Chapter 61: Infiltration
jUPA demon had invaded Count Consilus’s territory.qLPx
Y5XFor a moment, it seemed everything would be thrown into chaos, but it was calmed by announcing it as a false alarm.sF16m0
Ax4From now on, they had to move in secret.VnpmpW
sxA“The place we’re heading to will be destroyed in 6 hours.”36Zj
nGg“If it’s going to be destroyed in 6 hours, even if we move now, it’s already too late.”mTb154
WMfPhjcThey had spent the entire previous day preparing the expedition.zkYAFPR
S4GkThey equipped themselves with light gear to maximize mobility, even pushing their limits a bit, and prepared magic.Srm
XB6CDtbEven so, the required time was one day.CSi
mIQsBut the objective of the operation would disappear at dawn.J7Et
P8h5qm“How did you obtain that information?”iq8LmW
HcjvrConsilus asked.zwZzhqG
EjSFE“I heard it from the demon that invaded this place. It was Sitri.”wpSbr
CEQi7“Sitri? Do you mean the archdemon Sitri?”KjDQZLc
QNgCThe demon of lust and illusion.czzWvss
AayFor knights who had to resist temptation, she was one of the most dangerous archdemons.6alaJ0M
vitBH“You can’t trust the words of demons.”LYy
UiPm“It doesn’t matter. It can be trusted. I made a deal with that demon.”dsN
bNi“A deal with a demon…?”NyhP
bqYSiConsilus couldn’t understand it.N66c
NwhfFThere had always been only one rule.AMPTvl
604UzUDo not make deals with demons.1faWZ
7iH4O5rThe atmosphere grew heavy.CdvzKgO
vsLNot only had an archdemon appeared, but they had also made a deal.HazntJM
WW5rRg2“Do not hesitate, men.”MMlLi
5ag4q10Consilus spoke with a firm voice.P0HSZDb
cAk505R“The swords and armor you carry exist thanks to the regent of Valdrova. Have you forgotten?”77sV
JADtUxvOrder was immediately restored.f302DAr
TI0LWMore than remembering Perda’s favor, it was Consilus’s authority that imposed discipline.U8t
v3n2ieEven he had doubts.1mswsFk
yRrq8mBut they could not waver.PbfpLU
h6F“What was the content of the deal?”v04pcU
VgHv4dfConsilus asked.hEAmcF
XhAZ0y“There is a demon trapped in the research facility. In exchange for freeing her, she provided us with the means.”5KQP
T9xq4y“If even the archdemon Sitri asked for her release, it sounds like a dangerous demon…”sVt
yPKRTVs“She said she is one of her daughters. In exchange for freeing one among many demons, we obtain a lead on the demons.”6hEuQb
MKjhT“Even a hedgehog protects its young… it seems demons also have affection.”TZ6D64K
zBQM1oq“It seems so.”te70
cfePerda took out the scroll he carried and placed it on the table.XgFcVTe
JaFFs“I accepted the deal and received this scroll. It is our means of transport.”tq3qfiH
oPlY7atConsilus did not examine it directly, but gestured to his personal mage.MfcS4Jq
q9ZZMzThe mage observed the scroll and said.Jjd6c5
Id0FIjr“It is a Binding Bridge configured to transport eight people back and forth. That they gave us a spell of this level…”0LZ
kHcWO3“I’m not an expert in magic. Can you explain it?”rmT4F
80pw“It’s similar to Teleport Door, but it works differently. It passes through an intermediate dimension. That means it is difficult to detect with conventional magic.”xb1Bpk6
cP4M“So this spell passes through hell.”MXrybAZ
Zdz2c“Even if it passes through hell, the probability of being affected is extremely low, so you can be at ease.”HvBQKH
KOSfKhConsilus was not at ease at all.Rue
ANB9TRMHell.AKAK
3lw4WeA place with seven domains ruled by seven archdukes.PULWft
NajliA place no one returns from.BvR
uZcOsF“Even so, since it’s a scroll given by a demon, we should verify if there are traps—”ODX
tHy“No. There is nothing strange about the spell.”B0g
Z411UZPerda said it firmly.5BOZv
hwDNThe mage, who was already forty years old, was not pleased at all with that young regent.xW5daN
1HEcWMv“It would be better to check it once more. You are the one who will use it, and experience—”lcgzDk
