Chapter 60: Deal with the Demon
gS4v8WQ“It seems that humans and dragons are already starting to grow suspicious.”igd
bblQ1yIn a dark meeting room.xDASeq
eJhWRInside, where they could not even distinguish one another, a secret meeting was taking place.dsVZG
NLnHw“Suspicious?”Kr1Zr
fZp“Could it be because of that proposal linking the increase of monsters on the continent with the reappearance of demons?”WThGSC
xg44knq“Who is making that kind of assumption?”CBilbn
NXKUl2g“From Escolea’s side.”kkYo1xA
b78yvO“Escolea? Isn’t that the beacon of knowledge, the gathering of the continent’s greatest minds?”t5vae
Qcn4KSome showed concern, but others took it lightly.XckYp7
jas“Being a place full of intellectuals, there are also many eccentrics. The higher-ups of the continent won’t believe it easily.”ARGfj
o6zx3Eq“In fact, it didn’t receive much support either. Even if they are related, they can’t convince the nobles.”8oI2oIb
62wG“Even so, the fact that someone has connected the two is concerning.”4rcl5
xbR“And how did it end?”jT2Iw
kPLjsSi“That’s why the white dragon Blancaros personally decided to postpone it.”KPZRg2
QoF8“Then we’ve gained time.”lyAvRp
yYz091“Even if humans don’t, the dragons must already be investigating. If they discover us, we will be eliminated before a war even begins.”8Nk
db4Everyone lowered their heads, letting out heavy sighs.si95yx
4y6OBv7The more they had invested, the greater the frustration.B8IMA
dnd9WS7“What should we do? I think it would be better to cover it up right now…”kg250l
CcyDHj“No.”mFplK
HZUMyA man who had remained silent for a long time spoke.ent
LILvPHe dominated the atmosphere instantly.rdDoq4v
ERNQHe was the leader.tyiqZ
RiLX26“Why?”qZ0y2
NMp“That’s exactly what the white dragon wants.”i9P
rFL“What do you mean he wants it?”QNK
kMdxU1e“If we react to that, they will realize there are still internal enemies within the Grand Council.”wjEA
J2rs8h“Then what do you plan to do?”q48Dj
Z8sHJ“We will continue with the plan. It’s the best course. If it appears that everything erupts naturally after years, that will be enough.”FhLX
nVhn1B8“D-do you think that will work?”p9TpvW7
N8aWuJQ“The only variables I have are your mouths.”EJyXQA
ukylDiIt was an insulting statement.FnBjuo
5Kh20But no one complained.gVve6k
i6hThey only exchanged glances.6hfon54
bwUwjru“If that is your decision…”rrdL
Nqs7“Anything else out of the ordinary?”3Q9
YfqH5Bx“No need to think too much.”50I
eWQThere was one human who stood out clearly in his memory.Ha7hHS
bYSv6ED“There is a man named Perda Valdrova.”J3Uw
7KCiyEveryone reacted.FMa8
TEts“The young fiancé of Valdrova?”MTWmbj
3Dfq“What is there to say about that idiot who walked straight into a dragon’s jaws?”vzEB
lFFl5“That’s what I thought too. But seeing him in person is different.”QqkJyS
iRZThe middle-aged man was not only a demonic follower, but also a noble.kqYFt
Igcy“I think we should keep an eye on him.”SjVX
CHnVlfl“Alert level?”YbQ0GC
u2oV“At the level of a walking fortress, similar to Alberto.”vYmzer
j0G“That’s exaggerated.”jed
gB8ap“Alberto, that damn killer, took five years to become a threat. And this is just a brat…”YcpOH
LyN6B“That’s precisely why he is dangerous.”d6H
gl1d2“Afraid of a child? You’ve aged poorly.”na2pc
ksLb3NcThey looked at each other with contempt.fNsqlF
