Chapter 92: A Vacation That Isn’t

Why?

I stared intently at their faces. Unlike the typical Imperial citizens, their skin was slightly darker, and they wore an unfamiliar style of armor.

When was it… Ah, yes, I’d seen it during the Eight-Year War when we clashed with a kingdom in the south.

‘So, this place is indeed the south.’

Though I can’t be entirely certain yet.

With the idea that this was the south gaining ground, the rest naturally followed.

Of course, before fully committing to the hypothesis, there’s something to confirm.

Since the people before me wouldn’t be able to react immediately to whatever I said, I called out Develania without hesitation.

“Develania.”

“Yes?”

“Was this border discovered before or after the turn of the season?”

I knew demons referred to my arrival and departure periods as ‘seasons.’

Was the border discovered before I came to the Demon Realm, or after?

Her momentary hesitation vanished, and a knowing smile, impossible to decipher, appeared as she replied.

“It was before the turn of the season.”

They’ve hidden it for quite a while. When exactly were they planning to report it?

Regardless, the answer was clear.

The Empire is unaware that a border with the Demon Realm has appeared in the south. Conversely, judging by the knights present, the kingdom here definitely knows about the border’s existence.

In other words, this kingdom intentionally concealed the border’s existence.

The reason being…

‘The Empire’s situation hasn’t been good lately, has it?’

Constantly waging wars.

Given the circumstances, they were likely afraid to report it.

So, they’re giving us robes and money to keep us quiet and prevent any trouble.

Since I have no intention of causing trouble and only plan to observe quietly before returning, there shouldn’t be any issues.

I watched as Develania and Ben awkwardly put on their robes, then glanced down at the money pouch in my hand.

‘A nice little bonus.’

“Ah, and… just in case you don’t know…”

“…?”

“Things… aren’t stolen, but bought… with money.”

“…”

“…I thought you might not know since you’re… mercenaries who travel all over the continent… just, just in case…”

Even he seemed unconvinced by his own words, his voice gradually fading away.

I listened silently to his desperate explanation before calmly turning to look at Develania.

You little…

Just how much have you guys stolen?

…Let’s go back.

That was the conclusion I reached shortly after arriving at the market.

Where should I even begin? Right, even as we arrived at the market, I was preoccupied with how to handle this new information.

Important information that the Empire doesn’t know yet. Should I contact the Empire immediately, or pretend I don’t know?

Despite my deepening internal debate, the decision had already been made.

‘…I belong to the Demon Realm now.’

There’s no need to think about the Empire right now.

Demon Realm matters in the Demon Realm, and Empire matters in the Empire.

Just as I was reaffirming my decision and lifting my head, things went south.

What is a market? It’s a crowded place, isn’t it? A place where people bump into each other while walking.

However, what I hadn’t anticipated was how ridiculously weak this body is, and that I was surrounded by ticking time bombs.

Wham!

“Ugh-”

My body swayed violently.

Unlike a casual bump, this was a full-on collision. I was thrown backward, but Ben caught me before I could make a fool of myself. Still, I couldn’t stop the impact from forcing its way out.

Blood splattered onto the market floor.

“Ugh, cough, cough—”

“Oh, heavens! Are you alright?”

“You bastard!!”

Wait a minute, their roles are reversed. Why is Develania checking on me while Ben has the guy by the collar?

They both belatedly realized this and quickly switched places.

Ben hastily adjusted my posture to prevent blood from going down the wrong way, while Develania, having grabbed the guy’s collar, looked like she was contemplating how to dispose of a body.

Just when I thought we’d end up in a chase scene for murder, knights appeared.

“Daring to cause trouble in the middle of the market.”

Even though no one explained anything, they acted as if they knew everything.

Two knights grabbed the man’s arms.

“Wa, wait… what is…”

“Drag him away.”

“No, why are the Ro- Gack!”

“Too much talk.”

“Why are the royal knights here?!”

Guards! Call the guards!

I stared blankly as they were swiftly taken out of sight before forcing myself to look away.

It started ominously, but it’s probably just my imagination. Just a coincidence.

…Yeah, right. This was just the beginning.

“Wh-where are the guards and why are…!”

“Let’s go.”

“Save me! I won’t do it again!”

When we were almost pickpocketed.

“Please, sir! I was just trying to make a living!”

“Let’s go.”

“Sir! Sir!”

When the good fruit I’d picked out was almost swapped for inferior quality ones.

“Cough, cough!”

“What is this! Is it poison?!”

“Poison? Drag him…”

“No!”

I choked, you crazy bastards!

Given the situation, what choice did I have? We had to leave before causing more trouble.

Judging by the looks of it, the knights would likely follow us back. From their perspective, they were trying to stop the demons before they caused trouble, but to me, it felt like it was escalating things.

Amidst all this, I clutched the tea leaves I’d managed to get tightly and quietly called them over.

“Let’s head back.”

“Ah, already?”

“Yes, I’ve obtained all the necessary information.”

The tea leaves I held were Deosa tea leaves, which are hard to find even in other kingdoms, let alone the Empire, and are traded among nobles for exorbitant prices.

These were available at a relatively low price in the market. What does that mean?

‘Among the southern kingdoms, the one that would release such precious tea into the market…’

There’s only one kingdom I know of like that.

A small kingdom that makes its living by exporting tea leaves.

Taehon Kingdom.

“Sir… Den Merchant Guild contacted us again about the Deusa tea leaf distribution…”

“Ugh! I told you I wouldn’t do it! Why are those bastards so persistent?!”

“Since they’re a newly established trading company, they seem very enthusiastic. They really want to secure a distribution network.”

“Ha, fine, let’s see what kind of people they are. Tell them to come.”

It’s definite. Taehon Kingdom is the only kingdom where Deosa tea leaves would cause this kind of situation.

