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– The unit led by Leon encountered and repelled a group of White Pengs. No casualties.

– The unit led by Laura encountered and repelled an Ice Bear. One casualty.

I was receiving updates on the situation through a crystal ball while moving in the wagon.

As expected, the closer we got to the Northern Garden, the more frequent the appearances of monstrous beasts became. However, with a massive force of 100,000, they didn’t pose a significant threat.

At this rate, it seemed we’d reach the Northern Garden by tomorrow afternoon.

The expedition was off to a smooth start.

The only issue so far was the reporting problems from the Imperial Army.

On the makeshift table, colorful crystal balls were placed.

I had decided to receive direct reports through the crystal balls distributed to the commanders and unit leaders, but so far, only a handful had reported.

Maybe they thought minor details weren’t worth reporting, or perhaps they were too busy commanding the Imperial Army in an unfamiliar environment.

For now, I was receiving real-time updates through the Aslan members stationed in each unit, so it wasn’t a big deal. But this couldn’t continue indefinitely.

Once we arrived at Roelgreen Castle, it would be good to discuss this matter again.

“Count.”

I looked up to see Helga’s worried face staring at me.

“Wouldn’t it be good to rest for a bit? If you’re planning to go scouting later tonight, now’s the only time to rest.”

Helga, my loyal subordinate who only had eyes for me, was serving as an advisor on this expedition.

Even without my orders, she diligently moved between units, adjusting the marching speed. Thanks to her, the expedition army was advancing toward the Northern Garden at a steady pace.

Though she often acted like a fool in front of me, as the deputy commander of Aslan, she was reliable on the battlefield.

“I’m fine.”

“Or, Count, you could rest. The scouting mission can be handled by us…”

“No. I’ll go myself.”

Before fully operating the special forces, I wanted to scout the area. Though we were still some distance from the Northern Garden, there was always the possibility of demons or monstrous beasts hiding nearby.

At night, the activity of monstrous beasts increases.

That’s why I wanted to scout at night. Of course, it’s more dangerous, but to prepare for any unforeseen variables, I decided to join this scouting mission personally.

Helga shook her head, looking disappointed.

“I’m worried you’re pushing yourself too hard. Look, someone’s already passed out.”

“…Hmm.”

I glanced at Wendy, who was using my lap as a pillow. The unfamiliar environment and tasks must have been exhausting for the young girl.

Even I was drained from moving between units. Wendy, despite not showing it, had been keeping up well.

What a remarkable child.

The luxurious wagon of the Ruelberta Family was kept warm by a magic formula. The cozy temperature made Wendy drowsy, and I lent her my lap.

Seeing her peaceful sleeping face made me feel less tired.

Helga, watching this, muttered softly.

“Count… you really cherish Wendy.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. If it weren’t Wendy, who else could use your lap as a pillow? If it were me, I’d probably get kicked in the butt.”

“……”

Helga probably said it as a joke, but I could sense a hint of disappointment in her words.

I felt a little guilty, wondering if I’d been favoring Wendy too much.

“Haha. It’s fine, Count. Wendy’s still a child. She’s cute. I’m not jealous or anything.”

Helga chuckled lightly, looking at the sleeping Wendy.

“She’s adorable… almost like the fruit of our love, don’t you think?”

“……”

“Sorry. I can endure any insult from you, but that kind of look is a bit hard to bear.”

I’m not sure what expression I made, but Helga immediately backed off.

Still, no parent would refuse a daughter as lovely as Wendy.

I gently touched Wendy’s cheek as she slept curled up like a baby squirrel.

“Are the maids resting?”

“Yes. They’re taking turns resting. By the way, Rika mentioned earlier that she wasn’t sure if the meal suited your taste.”

“Ah. Rika’s cooking skills are still as good as ever. I’ll let her know I enjoyed it later. What’s Rian doing?”

“She’s hibernating.”

“Hibernating…?”

“She said her efficiency drops when it’s cold… She’s settled in a corner and is asleep. She said to wake her if needed.”

I didn’t know vampires had such traits. But since she said to wake her if needed, it seemed she wasn’t completely inactive.

I’d have to check to see how much she could handle.

“By the way, Count.”

“What is it?”

“What are you planning to wear for the scouting mission tonight?”

“Clothes?”

I frowned.

Why was she concerned about what I’d wear for scouting?

“Hahaha… Seeing your reaction, I’m glad I prepared in advance.”

Helga smirked mischievously and pulled something out from a bundle beside her.

“This is…”

“Ta-da! It’s a uniform tailored to your size, based on mine.”

What Helga revealed was a uniform strikingly similar to the one she wore as part of Aslan.

I was about to snap at her, asking what she expected me to do wearing the same outfit as her when I was about to act as the Demon Lord, but I stopped when I saw the ridiculously short skirt.

“I’m not wearing something so indecent.”

“What?! Count! Are you saying I’m wearing something indecent right now!?”

“Pretty much.”

I’ve always thought Helga’s skirt was too short.

She usually covered it with a long coat, but when we were alone, she’d expose her legs as if trying to seduce me.

“Please, for the sake of my sincerity… Couldn’t you wear it just once?”

“I’m not wearing it.”

“If once is too much, how about twice…?”

What kind of logic is that?

“Stop joking around.”

“With those sleek legs, how can you not wear a skirt…!”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Ugh… You’ll wake Wendy. I covered Wendy’s ears. Our Wendy should only hear good things…

“The Demon Lord isn’t a joke. I’m not trying to be a woman; I’m trying to be the Demon Lord.”

“The Demon Lord is a woman, Count. A woman. If you’re going to be one, you should wear pretty clothes…!”

