The Prelude (9)

In retrospect, were there not anomalies?

The Demonic Tribe’s awareness of Freugne’s abilities dated further back than anticipated – prior to Antrim, and even before the white-suited Demon’s ominous visitation.

“Twice.”

“Twice?”

It originated from their encounter with the Demon at the burning factory ruins.

“Uncle must recall?”

“I do remember surveying our surroundings at the time.”

“Precisely. Right then, before Uncle entered through that door……”

“I vividly remember you sobbing.”

“Ah, we agreed not to revisit that topic!”

Putting aside how it constituted one of the few incidents prompting Freugne’s embarrassment,

what justification could a Demon infiltrating the city possibly have for addressing a destitute child laborer, if not an awareness of her abilities?

“In any case, it implies they were cognizant of your powers from that moment onwards.”

“And since the Dark Lord could not have physically manifested in Londinium, they must have accessed those memories through possessing that Demon.”

This explained why her involvement in a clandestine organization had remained undiscovered.

At that juncture, such plans were nonexistent. Of course, her recent mind-reading exposed this development.

This represented a critical, no – a paramount, concern.

The prospect of seizing victory hinged upon her foreknowledge. Lacking that advantage would render humanity’s forces and numbers severely outmatched against the Demonic Tribe.

And a future unknown to her alone could disintegrate into irrelevance at any moment.

“Yet there is one commonality between those two instances.”

“The Demonic aspect?”

“Correct.”

How often would an ordinary citizen randomly encounter a Demon roaming the city streets in broad daylight?

This would also explain why the Dark Lord had not attempted to access Freugne’s memories more extensively – the Demons likely lacked the capacity to operate freely within cities until recently.

“Indeed, some form of constraint seems apparent. Though its precise nature remains uncertain.”

“Yet not just any Demon would suffice, had you not encountered others?”

“Over a dozen in Antrim alone. I wonder if there was some common denominator among them……”

Thus far, at least.

But the future would diverge.

The time was approaching when human considerations would no longer warrant deference.

---

Organization members often led double lives, their days and nights contrasting starkly.

A seemingly ordinary entrepreneur by day, yet a clandestine shadow cabal operative by night – an irresistible allure for most.

And Sif proved no exception.

While her motivations differed from superficial grandeur, she remained diligently committed, reassured that her actions benefited the city.

Her primary duties involved maintaining discipline among Londinium’s organization members and occasionally apprehending the rare defector.

“I-I knew you were here!”

“So? What if I refuse to leave? My colleagues are en route, so fleeing now would be advisable for your well-being!”

“B-But, but……”

“Child, instead of loitering here, you’d be better served suckling at your mother’s teat.”

“If I burn this place down, will you emerge then…?”

“What…!”

And there was the task of capturing Demons lurking within the city.

Even dogs only venture halfway into homes to pilfer scraps.

Sif, with her unrestricted access to the organization’s personnel and resources, was in an entirely different league.

While her earlier ineptitude had necessitated group assaults akin to lynch mobs, she now seemed capable of solo Demon apprehensions, at least against the white-suited variety.

Consequently, the slums frequently lodged complaints about acrid odors or flickering nocturnal lights.

Yet Commissioner Balder, ever-capable in criminal apprehensions, exhibited a conspicuous indifference and procrastination regarding such incidents.

The result:

“Quite an impressive collection, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I’ve been diligent!”

“Well done, indeed.”

“Heheh……”

Freugne’s assessment as she surveyed the display cases housing the captive Demons.

Sif, treating it akin to a resume or portfolio, chuckled knowingly.

Had she showcased this during the impending war, the military would have undoubtedly recruited her on the spot.

Not an inaccurate assessment, though Sif’s paramount duty of safeguarding Londinium precluded direct frontline deployment.

These Demons, thoroughly interrogated following their initial capture, held little remaining value.

Like forgotten sandwiches consigned to the refrigerator with intentions of eventual consumption, only to be inevitably discarded.

“I’ve brought them. What shall we inquire?”

“Here is a list of queries. You shall assess their veracity in real-time.”

“Understood.”

After this long-overdue reunion with the subterranean prison’s inmates,

they spent an entire day and night interrogating the Demons about the Dark Lord, probing for any insights into mind control capabilities.

