Several days had passed since I started staying in Novosibir, but I couldn't get used to these gloomy mornings at all.
The dark clouds and bone-chilling winds were a problem, but what bothered me the most was the sight of the city itself, devoid of people.
“Count. Are you listening?”
“Of course.”
I answered perfunctorily.
The Border Guard Commander sitting in front of me nodded with a tense face.
“These are all the incidents the Novosibir Border Guard has currently identified.”
“It must be quite difficult dealing with the Demon Tribe running rampant when crime organizations alone are overwhelming.”
“It can’t be helped since we border the Northern Federation.”
It wasn't significantly different from what the Strategy Division had identified.
Compared to the previous year, the Demon Tribe's activity had certainly increased.
“Do you know why those Demon Tribe bastards have suddenly increased?”
“Isn’t it because those Federation thugs provoked them? They are both so extreme, it’s hard for the Border Guard alone to handle.”
Subtly, the commander avoided my gaze.
As if knowing his reaction wasn't trustworthy, he hastily drank his tea.
‘He’s lying.’
It wasn't just a guess based on his actions.
Talks suspecting cooperation between the Novosibir Border Guard and the Northern Federation crime organizations had even been mentioned at the Headquarters Strategy Division.
Being moderately corrupt made them easier for me to use, so it wasn't bad.
I placed a pouch on the table.
At the jingling sound, the commander’s eyes widened.
“This is…”
“It’s a small gift for the hardworking Border Guard members. I put in enough to hold a small feast.”
“Ahem, ahem. Thank you for your kindness, Count. Is there perhaps anything else you wish to say?”
The commander asked, quickly pocketing the pouch.
I could tell this wasn't the first or second time he'd done this.
“Tomorrow, that is, at the Aslan Festival, I have some business. I’d like to handle it quietly.”
“If it’s about that, you don’t need to worry. We also rest on the Aslan Festival. All day long.”
The commander beamed.
“Good. Then I have other business.”
“What is it? If it’s something the Border Guard can help with, we will.”
“I’m thinking of going to the Demon District.”
“What?!”
The commander’s eyes went wide as saucers.
It was an understandable reaction.
Going willingly into a place swarming with demons must make me look like a madman.
“Is there a problem?”
“Ah, no. The Count must have his reasons. However, I must advise you to be careful. The demons have been more on edge lately.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I replied curtly and left the Border Guard barracks.
It wasn't large-scale, but it was undeniably a state-recognized paramilitary organization.
Besides, it would be troublesome if they requested support from the nearby Imperial Army.
It was better if not even a shadow of tomorrow's business was cast.
Still, dealing with the Border Guard was better than dealing with the ones I had to face now.
‘Because they are demons.’
Against the Demon Tribe, Valheit’s reputation wasn't just unhelpful; it was a liability.
Being human was already a negative, and adding the label of nobility doubled the animosity.
The saving grace was that I knew someone I could talk to.
Well, I only knew the name…
The rest was just vague descriptions from the novel.
‘Maybe I should go conspicuously this time.’
* * *
About ten minutes after making that decision.
I was tossing a Goblin around with Mana Grasp in a back alley of the Demon District.
“Where is Karl Druke.”
“I don’t know! I told you I don’t know! He’s not even part of our group, and he’s a different race!”
“That means you know who he is.”
“Ah.”
I snatched up the guy, who was dripping blood from his nose, with Mana Grasp.
Seeing him struggle pitifully didn’t evoke much sympathy.
They struck first anyway, so this much was self-defense.
If they hadn't run their mouths about skinning me or whatever, I would have resolved it through conversation.
“That’s enough.”
Thud-
I dropped the guy I was holding.
Hitting the ground with a strange sound, the fellow screamed and ran away.
“You’ll have to explain yourself to us later, outsider!”
“Truly a race that only runs its mouth. While running away, no less…”
Someone instantly thrust a dagger before my eyes.
It was slow compared to Til, but still an impressive speed.
“Who are you to look for me.”
“Are you Mr. Karl Druke.”
“I’m the one asking questions here.”
I smiled lightly at the cold response.
Dark navy skin, pointed ears, ash-gray hair, and yellow eyes.
He perfectly matched the description of Karl Druke in the novel.
“An arrow is aimed at you, so don’t think about doing anything foolish.”
“Ah… You mean the person on that rooftop over there.”
When I turned my head slightly, a woman with horns resembling a mountain goat and furry ears pointing upwards was drawing a bowstring.
She seemed to be from the Goral Tribe, a demon tribe inspired by mountain goats.
It was hard to be sure since I had only seen written descriptions.
“You’d better answer quickly. Staying long in the Demon District only puts you, a human, at a disadvantage.”
“Haha, thank you for the advice.”
Boom!
A heavy noise echoed as a shockwave spread around.
The dagger Karl was thrusting and the arrow flying towards me were simultaneously repelled.
Wincing, Karl distanced himself.
