"W—what?!"
Surprised didn't begin to express the emotion welling up within the young Demon King—that much so that he lost his composure.
"How valid is your information?" He asked, looking in Legris' direction with a tight scowl.
The human he spoke to shrugged casually.
"So, you're keener on believing what happened to the Elves than the situation with the humans? That sounds like bias, doesn't it?"
True, Abellion was acting immature at the moment—refusing to believe one side of the information he was given. However, in the Demon King's defense—
"But, that's absurd! It hasn't even been a whole day yet since they would have had contact with the humans!"
"Well, I have merely told you the facts. What you choose to do with the information I provide is entirely up to you. After all… this isn't 'our' war."
Legris Damien was simply implying that it was the Demon Race who was engaged in warfare. His organization was simply aiding based on their relationship as partners.
According to their deal, they would procure information for the Demons. In exchange, the Demons had to fulfill their end of the deal. This had always been the nature of their relationship—nothing more, nothing less.
"Who… who was it that did it?"
According to the intelligence they had received so far—which affected the strategy they were employing—no one formidable should have been active in the region they attacked at the time.
The top guns, who were identified as Grand Mages, could most likely pull off killing so many Demon Beasts within such a limited span of time, but they were nowhere near the scene of the crime.
'There's also no way information would have gotten to them on time. So, how…? Who could it have—'
"I do not know." Legris Damien's answer was flat and a bit sharp.
"—Uh?"
Abellion was surprised to hear these words come out of his friend.
In the entire time they spent as partners, there had never been a time when Legris Damien uttered those words. Other than his organization's information network, he too employed agents and was a man of means.
If he didn't know something like this, then…!
"The culprit disguised himself. They probably don't want to be identified."
Once Abellion heard this, he became even more conflicted.
'A new player? Or was it someone in the Kingdom we didn't account for?'
There were three Grand Mages in the Eastern—and they were supposedly the most powerful humans around. There was also a wild card called Neron Kaelid, but other than him… were there really other threats?
"I—I see…" Abellion could only respond.
The first phase of their plan had already gone awry, which meant there was a risk of the follow-up operation failing. If that happened, then—
'No! I'm just overthinking things. Even if the humans are saved, the Elves are still in trouble.'
They would be trying their best to recover and regroup to fight his people. There was no way they would concentrate their focus on the Continent miles away from their patch of land.
"It seems you've already decided a way forward…" Legris smiled upon seeing a glow in the eyes of the seated one.
"Hmmm. Somewhat. I would like more information on the border that got saved during the attack. Can you procure them for me? Constant surveillance would be much appreciated, and—"
"I'm afraid I can not do that." Legris interrupted Abellion's request.
Once again, the Demon King was stunned beyond words.
"Why?"
"I don't know how, but our information network has been tampered with in that region."
Abellion's eyes bulged wide.
Legris' organization utilized Clairvoyance to view any part of the world. Nowhere—as long as it was known to them—was hidden. How, then, was an open coastal region difficult to monitor?!
'Is that even possible? Is he trying to play me?'
"I'm being serious here. As much as we'd like to help you, our Clairvoyance is being blocked by some sort of magic-jamming barrier around the territory. I assume this is also the work of the mysterious mage that wiped out the horde of Demon Beasts.
Abellion clicked his tongue once he heard this.
"What of your personal connections? You have agents stationed throughout the Kingdom, right?"
"Unfortunately, the ones stationed at that region have also been compromised."
It was just from one bad news to another. Abellion sighed in exasperation as Legris' words sank in.
Just who was this mysterious mage? Ever since he appeared, things that had been carefully planned were now going awry. Who the heck was he and why did he just surface now?
"Tch. I see…" Was all the grand King could utter, though.
"My apologies for not being of any further use. Are you sure this won't affect future plans, though?"
The Demon King shook his head while still sighing.
"No. They were merely disposable pawns, after all. Their purpose was simply to test the waters and also block the two continents from any further alliance."
The annoying interference was unexpected, but not really fatal. It only meant that Abellion and his forces had to take more caution in dealing with the Eastern Kingdom.
"In that case, it's fine. One final thing… how is the Arcana we lent to you? Are you putting it to good use?" Legris' devilish smile could now be seen.
The previously irritated Demon King finally broke into a smile once he heard the question. It appeared this would be the only positive thing they would be discussing today.
"Indeed. Thanks to it, we'll be able to further enhance our forces. At this rate, we'll be invincible."
"I'm glad to hear that. Then…"
The human bowed out of courtesy and gave a reverent smile.
"… I will be taking my leave now."
Abellion gave a nod that signified that he could make his exit.
With that, a murky darkness surrounded him and he vanished from sight—leaving the Grand Hall.
Once Abellion confirmed that his friend had gone, he broke into a bitter statement.
"That energy of his… is unpleasant."
************
'So, you've made your move… Jared Leonard…?' The malevolent thought of a person leaked within a murky dark void.
The swirling pool of perverse Mana could be detected within the blinding darkness.
"This should be interesting…"
