The Melancholy of the Demon Army Officer
Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Kiro
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Chapter 109 – A Certain Kingdom and the Great General Conference [B]
There was a large mansion-like building in Leonhart City.
It was a large-scale Demon Army’s headquarters set up in the city, and in the conference room there, the heavyweights of the Demon Army were gathered.
Large sized demons ―― demon generals entered the room one after another. In the center of them were demons who were a size larger than them, the demon great generals who served as the one of the greatest executives of the Demon Army.
They were the demons with the greatest status if the maou, majins, and apostles were excluded. They boasted greater intelligence than demon generals, and they were capable of moving an army on the scale of hundreds of thousands and great fighting power comparable to lower rank majin minus their Invincibility Field and special abilities. The demons which were closest to the ruler sat on their seats and lined up on round tables facing each other. There were four of them. When all of them gathered together, one of the demon great generals raised his voice.
“――Well then, let us begin the meeting.”
The one who declared so was Great General Lee.
He, the demon great general in charge of Leonhart army, announced the beginning of the meeting.
What took place right now was negotiation of each army, seeking opinion and coordinating movements of each army.
The major agenda had already been brought up by his superior, the supreme majin and the demon army officer, Majin Leonhart.
The content was,
“The other day, maou-sama gave a decree to Leonhart-sama. It was to destroy a great power among humans within a year. With that order, I would like to scrutinize information and solicit opinions.”
The discussion caused a sudden commotion in the assembly hall.
It was the first large-scale invasion since the maou changed. It was the discussion to decide what to do with it.
Actually, it was just a matter of them discussing and passing their opinion to their superior, but it was still an important job.
It was also an opportunity to gain an achievement. Therefore, it was inevitable that someone would stand up.
“In that case, my army will serve as the vanguard.”
A demon great general stood up in front of Great General Lee.
The one who turned his eyes was the demon great general on Lee’s right side,
“…Xiang Yu, you… did you listen to what he just said? He’s saying for us to give our opinions after scrutinizing the information. We’re not talking about the order of the army going out…!”
“Of course I said that after I scrutinized the information. Are you that foolish to not understand that, Vlad?”
“Bastard…! Are you insulting me…?!”
The one who glared strongly was Vlad, the demon great general who sat on Lee’s right side.
He was the demon great general who was in charge of commanding Camilla’s army, and he had sharp needles growing out of his hands. Also for some reason, there was meat in a square container on the table in front of him.
Seeing him eating that, the great demon general named Xiang Yu folded his arms and raised his voice.
He was a demon great general that led an independent army and had no majin as superior.
That was because he had a bad habit of wanting to take all the credit for himself, so he refused to have a superior.
That person complained to Vlad.
“It’s faster to do it with my army and I’m sure to win anyway. It’s just something obvious… Rather you! Why are you eating meat during the meeting?! Aren’t you ruder than I am!!”
“What did you say?!”
Vlad made a noise and stood up. In his hand was a piece of brown meat on a skewer, and a fragrant smell wafted through the air. As he lifted the skewer,
“It seems you really don’t know anything… Look closely! This is not merely meat, but it’s skewered meat…!”
“It’s the same, you fool! Die!”
“Fuhn, I didn’t eat lunch because I came from Camilla-sama’s castle in a hurry. That’s why I bought something that allowed me to eat quickly from the stall. Umu… this is quite good… the taste was great, but this ‘skewered’ also made it great… Oi you, run out immediately and bring me more of this skewered meat, okay?” 1
“Eh, ah, yes! Immediately!”
“Listen to me, you fool!!”
Xiang Yu got angry and hit the table. Vlad, who sent his subordinate demon general to the stall, looked at Xiang Yu at that moment,
“You’re being noisy, do you want to be purged? I won’t give it to you even if you make noise.”
“…I don’t want it!! Die!!”
Xiang had some delay before responding. So he wanted to eat it… such was what the demon generals present agreed about.
Great General Lee sighed as he looked at the two’s exchange, so he looked at his left side,
“…Umu, well, let’s leave that aside… Do you have anything to say, Great General Barca.”
