How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 237 - Head Hunting (2)

“Decide whether you will go with me or not go at all.”

Erendil was firm. From what I’ve observed of Erendil so far, it didn’t seem like her opinion would change.

Erendil basically trusts my words and lets me do what I want.

But that doesn’t mean she unconditionally follows my words. When she acts like this, it’s impossible.

But I couldn’t suggest going together either. Taking Erendil along was too dangerous. It doesn’t make sense.

I protested with silence, but Erendil spoke without changing her expression.

“Although we didn’t know, the ones who were defeated by you would probably know about the weapon you have. I think it’s that shining thing you were holding in front of the devil, am I wrong?”

“No, Your Majesty. Your thoughts are correct.”

So Erendil saw the glowstone back then. Yes, that’s right. Although I tried to hide it, I was in a very chaotic situation at that time.

“And they know you can fly. Even if not, they would consider the possibility through the dragon carriage.”

I understand Erendil’s judgment. From her perspective, it would be an extremely dangerous task. It actually is.

“If it has the destructive power to erase the Karantang Forest… they will know its danger and be prepared.”

“You’re right.”

The words just now were not mine, but Campbell’s. Having organized his thoughts, he seemed a bit calmer than before.

To think Campbell has the same thoughts as Erendil. Hmm, it makes me reconsider my plan a bit more.

It’s not that I’m ignoring Erendil. Although not as much as Campbell, she is also quite wise.

However, I feel that Erendil’s opposition is more out of concern for me rather than calculation. Of course, this could be my misunderstanding.

“I think there’s a high probability that they are waiting for you, Schurtafen. Even if they’re not waiting, they would be prepared. The chances of success are low.”

Campbell also chimed in, looking at me.

“I agree. If they know about you and that weapon, and even if the newly summoned devils are not in their full state, they wouldn’t be gathered together. The intact devil would be guarding.”

“For the Empire, Schurtafen, you are a valuable talent and hero. I cannot lose you like this. So I will not allow it.”

To be honest, at this point, I was also in the stage of agreeing. It’s not that I thought lightly about it, but I might have been hasty.

Campbell’s words were reasonable.

I wasn’t unaware of such concerns, but I thought it might be possible if I moved immediately by riding the dragon carriage.

But no. It was a faint hope triggered by impatience. Thinking coldly, wouldn’t they have started dispersing right now?

My head is cooling down a bit. Now I can view myself from an objective perspective.

I should reflect. In this sudden moment when unexpected things happened, I had a strong desire to restore it to its original state.

‘Let’s think calmly, calmly.’

There was also anger towards myself. Despite coming to this world and learning to make cool judgments and striving to do so, I failed to do that.

No, I thought I was making a cool judgment.

The fact that my life, which I prioritized the most since coming to this world, was at stake is no excuse. It’s my clear mistake.

While there were certainly things I did well to survive until now, I also had a lot of good luck. Can that continue in the future?

I needed to look back at myself.

Of course, this doesn’t mean my judgment was completely wrong. I just failed to think of another possibility.

“Your Majesty, your words might be the right answer.”

At my sudden words, everyone tilted their heads, but only Campbell nodded, meeting my eyes.

His eyes were firm. Could he have been thinking about this from the moment I started talking?

“There is a possibility. However, before that, I have something to ask you.”

“Ask away.”

“Do you know to what extent an incomplete devil is?”

“It would be comparable to one Sword Master.”

Based on my experience in the game, it shouldn’t be far off.

“Then the possibility increases. As you first said, complete annihilation might be difficult, but we can reduce their numbers.”

Rudehrn interjected with a face that didn’t understand.

“Are you saying we should all attack together now?”

“Yes. Lord Schurtafen’s initial plan of going alone has low possibility compared to its risk. But this case is different.”

Finally grasping the situation, Rudehrn and Grand Duchess Lyurik opened their eyes wide.

“Could it be?”

“Yes. If they are separated in preparation for Lord Schurtafen, it creates a good environment for us to form an ambush team and attack.”

Currently, the devil of domination is stationed at the northern limit line. The three newly summoned devils are in an incomplete state.

In the end, it meant there was only one intact devil. Of course, an incomplete devil is not an easy opponent.

However, what if they are separated? Here we have four Sword Masters and Erendil who wields Teme’s Spear.

