Maintenance (5)

The month I promised with Julia.

There was already a week left until the break.

In the meantime, Julia and the King tried to persuade me.

Still, I did not give up my argument.

‘You are still stubborn.’

The distressed tone was clearly conveyed in the letter I received previously.

I couldn’t help but laugh because I had just heard something similar from Julia.

Isn’t worrying too much?

There was no way I would feel bad knowing that there were many people who thought of me.

On the other hand, there were some who agreed with my decision.

“What. Why are you grinning like that?”

“Ah. Sorry. “I was thinking about something else for a moment.”

Catalina was putting her legs up on the table.

Max, who was sitting across from me, cleared his throat as if he was uncomfortable.

Naturally, she just ignored it and nodded.

I didn’t say anything because it was a picture I saw often.

“Anyway, everyone knows what the reason is.”

“They said they were discussing what to do in the demon world.”

There are a total of three parties heading to the Demon World.

The party, including me, Catalina and Malcolm. And the Knights of Marx.

I thought we should all come up with a plan, so I called Catalina and Max.

And Max brought one more person with him.

“Captain.”

The woman sitting next to Max.

When she noticed, Max nodded as if he understood.

“Let’s introduce ourselves first. My lieutenant. It’s Arne.”

“Nice to meet you. “My name is Arne of the Eagle Knights.”

A female knight stands up and bows politely.

He was already a familiar figure to me.

“I couldn’t participate in the Battle of Hellwood Forest, so this must be our first meeting.”

“Yes. At that time, I was leading the garrison in the capital.”

“This time, Arne is planning to head to the demon world with me.”

Arne extends his hand first.

When I shook hands, a strong feeling spread through my arms.

As expected, he had considerable military power as he was Max’s lieutenant.

“I’ve heard a lot about Seohyun.”

“Ah. Yes.”

“We look forward to your continued support.”

The attitude towards me was quite favorable.

Until now, I have received a lot of wary and jealous looks.

Rather, the eyes filled with respect and favor were unfamiliar.

Likewise, Arne extends his hand to Catalina.

Then Catalina began to criticize openly as usual.

“Hmm. “You look like you’re quite strong.”

“…Nice to meet you.”

“It doesn’t seem like the substance is very cool.”

I ignored Catalina’s words and maintained a polite attitude.

Her expression hardened.

Of course, not many people could understand Catalina’s rude attitude.

In that sense, I also view Catalina favorably.

It was definitely a very strange relationship.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, yes! Nice to meet you. Arne… ! Ugh… !”

“Malcolm. Let go of your hands quickly.”

Just as the corner of Malcolm’s mouth was rising, Catalina pinched his waist.

His face was distorted and he was screaming, making him look funny.

Catalina was especially blocking Malcolm from approaching women.

Even if it seemed like I wasn’t paying attention, I could see it.

Next, it’s my colleagues’ turn.

Celica and Tyria came out first.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Tyria.”

“Nice to meet you. “I heard that she was really beautiful, but it seems the rumors were not exaggerated.”

“Oh, no. Arne, you are beautiful too.”

“Selika, I also heard the rumor. “You are truly faithful.”

“Thank you. The goddess will bless you!”

Likewise, Celica also made an easy first impression.

Actually, the two people weren’t particularly worried.

Far from having an odd personality, they are infinitely kind colleagues.

And there were two people I was most worried about.

“Nice to meet you. “Kayla.”

“Yes…”

“I heard that your skill in using fire magic is amazing.”

“…”

Arne held out his hand, but Kayla politely waved it away.

I remained silent with my robe tightly pressed down.

There was nothing I could do to avoid her identity being discovered.

Fortunately, Arne also knew about Kayla and didn’t say anything.

Before the atmosphere became awkward, Arne extended his hand to his last colleague.

“Well, nice to meet you.”

“…”

“Erina. I…”

Erina just hides behind me.

When he sent a murderous look, Arne was overwhelmed and retreated.

Of course, I knew this would happen.