“Enough with your selfish suggestions. I’ll inform the units to prepare for camping. You go and move too.”

“Ugh… Skirts are a privilege…”

“Get down already, privileged one.”

Helga stepped out of the wagon, looking utterly dejected. The maids and Helga were all too eager to dress me up in pretty clothes.

Honestly, being too tense on the battlefield isn’t good, but I wish everyone would maintain at least a minimal level of tension.

In my dream, Lukaela gave me advice on what I needed to become the Demon Lord. But one part kept bothering me.

-Go and find your despair.

From that, I could guess that my despair was waiting for me in the Northern Garden.

Whether it’s a variable or part of the backstory, calling it despair suggests a rough journey ahead.

Even among the Seven Stars, there are those who don’t acknowledge me and wish for my downfall. The demons of the north will never be cooperative.

Before that, I need to increase my allies, even if by one. Or at least, I need to identify who’s friend or foe.

I confirmed Wendy was asleep and spoke.

“Myohail.”

“……”

“I know you’ve been listening.”

“Haha…”

With a hearty laugh, Wendy’s hairpin flipped into the air like a coin toss.

Then, the tricolor cat disguised as the hairpin landed gracefully on the table.

Sage Myohail.

A magician of catastrophic power, he still didn’t know about my plan to become the Demon Lord.

To eliminate variables in my plan, it would be good to at least secure his tacit approval, if not his full cooperation.

“You seem to be plotting something unusual.”

“Yes. One of the goals of this expedition is for me to become the Demon Lord.”

“Hmm.”

Myohail stroked his beard.

He didn’t seem surprised by the conversation between Helga and me. Instead, he spoke as if he’d expected this to happen.

“I see. I had a feeling it would come to this.”

“You expected it?”

“Haha… Don’t underestimate an old man’s intuition.”

Perhaps the eyes of a sage who’s lived for centuries couldn’t be deceived.

It felt unpleasant that he’d seen through my plan.

“I have many questions… but let’s set those aside and ask just one important thing.”

As a cat, it was impossible to read his expression. But somehow, I felt he might cooperate with me.

“If you become the Demon Lord, will you oppose the Hero… this child?”

Myohail’s gaze was fixed on the girl sleeping on my lap.

Depending on my answer, Myohail might either become an obstacle to my plan or simply allow it to proceed.

Fortunately, the answer to that question was easy.

“Wendy is my…”

***

At the hour when the sun had completely set.

The unit led by Ariel Rizeute had also stopped marching and finished preparing for camp.

“Have the scouts returned?”

“Yes. No traces of monstrous beasts were found in the nearby forest.”

“Then there’s nothing unusual to report.”

“Ah.”

At Ariel’s words, the soldier seemed to remember something and spoke up.

“By the way, Lady Ariel. There’s a magic hot spring in the forest.”

“A magic hot spring?”

“Yes. It’s not very large, but it might be a good source of magic ore later.”

It was a plausible occurrence.

In places where natural magic flows strongly, natural magic hot springs are occasionally found.

The pure magic rising from the ground is excellent for mages recovering from magic depletion. Additionally, the magic ore formed around it is often of high quality.

Of course, in the context of this expedition, it wasn’t particularly important.

“I see. That’s good information. Well done. Tell the scouts to rest now.”

“Understood.”

The soldier saluted respectfully and left.

In preparation for the northern cold, a large-scale warming magic formula had been drawn around the campsite.

An ordinary unit wouldn’t have been able to draw such a large-scale formula, but Ariel’s unit included high-ranking mages from the Cremont Family.

A magic of this scale was almost trivial. Thanks to this, the soldiers in her unit would have a warmer night than those in other units.

However, the soldiers wouldn’t know.

That the warming magic formula drawn around the campsite wasn’t for them at all.

It was prepared solely for one person.

Ariel entered the tent at the center of the campsite.

“Is everything to your satisfaction, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

Though they had used the best supplies available, the tent where Luna was staying was nothing compared to the Imperial Palace’s chambers.

Ariel felt nothing but guilt for not being able to provide better treatment for the Emperor of this nation.

“I hope the meal was to your liking.”

“It wasn’t bad. And receiving too many luxuries would be problematic. It would make it obvious that I’m here.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Everyone is suffering on this expedition. It wouldn’t be right for me to enjoy special privileges.”

Ariel’s heart ached at Luna’s kindness.

What an exemplary Emperor.

With such a ruler, the Empire’s future is bright.

“By the way, Ariel.”

“Yes!”

Ariel, momentarily lost in admiration, snapped back to attention.

“I think I heard something about a hot spring outside the tent earlier.”

“Ah… Yes. A soldier who returned from scouting mentioned finding a magic hot spring.”

“Oh…”

Luna crossed her legs, looking intrigued.

Perhaps Her Majesty was also interested in the resources from the magic hot spring.

Quick-witted Ariel quickly added.

“Of course, since it was discovered by Your Majesty’s army, we’ll present it to you after the expedition. A high-quality hot spring could benefit the Imperial finances—”

“Then let’s go see it now.”

“Huh?”

At Ariel’s question, Luna stood up abruptly, looking restless.

“I’ll personally verify if it’s a high-quality hot spring.”

“Ah… Well… It’s late now, so perhaps another day…”

“I can’t wait. If I don’t check that hot spring, I might fall ill.”

“Your, Your Majesty…?!”

“Ahem… If I fall ill, it’s as if the nation itself is ill. That would be troublesome for everyone, wouldn’t it?”

At Luna’s unyielding words, Ariel couldn’t help but feel flustered.

With her quick wit, she sensed that it was going to be a long night.

 

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