The newspaper carrying the article was The Voice of the Empire, one of the empire's major media outlets.
Oscar quickly skimmed the article plastered massively across the front page of the newspaper.
[Exclusive: Demon Confirmed Inside the Violet Brigade.]
A few weeks ago, a bloodstained bandage arrived at this reporter's office along with a letter.
At first, I thought it was a very sick joke, but the letter contained an unbelievable claim that the blood belonged to a demon living disguised as a human.
Just in case, I commissioned the Magic Association for an analysis, and a high concentration of demonic energy—impossible to come from a human—was detected in the blood.
Afterward, this reporter maintained contact with the mysterious informant several times and obtained shocking information.
Namely, that the owner of the blood was the commander of the infamous Violet Brigade.
......(Omitted).
The article unraveled the process from the moment the reporter received the tip to how they approached the truth.
Maureen gaped her mouth wide open.
"Wow, so does that mean the Violet Brigade was a demon's limbs?"
"Well. It's a bit different from that. The text says only the commander is a demon."
"I don't think it's different in the grand scheme of things. After all, the one who moves the brigade is the commander."
Tesila's party also exchanged diverse opinions.
Conversations like this were likely multiplying in real-time across the entire continent.
Oscar's eyes narrowed.
‘Who in the world is it?’
Even within the Violet Brigade, no one knew the commander's true identity.
There were only two people on the continent who knew his exact identity and purpose.
It was just Uncle Emperor and himself.
‘Even so, there's no way Uncle Emperor leaked this information.’
Because there was no reason to do so.
If he had done something unforgivable, taking him out quietly without any noise would have been the end of it.
‘The one who stands to gain from revealing this information is.......’
As expected, it would be the demons, and among them, the 2nd Great Emperor.
Tesila approached Oscar, who was deep in thought.
"We were thinking of throwing a small party to celebrate successfully finishing our adventure. You'll drink with us, right?"
"I'd like to, but there are documents I need to process immediately at the White Tower."
"Really? I suppose...... someone like you, Oscar, would be busy."
As she nodded with a regretful expression, the rest of the party approached from behind.
"Hmm? Are you leaving right now by any chance?"
"Really? That's a bit of a shame."
At Tristan and Maureen's words, Oscar smiled faintly.
"I'm sorry. If there's a chance to be together next time, I'll clear my schedule a bit more then."
"It's not exactly something to apologize for. Rather, thank you for joining us. We finished this adventure well thanks to you."
As he then exchanged handshakes with them, Eddie and Mary also approached.
"El Sia. I will pray that there are always blessings in our brother's future."
"El Sia. Thank you, Priest."
"......You worked hard."
"You worked hard too, Ms. Mary."
Having exchanged greetings with those two as well, Oscar nodded to Tesila.
"I will contact you again next time."
"Of course. The voucher can be used anytime, so call if you need the strength of a Special-class adventurer!"
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
Oscar, who parted ways with Tesila's group with a smiling face, returned straight to the White Tower.
And the moment he stepped into his room, he sent a transmission to Uncle Emperor.
[Oscar, is that you?]
"Yes, have you been well all this time?"
[Let's skip the formalities. If you contacted me first, does that mean you saw the article?]
"I checked it a little while ago."
[I see. The current situation is turning out to be a massive headache.]
"It seems like this conversation will be a bit long. Should I come see you to talk?"
[No, no.]
The Emperor, who refused with surprising firmness, said.
[Absolutely do not come near the capital.]
"......May I know for what reason?"
[Oscar, listen carefully to what I say from now on.]
He lowered his voice and spoke gravely.
[As you probably guessed while reading the article, the demons' influence is behind this exposure. I judge that there is a high possibility the 2nd Great Emperor led it personally.]
"Yes, up to that point I also...... Ah!"
Oscar let out a short exclamation.
"Your Majesty thinks the informant is the First Finger."
[You hit the mark.]
He must have received the information and evidence regarding the commander from the demons and tipped it off to the press.
However, that alone wasn't a reason why he shouldn't go to the capital.
Oscar's eyes sank heavily.
"There is something you want to say to me."
[......Oscar. I do not entirely trust the commander of the Violet Brigade. However, I believe he must not die, if only to prevent the 2nd Great Emperor's power from being completed.]
"I also agree with that part."
The moment the commander dies and the 2nd Great Emperor takes full possession of that power, the war will begin.
That was something the Empire, which dreamed of one-sided strikes using airships, absolutely had to avoid.
[Personally, I had hoped this matter would be buried as an unfounded suspicion, but.......]
The Emperor, letting out a sigh, continued speaking.
[The evidence was far too clear, and the Order, having confirmed it, began to move first. They have organized a Holy Punishment Squad to execute the demon roaming this land, and they have already finished preparations to chase after the commander.]
"If it's the Holy Punishment Squad......."
It was an armed force temporarily organized by the Order to deal with demons or heretical forces.
He knew that not only the highest caliber of holy knights within the Order, but even high-ranking priests would be mobilized.
[Above all, the Order has formally requested subjugation cooperation from the Imperial Family. It's a request to declare the Violet Brigade commander a Public Enemy of the Continent and grant permission for the Holy Punishment Squad to operate throughout the entire empire.]
