Chapter 296
Chapter 296. The Grand Duchess’ Fury
“Ahhhhhh that damn woman, I’m going to kill her!!!”
Platy’s furious expression was something to behold as she grabbed a spear, looking ready to charge into battle!
“Alright, alright, calm down, Mother!”
I somehow managed to hold her back. It’s fine if she wants to kill Nephradia, but right now the situation is quite complicated; if we’re going to do this, I’d prefer to escape the country first.
—it was almost expected, but exile was treated like a death sentence.
Since the founding of the Demon Lord Kingdom, several individuals have been executed, and not a single one has returned alive.
From Platy’s perspective, while she was stuck in the medical room due to an alert, I was practically being led by Nephradia to choose a death sentence all on my own! She was livid to the point that no servant could placate her.
By the way, the alert has been lifted. Liliana has yet to be found, and there are no reports of damage (which is obvious), so the search and patrols conducted by the Dragon Tribe and regular forces continue.
Apparently, there haven’t been any reports of combat at the border, so it seems Liliana has managed to escape safely…
“Don’t worry, Mother.”
I spoke in a soothing tone to calm Platy down.
“She’ll definitely come back safe.”
“You know…! The human race is indeed weak, but it’s not that simple! Surviving there without any help is not easy!”
Platy was still fuming at my carefree words.
Exile involves losing all rights and titles for a year, being barred from entering the Demon Lord Kingdom, and receiving no support from the country. If, against the odds, one manages to survive, then their sins are considered forgiven.
Originally, it was an old custom from the Sanctuary era, meant to cast out wrongdoers from their clan and allow them to return if they could survive alone for a year (though most would either be killed by other tribes or die from not surviving the winter).
However, unlike during the Sanctuary era, now one must survive in an alliance filled with hostile humans.
Let’s consider it from the hero’s perspective.
What do you think would happen if a demon, lacking the backing of the Demon Lord Kingdom, strolled into the human alliance?
—They’d be hunted down with everything they have. That’s obvious, right? Not being able to receive assistance from the Demon Lord Kingdom means they can’t use dragons. The Dragon Tribe makes contracts with the Demon Lord personally to provide flying capabilities for the demons. If a demon loses their rights, they naturally lose the right to this service as well.
If they can’t fly, routes into the alliance become limited. They could either set sail from the northern or southern coasts of the continent toward the alliance or enter through the poorly guarded mountains or forests.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to infiltrate through the sea?”
Said Antendeixis. No, it wouldn’t be that easy.
The allied forces have patrol boats, so unless you have very good ships and superior sailing skills, breaking through would be nigh impossible. And among the noble demons who usually leave the grunt work to beastmen and night elves, there wouldn’t be many capable of doing that. Even if there were, they wouldn’t be in a position to receive an exile penalty.
“Then it’d have to be overland. But that seems tough.”
Yeah. In the forested areas bordering the Demon Lord Kingdom, the Forest Elves patrol for spies. A regular demon can’t erase their tracks like a trained night elf spy can.
In fact, even a trained night elf spy can only “break through” the forest. They can’t keep hiding within it.
If a demon, ignorant of stealth, were thrown into a forest patrolled by Forest Elves…
“They’d be found in no time…”
Not just found, but soon overwhelmed by a horde of beastmen and wolf hunters, followed by brave heroes and priests, relentlessly pursued until they’re completely exhausted, unable to sleep or eat, and then killed.
Even if demons like Aiogias or Rubyphia were exiled, their strength would only last for the first day or two. No superior demon, not even the Demon Lord, could survive without rest.
The combat power of a demon completely drained of magic and stamina, without a place to rest, is negligible. Just a moment of drowsiness and an arrow will be in their head the next.
By the way, it seems there have been inmates who’ve charged directly at the allied forces instead of sneakily hiding away.
Platy is indeed worried about such a fate for me, but—
In many ways, I’m the exception.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going alone.”
First of all, I won’t be thrown in completely unprepared. There’s a delay before the exile is executed.
Thanks to the Demon Lord’s consideration, I have a whole month as a grace period. Losing my title and rights won’t start until the execution begins, meaning I can escape the country before that to take my belongings with me.
And in my case, unlike other demons—
“Leila is coming with me. Moving within the alliance won’t be difficult.”
“Yes, I’ll accompany you!”
Leila clasped her hands together with determination.
That’s right. As a non-noble dragon offered by Orphen, Leila is effectively my personal property.
Well, even if she weren’t, as long as I have a dragon willing to follow me across the border after losing all status, that’s pretty rare…
Leila is one of those very few exceptions.
“Plus, we can both use human transformation magic.”
