Chapter 94

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 94

Chapter Title: Humanity's Betrayer (1)

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Blanc, Hilde, Silpi.

I'd thoroughly fucked all three of them.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Thanks to that, they were all out cold.

No doubt they'd be unable to open their eyes until morning.

…

But that wasn't good.

-Creak.

"Lady Lumine, Lady Minerva…"

"——Yi Hyun, perfect timing!!"

"Huh? Why are you awake?"

"High-ranking demons are approaching Eisenhardt! Two of them!!"

"…What the actual fuck!!"

What kind of bullshit timing is this?

Demons showing up right now, of all times?

On the first day we arrive in Eisenhardt, right when the Second Knight Order's top two are both passed out?

Ha, it's so ridiculous I can't even speak.

'It's not like someone's deliberately screwing me over… Wait, what?'

A sudden flash in my mind.

The prophecy from the goddess.

'No way, did she plan this?'

It was too coincidental to be mere chance.

The Hero being in Eisenhardt, written in a prophecy only I could read.

And right when demons were heading this way.

It just didn't add up in so many ways.

I had no choice but to suspect the goddess.

'Digital Goddess, are you screwing me over just because I prayed a bit too enthusiastically?'

I shot a direct ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠complaint at the ceiling.

Of course, no reply came.

A sigh escaped me naturally.

'Suspecting her won't change anything, so let's ignore it for now.'

"Haa… Tell me the details. Every little thing."

For now, I'd hear the briefing.

I needed to know the situation to decide what to do.

As if she'd been waiting for those words, Lumine hurriedly spoke up.

"Well…"

"They're coming slower than expected?"

"Yes. They probably don't know you're here with us. At this pace, they'll arrive nearby around evening."

"Oh-ho."

One piece of good news.

They didn't seem to know I was here.

If they did…

Yeah, they'd probably come running with sweat dripping from their feet.

Screaming 'The enemy of Citri!!' or something.

At least that wasn't the case.

All around, it was a relief.

"What about Lady Lumine's 'Holy Lance'?"

"I can intercept them anytime… but only one shot."

"It's a burden on Lumi, and with the priests we have here, that's the limit."

"Can't be helped. Having even one is something."

One more thing.

A demon-exclusive killing spear: Lumine's 'Holy Lance'.

Its effectiveness was beyond doubt.

Luna and Liriana had trusted only this to open the capital, after all.

Solid. Very solid.

"Then one gets taken out by Lady Lumine, and the remaining one…"

But the biggest worry.

The Holy Lance only had one shot.

While there were two demons.

I wondered what to do with the survivor after the lance,

"Right, Hyun. One of them might be Saleos?"

"Why would she suddenly… Huh!?"

"Two individualistic demons moving together is rare. They might be luring us on purpose."

"Just like we demanded!!"

During Saleos' capital raid.

Didn't Minerva pass a message to her?

Want to defect to humanity's side?

Then offer up one demon.

Something like that on parchment.

If Saleos heard that and acted immediately?

Went back to the demon realm, seduced one demon,

And was bringing it to us on a platter?

'The timing lines up!'

Everything fit.

The bullshit timing, the two demons sticking together like lovebugs, the slow advance. All of it.

A smile crept across my lips.

"Lady Lumine, Lady Minerva. I have a plan."

"What is it?"

"Spill it, Hyun. Let me compare it to mine."

"Yes. First…"

A tumultuous night passed, and morning came.

The lord's castle was in an uproar.

Because of the report Blanc and I had submitted.

"Two high-ranking demons approaching the territory?!"

"Yes, one is a skeleton knight, the other Saleos. Confirmed with my Blessing."

As the lord panicked,

I subtly glanced upward.

The two demons were visible in the 'Peeping Hole'.

'Confirmed with Lumine's Blessing too, but seeing them with my own eyes is reassuring~.'

Good thing I'd learned the Peeping Hole skill.

I kept that thought to myself.

This wasn't the time to smirk.

"Hah, what is this…"

"Thus, Marquis, I, Blanc, Captain of the Imperial Second Knight Order, formally request your full cooperation in the demon subjugation operation."

"…What? You plan to take them down? With two high-ranking demons?"

The marquis's eyes widened.

And at the same time, he glanced—

at my bowed face.

His expression shifted from shock to caution.

"Does the imperial family know of this?"

"I reported it immediately at dawn."

"You… no, may I take your presence here as the imperial will?"

Basically saying,

Yi Hyun, Liriana's fiancée-to-be.

Does the imperial family know you're here?

"I'm grateful to have received permission to participate in the subjugation. From Her Majesty the Empress and both Imperial Princesses."

I puffed out my chest and answered.

Hey, if they see me here, wouldn't they know?

The imperial family sees potential in this.

