Chapter 65: The Two Missions

We were escorted to a camp situated to the north of the empire’s under-construction fortress, where numerous tents had been erected. However, Marcellus directed us to remain outside of them, setting us apart from the other soldiers.
 
We were different from the other soldiers, for better or for worse. If we slept in close proximity, we might get caught up in troublesome situations.  Thus, we made the decision to comply with Marcellus’ orders and patiently wait without approaching the tents, in order to prevent any potential issues from arising.
 
It was the end of autumn, and the temperature was getting colder day by day. However, as demons, we were unfazed by the cold. Even without transforming into our demon forms, we could easily withstand the plummeting temperature. The same was true for the young ones among us, who were just as resilient.
 
“I’ve kept you waiting. I went to report your arrival and actually received a mission from his Excellency, the division commander, just now. I’m sorry to give you a mission so soon after your arrival, but it starts tomorrow morning. Now, let me give you a brief overview.”
 
After gathering Tigar and the rest of demons, Marcellus began to explain the details of tomorrow’s mission. Sitting inside the back of the wagon, I heightened my senses and listened intently. The mission was divided into two main parts: disrupting and annihilating enemy scouts and infiltrating the occupied territory for intelligence gathering and sabotage.
 
The former mission was intended to protect the imperial army while they constructed the fortress. Although all the spiritualists were mobilized throughout the construction time, the fortress still required more time to be completed. The invading army frequently sent scouts to survey the vulnerable construction site, and it was our task to repel or eliminate them.
 
The latter mission was considerably more perilous, as we were to penetrate deep into the occupied territory to investigate the state of the empire’s former domain. If possible, we were also to provoke or loot the invaders’ base and burn their supplies. 
 
While the former mission had already been assigned to other groups, the latter mission was solely assigned to us, and while it might seem like a simple task to gather intelligence on the occupied territory, it was a daunting one given the circumstances. This was because the invading army had systematically killed every inhabitant of the occupied territory, leaving no survivor locals behind.
 
Normal espionage involves blending in with the general population to gather information, but due to the invading army’s merciless methods, there were no longer any civilians to blend in with. So the only option was to search while hiding from the invading army.
 
As we approached the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, there were few humans who could endure roughing it outside. However, creatures like us demons could withstand both the heat and the cold.
 
Furthermore, we had high combat capabilities, so even if a fight broke out, there was a high chance of us returning with valuable information. Although the possibility of dying was also high, for Karelvo, our new master, it didn’t matter if we died. Hence, as far as the imperial army was concerned, we were the perfect candidates for this mission.
 
However, from our perspective, as the individuals who had to actually venture into the dangerous territory, it was a mission that made everyone want to protest. The gasps of Tigar, Zald, and the other demons could be heard all the way to the back of the wagon.
 
“There are two missions, so you’ll divide into two units. You don’t need to be too desperate when dealing with scouts since other units are already taking care of that. However, for the infiltration mission, we need skilled individuals who prioritize stealth and who are still able to survive if a battle breaks out,” Marcellus said.

Stealth, huh…..Without a doubt, the most suitable demon for infiltration missions among us is Mika. Even in his human form, Mika was skilled at making himself undetectable, so much so that he could slip through my senses. I didn’t know what kind of creature he was synthesized with, but he most likely kept those skills of his after getting demonized. Infiltration missions were a piece of cake for him.
 
None of the others knew about this, so they didn’t say anything. I knew, but since I was in the wagon, I couldn’t even voice my opinion. Moreover, Tigar and the others, who were once atonement soldiers, didn’t have the habit of giving their opinions, so in the end no one spoke up.
 
“Well, if you don’t answer, it’s going to be a problem… I don’t know what other officals are thinking, but I have the intention to accept any useful opinions and advice from you, no matter who you are. Please speak up without hesitation.”
 
“…Then may I speak?” 
 
It was Mika who spoke up. Tigar and the others were surprised that someone actually opened their mouth, and Marcellus, on the other hand, was happy that someone was going to voice out his opinion as he urged him to speak.
 
“I have a certain amount of confidence when it comes to my covert arts. I would like to apply for the infiltration mission.”
 
“Is that so! Are there any other volunteers?”
 
“… Then, I will volunteer too.”
 
The next to volunteer after Mika was a member of the Kadaha Squad named Rinne. She was a quiet and mysterious female who always seemed to be looking off into the distance. Both the Lugall Squad and Kadaha Squad were surprised that she volunteered, as she was not the type to assert herself.
 
However, upon further thought, Rinne did seem suited for the infiltration mission. She was a spiritualist who excelled in illusion arts, able to make the enemy see false images or, conversely, to deceive them into believing that nothing was there. Additionally, Orvo had synthesized her with a creature called the Illusionary Dream Sheep, which used the same tactics as Rinne. While she was not particularly skilled in movement, her ability to deceive would prove useful in the infiltration mission.
 
“Thank you! I need one more person to come with us… Does anyone else want to volunteer?” Marcellus asked, delighted to see the second volunteer.
 