In front of Platy, I transformed into a human shape with a flick. Whoa. Being weakened, Platy’s magical aura is intense… especially since she’s so angry.
Yes, the human transformation magic is huge.
Normally, a demon with strong magic and blue skin with horns would stand out, but with this magic, we can masquerade as humans.
“…Even so, you know nothing about living as a human. It will be impossible to blend into human society…”
No, since my essence is human, it’s much easier for me to pretend to be a demon…
“Plus, if you’re even slightly suspicious and the Holy Church catches wind of it, it’ll be the end!”
“I understand. I’ve heard plenty about that from Virosa.”
I nodded.
I’ve had experience as a hero—I often got assigned to hunt down dark individuals during my time in the backlines. I’d patrol the city or guard the castle gate, checking suspicious passersby with holy attributes.
It’s how you smoke out disguised night elves. Even Virosa has had her close calls. Their disguises are impressive, but the Holy Church isn’t slacking off.
“I don’t plan to linger in big cities and basically intend to move between rural areas with Leila. It’s a pity I can’t utilize the night elf intelligence network.”
This is just a front; I fully intend to hit up the big cities.
—”Not receiving any support from the Demon Lord Kingdom” includes not receiving assistance from the night elf intelligence network.
In fact, since I’ve been exiled, I’m considered a criminal, and assistance from the night elves is forbidden. The night elves are divided into factions and keep watch over each other, so even if the Sidarl faction tried to secretly hide me, it would be difficult. With Liliana’s escape putting them in a decline, it’s even less likely.
Conversely, the Izanis faction, which is hostile toward me, seems to be getting beaten up by their own faction, so I doubt they even have the luxury of sending assassins after me.
Well, even if they did, I’d kill them anyway.
In fact, even without any attempt to send assassins, I’d head out and kill them.
—My top priority goal in the alliance is to dismantle and eradicate the intelligence network.
I’ve heard about the intel from Virosa, and I plan to get even more detailed information before my exile. Key city bases, puppet companies, corrupt Holy Church officials receiving bribes.
I’ll destroy it all, root and branch.
Even if that means killing some of my own kin in the process…!
“Virosa… If that man joins you, even you…”
Platy fell into deep thought.
Uh, yeah… if there’s a concern, it’s that Virosa might not want to join me…
He’s currently off the intelligence network, serving as my personal soldier. If he wanted to, his position would allow him to accompany me. The other mercenaries and operatives can do the same. Escaping the Demon Lord Kingdom is their personal freedom, irrespective of the pros and cons…
“…Leila!”
Platy’s face suddenly showed determination.
“Y-yes!”
Leila flinched. Hey! I have a bad feeling about this!
“—You should let me drink your blood. I’ll learn human transformation magic and accompany you!”
Nooooooo!!!
“Mother… I appreciate your feelings, but…”
I said with a serious expression. Please, stop. You’re being incredibly annoying…
“Leila is not yet a fully grown dragon. If we need to carry necessary supplies, there’s a limit to how many can accompany us. I can’t take you along. At most, it would be Virosa alone.”
The more people there are, the more supplies we need to carry. Moreover, even if Virosa comes along, Platy doesn’t know anything about life as a human either. It would create extra dead weight.
High-ranking demons have lived with servants handling everything for them, not even needing to bring their own clothes.
There’s no way they’d manage okay if thrown into a human alliance.
“Grrrgh…”
Intelligent as she is, Platy understood that going along would be pointless. Clenching her teeth, her forehead vein pulsing as she trembled—
“Uuuh… Gzilbagias…!!”
She dropped to her knees in her dress, tears streaming down her face as she hugged me. Gahh! Since she was in human form, Platy’s strength…!
“To be in such a… such a weak state for a year…! Please. Come back safely. I can’t bear to lose you…! If you need anything, just let me know; I’ll prepare anything…! So… so, please…!”
Platy wailed, her voice breaking.
That Platy—…has come to this… losing her composure…
I was simply dumbfounded.
“…I understand, Mother.”
After a moment, I gingerly returned her hug.
“I’ll manage well. I promise I’ll come back safe…”
—If she knew I was actually a former hero…
What would Platy do then…?
As I thought that, I gently patted Platy’s back.
Sniffling, Platy eventually gripped my hand hard enough to draw blood and growled softly in my ear.
“That woman… I’m going to kill her…”
See, this is why it’s scary!! Save the curses for someone else!
In any case, my trip to the alliance was now a done deal.
To be honest, I want to escape right away, but I have a ton of things to take care of before exile, like the autonomous district and the future treatment of night elf mercenaries…
For now, let’s tackle the autonomous district. I’ll head to Evaroti right away.
—I want to let Claire know, too, subtly.
I’ve avenged the village.
