Chapter 5: Proof and Rampage – 1

“L…?”

“!”

“W-Wait, Lord Kesar?”

“This is too dangerous! How can you trust that viper of a woman?”

“Lord Kesar, you are our commander and our master! We cannot allow you to take such a reckless risk!”

Antony and the other Marshals immediately voiced their objections, their concern evident.

Admittedly, their points were valid.

This mission carried significant risks, and my direct involvement added further complications.

However.

“I understand your concerns,” I said calmly.

“But that is precisely why I must take the lead on this mission. Tell me, if Mari were to betray us, who among you could take her down without issue?”

“!”

“Th-that’s…”

“For the sake of safety, it’s only logical for me to lead this operation. Should anything go wrong, I can use my magic to escape without much difficulty, so there’s no need to worry.”

“…”

Though the Marshals harbored deep-seated distrust and hatred toward Mari, their silence acknowledged one undeniable fact.

They were fully aware of her strength.

In both the original story and in this reality, Mari possessed overwhelming power.

Aside from me, perhaps one other Demon Lord in our army could rival her in strength.

If she were to execute some kind of scheme, the Marshals wouldn’t be able to stop her. But I could.

At worst, I could fend her off or escape unscathed.

To minimize risks and prevent unnecessary sacrifices, my personal involvement was the best choice.

With that factual reasoning, I silenced the Marshals’ protests.

However, beyond their concerns, I had another, more personal reason for insisting on accompanying Mari.

This was a golden opportunity—a chance to work with Mari one-on-one.

A mission alone with my ultimate favorite? How could I possibly pass this up?

Even if it ended in betrayal or a trap, just the idea of spending some time as “comrades” with Mari was an ultra-rare event I couldn’t let slip through my fingers.

And so, with a mix of practical reasoning and shameless personal motivation, I decided to accompany Mari on the mission to Mevis Harbor.

Whether this was a brilliant strategy or sheer foolishness, time would tell.

“…Good.”

Mari murmured softly to herself after completing her final preparations.

This “first mission” was essentially a crossroads for the rest of her life.

She steeled her resolve.

“Success in the operation is non-negotiable. And… I must execute every part of it flawlessly. No hesitation, no mistakes.”

Reaffirming her determination, Mari slowly stood up from her seat.

At that moment.

Creeeeak.

“! …You are?”

The door opened slowly, revealing a familiar figure stepping into the room.

Mari immediately recognized her: the demon with the youthful appearance who had explained the earlier strategy.

Her name was…

“Antony, correct?”

“…”

Antony didn’t respond. Instead, she silently placed something in front of Mari.

It was a long object crafted from black wood, with a red mana stone embedded at the tip.

At a glance, Mari instantly knew what it was.

“…This is?”

“It’s from Lord Kesar. He asked me to deliver it to you. Use it with gratitude.”

“…I see. From the Demon Lord…”

Mari’s gaze fell to the staff.

It replaced the one she had lost during the betrayal of her disciples—the very staff that had been the first to break amidst that ordeal.

While Mari was skilled enough to cast powerful magic even without it, the presence of a proper staff made a significant difference in her capabilities.

Seeing this gesture, Mari felt a surge of gratitude toward Kesar for paying attention to such details.

“Thank you. I’ll use it well,” she said sincerely, her tone carrying a hint of warmth.

But then.

“Yes, make sure to use it wisely. Point it at the wrong place, and it’ll be the last thing you do.”

Antony’s voice, sharp and chilling, carried a deadly intent that was impossible to ignore.

Despite her youthful appearance, the malice radiating from her made it clear why she was the Demon Lord’s right hand.

However, Mari, unfazed by the tension, replied in a calm and composed tone.

“You needn’t worry. What you fear will never happen. And even if it did, I would stake my life to prevent it.”

“Make sure you do,” Antony said coldly, her voice laced with warning.

“Because if it ever comes to that, I’ll make sure it’s the last mistake you make.”

With that, Antony turned and exited the room without another word, her demeanor as icy as ever.

Though it might have seemed like Antony left behind only hostility and a grim warning, Mari found herself oddly unbothered.

‘Quite adorable, actually… Just as her appearance suggests.’

The moment felt almost like witnessing the tantrum of a younger sibling or niece, albeit one that carried a genuine threat of death.

Despite Antony’s clear hostility, Mari found herself accepting it with ease.

Perhaps it was her own clear conscience.

Or perhaps it was because Antony’s mannerisms reminded her of someone—someone she hadn’t thought of in a long time.

Someone who, during their first meeting, had also tried to assert dominance in a similar way…

‘Unfortunately, I’ve already crossed a river I can never return from with that child…’

Mari sighed, setting aside the guilt she felt for that one disciple.