He smiled and comforted Erina while also apologizing to Arne.

“Sorry. “Because Erina is very sensitive.”

“Oh, no.”

Fortunately, Erina never swore or threatened.

After an easy first greeting, everyone sat down.

The meeting was finally able to begin.

Me, Max, and Catalina.

People who lead their respective parties and knights.

And even those who gathered around us.

In fact, it could be said that all the strongest people in the kingdom had gathered together.

“You probably know about the fog of the Demon World.”

“What’s so great about fog?”

Catalina, who had already experienced fog, spoke lightly.

Malcolm and Celica’s complexions deteriorated rapidly.

“I have experienced it too. “My breathing became unstable and my morale dropped.”

“That’s right. “It’s the same at the border of war, but if you infiltrate the demon world, the fog will get thicker.”

At least we can endure the fog.

It will not be easy for knights or ordinary adventurers to approach the Demon World.

Therefore, it is said that Max’s knights will also be composed of a small number of separate units.

“We plan to subdue the Demon King’s army on the outskirts of the Demon World.”

“We are planning to open a path to the Demon King’s Castle.”

Drive out monsters based on the west and east, respectively.

Catalina and I were planning to advance towards the center of the demon world.

Of course, Arne asked again in a worried voice.

“Are you sure you’re okay? “How about sending a scout to find out what’s going on?”

“Are you okay. “I don’t plan on charging in blindly.”

Of course, I also thought about it.

There was no way there was manpower capable of scouting the Demon World in the first place.

Also, we already had a destination decided.

The cave where Makiella is hiding.

From what I remember, it was hidden in one of the three caves near the entrance to the Demon World.

The task is to explore three caves, find Makiella, and kill her.

It was the top priority to accomplish as soon as we arrived in the Demon World.

‘If Makiella dies, the Demon King’s army will be weakened drastically.’

Most monsters and demon lords become stronger thanks to Makiella’s modification of the human body.

Without her, the level of the Demon King’s army would drop drastically.

However, that didn’t mean that conquering the Demon King’s Castle would be easy.

Anyway, after finding Makiela in the cave and killing her.

After reorganization, we plan to head to the Demon King’s Castle in earnest.

I just hope that Max will reduce the number of the Demon Lord’s army as much as possible before killing Makiella.

“We are scheduled to depart from the capital in the next week.”

“Okay. “I am ready at any time.”

“The knights are ready to go.”

From then on, time passed as detailed plans were made.

From the beginning, Catalina was planning to go with me and advance.

Max was a knight commander, so he was superior to me in strategy and strategy.

Actually, Catalina didn’t seem to think anything of it.

It seems he thought it would be better to go with me.

There were no major obstacles in planning the operation.

The only drawback was that there was no information about the topography of the Demon World.

It wasn’t a problem for me, who already knew a lot about the demon world.

‘How much hard work did you do in the demon world?’

Rather, the geography near the capital was a little vague.

Even after the first round ended, I came and went to the Demon World countless times.

In particular, I played it every day until the ending was updated.

Max also pointed that out, so he seems to be worried.

Since I couldn’t explain it to others, I decided to keep quiet.

“It is a fairly dangerous operation.”

“I know too.”

“Still, I will trust you because I know your performance.”

Even when fighting the snow maiden, when dealing with Ragnar, and even when facing Catherine.

Never once did the operation go smoothly.

Even if others said it was crazy, I had confidence in myself.

And because I had colleagues who followed me.

I too was able to make the decision to carry out a reckless strategy.

“Everyone, please brace yourselves. Because the Demon World will not be easy.”

“Don’t worry. “It’s enough for us.”

“That’s right. I am also prepared.”

“I will definitely protect my lord.”

His colleagues seemed to have made up their minds, and their voices were full of confidence.

But.

“…Yes. I understand.”

Erina was the only one who answered in a low voice.

It wasn’t that I had any particular loss of confidence.

Was it my imagination? There was anxiety mixed in her voice.