* * *
My eyes suddenly opened at dawn.
I closed my eyes for a moment out of habit, then slowly got up.
As my body doesn't need sleep in the first place, there was no need to force myself back to sleep.
'Something...'
I had a certain premonition.
Since nothing special had happened in the past five days, it felt like something was about to happen soon.
That's when it happened.
Rustle!
-Master! There's a message!
"I see, Mary."
The two communication crystals placed in my room simultaneously held bright light.
-There's still no news about the Witch of Dreams.
-There are no special movements from the Count's side either.
Reports from Daniel, the mercenary group leader continuing monster hunting, and Etna, who had spread ants and spiders near Count Guilles' domain.
Despite it not yet being morning, both of their voices were full of energy.
'Both of them are incredibly diligent.'
I felt satisfied.
"Keep observing the surrounding situation. It might be boring, but you mustn't lose your attention."
-Of course. Don't worry.
-I've been doing boring things from the start anyway. The task you've entrusted me with. I'll definitely accomplish it for certain.
Once it's confirmed that the Witch of Dreams has come down, it was clear that mercenaries and adventurers would be buzzing with activity.
They are sensitive to rumors after all.
As soon as the communication ended, light immediately rose in one of the crystals again.
-The 'owls' and other small birds have bitten the 'mouse', Your Highness.
The heavy voice of the Information Guild leader.
It was a report that information merchants and other information operators were flocking towards Michaela, the 8th child of the Marquis disguised as the lady who murdered Alexis.
"Have they made contact?"
-Not yet.
His sturdy figure flickered beyond the crystal.
Seeing several other people around him, I could guess the reason for using code words.
He must be starting to take control of other Information Guild members who aren't Cerebrum Skulls as well.
"Will they actually make contact?"
-As you know, the only rivals of the owls are the falcons. They will definitely want to know what the mouse has.
He was saying that information merchants would be extremely curious about what the Information Guild had deliberately hidden, so they would certainly try to contact her.
Owls refer to the 'Gray Eyes', the group of the information merchant 'Thousand Faces'. Mouse refers to Michaela.
And falcons refer to the Information Guild.
Of course, these are nicknames used only within our group.
The room became quiet for a moment, and after briefly looking at the sunlight brightening outside the window, I spoke.
"As you well know, make sure they don't realize that our target is the owls themselves, not protecting the mouse."
-Don't worry. They won't even think that they themselves are the prey.
Having only half of the information network was enough of an anxiety factor for me, who would gradually have to deal with more enemies.
I would feel at ease only when I have both birds, falcons and owls, in my hands.
"By the way, did you find out why the owls became interested in the mouse?"
-It seems they were planning to use the dead mouse for the owl king's foster chick.
"...It was a coincidence."
'Dead mouse' refers to Alexis. Foster chick probably means illegitimate child judging by the tone.
Alexis probably contacted the Black Merchant Guild for his own survival.
His struggle ended up becoming an opportunity for me.
"He wasn't helpful while alive. Only in death does he serve his purpose. How incompetent."
-He was never going to succeed anyway. Greedy but not knowing his limits.
There was a strange stain in the words of the soul transmitted from Talhan.
After thinking for a moment, I could quickly guess the reason.
A sense of kinship.
"Unlike you, you mean?"
-...
Silence fell again. He was silent as if caught off guard.
His flustered appearance can be felt even through the crystal.
I continued speaking with a light smile.
"Jason. I'm starting to trust you. You're doing well."
-I will devote my life to not betray that trust.
"Cherish your life, and just hone your skills. Then I'll prepare a reward for you."
-Yes, Master.
As the light of communication ended, I approached the window.
"Whew..."
Knock knock
-Master. It's Sonia.
"Come in."
The morning of the fifth day when the operation officially begins.
Many things were about to start from now on.
-Good morning! Master!
"Yes. That's right."
I felt like the morning sun rising was illuminating my path ahead.
* * *
Meanwhile, there was another movement by the riverside west of the mountain range.
Splash...
Feeling the moisture dripping from his head, Jarax, the Lizardman chief, narrowed his eyes.
His yellow eyes flashed like a beast discovering its prey.
From the stone bridge built over the river, creaking wooden wheel sounds could be heard.
The presence of carts loaded with many goods, swaying oxen, and numerous humans.
[Harass the humans. But if it seems dangerous, be sure to retreat.]
Five days after the instructions from their Great Master.
It was the time it took for the Lizardmen to arrive at the lower reaches of this river.
They had more than halved the time that would take at least two weeks on human feet.
In water, they could move faster than any creature on land.
At the same time, it was possible because they could quickly arrive at the upper reaches of the river by moving along the mountain range through Harpy flight.
This much time, despite moving in hiding as they shouldn't be seen by human eyes.
It was an example of the flight speed of the strong Harpy warriors.
"You know. No dangerous moves..."
At the chief's words, bubbles rose in the river water, and soon similar bubbles rose simultaneously in the surrounding area.
In the darkness of the river water, the yellow eyes of the Lizardmen, similar in color to mud, rose up.
-Kirrrrr...!
"Of course...!"
"For revenge..."
This was not a full-scale war, but rather an operation to make the war between enemies more desperate and maximize damage.