However, no one raised their hand to be the third volunteer. They all knew that infiltration missions were difficult and that they had no experience with them, so it was not a matter of preference but of capability.

As a result, no one raised their hand to be the third volunteer, and an awkward silence hung in the air. Right then, the imperial soldier standing next to Marcellus spoke up as if remembering something.
 
“Deputy Captain, I heard there’s someone in the demon unit who has slain a White Knight. Why don’t we take that person with us?”
 
“Ah! Excellent idea, Decius! So, who is this person that has killed the White Knight?” Marcellus replied, impressed with the suggestion.
 
No one spoke up in response to Marcellus’s question. However, I sensed that everyone’s gaze shifted towards Tigar and Zald due to the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the sad truth remains—those who were under the control of enslavement spiritual arts could not easily hide the truth.
 
“Was it you two?” Marcellus asked.
 
“Uh… no….it wasn’t us….We just took advantage of his back being exposed and attacked him,” 
 
“The one who almost single-handedly defeated him was that guy, tied up in the back of the wagon,”
 
“The wagon?”
 
Tigar squeezed the words difficultly, and Zald resignedly, admitting that they had finished off a white-knight with my help. It was true that I almost defeated that white knight on my own… It seemed that Marcellus was looking for me.
 
It looked like I would have to go on the more dangerous infiltration mission. Oh, I don’t want to go.
 
Marcellus and his unit looked at the back of the wagon I was in, confused. Then Marcellus stood up and entered the wagon with one of his subordinates, named Decius.
 
“Oh!? He really is here!”
 
“I’m actually quite surprised at how I didn’t feel his presence at all. Such a perfect form of concealment….Is this person not the perfect stealth operative for the infiltration mission?”
 
“Moreover, he is unbelievably strong. If he accompanies us, it would be reassuring.”
 
As they entered the wagon, Marcellus and Decius’ appearance became clear to my eyes. Marcellus was a big, muscular man with deep-set features, large black eyes, and curly, bright brown hair.
 
The imperial soldiers were wearing armor, but they didn’t carry any weapons. I couldn’t tell whether it was due to their confidence in their own strength or because they weren’t wary of me. Either way, I had no idea what kind of fight they would put up if they were suddenly attacked.
 
One of Marcellus’s subordinates, Decius, was a spiritualist, as was evident from the Imperial spiritualist robe he was wearing. He wasn’t wearing a hood, so I could see his face clearly. His deep-set features and curly hair were just like Marcellus’s, but his hair was a dull golden color, and his eyes were narrow with a faint green tint visible through the gaps.
 
Leo and the other children noticed Marcellus and Decius approaching and quickly hid behind the back of my cage. The two men kneeled down and chuckled, telling the kids not to be scared.
 
“Hey there, kiddos. I’m Marcellus, and this is Decius. Nice to meet you.”
 
“I’m Decius. Nice to meet you guys,” 
 
Despite their friendly demeanor, the children didn’t open up to them and refused to come out from behind my cage. Even the usually laid back Kelf was the same.
 
“Good grief, have I become so unlikable? That’s a shame… but why is he the only one tied up? That’s what really concerns me,” Marcellus said.
 
“Maybe there’s a reason for it? I’m not sure, after all, you, our deputy captain, said we should ‘meet and talk with them first’ and didn’t really listen to what the commander had to say,” Decius replied.
 
“Ugh! I wanted to see things for myself rather than rely on others’ evaluations… Oh, could it be that they hastily gave us the key for this reason? Let’s see…”
 
Marcellus stood up and took out a rough-looking key from his pocket, then inserted it into the lock of my cage and turned it. The key made a loud clunking sound as it came out, indicating that it was the correct one.
 
I thought he was going to lock the cage again, but Marcellus proceeded to unlock one shackle after another. Not just the cage, but also the chains that bound my hands, feet, and tail were removed. Why was he doing this before the mission even started?
 
“Surprised that I removed your shackles? If we’re going to fight together, we need to trust each other. Forcing someone against their will isn’t my thing,” Marcellus said.
 
“He is bound by spiritual arts, so he’ll always be forced to obey orders. This is just the deputy captain’s self-satisfaction speaking,” Decius’ said, shaking his head.
 
….What a strange guy this Marcellus, trying to gain the trust of those who were enslaved like us. As Decius said, this act was nothing more than self-satisfaction on his part. We were bound by spiritual arts, after all.

However, I didn’t mind his approach of trying to get closer to us. Though, it might just be empty words, so I didn’t trust him immediately.
 
“As always, Decius is hurtful with his words… Well, did you hear about the mission outside? I’ve heard of your skills, and I want you to join the infiltration mission starting tomorrow. What do you say?”
 
“…”
 
I opened my eyes and got up from my seat. They saw my compound eyes hidden under my eyelids, but they only looked surprised. There was no disgust, fear, or even curiosity in their eyes—only surprise.
 
It was truly interesting. Whether I believed him or not, I wanted to know a little more about this Marcellus. I nodded my head silently and agreed to join the infiltration mission.