The Assassination War (2)

Even from this singular war, the world was venturing into uncharted territories.

Aside from the casualties among soldiers and the abruptly bloated munitions industry – aspects directly associated with warfare – the most pronounced contrast compared to pre-war conditions manifested here:

“Victory! A resounding triumph, Commander!”

“Do not exult excessively. We have merely regained a modest portion of our territory, have we not? Hubris now could replicate our plight from the war’s outset.”

“Not only did we repel the Demons, but we’ve captured numerous prisoners too! What shall we do with them?”

“What else but isolate them where their mental powers cannot function? Have only those donning protective gear assume guard duties. Surely you haven’t simply lined them outside haphazardly?”

“Of course, those measures are already in place! However…”

“Yes?”

“We are uncertain how to adequately accommodate them – their meals, lodgings, and overall treatment.”

Naturally, protocols for handling Demonic prisoners did not exist.

Strictly speaking, even versions from the previous war should have remained, but those would now exceed a century in age – far too antiquated to maintain after such profound global shifts.

The very department overseeing Demonic captives had failed to endure the march of time, ceasing to exist entirely.

While occasionally apprehended Demonic spies fell under police jurisdiction, indiscriminately applying that framework to the current influx proved impractical.

Victory remained achievable. The potential had been amply demonstrated.

The officer corps Freugne had comprehensively reshuffled understood that their benefactor abhorred Korean radish soups, yet their triumphs thus far instilled confidence in ultimate success.

“Let us press onwards to their capital! Wouldn’t it sting if Belfast’s banner fluttered atop the Dark Citadel rather than our own? Shall we hasten our pace?”

“It seems premature to broach such matters, but very well!”

“Excellent. Then we shall be the first to tread upon Demonic soil!”

“Agreed!”

“And utterly eradicate every last Demon from these lands!”

“…Agreed?”

Yet contemplating the extermination of the final Demon prompted reluctant head-shaking.

This war required decisive resolution benefiting humanity.

Given time after weathering this crisis, the human-Demonic disparity would inevitably diminish, negating any urgency.

“So shall we slaughter them all? They did intend our demise, after all.”

“Well, having captured them as prisoners already renders that somewhat… No, what of our own captured then?”

“…You have a point.”

Indiscriminate executions ultimately proved untenable – not just ethically dubious, but impractical too.

While their prolonged divergence impaired linguistic fluency, both humans and Demons undoubtedly possessed codebreaking talents vital for deciphering operations and strategies.

And with scant amusement in dreary, malodorous camps, recreational options remained scant.

“Now repeat after me. ‘Ga.'”

“Ah.”

“Again. ‘Ga.'”

“Ga.”

“Good, then string together the characters I taught earlier. Combine them, ready, begin?”

“Ggugga-ga.”

“Krhehehe-heck!!”

Thus motivated by curiosity or sheer ennui, they tentatively acquired rudimentary communication through trial-and-error mimicry.

And to Freugne’s estimations, this evolution bore benign implications.

‘With no new materials emerging, isn’t it akin to the nearly extinct historical study of Demonology?’ she remarked, reviving that moribund academic niche.

Adhering to the adage ‘knowledge dispels fear,’ Freugne, having gained intimate Demonic familiarity herself, commissioned even obscure armchair scholars versed in the subject, however leisurely.

“So, are the camps habitable?”

“Gyaaaack! Kyaaaaack!!”

“Human…? Enemy…?”

“Hmph! Better to slay me. I shall die preserving my devotion to the Dark Lord.”

“Still deluded by medieval mentalities, I see. When was this one captured?”

“A fresh specimen from the latest battle, approximately four days ago.”

“Then the Demonic indoctrination hasn’t fully dissipated yet. Any more compliant ones?”

“Ah, we’ve segregated those into separate quarters. Allow me to escort you there.”

Perhaps regaining lucidity upon the cold floor’s jolting impact, those briefly separated from the frontlines proved more communicative.

Devoid of their earlier battlefield frenzy, having donned psychic wards significantly dampened their belligerence, some readily cooperated with offers of warm hot chocolate and meaty rations.

“You’re honestly providing these?”

“As I stated. Were you deceived previously?”