“We might not be able to annihilate them, but we could probably take care of one or two. If our worries are excessive and they are gathered together, we can use the weapon Lord Schurtafen has.”

“It seems good, but…”

“Of course, there are risks in this case as well.”

Campbell agreed with Faorn’s worried words.

“If they are waiting for Lord Schurtafen’s approach, our approach might be detected first.”

“We could be surrounded.”

“Yes, that would be a problem. But the devil waiting for Lord Schurtafen would be the intact one, right?”

“Even so, it’s just one. You mean if we take care of it first, things will be easier?”

I shook my head at Rudehrn’s words.

“No. Even if our forces can handle one intact devil, it’s hard to predict how quickly they will converge.”

“Then?”

“I can be the bait.”

“What?”

“Please listen to the end.”

As Erendil was shocked, I hastily continued.

“There are two immediate options. Either we face the intact devil head-on, or we attack them from an unexpected direction, even if it takes a little more time.”

The pros and cons are clear. In the former case, if successful, there’s a possibility of repelling all devils.

However, as mentioned earlier, if it takes too long, the situation could turn for the worst.

The latter case is safety-oriented. If we approach undetected, we can definitely kill one devil.

Due to the roundabout approach, it might take a bit longer, but the chances of them letting their guard down increase.

If we quickly deal with one like that, we can also buy time to escape. I added while explaining this:

“Assuming we need to hit and run quickly, the latter is better.”

“I agree with Lord Schurtafen.”

Campbell took up the words. In silence, everyone nodded. The conversation that progressed in an instant had now turned into forming a devil assassination team.

It had become a situation similar to but slightly different from what I had initially planned.

Of course, Campbell’s plan isn’t exactly the same as mine. I didn’t want to say this here.

“If we choose the latter, I think it’s better to increase the targets to two. Of course, we’ll have to take risks.”

“If an incomplete one is equivalent to one Sword Master, we can handle it quickly. Her Majesty’s spear is also considerable. Is that why you volunteered to be bait?”

It was Rudehrn’s question.

“Unlike then, I’ve crossed the threshold. If I can’t avoid its eyes… I’ll have to outmaneuver it completely.”

“It’s dangerous.”

It was Erendil’s words.

“Of course, its detection range will be quite wide. But I don’t think it’s as wide as the radius of the bomb I have. The ones who know this will be that far apart. It’s a matter to consider after we approach stealthily first.”

Though I say this, I think it will detect our approach. Still, it’s worth trying.

“Even if I’m caught, the devil’s wide detection range is time for my survival. I trust that distance, my speed, and your and Her Majesty’s abilities.”

“But still…”

“And even if I die, I can commit suicide with that devil.”

It was a word I uttered with determination. While Erendil and the three Sword Masters were bewildered, only Campbell remained calm.

“Lord Faorn, is it possible for Her Majesty and the three of you to kill two?”

“Even the intact one barely avoided Her Majesty’s spear thrown from a distance. If it’s as Schurtafen says, it should be possible for four of us to kill two.”

“In that case, even in the worst scenario where Lord Schurtafen dies in an explosion with one devil, we can catch all four devils in the East.”

He was saying this because if we deal with three, the remaining one would be easy to handle.

“So one in the North remains?”

“Yes, this war would be over.”

I wonder if it would really be over. One devil remains, but… Perhaps because of this incident, I couldn’t be certain.

Of course, if it turns out that way, it seemed there would be no hope for them.

These three consecutive summonings looked like their last struggle. They’re in a dire situation too. Would they have hidden another move in this situation?

To Faorn and Campbell’s conversation, Erendil spoke with a face full of betrayal.

“Lord Faorn, even you?”

I had no choice but to placate Erendil.

“Your Majesty, it’s just the worst-case scenario.”

“We just need to handle it quickly.”

Faorn defended me.

“As a Sword Master, when I faced a devil, I judged that although it’s difficult to win, I could hold out for a short while.”

“…”

“And if we deal with two as planned, what’s left is one intact devil and two that aren’t. Numerically it’s five Sword Masters, but we have Teme’s Spear, don’t we? It’s worth trying.”

Everyone was looking at Erendil. It’s dangerous, but the possibility is sufficient. Rather, more so than what I initially thought.