“Repulsion Armor. You’ve learned quite an unconventional spell, human. I thought it was obsolete due to its mana consumption.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment that I have overflowing mana, Mr. Karl.”
“…It’s also in bad taste, reflecting the force used to attack others to trouble them.”
Well, he wasn't wrong.
Aside from reflecting attacks, it was a terribly inefficient spell.
“So, are you scared? Meeting an opponent who uses a 6th-tier spell? Of course not, Mr. Karl. If you cared about such things, you wouldn’t have come here in the first place.”
As I grinned slyly, a loud voice echoed from the rooftop.
“Hey, Karl, do you know that human?”
“No.”
“Then how does he know your name?”
“If it’s names, I know yours too, Ms. Hillia.”
Even from afar, I could see Hillia was flustered.
Regardless, her huge bow remained aimed steadily at me.
Karl raised his hand to stop her.
“I don’t know how you know us, but leave here immediately, human.”
“That’s not a very good attitude for conversation.”
“I’m saying this for your own good. Those guys you just beat up are more persistent than you think. I don’t know what your purpose is, but it won’t help.”
“Thank you for the advice, Mr. Karl. I will handle that problem myself.”
“…It seems you have no intention of backing down. How do you know our names?”
Of course, I know because they are the protagonist’s companions.
Karl Druke, the Demon King’s right hand, and the archer Hillia, who, although her importance diminished over time, was still a member of the Demon King’s party.
Originally, I only planned to meet Karl Druke, the strategist among the Demon King's companions, but I ended up meeting two of them.
The secret meeting fell through, but this much was within my expectations. It wasn't time to back down yet.
“I came to propose a deal, Mr. Karl.”
“There’s no reason to, and I have no intention. Go back.”
“Even if it concerns your family?”
Karl Druke’s expression quickly turned grim.
Along with Hillia’s expression on the rooftop.
Up to this point, things went as expected.
From now on, it depended on how well I could persuade them.
“I know more about you than you think. Things like your scale, goals, plans, successes, failures. For example…”
I paused briefly, observing their reactions. As expected, they didn't seem convinced.
“Like the plan to attack the Borgia Liquor Guild’s convoy tomorrow.”
“Hey, how did you know that…”
Hillia, who had blurted out the words like a machine gun, covered her mouth at Karl’s glare.
“…Since when have you been watching?”
“That’s not what’s important right now, is it? Will you make a deal?”
The Dark Elf frowned as if lost in thought.
Well, it wasn't easy to readily trust someone who suddenly showed up wanting to make a deal.
It seemed more bait was needed.
“Your younger sister’s name was Misha, wasn’t it.”
“!”
“You must be heartbroken. I hear she’s safe for now. For now…”
“What’s the deal?”
“You trust that human?”
Karl calmly replied to Hillia’s shout.
“A deal means he wants something from our side. We should at least hear him out.”
Good. I've overcome a major hurdle.
If they just listen, it's an offer they can't refuse.
There's no way they wouldn't bite when I offered to let him meet his sister tomorrow.
“Your name?”
“You can call me Palsh.”
“Alright, Palsh. Let’s move somewhere else. There are too many eyes here.”
As I took a step to follow, I felt a sudden chill.
I quickly scanned the surroundings, but there was nothing.
I focused my senses for a moment, but still felt nothing.
“What are you doing, not coming?”
“So impatient. I’m coming.”
Was it just my imagination?
These senses being too sharp were also a problem.
Grumbling, I followed Karl into the deepest part of the Demon District.
* * *
After the commotion ended, someone appeared in the Demon District.
Til glared at the spot where Valheit had been just moments before.
“How did you notice, you monster.”
The moment she let her guard down to follow, Valheit had sent a warning glance.
To think her stealth, even if momentarily disrupted, was seen through so easily.
There was still a day left until the Aslan Festival, the day Valheit mentioned to come, so she had planned to tail him to see what he was up to, but it all went wrong.
Should I keep following?
Hesitation held Til back.
Taking a deep breath, she began muttering to herself.
“A deal with the Demon Tribe, what is he thinking?”
The Eight Council wasn't a group that particularly excluded the Demon Tribe.
It was natural, given that some members were demons.
However, their stance was closer to ‘use them if they can be used’ rather than being favorable.
The conflict between humans and demons wasn't a major concern for the Eight Council.
It was rare for such an Eight Council to reach out to the Demon Tribe first.
It was even less like something Valheit would do.
“The question is why…”
Soon, she shook her head.
It wasn't the first or second time Valheit acted incomprehensibly.
“If you can’t properly explain why you got involved in human trafficking, you’ll have to pay the price, Valheit.”
Grinding her teeth, Til clenched her fists.
Even if one didn't shy away from any means, there were still lines.
If Valheit crossed that line under the name of the Acting Commander, he would pay the price.
Making that vow, Til once again pursued the narrow-eyed man.