I glanced around the noisy space and looked at Develania. She must have sensed my desire to return, as she gave a small nod.

“If you are satisfied… then I shall guide you back.”

“Yes.”

Let’s go back quickly.

I pulled my hood down further and quickened my pace.

***

“…Therefore, after observation, it has been determined that the demon in the black robe is not the Commander of the 0th Legion.”

“Hmm…”

The King quietly touched his temples.

The news that the demon in the black robe wasn’t the most dangerous figure after the Demon King—the Commander of the 0th Legion—was welcome, but he still couldn’t bring himself to smile.

To cough up blood over something so trivial… yes, he certainly wasn’t the Commander of the 0th Legion.

“Then who on earth is he?”

“That is… unclear.”

A demon with a weak constitution whom the Commander of the 2nd Corps serves.

Who could such a demon possibly be? From the outset, the premise doesn’t make sense since the Demon Realm operates on the logic of strength.

If one is weak, the Commander of the 2nd Corps wouldn’t be serving them. Yet, the reporter clearly stated that the Commander of the 2nd Corps was ‘serving’ him.

No matter how much he pondered, an answer wouldn’t appear. In the end, the King, his nerves frayed and his eyes bloodshot, wearily rubbed around them and muttered in resignation.

“…Perhaps I should be satisfied that they returned without causing trouble.”

I hope they don’t cross over again.

He felt the increasing amount of hair falling out lately and could only sigh deeply.

“Maybe I should hold a shamanic ritual or something…”

***

Back in the city, urged by Ben’s cautious prompting, I contacted the Demon King directly.

Contrary to my worries, the Demon King didn’t punish Develania and Gaisitel for hiding the border’s existence. He simply brushed it off with a casual, ‘Is that so?’

His nonchalant reaction left me momentarily speechless, but I soon understood.

The Demon King is a firm believer in ‘results-oriented’ thinking.

Whatever you do, the result is all that matters.

They hid the border’s existence, but since no problems have arisen as a result, there’s no reason to punish them.

So, the Commander of the 9th Corps, who should be guarding the border, can return to the Demon King’s castle out of sheer boredom and stay put without any repercussions.

‘Though the moment trouble breaks out, the 9th Corps Commander’s head will be the first to roll.’

-Ah, and Demon, when you return, I’d like you to take the outskirts again…

“…Yes…yes?”

-Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to push yourself. I still remember that scene from last time. There were more than I anticipated. I’ll send the 5th Corps to meet you halfway for your return.

Just as I was about to agree, a sudden sense of unease made me stop.

‘The 5th Corps…?’

If it’s the 5th Corps… uh… could it be… him…?

…I think I know why he’s sending the 5th Corps specifically, out of all the legions stationed at the Demon King’s castle.

I hurriedly opened my mouth again.

I wanted to ask if he could send a different commander, but unfortunately, the Demon King was one step ahead.

-Then, farewell.

“…”

-Now I can finally have some peace and quiet.

Click. The connection was cut.

Unable to process the situation, I stood there dumbfounded before quietly clamping my hand over my mouth.

Gush, blood poured out.

“D-Demon-nim!!”

***

The Empire, in the midst of war, was flooded with new information daily.

For instance, several kingdoms had formed an alliance to oppose the Empire.

Or that the Imperial army’s advance in the east was halted by an epidemic and guerrilla warfare from one of the kingdoms, only to be thoroughly crushed by the second hero, Stigma Primiero, and his forces.

Or that in the west, the fourth hero, Cruel Hart, had declared checkmate against their enemies.

And news of Nemesius, the first hero who oversaw and spearheaded the southern advance from the Empire’s center, and so on….

Yes, as you might have gathered, the Empire was currently at war with multiple kingdoms simultaneously.

Each hero was responsible for a region, playing a game of territorial conquest with the various kingdoms. It was an insane undertaking, but unfortunately, it was reality.

The Emperor had long since completed most of the handover to the Crown Prince and had joined the battlefield with his sword in hand, unleashing the hero candidates—those who possessed fragments of the hero he had been gathering.

His efforts in gathering talent were not in vain. Surprisingly, the Empire was steadily expanding its territory even in the absurd situation of simultaneously fighting multiple kingdoms.

‘In two months, no, even one month, they might conquer half the continent.’

Silently setting aside the report he was reading, the Duke quietly steepled his fingers on his desk and fell into thought.

…Eventually, the board itself will be overturned. This game will also change from territorial conquest to something else.

What should I do then?

‘The cards I currently hold are…’

The Salvation Church and the worsening public opinion towards the Emperor, and the Revolutionary Army.

His purple eyes fell upon the paper on his desk detailing information about the Revolutionary Army. The Duke reached out and picked it up.

His indifferent gaze seemed to scan the words before contorting with annoyance.

Daniel, the leader of the Revolutionary Army who went to Ireon, had returned. And he even brought new forces with him.

‘It would be best if they simply followed my instructions.’

The Revolutionary Army doesn’t need to gain more power. They mustn’t.

The Revolutionary Army’s goal is to kill the Emperor, but all the Duke wants from them is to decrease the public’s support for the Emperor.

Anything more than that was something he wanted to prevent.

‘Having gained power, the Revolutionary Army will make a move. If they all act under Daniel’s command, they might actually kill the Emperor.’

The Duke’s expression hardened as he recalled their unusual leader.

The Emperor must not die by the hands of the Revolutionary Army.

The Revolutionary Army’s power must be reduced.

To do that…

His continuous train of thought stopped.

Lowering his gaze and reviewing the possibilities, he unclenched his steepled fingers and called for the woman who had been waiting on the side.

“Sareen.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Reduce the numbers of the Revolutionary Army. Sowing discord would be a good method. You may use the Emperor.”