Chapter 53: Her Revenge – 4

“Are you saying we should disguise ourselves?”

“Yes. I believe that’s our best option right now.”

Mari, cautiously asking the question.

In response, I pulled out an object I had obtained during my previous confrontation with the final bosses of the future.

A magical artifact reminiscent of a black pearl.

This was known as the Illusion Pearl, a creation made by dark wizards using special magic and alchemy.

“By using this artifact, we can disguise ourselves as another race with near perfection for several days. The quantity is limited, but with it, I and my subordinates, along with a few soldiers, should be able to pass as one of the Free Races.”

In the original story, this artifact was used by dark wizards to orchestrate a scheme that almost led to a war between the Leaf Empire and the Elven Kingdom.

The dark wizards, disguised as Imperial generals, had committed the atrocity of massacring civilians in an Elven village.

Fortunately, thanks to the intervention of Hero Irushil, or rather the protagonist group, the true culprits—the dark wizards—were captured before the situation escalated into a full-blown war.

However, the aftermath led to a prolonged period of cold relations between the Elves and Humans.

This eventually led to an incident in Season 6, where Elven wizards, who had come to despise humans, caused a catastrophe that almost resulted in the world’s destruction.

But that’s another story.

For now, in order to keep the Emperor—who is likely to attempt escape—held in place, I decided to use this artifact to disguise myself and my subordinates as envoys from the Free Races.

“According to scouts, other Free Races haven’t yet responded to the Empire’s call. I don’t know if it’s because of the foolish actions of the Leaf Empire or something else, but in this situation, if we disguise ourselves and approach, it’s highly likely we’ll succeed.”

“That’s true, but won’t it be dangerous? Even though they are in a disadvantageous position, there are still strong figures, like the Prime Minister, left in the capital. If we’re found out…”

“Don’t worry. The chances of us being found out right now are almost nonexistent.”

In a desperate situation, it’s inevitable that people’s field of vision narrows.

Under normal circumstances, if envoys from other nations arrived, they would be suspicious, or there would be an investigation.

But right now, the enemy’s massive army was gathering right in front of them.

In times like these, when the only lifeline—the reinforcements—was being discussed, the chances of the Emperor having the presence of mind to question the envoys were extremely low.

Moreover, even if the Emperor did grow suspicious and attempted an investigation, there was little he could do at this point.

Sending a messenger to the Elven Kingdom, the nearest ally, would take at least three days.

Unless there was a direct line of communication—perhaps a magic connection—there was no way to verify the situation within the time frame given.

“Understood. But still, be careful. That Emperor is the one who killed his own father. Never let your guard down, no matter what happens.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I took Mari’s words to heart, understanding the sincerity behind them.

I also knew, from what she had shared with me, what she had gone through in the past.

Even though it was only half the story, the Emperor had betrayed his own blood—his family.

Until the very end, I couldn’t afford to trust him completely.

Thus, even after I successfully infiltrated the Elven Kingdom’s envoys, I patiently waited for the perfect opportunity, exercising full restraint.

When our forces arrived at the castle gates, and the Prime Minister, who wielded holy power—an element highly effective against demons—had disappeared, and most of the Emperor’s generals had been dispatched to the frontlines, the decisive moment finally arrived.

At that instant.

Flantsu, Poltuga, and I immediately took action.

In a fleeting moment, after completely decimating the Emperor’s personal guard, we succeeded in capturing the Emperor.

Furthermore, as previously instructed, a small, elite force that had been stationed near the meeting hall, under the command of Antony, successfully apprehended all the gathered nobles.

In an instant, we had secured the Imperial Palace, the Emperor, and the nobles.

Then, with my blade at the Emperor’s neck, I demanded that the Imperial Army, which was still engaged in battle outside, surrender.

With this, I was certain that everything was finished.

The Emperor, now captured, dealt the final blow to the Imperial Army, which was already struggling in a losing fight.

“Drop your weapons and surrender! Quickly!”

“Kuh…”

“Damn it!”

The Emperor, who held the power of the nation in his hands, now captured, the ministers, generals, and soldiers under him had nothing left they could do.

Even if the battlefield had been favorable, the situation was now irrevocably lost, and the Imperial Army, despite their last desperate struggle, was crumbling under the pressure.

