They had, in the end, held Hinata back.
With Hinata's strength, breaking through Artoria's barrier was actually within the realm of possibility.
In other words, if she wanted to escape, neither Artoria nor Treyni could easily stop her.
Even using the power of the Lord of Oaths wouldn't guarantee keeping Hinata contained.
But the problem was this:
Once Artoria had defeated the Crusader Order, Hinata's fate was sealed.
She would never abandon her comrades.
For their sake, Hinata had no choice but to fight Artoria to the death.
The result was, unsurprisingly, her defeat.
A complete and utter rout!
"Pfft!!"
The golden knight's sword descended, and crimson blood sprayed before Hinata as her trembling body collapsed.
"It's over…"
Artoria sheathed her sword, looking down at the unconscious Hinata. "Treyni, help take these people back to the kingdom."
"Got it," Treyni replied. "Since the prison was built, we haven't had any inmates yet. This will be a good test."
"…"
At the mention of the prison, Artoria thought of the Primordial Four.
She recalled that the one in charge of the prison was Carrera.
The warden and the interrogator.
Hinata and her group falling into Carrera's hands would likely not be pleasant.
"I'll need to have a word with Carrera," Artoria said.
She admired the Crusaders of the Holy Empire of Ruberios.
With Carrera's brutality, the captives would likely face some torment in her hands.
Looking at the other battlefield, under the assault of the Dragonewt, Star Wolves, and Lycantropes, Falmuth's 50,000-strong army was practically annihilated in an instant.
The only survivor was the King of Falmuth himself.
Under Souka's escort, he was brought to the expanded capital.
"Master!"
In the grand hall, Artoria knelt on one knee, reporting the battle's outcome to Damien. "The enemy's 50,000 soldiers have been completely eradicated."
"The Crusader Order of the Holy Empire of Ruberios, including their leader Hinata and deputy leader Leonard, totaling 3,200, are now detained in the great prison, awaiting your judgment!"
"Hm."
Damien nodded with satisfaction. "Well done, Artoria."
"Now, bring the enemy leader forward."
At Damien's command, the King of Falmuth was dragged in and tossed onto the hall's floor.
The old king, having witnessed his 50,000-strong army slaughtered by monsters, was filled with terror but still clung to a sliver of hope.
"You… you're too insolent!"
"I am Edmaris I, King of Falmuth!"
Edmaris raised his head, looking at the man seated on the throne. "Mere monsters dare treat me like this?"
"This guy…"
Rimuru's worldview shattered at those words. "Is he a genius?"
He was a prisoner.
And this was the Demon Lord's capital.
How could a mere captive be so arrogant?
"You don't seem to understand your situation," Diablo said, questioning Edmaris without needing Damien's prompting. "Starting a war against our nation isn't something you can brush off with a few words."
"Have you thought about what price you'll pay?"
"I admit, my nation lost this time, and I'll provide sufficient compensation," Edmaris said. "But I'm a king! Don't you monsters understand noble etiquette?"
In Edmaris's mind, when two nations went to war and one was defeated, the loser would pay reparations to the victor.
In return, Damien should treat him and Falmuth's nobles with respect, not humiliate him like this.
"Though I expected as much, seeing it in person is still disappointing," Damien said, losing interest in talking to this fool. "Diablo, handle it."
"Yes!"
Sparing Edmaris's life was Diablo's suggestion.
Of course, Diablo had no intention of protecting this foolish king.
His goal was simple.
Use an Ultimate Skill to brainwash and control him, then return him to Falmuth.
What came next was obvious, wasn't it?
Control the king, overhaul Falmuth's leadership…
And when the time was right, dismantle the Kingdom of Falmuth and make it part of Monster Kingdom.
Some might say this was too much trouble.
But Falmuth had a population of 30 million.
That didn't even include the freemen.
With such a vast population, acting too recklessly could cause untold chaos and countless deaths.
Diablo saw Falmuth's people as Damien's property.
He couldn't let these humans die senselessly.
"You… what are you doing? I'm a... "
"Silence!"
Diablo's gaze fell on Edmaris, instantly seizing complete control over his body and soul.
Seeing this, Artoria frowned slightly, displeased with Diablo's sinister methods.
"Don't give me that look, Lady Artoria," Diablo said with a bright smile. "I'm doing this to help you."
"Tch…"
Artoria couldn't argue.
Falmuth would eventually be under her management.
As a Star Spirit evolved from a Holy Spirit, Artoria naturally had maximum favorability among humans.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that if Artoria stood up and called out, she could instantly gain the support of countless humans.
That was the innate advantage of King Arthur's regal aura and charisma.
"I just hope you'll keep your word," Artoria said.
She needed the daemons' power to ensure a smooth transition of the nation's governance into her hands.
"Of course!" Diablo replied. "We're daemons, not evil devils."
"Is there a difference?"
"Not really."
"You…"
Artoria was never good at dealing with these daemons.
"Master," Artoria asked, "How will you deal with Hinata and the others?"
"Are you pleading for them, Artoria?" Damien's tone seemed calm but carried a hint of dissatisfaction. "You should know they're no different from the invaders."
***
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