Simurid Kormadino was dead. Reports indicated that he had been torn apart by Demon Lord Fomor’s fangs. Tovitz Hughker received the news from the Uthob Front, Unit 7110—specifically a female lizard covered in crimson scales called “One-Eye.” Unit 7110 was a unit composed of highly intelligent faeries, created through the combination of multiple species. Composite faeries tended to be psychologically fragile, but One-Eye was the most communicative and appeared the most stable among them. That was why Tovitz had appointed her leader when he took command of the unit. And so far, she had fulfilled her role perfectly.
“We lost Six-Eyes…and a number of standard faerie infantrymen that were hiding underground beneath the royal capital.” One-Eye shrugged. “I can’t get in touch with any of them, so I’m guessing they’re dead.”
“Thanks. That’s a little more than I expected, but I’m satisfied with the outcome.”
They were out in the forest before a fire, and Tovitz tossed another branch into the flames. They roared, sounding unnaturally loud in the quiet darkness.
“What about the Crypt of Gray Lights?” he asked. “Did you find where they were hiding?”
“The search team was completely wiped out. I can’t get in touch with Seven-Eyes, either, so he’s probably dead, too. It was most likely the Twelfth Order that killed them.”
“Ah, that’s too bad.”
They were, however, necessary sacrifices in Tovitz’s mind. This was a trial run, and it was only natural for the weak to be eliminated. Besides, there was no such thing as a war without casualties. Still, he felt he should express his regret. After all, his soldiers were essentially his possessions, and it was unpleasant to see his belongings damaged.
“Our search for the Crypt of Gray Lights will prove useful later, though. It will compel them to act.”
“Really? I don’t understand the complicated stuff.”
“That’s fine. Thanks for the report. Now, let’s eat. Could you go get the others for me?”
As Tovitz felt One-Eye’s presence fade, he gazed into the bubbling pot of venison and turnip stew, fragrant with herbs. While he was locked up in the Second Capital, he hadn’t been allowed to cook, but his hands still recalled the motions.
Jayce Partiract had been particularly good at food like this.
“You done chatting, Tovitz?” someone called out from behind.
The voice was slightly gravelly. Tovitz hadn’t heard it in a while. When had he returned to camp?
“Don’t surprise me like that, Soola Od. You should have told me you were there.”
He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. And besides, even if he did, the man wouldn’t show his face.
“Not when there are faeries around,” Soola Od replied. “I despise those creatures.”
“Oh, come on. Be nice to them. We’re friends now.”
“Not me. More importantly, let’s talk business. What’s next?”
“It sounds like things at Galtuile Fortress went smoothly.”
“Then don’t ask about it… That Boojum is stubborn, but he can be useful at times. He’s efficient.”
It seemed like Soola Od and Boojum were an unexpectedly good match. They had been tasked with assassinating the commander at Galtuile Fortress, and Tovitz had already been informed of their success.
“Good,” he said. “Anyway, I don’t have anything else to ask from you for the time being.”
“What?”
“We are resting until spring. For now, I want you to train Unit 7110 as much as you can.”
“We’re resting? Explain yourself. I haven’t seen you doing much lately.” Soola Od’s voice sharpened. “The mission in the First Capital apparently failed, too.”
“Yes, but failure isn’t exactly a bad thing in this case. We disposed of the coexisters, who were starting to become a liability. So that’s a plus. If they’d been captured, they might have given up valuable information.”
“Sounds like an excuse to me.”
It seemed some explanation was necessary. Though Soola Od refused to show himself, Tovitz still turned around.
“You seem unhappy, Soola Od. Do you really want to work that badly?”
“Of course. I don’t want to be on the losing side. Do you seriously plan on resting until spring?”
“Giving them a period of peace is important. This is a plan that I personally came up with. Continuing to attack mankind would simply encourage them to unify.” It was time for a change of perspective. Making everyone believe they were in constant danger wasn’t a good strategy. “People start to let their minds wander when they’re bored, and they begin to worry about the silliest things. Take the Saint, for example.”
“The Saint? Why aren’t you preparing to have her killed? She poses a real threat to us.”
“She does as long as mankind permits her to.”
“What are you saying?”
“She is mankind’s greatest weapon…but is there anyone who can control her? Who’s to stop Yurisa Kidafreny from becoming a god who rules over mankind with an iron fist?”
“The goddesses and Holy Knights would stop her.”
“The goddesses were made so that they can’t attack humans.”
Soola Od fell silent, and that alone said it all.
“The Saint has the potential to rise above both mankind and the goddesses, and I believe it’s only natural that people will eventually start to fear her.”
“I think I see what you’re getting at. The coexisters are gone, and now you’re giving them enough time for the seeds of discord to take root.”
“Yes, pretty much.”
This period would instill fear and doubt—or, alternatively, it would tighten the bonds between those of the same faction. Both would both prove powerful weapons for the Demon Blight.
“This series of events has taught me the strengths and weaknesses of our greatest threat. All we have to do now is spend the winter preparing.”
“Are you referring to the penal hero unit?”
“I’ve determined who their most valuable member is. From a strategic standpoint, that is a very significant discovery.”
“Xylo Forbartz? He’s quite a thorn in our side.”
“No, strategically, Venetim Leopool is the heart of their unit. Without him, the penal heroes would fall apart.”
If they could eliminate Venetim, the commander, they could isolate and corner the others. The greatest threat to the penal heroes was none other than mankind itself, since they possessed the authority to instantly kill them at the drop of a hat.
That’s why we will be able to beat them next time.
Now he knew how to confront the penal heroes instead of simply running away. They were terrifying, but that was because their existence itself was a mistake. The majority would refuse accept them, and if they came up against the norms and morals of humanity, they were sure to be ostracized.
“Soola Od, I will make sure you don’t regret your decision,” said Tovitz. “There is no way for mankind to defeat the Demon Blight.”
That much he could state with certainty, and not because he had discovered the penal hero unit’s weakness. No, Tovitz had met with the King of the Demon Blight and had learned a crucial fact.
As long as mankind works hard to fight back, they will not be defeated.
The bonfire’s flames burst and crackled.
But they will never win this war, either.
Because the Demon Blight was summoned as a direct response to humanity’s collective desire for it.