I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake. Chapter 154

I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.

Episode 154

Mitchell’s words surprised not only Raven but Yan as well.

“…The Allied Forces Commander is going to start a rebellion? That’s impossible.”

Yan knew Elijah well.

Although their relationship had deteriorated completely, Elijah was a man full of patriotism.

He was not someone who would ever draw his sword against the Emperor.

“Friedrich, the Margrave, remained passive while rebel factions were running rampant. And he did not report to his superiors about the civil war between the Beast people and the Orcs, and divisions other than the Margrave’s direct troops did not receive proper supplies. Moreover, according to my investigation, almost all military information Elijah reported to his superiors was false.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“We can only conclude that the Margrave deliberately weakened the Allied Forces.”

Raven looked directly into Mitchell’s eyes.

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

“According to the information I’ve collected, it’s certain. Elijah Friedrich has other intentions.”

Raven fell into thought.

Certainly, Elijah’s actions had been extremely passive.

However, to say he would start a rebellion was too big a leap.

From Raven’s perspective, Mitchell seemed to want Elijah to initiate a rebellion.

“So what do you want to do?”

“If Elijah is plotting a rebellion, we are the only ones who can stop him right now. This might be our only opportunity.”

“…Are you suggesting we forcibly impeach the Allied Forces Commander?”

Mitchell nodded. “Exactly. And it won’t end with just impeachment, we need to detain him to prevent him from causing any more trouble.”

Raven was speechless. “Is that even possible?”

“It is. Of course, we’ll need definitive evidence that Elijah is planning a rebellion. Based on that evidence, we’ll detain the Allied Forces Commander and then create public opinion within the ranks. Afterward, we’ll welcome the new Allied Forces Commander appointed by His Majesty.”

“Fine. Let’s say we somehow detain the Margrave. What legal grounds would we use to detain him? And who will take the position of Allied Forces Commander?”

“Actually, no grounds are necessary. An imperial decree will arrive within a month and a half.”

“…Don’t tell me.”

“I’ve officially requested a new Allied Forces Commander appointment order. I’ve even included the candidate’s name.”

“Who is the candidate?”

“Baker.”

“What?! You want to install that incompetent person as Allied Forces Commander? How does that make sense?”

Mitchell stood up. “At this point, no one is more underestimated. And at least Major General Baker, being of the imperial bloodline, won’t be a worry when it comes to rebellion.”

“Don’t lie in front of me.” Raven glared at Mitchell.

The magic fluctuating around Mitchell’s body was rigid.

This movement typically appeared when he was tense or hiding his true feelings.

“What are your real intentions? The information about the current Allied Forces Commander plotting a rebellion isn’t even certain.”

“No hidden intentions. I just think that, at the very least, Division Commander Baker would be more helpful in maintaining the frontline than Elijah.”

“That’s just convenient for your position. It’s not for the frontline’s sake.”

“Since when did you care about the demon realm frontline, Raven?”

Mitchell glared back at Raven.

“You didn’t care even the slightest bit about how the war would unfold. You even joined Yan’s party because you wanted to examine the Demon King’s corpse, right?”

“That’s how it was at first. But I’ve seen countless people die like trash on the battlefield. How could anyone remain unmoved after seeing such a hell?”

“Oh, really? Is that why you just stayed in the Demon King’s castle reading books as soon as His Highness the Crown Prince went into seclusion? You could have at least gone to the frontlines to cast detection magic.”

“The Crown Prince held command over the wizards. You know we couldn’t move wizards without the Crown Prince’s orders.”

“That damn command authority!”

Mitchell kicked and destroyed a box moving in front of him.

The box shattered into powder.

“Do you know how many people died because of that command authority problem? Caesar is also to blame! Do you think the frontline is only here at Eagle valley? Other places are being attacked by Orcs too! Yet they’re not providing wizard support!”

The White Knights and Red Wing Knights standing guard nearby were startled by Mitchell’s shouting and glanced at him.

“While you’re all playing around here, soldiers on other frontlines are dying helplessly in front of hordes of Orcs! What’s the point of concentrating corps-level firepower just in Eagle valley?”