134v3ofNo one truly understood the other.jbpi
jJnAt that moment, a masked man entered and whispered something to a noble.difCrB6
cC5FThe noble’s face stiffened.Wi8F0
kbCZE“The messenger has just brought bad news.”LeI
B2USKNews of failure.EBXm
E4dXOna“The Escolea cover-up has failed.”F2dyRN
lqXi6The “cover-up” was the name of the operation.nrh6u
FKUThey used Doppler to infiltrate noble positions.GFF
oPb2R1FSome had already been infiltrated.TcwI
FL6Zvd“And the one who stopped it was Perda Valdrova.”sO1
X6j1xThose who had been mocking fell silent.Kf1
3QSEveryone turned toward the leader.GPY
a9fm0UaThe leader formed a bitter smile.PkGznaE
CbTYEven he was irritated.uqPtra
TnS“Has the existence of the Doppler been discovered?”rfQ3
qvTiA question devoid of calm.qucX4
c4uxKnowing that demons capable of replacing humans exist is no small matter.M9m
Q9Ylwz8It is like discovering explosives planted everywhere.UK4xEFi
GdYSuThe leader responded with absolute coldness.IgtUB
aKL9gUX“It will probably be discovered.”GogA
eUb6szX“Hmm…”HbMmwv
93Kh6UvHe tapped his face with his fingers.9u2XUjz
2tyea“Who was responsible for the Escolea cover-up?”SVh
4nsa“……”mVga9k
K5Ex2LC“I asked who.”vjH8K
zVBOXSA man raised his hand.eGPxT5
LhJg“I-it was—”PWjsb
ItR2Before he could finish, his head was cut off.7BAGazF
mpcThe body fell to the ground.JfqneZd
XOTE“……”fVIJT7
meFDexzSilence and fear filled the room.je2
wmsHs“Messenger.”FfZT
Bnor4uM“Yes.”lJBa
gBQchThe man stepped forward.i9CCj
YKaSPJThe leader tossed something to him.xkp9A0B
JGFmcn1A syringe with black liquid.oC2GTH6
wxSk8“From today, you are Viscount Battlehorn.”05R8
akIt“Thank you for the blessing.”krF3
LlEUZkThe messenger injected the contents into his neck.kHGbNqE
m7hQ1PMIn an instant, his body turned black like a mannequin.RlgKX5
ZXFHe absorbed the blood of the corpse.pgCU2l
QIVbNuThe former Battlehorn died.gsLVHQ
0d0A new one took his place.vdByUyx
9kdjCqaThose present swallowed nervously.yCOJ2p
zIhlP3It was a warning.HST
5lGhpNfAnyone could be replaced.bAzOZ40
MQrveX“End the research on the Doppler. This is no longer the time to study calmly.”1IC4C
Jle0b“Understood.”kMwtJ
MwbO“Destroy all remaining materials and eliminate anyone involved.”OwS5Q
MFzbw“Yes.”IFL
S0LLThe method was simple.ciD
YYScTheir facility was beneath a mountain.MfF
BW0AiUIt was enough to collapse it.KWEF
oRaANt3***mfL
V0Bwu“The Grand Council is over. Don’t you plan to return?”W3DH
vypDXRuri asked.LWpc
T3oV9z“I have unfinished business.”Su1rz
PKmWqSR“Lady Valdrova will be waiting.”T9rp88
YtYl“I know. I don’t like making her wait.”Qsb7
mSKI“And yet you won’t go?”uLC6
2Jg5CXY“It’s important.”dzIKO
nUPMore important than any monster outbreak.psYwO
AGAA thread that could eliminate what made Valdrova suffer.rja
zrGV9Ruri knew.EeP
of0She knew where he was heading.qY1
hRcLUThat’s why she asked.qldk
Nbil87b“The place is within Silverwind’s territory.”3Qf
XAqPerda nodded.UQN9g0
Czv4“I know.”B6zwUai
Jqe4A“Goz harbors hatred toward you, Perda-nim.”VyHxIV
1knuSY“I know that too.”wmUx8r
o0P8i6“Demons are a common enemy. But the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend. If you enter that territory, your hands will be stained with blood.”qldPeY
TxoSilverwind hates demons.MyMZi
jpDrUPerda also despises the demons who make Valdrova suffer.4HJ3PWX
