"A long time ago... so, about two or three hundred years ago, there was a big war between the human world and the demon world, and at that time, this was installed by default in each castle in the human world."
Of course. Spells were a part of witchcraft, and witchcraft was meant to deal with magic.
Humans have found a way to bind the demons' most threatening weapon.
"Either what was installed at that time still remains, or the method was not lost, so it was installed anew... It's like that."
With this, another chain was wrapped around the hands and feet of the demons.
The more the situation was sorted out, the less the demons could do, but Deon Hardt remained calm.
No, rather, he was admiring it.
'I shouldn't have said anything about the fact that the castle fell later than expected.'
It was rather surprising that it fell despite following the words of a general commander who was ignorant of the demons' limitations.
He habitually moved his fingers and tapped the desk.
He had no intention of questioning why he didn't tell him earlier. It was his own fault for not asking questions first, as he had to prove his worth to the Demon King and show his competence to the Corps Commanders.
Instead, he asked a question.
"... Since we have to assume the worst, it would be better to think that the method is not lost. What is the scope of the group you mentioned?"
"I can't say for sure because it varies depending on the shaman's capabilities and intentions... but I think most of the things installed in the castle were capable of suppressing magic up to a two to three kilometer radius[1]."
"You can't expect magic in a siege. Is it really unusable at all? You can break it with very strong magic..."
"Unless you are me or my contractor, you won't be able to use the magic inside it. It would be even more impossible to break it. It would be easy if it were done using a method other than magic."
"Other method...?"
"It's not difficult to break a spell if you know the core. If you disturb the main object or place even a little, it will break."
Because of this, he had seen several cases where a spell's main shaft was hit and broken by the feet of unsophisticated passers-by.
"Of course, finding the core is a different matter."
"... It means it's hard to find. All right. Let's go back to the contract."
"It would be a good idea to keep this in mind before that."
"... What..."
Deon noticed the faintly playful voice and was about to ask, but closed his mouth. He'd tell him without him having to ask.
Just as expected.
"Force is not the only way to suppress the magic of demons. If an individual is allowed to possess a specific talisman, the demons they face will not be able to use magic. To be precise, I should say demons within a three meter radius."
Information was thrown out as if showing mercy.
"I don't know if this method has been lost, but wouldn't it be convenient for you to know?"
The Demon King rolled his eyes and smiled.
When walking the tightrope between the Demon King and the Emperor, Deon did not first tell any information that was not asked. Was this revenge for that? Just as Deon did back then, the Demon King would faithfully give answers 'only to the information he asked for' after Deon turned to his side.
Deon Hardt was the general commander, and the most important thing for a general commander is information. This was free information thrown out in that situation. It would not be a bad situation for Deon. Rather, it should be seen as a benefit...
Deon could not accept this purely.
Knowing that this benefit was given purely for the Demon King's own fun and interest.
"... Yes."
The emotion disappeared from Deon's eyes.
"Thank you."
"It was nothing."
"..."
No matter what he said to that smiling face, it won't work. He wasn't even given the right to do that in the first place.
After looking at the Demon King for a while, Deon returned to the topic he was originally interested in.
"If there are fewer restrictions on the side that goes to the human world through a contract, the general troops will not change, but core forces such as Corps Commanders will be able to easily win if they go to the human world through a contract. What do you think?"
"Oh, that..."
The Demon King stretched out his voice and smiled awkwardly.
"A contract can only be made if the human side calls for it first, but now that a boundary has been created, we can freely go to the human world without a contract, right? In some ways, it's more comfortable because we don't have the burden of having a contractor."
"No way..."
"Yes, the method of summoning demons has almost been lost in the human world. Even when summoned, everyone refuses the contract."
In return for granting one of humans' wishes, they are allowed to stay in the human world.
That was originally the traditional way for demons to enter the human world, but since the border has been established, there are no demons who will stick to such a troublesome method.
From a human's perspective, the method of summoning demons was difficult, and even if summoned, the contract was rejected, so it was natural that methods of summoning demons and making contracts were lost.
'It looks like it wasn't lost at all, but...'
It was said to be an old and banned book hidden deep in the royal palace, and it was burned with a half-contract, so there wouldn't be any more.
The Demon King remembered Duke Stave Illuster, who had summoned him, and immediately laughed, pretending not to notice.
Deon touched his forehead.
"In that case, it would be difficult to write a way to contract with demons and spread it to the human world..."
"It would be difficult."
At most, the proposed plan was cut off by the Demon King. The explanations continued one after another.
"First of all, in order to make a contract with a Corps Commander-level demon, you need to be a decent vessel, but there are few such people, and even if the method of contracting with a demon is known in the current situation, the trick will be blatant, so vigilance will only increase. Of course, it is not that there are no crazy people among humans, so there may be crazy people who try it, but will they be able to escape the eyes of the Emperor, who is on heightened alert?"
"..."
The environment was harsh, and even if someone managed to summon a demon through it, there was a high probability that it would be one without much power.
Instead of answering, Deon quietly took out a handkerchief and put it over his mouth. With a small cough, the black handkerchief became damp with the smell of blood.