As such, if they got excited and suffered losses by overdoing it, this would return as deep distress for their master and the Great Master.
The subordinates knew this fact well too.
"One more thing... Eating corpses is forbidden..."
At Jarax's words, the Lizardmen's eyes were tinged with regret.
"Why...? The more meat the better..."
"It should only be known that the attackers are monsters near the mountain range... This place must be done as the actions of bandits."
Fortunately, most of what was loaded on the carts was food, which was good for the omnivorous Lizardmen to eat and the quantity was sufficient.
Thanks to this, the instruction not to eat humans could be carried out well.
The Harpies, and some Lamias too.
They were bringing in separate food for them.
"For the revenge of the former chief...! And for the prosperity of our race... For the Lady who will ultimately rule all demons...!!"
""For...!""
To the chief's lead, the subordinates answered softly.
Their voices were perfectly concealed like streams seeping into the river water.
"Let's go."
The river water began to move alive.
Scaled shadows simultaneously rushed out under the water surface.
To make the blood that will soon flow in this river water flow even more.
* * *
Josephine, the mother of Eleanor who is currently working as Sonia's maid and slave in Libertas's dungeon.
She was a woman who had hardly been in her right mind since her family fell.
Past glory. Revival of the bloodline. Prosperity of lineage. Sense of betrayal towards humans and fanaticism towards demons.
She gradually broke her children by alternately showing loving behavior towards them and madness devoted to fanaticism.
Libertas, who had suffered similar wounds, couldn't leave her alone.
"I'm certain."
This was the reason why she was now recovered from dementia and maintaining clear intelligence while being held in Kamaya's arms.
At least, I wanted to create room to restore the relationship between mother and daughter.
"I had heard news that he recently had a late daughter. That child is definitely her."
"I see. The target is set then."
Fwoosh-!
Words spoken while pointing at a young girl with light blue hair, with remote viewing magic activated.
Kamaya nodded at that and flapped her wings once, causing a strong wind to blow and hit Josephine's body.
Touching the hood she wore to prevent her hair from flying in the wind, she looked up at Kamaya.
'How gallant...'
The appearance of the Harpy Queen with a sturdy build was strong and beautiful.
Her red feathers shone as if containing flames, and her sharp orange eyes with strong and sharp looks were filled with wise intelligence.
Unlike herself now.
'I can't believe it. That I've recovered and regained my intelligence again, and that I'm in this situation.'
She couldn't believe that she and Kamaya were in the position of serving the same master.
It felt like her being a colleague with Kamaya was rather lowering Kamaya's status.
Of course, the fact that her current status was not noble also contributed to that feeling.
The status of a slave to a disciple taken in by a Dungeon Lord.
It was hard for her to accept, having lived as a noble all her life, but she had to acquiesce to it.
"Do you have something to say? You keep looking at me."
A voice clearly heard through the intense wind.
Josephine silently shook her head.
She didn't want to show that she was feeling powerless.
"Don't worry. Our master is someone who cherishes all cards and considers their uses."
However, Kamaya seemed to have noticed what she was thinking without looking at her.
It was the experience of a queen leading a group.
"How...?"
"So, you do your best at the task you've been given. There's no time to worry. For our revival."
"Yes!"
"You answer well."
Along with Kamaya's voice chuckling, Josephine felt a sensation she had never experienced before making her heart pound.
She was a person who had married for family, not love, and while she had passionate love for her children, she had never experienced love between men and women.
So she had no way of knowing what emotion she was feeling now.
Just that she felt her 'faith' had deepened.
"It seems the Alraunes are late anyway."
At Kamaya's words, spoken as if muttering after landing on the ground, she nodded along.
It was a gesture with careful respect and worship.
"They are originally leisurely beings after all."
"...Can't be helped. We'll have to bring the noble lord's daughter ourselves."
"Will it be alright?"
"Your role will be important."
Disguise clothing prepared by Libertas's human subordinates was already ready at a certain place.
Kamaya put on a thick hood to cover her wings and wore various armor and weapons.
It was to look like a mercenary.
Beside her, Josephine, who was wearing noble clothes for the first time in a very long time, pressed down on her chest feeling as if she had returned to the past.
"Is there any discomfort? I heard the measurements were taken."
The sensation of feathers warmly wrapping around Josephine's shoulders.
Looking up suddenly, she felt her heart pound again seeing the figure of a mercenary woman whose size seemed like it could envelop her entire body.
'No.'
'What?'
Shaking her head, she soon smiled and said.
"It's fine. I think I'm excited because I'll be performing a task for part of the glory."
"That's good tension. I'll watch your back, so don't worry and focus on the target."
"Yes."
The two people who started acting like that managed to place a girl under 'protection' the very next day.
They were able to protect her from the attack of a group of suspicious mercenaries, but ended up being chased into the mountains.
"It went well."
"It's a pity for her."
"It's common in this world. As a child of the enemy, it's lucky enough not to experience death or torture."
"You're right."
Josephine stroked the sleeping girl's hair feeling sorry for a moment, but that emotion soon disappeared.
It was the Dungeon Lord who saved her, not humans after all.
Count Eisaph, the girl's father, would soon be able to find traces of her.
In Count Rube's domain of Matepith, which belonged to the hostile country.