How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game – Chapter 287 – Romanek Plain (1)

Author: Dawn

“Oh no…”

The appearance of the devil was gloomy news even for those urgently summoned. However, not much changed. We were just heading northeast.

To be honest, it wasn’t the worst-case scenario. The worst we had envisioned before leaving for the east was having Great Devil and two or more devils.

We had fully anticipated that one more might be summoned like this. If we hadn’t been able to deal with one devil in the east, it would have been troublesome…

We had considered Great Devil and one devil from before we left. Of course, the sudden summoning disrupted our detailed plans.

“The possibility of additional devils appearing…”

“It’s unlikely at present. The last time we confirmed sacrifices moving was two weeks ago. If it had been more possible, they would have done it earlier.”

I nodded at Count Campbell’s words during the meeting. It was a reasonable opinion. I thought so too.

Even for Great Devil, it’s impossible to summon devils indiscriminately.

I saw this incident differently. I thought the gathered sacrifices were probably for strengthening Great Devil.

Either there weren’t enough sacrifices, or there was a problem after I broke the orb then, so they called another devil.

Honestly, for Great Devil, finding its full power would have been a priority over another devil.

“Isn’t there a possibility of summoning during battle?”

“That possibility can’t be ruled out. That’s why we need to go as fast as possible.”

Devil summoning isn’t simply possible because there are many people. It requires a formation and time for the ritual. This was one of the reasons for increasing speed towards the plain.

To prevent them from messing around on the plain. But I don’t know if we can prevent it.

We don’t know the specific elements of devil summoning. They might be able to summon a devil with corpses piled on the plain.

There were a couple of such incidents even in the founding emperor’s time. But it didn’t happen every time.

It seems there must be some specific conditions… I just hope it doesn’t happen this time. If it’s possible, there’s not much we can do.

“My lord, will you be alright?”

“We have to do what we can for now.”

Count Campbell asked Faorn. He meant whether the Sword Masters could handle Great Devil and the devil. Faorn looked around at the Sword Masters.

“We’ll need to discuss among ourselves again. Your Majesty, may we withdraw first?”

“Please do.”

Erendil nodded. Teme’s Spear was supposed to be used against Great Devil. We had practiced together whenever time allowed.

Although she was displeased with the non-existent season, she didn’t struggle much due to her good mental strength.

Still, considering her condition, we trained without overdoing it. Anyway, this meant the current discussion didn’t require Erendil’s presence.

“Thank you. Everyone, move out.”

Led by Faorn, all the Sword Masters left the conference room. In fact, our agreement was what mattered.

When facing Great Devil and the devil, ordinary soldiers couldn’t play a significant role.

After a brief discussion, the allocation of personnel was settled without much difficulty. There were 7 Sword Masters currently joined with the imperial army.

Two drafted from the west and south, Faorn, Mondegreen, Rudehrn, and myself and Denif.

We assigned the newly appeared devil to the two Sword Masters drafted from the west and south, and Denif.

There wasn’t much opposition. In fact, facing Great Devil was the more difficult task. Moreover, a freshly descended devil wouldn’t be at full power.

Even though Denif had recently become a Sword Master, it would be easier than facing a full devil alone.

‘Denif looked a bit dissatisfied though.’

Even Denif couldn’t easily speak up in front of six Sword Masters. It’s natural. Denif values martial arts.

For Denif, the five Sword Masters excluding me were still beings of a realm not easily surpassed.

It’s not easy to say he wants to fight Great Devil because of his own desire. It’s objectively so too.

Although Denif is obsessed with sword development, he’s not someone who doesn’t know his place. He makes excessive requests to me because it’s me.

“Then let’s go with this.”

“Yes.”

The atmosphere among the Sword Masters wasn’t good either. The practice they had done to face Great Devil after dealing with one devil in the east had become useless.

But it couldn’t be helped. With little time left now, we just do what we can.

Especially Rudehrn, Faorn, and Mondegreen’s faces were grim. Although they would face Great Devil with me and Erendil, the reality was slightly different.

Erendil and I would be in the non-existent season for a surprise attack, so it would be difficult.

Like the other side, the three of them had to face Great Devil. Of course, it would be good if Denif’s side could finish quickly and come…

If I was in the non-existent season, flight with winds would be impossible, so it wouldn’t be easy.

“My lord, Her Majesty will be moving soon.”

It was something I felt and reported during the meal. The journey to Romanek Plain was also urgent. The Sword Masters exchanged glances and dispersed.

The march began again. With the approaching winter, snow began to fall from the gray sky along with the march.

“Even the weather isn’t on our side.”

Rudehrn, walking beside me, complained. Snow slows down the march.

“It will stop soon, I hope.”

“I hope so.”

But contrary to our expectations, the falling snow only grew thicker as evening passed.

***

“My lord.”

“Ah, it’s been a while.”

That evening, while checking on the soldiers, Orhen approached. As she had joined the allied forces as part of Temerza, we had crossed paths a few times during the journey.

However, considering our relationship, we hadn’t exchanged greetings separately. We had only confirmed each other’s well-being with light nods.

“Has it been a while?”

Orhen smiled inexplicably. I slightly frowned.

“Haven’t we met separately last time with Emperor Your Majesty? It’s been a while.”