“Beyond Eagle valley are succubi and vampires. Unlike Orcs, we can’t handle them without the wizards’ help.”

“Really? Then why aren’t we bombarding the succubi and vampires right now? We could end the problem by eliminating them.”

“Because the Alliance Commander hasn’t approved it and Caesar doesn’t think that way.”

Mitchell let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

“You two seem to have gotten very close lately? Are you saying you’d die for Caesar’s orders? Are his orders more important than the comrades you’ve spent 4 years with in this hell?”

“Magic is dangerous. That’s why we need control.”

Raven stepped closer to Mitchell.

“I’ve seen far too many horrific things happen when command authority falls into the wrong hands. You know this well too.”

“What proof do you have that Caesar is using that authority properly?”

“At least he doesn’t ask wizards to build him a house like Division Commander Baker did.”

That’s when Yan intervened between them.

“Stop now. Everyone’s watching.”

Mitchell and Raven looked around.

While the Red Wing Knights and White Knights were controlling the crowd, people were still craning their necks to watch their conversation.

“Mitchell, I don’t care what you’re trying to do. But don’t ask me for help.”

With those words, Raven waved her wand and disappeared through spatial movement.

Mitchell clenched his fist as he watched Raven vanish.

“…So it’s Caesar who moves you, is that it?”

Mitchell said while dusting off his cloak.

“Yan, I need to have a talk with Caesar. Want to come?”

Yan shook his head.

“No, I’m going to rest a bit.”

Yan was tired of watching people fight.

“Alright. See you later.”

Mitchell and Yan parted ways in different directions.

Yan thought while standing in the drizzling rain.

How did we end up like this?

I thought we would become closer after killing the Demon King…

But after the Demon King died, the three of us grew even more distant.

“Barre… I’m actually envious of you.”

Because you left for home without having to see this.

***

Mitchell found Caesar in front of the stable.

Caesar was loading supplies for the reconnaissance operation onto Whitey’s back.

“What brings you here, Lord Mitchell?”

“May I have a word with you, Battalion Commander El Lindger?”

Mitchell spoke so formally.

Is this the difference between military and civilian life?

But honestly, Caesar didn’t want to meet with Mitchell.

One wrong move in getting involved with Mitchell’s rebellion, and Caesar’s head would roll too.

He wanted to think more deeply and negotiate with Mitchell, but… It seems time wouldn’t allow it.

“Very well.”

If he avoided him now, it would be perfect grounds for suspicion that he was in cahoots with Elijah.

Especially since he just had a private meeting with Elijah.

Caesar left Whitey with Messio and entered the nearby command tent.

Inside, Jerry and Caesar’s other staff members were working.

“Take a break now, and go have a smoke outside for a bit.”

Jerry and the staff immediately caught on and rose from their seats.

Mitchell and Caesar sat facing each other in the empty command tent without a table between them.

“What would you like to discuss?”

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

Caesar used psychometry.

“What do you think of the Alliance Commander?”

-Elijah is being troublesome.

-Elijah plans to abandon the front line soon.

-He plans to abandon the magic stone mine too.

-Something must be done about Elijah.

As expected, Mitchell was someone difficult to let your guard down around.

He’d only been in the demon realm for about two months, yet he had almost completely figured out the internal affairs of the Allied Forces.

He even noticed Elijah’s plans.

This guy is just as frightening as Elijah.

‘Let me think for a moment.’

He shouldn’t answer hastily.

Let’s think while smoking a cigar first.

First, what Mitchell wants is clear.

Stabilization of the magic stone mine.

And suppression of the rebels.

The reason he wants this is because solving these issues would give him clear grounds to become the head of the Redfield family and allow him to behead his two remaining brothers.

The problem is that Elijah hasn’t properly handled either of these issues.

No, to be more precise, beyond not doing anything, he’s actually helping them behind the scenes.

From Mitchell’s perspective, he must be desperate to replace the Alliance Commander somehow.

‘Business-wise and long-term wise, siding with Mitchell makes sense.’

Caesar’s main base is Homigraph.

