The Demon Gerik was a being born from the evolution of a Mimic.
The defining characteristic of a Mimic is undeniably its mimicry skill.
Having become a Demon, his skills were also enhanced, allowing him to mimic beings numbering well over ten thousand, and if separate individuals of the same race were included, it would exceed hundreds of millions.
While his combat power ranked at the bottom among all Demons, his skills were valued for infiltration and information gathering, tasks he was solely entrusted with.
And now, he was reporting the gathered information to his companions.
“…That is all concerning Marius. I believe it is imperative that we awaken the Demon Lord as soon as possible.”
“Is that so? Isn’t that just your usual worrywart syndrome acting up again?”
Skeptical of Gerik’s information and advice was the Demon Albert. He was a high-ranking Demon and a martial fighter from Griffin.
“Samuel, you disgrace to the race of Demons.”
The one who spat those words was the Demon Sendric.
“I think it’s a failing on your part that we don’t know how Samuel was defeated, Gerik.”
While not denying it outright, the lower-ranking Demon Pal didn’t hide his accusatory tone.
“I agree. It’s self-evident that a weakling like Samuel could be defeated in an instant if attacked simultaneously, but the crucial point was what kind of wide-area attack was used.”
The Demon Franklin stated this fact without appearing to blame, simply stating his opinion.
“Sigh, it’s frustrating how these brutes lack imagination. Isn’t that right, Lord Rubens?”
The lower-ranking Demon Gastark, while mocking his peers, offered his subservience to Rubens, who stood at the apex of the group.
“Hmm.”
Even though the Demons’ brows twitched at Gastark’s insolent words, they could say nothing once Rubens expressed his agreement.
“Even if he was disguised as a human, if he could transfer tens of thousands, including Gerik, and then defeat Samuel, we cannot underestimate him as merely a human.”
“Indeed, his Magic Power is considerable. It would be on par with Klaus Adler’s, wouldn’t it?”
Rupert analyzed calmly.
“Hah, if we just kill him, we’ll know.”
The Demon Rebera spat out brutally. Albert chimed in with agreement.
“Besides, Gerik was acting disguised as a human, right? Did it take a long time to return from where you were sent?”
Gerik replied hesitantly.
“Yes. I believe it took about thirty minutes.”
“Whaaaaat?”
The Demon Rebera’s voice became laced with fury.
“Thirty minutes is enough time to recover enough Magic Power to kill Samuel! Are you an idiot? A nobody? Trash? Are you going to die?”
“Silence, Rebera.”
At Rubens’s single word, Rebera ceased his torrent of abuse.
While it was true that Gerik’s report contained a considerable amount of subjective interpretation, they couldn’t completely disregard it.
“What shall we do, Lord Rubens? Shall we avenge Samuel?”
The question was posed by the Demon Mergen.
“No. We must prioritize awakening the Demon Lord. If we achieve our cherished goal, avenging Samuel will naturally follow.”
Rubens’s decision was absolute, and Albert and the others did not object.
“However, it is highly probable that someone will interfere with our plans. We will need someone to draw attention.”
“Then I’ll go. I’ll just put an end to them.”
As Albert said this, others like Rebera and Franklin also eagerly volunteered. After the clamor of claims died down, Rubens spoke.
“I believe it would be best for Zofi to go.”
All eyes turned to the sole female Demon, Zofi, who had not spoken a word.
“Zofi, can I entrust this to you?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
Zofi offered a bewitching smile that could melt even the Demons.
“You commanded me to draw attention, but would it be acceptable if I turned them into my thralls?”
Rubens nodded reassuringly at her challenging gaze and words.
“That would be acceptable as well. Someone of Marius’s caliber could be added to our ranks. There are precedents, after all.”
“As you command.”
Zofi bowed to Rubens and left with her subordinates.
“By the way, Rubens, who will be the first to awaken? Will it be Lord Zagan?”
Rubens nodded at Albert’s question.
“Hmm. Considering future events, it would be best to awaken Lord Zagan first.”
This would make their movements easier.
“That means our next target will be Filat.”
“Hmm. If we all go, we might be discovered and end up fighting. We should go with a small group.”
“Eh? Isn’t fighting an easy win?”
Albert glared at Rebera, who voiced her displeasure.
“Even if it’s an easy win, Filat will be gone. Have you forgotten who sealed Lord Zagan?”
“…Was it Filat’s ancestor? The one who also founded the country of Ranleo?”
“For Lord Zagan, those would be the very people he’d want to sacrifice first. If we simply make them disappear… he’ll be furious, you know?”
A heavy silence fell. Rubens spoke.
“Surely, none of you are unaware that a single continent was reduced to bare earth when Lord Zagan was enraged?”
“…That was truly brutal.”
Franklin muttered reflectively, and Albert further pressed Rebera.
“Will you take responsibility for appeasing Lord Zagan’s anger?”
“N-No, I can’t.”
Rebera’s face turned pale, and she shook her head rapidly.
“Then stay silent.”
Everyone fell silent.
“Rupert, and Sendric. I want to entrust this to you two, as you have met Lord Zagan before.”
“As you command.”
“Understood.”
Thus, new assassins were dispatched.
