I Favor the Villainess - CH 244

Our preparations for the confrontation were steadily proceeding.

Between forming the ranks, deciding their formation, preparing for the aftermath, and procuring supplies, there were many things that we needed to do.

We will need to open the path to the Demon Queen, repel Plato and Rates, and defeat the Demon Queen.

There was no doubt that the road forward was perilous.

It was decided that a small elite force would directly challenge the Demon Queen.

Specifically, Claire-sama, Mei, Alea, Manaria-sama, Lily-sama, Rodd-sama, Misha, Yuu-sama and myself, a total of nine.

Additionally, a mixed force composed of soldiers from both Bauer and Naa would clear the path toward the Demon Queen.

Even putting Plato and Rates aside, it would be too draining if the elite force also needed to deal with monster hordes.

So, the mixed force would be required to open the path until then.

Finally, in regards to the Demon Queen’s magic barrier that had previously caused us so much trouble―

“Rodd-sama, this is its nucleus?”

“Yeah, spot on.”

Rodd-sama responded with a hearty nod before happily tapping the magic device next to him.

The device was about the size of a large rock that could barely be lifted with both arms. Inserted in its rear was an exceptionally large magic gem.

In the front there was a sword-shaped protrusion with another magic gem inserted.

The closest comparison to something that exists in the 21st century would be a tank’s main cannon.

“This attack is our trump card. A large scale magic formula, the Magi Shibley.”

“Magi Shibley… those are words in Bauer’s ancient language for collective magic.”

Just as I’d expect from Claire-sama.

She’s very knowledgeable.

“Collective magic… if that’s what it’s called, this thing collects and binds something?

Having said that, Rodd-sama tossed something to each of us one by one.

“What’s this…?”

“It’s another magic device. This one gathers magic energy, and this guy is set up to gather that energy for its attack.”

I see.

In essence, it seems that it’s a magic version of the Spirit Bomb.

“In our previous battle with the Demon Queen, I shot with magic energy that I’d previously stocked supplemented by the magic of my soldiers. You saw its strength, right?

“Yes, it was quite fierce.”

“With Sein’s help, we intend to collect magic energy from all over Bauer. Compared to the last attack, we should be able to launch something even more fierce. Unlike the last one which was a surprise attack, I bet this will break through the barrier even if the Demon Queen has her guard up.

Those words were very reassuring.

So this is the truth behind the large scale magic formula that Rodd-sama developed.

“That being said, if this guy is the nucleus, won’t we need a team to protect it?”

“True. Before the Demon Queen, we still need to take down those two demons, yeah? If they target this device, things might turn sour.”

“It seems too dangerous to leave it in the frontlines. What is the range on its attack?”

From what I saw in the last battle, the attack seemed to travel quite far.

“Mmー, probably at most 500 meters? It’s not that the attack won’t travel further, but the further we go the harder it will be to aim.”

“In that case, it sounds like the safe plan would be to keep it in the back until we confront the Demon Queen. Then, we’ll move it forward as close as we can for the final confrontation.”

“Sounds about right. While this device is strong, the downside is that we’re not yet able to mass produce it. This guy’s a one of a kind prototype after all.”

Rodd-sama roughly scratched his head.

“Wait, isn’t the place for the final confrontation likely to be the Imperial Palace? If we’re inside, won’t we need to bring the device even closer…?”

“It’s just a wall, let’s just blow it down.”

That being said, with humanity’s continued existence at stake, there were more important things to worry about than a building.

“By the way Rodd-sama, is this something that Rodd-sama came up with?”

“Yup, that’s right.”

“… Wow…”

“Hey! What’s with that expression filled with doubt?

“Well I mean, Rodd-sama just seems more like the type that would rush straight in with brute force. I didn’t see you as the thinking type.”

To say it simply, I thought Rodd-sama was muscle-brained, so just as he said, it was unexpected.

“Rei, that’s impolite. Hasn’t Rodd-sama always performed well academically?”

“Nah, Rei’s in the right here. It’s true that I don’t generally consider these kinds of things my strong point. When it comes to magic, Sein generally has me beat.”

