Chapter 252: Abyssal Holy War – Finale (4)

Episode 252. Abyssal Holy War – Finale (4)

The war between the Allied Forces and Abyss Corporation was over.

While we were handling the wounded soldiers and recovering the corpses of the dead, a succubus named Leah came to us and, on behalf of the remaining forces of Abyss Corporation, declared their surrender.

We reorganized our troops and immediately headed for their capital, Pandemonium, where we confirmed that the tower that once served as Abyss Corporation Headquarters had completely collapsed.

-No!!! The Magic Tower's assets! Do you know how valuable those were!!

…To hear the Magic Tower Master scream, you’d think it was the end of the world.

Besides, since when were they the Magic Tower’s assets?

Opinions were divided on how to handle the remaining forces of Abyss Corporation.

Among them, quite a few argued for a clean sweep to eliminate any future trouble, and honestly, I secretly agreed.

However, before a decision was made, the succubus Leah requested a private audience with me.

Leah informed me that Gremory had cut off the mana supply to the Drones, then collapsed the Abyss Corporation Headquarters, and had ordered her to stop the war and plead for mercy from me.

…So, in the end, that was our last encounter.

I never understood Gremory’s motivations or true intentions.

But at the very least, despite my countless suspicions, that succubus never betrayed or tried to use me in the end.

In fact, if it hadn't been for Gremory, I might already be dead.

And if that’s the case, then it’s only right that I show her a minimum sense of loyalty.

Once I made my decision, persuading the Allied Forces was not as difficult as I had thought.

The surviving demons were not particularly threatening, being mostly succubi and office workers, and their numbers were small enough that we seemed fully capable of controlling them.

Moreover, the surviving demons, including Leah, were far more cooperative than expected.

Of course, it was partly because they wanted to live, but it seemed the demons hadn't exactly been happy to follow Baal and Paimon's crazy acts either.

The Allied Forces also softened somewhat after learning that most of the demons had been ground up as materials for the Drones, and that the survivors were non-threatening types like succubi and office workers, few in number.

With the headquarters, where Abyss Corporation's key information was gathered, completely destroyed, the cooperation of the surviving demons was necessary to analyze Abyss Corporation's remaining technology.

The Magic Tower Master, the one who would be analyzing Abyss Corporation's technology, was especially welcoming. And when Christine, who had arranged to receive the technology from him and sell it to various nations, also gave her support, the National Assembly and the leaders of other nations quickly agreed.

In the end, having shed so much blood to achieve victory over the demons and attain our own form of revenge, everyone was able to turn their eyes to the benefits to be gained from this victory, rather than indulging in immediate hatred.

Now that the gate was connected, we decided to disarm Abyss Corporation’s remaining forces and let them continue to exist under the management and supervision of the Allied Forces.

*

After the decision meeting concluded,

In the lodgings assigned to me in Pandemonium.

As one might expect from Abyss Corporation, which had traded with the entire world, the lodgings for distinguished guests were prepared quite lavishly.

Though the other races and demons that once filled this place to serve guests were nearly all gone, and our Allied Forces now occupied it.

I had Christine sit on the sofa and spoke.

“You’ve worked hard, Christine.”

Christine gave me a gentle smile.

“What have I done? You’re the one who endured the hardship.”

Despite her words, what the Allied Forces most anticipated as spoils of war from this conflict was the demons' technology, which would be analyzed through the Magic Tower.

We would receive reparations, but honestly, how much could we get from the demons when so few survivors remained?

So, it was an undeniable fact that her influence as the Magic Tower's biggest supporter had a major impact on deciding the demons' fate.

“What are you talking about. If it weren't for you, I might have died from a stress-induced illness just from dealing with that old man, the former Magic Tower Master.”

Sage, my foot. More like an old man crazed for money.

Hearing my words, Christine just chuckled without denying it.

In the meantime, I brought a washbasin filled with water, placed it before Christine, and took hold of her boots.

“Ah, um. I can do that myself.”

“I’m doing this because I want to, so please stay still.”

“Ngh…”

When I took off her boots, Christine's feet were wrapped in bandages here and there. I looked up at her with a wry smile.

“It seems you tried to hide it, but it’s still noticeable.”

Christine blushed and averted her gaze. I carefully pulled off her stockings and unwrapped the bandages from her feet.

The revealed feet were covered in countless small wounds.

While she doesn't have the timid personality of an ordinary noble lady, she is also not someone who has rolled around on harsh battlefields.

Walking around in a city or on a warship is one thing, but running across a battlefield that had been turned into a mess by exchanging artillery fire must have been quite rough for her.

“…You worked hard. Truly.”

“Ngh.”

As I gently washed her feet, Christine flinched slightly, perhaps from the pain, and then opened her mouth.

“…It’s pathetic, isn’t it? To come all this way, even threatening you with my life to stay, only to not be of much help in the end.”

After washing Christine’s feet, I brought a towel, dried them meticulously, and then began to re-bandage them as I spoke.

