Lysimork's Dire Time

Centaurs are known for their thoughtful way of tutelage. They could turn a nobody into an outstanding warrior with their unconventional way of teaching. They are great warriors but they are more known for their outstanding capability to teach people. The Nine Mentors is the name given to the top nine Centaurs. They fight and teach people well.

Each of them has a prowess that rivals the Grand Paladin's prowess. They rarely participate in a war; but when they do, the Demon King's Army has to be extra careful. Unlike the Grand Paladin, their insight on battles is simply mind-boggling. Many people describe them as fortune-tellers because they can always see their opponent's next move.

In the battle of Lysimork, which will be the second time this year, two of the Nine Mentors will participate: Stavros Ark and Hovarc Ard. They are our main concern and I am sure the Temple will also send some Elite Paladins to Lysimork to make our life harder.

The Temple is serious about taking Lysimork down. Antares will be just a side quest for them to accomplish if it fails its main quest. It is lining up two birds and aiming to kill them both. Should Ilschevar remain passive upon hearing the news, the possibility of it managing to kill one of them will remain high.

Knowing this possibility still won't affect my choice. Even if I have to go alone, I will do it. Trust is priceless. I may not be able to help the Dark Elf keep Lysimork, but I will make sure to not lose their trust.

"According to my outstanding scouting teams, the army will march in a week. We will be able to slow them down with the Wild Beasts, but it will still leave Lysimork eleven days to prepare. It will be a tough time for Lysimork."

As I speak, Arieda remains silent. She just neutrally looks at me, registering each word I say but not being present in the room. She may have looked like a child some time ago, but she is already an adult. She is a brilliant young woman—she knows what I am insinuating. She has figured out that Lysimork's days are numbered.

"Some outstanding Beastman Warriors will also participate in the war, but we don't have to worry about them. Their temper makes it easy for us to lure them into our trap, so we can prepare as many traps as possible. We need to worry about the two Centaurs of the Nine Mentors and the Elite Paladins the Temple will send."

Arieda gives me a wry smile, showing emotion for the first time after listening to my explanation. "Can I leave now to tell mother about this?"

"I have to warn you about the traitors among you. They are playing their act smoothly, so my scouting teams can't identify them. Be careful of whom you share the information with. I suggest you keep it between Haletha and you. Confuse your subordinates with your order and see who quickly catches on."

Arieda asked me to inform her mother about this as soon as I told her that Lysimork would be attacked. I rejected her request because my presence in Lysimork would alert the traitors. I also didn't call her through her Sound Crystal. The line might have been hacked no matter how small the chance is. Therefore, I told Arieda to listen to my explanation herself and convey it to Haletha later.

I still have some things to say, but I guess Arieda already know what they are. I only take three seconds before permitting her to leave. Despite the high possibility of having to fight for her home alone, she is not in the least bit dejected. Her head remains held high and her posture is straight. She leaves the room with a confident stride.

I stare at the closed door for a few seconds before returning my gaze to the papers on my desk. I resume reading the report Hadrian's Black Merchants wrote, taking note of every variable in the upcoming battle.

"Commander, should we proceed to—"

"Velucan and Lemius will remain here," I interject, knowing what Maxine was going to say. "I shall be absent during D-Day, so their presence is required in this territory."

"I..see." Maxine nods her head slowly, deciding not to pursue the matter any longer. "Kuhum! Then, about the compensation for the family of the fallen, do you trust my judgment, Commander?"

Demons have a hard time expressing their kind intention. Our unwillingness to say "I love you" to another Demon is the reason why our population has reached rock bottom more than once. All right, I was exaggerating, but you got my point. With that said, Maxine is saying, "I will take care of your job, so don't mind it." I appreciate her initiative, so I properly thank her.

Expecting the Succubus to leave my office, I am mildly surprised when she drags one of the chairs in the room beside my desk. She sits on it and does the paperwork on my desk, occupying some of my desk's space.

I am slightly confused by what she is doing, but I guess it is just her way of cheering for me. At least, that is what I want to believe. The way she gazes at Aurelia conveys displeasure, but I don't want to think about it much. It is taxing to comprehend a Demon's intention.

"I am going to leave for Verniculos," I say after reading the entirety of the Black Merchant's report. "Maxine, you are the most fashionable individual I know. I want you to help Aurelia find some clothes that suit her while I am in Verniculos."historical

Aurelia stops humming a merry tune and shoots me a puzzled look. "I don't need human clothes. There is no merit for me to assume my human form now—it just makes me more vulnerable."

Putting on a slightly disappointed look, I mutter, "I was planning to show her off.."

"Kuhum! On a second note, I think I need human clothes. It has been a millennium since I last showcased my beauty."

Smirking internally, I flash her a faint smile of elation. She is flushed by the smile, but I can't care less about her misunderstanding. I have a plan for her. Though, I hope I won't resort to it. Still, if push comes to shove, I will have to do it.

I usher Aurelia to get down from me before standing up. I nod to Maxine and she nods back. She looks reluctant to do her job, but her professionalism pushes her impulse out of the way. She looks stressed, so I pat her shoulder as an encouragement. It works splendidly as she immediately lights up.

"Ah, your coat." Aurelia stops me as I am about to leave the room.

Waving my hand lightly, I say, "Keep it warm for me."

I mean to say that she can wear it and return it any time. Her body temperature is higher than most species, which is why I said that to her. Though, now that I think about it; it doesn't sound funny at all. Taking a glance at her reaction, I find her cheeks burning and her head steaming. I don't care about how she interprets it, so I leave with a shrug.

Using Mana each time I take a step, I arrive before the Teleportation Gate to the Verniculos Kingdom in the blink of an eye. Walking past it, I feel the space shake before arriving at the Kingdom. A Demon Warrior nervously greets me as he sees me. He is standing beside the Teleportation Gate, so I surmise Ilschevar must have expected my arrival.

I have been suspicious about it since a long time ago, but only now am I convinced. Ilschevar doesn't have a scouting team. The Demon King's Seal on my hand is the reason why he is up to date with whatever I am doing. It is unsavory, but I can't do anything about it. It is not that he is doing me any harm anyway.

"O-Our Liege is waiting for you in the Throne Room, Sir!"

The guy's awkwardness and unnecessary nervousness make me inspect him. It is very amusing to figure out that he is a Fifth Wing Warrior.

"Are you new? You are bathing in your sweat."

Still, I don't want to judge. Geniuses like me figure out things quickly. He might be one of us, so he might have skipped the ranks like me. His lack of experience may be contributing to his giddiness.

"Uh..no. I have been in the army for half a decade," the guy answers, baffling me mildly. It is my first time encountering a less gifted Demon. "I am nervous because..I am standing beside you. You are Layland the Right Hand after all. I can't believe I am lucky enough to stand beside such an outstanding Warrior!"

His response reminds me that not everyone is a genius. Most Demons learn things slowly and still come out on top because of their long age. Demons like myself and Eliseus are anomalies because we learn things at a rapid pace. His response also reminds me that Demons are not so different from humans. They also idolize people they deem outstanding.

When we arrive before the door to the throne room, the guy looks dejected. I can't relate to what he feels since I have never idolized someone, but I am kind enough to pat him on the shoulder. It doesn't hurt to cheer up my fellow Warrior. Who knows what he might do for me in the future?

Tak. Tak.

After knocking on the door, I open it without waiting for Ilschevar to respond. I can see him sitting on the throne with a faint smile on his face and Valeria standing stoically beside the throne.