Remember was a person who came into the world young and had steadily served as an intermediary for several decades until now, with wrinkles appearing on his face, and had gained more authority than others.
The Duke's request was a request that would be rejected from above even if the broker accepts it, but if the broker was Remember, the story is different. Because he has the authority to pass a request that has been rejected from above at least once.
Therefore, rather than rejecting it outright, Remember asked a question.
"You said you would give the money without any hesitation."
"Yes."
"How much?"
Tacit consent!
He had passed the biggest hurdle. The Duke, who had regained his composure, smiled.
"All the Duke's property."
"... Are you serious?"
"Surely I wouldn't tell a lie now?"
To begin with, he was not that interested in money, and he did not have any heirs to pass down his property and family to.
Even if he spent a lot of his life, it wouldn't be a bad idea to use up everything he had left over. What happens after that is none of his business. He was a very popular bachelor, but the reason he didn't get married was because he didn't want to share what was his with others.
'Why should I think about after I'm dead when I only need to be flashy when I'm alive?'
So there was nothing to save.
Everything in the Dukedom was his property, flowing only in his hands. Because wherever he used it, it's his decision.
Above all, considering the things that can be obtained by receiving mercenary support, paying this much in return will balance the weight. In fact, this may be considered insufficient, but since it was 'all' of the Duke's property, it could be given additional points, so the old man in front of him would also consider it positively.
Just as expected.
"... Looking at the situation, it seems like you want support as quickly as possible..."
The positive remarks continued.
"It is difficult to dispatch mercenaries on a scale large enough to satisfy the customer in a short period of time because the dispatch process is complicated and the travel speed is slow."
... Although he wasn't very satisfied with the content.
He heard him say how far the Demon King's Army has come now. If you take a breath and think, 'they've come this far,' it won't be long before news arrives that they've arrived at the next territory, so they'll most likely arrive at the Capitol soon.
'It looks like they're running without stopping, except when they're sleeping. The means of transportation are mainly horses from the demon realm, and the horses from the human world are stolen and replaced from time to time like expendables...'
Wouldn't they arrive in about ten days?
The Duke, who had been estimating the period in his head, spoke in an uncertain voice as if he had roughly finished calculating.
"... I would like them to arrive within a week at the latest. Is that possible?"
"Considering the distance from Esperanes to here... I should contact them as soon as this conversation is over and request dispatch. Up to 100 people can be dispatched immediately without complicated procedures, so what will you do?"
"Of course..."
"For your information, the more the number increases, the slower the movement speed becomes, so please answer with that in mind."
"... You probably know more about this than I do. I will trust you and leave it to you."
Remember smiled softly and nodded.
"First, we will send about 70 people before the deadline, and we will send a significant amount of troops later as a follow-up force. We were promised everything in return, the footsteps of a family and a person, but we can't do it with just 70 people."
The Duke, who had relaxed and leaned against the back of his chair with the relief of having accomplished it, raised his head at the words.
All he needed right now was troops to arrive within the deadline.
There was no need for later support, but it would be foolish to completely reject it.
The Duke slowly opened his mouth.
"I understand."[1]
***
Now there was only one thing left.
He needed to buy time until the troops arrive.
He should not rule out the possibility that the Demon King's Army will arrive sooner than expected. In order to gain even one more moment, the Duke thought of a way to stop the Demon King's Army from advancing without hesitation.
... In fact, there was a way to make the Demon King's Army retreat rather than just holding them back.
Of course, he already tried it and failed.
'Negotiation with the Demon King.'
If he persuaded the Demon King, the Demon King's Army will stop. If done well, it would be possible for them all to withdraw from the human world.
Coincidentally, the Duke was a semi-contractor of the Devil King. The relationship was not at all hostile, but rather friendly, and the advantageous position was that it was possible to connect with the Demon King by using only a little magical power.
He made up his mind and contacted the Demon King.
"Oh, no need."
He was rejected before he could say anything.
"It's obvious even if I don't hear what you were thinking of by contacting me. It's not like asking to take over the army or stop for a moment or something like that. Either way, I have no intention of listening to you, so figure it out on your own."
"..."
He was left speechless by the firm answer, but he couldn't just give up and back down at this point. The Duke calmly shook his head.
'Seeing that he is so determined, asking him to take over the Demon King's army will never work, and aiming to stop him even for a moment would have a higher chance of success.'
Anyway, that was the intended goal, and since this was a disappointing position, there was no need to get involved... He had previously accepted a bet offer. A contract that was originally likely to fail was partially accepted this way.
So, if he can't be persuaded, let's bet.
"I'll suggest a bet."
"Oh, there's no need for that either."
"...!"
"There's something more interesting than a bet right in front of me, so there's no need to do it, right? I'm having enough fun these days."
... He forgot.
The previous bet was made based on the Demon King's boredom.
Since Deon Hardt went to the demon world, wars have been going on every day, and new events and news have come in. How could a bet like that be enough for him?