4ZmYuBut that doesn’t mean they will welcome Perda.KVW03
KDDz5“That’s why this will be done in secret.”So0
SHqiaUQ“……”q3jdrGW
0LddMBJ“It’s dangerous, but if it goes well, there will be no consequences.”wTyz
XPtCRuri’s lips trembled.GLTsk
DmQUDon’t go.1wQ57n
i6UShe wanted to say it, but the words wouldn’t come out.sPvkWk
0jt“……Are you going?”jXvsjl
rky6WAB“I have to.”vnv9vcN
OikU“I understand. Then I will wait.”1yCE
YaitUd“No. You must return.”Ew6
I7Q3“……”WK3j8
BtP7VX“While I’m gone, your duty is to protect your lady.”coR
dk3WRuri bit her lip hard.1ct
wgNiShe didn’t like it. She wanted to refuse.B1II
GBwRBut she couldn’t.O9r
fYtiNShe had no right to go against his will.kOa0Nc
j91“Please come back alive.”6eIZpg
TUTvRuri withdrew.9n8lDA
8pWayPerda began making calculations while preparing the secret expedition.i99q3L4
i0Nu5e4‘If we focus on mobility and reduce supplies to the minimum, even by forcing a medium-scale teleportation circle a bit, it will take a day.’mV3jSgc
phYAwnOne day.zor
94pFast to attack a country.1SLv2dN
GXlRG28Slow for a simple research facility.Y6ZUeB
cJQwMoreover, the enemy would not stay still.oOa
JVdBtThe failure of the kidnapping of the rector of Escolea would have already reached their ears.1ZgWYX2
hMxrabThey would prepare quickly.6R8v
Phd4F‘It would be ideal if someone like Ruri could carry us flying.’vtN
t71pBut that was Silverwind’s territory.RPS6d
mnAGPerda already knew what had happened when Ruri faced them.i71UII9
MR8He didn’t want to involve her.3Q12
Y0ZAnd he shouldn’t.GY34eCP
eWXBk‘This must be resolved among us.’Z1S
qfPThe next important thing was strength.QQ04
lNkP9qt‘The head of the laboratory was a 5-circle mage?’j3L
jZLThe researchers were only low-level assistants.sIO5RT
jEt07aThe head was the real danger.pn9UV
9eomIt would be ideal to know what kind of magic he used.mcNj
aPkfKuBut not even torture could extract nonexistent information.DHTm
c6lC6‘I’ll have to handle it myself.’dQ2Wv8L
i3Qkcf6Of course, it couldn’t be a frontal battle.6UU
bIDPerda reviewed his options.91pHVW
6x7‘The shadow I can manipulate without needing to cast.’WIS5vW
UWoqQIt normally takes the form of a Shadow Hand, but it can adopt shapes like tentacles or flat surfaces.Kqt
ODcVIXThe less light there is, the stronger it becomes.iynGNs
kMMWith intense light, it weakens until it crumbles.K1wFySO
uRK‘It wasn’t created for direct combat.’gVaDW
VAnIt is Barbatos’s magic.WmYhw
wvTJ92Designed for stealth and strategy.i9dR
0GEl‘According to Shape of Shadow, this is part of my body.’nLZ
hygThe shadow is recognized as part of his body.vgx48
r3Pk‘Then I can also use magic through it.’3ksBC
BDQIt was possible.CbryEr
GEqD6dBut it required great magical control.rwvE9
kKKhB45Not just imitating an arm.0Ekg3S
2KoPMm4But reproducing circuits and mana channels.D5EY
zYVZT6EPerda concentrated mana into a Shadow Hand.Ga8Y2
OdiiOMana flowed from his feet, traveled through the shadow, and gathered in the hand.HzL9bh8
MUfHe followed the process of constructing a magic circle.bKrtH
G4RFrom the black hand, blue particles emerged.XHZF
AMJHe managed to draw a white magic circle.RrkFJlW
vyc55Now he could launch surprise attacks from anywhere.CraohpJ
4F0ZFBut he frowned.czYcR
Hr1E‘Four times slower than average.’HiF
HcxUbO8An experienced mage could react.1OF
jy92BIt was risky.Ggr61J
