The wind on the mountain ridge was cold and sharp, bringing the smell of a faint harsh diesel smoke from the valley below.
Kaelen stood near the edge of a rocky edge, looking down at the small village of Western Valley...or at least what used to be a village.
Now it looked more like a prison camp.
Bright and harsh floodlights cut through the darkness illuminating the muddy streets.
The peaceful wooden houses were now overshadowed by temporary military tents and heavy machinery.
He could see villagers, demons with horns and tails and even some humans who lived in the borderlands, being treated like slaves.
They were being pushed toward the base of the nearby hills where a makeshift mine entrance had been blasted open.
"They move fast, don't they?" Kaelen muttered, his eyes narrowing as he watched a soldier strike an old demon with the butt of his staff.
Beside him, Isolde shivered but not from the cold. She was pressed tight against his side, her arm linked through his.
She was wearing a thick travel cloak over her dress, but she had left the front open, allowing her soft curves to press directly against his arm.
"It is looking quite organized for a raid, Master," Isolde whispered. Her voice was sweet, a stark contrast to the sharp and calculating glint in her red eyes as she surveyed the scene.
She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, inhaling his scent like it was a drug.
"They are not just looting," she continued, her voice dropping lower.
"They are setting up a forward operating base. Those machines... they are mana-drills."
Kaelen nodded, shifting slightly.
Even in this serious situation having the Grand Duchess clinging to him like a needy girl was distracting.
He could feel the heat radiating from her body. He could feel the bond they had formed in the inn.
It was a warm connection that let him feel her emotions: adoration, hunger, and a fierce protectiveness.
A soft pink shimmer surrounded them both.
It was Evelyn's magic. It dampened their presence making them invisible to the senses of the soldiers below.
"Who are they?" Kaelen asked, pointing to a flag flapping on top of the largest tent. It depicted a black raven with three claws.
Isolde squinted, her demeanor shifting instantly from a lovestruck girl to a cold lady.
"The Clawplit Ravens," she said, her tone cooling.
"A Hunter's Guild from the Human Continent. They just started as mid-tier in terms of global influence, but they specialize in illegal mining and resource theft."
She pointed a pale finger toward the center of the camp.
"Look there Master. Near the command tent."
Kaelen followed her gaze.
Two men were standing outside the main tent which was illuminated by the lights.
One was an older man in heavy military-grade armor, clearly the Commander leading all this.
The other was a young man, seemingly in his early twenties, wearing expensive light leather armor that looked more like fashion than protective gear.
They were arguing.
"I'm telling you this is too much!" the young man shouted, waving his hands toward the villagers who were being dragged to the mines.
"My father said we were securing resources not enslaving civilians! This is against the Treaty!"
The Commander didn't flinch. He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression bored.
"Young Master," the Commander said, his voice carrying a respectful but dismissive weight.
"With all due respect, your father's orders were to secure maximum yield by any means necessary. We are on a tight schedule. We don't have the manpower to dig ourselves."
"But this is cruelty!" the young man protested,
"If the Demon Empress finds out..."
"The Demon Empress is miles away in her palace," the Commander interrupted smoothly.
"Please, go back to your tent. Let the adults handle the war."
Up on the ridge, Kaelen raised an eyebrow.
"That's rare for a human invading force." He mused
"That is the Guild Owner's son," Isolde explained calmly.
"Renly Raven. He is known as a prodigy in light magic, but he has a reputation for being... soft.Looks like his father had sent him here to 'toughen him up.'"
Kaelen turned to look at her.
"You know his name? And his background?"
Isolde blinked, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. She squeezed his arm tighter, her breasts squishing against his bicep.
"Of course, Master. I know the leadership structure of every major guild in the Human Continent."
"How?" Kaelen asked, genuinely curious.
"I thought the Demon Empire was isolated."
A small, proud smile curved Isolde's lips.
"I established the Rosemoon Guild 11 years ago," she said casually.
"It is currently ranked one of the four most powerful guilds in the Human Continent. I use it to funnel information, rare artifacts, and human currency back to my castle."
Kaelen stopped. He stared at her.
"Wait. You run a top-tier guild? You?"
"Yes," she purred, clearly enjoying his surprise.
"I usually manage it through proxies, of course. But technically, I am the Guildmaster. It was the most efficient way to keep tabs on their military movements."
Well damn.... Kaelen thought.
In the novel, the Demon Empire was always portrayed as these powerful but oblivious villains who sat in their castles waiting for heroes to kick down the door.
But here was Isolde, casually playing 4D chess behind enemy lines.
[✿ See? ✿]
Evelyn's voice chimed in his head, sounding incredibly smug.
[✿ Do you realize now why I was so insistent on you taking her? The novel didn't show everything, Nii-san. 'They' didn't know everything. However Isolde? She's a goldmine. Literally and figuratively. ✿]
Kaelen had to admit, she was right.
He looked down at Isolde. She was looking back at him with that same adoring gaze, waiting for praise like a puppy that just brought back a stick.
A stick worth billions of dollars and military secrets...
He reached out and stroked her cheek.
"You continue to surprise me, Isolde," he said softly.
Isolde leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering shut. A faint moan escaped her lips.
"It's my honour to serve Master, Goddess' Chosen." she whispered. "I'll help you however you wish."
"Good." Kaelen turned his attention back to the camp.
"We need to get to that Commander," he said, formulating a plan.
"If we just charge in, they might execute the hostages or collapse the mine entrance. We need to get close without raising the alarm."
He looked at the road leading into the village. There was a checkpoint manned by four guards.
"We're going to walk in," Kaelen decided.
Isolde tilted her head. "Walk in? How?"
"Merchants," Kaelen said. "Passing by, heard about the mining operation, looking to make a quick trade. Greed is a language everyone speaks afterall."
He turned to Isolde and grabbed her waist.
"And you," he said, his voice dropping.
"You are going to act as my wife."