“…”
And talked to the other great general who hadn’t talked all this time.
He was a great demon general named Barca.
He was the great demon general in charge of Kesselring’s army, and was close with Great General Lee.
That was because the other great demon generals and their majin superiors stayed in other lands, but Barca’s superior Kesselring still stayed beside Leonhart.
Since the other party was someone Great General Lee often interacted with, he had an easier time doing so. Compared to the other two great generals who were making noises, at least,
“……Oi, Great General Barca?”
“…………Mu, what is it?”
It seemed Barca didn’t notice what happened until now as he raised his face for the first time since he entered the meeting room.
As Lee saw what was in front of Barca, Lee sighed.
“…Well, you see… I think it’s weird to play chess alone during a meeting, though…?”
“…But you see, Lee. I think I could come up with a new move ―― or rather, an innovative tactic……”
“I’m sorry, but could you do it later instead? I’ll play with you then.”
“…I guess it can’t be helped…”
Barca reluctantly cleaned up his chessboard. Lee was feeling a headache seeing how Barca acted too much at his own pace.
Lee then calmed down and called out to proceed with the duty.
“…Let’s return to the topic. There are only a few nations that could be considered a great nation in scale, but we have to think about which nation to strike. Let’s begin from there.”
It would become a greater war than usual. There was no way they would lose regardless of which nation they clashed against, but it would be preferable if the soldier casualties were minimized, and it would be better if they had an easy time doing so.
Lee first said what he thought.
“According to my thoughts… How about this nation? It’s close by and their weak troops make it suitable.”
Lee pointed at the map spread in the center of the table. The other great generals also looked at that,
“Fighting weak enemies is irritating so I oppose it. If we have to choose, it’s better to fight strong ones. If it’s me, destroying them is a piece of cake.”
Xiang Yu fearlessly said that. The arrogant man who didn’t think he would lose at all then pointed at a different nation,
“How about this one? Not only were the fortress and castle quite sturdy, their land wasn’t bad either. If you leave this place to me――”
“Are you going to make all invaded lands yours again?”
Vlad said in exasperation. His mouth was still dirty from eating the skewered meat, but he then retorted while glaring at Xiang Yu,
“…What, you don’t like it?”
“Of course I don’t like it. Things you obtain from invasion are first to be contributed to maou-sama then all the majins. Only after that can we claim what remains. Just because you are the one who plunder it doesn’t mean everything is yours, are you a barbarian? How about having a great general like dignity?”
“Kuh… I know about that…!”
“If you knew that, I’d like to refrain from moving the army just because you wanted to rampage, kill, and plunder. Geez… Even though I was having a hard time choosing what to contribute to Camilla-sama……”
“…Even though you only want to skewer people…”
“That’s my hobby. Not only do I make sure to do my duties, I only do so when we have the leisure and I acquired permission beforehand. So there’s no problem.”
“gh… Damn it…”
Looking at Vlad who arrogantly said that, Xiang Yu cussed Vlad lightly.
Xiang Yu was the only great general without the backing of a majin. The other three had the Four Elite Majins and the supreme majin as their backers, and since they made sure to do their part, their actions weren’t restricted.
Xiang Yu would obey if the maou or other high rank majins told him to move, but the one who usually talked was the majins. The priority of command went to their superior, and if both backers had the same status, they would settle it with talk. Once each army had determined their policy, they would move following that.
Therefore, while their status were the same great generals, the order of priority was clear.
First would be Lee, who followed Leonhart the supreme majin. After him was Vlad and Barca, who had the Four Elite Majins as backers. Xiang Yu was the lowest.
It was because Xiang Yu didn’t wish to have a superior and because a comparable backer didn’t exist yet. Only two of the Four Elite Majins had their seats. If someone who sat on the empty seat and Xiang Yu could serve under him, perhaps he wouldn’t be as frustrated… but it was only a what-if.
“That said, I don’t mind where we strike. Since it would be a great nation, there would be plenty of humans and resources, so it’s better to choose a strategically rational location.”
