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The monster subjugation mission was organized by the Demia Empire Academy, but behind the scenes, the Imperial Family of the Empire was deeply involved. Mobilizing knights and soldiers required careful consideration of neighboring countries’ reactions.

The military movements of the Infractus Empire, a major military power, carried significant weight. Neighboring countries were on high alert, closely monitoring every move of the Empire, ready to respond immediately to any signs of unusual activity.

Given this situation, the Empire was hesitant to deploy large numbers of troops. Monster subjugation, which relied heavily on sheer numbers, often involved the use of colossal mechs, further heightening the neighboring countries’ vigilance.

Of course, it would be a mistake for a powerful nation like the Empire to neglect monster subjugation just to avoid drawing attention. Taking action was the right decision.

In fact, countries that failed to subjugate monsters in time often faced monster waves, where increased numbers of monsters would invade territories in groups. While it wasn’t impossible to fend them off with colossal mechs, the damage incurred could have been avoided with early suppression.

For a powerful nation like the Empire, failing to prevent monster uprisings and suffering damage would be a stain on its prestige. In the medieval era, where face was everything, such a situation was utterly disgraceful, making it imperative to prevent monster waves.

This was why the Demia Empire Academy periodically took on monster subjugation missions.

On the surface, it was framed as a service activity for cadets to gain combat experience and ensure public safety, but in reality, it was a calculated move to ease neighboring countries’ vigilance and protect the Empire’s prestige.

Politics is always complicated.

Gilbert sighed deeply and looked out the carriage window.

He was a man of combat, not politics. Calculating gains and losses, picking at others’ flaws—it wasn’t in his nature.

He had even considered quitting the game during his many failed attempts at the “Embodiment of Politics” achievement. After dozens of tries, he was utterly fed up.

If he hadn’t miraculously succeeded in his final attempt, he might have truly quit the game.

“Gilbert, what are you looking at?”

Camilla, sitting close to Gilbert, peered out the window, curious about what had caught his attention. Gilbert had been staring outside for hours, and Camilla wondered if there was something interesting.

“Just organizing my thoughts.”

“Well, there’s nothing but scenery outside the carriage.”

Camilla hummed and leaned against Gilbert, maintaining her position.

Gilbert felt unnecessary pressure on his arm and shoulder, his eyebrows twitching.

Lately, Camilla had been clinging to him more than usual, and today was no exception.

“Camilla, maybe you should back off a bit?”

Before Gilbert could say anything, Brynhild, sitting across from him, pointed it out with a smile. But her eyes weren’t smiling—they were rather chilling.

Truly, the Grand Warrior of the Sigurd clan.

Her way of applying pressure was different from others. She could make a smiling face look terrifying.

The only problem was that this method had no effect on Camilla.

“Why? Can’t close friends have a little skin contact?”

“Is rubbing your body against someone considered skin contact?”

“Rude? This is just an expression of closeness between close friends.”

Camilla didn’t back down under Brynhild’s pressure. Instead, she defiantly snuggled closer to Gilbert.

“Camilla… calm down.”

Lily, another close friend, intervened. From her perspective, Camilla’s actions were excessive.

A noble lady clinging to a man could lead to unfavorable rumors, even for someone like Camilla, who lived for excitement.

Lily felt the need to remind Camilla of this.

“Camilla, do you realize this behavior isn’t helping you or Gilbert?”

“Is there such a thing as too much skin contact between close friends?”

“Sigh. Before being close friends, you’re a man and a woman.”

Camilla pouted at Lily’s scolding. She understood the meaning behind the words but simply didn’t like the situation.

“Boring. Really.”

Finally freeing herself from Gilbert, Camilla continued to pout and grumble.

Gilbert, now free from Camilla, looked outside again.

The endless plains stretched on outside the carriage.

***

The Count was deep in thought after receiving a recent order. He wasn’t pondering whether it was morally right—he had long abandoned such human emotions since starting to manage the Slaves.

His only concern was how to perfectly execute the order. To him, orders were absolute, a fate that must be fulfilled.

“Troublesome.”

Lost in thought, he muttered to himself. He was considering more effective methods, but there were only a few strategies that could be used against monsters, creatures that couldn’t be reasoned with.

Make them more ferocious, make them stronger.

A simple yet highly efficient method.

However, what the Count wanted was to inflict significant damage on the Demia Empire Academy during the subjugation mission. Half-hearted monster enhancements wouldn’t cause meaningful damage to the Academy, which had colossal mechs.

Without a more groundbreaking enhancement method, the plan would surely face setbacks.

– Count.

“You’re here.”

In the midst of his deep contemplation, a low voice suddenly echoed in the otherwise empty office. But the Count, unfazed, welcomed the visitor.

– The master sent this. Use it.

“This is…?”

A large box was placed on the Count’s desk. Opening it, he saw small vials filled with a dark liquid.

– It’s a refined demonic essence potion.

“Demonic essence… for the monsters?”

– Yes. Monsters that absorb this essence will no longer be called monsters.

“I know. They’ll be called demons.”

Demons.

Cursed beings born from the demonic essence scattered by the Demon King.

Unlike demons, they had no will, driven only by destruction and chaos. Even after their king disappeared, they continued to rampage like wild horses freed from their reins.

Records show that after the Demon King’s disappearance, research was conducted to tame these demons. The idea was that if their ferocity could be controlled, their power could be harnessed.

In the end, the research was a colossal failure. Beings tainted by demonic essence couldn’t be controlled, and further research was deemed worthless. While some knowledge about demonic essence was gained, handling it was an extremely dangerous endeavor.

Despite strict bans on demonic essence research across nations, it seemed someone had managed to create a potion from it.

The Count stared at the dark potion, then closed the box and placed it in a secret vault that only responded to his mana.

“Tell the master I will handle this without fail.”

– The master has a message for you. Even if you fail somewhat, creating chaos is the top priority.

“So he thinks I might fail.”

– With only mid to low-level demons, that’s the limit. Well, until next time, Count.

With that, the voice disappeared.

The Count remained deep in thought for a while before finally making a decision.

“Use the potion in the secret vault. Absolutely no trace of us should be left in this matter.”

– Understood.

As his subordinate left, the Count was alone in his office once more.

Tapping his desk, the Count continued to ponder until his attention was caught by a letter that flew in.

The letter bore the emblem of the Demia Empire Academy. After reading it thoroughly, he found one line that particularly pleased him.

After finishing the letter, the Count placed it back in the envelope and set it aside.

Lately, the Count had been on edge as his plans seemed to be faltering, but now, things appeared to be back on track. He felt confident that if things continued this way, he would reach his goal.

The grand scheme is nearing its end.

The Count smiled, thinking of the day when the grand scheme would be executed—the day his family’s destiny would be fulfilled.

***

It had been a week since leaving the Demia Empire Academy.

The punitive force finally arrived at their destination.

 

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