﻿\setgamedatatitle("Subjugation of the First City, Fargan")

\text("Risbell")
Aha... We won... We did it...! With this, we can take
Hados...
\endtext

\text
The last soldier falls.
\endtext

\text
The only ones left standing on this battlefield are the
Demon Lord's army.
\endtext

\text
That fact makes Risbell's body tremble. Overwhelmed by the
joy welling up inside, her body heats up and she almost
collapses.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Well, this was the obvious outcome.
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
The Demon Lord didn't do a damn thing though.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hmph... A true king, you see, is one who claims victory just
by sitting back at the top of the mountain.

\endtext

\text
―A group without a commander could never hope to defeat the
Demon Lord's army.
\endtext

\text("Mayor Fargan")
Damn it, let me go! No, nooo!

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Oh, here they come.
\endtext

\text("Goblin")
Caym-sama, we've brought him.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Ah, good work.
\endtext

\text("Mayor Fargan")
Eek, stop, help me!
\endtext

\text
That commander, too, was dragged before Caym by the
monsters, showing a pitiful sight.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
So, you're the mayor of Fargan.
\endtext

\text("Mayor Fargan")
Y-yes, eek... Please, spare me... Just my life...

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Denied. Let the monsters toy with you and kill you.

\endtext

\text("Mayor Fargan")
Eek...!? I'm sorry... No, I don't want to die...!

\endtext

\text("Caym")
...Then don't ever try something like this again. If you
understand, hand over all the Illusion Stones you have to
me.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
You know what'll happen if you refuse, right?
\endtext

\text("Orc")
Grrrr...!
\endtext

\text("Mayor Fargan")
Y-yes...
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Very well. Then as proof of your submission, bow your head
before me! Fuhahaha!
\endtext

\text("Noro")
Demon Lord-sama looks like he's having fun.
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
He's really into it. So, what are we doing about them?

\endtext

\text
Spacchio's gaze falls on the wounded defense squad.

\endtext

\text
Surrounded by monsters and unable to escape, they will soon
be taken into the labyrinth.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
That's true...
\endtext

\text
It's hard to imagine them ever submitting to Caym.
\endtext

\text
...If anything, just like us now, they'll probably bare
their fangs at us someday.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
(Besides, they've killed plenty of Diabolica too...)

\endtext

\text
And yet, is it really okay to let them live?
\endtext

\text
This battle is just the first step. The first step for the
Diabolica to break free from discrimination.
\endtext

\text
I can't tell if what's welling up inside me is righteous
anger or hatred.
\endtext

\text
But one thing's for sure―the afterglow of victory is making
these emotions boil over.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
...Let's purge them. I'll make them understand. The pain
we've suffered...
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Risbell!
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Kyaun!?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Oh, this is pretty nice...
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
W-where do you think you're touching!?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Your ass. You've got a good one, even though it's small.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
You didn't have to say it's small!!
\endtext

\text("Caym")
I've decided. From now on, those guys will serve as soldiers
in the Demon Lord's army and protect this town.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
What are you talking about!? They've done so many terrible
things...
\endtext

\text("Caym")
So, are you planning to keep killing anyone who resists,
forever?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Ah... that's...
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Why are you here in the first place?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
............
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Let the past go. Aren't you here to change tomorrow?


\endtext

\text("Risbell")
But... uuu...
\endtext

\text
Unlike Caym, Risbell couldn't just let it go so easily.

\endtext

\text
While she hesitated, the monsters grew impatient and
gathered around Caym.

\endtext

\text("Hobgoblin")
Demon Lord-sama, Demon Lord-sama! Should we kill them? Can
we eat them?
\endtext

\text("Noro")
...Beans taste better. I don't want to kill them... What
should we do?
\endtext

\text("Orc")
Buhii, grrr... buhii.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hold on. Risbell will decide that.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
M-me...?
\endtext

\text
The monsters waiting eagerly lock eyes with her. They're
waiting for Risbell's command.
\endtext

\text
Depending on her answer, the Demon Lord's army's policy will
be decided.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
............Alright.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
We won't kill them. Let's welcome them into the Demon Lord's
army.
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
It's settled then. You guys, just because we won doesn't
mean you can get rough! Humans are our comrades now too!

\endtext

\text("Noro")
Thank goodness... Human food is delicious.
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
All you ever think about is eating, huh...

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Hehe. Well then, let's start by treating the defense squad.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Once that's done, let's pacify Fargan together with them.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Caym-sama. Could I ask you to give a speech, like when we
first formed our army?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
A speech? ...But, what am I supposed to say?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Just a quick summary of what I've explained so far would be
fine. I can count on you, right?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hmph... I'm not really in the mood, but fine.

\endtext

\text
The government building in the city center was now
completely under the control of the Demon Lord's army.
\endtext

\text
Worried citizens watched the scene from a distance.

\endtext

\text
In front of them, Caym appeared with the captured mayor.

