Kesar’s cold voice filled the air.
According to his words, Mari was nothing more than a tool.
A useful instrument to bring down the Empire.
Something to be used when needed and discarded when no longer of value.
And she knew exactly what it meant to be regarded as a mere tool.
During her ascent to the position of Great Witch, she had encountered those looks countless times.
And now, her current situation was the ultimate confirmation of what she had always feared.
To the people of the Empire, she had been nothing more than a tool from the very beginning.
Yet…
The gaze Kesar had just directed at her was different.
It lacked the filth that made her stomach churn or the disgust that twisted her gut.
There was a chill in his expression, yes, but no malice, no contempt.
Instead, she sensed a faint hint of regret.
And… a flicker of warmth.
Why?
Even though he had openly declared she was merely a tool to be used,
why did his demeanor convey something so different?
What could this possibly mean?
At this moment, Mari couldn’t say for certain.
However, there was one thing…
Amid the current confusion, there was something Mari could vaguely sense.
Was he… showing consideration for me?
She couldn’t be sure.
Though they had heard of each other before, today was the first time she and Kesar had spoken directly.
Yet, starting from his earlier remarks, it was undeniable that the previously hostile atmosphere in the room—the Marshals’ palpable hatred directed at her—had noticeably subsided.
Even the fear and anxiety that had gripped her heart had begun to ease.
As Mari mulled over this strange turn of events, she couldn’t help but question Kesar’s motives.
Was it a calculated decision?
A strategic act?
Or was there something more?
But before she could dwell further on it.
“Well then, enough idle talk. Let’s get to the main point.”
With Kesar’s words, the atmosphere shifted once more.
The previously unsettled mood among the Marshals grew serious as they adopted more focused expressions.
Seeing this, Mari chose to set aside her lingering doubts about Kesar’s actions and concentrated on the matter at hand.
After quieting the Marshals’ resistance regarding Mari, I turned the discussion toward business, ensuring no unnecessary comments would arise.
“First, good work on the last battle, everyone. Especially you, Antony.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Your efforts were pivotal in the last engagement. Although it’s unfortunate the enemy managed to slip away at the end, thanks to your guidance, we were able to reduce their forces by nearly half.”
“Thank you, Lord Kesar!”
Antony, visibly thrilled, practically beamed with excitement.
With her petite frame, brown hair, and youthful appearance, she looked more like a child who had wandered onto the battlefield than a seasoned soldier.
But no one in this room would think such a thing.
Despite her deceptively innocent appearance, Antony was my right hand and the most experienced among the Marshals.
She might have looked like a young girl, but in truth, she was a battle-hardened veteran whose skills were unmatched.
“And next, Poltuga.”
“Misfortune—! Ah! I-I mean, yes, sir!”
Poltuga Siu, who had been emanating her usual gloomy aura, jumped in surprise as she hastily responded.
“Yes, sir! Thank you, Lord Kesar!”
Watching her anxious demeanor, I offered a calm smile and said,
“Your flanking assault was also excellent. Once this campaign concludes, I’ll request a significant reward for you from the Great Demon King.”
“Th-Thank you! Thank you so much, Lord Kesar!”
Her face turned red with joy as she expressed her gratitude.
With the atmosphere noticeably lighter following the words of praise, I transitioned to a more serious tone and continued.
“Now then, let’s discuss the next offensive. Antony, explain the plan.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, Antony unfolded a map using her small, delicate-looking hands, her short arms grasping a pointer stick as she began her explanation.
“As a result of the previous battle, the enemy has lost the capacity to launch further attacks. At this point, their only option is to retreat. As you can see, we’ve already secured control of all land routes out of the peninsula.”
The Dunhail Peninsula, where we were currently stationed, was surrounded by the sea, as its name implied.
Most of the area was under the control of our forces.
Meanwhile, the enemy was cornered at the far end of the peninsula, making escape by land virtually impossible.
At this point, their only remaining option to avoid total annihilation was obvious.
“The harbor, then?”
“Yes. The enemy will almost certainly attempt to escape through this location—Mevis Harbor. If they’ve sent a magical signal for aid, rescue ships could arrive as early as three days, or within five at the latest.”
“Hmm…”
The enemy force at Mevis Harbor numbered approximately 6,000 soldiers.
In the original storyline, this force successfully escaped and returned to the Empire.
According to General Iskal, who led the Imperial Army at the time, they had narrowly avoided disaster thanks to Mari, who had heroically sacrificed herself to hold off the demons.
The fact that we had managed to capture Mari alive without significant casualties was a stark divergence from the original story.
But deviations like this weren’t entirely unexpected.
There had been plenty of instances where reality diverged from the original plot, likely due to my presence in this world.
