Chapter 181: Desperate Measures

Rememver had been a broker for decades, since his youth, diligently building his authority and influence far beyond that of his peers.

Normally, a Duke’s request like this would be rejected by those higher up, even if a broker accepted it. But Rememver was different. He had the power to push through a rejected request at least once.

Instead of an outright refusal, Rememver posed a question.

“You mentioned the payment would be substantial.”

“Yes.”

“How much are we talking?”

Implicit agreement!

The biggest hurdle was cleared. Relief washed over the Duke, and a smile returned to his face.

“Everything the Dukedom possesses.”

“Are you serious?”

“Do you think I’d lie about something like this?”

He’d never been one to chase wealth, and besides, he had no heir to inherit his lands or title.

He had more than enough to last several lifetimes anyway. Why not just spend it all now? What happened after that was someone else’s problem. He’d been quite the catch in his day, but the reason he’d never married was simple: he didn’t want to share what was his.

‘Why worry about what happens after I’m gone? I’ll enjoy my wealth while I’m alive.’

No point holding back then.

Everything in the Dukedom was his, to do with as he pleased. It was his wealth, his to command.

Considering what he could gain by hiring mercenaries, this price was a necessary balancing of scales. In fact, it might not even be enough. But the fact that it was ‘everything’ the Dukedom owned certainly added weight to the offer. The old broker in front of him would consider it favorably.

And sure enough…

“Judging by the urgency, I gather you need assistance as quickly as possible…”

The response was encouraging.

“Deploying a force large enough to satisfy your needs is complicated, and the travel time alone makes short-term deployment difficult.”

…The news wasn’t exactly what he wanted to hear.

Where were the Demon King’s armies now? Every time he thought they’d finally slowed down, news would arrive that they’d already reached the next territory. They were surely closing in on the capital.

‘They seemed to be pushing forward relentlessly, barely stopping to rest. They were primarily using Demon Realm steeds, and treating human horses as disposable, seizing and replacing them as needed.’

Ten days, maybe less, until they arrived.

The Duke, having mentally calculated the timeframe, spoke with a hint of uncertainty.

“I need them here within a week at the absolute latest. Is that possible?”

“Considering the distance from Esperance, we’d need to send the request the moment we conclude this conversation. Up to a hundred mercenaries can be dispatched immediately, bypassing the usual red tape. How does that sound?”

“Of course, I’ll take it.”

“Keep in mind, though, that the larger the force, the slower their march will be.”

“You know more about this than I do. I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”

Rememver nodded, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

“I’ll send about seventy men to arrive within your timeframe initially, and then a larger contingent as a follow-up force. After all, you’re offering a family’s legacy, a lifetime’s worth, as payment. We can’t settle for just seventy mercenaries.”

Relief washed over the Duke. He leaned back in his chair, only to straighten up again at Rememver’s last words.

What he needed immediately was the force arriving within the week. He didn’t need a follow-up force just yet, but refusing it outright would be foolish.

The Duke spoke slowly.

“About that follow-up force…”

***

Now, only one thing remained.

He needed to buy time until the mercenaries arrived.

He couldn’t dismiss the possibility that the Demon King’s army would arrive sooner than anticipated. To buy even a little more time, the Duke considered how to slow their relentless advance.

…In fact, there was a way to do more than just slow them down. There was a way to turn the Demon King’s army back altogether.

He’d already tried it, of course, and failed.

‘Negotiate with the Demon King.’

If he could persuade the Demon King, the army would stop. Maybe, just maybe, he could even convince them to withdraw from the Human Realm entirely.

Fortunately, the Duke was the Demon King’s semi-contractor. He was in a unique position, not hostile at all, even friendly, and he could contact the Demon King with just a little magic.

He steeled his resolve and contacted the Demon King.

[Ah, no need.]

He was cut off before he could even speak.

[I don’t even need to hear it. You’re going to ask me to turn back the army, or at least slow them down, right? Either way, the answer’s no. So do whatever you want.]

[……]

The abrupt refusal left him momentarily speechless. But he couldn’t give up so easily. The Duke calmly considered his options.

‘With a response that firm, asking him to turn back the army is definitely out. Maybe asking him to just slow down has a chance of working.’

Slowing them down was his primary goal anyway. And being in this desperate situation, he had nothing to lose.

…He’d taken a gamble before, proposing a bet. That’s how he’d salvaged part of a contract that was about to fall apart.

If persuasion failed, he’d try a bet.

[I propose a wager.]

[Ah, no, not interested.]

[……!]

[Why bother with a bet when there’s something far more entertaining happening right now? I’m having plenty of fun as it is.]

…He’d forgotten.

The previous bet had worked because the Demon King was bored. But now? Ever since Deon Hart went to the Demon Realm, there was constant war, new events unfolding daily. A simple wager wouldn’t even register on his radar.

The Duke, out of options, had no choice but to break the connection.

The next idea that sprang to mind was Deon Hart, the very center of this war.