Maintaining a considerable distance in case of another mind-reading attempt, Freugne observed the entire process, yet yielded minimal substantive revelations.

It ultimately reprised previous fruitless endeavors. While prolonged incarceration had taken a mental toll, combing their recollections proved futile.

“The Demonic aspect seems the only definitive commonality. Beyond that, I cannot discern any patterns.”

“It seems your destiny precludes direct combat involvement.”

“Perhaps. Though by Uncle’s side, even the frontlines may pose no impediment.”

“Do not make such presumptuous remarks.”

As if chastising a naive child, Edan had raised his hand to ruffle her hair before retracting it.

A recent development, one which prompted a faint smile from Freugne – for she could readily discern his thought process.

---

Even so, time marched onward.

The organization members began departing for their respective assignments.

Ulr’s role entailed sharing battlefield intelligence and implementing Freugne’s real-time directives.

Mobilizing entire military forces seemed cumbersome, so having at least one deployable asset on the frontlines seemed prudent.

In eras when Lords still reigned, Kings held sway, and humans and Demons clashed with blades rather than firearms,

he could have donned armor and ventured to the Belfast Republic’s Demonic borderlands as a lone wandering knight.

Yet in this age of clearly delineated nation-states, such actions were untenable.

A civilian’s premature presence at the frontier prior to war’s commencement would brand him a spy, inviting swift execution.

Thus, the sole viable recourse for frontline involvement was military enlistment.

“So… Private Ulr?”

“Correct.”

This was the rationale behind Ulr’s decision to press the button transporting him to another world for five years, following Eryne’s footsteps.

Of course, the constraints of an entry-level rank proved ill-suited for his intended operations, so Freugne had subtly elevated his commission.

With judicious exploitation of loopholes, entirely legal avenues sufficed.

Had she employed her recently practiced skills in document reset and obfuscation – honed in anticipation of future applications with Edan – promoting Ulr to an officer’s rank, if not a senior one, would have been feasible.

Yet having navigated hierarchies but lacking substantive leadership experience, lofty expectations of Ulr would have been misguided.

Upon the arrival of this suspiciously dubious fresh recruit, the company commander pinched his brow in exasperation.

“In the military, we do not address superiors in such a manner. End your statements firmly, with ‘Sir.'”

“Very well, then.”

“With the appropriate deference owed to your superior officer.”

“Understood.”

“No, just… ugh, never mind. What am I even doing here?”

Upon this private’s arrival, the company’s seemingly immutable equipment had been replaced with state-of-the-art upgrades. Trucks provided by Ceres Martop began circulating within the unit – a remarkably fortuitous, if uncanny, coincidence.

One could attribute these developments to chance, for the word “coincidence” exists for a reason.

However, rumors also circulated about correspondence originating from the divisional commander, passing through higher echelons like a chain letter, before reaching the regimental and finally the company commander.

While unspoken directly, there seemed an underlying awareness of grander machinations afoot.

Rather than express disappointment, the company commander opted for resigned indifference – experience had taught him that prying only invited detriment in such situations.

“Just go unpack your belongings and… familiarize yourself with the surroundings, I suppose.”

“No specific assignment?”

“That tone, I beg you……. No, none as of yet.”

As recompense for his arduous career journey, Ulr relished this temporary respite.

And as if orchestrated, the unit naturally began receiving ample provisions and support.

Eryne, tasked with medical duties, minor administrative roles, and – in dire emergencies – combat assistance, found herself among their ranks.

‘Please ensure her safety.’

Undoubtedly, such an instruction to Ulr regarding Eryne had been issued.

For no matter the circumstances, a friend remained a friend.

---

Sif remained in Londinium.

The reason for her absence from the frontlines, where her prowess would have undoubtedly shone, was self-evident:

“When the war commences, Demons will infiltrate Londinium as well.”

“B-But if they access my memories…”

“Precisely. So you must protect me vigilantly. Can you manage that?”

“Yes!”

“I shall always place my trust in you.”

She was Freugne’s bodyguard.

While typically stationed by Edan’s side whenever feasible, his frequent visits to Ceres Martop precluded a permanent arrangement.

With these preparations complete,

all contingencies had been addressed, leaving only the actual combat operations.

“Now, we can only wait.”