Chapter 107: In Fact, They Knew

“The Demon King has declared war. War is inevitable.”

There’s no way to resolve this peacefully. The open space instantly buzzed with noise.

I understand. A war with the Demon Realm while already in conflict with other kingdoms. How will we replenish our lost troops and secure funding? And what about the morale of the soldiers, already worn down by successive wars?

‘Moreover, even if we manage to win the war against the Demon Realm, the other kingdoms won’t just sit back and watch as the Empire, with its dwindling strength, recovers.’

With relations with other kingdoms at their absolute worst, the Empire’s downfall seems inevitable.

Knowing they were on a path to ruin, the Emperor continued speaking calmly.

“Since we must focus on the Demon Realm, all internal conflicts within the Human Realm will cease entirely.”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but will the kingdoms currently at war with us simply accept that?”

“They have no choice. This Empire is the only nation in the Human Realm capable of facing the Demon Realm.”

The Emperor paused.

He stopped there, but I knew what he intended to add.

‘They will have to support the Empire.’

If the Empire falls, will the Demon Realm really stop there?

Of course not. If the Empire falls, the Human Realm will soon follow.

In this situation, the most significant expression of dissatisfaction from other kingdoms would probably be their refusal to support the Empire. Even that, they’d have to reconsider and actively support us if the situation became dire.

‘Still, there’s no need to fight the war with insufficient support from the beginning. That’s what he must have held back.’

There’s no need to unnecessarily upset the other kingdoms in the current situation.

The Emperor must have judged it that way.

‘But…’

His opinion is based on one assumption.

The assumption that no kingdom will side with the Demon Realm.

My head involuntarily tilted. I’ve seen plenty of human greed and selfishness during wars. Is there really no chance that a powerful figure with much to lose would side with the Demon Realm for their own safety?

‘The Demon King even accepted me, a human.’

That means he has no particular animosity or prejudice against humans. So, he’d probably choose to accept them rather than refuse.

The first time is the hardest; after that, it’s a game of reading the room. The powerful would rush to betray the Empire and offer their countries to the Demon King. What does race matter? What matters is their own safety.

‘Well, there’s no need to mention something that’s not even certain.’

It’s still far in the future. I don’t want to earn anyone’s displeasure by speaking unprompted.

Forget it. I never had those thoughts. I buried the thoughts that surfaced and looked at the Emperor with a calm face. He was reiterating his point.

“So, be aware. From now on…”

!

A metallic scent of blood brushed past my nose.

This wasn’t the smell of blood from a monster killed some time ago; it was the raw stench of fresh blood.

Damn it. What’s happening now? Just as I froze, about to turn around, a refined voice spoke from directly behind me.

“It seems I’ve mistimed my arrival.”

Would you mind stepping aside for a moment?

Huh? Oh, sure. The owner of the voice, a perfect example of aristocratic speech, gently pushed me aside and passed. The thick stench of blood lingered in his wake.

Carrying a wooden box stained with blood in one hand, he walked with measured steps, neither fast nor slow, and stopped before the Emperor. His head was held high, meeting the Emperor’s gaze without a hint of subservience.

“….”

“….”

After a silence that felt like an eternity, he slowly bent one knee. He placed the blood-soaked wooden box beside him and bowed his head.

Green hair flowed down with his movement, and that refined voice spoke again.

“Glory to the Empire. I, Stigma Primiero, greet the current Empire.”

Stigma Primiero. The Empire’s second hero.

Even if he’s a hero, coming in reeking of blood like this is too much. Can’t he see the nobles around him are frozen stiff?

…Though his attire is strangely immaculate.

‘More than that, I have this odd sense of déjà vu… It must be my imagination.’

It feels like I’ve experienced a similar situation with different players and setting, but it must be my imagination. Let’s ignore it.

“Rise. What is that box beside you?”

“Due to circumstances, I couldn’t participate in the hunting competition, so I prepared this as an apology… but considering the unfortunate timing, I don’t think I can present it.”

“State its contents.”

“The enemy commander’s head.”

Oh… He brought the enemy commander’s head just as the declaration to cease internal wars was made.

But it’s not Stigma’s fault. How could he have known? The Emperor’s words will be known from today onward, so as of now, he has simply carried out his duty diligently.

The Emperor was silent for a moment before gesturing to a nearby servant. Stigma readily handed the box to the approaching servant, who then received it from Stigma, and the Emperor opened the lid.

The scent of blood carried on the breeze grew stronger.

“…Well done.”

The Emperor’s reply, showing his appreciation for the hero, was as expected.

Stigma, as if he had expected it too, bowed his head lightly in thanks. The Emperor, after handing the box back to the servant, took a step forward.

“Orders will be issued soon. The internal conflicts within the Human Realm will cease, and preparations for the war with the Demon Realm will begin. Prepare yourselves.”

As Stigma quietly retreated, he asked a nearby noble who had won the hunting competition. Despite their trembling, they dutifully answered, and Stigma’s eyes widened slightly before he offered an elegant smile.

And so, the official monster hunting winner was Deon Hart, and the unofficial human hunting winner was Stigma Primiero. The hunting competition came to an end.

…If only.

The hunting competition ended, but it wasn’t over. What does that mean? It means I can’t go home, damn it.

Traditionally, after the hunting competition hosted by the Imperial Palace concludes, a social gathering serving as an after-party is held. I’d rather be stuck at the banquet than be unable to go home like this.

“I heard there was an incident. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

I’m fine, so please let me go now.

The Emperor, as soon as he declared the end of the hunting competition, grabbed me and led me to a quiet forest.