Unlike his blood-spitting mouth, the Corps Commanders who were watching him quietly lowered their gazes as his bright red eyes filled with anger and frustration. After a short silence, a voice disguised as calm came out in a low, boiling voice.
"The explanation... thank you."
"..."
"The bottom line is that tricks will not work and we must fight back purely through the use of troops. Great. Let's give it a try."
He calmly folded his handkerchief, put it in his pocket, and looked back at the Corps Commanders.
"First of all... I think I should first apologize to those gathered here."
Apart from the dull expression, an extremely calm voice came out.
Since he was speaking as the general commander, he spoke in a low tone.
"Due to my ignorance, an unfortunate incident occurred where only the two of us had a conversation in a gathering where everyone was gathered. I apologize for wasting your precious time."
"Oh... no!"
"You don't need to apologize!"
"Rather, we are sorry! We couldn't tell you in advance...!"
A fierce response came back.
Deon smiled faintly in response to the expected reaction.
Lirinel was heard muttering in admiration.
"Now that we have obtained enough information, let's go back to the beginning and talk about the sluggish battle we are currently engaged in."
"By the current battle, are you referring to the battle taking place in Paras Territory?"
"Yes, only by breaking through there can we advance to the Amiable territory, and only then can we clear the shortest route to the Illuster territory."
Following his voice, Idelia, who had been looking at the map of the human world on the table and scanning the travel route, stopped.
The four eyes on each cheek that were always closed and resembled painted cat whiskers slowly opened.
She wondered if she had misread the names of the territories on the map and ended up on a strange route. She even opened her eyes, which were usually closed, and checked the names of each territory again, but she was not mistaken.
A cautious voice came out.
"I understand as far as Paras, but... if you go through Amiable and Illuster Territory, you will have to go back a bit to the Imperial capital..."
"So?"
"Yes...?"
Deon tapped the desk with his fingertips and raised the corners of his mouth.
"It's not like we're going back that badly."
A deep and eerie smile that was far from refreshing.
The atmosphere calmed down in an instant. Idelia flinched and closed her mouth at the bloody smell of Deon, who was trying to crush his opponent. Deon, who was looking at the Corps Commanders in silence while even the Demon King watched in silence, slowly opened his mouth.
"... Well, okay. It's not that I don't understand. But think about it. Do you think Duke Illuster will just sit back and watch as the Demon King's army advances toward the Imperial palace? Huh? Edelia, please answer. Do you really think that's the case?"
"..."
"No, right? The Duke is not someone who will just watch the Empire collapse. Our goal is to conquer the human world, but if we just pass by, we will definitely become a very annoying enemy. And above all–"
Of course, all those words were excuses and revenge was the main goal, but whatever. It's not wrong at all.
Even if he was wrong, he could not be pushed out of this place where many eyes are watching. For Deon Hardt, authority has become his life.
Deon remembered Stigma's teachings.
'... Let the other person read the atmosphere and wait.'
Lift your chin appropriately and lower your voice's pitch in a calm manner.
Look at the other person with your eyes and speak elegantly so as not to look condescending.
"I am the general commander. So don't focus on the wrong things, but focus on the agenda I put forward. It looks like he'll dare to attack us, so we need to nip it in the bud beforehand."
After siding with the Demon King, he focused on not appearing ridiculous and became sensitive to his own shortcomings, so Deon reacted sharply.
For Idelia, it was a disaster.
"... All right. Sorry."
The pale-faced woman quietly retreated. Dvelania, who had been watching the situation with her eyes drowsily lowered, slowly rolled her eyes and raised her hand.
"I think we should do something about Rweche before focusing on the current battle. It is the Rweche Kingdom that is currently supporting Paras territory with a certain amount of troops and supplies."
"... I heard they held on more tenaciously than we thought, but maybe this is why... I guess we have to get rid of Rweche first, as Dvelania said. I don't think it would be a bad idea to use them as an example."
There was no way kingdoms would cancel their alliance with the Empire just because they sent out a warning to humanity that had formed an alliance. If that were the case, they wouldn't have formed an alliance in the first place. He was sure they'd just snort and ignore it.
Nevertheless, there was a reason why he decided to issue a warning himself. Shocking humanity by revealing his identity and dealing a blow to the Emperor's battle of wits with his allies and internal nobles, and laying the groundwork. Warnings are groundwork. Rweche would be an example of the price of disobeying warnings.
"There was a rumor about the king of Rweche..."
Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak.
He habitually snapped his fingers and knocked on the desk.
He was sure he had heard some useful information, but he didn't remember much. Deon's brow furrowed slightly.
"...Let me recite the family relationship of the King of Rweche, Dvelania. I think there was a family member who died recently."
"If it's a family that can't live without death..."
Dvelania rolled her eyes once and immediately gave an answer.
"He has a half-brother from a different father. It is a secret to the outside world, and he is the current general of Rweche."
"Oh, right. He did."
To be precise, it could be said to be an open secret.
It was a rumor that was secret to the outside world, but everyone knew and whispered about it. It seems that even he, who was not interested in rumors, remembered it because it was almost exclusively talked about openly in front of the person in question.
A twisted smile appeared on Deon's lips.
"Let's make him a scapegoat."
[1] For Americans: roughly 1-2 miles.