xq36f“I also have experience. There are no traps. Let’s not waste time.”vNhLmVD
QMsUjEThe mage’s face twisted.P4ie322
z2QAn 18-year-old talking about experience.xkfQdeB
13tIBut Perda was only telling the truth.UlKW
NzbLeaving aside the useless discussion, he pointed to a spot on the map.lnJLx
rsC9mI“The teleportation point will be here. Inside a cave.”H8E
D360QB“It’s close to the facility. If we get closer, we can arrive in less than 10 minutes and capture it before it’s destroyed.”vLz
kJnVConsilus quickly outlined the plan.ZehUn
MjZ“Only eight people can enter. Two will secure the Binding Bridge, and the other six will split into two teams. I will select five knights and one mage.”NtxEy
Z1c“No. I’ll take Zed. Select only five.”Hnlk
0sbxfs“Understood.”gcB7
6HgdHe looked at the gathered knights and chose.7yp79
7Z2Cu70“Hans, Marco, Cowin, Billy, Philip. You will come with us.”FcK
YMgRf5J“Yes, sir!”XRco3E
IBqK6The chosen ones responded proudly.f20
we1UGoing to the battlefield was an honor.Ts7a8s
bnbPerda glanced sideways at Zed.zsX2Ti
PAvGkrHe was exhausted from the escort mission.GW42Fx
EpyfHis eyes looked like those of an old dog.ktj
171xK“Zed. Move.”5643ug
14C4d“Yes…”oYu
wnV6There was no honor for him.a86j
pE8UsHe only obeyed because he had to.ohIw25
4KKRQN***JoiN
IXK10 minutes before the operation.vC9
KzlRbguThey gathered in the strategy room, equipped for the extreme cold of the north.beK6kB0
aJHzNdXConsilus explained the plan.Eom
bKAQvON“This operation’s main objective is to obtain information and carry out a rescue. We will divide into three teams. Cowin and Philip will secure the entrance. The regent, Marco, and I will obtain the information. Hans, Billy, and Zed will handle the rescue.”1Sqg
U6GwX“Understood.”0Lwns6
RpS“Is there any characteristic of the target to be rescued?”onwu5
CKPsv“It is a demon with pink hair.”K4go0
k5t3AP“If she has pink hair, she will certainly stand out. Rescue a demon with horns and black skin. Understood?”R8Mlwa
uJSLLyI“Yes!”GIiB
kClLSZp“Then we proceed to the final verification!”6v6U
KPuThey did not forget to check everything until the end.ouscvUo
JB0CqsThe place they were entering was enemy territory.SBL
kjO2kvqAn enemy within the enemy.3vhRX
AODA single mistake could ruin everything, so they reinforced discipline.4Ip
D2oZed, who had been listening, scratched his matted hair and approached Perda.rfQ
MetXl“Lord regent.”DzM
shLPk4Q“What is it?”rpoI
kFlOKJ“That place we’re going to… it’s a gate for 8 people, right? Eight go in and eight come out, right?”tXxV
6iL7“That’s correct.”1t78t
Ph3sa5“Then… isn’t it obvious we won’t be able to rescue that demon?”Cpvlw
xUfgmIf eight go in, only eight can come out.Twp
FnUMRgTTo bring her out safely, seven would have to leave.3T8tZ
oMf“Don’t worry about that. When demons die, they are summoned back to hell.”nRrxHB
Nfn“Oh, then it’s enough to kill her there, right?”IQSS15
sPMBPerda paused to think for a moment.hVK4y7
2DM“No. Do not kill her there. Bring her to me.”hyg
denz“Eh? Isn’t that unnecessary?”0FH1
plcmlrSending her back to hell would be enough.jIGWoE
YUpPvThen Perda answered.7mm
hjx“If we do it like that, it will end too easily.”B9U
ZrNvqAnd things that are too easy always bring problems later.ftHU
RD0At least, that had always been his life.mEsi8ox
naYsK***Y4ooMfw
czRToW210 seconds before the operation begins.4gwue
YuXjO“Open the portal!”VZhB85
J1cKiw7Following Consilus’s order, the mage poured mana into the scroll.AzbUJm
NTRThe magic circle absorbed the energy and emitted a white light.Fnuj
isL5yShortly after, the space above the scroll began to distort.5vDMGUd
Oh8XaxLike a spring disturbed by the wind, the opening expanded until it formed a circular window to another place.38AFOlP
mY4655A dark cave interior.RATk
LCjS0dAnd in front of it, the exterior covered by a snowstorm.nL220rJ
