My ultimate favorite character, the Great Witch Mari, suddenly declaring she wanted to join me in destroying the Empire…
To be honest, when I first took her as a prisoner, I expected her to say something along the lines of, “Hmph, just kill me already!”
Her unexpected words left me deeply bewildered… and filled with suspicion.
“What are you saying? Destroy the Empire? Are you telling me you’re willing to betray your homeland because you fear death?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Her response was firm, resolute, and carried a weight of sincerity that was hard to ignore.
“…Surprising. I’ve heard of your reputation. I assumed you’d choose an honorable death. Why lower yourself to beg for your life in this manner?”
“An honorable death… Hah, what’s so important about that?”
“What?”
A light scoff escaped her lips.
She looked as if she had genuinely resigned herself to something, but I could sense it—something sharp and unmistakable within her words.
Though I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, it wasn’t something I could overlook.
“No matter how great a person may be, in the end, death reduces everyone to a handful of meaningless dirt. As much as it pains me to admit it, I’m not ready to become dirt just yet.”
“Besides, I’ve already been abandoned by my country. If it means survival, I have no problem turning my back on the Empire that discarded me and kneeling before you.”
“Hmm…”
Mari’s words, spoken without hesitation or falter, carried a strange air of dignity that made her all the more alarming.
Her confidence and composure only heightened my wariness.
‘Is she scheming something?’
Though she claimed to surrender because she didn’t want to die and no longer cared for the Empire that had abandoned her, I couldn’t ignore the possibility of deceit.
After all, it was true that her so-called allies had left her to die. Watching them retreat and leave her behind could certainly breed bitterness.
However, I knew better.
Mari had always been the embodiment of steadfastness in the original story.
Despite being a commoner and even a half-elf—both of which made her a target of discrimination—she remained unwavering in her loyalty to the Empire.
She carried out even unjust orders without complaint, proving her capability and devotion through her actions.
It was this unwavering character that helped the protagonist, also a commoner, overcome their hardships and grow into the “Hero” acknowledged by all.
And this same steadfastness had indirectly encouraged me as well.
Though my life had ended in an accident and brought me to this world, it was Mari’s resilience that inspired me to stay on track and become a functional member of society in my previous life.
So, the idea that Mari would suddenly betray her Empire, claiming fear of death and resentment toward her homeland for abandoning her?
I knew better.
I prided myself on understanding Mari better than most, and I could tell there was something else behind her words.
‘She’s definitely planning something for the Leaf Empire’s sake. As expected of Mari… even in the face of danger, her patriotism burns bright.’
Hiding her true intentions, swallowing her pride, and enduring humiliation for her country.
That mindset only deepened my respect for her.
At the same time, it stirred a new desire within me.
‘Even if it’s all a lie… doesn’t this mean I’ll get to spend more time with Mari?’
A known deception isn’t truly a deception.
If I could see through her schemes, then any plots she tried to orchestrate would have clear limits.
Especially since I had spent years playing the original game, waiting for her return, and knowing exactly what would happen next in the storyline.
As long as I prepared against potential betrayal, I could even turn her plans to my advantage.
More than anything, the chance to be on the same side—however temporary—with someone I should have been fighting against was too enticing to pass up.
Under normal circumstances, with my subordinates already questioning my decisions, I should have let her go quickly.
But with her declaration of surrender, I now had a valid excuse to keep her around.
Of course, if she eventually betrayed us and returned to the Empire, there would be backlash. But even that could be managed in a way that worked to my benefit.
Even if it came with risks, I didn’t want to miss this chance to spend some time with my ultimate favorite, however brief it might be.
“…Very well. I will believe your words.”
“Th… Thank you. No, thank you, my lord.”
Mari bowed her head, a faint expression of relief visible on her face.
Seeing this, despite maintaining a poker face until now, I found an unconscious smile creeping across my lips.
Inside the tent, the atmosphere was anything but pleasant.
Seated at the center was Kesar, one of the four Great Demon Lords, accompanied by his subordinates—known as the Demon Generals or “Demon Lords’ Marshals.”
Most of them were female demons, each emanating a formidable aura.
These Marshals were no ordinary demons; their combat prowess far surpassed that of average human soldiers.
