“Majin, you’re saying you’re going to take out the Madman…?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please grant me permission for the assassination operation.”
Imperial Palace.
With her chin resting on the desk, Aria closely examined Schlus’s face.
Just a few days ago, Schlus had been so pale that his veins were visible, but now he stood firmly on both feet with a healthy face.
Yet, within his lifeless eyes, there seemed to be an even deeper abyss.
His eyes were devoid of emotion, but for some reason, anger was evident within them.
“Do you have a plan?”
“We’re going to raid his base.”
“You mean the wetlands in the central area?”
“That’s correct.”
The wetlands were known to be the dwelling of the Madman.
It was also a place where fugitives and escaped convicts had gathered to form a village.
Currently, remnants of Asylum had gathered there and fortified the area.
“Is there a guarantee that he’ll be there?”
“Probably not. The chances are high that he’s gone. So, we’ll lure him out.”
“And how do you plan to lure him?”
“I will kill his people one by one. He won’t be able to resist showing up.”
“Wait… I don’t understand…”
‘His people?’
Indeed, the Madman lived like a king, commanding those who resided in the wetlands.
But that proud Majin, who looked at humans like bugs, wouldn’t foolishly walk into a trap just because a few human lives were lost, at least not in Aria’s reasoning.
“He will definitely come. He’ll be driven mad and come running.”
“Can you give me a believable reason?”
“It’s difficult.”
“Tch… Very well. Go kill the Majin and return safely.”
“I will do so, Your Majesty.”
An unbelievable reason, indeed.
It seemed that Schlus had learned something in the future.
A story that was beyond the comprehension of someone from the past.
Perhaps he’s deeply in love with the people of the wetlands and can’t bear to see them die…
It was hard to accept, but since he spoke as someone who had seen the future, Aria decided to let it slide.
Above all, seeing Schlus now, she couldn’t refuse permission.
Schlus had an expression like someone who had given up on everything.
No, it wasn’t so much giving up, but rather the look of a person who had staked their entire life on revenge.
Schlus had burned the life of a cherished girl to obtain a new life.
No matter what, Aria couldn’t muster the courage to stand in his way as he sought revenge.
“Then I will leave immediately. May I take the Holy Knight Pelaine and a battalion of infantry with me?”
“Take them. But you’re leaving right now? You’re not planning an attack at night, are you?”
“Yes. I plan to set fire to the village all night to make our presence known.”
“……….”
Aria’s mouth slightly dropped open.
Bowing his head slightly, Schlus turned to leave the office.
He needed to contact Commander Roman to requisition a battalion of infantry, and time was tight.
‘I’ve done this before.’
Kill the Majin and take his authority.
It had been accomplished by the parallel world’s Schlus Hainkel, so it was not impossible.
However, the problem would be when Tiltitz and the Madman attacked in concert.
So, I decided to set up a trap in a somewhat brutal manner.
On the surface, the Madman appeared endlessly cruel, but in truth, he had developed affection for the humans he had lived alongside for so long.
The moment they heard news of their deplorable slaughter, he would surely come rushing in.
Before Tiltitz had fully recovered from her injuries, the goal was to kill the Madman and absorb his power, and then take out Tiltitz, who would be following behind.
That was the plan of Schlus Hainkel.
*
The fact that I was alive was not known at all.
Most likely, everyone thought I was still at home, waiting for the day to come.
So the soldiers before me, aside from my close aides, were seeing me in good health for the first time.
“Your Excellency Schlus Hainkel…”
“You’re alive…”
“Shh. Quiet.”
120 soldiers stood orderly before me.
I had originally planned to withdraw the entire battalion, but upon accepting Roman’s advice that it seemed like too many for a surprise attack, I decided to take an appropriate company instead.
This company was originally part of the magic artillery brigade’s recon company, heavily armed and capable of marching 400 kilometers a week, boasting individual combat power comparable to knights when it actually came to fighting.
However, no matter how strong a unit, it would all be for naught if they had a foolish commander.
Or if the soldiers did not trust their commander, it would end poorly as well.
“Do not answer, just listen. I know there are many rumors swirling about me lately. I won’t bother determining their truth one by one. However, I will clarify just one thing for you. I, Schlus Hainkel, am alive and well. That is all you need to know. From now on, we are going to the wetlands, the base of the Majin.”
“………!”
I could see the soldiers’ eyes widen.
They seemed to be suppressing their agitation, but it was impossible to hide their astonished expressions for even a moment.
“This is a place where even a regiment-level attack would have struggled and returned in defeat. But this time it’s different. I will lead the charge. You will wait in ambush and simply point your spear at the fleeing enemy. It’s that simple. The Majin may appear during the battle, but do not worry. I will cut off the Madman’s breath. Prepare to die, and I will do everything I can to save you.”
The goal was for everyone to return alive.
I did not state that directly, fearing someone would act like a coward.
The wetlands were not particularly suited for defense due to the Asylum troops swarming around; it was more a matter of not feeling the need to attack until now.