While the major events—the so-called “inevitable outcomes”—still occurred, smaller changes like this were becoming increasingly common.
For now, our goal was clear: attack before the enemy could escape by sea.
While we had inflicted considerable damage on them, it wasn’t enough to decisively end the war.
More importantly, there were a few things I needed to confirm in this battle.
“According to our intelligence, Mevis Harbor has solid defenses. It’s surrounded by sturdy walls, so rather than forcing a direct assault, we’ll need to consider alternative strategies.”
“Alternative strategies, you say…”
“Hmm…”
The Marshals’ expressions grew contemplative at my words.
While we had the advantage in overall strength, this was a siege, not an open-field battle.
Charging in recklessly, relying purely on superior numbers, would likely result in unnecessary losses.
The room fell into an awkward silence as everyone mulled over the situation.
Then.
“Excuse me…”
“Hmm?”
“Ah…”
A voice broke the silence, hesitant yet clear.
Mari cautiously raised her hand, glancing around as if gauging the room’s reaction.
Seeing her move, I feigned indifference, maintaining a neutral expression as I turned to her.
“If you have something to say, go ahead.”
“Thank you, my lord,” she replied respectfully, her tone measured.
Mari spoke with a tense expression, her demeanor betraying a sense of unease.
Knowing the reason behind her tension, I felt the urge to smirk but chose to simply listen to her words.
“I know a bit about Mevis Harbor,” she began. “It’s true that the defenses are formidable, but there’s one fatal weakness.”
“A weakness?”
“Hmm…”
Her statement drew mixed reactions from the Marshals—discomfort, suspicion, and a faint spark of curiosity.
Amidst their wary gazes, Mari hesitated briefly before pointing to a specific spot on the map.
“Here. This area,” she said, touching the eastern wall.
“There’s a gap near the wall, originally used as a waterway. A few years ago, it was damaged by a typhoon and has since been left sealed and abandoned. If we infiltrate through this route and create chaos from within, we can take the fortress with relative ease.”
“…Hmm.”
“…”
It was a tempting proposal for any attacker.
Yet, the demons’ response was one of cold skepticism.
From their perspective, Mari was still an untrustworthy figure.
For all they knew, this could be an elaborate trap to lead them into a disaster.
I couldn’t deny that the same thought crossed my mind.
But then.
“Can we trust what you’ve just said?” I asked, my tone calm but probing.
Mari looked directly at me, her voice firm despite her evident tension.
“You can trust me with my life. I swear it.”
Her expression held a conviction that, to anyone unaware of her circumstances, would seem entirely genuine.
Studying her face for a moment, I responded evenly,
“Very well. I will trust you.”
“!”
The Marshals, still unable to devise an effective strategy for attacking Mevis Harbor, seemed unconvinced.
In contrast, Mari felt the necessity to speak up in this moment.
If she wanted to destroy the Empire and solidify her position among the demons, she needed to gain their trust—and quickly.
Moreover, having spent months stationed at Mevis Harbor, she knew the layout intimately.
This was also her chance to deal with the “traitors” likely hiding within the fortress.
With all this in mind, she shared the secret route and her plan to infiltrate the harbor.
However.
“Hmm…”
“Tch…”
The demons’ doubts lingered, their unease palpable.
The Marshals responded to Mari’s proposal with nothing but cold skepticism.
She had offered a sound strategy, yet their lack of trust made any such effort seem pointless.
“Even the best tactics are meaningless if no one trusts me…”
Mari sighed quietly, frustration welling up inside her.
Then.
“Can we trust what you’ve said?”
“!”
It was Kesar’s calm voice that broke the silence.
Feeling the weight of his serious gaze upon her, Mari steadied herself and replied firmly.
“You can trust me with my life. I swear it.”
Her words carried no falsehood.
There was no doubt or hesitation in her tone, only truth and conviction.
And within her heart burned a subtle yet unmistakable desire for revenge.
Hoping that her sincerity would be recognized, Mari answered with quiet desperation.
“Very well,” Kesar said after a moment. “I will trust you.”
“Ah…”
Mari felt a wave of relief and joy wash over her.
The knowledge that someone had acknowledged her sincerity, even for a fleeting moment, lit a small spark of hope in her heart.
But then.
“However,” Kesar continued, “it seems that no one besides me is willing to place their trust in you.”
“…What?”
“Lord Kesar? Don’t tell me—”
Kesar’s expression turned slightly cryptic, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
Fixing his gaze on Mari, he spoke with a resolute tone that left no room for argument.
“You will join the infiltration team.”
“…!”
Mari’s heart skipped a beat, caught between disbelief and resignation as Kesar’s command sealed her involvement.