Game Difficulty Is Insane
Silence settled over the fortress courtyard.
In the heavy stillness that made him swallow dryly without realizing it, Glen forced himself to maintain a calm expression.
But inside his head, it was pure chaos.
‘No, why the hell is she showing up here?’
The fact that Penelope would approach him personally, even going so far as to send a three-eyed crow, was something he had never imagined.
‘And right in the middle of Aveneu Fortress, no less.’
In the few short seconds since Penelope had spoken to him through the three-eyed crow, dozens of thoughts flashed through Glen’s mind.
‘Why me of all people? Not Jaber or the other officers?’
‘Because I’m a Wordsworth?’
‘Because I killed Meldborn?’
‘Or did she even realize that I took out the deputy commander, Muta?’
Various hypotheses surfaced, but none of them led to certainty, only deepening the confusion.
“……”
“You don’t seem very flustered. Or are you actually so shocked that you’re speechless?”
When Glen remained silent, Penelope spoke through the crow.
“Well, that’s understandable. I get it. Then shall I introduce myself first? I’m Penelope Ogma. The Legion Commander of the Demon King Army’s 8th Legion—the one you’re fighting.”
The crow’s three eyes rolled unnervingly.
All the while, Glen continued trying to grasp Penelope’s purpose.
But since no clear conclusion emerged, he decided to change his approach.
‘No helping it. If I can’t guess her goal, then I’ll just have to find out through conversation.’
Fortunately, what stood before him was not Penelope herself, but her minion.
And it wasn’t a situation where his life was immediately being threatened.
‘It’s sudden, but in this situation, I have nothing to lose.’
Moreover, while he didn’t know why she had approached him, Glen knew an enormous amount about Penelope herself.
If he could use that informational advantage to take control of the conversation, he might even gain something from it.
With that in mind, his gaze sharpened.
“For what reason would a Legion Commander of the Demon King Army come looking for me?”
“Now you finally answer. You were so quiet I thought you’d frozen up.”
“Get to the point.”
“You’re prickly for someone who doesn’t look it.”
From beyond the crow, Penelope let out a quiet chuckle before getting to the main issue.
“Do you want to make a deal with your big sister here?”
Glen frowned.
“A deal?”
“Yes. Let’s trade what I have for what you have.”
“So what exactly are you proposing to trade?”
“How about we discuss the details face to face? It’s an important deal, after all. I’d like to see you in person.”
Penelope’s sultry voice echoed in his ears through the crow’s beak.
But Glen snorted, unimpressed.
‘Meet face to face…’
The malicious intent was so obvious that all he could do was laugh.
Little by little, Penelope’s purpose in seeking him out began to take shape in his mind.
“And why would I risk my life to meet you?”
“Because you’ll regret it if you don’t. What I have is that important to you. Well? Aren’t you curious?”
As Penelope’s voice dropped low, Glen scoffed.
“There’s nothing to be curious about.”
“Oh my, is that so?”
“I already know.”
“Then say it.”
“My life.”
“Hmmm… sharp, aren’t you.”
Beyond the crow, Penelope smirked.
In truth, although she called it a deal, Penelope’s approach and proposal were closer to a form of mercy she was bestowing upon Glen.
‘A deal only counts as a deal when the other party is on equal footing.’
In the battle over the fall of Aveneu, Penelope didn’t actually need to do anything.
Just by pushing forward her overwhelmingly large army, Aveneu would fall within days.
That meant Penelope wouldn’t lose anything even if Glen rejected her suspicious proposal.
‘If anything, I’m the one who stands to lose.’
A hopeless battle with no chance of victory.
In this desperate situation, Glen could preserve his life through a deal with Penelope.
For some reason, Penelope had given him a choice.
Continue a battle with no chance of winning and meet a meaningless death—
Or accept her unknown demands, preserve his life, and serve under her.
‘Such a Penelope-like piece of nonsense.’
Glen smiled bitterly.
“If you understand that much, then there’s no need to waste breath explaining further.”
Fwoooosh—
Suddenly, faint demonic energy flared around the three-eyed crow like flames.
Then it began to burn.
“Midnight tonight. I’ll be waiting in a small forest at the midpoint. I have plenty of time, so think it over carefully. Life is precious, you know?”
Her characteristic sultry voice rang out, seductive and lingering.
Moments later, the three-eyed crow was engulfed in demonic flames and scattered into the air.
“……”
Silence followed.
Glen muttered quietly.
“What a load of bullshit.”
He didn’t know what she intended to demand in exchange for his life, but Penelope’s proposed deal was undoubtedly tempting.
‘That is, assuming she would actually keep her word.’
Glen snorted.
Based on the memories of Sung Yohwan, he was certain of one thing.
Penelope’s offer was nothing more than sweet-talking lies meant to lure Glen into a private meeting.
If he went to the promised place, intoxicated by her proposal, he would lose his life.
Unless someone was mentally broken by despair over a future with no hope, it was an absurdly flimsy temptation.
‘She probably tossed it out half as a joke, since there’s no risk to her if it fails.’
If he comes, good. If not, whatever.
Once again, it was clear just how lightly Penelope regarded this battle, unlike the Gray Wolf Knights.
‘Of course, thanks to that lighthearted attitude, I’ve just been handed an opportunity.’
A sharp, cunning smile slowly spread across Glen’s lips.
An operation far more efficient and with a far higher success rate than any assassination plan had just occurred to him.
‘And it’s a completely insane plan that could end this war in one stroke.’
“Well then, shall I go pick up Romina first?”
Clapping his hands to clear his head, Glen headed toward his room with a light step.
There were about two hours until midnight—more than enough time to prepare.
