Seeing that everyone was increasingly inclined to attack this Gilgamesh, Hinata Sakaguchi frowned slightly.
The main reason for her separation from Yuuki Kagurazaka had always been their conflicting ideologies. They walked different paths, even when they appeared to be aiming for the same horizon.
But Hinata had never underestimated him.
How could she?
Yuuki had always been gentle and polite, with an easy, seemingly harmless smile. And yet… there was something about him that never allowed her to fully lower her guard. A constant sense that behind that lighthearted expression, complex gears were turning in silence.
Upon learning that Yuuki had been defeated by that man, her caution only deepened.
If even he had been beaten, then defeating this so-called Gilgamesh might be far beyond what the others imagined.
Hinata turned her gaze to Glenda.
"Do you have any further records regarding his character?"
"Character?" Glenda repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Before she could answer, Saare burst out, seizing the smallest opportunity to stir discord.
"Hinata Sakaguchi, what are you implying? Have you forgotten the dogma of the Holy Western Church?"
Grigori was quick to reinforce the attack.
"Sakaguchi, as Captain of the Ten Great Saints, you don't intend to stoop so low as to negotiate with a heinous monster like that… do you?"
Tension thickened the air.
Seeing Grigori and Saare once again pressing Hinata, Fritz was the first to lose his composure. His hand instinctively moved toward his sword.
But Hinata stopped him with a simple gesture.
Her cold gaze shifted to the two men.
"Saare. Grigori. Demon Lord Milim Nava is in that city. Why don't the two of you go defeat her together?"
Silence.
Saare: "…"
Grigori: "…"
The provocation was as direct as it was devastating.
Hinata calmly turned back to Glenda.
"Continue."
Glenda cleared her throat.
"As for his personality… to be honest, aside from what Yuuki Kagurazaka reported, I haven't heard any rumors of tyranny. On the contrary, there are reports that he annihilated a horde of monsters attacking the capital of Blumund…"
Everyone fell silent.
Blumund was a human nation. Defending its capital was hardly the expected behavior of a tyrant.
"Even so, we cannot fully trust what has been reported," Glenda concluded cautiously.
She hesitated briefly before adding:
"There is another rumor. Adventurers who traveled to Nova Uruk claim to have seen an Orc Lord…"
The impact of that information was immediate.
An Orc Lord.
A living calamity that had caused countless disasters throughout history… was subordinate to that man?
What exactly was he planning?
Hinata studied Glenda carefully. There were no signs of deception.
Her brows furrowed once more.
This contradicted part of the intelligence she had received.
And above all… Yuuki was involved.
Suddenly, Glenda seemed to remember something.
"Oh! Captain, I almost forgot."
She pulled out two magic crystals.
"I bought these from a merchant in Blumund. They were expensive, so I expect reimbursement!"
Hinata was speechless.
Glenda was competent, loyal, and efficient… but excessively greedy. Even as one of the Ten Great Saints with a very high salary, she still calculated every coin.
When Hinata touched the first crystal, images began to play.
Arthur.
In his childlike form.
Single-handedly annihilating a horde of monsters with absurd ease.
The second crystal showed the beginning of the battle between Arthur and Yuuki Kagurazaka.
---xXx---
"…That mask. Where did you get it?" Yuuki asked coldly.
The man raised a hand to his face.
"This? You mean this one?"
With a deliberately theatrical gesture, he removed the mask, revealing his true face.
"I received it from a beautiful adventurer. A truly adorable girl."
Yuuki forced himself to remain composed.
"Did you kill that adventurer?"
"Who knows? Perhaps I did… perhaps I didn't…"
The answer was laden with disdain.
A slow, dangerously sadistic smile spread across his face.
---xXx---
Hinata's fists clenched tightly as she recognized the mask.
No.
She could not be mistaken.
Shizue Izawa-sensei…
Damn it.
Several seconds passed in absolute silence.
Then Hinata raised her head.
Cold. Determined. Unshakable.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. We will annihilate this Gilgamesh… and his city."
"Yes!"
They all rose at once, the solemn authority of the Holy Western Church reflected in every movement.
Glenda observed Hinata's resolute expression and couldn't help but smile.
