155
I Killed the Demon King. It was a mistake.
Chapter 155
Caesar found it difficult to readily say that he would help Mitchell.
Would Elijah really be ousted just because he helps Mitchell?
That monster who has lived for nearly 300 years?
Even if Yan, Mitchell, and Raven, who had hunted the Demon King, all attacked simultaneously, it would not be easy.
When he saw the ten year old ginseng in the guy’s cloak, he was certain there were at least one or two hidden tricks.
Then Elijah would harbor deep resentment towards Caesar, and life in the demon realm would not be easy.
'Even knowing that Mitchell is holding a knife to his own neck.'
In this situation, Mitchell would have absolutely no chance of winning.
If he doesn't help Mitchell, he could become so angry that his head might spin.
There was only one way to handle this.
"I will not hand over command to the Allied Commander. Nor will I hand it over to Lord Mitchell."
Mitchell's expression crumpled.
"I clearly said I need definite help from Lord Caesar. Not such an ambiguous assistance."
If he knew nothing, it might be different, but since he's already involved up to his ankles in this situation, it's best to clearly define his position.
Caesar had no intention of taking sides with Elijah or Mitchell.
Instead, he intended to mediate so that Mitchell and Elijah could get what they each wanted.
"Lord Mitchell, aren't you getting a bit too heated?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"We must not forcibly remove the Allied Commander."
Caesar already knew Elijah's desires.
Elijah wants to abandon the front lines and return to the Steel Fortress right now.
But if Mitchell tells him to step down from the Allied Commander position and return?
He'll just say ‘Thank you very much’ and return with his army.
Of course, this won't solve the Agatha issue, but since Mitchell has come this far boldly, there's no other way.
"Let me ask you one thing. Let's say we remove Margrave Elijah. How will you deal with the soldiers who follow the Margrave? And the 1,000 knights who follow the Margrave? Will they obey?"
"Three divisions are on standby to disarm the Margrave army. And there are the Red Wing Knights and Dawn Knights, and the Emperor's solemn decree is also on its way by ship."
Wow, they've already moved like this?
Mitchell must be feeling desperate.
He's already cut off his own retreat.
"We have the justification, and we're also prepared. We just need Lord Caesar's help to definitively resolve the issue."
"My point is, why is there a need to damage the Margrave? Have you ever seriously talked with Margrave Elijah about this topic?"
"It seems we can't communicate. The Allied Commander will never let go of his command."
"Isn't this the logic of 'Who would give up their Allied Commander position?'"
Mitchell's expression became subtle.
"...Commander El Lindger. What else do you know?"
Are you asking me to reveal my cards?
Not yet.
"I'll mediate. And I'll ensure that Lord Mitchell gets exactly what he wants. Without spilling a single drop of blood."
"Can you take responsibility for those words?"
Caesar handing over the wizard's command to Mitchell.
"Bring Wizard Raven as a witness. If I fail to mediate, I'll immediately transfer the wizard's command to Lord Mitchell."
Mitchell was suspicious of Caesar's confidence.
What exactly does he know about Elijah?
Does he have some leverage?
Or did Elijah confide in El Lindger about wanting to step down from the Allied Commander position?
'Still, it's not a completely losing proposition.'
The moment Elijah refuses, he can immediately receive the wizards' command from Caesar and strike Elijah.
Mitchell even has the strongest knight, Yan.
Imprisoning Elijah would not be difficult.
"Please wait here for a moment."
Mitchell left.
But Caesar was not alone in the command tent.
Caesar looked behind him and spoke.
"Did you hear well?"
A mouse that had been wandering in the corner approached Caesar.
It was Pepe.
"What should I do?"
"Tell Elijah everything you just heard. Elijah will have no choice but to accept my plan."
Caesar sucked on his cigar.
"Because he loves Friedrich so much."
"Got it. I was wondering if I could tell you about what you asked me to find out about Elijah, but it seems time is a bit tight."
About Elijah?
If it's about that, he must know even if there's no time.
