Chapter 61: Infiltration
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 61: Infiltration
Demons had breached the borders of Count Consilus’s domain.
The news threatened to plunge the entire region into a state of panic, but the chaos was quelled after the incident was officially dismissed as a false alarm.
From that moment on, they had to move in absolute secrecy.
"Our objective will be razed in six hours."
"If it’s to be destroyed in six hours, moving now might already be too late," Consilus remarked.
They had spent the entirety of the previous day preparing for the expedition. They had outfitted themselves with gear modified for high mobility, sacrificing protection for speed, and meticulously prepared their spells. Even with those preparations, the journey was expected to take a full day.
Yet, the target was set to vanish the moment the morning sun rose.
"How did you come across this information?" Consilus asked.
"I heard it from the demon who infiltrated this place. It was Sitri."
"Sitri? You mean the Great Demon Sitri?!"
The demon of lust and illusion. To knights, who were expected to maintain their chastity while battling temptation, she was the Great Demon they feared most.
"Demons are not a race to be trusted, under any circumstances," Consilus stated firmly.
"It’s fine. This information is reliable. I’ve made a deal with her."
"A deal with a demon...?"
Consilus couldn't wrap his head around Ferda’s words. Whenever the words 'deal' and 'demon' appeared in the same sentence, they were always preceded by a single, golden rule:
Never deal with a demon.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. It was bad enough that a Great Demon the knights loathed had appeared, but to hear their leader had struck a bargain with one was deeply unsettling.
"Do not doubt him," Consilus warned, his voice dropping to a low, commanding growl. "Have you forgotten that the very swords and armor you wear were provided by the Regent of Valdrova?"
Order was instantly restored. It wasn't so much that they were moved by Ferda’s grace, but rather the weight of Consilus’s overwhelming charisma.
Consilus himself harbored doubts, but he couldn't afford to hesitate now. Breaking the heavy silence, he asked, "What were the terms of the deal?"
"There is a demon imprisoned in the research facility. In exchange for freeing her, Sitri provided us with a means of transport."
"If the Great Demon Sitri is personally demanding a release, it sounds like a dangerous entity..."
"She claimed it was one of her daughters. In exchange for releasing one of the many demons held there, we gain a lead on the Demon Race."
"Even a hedgehog cherishes its own young, as they say. I suppose even demons have some semblance of affection."
"So it seems."
Ferda pulled a scroll from his robes and placed it on the desk. "I received this scroll as part of the deal. It is our means of transport."
Instead of inspecting it himself, Consilus gestured to his personal mage. The mage examined the scroll Ferda had presented and spoke up.
"This is a Bending Bridge, set for a round trip for eight people. To be provided with magic of such a high level..."
"I’m a layman when it comes to this. Explain," Consilus ordered.
"Essentially, it’s similar to a Teleport Door, but the mechanism is different. It creates a path through another dimension. This means it’s extremely difficult to detect with standard sensory magic."
"So, you’re saying this magic routes us through Hell."
"It does, but the probability of being affected by it is extremely low, so you needn't worry."
Consilus didn't feel reassured in the slightest.
Hell.
Within it lay seven realms, ruled by the seven Grand Dukes. It was a domain permitted only to the dead; once you set foot inside, there was usually no turning back.
"However, since the scroll was given directly by a demon, we must carefully check for traps—"
"No. There is nothing wrong with the magic itself," Ferda interrupted flatly.
The mage, a man in his forties, didn't take kindly to the young Regent’s dismissal. "It would be best to check one more time. The Count will be using it, and I have the wisdom that comes with years of experience—"
"I have plenty of experience myself, so do not worry. There are no traps in this scroll. Let’s stop wasting time."
The mage’s expression soured visibly. He assumed the eighteen-year-old brat was just cutting him off because he didn't want to argue, using 'experience' as a hollow excuse.
But Ferda was simply stating the truth.
Putting the petty squabble aside, Ferda pointed to a spot on the map. "This is where we will be teleported. Inside a cave."
"It’s close to the research facility. If we approach from there, we can reach it within ten minutes. We can seize it before they have a chance to destroy it," Consilus explained, drawing a mental picture of the operation with a veteran officer's precision. "Since the capacity is eight people, two will be the defense team to secure the Bending Bridge. The remaining six will be split into two teams of three to carry out the objectives. I will select five knights and one mage."
"No, I’m taking Jed with me, so just select five."
"Understood."
Consilus scanned the assembled knights and picked them out one by one. "Hans, Marco, Corwin, Billy, Philip. You’re with us."
"By your command!"
The named knights placed their hands over their hearts, accepting the order. They were men who understood that the opportunity to fight on the battlefield was a moment of honor.
