The lengthy report from Ede could be summarized into three points:

How she joined Noah’s party in the Northern Federation.

The relationships among the Demons.

Their strengths and weaknesses.

“So they are quite strong militarily, but it’s very difficult for them to ask for help.”

“Yes, I think that’s why they’re constantly asking us for support.”

When I thought about it, it made sense.

Noah was a fighter protagonist, far removed from politics.

That’s not to say he was stupid, but he was the type to solve problems with his body whenever possible.

While Karl supported him in that regard, since he was a Demon, there was a limit to how much he could ask for help from outsiders.

Blaiher was originally supposed to handle relationships with humans and get their support, but due to my intervention, they ended up as enemies.

“They’re not bad people, but if they continue like this, they will fall apart. Everyone listens to Noah now, but their structure is weak.”

“Is that so?”

It would be a good thing if the people who were supposed to threaten my life were in conflict with each other, but at the same time, I didn't know what would happen if the protagonist disappeared.

'It would probably be more convenient to take them in as a subordinate organization of the Eight Council and keep an eye on them.’

“However, I don’t know if their long-term goals align with ours.”

“Their goal is to track down the slave traders, isn't it?”

“That's what it is for now, but Mr. Noah is thinking beyond that.”

“To save all Demons?”

“How did you know?”

Because that’s what he was originally going to do.

Noah and the Demons, who started as a ragtag group, would later become a thorn in the side of human nations and earn the fearful title of the Demon King’s Army.

Of course, that was a story for later.

For now, they were just a group of refugees who didn't know what tomorrow would bring.

“I have my own methods. In any case, that’s fine. The Eight Council is a place where those who walk their own path gather, so it’s not strange for Mr. Noah to be one of them.”

“Is that right?”

At my vague answer, Ede furrowed his brows and fell into thought.

It was a natural reaction since I hadn't told her the detailed inner workings of the Eight Council.

“Lord Valheit. The Demons’ meeting is over.”

Just then, Wilhelm appeared and changed the atmosphere.

I nodded and waited for his report.

“They all agreed to work while receiving our support. Everyone seemed to have a good amount of trust in the leader.”

“He would have to have that much skill to be worth using.”

“And another rumor about the swamp came up.”

Wilhelm suddenly trailed off, drawing the attention of me, Ede, and even Yenoki, who was sitting far away.

“That a human-eating witch lives there. Is it true?”

At the mention of a witch, Ede and I had similar reactions.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“A human-eating witch? That sounds like something out of a fairy tale.”

Wilhelm’s face turned bright red.

The werewolf’s voice covered Wilhelm’s mumbling, as he said he thought so, too.

“She does exist.”

“Pardon?”

“The swamp witch.”

Well, it was a fantasy world, so it wouldn’t be strange for a witch to exist.

With a weird guy like Kaseph around, a witch was pretty normal.

“Does she eat people too?”

“Of course.”

Usually, the rumors are wrong.

It turns out she’s a beautiful sorceress or something.

It was a common trope.

“Do you know what she looks like?”

“A monster with green skin and a bigger body than a bear. And it’s not just one. There are at least three, and some say there are over ten.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’ve seen her myself.”

He spoke so nonchalantly that I instantly wondered if he was lying.

Then I saw his eyes and realized he wasn’t.

“I once went there to deliver a gift from the Tribe Head. It was leather and gold, but as soon as she saw it, she threw it away and told me to bring her meat.”

“So what did you do?”

“She screamed that she would eat us if we didn’t give her meat, so I threw the Goral guys we brought as guides and ran away. I don’t know what happened to them.”

The way he said it made it sound like it was true.

Since he said he saw it himself, I couldn't believe it.

“She must have liked it because she later sent a letter to the Tribe Head. She said she’d like some softer meat next time.”

“So you gave her some?”

“No. After that, we were ordered not to even go near the swamp.”

Yenoki shrugged his shoulders as he saw the three of our expressions quickly sour.

“It's not just the witch that lives in the swamp. As long as you don’t go into the witch’s territory, there won’t be a problem. You’ll know because the smell of rot will be strong.”

Suddenly, a thought came to my mind.

If they want to hide from Leitche's eyes, wouldn't they have to go to a place like that?

I had a bad feeling that I would end up seeing those witches.

***

Regina secretly sighed as she saw her guests.

She had already heard the news from the raven, but seeing them in person couldn't help but make her head ache.

‘Putting Demons as a guard. How did this happen?’

To the people of Leitche, Demons were considered monsters who ate children.

The prejudice didn't go away just because they interacted with Demons often.

Just seeing Avantnik at the Eight Council meeting made her feel uncomfortable every time, but seeing a variety of Demons gathered made her feel sick beyond just uncomfortable.

“You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine.”

Valheit didn't seem to know what was going on in her mind, or perhaps he knew and was being more mischievous than usual, as he smiled even wider.

“Is this all the people the Raven prepared?”

“Yes, we minimized the number of people. We referenced the scale of merchants who frequent this area.”