LogksP9Consilus, wrapped in a fur coat, spoke.OvF
2Vlvvd“Deploy!”k0p
UqB7mTwo men from the security team entered first.ghGEDgh
xhlTKgThen the others followed.xsHxM
3UQLike well-trained soldiers, they secured the route with precision.gOefJAD
4J5“The activation time of the Binding Bridge is one hour. Within that time, we will recon the interior, carry out the rescue, and obtain the information.”sI2HhX
Ljo“Yes!”cIODX2
dVuRLP“Operation started!”68niB0p
JJqThe two teams advanced toward their respective objectives.03a7V2
MOe“See you alive.”tv2j
r3q“That’s such a bad-luck way to say it.”SvE5
OTJNGS“If you die, I’ll take good care of your wife.”18w
oDM“Try it and I’ll come back from the grave to cut your balls off.”HzPaZ
DesThe knights, with camaraderie, split up.fqlA
tBVWith time against them, they moved quickly even in the middle of the blizzard.ARwm
tCsrConsilus, though aged, had not neglected his training.fa7zXk
oolHPoEven so, the northern storm was fierce.uwHER
n8CFsPq‘How is the regent doing?’C5d
t0vnPerda’s body was not that of a knight, but of a mage.FA2h
ElhAnd a weak one even among mages.rjE
RgTGk8FConsilus turned his head.8tGk
tXN‘He’s keeping up well.’b5fxSBU
9uYHe wasn’t falling behind.vvdf1U
eznYd“Can I increase the speed?”OQgEqmk
edmR“Do it.”JiNGJ5X
rD7aT“Understood.”QvP051
Y6qSjjpConsilus accelerated without restraint.G9P
6czPerda kept pace.U7s
us6aZ‘What a shitty weather.’eihpJ
HPiGoKHe didn’t like the situation.sNL
hxHGgUDarkness, zero visibility, headwind, and a heavy coat.EfwaAh
TS2VTUnder normal conditions, he would have been dragged away by the wind.3i8hMqC
NG0uG1lBut that wasn’t the case.RdTWL
sbzaphwBecause something was supporting his body.uBsVG
PN3jcZ4Shadow Hand.stV
SuVJhUnder his coat, several shadows pressed against the ground and supported his body, reducing the burden.sM51i
hEsmTF‘Good thing I can cover my whole body.’lHOdtJp
XCM1WcThe power of the shadow depends on darkness.6zb
TvwIf it’s weak, it doesn’t surpass his own strength.JXWrjnX
4v245rIf it’s strong, it can match a soldier.TaHjO8
vcGAnd in darkness, he could use multiple hands.WiKm5
yKSnlKz‘Feels like walking like a beast…’HVHw2I2
7b56But as long as it looked normal from the outside, it didn’t matter.DW4u34m
v1c“It’s here.”YoVxbKo
dgWConsilus brushed away the snow.Okp
VFO1euA faint light, like fireflies, filtered from inside.ZOOXnOc
fDXFYpjAnd laughter could be heard.zpK
Joyy00He drew his sword.bswBi2
PuJt147“I’ll clear the way.”gu5E
Ed6“Alright.”7vh
zTyHe slipped through a narrow opening.UnA7Z
iol4IyThe laughter stopped immediately.1QUR38
ZK8i“Who— ghk…?”yzVu2m
BkwbS“What’s goi— gah…?”Sycf
baHThey died before finishing their sentences.Z6neBi
V4WkmNA few more impacts were heard.ule
YwwjSEFThen footsteps returning.la0fV
RfeWOFT“The path is clear. Move in.”4wC
3rGXThe corridor led to an abandoned warehouse.Lz0Gn4I
cbjThere were corpses everywhere.KwipOHT
h0vNo resistance.tuh3T
oy8JThe guards weren’t even armed.GZN
6z16wNo one expected an attack in the middle of such a storm.lG9
0H7q2Z8In short, it was an easy post.JaP5I
Nhn2U0Consilus checked the map.dF1f
IIJwG1“Marco, handle the resting area. I’ll go with the administrative section and the patrol.”8DW
yX0vK1h“Understood.”7vptR
DTv“No.”4nkoM
mMms3e7Perda intervened.n1FK
8kI8iz7“I’ll handle the resting area.”pBY2
LQsJMP“Are you sure? There are more than 60 people. If something goes wrong—”BZOe
bBmaan“I’m a mage.”M0ftq
zNx7zTEThat was enough.ynG7xOK
qMPst“As you command.”nXsC
yAUMarco and Consilus headed to their objectives.TTpK8j
iIVPerda advanced toward the dormitory.lQNEPT8
BYIG9wHe drew a dagger.J4UANB
dv0h5As he opened the door—F3VE
I3fihBeast-like snoring sounds.FdL
uonYOp‘It’s been a while since I heard this.’W4K
tjulHe remembered his days serving mages.m07YoIu
2bhFD3QSleepless nights because of that sound.7DwEwnZ
