Chapter 38: Solo Mission

The season was already racing towards the end of autumn.

That meant the Winter General had made a bold advance into the Vulcan Mountains.

The flow of time is truly ephemeral.

It had already been nearly three weeks since I was dispatched to the Eastern Front at the Demon King-nim’s request.

As the cool breeze gradually began to turn chilly, the trees of the Vulcan Mountains here started revealing their bare branches one by one.

Is it true that humans are animals of adaptation?

Although the land felt so unfamiliar and uncomfortable at first, it now felt somewhat livable in its own way.

Excluding the first week spent fighting night battles to capture the Hamburg Fortress, I had spent most of my time here idly.

Perhaps due to the aftermath of the previous battle still lingering, there were many large and small magic circles engraved on the castle walls elsewhere that needed repair. Since the Commander-in-Chief, Dorothea, couldn’t supervise the site every day, I, known as the most competent mage after her, was put in charge of leading the mage corps.

Among the demons, there were particularly many mages from the Imp tribe. Imps, who inherently knew how to resonate with mana, possessed higher average magic skills, which greatly aided in the fortress repairs.

However, due to their peculiar way of speaking, communication problems sometimes arose. In those cases, Camilla always translated into standard language, allowing us to resolve the issues somehow.

“In two weeks, I plan to send back all troops except the minimum necessary to defend the fortress. After all, it’s been quite a while since they left home, so their families must be worried.”

Dorothea, who had unexceptionally called me over again today as a drinking partner, spoke while sipping the whiskey in her ice-filled glass.

Sitting opposite her, I asked while picking at the fruit appetizer on the table.

“The fortress seems to be entering a stable phase soon, doesn’t it?”

Dorothea replied with a slight chuckle, her face flushed, perhaps from the alcohol.

“You and I have been working non-stop these past few weeks. If we couldn’t even sort this out after working that hard, I’d have to step down from my position as Commander-in-Chief.”

Saying that, she placed her glass on the table and asked with a serious expression.

“I’m thinking of entrusting you with the role of leading the soldiers then. Can you handle it?”

I nodded without much thought to Dorothea’s proposal.

“If they want to go home, they’ll follow obediently, won’t they?”

In the first place, no matter how tough the demon soldiers are, I’ve completed mandatory military service twice.

I knew far too well the legal ways to discipline unruly soldiers.

“Anyway, that means there are two weeks left until I return to the Demon King’s Castle.”

“That’s right.”

“When are you returning to the Demon King’s Castle?”

Perhaps misinterpreting the intention behind my question, Dorothea asked playfully with a wide grin.

“Why, don’t you want to part ways with me?”

“No, it’s not exactly that. I was just wondering if Commanders-in-Chief don’t get vacations, even with soldiers around.”

When winter arrives, humans and demons essentially enter a temporary truce.

Armies are inherently like money-devouring hippos; money is spent just by breathing. Especially during winter, when supplies are abundant, soldiers are often sent back to their hometowns to save on maintenance costs.

Then, they are conscripted again when spring comes.

‘Did you rest well during the winter?’

Hearing my explanation, Dorothea pouted as if disappointed, but since she knew I meant no harm, she soon answered earnestly.

“My term as Commander-in-Chief is one year. Since it’s October now, my assignment will be terminated in about two more months. After that, I’ll return to the Demon King’s Castle and wait for my next posting.”

“Are the commanders here usually changed frequently?”

“No, not really. I just felt it was better to gain experience on the front lines rather than keep getting beaten by you, so I applied for a short-term assignment. Usually, people hold this position for several years.”

In other words, it meant that I was partly responsible for Dorothea being assigned as Commander-in-Chief to the Eastern Front.

‘Hmm. Did I push her that hard?’

Reflecting on my past actions anew, I reconfirmed with Dorothea.

“So, capturing the Hamburg Fortress this time will be reflected in your achievements, right?”

“Wouldn’t that be the case? I haven’t had any particular achievements since being appointed Commander-in-Chief.”

