There was a discussion I had with my comrades before.

[It’s suspicious that they aimed for two districts simultaneously. Just holding out in one is barely possible...]

[And between the 7th and 13th districts lies Viphron, making defense even harder.]

[...Right. Why would they do that? Could Viphron have some hidden purpose?]

Though we couldn’t know for sure, back then we guessed there was some hidden meaning behind their moves.

And our guess proved correct.

Like this.

“...!”

The moment Viphron was mentioned, a look of unhidden embarrassment appeared.

“...What the hell are you talking about all of a sudden—”

Trying to smooth it over like that was already too late.

My suspicion had turned into conviction.

“Looks like we don’t have to step aside.”

I cut him off.

After all, the answer was already clear.

I don’t know what exactly they’re hiding in Viphron.

“We’re heading to Viphron.”

Generally, doing the opposite of what the enemy wants already counts for half a win.

“...”

Seeing him suddenly deep in thought at my words, I realized talking or fighting would make no difference.

Just moments ago, too.

If I hadn’t unexpectedly struck a gap, I wouldn’t have gotten such a reaction.

“...”

The silence dragged on.

No excuses like why we’d go to Viphron.

No claims that I misunderstood something.

He just quietly watched me from afar, saying nothing.

He must be carefully choosing his words in his head.

But still, it was already too late.

“Now that we’re turning back, will you still not try to stop us?”

I smiled.

The vice leader quietly muttered:

“I heard you were clever, but didn’t expect this much.”

Well, in fairness, so was I.

He was just called the second-in-command of Orculis; never heard he was some kind of strategist.

“So what’s your answer?”

I asked boldly.

The vice leader sneered and answered immediately.

“Do as you please. You want to go to Viphron? Then go. We won’t stop you.”

...A bluff, right?

That was my first suspicion, but not yet certain.

One must keep all possibilities open.

Actually, I was only surprised at the word Viphron; it might not be a problem for them if we head there.

‘Hah... here comes the psychological warfare again.’

My head hurt.

Though no physical fight had happened, just talking already showed me he wasn’t an easy enemy.

“From now on, the choice is yours.”

“...”

“Well, what will it be?”

The vice leader’s tone returned to calm.

Maybe he thought he’d regained control.

With all options open, it actually became harder to choose just one.

But...

“Make the right choice. Many lives depend on your choice.”

Barbarians don’t suffer choice paralysis.

No matter how hard or dangerous, if something must be done, we do it without hesitation.

Ah, of course, we’re used to situations with no choices.

“What’s with all the chatter? Stop whining.”

I said sharply, seeing the vice leader furrow his brow like he didn’t understand.

“Choice? Didn’t I say before? We’re going to Viphron.”

He probably didn’t know.

From the moment the others tried to sow discord against me, the choice of crossing the walls disappeared for me.

‘How can I just walk out like this?’

My baseline is a demon.

During the Ice Rock expedition, I erased the Rose Knights after killing them; most recently, I even tried to steal royal property.

If we give the royal family cause to investigate us in this state, I’ll be in more danger than just going to Viphron.

Therefore...

“Well then, since you say you won’t stop us, fine. Take care. We’re going now.”

“...”

“Don’t tell me you’re changing your mind now?”

I shrugged and asked.

The vice leader responded casually.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Words once spoken will be kept.”

“Oh, you’re manlier than I thought?”

“Manlier than you think...?”

“Haha! Worrying about such petty things isn’t manly!”

“...”

“Now then, will you disappear before my eyes? I feel uneasy if you stay here while we turn toward Viphron.”

I lowered my voice.

The vice leader paused briefly, seemingly gathering his thoughts, then shouted:

“All units! Move back to the walls!”

The Noark forces facing us murmured confusedly but did not disobey.

“They’re really leaving...”

Watching them leave for the walls, I recalled the vice leader’s last expression.

Before turning his back, he looked at me with a face that was both mocking and joyful.

Maybe because I saw it too?

“...Are you really heading to Viphron?”

Amelia asked me worriedly.

“...Is this the right choice? Feels like we’re being lured there...”

Versil cautiously voiced concern.

But...

‘Lured? Not at all.’