Caesar put down his cigar and said,
"I'll read your thoughts. Explain it to me as concisely as possible."
"Okay."
Caesar placed his hand on the creature's body and used psychometry.
***
Raven sat leisurely, looking at Caesar smoking his cigar.
Raven found Caesar's decision hard to understand.
Because she thought Caesar would never create such a situation in the first place.
Is he being swayed by Mitchell's desires?
Or is there another way?
If command passes to Mitchell's hands, would he end up being controlled by Mitchell?
That was something she absolutely despised.
'But....'
Raven could do nothing.
Since becoming a wizard, she had never felt such powerlessness.
Therefore, Raven found this situation beyond frustrating, it was humiliating.
Eventually, the tent door opened and Elijah entered.
As Elijah entered, Caesar, Raven, Mitchell, and Yan all stood up simultaneously.
Elijah spoke with a stiff expression while waving his hand,
"Everyone sit down. The hero seems to have a talent for embarrassing me."
Raven, Yan, and Mitchell sat with stiff expressions.
In contrast, Caesar sat quite leisurely.
Raven couldn't understand Caesar's composure.
"What story did you want to tell me by calling me here? Hero?"
Yan, who didn't expect the question to be directed at him, took a moment to think.
"Commander El Lindger said he has something to tell everyone before conducting the reconnaissance operation."
Yan's eloquence had also improved.
Smoothly passing the baton to Caesar.
He suddenly felt the transience of time.
In the past, he couldn't even speak like that.
Elijah's gaze moved to Caesar.
"Special Forces Commander. Do you have something to say?"
"I have some intelligence I just obtained."
"...Intelligence?"
Mitchell naturally moved his hand towards his sword handle.
Could he be planning a betrayal?
But Caesar's answer was entirely different.
"Intelligence that rebel troops are gathering in division-level scale and heading towards the Steel Fortress."
Mitchell's eyes flickered.
The information was both true and false.
It was accurate that rebel troops of almost division-level scale were gathered under one commander.
But whether they were heading to the Steel Fortress was unclear.
Of course, beyond that, information about rebel troops gathering at division-level scale would be near top secret, he couldn't understand how Caesar knew.
Elijah looked at Caesar with a serious expression.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. Certainly. They are currently hiding near the collapsed vampire castle. Considering their direction, the Steel Fortress is certain. Isn't that right, Lord Mitchell?"
As Caesar's gaze turned to Mitchell, Mitchell instinctively knew how to respond.
"It's a fact I'm aware of. The rebel troops are already expanding to division-level scale. The Commander probably knows to some extent as well."
"Is the information about heading to the Steel Fortress certain? Lord Mitchell?"
From Mitchell's perspective, he couldn't verify whether Caesar's information was true or not.
They just knew the rebels were gathering near the collapsed vampire castle, scavenging supplies and barely surviving.
However, he knew what to say to make Elijah naturally give up his position and return to the border region.
"Yes. I'm certain."
Elijah's expression hardened in an instant.
Elijah had dedicated his entire life to defending the Steel Fortress.
The thought of it being occupied by rebel troops, rather than even being destroyed by the demon race, was something unbearable to witness with his own eyes.
Of course, he was pretending to look this way, after all.
Elijah already knew all the comprehensive details about the demon realm.
"What exactly is it that you want to tell me?"
Mitchell looked at Caesar.
If he trusted Caesar, he should entrust everything to Caesar right now.
Caesar opened his mouth.
"Maintaining the demon realm front is the responsibility of the Allied Commander. However, protecting the people and territories of the Border is also your responsibility."
"……."
"In fact, even if we leave right now, we cannot stop the rebel troops from reaching the Steel Fortress. However, if the Steel Fortress somehow manages to hold out, we can sweep away the rebel troops from behind."
"So are you telling me to protect the Steel Fortress?"
"I'm advising you to carefully consider this matter."
Elijah's gaze turned to the tea with steam rising from it.
He was contemplating.
Mitchell spoke up.