Umu, said Lee as he nodded to Vlad’s words. That was fine.
The decree from the maou was to destroy a great nation within a year, which meant they had to shed enemies’ blood quickly. It would be preferable to have an easy to access place.
“…If you want it easy, there’s a good place.”
Lee then looked at his left where the voice came from.
Barca pointed at the map,
“This nation or this one would be good.”
“Fumu… mu, that place is…”
Lee furrowed his eyebrows when he saw a certain nation was selected.
Among the two nations pointed out, one of which was under a silent agreement with the Demon Army,
“…Can we really attack that place?”
Vlad also raised a question. Although he was only born for a few years, he understood that nation was an untouchable place.
Even Lee only heard of the vague circumstances. He was never told clearly after all.
However, his superior said ―― “That place is not to be touched.” Lee was told that when he was still a demon general, but he still remembered it.
He also remembered the person who said that gave an atmosphere that allowed no refusal back then.
Although that wasn’t exactly why, Lee answered the question.
“…I don’t know about that… but Barca, why did you choose these two nations?”
“That’s easy.”
Barca explained the reason. That was,
“It seems these two nations ―― are clearly preparing for war between each other.”
“!”
Astonishment dominated the meeting room.
The first thought that came to mind was the question “why?” Some tried to actually ask that.
But before that, Barca continued his own words.
“This morning, the agent who was sent to the front line brought back that information… I asked for an investigation of the human nations for certain reasons recently, but to think this information came up… as expected of me.”
An indescribable expression appeared on Barca as he praised himself.
Others were curious of that certain reason, but if that information was true, then what he meant to say was,
“…So the one who defeated ―― No, the one who was victorious would be struck by us…”
“Yes, that’s how it is. The clash between great nations would leave them exhausted even if they won, and we would strike them. The one who won would have a greater amount of territory. They might be a great nation, but it would be easy to defeat them. There would be a lot of blood flowing. If things go well, both nations will be ours. It isn’t a bad place strategically as well.”
“Fumu…”
Everyone thought of Barca’s suggestion. It wasn’t a bad idea.
It might depend on how they settled their conflicts, but even if they chose to end it with truce, exhaustion was still inevitable. Clashes between great nations of humanity rarely happened, so they thought to just choose random weak nations, but if that truly happened, then the story would be different. That would be the easiest way out.
However, there was a problem regarding the execution of the tactic.
“…And so, it would be helpful if Great General Lee would ask.”
“Mu, muu… you’re right…”
Lee needed to ask. To his own superior.
Leonhart was someone who would listen to others, but Lee didn’t feel like asking as he recalled his past.
But without knowing such a thing, Barca requested Lee. After all, one of those nations was Lee’s superior’s ――
“Ask Leonhart-sama ―― If it is okay to attack this nation.”
It was Majin Leonhart’s homeland ―― though they didn’t know it.
Author Note:
Ssulal: “There’s a lot of big names lined up there… Everyone knows who’s who, right?”
Leonhart: “Xiang Yu(Kouu) is that. Xiang Yu(Koou) wants achievement (kouseki)…”
Ssulal: “…? …Ah, you mean that! That is correct, just a pun though. Then next.”
Pale: “It’s fermented flour that wants to become food. Then you’ll want to eat it after it becomes food.”
Ssulal: “……………Aah, you mean bread. That’s hard to understand! Okay then, next!”
Galtia: “Ah- let’s see, it’s the even surface――” BOOM
Ssulal: “――You meant to say flat…?”
Launea: “…………………(You know who’s who, right)?”
Tsukii Note:
Okay, this time, I’m here to link wiki page for each answer:
Xiang Yu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiang_Yu
Vlad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_the_Impaler
Barca: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal
As for Xiang Yu’s, his attitude might not make it clear it’s referring to him, but his death scene long after this might make you.
Want early access to Cannon Fodder, Melancholy of the Demon Army Officer, and I Was a Man Before Reincarnating, So I Refuse a Reverse Harem? Support the translator on Patreon!