And he’s involved in various business ventures with Mitchell, including the pharmaceutical business.

If Mitchell becomes dissatisfied with Caesar, it would become quite troublesome both business-wise and politically.

Of course, there was also the uncomfortable aspect of taking Elijah’s side.

Let’s try to draw out more of his desires first.

As the cigar smoke wafted gently upward, Caesar opened his mouth.

“I understand your concerns generally, Lord Mitchell. The rebels are rampant, and it’s hard to find even a properly organized division. Naturally, from your position, you would question the Commander’s competence.”

“So Sir Caesar was thinking the same thing.”

Mitchell’s hardened expression softened slightly.

Mitchell pulled his chair closer to Caesar.

“We need bold decisions to overcome this crisis, Battalion Commander El Lindger.”

“I’m actually scared to hear what you’re trying to bring up.”

“Before that, I want to know if Sir Caesar is truly someone who works for the Empire’s interests.”

Mitchell’s red eyes flashed.

“What conversation did you have with the Allied Commander?”

Ah, so you’re telling me to decide right now whether I’m with Elijah or with you?

I didn’t expect Mitchell to come forward this boldly.

Why is this guy being so aggressive, what if I lie?

He must be quite desperate.

“Well, nothing special.”

Caesar judged that he might be able to get something quite good from Mitchell.

After all, the more desperate someone is, the more likely they are to accept even difficult proposals.

“He just asked me to scout the Forest of beast people alone and write a report.”

“…Is that all?”

“No. Since there shouldn’t be a command vacuum during that time…”

Caesar showed the golden dagger tied to his waist as he spoke.

“He told me to transfer command authority to him.”

A chilling sensation ran down Mitchell’s spine, transmitted through psychometry.

-Absolutely not.

-If the wizard command falls into Elijah’s hands, the plan to install Division Commander Baker as Allied Commander will all be for nothing.

-Could Elijah have figured out my plan?

To think he was planning to forcibly impeach Elijah and change the Allied Commander.

So he really was planning a rebellion after all.

More than that, Division Commander Baker as the next Allied Commander?

Mitchell knows well how incompetent Baker is.

Why Baker of all people… Ah, I get it.

Baker is Mitchell’s uncle by marriage.

In the end, it means he intends to take control of the demon realm under the Redfield family and himself.

‘Scary bastard.’

It’s incredible that he can make such bold decisions, and even has the drive and ability to make them happen.

So this is what makes the next head of the Redfield family different?

“I have one difficult request, Sir Caesar.”

Mitchell moved close enough that their knees were almost touching.

“That command authority. Please transfer it to me.”

To think Mitchell would reveal his desires so openly.

Overwhelmed by Mitchell’s bloodthirsty desire transmitted through psychometry, Caesar almost said ‘Yes, of course’ for a moment.

Tapping his cigar on the ashtray, Caesar said:

“I’m scared because I can’t even begin to guess what you plan to do with this command authority.”

Caesar decided to make Mitchell even more desperate.

The bigger and clearer the desire becomes, the more Mitchell will have to offer in return.

“I will oust the incompetent Allied Commander and put someone else in that position.”

He finally showed all the cards in his hand.

However, the power to make the decision lies with Caesar.

How many times in his life has Mitchell experienced moments where his path depended on someone else’s choice?

I guarantee this kind of humiliating moment could be counted on one hand.

“It seems you’re asking me to take on quite a difficult task.”

“That’s exactly the difference between Battalion Commander El Lindger and myself.”

Mitchell’s red eyes boiled with desire.

It seemed like he might kill Caesar immediately if this deal falls through.

“If Battalion Commander El Lindger had plotted this, everyone would have scoffed. But because it came from my mouth, people consider it. This is my power and the power of the Redfield family.”

Mitchell extended his hand to Caesar.

“Trust me just this once, Battalion Commander El Lindger.”

TL NOTE:

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you would like to support me or read up to 50 chapters ahead, you can do so via patreon.com/ChibiGiant. OR by unlocking chapters.

Please Rate this Novel in your free time @ NovelUpdate. It will help the novel get more readers.

Schedule: Every {Wed-Sat}