“One of the demons has left?”
“Yes. Likely for Barshark.”
Asteria sighed at the reports from the familiars surrounding the demons.
“Rubens. It seems he’s quite the bothersome fellow.”
Unlike her, the others had no idea what she was talking about. Seeing this, Asteria explained.
“The Barshark army is in a state of devastation. Furthermore, by showing a non-cooperative attitude in battle against the demon army, they have lost their credibility as a nation and are in a desperate situation. Now, some fools might fall for the demons’ instigation.”
The content of the explanation was shocking to those who heard it. It was true that Barshark, Misra, and Vester were in dire straits, but would they really join hands with demons out of all people? Asteria answered the inevitable question without hesitation.
“They wouldn’t fall for the demons’ invitation. But what if they don’t know it’s a demon’s offer and are simply told they’ll be given the power to escape their predicament? Do you think they wouldn’t accept?”
No one spoke, and a heavy atmosphere enveloped them. It was precisely because they were in a desperate situation that it was extremely likely for some to be manipulated into accepting any help. In such cases, it was often the patriots who made the biggest mistakes.
“The problem is who went. It shouldn’t be Rubens…”
It was clear that Rubens was fixated on resurrecting the Demon Lord. At this stage, he would be unable to entrust this task to other demons. It was safe to assume he felt he had to handle it himself to ensure perfection. If not Rubens, then was it Gerik, or someone named Mergen? If one was suited for instigation, it would be Gerik. If he could disguise himself as someone close and whisper to them, great effects could be expected. But was it really Gerik? The lack of information about this demon named Mergen bothered her. It seemed he was the one who led the former Celeno prince Gastark down the path of evil… but there was no time to investigate. Was he more suited for instigation than Gerik, or would he help Rubens’s plan with some other power? Gerik was the one Asteria wanted to strike down first. Judging from the fact that he handled infiltration missions almost single-handedly, it was unlikely any other demon possessed similar abilities.
“I’ll ask just in case, but you don’t know the name of the demon who left, do you?”
“Yes. I apologize.”
She didn’t expect an answer, so she didn’t blame the familiars. The demons’ perceptive abilities were extraordinarily high, and getting too close would easily alert them, leading to their demise. Therefore, they focused on grasping their general movements. If anyone was to blame, it was Asteria herself. She hadn’t foreseen Rubens making such a move.
“Someone’s going to die.”
Hearing Asteria’s murmur, everyone tensed.
“If the one who left is Gerik or someone else, the methods we must employ will differ. I have to know. And for that, someone must die.”
Everyone understood what their liege intended. Approaching close enough to ascertain the demon’s name meant getting within the demon’s detection range, which inherently carried an extremely high risk of being killed. Moreover, they had no time to wait for Marius. Simply finding out who acted independently was a seemingly trivial act, but it was a highly dangerous and valuable mission.
“I shall go.”
Mireille was the one who volunteered.
“I believe I have the highest chance of success and survival.”
Everyone gasped at Mireille’s courageous offer, yet simultaneously conceded its logic. Even identifying the demon’s name was difficult, but as a high-ranking mage, Mireille offered a glimmer of hope. With her ability to use teleportation magic, she also had a better chance of returning alive than others.
“Very well.”
Asteria made the decision with a calm demeanor. She had already reached her own conclusion.
“K-Kuro-chan or Shiro-chan as escorts.”
Annette hastily offered, but Mireille smiled and declined.
“Dragons are valuable assets, and we cannot afford to lose them. Besides, my magic power isn’t enough to teleport a dragon. Your Majesty, isn’t that right?”
“Indeed. I dislike unnecessary sacrifice.”
“B-But…”
Annette’s face crumpled as if she were about to cry, and the others bit their lips in silence. This was a development none of them wanted, and while Ignat also opposed sending his sister into a death trap, someone had to do it.
“I will do my utmost to ensure only my life is at stake.”
After receiving an item pouch from Isabella, Mireille bid them farewell with a beautiful smile. With her skill, her teleportation magic could cover a hundred meters per use, which was considerable for a mage. Marius, who could teleport tens of thousands of people over tens of kilometers without issue, was an anomaly. She repeatedly drank potions and continued to teleport. After losing count of how many potions she had consumed, she was overcome by a headache and dizziness. Mireille’s knowledge told her this was fatigue from using too much magic. This was something only those with immense magic power could experience; normally, one would collapse from depleted magic power first.
(Endure it somehow.)
Mireille urged herself on, continuing to use magic. The fate of Hordia, and by extension the continent, rested on her mission. She couldn’t comprehend how it would change, though. Despite having known Asteria for nearly ten years, she understood little of her thinking. Only Isabella likely knew or was aware of Asteria’s true intentions. Nonetheless, Mireille didn’t mind. Asteria, who was called the mad princess, had taken her and her younger brother in after monsters had killed her family and left her homeless. The fact that she could support her brother without selling herself, that they didn’t shiver in the cold, and that her brother could pursue a military career was all thanks to her liege. Wasn’t it only right to repay that with her life? That thought drove Mireille.