I saw his expression at the end and understood.

I shook off the last hesitation and turned my back toward the opposite side of the walls.

“What are you waiting for? Follow me quickly! We’re heading to Viphron now!”

Whatever it is, we’ll find out when we get there.

Why do they hate the idea of us going there so much?

Roland Banossant, vice leader of Orculis.

He let out a bitter laugh seeing the walls below, now completely empty.

“...They really left.”

A woman in alluring attire approached him.

“Vice leader, are you okay? Are they really letting us go without doing anything?”

Rilanne Vivian.

Once a promising talent of the Mage Tower, she became a dark sorceress after repeated forbidden magic experiments.

Even before turning to dark magic, she was said to be cruel with both her hands and personality.

Her usual mischievousness remained.

“Just going so suddenly, you’re surprised?”

“...”

“Ah, look at that surprised face. Always acting smart, but didn’t expect them to really leave, huh?”

Banossant disliked this type of person.

Or rather, hated them.

But...

‘Still useful.’

With a gentle smile, he answered the woman.

“Ha, who can know everything? But from how you say it, Miss Vivian, you must have guessed.”

“No? How could I guess? They even offered to send us back to the city, yet I never expected that decision.”

“...”

“But shouldn’t we follow them now? If something goes wrong in Viphron, it’d be bad for us too.”

Banossant nodded bitterly.

Despite the light tone, Vivian was no fool.

As she said, having an unpredictable figure like Baron Yandel enter Viphron was definitely not a good thing.

“But following now is even more dangerous. If they leave the walls empty, the royal # Nоvеlight # family will notice. It’s not time to give up the 7th district yet.”

“Still, pretending to be fine with letting them go so easily isn’t right, is it?”

Vivian said sarcastically; Banossant just smiled indifferently.

“True. I’m regretting it too.”

“Ah, so it feels like I’m bothering you. I’m just curious. Why did our clever vice leader do that?”

After persistent questioning aimed at getting an answer, he finally replied reluctantly.

“Miss Vivian, ordinary people can’t make such bold choices in such situations, especially when there’s so much to lose.”

It wasn’t a throwaway line.

He had seen many people and many choices.

Or rather, observed them carefully.

His nickname ‘Mana Master’ came from this.

Most think it’s because of his powers, but it was just coincidence.

At first, he had no such powers.

He was just naturally skilled at reading others’ thoughts since childhood.

“But wow, our vice leader really is a smarty-pants, huh?”

Vivian sneered at his serious answer, and Banossant frowned in displeasure.

Perhaps realizing he’d crossed a line, he added:

“Because ordinary people do that.”

“...”

“But Bjorn Yandel isn’t an ordinary person, right?”

Vivian quickly added and shrugged, then left, while Banossant quietly chuckled.

“Not ordinary, huh...”

He first learned of Bjorn Yandel when he earned a baron title after his achievements at the Goblin Forest battle.

At that time, he just thought Bjorn was a strange guy.

Honestly, it was just luck, not someone to be feared.

But what about now?

Bjorn Yandel had grown into one of the kingdom’s most notable figures.

And...

‘I’ve lost count how many times now.’

For some reason, Bjorn kept clashing with people.

Like with the Dragon Slayer, Regal Bagos.

After he regained his memory, how shocked he was to hear that the Bjorn Yandel he met in the labyrinth was the same.

Even back then, before gaining fame or title.

‘Is this fate...?’

I’m not superstitious, but he had a strong feeling.

Bjorn Yandel would continue to be a major obstacle.

“First, I must report to the leader.”

Having finished his thoughts, he used a communication device to inform the leader in the 13th district.

After reporting, he looked at the empty walls and recalled his conversation with the Dragon Slayer.

[Hmm, you want me to talk about Bjorn Yandel?]

The Dragon Slayer, who was rapidly growing, had gathered various information from his regained memories.

Among them was this advice.

[...Vice leader, one more thing.]

At the time, he thought it was just nonsense advice.

[It’s better not to talk with that guy.]

Now, he seemed to understand a bit.

[The moment you start talking, everything will go according to his plan—even without you realizing.]

Why he said that then...