﻿\setgamedatatitle("Kiros\nConquest of the Second City, Denfrosk")

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Generally, words like domination or occupation only bring to
mind bad impressions.
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Especially when it comes to war... and even more so if the
enemy is monsters.
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Of course, it was the same for Günther.
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Those who don't obey are crushed by force and purged.
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The women are used for the monsters' pleasure, and the men
are killed for no reason.
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Pillaging, slaughter, destruction, rape―every kind of
atrocity imaginable is committed.
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...Or so he thought.
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It's true that many were injured in this battle. But,
considering the scale of the fighting, shockingly few lost
their lives.
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\text("Rebecca")
Hey, soldier over there, would you like some too?
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\text("Günther")
...Ah, sure, I'll take some.
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A human woman, who didn't seem like she belonged in the
Demon Lord's army, was distributing food together with
monsters.
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Alongside the monsters, humans―Brightleafs―were healing the
wounded.
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They were giving food and blankets to civilians.
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Some were even chatting and laughing together.
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\text("Günther")
Are you with the Demon Lord's army too?
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\text("Rebecca")
I'm just helping out. Liz-chan said she needed more hands.
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\text("Rebecca")
And apparently, people feel safer when I hand things out
instead of the monsters.
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\text("Günther")
...Is that so.
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\text("Spacchio")
Rebecca, do you know where the Demon Lord went?
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\text("Rebecca")
She hasn't come this way.
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\text("Spacchio")
Oh man... Lizbell's gonna get grumpy again...
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\text("Günther")
............
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\text("Spacchio")
Huh, what is it?
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\text("Günther")
No... uh, it's nothing.
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Honestly, just having a monster walking beside you is
surprising enough.
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On top of that, having them talk to you so casually is
enough to throw anyone off.
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\text("El")
Spacchio-san! Hurry up and bring me another bowl of soup!
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\text("Spacchio")
I'm not your errand boy, damn it!
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\text("Günther")
...I can't keep up with all this.
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\text("Rebecca")
Soldiers really are so stiff-headed. Maybe you should try to
relax a little?
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\text("Günther")
...Hmm.
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Günther couldn't take things as lightly as Rebecca did.
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And in the end, he still didn't understand the Demon Lord's
true intentions. But at the very least, the citizens were
smiling.
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It was the first time he'd ever seen such expressions.
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\text("Günther")
That was delicious. If I get the chance, I'd like to have it
again.
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\text("Rebecca")
You're welcome. Thanks for eating.
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Günther left the area.
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A country that makes its people suffer has no right to
exist. But changing it through the military or Glace's hand
would be difficult.
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That's how powerful the church had become.
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With that in mind, Günther made his way back to Glace.
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....................
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............
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......
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After finishing dinner, Glace returned to the throne. Her
expression was heavier than usual.
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―Denfrosk has fallen.
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That was the report she had just received.
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Because of that, she couldn't even taste her dinner.
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\text("Caym")
You finally made it. I've been waiting for you, Glace.
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\text("Glace")
...You really are everywhere, aren't you? I'll call the
guards.
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Right off the bat, Glace spoke warily to the intruder.
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\text("Caym")
Do as you like. I can disappear whenever I want. I could
escape without being found.
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The intruder―Caym―replied with a relaxed air as he lounged
on the throne.
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\text("Glace")
Is that just a bluff?
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\text("Caym")
Look, I've got these horns, right? There are some weirdos
out there who attack me just for these.
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\text("Glace")
...!
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With that, Caym used magic and vanished on the spot.
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Then, he reappeared right in front of Glace.
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\text("Caym")
I came here to brag today. I've taken two cities for myself.
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\text("Glace")
...I'm not going to follow you.
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\text("Caym")
Still saying that?
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\text("Glace")
...I can't follow a man who killed the people of my country.
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\text("Caym")
You don't need to worry. I've given strict orders to keep
casualties to a minimum.
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\text("Glace")
Is that... really true?
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\text("Caym")
Yeah. It's war, so it's inevitable that some will lose their
lives, but...
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\text("Caym")
But I always accept those who surrender, and I've strictly
forbidden any harm to civilians.
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\text("Caym")
Besides, why would I go out of my way to kill people who
will eventually become my own citizens?
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\text("Glace")
............
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\text("Caym")
And for those who are starving, I provide food. Kids and the
elderly get priority to stay warm in the labyrinth.
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\text("Caym")
Well, it's actually Risbell who's doing all of that. I
haven't done a thing, haha.
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\text("Glace")
...I see. So all the people are safe...
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Glace's expression softened at Caym's words.
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She had been expressionless until now, so even the slightest
change was noticeable.
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\text("Caym")
Oh? So you can make that kind of face too. You could stand
to be a little happier, you know?
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\text("Glace")
Happy? Is that how I looked to you?