“As I thought.”

“Hey, Rei!”

“Ahaha! You really don’t hold back.”

Rodd-sama continued his big-hearted laugh.

“I’ve always focused on individual strength over collective strength. Perhaps because I naturally had more magical capacity than most, I never doubted my way of thinking. However, during that revolution I came to realize. This isn’t enough.”

“Isn’t enough?”

“Yeah. You two were only able to carry through with that revolution because you borrowed the power of many, including my own. That was something that undoubtedly couldn’t be achieved by individual strength.”

It seems those thoughts took part in his decision to leave behind his status as royalty and join the army as well.

“I originally started on this magic to give me a shot in my rematch against Manaria. However, no matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t see myself winning. That’s why I changed my way of thinking, even if myself can’t win, Bauer won’t lose.”

It seems that all of this culminated in the development of this collective magic.

“However, wouldn’t Manaria simply be able to cast Spell Breaker?”

No, that wasn’t intended as jest.

I was genuinely impressed.

“Now that it’s come to this, it’ll be pointing at the Demon Queen rather than Manaria, but well, I’m fine with that. She’s even stronger than Manaria, a fitting target for the Magi Shibley.”

“We’ll be relying on it, Rodd-sama. Without this, it doesn’t seem feasible to break through the Demon Queen’s defensive barrier.”

“Yeah, leave it to me. We’ll reign in this other Rei and teach her a lesson.”

Having said that, Rodd-sama laughed brightly…Then he suddenly stopped as though he remembered something.

“Mm? Come to think of it, the Demon Queen is another Rei, right?”

“That’s correct. What about it?”

“It’s just, this Rei is head over heels for Claire, but I just thought I might have a shot at the other Rei.”

“… Rodd-sama, you hadn’t given up yet?”

“Why would I have to give up?”

Rodd-sama tilted his head in serious consideration.

That’s why the ‘ore-sama’ personality is…

“In some regards, I think the Demon Queen is far more infatuated with Claire-sama than I am. Rodd-sama saw the virtual reality that TAIM showed us, right?”

“Those memories? I definitely saw them. But I mean, the reason she wants to end the world is because of her feelings for Claire, yeah?”

“That’s right.”

“In that case, what if we open her eyes to a new love? If we show her that she has more options than just Claire, isn’t it possible that she’ll stop trying to end the world?”

I hadn’t thought of that.

However, for the Demon Queen, who had remained single-heartedly devoted to a single girl for hundreds of millions of years, it was hard to imagine a sudden change of heart.

“Rodd-sama, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The Demon Queen and I are both only interested in women. As a man, Rodd-sama does not have a chance.”

“Is that how it works?”

“Yes. Also, any man who tries to interfere with yuri will raise a terrible death flag.

“Yuri? Death flag?”

A question mark seemed to hover over Rodd-sama’s head.

“Rodd-sama, pay no heed to her. It’s her usual delusions speaking.”

“Gotcha. Then I’ll forget about it. I’m starting to feel excited about our confrontation with the Demon Queen.”

“… As always, it seems this person has an excessively open mind.”

“You say something?”

“Just that Rodd-sama is open minded.”

“Hahaha, how unusual for Rei to compliment me.”

No, I didn’t intend that as a compliment.

While I continued to glare at him, Rodd-sama suddenly wore a serious expression as he continued.

“…From your perspective, this may seem archaic, but guys just want to protect the girl they love. Claire-sama has you. However, the Demon Queen doesn’t have anyone. Isn’t that just too lonely?”

“Rodd-sama…”

“If possible, it’d be nice if we could save the Demon Queen too.”

“…”

Rodd-sama’s way of thinking wasn’t something that I could understand.

To me, Claire-sama comes first, anything that threatens Claire-sama is my enemy.

I have absolutely no intention to offer mercy to my enemy.

Rodd-sama on the other hand, seemed to feel something akin to compassion.

Personally, I don’t believe that there are fixed differences between genders, but rather that individuality is a larger factor.

This difference likely isn’t a difference between men and women, but rather a difference between Rodd-sama who won’t change until he dies, and me, who didn’t change even after death.