“Really… this campaign has been so exhausting.”
“I agree. We won in the end, but having to be worked to the bone like this every time is just awful…”
While taking a short break in camp, Antony and Poltuga were grumbling a little.
However, despite their complaints, the expressions on the two Majins’ faces weren’t as bad as their words suggested.
The campaign, which had already been long, had dragged on even further due to extra duties toward the end.
Now, as they were finally heading back to Kesar’s domain, Romuros, everyone, including the Majins, had peaceful and joyful expressions on their faces.
The journey home was always something to look forward to.
But…
“Ha…”
Sitting next to Poltuga, there was one person whose expression was anything but pleasant.
For Mari, the current situation was uncomfortable in many ways.
“What’s wrong? You don’t look too happy.”
“Well…”
“It’s not surprising. From her point of view, it’s like heading toward the enemy’s base. Naturally, she wouldn’t be in a good mood.”
“…”
Antoni’s sharp words hit the mark.
As she said, for the other Majins, it was the journey home, but for Mari, it was heading toward the stronghold of those who had once been her enemies.
Fortunately, thanks to her achievements so far, the hostile glares from the others had lessened somewhat, but that was only the case for those around her.
Most of the Majins likely still harbored hatred toward her, so it was hard to accept the situation with ease.
“Hmm… sorry, but I can’t really say anything definitive about that. Well… hang in there. At least you’re not as unfortunate as me.”
“Thank you…”
Honestly, if one were to tally up the misfortunes, being betrayed by those she trusted and having her life completely torn apart, Mari probably had it worse than this…
But she kept quiet about it and simply expressed her gratitude.
She hoped the unpleasant situations that lay ahead would be bearable for her…
At that moment…
“Human. Kesar-sama is calling for you.” “The Demon King… you mean?”
Despite the sudden summons, Mari felt a sense of bewilderment but stood up from her seat.
Why was she being called?
Could it be that, now that she has served her purpose, Kesar was planning to dispose of her?
Of course, given Kesar’s character, she didn’t believe he would do something so underhanded, but the feeling of unease lingered.
With a mix of apprehension, Mari arrived at Kesar’s tent.
“Excuse me, Kesar-sama.”
Upon hearing her greeting, the person slowly turned to face her—Kesar.
Seeing his cold expression, Mari couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of tension, wondering what he was about to say.
Then, Kesar spoke in a heavy voice.
“There is one thing I wish to ask.”
His tone was serious, and the atmosphere was so tense that Mari almost felt as though she couldn’t breathe.
“Will you answer honestly to my question?”
“…Yes. I will answer honestly.”
“Swear on the name of the gods?”
“! Yes, I swear on the name of the gods that I will speak only the truth to you.”
Swearing on the name of the gods meant that no lies would be tolerated by the customs of the continent.
Of course, there were those who broke this oath, but…
What could this question possibly be that would make Kesar go to such lengths?
Was it about the Empire’s military secrets?
Or was he truly planning to eliminate her at this point?
With all sorts of thoughts rushing through her mind, Kesar finally asked.
“You… whose side are you on?”
“…Pardon?”
“I asked whose side you are on. The humans’ side? Or are you with us, the demons?”
Kesar’s question, filled with coldness, could simply be seen as asking about one’s allegiance.
To this, Mari could answer proudly.
“I am with the demons.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, I, Mari, am on the side of the demons.”
“Can you take responsibility for that? No matter how much you were cast aside, you are still human. There is a saying that blood is thicker than water—are you certain you will not regret this choice?”
The Demon King asked again.
Demons, who valued their kin deeply, would certainly see the legitimacy of his question.
As their leader, Kesar’s inquiry was completely justified.
However, unfortunately for Kesar, Mari didn’t share such sentiments.
Having been discriminated against as a half-elf, the concept of kinship was something very faint for her.
Moreover, having turned her back on her mentor, comrades, and even the lord to whom she had pledged loyalty, Mari’s answer was resolute.
“I can take responsibility for this. From now on, Mari’s life will be with the demons. Until the moment my life is cut short. Forever.”
