How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 267 - Preparation for Departure (1)

-It’s my personal conjecture, but I’m certain that the Great Devil that has descended on the continent is not whole.

Count Campbell’s words from the dawn meeting lingered in my mind as I headed towards my companions. I think the possibility is quite high.

The sphere of darkness I saw in the east. I thought it was a tool for drawing in darkness. The appearance of the sphere also felt like the descent of a devil to me.

My hypothesis was that they would strengthen the sphere’s power through sacrifices and then summon the Great Devil.

Since there were three of those spheres, and I had destroyed one, there was a high probability that the summoning of the Great Devil was incomplete.

Of course, this wasn’t certain. It might be possible to summon the Great Devil with just one or two spheres.

For instance, they might have summoned extra ones in preparation for this kind of situation.

It’s a given fact that summoning a Great Devil for certain is better than just one devil. Of course, this was assuming the worst-case scenario.

And even if our hypothesis is correct, things won’t go smoothly from here on out.

Even if the Great Devil is in an incomplete state, we don’t have a Sword Lord like the founding emperor.

In fact, since no Sword Lord has appeared after the founding emperor, we don’t even know if that level truly exists.

‘Still, the possibility is high that it’s true.’

In the past and present, it takes three Sword Masters to face one devil.

The founding emperor had the ability to easily handle one devil alone and even drove away a Great Devil.

There’s no possibility of anyone becoming a Sword Lord now. Neither I, Rudehrn, nor Faorn feel any particular wall.

Overcoming a wall is only possible when you’re aware that there is a wall in the first place.

Suddenly surpassing a wall during an engagement with a Great Devil was too unrealistic and hopeful.

However, it wasn’t all negative.

‘We have Teme’s Spear, after all.’

By chance, we were able to obtain a weapon that I didn’t even know existed while playing the game. It’s a weapon that even devils can’t avoid unless they’re at a very far distance. The Great Devil might be a bit stronger, but still.

The wielder’s strength isn’t important for Teme’s Spear. That’s why it’s a divine weapon.

Even the emperor called Sword Lord drove away the Great Devil with Teme’s Spear. Perhaps Teme’s Spear is more important than being a Sword Lord.

‘The worst case here would be if another devil appears.’

Right now, there’s one Great Devil and one devil. We currently have 6 Sword Masters here. Me, Faorn, Rudehrn, Mondegreen, and two additional ones from the west and south.

Assuming three each face the Great Devil and the devil, the numbers match perfectly.

However, if even one more devil appears while we’re heading east, it becomes a problem.

This is also assuming the worst, but we couldn’t rule it out. It would be better if it didn’t happen, but…

‘It would have been best if Denif or Terka became Sword Masters.’

Well. Although I’ve been developing rapidly since becoming a Sword Master, it didn’t seem easy to gain enlightenment.

It’s even less likely to happen by rushing. Rather, rushing could be harmful. We can only watch and wait.

“Carlyn?”

Rina was on the rooftop of the lodging where our companions were staying. I had already noticed her with winds.

Rina tilted her head when she saw me approaching, then jumped down and landed on the ground before examining my expression.

“Did something happen? It felt a bit busy earlier.”

“I’ll tell everyone together a little later. But why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Just…”

Rina trailed off and averted her gaze.

“I can’t sleep. I have things to think about too.”

It’s not unusual for Rina to stay up late. She’s originally someone whose day and night are reversed. It felt like she had become a bit more normal while traveling with us.

But it was a bit unusual for her to be awake until nearly morning. Usually, she would have fallen asleep by this time.

“Do you have something troubling you?”

“No.”

It seemed like there was something, but I didn’t pry further. I’m not interested in other people’s secrets, and it wasn’t important right now anyway.

“Is everyone else inside?”

“No. Denif isn’t here. He went out.”

“Out? Where?”

“I don’t know. He was watching the acrobat troupe’s performance and suddenly went ‘Ah!’ and ran out. It looked like he got some kind of inspiration.”

I tilted my head. I did mention that he might get inspiration from watching the acrobat troupe. But I didn’t expect him to actually get it.

I was quite surprised. The fact that he went out in the evening and hadn’t returned by morning meant it wasn’t something trivial.

There are many cases where something that suddenly comes to mind turns out to be wrong when you actually try it. And Denif isn’t the type to hold onto something if it’s not right.

“Hmm. Then should I wait until Denif comes back to talk?”

There was no need to wake up the sleeping ones to talk without Denif. It’s not like anything would change if we delayed a bit.

“Why, what’s going on?”

“A Great Devil has appeared.”

“What?”

“You heard right.”

I told Rina because she’s not the type to react dramatically or talk a lot like Aron or Jofor.

“…So that’s why it was noisy at dawn.”

“Yeah. We’re departing tomorrow.”

Erendil would leave in a few days riding a dragon carriage, but it’s different for the others. They would participate as a mercenary group employed by the empire, so they would leave right away tomorrow.

Rina is planning to move with them. Her talent for finding things was confirmed by past experience. She also knows the east well and is suitable for the job.

I was contemplating. Whether to move with Erendil or with the soldiers. Actually, the former was better. It’s more comfortable and I would have a bit more opportunity to train.

However, departing with the soldiers would also be good for boosting morale. I had become an existence of certain victory for the imperial people.

It didn’t seem like a few more days of training would make a meaningful difference against a Great Devil. Am I being too negative?

Still, I thought I would probably move with Erendil. It seemed like Erendil would want that.

“It’s going to get busy.”

“It’ll get dangerous too.”