Ja1Z9xBut it was better than sleeping in a bathroom full of shit.sSB5
3UcHe took a candle from the wall and stepped inside.H6Ro
2UecR5tHe tilted the flame.wvL
Tuk7FAnd began observing them one by one.yIG
KHW‘They’re all human.’BfLFcwi
avMs7Different faces, even their snores.pZQK
ufnaEach with their own individuality.9flp
TOUBut they had something in common.OQC4sQ
DhYxN‘They worship demons.’CDo61l0
rDBzwSDemons are the chaos that desires the destruction of the world.8wj
uy3r6Enemies of the world.Rl3Ji
JcCXhEABeings who marginalize even the marginalized.E9onJ
MOgJnL‘Enemies of Valdrova.’wPrA5cX
leQThat simply summarized their nature.WPO9oAk
7UdAnd the fact that they slept without concern meant that even now they were abandoned.X94
FokuyS0“Damn what the hell is this? I’m off today, damn it…”v885hs
2eWLbD“……”hYePl
x1Kc“Are you not going to turn off the light? Hey, you bastard, when I get up I’ll— huh?”SCz
mUFZJyyThe half-awake young man looked at Perda.BeK2lX
HJbhKW“Who are you? I haven’t seen you here before, what are you doi—”5ISh
GkzKAHis mouth shut.FwVW45F
NaD2SSomething black, shapeless, immobilized him completely.vFD
0bTaDHe tried to resist, but not a sound could come out.J4X
0j4ePerda looked at him indifferently.5gIe
0s2u“Don’t take it too personally.”2STH
ieitFPThe dagger gleamed under the light.FLoC
oFMQO“You’re just paying the price of your choice.”WfS9pOr
PjRPcfPerda brought his mouth close to the candle.joBzBP
41DrThe flame trembled with his breath.VUqhe
jxkBLike his fate.KeatWc
2c7zFwoosh—8ZaOJW8
2Cdmc***Tec3H
5AjvOc4“All members of the patrol team have been eliminated.”AKA
yVB1“The administrative section is also clear. Only the dormitory remains…”k2P0
AMPAt that moment, Perda emerged from the darkness.x2o2bo
s1W5iImHe walked calmly, with his hands behind his back.Kwx9P1V
2ZQ“Finished already?”2Dui
WZCV“Yes.”MSCvq
J8ERA1“Then this area is cleared.”xvZsbW
vmhhY“My lord regent?”yqwlq
PM7“What is it?”mh3F
7nr9erY“You have blood on your face.”8WTRQjp
0PdTZkf“Ah. Thank you.”vSw8p
u0hPerda wiped it off indifferently with his black glove.tNtQ
KfgConsilus reported.BW3
Cn4i“The administrative section is secured, and the patrol as well. Aside from the dormitory, no one remains in the outpost.”lIEW
ZtqOa03“And the information?”0Fu
nCKx0bc“What we found was basic subordinate information, cannon fodder. There are no signs of data destruction, so the important documents must be in the officers’ section.”wdMc
5kab“How much time is left?”8rUwzCT
RzYGfF“40 minutes. We must finish everything in at least 30.”YOW
VNOHJkW“We’ll have to hurry.”toE6S8
eXMOcMIt would be useless to obtain information or complete the rescue if they couldn’t get out.HuaXT
6eCrThey advanced toward the research chief’s office.Ecbqo
8Mm6Inside, despite it being midnight, there was activity.uME
S9PJuXt“Gather everything. The order will arrive soon.”ATrKkx
MTTO“Yes!”E8nC9w
g5t3e3F“Give me that! It was requested recently.”9IRPpY
wfuThey were sorting documents and objects.00MS2sr
qZwORPreparing to destroy the place.WKvt
DMxThe one in charge was a dark elf woman.kChqKR
x4aTL‘A dark elf…’qlp
kY10PWExcept for their black skin, they resembled elves more than demons.aKiX2p
PLfPEBefore the draconic war, they swore loyalty to Godwin.kbSP
3LfKThey were not demons, but just as cruel.G4W7S
AjvVTb‘Linne?’HoxW
lHtm2J1The one in charge of the place.VIMLA1
RVe9zZjThe mind behind the Doppler project.Qz9
3W93HUb‘How do we attack her?’Zi7k1
Oa1WkxbThere was no need to think much.ovmkk
oGvuThey just had to eliminate the mage first.nLn57
GrO0j“Lightning Bolt.”msCJvR
vE5Zzzap!q3Y
acas5IvThe lightning pierced her head.itDrR
F9MAQ6gThe battle began.zif9o
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationThis mission is going too well I can sense trouble ahead
Kevotrix
Mortalso every person with black skin is being portrayed as bad