his initial reluctance, I hadn’t expected him to ask for a visit so soon. He had more guts than I gave him credit for. Unfortunately, that was a bit of a problem for me. We weren’t in any state to receive visitors. The eastern section of the wall hadn’t even finished construction.

  “Is there no way to hurry up construction?”

  “Afraid not, sir. Unless you can do something about it with magic.”

  I went to Azul to see if there was any way to speed things up, but it seemed there wasn’t. If building walls was something that could be done with magic, I would have done it myself ages ago. Wait, that’s not exactly true...

  After another few days, Viceroy Aram arrived at Ryunheit with an honor guard of 100 troops. It was a bit large for an honor guard, but seeing as he was visiting enemy territory, I wasn’t too surprised. Besides, I knew from our previous meetings that he wasn’t the kind of man to launch a surprise attack.

  “Whoa... So these are Ryunheit’s gates...”

  Aram’s amazed reaction was exactly what I was hoping for. The gates he looked up at were tall and imposing, fitting portals to the entryway of the demon capital. I’d created them using Thuvan’s gates as a reference, then reinforced them some more. From either side of the gates, massive walls st
retched out to surround the city. They were both tall and thick enough to withstand most siege engines. But that wasn’t all they had going for them.

  “Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or are these walls slightly slanted?”

  In response to Aram’s curiosity, I puffed my chest out proudly and said, “You have a discerning eye, Lord Aram. These are what are known as deceiver’s walls.”

  I’d built the walls with a slight slope to them. At a glance, that made them appear easy to scale, but in truth the slope grew steeper the higher up the walls you went, until finally you found yourself trapped, unable to climb up or back down. I’d stolen the idea from ancient Japanese castle design. Most sieges consisted of the attackers trying to climb up the defenders’ walls with ladders. But of course, climbing a ladder while arrows were raining down on you was a demoralizing and life-threatening task. If possible, most people would rather not do it. Foot soldiers who saw a sloped wall like this would be tempted to forego the ladder entirely and attempt climbing it on foot. And therein lay the trap.

  Furthermore, a sloped wall like this was harder to latch on to with ladders. And even if someone did manage to set a ladder against a curved wall like this, their back and heads would be completely exposed as they climbed. Because of the angle, they wouldn’t be able to defend themselves with shields. Meaning they were open to all manner of attacks. Naturally, there were holes at the top to pour boiling oil from as well. Any potential attacker would find a boiling surprise waiting for them if they reached the summit.

  “Where did you find the time to build such massive walls?”

  The truth was, I hadn’t. Aside from the gates, everything else was a magical illusion of what the final walls would look like.