So trust and cooperate—

'Luna opposed it to the end, though.'

In truth, Luna threw a tantrum for me to return alone first.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I had to work hard to persuade her.

But I didn't bring it up.

Perhaps because of that, the marquis's expression brightened.

"Looks like they're not planning to use me as a discard. I was a bit worried since Her Majesty can be ruthless, but it was just my imagination."

"No way."

"Right. In any case, you have my cooperation. Tell me if you need anything."

"Great. Then…"

With cooperation secured,

I immediately pulled out the parchment.

The 'supplies' list Minerva had written.

It was a bit long, but

"Excluding the temple's cooperation, I'll handle everything. The temple side will be handled separately by the imperial family…"

"That's already settled."

"Good. Leave the rest to me."

The marquis permitted it with a bright expression.

A faint smile even on his lips.

He seemed to see this as a chance to stick his oar into demon subjugation.

"Um… additionally, could you provide twenty high-quality iron swords? No need for famous blades, just ones that can break if needed."

"Iron swords?"

"I heard Eisenhardt iron swords are top-notch, so we'll fight with those."

"Grateful for the hero's praise. Take as many as you need from the armory."

"Thank you!"

Taking the chance, I got the iron swords Seraphina requested for free.

That was why my expression was so bright when I returned from the lord's castle.

"We're back~."

"Captain, Yi Hyun!"

"How'd it go?"

"Got permission for everything."

"That's a relief."

Hilde, waiting for us, was all smiles.

The other knights' morale was pretty high too.

Riding the momentum, I clapped to get attention.

-Clap clap.

"Then I'll explain again."

The Second Knight Order's gazes focused on me.

Minerva in the distance gave a thumbs-up.

As the one who'd heard and refined my plan, she was cheering me on.

I confidently opened my mouth.

"The operation splits into two cases: if Saleos truly defects to humanity, and if not."

First, if Saleos' betrayal was real.

This case was simple.

Lure them close, repel one with the Holy Lance.

Just order Saleos to show her bare ass.

That way, her betrayal wouldn't be exposed.

Demon subjugation would still be feasible.

Best scenario all around.

"No problem even if it's not."

Even if she double-crossed us and hit us from behind, it wouldn't matter.

Intercept the skeleton knight with the Holy Lance—same as before.

If Saleos didn't obey, the Second Knight Order ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠immediately switches to castle defense.

And while we collectively hold her off,

I alone teleport straight to the capital.

Then, using the brand linking me to Clara and Saleos, my slaves…

'Activate Resonance and pound her like a beast.'

National-power-level breeding uncle mode ON.

With the mythic skill 'Resonance', turn Saleos into a remote pussy juice dispenser.

That should buy the Second Knight Order time.

Until Lumine and the priests recover stamina and fire the second 'Holy Lance'.

'A bit harsh on Clara in this case, but what can you do.'

"Explanation ends here. Any questions?"

Anyway, operation briefing over.

I scanned the surroundings.

Silpi and Hilde shot up their hands.

"What's this powerful weapon guaranteed to work on demons? I think I heard it during Citri too, but I don't know exactly."

"That's classified, can't disclose. Only Blanc and I know for now."

"What do you mean you can tie her feet from the capital?"

"I cursed Clara, remember? Mix that with my Blessing and work it."

"What… what Blessing?"

"Hard to explain, but that's why she retreated from the capital invasion last time."

"No proper explanations. Fine, got it."

Somehow, they all seemed convinced.

Even facing two demons, no one looked scared.

My heart warmed naturally.

Guess I'm trusted after all…

"It's a plan from your head, so super untrustworthy, but since Her Majesty approved…"

"…"

'Don't wanna hear that from you.'

Hilde still looked suspicious.

Dismissing it just because I made it, but anyway.

"From now on, prepare for battle. Be ready to deploy anytime."

"""Yes!!!"""

Blanc signaled the operation's start.

The members, including me, raised our voices in unison.

And I

turned my gaze upward again.

The Status Window shone in the air.

'Haven't found the Hero yet, but it'll be fine.'

The Hero's whereabouts, the prophecy's suspiciousness, etc.

Still many questions.

But somehow, it'd work out.

The connections I'd built had converged into a perfect operation.

That's what I thought at this point.

——However,

-Halt.

'Huh? What’s that skeleton knight doing…'

In the Peeping Hole screen.

The skeleton knight and Saleos had stopped in some clearing.

The skeleton knight raised its hand,

Rumble.

The ground began to shake.

"Wh-what!?"

"An earthquake? Now, of all times…"

"…No."

"What?"

The blood drained from my face.

"Enemy forces, additional confirmation!! Over five thousand!!!"

'Fight fair and square with just your body, you coward! Summoning undead like a bitch!!!'