We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Where is the truth?
While being wary of pursuers, we took a break and resumed our journey as the sun rose.
We headed south, walking relentlessly.
No one could accurately grasp which part of the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s country we were traveling through.
It’s moments like these that make you realize how fortunate we were to have the sky travel, which allowed us to see the surrounding terrain and our current location from above.
Once we return to the Forbidden Territory, I’ll play with Nimia and Revalia to my heart’s content and express our gratitude.
However, to do that, we need to finish our business quickly.
“What we saw when we left the Baron Taalkaton’s city, that was Srain’s magic sword, wasn’t it?”
As we crossed the plains, we walked off the road. Nevertheless, the ground was flat, making it very easy to walk.
However, the endless plains offered too much visibility, and our figures were conspicuous even from afar.
Keeping a close watch for any suspicious individuals approaching from a distance, we reflected on the events of the past few days.
“That thing that was attacking the Silver-eyed Knight’s main force? It certainly looked like it, but it was far away.”
“But, it doesn’t make sense why he would come to that damn female demon’s territory, does it? He told us about the commotion in the south and said we’d meet again eventually. I can’t think of any reason for him to take a detour to the west.”
Slaton must have been really angry about Baron Taalkaton’s trap. He’s speaking very rudely to a high-ranking demon.
As Slaton retorted, Lady Mine opened her mouth.
“Since Baron Taalkaton and Srain seem to be old acquaintances, perhaps he came to visit after a long time?”
“But, Lady Mine, the civil war in the north is not subsiding; it’s only getting worse. Shouldn’t Srain, as a mercenary, still be on the northern battlefield?”
I nodded in agreement with Anna’s opinion.
“Now that you mention it, the necessity of Srain appearing there at that time becomes questionable.”
Srain had demonstrated remarkable prowess on the battlefield, even beyond that of a mere mercenary.
He truly possessed the strength of a thousand men, showing no mercy to enemies and allies alike.
Well, attacking allies is a problem, but… even so, Srain’s ability was genuine, which is why it wouldn’t be strange for him to remain on the battlefield where he could earn a living as a mercenary.
“Or rather, given that Srain was there, what kind of situation led to the government army commander being killed?”
Slaton answered my question with a scoff.
“The world isn’t always as your common sense dictates. It’s impossible for a mere mercenary to easily enter the core of an army. No matter how skilled Srain is, there’s no way he could get close to the commander. In fact, as a mercenary, he’d likely be sent to the front lines!”
Are you implying that it’s unreasonable for me, a mere human, to be suddenly on friendly terms with the Demon Lord and his close aides?
I have to agree with that.
“Putting El El’s situation aside for now, as Slanel said, even if Srain were a top-tier mercenary, if he wasn’t nearby when the commander was attacked, he couldn’t have helped. Moreover, if the attack method was poison or curses, even close aides might not be able to prevent it.”
Poison, ah, and so the conversation shifted to the Baron.
“What is the Baron planning to do by taking the Baron as a hostage?”
We all agreed that someone who would plot to weaken the enemy’s forces by trapping Lady Shooting Star’s entourage must surely be using the Baron and his retainers to his own advantage.
“He must have originally been a demon from the central region. His outward demeanor and behavior are completely different from his inner thoughts. Regardless of race, such individuals are found everywhere, and they are the most formidable. That must be the scheme of the cunning Baron.”
“Well, if we’re only looking at the immediate problem, he’d likely use him to deal with the Silver-eyed Knight.”
Specifically, Slaton suggested, he might use the Baron as leverage to send his subordinates to the battlefield, or if the situation worsened, offer him up to negotiate a truce. I’m terrible at strategic thinking, so I just nodded and said, “I see.”
“We can’t even imagine what Baron Taalkaton is thinking, but at least this region will only get worse from now on.”
“It makes you think that demons, for all their power, have their own struggles, doesn’t it?”
Lady Mine and Anna nodded deeply, lost in thought.
Human common sense often imposes a prejudice that demons are terrifying beings who act solely on their instinct for destruction, indulging in slaughter and irrational behavior at will.
After all, the teachings of the Temple Religion state that the fundamental truth of a demon’s existence is “destruction” and “freedom.”
Lady Mine and Anna might be thinking about the existence of demons much more deeply than we realize.
“While I’m curious about the situation in the north and the Baron, El. El, what do you think of the current state of this country?”
Listea asked me.
Among this group, I’ve had the most contact with demons. Having seen the Giant Demon Lord’s country, the Fairy Demon Lord’s country, and the Verdant Demon Lord’s country, she wanted to know my feelings about the state of the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s country.
“Hmm, let me think,”
I reconsidered.
“The demon countries are all more developed and prosperous than human countries. However, in the border regions, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between demon and human countries.”
Ruilala’s territory near Dragon Peak was a very pastoral and tranquil countryside. The border region where the Dragon King’s Capital is located is also surrounded by undeveloped land, and people are rarely seen outside of cities and roads.
Even the prosperity of the demon capital and large cities doesn’t reach the outer fringes. And undeveloped lands are harsh environments where it’s difficult to survive, whether you’re human or demon.
