Chapter 91
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Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Wizard of Oz
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We moved the conversation to the office, not far from the audience chamber.
My deployment to the human kingdom had been decided weeks ago; this was just the official order.
The Demon Lord, sipping his tea, asked about my plan of action.
“I’ll go to the Emerald Tower first.”
“Oh? To the Emerald Tower?”
“Yes. As you know, the Emerald Tower, one of the four great magic towers, is located in the Oz Kingdom but maintains a neutral stance. I was originally dispatched to the Hero’s party, not as a citizen of the kingdom.”
A rental mage, of sorts.
The only difference was that no amount of rental fees could change my affiliation.
Baron Louis, who had accepted the position of Royal Advisor Mage and a title from the kingdom, was the exception.
“But wouldn’t they sell you out if it benefits the tower?”
“I don’t think so. The Head Mage of the Emerald Tower is my master.”
There were officially three Archmages in the Oz Kingdom.
Louis, the “Ocean,” Kaldrash, the “Tempest,” and my master, Esmeralda, the “North Wind.”
But with Baron Louis dead and me having defected to the Demon Lord’s army, my master was the only one left.
While their numbers had dwindled, my master alone was enough to protect the kingdom.
She was the strongest mage I knew.
And she had recently reached the seventh tier.
The small human kingdom hadn’t survived for hundreds of years against the Demon Lord’s army for nothing.
While the kingdom had produced many outstanding individuals like my master since its founding, the dwarves of the neighboring kingdom of Nidavellir had provided them with a great deal of support, allowing them to fight on equal terms.
In return, the dwarves expected the Oz Kingdom to act as a bulwark against the demons.
The Demon Lord rubbed his temples, as if a headache was coming on. I waved my hand dismissively, trying to reassure him.
“Don’t worry. I know my master better than anyone. She won’t interfere unless it directly affects her. And if she does, I’ll stop her.”
“That’s a relief. But the rumors about the North Wind are quite… unsettling.”
My master, her body overflowing with mana, had already lived as long as an ordinary demon.
While the Demon Lord appeared to be middle-aged, considering the slow aging process of demons, he was likely closer in age to my master than to me.
He must have heard the legends.
“I don’t know what rumors you’ve heard, but they’re probably true. She’s that kind of person.”
“…Is it true she has three heads and six arms?”
“If a human looked like that, wouldn’t they have joined the Demon Lord’s army a long time ago?”
I dismissed the absurd rumor and drained my teacup.
“Anyway, I’ll be on my way now.”
The Demon Lord nodded and added,
“I’ve already informed the Great Forest and arranged for a Wyvern. You can ride it to the border.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Demon Lord.”
“It’s the least I can do. I’m sorry I can’t offer you more. If the assassination attempt fails, you can retreat at any time.”
“Don’t you usually order your subordinates to succeed at all costs?”
The Demon Lord chuckled and shook his head.
“Sacrificing a valuable subordinate for such a task is a poor strategy. And I’m not the only one who’s worried about you.”
“Excuse me?”
I asked, and the Demon Lord, stroking his beard, whispered,
“It seems Ozma has feelings for you. If you’re amenable, I’d be happy to arrange a marriage…”
“I’ll be on my way now!”
I shot up from my seat before he could finish.
I had a bad feeling that I would be trapped if I stayed any longer.
Dorothea and Vanessa, who had been sitting quietly, also stood up, and I, bowing stiffly to the bewildered Demon Lord, quickly left the office.
While other vassals might have considered it rude, I didn't care. I had just narrowly escaped the prison of marriage!
Sorry, Ozma, but I’m not ready for marriage yet.
I was twenty-seven, a free spirit.
I wanted to enjoy my bachelorhood until I was at least thirty.
I was already late to the game; a little later wouldn't hurt.
“Hey! Wait up!”
Dorothea, who had followed me out, grumbled,
“You’re the only one in the Demon Lord’s army who treats me like this.”
I chuckled, stroking her messy hair.
“Did you fall for me?”
“Ugh!”
Dorothea’s face turned crimson.
I stuck out my tongue playfully, and she chased after me, fireballs in her hands.
Vanessa, who had followed us out, shouted,
“Where are we going next?!”
I shouted back, dodging Dorothea’s attacks,
“To the stables!”
***
The Demon Assassination Squad, consisting of myself, Dorothea, and Vanessa, headed to the Demon Lord’s stables to pick up the Wyverns.
“Long time no see, Craigslist.”
I found Craigslist, whom I hadn’t seen in almost three months, in the stables and gently stroked his white mane.
He, recognizing me, neighed and licked my cheek.
“A true ladies’ man. Even the Bicorn loves you.”
Dorothea, watching from the side, muttered, crossing her arms.
Craigslist, his interest piqued, approached Dorothea and sniffed her clothes.
“Hey! Stop that!”
Dorothea recoiled, and Craigslist, as if pleased with her scent, neighed and returned to his hay.
As we were admiring the Bicorn, Vanessa, the former captain of the guard, now a member of our assassination squad, approached with three Wyverns.
“We’re ready, Kaldrash.”
“Ah, thanks… who are you?”
I stared at Vanessa, who was wearing unfamiliar armor.
“What? Is it strange?”
She was usually in full plate armor, which completely hid her figure.
But now, she was wearing a more streamlined set of armor, which revealed her curves.
While she wasn’t exposed, it was a stark contrast to her usual attire.
A red ribbon tie around her neck, likely to cover the scar from her decapitation, added a touch of femininity.
“I thought I’d try something new. You said it was hard to tell my gender in my old armor, so I had this custom-made.”
She then put on her helmet.
“Ah, the tin can helmet is still here.”
The familiar sight was strangely comforting.
“It’s detachable.”
She said, removing the helmet, along with her head.
“Ah… that’s a relief.”
She was still the same airhead. My momentary attraction to her new appearance vanished at the sight of her severed neck.
Anyway, we were ready to depart.
We just had to lead the Wyverns out of the stables and fly towards Hamburg Fortress.
I was a little sad that I hadn't been able to say goodbye to Ozma and Camilla, but I had said my farewells the day before.
Screeeech!
“Whoa, whoa.”
I led the screeching Wyvern, a stark contrast to the docile Craigslist, out of the stables.
“Looks like we made it just in time.”
A familiar face was waiting for us.
Ozma, who should have been elsewhere at this time, was riding a Bicorn, with Camilla behind her.
Camilla, remembering her humiliation from three months ago, puffed out her chest proudly as our eyes met.
You finally did it.
I gave her a thumbs up, and Ozma dismounted and shook my hand.
“Did you come to see us off?”
“We won’t see each other for a while, so it seemed like the right thing to do.”
Ozma glanced at Dorothea, who was standing behind me, then grabbed my face and kissed me passionately.
“Ooh…”
Vanessa gasped.
“Wh-What are you doing?!”
Dorothea, realizing what was happening, pulled us apart, but it was too late.
Ozma, still in her male disguise, wiped her lips with a surprisingly masculine gesture, then stepped back and, blushing, said,
“Kaldrash, you’re mine. Come back safe.”
I blinked, surprised by her sudden boldness, then, reading the room, played along.
“As you command.”
And so, our journey to Oz began.