\endtext

\text
As the citizens wondered what was about to happen, Caym
began to speak.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
People of Fargan, it is a pleasure to meet you.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
My name is Caym. I am a survivor of the now-fallen kingdom
of Hados... one who carries the blood of the Hados royal
family.
\endtext

\text
At those words, a stir ran through the crowd.
\endtext

\text("Citizen")
Wait, so they're here for revenge because their country was
destroyed...?
\endtext

\text("Citizen")
No way... The defense squad's been wiped out, so what are we
supposed to do now...?
\endtext

\text("Citizen")
They're going to kill us all... They're going to massacre
all the humans who destroyed their country...!
\endtext

\text("Caym")
But revenge is not what I seek!
\endtext

\text
Sensing the citizens' fears, Caym spoke even more
forcefully.
\endtext

\text
The citizens fell silent, waiting for Caym's next words.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
People die someday, and nations will eventually fall. That's
an unchangeable law of the world.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
My homeland, Hados, was no exception to that fate... that's
all there is to it.
\endtext

\text
Shifting from his earlier tone, Caym now spoke calmly, with
a hint of melancholy.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Even if a country falls, that doesn't mean its people must
perish. You can live new lives in a new nation.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Back when Hados still stood, humans, Diabolica, and other
races all lived together as a matter of course in this land.

\endtext

\text
Caym gazed into the distance. As a long-lived Diabolica, he
spoke of events from over a hundred years ago as if they
were yesterday.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
But what about Nilt now, after Hados was destroyed?

\endtext

\text
And then, another surge of passion. The city of Fargan was
now Caym's stage alone.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
With the fall of Hados, everything changed. Those who
succeeded in seizing the nation built discrimination against
certain races into the very structure of their rule.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
We Diabolica are oppressed, and monsters are being
massacred―entire villages wiped out in the name of peace.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
At the root of it all is excessive purity-obsession, and the
egotism that says only their own race needs to prosper.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Yes, even the right for Diabolica to live new lives was
denied!
\endtext

\text
Once again, Caym put power into his words. With gestures, he
left a strong impression on the citizens.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Our country was stolen, and even our right to live was taken
away... Are the Diabolica just supposed to die out?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
No. Absolutely not. We will never silently bow to such a
fate.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
A place where we, the oppressed, can live as we should...
That is what I desire.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
But I will never follow in the footsteps of those who
destroyed Hados. Anyone who supports my Demon Lord Army will
have their right to live guaranteed.
\endtext

\text("Citizen")
L-Liar...! We won't be fooled by such sweet words―!


\endtext

\text
Someone mustered their courage and voiced their resistance
to Caym's speech.
\endtext

\text
The soldiers rushed forward, but Caym stopped them with a
wave of his hand.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
It's only natural you can't believe me. After all, we did
occupy this land today by force, with bloodshed.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
So then. See for yourself whether what I say is true.


\endtext

\text("Caym")
If you wish to leave, you may go. We will not stop you.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
I guarantee that the residents of this city will be able to
continue their lives exactly as before.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
However, there is one thing that will change.

\endtext

\text
At this, Caym looked around at the audience.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Discrimination against specific races is hereby permanently
forbidden. Anyone who breaks this rule will be punished
accordingly.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
And regarding this policy, I will continue to have the
mayor's cooperation... Isn't that right, Mayor?

\endtext

\text
Caught up in Caym's speech, the mayor nodded repeatedly
without thinking.
\endtext

\text("Mayor Fargan")
I-I've already discussed this with Lord Caym. I'm sure
everyone is anxious, but...
\endtext

\text
At that, the mayor glanced anxiously at Caym, who gave him a
big nod in return.
\endtext

\text("Mayor Fargan")
From tomorrow on, I want everyone to live as usual. We'll do
our best to make that happen... That's all.

\endtext

\text
When Caym patted him on the shoulder in approval, the mayor
nearly collapsed.
\endtext

\text
Looking around, the fear that had gripped the citizens
earlier had faded, and some were even starting to show
interest in the Demon Lord Army.
\endtext

\text
However, Risbell certainly didn't think their trust would be
won so easily.
\endtext

\text
To earn that trust, Caym had played his part well.

\endtext

\text
Now, it was Risbell and the others' turn to do their part.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
(…As I thought, Lord Caym really is of royal blood from
Hados. That charisma he showed before the people…)

\endtext

\text
Just then, Caym finished his speech and returned.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
So, was that good enough for you, strategist?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Yes, it was more than enough. Thank you, Lord Caym.

\endtext

\text
Risbell spoke to Caym a little more gently than usual.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Well then, I'm off to inspect the town. Actually, I spotted
a few good-looking women during the speech…

\endtext

\text
Hearing that, Risbell's gentle demeanor instantly froze.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
You're in the way, Lord Caym. Please return to the labyrinth
ahead of us.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
………………
\endtext

\text
―Just as things seemed to have settled down, it happened.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Tch… Knew they'd show up after all.
\endtext

\text
A small light fluttered between Caym and Risbell.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Kirabugs…
\endtext

\text
No one really knows much about their ecology. It's not even
clear if they're living creatures.
\endtext

\text
Their enchanting glow soothes people's hearts, making them
beloved by all.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
They're beautiful. Maybe they're celebrating our victory?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
No way. You think these things are that cute?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Ah! Don't be rough with them. They haven't done anything
wrong.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
No, they've put me in a bad mood. Even if I crush them, they
can't complain.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Isn't that a bit unreasonable…?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Back when Hados fell, these bastards showed up in droves.
Just that alone makes them bad luck.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Well… but you see them a lot at festivals too, right?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
…Hmph.
\endtext

\text
It's true that lots of Kirabugs appear at festivals.
\endtext

\text
New Year's festivals and harvest festivals are prime
examples.
\endtext

\text
But even then, it was nothing compared to when Hados was
destroyed.
\endtext

\text
―When his one and only sister died, Kirabugs swarmed her
corpse like maggots.

\endtext

\text
Hyenas flocking to a carcass―that was Caym's image of
Kirabugs.

\endtext