“You are thorough with your preparations.”

“The Duke has high expectations for this matter. It’s only natural that we prepare thoroughly.”

“The traitor from your family must be quite an annoyance to the Duke.”

Traitor.

Regina chewed on that word.

She wanted to use a different word, but there was no more suitable word than that.

“Yes. It’s a big problem.”

“Hmm.”

Valheit, with one side of his mouth slightly lifted, studied her for a moment and then turned his head.

“Did you read the cover story I sent you?”

“Of course. Merchants going to sell goods to the Goral Tribe. Is this enough?”

“Of course. As long as you don’t go to a strange place.”

A strange place.

She knew exactly what place the Count was talking about.

She planned on checking the very center of the swamp, where the witches were rumored to be, last.

“Then, would you like to meet the companions who will be going with you?”

“Do I have to?”

“Of course. As you know, the merchants who frequent this area are quite intimate with the Demons.”

She took a deep breath as she listened to Valheit recite the information she gave him as if he had known it all along.

Demons aren't that much different from humans anyway.

There’s no difference except for the fact that they are friendly with mana from a young age.

She reassured herself with those thoughts and followed Valheit.

Regina wore an uncomfortable smile as she saw the Demons, who were gathered and talking among themselves, glaring at her.

“This is our client for today, Ms. Regina. She has a full purse, so it would be a good idea to make a good impression.”

The atmosphere didn’t lighten up even with Valheit’s playful introduction.

A Goral, a Dark Elf, a werewolf, and a Demon of unknown race.

He gathered a diverse group.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Noah, the head of the guard.”

A horned Demon held out his hand.

Regina flinched for a moment but then grabbed his hand as if nothing had happened.

“I am Regina. It’s a pleasure to work with you.”

She let go of his hand as amicably as possible so he wouldn’t feel bad.

The Demons quickly lost interest and started talking among themselves again.

“You don’t have to worry. They aren’t the type to break your head open while you’re sleeping.”

“That’s a funny joke.”

Despite her reprimand, Valheit showed his teeth and smiled widely.

“Now, shall we talk about something a little more important? Where do you plan on starting your investigation?”

“The traitor was seen on the outskirts of the swamp, so I want to send someone there. Of course, to avoid being noticed by the local Demons, we’ll have to send them with Demons.”

“If a human was wandering around alone, the Demons must have seen something, so we’ll have to investigate that as well. And if we still can’t find anything.”

“We'll have to go to the center of the swamp.”

She would go there as a last resort, but according to her intelligence, there was a high probability that the traitor was with the witches.

She had kept her mouth shut because she didn't want to throw a wrench in the plans before they even began, but she had a feeling they would end up going to the center of the swamp anyway.

“Are the rumors about the witches true?”

“I don’t know if they’re witches, but it’s a place where river trolls live. They don’t hesitate to practice cannibalism.”

She hadn’t been able to confirm the cannibalism part, though.

Valheit clicked his tongue and shook his staff back and forth.

“So you’re saying there’s a good chance we’ll have to enter the den of those cannibals. Is that traitor important enough for that? I have no intention of throwing my subordinates into a death trap for no reason.”

I wondered when he would ask.

It was a story that should not have left the family, but she had already received permission from her father to tell Valheit.

“The traitor is the Duke’s eldest son. He was caught sharing important information with Vestol and the Demons and borrowing their strength to aim for the Duke’s position, so he fled.”

“When did this happen?”

“Four years ago.”

“So he’s been holed up in the swamp ever since?”

“No. His whereabouts were unknown until then, but this year, there have been a series of sightings of him in the swamp. That’s why this operation was planned.”

Valheit touched his chin and nodded repeatedly.

I don’t know what was so amusing to him, but the smile never left his lips.

“I think I’ve shared enough information.”

“Are you sure? Do you really think that’s enough?”

“What do you mean?”

She answered nonchalantly, but in her heart, she thought, ‘This is bad.’

The old snake caught on faster than Regina had expected.

“It’s well-known that the Grand Duke of Leitche likes to have fun and doesn’t care much about state affairs, but that's just the face he shows to the outside. In reality, he rules the Grand Duchy very meticulously and cunningly, doesn’t he?”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“This isn’t a compliment, Ms. Regina. It’s an interrogation.”

Valheit approached her with a completely different smile than before.

A feeling of pressure, as if someone was constricting her body, enveloped her.

“It’s hard to believe that a Grand Duke would entrust such an important task to a person he doesn’t even treat as his daughter.”

“You’ve gone too far.”

“I apologize for being rude. But I must say what I have to say.”

Valheit’s face was right in front of hers.

Regina involuntarily held her breath.

“Isn’t this operation happening because of your ambition rather than the Grand Duke’s will?”

“That is not true.”

By the time Regina was barely able to open her mouth, Valheit was already several steps away.

“I was just joking. Let me know when you’re ready to leave.”

Regina, who was looking at Valheit’s retreating back, clutched the necklace she had in her pocket.

“No matter what, I’ll come to get you, brother.”

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