“Of course, when Her Majesty was still a princess, but didn’t we also pass by each other in the east?”

“That’s true.”

I nodded. She was saying this because of the surrounding eyes, but it was actually Orhen’s joke.

The tone asking if it had been a while was with the recent private meeting with Denif in mind.

“Could we talk privately for a moment?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll escort you to my tent.”

“Your tent?”

“It would take too long outside…”

Orhen trailed off. It wasn’t wrong. Given the large army gathered, we’d have to move quite far to get outside the camp where there were no people.

But going to the tent felt a bit off too. There were too many watchful eyes.

It wasn’t late night yet. Soldiers who had marched all day were resting here and there.

I was just going to go to an empty spot within the camp, so I was surprised when she mentioned the tent.

Hmm, or not?

Going to the tent late at night would look even stranger. A brief talk shouldn’t matter.

“Are you concerned?”

“Concerned about what?”

Orhen smiled subtly.

“I thought you might be.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing much.”

It didn’t seem like nothing. I glared lightly at Orhen, understanding what kind of joke she was making.

“It’s nothing.”

“If it’s nothing, shall we go together?”

After walking a bit to Orhen’s tent, I sat down in a chair and crossed my legs as soon as we arrived.

“Why are you joking around outside?”

“Why? It was fun.”

“It wasn’t fun.”

“I don’t think so.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

When I spoke firmly, Orhen narrowed her eyes and looked at me. It was playful dissatisfaction.

“Anyway, why suddenly?”

“Just. I wanted to talk with you, Carlyn. I met Denif twice, but not you.”

“Ah. I thought there was some problem.”

“What problem could there be?”

That’s true. Orhen had become an influential noble in Temerza. Compared to me and Denif, her talent wasn’t lacking either.

She was a friend who easily understood magic from a young age. Her talent was certain, so the Chief of Intelligence nurtured her.

According to Marhan at that time, she was said to reach the level of Archmage before turning 35.

“I’m glad nothing’s wrong. Are you uncomfortable?”

“More worried than uncomfortable. About you and Denif.”

“Understandably so.”

The news of the devil’s descent spread as we marched. There was no reason to hide it. Morale would drop, but it was a fact that would be revealed anyway.

It’s better to face it head-on. If they found out about an unknown devil later at Romanek Plain, it could cause mass panic.

“Are you okay?”

“We have to make it so.”

“It would have been nice to see Denif too.”

“You know that’s not possible.”

It’s no problem for Orhen, an influential figure in Temerza with connections to the emperor, to meet me, whom she had met in the past.

And it’s also fine for her to meet Denif separately, the new Sword Master of Haisen, which has grown closer to the empire.

Of course, it’s also no problem for me to go around with Denif. But if the three of us meet, the picture looks strange. It wouldn’t raise much suspicion, but there was no need to do so unnecessarily.

“I’m just saying. It might be the last time, you know.”

“That won’t happen.”

I spoke firmly. To be honest, I wasn’t certain either, but I wanted to say this. How should I put it, Orhen and Denif were still kids to me.

Especially Orhen, who had a fragile personality since childhood. I still remembered her first mission.

“Our meeting of three will happen after everything is resolved. Without any problems. No one will die. Me, you, Denif. Like this.”

Orhen smiled silently.

“It’s convincing.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. It’s you after all, Carlyn.”

Orhen continued, looking into my eyes.

“I guess I forgot because we’ve been apart for so long. Carlyn is Carlyn.”

“Why am I what?”

“You have never failed, not in the past, not now.”

“That’s not always true. And the missions in the past were tailored for us by father.”

Orhen made a blank expression at my rebuttal.

“I’m talking about the results. Just say you understand, it means I trust you that much, Carlyn.”

Hmm, okay. Empathy. Empathy is important. I nodded without saying anything. There was nothing to say when she just said she trusted me.

Even I thought it was strange. I had just said it wouldn’t happen, and then I said something different.

“Okay. I believe you. We’ll all return together without any problems.”

I looked at Orhen.

“Be careful, you and Denif. We know we’re in danger, but you’re not. It might not be as easy as you think.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t try to jump in just because Denif and I look like we’re in danger. The empire’s Archmage is supposed to help there.”

“…I understand.”

Seeing her trail off, I thought she might have been planning to act depending on the situation. I adjusted my sitting position.

“I’m serious. There’s a much higher chance you won’t be able to make a proper impact, and if you get in danger, it might put me or Denif in more danger. Don’t interfere at all.”

“…”

“Orhen. You’re not trying to act like Denif, whom you used to call an idiot and a fool, are you?”

“I got it. I won’t.”

I looked into Orhen’s eyes. She seemed reluctant, but her eyes didn’t waver. I confirmed she was sincere. Orhen stood up.

“I’ll trust you.”

“Yeah, I won’t. I trust you too, Carlyn. Let’s get up now. Other people might think it’s strange.”

“Well, it might be a bit awkward for you.”

Although our conversation wasn’t that long, this kind of rumor was more likely to harm Orhen than me among us. Orhen shrugged at my words.

“It’s not because of me, it’s because of you, Carlyn.”

“Me?”

“Didn’t you feel the imperial people staring as we came?”

“I knew.”