Mari answered while staring directly into the Demon King’s eyes.
As he looked at her, Kesar remained silent for a moment. Then…
“…I understand. I, Kesar, will trust your words.”
“Thank you, Kesar-sama.”
“Go in peace.”
Still wearing a stoic expression, Kesar spoke.
After hearing Kesar’s words, Mari, though filled with confusion, bowed and left the tent.
‘What was that?… Why suddenly ask such a question at a time like this? A question about loyalty, completely out of nowhere, that made no sense.’
However, as Mari passed through the demons and left the tent, a thought began to form in her mind.
‘Could it be…?’
The question of who’s side she was on—who she belonged to now—was an inquiry that struck at the very heart of Mari’s ongoing dilemma.
Now, thinking back, that question felt like it had pierced right to the core of what she had been wondering.
The question of where she truly belonged.
The answer to that, of course, would not be a mystery to Kesar.
He was, after all, the one demon who had believed in her more than anyone else in this place.
Yet, despite this, Mari still felt uneasy.
Would she be able to live among the demons without discomfort?
Would she be able to truly fit in here?
Those worries crept into her heart.
But, the Demon King’s words had given her the answer to those concerns.
“You are on the side of the demons. I trust you.”
Those words eased the anxiety that had been burning in Mari’s heart.
‘Yes… Now, I’m a demon… I must live among them, walk the same path as them.’
Of course, Mari knew that the future wouldn’t be easy.
That much was clear.
But now that her fate had been decided, it would be foolish to linger in uncertainty and worry.
Even if the others looked at her with disdain, if she could live proudly and confidently, one day she would be able to greet them with a smile.
Just as she had already earned the favor of some of the demons here.
And with that realization, a smile unknowingly began to form on Mari’s lips.
‘To think he’s looking out for me like this…’
Honestly, it felt a bit awkward.
To be comforted and protected by someone like this…
As the Great Witch, Mari had always been in the position of protecting others…
However, the strange happiness she felt, along with the awkwardness, made her heart flutter.
The sensation that he was always watching over her made her feel an unexpected warmth.
Mari answered more decisively than expected.
As she spoke of being on the side of the demons, I couldn’t help but feel even more conflicted.
‘Is this… really true?… She did swear on the name of the gods…’
While it was a common form of expression, and I could believe it more than just simple words, there was still something subtly off about it that made it difficult to fully trust.
The issue was her resolute attitude.
Seeing her answer without the slightest hesitation, I couldn’t help but consider the possibility that she had truly betrayed the Empire.
‘So… things are different from the original story, huh? The Empire’s forces abandoned her and fled… In the original story, Mari’s final moments were depicted as “Leave this to me and run away.” But now, it seems the situation has been twisted by me…’
The original betrayal would have been easy for her to get angry about, considering her hatred for betrayal.
Though I still couldn’t be 100% sure, I began to ease my doubts about Mari’s betrayal of the Empire.
Moreover, those responsible for this situation…
I had mixed feelings about the two who had been Mari’s students and, in the original, her companions.
‘Should I be grateful… or call them ungrateful? I’m not sure. In any case, thanks to them, I’ve managed to get closer to Mari-sensei without much trouble…’
The innermost part of the luxurious royal castle.
In a room made of black crystals, He lay on a bed surrounded by curtains, speaking in a quiet voice.
“Caesar, you know…”
“Everyone was saying it was an impossible order, but once again, he succeeded without fail.”
“I told you, didn’t I? He would do it without any problem.”
The voice was calm, yet there was a hint of surprise.
Despite the calm response, there was an icy undertone to it, and the servant kneeling in front of the bed could only bow his head silently.
At that moment.
“-Your Majesty, Lord Adolph has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
The permission was granted immediately.
Moments later, a middle-aged demon entered the room, kneeling respectfully as he spoke.
“I, Adolph, greet Your Majesty.”
A gesture of respect from one of the Four Demon Lords.
Adolph Gearman.
At this, the being lying on the bed, known as the Demon King in the world, slowly rose from his position and, in a quiet voice, said.
“Welcome. It seems you have something to say. Please, speak.”
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