“Ugh…”
Finally, feeling nauseous, Mireille reached the border of Barshark. More precisely, it was the midpoint between the fortresses of Hordia and Barshark. There was no reaction from the familiars that should have been in this area… which meant a demon was likely nearby. It would be problematic if the familiars, who were in charge of intelligence, were discovered. While wondering how she would search if the demon hadn’t noticed them, the space in front of her rippled, and a man appeared, proving her worries unfounded.
“To think such small fry are keeping watch stealthily… Is that one of your subordinates?”
The demon Mergen asked in an arrogant tone. Mireille had to rack her brain to make him reveal his name.
“How did you know?”
As she replied with a direct question, Mergen opened his mouth wide and laughed.
“Fool. The unnatural flow of various monsters constantly circling me at a certain distance is obvious.”
In other words, the seamless cooperation of their espionage was what led Mergen to discover them. Demons weren’t as foolish as one might think, but perhaps that was because this one originated from humanity. Mireille desperately tried to think. If he originated from humanity, his name would be Mergen, and his personality and thought processes would largely align with their own common sense.
“Demons aren’t stupid, are they?”
“Underestimating me is your foolishness and will be the cause of your death.”
Mergen’s contempt was obvious, but Mireille sensed irritation in his voice. The fact that he was engaging in conversation instead of killing her quickly meant he wasn’t just confident but also possessed a nature that compelled him to showcase his superiority. If so, it likely was Mergen. Considering his connection with Gastark, a royal of Celeno, and his prowess as a mage, it was plausible he held a high status and possessed such a personality. At least it wasn’t entirely off the mark. Of course, there was still a possibility that Gerik was disguising himself to mislead them…
“So, are those monsters your subordinates? And what is their affiliation?”
Asked again, Mireille genuinely wondered.
“Why do you want to know that? Don’t you think they’re Marius’s subordinates?”
She attempted to probe by mentioning the monstrous mage, who likely posed a threat to demons, to shake him. Mergen clearly showed his disgust but did not appear flustered.
“I don’t think so. If it were that monster, he would have come himself, or sent Zofi.”
Mireille nodded, understanding. However, she couldn’t fathom the reason for his desire to know their affiliation.
“I, on the other hand, want to know your name. Are you the strongest demon, Rubens?”
She deliberately brought up an impossible name. Given the man’s personality, there was a possibility he’d react with anger and reveal his name.
“Hmph, I am Mergen. The most magnificent of demons.”
He declared proudly, and Mireille, though her ploy had succeeded, felt disheartened. He was so foolish it was hardly a challenge… she thought, then reconsidered, realizing his reaction might not be an act. She suddenly realized, rather belatedly, how she would discern the truth.
(His Majesty, being who he is, might deduce it from how I die…)
It was entirely plausible. No one could deny that Asteria had such a side to her.
“Well, if you don’t want to answer, that’s fine. I’ll ask the corpse.”
Mergen said with a cruel smile. Mireille couldn’t help but recall that many demons and monsters enjoyed tormenting and playing with humans, especially young women. The low status of those called “Monster Tamers” was largely due to this nature of monsters. The fact that “Monster Taming” couldn’t be completely controlled was evident from the collapse of Vester’s Wyvern Corps upon encountering a dragon, making it even more so. Summoning, on the other hand, was perceived as controlling monsters, and in reality, there were many instances where they fought against beings stronger than themselves for their masters, thus holding a certain demand and status.
“I won’t go down without a fight.”
Mireille adopted a posture of resolute determination. Mergen’s eyes, filled with lust, roamed over her entire body, and he judged.
“Hmph. A bit mature, but at this point, one shouldn’t be picky.”
Upon hearing words that confirmed him as an enemy of women, Mireille sent magic into a magic item she carried and wished “High probability of Mergen.” This was because Gerik, while having plenty of information, had no reports of assaulting women. She concluded that the act of exposing vulgar male lust was impossible to fake. She used an item developed by Isabella called “Anywhere Converse,” which allowed even those unable to use magic to do what was essentially “telepathy.” In contrast, Mergen finally adopted a suspicious expression.
“Magic, perhaps? For what purpose? Are you calling for the army?”
His eyes gleamed with mockery, expecting her to do something futile, but Mireille paid him no mind. Considering the gap in their power, it was natural, and the fact that he didn’t even consider calling Marius meant she had overestimated this man.
“Perhaps you should try to make him talk? You dummy.”
Mergen laughed gleefully at Mireille’s blunt provocation.
“My pleasure is to torment women like you until they cry and scream. Just don’t kill me instantly, okay?”
“Mouth off after you win, pervert.”
