My Slain Dragon Bride

Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Chapter 61 - Infiltration

A demon had infiltrated Count Consilus’s territory.

At first, the entire estate was thrown into an uproar, but the incident was dismissed as a false alarm and quickly suppressed.

From this point onward, they would have to move in complete secrecy.

"The place we’re heading to will be destroyed in six hours."

"If it’s going to be destroyed in six hours, then even if we leave now, we’ll already be too late."

They had spent the entire previous day preparing for the expedition.

They equipped themselves with gear that prioritized mobility, even if it meant pushing themselves beyond their limits, and prepared their magic as well.

Even so, the journey would still take an entire day.

Yet the target location would vanish the moment the morning sun rose.

"How did you obtain that information?"

Consilus asked.

"I heard it directly from the demon that infiltrated this place. It was Sitri."

"Sitri... You mean the Great Demon Sitri?!"

The Demon of Lust and Illusion.

Among all the Great Demons, she was the one knights feared most, especially those who had to resist temptation and uphold their chastity.

"The words of demons are never to be trusted."

"It’s fine. We can trust her. I’ve made a deal with that demon."

"A deal... with a demon...?"

No one could understand what Ferda was saying.

Whenever the words deal and demon appeared together, there was only one rule.

Never make a deal with a demon.

The atmosphere immediately grew heavy.

As if the arrival of the Great Demon they despised most wasn’t enough, now they learned that a bargain had even been struck with her.

"Do not doubt him, gentlemen."

Consilus lowered his voice as he spoke.

"The swords and armor you wear were all forged thanks to Regent Valdrova. Have you already forgotten that?"

Order was restored at once.

It was not so much because they remembered Ferda’s generosity, but because of Consilus’s overwhelming charisma.

After all, Consilus himself had his own share of suspicious qualities.

But that was no reason to hesitate.

As the room quieted, Consilus asked,

"What are the terms of the deal?"

"There’s a demon imprisoned inside a Demon Race research facility. In exchange for setting that demon free, she provided us with a means of transportation."

"If the Great Demon Sitri is asking you to rescue it, then it sounds like an extremely dangerous demon..."

"She said it was one of her daughters. We gain a lead on the Demon Race in exchange for freeing just one of the countless demons."

"They say even a hedgehog cherishes its own offspring. I suppose even demons have parental affection."

"So it seems."

Ferda took out the scroll he had been carrying and placed it on the table.

"I accepted the deal and received this scroll. It’s our means of transportation."

Instead of examining it himself, Consilus gestured toward his personal mage.

The mage carefully inspected the scroll before speaking.

"This is a Bending Bridge Magic configured for eight people to make a round trip. To receive magic of this caliber..."

"I’m unfamiliar with this. Could you explain?"

"It’s fundamentally similar to Teleport Door, one of the teleportation spells, but the mechanism is different. It passes through an intermediate dimension. That means ordinary detection magic has an extremely difficult time sensing it."

"So this magic itself passes through Hell."

"Although it passes through Hell, the probability of being affected is extremely low, so there’s no need for concern."

Consilus found that anything but reassuring.

Hell.

Within it existed seven realms, each ruled by one of the Seven Great Demons of Hell.

A domain reserved solely for the dead.

Once someone set foot there, they could never escape.

"However, since this is a scroll given directly by a demon, we should thoroughly inspect it for any traps—"

"No. There’s nothing wrong with the spell itself."

Ferda cut him off decisively.

The mage, who had recently turned forty, had never been particularly fond of the young Regent.

"I still believe it would be wise to examine it one more time. The Count himself will be using it, and experience is something I possess—"

"My experience is hardly lacking either, so there’s no need to worry. This scroll contains no traps. Let’s stop wasting time."

The mage’s expression visibly soured.

To him, hearing an eighteen-year-old brat talk about experience sounded like nothing more than an attempt to shut down the argument.

But Ferda had simply stated the truth.

Putting the pointless dispute aside, Ferda pointed to a location on the unfolded map.

"This is where we’ll teleport. According to Sitri, it’s inside a cave."

"That’s close to the research facility. If we approach from there, we’ll reach it within ten minutes and seize it before it can be destroyed."

Consilus, the seasoned commander, outlined the overall operation in his mind as he explained.

"The Bending Bridge Magic can transport a total of eight people. Two will remain behind to secure the bridge, while the remaining six split into two teams to carry out separate missions. I’ll select five knights and one mage."

"No. I’ll be bringing Zed with me, so just choose five."

"Understood."

His gaze swept over the assembled knights before selecting them one by one.

"Hans, Marco, Corwin, Billy, Philip. You’ll accompany us."

"At your command!"

The chosen knights placed their hands over their chests as they accepted the order.

They were men who understood that fighting on the battlefield was an honor.

Ferda quietly glanced toward Zed.

The escort duties had left him utterly exhausted.

His eyes drooped like those of an old dog.

"Sir Zed. Time to move."

"...Yes."

Honor meant nothing to him.

He was only going because he had no choice.