With their weapons dropped in surrender, the soldiers of the Imperial Army knelt before the advancing demons and undead.

The demons, watching them, naturally erupted in cheers.

“Woooaaaah!!!”

“We won!”

“The Leaf Empire has surrendered!”

“Long live the Great Demon King!”

“Long live the Demon Kingdom!”

Countless demons cheered in celebration of their victory.

Meanwhile, the defeated Imperial Army, with somber expressions, knelt before the encroaching undead and demons.

The Imperial Army generals, taken as prisoners in despair.

However, unexpectedly, a feeling of relief was visible on the faces of the low-ranking soldiers.

They were the ones who had been ordered to fight to the death on the battlefield, where death was all but certain.

Fortunately, before the battle turned into a full-scale massacre, the commanders lost their fighting spirit and surrendered.

The fact that they were taken as prisoners was undeniably unfortunate, but it was still far better than dying.

Of course, now that the Empire was on the brink of destruction, they could not completely erase the fear that those who had captured them might betray them and execute them later.

The soldiers, lying flat on the ground, anxiously waited.

At that moment, a demon slowly walked toward them.

With the typical traits of a demon, black wings and horns, but the face was one they recognized.

“Mari… Master…”

The generals, as well as the mages from the Magic Tower who had participated in the battle, instantly recognized her.

The Great Witch Mari.

She looked down at the soldiers, who were kneeling at her feet, and spoke in a quiet voice.

“I’m sorry. I never imagined we’d meet again like this.”

“Mari! Please… please spare us! We were only following the Emperor’s orders!”

“Master! Even though you’ve become a demon, you’re still our master! Please… please save the lives of your poor disciples!”

Not long ago, they had been the ones spewing hatred toward demons.

Mari, having become a demon, would have been cursed and denounced as a betrayer of humanity.

But now, with their nation’s fall all but certain, they knelt without hesitation before their former teacher, a demon, begging for their lives.

“Please show mercy!”

“I have a wife and young children at home! Please, please spare us, Mari!”

“Mari!”

Many of them bowed their heads and pleaded.

And then, Mari, watching them, couldn’t help but feel a bit of disbelief.

‘Even when I was the Great Witch, I never showed such weakness…’

Mari, the master of the Magic Tower and the pinnacle of the magical community in the Empire, had always been met with cold stares from most humans, even back then.

The label of being half-Elf never disappeared, even though she had reached the highest position she could attain.

However, in the eyes of the people before her now, there was no longer any trace of contempt or cynicism.

What existed now was only fear.

Pure fear, the fear that she might kill them.

For some, it might have been a rather unpleasant feeling, but for Mari, who had received nothing but hateful stares throughout her life, honestly, this was better.

“Haa…”

“Hck!”

“Ugh!”

With a sigh filled with quiet annoyance, the faces of the people before her began to turn even paler.

Perhaps they were worried that the meaning of her sigh was their impending massacre.

However…

“Didn’t I say? If you surrender, I’ll guarantee your life and property. As promised, I’ll spare you.”

“Ah!”

Mari’s declaration that she would spare their lives.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the people suddenly brightened with relief.

“Thank you! Thank you, Mari!”

“Thank you so much, Master! I will never forget this kindness!”

“Oh damn, I knew it!”

The people, praising Mari, cheered with joy.

However, behind Mari, hidden under a robe, Irushil watched with a quiet but unmistakable anger on her face.

“This is unbelievable… After all the suffering they put Master through, now they’re reacting like this?”

“Indeed. They’re pathetic, as expected. The humans of the Leaf Empire have always been like this.”

“Knowing that, are you really going to show them mercy? Honestly, I think we should wipe them out right now.”

“…I didn’t think you, a hero, would say such things.”

“I know more than anyone what the humans of the capital are like. Believe me, I know them all too well.”

“…Heh…”

Though a bit harsh, Mari smiled softly at her ‘daughter’s’ words, appreciating her support.

“Don’t worry. I have my own plans.”

“Huh?”

The strange atmosphere around Mari made Irushil raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

Mari, noticing her confusion, spoke in a calm voice.

“People often think that death is the worst pain. But that’s a misconception. In fact, death is merely an escape. The true pain… is something you can only feel while you’re still alive.”

“!”