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\text("Caym")
That's how it looked... but if you don't get it, that's
fine. I'll just have to teach you. Heh, now I've got
something else to look forward to when I see you.
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\text("Glace")
...You enjoy meeting me? You're a strange man.
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\text("Caym")
You're pretty strange yourself, you know?
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\text("Günther")
Lady Glace――
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The sound of knocking stopped halfway. At the same time, a
murderous intent sharp enough to prick the skin came through
the door, directed at Caym.
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\text("Caym")
Hmm... Not bad, noticing me like that. I guess that's enough
for today.
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\text("Glace")
Are you coming again?
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\text("Caym")
Yeah, after I take the next city.
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With a smirk, Caym vanished from sight.
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Almost at the same moment, the door burst open.
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\text("Günther")
Lady Glace...!
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\text("Glace")
...What's wrong?
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\text("Günther")
Just now... No, was someone here?
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\text("Glace")
There was... but he left somewhere.
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\text("Günther")
(What did the Demon Lord come here for, right after
conquering a city...?)
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The moment he opened the door, Günther was certain he saw
him.
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From what he could see, there were no signs that Glace had
been harmed.
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If anything stood out... it was that Glace looked a little
lonely now.
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\text("Günther")
Then, please make sure you aren't discovered next time. I
won't be able to overlook it again.
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\text("Glace")
...Understood.
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\text("Günther")
Now, I'll give my report. First, regarding the damage from
the fall of Denfrosk...
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Günther's report was more than enough to darken Glace's
expression once again.
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However, the real reason she hung her head was something
else entirely...
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Günther had a hunch it was because of his words about not
being able to overlook things...
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....................
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............
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......
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At the church in the Barathorn territory, the high priest
and his followers had gathered.
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\text("High Priest")
How is Winga-sama doing?
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\text("Follower 1")
He is satisfied... but he's already asking for the next
tribute.
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\text("High Priest")
Hmph... Got a taste for it, has he? Fine. Gather more from
Denfrosk and Kazatoria as well.
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\text("High Priest")
Those places are already under the Demon Lord's control.
There's no need to hold back.
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\text("Follower 2")
Well, that's true... In that case, is it okay if we sample a
little ourselves?
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\text("Follower 2")
We're risking our lives too. We'd like a little of the
leftovers at least.
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\text("High Priest")
Don't touch the virgins. Winga-sama prefers virgins, after
all.
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At the high priest's words, the follower smirked and left
the room.
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Even though they're his own followers, those with such
little faith are actually easier to use.
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As long as you prepare a 'reward,' they'll do anything you
ask.
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\text("Follower 3")
Ah... High Priest.
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\text("High Priest")
Ah, good evening. Here to pray to Winga-sama again tonight?
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\text("Follower 3")
Yes.
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A stark contrast to the pure follower who entered as the
other left.
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\text("Spy")
...Winga-sama and that man are as unchanging as ever, I see.
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\text("High Priest")
...Fools are necessary too.
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A man's voice came from behind the high priest.
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He had no idea when he arrived or how long he'd been there.
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\text("Spy")
He really believes that if he prays and offers his daughter,
Winga-sama will save him... doesn't he?
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\text("High Priest")
He's not exactly wrong.
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With a voice that sounded almost mocking, the high priest
let out a sigh.
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He wished those kinds of comments would be saved for when it
was just the two of them here.
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Suddenly, he noticed the spy's gaze was fixed on the gate.
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\text("High Priest")
...Is something outside bothering you?
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\text("Spy")
No... It seems there's a little pest buzzing around. I'll
take care of it.
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\text("High Priest")
...I'll leave it to you.
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The spy's presence vanished. From here on, he was just the
high priest again.
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\text("High Priest")
―Now then, may I join you in prayer as well?
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\text("Follower 3")
Ah... yes, please!
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Wearing a friendly smile, the high priest knelt down and
began to pray.
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\text("Kiros Soldier")
Well, well, looks like I've found something good...
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Grinning, the soldier tucked the illusion stone into his
pocket.
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He was one of the soldiers investigating the church under
Gunther's orders.
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\text("Kiros Soldier")
(Following the high priest was the right call.)
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A secret meeting with a mysterious figure. Considering what
they discussed, this could justify a full-scale raid.
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That conversation was already recorded on the illusion stone
in his pocket.
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\text("Kiros Soldier")
(If things go well, we might even be able to get rid of the
church faction...)
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\text("Kiros Soldier")
Gah...!?
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His thoughts were abruptly cut off.
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His mind, suddenly reset, instantly realized he'd been
slashed from behind.
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At the same time, he understood why he'd been attacked.
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But it was too late. It must have been a fatal wound.
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His collapsed body couldn't even twitch.
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\text("Spy")
...I'll be taking that illusion stone. I'll make sure it
gets to the high priest.
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Those were the last words the soldier ever heard.





































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