The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 577

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 577   Reinforcements arrive: Elves and Hero party

“Ah… Queen Leireine. It’s been a while.”

I thought so, but I couldn’t just stay silent, so I made an effort to speak with even more courtesy than usual. After all, I might scare her and make her cry or run away. …It feels like I’m treating her just like a child. Or maybe a small animal?

“Huh? …? …Ah.”

Leireine, who had been clinging to Lilia, raised her head and tilted it, looking at me. At first, she seemed unable to understand who I was or what the situation was, as she tilted her head for a while, but eventually, she seemed to realize the current situation and let out a sound.

Her subsequent actions were swift. She rubbed her swollen eyes, wiped away her tears in a hurry, then quickly stood up and stared at me directly.

“Um, cough… It’s been a while, Mr. Vesnar.”

But honestly, it feels a bit late for that. Her eyes are swollen, her knees are dirty, and there are traces of tears on her chest.

Well, I think it’s impressive that she was able to switch gears in that instant, but seeing her like this after what just happened, it feels incredibly pitiful.

“Hey, Mom. Isn’t it a bit late to be trying to act cool now?”

“T-That’s not true!”

For once, I agree with Lilia. Not that I’d say it out loud. If I did, she’d probably cry or sulk.

“A hundred elves from our village have come to join in the liberation of the Sacred Tree.”

It’s a declaration made while kneeling, just like Lancia, but the content is not “joining the Demon King’s army” but rather “liberating the Sacred Tree,” probably because Edward suggested it.

Although they’re vastly outnumbered compared to the seventy thousand from the Zaviet kingdom, each individual is strong.

Well, compared to the elves from Lancia’s group, they’re too shy and trembling to be mixed with others for operation.

“But my, look at how many have gathered.”

It seems there won’t be any further additional reinforcements, but even at this point, there are more than enough. Actually, I didn’t expect this many to come. I thought it would be good if we could gather around ten thousand at most, but this is beyond my expectations.

“It’s your charisma, isn’t it? It’s the result of everything you’ve done up until now.”

While it’s nice to hear that, it’s also embarrassing.

“But, with this, we have enough numbers. All that’s left is to march on the Sacred Tree, along with the king of the Holy Kingdom on the other side—”

I had already informed the king of the Holy Kingdom about our plans, so they should be prepared. All that remained was to inform them that our forces were assembled, but then something unexpected happened. Unexpected, not in a bad sense, but in a good one.

“Huh, they seem to understand surprisingly well.”

As I glanced towards where the forces of the Holy Kingdom were stationed, I saw several individuals on horseback heading towards us. Presumably, the Holy Kingdom sent them upon seeing reinforcements arrive on our side.

However, the individuals they sent were…

“Welcome, Hero.”

Yes, it was the Hero.

More precisely, it was the Hero party: the Hero, the Saint, and the Mage. Originally, there was supposed to be the Shield Master here as well, but unfortunately, he retired.

The Hero should be the Holy Kingdom’s greatest strength, but sending such a figure here is probably because, as the king of the Holy Kingdom, he can’t afford to leave the Sacred Tree unsettled.

Even though the Sacred Tree will disappear from the Holy Kingdom once it’s moved, if it affects other countries, they’ll surely be criticized.

“Demon King…”

I don’t know what the Hero is thinking, but he called out to me with a bitter expression as he looked towards us. However, while it was fine before, that way of addressing me is no longer appropriate. After all, there is a “real deal” present here now.

“Hey hey, isn’t that way of addressing a bit disrespectful to the real deal?”

“The real deal?!”

Pointing ahead, where the Demon King, who graciously came from Karakas, was playing with the elves, the Hero seemed to have recognized its presence and visibly started to panic.

“Why is that here?!”

Disturbed, the Hero drew his sword and rushed towards the Demon King—

“Don’t move any further.”

—At that moment, my father literally held his sword in front of the Hero, stopping his movement.

However, though the Hero was told not to move, it seemed he couldn’t immediately comply with the command. He tensed his arm, trying to deflect the sword in front of him with his own, but—

“I said don’t move. There won’t be a third time.”

Before the Hero could swing his sword, my father grabbed his arm, stopping him.

The Hero, realizing he, as the “Hero,” was unable to do anything and had been stopped, looked at my father with a dismayed expression.

My father must have judged that the Hero wouldn’t make any further moves. He released his grip and sheathed his sword.

Observing my father’s demeanor, the Hero glanced around once but did nothing further and sheathed his sword. However, his expression remained bitter, clearly indicating lingering hostility.

“What’s the meaning of this? Why is that here?”

Still, it seemed the Hero didn’t intend to fight with his sword, as he yelled at me while pointing at the Demon King.

“Why, you ask? Because he’s… under me? A pet? Well, something along those lines.”

“Under you… That’s a bona fide Demon King, you know!?”

“So what? Didn’t you hear it from Roroel? Demon Kings aren’t inherently evil. They’re just creatures like any other. They became perceived as evil by humans because, in order to survive and gain strength, they prey on other creatures, which humans then judge as evil. The Demon King himself doesn’t have any malicious intent towards humans.”

Considering the original role of the Demon King, this strategy, which could be likened to ‘defeating a evil god’ seemed to have found just the right person for the job. Can’t you even make that judgment?

“Even so…”

“Rather than that, I think the current situation here is somewhat important. Are you planning to ruin it with your selfishness? Did you bring some message or something?”

I figured if anyone were to hand over something, it would be the two behind the Hero, and when I looked in that direction, the Saint stepped forward after a slight bow.

Just as I thought. She’s suitable for the task. She’s been doing this kind of thing all along. Well, using someone affiliated with the church is quite daring, I must say.

“I come bearing a letter from His Majesty the King.”

As she said this, Canon handed me a letter.

“Thank you. Oh, by the way, you seem unharmed.”

As I accepted the letter and was about to check its contents, I couldn’t help but be curious about Canon, who had handed me the letter, so I decided to ask.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. With the church being in such a state, and those affiliated with it turning into monsters, I just thought it was surprising you’re unharmed.”

“It must be by the grace of God.”

By the grace of God? That’s a rather religious answer. Though, if the church that worships that God is in that state, the credibility of that grace is questionable.

“Is that God you’re talking about the same one that’s wreaking havoc over there?”

I pointed towards the Divine Tree as I spoke, and well, that’s not exactly wrong. It’s a Divine Tree, but at the same time, it’s also a evil god.

“Not that impostor, but the righteous gods worshiped in the Holy Kingdom. Please make no mistake.”

However, Canon, who one might expect to be angered or at least grimace if they were from the church, simply corrected me without much reaction.

But well…

“The gods worshiped in the Holy Kingdom, huh. Not the church.”

That means, “I’m not affiliated with the church,” and “I’m not your enemy.” Simply put, she’s abandoned the church and switched sides to the King of the Holy Kingdom.

It’s somewhat concerning that the Saint, who was treated as a religious symbol, would do that. But everyone values their own life. It wouldn’t be strange for her to prioritize her own safety.

She probably has some level of faith, but if the object of that faith is what it’s said to be, she wouldn’t feel inclined to fervently defend the church. In her case, she’s just acting in the church’s interest because there’s something in it for her. She’s not exactly a fanatic.

And by having her deliver the letter, it means the King of the Holy Kingdom acknowledges her siding with him politically after this. Well, that’s not really important. They’ll probably try to make use of her politically after this is over, but that’s their business.