Well, he didn’t exactly drag me, but as far as I was concerned, it was the same thing.

[Wouldn’t you like to take a walk with Us?]

Who would dare refuse when the Emperor himself makes such a suggestion?

With a dismal heart, I followed him for a long time. Finally, his lips, which had remained sealed, parted, and he spoke about the commotion during the hunting competition and inquired about my well-being.

“I’m relieved you’re alright, but since an issue arose during a competition hosted by the Imperial Family, We must take responsibility. We will add an extra sum to the reward money sent to your mansion.”

I could sense him trying to settle things with money, but I went along with it.

Even if I were to state what I truly desired, he wouldn’t grant it. Besides that, there’s nothing else I particularly want.

“Thank you.”

“And… the plant-type monster you captured.”

I flinched slightly at this.

Could the Emperor have heard that ridiculous rumor? It hasn’t been spreading for long, and the Emperor hasn’t been here for long either. I want to hold onto that hope, however slim.

But of course, that’s impossible. Knowing the Emperor’s intelligence network, I immediately discarded that faint hope.

‘Is he going to be suspicious?’

If it’s the Emperor, he might suspect something.

But I really didn’t control it. …Though I did end up bringing it along.

“We will send people soon. I would like you to assist in documenting its attack methods and responses.”

“Understood.”

Seemingly satisfied, he let out a languid sigh and fidgeted with the back of his left hand. My eyes fell on the gloved hand.

Now that I think about it, that’s odd. I remember the Emperor not usually wearing gloves. He disliked them, saying they dulled the sensation in his fingertips when wielding a sword.

As I was tilting my head in confusion, the Emperor quietly spoke my name.

***

“Deon Hart.”

As if sensing that he was moving on to an important topic, his demeanor shifted.

His crimson eyes revealed a weighty presence as he silently stared at me. As always, his ability to discern ‘which one’ should listen to the conversation is truly top-notch.

‘No, in this case, should I consider it as dividing what to hear and remember?’

But he can’t keep doing that forever.

That’s not important right now anyway. The Emperor, meeting Deon Hart’s gaze, opened his mouth leisurely.

“You will also be participating in this war.”

He left him beside the Demon King during the wars within the Human Realm, but not this time.

Deon Hart must wield his sword and deal with the Demon King’s army. Perhaps he might even stand on the Demon King’s side and cut down the Imperial army.

“So, I think it’s time we made things clear.”

One step. He closed the remaining distance and placed his hand on my shoulder. The moment to confront what everyone had been tacitly ignoring had arrived.

The Emperor.

Knows that Deon Hart is neutral.

The Demon King probably knows this as well. That’s why Deon Hart has been able to survive until now.

The subtle power struggle between the Demon King and the Emperor with Deon Hart in the middle. The unspoken rules formed from that were truly bizarre.

[Do not suppress Deon Hart.]

Do not keep him in a position below his ability out of concern for information leaks.

Similarly, do not detain Deon Hart if he attempts to go to the opposing side.

Placing Deon Hart in a position befitting his abilities while preventing him from accessing classified information is also a ruler’s capability. Moreover, he answers truthfully when asked, so there’s no need for torture.

The game played under these rules was quite intriguing.

[Who can utilize Deon Hart more effectively.]

[Who can draw Deon Hart in first.]

[If Deon Hart chooses a side, how quickly will the other side realize this and take action.]

In the third scenario, Deon Hart would also be actively participating in the game. The stakes would be his own life.

So, I understand why he desperately tries to maintain neutrality.

“You are human.”

Now that the situation has escalated this far, he can no longer wait.

“You were born and raised here, and all your foundations are here. If you were born under the sun, there must be a reason. You can’t spend your whole life in a place where the sun doesn’t exist just because you’re weak to sunlight.”

“……”

“Stay here.”

The curse will disappear once we kill the Demon King.

The voice that spoke those words was surprisingly gentle.

The one responsible for this entire situation merely looked up at the Emperor with inscrutable red eyes.

Deon Hart.

Knows that the Emperor and the Demon King won’t kill him because he is neutral.

He deliberately intended it. It was to survive.

If he refused the Demon King’s offer to join his army, he would die. But he also couldn’t betray the Emperor and side with the Demon King. He had things he needed to do back here.

So, he became completely neutral.

If someone wields a sword and hurts another person, you blame the ‘someone’ wielding the sword, not the ‘sword’ itself. Similarly, no fool would get angry at the ‘sword for betraying them’ if their opponent takes their sword and cuts them down.

Deon became the ‘sword’.

‘Does a sword have an owner? The one who holds it is the owner.’

Initially, the two rulers had no way of knowing his true intentions. But when Deon crossed between both sides’ camps once more, they quickly realized the situation.

There was no clear evidence, but I’m certain. At that time, the Demon King looked at me with an intrigued gaze and curled his eyes into a smile, and the Emperor looked at me strangely before letting out a disdainful laugh.

They must have felt betrayed. But I was too valuable to kill.

He isn’t on my side, but he isn’t on the opponent’s side either. He doesn’t volunteer information, but he answers truthfully when asked. He doesn’t take initiative, but he follows orders faithfully. And though there’s a slight misunderstanding, his skills are excellent.

If he can be brought over, he will become a useful card.

And so, under the tacit agreement of the two rulers, Deon Hart was able to oversee the game with himself as the prize.

‘The participants are the Demon King and the Emperor.’

‘The facilitator is Deon Hart.’

‘The prize is also Deon Hart.’

‘The prospective participant is also Deon Hart.’