Among them, a few had gained notoriety—or rather, infamy—even among the Free Races’ nations, such as the Leaf Empire and Sephiroth Kingdom.
At this moment, however, the sharp gazes of these powerful Marshals were all directed at one person.
A lone human woman sitting in the corner of the tent.
The witch, Mari.
Once a key figure in the Free Races’ forces and a relentless foe who had slaughtered countless demons, including some of their comrades.
The eyes of the Marshals betrayed their feelings—none of them looked kindly upon her.
‘Damn it… if it weren’t for orders, I’d cut that wench down right here and now…’
‘Even if she surrendered, how can Kesar trust this viper of a woman?’
‘How miserable… Having the enemy who killed our kin right in front of us and not being able to touch her… it’s unbearable.’
The hostility was palpable, filling the air with tension.
If not for Kesar’s explicit orders and Mari’s status as a “surrendered prisoner,” the Marshals would likely have drawn their swords against her already.
Feeling the waves of suspicion and hatred from those around her, Mari sighed softly to herself.
‘As expected… this won’t be easy.’
Born as an orphaned commoner and further ostracized for her half-elf heritage, Mari was no stranger to prejudice.
Mari’s origins had always made her a target of discrimination, a reality she had endured her entire life.
This bias followed her through her academy years and persisted subtly even after she became the Great Witch.
Though she was celebrated as a hero in public, she knew all too well that hidden within those praises were envy and unease.
Now, while the current situation was of a different nature, the underlying hostility directed at her felt painfully familiar.
‘Don’t overthink it… This kind of thing… I’m used to it.’
The feeling of isolation, as if she were entirely alone in the world, was far from pleasant.
But Mari wasn’t someone who would crumble under such circumstances anymore.
Besides, unlike the baseless ridicule she faced in her youth, these demons had a valid reason for their hatred.
Acknowledging this, Mari ignored their piercing stares and sat quietly, doing her best to remain composed.
At that moment.
“It seems there’s something you all want to say.”
“!”
A voice cut through the heavy atmosphere like a blade.
It was Kesar.
“Go ahead. Speak up. No point in sulking silently.”
Whatever his intentions, Kesar—the one who saved her life and accepted her surrender—was, for all intents and purposes, her sole supporter in the room.
Hearing his words, some of the Marshals flinched.
But then.
“Kesar, my lord!”
His remark seemed to act as a catalyst, prompting some of the disgruntled Marshals to raise their voices.
“Are you seriously planning to leave that human woman alive?”
“Give the order now! Let us take her head and avenge our fallen comrades!”
Their voices were intense, and their demands for Mari’s execution were clear and filled with killing intent.
Listening to their harsh words, Mari clenched her trembling hands tightly, hidden from view.
Once again, Mari felt as though she were walking on thin ice.
Unlike before, her newfound fear of death—a feeling she might even call terror—pressed heavily on her, amplifying the tension.
But then.
“I understand your sentiments,” Kesar said calmly.
“In that case—!”
“However, let me ask you this: If you were to catch hold of a prey’s tail, what would you do? Would you cut off the tail and celebrate? Or would you pull on it to strike at the creature’s head?”
“!… That… that’s…”
“Well… that would…”
The simple yet pointed metaphor instantly silenced the Marshals, leaving them mumbling without a proper response.
Kesar’s voice rang out again, sharp and authoritative, as if to hammer his point home.
“Let me make this clear: Our true goal is to bring the entire continent’s Free Races to their knees. This woman is being kept alive as a useful tool to achieve that objective.”
With those words, he turned his cold gaze toward Mari, his eyes devoid of warmth.
Then, addressing the subdued room, Kesar continued in a slightly calmer tone.
“Do not let personal grudges blind you to the bigger picture. Remember what your fallen comrades would have truly wanted.”
“…We will bear that in mind.”
“Our apologies, Lord Kesar.”
“…Unfortunate…”
With his logical and commanding words, the dissenting Marshals finally lowered their heads, their resistance quelled.
Mari, observing the scene, felt a renewed awareness of Kesar’s brilliance and composure. He was far from an ordinary man.
And yet…
As she watched his calm, calculating demeanor, a flicker of doubt began to take root in her heart.
A single question that only she could sense.
Something she couldn’t ignore.
‘Why…?’