I spoke plainly while observing Rina.

“Are you feeling tired by any chance?”

“No. I couldn’t sleep originally. I was just thinking of lying down, but hearing your words woke me right up.”

“Then for now, don’t tell the others, and could you find Denif for me? After bringing him back, call for me.”

“Okay.”

I turned around. For now, I was planning to sleep a bit more. I had only managed to catch a brief nap while riding the dragon carriage.

The journey to the east. Even if I end up leaving later with Erendil, managing my physical condition when possible was essential.

“…Carlyn, wait a moment.”

At that moment, Rina called out to me. It was evident that she had called after some deliberation. I shrugged my shoulders.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

“You can tell me.”

“It really was nothing.”

Rina shook her head. Well, since changes of heart happen every second, I didn’t pry further.

“Alright then, I’m counting on you.”

“Okay.”

***

As it turned out, there was no need to wait for Rina to find and bring Denif. Denif was at my mansion. He had been pacing by the door and ran towards me with an excited face.

“Carlyn!”

And as soon as I saw Denif, I realized. His qi had clearly changed.

“You…”

“That’s right! I am now the next Sword Master!”

Denif nodded his head several times while going “Keu”.

“I was thinking of waking up that bastard Terka who said he’d be next after you, but I thought it might be better to tell him later. He’ll be dumbfounded when he wakes up, right?”

Denif kept grinning as he spoke, he was so happy. It was deserving of such joy. I was equally surprised.

Honestly, when I told him to watch that acrobat troupe, it was more with the thought of giving him a break rather than inspiration.

But to think he really got inspiration there and became a Sword Master in just one day… It was hard for me to believe too.

“And I wanted to cross swords with you too. You know? As fellow Sword Masters.”

“That’s true, but…”

I also wanted to exchange swords with Denif who had become a Sword Master. But Rina was the problem. And the situation at hand.

“I sent Rina to find you.”

“So what? If she can’t find me, won’t she come here?”

“Still, it doesn’t feel right. There’s also a problem.”

“Problem? What problem?”

Denif asked with a face that showed he knew nothing.

“You weren’t in the capital?”

“No. I was training outside and just came back.”

“A Great Devil has appeared.”

“What?”

Denif furrowed his brow. He made a serious face before lifting the corners of his mouth.

“Hmm. Reaching the level of Sword Master on the day a Great Devil appears. Could it be that heaven has…”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Denif becoming a Sword Master was fortunate in an unfortunate situation, but it wasn’t enough to go along with such nonsense.

“Anyway, let’s exchange swords later this afternoon. You go find Rina. She’s been up all night, don’t make her take a wasted trip.”

“…”

Denif glared at me with a disgruntled face.

“You know my blood manifests when a devil descends. It was worse with the Great Devil. The feeling of exhaustion is no joke, I need to rest a bit.”

“Really? Then it can’t be helped.”

When I gave a reason, Denif nodded as if nothing had happened. He’s crazy about swords. I was worried he might get even worse now that he’s become a Sword Master.

“Since you’ve heard anyway, tell the others too. We’re departing tomorrow.”

I could tell them again myself, but it felt unnecessary since I had met Denif.

“Tomorrow? Alright.”

“And you won’t be able to go with the others.”

“Huh? Why?”

Denif questioned. He’s not that stupid, but he seems elated from becoming a Sword Master.

“You’ve become a Sword Master. You’ll have to move with us, and your face is already known in the empire.”

“Ah, I see.”

“After telling the others, contact Phiri and introduce yourself as a new Sword Master from Haisen. That’ll be more comfortable for you too.”

Denif nodded as if he understood.

“Then what about the others? When it’s dangerous…”

“We have to fight the devils anyway, we can’t pay attention to every little thing. They’ll have to fend for themselves. Namir and Terka are there too, they’ll manage well.”

It was an unavoidable aspect since the timeline had accelerated compared to the game. In fact, just the fact that Denif and I had reached the level of Sword Master was incredibly good news.

“It seems like I’m only delivering bad news, but tell the others that there’s a high possibility the Great Devil is in an incomplete state.”

“Why? Did it feel different?”

“No. Remember what I told you before? The purplish sphere. There’s a high probability it’s related to summoning the Great Devil. Still, it’s better to deliver some positive words.”

“Well, that’s better than just being scared.”

It will probably be officially announced as well. The tremendous pressure that a Great Devil exerts is still intact even after a long time has passed.

The notoriety of the Great Devil from that time remains vivid even now, to honor the achievements of the founding emperor. As an overwhelming enemy.

For that reason, it was content that would be delivered at the imperial level to boost the morale of the soldiers.

“Then I’ll see you this afternoon. I need to wake up that bastard Terka and brag a bit.”

“Don’t tease him too much.”

“That’s his karma. How much did he show off after winning a few duels?”

Denif said that and walked away with excited steps without waiting for a reply. It was understandable given how much his competitive spirit with Terka had grown recently.

And when afternoon came, Denif who came with Terka didn’t have an excited face because of the duel.

He had such a serious expression that I was taken aback, wondering if some problem had occurred. For a moment, I even thought maybe Terka had become a Sword Master too.

With a feeling like he was sulking because he couldn’t tease him. But Terka’s qi was unchanged, so that wasn’t the issue.

“Hey Carlyn, what should we do?”

“About what? Did something happen?”

“Problem? A bit?”

“What is it?”

“Rina said she likes me.”

It feels like all the steam just escaped. He was so serious because of this? I couldn’t help but let out a laugh of disbelief.