“And yet, this country is experiencing so many civil wars, disturbances, and territorial disputes in such a remote region? Isn’t that strange?”
What do you mean? Slaton asked, tilting his head. I replied:
“I haven’t heard from many people yet, so I can’t be sure. I’ve heard whispers of local disturbances from Srain, the Baron, and Baron Taalkaton, but I haven’t heard anything about the disturbances in the central or other regions.”
Isn’t that rather odd?
Logically, if there are so many frequent disturbances in these remote areas where only a limited number of people live, then the larger cities and the central region should be in even worse condition.
Yet, from Baron Taalkaton and Srain, I heard nothing about disturbances in the country’s center or western regions.
“If the disturbances in this country are intentional on the Demon Lord’s part, then there must be some plan behind the problems occurring solely in the eastern regions.”
If my theory is correct, then by investigating the disturbances in this region, we might be able to glimpse the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s scheme.
When I presented this thought, Listea showed her agreement.
“To understand the Demon Lord’s plans and schemes, we need to gather more information.”
“But, Rhys, even if we try to gather information, I don’t think it will be easy to find demons who will speak to us humans casually?”
Demons will always oppress us humans when they see us. Even with Lady Shooting Star in our entourage. This has been proven by the Baron’s retainers and Baron Taalkaton.
If humans show any indication of investigating the internal affairs of a demon country, they will definitely be put on guard.
Therefore, Slaton’s point is valid.
“Nevertheless, we must learn about this country. Perhaps we have no choice but to quietly seek out and question good-natured demons.”
Listea gazed at the distant southern sky, seeming to realize the long road ahead.
“Yes. In any case, we lack information, so we have no choice but to gather it through inquiry.”
And, the people we inquire with don’t necessarily have to be demons.
“There are human rebellions occurring in the southern region, aren’t there? If we go there, we might be able to learn more about things.”
“At the same time, the possibility of us getting caught up in those disturbances will increase significantly.”
“I’m already worried about El El.”
“You’re already assuming I’ll get involved?!”
Lady Mine and Anna chuckled at our exchange. Lord Reed also smiled from a step back.
We were finally beginning to find some peace of mind.
However, our hope of continuing smoothly to the south was shattered the next day.
“El El, there are people being attacked by monsters over there!”
Anna’s urgent voice made us look out at the plains ahead.
“A carriage and people surrounding it. And a large monster!”
“What should we do? I can’t say that as Lady Shooting Star’s entourage!”
“No matter what our status or race, we extend our help without charge to those in need.”
Upon spotting people being attacked by monsters in the distance, Lady Mine and Anna unhesitatingly headed towards them using the transportation magic “Star Crossing.”
We, too, started running at full speed, not to be left behind.
“Whether it’s troublesome or requires help, we can think about it after the rescue!”
“Slanel, simple things are best for you!”
“Shut up! I’ll play with you as a prop later!”
“Eek, Lord Reed, help me!”
“Ara ara ara.”
Of course, Lord Reed was also following us.
However, this time he seemed unwilling to intervene actively, only observing our exchanges and actions with an observant gaze.
“El El, keep an eye on the overall situation and provide support. Slanel and I will charge in!”
“Yahoo!!”
Listea and Slaton, drawing their red and blue swords, accelerated further.
“Gyaaaah! Help me!”
“Eeeek!”
Screams arose from around the carriage.
We saw many people with swords, spears, and bows around the carriage. However, everyone was in disarray and unable to effectively deal with the monster.
And the monster attacking the carriage and the people around it was disturbingly huge.
Its appearance was like a centipede, but terrifyingly large.
Merely raising half of its body caused its head to be higher than the carriage’s canopy.
Furthermore, unlike an insect centipede, its entire body was covered in red and brown mottled patterns, and sharp scythe-like appendages grew below its head.
“We had a situation like this just a few days ago!”
Slaton launched a surprise attack on the grotesque, giant centipede monster!
Approaching from the monster’s blind spot, Slaton ruthlessly swung his blue longsword.
With a squelch, he deeply slashed the centipede monster’s back.
“Slanel, don’t touch the monster’s bodily fluids!”
“Yeah, yeah, I know!”
Blue bodily fluids spurted from the back Slaton had cut. Slaton dodged them with ease.
Simultaneously, the centipede monster let out a grating shriek.
“Slanel, attack its torso like that. I’ll aim for its legs!”
Listea shouted and, as promised, began slashing at the centipede monster’s countless legs with her red straight sword.
“Lady Mine, please assist them!”
“I’ll bind them with binding magic!”
Lady Mine and Anna also joined the fray.
Anna, with astonishing speed that we didn’t even notice her preparing, cast a barrier magic spell around the carriage.
Lady Mine quickly chanted a binding spell.
Under the centipede monster’s feet, crescent moon-like light and shadow were born.
“W-who are you!?”
A slightly plump man, flustered and weaponless among the chaos around the carriage, cried out in confusion at our sudden appearance.
“We can explain later. Let’s cooperate and defeat the monster first.”
I smiled reassuringly at the plump man.
You can easily express your support by clicking the heart. (Login required)
Support
Login if you have an account
Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu.
