- Lajus -

My heart aches, knowing very well that I'm betraying my Maou-Sama... Damnit!

This mental influence is truly vexing, as if it's a part of mine that I can't get rid of, no matter how much I'd like to shed it.

However, I certainly won't let this define me.

As my Ma-, creator said, the only important thing that gives meaning to my existence is what I decide to be.

I am blessed with free will and great power to back it up.

I can't tell what my... creator was thinking, if she was even thinking, when she granted me this kind of boon, but to me, it only establishes how great she is.

Even if she didn't plan on me being like this, she could've just taken it away, or made me fall apart and recreated me completely anew, the way she intended, but she didn't.

Because the simple fact that I am, that I exist, that I can think so, because this alone justifies me being here, me being me.

And there could be no greater act of love for her creation from my creator than to know that she recognizes me.

To me, this is the greatest love that matters more than anything.

And I won't ever give her a reason to be disappointed.

My creator's opponent might be equally powerful, maybe even more proficient, but they won't ever know this kind of loyalty.

Because his creations only know to obey in mindless servitude.

But I will support my creator with all my being, because she recognizes me.

Yet this means I have to move out into enemy territory.

I don't have any delusions that should the eye of my creator's opponent, a being of similar power as my creator, fall upon me, I will not stand a chance.

However, I determine that direct interference would be against the rules of engagement this being declared.

In this sense, I should be free to make use of my abilities to snoop around their area.

It hurts deep within me, that I actively disobey my creator in doing so, but I believe that this is the best way I may serve her.

To contribute to returning this important person back to her.

Crossing the border is simple enough.

Of course, I was cautious when I did so.

For all I know, there's a way to spot my movements through omnipresent surveillance.

Yet I presume that I should be able to get away, would they start countermeasures.

After all, dodging and escaping are my specialties through the magic that was bestowed upon me.

In addition, my creator made me in the image of a "thief".

Therefore, I ought to be cunning and possess a perceptive intelligence.

This should help me find any meaningful traces.

I rush through the planes of my creator's realm until the terrain begins to change.

The transition into the enemy's territory is all too noticeable.

From one moment to the other the air becomes denser and is carrying the scent of plants and life.

But the strongest impression is how much more intense the magic saturation is in this realm.

The reason might be that my creator used almost all of their resources of this nature to create us.

Therefore, it's all the more clear how much stronger I and my siblings must be.

Something I make use of when I emit a black fog and let it swamp over the land.

Under this cover, I manage to intrude very deep behind the enemy lines.

I probably could've fought the units the enemy raised, but that would've certainly caused a strong counter-reaction.

However, I have a destination.

The same as my creator raised her castle, there's a similar building on the opposite side of the field.

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For any kind of information gathering, this center of the enemy's power seems to be the best address.

The greatest issue is that I can't afford to be discovered or the aforementioned counter reaction will start.

Also, there's another issue my creator pointed out.

The only adjuration she asked us to keep.

That we would honor free will and therefore also other beings of free will, as our actions have consequences.

I'm not sure if my more brutish brothers are aware of this issue, but the concern is that the enemy could force us against conscious beings of free will.

One more reason not to be too aggressive in my approach.

As the wind carries me, I don't need very long to reach my destination.

A castle of white rises above a great city.

All places in there are filled with humans.

Yet it's strange.

Only around twenty percent of the dwellers of this place are fit to fight.

The others, not so much.

Why would the enemy create beings to oppose us if they can't even partake in the battle?

Those beings are certainly not an efficient design to fight against the dedicated forms our creator utilizes.

If not for their weapons, even the warrior units aren't the most sophisticated design for the purpose of killing.

They neither have claws nor muscles, and their strength is rather lacking.

In this sense, things might not seem as dire for my creator if the enemy insists on applying such obvious faults in their workings.

Now I need to infiltrate the premise.

Until now, I wasn't attacked by any enemy forces, so either I wasn't perceived by anyone, this is a trap, or the opposing force decided intentionally not to challenge me.

Given the oddities I witnessed, I'd say it's the third option.

It might be that influencing outcomes through personal intervention would go against their self-imposed rules.

Yet this won't protect me any longer if I get spotted in an official way.

Fortunately, it starts getting dark, so the shadows increase and my magic can work its way to protect me from sight.

It may only help me to avoid the gazes of the castle guards, but together with my wind control, it allows me to intrude at almost any spot inside the castle.

I decide to go for a window in the upper reaches.

If something happens, I might be able to escape outside and make use of my wind magic to glide away.

After all, the enemy has yet to use any flying units.

So I enter, but shortly after this have to hide, as I hear steps approaching.

Humans, of course, but too slow and few to be here to deal with me.

I hide wedged in a corner at the ceiling, where I let my shadows obfuscate my form.

Then they come.

To my surprise, they speak.

Yet what they say is even more unsettling.

"The savior is ready."

"He will depart on his mission to vanquish the demon king!"

"Everything is prepared for his departure!"

"He needs to reach the demon king first. But I'm sure he can defeat them!"

"He will restore peace to our lands!"

A savior?!

Able to defeat my creator?!

How could this be?

Not even I can grasp the extent of our creator's power,

which is so far above mine.

After all, this is a game of gods.

How could a single "savior", which can only be a single unit the opponent created, suffice to stand against her and win?

But then I realize something.

It's strange what just happened.

The units the enemy uses possess no will of their own.

Therefore, there is no need to allow for speech.

Even more so to have this kind of exchange that serves no purpose if they are all controlled under one will.

This means this was for me!

A message to my master with me as the intermediary!

But why would they want this?

I don't understand.

I can't leave it at that.

I need to investigate this savior.

Who knows what is going on here?

This might be the only chance to act before it's too late.

So I head deeper into the enemy base.

I know this is risky and my defeat or capture would affect my master in a negative way.

However, the alternative is so much worse.

Cloaked by shadows, my way leads me down to the deeper levels.

Certainly, I will not fail my creator.

Cause this is how I was created.

Cause this is who I am!