Chapter 46: Grace Period

I learned that the Hamburg Margrave had been found dead from the spy I’d planted in the city, two days after I returned to the fortress.

Naturally, the ruler of a city had suddenly led his soldiers out for training from the morning, only for all contact to be lost. So, the next day, a search party was immediately formed, and while tracking the remaining soldiers’ movements in the snow, they discovered a devastated valley with about 100 corpses buried in the snow.

Well, I didn’t intentionally mutilate the corpses when I fought, but the number of cleanly dead bodies would probably be countable on one’s fingers.

Most of them were probably torn limb from limb by the wind or died from electrocution by lightning.

The ones whose bodies were relatively intact, as far as I remember, were only the 10 I killed last.

In the case of the Margrave, I thought bringing his head as evidence would be a bit much, so I brought back a diamond ring worth tens of carats, which seemed to be the head of the family’s token, as loot instead.

They’ve probably realized that by now and are raising hell.

Because even for me, who lacks an aesthetic sense, it looks like a very expensive item.

Well, it’s none of my business, though.

“Heeheehee♪”

Thanks to me successfully completing my solo mission, Dorothea had been in a good mood for the past few days.

That’s because a subordinate’s achievement is soon the superior’s achievement.

She hadn’t achieved much despite being appointed nearly a year ago, but then she achieved big things consecutively in the final stretch, so it’s natural she’d be in a good mood.

Moreover, the achievements were conquering a fortress that no one had captured in 100 years and assassinating the Hamburg Margrave of the time, so she had reason to puff out her chest.

While making necessary items for the fortress using alchemy, I was suddenly summoned to the office, and I asked Dorothea, who was humming a tune.

“What did you summon me for?”

Dorothea then took her eyes off the documents and asked me.

“Don’t you have any desired reward or anything?”

“A reward?”

“No, you made a great contribution this time. So, I thought I’d offer whatever I can within my capabilities.”

“Ah, so that’s what you meant.”

Only then did I understand what Dorothea was talking about and awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

It’s because I didn’t do it specifically expecting compensation.

“If you want it, I can provide money or items. I’ll give Eva a heads-up.”

Since I didn’t have anything particular in mind, I intended to ask for it later, but then one fact occurred to me.

“Perhaps an erotic book… No, never mind. Cancel that.”

Asking for an erotic book as a reward seemed a bit crazy, even before considering if it made sense.

I regret not thinking to get one when I went to Hamburg, but I was too tired.

But perhaps because words spoken cannot be taken back, Dorothea made a strange expression at the mention of ‘erotic book’.

“Do you have a backlog? You’ve been busy lately, but if you had told me, I could have given you some time off anytime.”

“No, it’s not like that. There are circumstances behind this.”

Although I hadn’t done ‘it’ even once this week, I wasn’t so starved for it that I’d bring it up first.

Because Dorothea might misunderstand, I told her about Camilla.

In short, it was that I needed teaching materials for her sex education for various reasons.

Then Dorothea tilted her head as if she’d heard something strange.

“Does erotic stuff require studying? You can just learn through practical experience.”

It was truly sensible advice, but unfortunately, Camilla, the personal maid assigned by the Demon King-nim, was not the type of woman common sense applied to.

“Anyway, so I’ll keep the wish for now. I still have about a week left before I have to return to the Demon King’s Castle anyway. I’ll think about it slowly.”

After saying that evasively, I was about to leave Dorothea’s office when I suddenly remembered the ring in my pocket.

“Ah, I forgot to give you this.”

“Give me what?”

“No, it’s something I kept as loot after killing the Hamburg Margrave, but I forgot to report it.”

Saying that, I took out the diamond ring from my robe pocket and handed it over.

It was a ring made from a raw stone mined in the Vulcan Mountains, and the large diamond, symbolizing eternity and hardness, was practically the emblem of the Hamburg Count family, the shield of the kingdom.

Perhaps because Dorothea knew that fact too, she looked curiously at the diamond ring I handed over, then her face lit up as if she suddenly realized something.

“Perhaps, this doesn’t mean… that, right?”

“It doesn’t, so don’t worry.”

Could she really think I was proposing indirectly?

As I laughed absurdly and said that, Dorothea, with an awkward expression, said ‘If not, then whatever,’ but still showed strong interest in the diamond ring.

“Since I only need to write the report to submit to the Demon King’s Castle anyway, why don’t you just take it if you want it? As Commander-in-Chief, you have that much authority, right?”