“I’m quite happy.”

“Pardon?”

“It feels like it’s been a long time since you’ve shown your vulnerable side.”

Christine looked dumbfounded as I placed a kiss on the top of her foot.

“Ah, it’s dirty!”

“I just washed them for you. Does this mean you think I don’t cherish you enough to wash you properly, my wife?”

“Th-That’s not what I meant…”

I smiled softly at Christine’s flustered state and said,

“Being helpful doesn't mean you have to be directly exposed to danger on the frontline. Just because you’re in the rear doesn't mean you’re not doing your best.”

I lifted my head slightly and kissed her ankle again.

“To think you’d call someone pathetic for risking their life alongside me out of worry I might do something reckless, and getting hurt after all that hardship.”

Filled with adoration, I kissed my way slowly up her leg—

After kissing her knee, I lifted my head to find Christine’s face flushed as red as it could possibly be.

“Do you think I'm so incompetent as to underestimate the incredible role you played in this war, or do you think I'm such a terrible human that I don't know how to be grateful for all your effort?”

“I’m sorry. That wasn't my intention—Ah!”

I gently lifted her leg and chuckled deliberately as I said,

“It’s a bit late to say this now, but for a uniform, the skirt is a little short. To think it only reaches your knees.”

The way Christine stared blankly with her mouth agape felt quite cute.

“You are beautiful, but I want to be the only one to see such a figure.”

“…You’re the only one who can appreciate me like this while I’m in uniform, sitting on a sofa.”

Her protest was so amusing that I burst out laughing.

Seeing Christine’s sulky expression, I took her hair in my hand, gave it a light kiss, and said,

“It’s nice to have this leeway. …Now it finally feels like everything is truly over.”

Christine smiled gently.

“We’re far from done, Pierre. We have to conduct an investigation of the Magic Tower and manage Abyss Corporation, hold a victory celebration, and have a memorial for the casualties. Besides, the Germania Empire and the Eastern Empire want to extend an invitation to you and Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Ugh…”

I let out a groan.

Francia, the center of the Allied Forces, or Krafte, whose king had personally taken command, were not an issue.

But from the Germania Imperial Family's stance, they would want to use this victory to get recognition that they were also a core part of the alliance and to quell their unstable internal situation.

As for the Eastern Empire, it goes without saying. They were too busy defending their homeland, and now that we’ve occupied it, they’ll want to plant the perception that we fought together.

Both are empires in name, but since they couldn't take the leading role, they now seem to want to at least establish an equal relationship to save face.

“We’re just barely finished, and they’re calling for us so tactlessly. Besides, Her Majesty the Queen isn’t even conscious yet.”

Eris has been in a long sleep ever since that battle.

My heart sank, but according to the priests and doctors who examined her, her divine power has become much stronger since the battle. They say her life is not in danger and that she is just consolidating her power.

“It’s a necessary task. Many people died in this war, and that’s true for all nations, not just ours. With the public enemy gone, if we can confirm each other’s thoughts while friendly relations still remain, and establish relationships of mutual benefit, we can welcome an era of peace, at least for a while.”

Christine said this, then added with a soft smile,

“And you know, don’t you? Pierre. It will be difficult for King Kroxx’s sister nation to establish friendly relations with the human nations of the Central Continent if not for this opportunity. Since we’ve invested so much to create a strong alliance, we might as well see it through to the end properly.”

“Haha, I can’t win against you. I’m lucky to have a staff officer like you, but sometimes I think you’re so capable it’s a flaw.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, Pierre.”

Just a moment ago, she was so cute, blushing and flustered.

“Well now, it seems we'll be busy again as soon as Her Majesty the Queen awakens. I worry Leon and Fleur might forget my face. While I’m traveling, I’ll have to rely on you for everything.”

“Ah…”

At the mention of our children, who were even now being cared for by Dumont and their nanny at the manor, Christine had a taken aback expression.

“What is it, Christine?”

“…While you are overseas, I was thinking of staying here to manage Abyss Corporation and support the Magic Tower.”

“Hmm?”

It would be reassuring if she did, but now that the war is over, is there really a need?

As I was thinking that, Christine soon gave a wry smile and opened her mouth.

“…I willfully followed you here and practically threatened you with my life.”

“You’re still on about that. If you hadn't sent down the reinforcements in time, we would have eventually collapsed, and just the fact that you were here was enough to pull me from despair. The supply management was perfect, too. It’s no empty words to say you made a key contribution to the victory.”

I meant every word, but Christine just shook her head with a bitter smile.

“That’s not it, Pierre. I… I rushed here thinking that if you were to die, it would be better for me to die with you. …The moment I made that decision, Leon and Fleur never crossed my mind.”

“…”

“I said that if we had children, I wanted to let them hear good things, to let them grow up proud of me. …And yet I said that.”

Christine was showing a deep self-reproach.

“When it came to the most critical moment, I didn't care about the children; I ended up thinking only of myself. In the end, I am my father’s daughter.”