Of course, there are minor issues. We also need to quickly find and deal with the scattered devils while I act as bait.

Anyway, only Erendil’s decision remained. I looked into Erendil’s eyes. It was to give her confidence.

“What if they saw through our plan, if they know Schurtafen is a decoy?”

“Even so, an incomplete devil is about one Sword Master. The intact devil can’t just stay still while he flies around with that weapon.”

It’s impossible not to follow me even if they consider the lure and ambush.

Even if they don’t get drawn in, it’s to our advantage.

“Even if that’s the case, we can still achieve some results. We can definitely eliminate one.”

It was Campbell’s words. If it worries about this and doesn’t move, it meant we could deal with one devil with one glowstone.

Erendil examined me.

“…Schurtafen, can you stay alive?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I stake everything on it.”

I really was confident. Erendil finally let out a deep sigh.

“Alright.”

Rudehrn opened his mouth.

“I will move with Your Majesty.”

“Do so.”

As the situation was being sorted out, Campbell asked me.

“My lord, about that weapon you have, you said there’s one left, is there no way to get more?”

“No, probably not.”

“It would be difficult to use during battle, right?”

I nodded.

“Then it’s better not to use it. The most important thing in this fight is for Your Majesty and you all to come back alive.”

Everyone nodded.

“Shall we depart right away?”

“Shouldn’t we?”

In the end, what was important to us was the race against time. They’re likely heading north now.

“Well, only Grand Duchess Lyurik and I drank, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Let’s go.”

Erendil looked at me for a moment before rising from her seat. Her face was solemn. The tension was evident. After all, we were going to face devils.

Grand Duchess Lyurik bowed her head.

“Please forgive this disloyal subject who cannot accompany you.”

“Grand Duchess, don’t say such things.”

“Your Majesty, I pray for your success.”

“Let’s see each other when we return. I entrust the capital to you until then.”

“Yes. I will ensure that Your Majesty’s and the lords’ absence is known as late as possible.”

Of course, we weren’t leaving right away. We needed time to prepare. We moved after completely clearing the palace corridors.

Except for Rudehrn, the two Sword Masters came with just one sword due to the urgent call.

One sword might be enough for a Sword Master, but we were going to face devils.

It was the same for me and Erendil. Having just enjoyed the festival, we couldn’t leave immediately.

As I walked down the corridor for preparations, Campbell followed behind me.

“My lord.”

“Yes, Count.”

“It will be alright.”

“Pardon?”

Campbell tilted his head at my question.

“You didn’t mention this plan first because you were worried about Her Majesty, right?”

I furrowed my brow. He seems to think that my saying I’d go alone was because I was worried about Erendil.

Hmm, well… was it?

I hadn’t particularly been conscious of it. It doesn’t seem like it was my subconscious manifesting either…

“Of course I’m worried about Her Majesty’s well-being, but that’s not it. Your and Her Majesty’s words showed me another possibility.”

Campbell nodded with a meaningful face, then after checking around for a moment, he said:

“I apologize for saying this, but honestly, if it were another knight instead of you, I would have told them to self-destruct with the devil.”

Knowing Campbell’s personality, I understood his honesty.

“But I can’t ask that of you. All of my current honor is indebted to you, and you hold value beyond imagination.”

“Isn’t saying this like telling me to commit suicide?”

“No, I’m sincere.”

I know he’s sincere. Of course, it would be in the emotional realm. In Campbell’s rational realm, there might be a part of him that hopes I would do so after hearing these words.

But I don’t hate him for it. It’s because he’s this kind of person that he’s capable, and why I brought him.

“If it weren’t my life, I would have done the same. And maybe… as you wish, the devil might die.”

“My lord!”

Campbell was startled.

“Please don’t. Your death is truly not a simple matter. First of all, Her Majesty…”

“It’s a statement assuming the worst-case scenario.”

Campbell looked at me as if trying to determine the truth of my words, then continued.

“…I wish you luck.”

“Thank you.”

Campbell moved away. Of course, the devil dying didn’t mean I would die.

There was another reason for my confidence.

Anyway, we finished our preparations and boarded the dragon carriage.

On the last day of the festival as midnight approached, Erendil, myself, and three Sword Masters began our flight to the East.