Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Solo Mission
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The season was drawing to a close, autumn nearing its end.
This meant the arrival of winter's icy grip on the Vulcan Mountains.
The passage of time was truly relentless.
It had been nearly three weeks since I arrived at the Eastern Front on the Demon Lord’s orders.
The once balmy breeze had turned cold, and the trees of the Vulcan Mountains were beginning to shed their leaves, their branches becoming bare.
Humans truly were creatures of adaptation.
This land, initially so unfamiliar and uncomfortable, now felt almost… livable.
Aside from the first week, which involved the night battle to capture Hamburg fortress, I had spent most of my time here on menial tasks.
The aftermath of the battle still lingered. Many of the magic circles inscribed on the fortress walls required repairs, and since Dorothea, the commander-in-chief, couldn’t oversee every detail personally, I—known as the second most capable mage—was put in charge of the mage unit.
There were many imp mages among the demons. Imps, with their innate affinity for mana, were naturally skilled in magic, making them valuable assets in the fortress repairs.
Their peculiar speech patterns occasionally caused communication issues, but Camilla always acted as a translator, ensuring smooth operations.
“In two weeks, I’m planning to send most of the troops back to the rear, leaving only a minimal garrison. They’ve been away from home for a while, and their families must be worried.”
Dorothea, summoning me for our customary drinking session, said, swirling the whiskey in her ice-filled glass.
I sat across from her, nibbling on the fruit platter, and asked,
“So, things are finally settling down at the fortress?”
Dorothea, her face slightly flushed from the alcohol, chuckled.
“You and I have been working nonstop for weeks. If we haven’t stabilized the situation by now, I should resign as commander-in-chief.”
She set down her glass and asked, her expression turning serious,
“I’m planning to entrust you with leading the troops back to the rear. Can you handle it?”
I nodded without hesitation.
“They’ll follow orders if they want to go home.”
Despite the ferocity of the demon soldiers, I was a two-time veteran of military service. I knew how to handle unruly soldiers, within the bounds of military law.
“So, that means I have two weeks left here before returning to the Demon Lord’s castle.”
“That’s right.”
“When are you going back?”
Dorothea, misinterpreting my question, grinned mischievously.
“Why? Will you miss me?”
“No, not really. I was just wondering if commanders-in-chief get leave, too.”
During winter, humans and demons entered an unofficial ceasefire. Armies were expensive to maintain, even when idle, and the increased logistical demands of winter often led to troop withdrawals to conserve resources.
Then, they would be conscripted again in the spring, with a cheerful, “Hope you had a good rest!”
Dorothea pouted at my explanation, but then, realizing I hadn’t meant any harm, she replied,
“My term as commander-in-chief is one year. It’s October now, so I’ll be relieved of duty in two months. Then, I’ll return to the Demon Lord’s castle and await my next assignment.”
“Do commanders here get rotated often?”
“Not really. I requested a short-term assignment because I’d rather gain some experience on the front lines than keep losing to you. Most commanders stay in this position for several years.”
So, my actions were partly responsible for her being here.
Did I really push her that hard?
Reflecting on my past actions, I asked Dorothea again,
“So, capturing the Hamburg fortress will be your biggest achievement here?”
“Probably. I haven’t accomplished anything significant since becoming commander-in-chief.”
“Then I have a proposition for you.”
“What is it?”
I pulled an envelope from my pocket.
“I have something that might be helpful.”
Dorothea’s eyes lit up with interest.
“What is it?”
I grinned and handed her the letter.
“A copy of a handwritten letter from Rachel von Hamburg, the Margrave of Hamburg’s daughter.”
While the original had been burned, this copy was perfect, replicating even her smallest writing habits.
Dorothea scanned the letter with an intense gaze.
Then, a smile crept onto her lips.
“This… might actually work.”
“I have one condition for giving you this letter.”
“…What is it?”
Dorothea looked at me warily, as if expecting an unreasonable demand. But I had no such intentions.
“Acknowledge our acquaintance when we return to the Demon Lord’s castle. That’s my condition.”
“That’s all?”
“‘That’s all’? Being known as a friend of one of the Four Heavenly Kings would greatly reduce the suspicion surrounding me, wouldn’t it?”
I had betrayed the Hero and joined the Demon Lord’s army right before the final battle.
No matter how much the Demon Lord vouched for me, that fact would always follow me. Some would always suspect I might betray them again.
Being friends with Dorothea would act as a safeguard, dispelling such suspicions. No one would dare question someone who had the backing of not only the Demon Lord, but also one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Dorothea seemed to understand, then asked with a worried expression,
“But according to this letter, you have to personally deliver it to the Margrave of Hamburg. Are you sure about this? If they find out you’ve defected to the Demon Lord’s army, they’ll try to kill you.”
I shrugged nonchalantly.
“Do I look like someone who would let them kill me?”
“…If you’re sure…”
“Are you worried about me?”
“N-No, I’m not!”
Dorothea’s face flushed.
She was so easy to read.
Despite her usual cat-like aloofness, she was surprisingly caring once you got to know her.
I chuckled, teasing her, then said in a serious tone,
“I’m planning to deliver the letter tomorrow. I was going to wait, but with only two weeks left before I return to the Demon Lord’s castle, I need to hurry.”
Dorothea, knowing she couldn't stop me, nodded with a wry smile.
“If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll have Eva prepare it for you.”
I decided to accept her offer.
“Then I’ll need a horse to reach the county, three days’ worth of rations, and a few mana stones.”
“Is that all?”
“If I run out, I can always buy more in the county. No one there knows I’m Kaldrash, the Hero’s party’s Archmage.”
Unless I had my name written on my forehead, it was impossible for anyone to recognize me in this world, where information traveled slowly.
While the Hero had his trademark holy sword, Excalibur, I was just an ordinary blond-haired punk without my staff. No one would connect me to Kaldrash, the Archmage.
Dorothea, seemingly resigned, sighed.
“I’m telling you again, don’t push yourself. If the mission seems too dangerous, just run. I won’t blame you.”
Her open concern felt strangely unfamiliar.
Perhaps it was the result of our numerous intimate encounters over the past three weeks, but she had definitely softened towards me.
She seemed aware of this herself and didn't try to hide it.
I stared at her for a moment, then said softly,
“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
I gently stroked her soft, red hair.