"I dare to say. Defending the demon realm front is not something only Margrave Elijah can do. But protecting the border region is something only the Margrave can do."
Mitchell said this while bowing his head.
"So I implore you. If the Steel Fortress is occupied by rebel troops and heads toward the continent, the Imperial Nation will be engulfed in a civil war, and the demon realm front will also collapse. Please protect the border region."
Mitchell had not understood until now why the Arch Duke had written a letter to the Emperor that was half a threat, insisting that Caesar must be given magical command authority unconditionally.
But now, having worked with Caesar, he understood the Arch Duke’s heart.
Working with Caesar, there was nothing more reassuring than having him on the same side.
'I want to have him.'
Even before, he had wanted to make Caesar his own person, but thinking about it again, there seemed to be no character as capable as Caesar.
Though he had many distracting thoughts and was difficult to handle, if Mitchell could obtain him, sitting in the supreme position he had so longed for was by no means a dream.
After deep contemplation, Elijah spoke.
"If I send the 11th and 27th divisions to the Steel Fortress, who can handle that region?"
Mitchell's hand clenched tightly.
The 11th and 27th divisions were units composed of Elijah's personal troops.
"If we recall the 26th division, which is currently engaged in rebel troop suppression, and deploy it to that area, it should be barely manageable."
"Even if I want to give up the Allied Commander position, I cannot do so at will. I need the decision of His Majesty the Emperor and the Imperial Nations. So I will discuss the issue of the Allied Commander position after speaking with His Majesty the Emperor."
Mitchell wanted to dance right away.
Everything was happening according to Caesar's words.
The fact that the 11th and 27th divisions were leaving meant Elijah's heart was turning toward the border region.
Once he receives the Emperor's order arriving in a month, Elijah will step down from the Allied Commander position.
Mitchell looked at Caesar.
Caesar leisurely drank his tea and winked slightly at Mitchell.
Mitchell could only give a wry smile at that composure.
***
Caesar met Elijah separately in the barracks.
As soon as Elijah used the sound block artifact, he spoke.
"Will Mitchell really know? The fact that you are the one who benefits the most in this situation."
"You wanted to return to the Steel Fortress, Mitchell wanted to have the demon realm in his grasp, and I never demanded anything from you or Mitchell. So how can you say that I benefited the most?"
"First, Mitchell and I have been visibly manipulated by you and will continue to be. Second, as I step away from the front lines, you will act as you wish without having to worry about my opinion. Lastly, because the young demon king you consider a friend will be running wild."
Caesar and Elijah were very similar.
Just as Caesar disliked losing the initiative, Elijah truly disliked losing control.
However, the reason he accepted Caesar's mediation proposal was that rejecting it could lead to a civil war.
Elijah was not yet thinking about unnecessary attrition with Mitchell.
"Honestly, I don't like this situation at all."
Well, what can you do about it anyway?
Elijah would soon step down from the Allied Commander position the moment the Emperor's order arrives.
"Anyway, I won't hand over the magical command authority to you. I've already promised Mitchell."
Caesar decided to move away from this uncomfortable topic of conversation.
Discussing such matters would only lead to an emotional battle.
"Then who are you planning to give the command authority to?"
Elijah had also seemingly fallen for Caesar's skill of redirecting the conversation.
"I have someone who's upset with me. I need to appease that person."
"Someone upset?"
"Yes. I'm talking about Raven."
Raven, and likely other wizards, would not want to be used as negotiation cards and tossed around.
Especially from Raven's perspective, she would think she was being toyed with.
"I'll hand over the command authority to Raven when I'm assigned to reconnaissance missions."
"Do as you wish. It's your command authority."
This guy also seems frustrated that things aren't going exactly as he wanted.
But this is the best outcome for both of them.
If Mitchell had not hastily tried to attack Elijah, Elijah would have been troubling and harassing Caesar.
Now, what truly remains is to appease Raven and sweep out the Black Horn tribe with the remaining allied troops.
'No, wait. There's one more thing.'
"Come to think of it, where is Sith?"