“W-well, maybe?”

Seeing as she clearly wanted it, I subtly probed, and Dorothea happily tried putting the diamond ring on her finger.

Then, perhaps because a special magic was cast on it, the ring’s band shrank to fit her finger size.

Seeing Dorothea, who doesn’t seem to have much interest in jewelry, show this much interest, it must certainly be pretty.

I barely even wear bracelets because they’re cumbersome.

Anyway, since my business was truly finished with this, I said I would be leaving now and exited Dorothea’s office.

Perhaps because a month had already passed since its capture, the Hamburg Fortress, which had been humanity’s shield, was now colored with the hues of the Demon King’s army.

As I walk around the fortress, demon soldiers who recognize me greet me warmly.

My identity is still kept secret, so I wear a dog-shaped mask, but it seems that feature has actually made it easier for them to remember my name.

As expected from demons who fundamentally respect the strong, perhaps because I proved my strength suitable for my position, there were no cases of them acting territorial or ignoring me as an outsider, which was nice.

Well, perhaps it’s also because if they openly disrespect me and get their skulls split open, it’s their own responsibility.

I led the Imps, who were following me closely asking me to teach them magic, like the Pied Piper, and then dispersed them by sharing the snacks in my pocket.

Imps are persistent and malicious when fighting, but normally, they’re just mischievous kids.

After leaving the residence, I finally arrived at my quarters about 10 minutes later.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back.”

As I entered the quarters after greeting her, Camilla welcomed me back, looking as proper as ever.

I took off my coat, handed it to her, and asked.

“What’s for dinner tonight?”

“It’s a potato omelet served with potato stew.”

“…Potatoes again today?”

“There are still a lot of potatoes supplied as food rations left. I tried increasing the number of dishes to consume them as much as possible.”

“I want meat and vegetables.”

“Don’t worry. Bacon is included as a secondary ingredient without fail. And potatoes are vegetables, clearly.”

“…….”

Come to think of it, it wasn’t wrong, so I couldn’t argue.

After changing clothes in the room, I warmed the solidly frozen water using Hwajopungwol due to the severe cold weather, and washed my face with it.

Ideally, I wanted to fill the bathtub with hot water and take a bath, but I planned to do that before sleeping.

Heading to the kitchen to eat, the freshly made potato stew and potato omelet were placed on the dining table.

Although I complained earlier, Camilla’s cooking skills are fundamentally excellent, so anything she makes tastes delicious.

Sitting facing Camilla, I offered a simple prayer.

The gods we believed in were completely different – the Goddess of Wisdom and the Goddess of Strength, respectively – but the way we prayed was the same.

Afterwards, we began eating at our own desired paces.

As only the clattering sound of tableware echoed in the kitchen, Camilla, after taking a bite of the omelet she made, indirectly brought up a topic.

“Kaldraash-nim, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I have mastered the act called fellatio, which you mentioned last time, in my own way.”

“Cough! Cough!”

I unintentionally choked on my food at the remark, which exceeded all expectations, made right at the dining table.

As I hastily looked for water, Camilla handed me a cup of hot water with an expressionless face and asked.

“So, if you have the time, I’d like to show you the results. When would that be possible?”

I looked at Camilla, who was brazenly innocent beyond shamelessness, as if it were absurd, and said.

“Can’t we talk about that after we finish eating?”

“That… I apologize. It’s just that I wanted to boast about it as soon as possible.”

Since my coughing had barely stopped, I took a deep breath and said.

“First, I understand that Camilla wants education. But I’d like you to wait just a little bit. The teaching materials aren’t ready yet.”

“Teaching materials, you say?”

“Right. I told you I’d definitely prepare them next time.”

“Aren’t teaching materials absolutely necessary?”

“Still, there’s a world of difference between having them and not having them.”

To persuade Camilla, who seemed somewhat impatient, I held up three fingers.

“Three days. Just wait three days. Then I’ll prepare some plausible teaching materials.”

“…I suppose I have no choice.”

Then, perhaps thinking she had no other choice, Camilla showed a willingness to back down.

Feeling like I had overcome a hurdle, I let out a sigh of relief and shoveled the remaining potato omelet into my mouth.

‘It seems I’ll have to use my wish coupon on this.’

Hoping that Dorothea wouldn’t get angry upon hearing this request, I put down the finished omelet plate on the table.