How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 280 - Reorganization (1)

All the Sword Masters and Erendil currently with the Empire moved together. It was with the intention of definitely catching a devil, even if it meant taking losses.

With this force alone, we could potentially handle even a Great Devil. Of course, there were many reasons why we couldn’t. First was that we didn’t know the exact location of the Great Devil.

We had a rough idea, but there was no way we could just enter blindly. Moreover, we only had three dragon-powered vehicles in total.

Lastly, while the dragon-powered vehicle that came to pick us up was large enough for everyone to fit in, immediate additional combat was impossible.

Just looking at the example of catching a devil, the possibility of being intercepted was high enough. That would mean the disappearance of the Empire’s fighting force.

Also, there was a chance that the Great Devil had seen us through the devil’s eyes, so it might be prepared.

Separately from that, it was clear that the Empire had made thorough preparations. At the mountain range we arrived at heading southwest, two additional dragon-powered vehicles joined us.

It seemed they had predicted even the possibility of a dragon dying.

I had been resting my eyes during the journey due to the accumulated fatigue, and I asked a question from the dragon-powered vehicle I was riding with Erendil.

“Was the information from the contact person valuable?”

Although everything had worked out well, I was very curious about the contact person. And now that we had three dragon-powered vehicles, we couldn’t completely rule out the possibility of catching the Great Devil.

For instance, if the contact person knew the location of the Great Devil, it would be worth seriously discussing an attack even if the situation wasn’t favorable.

“Yes. I don’t want you to suffer, but this effort wasn’t in vain.”

Just seeing Erendil nod with a comfortable expression, it seemed that as I had expected, the contact person wasn’t a devil worshipper or a nobody.

“It was worthwhile then. Did that person also know the location of the Great Devil by any chance?”

“That, they did not.”

Erendil shook her head.

“He called it ‘Star Cluster’.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s the name of the group.”

Erendil’s words suddenly reminded me of Arachne. The organization in the East that had exploited Rina. They also called themselves stars.

Of course, it wasn’t that strange. The East is a place that believes in Lu Nanna, the moon god.

Those who claim to be stars floating around the moon were as countless as the stars in the night sky of this world. It was just a strangely coincidental memory.

“Although he says there’s a collaborator inside the enemy, it doesn’t seem to be at a stage where we can obtain such information yet.”

“I suppose he’s not in a high position.”

“Well. He said with his own mouth that it wasn’t a low position. To me, it seemed true.”

It meant that Erendil had read that the collaborator was telling the truth. Of course, I don’t know if that’s really true.

The collaborator might not know well, or they might believe it to be true even though it’s not.

“That person said that within the enemy ranks, it’s spread that the Great Devil has descended, but information about it is being kept strictly secret.”

“Perhaps the Great Devil is not yet in a complete state.”

Regardless of the position of that internal spy, this was a reasonable guess. If the Great Devil was in a complete state, it would have revealed itself to show its well-being.

The reason it’s kept secret even internally is the same. There’s also what I’ve done. Erendil agreed with my guess.

“I think so too. They said that despite the Great Devil’s descent, the enemies keep ordering to bring more sacrifices, as if something is still lacking.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Did you want to go catch the Great Devil?”

“To be honest, yes. The sooner the better for us.”

Erendil smiled.

“I think the same, but even if it were possible, I would have stopped it.”

“Is there another problem?”

“Don’t you need to rest too?”

“I’m fine.”

Thinking that perhaps she hadn’t mentioned it for that reason, though I didn’t think the possibility was that high, I hurriedly hardened my expression. Erendil continued.

“You don’t look fine. You seemed mostly alright after you said you resolved the issue by meeting the divine doctor, but now you look as troubled as before.”

“I can rest during the journey.”

“I won’t allow it.”

Erendil said firmly, opening her eyes sharply.

“Besides, we don’t know the location of the Great Devil anyway, so there’s no need to talk about it unnecessarily.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Schurtafen, you have a duty to take better care of yourself.”

It was a serious reprimand. I bowed my head lightly.

“Rest. It won’t be long now, we’re almost at the end of breaking through the mountain range.”

That was good news. It meant they had finished paving the way while I was struggling in the East. After resting a bit, we could head back to the East.

Right. There’s no need to be hasty. To be honest, I wasn’t in a perfect state either.

***

For the first few days after returning to Chenarus, I just slept. It was a repetition of eating and sleeping, you could say. As Erendil said, fatigue had built up more than I thought.

Mental fatigue was especially severe. When the tension suddenly eased, there was a big backlash. The brain fog continued.

It seemed I had been in a non-existent season for too long. I had been enduring due to the extreme tension that came out in life-threatening moments.

Knowing that I should rest properly when resting, I lay down without even touching my sword. After sleeping too much, I thought about the fight with the devil.

‘It’s daunting, indeed.’

Great Devil. Even if not in a complete state, it would be stronger than a devil in all aspects. We should think of it as an upgraded version.

Even in the air, it was difficult for four Sword Masters to inflict significant damage on one devil.

I don’t think the Great Devil would run away avoiding the fight in the midst of a large-scale battle, but… fighting in the sky was expected to be difficult.

I could only hope that Erendil’s Teme’s Spear would create a variable, but there was actually a bad possibility too.

The one who used Teme’s Spear to pierce through the Great Devil in the distant past was the founding emperor who had reached the realm of Sword Lord, above Sword Master.

