At the sight of the councilor, a busty woman, Falikh, Spoof, Teth, Eiru and Mika’s faces pale as she used magic right in front of them. They were obviously lost for words as their mind started working in separate ways.

“Good evening…that’s a lovely coat…” Mika said as his smile is petrified with fear and his heart started pounding.

“My, you know how to compliment a lady, unlike your friends.” The woman said as she smirked with arrogance.

“Eh?” Mika only uttered as he looks around and found himself alone in the presence of the woman.

As soon as Mika spoke earlier, everyone but him scattered away from the place. He felt a little despair as he found himself left by his comrades and left for the woman to prey to. It was inevitable though as among their group right now, Mika has the lowest physical parameters.

Falikh may be on the witty side but his physical abilities are of a man who is good at running away and tirelessly doing pranks on anyone making him a resilient man when the time comes.

Teth obviously has a better physique than Falikh and with his leanly built body, he ran away without any difficulties. Also, since he was previously a bartender, he knows what hostility feels like so he knows that they are not safe anymore in there.

Eiru has better parameters than the other as he is of the demon race. Physical abilities, endurance, stamina, throughout his life, Eiru has built up everything without even increasing the mass of his body. He has lived long years for nothing, however, since he lost his horns, his magic power is gone and fighting against that woman is dangerous.

Spoof, without a doubt, escaped the fastest since he is already accustomed to such situation. He disappeared like a blur in the moment. He is indeed a well-trained spy but he is lacking in the motivation department.

The only one left is Mika who is only good with his fingers that used to sew clothes and make-ups. His ability to disguise is proven useless in this situation making it more hopeless for him.

“Would you look at that, you were abandoned. Well, I can hunt them down later but first, I need you to entertain me.” The woman said enticingly to Mika.

“I can’t believe those guys! To leave such frail maiden such as me here! And the way this woman stares give me shivers! Girl, I am not into you!” Mika inwardly announces.

“You, we already know that you are the one who is controlling the flow of the war from the shadows!” Mika said with factual tone but deep inside, he is still unsure of it and in a way, it can be called a gambling bluff.

“Oh? I don’t know how or why but you are right about that. It’s nice to know that there are still clever monkeys around other than that bastard Reysha! That prodigy of a bitch!” The woman stated as she mentions the name of Reysha with hate.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“It seems that the wounds are opening by themselves. I hope Falikh and the others are making a plan now. In the meantime, I am going to stall as much as I can until they are ready…I hope…” Mika thought as he bet some hope to Falikh and the others.

“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not but, it won’t hurt for an introduction, right? I am Mikael. What about you? What’s your name?” He sparked a conversation and the woman’s interest shifted to him.

“Is that so? Then, I will play along with your stalling game. I am Aspara. I have no need of the last name. I am a High Wizard and the councilor of the king of The Kerias Kingdom. So then, what will be your next card in this game?” Aspara said with arrogant smug on her face.

“Can’t take her for a fool, huh? I need to play my cards well or this is it for me.” Mika contemplated as he stares at Aspara who is still smiling with victory painted all over her face. “Then, why are you doing this? What do you hope to gain in this war’s result?” he asked as he calms his self.

“Why you ask? Hahaha! A question befitting of someone of you! Very well, I shall answer your inquiry, Mika the intruder!” She said while looking down at Mika and calling him names.

Aspara walks in a circle as she hums in joy. She plays with her wooden staff decorated with charms and an orb as large as a clenched fist with a beautiful color of sapphire. She swayed it happily in a moment of a second.

BAM!

The door behind Mika closes and it startled him as it slams shut. He immediately realizes that Aspara is actually holding him by the neck as she can use such high-level magic. It seems that her proclaimed title is not just for show.

“Well then, now that we are alone, I shall tell you. This war is just a preparation for another war.” Aspara calmly said as she lay down on the bed as she emphasizes her voluptuous breasts.

The statement alone made Mika knit his eyebrows in confusion and anxiousness.

“You seemed confused. Hey, do you know about the demon lord, Ivy Hellbeing?” Aspara asked as her face becomes serious.

“I don’t…” Mika honestly answered. He doesn’t have any idea about the demon lord or anything about the demon race since humans have lost contact with their kingdom long ago.

“Ivy Hellbeing is actually a demon not from this land. I have investigated for a long time in the demon kingdom about her in disguise. Ivy Hellbeing apparently came from the other side of this world or so they called the other side of this planet.” She sternly said as her countenance becomes stiff.

“Ivy Hellbeing’s magic and knowledge far surpass anyone in this land. None can match up with her power, however, she herself stated that in her land, she is the weakest among her siblings and her father is far more powerful than her. I can’t even begin to think how powerful those people from the other side of this planet are.” She followed as she shows a face of vexation.

“The other side…of this planet? Wait…what does that mean?” Mika asked as his interest got sparked.

“Contrary to everyone’s beliefs, from everyone’s knowledge, this world we live in, this world we know is not actually flat. We live in a spherical land called a planet and this planet, this land that we believed to be flat actually has more places we haven’t yet explored or visited. Imagine all the monsters and powerful people in that land.” She said as gestures with a whirling finger that indicates that the spherical land that they live also spins around.

“Every magician’s dream is to gain more knowledge, whether forbidden or impossible. That’s why I am trying to start a war. With Kerias’ magical prowess and Breilles’ rich resources, we can attack The Mesola Kingdom and use all three kingdoms to start a siege against the demon. After that, I will extract everything from Ivy Hellbeing and travel towards that land!” Aspara told her grand plan that will put everything in danger. She must know the consequences of her actions but her countenance says something otherwise.

“This woman is…insane!” Mika said with assurance.