Hunting the Demoness

"Colonel Alfred, you need to understand what the most critical issue is right now."

Major General Marius said with a smile.

Under Alfred's anxious gaze, he picked up a fine cigar cutter, clicked it open, lit the cigar in his hand, and slowly took a puff.

Alfred noticed that the cigar cutter had a gold relief, clearly in the shape of a skull, with a distinct Southern Continent style.

"For us, the most important thing now is to ensure the success of the war on the northern front," Marius said, exhaling a large smoke ring. "To this end, we must provide Loen with sufficient financial and food support..."

The war between Loen and Feysac has reached a stalemate, with enormous sums of money being spent on the front lines every day. One of MI9's key tasks here is to collect various supplies and provide them to Loen.

"But Major Your Excellency, I've investigated. Sanchez is merely using our name to cause trouble!" Alfred said urgently. "He's kept a large portion of the wealth and grain he's collected for himself!"

What he found intolerable was that those thugs and villains, using Loen's name, were actually lining their own pockets. Large amounts of supplies and property poured into the general's mansion like water, but probably less than half of it was actually loaded onto cargo ships and delivered to Loen.

"Isn't this just common sense?"

Marius replied without any surprise, "Why would Sanchez be so eager to help us if we don't share some of the profits? Colonel Alfred, your family is a prestigious noble family; you should understand this."

"Of course I know!"

Alfred couldn't hold back any longer, and his voice rose, "But they've gone too far, looting villages without any restraint. The people simply can't tolerate it!" He understood the reasoning, but when faced with reality, it was a different story.

Moreover, Alfred was quite certain that the Major General had also taken a cut of the profits from this deal!

"Call..."

Major General Marius's smile faded. He stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, then rose, walked around the table, and strolled over to Alfred.

He looked directly at Alfred, and after a moment, calmly asked:

"So what? Is the people's resentment directed at Sanchez, or at us?"

"!"

Alfred was suddenly startled.

"Remember, Alfred. We, the Loen, are to Acting of a benevolent and dignified ruler, only [temporarily] deceived by this villain, Sanchez."

The major general met his gaze with his icy blue eyes. "Once this matter is settled, we can arrest him at any time on charges of harming civilians and replace him with someone else to govern Amikash State —at that point, the local natives will not only not hate us, but will actually be grateful to us..."

"But many people won't even live to see that day; they'll starve to death first!"

Alfred met his gaze defiantly and retorted coldly. Marius, seeing this, sighed helplessly.

"Colonel, in your opinion, are the natives of the Southern Continent even human?"

He said it in a serious tone.

"Don't be naive. They're just some barbaric and uncivilized fools. Even if many of them die, it won't affect us at all... If they die for the kingdom's victory, then their deaths are worthwhile."

"..."

Alfred felt a lump in his throat and for a moment didn't know what to say.

He had always considered himself a ruthless person, capable of obeying his superiors' orders to kill. But faced with the major general's words, which were utterly devoid of malice, he couldn't help but waver.

Is this really the kind of Loen I serve?

Alfred felt a chill run through him, as if he were seeing the Royal Army for the first time.

He had initially thought that although Loen had violently occupied the area, he had also brought civilization and technology to the colony, which would save them from their ignorant and evil god beliefs... But the Major General's words completely shattered his thoughts.

Alfred involuntarily took a step back.

In a daze, images flashed before his eyes: slaughtered livestock, burning houses, people crying out in despair... Countless images surged one after another, finally settling on the Indifference face of the [Blood Bishop]. He was staring coldly at him, his azure eyes filled with a mocking smile.

Loen, Backlund West Borough.

Night had fallen, and the entire neighborhood was eerily quiet.

During the war, a curfew was implemented in Backlund for ease of control. Anyone who dared to wander the streets after 10 p. m. would be arrested and interrogated by patrolling police. Of course, the chaotic East Borough and Backlund Bridge Borough, as well as the wealthy and aristocratic Empress Borough, were exempt from the curfew.

Are you sure the "White Demoness" will appear here?

In the West Borough, atop a towering clock tower, Luther looked down at the empty streets and casually asked a question.

"That should be correct."

A rough, stiff voice followed, "The Divination result was very accurate."

The sound originated from the railing beside Luther, its metal surface gleaming like Mirror. Only by looking closely in the moonlight could one discern the phantom of "Admiral of Blood" Senor lurking within.

Clearly, this is Klein communicating with Luther using his own Marionette. As Sequence 4 "Bizarro Sorcerer," he faithfully adheres to the style of his own Pathway.

"Alright, let's keep waiting then." Luther nodded, holding his breath and looking down at the street below.

The Crimson Moonlight and gas lamps illuminated the street, which was very quiet, with the occasional patrolling policeman passing by.

"... They're here!"

After an unknown amount of time, just as Luther was about to lose his patience, he suddenly heard Klein's suppressed shout.

He looked in the direction Klein pointed.

It was an empty street, with no sign of "White Saint" Katarina. However, from Luther's perspective, he could easily sense invisible ripples spreading through the space, clearly indicating that someone of extraordinary ability had concealed their presence. That person was—

"Ugh!"

A sharp, intense pain suddenly struck, exploding in Luther's mind.

The space exuded a strong sense of Filth; the stench of decay, like swaying venomous snakes, surged into his mind. He seemed to see red lips, a seductive figure, and Curse, malevolent eyes—like Distortion sorceress, beckoning him with a deadly temptation!

This is... the aura of an evil god, the "Primordial Demoness" Cheek!

Amidst the excruciating pain, Luther felt utterly astonished. He hadn't reacted this strongly when he first encountered the "White Demoness." Was that figure truly Katarina?