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
"......It will be difficult to refuse."
[It's completely impossible. Because we made a covenant that if a demon is discovered in the empire's territory, the Imperial Family will cooperate with the Order to subjugate it.]
The Emperor answered bitterly.
[More than anything, it is an incident where a demon infiltrated the empire disguised as a human and commanded an infamous armed group for over a decade. Meaning we don't even have a justification to refuse their request for cooperation.]
"In the end, you'll have to accept that request."
[As soon as this transmission ends. I intend to declare the Violet Brigade commander a Public Enemy of the Continent and organize a special pursuit team directly under the Imperial Family. Outwardly, it will look like we are taking the lead in catching him more than anyone else.]
The Holy Punishment Squad and the Imperial Army, bounty hunters and magic towers, sword families, and even mercenaries.
Literally the entire continent would begin chasing after him.
It would be impossible for a single individual to shake off a pursuit of that scale.
For that reason, Oscar felt he knew what the Emperor was going to say to him.
[Oscar.]
The Emperor called out to him in a low voice.
"Please give your command."
[As the Emperor of the Empire, I intend to pursue him with all my might.]
[I ask this of you. Please find the commander first. Contact the commander before anyone else, and spirit him away without getting caught by anyone.]
It was a contradictory request.
To set up an inescapable dragnet, yet ask him to secretly tear it down.
Oscar closed both his eyes.
He couldn't ask for help from anyone, and even if his identity were discovered, he couldn't even hope for protection.
Because if they tried to cover for him unnecessarily, not only the White Tower but even the Emperor would be suspected of being a demon's accomplices.
[It is a request where I cannot promise you any support or protection. But you are the only one I can make such a request to.]
Because the only people who knew the reason why the commander had to live were just him and himself.
"Now I finally understand why you said I shouldn't come to the capital."
[If the First Finger led this matter as expected, countless eyes and ears will already be laid out in the capital. If the fact that you met with me at a time like this were to become known, it would easily be pinpointed later on that you were the one who helped the commander escape.]
Oscar slowly lifted his closed eyelids.
"Can I refuse?"
[......If that is your will, I shall respect it.]
"Sss, haa."
Letting out a shallow sigh, Oscar shook his head side to side.
"Never mind. If the commander dies now, what kind of crazy monster will the 2nd Great Emperor become?"
Perhaps he would become an existence that the Heavenly Sword old man couldn't beat even if he reached the 9th level.
For the predestined victory that was soon to approach, that at least was something that absolutely must not happen.
"I just said it out of frustration."
[......I know. Thank you, and I am sorry.]
"I will be sure to collect this debt fully later. Where is the commander right now?"
[The last time he contacted us was right before he entered the Shadow Forest.]
The Shadow Forest, a wise judgment.
That massive forest was densely wooded and the flow of mana was unstable, making it perfect for hiding one's body.
It was a place where one couldn't pinpoint an exact location even using spatial magic.
"For now, secretly making contact and putting him in a subspace would be the best option."
[Yes, it is something only you can do.]
"Your Majesty. If my identity gets discovered......."
[I cannot save you. However, I can at least assure that this matter is unrelated to the White Tower.]
"That is enough."
The transmission ended.
Before heading out to save the commander, Oscar harbored one doubt.
‘But is there really not a single person helping that commander guy?’
Well, it wouldn't be strange even if there wasn't.
The Violet Brigade, notoriously infamous on a regular day, had an exceptionally bad image after all.
But wouldn't the story be a bit different if it was someone from the same Violet Brigade?
‘That's what I thought, but.......’
A familiar voice replied from over the communicator.
[Well. Right now he isn't even answering our calls so I don't know for sure, but...... he is probably moving alone.]
According to Oran Quill's testimony, there was a high possibility the commander was moving alone.
"How is the internal situation of the Violet Brigade?"
[What do you mean how is it? There are plenty of bastards going wild trying to kill the commander, blinded by the bounty.]
His voice turned slightly bitter.
[To be honest, I feel a bit dazed too. If possible, I'd like to meet him and ask why he deceived us all this time, and what his purpose was exactly...... but that would be difficult.]
"Are there no members who say they'll help him?"
[No way. The Imperial Family declared the commander a Public Enemy of the Continent a little while ago. The moment you help him, it means you're tied together as accomplices. Most of all, who would want to fight against the world for a person who lied about their identity for over a decade?]
"That's cold-hearted."
[Ahem.]
Oscar, having ended the transmission, first changed his clothes.
The most nondescript black martial arts uniform.
He put on a hood and pulled up the mask extending from his neck to his nose, covering his face except for his eyes.
Finally, he even altered the mana signature he normally used.
‘With this much, it should be hard to pinpoint my identity.’
Checking the mirror, Oscar stared at the communicator.
He was consistently trying to contact the commander as well, but no reply came back.
Perhaps due to the characteristics of the Shadow Forest, there was a high likelihood the transmissions themselves weren't going through.
‘In the end, does this mean I have to go in there myself and find him?’
As he moved to the entrance of a snow-covered forest through a portal, a red mountain range could be seen far off in the distance.
Because the Shadow Forest was situated in the northern part of the continent.
Staring hesitantly at that mountain range for a moment, Oscar moved his steps into the snow-covered forest.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]

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