If he was ordered to go, then he would go.

***

Ten minutes before the operation began,

Having fully equipped themselves with winter gear to withstand the Northern Tundra, everyone gathered once more in the operations room.

Based on the selected personnel, Consilus began explaining the operation.

"This mission’s primary objectives are intelligence retrieval and rescue. We’ll divide into three teams. Corwin and Philip will secure the entrance. The Regent, Marco, and I will retrieve the intelligence. Hans, Billy, and Sir Zed will handle the rescue."

"Understood."

"Do we have any identifying features for the rescue target?"

"We’ve been told it’s a demon with pink hair."

"Pink hair should make it stand out. Rescue the demon with horns and black wings. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Then we’ll begin the final inspection!"

They neglected nothing, even at the very end.

The place they were entering was enemy territory.

The heart of enemy territory itself.

One small mistake could ruin everything, so everyone maintained strict discipline.

While listening, Zed scratched his greasy hair and quietly approached Ferda.

"Regent."

"What is it?"

"The place we’re entering... it’s an eight-person gate, right? Eight people go in, and eight people come back?"

"That’s right."

"Then doesn’t that mean it’s impossible to rescue that demon woman in the first place?"

Eight people entered.

Only eight people could return.

To bring her back safely, only seven of them should be leaving.

"You don’t need to worry about that. When demons die, they’re forcibly summoned back to Hell."

"Oh... then we can just kill her on the spot?"

Hearing that, Ferda paused for a moment.

"No. Don’t kill her there. Bring her to me."

"Huh? Is there really any need for that?"

Wouldn’t sending her back to Hell solve everything?

Why bother doing anything else?

Ferda simply replied,

"If we do that, it’ll all end too easily."

And whenever something ended too easily...

The aftermath was never good.

At least, that had always been true throughout Ferda’s life.

***

Ten seconds before the operation began,

"Open the gate!"

Following Consilus’s command, the mage poured mana into the scroll.

As the Magic Circle inscribed upon it absorbed the mana, it began radiating a brilliant white light.

Moments later, the air above the scroll started to ripple.

The space wavered like the surface of a spring touched by a gentle breeze before gradually spreading outward, forming a circular window that revealed another place.

A dark cave.

Beyond its entrance raged a fierce snowstorm.

Consilus, bundled tightly in a fur-lined coat, spoke.

"Deploy!"

The two members assigned to secure the entrance stepped through first.

The others immediately followed.

Like the well-trained soldiers and knights they were, they efficiently secured the route.

"The Bending Bridge Magic will remain active for one hour. Within that time, assess the interior, rescue the target, and retrieve the intelligence."

"Yes, sir!"

"Operation begins!"

Leaving the security team behind, the remaining two squads moved out to carry out their respective missions.

"Let’s both make it back alive."

"What a lousy thing to say."

"If you die, Brother, I’ll make sure to take good care of Sister-in-law."

"Go ahead and try. I’ll crawl out of my grave just to cut your manhood off."

The knights, bound together by brotherhood, exchanged their farewells before going their separate ways.

With time running short, they maintained a brisk pace despite the raging blizzard.

Consilus was old, but he had never neglected his training as a knight.

Even so, the Northern blizzard proved difficult to push through.

I wonder how the Regent is holding up.

Ferda was a mage, not a knight.

Even among mages, his physical constitution was exceptionally frail.

Fearing the young Regent had already fallen behind, Consilus glanced back.

He’s keeping up just fine.

Surprisingly, the distance between them had not widened at all.

Consilus, who had intended to slow down out of consideration, changed his mind.

"May I increase the pace?"

"Go ahead."

"Understood."

Without holding back any longer, Consilus accelerated.

Ferda followed at exactly the same speed.

This weather is absolutely miserable.

Ferda was inwardly displeased with the situation.

It was already dark enough, and now the blizzard further obscured his vision.

He wore a heavy fur coat while trudging through falling snow and relentless headwinds.

Under normal circumstances, the wind alone would have blown Ferda off his feet and sent him tumbling down a cliff.

But that didn’t happen.

Because something else was supporting his body.

Shadow Hand.

Hidden beneath Ferda’s coat, several Shadow Hands pressed against the ground while others lifted the heavy coat from his shoulders, reducing the burden on his body.

Good thing the coat covers my entire body.

The power of shadows was proportional to the darkness surrounding them.

If the shadows were weak, they would possess even less strength than Ferda himself.

But in deep darkness, each hand could rival the strength of an ordinary soldier.

And inside dark places, he could summon several Shadow Hands at once.

Walking with multiple hands planted on the ground really does make me feel like some kind of beast.

Still, as long as he looked dignified on the outside, that was all that mattered.

"We’re here."

Consilus brushed away a layer of snow.

A faint glow, like that of fireflies, leaked through the opening.

From within came the distant sound of laughter.

Consilus quietly drew the sword at his waist.

"I’ll clear the way."

"Very well."

He slipped skillfully through the narrow gap.

Moments later, the laughter came to an abrupt stop.

