DSB 130

“The Teruo family was a close friend of Father-in-law, and as retainers, they held high standing, they were suitable.”

He also seemed like the sort who’d repay a debt tenfold.

“But everyone knows Jorsen made a pact with a demon?”

“What does such scandal matter in the midst of war? Especially in the North, where might is everything. Ultimately, those who earn merit in war will hold the power.”

Damian’s eyes narrowed. Though Lebel appeared thoughtless on the surface, he often acted based on thorough thought.

He seemed accustomed to the position of an absolute ruler who commands and dominates all situations.

Once his true nature was known, everything made sense.

“And we must prevent the lower ranks from running amok.”

“You mean the nobles? We’ll handle that part…”

“Ah. That too, but also the demons. Merick should be able to keep the other demons well in check.”

Iol, who was standing beside him, gasped, and Damian shouted.

“There are other demons?!”

“Demons exist wherever humans are. The North is rich in demonic energy, making it a favorite spot for demons, but since Michael established a stronghold there, most demons have likely left. So we need to be extra cautious. Instead, there will be demons like Merick.”

“You mean there are many people in the North who made contracts with demons?”

“With so many humans swarming around, it’s only natural that quite a few have made contracts with demons.”

“Not many have discovered or made contracts with demons so far. Besides, if there were that many, why haven’t they all been exposed? I heard contract marks appear too?”

Damian’s voice grew louder as he spoke, seemingly unable to suppress his agitated state.

“Ultimately, in the Middle Realm, they can only wield power within permitted limits. Marks appearing on the body indicate strong power. It’s proof they possess significant power to wield. All the demons recorded in history are of that sort. Merick is a demon who lived long in the Demon Realm, so he’d rank within the four hundredth tier. That’s why I chose him.”

Damian gaped in concern, and Lebel answered seriously to reassure him.

“Of course, I’m among the top tier. If Merick harbors any other intentions, I’ll step in.”

But contrary to Lebel’s expectations, Damian still looked frustrated.

“Well, that’s not the important part right now…”

He still didn’t seem to believe it. I thought I’d shown him several times already.

“Hmm, judging by the situation, it’s safe to say Norman has taken control of the imperial capital. He turned all the troops needed for war into something like puppets. And the demonic beasts too. Wouldn’t this cause an uproar if humans found out?”

He never imagined that bastard would be the one who injected precious magic stones into the demonic beasts. Norman has always been interested in the North, so he must have been messing around with demonic beasts a lot.

Good thing Karon went ahead; otherwise, it could have been total annihilation.

“That’s what confuses me too. The Empire’s people fear demonic beasts. And having their own families conscripted into the army isn’t exactly something they’d welcome either… Yet they’ve reached this state.”

Lebel looked at Damian’s somewhat subdued face. At that moment, Yutis’s face flashed through his mind.

Norman’s forces weren’t all human, so they didn’t hide their true forms. Thanks to that, Yutis was also about to be mobilized for war.

Of course, given Yutis’s nature, he wasn’t the type to just sit and wait either. Fighting demons would be tough, so contrary to Edmund’s wish that he not stand on the front lines, he wouldn’t. He was useless in that regard.

“Have all the major nobles joined hands with the demons? But surely they couldn’t all agree on everything…”

“Or perhaps they simply killed all dissenters.”

Damian looked at Lebel, who had said those words without a flicker of emotion.

“Regardless of the Empire’s situation, our objective remains the same. And the biggest problem now is that Norman has grown stronger.”

Just as Damian’s face was about to contort, Lebel continued.

“Well, how much stronger could he have become? Yutis has grown stronger too, so he shouldn’t be difficult to kill. And I’ll be going with him.”

Just as he’d told Damian, he’d step in if necessary. This time too, he could just brush it off as magic.

“This is probably unnecessary worry, but have you ever experienced war?”

“No one has fought as long as I have.”

Lebel chuckled softly at the absurdity of the concern, then rose from his seat.

Damian didn’t need to ask where he was going. Yutis entered the office. He was clad in solid armor.

“Hmm, not bad.”

Yutis was wearing armor made from byproducts of demonic beasts.

