In a room in a chivalric order’s grounds, Backdoor stood by the door, while someone else sat ostentatiously in a chair facing a table, and looked out the window. Backdoor moved to a couch, and shrugged.
“Good grief. Who would have thought someone would show up and neutralize the ancient magic stones from a distance?”
“…It’s fine. The main black hole has been set. You over at Azure Skies did a good job causing a big mess.”
Backdoor smiled, and remembered the lie he told Liebe. The casual lie about how the remaining ancient magic stones fell into the knights’ hands.
The main one was set. Nevermind the upper area, the main one was big enough to blow away the lower area as well. If activated, it would blow the whole capital to kingdom come.
“But we should wait a little longer. That idiot Liebe had a black hole hidden, and will be performing a suicidal attack on the upper area soon.”
“That is good news. ‘The capital was blown to bits by the evil and uncivilized actions of Azure Skies.’. That is our best case scenario.”
“Exactly. If the leader of Azure Skies explodes an ancient magic stone in the heart of the upper area, that won’t be a lie.”
“Even if he fails… We can still activate the main one and blame it on remnants of Azure Skies.”
“And then you will rule the Kingdom of Acacia.”
“This is where it gets tricky. Even if we destroy the capital, we won’t have the forces to defeat the Zero Day Empire, and ‘those fanatics’…”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Just watching King Wirgin and Queen Route bicker feels ridiculous. This old and unchanging Acacia clan needs to be removed from this world. And Princess Lobelia can go right along with them, because she keeps being annoying lately.”
“By the way, how much favor have I gained?”
“Don’t worry. The new era I’m creating has no room for discrimination. You could become a duke and a symbol of that idea.”
“Good… That makes it worth it to have instigated Liebe, and dragged along those ruffians over at Azure Skies for a year.”
“Some people are calling for the execution of all captive beast people. Don’t you intend to save them?”
“Is that a joke? I don’t care what happens to other beast people as long as the food I eat is nice and tasty.”
Before the holy war, Liebe did not ask for the motivations of its participants. Not that Backdoor would say it, even if he was asked.
If he said that his motives were to live a peaceful life even if it was on the back of the sacrifice of other beast people, they would’ve surely all beaten him.
Backdoor had no interest in a world without discrimination, saving beast people, or even avenging family. He only wanted power, and to build himself a paradise.
It was for that reason that he approached Liebe, supported him and his charisma and overwhelming fighting power from the shadows, and grew Azure Skies into a group that could start an unprecedented riot.
Even that, was just to create a cover.
Of course, Backdoor was not going to loosen his guard. There was a good chance the chivalric order would betray him. He had to be ready.
And there were other worries, like Liebe’s sister Ina. He had to be ready.
Preparation decided everything. That was Backdoor’s creed, so he had no time to slow down and give his thoughts a break.
“Oops. If it’s known that a beast person like me is here, that will be trouble. I’ll be leaving for today.”
■ ■
In the meantime, Ddos, the magic doll merchant, smoked a cigar and looked through a telescope.
He saw a cage where members of Azure Skies were locked being sneakily opened by a human he bribed.
“Ace… Magic dolls. You got work to do.”
A girl whose plain black hair matched her emotionless face appeared behind him.
And behind her, stood other magic dolls who felt completely inorganic.
“Finish the escaped Azure Skies people tomorrow.”
Swung swords followed the laws of physics and drew blood. Much in the same way, magic dolls followed orders and destroyed.
“Orders accepted.”
Ddos heard the answer, and at the same time heard the sound of gold clinking.
“They’re all just troublesome lives that are going to be executed anyway. They should at least make me some money as they end.”
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