"Wh-Who are y— Gah...!"

"What happened all of a— Urgh...!"

None of them managed to finish their sentences before collapsing with dying cries.

The sound of a sword cutting through flesh rang out two or three more times.

Then the retreating footsteps returned.

"The path is clear. Please."

Beyond the route Consilus had secured lay a corridor leading toward an abandoned warehouse.

The corridor bore unmistakable traces of a one-sided massacre.

There was no resistance.

The dead guards had left all of their weapons hanging together with their coats.

No fool would come charging through such a murderous blizzard, and no one had ever infiltrated this place before.

To put it simply, this was an easy post.

Consilus checked the map they had obtained during their earlier reconnaissance.

"Marco, take the barracks. I’ll handle the administrative office and the patrol unit."

"Understood."

"No."

Ferda suddenly interrupted and pointed toward the barracks.

"I’ll take care of the barracks myself."

"Will that be alright? There are over sixty people in there. If anything goes wrong—"

"I am a mage."

That single sentence silenced all objections.

"As you wish, Regent."

Marco and Consilus headed off to deal with the administrative office and the patrol unit, while Ferda made his way toward the barracks.

Ferda drew a single dagger from inside his coat.

The moment he opened the barracks door, the first thing he heard was—

Rumble...

Grrrgh...

The beast-like sound of loud snoring.

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard this.

A memory suddenly surfaced in Ferda’s mind.

The sound he had heard day and night while living under his former master, the mage.

It had robbed him of countless nights of sleep, yet he had never dared complain.

After all, it was far better than sleeping inside a foul-smelling latrine.

Ferda took one of the candles hanging on the wall and stepped into the barracks.

Tilting the candle, he examined them one by one.

They’re all humans.

Different faces.

Different snores.

Each possessed their own individuality.

Yet they all shared one thing in common.

They worship the Demon Race.

The Demon Race sought nothing but chaos—the destruction of the world.

The enemies of the world.

Creatures who even abandoned those already abandoned by society.

Enemies of Valdrova.

That was the simplest way to describe them.

And the fact that they slept so peacefully meant they had already been discarded, even now.

"Damn it... What’s with this? I’m off duty today, you bastard..."

"..."

"Put that damn light away. You son of a bitch. Once I get up, you’re—... Huh?"

The young man opened his eyes halfway and looked up at Ferda.

"Who the hell are you? I’ve never seen you around here before. What are you doing he— Mmph...!"

His mouth was suddenly sealed shut.

Something black and formless bound him tightly.

He struggled with all his strength, but not even a groan escaped.

Looking down at him with indifferent eyes, Ferda spoke.

"Don’t think of it as being unfair."

The well-honed dagger flashed beneath the candlelight.

"You’re merely paying the price for your own choice."

Ferda slightly pursed his lips and brought them close to the candle’s flame.

Even his gentle inhale made the tiny flame tremble unsteadily.

Just like their future.

Whoosh—

***

"The entire patrol unit has been eliminated."

"The administrative office has been cleared as well. That only leaves the barracks..."

At that moment, Ferda walked out from the darkness.

His hands were clasped behind his back, and his expression was completely relaxed.

"Finished?"

"Yes."

"Then I suppose everyone in this area has been dealt with."

"Regent?"

"What is it?"

"There’s blood on your face."

"Ah. Thank you."

Ferda calmly wiped it away with his black-gloved hand.

Consilus continued his report.

"The administrative office has been secured, and the patrol unit has been neutralized. Aside from the barracks, no one remains inside the military quarters."

"What about the intelligence?"

"The administrative office contained nothing more than personnel records for servant-class subjects and those intended as cannon fodder. There were no signs that any documents had been destroyed, so the important materials are most likely in the director’s office."

"How much time do we have left?"

"Forty minutes. We need to finish everything else within thirty minutes at the latest."

"Then we’d better hurry."

Even if they obtained valuable intelligence and completed the rescue, it would all be meaningless if they couldn’t make it back.

Leaving behind the trail of destruction they had created, they headed toward the research director’s office.

Inside the office, people bustled about despite the late hour.

"Make sure nothing is left behind. The order will come soon."

"Yes!"

"Hand that over! They’ve recently become interested in it, so it needs to go."

They hurriedly sorted documents and various items.

They were organizing everything necessary before the research facility was destroyed.

The one directing the subordinates was a female Dark Elf.

A Dark Elf...

Aside from their black skin, they resembled elves more than members of the Demon Race.

Before the Dragon-Demon War, they had sworn loyalty to Godwin in an attempt to establish a new order.

Though they were not part of the Demon Race, they possessed an evil nature no less wicked than theirs.

Her name was Linne, wasn’t it?

The chief person in charge of this research facility.

The Chief Researcher.

The overall leader of the Doppel Project.

How should I launch this surprise attack?

He didn’t need to think very deeply about it.

Just kill the mage first.

"Lightning Bolt."

Pssh!

The spell pierced straight through the mage’s head.

The battle had begun.