Ferda glanced over at Jed.
The man looked exhausted from his escort duties. His eyes were drooping like those of an old hound.
"Sir Jed. Let’s move."
"Ugh."
For Jed, there was no honor or glory. He was only going because he had to. If the boss says jump, you jump.
* * *
Ten minutes before the start of the operation.
They gathered in the war room once more, bundled in heavy winter gear against the biting cold of the North. Consilus outlined the mission based on the selected personnel.
"The primary objectives of this operation are information retrieval and rescue. We will split into three teams. Corwin and Philip will secure the entrance. The Regent, Marco, and I will handle the information retrieval. Hans, Billy, and Sir Jed will handle the rescue."
"Understood."
"Are there any identifying features for the rescue target?"
"I’m told it’s a demon with pink hair."
"Pink hair will certainly stand out. Rescue the demon with horns and black sclera. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Then, final equipment check!"
Consilus didn't forget to double-check everything until the very end. They were heading into enemy territory—the heart of the enemy's lair. Even the slightest mistake could ruin everything, so they remained strictly disciplined.
As he listened, Jed scratched his greasy hair and sidled up to Ferda. "Regent."
"What is it?"
"That place we’re going... it’s an eight-person gate, right? Eight go in, eight come out?"
"Yes."
"Then isn't it impossible to rescue that demon girl?"
If eight went in, only eight could come out. To bring someone back safely, they would need to have only seven people in the party.
"You don't need to worry about that. When demons die, they are forcibly unsummoned back to Hell."
"Ah, so we just kill her on the spot?"
Ferda paused for a moment. "No, don't kill her there. Bring her to me."
"Huh? Is there a reason to go that far?"
If unsummoning her was the goal, why bother bringing her back?
Ferda replied, "If we do that, it ends too easily."
And in Ferda’s experience, things that ended too easily rarely turned out well in the long run. At least, that was how his life had always been.
* * *
Ten seconds before the start of the operation.
"Open the gate!"
At Consilus’s command, the mage channeled mana into the scroll. The magic circle on the parchment absorbed the energy and emitted a brilliant white light. A moment later, the air above the scroll began to shimmer. The space, rippling like a spring breeze hitting a pond, gradually expanded until it formed a circular window showing another location.
A dark cave, and beyond its mouth, a glimpse of a raging blizzard.
Consilus, heavily armored and wrapped in a fur coat, spoke. "Deploy!"
The two members of the defense team entered first to secure the entrance, followed immediately by the others. Like well-trained soldiers, they secured the area with clockwork efficiency.
"The Bending Bridge will remain active for one hour. Within that time, we scout the interior, attempt the rescue, and retrieve the information."
"Yes, sir!"
"Commence the operation!"
The two teams, excluding the defense squad, moved out to perform their respective duties.
"See you alive."
"Don't jinx it."
"Brother, if you die, I'll take good care of your wife."
"Just you try it. I'll dig my way out of my grave and come back to castrate you."
The knights, bound by brotherhood, exchanged grim pleasantries before scattering.
Since time was tight, they maintained a brisk pace even through the blizzard. Consilus was aging, but he had never neglected his training. Even for him, however, the Northern blizzard was a formidable obstacle.
How is the Regent holding up?
Ferda’s body was that of a mage, not a knight. He looked fragile, even among the weakest of mages. Consilus turned his head, worried that Ferda might have already fallen behind.
He’s keeping up well.
Surprisingly, the distance between them wasn't widening at all. Consilus, who had intended to slow down for him, changed his mind.
"May I increase the pace?"
"Do so."
"Understood."
Consilus moved at full speed without further reservation, and Ferda, following behind, matched that speed perfectly.
The weather is absolute trash.
Internally, Ferda was not enjoying the situation. It was dark, and the snow was blocking his vision. He was wearing a heavy fur coat, trudging through deep snow against a headwind. Normally, Ferda would have been blown away or tumbled down a cliff.
The reason he didn't was because something was supporting his body.
Shadow Hand.
Beneath Ferda’s coat, Shadow Hands were bracing against the ground and lifting the weight of the coat off his shoulders, reducing the strain on his body.
I'm glad it's large enough to cover my whole body.
The power of shadows was proportional to the darkness. If the shadows were weak, they were less effective than Ferda’s own physical strength, but when strong, they could match the strength of an average soldier. Furthermore, in a dark environment, he could manifest multiple Shadow Hands.
Using multiple hands to brace against the ground makes me feel like I'm crawling like a beast, though.
But since he looked fine on the outside, it didn't matter.
"It’s here."
As Consilus brushed away some snow, a faint light, like that of a firefly, leaked out. From within, the faint sound of laughter could be heard. Consilus drew the sword at his waist.