A man who, while mourning his dead wife, neglected his own daughter, Christine, and turned his eyes to another…

And in the end, tried to tacitly approve of her death.

He may be dead, but does his shadow still linger on Christine?

“…I’m sorry, Pierre. In the end, I can’t be a good mother. It would be better for the children to be raised and taught by a good teacher—”

Christine's words were cut off as I pulled her into an embrace.

“You are different from the previous Count. you can realize that what you did was something to be sorry to the children for, and you can worry about what would be better for them.”

“…But. I’m a cold and selfish person. As long as those precious to me are well, I don’t care about the rest. …Honestly, I have no defense even if I’m called a witch. Someone like me, with children…”

Christine couldn’t bring herself to say more.

What is she thinking?

Is she thinking she doesn't have the qualification to love her children?

“How amazing of a person you are, how much I love you. I feel like I’ve told you those things more than enough…”

And yet, did it not reach Christine?

I suppose that can’t be helped either.

Christine’s entire life, she lived far from freedom.

As a result of doing her best to help her beloved father after her mother’s death, she earned his suspicion and wariness instead.

Even though she devotedly managed the merchant guild and brought prosperity to the family in place of her grief-stricken and listless father, her fate was tied to a political marriage with me, against her will.

Even so, Christine complied with the political marriage and was about to quietly hand over the merchant guild and leave the family, but she was attacked by Yvonne, the new Countess, and forced into a kin strife she never wanted.

Even after winning that fight within her family at the mere age of 18, she spent a decade shackling herself with the guilt of having taken the position that should have gone to an innocent Louis, feeling a sense of debt toward him.

It is not her fault that she naturally learned ruthless methods to protect herself while walking that path.

In fact, after walking that path and learning to use any means necessary, the fact that she can be hurt by it makes me think that if she had lived an ordinary life, she would have surely been a kind and gentle person.

Nevertheless, no matter how highly I praise her or how much I love her, I probably can’t fix her belief that she is not a good person.

I moved back a little from Christine, brushing her hair back with my hand as I spoke.

“Christine, are you afraid you’ll ruin the children?”

“…Because I know myself.”

Perhaps Christine is projecting her father, or maybe Yvonne, onto herself.

“Christine. Your father… he wasn’t a very good father, was he?”

“…”

Christine couldn't answer out loud, but she gave a faint nod.

I smiled gently at that and asked,

“But, did that stop you from missing your father?”

Christine froze, her eyes wide.

“The children are probably missing us right now. To them, you are not the Black Witch of Aquitaine. You are just Mom, Mother.”

“But, what if, later on, the children—”

“Shh.”

I whispered as I gently stroked Christine’s back as if to soothe her.

“You’ve already seen failed parents, and you're afraid you'll become like them. Are you foolish enough to make the same mistakes?”

“…”

“Besides, I’m here too. The me that you see, am I an untrustworthy husband who would let you repeat the same mistakes?”

Still in my arms, Christine slowly shook her head, and I pulled back slightly to face her and smiled.

“You are a wonderful person. A person who cast off all those chains and shackles that bound you and came all this way with me. So, you have nothing to fear.”

I looked into Christine’s trembling eyes and whispered with all the trust and love I possessed.

“I am with you, and you are already free. The things that forced your life are already gone, so is there any reason to fear something that hasn't even happened?”

“Ah… Aah…”

Tears streamed down Christine’s cheeks, and I wiped them away with my hand as I whispered.

“Don’t cry, Christine. From now on, I will only give you reasons to smile.”

Christine smiled through her tears—

And kissed me.

A soft kiss that tasted of tears.

When it fell a second, and then a third time,

The taste of sorrowful tears vanished, and in its place, a passion to devour one another filled the void.

“Well, then. Since it’s all over—”

Perhaps we could enjoy ourselves a little longer, a little rougher?

The moment I thought that and lifted Christine into my arms,

There was a knock on the door.

Ah, what is it?

“…What is it?”

“Excuse me, Your Excellency the Marquis. It is José Vachet! Her Majesty the Queen has awakened!”

“…”

I slowly set Christine back down on the sofa, and she silently began to fumble with her stockings and put on her boots again.

“…Hah. Tell her I will be there shortly.”

“Understood, Your Excellency the Marquis! …Um, by any chance, have I made some sort of mistake?”

I didn't even open the door, but did he realize how deeply annoyed my voice was?

A mistake…

….

He did, indeed.

That clueless adjutant bastard…

“…Never mind. Just go and report it.”

“Y-Yes, Sir!”

Poor Vachet retreated from outside the door.

Our eyes met, and without needing to decide who went first, we both chuckled.

“Royalty is always the problem. Such timing.”

Christine finished putting on her boots and stood up from her seat.

“Shall we go then, my impious Mr. Husband?”

Then, she smiled gently and held out her hand to me.

“We must see Her Majesty the Queen, and then go back. Our…”

The smile Christine is wearing now is one I will surely never forget, even on the day I die.

“To home.”