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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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The next day.
I woke up to the familiar sensation of sunlight filtering through the window.
Camilla, after a night of insatiable passion that defied her inexperience, had finally let me sleep in the early hours of the morning.
I didn’t know how long I had slept.
But judging by the high sun, a considerable amount of time had passed.
I’ll have to skip meditation today.
I dragged my tired body out of bed. The other side of the bed was empty.
Camilla must have already woken up and returned to her own room.
I yawned, stretched, and looked out the window.
It had snowed during the night, and the world was covered in a blanket of white.
Click
“Are you awake?”
Speak of the devil. Camilla entered the room, carrying a tray of food.
“Oh.”
I greeted her warmly, my eyes fixed on the breakfast tray.
The perfect maid, Camilla.
She had anticipated my waking time and brought me a meal.
She entered the room with light steps, then suddenly sniffed the air and frowned.
“We’ll have to clean up after breakfast. The smell is quite strong.”
“Really? I don’t smell anything.”
Perhaps because I had been in the room all night.
I looked at the tray she had placed on the table.
Bread, sausages, baked beans, a fried egg, and bacon.
All my favorites.
I was in desperate need of protein. I quickly sat down, my hair still a mess.
“Thank you for the food.”
As I began to eat, Camilla poured me a glass of water.
“Please listen while you eat.”
I nodded, chewing on a piece of crispy bacon.
“I won’t be able to accompany you to the human kingdom.”
Clang!
I dropped my fork and knife in shock.
Camilla sighed and began to explain.
“I’m sorry, but the Demon Lord has forbidden it. He feels I lack the necessary combat skills.”
Objectively speaking, taking Camilla to the human kingdom was a risk.
Not only was her appearance striking, but her succubus nature could unintentionally charm men, which would draw unwanted attention and compromise our stealth mission.
But understanding it rationally and accepting it emotionally were two different things.
“I’ll talk to the Demon Lord. I can protect you.”
Camilla shook her head.
“No, I’m fine. Princess Ozma will need someone to attend to her while Lady Vanessa is away. I’ll volunteer for that role.”
“…Alright.”
She had already made up her mind.
There was no point in trying to persuade her. I respected her decision.
The delicious breakfast suddenly tasted bland.
Having lost my appetite, I pushed away my plate, only half-eaten.
Camilla took the tray and left the room.
I sat on the bed and touched the spot where she had been lying last night, a complex expression on my face.
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A few days had passed since Camilla had told me she wouldn’t be coming with me.
We had returned to our usual, professional relationship, as if nothing had happened.
It wasn’t a permanent separation. I just had to go to the Oz Kingdom and come back.
I wasn’t sure how long it would take, but I planned to finish the mission within six months. Otherwise, the new Hero would come after me.
The plan to assassinate King Oscar, with the full support of the Demon Lord, was finally taking shape.
The basic plan was this:
My elite unit, consisting of myself, Dorothea, and Vanessa, would infiltrate the Oz Kingdom.
Then, before spring, the Demon Lord’s army would declare war, drawing the kingdom’s forces to the border.
With the capital’s defenses weakened, we would infiltrate the royal castle.
We would assassinate the old fox, King Oscar, and then, from within, we would assist the Demon Lord’s army in taking the capital.
The success of this mission rested solely on my shoulders.
While the pressure was immense, I was confident I could succeed.
“Hey! Kaldrash!”
“Huh? Oh.”
Dorothea’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Throw me that broom.”
I grabbed the broom from beside the bench and threw it to her.
The broom, as if alive, flew to Dorothea.
She caught it and explained to Ozma,
“At a certain level, you can manipulate objects with mana alone. It requires a high degree of control, so it’s quite difficult for most.”
“…Like this?”
Ozma copied Dorothea’s actions perfectly.
Dorothea’s eyes widened in amazement.
So did mine.
It was the equivalent of manipulating objects in mid-air in a martial arts novel.
It required a deep understanding of mana, and Ozma was doing it as easily as breathing.
She’s become a monster.
Ozma, having become even more engrossed in magic after our trip to Dragon Mountain, had finally broken through to the fourth tier.
Mages who had spent their entire lives studying magic and still hadn’t reached the fourth tier would be furious.
Ozma’s talent was truly extraordinary.
The training session ended with everyone marveling at her incredible progress. Dorothea and I sighed, watching her leave.
“At this rate, she’ll reach the sixth tier next year.”
“No way. Even a genius can’t reach the sixth tier that quickly.”
It had taken me, a renowned genius, seven years, and Dorothea three. Our records were about to be broken.
“Hmm?”
We were having lunch, planning tomorrow’s training schedule, when a shadow fell over us.
Vanessa, in her usual full plate armor, was looking down at us.
“Kaldrash, the Demon Lord has summoned you.”
“Really?”
I was about to excuse myself when Vanessa gestured to Dorothea as well.
I finally understood.
There was only one reason why the three of us would be summoned together.
The preparations for our mission were complete.
I exchanged a meaningful glance with Dorothea and then followed Vanessa.
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Vanessa led us not to the office, but to the audience chamber.
It was an official summons. My suspicions were correct.
Vanessa, who usually seemed so carefree, was tense, her shoulders squared.
She walked with a determined stride, ignoring the greetings of the passing servants, and finally reached the entrance to the audience chamber. She turned to me.
“Kaldrash, I don’t know why you chose me.”
I was about to explain, but she continued,
“But I’ll prove to you that your choice was the right one.”
She smiled confidently and opened the massive doors to the audience chamber.
Creeeeak!
The doors swung open, revealing the Demon Lord, seated on his throne, with Seneca, the chief steward, standing beside him.
His vacation seemed to be over.
His Baphomet fur was sleek and glossy.
The three of us entered and knelt before the throne. The Demon Lord spoke, his voice stern and majestic.
“Patrasche, I have an order for you.”
“Your command, Demon Lord.”
The Demon Lord rose from his throne, his large cloak billowing, and extended his hand.
“Go to the human kingdom and kill their king, Oscar! And make the name of the Demon Lord’s army known throughout the world!”
“Yes, Demon Lord! Your will be done!”
I prostrated myself and shouted, my voice filled with determination.
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence filled the audience chamber.
I looked up, and the Demon Lord cleared his throat.
“Now, let’s go to the office and discuss the details over a cup of tea.”
“Shall we?”
I quickly stood up and brushed the dust off my clothes.
Dorothea, looking at me with a bewildered expression, asked,
“What was that all about?”
“Formalities. The court scribe has to record it.”
“Ah.”
Dorothea nodded, finally understanding.
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