In the end, the Duke could no longer persuade him and had no choice but to cut off the connection.
The next thing that came to mind was Deon Hardt, who could be said to be the center of the current war.
It's funny when you think about it. The start of his life being ruined was because of the bet between him and the Demon King, and now he was fighting at the forefront under the Demon King.
Even after laughing at him like that, he never thought he would immediately think of this method. It seems like his thoughts were lost somewhere else. The Duke was convinced, criticizing himself for not thinking deeply.
'Deon Hardt doesn't know this.'
If he just made this known, he would be able to separate him from the Demon King.
He smiled faintly and pulled the rope.
"Call Saerin."
***
Once again, the castle was empty.
Was he really planning to open the road to the Capitol like this? It looks like the Emperor has finally gone crazy.
Anyway, the sun was going to set soon, so we should take a rest here. Even if I want to start right away, I was limited. If we run any further than this, I would definitely fall off my horse.
"I'm taking a rest here."
I commanded lightly and got off my horse. I paused for a moment because my thighs and butt were sore, but then I walked away without showing it. As if it was only natural, Dan, who was next to me, quietly opened his mouth.
"Are you going to look around this time too?"
"Mm."
"Of course, you'll stop by the manor house first, right?"
"Yes."
"I will follow."
I glanced at him and returned my gaze to the front. Dan grinned at the tacit permission and moved his feet to match my pace.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"So so."
"I saw you pause when you got off your horse. You seemed to be quite healthy compared to before, but this doesn't seem to be the case. Would you like me to help you?"
"Go away."
If you touch my body, I will kill you.
The distance was so far that they wouldn't be able to hear the words, but we were still within the demons' range of vision. I couldn't show myself being helped in front of them, so I walked with a straight face and increased my walking speed.
When on earth did he become this comfortable? Dan, with a smile on his face, hurried after me and then realized what I was thinking and was shocked.
... No way.
Dan's face hardened.
I sensed something strange about the atmosphere, but I just rolled may eyes and looked at him. A family suddenly came to mind in the red eyes that met his eyes and I paused, but for a moment Dan looked away as if nothing had happened. In contrast to his calm face, the hands hidden behind his back were tightly clenched into fists.
It wasn't excessive at all.
I feel like I got hit on the head for no reason.
'It's impossible not to feel affectionate when we see each other every day.'
I can't deny that I've become familiar and comfortable enough to at least make fun of him.
The 'bond' was so scary that even he, who knew that I was a 'disaster', ignored the image and made fun of me, accepting it again.
"The atmosphere is strange. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"... Hmm."
Between the narrowed eyes, red eyes shone with suspicion.
Dan smiled casually.
I still maintained an appropriate emotional distance from him. Didn't he say that in the secret passage back then? He hates me. He still resents and hates me. At the same time, it is good because I am the goal, milestone, and object of prophecy in his life, but the 'like' that comes from it cannot offset the 'dislike'. Since the two coexist and created the word love and hate, 'affection' must also exist as a separate thing.
Unless the 'dislike' disappears from his feelings towards me, he will never fully like or be comfortable with Deon Hardt.
Still, it's true that we've become more familiar with each other than before, so I thought it wouldn't be a good idea to keep a little distance and be on guard in case of an unexpected situation. But...
'If I do that, I'll actually be more conscious of it.'
No matter what attitude he takes, it doesn't change who he serves or what he does, so it doesn't matter.
A certain family kept looming in the corner of his head, but Dan brushed it aside and accelerated his slightly slower pace, narrowing the small distance between them.
Immediately a suspicious look followed, but I pretended not to notice and ignored it.
And how long did it take?
When the manor house that looked like a toy got very close, I suddenly stopped in place. Dan also flinched and put his hand on his sword.
'Pretending to be popular...!'
I fixed my gaze on one spot without even blinking. Was there anyone left? Judging from their apparent popularity, it was not a small group, but only one person.
... At least it looks like they didn't come to fight. I don't think they're a 'hero', so what can they do with just one person?
'And Dan is nervous, so it's okay.'
I relaxed, leaving only a few boundaries. I glanced up at Dan.
They say you have to become as sensitive as a rabbit in order to survive, but this guy...
'He's become a real sword-wielder.'
When did you develop a sense of energy?
Meanwhile, a 'human' appeared. He walked straight as if this was his goal without a single enemy, and held out something to me without even paying attention to Dan, who looked as if he was about to draw his sword at any moment.
"This is..."
"Take it."
My eyebrows furrowed at the familiar shape.
"Communication stone... Who does it belong to?"
"Take it."
"..."
"Take it."
Even if I ask more questions, he won't answer.
Has he been possessed by witchcraft or something similar?
I held out my hand and received the communication stone. Only then, as if he had completed his mission, did he say a word of greeting and turned around.
"For Salvation."
"..."
[1] Here it originally said "That latecomer." so I tried to change it to something that made more sense. No clue if this was what was originally said in Korean lol.