Z9zhRoR‘It doesn’t matter.’fplWBi
8g4TsMore than prediction, improvisation was important.CkT1Qf
Gn50OgAnd that was what he did best.iWOaB
Wf5So he lay down.0sQxySM
SBFiWHe tried to sleep.FrHwN9
1YTuir0It was better to rest than to worry about what couldn’t be controlled.2wKzNYf
IncKzyRThen—jjqxRB
hAtqb0Just as he closed his eyes, his mind activated.VdL8oXr
wmKk4gPHis instinct detected something strange.EYap
2GY‘Hmm…’FHfeA
nJRcHe had never felt that in the castle.ycMrX
EdArOf course.L6C
ei4Valdrova’s castle was protected by multiple magical barriers.Oc7X9i
AXcxLlDBut a noble mansion—y1fT
ekItpWas different.zwwMpY
txGAyMMuch more vulnerable.67uCyV
iyuih‘Who’s coming?’GyEP
zNAiHe felt the fluctuation of mana.Qado
Bt8d5And then—ZD0Y
jv5PRA smell of sulfur.pxevc
XV3aLQ“Hi, darling.”J35pEOV
FKUA sensual voice.ReNfOQg
i5zThe demon of lust, Sitri.6do
kVrnDN“Get out.”fk2U
jPP“How cold. Is that how you treat me?”FDs8
eHJHer serpentine tongue ran across her lips as she approached.TTHWGsX
RTkhL5c“I have no intention of making a contract with you, Sitri.”1ciZrCM
d3q7“Neither do I with you. I hate your type. Hard to control.”IM1HmmR
BHuJlh“Then stop wasting time.”3Qm2
emSa“Relax. I came for business.”G6ZaE
KIVpDkPerda’s expression hardened.TeaXV
zCXwhM“Who would do business with a demon?”rAt2fB
RTpBH“Someone. You.”R5OFh
2dWxShe pointed at him.3xKDA
kwXS3Perda raised his hands to cover his ears.VZaJb3C
kUa“The facility you plan to attack will be destroyed in less than six hours.”nVRH
LCZLNpuHe stopped.7gV
7qDk68It was important information.8X1r
sW375Jj“Don’t make that face. I’m an archdemon.”nnl
GcjwaSitri smiled.P8Z61O
JQbMP“How do you know?”I8ygiWO
PLT21B“The ones I manage are usually high-ranking nobles. Some even work with demons.”mXieklc
DOtMibIt was something Perda had already suspected.LXhLoHH
xniThe kidnapping confirmed it.nPuzER
3OOxo“The kidnapping failed. The replacement was captured. If he talks, the place will be exposed.”eSEMOqK
MkAye92“So they’ll destroy it.”FSw7N
QhR“Exactly. Even if you leave now, you’ll be late. It would take you one or two days.”8TF
6h6“If I move fast—”uNW
beDrc“Using that little spawn? Maybe. But do you think Silverwind will allow it?”Xknq
FsXThey couldn’t just stand by.ooQ
WqZ0SoFrom the moment Perda set foot in Silverwind’s territory on his own when he was in the White House, to them, he was already an enemy.x4T5AAq
GvsIf they had a pretext, they wouldn’t hesitate.tTc9aV
tAW3zLComplicated.Ah9WSCB
ijOBvT4Sitri fully understood the situation.qydXnI
TzqZhpThat’s why she had come to propose a deal.d5Tz
GXYFjNR“From that face you’re making, I feel like now we’re finally going to reach an agreement. Am I right?”g1LHN
DqPAxJiSitri pressed him.Ck2MdG
IKrPerda’s blue eyes moved calmly, revealing nothing.b1WAeRy
xAl7“What can you offer me?”YIh
CdbQe8As if she had been waiting for that question, Sitri slipped her hand into her cleavage.qsPbD
1hO2LMDShe pulled out a thick rolled parchment.hWN
8pq“It’s a scroll with Binding Bridge magic inscribed. Do you know what it does?”9jBr
LneyM“It connects two spaces within a dimension. It’s a teleportation type.”9d3jK
APHfT“Oh, what an intelligent man. Exactly. You know how valuable it is, right?”ydlrMj
OcygIt could move with such stealth that most detection magic becomes useless, and by connecting spaces, it has continuity.UTYipk