“Then I have a good proposal, would you like to hear it?”

“What is it?”

I subtly took out a letter envelope from my inner pocket.

“Actually, I have something that might be helpful to you.”

When I said that, Dorothea reached out with an interested expression.

“What is it?”

I handed the letter I was holding to Dorothea with a grin.

“It’s a copy of a handwritten letter written by Rachel von Hamburg, the daughter of the Hamburg Margrave.”

The original had already burned and disappeared, but this letter perfectly replicated even her minor quirks.

Dorothea scanned the contents of the letter with an intensity as if she could devour it.

And then, perhaps thinking the same thing as me, she curled the corners of her lips upwards.

“Certainly, this might make it possible.”

“Instead of handing this over, I have one condition.”

“…What is it?”

Dorothea looked worried, as if I might demand something unreasonable using this as leverage, but unfortunately, I had no intention of making such a request.

“That you’ll acknowledge me even after returning to the Demon King’s Castle; that’s my condition.”

“That’s all it takes?”

“What do you mean ‘just that’? If it becomes known that I’m on good terms with one of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings, won’t that reduce the suspicious glances directed at me?”

I betrayed the Hero right before assassinating the Demon King and joined the Demon King’s army.

No matter how much Demon King Nero guarantees my identity, this fact will follow me like a tag. And among them, there will surely be individuals who think I might betray them again.

Being on friendly terms with Dorothea, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, would serve as a safety measure to avoid such unnecessary suspicions.

After all, people can’t easily criticize someone whose identity is vouched for by not only the Demon King but also a Four Heavenly King.

Dorothea seemed to understand after hearing my explanation, but then asked with a belatedly worried voice.

“But according to this letter, you have to deliver it directly to the Hamburg Margrave yourself. Are you okay? If they find out you defected to the Demon King’s army, they’ll try to kill you one way or another.”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“Do I look like someone who would just die obediently if you tried to kill me?”

“…If that’s the case, then I’m relieved.”

“Were you perhaps worried about me?”

“I-It’s not like that at all!”

Dorothea exclaimed that and blushed.

She’s truly easy to read.

Although she usually had a somewhat prickly side, like a cat, she tended to treat people comfortably once she got closer.

I chuckled, teasing her, then spoke with a serious expression belatedly.

“First, I plan to go deliver the letter tomorrow, right away. I originally intended to take more time, but with only two weeks left until my return to the Demon King’s Castle, I feel the need to hurry a bit.”

Perhaps knowing she couldn’t stop me, Dorothea nodded with a wry smile.

“If you need anything, just say the word. I’ll have Eva prepare it for you.”

I decided not to refuse her kindness.

“Then, I’d like a horse that can get me to the Count’s territory, three days’ worth of preserved rations, and a few magic stones.”

“Is that all you need?”

“If I run out midway, I can just buy more with money once I reach the Count’s territory. Since no one knows I’m Kaldraash, the Archmage of the Hero’s party.”

Unless I walked around with my name written on my face, in this otherworld where information media is underdeveloped, there was no way to recognize a complete stranger at a glance based solely on rumors.

The Hero at least has the Excalibur, his trademark holy sword, but without my staff, there’s no way ordinary people would know that I, a mere blond delinquent, am the Archmage Kaldraash.

Once the topic of the letter concluded, Dorothea sighed deeply with a displeased expression and said.

“I’m saying this again, don’t push yourself too hard. If the operation seems likely to fail, just run. I won’t say anything.”

Her openly showing concern now felt so foreign, it made me wonder if this was really the Dorothea I knew.

Perhaps it was because we’d been having sex whenever we had free time over the past three weeks, but her attitude towards me had become considerably more amicable compared to when we first met.

Perhaps knowing this herself, she didn’t bother with any cheesy words.

I stared intently at Dorothea’s face without a word, then said calmly.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

Saying that, I gently stroked her softly swaying red hair.