It was a war against demons, and with demonic beasts appearing too, such preparation was necessary. While the holy sword needed no adjustment, the armor was different.

Jess suddenly popped out from behind Yutis.

“Thanks to the young madam!”

It was Lebel who advised them on how to turn the demonic beast byproducts rotting in the warehouse into various weapons and armor.

If sturdy armor could be made from the demonic beasts’ materials, it would help in the war. He hoped Yutis wouldn’t get hurt.

“The Young master’s armor was crafted from precious byproducts.”

“Are the others also being produced smoothly?”

“Yes, of course. We’ll deliver them as supplies soon.”

“Any difficulties in the production process?”

“The fact that the demonic beast byproducts were all different was a problem, but following the young madam’s advice to combine similar ones, it worked out in the end!”

Just then, a servant dragged something over. It resembled the armor Yutis wore, but it was made to fit Lebel’s build.

“We’ve also made one for the young madam! Would you like to try it on?”

“I’m fine. It’ll just get in the way when I move.”

His own demonic energy was far sturdier than that armor.

“Ah, but…”

Jess hesitated, looking concerned. However, at Lebel’s firm gesture, he bowed his head and withdrew.

“My wife, are you truly going with me?”

Unlike Jess, Yutis, who knew Lebel’s true nature, also worried and tried to stop him from going to the front lines.

“Yes. I have to go. Karon is there, and so is Luceris. I can’t stay behind. I need to check if they’re doing well.”

“It won’t be a sight you’ll want to see.”

“I’ve been through wars before. And you heard what Merick said. It’s best to eliminate variables as much as possible.”

Lebel spoke while stroking Yutis’s cheek, the latter couldn’t hide his worried expression.

“I’m not going to the front lines. I’ll just watch from behind.”

“But what if that demon finds you…?”

“You’ll stop him before that happens.”

“But what if…?”

Lebel grabbed Yutis, fearing endless objections.

“We’ll return before Father arrives.”

Lebel declared boldly.

Then, ignoring everyone’s pleas, he headed for the assembly point. The retainers looked visibly shocked, seemingly unable to believe Lebel would keep his word, while the knights of Hestro Castle raised a ruckus.

Even soldiers unfamiliar with Lebel took notice when someone so unsuited for war appeared, and they were astonished upon learning he was the rumored young madam of Hestro Castle.

“Oh dear. The situation here isn’t good… This isn’t a place the young madam should endure.”

“Why didn’t the young master stop him?”

The knights, still bearing the marks of the grueling battle, stamped their feet anxiously, worried that their precious young madam might collapse from seeing such a harrowing scene.

[Lord Lebel!]

From far away, another presence ran toward them. Raising clouds of dust as they came, they were children Lebel had seen before.

The group of Morbelks, charging fiercely pushed aside the knights as they approached Lebel. Then, they all plopped down on the floor at once, wagging their tails vigorously and begging for praise.

“Ah, yes. I heard you were helping too. Thank you.”

[I did my best too!]

Karon, perched on a Morbelk’s forehead, stretched out his legs and strained to cling to Lebel. Lebel nodded, “Yes, yes,” and stroked each child reaching out.

The soldiers watching were filled with awe.

Morbelks never allowed anyone to touch them. They obeyed only Edmund, frightening the others.

To see the demonic beasts not just tamed, but treated like puppyies was astonishing.

[I was so distressed being separated from you, Lord Lebel.]

The statement was exaggerated.

But Karon seemed to have suffered greatly during that time too; his once glossy fur was now matted and dirty. Lebel picked Karon up and asked the knight.

“Where might my father-in-law be?”

“Ah, the master…”

“My wife, you can greet Father later. You’ve had a long journey; why not rest for a moment?”

“You’re right. Come, this way. I’ll show you.”

The knight led the two toward the tent. The inside of the tent certainly wasn’t in great shape. Then again, expecting much during a war was greedy.

He pointed out the sleeping quarters but didn’t complain. He was the one who had insisted on coming along in the first place. If he started complaining, Yutis would just say he was right and send him back to the castle.

“This far is fine, but you absolutely cannot join me on the battlefield.”

[I still don’t like that guy, but I agree with him on that.]

Another nag had joined the ranks.