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The fortress of the Demon Lord, Grünstadt Castle, was wrapped in mist.
As I transformed into my usual werewolf form, I let out a heavy sigh.

“‘Explain everything,’ you said… but how exactly…”

When I turned around, I shut my mouth.
Master was nowhere in sight.

Apparently, she teleported only me here.

“Is she going to watch over Lüenheit while I’m gone?”

Tilting my head in confusion, I started walking toward the castle gate.

Grünstadt Castle, the stronghold of the Demon Lord’s Army, is also the base of operations for each division.
The First Division consists solely of dragonkin elites. It’s also known as the Royal Guard.
Their full strength is unknown, but they’re probably stronger than the Second and Third Divisions combined. Every single dragonkin is a devout follower of the Demon Lord.

The Second Division includes destructive-type demons like beast-ogres and giants.
They’re aggressive and violent, so I don’t really get along with them. Despite their overwhelming numbers, their commander and everyone else are pure battle junkies, so they don’t have much influence.

The Third Division is full of tricky types like werewolves and vampires. The lower-ranking soldiers are more peaceful and don’t mesh well with the Second Division’s rowdiness.
Most of the Vice-Commanders are disciples of the Great Sage Gomoviroa, which means they’re also mages. Not to brag, but we’re basically the brains of the Demon Lord’s Army.
The only downside is our small numbers—we can only conquer cities through ambush tactics.

Normally, these three divisions are constantly moving in and out for training and supply purposes, making the castle fairly lively.
But today, the Second Division seemed unusually tense. Even freshly recruited rookies were running around in shiny new armor, clearly on edge.

“Something big must be going down…”

Wondering what was going on, I decided to wait for the Demon Lord in a room where a guard had shown me.
I sipped some iron-ore tea, a dragonkin specialty, and nibbled on chicken-filled cookies.
I hate to say it, but the iron-ore tea tastes like rusty pipe water, and the chicken-filled cookies are nothing short of a cruel joke.

Despite summoning me all the way here, the audience with the Demon Lord wasn’t starting anytime soon.
After two cups of tea and finishing all the chicken cookies, the door finally opened.
Thinking it was the Demon Lord, I stood up—only to see a dragonkin officer walk in.
He was the First Division’s vice-commander. If I recall, his name was Baltze. His title: Azure Knight.

“Sir Baltze, it’s been a while.”

I bowed, and true to his title, the blue-scaled dragonkin gave a small nod.

“It has indeed. I apologize for the delay.”

With their lizard-like faces, it’s hard to read expressions, but he seemed genuinely sorry. And a little worn out.

“The Demon Lord has just finished a strategy meeting and is a bit fatigued. I appreciate your understanding.”
“Understood.”

I wasn’t exactly sure what I was supposed to understand, but I figured this wasn’t the best timing. I’d just have to watch what I say.

Soon after, I was led into a meeting room—the kind of place only division commanders and top brass could enter. My first time in here.
Following Vice-Commander Baltze, I bowed deeply.

“Your Majesty. I, Veit the Demon Wolf, vice-commander of the Third Division, am here to report.”
“Well done coming.”

Across the round table, the Demon Lord gave me a nod. With dragonkin, you can’t tell what they’re feeling from their faces.

The Demon Lord wasted no time and shot a question at me.

“Bait, I have something to ask you.”

To be honest, I hate when the Demon Lord says my name.

Because of the dragonkin’s mouth structure, they can’t pronounce ‘Veit.’ It always comes out ‘Bait.’
They think they’re saying it right, but to me, it sounds totally off.
Even though I’m a vice-commander, it really chips away at my confidence.

Oblivious to my inner discomfort, the Demon Lord continued.

“I’ve heard you ordered charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter from dogfolk merchants.”
“Yes, that is correct.”

Ah, so it’s about the gunpowder.
I was thinking of developing matchlock guns to strengthen the dogfolk troops. They’re not physically strong, but they’re good with their hands and quick learners. I figured they’d make excellent marksmen.
But now I wasn’t sure if I should be honest about that.

Before I could say anything, the conversation took an unexpected turn.

“How did you come to know the ingredients for ‘Dragon’s Breath’?”
“Pardon?”

Wait—gunpowder already exists in this world?
As I sat there confused, Baltze interjected.

“‘Dragon’s Breath’ is a secret explosive triggered by fire. It’s one of the most closely guarded secrets of the dragonkin. Even within the Demon Lord’s Army, it’s top military intelligence.”
“I-I see.”

Well, crap.

The Demon Lord stared at me in silence, clearly expecting an answer. If I didn’t talk fast, I’d be punished for meddling with top-level secrets.
I made up my mind.

“During my training, I read through my master Gomoviroa’s archives and deduced that this combination might produce an explosive reaction.”
“Hm… Gomoviroa’s archives, you say…”

As the Demon Lord nodded, I went all in.

“I ordered the materials as part of my research to enhance the dogfolk unit’s capabilities. I wasn’t aware it was a classified substance.”

I wasn’t ready to admit the truth, but I was ready to blame the master and apologize later. Not the greatest excuse, but better than nothing.

To my surprise, the Demon Lord responded leniently.

“As expected from the Great Sage’s protégé. Not only skilled in tactics, but also in alchemy. Very well—I shall overlook this in recognition of your insight.”

Looks like I dodged the bullet. Still gave me a damn heart attack.
The Demon Lord continued.

“However, I assume you do not know the exact formula for ‘Dragon’s Breath.’”
“No, I do not.”

That’s true—I was going to try mixing equal parts to start with.

The Demon Lord shook his head slightly.

“It’s ten parts saltpeter, two parts charcoal, one part sulfur by weight. Remember it well. However, mixing it is strictly forbidden due to the danger.”

So much saltpeter…? But why tell me the formula, then forbid me to use it?
But as if reading my mind, the Demon Lord added gravely:

“You will be issued a small amount of ‘Dragon’s Breath’ as a special exception. Due to the difficulty of handling it, a technician team from the First Division will be dispatched. They will operate under your command.”
“Yes, I am honored and accept it with gratitude!”
“If any information leaks, punishment will be severe, regardless of circumstances. Understood?”
“…Understood.”

A twinge of regret crept in—but it was already too late.
I bowed deeply.