She gripped her new staff firmly and stepped out of the room.

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a fiery glow over Mevis Harbor.

At its center, in the administrative building, a heavy tension hung in the air.

“Damn it! When will those ships arrive? The demons are nearly upon us!”

A man shouted angrily, glaring at the communication crystal in frustration.

General Iskal of the Leaf Empire glared at the communication crystal, his frustration palpable.

On the other side of the crystal, Baron Dawson, one of his subordinates, stammered nervously.

“P-please wait just a little longer! The ships should be departing soon.”

“Do you not realize that your ‘just a little longer’ has already stretched into three days?”

“Ugh…”

Dawson could only offer a groan in response, unable to defend himself.

Iskal’s voice turned icy as he issued a sharp warning.

“Get yourself together and move immediately. If this operation fails, you won’t escape the consequences. Do I make myself clear?”

“Y-yes, sir! I understand completely!”

With that, the tense call ended, leaving the room in heavy silence.

The delay of the rescue ships was weighing heavily on Iskal and his officers.

Among them were Mari’s two treacherous disciples, Judah and Brutus, who sat quietly, their faces tense with anxiety.

“We went through all that trouble to get rid of Mari without a hitch…”

“Only to get caught up in something like this?”

They had successfully dealt with the formidable Great Witch Mari, eliminating her without leaving any loose ends.

It had been a significant accomplishment.

But now, the delay of the rescue ships and the demons’ unexpectedly rapid advance had thrown their plans into disarray.

Even worse, the demons were being led by none other than the infamous Demon Lord Kesar.

If things went wrong, they might meet their end at the hands of the demons, despite having completed their mission to eliminate Mari.

Their nerves frayed, they chewed on their lips and fingernails, helpless against the situation.

It was then that one of Iskal’s officers, Leon, cautiously spoke up.

“General, it might be prudent to make some preparations, just in case.”

“Preparations?”

Leon, a man with a sly and cunning demeanor, glanced around the room before lowering his voice.

“Yes. In the worst-case scenario, we may need… contingencies. It would be best to prepare quietly to ensure our survival should the demons reach us.”

“As you’re aware, there’s a single ship currently docked in this harbor,” Leon began, his tone measured.

“Though small, it’s large enough to carry us. If it’s just us, we could use it to retreat. We can’t predict how the situation might evolve, so wouldn’t it be wise to prepare for that possibility?”

“Hmm… Indeed, having a contingency plan wouldn’t hurt.”

Iskal considered the suggestion.

He had no intention of abandoning his subordinates to flee right away.

Despite their success in eliminating Mari, the situation was still precarious.

A defeat here, coupled with the loss of thousands of soldiers, would bring severe scrutiny and consequences.

Especially for him, as the commander, such a loss would be disastrous.

Holding the line and enduring as long as possible remained the best course of action.

But still…

“Better to face criticism than to die. It’s worth making preparations for the worst-case scenario.”

With that thought, Iskal nodded, approving Leon’s suggestion as a contingency plan.

He then ordered his men to further fortify the defenses of the fortress.

“The attack will likely come by tonight, or at the latest, tomorrow morning. We must hold out until the rescue ships arrive.”

Resolving himself for the coming battle, Iskal and his men busied themselves with preparations.

By the time their defensive measures were in place, the sun had already set.

“What’s the enemy’s status?” Iskal asked.

“No noticeable movement yet, sir. It seems they won’t attack tonight.”

“Good. At least we’ll have—”

Boom!!!

“!?”

“What—what was that!?”

Before Iskal could finish his sentence, a deafening explosion rocked the harbor.

Flames shot skyward, illuminating the night as their own administrative building was engulfed in a fiery inferno.

Chaos erupted among Iskal’s men as they stared in disbelief at the destruction.

Meanwhile, inside the burning building, Leon, Iskal’s cunning officer, watched the flames with a calculating gaze.

In that moment, Leon froze, his voice trembling as he stammered in disbelief.

“…H-How… How are you… You’re supposed to be—”

The figure standing before him interrupted, their voice calm yet dripping with icy disdain.

“I’d prefer not to hear the same boring line about how I was supposed to be dead.”

“Y-you were supposed to be dead!!!” Leon screamed, his face twisted in shock and terror.

Before him stood the woman he was certain had been eliminated—Mari, the Great Witch.

Her crimson hair danced in the light of the blazing fire, her gaze piercing and unyielding.

Leon’s body shook uncontrollably as he stared at the specter of someone who should no longer exist.

This moment was far from the conclusion he had expected when the plan to betray Mari had been set into motion.

Now, standing in the very flames that engulfed the fortress, Mari looked nothing like a defeated victim.

She looked like vengeance incarnate.