“Deceived into enlisting. They claimed monetary compensation for remaining families if serving as soldiers, yet continuously deferred until days ago.”

“Regardless, we operate differently. Meals are being prepared next door, so let us proceed swiftly.”

“Very well, what would you like to know?”

“Everything regarding the Dark Lord, no detail too trivial.”

“The Dark Lord, you ask…?”

Yet their subsequent dialogues revealed:

“…That’s all I know, truthfully.”

“Truly? But is he not your sovereign?”

“A sovereign you’ve likely never met either, akin to your Prime Minister. It’s comparable.”

“No, I sense some misunderstanding here. This is utterly terra incognita. Do you not know his name or enacted policies?”

“What do you expect from a lowly grunt like me?”

“Honestly, how are we to proceed…”

Yet one aspect remained certain.

“You claim I was indoctrinated?”

“You were still unaware?”

“No, I’d have noticed any overt mind magic applications.”

“Well, a mere week’s isolation has clearly mellowed you. Does the effect dissipate over time when separated from other Demons?”

The Dark Lord’s dominion evidently rested on far more tenuous foundations than anticipated.

---

Warfare, unlike chess, does not culminate instantly upon slaying the king.

One could only hope the enemy does not stubbornly fight to the last breath while fueled by sheer tenacity – a sub-optimal but not inconceivable scenario.

Here, however, the dynamic differed.

The Dark Lord’s demise signified the Demons’ immediate fracturing, while Freugne’s death directly precipitated humanity’s extinction.

Hence:

“You infiltrated the capital solely to slay two humans?”

“Not merely two. The Dark Lord himself decreed them our paramount adversaries. Do not underestimate them as ordinary humans.”

“Regardless, are we not all composed of flesh? A single nocturnal bludgeoning would suffice, would it not?”

“Or perhaps abducting the Prime Minister as a warning–”

“If so confident, then by all means, attempt it.”

Amidst such banter, they had likely established a Londinium foothold by now.

Freugne had extensively deliberated how to respond to Demonic strikes.

However, once situations actually unfolded, her schedule had already become rather packed.

Venturing to the markets, she narrowly averted a Demonic abduction attempt, only evading it through Edan’s timely intervention.

A midnight intruder brandished a blade.

Yet Sithe, roused from her slumbers, swiftly assessed and neutralized the threat.

While leisurely resting, arsonists attempted immolating her residence.

Rapidly responding firefighters managed containment, leaving the abode severely scorched but preserving their lives.

The noteworthy aspect was not their survival per se, but the Dark Lord’s relentless, indiscriminate escalation to defy Freugne’s precognitive predictions.

Initially, she had endeavored to accommodate their approaches somewhat.

Yet witnessing an infiltrator, whose very entry into Londinium defied explanation, inflict a gash upon Edan’s face prompted a change of heart.

While typically unperturbed by challengers, directly confronting Demons at this juncture proved excessively hazardous due to the overwhelming variables inherent to actual combat.

Certain Demons, though she remained uncertain which specifically, could seemingly access her memories upon contact.

Revealing the overarching stratagem formulated in her mind could jeopardize the frontline’s incremental advances.

Moreover, each failed attempt escalated their subsequent tactics.

“A duo of Demons are slated to assault us in a few days.”

“How formidable are they?”

“Truthfully, merely foreknowing the attack itself should suffice for me to neutralize them without requiring Sithe’s involvement.”

Yet this assessment derived solely from her perceived futures.

No guarantees precluded unforeseen contingencies they dared not unveil, while her envisioned victory could have resulted from sheer fortune.

The potential losses far outstripped any prospective gains.

“Nonetheless, avoidance seems prudent if feasible.”

“But the Demons will still roam the city meanwhile.”

“They can be apprehended later. Unforeseeable variables could emerge from direct confrontations.”

Freugne boldly opted for a no-show.

Consequently, the Demons’ viable recourses dwindled precipitously:

One, somehow penetrating the oversight seemingly glimpsing their futures.

Two, if directly targeting Edan or Freugne proved unviable, conducting supplementary maneuvers against peripheral affiliates instead.

Having infiltrated Londinium, they could not entertain fruitless persistence courting capture.

The Demons willingly embraced the latter option.