Mireille glared at him with all her might.
“Hah, that’s the spirit. [Lava Flow].”
“[Disaster].”
The clash of lava and a jet-black bullet ended in an instant, with the jet-black bullet being unilaterally canceled. It then proceeded to attack Mireille, but as she had expected, she dodged with Warp.
“Ugh…”
However, she didn’t evade it completely and suffered a severe burn on a part of her shoulder. Even though she had weakened its power by hitting it with magic, and it had only grazed her, the impact was still immense. Mergen watched with amusement as Mireille trembled. He relished the thought of a brave woman’s face contorting and gradually falling into despair.
“Well then, I suppose it’s time to kill you. Make sure to cry and scream, okay?”
As Mergen slowly, deliberately raised his staff, he sensed a ripple in space. Puzzled, he cast his gaze in that direction and saw a black dragon and a white dragon appear. Mireille, upon seeing them, gaped.
“W-Why…”
“Are mere dragons going to oppose me?”
Mergen scoffed and chanted, “Exharatio.” As the red flames threatened to engulf the surroundings, the white dragon countered with an ice breath. The flames, which were meant to incinerate Mireille and the dragons, were neutralized by the ice.
“W-What?”
While dragons were positioned below demons in terms of species, some powerful individuals were comparable in strength to demons. By the time he remembered this fact, it was too late. The black dragon unleashed a scorching breath attack aimed at Mergen.
“[Dimension Shield].”
The defensive barrier, constructed through spatial manipulation, held against the flames for a few seconds while groaning, but eventually shattered with a loud noise. Mergen’s body was swallowed by the flames, as he couldn’t evade in time. However, due to the reduction in power by the strongest defensive magic, he didn’t sustain much damage. As he burned with humiliation, the white dragon pursued with an ice breath.
“Don’t underestimate me. [Dimension Shield] [Refrain].”
This time, he erected a double barrier and successfully blocked the ice breath. However, just as he withstood the breath, the black dragon struck him with its tail. Mergen, hit squarely by the blow delivered the moment the barrier disappeared, was sent flying and rolled on the ground. The Twin Dragons, in unison, unleashed their breath attacks on the tumbling demon. The primary reason they were called couple dragons, or twin dragons, was that their breaths, when fired simultaneously, did not cancel each other out. The reason was unknown, but the ice and fire interfered with each other and harmoniously ravaged their intended target. When the fire and ice dissipated, Mergen’s body had vanished.
“U-Um, Mireille-san.”
A woman hesitantly spoke to Mireille, who was still frozen in shock. It was Annette, who had teleported in with the dragons.
“Um, to deceive the enemy, first deceive allies. Seeing Mireille-san’s resolve, you could deceive the demon, that’s what His Majesty said.”
Annette’s explanation gradually sank in, and Mireille’s expression shifted to understanding and anger.
“I was tricked…”
She managed to swallow the words “That woman.” Indeed, Mergen, seeing Mireille’s determination, had mistaken it for a desperate solo charge. Annette and the others must have followed shortly after. Likely using an item called “Never Let Go-kun,” which had the same effect as Isabella’s “Attach.” If the opponent was a single low-level demon, two Twin Dragons would stand a chance of winning. The issue was whether they should do so, and Asteria had discouraged it. In hindsight, it was likely a strategy to increase the chances of defeating the demon. Why hadn’t she realized it… Mireille berated herself in frustration. The reason, however, was simple: it was likely due to the unique aura Asteria exuded.
(His Majesty must surely think “I got him”.)
Her prediction proved accurate upon their return. As she returned with Annette, the Queen greeted them and said with a smile like a child who had successfully played a trick.
“I told you I dislike unnecessary sacrifice, didn’t I?”
Mireille mentally unleashed all her magic upon her liege and silently bowed, then reported.
“I see… But it’s strange. They defeated him so easily.”
Asteria tilted her head, causing confusion among those around her. Her subordinates couldn’t keep up with the unexpected reaction.
“Even though Kuro and Shiro are strong enough to defeat low-level demons, it’s hardly surprising they won when fighting two at once. Wouldn’t it be stranger if they lost?”
Vanessa’s statement drew nods from everyone, but the Queen remained unconvinced.
“There’s something that doesn’t add up… For example, would a demon care whose orders Mireille was acting under? It would make sense if they cared about whether she was Marius’s companion.”
At her words, everyone exchanged glances.
“Now that you mention it…”
“Why would he care about such a trivial matter?”
Asteria clicked her tongue.
“It seems we’ve overlooked something… However, we don’t have time to ponder that.”
Rubens and the other demon… Gerik were approaching the Vayuta Forest. The expressions of the subordinates tensed.
“Since we don’t know if Marius can make it in time, we will act assuming the worst.”
Everyone bowed their heads reverently at the Queen’s command. The final battle in the west was about to begin.
