Trap

"Alright, let's begin the 3,998th People's Army Supreme Council meeting～!"

At the awfully half-hearted crimson-haired girl's declaration, a giant clapped his hands.

"So～, first of all, regarding the magic that erased the imperial capital, I've concluded that we don't understand it."

"Oi oi, what's that supposed to mean?"

The giant couldn't help but retort, but the girl just waved her hand dismissively.

"It wasn't spacetime magic or genesis magic, and of course it wasn't a fusion of fire magic or wind magic either. In other words, it was a magic that doesn't exist in this world."

Despite her words providing no concrete explanation, they held a strange persuasiveness.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Like I said, I don't understand it. Maybe it was magic from Thor's world to begin with?"

The giant warrior, Thor, scratched his head.

"I was more of an athlete, so I wasn't good at physics or chemistry…"

They didn't understand the meaning of his words, but everyone present understood what he was trying to say.

In short, Thor was dim-witted.

"Let's change the subject. About the hero."

A young man holding a huge staff spoke. His vague smile carried something bitter.

"Through the power of the water dragon Rana, he was banished to another world. On top of that, together with a High Elf child."

"A High Elf!? Isn't that Quorfos' successor!?"

"Isn't that bad!?"

Ferna cried out along with the girl.

"I'd like to meet with Rana to hear the details, is that alright?"

At the young man's words, Yamato gave a slight nod.

This Millennium, they would have to fight the Demon King without the hero's power.

From there, the discussion moved on to the nations of Lemdria, Istria, and Luabra, as well as various regions.

Everything was heading toward stabilization. Toward concentrating humanity's power for the Millennium.

The ones who would mainly fight against the Demon King's army would likely be Istria, Lemdria, Casalia, and Ogress.

Ferna gave her report regarding Ogress' queen.

"To put it in one word, she's a terrifying person."

Asked with their eyes what she meant, she continued.

"First, her Dragon Eyes. Most humans probably can't oppose them."

That was likely true. Among the powers of the gaze known as magical eyes, Dragon Eyes ranked as considerably powerful. If used carelessly, she could kill someone with just a glare.

And her personal combat abilities were also terrifying. Even Ferna didn't think she could win against her.

"I can't say for certain due to compatibility, but among us here, the only one who might be able to win would be Yamato-san."

The leader of the secret society Black Cat, Yamato.

Naturally, the executives knew his hidden strength.

Of course, she also knew the other executives' abilities, but she still said Ria was probably stronger.

"She took Thermonuclear Darkness Detonation Hell and Collapse of Heaven and Earth in succession and came out perfectly fine, you know? Actually, that's no longer human."

"Would it be no good even with Meteor Shower?"

Azelford asked. If that wouldn't work either, she really wouldn't be killable by magic.

"That's a strategic-grade spell, so she'd probably just dodge it."

The mages fell silent. The only thing beyond that would be the highest-tier spacetime magic, but no one present could use it.

"So I have no choice but to fight her in close combat, huh…"

Thor groaned. His melee combat ability could certainly silence most enemies.

But that assumed his opponent couldn't use magic.

"Her magical power exceeds Carla's. If she uses magic from a distance, even Thor wouldn't win."

"What the hell. Why is such a monster among humans?"

Thor spoke as if lamenting, but what existed couldn't be helped.

Everyone's gazes gathered on Yamato, but he uttered only a single sentence.

"She hasn't been decided as an enemy."

Rather, that possibility was lower.

After that, everyone discussed Ria's policy-making abilities and military talent before adjourning.

It was only later that Ferna realized she had forgotten to mention Haruto.

Fear was assaulting the city of Cornada.

A serial killer attacked those rushing home late at night.

The first victims were prostitutes standing on street corners.

Facing their gruesome corpses with their intestines pulled out, Carla's resurrection magic was powerless.

The serial killer changed to robbery.

Shops with bad reputations among citizens were targeted, but the methods were cruel.

Not a single survivor remained; everyone was killed.

If too much time passed after death, Carla's resurrection magic had no effect.

With no witnesses, the incidents continued to escalate.

And finally, a noble's residence was attacked.

This was also a noble who opposed the current administration, but fortunately, since the discovery was quick, several people could be resurrected.

The attacker was said to be a tall man.

Before anyone knew it, he was inside the residence, killing off the inhabitants one after another as he found them.

The nobles were especially killed thoroughly; even with Carla's magical power, resurrection was impossible.

"Carla-san, are you alright?"

Serge couldn't help but ask, seeing how exhausted Carla had been these past few days.

Her mental exhaustion was severe, but she was using too much magical power on resurrection magic.

Normally she should recover after resting for a day, but she was pushing herself to save one more life, even just one.

Seeing families mourning their dead right before her eyes, there was no way Carla could just leave them be.

Actually, even if this incident was left alone, it wouldn't have much effect on the administration.

The murdered nobles belonged to the faction opposing Ogress' rule, so they should have been grateful for it in a sense, but they couldn't ignore it from a public safety perspective.

Above all, there was no way Carla would leave something like this alone.

"Still, what exactly is the purpose here?"

That was Serge's question. Looking at those being killed, it seemed like the work of a faction trying to solidify control over Cornada, but they themselves weren't doing this.

Even if it was the demon race's doing, why would they go this far? At the very least, Asuka wouldn't do something like this.

"And well, that's what's been happening."

The one Serge was muttering to, facing the sky, was Ria. It was a spacetime magic called Far Conversation.

Though it had the drawback that only Serge could initiate contact, it allowed him to convey the day's events to Ria. It was a quietly excellent magic.

"Thinking normally, it would be to cause chaos among the populace, but…"

That was hard to imagine at this point in time. Especially since those being killed were nobles and merchants from the old Cordovan faction.

"Well, contact me immediately if you learn anything. I'll head back there as soon as things settle down here. Don't let Carla push herself too hard."

"Even if you say that, pushing herself is just what Carla-san does."

"Carla-san… is it. You've gotten quite close, haven't you?"

At her suddenly chilled voice, Serge hurriedly made excuses.

"That's because I call you 'Nee-chan,' so Carla-san wanted me to call her that way too."

"Hmm…"

Just as Ria seemed to accept that, a voice called out for Serge. He had been given a room in Cornada's palace.

"Serge-sama! The killer has appeared again! Carla-sama has already gone ahead!"

Raising his hand in acknowledgment to the lady-in-waiting, Serge replied to Ria.

"So that's the situation. I'll go handle it somehow. Later."

Thinking about the situation on the other end of the now-cut communication, Ria pondered.

Who on earth could do such a thing? The demon race could, but this wasn't how Rei or Asuka operated.

"Fio, I'm stepping out for a bit."

Saying that, Ria left her office.