mX1UpIt fit perfectly with his situation, which required stealth infiltration.sR63L
Mj7fKI“Is that all?”PfNPQb
3EPFp“If you need more, my subordinates can entertain those useless Silverwind fools. I’ll give you enough time to wipe out the place and loot all the information from the lab.”3qu
ou3AaMoving long distances at once and also buying time.vKqO
hwqaSitri’s conditions were too good.jNcK9
w35OToo good.1bdD
sZLThat’s why, instead of accepting immediately, Perda thought.XVHznb
eepsHE5The opponent was a demon.vQGW
1xgxNDemons always make contracts to their own advantage.5eu5nX
BWhYvw9A deal this favorable implied an equivalent price.Sq0
AXlPa“What do you want in return?”tDFWb
kBjz“Inside that facility there’s a foolish demon.”A7rOJe
FREKK0“A foolish demon?”InY
0QEA7sq“Yes. She was supposed to seduce a man, but ended up completely falling in love with him.”WaMK
ubn9n“Is that possible?”VjiKp
vj3O“That’s why I said she’s an idiot.”IpAz7
T1DTHMSitri sighed.ljnEX
EYJ“If she dies there, she won’t even be able to return to hell. She’ll be completely annihilated and disappear into the void. So bring her out and kill her outside. So she can be summoned back to hell.”VAa
r2Lu“What an affectionate proposal.”mc4ygom
9DU“What did you expect? Even among demons, we take care of each other. There’s something called affection.”JC4L
jr53y5“Not even a dog would believe that.”qlU
9A1MESitri was the demon of lust.hMwL
Oc5O33The furthest thing from affection.9UE
uufN2“Fine, I’ll tell you the truth. She’s one of my daughters.”x2g4ETk
hSI“I see.”AaC
zzDQh1“She’s already an adult, she should be independent, but what can I do? Her mother has to save her. Even if my skirt is too thin and short.”huH4Ih
9ZoYSitri swayed her skirt provocatively.R2mfBN
FiMQrc“Your proposal means I rescue her while you help us.”irO9Wc
hDYt“Everyone wins. Isn’t it a great deal?”LNr
hqA7C1Perda thought again.umvHsq
90sMOnly one phrase crossed his mind.WggRdC
5Q7LDo not make deals with demons.gqrfm4
raV91mo“Can you swear on your name that this isn’t a trap?”im7Pey
59PlOt“I swear in the name of the archdemon Sitri. I have no intention of setting a trap. If you rescue that girl, your mission ends there.”IarH5W6
rE9nVgxSitri answered firmly.wpU
ZOnaQLtPerda nodded.3Mv
ygiV35“Fine. Let’s make that deal.”j1a9w2Z
0IUvzGC“Easier than I thought. Perfect.”nXylA
osAoSitri left the scroll floating in the air next to the bed.l309T9
sYzp“You have two hours from now. You can send in eight people at once, and bring out eight people. Don’t forget.”OuU
RIBzBAfter saying that, Sitri vanished into the darkness.KDqOD6p
1LQVThe moment her figure completely disappeared—4X7
4ou3XwsPerda’s door burst open.hRVtDu
PEWCount Consilus and several armed knights rushed in.i2pl8d
QpAL7“My lord regent! Are you alright?”FdR8
XJY“I’m fine.”U2rPHR
JPZxFNI“We detected a demon intrusion. Allow us to search—”IOG4T
VjCP“No need. It’s already gone.”X3n
6wlt“Did the demon tell you anything—?”0OeMT
7NHA“And the expedition is canceled.”NZf
jBM3gdE“What? What do you mean…?”tX4Y4
Zb4zyPerda had no time for explanations.XUEAZFO
rQknqHe only gave orders.osqCSZN
xqns“We begin the operation in one hour. Gather the elite troops.”0FP9
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationSo he really made a contract with a demon huh.