It was almost laughable. The very thing that had started Deon Hart’s miserable life – his bet with the Demon King – was now the reason Deon was fighting at the Demon King’s side, leading the charge.

He’d scoffed at the irony, yet hadn’t immediately seen the solution. His mind must have been too preoccupied. Chastising himself for his shortsightedness, the Duke felt a surge of certainty.

‘Deon Hart doesn’t know the truth.’

If he could just get this information to Deon, he could drive a wedge between him and the Demon King.

A faint smile played on his lips as he pulled the bell cord.

“Send for Sareen.”

***

The town was deserted again.

Did the Emperor really intend to just leave the path to the capital wide open? The man must have finally lost his mind.

Sunset was approaching. They’d have to stop here for the night. He was pushing himself to his limit as it was. Any further, and he’d likely collapse mid-ride.

“We’ll rest here for the night.”

Deon dismounted with a curt command. His thighs and backside ached, and he paused for a moment, but quickly masked his discomfort and started walking. Dan, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, fell into step beside him, a sly smile on his face.

“Going to scout around again?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Starting with the lord’s manor, naturally?”

“Naturally.”

“I’ll come along.”

Deon glanced sideways at him, then turned his gaze forward again. With this unspoken permission, Dan grinned and adjusted his pace to match Deon’s.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Fine.”

“I noticed you hesitated getting off your horse. You seemed to be getting stronger lately, but maybe not. Need a hand?”

“Get lost.”

Touch me and you’re dead.

They were still within sight of the demons, even if they were too far to hear their conversation. Deon couldn’t be seen accepting help. He straightened his posture and increased his pace.

When had they become so comfortable around each other? Dan, still smiling, hurried to catch up, then suddenly stopped, a chilling realization dawning on him.

‘Comfortable…?’

…Impossible.

Dan’s smile vanished.

Deon Hart, sensing the shift in atmosphere, turned his head, his crimson eyes fixing on Dan. Meeting that gaze triggered a chilling thought in Dan’s mind, and he faltered for a moment before forcing himself to look away, feigning nonchalance. Beneath the mask of calm, his hands clenched into fists behind his back.

‘…This is why Master kept such a strict distance from the demons.’

It wasn’t an overreaction at all.

He felt like he’d been slapped awake.

‘Spending every day face-to-face, serving him… it’s inevitable to form some kind of attachment.’

He’d grown attached. The unfamiliar phrase turned over in his mind.

He couldn’t deny that they’d become comfortable enough, familiar enough for him to tease Deon.

Even knowing Deon Hart was the ‘Disaster’, he’d pushed past that image, joking around, and Deon had played along. ‘Affection’ was a dangerous thing indeed.

“Something’s off. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Hmm…”

Crimson eyes narrowed, suspicion gleaming within them. Dan forced a casual smile.

‘It’s alright.’

He was still maintaining a proper emotional distance, wasn’t he? Hadn’t he told Deon in the secret passage? ‘I hate you.’ He still resented and hated him.

Deon was also his life’s goal, his guiding star, the subject of prophecy. That ‘good’ didn’t cancel out the ‘hate’, though. The two coexisted, forming that complex feeling – love-hate. ‘Affection’ must exist separately, too.

As long as the ‘hate’ remained, he could never fully like Deon Hart, never truly be comfortable around him.

Still, familiarity was a fact. Maybe he should create some distance, be more cautious from now on, just in case…

‘But that would just make things more awkward, more obvious.’

His attitude wouldn’t change who he served, or his duties. It didn’t matter.

A certain thought kept nagging at him, a persistent presence in the back of his mind. Dan deliberately ignored it, quickening his slightly lagging steps to close the small gap between them. Suspicious eyes immediately locked onto him, but he pretended not to notice.

How long had they been walking?

The lord’s manor, which had seemed like a toy in the distance, was now looming close. Suddenly, Deon froze in his tracks. Dan reacted instantly, hand flying to the hilt of his sword.

‘Presence…!’

Deon stared intently in one direction, unblinking.

Had someone stayed behind? The presence felt like only one person, not a group.

…Didn’t seem hostile, at least. Not a ‘Hero’, either. What could a single person possibly do?

‘And Dan’s on edge, so we’re covered.’

He relaxed slightly, maintaining a low level of alertness. Deon glanced up at Dan.

He’d developed a rabbit’s sensitivity to danger to survive, but this guy…

‘He’s become a real swordsman.’

When had he developed such a sharp sense for presences?

Just then, a ‘human’ stepped into view. He walked directly towards them, showing no hostility, ignoring Dan who looked ready to draw his sword, and offered something to Deon.

“What’s this…?”

“Please, take it.”

The familiar shape made Deon frown.

“A communication stone… no, a communicator? Who’s it from?”

“Please, just take it.”

“…”

“Please.”

He wasn’t going to answer any more questions.

Was he under some kind of spell?

Deon reached out and took the communicator. Only then, as if his task was complete, did the man utter a single phrase, like a parting greeting, and turn to leave.

“For salvation.”

“…”