I Got Reincarnated Into a Game I Was a Top-Ranker in and I Became the Leader of a Villain Group That Will Destroy This Shitty Country - 90

Chapter 90: The Demon’s Proposal

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After all the wounds she had suffered from Kaltz were healed, Brien immediately set out on a reconnaissance mission. Brien herself was the one who had asked to be sent for a reconnaissance mission. As an elf, she had a wider field of vision and her senses were many times shaper than those of ordinary humans. 

“…It seems nothing is out of the ordinary, Brien-san.”

“Indeed. You’re right…”

The three members of Resistance were using telescopes, while Brien only had to rely on her own eyes. They were spying on the royal palace from the high mountain. They exchanged their findings in a brief conversation. Of course, they wouldn’t be able to see the inside of the palace from the top of this mountain, but they could at least observe the outer walls. The royal palace was located near the base of this mountain. There was a small village at the base of this mountain where Brien and her comrades had set up as their base of operation. The one who had recommended this village was Kai, the Demon of Prophecy and also… The one who had been hailed as a savior by the common people.

“By the way, there’s no need for you to push yourself too hard.”

“Huh?”

“What I’m trying to say is… You need to value your life. If you die, Chloe will be sad.”

“…I see.”

At first, Brien only saw Kai as another enemy to be killed. The prophecy about a demon consuming the whole world was far too ominous to ignore and Brien wasn’t fond of black magic either. The power of black magic often drove people insane and caused people to wield power beyond common sense. The other elves in her village had warned her of the danger of black magic. Hence why Brien had a bad impression of Kai and the others. However, that prejudice of her was slowly dissipating over time. She recalled the conversation she had with Kai before she left for this reconnaissance mission. 

“Kai. I have a favor to ask. Just one favor. That is, if you don’t mind…”

“Sure. If it’s something within my capabilities, I’ll be sure to help you.”

“Will you protect Alwyn and Chloe in my place? Although our party has disbanded, but they’re still my precious comrades.”

Chloe had left the party midway through and the party itself was completely abolished after Kaltz’s death. But… There were lingering feelings remaining. Brien still held both Alwyn and Chloe dearly to her heart. They had spent a considerable amount of time adventuring, tethering between life and death together. Those times together played a significant role in her heart. She never imagined she would have to ask a demon to protect her precious comrades, but Kai was quick to nod to her request.

“Yeah, sure thing. I will be sure to protect the two of them, so you should just focus on your mission and stay alive.”

“…Why?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you so quick to accept my request? I was a member of Kaltz’s party, you know? I’m supposed to be your enemy.”

“….Hahaha… Well…”

Even though Brien was only stating the obvious, but Kai only laughed her outburst away with a nonchalant laugh. After a brief pause, Kai licked his lips before he continued. 

“I also have comrades on my own. They are very precious to me, so I get it. I understand your feelings.”

The answer that came from the demon in prophecy was filled with warmth that Brien was slightly taken aback. That answer was the reason Kai had been plaguing her mind ever since Brien arrived here. A demon who acted so not demon-like. He was famous for being polite toward the members of Resistance and had the complete opposite of the typical black mage. He was a really kind and gentle person. Brien first saw Kai when they raided the underground laboratory by the slum, which turned out to belong to Gebels. It was hard to imagine that the same Kai who had beaten Kaltz to pulp so mercilessly like that actually had a gentle side to him. 

“…He’s really throwing me off balance. Goodness.”

The most important thing was… Kai was not her enemy. At least, for now. To be fair, now that Kai was on her side, Brien had a hard time imagining a better comrade than him. Hence why, Brien was determined to do this mission perfectly. As an elf, there was something she was good at. She had to fulfill her role properly—

“..Huh?”

“Bri-Brien-san! Look! Over there!”

“Yes. I can see it. A cloud of dust is rising there, but… Is that a noble family’s knight order?”

Brien’s eyes widened in shock. Even within the darkness of the night, she could clearly see the crests on the flags carried by the soldiers. It was something she had seen before, back when she was active in Kaltz’s party. She didn’t remember the name, but that crest definitely belonged to a certain count’s house.

“Brien-san! Something is moving in the east as well..!!”

“A-And in the west too! That’s the knights of Marquis Bian!!”

“…”

Wh-What’s going on? What’s happening here?

The soldiers belonging to the noble house were entering the royal palace one after another, as if they had been summoned all at the same time. But why at this late in the night? Why…?

No, it was clear to see why the royal palace was gathering such a large army. 

“Brien-san, this is…”

“Yes. We need to return and report this to him immediately.”

Gulping, Brien let out a deep breath. The word ‘war’ flickered through her mind. Yes. War. The Crown Prince and the nobles were working together to gather an army. They intended to completely annihilate the Resistance. 

Biting her lower lip in frustration, Brien gave her instruction to the man standing next to her.

“You. You’re a wind mage, right? Send this information to Kai immediately—”

“Bri-Brien-san!! Look at the royal palace, the royal palace!!”

The man shouted, looking terribly panicked. Furrowing her eyebrows, Brien turned her gaze to the royal palace and then, she was also stunned. She found herself with her mouth gaping open in disbelief. 

“…What is that?”

The entire royal palace was covered in red-black mist. Just looking at it sent chills down her spine. The mist brought forth a primal sense of fear and disgust in her. Seeing this ominous sight, Brien clenched her fist. 

“This is bad!! I will stay here to keep watch on their movements, so all of you!! Hurry back! You need to tell Kai about this—”

“Ah, then could you please pass my message along?”

Her sentence was cut short because a sudden anomaly had occurred. As an elf, Brien was more perceptive than an ordinary human. She didn’t sense any monster, or human around. It was as if the owner of the voice had suddenly appeared from thin air.

Startled by the horrifying voice that resonated from her behind, Brien turned pale and her whole body trembled as she slowly turned her body around. There, she saw a literal monster. That thing was twice the size of an adult man, with dusky black skin that looked either decayed or distorted in an inhumane way. Its small yellow eyes seemed to glow in the night and that thing was staring at all five members of the reconnaissance team.

“Ah…. Ah…”

Her whole body was clouded in fear upon seeing this unknown entity. 

This is bad. We’re going to be killed. 

That thought flashed through Brien’s mind when suddenly, the monster raised its hand. 

“You’re going to tell him, right? About the ritual happening here?”

“…Huh?”

“Then while you’re at it, please pass on my message too. I have a proposal for the fake demon you guys adore so much.”

She couldn’t understand what was happening here.

What is this monster talking about? Why hasn’t the monster killed us yet? A proposal? To Kai? From this thing?

While Brien’s brain was still struggling to process this, the monster raised its torn mouth and continued. 

“You see, I need to talk with him. Just the two of us.”

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