She felt a faint pang of guilt.
But not enough to regret it.
Gold coins practically placed in her hands… who would refuse?
No matter how strong Gilgamesh might be.
Hinata's strength still surpassed his.
---xXx---
Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Falmuth.
"What?!" the king exclaimed in disbelief. "A new nation has emerged in the Forest of Jura and is stealing a vast portion of the profits that belong to us?!"
The Minister of Commerce replied nervously:
"Yes, Your Majesty. In less than a month, we have already lost over 100,000 gold coins. And the losses are only increasing. I estimate that by the end of the year, we will lose at least several million."
BANG!
The old king slammed the table.
"Millions?! How dare they?! Are those merchants idiots? How can they believe the words of monsters?!"
"I-it's…"
The minister was drenched in sweat.
"Your Majesty… that nation is ruled by a human. Furthermore, I obtained a copy of their legal code through adventurers. I ask that you take a look."
A legal code?
The king frowned.
What kind of document could possibly persuade humans and monsters to set aside centuries of prejudice?
He began to read.
And his expression changed immediately.
---xXx---
I. On Sovereignty and Order
Article 1 — The ruler is the guardian of the city, not its owner. His foremost duty is to ensure stability, prosperity, and protection from internal and external threats.
Article 2 — No decision shall be made on a whim when reason can be applied. Strategy precedes impulse.
Article 3 — Intentional disorder that threatens the structure of the city shall be treated as a crime against all of Nova Uruk.
---
II. On the Rights of the People
Article 4 — Every citizen has the right to protection by the State.
Article 5 — Every capable citizen must contribute to the city's defense, production, or advancement according to their abilities.
Article 6 — Merit surpasses origin. Those who prove their worth shall rise.
Article 7 — Knowledge is a strategic asset. Education and training are public duties.
---
III. On Defense and Military Power
Article 8 — The defense of Nova Uruk is an absolute priority.
Article 9 — Any individual with relevant magical, martial, or intellectual ability must register it with the military administration.
Article 10 — Deliberate cowardice in battle, when proven, shall be punished according to the severity of the harm caused to the city.
---
IV. On Justice
Article 11 — Justice shall be proportional to the impact caused.
Article 12 — Simple theft requires double restitution.
Article 13 — Administrative corruption is treason against the ruler.
Article 14 — External betrayal shall be judged as a capital crime.
Article 15 — No punishment shall be applied without formal investigation.
---
V. On Economy and Production
Article 16 — Production is the pillar of stability.
Article 17 — Taxes shall be collected fairly and invested primarily in defense, infrastructure, and national advancement.
Article 18 — Foreign merchants are welcome, provided they respect the laws of Nova Uruk.
Article 19 — Abusive speculation during times of crisis is an economic crime.
---
VI. On Hierarchy and Merit
Article 20 — Titles are not ornaments; they are responsibilities.
Article 21 — Repeated incompetence shall result in removal from office.
Article 22 — Advisors must counsel with honesty, not flattery.
---
VII. On External Relations
Article 23 — Alliances are formed through mutual strategic interest.
Article 24 — Diplomacy precedes war; war precedes surrender.
Article 25 — Nova Uruk shall never accept forced submission.
---
VIII. On Future Prosperity
Article 26 — Innovation is encouraged.
Article 27 — The city shall invest in military, magical, and scientific education.
---
---xXx---
What kind of blasphemy was this?
"Ban this… code of laws! Anyone who prints, distributes, or reads this demonic book will be dragged to the marketplace and hanged!"
"Yes, sir!"
The hall fell into silence.
Several ministers who had already read the book felt their backs soaked with sweat.
"Prepare the army. We will destroy this nation."
"Yes, sir!"
---xXx---
Upon learning of Falmuth's and the Holy Western Church's movements, Yuuki couldn't help but smile.
His plan was progressing exactly as expected.
Among all of Shizu's students, only Hinata Sakaguchi truly commanded his respect.
The others…
Well.
Arthur also seemed to hold special regard for those children, perhaps due to Shizu's influence.
And that raised an interesting possibility.
In the hands of a skilled player…
Even a small pawn can decide the fate of the board.
(End of Chapter)