However, if I could wipe out their forces this time and kill the Majin, the situation would tilt entirely in our favor.
Besides, it would also mean attaining power to rival Tiltitz.
“We will depart in ten minutes. March quietly. Feel free to omit your replies.”
“………”
As the soldiers dispersed to prepare for departure, I stepped down from the platform and inspected the road.
Since we needed to launch a quiet ambush, I planned to use the mountain paths that wouldn’t attract attention.
It might take a little longer, but we would arrive and commence our operation before midnight.
“Schlus Hainkel.”
“Oh, you’re here.”
“I heard the news. I’m sorry.”
“………”
Before I knew it, Hertlocker approached, awkwardly initiating conversation.
Thanks to that, the already awkward atmosphere grew even more tense.
Sighing, I opened a box and handed Hertlocker a bag from inside.
Upon receiving it, Hertlocker flinched at the weight.
“What is this?”
“Black Steel powder. I had it rushed here. Feel free to use it.”
“How much is it worth?”
“I’m not asking for money. Just take it.”
“Ugh… I feel uneasy…”
Does this guy see me as a criminal?
I wouldn’t expect to be suspected for handing a weapon to someone I would be relying on from now on.
I couldn’t help but think that I had messed up in making the protagonist.
“Do you really believe there’s a chance, Schlus Hainkel?”
“You’re here and still questioning me?”
“No, I thought you might try to go after the Madman alone. It’s not like you to bring along imperial army troops and me…”
“I will definitely serve the Madman a proper revenge. I will kill everything he cherishes, burn them, and take them before finally taking his life.”
If it had been yesterday’s me, I might have charged directly into the wetlands and caused a ruckus.
However, I wasn’t an evil spirit consumed by revenge.
I still had the reason to make rational decisions.
I was capable of planning a revenge that was more certain and thorough.
…
…
“Hey… Is this even real? Don’t move until it’s confirmed that Schlus Hainkel is dead.”
With a creaky sound, the Madman lounged in a rocking chair and stretched.
He had been instructed by Tiltitz to stay put for the time being.
At first, I thought he wasn’t in his right mind.
To tell him to stay still when the fanatic forces were being annihilated here and there, though…
If this continued, the forces that worshipped the Majin as their ruler would vanish.
“It seems he’s really terrified…”
Tiltitz must be afraid.
That’s the only explanation I can think of.
After all, he had been crushed to the core by Schlus Hainkel.
His DNA had been etched with fear.
But that very Schlus Hainkel had died with his heart shattered in my hands.
He might still be alive, but it was certain that he would die soon.
Yet I wondered what he was so afraid of, to urge me to stay still.
“Ugh. I just want to charge into the institution…”
This was Tiltitz’s strategy.
Currently, Asylum’s forces were dispersed here and there, isolated.
Once the death of Schlus Hainkel was confirmed, that’s when the Majin would personally dismantle the siege and attack the major city.
The main forces of the imperial army would annihilate the Majin, cut off supplies, and slowly lay siege to the institution.
The institution was armed with the Annihilation Cannon, so direct attacks were said to be dangerous.
As a Madman, I didn’t know much about that, but I just felt like breaking something.
“What was that?”
At that moment, something glimmered at the edge of his sight.
A flash in an instant.
He turned his gaze that way, but the pitch-black sky did not shine again.
Wondering if he had seen it wrong, just as he was about to turn his head back, another red flash shimmered again.
“What the…?”
Concentrating on his senses, the Madman realized that it was an explosion.
He could feel a weak vibration coming from the direction where the flash had occurred.
Beyond the forest, faraway explosions erupted irregularly, and flames were dancing.
It was a quite large explosion.
It seemed capable of blowing away several buildings and incinerating an entire village…
“Oh.”
Only then did he realize what was there in that direction.
The wetlands.
The foul land where criminals who had fled in search of the Madman’s protection lived.
That place was now on fire.
Above all, dark smoke and bright flames were continuously rising into the sky.
It was enough to completely engulf the damp earth in flames.
The Madman stood there dumbfounded, mouth agape.
-Majin! Save me… Aaaah!
-W-what is that! A monster! A monster…!
The screams and signals for help came crackling through communication magic.
Clenching his fists tightly, the Madman ground his teeth.
It seemed that the imperial army had really intended to launch a surprise attack.
If that was the case, there was no choice.
Even if he rushed over now, it would be too late.
They were all humans doomed to die.
-Schlus Hainkel! It’s Schlus Hainkel! Aaaaah!
At that moment, an annoying name reached his ears.
Schlus Hainkel.
No way. He can’t be alive.
It must all be a delusion.
So…
“My right arm. He is the enemy of my right arm. So… so I can’t help it…”
I must confirm it.
To see if he has truly returned alive.
It was certainly not because of the dying screams of mere insects.
With blood streaming from his bitten lips, the Madman dashed toward the direction where the flames soared.