"I will clear the way."
"Very well."
Consilus slipped skillfully through the narrow gap. A moment later, the laughter was abruptly cut short.
"What the— gah!"
"What’s going on all of a sud— urgh!"
They all collapsed with death rattles before they could even finish their sentences. The sound of a sword swinging echoed a few more times, and then the footsteps that had moved away returned.
"The path is clear. Please, after you."
The path Consilus had cleared led to a corridor heading toward an abandoned warehouse. The hallway was marked by the traces of a one-sided slaughter.
There had been no resistance. The dead guards' weapons were all still hanging with their coats. No fool would brave a murderous blizzard to attack this place, and there had never been an intrusion before. In common parlance, this was a 'cushy' post.
Consilus checked the map he had obtained during his preliminary scout. "Marco, take the barracks. I’ll handle the administration office and the patrol squads."
"Understood."
"No." Ferda interjected, pointing toward the barracks. "I’ll handle the barracks."
"Will you be alright? There are over sixty men in there. If something goes wrong—"
"I am a mage."
With that single sentence, he silenced all concerns.
"As the Regent wishes."
Marco and Consilus moved to clear the administration office and the patrols, while Ferda headed toward the barracks. Ferda pulled a single dagger from his robes. As soon as he opened the barracks door, he heard it.
Zzzzzzz!
Snore!
The sound of beast-like snoring.
It’s been a while since I’ve heard this.
A memory flickered in Ferda’s mind. It was the sound he had heard constantly during his days serving under other mages. He had lost many nights of sleep to that sound, but he had never dared to complain. It was far better than sleeping in a latrine that reeked of filth.
Ferda took a candle from a wall sconce and walked into the barracks. He tilted the candle, examining them one by one.
They’re all human.
Each had a different face and a different snore. They all had their own individuality, but they shared one common trait.
They follow the Demon Race.
The Demon Race represented the chaos that wished for the destruction of the world. The enemies of the world. A lot that even the outcasts of society would shun.
Enemies of Valdrova.
Their nature was easily summarized. And the fact that they were sleeping so soundly meant they had been abandoned even now.
"Ugh... what? I'm off duty today, you bastard..."
"..."
"Put that light out. You piece of shit, when I open my eyes, I'm gonna... huh?"
A young man, eyes bleary with sleep, looked up at Ferda. "Who are you? I haven't seen you around here before, what are you— mmph?!"
The man’s mouth was clamped shut. Something black and formless bound him tightly. He tried to resist, but he couldn't even let out a groan. Ferda looked down at him with indifferent eyes.
"Don't feel too wronged."
The well-honed dagger glinted in the candlelight.
"You are simply paying the price for your choices."
Ferda pursed his lips and brought them close to the candle flame. The flame flickered precariously even at his slight breath. Much like their futures.
Fwoo.
* * *
"All patrol squads have been dealt with."
"The administration office is cleared as well. Now all that’s left is the barracks..."
Just then, Ferda emerged from the darkness. He walked toward them with a relaxed expression, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Is it done?"
"Yes."
"Then it seems this vicinity is fully secured."
"Regent?"
"What is it?"
"There is blood on your face."
"Ah. Thank you."
Ferda wiped it away nonchalantly with his black glove. Consilus gave his briefing.
"Administration is clear, and the patrols have all been neutralized. Excluding the barracks, there are no more personnel left in this block."
"And the information?"
"The records in the administration office only contain personal data on Servant-class demons and those meant to be used as meat shields. There were no signs of shredded documents, so the primary data must be in the officers' quarters."
"How many minutes left?"
"Forty minutes. We must finish the rest within thirty."
"We’ll have to hurry."
Even if they gained great information and succeeded in the rescue, it would all be for naught if they couldn't return. Leaving the carnage behind, they moved toward the Research Director’s office.
Inside the office, despite it being the middle of the night, people were moving busily.
"Pack everything. Orders will be coming down soon."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Give that to me! The Director was asking about it recently; we have to take it."
They were busy sorting through documents and items, organizing what was necessary before destroying the facility. The one commanding the subordinates was a female Dark Elf.
A Dark Elf...
Aside from their dark skin, they were a race closer to Elves than to the typical features of the Demon Race. Before the Dragon-Demon War, they had sworn loyalty to Godwin, attempting to build a new order. Though not demons themselves, they possessed a wicked nature that rivaled them.
Was her name Linne?
The general manager and head researcher of this facility. The person in charge of the Doppler Project.
How should I ambush this place?
He didn't need to think long. Taking out the mage first was always the answer.
"Lightning Bolt."
Zap!
The bolt pierced the mage’s head.
The battle had begun.