Erendil, in fact, is in a position that’s hard to consider as a skilled swordsman. It meant there was a possibility that the throwing spear might not work on the Great Devil.

‘It’s the worst case scenario, but.’

I haven’t found a solution to that yet. I’ve been racking my brain, but what comes to mind is always someone’s sacrifice.

The Sword Masters would have to be prepared to die and hold onto the Great Devil for it to be hit by the spear.

Even then, there’s still a possibility it might dodge, but if we can’t even do that much, we can’t achieve victory.

Of course, this was imagining the worst, and I did think positively too. For instance, it could be easier than we think.

There’s more than a 90% chance that the Great Devil is not complete. The behavior it’s showing now speaks to that, and I destroyed the sphere of darkness in the East.

That meant the fight could end more easily than we’re worried about. For example, like when we killed one devil in the East.

If Erendil’s throwing spear succeeds and the Sword Masters pounce on the hit Great Devil and it ends there…

Finally, the goal I’ve been desperately wishing for would be achieved. There would be no more events that threaten my survival as a Sword Master.

‘I hope it goes like that.’

I didn’t think positively like this very often. You need to keep the worst in mind to come up with ways to respond and handle things well.

Regardless of my worries, things were progressing smoothly. The Empire had broken through the main road penetrating the Trafal Mountain Range.

It was a rapid achievement accomplished by gathering all the magic bombs possessed by the Empire and its allied countries. Now, soldiers were passing through the mountain range.

For now, it was agreed to set up a temporary base in front of the mountain range and then head northeast.

It would take some time because there were many soldiers. We were also scheduled to depart for the East by dragon-powered vehicle in a few days.

Still, since my physical condition had improved quite a bit due to the rest, it seemed I could pick up the sword again from today.

“Boss, are you awake?”

Around 10 AM, as I stepped out of the room, Osten greeted me. The companions’ lodgings were quiet. Namir, Jofor, Aron, and Rina had all left.

Only Mary, Osten, and Terka remained. Denif had become the Sword Master of Haisen and was on standby together at the imperial palace.

Even in this wartime, Mary and Osten’s lives hadn’t changed much. They still do research and go to school. Anyway, they looked particularly tired.

“Did you stay up all night?”

“Ah, yes. Because of what the Archmage asked…”

Osten’s abilities were recognized. After I brought it up, Erendil arranged a meeting with the Archmage. Should I say he was lucky?

Unlike ordinary mages, the Archmage didn’t ignore Osten, who creates magical tools.

Well, it might be natural given the emperor’s introduction, but just looking at how he recognizes his ability and asks for this and that, it doesn’t seem to be mere pretense.

“Can you finish it in the few days left?”

“Yes. It’s almost at the finishing stage. Would you like to take a look?”

“It’s fine.”

Osten, who had been answering with a happy face at my refusal, became gloomy. However, it was too precious a time to waste on useless things.

What Osten was making at the Archmage’s request was a device that amplifies mana and magic.

Using the highest grade magic stones used only in the imperial family, it was meant to draw in surrounding mana and stably enhance the manifestation of magic.

Honestly, such things weren’t non-existent before. However, they weren’t very effective for mages above a certain level. It’s more like an auxiliary tool for mages who have just entered the field.

‘It was considered nearly impossible to amplify even the Archmage’s mana and magic.’

Osten said he was in the process of creating it, inspired by glowstone, so it was a positive virtuous cycle where past events were linked. Anyway, there was no need for me to see it.

“What about Terka?”

“He went to the imperial palace. He said he wanted to help even a little.”

Terka also had a short rest period after returning to the Empire. It was the aftermath of the non-existent season. And for the past few days, he had been visiting Mondegreen.

It was his determination to hone his skills a bit before the all-out war. I wish Terka had become a Sword Master too.

The regret was great. Because of my actions, everything was rushed. If it were game time, Terka would have reached that level too.

Of course, it was greedy. Even if the timing was rushed, unlike in the game where I wondered if overcoming this was possible, hope had actually increased in reality.

“Ah, right. Her Majesty sent an elixir. She said to deliver it after you’ve recovered, so I couldn’t tell you separately. I’m sorry.”

We don’t need to follow such formalities between us, but I understand since it’s the emperor’s order. And even if I had known, I wouldn’t have been able to take it anyway.

Elixirs are originally best taken when the body is in good condition. If you take it when you’re not well, it feels a bit wasteful.

To be honest, there probably won’t be much difference. There’s no elixir that has a tremendous effect on Sword Masters. They’re people who have already reached that level.

It only has meaning for those approaching that level. In that sense, it would be better to give this to Terka, but there’s no need for that.

That guy has already taken it. It was something I heard a few days ago. The Empire distributed all elixirs to knights and mages above a certain level.

I heard they even opened the armory. It meant that the Empire was also giving its all in this total war.

Anyway, I thought this elixir probably came together when Terka received his. And since Erendil is personally giving it, I should take it too.

“Ah, right, and there was a separate message.”

“From Her Majesty?”

“Yes. She said to visit her on the night before the expedition, that she has something important to discuss.”

What is it? Did the contact say something else? No. If that were the case, there would be no reason for it to be specifically the night before the expedition.

“She specifically asked me to tell you not to visit Her Majesty until then, and to focus on taking care of your body and improving your swordsmanship.”